bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Application of Artificial Intelligence in COVID-19 Pandemic: Bibliometric Analysis
Authors: Islam Md. Mohaimenul , Poly Tahmina Nasrin , Alsinglawi Belal , Lin Li-Fong , Chien Shuo-Chen , Liu Ju-Chi , Jian Wen-Shan
Published: April 2021

The application of artificial intelligence (AI) to health has increased, including to COVID-19. This study aimed to provide a clear overview of COVID-19-related AI publication trends using longitudinal bibliometric analysis. A systematic literature search was conducted on the Web of Science for English language peer-reviewed articles related to AI application to COVID-19. A search strategy was developed to collect relevant articles and extracted bibliographic information (e.g., country, research area, sources, and author). VOSviewer (Leiden University) and Bibliometrix (R package) were used to visualize the co-occurrence networks of authors, sources, countries, institutions, global collaborations, citations, co-citations, and keywords. We included 729 research articles on the application of AI to COVID-19 published between 2020 and 2021. PLOS One (33/729, 4.52%), Chaos Solution Fractals (29/729, 3.97%), and Journal of Medical Internet Research (29/729, 3.97%) were the most common journals publishing these articles. The Republic of China (190/729, 26.06%), the USA (173/729, 23.73%), and India (92/729, 12.62%) were the most prolific countries of origin. The Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan University, and the Chinese Academy of Sciences were the most productive institutions. This is the first study to show a comprehensive picture of the global efforts to address COVID-19 using AI. The findings of this study also provide insights and research directions for academic researchers, policymakers, and healthcare practitioners who wish to collaborate in these domains in the future.
Accuracy Comparison on Culvert-Modified Digital Elevation Models of DSMA and BA Methods Using ALS Point Clouds
Authors: Fareed Nadeem , Wang Chi-Kuei
Published: April 2021

High-resolution digital elevation models (HR-DEMs) originating from airborne laser scanning (ALS) point clouds must be transformed into Culvert-modified DEMs for hydrological and geomorphological analysis. To produce a culvert-modified DEM, information on the locations of drainage structures (DSs) (e.g., bridges and culverts) is essential. Nevertheless, DS mapping techniques, whether in connection with the development of new methods or an application setting of existing methods, have always been complicated. Consequently, wide area DS data are rare, making it challenging to produce a culvert-modified DEM in a wide area capacity. Alternatively, the breach algorithm (BA) method is a standard procedure to obtain culvert-modified DEMs in the absence of DS data, solving the problem to some extent. This paper addresses this shortcoming using a newly developed drainage structure mapping algorithm (DSMA) for obtaining a culvert-modified DEM for an area of 36 km2 in Vermont, USA. Benchmark DS data are used as a standard reference to assess the performance of the DSMA method compared to the BA method. A consistent methodological framework is formulated to obtain a culvert-modified DEM using DS data, mapped using the DSMA and resultant culvert-modified DEM is then compared with BA method respectively. The DSs found from the culvert-modified DEMs were reported as true positive (TP), false positive (FP), and false negative (FN). Based on TP, FP, and FN originating from the culvert-modified DEMs of both methods, the evaluation metrics of the false positive rate (FPR) (i.e., the commission error) and false negative rate (FNR) (i.e., the omission error) were computed. Our evaluation showed that the newly developed DSMA-based DS data resulted in an FPR of 0.05 with federal highway authorities (FHWA) roads and 0.12 with non-FHWA roads. The FNR with FHWA roads was 0.07, and with non-FHWA roads, it was 0.38. The BA method showed an FPR of 0.28 with FHWA roads and 0.62 with non-FHWA roads. Similarly, the FNR for the BA method was 0.32 with FHWA roads and 0.61 with non-FHWA roads. The statistics based on the FPR and FNR showed that the DSMA-based culvert-modified DEM was more accurate compared with the BA method, and the formulated framework for producing culvert-modified DEMs using DSMA-based DS data was robust.
Tocilizumab Improves the Prognosis of COVID-19 in Patients with High IL-6
Authors: Flisiak Robert , Jaroszewicz Jerzy , Rogalska Magdalena , Łapiński Tadeusz , Berkan-Kawińska Aleksandra , Bolewska Beata , Tudrujek-Zdunek Magdalena , Kozielewicz Dorota , Rorat Marta , Leszczyński Piotr , Kłos Krzysztof , Kowalska Justyna , Pabjan Paweł , Piekarska Anna , Mozer-Lisewska Iwona , Tomasiewicz Krzysztof , Pawłowska Małgorzata , Simon Krzysztof , Polanska Joanna , Zarębska-Michaluk Dorota
Published: April 2021

Despite direct viral effect, the pathogenesis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) includes an overproduction of cytokines including interleukin 6 (IL-6). Therefore, tocilizumab (TOC), a monoclonal antibody against IL-6 receptors, was considered as a possible therapeutic option. Patients were selected from the SARSTer database, containing 2332 individuals with COVID-19. Current study included 825 adult patients with moderate to severe course. Analysis was performed in 170 patients treated with TOC and 655 with an alternative medication. The end-points of treatment effectiveness were death rate, need for mechanical ventilation, and clinical improvement. Patients treated with TOC were balanced compared to non-TOC regarding gender, age, BMI, and prevalence of coexisting conditions. Significant effect of TOC on death was demonstrated in patients with baseline IL-6 > 100 pg/mL (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.21, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.08–0.57). The best effectiveness of TOC was achieved in patients with a combination of baseline IL-6 > 100 pg/mL and either SpO2 ≤ 90% (HR: 0.07) or requiring oxygen supplementation (HR: 0.18). Tocilizumab administration in COVID-19 reduces mortality and speeds up clinical improvement in patients with a baseline concentration of IL-6 > 100 pg/mL, particularly if they need oxygen supplementation owing to the lower value of SpO2 ≤ 90%.
The Use of Propofol versus Dexmedetomidine for Patients Receiving Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Chen Yi-Ting , Sun Cheuk-Kwan , Wu Kuan-Yu , Chang Ying-Jen , Chiang Min-Hsien , Chen I-Wen , Liao Shu-Wei , Hung Kuo-Chuan
Published: April 2021

