bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Beneficial Electrophysiological Effects of Rotigaptide Are Unable to Suppress Therapeutic Hypothermia-Provoked Ventricular Fibrillation in Failing Rabbit Hearts With Acute Ischemia–Reperfusion Injury
Authors: Lee Hui-Ling , Chang Po-Cheng , Wo Hung-Ta , Liu Hao-Tien , Wen Ming-Shien , Chou Chung-Chuan
Published: September 2021

Aims: Whether therapeutic hypothermia (TH) is proarrhythmic in preexisting failing hearts with acute ischemia–reperfusion (IR) injury is unknown. Additionally, the effectiveness of rotigaptide on improving conduction slowing in hearts with IR injury is ambiguous. We investigated the electrophysiological effects of TH and rotigaptide in failing rabbit hearts with acute IR injury and determined the underlying molecular mechanisms.

Methods and Results: Heart failure was induced by right ventricular pacing (320 beats/min, 4 weeks). Rabbits with pacing-induced heart failure were randomly divided into TH (n = 14) and non-TH (n = 7) groups. The IR rabbit model was created by ligating the coronary artery for 60 min, followed by reperfusion for 15 min in vivo. Then, the hearts were excised quickly and Langendorff-perfused for simultaneous voltage and intracellular Ca2+ (Cai) optical mapping. Electrophysiological studies were conducted, and vulnerability to ventricular fibrillation (VF) was evaluated using pacing protocols. TH (33°C) was instituted after baseline studies, and electrophysiological studies were repeated. Rotigaptide (300 nM) was infused for 20 min, and electrophysiological studies were repeated under TH. Cardiac tissues were sampled for Western blotting. TH increased the dispersion and beat-to-beat variability of action potential duration (APD), aggravated conduction slowing, and prolonged Cai decay to facilitate spatially discordant alternans (SDA) and VF induction. Rotigaptide reduced the dispersion and beat-to-beat variability of APD and improved slowed conduction to defer the onset of arrhythmogenic SDA by dynamic pacing and elevate the pacing threshold of VF during TH. However, the effect of rotigaptide on TH-enhanced VF inducibility was statistically insignificant. TH attenuated IR-induced dysregulation of protein expression, but its functional role remained uncertain.

Conclusion: Therapeutic hypothermia is proarrhythmic in failing hearts with acute IR injury. Rotigaptide improves TH-induced APD dispersion and beat-to-beat variability and conduction disturbance to defer the onset of arrhythmogenic SDA and elevate the VF threshold by dynamic pacing, but these beneficial electrophysiological effects are unable to suppress TH-enhanced VF inducibility significantly.
Impairment of Tomato WAT1 Enhances Resistance to Vascular Wilt Fungi Despite Severe Growth Defects
Authors: Hanika Katharina , Schipper Danny , Chinnappa Shravya , Oortwijn Marian , Schouten Henk J. , Thomma Bart P. H. J. , Bai Yuling
Published: September 2021

Verticillium dahliae is a particularly notorious vascular wilt pathogen of tomato and poses a reoccurring challenge to crop protection as limited qualitative resistance is available. Therefore, alternative approaches for crop protection are pursued. One such strategy is the impairment of disease susceptibility (S) genes, which are plant genes targeted by pathogens to promote disease development. In Arabidopsis and cotton, the Walls Are Thin 1 (WAT1) gene has shown to be a S gene for V. dahliae. In this study, we identified the tomato WAT1 homolog Solyc04g080940 (SlWAT1). Transient and stable silencing of SlWAT1, based on virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) and RNAi, respectively, did not consistently lead to reduced V. dahliae susceptibility in tomato. However, CRISPR-Cas9 tomato mutant lines carrying targeted deletions in SlWAT1 showed significantly enhanced resistance to V. dahliae, and furthermore also to Verticillium albo-atrum and Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici (Fol). Thus, disabling the tomato WAT1 gene resulted in broad-spectrum resistance to various vascular pathogens in tomato. Unfortunately these tomato CRISPR mutant lines suffered from severe growth defects. In order to overcome the pleiotropic effect caused by the impairment of the tomato WAT1 gene, future efforts should be devoted to identifying tomato SlWAT1 mutant alleles that do not negatively impact tomato growth and development.
The Role of Information in Knowledge-How
Authors: Najenson Jonathan , Fresco Nir
Published: September 2021

Knowledge-how is the kind of knowledge implicated in skill employment and acquisition. Intellectualists claim that knowledge-how is a special type of propositional knowledge. Anti-intellectualists claim that knowledge-how is not propositional. We argue that both views face two open challenges. The first challenge pertains to the relationship between informational states and motor variability. The second pertains to the epistemic function of practice that leads to skill (and knowledge-how). The aim of this paper is to suggest a general conceptual framework based on functional information with both intellectualist and anti-intellectualist features. Our proposal, we argue, avoids the above challenges, and can further the debate on knowledge-how and skill.
The Effects of Nudges: One-Shot Only? Exploring the Temporal Spillover Effects of a Default Nudge
Authors: Van Rookhuijzen Merije , De Vet Emely , Adriaanse Marieke A.
Published: September 2021

