bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Relationship between Motor Coordination Ability, Cognitive Ability, and Academic Achievement in Japanese Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Authors: Higashionna Takuya , Iwanaga Ryoichiro , Tokunaga Akiko , Nakai Akio , Tanaka Koji , Tanaka Goro
Published: May 2022

Motor coordination abilities are related to cognitive abilities and academic achievement in children with neurodevelopmental disorders. However, the similarities and differences of these relationships in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD) have not been explored. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between motor coordination abilities, cognitive abilities, and academic achievement in Japanese children with ASD and AD/HD. Participants included 20 children with ASD, 20 children with AD/HD, and 20 typically developing children, matched for age and gender. Their motor coordination abilities were assessed with the Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2 (MABC-2). Furthermore, cognitive ability and academic achievement were assessed with the Kauffman Assessment Battery for Children-II (K-ABCII). Results demonstrated that the MABC-2 Total score significantly correlated with the K-ABCII Simultaneous processing, Planning, Total cognitive ability, Writing and Arithmetic scores in children with ASD. However, in children with AD/HD, there was no significant correlation between MABC-2 and K-ABCII subscale scores. The results of this study indicated that the relationship between motor coordination ability, cognitive ability, and academic achievement differs between ASD and AD/HD. This difference might indicate the non-similarity of neurological characteristics and encourage consideration for an approach that accommodates the features of neurodevelopmental disorders in children.
Hippocampal Cytokine Release in Experimental Epileptogenesis—A Longitudinal In Vivo Microdialysis Study
Authors: Siebenbrodt Kai , Schütz Vanessa , Costard Lara S. , Neubert Valentin , Alvarez-Fischer Daniel , Seidel Kerstin , Schmeck Bernd , Meuth Sven G. , Rosenow Felix , Bauer Sebastian
Published: May 2022

Background: Inflammation, particularly cytokine release, contributes to epileptogenesis by influencing the cerebral tissue remodeling and neuronal excitability that occurs after a precipitating epileptogenic insult. While several cytokines have been explored in this process, release kinetics are less well investigated. Determining the time course of cytokine release in the epileptogenic zone is necessary for precisely timed preventive or therapeutic anti-inflammatory interventions. Methods: Hippocampal extracellular levels of six cytokines and chemokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, CCL2, CCL3, and CCL5) were quantified at various time points during epileptogenesis in a rat model of mesial temporal lobe epilepsy with hippocampal sclerosis (mTLE-HS) using microdialysis (MD). Results: The analysis of microdialysates demonstrated consistent elevation at all time points during epileptogenesis for IL-1β and IL-10. IL-10 release was maximal on day 1, IL-1β release peaked at day 8. No correlation between local hippocampal IL-1β concentrations and IL-1β blood levels was found. Conclusion: The release kinetics of IL-1β are consistent with its established pro-epileptogenic properties, while the kinetics of IL-10 suggest a counter-regulatory effect. This proof-of-concept study demonstrates the feasibility of intraindividual longitudinal monitoring of hippocampal molecular inflammatory processes via repetitive MD over several weeks and sheds light on the kinetics of hippocampal cytokine release during epileptogenesis.
Mechanism Insight into Catalytic Performance of Ni12P5 over Ni2P toward the Catalytic Deoxygenation of Butyric Acid
Authors: Fu Shuai , Li Dan , Liu Tinghao , Liu Lijuan , Yang Huaqing , Hu Changwei
Published: May 2022

The Ni/P ratio of nickel phosphide has an important effect on the catalytic performance toward the deoxygenation of fatty acids to biofuel. The Ni12P5 cluster is preferred to model Ni12P5 catalyst with butyric acid as the reactant model of palmitic acid. The catalytic deoxygenation mechanism of butyric acid over Ni12P5 cluster has been theoretically investigated at GGA-PBE/DSPP, DNP level in dodecane solution. From butyric acid, the hydrodehydration is predominated to form n-butanal. Then, from n-butanal, low temperature benefits the hydroreduction to form butanol and then hydrodehydration to produce n-butane, whereas high temperature favors the direct decarbonylation to yield propane. n-Butane originates from n-butanol through hydrodehydration and not from n-butylene. Propane comes from n-butanal through decarbonylation and not from propanol and/or propylene. Additionally, CO stems from n-butanal through decarbonylation, whereas CO2 is ruled out from butyric acid through decarboxylation. Compared with Ni12P6 cluster, Ni12P5 cluster exhibits higher catalytic activity for the formation of butanal, n-butanol, and n-butane, while it displays lower catalytic activity toward the direct decarbonylation and dehydration to yield propylene. These results can be attributed to less negative charges of Ni-sites over Ni12P5 cluster, compared with Ni12P6 cluster.
Dedication: Commemorative Issue in Honor of Professor Karlheinz Schwarz on the Occasion of His 80th Birthday
Authors: Blaha Peter , Chermette Henry
Published: May 2022

Karlheinz Schwarz was born in January 1941 in Vienna (Austria), and he married Christine Schwarz in 1969 [...]
Artificial Intelligence for Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy: A Roadmap from Technology Development to Clinical Practice
Authors: Renna Francesco , Martins Miguel , Neto Alexandre , Cunha António , Libânio Diogo , Dinis-Ribeiro Mário , Coimbra Miguel
Published: May 2022