The sedation outcomes associated with dexmedetomidine compared with those of propofol during drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE) remains unclear. Electronic databases (i.e., the Cochrane controlled trials register, Embase, Medline, and Scopus) were searched from inception to 25 December 2020 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that evaluated the sedation outcomes with dexmedetomidine or propofol in adult patients diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) receiving DISE. The primary outcome was the difference in minimum oxygen saturation (mSaO2). Five RCTs (270 participants) published between 2015 and 2020 were included for analysis. Compared with dexmedetomidine, propofol was associated with lower levels of mSaO2 (mean difference (MD) = −7.24, 95% confidence interval (CI) −12.04 to −2.44; 230 participants) and satisfaction among endoscopic performers (standardized MD = −2.43, 95% CI −3.61 to −1.26; 128 participants) as well as a higher risk of hypoxemia (relative ratios = 1.82, 95% CI 1.2 to 2.76; 82 participants). However, propofol provided a shorter time to fall asleep and a lower risk of failed sedation compared with dexmedetomidine. No significant difference was found in other outcomes. Compared with propofol, dexmedetomidine exhibited fewer adverse effects on respiratory function and provided a higher level of satisfaction among endoscopic performers but was associated with an elevated risk of failed sedation.
A Perspective on COVID-19 Management
Authors: Pavelić Krešimir , Kraljević Pavelić Sandra , Brix Bianca , Goswami Nandu
Published: April 2021

A novel coronavirus—Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)—outbreak correlated with the global coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic was declared by the WHO in March 2020, resulting in numerous counted cases attributed to SARS-CoV-2 worldwide. Herein, we discuss current knowledge on the available therapy options for patients diagnosed with COVID-19. Based on available scientific data, we present an overview of solutions in COVID-19 management by use of drugs, vaccines and antibodies. Many questions with non-conclusive answers on the measures for the management of the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on health still exist—i.e., the actual infection percentage of the population, updated precise mortality data, variability in response to infection by the population, the nature of immunity and its duration, vaccine development issues, a fear that science might end up with excessive promises in response to COVID-19—and were raised among scientists. Indeed, science may or may not deliver results in real time. In the presented paper we discuss some consequences of disease, its detection and serological tests, some solutions to disease prevention and management, pitfalls and obstacles, including vaccination. The presented ideas and data herein are meant to contribute to the ongoing debate on COVID-19 without pre-selection of available information.
Quality of Life in Presbyopes with Low and High Myopia Using Single-Vision and Progressive-Lens Correction
Authors: Yang Adeline , Lim Si Ying , Wong Yee Ling , Yeo Anna , Rajeev Narayanan , Drobe Björn
Published: April 2021

This study evaluates the impact of the severity of myopia and the type of visual correction in presbyopia on vision-related quality of life (QOL), using the refractive status and vision profile (RSVP) questionnaire. A total of 149 subjects aged 41–75 years with myopic presbyopia were recruited: 108 had low myopia and 41 had high myopia. The RSVP questionnaire was administered. Rasch analysis was performed on five subscales: perception, expectation, functionality, symptoms, and problems with glasses. Highly myopic subjects had a significantly lower mean QOL score (51.65), compared to low myopes (65.24) (p < 0.001). They also had a significantly lower functionality score with glasses (49.38), compared to low myopes (57.00) (p = 0.018), and they had a worse functionality score without glasses (29.12), compared to low myopes (36.24) (p = 0.045). Those who wore progressive addition lenses (PAL) in the high-myope group (n = 25) scored significantly better, compared to those who wore single-vision distance (SVD) lenses (n = 14), with perception scores of 61.19 and 46.94, respectively (p = 0.029). Highly myopic presbyopes had worse overall QOL and functionality, both with and without glasses, compared to presbyopes with low myopia. High-myopic PAL users had a better perception outcome than SVD lens wearers. Low-myopic PAL wearers had a better QOL than SVD wearers.
Explanatory Factors for Disease-Specific Health-Related Quality of Life in Women with Anorexia Nervosa
Authors: Winkler Laura Al-Dakhiel , Gudex Claire , Lichtenstein Mia Beck , Røder Michael Ejnar , Adair Carol E. , Sjögren Jan Magnus , Støving René Klinkby
Published: April 2021

