bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Complex Biological Effects of Pectin: Galectin-3 Targeting as Potential Human Health Improvement?
Authors: Pedrosa Lucas de Freitas , Raz Avraham , Fabi João Paulo
Published: February 2022

Galectin-3 is the only chimeric representative of the galectin family. Although galectin-3 has ubiquitous regulatory and physiological effects, there is a great number of pathological environments where galectin-3 cooperatively participates. Pectin is composed of different chemical structures, such as homogalacturonans, rhamnogalacturonans, and side chains. The study of pectin’s major structural aspects is fundamental to predicting the impact of pectin on human health, especially regarding distinct molecular modulation. One of the explored pectin’s biological activities is the possible galectin-3 protein regulation. The present review focuses on revealing the structure/function relationship of pectins, their fragments, and their biological effects. The discussion highlighted by this review shows different effects described within in vitro and in vivo experimental models, with interesting and sometimes contradictory results, especially regarding galectin-3 interaction. The review demonstrates that pectins are promissory food-derived molecules for different bioactive functions. However, galectin-3 inhibition by pectin had been stated in literature before, although it is not a fully understood, experimentally convincing, and commonly agreed issue. It is demonstrated that more studies focusing on structural analysis and its relation to the observed beneficial effects, as well as substantial propositions of cause and effect alongside robust data, are needed for different pectin molecules’ interactions with galectin-3.
JAK2 Variant Signaling: Genetic, Hematologic and Immune Implication in Chronic Myeloproliferative Neoplasms
Authors: Torres Dania G. , Paes Jhemerson , da Costa Allyson G. , Malheiro Adriana , Silva George V. , Mourão Lucivana P. de Souza , Tarragô Andréa M.
Published: February 2022

The JAK2V617F variant constitutes a genetic alteration of higher frequency in BCR/ABL1 negative chronic myeloproliferative neoplasms, which is caused by a substitution of a G ˃ T at position 1849 and results in the substitution of valine with phenylalanine at codon 617 of the polypeptide chain. Clinical, morphological and molecular genetic features define the diagnosis criteria of polycythemia vera, essential thrombocythemia and primary myelofibrosis. Currently, JAK2V617F is associated with clonal hematopoiesis, genomic instability, dysregulations in hemostasis and immune response. JAK2V617F clones induce an inflammatory immune response and lead to a process of immunothrombosis. Recent research has shown great interest in trying to understand the mechanisms associated with JAK2V617F signaling and activation of cellular and molecular responses that progressively contribute to the development of inflammatory and vascular conditions in association with chronic myeloproliferative neoplasms. Thus, the aim of this review is to describe the main genetic, hematological and immunological findings that are linked to JAK2 variant signaling in chronic myeloproliferative neoplasms.
Exploring the Effect of the COVID-19 Zoo Closure Period on Flamingo Behaviour and Enclosure Use at Two Institutions
Authors: Kidd Peter , Ford Steph , Rose Paul E.
Published: February 2022

Visitors can influence the behaviour of zoo animals through their auditory and visual presence, with mixed findings of negative, neutral, and positive effects on welfare. This study opportunistically utilised the UK-wide COVID-19 period of zoo closure to investigate the activity and enclosure usage of Greater (Phoenicopterus roseus) and Chilean (P. chilensis) Flamingos housed at two zoos. Flamingo behaviour at both sites was observed during the last week of a three-month closure period and the immediate reopening of the zoos. Photographic data were collected at three timepoints during each observation day. Negative binomial GLMMs compared the behaviour observed during zoo closure to the behaviour observed during zoo reopening, whilst accounting for climatic variables and time of day. Spearman’s correlation identified relationships between behaviour with the number of visitors and weather. Greater Flamingos were not influenced by the reintroduction of visitors to the zoo setting. Chilean Flamingos showed an increase in inactivity and decrease in movement and feeding when the zoo reopened. These possible behavioural responses are better explained by the influence of temperature on the behaviour of Chilean Flamingos and by the correlation between temperature and visitor number, rather than a direct consequence of visitor presence. This research details the multifactorial nature of any potential anthropogenic effects on zoo animal behaviour and highlights the importance of considering environmental variables alongside the measurement of visitor presence or absence.
Evidence of Altered Functional Connectivity at Rest in the Writing Network of Children with Dyslexia
Authors: Gosse Claire , Dricot Laurence , Van Reybroeck Marie
Published: February 2022

Aim. Handwriting abilities in children with dyslexia (DYS) are not well documented in the current literature, and the presence of graphomotor impairment in addition to spelling impairment in dyslexia is controversial. Using resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC), the present study aims to answer the following question: are there markers of graphomotor impairment at rest in DYS children? Method. The participants were children with DYS and typically developing (TD) children (n = 32) from French-speaking primary schools (Mage = 9.3 years). The behavioural evaluation consisted of spelling and handwriting measures. Participants underwent a resting-state fMRI scan. Results. Analyses of RSFC focused on a brain region responsible for graphomotor processes—the graphemic/motor frontal area (GMFA). The RSFC between the GMFA and all other voxels of the brain was measured. Whole-brain ANOVAs were run to compare RSFC in DYS and TD children. The results demonstrated reduced RSFC in DYS compared to TD between the GMFA and brain areas involved in both spelling processes and motor-related processes. Conclusions. For the first time, this study highlighted a disruption of the writing network in DYS. By identifying functional markers of both spelling and handwriting deficits at rest in young DYS participants, this study supports the presence of graphomotor impairment in dyslexia.
Sliding Scale Theory of Attention and Consciousness/Unconsciousness
Authors: Bowins Brad
Published: February 2022

