bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Píslarsaga Krists í píslarsögu konu. Kvikmynd Dreyers um píslir og dauða Jóhönnu af Örk
Authors: Guðmundsdóttir Arnfríður
Published: August 2020

In his movie, The Passion of Joan of Arc (1928), the Danish director, Carl Theodor Dreyer, presents a powerful representation of the medieval martyr. Dreyer’s film is not about Joan’s life itself, only the trial and her execution, i.e. her passion-story. During the trial the main focus is on the question about the truth of her revelations and whether she really is the daughter of God, she claims to be. Despite her young age it is evident that she poses a significant threat to the spiritual as well as worldly authorities. Her threat to the spiritual authorities has to do with her doubting their monopoly on salvation. When she refuses to recant, and to stop dressing as a man (which she claims to be God’s will), her destiny is set. The soldiers mock her and put a crown (made out of straw) on her head, before she is sent to the stake. She is burned with a sign above her head with the words idolater, heretic and apostate written on it. The aim of this article is to explore Dreyer’s portrayal of Joan of Arc in his film as a female Christ-Figure. At the same time, I will argue that the film can serve as an important dialogue partner in ongoing Christological discourse. The conclusion is that Dreyer’s Joan provides a vivid image of Jesus Christ that challenges our fixation on Jesus’ maleness, and helps us to understand better what we really mean when we claim that God, dressed-in flesh, became human, like us, female or male.
Siðferðisbrot og kristinn mannskilningur
Authors: Bóasdóttir Sólveig Anna
Published: August 2020

Moral violation within the Christian church is the drive behind this article which deals with the Christian understanding of the human being. There are two main areas of focus: moral violation and the Christian view of the human being. In order to understand what constitutes a moral violation, one must consider the nature of morality, and some essential concepts of ethics, e.g. respect for the person, autonomy, and human dignity. The conclusion of the discussion of the nature of morality is that autonomy and human dignity are essential values when it comes to human existence, and indicators of the moral constitution of a human being. To acknowledge these values, we need to keep a certain distance from people, and to make sure not to transcend their personal boundaries. If we don’t, we violate them morally, and not only the person in question, but society as well.
The second section of the article emphasizes the value of biblical and Christian understanding of the human being for the Church´s responses, including actions, when its personnel transcends personal boundaries. The core idea of human dignity within a theological context concerns the human being as the image of God, referring to his/hers unique capabilities, such as self-awareness and responsibility. According to a Christian understanding, the members of the church consists of sinful people, whose sins God has forgiven. The church is the gathering of saints and justified persons, who are, at the same time, sinful and wicked. This tension is an important part of Christian understanding of human beings, stressing the fact that we are not perfect beings, but nevertheless, we may believe that we are God’s children. Forgiveness is a gift which God offers, but first we must be willing to confess our sins and repent, because only after repenting can we be forgiven.
A Data Driven Model for Prediction of COVID-19 Outbreak in Bangladesh
Authors: Roy Tapan Kumar , Singh Brijesh P
Published: August 2020

COVID-19 disease due to Corona virus of type SARS-CoV-2 has emerged from Wuhan, China in December 2019 and now it has expanded through infection all over the world. Now-a-days, this is a disaster pandemic for almost every nation in the earth. Such novel Corona virus impacts on every country in the world without regarding country's race, nationality and economic status. In this study, an attempt has been made to propose a data driven model to know the present and future Corona virus situation of Bangladesh. It also predicts the cumulative infected people, disease propagation, doubling time and new cases of COVID-19 patients. The result shows that more than two lakh fifty thousand people will be infected by Corona virus and its effect will start to decrease by the mid of July and decline to disappear by the end of August. This study will help policy makers to take plan for healthcare system and management of various aspects related to the control and prevention of Corona virus outspread in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh Journal of Infectious Diseases 2020;7(1):22-26
Global Outbreaks of SARS-nCoV-2 (COVID-19 Pandemic) and Spread out in Bangladesh
Authors: Hossain Md Belal
Published: August 2020

