bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Associations between conflicting nutrition information, nutrition confusion and backlash among consumers in the UK
Authors: Vijaykumar Santosh , McNeill Andrew , Simpson Joshua
Published: January 2021

Objective:

To examine the effects of exposure to conflicting nutritional information (CNI) through different forms of media on nutrition-related confusion and backlash among consumers in the UK.

Design:

Cross-sectional survey administered via Qualtrics among 18–75-year-old participants in the UK. The sample was stratified by age and gender with quotas defined according to the 2011 UK census distribution.

Setting:

Qualtrics’ Online panel of respondents in the UK.

Participants:

676 participants comprising nearly an equal number of females (n 341) and males (n 335) and a majority (58·6 %) from households whose income was <£30 000.

Results:

Our findings showed that nearly 40 % of respondents were exposed to some or a lot of CNI. We found that while exposure to CNI from TV and online news increased nutrition confusion, CNI from health professionals increased backlash. Exposure to CNI from social media and health websites was associated with reduced backlash. We also found that nutrition confusion and backlash were negatively associated with exercise behaviour and fruit and vegetable consumption, respectively.

Conclusions:

Our study supports the theoretical pathways that explain the influence of CNI exposure on nutrition-related cognitive and behavioural outcomes. Additionally, different types of online information sources are associated with these outcomes to varying degrees. In the context of obesity and diabetes rates in the UK, our findings call for (a) further experimental research into the effects of CNI on consumers’ diet-related cognitions and behaviours and (b) multi-stakeholder, interdisciplinary approaches to address this problem.
Virtual nutrition consultation: what can we learn from the COVID-19 pandemic?
Authors: Kaufman-Shriqui Vered , Sherf-Dagan Shiri , Boaz Mona , Birk Ruth
Published: January 2021

Objective:

To investigate the extent, quality and challenges of dietetic counselling during the pandemic.

Design:

A cross-sectional online thirty-six-item Google Survey. The survey queried demographics and information on usage and perceived telemedicine quality.

Setting:

The survey was distributed to Israeli Dietetic Association (ATID) mailing list between 31 March and 5 May 2020.

Participants:

Clinical dietitians, members of ATID, who consented to participated in the survey.

Results:

Three hundred dietitians (12 % of ATID members; 95 % women; mean age 4·41 (sd 10·2) years) replied to the survey. Most dietitians reported a significant ∼30 % decrease in work hours due to the pandemic. The most prevalent form of alternative nutrition counselling (ANC) was over the phone (72 %); 53·5 % used online platforms. Nearly 45 % had no former ANC experience. Both ANC formats were reported inferior to face-to-face nutritional consultation (consultation quality median scores 8 and 7, on a 1–10 scale, for online and phone, respectively). ANC difficulties on either phone or online platforms were technical (56 and 47 %, respectively), lack of anthropometric measurements (28 and 25 %, respectively) and interpersonal communication (19 and 14·6 %, respectively). Older age and former phone counselling experience were associated with higher quality scores, respectively (OR = 1·046, 95 % CI 1·01, 1·08, P = 0·005), (95 % CI 1·38, 4·52, P = 0·02). Those who continued to work full time had five-time greater odds for a higher quality score using online platforms (OR = 5·33, 95 % CI 1·091, 14·89, P = 0·001).

Conclusions:

Our findings suggest telemedicine holds considerable promise for dietary consultation; however, additional tools and training are needed to optimise remote ANC, especially in light of potential crisis-induced lockdown.
POINTWISE RESIDUAL METHOD FOR SOLVING PRIMAL AND DUAL ILL-POSED LINEAR PROGRAMMING PROBLEMS WITH APPROXIMATE DATA
Authors: IVANITSKIY A. Y. , EJOV V. V. , VASILYEV F. P.
Published: January 2021

We propose a variation of the pointwise residual method for solving primal and dual ill-posed linear programming with approximate data, sensitive to small perturbations. The method leads to an auxiliary problem, which is also a linear programming problem. Theorems of existence and convergence of approximate solutions are established and optimal estimates of approximation of initial problem solutions are achieved.
LECTURES ON THE GEOMETRY AND MODULAR REPRESENTATION THEORY OF ALGEBRAIC GROUPS
Authors: CIAPPARA JOSHUA , WILLIAMSON GEORDIE
Published: January 2021

These notes provide a concise introduction to the representation theory of reductive algebraic groups in positive characteristic, with an emphasis on Lusztig's character formula and geometric representation theory. They are based on the first author's notes from a lecture series delivered by the second author at the Simons Centre for Geometry and Physics in August 2019. We intend them to complement more detailed treatments.
Impact of defaults on participation in state supplemental retirement savings plans
Authors: Clark Robert L. , Pelletier Denis
Published: January 2021

This study examines the impact of the adoption of automatic enrollment provisions by the state of South Dakota for its supplemental retirement saving plan (SRP). In South Dakota, state and local government employees, including teachers, are covered by a defined benefit pension plan and by Social Security. Prior to the introduction of automatic enrollment, the proportion of newly hired employees who were contributing to the SRP was less than 5% in their first year of employment. After the introduction of automatic enrollment, over 90% of newly hired workers who were auto-enrolled were participating in the plan. Using a difference-in-difference approach we find that automatic enrollment changes differences in the participation rate by age, sex, and income. We also find that prior to the adoption of auto-enrollment, agencies that ultimately chose to implement this policy had higher participation rates compared to those that did not adopt auto-enrollment.
Cognitive therapy for moral injury in post-traumatic stress disorder
Authors: Murray Hannah , Ehlers Anke
Published: January 2021