Stomach cancer is the third deadliest type of cancer in the world (0.86 million deaths in 2017). In 2035, a 20% increase will be observed both in incidence and mortality due to demographic effects if no interventions are foreseen. Upper GI endoscopy (UGIE) plays a paramount role in early diagnosis and, therefore, improved survival rates. On the other hand, human and technical factors can contribute to misdiagnosis while performing UGIE. In this scenario, artificial intelligence (AI) has recently shown its potential in compensating for the pitfalls of UGIE, by leveraging deep learning architectures able to efficiently recognize endoscopic patterns from UGIE video data. This work presents a review of the current state-of-the-art algorithms in the application of AI to gastroscopy. It focuses specifically on the threefold tasks of assuring exam completeness (i.e., detecting the presence of blind spots) and assisting in the detection and characterization of clinical findings, both gastric precancerous conditions and neoplastic lesion changes. Early and promising results have already been obtained using well-known deep learning architectures for computer vision, but many algorithmic challenges remain in achieving the vision of AI-assisted UGIE. Future challenges in the roadmap for the effective integration of AI tools within the UGIE clinical practice are discussed, namely the adoption of more robust deep learning architectures and methods able to embed domain knowledge into image/video classifiers as well as the availability of large, annotated datasets.
Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (FISH) Tests for Identifying Protozoan and Bacterial Pathogens in Infectious Diseases
Authors: Shah Jyotsna S. , Ramasamy Ranjan
Published: May 2022

Diagnosing and treating many infectious diseases depends on correctly identifying the causative pathogen. Characterization of pathogen-specific nucleic acid sequences by PCR is the most sensitive and specific method available for this purpose, although it is restricted to laboratories that have the necessary infrastructure and finance. Microscopy, rapid immunochromatographic tests for antigens, and immunoassays for detecting pathogen-specific antibodies are alternative and useful diagnostic methods with different advantages and disadvantages. Detection of ribosomal RNA molecules in the cytoplasm of bacterial and protozoan pathogens by fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH) using sequence-specific fluorescently labelled DNA probes, is cheaper than PCR and requires minimal equipment and infrastructure. A LED light source attached to most laboratory light microscopes can be used in place of a fluorescence microscope with a UV lamp for FISH. A FISH test hybridization can be completed in 30 min at 37 °C and the whole test in less than two hours. FISH tests can therefore be rapidly performed in both well-equipped and poorly-resourced laboratories. Highly sensitive and specific FISH tests for identifying many bacterial and protozoan pathogens that cause disease in humans, livestock and pets are reviewed, with particular reference to parasites causing malaria and babesiosis, and mycobacteria responsible for tuberculosis.
Ecological Function Analysis and Optimization of a Recompression S-CO2 Cycle for Gas Turbine Waste Heat Recovery
Authors: Jin Qinglong , Xia Shaojun , Xie Tianchao
Published: May 2022

In this paper, a recompression S-CO2 Brayton cycle model that considers the finite-temperature difference heat transfer between the heat source and the working fluid, irreversible compression, expansion, and other irreversibility is established. First, the ecological function is analyzed. Then the mass flow rate, pressure ratio, diversion coefficient, and the heat conductance distribution ratios (HCDRs) of four heat exchangers (HEXs) are chosen as variables to optimize cycle performance, and the problem of long optimization time is solved by building a neural network prediction model. The results show that when the mass flow rate is small, the pressure ratio, the HCDRs of heater, and high temperature regenerator are the main influencing factors of the ecological function; when the mass flow rate is large, the influences of the re-compressor, the HCDRs of low temperature regenerator, and cooler on the ecological function increase; reasonable adjustment of the HCDRs of four HEXs can make the cycle performance better, but mass flow rate plays a more important role; the ecological function can be increased by 12.13%, 31.52%, 52.2%, 93.26%, and 96.99% compared with the initial design point after one-, two-, three-, four- and five-time optimizations, respectively.
Optimal Control of Background-Based Uncertain Systems with Applications in DC Pension Plan
Authors: Liu Wei , Wu Wanying , Tang Xiaoyi , Hu Yijun
Published: May 2022

In this paper, we propose a new optimal control model for uncertain systems with jump. In the model, the background-state variables are incorporated, where the background-state variables are governed by an uncertain differential equation. Meanwhile, the state variables are governed by another uncertain differential equation with jump, in which both the background-state variables and the control variables are involved. Under the optimistic value criterion, using uncertain dynamic programming method, we establish the principle and the equation of optimality. As an application, the optimal investment strategy and optimal payment rate for DC pension plans are given, where the corresponding background-state variables represent the salary process. This application in DC pension plans illustrates the effectiveness of the proposed model.
Information Fragmentation, Encryption and Information Flow in Complex Biological Networks
Authors: Bohm Clifford , Kirkpatrick Douglas , Cao Victoria , Adami Christoph
Published: May 2022