A better understanding of explanatory factors for disease-specific health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in anorexia nervosa (AN) could help direct treatment providers to aspects of the most relevance for patient wellbeing and recovery. We aimed to investigate whether factors associated with HRQoL are the same for women with AN and normal-weight controls. The participants in this study were women with AN recruited from specialized eating disorder centers in Denmark and healthy, normal-weight controls invited via online social media. Participants completed online questionnaires on medical history, disease-specific HRQoL (Eating Disorders Quality of Life Scale, EDQLS) and generic HRQoL (SF-36), eating disorder symptomatology, depression, psychological wellbeing, and work and social adjustment. Questionnaires were fully completed by 211 women with AN (median age 21.7 years) and 199 controls (median age 23.9 years). Women with AN had poorer scores on all measures, i.e., worse HRQoL, psychological health, and work/social functioning. Eating disorder symptomatology affected EDQLS score in both groups, but poorer HRQoL in women with AN was also significantly associated with worse scores on bulimia, maturity fears, depression, vitality, and with older age. The factors investigated together explained 79% of the variance in EDQLS score. Management of disordered self-assessment and thought processes may be of particular importance to women with AN. Greater emphasis on these aspects alongside weight gain could enhance patient–clinician alliance and contribute to better treatment outcomes.
Highly Adaptive Linear Actor-Critic for Lightweight Energy-Harvesting IoT Applications
Authors: Sawaguchi Sota , Christmann Jean-Frédéric , Lesecq Suzanne
Published: April 2021

Reinforcement learning (RL) has received much attention in recent years due to its adaptability to unpredictable events such as harvested energy and workload, especially in the context of edge computing for Internet-of-Things (IoT) nodes. Due to limited resources in IoT nodes, it is difficult to achieve self-adaptability. This paper studies online reactivity issues of fixed learning rate in the linear actor-critic (LAC) algorithm for transmission duty-cycle control. We propose the LAC-AB algorithm that introduces into the LAC algorithm an adaptive learning rate called Adam for actor update to achieve better adaptability. We introduce a definition of “convergence” when quantitative analysis of convergence is performed. Simulation results using real-life one-year solar irradiance data indicate that, unlike the conventional setups of two decay rate β1,β2 of Adam, smaller β1 such as 0.2–0.4 are suitable for power-failure-sensitive applications and 0.5–0.7 for latency-sensitive applications with β2∈[0.1,0.3]. LAC-AB improves the time of reactivity by 68.5–88.1% in our application; it also fine-tunes the initial learning rate for the initial state and improves the time of fine-tuning by 78.2–84.3%, compared to the LAC. Besides, the number of power failures is drastically reduced to zero or a few occurrences over 300 simulations.
Performance of an Advanced Intelligent Control Strategy in a Dynamic Positioning (DP) System Applied to a Semisubmersible Drilling Platform
Authors: Alremeihi Mohamad , Norman Rosemary , Pazouki Kayvan , Dev Arun , Bashir Musa
Published: April 2021

Oil drilling and extraction platforms are currently being used in many offshore areas around the world. Whilst those operating in shallow seas are secured to the seabed, for deeper water operations, Dynamic Positioning (DP) is essential for the platforms to maintain their position within a safe zone. Operating DP requires intelligent and reliable control systems. Nearly all DP accidents have been caused by a combination of technical and human failures; however, according to the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) DP Incidents Analysis, DP control and thruster system failures have been the leading causes of incidents over the last ten years. This paper will investigate potential operational improvements for DP system accuracy by adding a Predictive Neural Network (PNN) control algorithm in the thruster allocation along with a nonlinear Proportional Integral derivative (PID) motion control system. A DP system’s performance on a drilling platform in oil and gas deep-water fields and subject to real weather conditions is simulated with these advanced control methods. The techniques are developed for enhancing the safety and reliability of DP operations to improve the positioning accuracy, which may allow faster response to a critical situation during DP drilling operations. The semisubmersible drilling platform’s simulation results using the PNN strategy show improved control of the platform’s positioning.
Asymmetric Frontal Response across the Gulf of Mexico Front in Winter 2016
Authors: Barzegar Mohammad , Bogucki Darek , Haus Brian K. , Ozgokmen Tamay , Shao Mingming
Published: April 2021

The interaction of cold-vertically stratified (CVS) Mississippi River water with warm-horizontally stratified (WHS) Gulf of Mexico water resulted in a front that affected the oceanic surface layer. Our cross-frontal observations demonstrated two vertical layers. The cross-frontal deep layer (9–30 m) averaged a temperature dissipation rate (TD) varied by a factor of 1000 and was larger on the CVS side. The near-surface layer (0–9 m) averaged TD did not vary significantly across the front. The deep layer frontal asymmetry coincided with depths where the Thorpe scale was large. The situation was similar for the layer averaged turbulent kinetic energy dissipation rate (TKED). Within both layers, the averaged-TKED values were 10–30 times larger on the CVS side. The surface turbulent heat flux was up to 4 times larger on the WHS side. The observed asymmetric response of the turbulence across the front could play a significant role in the ocean-atmosphere climate system.
Proton Therapy for Partial Breast Irradiation: Rationale and Considerations
Authors: Choi J. Isabelle , Fox Jana , Bakst Richard , Hasan Shaakir , Press Robert H. , Chhabra Arpit M. , Yeh Brian , Simone Charles B. , Cahlon Oren
Published: April 2021

In an era of continued advancements in personalized medicine for the treatment of breast cancer, select patients with early stage breast cancer may be uniquely poised to benefit from partial breast irradiation (PBI) delivered with proton therapy. PBI presents an opportunity to improve quality of life during treatment with a significantly shorter treatment duration. By targeting less non-target breast tissue, excess radiation exposure and resulting toxicities are also reduced. Proton therapy represents a precision radiotherapy technology that builds on these advantages by further limiting the normal tissue exposure to unnecessary radiation dose not only to uninvolved breast tissue but also the underlying thoracic organs including the heart and lungs. Herein, we present a concise review of the rationale for the use of proton therapy for PBI, evidence available to date, and practical considerations in the implementation and use of proton therapy for this indication.
Effects of the COVID-19 Global Crisis on the Working Capital Management Policy: Evidence from Poland
Authors: Zimon Grzegorz , Tarighi Hossein
Published: April 2021

