bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sepsis Encephalopathy Is Partly Mediated by miR370-3p-Induced Mitochondrial Injury but Attenuated by BAM15 in Cecal Ligation and Puncture Sepsis Male Mice
Authors: Hiengrach Pratsanee , Visitchanakun Peerapat , Tongchairawewat Pakteema , Tangsirisatian Ponphisudti , Jungteerapanich Thitiphat , Ritprajak Patcharee , Wannigama Dhammika Leshan , Tangtanatakul Pattarin , Leelahavanichkul Asada
Published: May 2022

BAM15 (a mitochondrial uncoupling agent) was tested on cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) sepsis mice with in vitro experiments. BAM15 attenuated sepsis as indicated by survival, organ histology (kidneys and livers), spleen apoptosis (activated caspase 3), brain injury (SHIRPA score, serum s100β, serum miR370-3p, brain miR370-3p, brain TNF-α, and apoptosis), systemic inflammation (cytokines, cell-free DNA, endotoxemia, and bacteremia), and blood–brain barrier (BBB) damage (Evan’s blue dye and the presence of green fluorescent E. coli in brain after an oral administration). In parallel, brain miR arrays demonstrated miR370-3p at 24 h but not 120 h post-CLP, which was correlated with metabolic pathways. Either lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or TNF-α upregulated miR370-3p in PC12 (neuron cells). An activation by sepsis factors (LPS, TNF-α, or miR370-3p transfection) damaged mitochondria (fluorescent color staining) and reduced cell ATP, possibly through profound mitochondrial activity (extracellular flux analysis) that was attenuated by BAM15. In bone-marrow-derived macrophages, LPS caused mitochondrial injury, decreased cell ATP, enhanced glycolysis activity (extracellular flux analysis), and induced pro-inflammatory macrophages (iNOS and IL-1β) which were neutralized by BAM15. In conclusion, BAM15 attenuated sepsis through decreased mitochondrial damage, reduced neuronal miR370-3p upregulation, and induced anti-inflammatory macrophages. BAM15 is proposed to be used as an adjuvant therapy against sepsis hyperinflammation.
Structural Abnormalities of the Optic Nerve and Retina in Huntington’s Disease Pre-Clinical and Clinical Settings
Authors: Mazur-Michałek Iwona , Kowalska Katarzyna , Zielonka Daniel , Leśniczak-Staszak Marta , Pietras Paulina , Szaflarski Witold , Isalan Mark , Mielcarek Michal
Published: May 2022

Huntington’s disease (HD) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder caused by a polyglutamine expansion in the huntingtin protein. HD-related pathological remodelling has been reported in HD mouse models and HD carriers. In this study, we studied structural abnormalities in the optic nerve by employing Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography (SD-OCT) in pre-symptomatic HD carriers of Caucasian origin. Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) was used to investigate ultrastructural changes in the optic nerve of the well-established R6/2 mouse model at the symptomatic stage of the disease. We found that pre-symptomatic HD carriers displayed a significant reduction in the retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) thickness, including specific quadrants: superior, inferior and temporal, but not nasal. There were no other significant irregularities in the GCC layer, at the macula level and in the optic disc morphology. The ultrastructural analysis of the optic nerve in R6/2 mice revealed a significant thinning of the myelin sheaths, with a lamellar separation of the myelin, and a presence of myelonoid bodies. We also found a significant reduction in the thickness of myelin sheaths in peripheral nerves within the choroids area. Those ultrastructural abnormalities were also observed in HD photoreceptor cells that contained severely damaged membrane disks, with evident vacuolisation and swelling. Moreover, the outer segment of retinal layers showed a progressive disintegration. Our study explored structural changes of the optic nerve in pre- and clinical settings and opens new avenues for the potential development of biomarkers that would be of great interest in HD gene therapies.
Nuclear mRNA Export and Aging
Authors: Park Hyun-Sun , Lee Jongbok , Lee Hyun-Shik , Ahn Seong Hoon , Ryu Hong-Yeoul
Published: May 2022

The relationship between transcription and aging is one that has been studied intensively and experimentally with diverse attempts. However, the impact of the nuclear mRNA export on the aging process following its transcription is still poorly understood, although the nuclear events after transcription are coupled closely with the transcription pathway because the essential factors required for mRNA transport, namely TREX, TREX-2, and nuclear pore complex (NPC), physically and functionally interact with various transcription factors, including the activator/repressor and pre-mRNA processing factors. Dysregulation of the mediating factors for mRNA export from the nucleus generally leads to the aberrant accumulation of nuclear mRNA and further impairment in the vegetative growth and normal lifespan and the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. The optimal stoichiometry and density of NPC are destroyed during the process of cellular aging, and their damage triggers a defect of function in the nuclear permeability barrier. This review describes recent findings regarding the role of the nuclear mRNA export in cellular aging and age-related neurodegenerative disorders.
Combined Transcriptome and Metabolome Analyses Reveal Candidate Genes Involved in Tangor (Citrus reticulata × Citrus sinensis) Fruit Development and Quality Formation
Authors: Bi Xiaoyi , Liao Ling , Deng Lijun , Jin Zhenghua , Huang Zehao , Sun Guochao , Xiong Bo , Wang Zhihui
Published: May 2022