Moral injury is the profound psychological distress that can arise following participating in, or witnessing, events that transgress an individual’s morals and include harming, betraying, or failure to help others, or being subjected to such events, e.g. being betrayed by leaders. It has been primarily researched in the military, but it also found in other professionals such as healthcare workers coping with the COVID-19 pandemic and civilians following a wide range of traumas. In this article, we describe how to use cognitive therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder (CT-PTSD) to treat patients presenting with moral injury-related PTSD. We outline the key techniques involved in CT-PTSD and describe their application to treating patients with moral injury-related PTSD. A case study of a healthcare worker is presented to illustrate the treatment interventions.

Key learning aims

(1)

To recognise moral injury where it arises alongside PTSD.

(2)

To understand how Ehlers and Clark’s cognitive model of PTSD can be applied to moral injury.

(3)

To be able to apply cognitive therapy for PTSD to patients with moral injury-related PTSD.
Pathogen induced subversion of NAD+ metabolism mediating host cell death: a target for development of chemotherapeutics
Authors: Chaurasiya Ayushi , Garg Swati , Khanna Ashish , Narayana Chintam , Dwivedi Ved Prakash , Joshi Nishant , e Anam Zill , Singh Niharika , Singhal Jhalak , Kaushik Shikha , Kaur Kahlon Amandeep , Srivastava Pallavi , Marothia Manisha , Kumar Mukesh , Kumar Santosh , Kumari Geeta , Munjal Akshay , Gupta Sonal , Singh Preeti , Pati Soumya , Das Gobardhan , Sagar Ram , Ranganathan Anand , Singh Shailja
Published: January 2021

Hijacking of host metabolic status by a pathogen for its regulated dissemination from the host is prerequisite for the propagation of infection. M. tuberculosis secretes an NAD+-glycohydrolase, TNT, to induce host necroptosis by hydrolyzing Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+). Herein, we expressed TNT in macrophages and erythrocytes; the host cells for M. tuberculosis and the malaria parasite respectively, and found that it reduced the NAD+ levels and thereby induced necroptosis and eryptosis resulting in premature dissemination of pathogen. Targeting TNT in M. tuberculosis or induced eryptosis in malaria parasite interferes with pathogen dissemination and reduction in the propagation of infection. Building upon our discovery that inhibition of pathogen-mediated host NAD+ modulation is a way forward for regulation of infection, we synthesized and screened some novel compounds that showed inhibition of NAD+-glycohydrolase activity and pathogen infection in the nanomolar range. Overall this study highlights the fundamental importance of pathogen-mediated modulation of host NAD+ homeostasis for its infection propagation and novel inhibitors as leads for host-targeted therapeutics.
Color-tuning of natural variants of heliorhodopsin
Authors: Kim Se-Hwan , Chuon Kimleng , Cho Shin-Gyu , Choi Ahreum , Meas Seanghun , Cho Hyun-Suk , Jung Kwang-Hwan
Published: January 2021

Microbial rhodopsins are distributed through many microorganisms. Heliorhodopsins are newly discovered but have an unclear function. They have seven transmembrane helices similar to type-I and type-II rhodopsins, but they are different in that the N-terminal region of heliorhodopsin is cytoplasmic. We chose 13 representative heliorhodopsins from various microorganisms, expressed and purified with an N-terminal His tag, and measured the absorption spectra. The 13 natural variants had an absorption maximum (λmax) in the range 530–556 nm similar to proteorhodopsin (λmax = 490–525 nm). We selected several candidate residues that influence rhodopsin color-tuning based on sequence alignment and constructed mutants via site-directed mutagenesis to confirm the spectral changes. We found two important residues located near retinal chromophore that influence λmax. We also predict the 3D structure via homology-modeling of Thermoplasmatales heliorhodopsin. The results indicate that the color-tuning mechanism of type-I rhodopsin can be applied to understand the color-tuning of heliorhodopsin.
Direct visualization of virus removal process in hollow fiber membrane using an optical microscope
Authors: Ayano Miku , Sawamura Yoshiyuki , Hongo-Hirasaki Tomoko , Nishizaka Takayuki
Published: January 2021

Virus removal filters developed for the decontamination of small viruses from biotherapeutic products are widely used in basic research and critical step for drug production due to their long-established quality and robust performance. A variety of imaging techniques have been employed to elucidate the mechanism(s) by which viruses are effectively captured by filter membranes, but they are limited to ‘static’ imaging. Here, we propose a novel method for detailed monitoring of ‘dynamic process’ of virus capture; specifically, direct examination of biomolecules during filtration under an ultra-stable optical microscope. Samples were fluorescently labeled and infused into a single hollow fiber membrane comprising cuprammonium regenerated-cellulose (Planova 20N). While proteins were able to pass through the membrane, virus-like particles (VLP) accumulated stably in a defined region of the membrane. After injecting the small amount of sample into the fiber membrane, the real-time process of trapping VLP in the membrane was quantified beyond the diffraction limit. The method presented here serves as a preliminary basis for determining optimum filtration conditions, and provides new insights into the structure of novel fiber membranes.
Multiplex gene and phenotype network to characterize shared genetic pathways of epilepsy and autism
Authors: Peng Jacqueline , Zhou Yunyun , Wang Kai
Published: January 2021