The paper aims to investigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on working capital management policies among Polish small and medium-sized enterprises operating in Group Purchasing Organizations (GPOs). The results show that the firms adopted a moderate–conservative strategy for their working capital management. Moreover, the evidence confirms that the COVID-19 pandemic crisis did not change Working Capital Management (WCM) strategies significantly. The companies that have high financial security as a result of the high ratio of Liquidity, Quick, and cash conversion cycle (CCC) have tried to attract more new customers in the market by increasing the due date of accounts receivable so they can improve their sales performance, and also reduce the liabilities turnover to be able to work with more suppliers in the market. Moreover, among the various WCM strategies, the companies with a higher CCC ratio, along with those whose bulk of current assets consisted of accounts receivable and short-term investments, managed to have higher sales returns. Finally, our outcomes indicate that the firms operating in large cities have lower sales returns, meaning even Polish small and medium-sized enterprises’ ability within GPOs with the aid of the central unit can also get high return on sales (ROS) results.
Modelling Stock Returns and Risk Management in the Shipping Industry
Authors: Mohanty Sunil K. , Aadland Roar , Westgaard Sjur , Frydenberg Stein , Lillienskiold Hilde , Kristensen Cecilie
Published: April 2021

We estimate the impact of macroeconomic risk factors on shipping stock returns, using a quantile regression (QR) model. We regress the excess return of a portfolio for the container, dry bulk, chemical/gas, oil tanker, and diversified shipping sectors on the world market portfolio excess return, volatility index, and changes in the oil price, exchange rate, and interest rate. The sensitivities of stock returns to the risk factors differ across quantiles and shipping segments and are found to be significant for the volatility index, world market portfolio return, exchange rate, and changes in long-term interest rate with variation over quantiles. This provides evidence of asymmetric and heterogeneous dependence between stock returns and certain macroeconomic risk variables. The results of the study also suggest that standard OLS regression is inadequate to uncover the risk-return relation.
Oligodendrocyte Development and Regenerative Therapeutics in Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Gacem Nadjet , Nait-Oumesmar Brahim
Published: April 2021

Myelination by oligodendrocytes (OLs) is an important biological process essential for central nervous system (CNS) development and functions. Oligodendroglial lineage cells undergo several morphological and molecular changes at different stages of their lineage progression into myelinating OLs. The transition steps of the oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) to myelinating oligodendrocytes are defined by a specific pattern of regulated gene expression, which is under the control of coordinated signaling pathways. Any abnormal development, loss or failure of oligodendrocytes to myelinate axons can lead to several neurodegenerative diseases like multiple sclerosis (MS). MS is characterized by inflammation and demyelination, and current treatments target only the immune component of the disease, but have little impact on remyelination. Recently, several pharmacological compounds enhancing remyelination have been identified and some of them are in clinical trials. Here, we will review the current knowledge on oligodendrocyte differentiation, myelination and remyelination. We will focus on MS as a pathological condition, the most common chronic inflammatory demyelinating disease of the CNS in young adults.
Deep Neural Network for Gender-Based Violence Detection on Twitter Messages
Authors: Castorena Carlos M. , Abundez Itzel M. , Alejo Roberto , Granda-Gutiérrez Everardo E. , Rendón Eréndira , Villegas Octavio
Published: April 2021

The problem of gender-based violence in Mexico has been increased considerably. Many social associations and governmental institutions have addressed this problem in different ways. In the context of computer science, some effort has been developed to deal with this problem through the use of machine learning approaches to strengthen the strategic decision making. In this work, a deep learning neural network application to identify gender-based violence on Twitter messages is presented. A total of 1,857,450 messages (generated in Mexico) were downloaded from Twitter: 61,604 of them were manually tagged by human volunteers as negative, positive or neutral messages, to serve as training and test data sets. Results presented in this paper show the effectiveness of deep neural network (about 80% of the area under the receiver operating characteristic) in detection of gender violence on Twitter messages. The main contribution of this investigation is that the data set was minimally pre-processed (as a difference versus most state-of-the-art approaches). Thus, the original messages were converted into a numerical vector in accordance to the frequency of word’s appearance and only adverbs, conjunctions and prepositions were deleted (which occur very frequently in text and we think that these words do not contribute to discriminatory messages on Twitter). Finally, this work contributes to dealing with gender violence in Mexico, which is an issue that needs to be faced immediately.
Experimental and Numerical Investigation of the ECAP Processed Copper: Microstructural Evolution, Crystallographic Texture and Hardness Homogeneity
Authors: Alateyah A. I. , Ahmed Mohamed M. Z. , Zedan Yasser , El-Hafez H. Abd , Alawad Majed O. , El-Garaihy W. H.
Published: April 2021