Tangor, an important citrus type, is a hybrid of orange and mandarin and possesses their advantageous characteristics. Fruit quality is an important factor limiting the development of the citrus industry and highly depends on fruit development and ripening programs. However, fruit development and quality formation have not been completely explored in mandarin-orange hybrids. We sequenced the metabolome and transcriptome of three mandarin-orange hybrid cultivars at the early fruiting [90 days after full bloom (DAFB)], color change (180 DAFB), and ripening (270 DAFB) stages. Metabolome sequencing was performed to preliminarily identify the accumulation patterns of primary and secondary metabolites related to fruit quality and hormones regulating fruit development. Transcriptome analysis showed that many genes related to primary metabolism, secondary metabolism, cell wall metabolism, phytohormones, and transcriptional regulation were up-regulated in all three cultivars during fruit development and ripening. Additionally, multiple key genes were identified that may play a role in sucrose, citric acid and flavonoid accumulation, cell wall modification, and abscisic acid signaling, which may provide a valuable resource for future research on enhancement of fruit quality of hybrid citrus. Overall, this study provides new insights into the molecular basis of pulp growth and development regulation and fruit quality formation in mandarin-orange hybrids.
Investigating Contextual Influence in Document-Level Translation
Authors: Nayak Prashanth , Haque Rejwanul , Kelleher John D. , Way Andy
Published: May 2022

Current state-of-the-art neural machine translation (NMT) architectures usually do not take document-level context into account. However, the document-level context of a source sentence to be translated could encode valuable information to guide the MT model to generate a better translation. In recent times, MT researchers have turned their focus to this line of MT research. As an example, hierarchical attention network (HAN) models use document-level context for translation prediction. In this work, we studied translations produced by the HAN-based MT systems. We examined how contextual information improves translation in document-level NMT. More specifically, we investigated why context-aware models such as HAN perform better than vanilla baseline NMT systems that do not take context into account. We considered Hindi-to-English, Spanish-to-English and Chinese-to-English for our investigation. We experimented with the formation of conditional context (i.e., neighbouring sentences) of the source sentences to be translated in HAN to predict their target translations. Interestingly, we observed that the quality of the target translations of specific source sentences highly relates to the context in which the source sentences appear. Based on their sensitivity to context, we classify our test set sentences into three categories, i.e., context-sensitive, context-insensitive and normal. We believe that this categorization may change the way in which context is utilized in document-level translation.
LAS-Transformer: An Enhanced Transformer Based on the Local Attention Mechanism for Speech Recognition
Authors: Fu Pengbin , Liu Daxing , Yang Huirong
Published: May 2022

Recently, Transformer-based models have shown promising results in automatic speech recognition (ASR), outperforming models based on recurrent neural networks (RNNs) and convolutional neural networks (CNNs). However, directly applying a Transformer to the ASR task does not exploit the correlation among speech frames effectively, leaving the model trapped in a sub-optimal solution. To this end, we propose a local attention Transformer model for speech recognition that combines the high correlation among speech frames. Specifically, we use relative positional embedding, rather than absolute positional embedding, to improve the generalization of the Transformer for speech sequences of different lengths. Secondly, we add local attention based on parametric positional relations to the self-attentive module and explicitly incorporate prior knowledge into the self-attentive module to make the training process insensitive to hyperparameters, thus improving the performance. Experiments carried out on the LibriSpeech dataset show that our proposed approach achieves a word error rate of 2.3/5.5% by language model fusion without any external data and reduces the word error rate by 17.8/9.8% compared to the baseline. The results are also close to, or better than, other state-of-the-art end-to-end models.
Retail System Scenario Modeling Using Fuzzy Cognitive Maps
Authors: Petukhova Alina , Fachada Nuno
Published: May 2022

A retail business is a network of similar-format grocery stores with a sole proprietor and a well-established logistical infrastructure. The retail business is a stable market, with low growth, limited customer revenues, and intense competition. On the system level, the retail industry is a dynamic system that is challenging to represent due to uncertainty, nonlinearity, and imprecision. Due to the heterogeneous character of retail systems, direct scenario modeling is arduous. In this article, we propose a framework for retail system scenario planning that allows managers to analyze the effect of different quantitative and qualitative factors using fuzzy cognitive maps. Previously published fuzzy retail models were extended by adding external factors and combining expert knowledge with domain research results. We determined the most suitable composition of fuzzy operators for the retail system, highlighted the system’s most influential concepts, and how the system responds to changes in external factors. The proposed framework aims to support senior management in conducting flexible long-term planning of a company’s strategic development, and reach its desired business goals.
Temporal Expression Profiles Reveal Potential Targets during Postembryonic Development of Forensically Important Sarcophaga peregrina (Diptera: Sarcophagidae)
Authors: Ren Lipin , Shang Yanjie , Zhang Xiangyan , Chen Shan , Zheng Yunna , Zou Ying , Qu Yihong , Cai Jifeng , Zhang Changquan , Guo Yadong
Published: May 2022