It is well established that epilepsy and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) commonly co-occur; however, the underlying biological mechanisms of the co-occurence from their genetic susceptibility are not well understood. Our aim in this study is to characterize genetic modules of subgroups of epilepsy and autism genes that have similar phenotypic manifestations and biological functions. We first integrate a large number of expert-compiled and well-established epilepsy- and ASD-associated genes in a multiplex network, where one layer is connected through protein–protein interaction (PPI) and the other layer through gene-phenotype associations. We identify two modules in the multiplex network, which are significantly enriched in genes associated with both epilepsy and autism as well as genes highly expressed in brain tissues. We find that the first module, which represents the Gene Ontology category of ion transmembrane transport, is more epilepsy-focused, while the second module, representing synaptic signaling, is more ASD-focused. However, because of their enrichment in common genes and association with both epilepsy and ASD phenotypes, these modules point to genetic etiologies and biological processes shared between specific subtypes of epilepsy and ASD. Finally, we use our analysis to prioritize new candidate genes for epilepsy (i.e. ANK2, CACNA1E, CACNA2D3, GRIA2, DLG4) for further validation. The analytical approaches in our study can be applied to similar studies in the future to investigate the genetic connections between different human diseases.
Synthesis of vinyl ester resin-carrying PVDF green nanofibers for self-healing applications
Authors: Naga Kumar C. , Prabhakar M. N. , Song Jung-il
Published: January 2021

Self-healing on the engineering applications is smart, decisive research for prolonging the life span of the materials and the innovations have been mounting still smarter. Connecting to advancements in self-healing carriers, in altering the chemical structure by optimizing the brittleness for self-healing performance and introducing the bio-degradability, for the first time TPS was blended to PVDF for the synthesis of nanofibers, as carriers of a vinyl ester (VE) resin (medication), by the coaxial electrospinning technique. TPS was mechanically mixed with PVDF base polymer and optimized the TPS content (10 wt%) based on mechanical performance. The novel nanofibers were characterized via field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermal, moisture analysis, and a mechanical line with FESEM and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis studied the self-healing. The TPS/PVDF fibers having hydrogen bonding and increased the crystallinity (40.57 → 44.12%) and the diameter (115 → 184 nm) along with the surface roughness of the fibers with increasing the TPS content. Microanalysis presented the flow-out of the VE resin at the scratched parts in the pierced fibers; interestingly, after some time, the etched part was cured automatically by the curing of the spread resin. Mechanical stretching of the nanofibers in the tensile tests up in the plastic region showed a decrement in the elasticity (TPS/PVDF fibers) and an increment in the brittle nature (cured VE resin) with the increase in Young’s modulus at each stretching, clearly elucidating the healing performance.
Genomic signatures of the evolution of defence against its natural enemies in the poisonous and medicinal plant Datura stramonium (Solanaceae)
Authors: De-la-Cruz I. M. , Hallab A. , Olivares-Pinto U. , Tapia-López R. , Velázquez-Márquez S. , Piñero D. , Oyama K. , Usadel B. , Núñez-Farfán J.
Published: January 2021

Tropane alkaloids and terpenoids are widely used in the medicine and pharmaceutic industry and evolved as chemical defenses against herbivores and pathogens in the annual herb Datura stramonium (Solanaceae). Here, we present the first draft genomes of two plants from contrasting environments of D. stramonium. Using these de novo assemblies, along with other previously published genomes from 11 Solanaceae species, we carried out comparative genomic analyses to provide insights on the genome evolution of D. stramonium within the Solanaceae family, and to elucidate adaptive genomic signatures to biotic and abiotic stresses in this plant. We also studied, in detail, the evolution of four genes of D. stramonium—Putrescine N-methyltransferase, Tropinone reductase I, Tropinone reductase II and Hyoscyamine-6S-dioxygenase—involved in the tropane alkaloid biosynthesis. Our analyses revealed that the genomes of D. stramonium show signatures of expansion, physicochemical divergence and/or positive selection on proteins related to the production of tropane alkaloids, terpenoids, and glycoalkaloids as well as on R defensive genes and other important proteins related with biotic and abiotic pressures such as defense against natural enemies and drought.
Gasdermin D restricts Burkholderia cenocepacia infection in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Estfanous Shady , Krause Kathrin , Anne Midhun N. K. , Eltobgy Mostafa , Caution Kyle , Abu Khweek Arwa , Hamilton Kaitlin , Badr Asmaa , Daily Kylene , Carafice Cierra , Baetzhold Daniel , Zhang Xiaoli , Li Tianliang , Wen Haitao , Gavrilin Mikhail A. , Haffez Hesham , Soror Sameh , Amer Amal O.
Published: January 2021