Nudges, such as defaults, are generally found to be effective in guiding immediate behavioural decisions. However, little is known about whether the effect of a nudge can be lasting, meaning that it spills over to subsequent similar choices without the presence of a nudge. In three experiments, we explored the temporal spillover effects of a default nudge. The results of Experiments 1 (N = 1,077) and 2 (N = 1,036) suggest that nudging participants into completing a longer questionnaire affected their decision for the same behaviour a day later without the presence of a nudge. However, nudging participants into a healthier food choice in Experiment 3 (N = 969) did not result in such a temporal spillover effect. The results indicated that participants' change in attitude towards the nudged behaviour may partly explain the temporal spillover effects. These findings suggest that for some, but not all behaviours, default nudges may have the potential to yield temporal spillover effects and warrant a further investigation of boundary conditions and facilitators of the spillover effects of nudges.
Negative Effects of Embodiment in a Visuo-Spatial Working Memory Task in Children, Young Adults, and Older Adults
Authors: Amico Gianluca , Schaefer Sabine
Published: September 2021

Studies examining the effect of embodied cognition have shown that linking one’s body movements to a cognitive task can enhance performance. The current study investigated whether concurrent walking while encoding or recalling spatial information improves working memory performance, and whether 10-year-old children, young adults, or older adults (Mage = 72 years) are affected differently by embodiment. The goal of the Spatial Memory Task was to encode and recall sequences of increasing length by reproducing positions of target fields in the correct order. The nine targets were positioned in a random configuration on a large square carpet (2.5 m × 2.5 m). During encoding and recall, participants either did not move, or they walked into the target fields. In a within-subjects design, all possible combinations of encoding and recall conditions were tested in counterbalanced order. Contrary to our predictions, moving particularly impaired encoding, but also recall. These negative effects were present in all age groups, but older adults’ memory was hampered even more strongly by walking during encoding and recall. Our results indicate that embodiment may not help people to memorize spatial information, but can create a dual-task situation instead.
Did Dog Domestication Contribute to Language Evolution?
Authors: Benítez-Burraco Antonio , Pörtl Daniela , Jung Christoph
Published: September 2021

Different factors seemingly account for the emergence of present-day languages in our species. Human self-domestication has been recently invoked as one important force favoring language complexity mostly via a cultural mechanism. Because our self-domestication ultimately resulted from selection for less aggressive behavior and increased prosocial behavior, any evolutionary or cultural change impacting on aggression levels is expected to have fostered this process. Here, we hypothesize about a parallel domestication of humans and dogs, and more specifically, about a positive effect of our interaction with dogs on human self-domestication, and ultimately, on aspects of language evolution, through the mechanisms involved in the control of aggression. We review evidence of diverse sort (ethological mostly, but also archeological, genetic, and physiological) supporting such an effect and propose some ways of testing our hypothesis.
Questioning the Role of Forward Associative Strength in False Memories: Evidence From Deese-Roediger-McDermott Lists With Three Critical Lures
Authors: Beato Maria Soledad , Arndt Jason
Published: September 2021

We report an experiment examining the factors that produce false recognition in the Deese-Roediger-McDermott (DRM) paradigm. We selectively manipulated the probability that critical lures produce study items in free association, known as forward associative strength (FAS), while controlling the probability that study items produce critical lures in free association, known as backward associative strength (BAS). Results showed that false recognition of critical lures failed to differ between strong and weak FAS conditions. Follow-up correlational analyses further supported this outcome, showing that FAS was not correlated with false recognition, despite substantial variability in both variables across our stimulus sets. However, these correlational analyses did produce a significant and strong relationship between BAS and false recognition. These results support views that propose false memory is produced by activation spreading from study items to critical lures during encoding, which leads critical lures to be confused with episodically-experienced events.
Fostering EFL/ESL Students' State Motivation: The Role of Teacher-Student Rapport
Authors: Meng Yanzhi
Published: September 2021

It is maintained that one of the significant determining issues of success is motivation, and enhancing EFL/ESL students' motivation is dominant in cultivating their learning in the classroom. Moreover, teachers are reflected as the most noteworthy figure of any scholastic organization and the positive rapport between students and teachers is significant for learners' state motivation. In line with the investigations of teacher-student rapport, principles from positive psychology (PP), and motivational theories such as self-determination and rhetorical/relational goal theory, the present theoretical review seeks this type of relationship and its effects on learners' motivation. Student-teacher rapport results in progressive practices for learners, as well as superior classroom involvement, and motivation. Subsequently, the helpfulness of findings for teachers, learners, materials developers, and teacher trainers are conferred.
Low Level of Perfectionism as a Possible Risk Factor for Suicide in Adolescents With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Authors: Katzenmajer-Pump Luca , Farkas Bernadett Frida , Varga Balázs András , Jansma Johan M. , Balázs Judit
Published: September 2021

Introduction: Suicide is one of the leading causes of death among adolescents. Although it is known that both perfectionism and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (‘ADHD’) are important risk factors for suicide, there are no studies that have investigated the relationship between suicidal behavior and perfectionism among people with ADHD.

Aim: The current study investigates the association between perfectionism and suicide in adolescents with ADHD.