Sarcophaga peregrina (Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830) is a species of medical and forensic importance. In order to investigate the molecular mechanism during postembryonic development and identify specific genes that may serve as potential targets, transcriptome analysis was used to investigate its gene expression dynamics from the larval to pupal stages, based on our previous de novo-assembled genome of S. peregrina. Totals of 2457, 3656, 3764, and 2554 differentially expressed genes were identified. The specific genes encoding the structural constituent of cuticle were significantly differentially expressed, suggesting that degradation and synthesis of cuticle-related proteins might actively occur during metamorphosis. Molting (20-hydroxyecdysone, 20E) and juvenile (JH) hormone pathways were significantly enriched, and gene expression levels changed in a dynamic pattern during the developmental stages. In addition, the genes in the oxidative phosphorylation pathway were significantly expressed at a high level during the larval stage, and down-regulated from the wandering to pupal stages. Weighted gene co-expression correlation network analysis (WGCNA) further demonstrated the potential regulation mechanism of tyrosine metabolism in the process of puparium tanning. Moreover, 10 consistently up-regulated genes were further validated by qRT-PCR. The utility of the models was then examined in a blind study, indicating the ability to predict larval development. The developmental, stage-specific gene profiles suggest novel molecular markers for age prediction of forensically important flies.
Effects of Repeated Short-Term Heat Exposure on Life History Traits of Colorado Potato Beetle
Authors: Liao Jianghua , Liu Juan , Li Chao
Published: May 2022

The Colorado potato beetle Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) is an internationally recognized destructive pest which has caused serious losses to the potato industry. To clarify the impact of repeated short-term heat exposure on CPB egg hatching and adult fecundity under climate change, CPB eggs and adults were treated with repeated short-term heat exposure in this study. We found that the hatching rate of CPB eggs, the total number of eggs laid per female, the oviposition period, the intrinsic rate of population increase (rm), finite rate of increase (λ), and the net reproductive rate (R0) of CPBs decreased with increasing temperature. The hatching rate and fecundity of CPBs were significantly lower than those of control (CK) after repeated short-term heat exposure. Our research has found that repeated short-term heat exposure is not conducive to the development and reproduction of CPBs.
Development and Evaluation of a New Effective Tool and Method for Assessing Varroadestructor (Acari: Varroidae) Mite Populations in Honey Bee Colonies
Authors: Posada-Flórez Francisco , Abban Samuel , Smith I. , Cook Steven
Published: May 2022

A new device for assessing Varroa destructor (Anderson–Truman) mite infestations in honey bee colonies was designed, tested, and evaluated against the sugar roll method, a widely used method by beekeepers. The Varroa Shaker Device (VSD) is constructed of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe that separates into three parts. Inside the shaker there are two mesh sizes; the larger mesh separates the bees from the mites, and the smaller mesh captures the mites. The VSD can be used by shaking bees with only water as the wash solution. The recovery of mites using the VSD is >90%, which is such as that recorded for using the sugar roll method. Our tests demonstrated that the VSD accurately assessed mite loads when fewer than 250 bees were sampled and shaken with 250 mL of water for one minute. To assure accurate mite counts are achieved with any sampling device, honey bees should be taken from frames with an open and/or capped brood where the mites are more likely located. The VSD can be used in both laboratory and field settings to accurately assess honey bee colonies for levels of mite infestation or for collecting live mites for research purposes.
Impact and Persistence of Serratia marcescens in Tenebrio molitor Larvae and Feed under Optimal and Stressed Mass Rearing Conditions
Authors: Dupriez Florent , Rejasse Agnès , Rios Alfredo , Lefebvre Thomas , Nielsen-LeRoux Christina
Published: May 2022

Industrial insect mass rearing aims to produce quality insects under safe sanitary conditions which can be compromised by pathogens and abiotic stressors. Therefore, knowledge on pathogen persistence, virulence and means of detection is of importance. This study focuses on the opportunistic pathogen Serratia marcescens (Sm) as a possible candidate to reveal sanitary issues in Tenebrio molitor (Tm) breeding. A screening test was performed to assess the impact of abiotic stressors (starvation, density and sieving) in presence and absence of Sm. Two Sm detection methods were conducted, and the kinetics of Sm persistence were investigated. Our results show that (i) the presence of Sm had a low but significant effect on Tm mortality, (ii) a short temporary starvation period had a negative impact on larval growth, (iii) the detection of Sm by q-PCR was sensitive but less convenient than a specific Sm growth media, (iv) the kinetics of persistence showed that Sm declined but survived for nine days in the feed and in the feces for three weeks. Both the relatively low virulence and the persistence in the environment suggest that Sm could be used as an indicator for the sanitary status of mealworm production.
The Use of Artificial Intelligence Algorithms in the Diagnosis of Urinary Tract Infections—A Literature Review
Authors: Goździkiewicz Natalia , Zwolińska Danuta , Polak-Jonkisz Dorota
Published: May 2022