Attention defined as focusing on a unit of information plays a prominent role in both consciousness and the cognitive unconscious, due to its essential role in information processing. Existing theories of consciousness invariably address the relationship between attention and conscious awareness, ranging from attention is not required to crucial. However, these theories do not adequately or even remotely consider the contribution of attention to the cognitive unconscious. A valid theory of consciousness must also be a robust theory of the cognitive unconscious, a point rarely if ever considered. Current theories also emphasize human perceptual consciousness, primarily visual, despite evidence that consciousness occurs in diverse animal species varying in cognitive capacity, and across many forms of perceptual and thought consciousness. A comprehensive and parsimonious perspective applicable to the diversity of species demonstrating consciousness and the various forms—sliding scale theory of attention and consciousness/unconsciousness—is proposed with relevant research reviewed. Consistent with the continuous organization of natural events, attention occupies a sliding scale in regards to time and space compression. Unconscious attention in the form of the “cognitive unconscious” is time and spaced diffused, whereas conscious attention is tightly time and space compressed to the present moment. Due to the special clarity derived from brief and concentrated signals, the tight time and space compression yields conscious awareness as an emergent property. The present moment enhances the time and space compression of conscious attention, and contributes to an evolutionary explanation of conscious awareness.
Spotlight on Maternal Perceptions of Child Behavior: A Daily Diary Study with Child Welfare-Involved Mothers
Authors: Rodriguez Christina M. , Silvia Paul J.
Published: February 2022

Research has documented a variety of factors—including stress, attributions, and anger—that may increase parents’ risk for child maltreatment, but most of this research is based on low-risk, community samples of parents’ perceptions about themselves and their children. Moreover, parents are usually asked to provide self-reports wherein they summarize their general impressions distal from actual parenting. The current study employed experience sampling methods with a high-risk sample. Mothers identified for child maltreatment reported on their stress and coping as well as their perceptions regarding children’s misbehavior and good behavior using end-of-day surveys for up to four weeks. Only maternal reports of children’s good behavior based on personality and mood were relatively stable; stress, coping, and reports on child misbehavior varied considerably across days, implying that contributors to daily fluctuations in these factors could represent intervention targets. Although maternal perceptions of misbehavior severity, anger, and negative attributions were interrelated, only anger about misbehavior related to maternal stress levels. Mothers who reported better coping perceived their child’s behavior more favorably that day and were more likely to ascribe positive behavior to the child’s mood and personality. Current findings highlight the importance of positive coping mechanisms in parental perceptions of children; such findings should be replicated to determine how to maximize parental resources that reduce child maltreatment risk.
Energy Efficiency of Historic Buildings
Authors: Lucchi Elena
Published: February 2022

Cultural heritage is recognized as a vital component of the sustainable development [...]
Immune-Related Thyroiditis as a Predictor for Survival in Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Sagie Shira , Gadot Moran , Levartovsky Meital , Gantz Sorotsky Hadas , Berger Raanan , Sarfaty Michal , Percik Ruth
Published: February 2022

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (CPI) are indicated for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). Immune-related thyroiditis (irT), an immune-related adverse event (irAE), affects up to 30% of patients. We aimed to determine whether irT is associated with overall survival in mRCC. A retrospective cohort study of 123 consecutive patients treated with CPI for mRCC in a single center between 2015 and 2020 was conducted. Disease risk stratification was assessed by two methods: Heng criteria and a novel dichotomic stratification system to “Low risk” versus “High risk” adding number of metastatic sites. Thirty-eight percent of patients developed irT. In the general cohort, irT was not associated with a survival benefit. However, irT was associated with better survival in the poor risk group per Heng criteria (n = 17, HR = 0.25, p = 0.04) and in the novel “High risk” group (HR = 0.28, n = 42, p = 0.01), including after accounting for covariates in multivariate analysis (HR = 0.27, p = 0.003). Having any irAE was associated with improved survival in the whole cohort, with no significant correlation of any specific irAE, in either the whole cohort or the “High risk” group. We conclude that irT is an early and prevalent irAE, associated with prolonged survival in patients with poor/“High” risk mRCC.
MicroRNA Profile Alterations in Parathyroid Carcinoma: Latest Updates and Perspectives
Authors: Wielogórska Marta , Podgórska Beata , Niemira Magdalena , Szelachowska Małgorzata , Krętowski Adam , Siewko Katarzyna
Published: February 2022