Assessing where and how information is stored in biological networks (such as neuronal and genetic networks) is a central task both in neuroscience and in molecular genetics, but most available tools focus on the network’s structure as opposed to its function. Here, we introduce a new information-theoretic tool—information fragmentation analysis—that, given full phenotypic data, allows us to localize information in complex networks, determine how fragmented (across multiple nodes of the network) the information is, and assess the level of encryption of that information. Using information fragmentation matrices we can also create information flow graphs that illustrate how information propagates through these networks. We illustrate the use of this tool by analyzing how artificial brains that evolved in silico solve particular tasks, and show how information fragmentation analysis provides deeper insights into how these brains process information and “think”. The measures of information fragmentation and encryption that result from our methods also quantify complexity of information processing in these networks and how this processing complexity differs between primary exposure to sensory data (early in the lifetime) and later routine processing.
Investigation for Effects of Jet Scale on Flame Stabilization in Scramjet Combustor
Authors: Li Zhen , Gu Hongbin
Published: May 2022

Jet scale affects the mixing and combustion of fuel and inflow. With the increase in the scale of scramjet combustors, the study of large-scale jets is particularly significant. The effects of jet scale on flame stability in scramjet combustors were studied by direct-connect combustion experiments. In this paper, the flame distribution characteristics of different jet scales were compared by using similar jet/inflow momentum ratios. The inflow Mach numbers were 2.4 and 3.0, and the total temperature was 1265 K and 1600 K, respectively. The results show that, when the equivalence ratio increases, the combustion intensity increases. Under the condition of same momentum ratio, the increase of jet scale is conducive to fuel injection into the core mainstream, increasing heat release, and the flame stabilization mode will change from cavity stabilization mode to jet-wake stabilization mode. Increasing the distance between jet orifices is not beneficial to combustion, and may even lead to blowoff.
Pressure Relief Mechanism and Gas Extraction Method during the Mining of the Steep and Extra-Thick Coal Seam: A Case Study in the Yaojie No. 3 Coal Mine
Authors: Zhang Hao , Xu Lehua , Yang Mengmeng , Deng Cunbao , Cheng Yuanping
Published: May 2022

Gas disasters, such as coal and gas outburst and gas overflow, always occur during the mining of the steep and extra-thick coal seam in the horizontal, fully mechanized, top coal slice caving (HFMTCSC) method. To solve these issues and guarantee the safe and efficient mining in the Yaojie No. 3 coal mine, 3DEC software was used in this work to investigate the overburden movement and collapse law as well as the stress redistribution and coal-seam deformation characteristics below the goaf. The results show that a pressure arch structure and a hinge structure are formed in succession in the overburden rock, which induces stress redistribution in the coal below the goaf. During the mining of the upper slice, more than 75% of the coal in the lower slice is located at the effective pressure relief zone; therefore, the steep and extra-thick coal seam can then be protected slice by slice. Meanwhile, with the increase of mining depth, the efficient pressure relief range expands. Based on this pressure relief mechanism, crossing boreholes and bedding boreholes were reasonably designed to efficiently extract the pressure relief gas during the mining of the steep and extra-thick coal seam in the Yaojie No. 3 coal mine.
What Is the Temporal Path of the GDP Elasticity of Energy Consumption in OECD Countries? An Assessment of Previous Findings and New Evidence
Authors: Liddle Brantley
Published: May 2022

This paper answers the question: what is the path of the GDP elasticity of economy-wide energy consumption for OECD countries over the period 1960–2019? To do so, this study first considers the arguments as to why this elasticity might change over time, and then reviews the previous evidence on whether this elasticity has changed over time. Lastly, the paper compiles and uses a new dataset to analyze whether the GDP elasticity of energy demand in OECD countries (i) has changed between the periods before and after the major energy crises (e.g., 1974–1985); and (ii) has been stable since 1986. Elasticity stability is analyzed via rolling window regressions using dynamic mean group cross-correlated errors. We argue that (i) the GDP elasticity for economy-wide energy consumption was around unity for OECD countries prior to the first energy crisis; and (ii) the reactions to the extreme oil price experiences that occurred over 1974–1985 led to a substantially lower GDP elasticity for economy-wide energy consumption of around 0.6 that has been stable at that level since the end of the second energy crisis (circa 1986). This demonstration of the path of the GDP elasticity is in contrast to some recent work that has suggested the GDP elasticity of energy has not changed (or changed very little) since the 1970s or even since the 1960s. Furthermore, this evidence that reactions to those extreme oil price experiences led to a step-function-like lowering of the GDP elasticity runs counter to other arguments that dematerialization, inverted-U-based development paths, or Kyoto Protocol ratification are responsible for continued declines in the GDP elasticity.
Effects of Incorporating Titanium Dioxide with Titanium Carbide on Hybrid Materials Reinforced with Polyaniline: Synthesis, Characterization, Electrochemical and Supercapacitive Properties
Authors: Belhadj Hafida , Moulefera Imane , Sabantina Lilia , Benyoucef Abdelghani
Published: May 2022

We report on the synthesis of titanium dioxide by titanium carbide for the preparation of hybrid material reinforced with polyaniline (PANI@TiO2–TiC) using the in situ polymerization technique. The effectiveness of the samples on the thermal, optical and electrochemical properties was investigated. The XRD, XPS, FTIR, SEM and TEM results confirm the successful synthesis of the PANI, PANI@TiC and PANI@TiO2–TiC samples. Through this, a good connection, an excellent relationship between the structures and the properties of the synthesized hybrid materials were obtained. Moreover, the electrical conductivity and optical bandgap were also tested. Remarkably good electrochemical characteristics were identified by cyclic voltammetry. Moreover, the galvanostatic charge–discharge (GCD) of the supercapacitor was remarkably high. Cyclic stability showed good retention after 1500 cycles at 1.5 A·g−1.
Microbial Diversity and Quality-Related Physicochemical Properties of Spicy Cabbage in Northeastern China and Their Correlation Analysis
Authors: Chang Lixuan , Mu Guangqing , Wang Mingxu , Zhao Tong , Tuo Yanfeng , Zhu Xuemei , Qian Fang
Published: May 2022