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most common infections occurring across all age groups. UTIs are a well-known cause of acute morbidity and chronic medical conditions. The current diagnostic methods of UTIs remain sub-optimal. The development of better diagnostic tools for UTIs is essential for improving treatment and reducing morbidity. Artificial intelligence (AI) is defined as the science of computers where they have the ability to perform tasks commonly associated with intelligent beings. The objective of this study was to analyze current views regarding attempts to apply artificial intelligence techniques in everyday practice, as well as find promising methods to diagnose urinary tract infections in the most efficient ways. We included six research works comparing various AI models to predict UTI. The literature examined here confirms the relevance of AI models in UTI diagnosis, while it has not yet been established which model is preferable for infection prediction in adult patients. AI models achieve a high performance in retrospective studies, but further studies are required.
Chemically Induced Colitis-Associated Cancer Models in Rodents for Pharmacological Modulation: A Systematic Review
Authors: Modesto Rita , Estarreja João , Silva Inês , Rocha João , Pinto Rui , Mateus Vanessa
Published: May 2022

Animal models for colitis-associated colorectal cancer (CACC) represent an important tool to explore the mechanistic basis of cancer-related inflammation, providing important evidence that several inflammatory mediators play specific roles in the initiation and perpetuation of colitis and CACC. Although several original articles have been published describing the CACC model in rodents, there is no consensus about the induction method. This review aims to identify, summarize, compare, and discuss the chemical methods for the induction of CACC through the PRISMA methodology. Methods: We searched MEDLINE via the Pubmed platform for studies published through March 2021, using a highly sensitive search expression. The inclusion criteria were only original articles, articles where a chemically-induced animal model of CACC is described, preclinical studies in vivo with rodents, and articles published in English. Results: Chemically inducible models typically begin with the administration of a carcinogenic compound (as azoxymethane (AOM) or 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH)), and inflammation is caused by repeated cycles of colitis-inducing agents (such as 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS) or dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)). The strains mostly used are C57BL/6 and Balb/c with 5–6 weeks. To characterize the preclinical model, the parameters more used include body weight, stool consistency and morbidity, inflammatory biomarkers such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-1β, angiogenesis markers such as proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), marker of proliferation Ki-67, and caspase 3, the presence of ulcers, thickness or hyperemia in the colon, and histological evaluation of inflammation. Conclusion: The AOM administration seems to be important to the CACC induction method, since the carcinogenic effect is achieved with just one administration. DSS has been the more used inflammatory agent; however, the TNBS contribution should be more studied, since it allows a reliable, robust, and a highly reproducible animal model of intestinal inflammation.
Rural–Urban Differences in Common Mental Disorders, Functional Limitation and Social Support among Adults with Cancer: A Population-Based Study in Spain
Authors: Portero de la Cruz Silvia , Cebrino Jesús
Published: May 2022

The psychological, physical and social well-being components may differ for cancer patients living in urban vs. rural zones. This study aimed to examine the common mental disorders (CMDs), functional limitation (FL) and perceived social support (PSS) of rural and urban Spanish cancer patients from 2006 to 2017, to compare sociodemographic variables, health-related determinants and use of healthcare resources and to identify which sociodemographic and health-related factors were related to CMDs, FL and PSS. We performed a cross-sectional study among cancer patients using data from the Spanish National Health Surveys (2006, 2011 and 2017). A total of 698 of the subjects resided in rural areas and 1824 in urban areas. Binary logistic and multiple linear regressions were performed to determine the factors related to CMDs, FL and PSS. Rural residents visited their general practitioners more frequently than the city dwellers (61.03% vs. 56.63%, p = 0.04). A decreased prevalence of CMDs was observed among urban individuals over time (2006: 39.13%, 2011: 38.87%, 2017: 34.30%; p for trend = 0.04). Among rural residents, FL was associated with age, educational level and self-perceived health status, while among city dwellers, PSS was linked to marital status, nationality, having chronic conditions and self-perceived health status.
Methods for the Improvement of Acne Scars Used in Dermatology and Cosmetology: A Review
Authors: Chilicka Karolina , Rusztowicz Monika , Szyguła Renata , Nowicka Danuta
Published: May 2022

Acne vulgaris is a chronic skin disease that, depending on its course, is characterized by the occurrence of various skin eruptions such as open and closed comedones, pustules, papules, and cysts. Incorrectly selected treatment or the presence of severe acne vulgaris can lead to the formation of atrophic scars. In this review, we summarize current knowledge on acne scars and methods for their improvement. There are three types of atrophic scars: icepick, rolling, and boxcar. They are of different depths and widths and have different cross-sections. Scars can combine to form clusters. If acne scars are located on the face, they can reduce the patient’s quality of life, leading to isolation and depression. There are multiple effective modalities to treat acne scars. Ablative lasers, radiofrequency, micro-needling, and pilings with trichloroacetic acid have very good treatment results. Contemporary dermatology and cosmetology use treatments that cause minimal side effects, so the patient can return to daily functioning shortly after treatment. Proper dermatological treatment and skincare, as well as the rapid implementation of cosmetological treatments, will certainly achieve satisfactory results in reducing atrophic scars.
Introducing the Postpartum Toolkit: An Examination of the Feasibility, Acceptability and Pilot Efficacy of an Online Clinical Tool to Enhance Postpartum Functioning and Emotional Wellbeing
Authors: Albanese Ariana M. , Geller Pamela A. , Steinkamp Jackson M. , Bloch Joan R. , Sikes Chris , Barkin Jennifer L.
Published: May 2022