Parathyroid tumors are a genetically heterogenous group with a significant variability in clinical features. Due to a lack of specific signs and symptoms and uncertain histopathological criteria, parathyroid carcinomas (PCs) are challenging to diagnose, both before and after surgery. There is a great interest in searching for accurate molecular biomarkers for early detection, disease monitoring, and clinical management. Due to improvements in molecular pathology, the latest studies have reported that PC tumorigenesis is strongly linked to the epigenetic regulation of gene expression. MicroRNA (miRNA) profiling may serve as a helpful adjunct in distinguishing parathyroid adenoma (PAd) from PC and provide further insight into regulatory pathways involved in PTH release and parathyroid tumorigenesis. So far, only a few studies have attempted to show the miRNA signature for PC, and very few overlaps could be found between these relatively similar studies. A global miRNA downregulation was detected in PC compared with normal glands among differentially expressed miRNAs. This review summarizes changes in miRNA expression in PC and discusses the future research directions in this area.
MicroRNA-375-3p Suppresses Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma Cell Migration and Invasion via Targeting Derlin-1
Authors: Jhan Jhen-Hao , Hsu Wei-Chi , Lee Yi-Chen , Li Wei-Ming , Huang A-Mei , Lin Hui-Hui , Wang Chien-Sheng , Wu Yi-Ru , Li Ching-Chia , Wu Wen-Jeng , Ke Hung-Lung
Published: February 2022

Little is known regarding the molecular characterization of upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC). Novel therapeutic targets and prognostic predictors are imminent. In the present study, we aim to examine the oncogenic function and molecular mechanism of Derlin-1 in UTUC. Derlin-1 overexpression is significantly associated with poor prognosis in patients with UTUC. In vitro, knockdown or over-expression of Derlin-1 markedly regulated UTUC cell invasion and migration. We further discovered miR-375-3p suppresses cell invasion and migration by inversely regulating Derlin-1 and blocking EMT in UTUC cells. Taking this together, miR-375-3p functions as a tumor suppressive microRNA by directly targeting Derlin-1 and blocking epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) in UTUC.
Skeletal Nickel Catalyst for the Methanation Reaction Developed by Laser-Engineered Net-Shaping Technology
Authors: Yan Kuo , Lin Zaiwen , Li Xu , Chen Meng , Wang Xiaolong , Wang Yuren , Wang Jun , Jiang Heng
Published: February 2022

Here, we report a skeletal nickel catalyst prepared by cumulative processing. The Ni, Al, and CoCrMo multi-component alloys were printed by a dual-powder laser-engineered net-shaping system, and alloy samples with different components were obtained through high-throughput design. After leaching in 5 mol/L NaOH at 40 °C for 2 h, the specific surface area of the catalyst increased with increasing Al content. Increasing the leaching temperature and prolonging the leaching time also effectively increased the specific surface area of the catalyst. After leaching at 80 °C for 12 h, the specific surface area was 42.36 m2/g. After cleaning and hydrogen-reduction treatment at 400 °C, the catalyst showed high catalytic activity. The highest conversion rate of CO reached 89.56%, and the selectivity of CH4 remained above 98% for a long time.
Calcineurin Controls Cellular Prion Protein Expression in Mouse Astrocytes
Authors: Dematteis Giulia , Restelli Elena , Vanella Virginia Vita , Manfredi Marcello , Marengo Emilio , Corazzari Marco , Genazzani Armando A. , Chiesa Roberto , Lim Dmitry , Tapella Laura
Published: February 2022

Prion diseases arise from the conformational conversion of the cellular prion protein (PrPC) into a self-replicating prion isoform (PrPSc). Although this process has been studied mostly in neurons, a growing body of evidence suggests that astrocytes express PrPC and are able to replicate and accumulate PrPSc. Currently, prion diseases remain incurable, while downregulation of PrPC represents the most promising therapy due to the reduction of the substrate for prion conversion. Here we show that the astrocyte-specific genetic ablation or pharmacological inhibition of the calcium-activated phosphatase calcineurin (CaN) reduces PrPC expression in astrocytes. Immunocytochemical analysis of cultured CaN-KO astrocytes and isolation of synaptosomal compartments from the hippocampi of astrocyte-specific CaN-KO (ACN-KO) mice suggest that PrPC is downregulated both in vitro and in vivo. The downregulation occurs without affecting the glycosylation of PrPC and without alteration of its proteasomal or lysosomal degradation. Direct assessment of the protein synthesis rate and shotgun mass spectrometry proteomics analysis suggest that the reduction of PrPC is related to the impairment of global protein synthesis in CaN-KO astrocytes. When WT-PrP and PrP-D177N, a mouse homologue of a human mutation associated with the inherited prion disease fatal familial insomnia, were expressed in astrocytes, CaN-KO astrocytes showed an aberrant localization of both WT-PrP and PrP-D177N variants with predominant localization to the Golgi apparatus, suggesting that ablation of CaN affects both WT and mutant PrP proteins. These results provide new mechanistic details in relation to the regulation of PrP expression in astrocytes, suggesting the therapeutic potential of astroglial cells.
Small Extracellular Vesicles from Peripheral Blood of Aged Mice Pass the Blood-Brain Barrier and Induce Glial Cell Activation
Authors: Morales-Prieto Diana M. , Murrieta-Coxca José M. , Stojiljkovic Milan , Diezel Celia , Streicher Priska E. , Henao-Restrepo Julian A. , Röstel Franziska , Lindner Julia , Witte Otto W. , Weis Sebastian , Schmeer Christian , Marz Manja
Published: February 2022