The current study presents a detailed investigation for the equal channel angular pressing of pure copper through two regimes. The first was equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) processing at room temperature and the second was ECAP processing at 200 °C for up to 4-passes of route Bc. The grain structure and texture was investigated using electron back scattering diffraction (EBSD) across the whole sample cross-section and also the hardness and the tensile properties. The microstructure obtained after 1-pass at room temperature revealed finer equiaxed grains of about 3.89 µm down to submicrons with a high density of twin compared to the starting material. Additionally, a notable increase in the low angle grain boundaries (LAGBs) density was observed. This microstructure was found to be homogenous through the sample cross section. Further straining up to 2-passes showed a significant reduction of the average grain size to 2.97 µm with observable heterogeneous distribution of grains size. On the other hand, increasing the strain up to 4-passes enhanced the homogeneity of grain size distribution. The texture after 4-passes resembled the simple shear texture with about 7 times random. Conducting the ECAP processing at 200 °C resulted in a severely deformed microstructure with the highest fraction of submicron grains and high density of substructures was also observed. ECAP processing through 4-passes at room temperature experienced a significant increase in both hardness and tensile strength up to 180% and 124%, respectively.
Biocontrol of Soft Rot Caused by Pectobacterium odoriferum with Bacteriophage phiPccP-1 in Kimchi Cabbage
Authors: Lee Soohong , Vu Nguyen-Trung , Oh Eom-Ji , Rahimi-Midani Aryan , Thi Thuong-Nguyen , Song Yu-Rim , Hwang In-Sun , Choi Tae-Jin , Oh Chang-Sik
Published: April 2021

Pectobacterium odoriferum has recently emerged as a widely infective and destructive pathogen causing soft-rot disease in various vegetables. Bacteriophage phiPccP-1 isolated from Pyeongchang, South Korea, showed lytic activity against P. odoriferum Pco14 and two other Pectobacterium species. The transmission electron microscopy and genome phylograms revealed that phiPccP-1 belongs to the Unyawovirus genus, Studiervirinae subfamily of the Autographivirinae family. Genome comparison showed that its 40,487 bp double-stranded DNA genome shares significant similarity with Pectobacterium phage DU_PP_II with the identity reaching 98% of the genome. The phiPccP-1 application significantly inhibited the development of soft-rot disease in the mature leaves of the harvested Kimchi cabbage up to 48 h after Pco14 inoculation compared to the untreated leaves, suggesting that phiPccP-1 can protect Kimchi cabbage from soft-rot disease after harvest. Remarkably, bioassays with phiPccP-1 in Kimchi cabbage seedlings grown in the growth chamber successfully demonstrated its prophylactic and therapeutic potential in the control of bacterial soft-rot disease in Kimchi cabbage. These results indicate that bacteriophage phiPccP-1 can be used as a potential biological agent for controlling soft rot disease in Kimchi cabbage.
US3 Serine/Threonine Protein Kinase from MDV-1, MDV-2, and HVT Differentially Regulate Viral Gene Expression and Replication
Authors: Liao Yifei , Fang Xin , AI-Mahmood Mohammad , Li Qinglei , Lupiani Blanca , Reddy Sanjay M.
Published: April 2021

Gallid alphaherpesvirus 2 (GaHV-2), commonly known as Marek’s disease virus type 1 (MDV-1), is an oncogenic avian alphaherpesvirus, and along with its close relatives—Gallid alphaherpesvirus 3 (GaHV-3) or MDV-2 and Meleagrid alphaherpesvirus 1 (MeHV-1) or turkey herpesvirus (HVT)—belongs to the Mardivirus genus. We and others previously showed that MDV-1 US3 protein kinase plays an important role in viral replication and pathogenesis, which could be partially compensated by MDV-2 and HVT US3. In this study, we further studied the differential roles of MDV-1, MDV-2 and HVT US3 in regulating viral gene expression and replication. Our results showed that MDV-2 and HVT US3 could differentially compensate MDV-1 US3 regulation of viral gene expression in vitro. MDV-2 and HVT US3 could also partially rescue the replication deficiency of MDV-1 US3 null virus in the spleen and thymus, as determined by immunohistochemistry analysis of MDV-1 pp38 protein. Importantly, using immunohistochemistry and dual immunofluorescence assays, we found that MDV-2 US3, but not HVT US3, fully compensated MDV-1 US3 regulation of MDV-1 replication in bursal B lymphocytes. In conclusion, our study provides the first comparative analysis of US3 from MDV-1, MDV-2 and HVT in regulating viral gene expression in cell culture and MDV-1 replication in lymphocytes.
Elevated Carbon Dioxide and Chronic Warming Together Decrease Nitrogen Uptake Rate, Net Translocation, and Assimilation in Tomato
Authors: Jayawardena Dileepa M. , Heckathorn Scott A. , Rajanayake Krishani K. , Boldt Jennifer K. , Isailovic Dragan
Published: April 2021

The response of plant N relations to the combination of elevated CO2 (eCO2) and warming are poorly understood. To study this, tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) plants were grown at 400 or 700 ppm CO2 and 33/28 or 38/33 °C (day/night), and their soil was labeled with 15NO3− or 15NH4+. Plant dry mass, root N-uptake rate, root-to-shoot net N translocation, whole-plant N assimilation, and root resource availability (%C, %N, total nonstructural carbohydrates) were measured. Relative to eCO2 or warming alone, eCO2 + warming decreased growth, NO3− and NH4+-uptake rates, root-to-shoot net N translocation, and whole-plant N assimilation. Decreased N assimilation with eCO2 + warming was driven mostly by inhibition of NO3− assimilation, and was not associated with root resource limitations or damage to N-assimilatory proteins. Previously, we showed in tomato that eCO2 + warming decreases the concentration of N-uptake and -assimilatory proteins in roots, and dramatically increases leaf angle, which decreases whole-plant light capture and, hence, photosynthesis and growth. Thus, decreases in N uptake and assimilation with eCO2 + warming in tomato are likely due to reduced plant N demand.
Deeper Insights on Cnesmone javanica Blume Leaves Extract: Chemical Profiles, Biological Attributes, Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking
Authors: Obaidullah Ahmad J. , Alanazi Mohammed M. , Alsaif Nawaf A. , Mahdi Wael A. , Fantoukh Omer I. , Tareq Abu Montakim , Sami Saad Ahmed , Alqahtani Ali M. , Emran Talha Bin
Published: April 2021