Method: Subjects included 88 adolescents with ADHD and 96 non-clinical control adolescents. We used the Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale to evaluate perfectionism as well as its separate traits, and the Mini International Neuropsychologic Interview Kid to evaluate psychiatric disorders and suicidal behavior. Differences between the groups were statistically evaluated using t-tests, a Poisson regression analysis with suicide as a discrete variable, and a logistic regression analysis with suicide as a binary variable.

Results: Compared to the control group, the ADHD group showed a significantly lower level on the adaptive ‘Organization’ trait of perfectionism, but not on any other trait, and a significantly higher level of suicidal behavior.

Logistic regression results indicated a significant association for perfectionism in general (OR = 0.93, p = 0.003), and for the ‘Personal Standards’ trait (OR: 0.82, p = 0.039).

Poisson regression analysis also showed a significant association with perfectionism in general (IRR = 0.90; p < 0.001) and with the ‘Personal standards’ trait model (IRR = 0.81, p = 0.019).

Discussion: Our results indicate that a low level of perfectionism, in particular ‘Personal standards’, may be a risk factor for suicidal behavior in adolescents with ADHD. We recommend that psychoeducation and therapy of adolescents with ADHD should consider focusing on adaptive perfection as a possible risk factor for suicide as well.
Evaluation of the Psychometric Properties of the Chinese Internet Gaming Disorder Checklist (C-IGDC) Among Chinese Adolescents
Authors: Chen Juliet Honglei , Su Xiaoyu , Dang Le , Wu Anise M. S.
Published: September 2021

As the first DSM-5 based, multidimensional screening tool of Internet gaming disorder (IGD) designed for Chinese gamers, the Chinese Internet Gaming Disorder Checklist (C-IGDC) has shown satisfactory psychometric properties among Chinese young adults. Given the high vulnerability to IGD among adolescents, the present study aimed to examine the applicability of C-IGDC to Chinese adolescents to address shortfalls in the existing literature regarding the assessment of adolescent IGD screening. Through a two-stage sampling method in a cross-sectional survey, we obtained a sample of 1,253 Chinese past-year adolescent gamers (43.8% female; Mage = 14.49 years, SDage = 1.60 years) from local junior or senior high schools in Macao, China for data analysis. Our results confirmed a good model fit of the original two-level, nine-subfactor structure of the 27-item C-IGDC, and indicated adequate internal consistency and test–retest reliability, as well as good concurrent validity as evidenced by expected associations with IGD functioning impairments, gameplay characteristics, and depressive symptoms. An optimal screening cutoff score (≥20) was proposed to identify probable disordered gamers among Chinese adolescents with past-year gaming experience. The findings support the extended use of C-IGDC to Chinese adolescents as a reliable and valid assessment tool for evaluating IGD severity levels and screening for probable IGD cases. Its use can facilitate a proper screening procedure for probable IGD cases in both school and clinical settings.
Clinical Decision-Making During Psychiatric Ward Rounds
Authors: Holzhüter Fabian , Schuster Florian , Heres Stephan , Hamann Johannes
Published: September 2021

Introduction: For psychiatric in-patients, ward rounds are a prominent occasion for decision making. As previous findings on shared decision-making (SDM) patterns mostly derive from out-patients and one-to-one-consultations, it was our aim to investigate SDM during psychiatric ward rounds.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study and included n = 62 in-patients from seven different psychiatric wards. We collected data from the patient and the treating physician before and after ward rounds and recorded the interaction.

Results: We identified two groups of patients regarding their attitude toward ward rounds (no expectations vs. clear agenda). The latter showed higher active engagement, expected more decisions to be made and discussed more topics. Generally, observer rated SDM was low, with vast differences between the doctors' and the patients' perception.

Conclusion: Doctors and patients perceive ward rounds differently and there is a discrepancy between subjective and objective involvement. A rather paternalistic doctor-patient-relationship is observed, while patients feel sufficiently involved and vastly satisfied. The potential of ward rounds maximizes if patients have an agenda. Consequently, motivating patients to prepare themselves toward ward rounds should be part of the weekly routine, as well as improving patient participation and information procedures during ward rounds.
Neural Correlates of Autobiographical Memory: Evidence From a Positron Emission Tomography Study in Patients With Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Frankenberg Claudia , Pantel Johannes , Haberkorn Uwe , Degen Christina , Buchsbaum Monte S. , Herold Christina J. , Schröder Johannes
Published: September 2021

Background: Autobiographical memory (AM) changes are the hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). In recent neuroimaging studies, AM changes have been associated with numerous cerebral sites, such as the frontal cortices, the mesial temporal lobe, or the posterior cingulum. Regional glucose uptake in these sites was investigated for underlying subdimensions using factor analysis. Subsequently, the factors were examined with respect to AM performance in a subgroup of patients.

Methods: Data from 109 memory clinic referrals, who presented with MCI (n = 60), mild AD (n = 49), or were cognitively intact, were analyzed. The glucose metabolic rates determined by positron emission tomography (PET) with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) in 34 cerebral sites important for AM were investigated for underlying subdimensions by calculating factor analysis with varimax rotation. Subsequently, the respective factor scores were correlated with the episodic and semantic AM performance of 22 patients, which was measured with a semi-structured interview assessing episodic memories (characterized by event-related emotional, sensory, contextual, and spatial–temporal details) and personal semantic knowledge from three periods of life (primary school, early adulthood, and recent years).