Chinese spicy cabbage (CSC) is a popular special fermented food in Northeast China. The bacterial community and quality of CSC from different regions of northeastern China (Group_J: Jilin province, Group_L: Liaoning province, Group_H: Heilongjiang province) at retail (Group_P) and home-made (Group_C) were investigated in this study. The determination of the microbial community was achieved using high-throughput sequencing and the quality-related physicochemical characteristics included pH, salinity, total acid (TA), amino acid nitrogen (AAN), reducing sugar (RS), nitrite, and biogenic amines (BAs). Based on OPLS-DA analysis, there was a difference between the quality of Group_C and Group_P. No significant difference was observed in province grouping. Proteobacteria and Firmicutes were the dominant phyla, and the dominant genera were Lactobacillus, Pantoea, Weissella, and Pseudomonas. All groups had significant differences in community structure (p < 0.05). Compared with Group_C, the relative abundance of opportunistic pathogens (Pseudomonas and Serratia) in Group_P was lower. Pseudomonas and Serratia were the biomarkers in Group_H. At the genus level, Lactobacilluss and Weissella had a positive correlation with pH, Cadaverrine, and salinity (p < 0.05), however, they were negatively related to tryptamine. Pseudomonas was negatively correlated with salinity (p < 0.05). Bacterial community and physicochemical parameters of CSC, as well as the correlation between them, were discussed in this study, providing a reference for future studies on CSC inoculation and fermentation.
Fracture Toughness and Blocking Force of Temperature-Sensitive PolyNIPAAm and Alginate Hybrid Gels
Authors: Kim Yong-Woo , Kim Do , Sun Jeong-Yun
Published: May 2022

In the field of actuator materials, hydrogels that undergo large volume changes in response to external stimuli have been developed for a variety of promising applications. However, most conventional hydrogels are brittle and therefore rupture when they are stretched to moderate strains (~50%). Thus, gels to be used for actuators still require improved mechanical properties and actuation performance. In this study, we synthesized a tough and thermo-sensitive hydrogel with a large actuation force by forming interpenetrating networks between covalently crosslinked poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) and ionically crosslinked alginate. Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) was used as a thermo-sensitive actuation material, and alginate was found to enhance the mechanical properties of the hydrogels. Due to the enhanced elastic modulus and energy dissipation in the hybrid gel, the toughness was increased by a factor of 60 over that of pure PNIPAAm gel. Further, based on the results showing that the hybrid gel exhibits an actuation force that is seven times higher than that of pure PNIPAAm gel, the hybrid gel is more applicable to real actuators.
Study on the Structure, Magnetic Properties and Mechanism of Zn-Doped Yttrium Iron Garnet Nanomaterial Prepared by the Sol-gel Method
Authors: Guo Yuheng , Li Haiyan , Li Shouqiang , Chen Leilei , Li Zhenhai
Published: May 2022

To explore the effect and mechanism of bivalent ion doping on yttrium iron garnet (YIG), Zn-YIG (Zn-doped YIG) nanoparticles with a size of 60~70 nm were prepared by the sol-gel method. It was proven that Zn ion doping resulted in lattice expansion and internal stress due to crystallite size shrinkage. A Raman spectroscopic analysis proved the influence of Zn doping on the crystal structure and peak intensity by analyzing Raman vibration modes. The characteristics and chemical mechanism of mass loss and phase evolution in each temperature region were explored through TG-DSC measurements. Moreover, it was revealed that the antiferromagnetic coupling, pinning mechanisms and particle aggregation lead to coercivity, exhibiting different variation trends. A saturation magnetization (Ms) curve variation mechanism was further revealed, which was due to the thermal effects, super-exchange effect, and coupling effect between sub-lattices. Meanwhile, the influence of the thermal effect on Ms and its mechanism were explored by spin theory, and it was proven that it was mainly caused by the random arrangement of magnetic moments and thermal vibration. These results provide theoretical support for the wider application of YIG devices in microwave and high-temperature fields.
New Directions in Aesthetic Medicine: A Novel and Hybrid Filler Based on Hyaluronic Acid and Lactose Modified Chitosan
Authors: Daminato Eva , Bianchini Giulio , Causin Valerio
Published: May 2022