This study assessed the anxiolytic and antidepressant activities of a methanol leaves extract of Cnesmone javanica (CV) in Swiss albino mice. The study found a significant increase in the percentage of time spent in the open arms of an elevated plus maze and in the incidence of head dipping in hole-board tests following the administration of 400 mg/kg of CV or 1 mg/kg diazepam. Moreover, a significant (p < 0.001) dose-dependent reduction was observed in the immobility time following CV (200 and 400 mg/kg) and fluoxetine (20 mg/kg) administration for forced swimming and tail suspension tests. Gas chromatography–mass spectroscopy (GC–MS) analysis identified 62 compounds in CV, consisting primarily of phenols, terpenoids, esters, and other organic compounds. A molecular docking study was performed to assess the anxiolytic and antidepressant effects of 45 selected compounds against human serotonin transporter and potassium channels receptors. Network pharmacology was performed to predict the pathways involved in these neuropharmacological effects. Overall, CV demonstrated significant and dose-dependent anxiolytic and antidepressant effects due to the presence of several bioactive phytoconstituents, which should be further explored using more advanced and in-depth mechanistic research.
Bitter Melon (Momordica charantia L.) Fruit Bioactives Charantin and Vicine Potential for Diabetes Prophylaxis and Treatment
Authors: Mahwish  , Saeed Farhan , Sultan M. Tauseef , Riaz Ayesha , Ahmed Sagheer , Bigiu Nicusor , Amarowicz Ryszard , Manea Rosana
Published: April 2021

Natural products are gaining clinical significance in modern day health care systems to prevent diseases. Bitter melon, a health promoting vegetable, is traditionally used for medical nutrition therapy to cure diabetes but to reap maximum health claims, vigilant control of its substances in diet is crucial as part of curative action for effective diabetes management. In the present research, first phase focused on detection of key bioactive components, i.e., charantin and vicine in different parts of its fruit. In the second phase, normal and hyperglycemic Sprague Dawley rats were fed on skin, flesh and whole fruit of bitter melon at 150 and 300 mg/kg body weight and assessed for diabetes prophylaxis and treatment. The highest amount of charantin (0.16 ± 0.02 mg/g) was recorded in flesh while vicine was present in abundance in whole fruit (0.21 ± 0.01 μg/100 g). In normal rats, bitter melon supplementation was helpful in managing the onset of diabetes. Hyperglycemic rats showed diabetic complications including polydipsia, polyuria, glycosuria, renal hypertrophy and increased glomerular filtration rate. However, bitter melon consumption showed significant improvements in these parameters. The most potent dose was 300 mg/kg whole fruit that resulted in 31.64% lowering of blood glucose level and 27.35% increase in insulin level in hyperglycemic rats.
Managing Sustainability and Carbon-Neutrality in the Public Administration—Case Report of a German State Institution
Authors: Behr Friederike , Oertzen Gero , Dienst Manuel
Published: April 2021

Since 2017, the State Office for Nature, Environment and Consumer Protection of North Rhine-Westphalia (LANUV) has established an operational environmental and sustainability management and set specific objectives to reach operational carbon neutrality. In this context, central questions aim at the availability of financial and human resources, the competition with other duties as well as the necessary involvement of the staff. Based on the practical example of LANUV, this article presents concrete activities, e.g., in context of mobility or human resources, as well as the challenges connected to them. While single measures do have a positive impact, a structural approach, like the set-up of an environmental management system (e.g., EMAS—Eco-Management and Audit Scheme), is found to be more effective. In addition, success factors are identified such as distinct structures and responsibilities, a capable person in charge of the process, and commitment on the management level, as well as challenges like the lack of governmental objectives and obligations or limited human and financial resources. This article follows the idea of a case report in a transdisciplinary manner, presenting ideas for enhancement and shedding a light on a possible spread of sustainability endeavors to other national institutions.
Influenza Vaccination and Health Outcomes in COVID-19 Patients: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Pedote Pasquale Domenico , Termite Stefano , Gigliobianco Andrea , Lopalco Pier Luigi , Bianchi Francesco Paolo
Published: April 2021

COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. Several measures aimed at containing the spread of this virus have been recommended by international and nation public health institutions, but whether the influenza vaccine, while not protective against COVID-19, nonetheless reduces disease severity is unclear. This study evaluated the potential role of influenza vaccine in reducing the rate of hospitalization and death in COVID-19 patients. COVID-19 cases recorded in the province of Brindisi (Apulia, Southern Italy) during the first pandemic wave (February–May 2020) and occurring in patients vaccinated with the influenza vaccine during the 2019–2020 influenza season were considered. From February 2020 to May 2020, 3872 inhabitants of the province of Brindisi underwent SARS-CoV-2 PCR testing and 664 (8.7%) tested positive. A multivariate analysis showed that among COVID-19 patients neither hospitalization nor death was significantly associated with influenza vaccination (p > 0.05), whereas within this group male sex, older age, and chronic diseases were identified as risk factors for morbidity and mortality. Our study did not show an association between the influenza vaccine and complications of COVID-19. Nonetheless, influenza vaccination must be promoted as a central public health measure, because by reducing the burden on hospitals it can greatly benefit the management of COVID-19 patients.
Humoral Response to SARS-CoV-2-Vaccination with BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) in Patients on Hemodialysis
Authors: Jahn Michael , Korth Johannes , Dorsch Oliver , Anastasiou Olympia Evdoxia , Sorge-Hädicke Burkhard , Tyczynski Bartosz , Gäckler Anja , Witzke Oliver , Dittmer Ulf , Dolff Sebastian , Wilde Benjamin , Kribben Andreas
Published: April 2021