Extracellular vesicles (EVs), including small EVs (sEVs), are involved in neuroinflammation and neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Yet, increased neuroinflammation can also be detected in the aging brain, and it is associated with increased glial activation. Changes in EV concentration are reported in aging tissues and senescence cells, suggesting a role of EVs in the process of aging. Here, we investigated the effect of peripheral sEVs from aged animals on neuroinflammation, specifically on glial activation. sEVs were isolated from the peripheral blood of young (3 months) and aged (24 months) C57BL/6J wildtype mice and injected into the peripheral blood from young animals via vein tail injections. The localization of EVs and the expression of selected genes involved in glial cell activation, including Gfap, Tgf-β, Cd68, and Iba1, were assessed in brain tissue 30 min, 4 h, and 24 h after injection. We found that sEVs from peripheral blood of aged mice but not from young mice altered gene expression in the brains of young animals. In particular, the expression of the specific astrocyte marker, Gfap, was significantly increased, indicating a strong response of this glial cell type. Our study shows that sEVs from aged mice can pass the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and induce glial cell activation.
A Review of Seven Tunnel Face Stability Models
Authors: Qarmout Mahmoud , König Diethard , Wichtmann Torsten
Published: February 2022

This paper presents a review of selected tunnel stability models that have been developed and used in calculating the minimum tunnel face pressure as described by original authors. Furthermore, this paper provides a comparison of required tunnel face pressure obtained from analytical models, based either on limit equilibrium method or the limit analysis method (upper bound theorem) and numerical models using the finite element method. The numerical results are presented in charts for the comparative study to discuss the influence of cover depth to tunnel diameter ratio (C/D), internal friction of the soil (φ), and cohesion (c) on normalized support pressure (pu/γD) for each model. To verify the accuracy of the selected models, a comparison of the results of seven tunnel stability models with the results of the physical models is carried out. In a ground composed of two layers, a comparison of the required tunnel face pressure is presented. The results show that the wedge–silo models provide higher support pressure than the conical block models. Moreover, the support pressure using the conical block models is only dependent on the friction angle and not on the C/D ratio. Finally, the results of wedge-silo models indicate more significant dependence of the required support pressure on the C/D ratio especially for the lower friction angle.
Preparation of Transparent Sandwich-like Superhydrophobic Coating on Glass with High Stability and Self-Cleaning Properties
Authors: Li Qiang , Liang Hongming , Song Jinlong , Guo Chenguang , Tang Jinbao
Published: February 2022

High stability and transparent superhydrophobic coating on a glass substrate that can effectively repel the wetting dust as a self-cleaning property are beneficial traits for solving the decrease in optical lens clarity in an unmanned underground mining environment. However, the transparent superhydrophobic coating has still not been applied due to the contradiction between visibility, hydrophobicity and durability. Herein, a sandwich-like superhydrophobic coating was designed and prepared on borosilicate glass, which consisted of a micro/nanostructure body of neutral silicone sealant (primer) and hydrophobic silica nanoparticles (interlayer), as well as a protective layer of ultraviolet (UV) gel. The coated glass exhibited excellent superhydrophobicity towards many aqueous solutions, and had highly visible light transparency of 80% at 4 wt.% primer mass content. Furthermore, significant tests including the droplet impact, hot water boiling, stirring in acetic acid aqueous solution and sandpaper abrasion were performed on our superhydrophobic coating, which indicated that the obtained transparent coating had good stability and excellent mechanical durability. The coated glass also showed a more wonderful self-cleaning property compared with that of the original glass. This superhydrophobic coating on glass substrate, fabricated by a facile and cost-effective layer-by-layer construction approach, has great potential for general and practical application in the unmanned mining environment under multiple dust and atomized water conditions.
Eroding the Surface of Rare Earth Microcrystals through Vanadate Ions for Considerable Improvement of Luminescence
Authors: Qu Jiao , Liu Juanjuan , Zhu Qi
Published: February 2022

Developing an efficient approach to improve the luminescence of the phosphors without heating processing is a challenge, but attracts much attention. In the present paper, prismatic microcrystals of RE4O(OH)9NO3 (RE = Y, Eu) were synthesized by a hydrothermal reaction at 180 °C for 24 h. The reaction with VO3− did not change the crystal structure of the microcrystals and VO3− substituting for NO3− anions did not take place. However, it contributed to the formation of amorphous particles containing VO3− on the surface of a prism, which is similar to the surface corrosion of a metal, called “surface eroding”. Therefore, surface modification was successfully achieved by eroding the surface of the microcrystals through the reaction with vanadate ions. As a result of VO3−→Eu3+ energy transfer and the light-harvesting ability of VO3−, the red emission intensity at 617 nm of the modified microcrystals greatly increased. Eroding the surface of rare earth microcrystals recommends a new paradigm for luminescence improvement of rare earth compounds.
Research of Structural, Strength and Thermal Properties of ZrO2—CeO2 Ceramics Doped with Yttrium
Authors: Giniyatova Sholpan G. , Sailaukhanov Nurzhan A. , Nesterov Eugeniy , Zdorovets Maxim V. , Kozlovskiy Artem L. , Shlimas Dmitriy I.
Published: February 2022