During the postpartum period, a birth parent’s level of functioning (ability to perform the activities and roles required to maintain wellbeing) is critical in determining the health of parents and their infants. However, existing approaches to support postpartum parents are insufficient, especially in the United States, and these individuals face barriers to care. The utilization of internet-based intervention may be an effective solution allowing access to resources for this population. In this study, we developed a patient-centered online tool to bolster postpartum functioning, and collected data on the feasibility, acceptability, and initial impact of this tool on functioning and emotional wellbeing. Data collection took place between February and June 2021 from a sample of 124 individuals who were within the first ten months postpartum and living in the US. Results suggest that the tool is acceptable, though there are barriers to feasibility of use. Additionally, pilot-efficacy data suggest that this tool may be effective in improving postpartum emotional wellbeing, though further controlled testing is warranted. A future iteration of the tool that incorporates participant feedback to improve feasibility of use could prove an effective means of delivering support to an at-risk population.
Capsule Endoscopy versus Magnetic Resonance Enterography for Evaluation of Pediatric Small Bowel Crohn’s Disease: Prospective Study
Authors: Hwang Jae-Yeon , Moon Sang-Wook , Lee Yeoun Joo , Park Jae Hong , Kim Yong-Woo , Kim Tae Un , Ryu Hwaseong
Published: May 2022

Background: Magnetic resonance enterography (MRE) and capsule endoscopy (CE) are currently used for the evaluation of small bowel involvement in pediatric Crohn’s disease (CD). Several studies have been conducted to investigate the usefulness and diagnostic accuracy of each test. However, only a few studies have been conducted to compare the performance of both tests in the assessment of pediatric small bowel CD upon diagnosis and during follow-up. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess the diagnostic accuracy and diagnostic consistency of CE and MRE for the evaluation of pediatric small bowel CD at the time of diagnosis and during follow-up. Methods: Fifteen patients with pediatric CD were recruited for this study. They underwent MRE and CE concomitantly at the time of diagnosis and 10–12 weeks and one year after induction therapy for CD. MRE was interpreted using MRE global score (MEGS) and bowel wall inflammation severity diffusion-weighted imaging score (BWI-DWIS), whereas CE was interpreted using Lewis’s score (LS). The two diagnostic modalities were then compared. Results: Eleven patients completed MRE and CE at the time of diagnosis. Analysis of the results showed that LS had a strong correlation with MEGS and BIS-DWIS (ρ = 0.633, p = 0.037, and ρ = 0.629, p = 0.038, respectively). Nine patients completed three MREs and three CEs. LS significantly decreased throughout the sessions (p = 0.044), whereas MEGS and BIS-DWIS did not show any statistically significant changes. When LS was compared with MEGS and BIS-DWIS, both MRE indicators showed statistically significant differences throughout the sessions. Conclusions: At the time of diagnosis, the severity indexes of MRE and CE showed very good agreement. However, throughout management, MRE and CE did not show consistent changes.
Clinical and Eco-Epidemiological Aspects of a Novel Hyperendemic Area of Paracoccidioidomycosis in the Tocantins-Araguaia Basin (Northern Brazil), Caused by Paracoccidioides sp.
Authors: Krakhecke-Teixeira Alessandra G. , Yamauchi Danielle H. , Rossi Alexsandra , de Sousa Herdson R. , Garces Hans G. , Júnior Joaquim L. , Júnior Antônio O. S. , Felipe Maria Sueli S. , Bagagli Eduardo , de Andrade Heitor F. , Teixeira Marcus de M.
Published: May 2022

Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is the most prevalent systemic mycosis in Brazil. The disease is caused by dimorphic fungi nested within the Paracoccidioides genus. We described 106 PCM cases (47.1 cases/year) at the Tropical Diseases Public Hospital of Tocantins State. PCM was prevalent in males and rural workers over 50 years; the chronic pulmonary form predominated in 67% of cases. The male-to-female ratio was 2.65:1, with more women affected than other endemic regions of Brazil. Urban or indoor activities were reported in women and are ascribed to disease urbanization. qPCR-based assays confirmed the identification of Paracoccidioides DNA in 37 biological specimens. Paracoccidioides sp. DNA was found in 53% of the environmental samples, suggesting autochthonous infections. Therefore, the Tocantins-Araguaia basin must be considered a novel hyperendemic area of PCM in Brazil, reinforcing the importance of including PCM as a notifiable disease, requiring specific diagnosis and health measures.
Immersive Journalism: Advantages, Disadvantages and Challenges from the Perspective of Experts
Authors: Herrera Damas Susana , Benítez de Gracia María José
Published: May 2022