mRNA-based SARS-CoV-2 vaccines offer a preventive strategy against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections that is of interest in the care of patients on hemodialysis (HDP). We measured humoral immune responses in 72 HDP after standard vaccination with two doses of the mRNA-based SARS-CoV-2 vaccine BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech). Antibody responses were evaluated with an anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG ChemiLuminescent ImmunoAssay (CLIA) two weeks after the second dose. In addition, SARS-CoV-2 IgG was determined in a control of 16 healthy healthcare workers (HCW). The control group of HCW has shown a strong antibody response with a median (MD (Q1; Q3)) antibody titer of 800.0 AU/mL (520.5; 800.0). In comparison to HCW, HDP under 60 years of age responded equally (597.0 AU/mL (410.5; 800.0), p = 0.051). However, the antibody responses of the HDP negatively correlated with age (r2 = 0.2954 p < 0.0001), leading to significantly lower antibody titers in HDP over 60 years (280.0 AU/mL (45.7; 477.0), p < 0.0001). To thoroughly understand the immunogenicity of the new mRNA-based vaccines in HDP, longitudinal data on the effectiveness and durability of antibody responses are needed. Modifications of immunization schedules should be considered in HDP with low or without antibody responsiveness after standard vaccination to boost immune reactivity and prolong protective effects in these vulnerable patients.
Gêneros Musicais e Sonoridade: construindo uma ferramenta de análise
Authors: Trotta Felipe
Published: April 2021

Este artigo discute modelos de análise de sonoridade aplicados à música popular. Parte-se da noçao de que o estudo das interações sociais e midiáticas da música popular são indissociáveis dos elementos sonoros que moldam sua apropriação e circulação social. Assim, uma abordagem sobre o fenômeno musical não deveria prescindir de comentários sobre a sonoridade, incorporando este elemento a um arsenal metodológico propício para o estudo da música e dos gêneros musicais.
A Nova Era dos Festivais: cadeia produtiva do rock independente no Brasil
Authors: Nogueira Bruno Pedrosa
Published: April 2021

Este artigo investiga uma nova configuração na cadeia produtiva da música, no nicho do rock independente, no Brasil. As novas lógicas de consumo seguem o referencial teórico de pesquisas nacionais como Herschmann, Janotti Jr e Prestes Filho, além de um diálogo com as propostas de Frith, Flichy e Miége. A principal hipótese trabalhada é o surgimento de um circuito de festivais em todo país como novo fio condutor deste nicho, ocupando espaços de circulação que antes cabiam as rádios; paralelamente, tratando também as novas formas de diálogo entre produção e consumo neste nicho a partir da formação de uma nova mídia especializada.
A crítica de Cinema no Twitter como Microensaio
Authors: Costa Rodrigo Cazes
Published: April 2021

Este trabalho tem por objetivo verificar a possibilidade da existência de um pensamento micro-ensaístico no Twitter. Para verificar tal hipótese, trabalho com a análise de microblogs dedicados à crítica cinematográfica, em especial o microblog coletivo Cinema 140. Utilizo, como suporte teórico para meu trabalho, o pensamento de Theodor W. Adorno sobre o ensaio, além de exemplos de manifestações do pensamento ensaístico na literatura brasileira. Também busco encontrar semelhanças entre o microensaio do Twitter e o aforismo, verificando assim a força do pensamento expresso através dos microblogs do Twitter.
Publicidade Interativa e Relacionamento Mercadológico na Internet: estudos de casos de campanhas das marcas Nescau e Ruffles
Authors: Da Silva Danielle Vieira , Nicolau Marcos
Published: April 2021

No contexto atual das culturas midiáticas, a publicidade tem encontrado na internet o ambiente propício a um relacionamento mercadológico que parece se mostrar satisfatório aos consumidores. Trata-se de uma publicidade interativa que permite a participação deles no processo de elaboração de peças e melhoria nos produtos de duas grandes marcas: Nescau e Ruffles. O objetivo deste artigo é demonstrar como se constrói tal relacionamento, paralelo a outros tipos de relacionamentos, nas mídias digitais interativas. Os estudos de casos analisados expõem a dinâmica de uma nova ordem de relacionamento entre público e marca que se está por construir em direção à nova ordem instaurada na cibercultura.
Os Jogos em Redes Sociais Online, Pervasive Games e a Gameficação do Cotidiano como Expressões do Lúdico na Sociedade Contemporânea
Authors: Reis Breno Maciel Souza
Published: April 2021