Results: Factor analysis identified seven factors explaining 69% of the variance. While patients with MCI and AD showed lower values than controls on the factors frontal cortex, mesial temporal substructures, and occipital cortex, patients with MCI presented with increased values on the factors posterior cingulum and left temporo-prefrontal areas. The factors anterior cingulum and right temporal cortex showed only minor, non-significant group differences. Solely, the factor mesial temporal substructures was significantly correlated with both episodic memories (r = 0.424, p < 0.05) and personal semantic knowledge (r = 0.547, p < 0.01) in patients with MCI/AD.

Conclusions: The factor structure identified corresponds by large to the morphological and functional interrelations of the respective sites. While reduced glucose uptake on the factors frontal cortex, mesial temporal substructures, and occipital cortex in the patient group may correspond to neurodegenerative changes, increased values on the factors posterior cingulum and left temporo-prefrontal areas in MCI may result from compensatory efforts. Interestingly, changes of the mesial temporal substructures were correlated with both semantic and episodic AM. Our findings suggest that AM deficits do not only reflect neurodegenerative changes but also refer to compensatory mechanisms as they involve both quantitative losses of specific memories and qualitative changes with a semantization of memories.
Joint Use of e.Photoexpression© and Photonarration: What Methodological Added Value?
Authors: Maéliane Deyra , Chloé Gay , Laurent Gerbaud , Pauline Berland , Frank Pizon
Published: September 2021

Objectives:The objective is to describe the informative value and the added value of a qualitative multiphase methodology in order to investigate the conceptions of children aged 6–11 on the determinants of health and cancer.

Method:This article provides an analysis of the “Determ'Ados” research protocol, a qualitative study in human and social sciences, carried out with children aged 6–11 years. This protocol, organized in three phases, addresses in the first global health with the tool “e.Photoexpression©,” in the second questions and knowledge around the topic of cancer with the tool “QC” and in the third cancer again with the “Photonarration” tool. The methodology of this innovative, open and exploratory research protocol aims to collect data relating to the experiences, declared practices and knowledge specific to each child who express themselves through photography and storytelling.

Results:The analysis of the Déterm'Ados methodology reveals a density and richness of results among all the children interviewed, even among the youngest: 1,498 productions (4 productions per child) were made by 381 children resulting in a wealth of data available thanks to the multiphase protocol. This massive qualitative survey brings complementarity as the collection phases progress and guarantees continuity in the discourse of each child which allows them to deepen their conceptions and to know how they create or not meaning between the determinants of health and cancer.

Perspectives:The density and quality of the proposals collected from the children reinforce the validity and rigor of the Determ'Ados methodology. Multiphase is the innovative aspect of the tools used. The e.Photoexpression©and the Photonarration are complementary and inseparable to bring out concepts on health and cancer. These research results, transferable into interventions and current practices, present prevention officers to act more effectively, closer to the conceptions and needs of children.
The Nottwil Standard-Development and Implementation of an International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health-Based Clinical Standard Assessment for Post-acute Rehabilitation After Newly Acquired Spinal Cord Injury
Authors: Scheel-Sailer Anke , Lampart Patricia , Selb Melissa , Baumberger Michael , Gmünder Hans Peter , Sigrist-Nix Diana , Schmitt Klaus , Stucki Gerold
Published: September 2021

Introduction: Assessments during rehabilitation of spinal cord injury (SCI) align with the World Health Organization's classifications and national quality requirements. This paper aims to report on the development and first implementation experiences of an institutional standard of assessments performed after newly acquired SCI.

Setting: Specialized SCI acute care and post-acute rehabilitation clinic in Switzerland.

Methods: A situation analysis of an interdisciplinary post-acute SCI rehabilitation program was performed. The results informed a subsequent consensus-based selection of assessments, and an information and implementation strategy. Linking to the ICF Core Set for SCI in post-acute settings and ICF Generic-30 Set was performed. The Nottwil Standard was piloted for 18 months.

Results: Situation analysis: A battery of 41 assessments were irregularly performed during initial rehabilitation after newly aquired SCI. Selection of assessments: A multidisciplinary group of clinicians agreed on 10 examinations, 23 assessments and two questionnaires that make up the Nottwil Standard. In total, 55 ICF categories are covered, including most of the ICF Generic-30 Set categories. The implementation strategy included Executive Board commitment, a structured improvement project, guidelines for documentation and assessments, a manual controlling system, and staff training on the Nottwil Standard. Pilot phase: 54 persons with paraplegia and 42 with tetraplegia (75 male; 21 female) were included. Twenty-seven assessments out of 33 assessments were performed in more than 80% of all observed patients' rehabilitation.