Burkholderia cenocepacia (B. cenocepacia) is an opportunistic bacterium; causing severe life threatening systemic infections in immunocompromised individuals including cystic fibrosis patients. The lack of gasdermin D (GSDMD) protects mice against endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS) shock. On the other hand, GSDMD promotes mice survival in response to certain bacterial infections. However, the role of GSDMD during B. cenocepacia infection is not yet determined. Our in vitro study shows that GSDMD restricts B. cenocepacia replication within macrophages independent of its role in cell death through promoting mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mROS) production. mROS is known to stimulate autophagy, hence, the inhibition of mROS or the absence of GSDMD during B. cenocepacia infections reduces autophagy which plays a critical role in the restriction of the pathogen. GSDMD promotes inflammation in response to B. cenocepacia through mediating the release of inflammasome dependent cytokine (IL-1β) and an independent one (CXCL1) (KC). Additionally, different B. cenocepacia secretory systems (T3SS, T4SS, and T6SS) contribute to inflammasome activation together with bacterial survival within macrophages. In vivo study confirmed the in vitro findings and showed that GSDMD restricts B. cenocepacia infection and dissemination and stimulates autophagy in response to B. cenocepacia. Nevertheless, GSDMD promotes lung inflammation and necrosis in response to B. cenocepacia without altering mice survival. This study describes the double-edged functions of GSDMD in response to B. cenocepacia infection and shows the importance of GSDMD-mediated mROS in restriction of B. cenocepacia.
Low fundamental and formant frequencies predict fighting ability among male mixed martial arts fighters
Authors: Aung Toe , Goetz Stefan , Adams John , McKenna Clint , Hess Catherine , Roytman Stiven , Cheng Joey T. , Zilioli Samuele , Puts David
Published: January 2021

Human voice pitch is highly sexually dimorphic and eminently quantifiable, making it an ideal phenotype for studying the influence of sexual selection. In both traditional and industrial populations, lower pitch in men predicts mating success, reproductive success, and social status and shapes social perceptions, especially those related to physical formidability. Due to practical and ethical constraints however, scant evidence tests the central question of whether male voice pitch and other acoustic measures indicate actual fighting ability in humans. To address this, we examined pitch, pitch variability, and formant position of 475 mixed martial arts (MMA) fighters from an elite fighting league, with each fighter’s acoustic measures assessed from multiple voice recordings extracted from audio or video interviews available online (YouTube, Google Video, podcasts), totaling 1312 voice recording samples. In four regression models each predicting a separate measure of fighting ability (win percentages, number of fights, Elo ratings, and retirement status), no acoustic measure significantly predicted fighting ability above and beyond covariates. However, after fight statistics, fight history, height, weight, and age were used to extract underlying dimensions of fighting ability via factor analysis, pitch and formant position negatively predicted “Fighting Experience” and “Size” factor scores in a multivariate regression model, explaining 3–8% of the variance. Our findings suggest that lower male pitch and formants may be valid cues of some components of fighting ability in men.
On the information hidden in a classifier distribution
Authors: Habibzadeh Farrokh , Habibzadeh Parham , Yadollahie Mahboobeh , Roozbehi Hooman
Published: January 2021

Classification tasks are a common challenge to every field of science. To correctly interpret the results provided by a classifier, we need to know the performance indices of the classifier including its sensitivity, specificity, the most appropriate cut-off value (for continuous classifiers), etc. Typically, several studies should be conducted to find all these indices. Herein, we show that they already exist, hidden in the distribution of the variable used to classify, and can readily be harvested. An educated guess about the distribution of the variable used to classify in each class would help us to decompose the frequency distribution of the variable in population into its components—the probability density function of the variable in each class. Based on the harvested parameters, we can then calculate the performance indices of the classifier. As a case study, we applied the technique to the relative frequency distribution of prostate-specific antigen, a biomarker commonly used in medicine for the diagnosis of prostate cancer. We used nonlinear curve fitting to decompose the variable relative frequency distribution into the probability density functions of the non-diseased and diseased people. The functions were then used to determine the performance indices of the classifier. Sensitivity, specificity, the most appropriate cut-off value, and likelihood ratios were calculated. The reference range of the biomarker and the prevalence of prostate cancer for various age groups were also calculated. The indices obtained were in good agreement with the values reported in previous studies. All these were done without being aware of the real health status of the individuals studied. The method is even applicable for conditions with no definite definitions (e.g., hypertension). We believe the method has a wide range of applications in many scientific fields.
Signatures of conserved and unique molecular features in Afrotheria
Authors: Yazhini Arangasamy , Srinivasan Narayanaswamy , Sandhya Sankaran
Published: January 2021

Afrotheria is a clade of African-origin species with striking dissimilarities in appearance and habitat. In this study, we compared whole proteome sequences of six Afrotherian species to obtain a broad viewpoint of their underlying molecular make-up, to recognize potentially unique proteomic signatures. We find that 62% of the proteomes studied here, predominantly involved in metabolism, are orthologous, while the number of homologous proteins between individual species is as high as 99.5%. Further, we find that among Afrotheria, L. africana has several orphan proteins with 112 proteins showing < 30% sequence identity with their homologues. Rigorous sequence searches and complementary approaches were employed to annotate 156 uncharacterized protein sequences and 28 species-specific proteins. For 122 proteins we predicted potential functional roles, 43 of which we associated with protein- and nucleic-acid binding roles. Further, we analysed domain content and variations in their combinations within Afrotheria and identified 141 unique functional domain architectures, highlighting proteins with potential for specialized functions. Finally, we discuss the potential relevance of highly represented protein families such as MAGE-B2, olfactory receptor and ribosomal proteins in L. africana and E. edwardii, respectively. Taken together, our study reports the first comparative study of the Afrotherian proteomes and highlights salient molecular features.
Clinical evaluation of the revolutionizing prosthetics modular prosthetic limb system for upper extremity amputees
Authors: Yu Kristin E. , Perry Briana N. , Moran Courtney W. , Armiger Robert S. , Johannes Matthew S. , Hawkins Abigail , Stentz Lauren , Vandersea Jamie , Tsao Jack W. , Pasquina Paul F.
Published: January 2021