Este artigo busca analisar os jogos e as manifestações do lúdico na contemporaneidade, considerando tais práticas como fenômenos culturais, intrínsecos à história do homem e fundamentais para a formação das sociedades. A partir do entrecruzamento entre as redes informacionais móveis e o espaço físico das cidades, utiliza o conceito de círculo mágico, para entender como esses processos borram os limites outrora bem definidos entre o jogo e a vida cotidiana dos indivíduos. Assim, busca entender a emergência dos jogos pervasivos e o ingresso de aspectos que até eram então considerados como pertencentes ao universo simbólico do jogo na vida social dos sujeitos inseridos nesse contexto.
A Fotografia e seus Duplos: tão breve quanto possível!
Authors: Lissovsky Mauricio
Published: April 2021

A condição contemporânea da imagem fotográfica permite reler seu significado no âmbito de uma história cultural das imagens. Ao superar o binômio latência/revelação, a fotografia atual nos convida a reexameminar sua história a partir de elementos de longa permanência, que vão além do determinismo técnico. Este ensaio parte da proposição de que quando uma fotografia encena o duplo está, igualmente, testemunhando ou interrogando a si mesma a respeito de sua potência. Aqui exploramos algumas formas do duplo fotográfico como sintomas das expectativas de fotógrafos e fotografados. O percurso iconológico proposto toma por mote a pergunta sobre os poderes da fotografia e por referência a noção de chiste, tal como elaborada por Freud, para conceber o ato fotográfico como um mergulho, tão breve quanto possível, no inconsciente das imagens.
Pelo Buraco da Fechadura: o voyeurismo, a fotografia e a ruína
Authors: Leite Amanda Mauricio Pereira
Published: April 2021

Espiar pelo buraco da fechadura... O que te parece? Aqui, pistas oscilam entre a veracidade de fatos e o caráter ficcional fotos. Coloco-me a pensar sobre falsas perspectivas... textos (in)visíveis que-se-fazem-pensantes. Quatro momentos estruturam esta reflexão. Primeiro, surge o voyeur – aquele que se esconde para “espiar” cenas do campo privado – associado à produção fotográfica de Kohei Yoshiyuki. Em seguida, observamos a ação do voyeur como àquele que pode eleger uma cena (neste caso fotografias) para examiná-las por diferentes perspectivas. O terceiro momento visa estabelecer uma espécie de jogo de fusão no qual se questiona o sentido que já está dado ao voyeur, para evidenciar a aposta em uma nova leitura sobre a figura do voyeur e o (re)significado do próprio termo. Por fim, busca-se entrelaçar o voyeurismo, a fotografia e a ruina benjaminiana, que aqui talvez se configure como o componente mais perspicaz deste pensamento. Um jogo ousado, porém desejável...
Máscara, profanação e trabalho indignificante: a fotografia como subjetivação dos engraxates de La Paz
Authors: Santos Caio , Salgueiro Marques Angela Cristina
Published: April 2021

O objetivo deste texto é elaborar uma análise das imagens de capa do jornal Hormigón Armado, parcialmente produzido e escrito por jovens engraxates de La Paz, Bolívia. Os lustrabotas, como são conhecidos pelos locais, são trabalhadores de rua caracterizados por usarem máscaras durante suas jornadas de trabalho, escondendo suas faces e construindo um anonimato coletivo. Considerando as vulnerabilidades que marcam as experiências desses jovens, podemos identificar o trabalho de engraxate não só como considerado indignificante, como também definidor de modos de vida que não importam. Como resposta a essa estratificação social, a máscara denuncia a discriminação sofrida e oferece proteção à identidade pessoal de cada lustrabota. No entanto, esse gesto também proporciona um isolamento desses sujeitos em relação à própria cidade. Em suas fotografias, podemos identificar uma profanação desse dispositivo (AGAMBEN, 2007), o que pode levar a um processo de subjetivação política (RANCIÈRE, 1996).
Tensividade em Notícia: a práxis enunciativa no telejornal
Authors: Diniz Maria Lúcia Vissotto Paiva
Published: April 2021

Propomos a hipótese de que, se de um lado as estruturas profundas da significação contém em sua raiz, segundo Greimas, uma polemização do sentido que a narratividade proppiana realiza, por sua vez, as "espécies de relação" de Blöndal indicam uma patemização do sentido, que os afetos do sujeito transformam em discurso." Claude Zilberberg (2001, p.113-4) O telejornal traz a informação num relato sintético e sincrético, uma construção que envolve vários atores, técnicas e linguagens diferentes. Esse afluxo de linguagens, cada uma com seu plano de expressão que pressupõe um plano de conteúdo, converge para efeitos de sentido espetaculares.
"EXTREME" LEGAL REGULATION LIKE NEW PUBLIC RELATIONS MANAGEMENT MODEL
Authors: Bavsun Maksim
Published: April 2021

Legal regulation of public relations has undergone major changes over the past two decades. In the last few years, the trend towards its transformation – «reflexive modernization» – has not only been preserved, but has intensified many times over, making it possible to raise the question of the purposeful formation of a model of emergency management of society. Uncertainty, risk (both real and possible), danger, anxiety and fear as a normal state form the basis of the need for special (exceptional or extraordinary) legal regulation on an ongoing basis, gradually changing society from its psychology to the specific actions of each person. Giving legitimacy to the ongoing processes, the law itself changes in accordance with them, more and more straying to the level of emergency, the reflexive nature of which today is beyond doubt. A state of temporal uncertainty is considered as an indispensable condition for development of a new model of the state management on which literally everything depends. Public relations are exposed to broad correction which is easily carried out under some kind of extraordinary, exceptional, urgent, not requiring additional justi-fications.As a result, what for some time seemed to be the subject of works of the fantastic genre is now becoming an everyday reality, allowing us to talk about a new paradigm of legal regulation