Conclusion: Implementation of a standard assessment schedule was feasible but required a well-structured process with good communication strategy and controlling mechanism, and full engagement of involved professions.
Effects of Purple Corn Anthocyanin on Blood Biochemical Indexes, Ruminal Fluid Fermentation, and Rumen Microbiota in Goats
Authors: Tian Xing-Zhou , Li Jia-Xuan , Luo Qing-Yuan , Zhou Di , Long Qing-Meng , Wang Xu , Lu Qi , Wen Gui-Lan
Published: September 2021

The objective of this study was to observe the effects of anthocyanin from purple corn on blood biochemical indexes, ruminal fluid fermentation parameters, and the microbial population in goats. A total of 18 Qianbei Ma wether kids (body weight, 21.38 ± 1.61 kg; mean ± standard deviation) were randomly assigned to three groups using a completely randomized design. The group diets were: (1) control, basal diet, (2) treatment 1 (LA), basal diet with 0.5-g/d purple corn pigment (PCP), and (3) treatment 2 (HA), basal diet with 1-g/d PCP. The results showed that supplementation of PCP anthocyanin increased (P < 0.05) crude protein and gross energy digestibilities compared to the control. Compared to the control group, the inclusion of anthocyanin-rich PCP led to significantly increased (P < 0.05) plasma reduced glutathione and peroxidase concentrations. Goats receiving PCP had increased (P < 0.05) ruminal fluid acetic acid and a higher ratio of acetate to propionate, while the propionic acid, butyric acid, valeric acid, isobutyric acid, and isovaleric acid levels had decreased (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in ruminal fluid alpha bacterial diversity among the three groups. At the phylum level, the feeding of PCP had significant effect (P < 0.05) on the abundances of Actinobacteriota, Proteobacteria, Elusimicrobiota, WPS-2, and Cyanobacteria. At the genus level, HA group had lower (P < 0.05) Prevotellaceae_NK3B31_group abundance compared to the other groups. In addition, significant differences (P < 0.05) were also observed for the ruminal fluid Eubacterium_nodatum_group, Amnipila, Ruminiclostridium, U29-B03, unclassified_c_Clostridia, Pyramidobacter, Anaeroplasma, UCG-004, Atopobium, norank_f_norank_o_Bradymonadales, Elusimicrobium, norank_f_norank_o_norank_c_norank_p_WPS-2, norank_f_Bacteroidales_UCG-001, and norank_f_norank_o_Gastranaerophilales among all groups. Taken together, the inclusion of anthocyanin-rich PCP increased the antioxidant potential, improved rumen volatile fatty acids, and induced a shift in the structure and relative abundance of ruminal microbiota in growing goats.
Mycobacterium microti Infection in Wild Boar (Sus scrofa): Histopathology Analysis Suggests Containment of the Infection
Authors: Pigoli Claudio , Tranquillo Vito , Gibelli Lucia Rita , Gaffuri Alessandra , Alborali Giovanni Loris , Pacciarini Maria , Zanoni Mariagrazia , Boniotti Maria Beatrice , Sironi Giuseppe , Caniatti Mario , Grieco Valeria
Published: September 2021

The European wild boar (WB) (Sus scrofa) population has rapidly expanded over the years, raising public health concerns over the species reservoir of several pathogens, including Mycobacterium microti (Mm), a Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex member. In this study, we aimed to investigate the Mm natural infection in WB in Lombardy and Emilia Romagna Italian regions by statistically evaluating the granulomatous lesions' histological features and Mm microbiological isolation. We analyzed 103 WB retropharyngeal and submandibular lymph nodes (LNs) for Mm identified by gyrB PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism, and were retrospectively selected and histologically assessed. For each sample, Hematoxylin-eosin and Ziehl–Neelsen stained slides were evaluated. Considered histological variables were: the number of granulomas, size and maturational stage of granulomas, granulomas completeness within the section, number of multinucleated giant macrophages (MGMs), and acid-fast (AF) bacilli per granuloma. Furthermore, Mm microbiological results were also considered. Mm microbiological isolation was negatively influenced by granulomas maturation and positively affected by AF bacilli's presence within the section. Granuloma maturation was positively influenced by granuloma size and granuloma incompleteness and negatively affected by the number of granulomas in the section and the number of MGMs within the granuloma. The results indicate that granuloma maturation should ensures an efficient containment of Mm infection in the WB, suggesting that the intra-species transmission of the disease might be an unlikely event.
Active Flutter Suppression of Smart-Skin Antenna Structures with Piezoelectric Sensors and Actuators
Authors: Lee Chang-Yull , Kim Ji-Hwan
Published: September 2021

A smart-skin antenna structure is investigated for active flutter control with piezoelectric sensors and actuators. The skin antenna is designed as a multilayer sandwich structure with a dielectric polymer to perform the role of antenna or radar structures. The governing equations are developed according to the first-order shear deformation theory, and von Karman strain–displacement relationships are used for the moderate geometrical nonlinearity. To consider the supersonic airflow, first-order piston theory is performed for the aerodynamic pressures. The linear quadratic regulator (LQR) method is applied as a control algorithm, and Newmark’s method is studied to obtain the numerical results. In the present study, the effects of placements and shape of piezoelectric patches are discussed on the flutter control of the model in detail. In addition, the numerical results show that the skin antenna model can effectively suppress the panel flutter behaviors of the model, optimal conditions of piezoelectric patches are obtained for skin antenna structures.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Pitch Control under Delay Using Deep Reinforcement Learning with Continuous Action in Wind Tunnel Test
Authors: Wada Daichi , Araujo-Estrada Sergio A. , Windsor Shane
Published: September 2021