The aim of this text is to analyze the future of immersive journalism from the perspective of experts now, in a moment when the initial experimental stage seems to have passed given the smaller number of pieces being today produced by leading media. To do this, we conducted two focus groups with 15 international leaders in the field, including both professional and academic points of view. We asked them about the main strengths, weaknesses, challenges and how to overcome them so that immersive journalism has continuity in the future. The results reveal few differences between the views of academics and practitioners, especially regarding the strengths and weaknesses of this new narrative, which is as versatile as it is complex. Most of them agree that immersive journalism is still in its experimentation stage regarding its production, although there is a positive perspective regarding the sustainability of this format in the near future. Both groups agree on the need to continue testing to understand this new narrative language and insist on the need to introduce this knowledge into journalism schools, both theoretically and practically.
Pressure- and 3D-Derived Coronary Flow Reserve with Hydrostatic Pressure Correction: Comparison with Intracoronary Doppler Measurements
Authors: Tar Balázs , Ágoston András , Üveges Áron , Szabó Gábor Tamás , Szűk Tibor , Komócsi András , Czuriga Dániel , Csippa Benjamin , Paál György , Kőszegi Zsolt
Published: May 2022

Purpose: To develop a method of coronary flow reserve (CFR) calculation derived from three-dimensional (3D) coronary angiographic parameters and intracoronary pressure data during fractional flow reserve (FFR) measurement. Methods: Altogether 19 coronary arteries of 16 native and 3 stented vessels were reconstructed in 3D. The measured distal intracoronary pressures were corrected to the hydrostatic pressure based on the height differences between the levels of the vessel orifice and the sensor position. Classical fluid dynamic equations were applied to calculate the flow during the resting state and vasodilatation based on morphological data and intracoronary pressure values. 3D-derived coronary flow reserve (CFRp-3D) was defined as the ratio between the calculated hyperemic and the resting flow and was compared to the CFR values simultaneously measured by the Doppler sensor (CFRDoppler). Results: Haemodynamic calculations using the distal coronary pressures corrected for hydrostatic pressures showed a strong correlation between the individual CFRp-3D values and the CFRDoppler measurements (r = 0.89, p < 0.0001). Hydrostatic pressure correction increased the specificity of the method from 46.1% to 92.3% for predicting an abnormal CFRDoppler < 2. Conclusions: CFRp-3D calculation with hydrostatic pressure correction during FFR measurement facilitates a comprehensive hemodynamic assessment, supporting the complex evaluation of macro-and microvascular coronary artery disease.
Ultrarare Loss-of-Function Mutations in the Genes Encoding the Ionotropic Glutamate Receptors of Kainate Subtypes Associated with Schizophrenia Disrupt the Interaction with PSD95
Authors: Hu Tsung-Ming , Wu Chia-Liang , Hsu Shih-Hsin , Tsai Hsin-Yao , Cheng Fu-Yu , Cheng Min-Chih
Published: May 2022

Schizophrenia is a complex mental disorder with a genetic component. The GRIK gene family encodes ionotropic glutamate receptors of the kainate subtype, which are considered candidate genes for schizophrenia. We screened for rare and pathogenic mutations in the protein-coding sequences of the GRIK gene family in 516 unrelated patients with schizophrenia using the ion semiconductor sequencing method. We identified 44 protein-altered variants, and in silico analysis indicated that 36 of these mutations were rare and damaging or pathological based on putative protein function. Notably, we identified four truncating mutations, including two frameshift deletion mutations (GRIK1p.Phe24fs and GRIK1p.Thr882fs) and two nonsense mutations (GRIK2p.Arg300Ter and GRIK4p.Gln342Ter) in four unrelated patients with schizophrenia. They exhibited minor allele frequencies of less than 0.01% and were absent in 1517 healthy controls from Taiwan Biobank. Functional analysis identified these four truncating mutants as loss-of-function (LoF) mutants in HEK-293 cells. We also showed that three mutations (GRIK1p.Phe24fs, GRIK1p.Thr882fs, and GRIK2p.Arg300Ter) weakened the interaction with the PSD95 protein. The results suggest that the GRIK gene family harbors ultrarare LoF mutations in some patients with schizophrenia. The identification of proteins that interact with the kainate receptors will be essential to determine kainate receptor-mediated signaling in the brain.
Nudges and Networks: How to Use Behavioural Economics to Improve the Life Cycle Savings-Consumption Balance
Authors: Blake David
Published: May 2022

Many people find it difficult to start and maintain a retirement savings plan. We show how nudges can be used both to encourage people to save enough to provide an acceptable standard of living in retirement and to draw down their accumulated pension fund to maximize retirement spending, without the risk of either running out of money or leaving unintended bequests. Networks can help too, particularly employer-based networks. However, the nudges and networks are more likely to be effective if they have legislative backing and support.
A Simplified Spatial Methodology for Assessing Land Productivity Status in Africa
Authors: Bernard Barasa , Mwanjalolo Majaliwa J. G. , Moses Banduga , James Katwere , Paul Magaya , Ojoatre Sadadi , Lydia Wanjiru , Walusimbi Margaret N.
Published: May 2022