Individuals with upper extremity (UE) amputation abandon prostheses due to challenges with significant device weight—particularly among myoelectric prostheses—and limited device dexterity, durability, and reliability among both myoelectric and body-powered prostheses. The Modular Prosthetic Limb (MPL) system couples an advanced UE prosthesis with a pattern recognition paradigm for intuitive, non-invasive prosthetic control. Pattern recognition accuracy and functional assessment—Box & Blocks (BB), Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test (JHFT), and Assessment of Capacity for Myoelectric Control (ACMC)—scores comprised the main outcomes. 10 participants were included in analyses, including seven individuals with traumatic amputation, two individuals with congenital limb absence, and one with amputation secondary to malignancy. The average (SD) time since limb loss, excluding congenital participants, was 85.9 (59.5) months. Participants controlled an average of eight motion classes compared to three with their conventional prostheses. All participants made continuous improvements in motion classifier accuracy, pathway completion efficiency, and MPL manipulation. BB and JHFT improvements were not statistically significant. ACMC performance improved for all participants, with mean (SD) scores of 162.6 (105.3), 213.4 (196.2), and 383.2 (154.3), p = 0.02 between the baseline, midpoint, and exit assessments, respectively. Feedback included lengthening the training period to further improve motion classifier accuracy and MPL control. The MPL has potential to restore functionality to individuals with acquired or congenital UE loss.
Histone demethylase JMJD2B/KDM4B regulates transcriptional program via distinctive epigenetic targets and protein interactors for the maintenance of trophoblast stem cells
Authors: Mak Kylie Hin-Man , Lam Yuk Man , Ng Ray Kit
Published: January 2021

Trophoblast stem cell (TSC) is crucial to the formation of placenta in mammals. Histone demethylase JMJD2 (also known as KDM4) family proteins have been previously shown to support self-renewal and differentiation of stem cells. However, their roles in the context of the trophoblast lineage remain unclear. Here, we find that knockdown of Jmjd2b resulted in differentiation of TSCs, suggesting an indispensable role of JMJD2B/KDM4B in maintaining the stemness. Through the integration of transcriptome and ChIP-seq profiling data, we show that JMJD2B is associated with a loss of H3K36me3 in a subset of embryonic lineage genes which are marked by H3K9me3 for stable repression. By characterizing the JMJD2B binding motifs and other transcription factor binding datasets, we discover that JMJD2B forms a protein complex with AP-2 family transcription factor TFAP2C and histone demethylase LSD1. The JMJD2B–TFAP2C–LSD1 complex predominantly occupies active gene promoters, whereas the TFAP2C–LSD1 complex is located at putative enhancers, suggesting that these proteins mediate enhancer–promoter interaction for gene regulation. We conclude that JMJD2B is vital to the TSC transcriptional program and safeguards the trophoblast cell fate via distinctive protein interactors and epigenetic targets.
Performance and application analysis of ANFIS artificial intelligence for pressure prediction of nanofluid convective flow in a heated pipe
Authors: Babanezhad Meisam , Behroyan Iman , Nakhjiri Ali Taghvaie , Marjani Azam , Shirazian Saeed
Published: January 2021

Heat transfer augmentation of the nanofluids is still an attractive concept for researchers due to rising demands for designing efficient heat transfer fluids. However, the pressure loss arisen from the suspension of nanoparticles in liquid is known as a drawback for developing such novel fluids. Therefore, prediction of the nanofluid pressure, especially in internal flows, has been focused on studies. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is a commonly used approach for such a prediction of fluid flow. The CFD tools are perfect and precise in prediction of the fluid flow parameters. But they might be time-consuming and expensive, especially for complex models such as 3-dimension modeling and turbulent flow. In addition, the CFD could just predict the pressure, and it is disabled for finding the relationship of such variables. This study is intended to show the performance of the artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm as an auxiliary method for cooperation with the CFD. The turbulent flow of Cu/water nanofluid warming up in a pipe is considered as a sample of a physical phenomenon. The AI algorithm learns the CFD results. Then, the relation between the CFD results is discovered by the AI algorithm. For this purpose, the adaptive network-based fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) is adopted as AI tool. The intelligence condition of the ANFIS is checked by benchmarking the CFD results. The paper outcomes indicated that the ANFIS intelligence is met by employinggauss2mfin the model as the membership function and x, y, and z coordinates, the nanoparticle volume fraction, and the temperature as the inputs. The pressure predicted by the ANFIS at this condition is the same as that predicted by the CFD. The artificial intelligence of ANFIS could find the relation of the nanofluid pressure to the nanoparticle fraction and the temperature. The CFD simulation took much more time (90–110 min) than the total time of the learning and the prediction of the ANFIS (369 s). The CFD modeling was done on a workstation computer, while the ANFIS method was run on a normal desktop.
Tracking the recent dynamics of Mt. Vesuvius from joint investigations of ground deformation, seismicity and geofluid circulation
Authors: Ricco Ciro , Petrosino Simona , Aquino Ida , Cusano Paola , Madonia Paolo
Published: January 2021