In this work, using a mechanochemical solid-phase synthesis method, ZrO2—CeO2 ceramics doped with yttrium were obtained, which have great prospects for use as a basis for dispersed nuclear fuel materials or inert nuclear fuel matrices. The purpose of this work was to study the formation of the ZrO2—CeO2 phase composition, depending on the concentration of yttrium dopant, as well as to study their structural and strength properties. The relevance of this study is in obtaining new data on the properties of composite ceramics based on oxides having a cermet structure, as well as the effect of doping with yttrium on increasing the resistance of ceramics to deformation and thermal properties. During the studies, the dynamics of the phase transformations depending on the concentration of the dopant, as well as changes in the structural characteristics and dislocation density, were established. It was found that at a dopant concentration of 0.25 mol, the main phase in the structure was Ce3ZrO8–triclinic P1 (1), the formation of which led to an increase in the mechanical and strength properties of the ceramics as well as a 1.5-fold increase in the thermal conductivity coefficient.
Metabolic Activity Assessment by 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography in Patients after COVID-19 Vaccination
Authors: Shalata Walid , Levin Daniel , Fridman Janna , Makarov Victoria , Iraqi Muhammed , Golosky Mitchell , Rouvinov Keren , Kian Waleed , Yakobson Alexander
Published: February 2022

In the following report, we describe 11 patients with various diagnoses and different treatment statuses (newly diagnosed, receiving treatment, or follow-up) of oncological diseases (breast, lymphoma, melanoma, and head and neck cancers). The patients underwent PET-CT for disease staging or follow-up and it was noted that all patients had areas of hypermetabolic uptake in the axillary lymph-nodes of the ipsilateral upper extremity where the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine was administered. Following further investigations, including an ultrasound (US), biopsies and an examination of medical records, it was concluded that these findings were the result of the vaccination and not a progression of pre-existing disease.
Return to Agrobiodiversity: Participatory Plant Breeding
Authors: Ceccarelli Salvatore , Grando Stefania
Published: February 2022

Biodiversity in general, and agrobiodiversity in particular are crucial for adaptation to climate change, for resilience and for human health as related to dietary diversity. Participatory plant breeding (PPB) has been promoted for its advantages to increase selection efficiency, variety adoption and farmers’ empowerment, and for being more socially equitable and gender responsive than conventional plant breeding. In this review paper we concentrate on one specific benefit of PPB, namely, increasing agrobiodiversity by describing how the combination of decentralized selection with the collaboration of farmers is able to address the diversity of agronomic environments, which is likely to increase because of the location specificity of climate change. Therefore, while PPB has been particularly suited to organic agriculture, in light of the increasing importance of climate change, it should also be considered as a breeding opportunity for conventional agriculture.
Recruitment Patterns and Potential Climate Change Impacts on Three Florida Hylids with Different Life Histories
Authors: Button Sky T. , Greenberg Cathryn H. , Austin James D.
Published: February 2022

Altered weather patterns associated with climate change are likely to adversely affect amphibian recruitment, especially for species dependent on ephemeral, geographically isolated wetlands for breeding. Future changes in temperature and rainfall patterns could affect hydroregimes (periodicity, depth, duration, and timing of water in wetlands) or adult breeding effort. We used 24 years of continuous amphibian trapping, weather, and hydroregime data to identify breeding-to-metamorphosis periods (BMPs) and environmental factors affecting annual recruitment by three hylid species at eight isolated ephemeral limesink ponds in Florida longleaf-wiregrass sandhills. We used standardized climate metrics (Bioclim variables) to predict future precipitation, temperature and hydroregime variables, then used them to predict future recruitment in 2050 and 2070 under two emissions scenarios. We hypothesized that Hyla gratiosa would be more sensitive to short-term pond drying than H. femoralis or H. squirella due to its lower abundance and more specific habitat requirements. Hyla gratiosa recruitment was not explained by adult breeding effort and was more dependent on higher water levels during BMPs than for H. femoralis or H. squirella, independent of rainfall. In contrast, H. femoralis and H. squirella recruitment depended heavily on rainfall independent of pond depth and was positively associated with adult breeding effort. Models predicted moderate decreases in H. gratiosa and H. squirella recruitment by 2050 but projections were highly uncertain for all three species by 2070. Our findings highlight the importance of maintaining wetlands with diverse hydroregimes to accommodate species with different BMPs and hydroregime requirements. Proactive monitoring and conservation measures such as headstarting and creating artificial ponds may be necessary for these and other amphibian species that may suffer reduced recruitment under future climate change.
An Information Theoretic Approach to Symbolic Learning in Synthetic Languages
Authors: Back Andrew D. , Wiles Janet
Published: February 2022