The degradation of soil, vegetation and socio-economic transformations are a huge threat to Africa’s land production. This study aimed to (i) assess the soil and land productivity of standing biomass and (ii) determine the effect of rainfall on the standing biomass in Eastern Africa. Soil productivity was determined using the Soil Productivity Index (SPI) and a simplified model was developed to estimate the Net Primary Productivity (NPP). The SPI indicators used included soil-organic matter, texture, soil moisture, base-saturation, pH, cation-exchange-capacity, soil-depth and drainage. The inputs of the simplified model are: MODIS Soil Adjusted Vegetation Index (SAVI), soil erosion, soil nutrient content and input, rainfall, land-use/cover and agro-ecological zones. The findings reveal that the countries with the most productive soils are Mauritius, Rwanda and South Sudan—while, for standing biomass, the countries with the highest spatial extent are Mauritius (97%), Rwanda (96%), Uganda (95%), South Sudan (89%), Ethiopia (47%) and Kenya (36%). Standing biomass is dominant in biomes such as natural forests, woodlands, croplands, grasslands, wetlands and tree-plantations. High land productivity was attributed to soil quality and management, land policy reforms, favourable climatic conditions and sustainable land husbandry activities. Rainfall was significantly correlated with standing biomass in most of the studied countries (p < 0.05) except Djibouti and Rwanda. Therefore, monitoring soil health, use and land reforms are key to sustaining vegetative biomass.
Squaring the Circle of Alternative Assessment in Distance Language Education: A Focus on the Young Learner
Authors: Giannikas Christina Nicole
Published: May 2022

Because of the suspension of face-to-face (F2F) teaching activities caused by COVID-19, practitioners are in limbo regarding the assessment of young learners (YLs) in the virtual learning environment, as they are left with minimal guidance and evidence on what can be applicable and effective in the new context. In many countries worldwide, as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, schools in Greece were closed in March 2020. Schools began re-opening in September 2020; however, the second wave of COVID-19 struck, and the number of cases began to grow dangerously. Consequently, schools closed for the second time at the beginning of November 2020, causing teachers and students to face significant assessment challenges. The article presents a case study that concentrates on eight YLs aged 8–10 years old. Alternative assessment was applied during the students’ online language lessons as a means for the teacher to assess and evaluate students’ progress and learning of vocabulary and spelling. For the needs of the study, online observations were conducted, and field notes, record sheets and checklists were kept for a period of two months. Two months after the online lessons commenced, the students were interviewed in order to gain a holistic view of their progress and their feelings toward the experience of an alternative form of assessment.
An Integrated Algorithmic MADM Approach for Heart Diseases’ Diagnosis Based on Neutrosophic Hypersoft Set with Possibility Degree-Based Setting
Authors: Rahman Atiqe Ur , Saeed Muhammad , Mohammed Mazin Abed , Krishnamoorthy Sujatha , Kadry Seifedine , Eid Fatma
Published: May 2022

The possibility neutrosophic hypersoft set (pNHs-set) is a generalized version of the possibility neutrosophic soft set (pNs-set). It tackles the limitations of the pNs-set regarding the use of the multi-argument approximate function. This function maps sub-parametric tuples to a power set of the universe. It emphasizes the partitioning of each attribute into its respective attribute-valued set. These features make it a completely new mathematical tool for solving problems dealing with uncertainties. This makes the decision-making process more flexible and reliable. In this study, after characterizing some elementary notions and algebraic operations of the pNHs-set, Sanchez’s method (a classical approach for medical diagnosis) is modified under the pNHs-set environment. A modified algorithm is proposed for the medical diagnosis of heart diseases by integrating the concept of the pNHs-set and the modified Sanchez’s method. The authenticity of the proposed algorithm is evaluated through its implementation in a real-world scenario with real data from the Cleveland data set for heart diseases. The beneficial aspects of the proposed approach are evaluated through a structural comparison with some pertinent existing approaches.
A Novel Model for Evaluating the Operation Performance Status of Rolling Bearings Based on Hierarchical Maximum Entropy Bayesian Method
Authors: Ye Liang , Hu Yusheng , Deng Sier , Zhang Wenhu , Cui Yongcun , Xu Jia
Published: May 2022

Information such as probability distribution, performance degradation trajectory, and performance reliability function varies with the service status of rolling bearings, which is difficult to analyze and evaluate using traditional reliability theory. Adding equipment operation status to evaluate the bearing operation performance status has become the focus of current research to ensure the effective maintenance of the system, reduce faults, and improve quality under the condition of traditional probability statistics. So, a mathematical model is established by proposing the hierarchical maximum entropy Bayesian method (HMEBM), which is used to evaluate the operation performance status of rolling bearings. When calculating the posterior probability density function (PPDF), the similarities between time series regarded as a weighting coefficient are calculated using overlapping area method, membership degree method, Hamming approach degree method, Euclidean approach degree method, and cardinal approach degree method. The experiment investigation shows that the variation degree of the optimal vibration performance status can be calculated more accurately for each time series relative to the intrinsic series.
Prediction of Mechanical Properties of Fly-Ash/Slag-Based Geopolymer Concrete Using Ensemble and Non-Ensemble Machine-Learning Techniques
Authors: Amin Muhammad Nasir , Khan Kaffayatullah , Javed Muhammad Faisal , Aslam Fahid , Qadir Muhammad Ghulam , Faraz Muhammad Iftikhar
Published: May 2022