Nonlinear flight controllers for fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) can potentially be developed using deep reinforcement learning. However, there is often a reality gap between the simulation models used to train these controllers and the real world. This study experimentally investigated the application of deep reinforcement learning to the pitch control of a UAV in wind tunnel tests, with a particular focus of investigating the effect of time delays on flight controller performance. Multiple neural networks were trained in simulation with different assumed time delays and then wind tunnel tested. The neural networks trained with shorter delays tended to be susceptible to delay in the real tests and produce fluctuating behaviour. The neural networks trained with longer delays behaved more conservatively and did not produce oscillations but suffered steady state errors under some conditions due to unmodeled frictional effects. These results highlight the importance of performing physical experiments to validate controller performance and how the training approach used with reinforcement learning needs to be robust to reality gaps between simulation and the real world.
Temperature Dependences of IR Spectra of Humic Substances of Brown Coal
Authors: Volkov Dmitry , Rogova Olga , Proskurnin Mikhail
Published: September 2021

The capabilities of temperature-monitored IR spectroscopy for studying the organic matter and mineral composition of humic substances (HS) were tested. Temperature dependences of the mid-IR spectra of humic substances heated in the air in the range 25–215 °C (298–488 K, with a step of 2.5 °C)—for three commercially available samples isolated from brown coal (leonardite)—were performed. The characteristic bands were identified, and their changes in band maxima positions and intensities were compared. From the viewpoint of interpretation of HS components, the spectra were divided into regions of quartz lattice region (800–260 cm−1), quartz overtone region (1270–800 cm−1), humic substance organic matter region (1780–1270 cm−1), quartz combination region (2800–1780 cm−1), CH-speciation region (3100–2800 cm−1), and hydrogen-speciation region (4000–3100 cm−1) thus selected to contain the dominating type of bands. For the first time, a reversible change in the frequencies of the band maxima in IR spectra upon heating was observed, which can be interpreted as forming structures with a particular order in the studied humic substances in the dry state. For a single sample, both the band-shift scale and the functional dependence of the various bands on temperature differ significantly. The approach differentiates crystalline quartz bands, amorphous silica, and HSOM/surface groups experiencing a different temperature behavior of the band maxima and their intensities. Band-maximum temperature dependence can be considered more stable to changes in experimental conditions than band maxima at a single temperature, thus providing a more detailed HS structure analysis without HS decomposition or destruction.
Genome-Wide Identification, Expression Profile, and Alternative Splicing Analysis of CAMTA Family Genes in Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.)
Authors: Gao Rong , Luo Yanyan , Yun Fahong , Wu Xuetong , Wang Peng , Liao Weibiao
Published: September 2021

The calmodulin-binding transcription activator (CAMTA), as one of the most distinctive families of transcription factors, plays an important role in plant growth and development and in the stress response. However, it is currently unknown whether CAMTA exists in cucumbers and what its function is. In this study, we first identified four CAMTA genes in the cucumber genome using a genome-wide search method. Subsequently, we analyzed their physical and chemical properties, gene structure, protein domains, and phylogenetic relationships. The results show that the structure of CsCAMTAs is similar to that of other plants, and a phylogenetic analysis divides them into three groups. The analysis of cis-acting elements shows that most CsCAMTAs contain a variety of hormones and stress-related elements. The RT-PCR analysis shows that CsCAMTAs have different expression levels in different tissues and can be induced by IAA, ABA, MeJA, NaCl, and PEG. Finally, we analyzed the expression pattern of CsCAMTAs’ alternative spliceosomes under salt and drought stress. The results show that the expression levels of the different spliceosomes are affected by the type of stress and the duration of stress. These data indicate that CsCAMTAs participate in growth and development and in the stress response in cucumbers, a finding which lays the foundation for future CsCAMTAs’ functional research.
Revisiting the Most Destructive Earthquake Sequence in the Recent History of Greece: Environmental Effects Induced by the 9, 11 and 12 August 1953 Ionian Sea Earthquakes
Authors: Mavroulis Spyridon , Lekkas Efthymis
Published: September 2021

The August 1953 seismic sequence comprised the most destructive events in the recent history of Greece. The mainshock on 12 August, and its foreshocks on 9 and 11 August, devastated the southern Ionian Islands. The existing literature emphasized the destructive effects of the earthquakes on buildings, as well as to the emergency response and recovery actions. This resulted in a large gap in capturing the full picture of the earthquake’s environmental effects. The present study aims to fill this gap by reconstructing the most complete picture possible of the primary and secondary effects on the environment of the southern Ionian Islands by the August 1953 earthquakes. This reconstruction is based on all available sources, comprising not only the existing scientific literature, but especially sources that have not been considered to date, including newspapers of local and national circulation. In total, 120 cases of the earthquake’s environmental effects were identified, comprised of 33 cases of primary and 87 cases of secondary effects. In descending order of occurrence, slope failures, co-seismic uplift, hydrological anomalies, ground cracks, tsunami, liquefaction, dust clouds, hydrocarbon-related phenomena, jumping stones and vegetation effects were distributed mainly in Cephalonia Island and secondarily in the Ithaki and Zakythos Islands. The primary effects were mainly detected in eastern Cephalonia, which presented uplift of up to 70 cm, while the majority of the secondary effects were triggered in specific zones with characteristics that made them susceptible to the occurrence of earthquake-related hazards.
The Influence of Diet and Probiotics on the Response of Solid Tumours to Immunotherapy: Present and Future Perspectives
Authors: Olivares-Hernández Alejandro , Figuero-Pérez Luis , González-Sarmiento Rogelio , León-Jiménez David , Cruz-Hernández Juan Jesús , Miramontes-González José Pablo
Published: September 2021