Currently, the world is concerned about the 2019 novel CoV (SARS-nCoV-2), the disease it causes has been named “coronavirus disease 2019” (COVID-19) that was initially identified in Wuhan, China on 31 December 2019. Infected patients presented with severe viral pneumonia and respiratory illness. The new SARS-CoV-2 is RNA genomes and a beta-coronavirus, like SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV. In this article, provide a brief insights into past and present outbreaks of COVID-19. At end of the April 2020, COVID-19 Pandemic spread out all over the world in 210 countries/areas and the number of confirmed cases has been mounting globally. Reported in USA alone, over one million people are infected which is one-third of world confirmed cases and deaths cases also near to one-fourth of the total estimated deaths cases so far recorded globally. In other countries of the world situation is almost same but in Europe COVID-19 positive cases so high including death cases. In Bangladesh, the number of confirmed cases and fatality rate is lower than other reported countries in the world, due to deficient testing facilities and inadequate number of samples are tested, the virus seems to be highly contagious in Bangladesh as well. Although the fatality rate of SARS-nCoV-2 is currently lower than SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV, but the virus seems to be highly contagious based on the number of infected cases to date.

Bangladesh Journal of Infectious Diseases 2020;7(1):38-41
When will we get the COVID-19 vaccine?
Authors: Law Siukan
Published: August 2020

Abstract not available

Bangladesh Journal of Infectious Diseases 2020;7(1):29-33
PENGARUH MEDIA PEMBELAJARAN MINI GENERATOR UNTUK MENINGKATKAN PEMAHAMAN KONSEP FLUKS MAGNETIK DENGAN METODE PROJECT BASED LEARNING
Authors: Prastyaningrum Ihtiari
Published: August 2020

Konsep mengenai medan elektromagnetik merupakan konsep dasar dalam sistem generator untuk pembangkit tenaga listrik. Generator menggunakan konsep hukum Faraday dimana medan magnet menimbulkan arus listrik. Timbulnya arus listrik pada generator ini dipengaruhi oleh banyaknya fluks magnetik yag dihasilkan oleh medan magnet dalam generator. Konsep mengenai fluks magnetik pada prinsip sebuah generator belum dipahami sepenuhnya oleh mahasiswa Program Studi Pendidikan Teknik Elektro Universitas PGRI Madiun. Dengan penerapan metode project based learning dimana mahasiswa langsung berhubungan dengan prototipe generator pemahaman konsep mengenai fluks magnetik dalam sistem kerja generator dapat dipahami. Desain penelitian menggunakan sistem one group pretest posttest design. Pengumpulan data dilakukan dalam bentuk observasi dan tes pilihan ganda. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan data bahwa perhitungan N-gain ternormalisasi diperoleh ratarata kenaikan kemampuan berpikir kritis dari 17 orang peserta didik adalah 0,47 (kategori sedang). Nilai rerata mean diperoleh rerata nilai postes (85,33) lebih tinggi daripada nilai pretes (45,12). Sehingga dapat disimpulkan bahwa penerapan media pembelajaran mini generator dengan model pembelajaran Project Based Learning dapat meningkatkan pemahaman konsep mengenai fluks magnetik.
Risk Factors Related to Poor Threshold, Discrimination, and Identification Scores in Patients with Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Olfactory Dysfunction
Authors: Kang Dae Woong , Min Hye Kyu , Kwon Oh Eun , Kim Sung Wan , Min Jin-Young
Published: August 2020

Background and Objectives Although patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) present a similar degree of olfactory dysfunction, their impairments in threshold, discrimination, and identification test results may vary. We investigated factors related to each of these components using the Korean version of the Sniffin’ Sticks test II in CRS patients.
Subjects and Method A total of 120 CRS patients with olfactory dysfunction were enrolled and assigned to hyposmia and anosmia groups. Correlation between the three components were examined in both groups. We also subdivided patients into higher- and lower-score groups according to the threshold, discrimination, and identification scores within the hyposmia and anosmia groups to determine associated factors among the demographic factors, CRS severity on computed tomography (CT) and endoscopic findings.
Results Threshold, discrimination, and identification scores were significantly correlated in hyposmia patients. Age [odds ratio (OR), 0.94] was associated with the threshold score, and the anterior olfactory cleft opacification score (OR, 1.31) on CT was associated with identification difficulties in hyposmia patients. The posterior olfactory cleft opacification score was associated with threshold (OR, 2.76) and identification difficulties (OR, 1.68) in anosmia patients. However, we could not identify significant risk factors for discrimination in both groups.
Conclusion We demonstrated that the three components of the olfactory function test for CRS are significantly correlated in patients with hyposmia. Age was associated with threshold score in hyposmia patients and CRS severity, and with discrimination scores in both hyposmia and anosmia patients. These findings will help the understanding of pathophysiology of CRSrelated olfactory dysfunction.
Korean J Otorhinolaryngol-Head Neck Surg 2020;63(8):358-68
Immune Cells Combined With NLRP3 Inflammasome Inhibitor Exert Better Antitumor Effect on Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Liu Hailiang , Xu Yong , Liang Kai , Liu Rong
Published: August 2020