An important aspect of using entropy-based models and proposed “synthetic languages”, is the seemingly simple task of knowing how to identify the probabilistic symbols. If the system has discrete features, then this task may be trivial; however, for observed analog behaviors described by continuous values, this raises the question of how we should determine such symbols. This task of symbolization extends the concept of scalar and vector quantization to consider explicit linguistic properties. Unlike previous quantization algorithms where the aim is primarily data compression and fidelity, the goal in this case is to produce a symbolic output sequence which incorporates some linguistic properties and hence is useful in forming language-based models. Hence, in this paper, we present methods for symbolization which take into account such properties in the form of probabilistic constraints. In particular, we propose new symbolization algorithms which constrain the symbols to have a Zipf–Mandelbrot–Li distribution which approximates the behavior of language elements. We introduce a novel constrained EM algorithm which is shown to effectively learn to produce symbols which approximate a Zipfian distribution. We demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed approaches on some examples using real world data in different tasks, including the translation of animal behavior into a possible human language understandable equivalent.
Difference in Executive Functions Development Level between Two Groups: Preschool Children Who Took Extra Music Classes in Art Schools and Children Who Took Only General Music and Dance Classes Offered by Preschools
Authors: Bayanova Larisa , Chichinina Elena , Veraksa Aleksander , Almazova Olga , Dolgikh Alexandra
Published: February 2022

Previous studies have shown that there is a positive correlation between attending music classes regularly and the development of executive functions. This paper discusses the results of a pilot study dedicated to determining the difference in the level of development of the components of executive functions (inhibitory control, cognitive flexibility, and working memory), between 5–6-year-old children taking extra music classes, and children who participated only in general music and dance education in kindergarten. A total of 94 senior preschoolers from Moscow kindergartens took part in the study. Children were selected into an “extra music lessons” group and a “general preschool music and dance lessons” group based on the results of a questionnaire on supplementary education, which was filled in by parents prior to the research starting. The respondents from the “extra music and dance lessons” group attended music classes in art schools at least two times a week, both in individual and group formats. The current study revealed that children attending regular extra music classes had a higher level of inhibitory control, audio–verbal working memory, cognitive flexibility, and general coordination of the development of all executive functions. The obtained results support the value of regular extra music classes at preschool age. Moreover, this pilot study allows us to articulate the recommendations for further research in this direction.
Digital Learning Environment Values of Pre-Service Teachers as a Basis for Successful Professional Self-Realisation: A Case Study
Authors: Yakovleva Olga
Published: February 2022

The paper analyses the value mindsets of pre-service teachers in terms of the digital learning environment (DLE). DLE is considered to be both a system of new tools and methods for teaching activity and a prospective educational eco-system for learning. The DLE value model is based on a psychodidactic approach, which concerns three main constructs—digital content values, communication values, and management values. The research involved 200 pre-service teachers who were asked to complete a questionnaire, evaluating 27 DLE values and opportunities. The results show that pre-service teachers value digital learning content but are not sufficiently ready for its creation; they develop tolerance in communication yet do not have enough skills to show empathy; they appreciate independence in learning management and still need training in professional digital self-presentation. Consequently, professional training and especially internships for pre-service teachers should include a synthesis of traditional (face-to-face) and virtual communication and interaction with children to facilitate mastering an expanded set of competencies for successful professional self-realisation. The findings can be beneficial in terms of e-learning practices, DLE design, and the organisation of internships.
Belonging in Science: Democratic Pedagogies for Cross-Cultural PhD Supervision
Authors: Kandiko Howson Camille , Kinchin Ian M. , Gravett Karen
Published: February 2022

This research used Novakian concept mapping and interview techniques to track changes in knowledge and understanding amongst students and their supervisors in the course of full-time research towards a laboratory science-based PhD. This detailed longitudinal case study analysis measures both cognitive change in the specific subjects that are the topic for research, and the understanding of the process of PhD level research and supervision. The data show the challenges for students and supervisors from different national, ethnic, cultural, and academic backgrounds and traditions with a focus on how this impacts the PhD research process and development. Working cross-culturally, and often in a setting different from either the student or the supervisor’s background and training, can lead to a lack of common language and understanding for the development of a pedagogically oriented supervisory relationship. Documenting change in knowledge and understanding among PhD students and their supervisors is key to surfacing what the joint processes of mutual democratic research and of supervision may entail. This study explores how one of these key processes is a student’s developing sense of belonging (or non-belonging). Specifically, this paper engages the concepts of belonging, and democratic education through mutual learning, to explore the practices of working across national, cultural, ethnic, and diverse academic backgrounds, for both supervisors and students. Doctoral study is understood as a situated context in which belonging also acts as a gateway for who can join the global scientific community.
Hydrogen Bond Donors Influence on the Electrochemical Performance of Composite Graphene Electrodes/Deep Eutectic Solvents Interface
Authors: Brandão Ana T. S. C. , Costa Renata , Silva A. Fernando , Pereira Carlos M.
Published: February 2022