We reconstruct the composite dynamics of Mt. Vesuvius volcano in the period 2012–2019 from the study of ground deformation, seismicity, and geofluid (groundwater and fumarolic fluids) circulation and recognize complex spatio-temporal variations in these observables at medium (years) and short (months) time-scales. We interpret the observed patterns as the combined effect of structural changes affecting the volcanic edifice and variations of the dynamics of the hydrothermal system. In particular, we identify a change in the activity state of Mt. Vesuvius. After the activity reached minimum levels in 2014, the centroid of the surface manifestations migrated towards the SE. Episodic variations of co-seismic and aseismic deformation and fluid release, if analysed separately, would likely have been interpreted as pseudo-random oscillations of the background geophysical and geochemical signals. When organised in a comprehensive, multiparametric fashion, they shed light on the evolution of the volcano in 4D (x,y,z, time) space. These inferences play a crucial role in the formulation of civil protection scenarios for Mt. Vesuvius, a high risk, densely urbanized volcanic area which has never experienced unrest episodes in the modern era of instrumental volcanology.
Explainable identification and mapping of trees using UAV RGB image and deep learning
Authors: Onishi Masanori , Ise Takeshi
Published: January 2021

The identification and mapping of trees via remotely sensed data for application in forest management is an active area of research. Previously proposed methods using airborne and hyperspectral sensors can identify tree species with high accuracy but are costly and are thus unsuitable for small-scale forest managers. In this work, we constructed a machine vision system for tree identification and mapping using Red–Green–Blue (RGB) image taken by an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and a convolutional neural network (CNN). In this system, we first calculated the slope from the three-dimensional model obtained by the UAV, and segmented the UAV RGB photograph of the forest into several tree crown objects automatically using colour and three-dimensional information and the slope model, and lastly applied object-based CNN classification for each crown image. This system succeeded in classifying seven tree classes, including several tree species with more than 90% accuracy. The guided gradient-weighted class activation mapping (Guided Grad-CAM) showed that the CNN classified trees according to their shapes and leaf contrasts, which enhances the potential of the system for classifying individual trees with similar colours in a cost-effective manner—a useful feature for forest management.
Altered hippocampal gene expression, glial cell population, and neuronal excitability in aminopeptidase P1 deficiency
Authors: Yoon Sang Ho , Bae Young-Soo , Oh Sung Pyo , Song Woo Seok , Chang Hanna , Kim Myoung-Hwan
Published: January 2021

Inborn errors of metabolism are often associated with neurodevelopmental disorders and brain injury. A deficiency of aminopeptidase P1, a proline-specific endopeptidase encoded by the Xpnpep1 gene, causes neurological complications in both humans and mice. In addition, aminopeptidase P1-deficient mice exhibit hippocampal neurodegeneration and impaired hippocampus-dependent learning and memory. However, the molecular and cellular changes associated with hippocampal pathology in aminopeptidase P1 deficiency are unclear. We show here that a deficiency of aminopeptidase P1 modifies the glial population and neuronal excitability in the hippocampus. Microarray and real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analyses identified 14 differentially expressed genes (Casp1, Ccnd1, Myoc, Opalin, Aldh1a2, Aspa, Spp1, Gstm6, Serpinb1a, Pdlim1, Dsp, Tnfaip6, Slc6a20a, Slc22a2) in the Xpnpep1−/− hippocampus. In the hippocampus, aminopeptidase P1-expression signals were mainly detected in neurons. However, deficiency of aminopeptidase P1 resulted in fewer hippocampal astrocytes and increased density of microglia in the hippocampal CA3 area. In addition, Xpnpep1−/− CA3b pyramidal neurons were more excitable than wild-type neurons. These results indicate that insufficient astrocytic neuroprotection and enhanced neuronal excitability may underlie neurodegeneration and hippocampal dysfunction in aminopeptidase P1 deficiency.
Induced changes of pyrolysis temperature on the physicochemical traits of sewage sludge and on the potential ecological risks
Authors: de Souza Souza Claudineia , Bomfim Marcela Rebouças , Conceição de Almeida Maria da , Alves Lucas de Souza , de Santana Welder Neves , da Silva Amorim Itamar Carlos , Santos Jorge Antonio Gonzaga
Published: January 2021

Biochar from sewage sludge is a low-cost sorbent that may be used for several environmental functions. This study evaluates the induced effects of pyrolysis temperature on the physicochemical characteristics of sewage sludge (SS) biochar produced at 350 (SSB350), 450 (SSB450) and 600 (SSB600), based on the metal enrichment index, metal mobility index (MMI), and potential ecological risk index (PERI) of Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn. Increased pyrolysis temperature reduced the biochar concentration of elements that are lost as volatile compounds (C, N, H, O, and S), while the concentration of stable aromatic carbon, ash, alkalinity, some macro (Ca, Mg, P2O5, and K2O) and micronutrients (Cu and Zn), and toxic elements such as Pb and Cd increased. Increasing the pyrolysis temperature is also important in the transformation of metals from toxic and available forms into more stable potentially available and non-available forms. Based on the individual potential ecological risk index, Cd in the SS and SSB450 were in the moderate and considerable contamination ranges, respectively. For all pyrolysis temperature biochar Cd was the highest metal contributor to the PERI. Despite this, the potential ecological risk index of the SS and SSBs was graded as low.
Interferon-γ enhances the therapeutic effect of mesenchymal stem cells on experimental renal fibrosis
Authors: Kanai Ryo , Nakashima Ayumu , Doi Shigehiro , Kimura Tomoe , Yoshida Ken , Maeda Satoshi , Ishiuchi Naoki , Yamada Yumi , Ike Takeshi , Doi Toshiki , Kato Yukio , Masaki Takao
Published: January 2021