Pancreatic cancer is among the most aggressive malignancies associated with chronic inflammation. Moreover, cellular immunity can be inhibited by inflammation induced by nucleotide-binding domain, leucine-rich family, pyrin-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome. Accordingly, NLRP3 inhibition combining cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells may improve antitumor efficacy. 3,4-Methylenedioxy-β-nitrostyrene (MNS) was selected as a specific NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitor. Western blot was used to evaluate the NLRP3 inflammasome expression in pancreatic cancer cell lines SW1990 and PANC-1. The impact of NLRP3 inhibition on migration, invasiveness, and proliferation of pancreatic cancer cells was analyzed through wound healing assay, Transwell assay, and Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, respectively. The combining antitumor effectin vivoof CIK and NLRP3 inhibition was evaluated in a subcutaneous human pancreatic cancer BALB/c nude mouse model. Western blot analysis showed significant expression of NLRP3 inflammasome in human pancreatic cancer lines SW1990 and PANC-1, and MNS did significantly inhibit the expression of NLRP3 inflammasome in cell lines. Moreover, NLRP3 inhibition could significantly decrease the migration, invasiveness, and proliferation of pancreatic cancer cells.In vivoexperiments showed that combination treatment with MNS and CIK cells had the greatest antitumor effect among the four treatment groups including control, MNS, and CIK. Combination treatment with NLRP3 inflammasome inhibition and CIK cells showed greater antitumor efficacy through inflammation inhibition and immunity restoration.
Impact of a Ration Negative in Dietary Cation–Anion Difference and Varying Calcium Supply Fed before Calving on Colostrum Quality of the Dams and Health Status and Growth Performance of the Calves
Authors: Rajaeerad Abbas , Ghorbani Gholam Reza , Khorvash Mohammad , Sadeghi-Sefidmazgi Ali , Mahdavi Amir Hossein , Rashidi Saman , Wilkens Mirja Rosmarie , Hünerberg Martin
Published: August 2020

This study investigated the effect of diets negative in dietary cation–anion difference (DCAD) or restricted in Ca fed prepartum to dairy cows for three weeks on colostrum yield and composition, and the health and growth performance of their calves. Thirty-six pregnant non-lactating Holstein-Friesian cows were randomly assigned to three isoenergetic diets: (1) low Ca: 0.24% Ca, DCAD: +86 mEq/kg; (2) high Ca: 1.23% Ca, DCAD: +95 mEq/kg; and (3) low DCAD: 1.28% Ca, DCAD: −115 mEq/kg (all dry matter (DM) basis). While colostrum quality was not affected, low Ca supply prepartum tended to increase the colostrum yield compared to high Ca (low Ca = 8.81 vs. high Ca = 5.39 kg). However, calves from cows fed low DCAD showed higher serum concentrations of K, lower body weight (BW), starter feed intake and average daily weight gain before weaning compared to low Ca and high Ca calves (53.12 vs. 57.68 and 57.32 kg) but BW was similar postweaning (d 70). In addition, calves from dams fed low DCAD were more likely to develop diarrhea and had increased number of days with abnormal fecal scores. Consequently, calves from low DCAD dams had to be treated more frequently.
The Impact of Foreign SO2 Emissions on Aerosol Direct Radiative Effects in South Korea
Authors: Yoo Jung-Woo , Jeon Wonbae , Lee Hwa Woon , Mun Jeonghyeok , Lee Soon-Hwan , Park Soon-Young
Published: August 2020