The development of energy storage devices with better performance relies on the use of innovative materials and electrolytes, aiming to reduce the carbon footprint through the screening of low toxicity electrolytes and solvent-free electrode design protocols. The application of nanostructured carbon materials with high specific surface area, to prepare composite electrodes, is being considered as a promising starting point towards improving the power and energy efficiency of energy storage devices. Non-aqueous electrolytes synthesized using greener approaches with lower environmental impact make deep eutectic solvents (DES) promising alternatives for electrochemical energy storage and conversion applications. Accordingly, this work proposes a systematic study on the effect of the composition of DES containing a diol and an amide as HBD (hydrogen bond donor: 1,2-propylene glycol and urea), on the electrochemical performance of graphene and graphite composite electrodes/DES electrolyte interface. Glassy carbon (GC) was selected as the bare electrode material substrate to prepare the composite formulations since it provides an electrochemically reproducible surface. Gravimetric capacitance was measured for commercial graphene and commercial graphite/GC composite electrodes in contact with choline chloride, complexed with 1,2-propylene glycol, and urea as the HBD in 1:2 molar ratio. The electrochemical stability was followed by assessing the charge/discharge curves at 1, 2, and 4 A g−1. For comparison purposes, a parallel study was performed using commercial graphite. A four-fold increase in gravimetric capacitance was obtained when replacing commercial graphite (1.70 F g−1) by commercial graphene (6.19 F g−1) in contact with 1,2-propylene glycol-based DES. When using urea based DES no significant change in gravimetric capacitance was observed when commercial graphite is replaced by commercial graphene.
Special Issue: Regularization Techniques for Machine Learning and Their Applications
Authors: Kotsilieris Theodore , Anagnostopoulos Ioannis , Livieris Ioannis E.
Published: February 2022

Over the last decade, learning theory performed significant progress in the development of sophisticated algorithms and their theoretical foundations. The theory builds on concepts that exploit ideas and methodologies from mathematical areas such as optimization theory. Regularization is probably the key to address the challenging problem of overfitting, which usually occurs in high-dimensional learning. Its primary goal is to make the machine learning algorithm “learn” and not “memorize” by penalizing the algorithm to reduce its generalization error in order to avoid the risk of overfitting. As a result, the variance of the model is significantly reduced, without substantial increase in its bias and without losing any important properties in the data.
IMIDS: An Intelligent Intrusion Detection System against Cyber Threats in IoT
Authors: Le Kim-Hung , Nguyen Minh-Huy , Tran Trong-Dat , Tran Ngoc-Duan
Published: February 2022

The increasing popularity of the Internet of Things (IoT) has significantly impacted our daily lives in the past few years. On one hand, it brings convenience, simplicity, and efficiency for us; on the other hand, the devices are susceptible to various cyber-attacks due to the lack of solid security mechanisms and hardware security support. In this paper, we present IMIDS, an intelligent intrusion detection system (IDS) to protect IoT devices. IMIDS’s core is a lightweight convolutional neural network model to classify multiple cyber threats. To mitigate the training data shortage issue, we also propose an attack data generator powered by a conditional generative adversarial network. In the experiment, we demonstrate that IMIDS could detect nine cyber-attack types (e.g., backdoors, shellcode, worms) with an average F-measure of 97.22% and outperforms its competitors. Furthermore, IMIDS’s detection performance is notably improved after being further trained by the data generated by our attack data generator. These results demonstrate that IMIDS can be a practical IDS for the IoT scenario.
Low-Voltage Low-Power Filters with Independent ω0 and Q Tuning for Electronic Cochlea Applications
Authors: Jendernalik Waldemar , Jakusz Jacek , Blakiewicz Grzegorz
Published: February 2022

An acoustic second-order low-pass filter is proposed for filter banks emulating the operation of a human cochlea. By using a special filter structure and an innovative quality (Q)-factor tuning technique, an independent change of the cutoff frequency (ω0) and the Q-factor with unchanged gain at low frequencies is achieved in this filter. The techniques applied result in a simple filter design with low Q-factor sensitivity to component mismatch. These filter features greatly simplify the implementation of the electronic cochlea in CMOS technologies. An exemplary filter bank designed and simulated in an X-FAB 180 nm CMOS process is presented, which consumes 1.25–34.75 nW of power per individual filter when supplied with 0.5 V. The 11-channel filter bank covers a 20–20 kHz band, while the Q-factor of each channel can be tuned from 2 to 40. The simulation-predicted sensitivities of Q and ω0 to process/voltage/temperature (PVT) variations are less than 1%. The input-referred noise is no greater than 22 µVRMS, and the dynamic range is at least 68 dB for all filters in the bank.
A Referenceless Digital CDR with a Half-Rate Jitter-Tolerant FD and a Multi-Bit Decimator
Authors: Kim Jaekwon , Ko Youngjun , Jin Jahoon , Choi Jaehyuk , Chun Jung-Hoon
Published: February 2022