Currently, various immunotherapeutic treatments are revolutionizing therapies that treat solid neoplasms. For these treatments, within immunotherapy, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are the most widely used drugs. Diverse studies have shown the influence of diet and probiotics on the response to ICIs and consequently on the survival rates associated with different neoplasms. The use of various antibiotics, probiotics, and prebiotics has been associated with changes in the gut microbiota, and this, in turn, with resistance to immunotherapy. Together with the above, a lower intake of red meat and greater consumption of a Mediterranean, vegetarian, or vegan diet have led to a new way of understanding the mechanisms of resistance to ICIs. Omega-3 and polyphenol supplements are also powerful regulators of the microbiome whose influence on the immune system. Therefore, this review covers the influence of diet and probiotics on the response to immunotherapy in patients who have solid tumours.
Light-Induced Advanced Oxidation Processes as PFAS Remediation Methods: A Review
Authors: Leonello Domenico , Fendrich Murilo Alexandre , Parrino Francesco , Patel Nainesh , Orlandi Michele , Miotello Antonio
Published: September 2021

PFAS substances, which have been under investigation in recent years, are certainly some of the most critical emerging contaminants. Their presence in drinking water, correlated with diseases, is consistently being confirmed by scientific studies in the academic and health sectors. With the aim of developing new technologies to mitigate the water contamination problem, research activity based on advanced oxidation processes for PFAS dealkylation and subsequent mineralization is active. While UV radiation could be directly employed for decontamination, there are nevertheless considerable problems regarding its use, even from a large-scale perspective. In contrast, the use of cheap, robust, and green photocatalytic materials active under near UV-visible radiation shows interesting prospects. In this paper we take stock of the health problems related to PFAS, and then provide an update on strategies based on the use of photocatalysts and the latest findings regarding reaction mechanisms. Finally, we detail some brief considerations in relation to the economic aspects of possible solutions.
Reconstruction of Ocean Front Model Based on Sound Speed Clustering and Its Effectiveness in Ocean Acoustic Forecasting
Authors: Liu Yuyao , Chen Wei , Chen Wen , Chen Yu , Ma Lina , Meng Zhou
Published: September 2021

As a mesoscale phenomenon of the ocean, the ocean front can directly affect the structural characteristics of sound speed profiles and further affect the acoustic propagation characteristics of the sea area. In this paper, we use the fuzzy C-means (FCM) algorithm to cluster the surface sound speed in the sea area of the Kuroshio Extension (KE) and detect the frontal zone of Kuroshio Extension (KEF). At the same time, the sound speed profile (SSP) is used instead of the temperature profile to establish the model of the sound speed field in the front area of the Kuroshio Extension and to improve the theoretical model of the ocean front. Compared with the actual ocean front calculated by reanalysis data, the root means square error (RSME) of the transmission loss (TL) calculated by the model is controlled below 6 dB, which proves the validity of the model. Finally, we propose the melt function in the model to forecast the depth change of the acoustic convergence area. Compared with the actual calculation result based on reanalysis data, the root means square error (RSME) of the depth forecasting after the frontal zone is 43.3 m. This reconstruction method does not rely on the high spatial resolution data of the whole sea depth and can be of referential significance to acoustic detection in the ocean front environment.
Cashew Gum (Anacardium occidentale) as a Potential Source for the Production of Tocopherol-Loaded Nanoparticles: Formulation, Release Profile and Cytotoxicity
Authors: Loureiro Kahynna C. , Jäger Alessandro , Pavlova Ewa , Lima-Verde Isabel B. , Štěpánek Petr , Sangenito Leandro S. , Santos André L. S. , Chaud Marco V. , Barud Hernane S. , Soares Mônica F. La R. , Albuquerque-Júnior Ricardo L. C. de , Cardoso Juliana C. , Souto Eliana B. , Mendonça Marcelo da Costa , Severino Patrícia
Published: September 2021