This study examined the impact of foreign SO2 emission changes on the aerosol direct radiative effects (ADRE) in South Korea. Simulations that applied basic emissions (BASE) and simulations that applied reduced SO2 emissions from foreign sources (R_FSO2) were performed, respectively, using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF)-Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) two-way coupled model. In addition, the difference between the two experimental results was calculated (i.e., R_FSO2 minus BASE) to quantitatively identify the impact of foreign SO2 emission reduction. The reduction in foreign SO2 emissions caused a decrease in the concentration of SO2 flowing in from overseas to South Korea. As a result, a clear decrease in SO42− concentration was shown mainly in the southwest coast of South Korea. The difference in PM2.5 concentration in South Korea according to the foreign SO2 emission reduction did not correspond to the difference in SO42− concentration; it was determined in a complex way by the changes in SO42− concentration caused by SO2 concentration changes, and the subsequent series of changes in NO3− and NH4+ concentrations. The differences in SO42− and PM2.5 concentrations caused by the foreign SO2 reduction also affected the ADRE changes in South Korea. The distribution of ADRE difference between the two experiments was not consistent with the distribution of PM2.5 concentration difference, but it was very similar to the distribution of SO42− concentration difference. These results imply that the ADRE of South Korea is not simply proportional to PM2.5 concentration and may be determined by concentration changes of SO42−.
Leveraging Neural Networks in Preclinical Alcohol Research
Authors: Smith Lauren C. , Kimbrough Adam
Published: August 2020

Alcohol use disorder is a pervasive healthcare issue with significant socioeconomic consequences. There is a plethora of neural imaging techniques available at the clinical and preclinical level, including magnetic resonance imaging and three-dimensional (3D) tissue imaging techniques. Network-based approaches can be applied to imaging data to create neural networks that model the functional and structural connectivity of the brain. These networks can be used to changes to brain-wide neural signaling caused by brain states associated with alcohol use. Neural networks can be further used to identify key brain regions or neural “hubs” involved in alcohol drinking. Here, we briefly review the current imaging and neurocircuit manipulation methods. Then, we discuss clinical and preclinical studies using network-based approaches related to substance use disorders and alcohol drinking. Finally, we discuss how preclinical 3D imaging in combination with network approaches can be applied alone and in combination with other approaches to better understand alcohol drinking.
Romo1 Inhibition Induces TRAIL-Mediated Apoptosis in Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Jo Min Jee , Kim Bu Gyeom , Park Seong Hye , Kim Hong Jun , Jeong Soyeon , Kim Bo Ram , Kim Jung Lim , Na Yoo Jin , Jeong Yoon A. , Yun Hye Kyeong , Kim Dae Yeong , Han Jeongsu , Heo Jun Young , Yoo Young Do , Lee Dae-Hee , Oh Sang Cheul
Published: August 2020

Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is known to behave as an attractive anti-cancer agent in various cancers. Despite its promise TRAIL has limitations such as short half-life and rapid development of resistance. In this regard, approaches to sensitizers of TRAIL that can overcome the limitations of TRAIL are necessary. However, the molecular targets and mechanisms underlying sensitization to TRAIL-induced apoptosis are not fully understood. Here, we propose that reactive oxygen species modulator-1 (Romo1) as an attractive sensitizer of TRAIL. Romo1 is a mitochondrial inner membrane channel protein that controls reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and its expression is highly upregulated in various cancers, including colorectal cancer. In the present study, we demonstrated that Romo1 inhibition significantly increased TRAIL-induced apoptosis of colorectal cancer cells, but not of normal colon cells. The combined effect of TRAIL and Romo1 inhibition was correlated with the activation of mitochondrial apoptosis pathways. Romo1 silencing elevated the protein levels of BCL-2-associated X protein (Bax) by downregulating the ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS). Romo1 inhibition downregulated the interaction between Bax and Parkin. Furthermore, Romo1 knockdown triggered the mitochondrial dysfunction and ROS generation. We validated the effect of combination in tumor xenograft model in vivo. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that Romo1 inhibition induces TRAIL-mediated apoptosis by identifying the novel mechanism associated with the Bax/Parkin interaction. We suggest that targeting of Romo1 is essential for the treatment of colorectal cancer and may be a new therapeutic approach in the future and contribute to the drug discovery.
Dual Inhibition of Autophagy and PI3K/AKT/MTOR Pathway as a Therapeutic Strategy in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Bernard Monique , Cardin Guillaume B. , Cahuzac Maxime , Ayad Tareck , Bissada Eric , Guertin Louis , Bahig Houda , Nguyen-Tan Phuc Felix , Filion Edith , Ballivy Olivier , Soulieres Denis , Rodier Francis , Christopoulos Apostolos
Published: August 2020