A referenceless digital clock and data recovery (D-CDR) circuit using a half-rate jitter-tolerant frequency detector (FD) and a multi-bit decimator is presented. For a referenceless configuration, we introduced a half-rate jitter-tolerant digital quadricorrelator frequency detector (JT-DQFD). Additionally, we proposed a multi-bit decimator circuit that losslessly down-samples up/down data from a phase detector to reduce the recovered clock jitter. The down-sampled multi-bit phase information is processed by a digital loop filter to adjust the phase of the recovered clock. Fabricated in a 28-nm CMOS technology, the test chip achieves a power efficiency of 1.3 pJ/bit at 10 Gb/s.
A Parallel Deep Reinforcement Learning Framework for Controlling Industrial Assembly Lines
Authors: Tortorelli Andrea , Imran Muhammad , Delli Priscoli Francesco , Liberati Francesco
Published: February 2022

Decision-making in a complex, dynamic, interconnected, and data-intensive industrial environment can be improved with the assistance of machine-learning techniques. In this work, a complex instance of industrial assembly line control is formalized and a parallel deep reinforcement learning approach is presented. We consider an assembly line control problem in which a set of tasks (e.g., vehicle assembly tasks) needs to be planned and controlled during their execution, with the aim of optimizing given key performance criteria. Specifically, the aim will be that of planning the task in order to minimize the total time taken to execute all the tasks (also called cycle time). Tasks run on workstations in the assembly line. To run, tasks need specific resources. Therefore, the tackled problem is that of optimally mapping tasks and resources to workstations, and deciding the optimal execution times of the tasks. In doing so, several constraints need to be respected (e.g., precedence constraints among the tasks, constraints on needed resources to run tasks, deadlines, etc.). The proposed approach uses deep reinforcement learning to learn a tasks/resources mapping policy that is effective in minimizing the resulting cycle time. The proposed method allows us to explicitly take into account all the constraints, and, once training is complete, can be used in real time to dynamically control the execution of tasks. Another motivation for the proposed work is in the ability of the used method to also work in complex scenarios, and in the presence of uncertainties. As a matter of fact, the use of deep neural networks allows for learning the model of the assembly line problem, in contrast with, e.g., optimization-based techniques, which require explicitly writing all the equations of the model of the problem. In order to speed up the training phase, we adopt a learning scheme in which more agents are trained in parallel. Simulations show that the proposed method can provide effective real-time decision support to industrial operators for scheduling and rescheduling activities, achieving the goal of minimizing the total tasks’ execution time.
Analysis and Design Methodology of a Novel Integration Topology of Storageless Off-Grid PV Systems
Authors: Dalala Zakariya , AlAqbani Saba , Khirfan Dima , Alhamad Layth , Al-Addous Mohammad , Barbana Nesrine
Published: February 2022

In this manuscript, a novel topology is proposed to integrate on-grid and off-grid PV systems supplying the same load premises. The load side is investigated and analyzed, and critical and non-critical loads are separated in terms of power supply. Critical and seasonal loads usually place stress on the grid’s point of common coupling (PCC). In the proposed topology, they are supplied by a novel topology for an off-grid solar pump PV system that lacks energy storage integration. The lack of energy storage batteries requires a novel design and sizing scheme for the off-grid PV system, and a methodology is proposed in this manuscript. The on-grid PV system is conventionally designed and coupled with the storage-less off-grid PV system to maintain load supply. The proposed methodology minimizes the ratings of the PCC and hence relieves stress on congested grids with renewable energy penetration, especially in condensed urban areas. The proposed structure enables the operation of microgrids with high penetration levels of renewable energy resources and minimizes dependance on storage batteries for off-grid systems. A case study is presented and thoroughly analyzed with the proposed methodology. The outcomes of the design process are evaluated economically and were found to be feasible, as is detailed and supported with simulation results.
Change in the Affordability of Owner-Occupied Housing in the Context of Rising Energy Prices
Authors: Čermáková Klára , Hromada Eduard
Published: February 2022

Household energy constitutes an important share of affordable housing. Unaffordable housing and inadequate household energy represent a new dimension of poverty. Connections between energy, housing affordability and well-being are still under-researched. Building on housing affordability framework, this study explores the magnitude in changes in affordability of acquisition and use of an apartment between January 2018 and January 2022. Over the last four years, the real estate market in Europe has changed significantly. This paper deals with primary data for the Czech Republic, where acquisition prices of residential real estate increased depending on the region in the range of 50 to 120%. Since January 2022, there has been a sharp rise in energy prices and a tightening of conditions for the acquisition of mortgage loans. All these factors affect the standard of living in the Czech Republic. The article quantifies the magnitude of this change by calculating shares of total housing costs to total average net household income for the period January 2018 and January 2022. It is found that the affordability of owner-occupied housing in the Czech Republic has deteriorated and part of the middle class will be forced to move to the rental housing sector, multifamily housing and sharing. Finally, we argue that energy poverty needs to be considered in addressing the government housing policies. The aim of the article is to analyze the changes that have taken place in the real estate market over the last four years in relation to the growth of total housing costs and energy costs associated with housing.