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) administered for therapeutic purposes can be activated by interferon-γ (IFN-γ) secreted from natural killer cells in injured tissues and exert anti-inflammatory effects. These processes require a substantial period of time, leading to a delayed onset of MSCs’ therapeutic effects. In this study, we investigated whether pretreatment with IFN-γ could potentiate the anti-fibrotic ability of MSCs in rats with ischemia–reperfusion injury (IRI) and unilateral ureter obstruction. Administration of MSCs treated with IFN-γ strongly reduced infiltration of inflammatory cells and ameliorated interstitial fibrosis compared with control MSCs without IFN-γ treatment. In addition, conditioned medium obtained from IFN-γ-treated MSCs decreased fibrotic changes in cultured cells induced by transforming growth factor-β1 more efficiently than that from control MSCs. Most notably, secretion of prostaglandin E2 from MSCs was significantly increased by treatment with IFN-γ. Increased prostaglandin E2 in conditioned medium obtained from IFN-γ-treated MSCs induced polarization of immunosuppressive CD163 and CD206-positive macrophages. In addition, knockdown of prostaglandin E synthase weakened the anti-fibrotic effects of MSCs treated with IFN-γ in IRI rats, suggesting the involvement of prostaglandin E2 in the beneficial effects of IFN-γ. Administration of MSCs treated with IFN-γ might represent a promising therapy to prevent the progression of renal fibrosis.
First record of gregarine protists (Apicomplexa: Sporozoa) in Asian fungus-growing termite Macrotermes barneyi (Blattaria: Termitidae)
Authors: Zhang Shuo , Lin Zijia , Huang Qihong , Shen Yulong , Ni Jinfeng
Published: January 2021

Macrotermes barneyi, widely distributed in southern China, is the major fungus-growing termite in the subfamily Macrotermitinae. It has no flagellated protists in the guts. Here, we report occurrence of gregarine, a protozoan parasite in the digestive tract of M. barneyi. The general morphology and ultrastructure of the gregarine gamonts and syzygies by light micrograph and scanning electron micrograph are presented. SSU rDNA sequence analysis showed that the termite gregarine has the highest identity (90.10%) to that of Gregarina blattarum from cockroaches. Phylogenetic analysis based on the SSU rDNA sequences from diverse insect eugregarines indicated that the gregarine from M. barneyi is phylogenetically close to G. blattarus, L. erratica and G. tropica from Gregarinidae and Leidyanidae families, and may represent a novel species. This study expands our knowledge about the diversity of terrestrial eugregarines parasitizing in termites.
An observational study on the effect of hypercholesterolemia developed after living donor liver transplantation on cardiac event and graft failure
Authors: Park Jungchan , Lee Seung-Hwa , Han Sangbin , Oh Ah Ran , Lee Suk-Koo , Choi Gyu-Seong , Park Myung Soo , Carriere Keumhee , Ahn Joonghyun , Kim Gaab Soo
Published: January 2021

This study sought to evaluate the association between newly-developed significant hypercholesterolemia within one year following living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) and long term outcomes in light of cardiovascular events and graft failure. From October 2003 to July 2017, 877 LDLT recipients were stratified according to development of significant hypercholesterolemia within one year following LDLT. The primary outcome was occurrence of a major adverse cardiac event (MACE), defined as a composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction, and coronary revascularization after LDLT. The incidence of graft failure, defined as all-cause death or retransplantation, was also compared. A total of 113 (12.9%) recipients developed significant hypercholesterolemia within one year. The differences in incidences of cardiac related events and graft related events began emerging significantly higher in the hypercholesterolemia group after 24 months and 60 months since the LDLT, respectively. After adjustment using the inverse probability of weighting, the hazard ratio (HR) for MACE was 2.77 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.16–6.61; p = 0.02), while that for graft failure was 3.76 (95% CI 1.97–7.17, p < 0.001). A significant hypercholesterolemia after LDLT may be associated with cardiac and graft-related outcome; therefore, a further study and close monitoring of cholesterol level after LDLT is needed.
Repeatability of automated measurements by a new anterior segment optical coherence tomographer and biometer and agreement with standard devices
Authors: Schiano-Lomoriello Domenico , Hoffer Kenneth J. , Abicca Irene , Savini Giacomo
Published: January 2021

We assess repeatability of automatic measurements of a new anterior segment optical coherence tomographer and biometer (ANTERION) and their agreement with those provided by an anterior segment-optical coherence tomography device combined with Placido-disk corneal topography (MS-39) and a validated optical biometer (IOLMaster 500). A consecutive series of patients underwent three measurements with ANTERION and one with MS-39. A subgroup of patients underwent biometry also with IOLMaster 500. Repeatability was assessed by means of within-subject standard deviation, coefficient of variation (COV), and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Agreement was investigated with the 95% limits of agreement. Paired t-test and Wilcoxon matched-pairs test were performed to compare the measurements of the different devices. Repeatability of ANTERION measurements was high, with ICC > 0.98 for all parameters except astigmatism (0.963); all parameters apart from those related to astigmatism revealed a COV < 1%. Repeatability of astigmatism improved when only eyes whose keratometric astigmatism was higher than 1.0 D were investigated. Most measurements by ANTERION and MS-39 showed good agreement. No significant differences were found between measurements by ANTERION and IOLMaster, but for corneal diameter. ANTERION revealed high repeatability of automatic measurements and good agreement with both MS-39 and IOLMaster for most parameters.
Relationship between basal sodium intake and the effects of dapagliflozin in albuminuric diabetic kidney disease
Authors: Kinguchi Sho , Wakui Hiromichi , Ito Yuzuru , Kondo Yoshinobu , Azushima Kengo , Osada Uru , Yamakawa Tadashi , Iwamoto Tamio , Yutoh Jun , Misumi Toshihiro , Yasuda Gen , Yoshii Taishi , Haruhara Kotaro , Kobayashi Yusuke , Yamanaka Takeharu , Terauchi Yasuo , Tamura Kouichi
Published: January 2021