Fillers based on crosslinked hyaluronic acid (HA) are becoming increasingly important in the field of aesthetic medicine, for example for treating wrinkles or for volumizing purposes. However, crosslinking agents are usually associated with toxicity and adverse reactions. The aim of this study is the development of an innovative technology to manufacture high performance HA-based fillers using minimal amounts of crosslinking agent. In this work, new fillers based on HA, functionalized with different amounts of 1,4-butanediol diglycidyl ether (BDDE) (degree of modification ranging between 3.5% and 8.8%) and formulated with a lactose modified chitosan (CTL), were investigated. The relative quantities of these polymeric building blocks in the formulations were 20–25 and 5 mg/mL for HA and CTL, respectively. Due to its cationic nature, CTL could interact with the anionic HA and enhance the elastic properties of the filler. Fillers manufactured with this novel technology (HACL-CTL) were characterized and compared with several fillers available in the market. In particular, resistance against hyaluronidase, swelling, cohesivity and rheological properties were investigated. Cohesivity, resistance to hydrolysis and swelling of HACL-CTL were comparable to commercial products. However, HACL-CTL fillers showed excellent elastic performance that reached 94% of elasticity in response to shear stresses. Surprisingly, these fillers also showed a resistance to compression higher than that of currently marketed products, making them very promising for their lifting effect.
Ginger Essential Oil as an Active Addition to Composite Chitosan Films: Development and Characterization
Authors: Al-Hilifi Sawsan Ali , Al-Ali Rawdah Mahmood , Petkoska Anka Trajkovska
Published: May 2022

The recent interest in food biopackaging is showing an increasing trend, especially in the development of antimicrobial coatings and films. The focus of this study is to assess the potential application of ginger (Zingiber officinale) essential oil (GEO) to polysaccharide films based on chitosan (CHf) and their utilization as an active edible packaging. The films were characterized by different instrumental techniques, and data indicated significant differences (p < 0.05) in the chemical composition of the samples. Forty-seven active compounds from ginger rhizomes were identified in the examined essential oil by gas chromatography mass spectrometer (GC-MS). Fourier transforms infrared spectra (FT-IR) confirmed an interaction between the hydroxyl groups of the phenolic compounds of the essential oil and the amine groups of the bioactive matrix, as shown by the peaks at wavenumbers 1639 cm−1 and 1558 cm−1. X-ray diffraction data suggested a lower crystallinity in the CHf due to the addition of GEO. Differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) analysis revealed that the CHf possessed high thermal stability, especially when different concentrations of GEO were added. The bioactive CHf showed distinct activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Streptococcus sp., Escherichia coli, Salmonella sp., and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, thus improving the antimicrobial activity to these films. The results provide a comprehensive insight into the importance of films with incorporated EOs as novel types of active food packaging. Antimicrobial food packaging is one of the most promising kinds of active packaging, and acts to reduce, inhibit, or retard any microorganism growth that could contaminate packaged food items.
Prospective Fault Displacement Hazard Assessment for Leech River Valley Fault Using Stochastic Source Modeling and Okada Fault Displacement Equations
Authors: Goda Katsuichiro , Shoaeifar Parva
Published: May 2022

In this study, an alternative method for conducting probabilistic fault displacement hazard analysis is developed based on stochastic source modeling and analytical formulae for evaluating the elastic dislocation due to an earthquake rupture. It characterizes the uncertainty of fault-rupture occurrence in terms of its position, geometry, and slip distribution and adopts so-called Okada equations for the calculation of fault displacement on the ground surface. The method is compatible with fault-source-based probabilistic seismic hazard analysis and can be implemented via Monte Carlo simulations. The new method is useful for evaluating the differential displacements caused by the fault rupture at multiple locations simultaneously. The proposed method is applied to the Leech River Valley Fault located in the vicinity of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. Site-specific fault displacement and differential fault displacement hazard curves are assessed for multiple sites within the fault-rupture zone. The hazard results indicate that relatively large displacements (∼0.5 m vertical uplift) can be expected at low probability levels of 10−4. For critical infrastructures, such as bridges and pipelines, quantifying the uncertainty of fault displacement hazard is essential to manage potential damage and loss effectively.
Medical Students’ Perception Regarding Health Policy Teaching and Their Participation in Health Policy Roles: A Survey at a Public University in Malaysia
Authors: Haque Mainul , A Rahman Nor Azlina , Rahman Sayeeda , Majumder Md. Anwarul Azim , Syed Mohdhar Sharifah Shasha Binti , Lugova Halyna , Abdullah Adnan , Binti Abdullah Shahidah Leong , Ismail Mohd Hafizi Bin , Charan Jaykaran , Kumar Santosh , Irfan Mohammed , Sani Ibrahim Haruna , Rabiu Abubakar Abdullahi , Chowdhury Kona , Akter Farhana , Jahan Dilshad , Ahmad Rahnuma
Published: May 2022

Background: Health policy is a set of comprehensive principles and legislations that guide how healthcare should be effectively delivered in the community. Medical schools should prepare students to undertake managerial responsibilities by incorporating health policy into the curriculum to deal with the intricacies of healthcare systems and their clinical roles in their future professional careers. Objective: To examine medical students’ perception at a Public University in Malaysia regarding teaching health policy and their participation in health policy roles. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study using universal sampling was carried out among the medical students using a paper-based questionnaire to collect the data. Results: Most respondents opined their willingness to learn health policy (80.9%) and that teaching health policy (83.6%) should be compulsory for medical students. The respondents thought health policy should be introduced earlier in Year 1 or 2. The student scores on their knowledge regarding health policy and year of study were significantly associated with their involvement in the health policy roles in both the simple and multiple logistic regression. Both statistical tests reported higher participation in health policy roles with the higher year of study, though only Year 4 and 5 were significant in the simple logistic regression and only Year 5 in the multiple logistic regression compared to Year 1. On the other hand, age and type of admission show significant results only in the simple logistic regression, while the race was only significant at the multivariate level. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that most respondents showed their willingness to learn health policy, participate in the health policy programs, and recommend that health policy be considered an essential topic in the medical curriculum, which should be taught right from the first year of medical school. We recommend encouraging students’ participation in health policy activities.
Dynamic Involvement of Telocytes in Modulating Multiple Signaling Pathways in Cardiac Cytoarchitecture
Authors: Cucu Ioana , Nicolescu Mihnea Ioan , Busnatu Ștefan-Sebastian , Manole Cătălin Gabriel
Published: May 2022