Every year, more than thirty thousand tons of Cashew gum (Anacardium occidentale, family: Anacardiaceae) are produced in Brazil; however, only a small amount is used for different applications in foodstuff and in pharmaceutical industries. As a raw material for the production of drug delivery systems, cashew gum is still regarded as an innovative compound worth to be exploited. In this work, cashew gum was extracted from the crude exudate of cashew tree employing four methodologies resulting in a light brown powder in different yields (40.61% to 58.40%). The total ashes (0.34% to 1.05%) and moisture (12.90% to 14.81%) were also dependent on the purification approach. FTIR spectra showed the typical bands of purified cashew gum samples, confirming their suitability for the development of a pharmaceutical product. Cashew gum nanoparticles were produced by nanoprecipitation resulting in particles of low polydispersity (<0.2) and an average size depending on the percentage of the oil. The zeta potential of nanoparticles was found to be below 20 mV, which promotes electrostatic stability. Encapsulation efficiencies were above 99.9%, while loading capacity increased with the increase of the percentage of the oil content of particles. The release of the oil from the nanoparticles followed the Korsmeyer–Peppas kinetics model, while particles did not show any signs of toxicity when tested in three distinct cell lines (LLC-MK2, HepG2, and THP-1). Our study highlights the potential added value of using a protein-, lignans-, and nucleic acids-enriched resin obtained from crude extract as a new raw material for the production of drug delivery systems.
Immersion Freezing Ability of Freshly Emitted Soot with Various Physico-Chemical Characteristics
Authors: Falk John , Korhonen Kimmo , Malmborg Vilhelm B. , Gren Louise , Eriksson Axel C. , Karjalainen Panu , Markkula Lassi , Bengtsson Per-Erik , Virtanen Annele , Svenningsson Birgitta , Pagels Joakim , Kristensen Thomas B.
Published: September 2021

The immersion freezing ability of soot particles has in previous studies been reported in the range of low/insignificant to very high. The aims of this study were to: (i) perform detailed physico-chemical characterisation of freshly produced soot particles with very different properties, (ii) investigate the immersion freezing ability of the same particles, and (iii) investigate the potential links between physico-chemical particle properties and ice-activity. A miniCAST soot generator was used to produce eight different soot samples representing a wide range of physico-chemical properties. A continuous flow diffusion chamber was used to study each sample online in immersion mode over the temperature (T) range from −41 to −32 °C, at a supersaturation of about 10% with respect to liquid water. All samples exhibited low to no heterogeneous immersion freezing. The most active sample reached ice-activated fractions (AF) of 10−3 and 10−4 at temperatures of 1.7 and 1.9 K , respectively, above the homogeneous freezing temperature. The samples were characterized online with respect to a wide range of physico-chemical properties including effective particle density, optical properties, particle surface oxidation and soot maturity. We did observe indications of increasing immersion freezing ice-activity with increasing effective particle density and increasing particulate PAH fraction. Hence, those properties, or other properties co-varying with those, could potentially enhance the immersion freezing ice-activity of the studied soot particle types. However, we found no significant correlation between the physico-chemical properties and the observed ice-nucleating ability when the particle ensemble was extended to include previously published results including more ice-active biomass combustion soot particles. We conclude that it does not appear possible in general and in any straightforward way to link observed soot particle physico-chemical properties to the ice-nucleating ability using the online instrumentation included in this study. Furthermore, our observations support that freshly produced soot particles with a wide range of physico-chemical properties have low to insignificant immersion freezing ice-nucleating ability.
On New Generalizations of Hermite-Hadamard Type Inequalities via Atangana-Baleanu Fractional Integral Operators
Authors: Set Erhan , Akdemir Ahmet Ocak , Karaoǧlan Ali , Abdeljawad Thabet , Shatanawi Wasfi
Published: September 2021

Fractional operators are one of the frequently used tools to obtain new generalizations of clasical inequalities in recent years and many new fractional operators are defined in the literature. This development in the field of fractional analysis has led to a new orientation in various branches of mathematics and in many of the applied sciences. Thanks to this orientation, it has brought a whole new dimension to the field of inequality theory as well as many other disciplines. In this study, a new lemma has been proved for the fractional integral operator defined by Atangana and Baleanu. Later with the help of this lemma and known inequalities such as Young, Jensen, Hölder, new generalizations of Hermite-Hadamard inequality are obtained. Many reduced corollaries about the main findings are presented for classical integrals.
Target-Oriented Synthesis of Marine Coelenterazine Derivatives with Anticancer Activity by Applying the Heavy-Atom Effect
Authors: Magalhães Carla M. , González-Berdullas Patricia , Duarte Diana , Correia Ana Salomé , Rodríguez-Borges José E. , Vale Nuno , Esteves da Silva Joaquim C. G. , Pinto da Silva Luís
Published: September 2021

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an anticancer therapeutic modality with remarkable advantages over more conventional approaches. However, PDT is greatly limited by its dependence on external light sources. Given this, PDT would benefit from new systems capable of a light-free and intracellular photodynamic effect. Herein, we evaluated the heavy-atom effect as a strategy to provide anticancer activity to derivatives of coelenterazine, a chemiluminescent single-molecule widespread in marine organisms. Our results indicate that the use of the heavy-atom effect allows these molecules to generate readily available triplet states in a chemiluminescent reaction triggered by a cancer marker. Cytotoxicity assays in different cancer cell lines showed a heavy-atom-dependent anticancer activity, which increased in the substituent order of hydroxyl < chlorine < bromine. Furthermore, it was found that the magnitude of this anticancer activity is also dependent on the tumor type, being more relevant toward breast and prostate cancer. The compounds also showed moderate activity toward neuroblastoma, while showing limited activity toward colon cancer. In conclusion, the present results indicate that the application of the heavy-atom effect to marine coelenterazine could be a promising approach for the future development of new and optimized self-activating and tumor-selective sensitizers for light-free PDT.