We investigated the impact of basal dietary sodium intake on the dapagliflozin-induced changes in albuminuria and blood pressure (BP) measured at home in patients with diabetic kidney disease (DKD).This was a secondary analysis of the Y-AIDA Study, in which DKD patients with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≥ 45 ml/min/1.73 m2and urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) ≥ 30 mg/g creatinine were administered dapagliflozin for 24 weeks, and dapagliflozin significantly improved albuminuria levels and home BP profiles. The effects on UACR, home-measured BP, and eGFR were compared between high- and low-sodium intake groups (HS and LS groups), which were created using baseline urinary sodium-to-creatinine ratio of 84 participants with available basal sodium-to-creatinine ratios. At baseline, clinic-/home-measured BPs, UACR, and eGFR, were comparable in the two groups. After 24 weeks, the reductions from baseline in ln-UACR were comparable in the two groups. In contrast, the reductions in evening home systolic BP and eGFR from baseline were larger in HS than in LS (BP: − 13 ± 2.08 vs. − 6 ± 1.88,P = 0.020; eGFR: − 3.33 ± 1.32 vs. 0.37 ± 1.29,P = 0.049). The home BP-lowering effects of dapagliflozin are larger in HS than LS, concomitant with a larger reduction in eGFR, suggesting a dapagliflozin-induced improvement in glomerular relative hyperfiltration in HS.
Preceding endoscopic submucosal dissection in submucosal invasive gastric cancer patients does not impact clinical outcomes
Authors: Kuroki Kazutaka , Oka Shiro , Tanaka Shinji , Yorita Naoki , Hata Kosaku , Kotachi Takahiro , Boda Tomoyuki , Arihiro Koji , Shimamoto Fumio , Chayama Kazuaki
Published: January 2021

Submucosal deep invasion of gastric cancer (T1b2; depth of submucosal invasion ≥ 500 μm) is a risk factor for lymph node metastasis and, thus, is one of the criteria for curative treatment. Our aim was to evaluate the specific influence of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) on the prognosis of patients with T1b2 gastric cancer. This was a retrospective analysis of 248 consecutive patients, with 252 pT1b2 gastric cancer lesions, who underwent ESD prior to additional surgery (Group A, n = 101) or surgery only (Group B, n = 147). After propensity score-matching (for sex, age, tumor diameter and gross type), we compared pathological characteristics between the 2 groups and the prognosis over a follow-up period ≥ 60 months. Compared to Group B, patients in Group A were older, with a higher proportion of men. The proportion of depressed and undifferentiated type tumors was greater in Group B than A, with larger tumor size and depth of submucosal invasion as well. There was no incidence of local recurrence, but distant metastasis was identified in 5% of cases in Group A and 3% in Group B. After propensity score-matching, there were no difference in the 5-year overall survival rate between Group A and B (87.5% vs. 91.2%, respectively), nor in the 5-year disease-specific survival rate (96.3% vs. 96.4%, respectively). ESD prior to surgery for T1b2 gastric cancer did not adversely affect clinical outcomes after additional surgery.
Colony spreading of the gliding bacterium Flavobacterium johnsoniae in the absence of the motility adhesin SprB
Authors: Sato Keiko , Naya Masami , Hatano Yuri , Kondo Yoshio , Sato Mari , Narita Yuka , Nagano Keiji , Naito Mariko , Nakayama Koji , Sato Chikara
Published: January 2021

Colony spreading of Flavobacterium johnsoniae is shown to include gliding motility using the cell surface adhesin SprB, and is drastically affected by agar and glucose concentrations. Wild-type (WT) and ΔsprB mutant cells formed nonspreading colonies on soft agar, but spreading dendritic colonies on soft agar containing glucose. In the presence of glucose, an initial cell growth-dependent phase was followed by a secondary SprB-independent, gliding motility-dependent phase. The branching pattern of a ΔsprB colony was less complex than the pattern formed by the WT. Mesoscopic and microstructural information was obtained by atmospheric scanning electron microscopy (ASEM) and transmission EM, respectively. In the growth-dependent phase of WT colonies, dendritic tips spread rapidly by the movement of individual cells. In the following SprB-independent phase, leading tips were extended outwards by the movement of dynamic windmill-like rolling centers, and the lipoproteins were expressed more abundantly. Dark spots in WT cells during the growth-dependent spreading phase were not observed in the SprB-independent phase. Various mutations showed that the lipoproteins and the motility machinery were necessary for SprB-independent spreading. Overall, SprB-independent colony spreading is influenced by the lipoproteins, some of which are involved in the gliding machinery, and medium conditions, which together determine the nutrient-seeking behavior.