Cardiac interstitium is a complex and dynamic environment, vital for normal cardiac structure and function. Telocytes are active cellular players in regulating main events that feature myocardial homeostasis and orchestrating its involvement in heart pathology. Despite the great amount of data suggesting (microscopically, proteomically, genetically, etc.) the implications of telocytes in the different physiological and reparatory/regenerative processes of the heart, understanding their involvement in realizing the heart’s mature cytoarchitecture is still at its dawn. Our scrutiny of the recent literature gave clearer insights into the implications of telocytes in the WNT signaling pathway, but also TGFB and PI3K/AKT pathways that, inter alia, conduct cardiomyocytes differentiation, maturation and final integration into heart adult architecture. These data also strengthen evidence for telocytes as promising candidates for cellular therapies in various heart pathologies.
UL34 Deletion Restricts Human Cytomegalovirus Capsid Formation and Maturation
Authors: Turner Declan L. , Templin Rachel M. , Barugahare Adele A. , Russ Brendan E. , Turner Stephen J. , Ramm Georg , Mathias Rommel A.
Published: May 2022

Over 50% of the world’s population is infected with Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV). HCMV is responsible for serious complications in the immuno-compromised and is a leading cause of congenital birth defects. The molecular function of many HCMV proteins remains unknown, and a deeper understanding of the viral effectors that modulate virion maturation is required. In this study, we observed that UL34 is a viral protein expressed with leaky late kinetics that localises to the nucleus during infection. Deletion of UL34 from the HCMV genome (ΔUL34) did not abolish the spread of HCMV. Instead, over >100-fold fewer infectious virions were produced, so we report that UL34 is an augmenting gene. We found that ΔUL34 is dispensable for viral DNA replication, and its absence did not alter the expression of IE1, MCP, gB, UL26, UL83, or UL99 proteins. In addition, ΔUL34 infections were able to progress through the replication cycle to form a viral assembly compartment; however, virion maturation in the cytoplasm was abrogated. Further examination of the nucleus in ΔUL34 infections revealed replication compartments with aberrant morphology, containing significantly less assembled capsids, with almost none undergoing subsequent maturation. Therefore, this work lays the foundation for UL34 to be further investigated in the context of nuclear organization and capsid maturation during HCMV infection.
Effect of Nano-Sized Poly(Butyl Acrylate) Layer Grafted from Graphene Oxide Sheets on the Compatibility and Beta-Phase Development of Poly(Vinylidene Fluoride) and Their Vibration Sensing Performance
Authors: Mrlik Miroslav , Ilčíková Markéta , Osička Josef , Kutálková Erika
Published: May 2022

In this work, graphene oxide (GO) particles were modified with a nano-sized poly(butyl acrylate) (PBA) layer to improve the hydrophobicity of the GO and improve compatibility with PVDF. The improved hydrophobicity was elucidated using contact angle investigations, and exhibit nearly 0° for neat GO and 102° for GO-PBA. Then, the neat GO and GO-PBA particles were mixed with PVDF using a twin screw laboratory extruder. It was clearly shown that nano-sized PBA layer acts as plasticizer and shifts glass transition temperature from −38.7 °C for neat PVDF to 45.2 °C for PVDF/GO-PBA. Finally, the sensitivity to the vibrations of various frequencies was performed and the piezoelectric constant in the thickness mode, d33, was calculated and its electrical load independency were confirmed. Received values of the d33 were for neat PVDF 14.7 pC/N, for PVDF/GO 20.6 pC/N and for PVDF/GO-PBA 26.2 pC/N showing significant improvement of the vibration sensing and thus providing very promising systems for structural health monitoring and data harvesting.
Proteomics and Phosphoproteomics of Circulating Extracellular Vesicles Provide New Insights into Diabetes Pathobiology
Authors: Nunez Lopez Yury O. , Iliuk Anton , Petrilli Alejandra M. , Glass Carley , Casu Anna , Pratley Richard E.
Published: May 2022