The emission of greenhouse gases and natural-resource depletion caused by the production of ordinary Portland cement (OPC) have a detrimental effect on the environment. Thus, an alternative means is required to produce eco-friendly concrete such as geopolymer concrete (GPC). However, GPC has a complex cementitious matrix and an ambiguous mix design. Aside from that, the composition and proportions of materials utilized may have an impact on the compressive strength. Similarly, the use of robust and efficient machine-learning (ML) approaches is now required to forecast the strength of such a composite cementitious matrix. As a result, this study anticipated the compressive strength of GPC with waste resources using ensemble and non-ensemble ML algorithms. This was accomplished through the use of Anaconda (Python). To build a strong ensemble learner by integrating weak learners, adaptive boosting, random forest (RF), and ensemble learner bagging were employed. Furthermore, ensemble learners were utilized on non-ensemble or weak learners, such as decision trees (DT) and support vector machines (SVM) via regression. The data encompassed 156 statistical samples in which nine variables, namely superplasticizer (kg/m3), fly ash (kg/m3), ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBS), temperature (°C), coarse and fine aggregate (kg/m3), sodium silicate (Na2SiO3), and sodium hydroxide (NaOH), were chosen to anticipate the results. Exploring it in depth, twenty sub-models with ensemble boosting and bagging approaches were trained, and tuning was performed to achieve the highest possible coefficient of determination (R2). Moreover, cross K-Fold validation analysis and statistical checks were performed via indicators for the evaluation of the models. The result revealed that ensemble approaches yielded robust performance compared to non-ensemble algorithms. Generally, an ensemble learner with the RF and bagging approach on a DT yielded robust performance by achieving a better R2 as 0.93, and with the lowest statistical errors. The communal model in artificial-intelligence analysis, on average, improved the accuracy of the model.
Spin Polarization of Mn Could Enhance Grain Boundary Sliding in Mg
Authors: Wang Vei , Du Jun-Ping , Somekawa Hidetoshi , Ogata Shigenobu , Geng Wen Tong
Published: May 2022

Segregation of rare earth alloying elements are known to segregate to grain boundaries in Mg and suppress grain boundary sliding via strong chemical bonds. Segregation of Mn, however, has recently been found to enhance grain boundary sliding in Mg, thereby boosting its ductility. Taking the Mg (2¯114) twin boundary as an example, we performed a first-principles comparative study on the segregation and chemical bonding of Y, Zn, and Mn at this boundary. We found that both Y-4d and Mn-3d states hybridized with the Mg-3sp states, while Zn–Mg bonding was characterized by charge transfer only. Strong spin-polarization of Mn pushed the up-spin 3d states down, leading to less anisotropic Mn–Mg bonds with more delocalized charge distribution at the twin boundary, and thus promotes grain boundary plasticity, e.g., grain boundary sliding.
Layered Perovskites BaM2In2O7 (M = La, Nd): From the Structure to the Ionic (O2−, H+) Conductivity
Authors: Tarasova Nataliia , Galisheva Anzhelika , Animitsa Irina , Belova Ksenia , Egorova Anastasia , Abakumova Ekaterina , Medvedev Dmitry
Published: May 2022

The design of new oxide compounds that can be used as oxygen- or proton-conducting electrolytes for solid oxide fuel cells is actively in progress. Despite the intensive research activities regarding electrolytes with perovskite/fluorite structures, the search for other structural alternatives is of paramount importance. In this study we focus on a novel material with significantly improved properties for the electrochemical purposes. The two-layered BaNd2In2O7 perovskite with a Ruddlesden–Popper structure was investigated as a protonic conductor for the first time. In detail, its local structure, water uptake, and the ionic (O2−, H+) conductivity were comprehensively studied. The nature of rare-earth elements (M = La, Nd) in the structure of BaM2In2O7 on the structural and transport properties was revealed. The presented analysis showed that the composition of BaNd2In2O7 is nearly pure proton conductor below 350 °C. This work opens up a new way in the design of protonic conductors with double-layered perovskite structure.
Effect of Annealing Process on the Microstructure and Texture of Cold-Rolled High-Purity Al-0.5%Cu Plates
Authors: Yuan Kuiwen , Chen Jiaxin , Yang Dan , Zhang Zhiqing
Published: May 2022

As a kind of typical high stacking fault energy materials, recrystallization behavior of high purity Al-0.5%Cu alloy is significantly influenced by the annealing process. In this study, different heating rate, target temperature, and holding time were discovered to have profound impact on the microstructures and textures of Al-0.5%Cu plates. Electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were utilized for analyzing the evolution of the microstructure and texture in the subsequent microstructural characterization. Vickers hardness tests were employed for measuring hardness of specimens. The results showed that no obvious recrystallization was observed at lower temperature and the composition of texture influenced by rising temperature, heating rate affected initial recrystallization temperature, grain size, and strength of textures. After recrystallizing completely, the size of microstructures and the distribution of textures had little change with the extension of holding time.
Special Issue: Materials, Design and Process Development for Additive Manufacturing
Authors: Sufiiarov Vadim
Published: May 2022

Additive manufacturing is a dynamically developed direction of modern digital manufacturing processes, which in some cases is already being used to create high-tech products, and in others there are active investigation on new materials and the design and development of technological processes [...]