The purpose of this study was to define the proteomic and phosphoproteomic landscape of circulating extracellular vesicles (EVs) in people with normal glucose tolerance (NGT), prediabetes (PDM), and diabetes (T2DM). Archived serum samples from 30 human subjects (n = 10 per group, ORIGINS study, NCT02226640) were used. EVs were isolated using EVtrap®. Mass spectrometry-based methods were used to detect the global EV proteome and phosphoproteome. Differentially expressed features, correlation, enriched pathways, and enriched tissue-specific protein sets were identified using custom R scripts. Phosphosite-centric analyses were conducted using directPA and PhosR software packages. A total of 2372 unique EV proteins and 716 unique EV phosphoproteins were identified among all samples. Unsupervised clustering of the differentially expressed (fold change ≥ 2, p < 0.05, FDR < 0.05) proteins and, particularly, phosphoproteins showed excellent discrimination among the three groups. CDK1 and PKCδ appear to drive key upstream phosphorylation events that define the phosphoproteomic signatures of PDM and T2DM. Circulating EVs from people with diabetes carry increased levels of specific phosphorylated kinases (i.e., AKT1, GSK3B, LYN, MAP2K2, MYLK, and PRKCD) and could potentially distribute activated kinases systemically. Among characteristic changes in the PDM and T2DM EVs, “integrin switching” appeared to be a central feature. Proteins involved in oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), known to be reduced in various tissues in diabetes, were significantly increased in EVs from PDM and T2DM, which suggests that an abnormally elevated EV-mediated secretion of OXPHOS components may underlie the development of diabetes. A highly enriched signature of liver-specific markers among the downregulated EV proteins and phosphoproteins in both PDM and T2DM groups was also detected. This suggests that an alteration in liver EV composition and/or secretion may occur early in prediabetes. This study identified EV proteomic and phosphoproteomic signatures in people with prediabetes and T2DM and provides novel insight into the pathobiology of diabetes.
The Potential Role of SP-G as Surface Tension Regulator in Tear Film: From Molecular Simulations to Experimental Observations
Authors: Schicht Martin , Riedlová Kamila , Kukulka Mercedes , Li Wenyue , Scheer Aurelius , Garreis Fabian , Jacobi Christina , Paulsen Friedrich , Cwiklik Lukasz , Bräuer Lars
Published: May 2022

The ocular surface is in constant interaction with the environment and with numerous pathogens. Therefore, complex mechanisms such as a stable tear film and local immune defense mechanisms are required to protect the eye. This study describes the detection, characterization, and putative role of surfactant protein G (SP-G/SFTA2) with respect to wound healing and surface activity. Bioinformatic, biochemical, and immunological methods were combined to elucidate the role of SP-G in tear film. The results show the presence of SP-G in ocular surface tissues and tear film (TF). Increased expression of SP-G was demonstrated in TF of patients with dry eye disease (DED). Addition of recombinant SP-G in combination with lipids led to an accelerated wound healing of human corneal cells as well as to a reduction of TF surface tension. Molecular modeling of TF suggest that SP-G may regulate tear film surface tension and improve its stability through specific interactions with lipids components of the tear film. In conclusion, SP-G is an ocular surface protein with putative wound healing properties that can also reduce the surface tension of the tear film.
The Cell Surface Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycan Syndecan-3 Promotes Ovarian Cancer Pathogenesis
Authors: Hillemeyer Lara , Espinoza-Sanchez Nancy Adriana , Greve Burkhard , Hassan Nourhan , Chelariu-Raicu Anca , Kiesel Ludwig , Götte Martin
Published: May 2022

Syndecans are transmembrane heparan sulfate proteoglycans that integrate signaling at the cell surface. By interacting with cytokines, signaling receptors, proteases, and extracellular matrix proteins, syndecans regulate cell proliferation, metastasis, angiogenesis, and inflammation. We analyzed public gene expression datasets to evaluate the dysregulation and potential prognostic impact of Syndecan-3 in ovarian cancer. Moreover, we performed functional in vitro analysis in syndecan-3-siRNA-treated SKOV3 and CAOV3 ovarian cancer cells. In silico analysis of public gene array datasets revealed that syndecan-3 mRNA expression was significantly increased 5.8-fold in ovarian cancer tissues (n = 744) and 3.4-fold in metastases (n = 44) compared with control tissue (n = 46), as independently confirmed in an RNAseq dataset on ovarian serous cystadenocarcinoma tissue (n = 374, controls: n = 133, 3.5-fold increase tumor vs. normal). Syndecan-3 siRNA knockdown impaired 3D spheroid growth and colony formation as stemness-related readouts in SKOV3 and CAOV3 cells. In SKOV3, but not in CAOV3 cells, syndecan-3 depletion reduced cell viability both under basal conditions and under chemotherapy with cisplatin, or cisplatin and paclitaxel. While analysis of the SIOVDB database did not reveal differences in Syndecan-3 expression between patients, sensitive, resistant or refractory to chemotherapy, KM Plotter analysis of 1435 ovarian cancer patients revealed that high syndecan-3 expression was associated with reduced survival in patients treated with taxol and platin. At the molecular level, a reduction in Stat3 activation and changes in the expression of Wnt and notch signaling constituents were observed. Our study suggests that up-regulation of syndecan-3 promotes the pathogenesis of ovarian cancer by modulating stemness-associated pathways.
Holter Recordings at Initial Assessment for Long QT Syndrome: Relationship to Genotype Status and Cardiac Events
Authors: Waddell-Smith Kathryn E. , Chaptynova Alexandra A. , Li Jian , Crawford Jackie R. , Hinds Halina , Skinner Jonathan R.
Published: May 2022

Background: The relationship of Holter recordings of repolarization length to outcome in long QT syndrome (LQTS) is unknown. Methods: Holter recordings and initial 12 lead ECG QTc were related to outcome in 101 individuals with LQTS and 28 gene-negative relatives. Mean QTc (mQTc) and mean RTPc (R-wave to peak T-wave, mRTPc) using Bazett correction were measured, analyzing heart rates 40 to 120 bpm. Previously reported upper limit of normal (ULN) were: women and children (<15 years), mQTc 454, mRTPc 318 ms; men mQTc 446 ms, mRTPc 314 ms. Results: Measurements in LQTS patients were greatly prolonged; children and women mean mQTc 482 ms (range 406–558), mRTPc 351 ms (259–443); males > 15 years mQTc 469 ms (407–531), mRTPc 338 ms (288–388). Ten patients had cardiac arrest (CA), and 24 had arrhythmic syncope before or after the Holter. Holter values were more closely related to genotype status and symptoms than 12 lead QTc, e.g., sensitivity/specificity for genotype positive status, mRTPc > ULN (89%/86%); CA, mRTPc > 30 ms over ULN (48%/100%). Of 34 symptomatic (CA/syncope) patients, only 9 (26%) had 12 lead QTc > 500 ms, whereas 33/34 (94%) had an mRTPc or mQTc above ULN. In 10 with CA, all Holter measurements were > 15 ms above ULN, but only two had 12 lead QTc > 500 m. Conclusions: Holter average repolarization length, particularly mRTPc, reflects definite LQTS status and clinical risk better than the initial 12 lead QTc. Values below ULN indicate both a low risk of having LQTS and a low risk of cardiac events in the small percentage that do.
Scanning X-ray Fluorescence Data Analysis for the Identification of Byzantine Icons’ Materials, Techniques, and State of Preservation: A Case Study
Authors: Gerodimos Theofanis , Asvestas Anastasios , Mastrotheodoros Georgios P. , Chantas Giannis , Liougos Ioannis , Likas Aristidis , Anagnostopoulos Dimitrios F.
Published: May 2022

X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry has proven to be a core, non-destructive, analytical technique in cultural heritage studies mainly because of its non-invasive character and ability to rapidly reveal the elemental composition of the analyzed artifacts. Being able to penetrate deeper into matter than the visible light, X-rays allow further analysis that may eventually lead to the extraction of information that pertains to the substrate(s) of an artifact. The recently developed scanning macroscopic X-ray fluorescence method (MA-XRF) allows for the extraction of elemental distribution images. The present work aimed at comparing two different analysis methods for interpreting the large number of XRF spectra collected in the framework of MA-XRF analysis. The measured spectra were analyzed in two ways: a merely spectroscopic approach and an exploratory data analysis approach. The potentialities of the applied methods are showcased on a notable 18th-century Greek religious panel painting. The spectroscopic approach separately analyses each one of the measured spectra and leads to the construction of single-element spatial distribution images (element maps). The statistical data analysis approach leads to the grouping of all spectra into distinct clusters with common features, while afterward dimensionality reduction algorithms help reduce thousands of channels of XRF spectra in an easily perceived dataset of two-dimensional images. The two analytical approaches allow extracting detailed information about the pigments used and paint layer stratigraphy (i.e., painting technique) as well as restoration interventions/state of preservation.
Peel Diffusion and Antifungal Efficacy of Different Fungicides in Pear Fruit: Structure-Diffusion-Activity Relationships
Authors: Zhu Gui-Yang , Chen Ying , Wang Su-Yan , Shi Xin-Chi , Herrera-Balandrano Daniela D. , Polo Victor , Laborda Pedro
Published: May 2022

Fungal pathogens can invade not only the fruit peel but also the outer part of the fruit mesocarp, limiting the efficacy of fungicides. In this study, the relationships between fungicide structure, diffusion capacity and in vivo efficacy were evaluated for the first time. The diffusion capacity from pear peel to mesocarp of 11 antifungal compounds, including p-aminobenzoic acid, carbendazim, difenoconazole, dipicolinic acid, flusilazole, gentamicin, kojic acid, prochloraz, quinolinic acid, thiophanate methyl and thiram was screened. The obtained results indicated that size and especially polarity were negatively correlated with the diffusion capacity. Although some antifungal compounds, such as prochloraz and carbendazim, were completely degraded after a few days in peel and mesocarp, other compounds, such as p-aminobenzoic acid and kojic acid, showed high stability. When applying the antifungal compounds at the EC50 concentrations, it was observed that the compounds with high diffusion capacity showed higher in vivo antifungal activity against Alternaria alternata than compounds with low diffusion capacity. In contrast, there was no relationship between stability and in vivo efficacy. Collectively, the obtained results indicated that the diffusion capacity plays an important role in the efficacy of fungicides for the control of pear fruit diseases.
Integrated Planning and Implementation of a Blue-Green Architecture Project by Applying a Design-Build Teaching Approach
Authors: Well Friederike , Ludwig Ferdinand
Published: May 2022

Blue-green architecture (BGA) describes buildings and open spaces that combine nature-based and technical systems of vegetation and urban water management. This creates positive effects on the urban climate, public health, biodiversity, and water balance. In this study, a design strategy for BGA is applied and evaluated on a practical project. The project consists of an interdisciplinary course in which students of architecture and landscape architecture designed and implemented a BGA for a school garden in Munich, Germany. The students worked in an interdisciplinary planning team in which they took on different roles and responsibilities (blue/green/integration). As a result, the design was put into practice by their own hands and a nature-based system was built. The greywater from the school garden is now treated in a constructed wetland and, in combination with rainwater, feeds into a redesigned pond. Biodiversity was increased and a contribution to the environmental education of the pupils was made. The students demonstrated high learning success. Finally, the design strategy for BGA was positively evaluated using a design-based research approach and additional points were added for future applications.