Genomic analyses of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) have highlighted alterations in the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) signaling pathway, presenting a therapeutic target for multiple ongoing clinical trials with PI3K or PI3K/MTOR inhibitors. However, these inhibitors can potentially increase autophagy in HNSCC and indirectly support cancer cell survival. Here, we sought to understand the relationship between the PI3K signaling pathway and autophagy during their dual inhibition in a panel of HNSCC cell lines. We used acridine orange staining, immunoblotting, and tandem sensor Red Fluorescent Protein- Green Fluorescent Protein-, microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 beta (RFP-GFP-LC3B) expression analysis to show that PI3K inhibitors increase autophagosomes in HNSCC cells, but that chloroquine treatment effectively inhibits the autophagy that is induced by PI3K inhibitors. Using the Bliss independence model, we determined that the combination of chloroquine with PI3K inhibitors works in synergy to decrease cancer cell proliferation, independent of the PIK3CA status of the cell line. Our results indicate that a strategy focusing on autophagy inhibition enhances the efficacy of therapeutics already in clinical trials. Our results suggest a broader application for this combination therapy that can be promptly translated to in vivo studies.
Role of the CXCR4-LASP1 Axis in the Stabilization of Snail1 in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
Authors: Subramaniyan Boopathi , Sridharan Sangita , M. Howard Cory , M.C. Tilley Augustus , Basuroy Tupa , de la Serna Ivana , Butt Elke , Raman Dayanidhi
Published: August 2020

The CXCL12-CXCR4 axis plays a vital role in many steps of breast cancer metastasis, but the molecular mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. We previously reported that activation of CXCR4 by CXCL12 promotes the nuclear localization of LASP1 (LIM and SH3 protein 1). The nuclear LASP1 then interacts with Snail1 in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cell lines. In this study, we report that the nuclear accumulation and retention of Snail1 was dependent on an increase in nuclear LASP1 levels driven by active CXCR4. The CXCR4-LASP1 axis may directly regulate the stabilization of nuclear Snail1, by upregulating nuclear levels of pS473-Akt, pS9-GSK-3β, A20, and LSD1. Furthermore, the activation of CXCR4 induced association of LASP1 with Snail1, A20, GSK-3β, and LSD1 endogenously. Thus, nuclear LASP1 may also regulate protein-protein interactions that facilitate the stability of Snail1. Genetic ablation of LASP1 resulted in the mislocalization of nuclear Snail1, loss of the ability of TNBC cells to invade Matrigel and a dysregulated expression of both epithelial and mesenchymal markers, including an increased expression of ALDH1A1, a marker for epithelial breast cancer stem-like cells. Our findings reveal a novel role for the CXCR4-LASP1 axis in facilitating the stability of nuclear localized Snail1.
Combined Effect of Race/Ethnicity and Type of Insurance on Reuse of Urgent Hospital-Based Services in Children Discharged with Asthma
Authors: Pinto Jamie M. , Wagle Sarita , Navallo Lauren J. , Petrova Anna
Published: August 2020

Asthma is a leading cause of health disparity in children. This study explores the joint effect of race/ethnicity and insurance type on risk for reuse of urgent services within a year of hospitalization. Data were collected from 604 children hospitalized with asthma between 2012 and 2015 and stratified with respect to combination of patients’ insurance status (public vs. private) and race/ethnicity (white vs. nonwhite). Highest rates for at least one emergency department (ED) revisit (49.5%, 95% CI 42.5, 56.5) and for average revisits (1.03, 95% CI 0.83, 1.22) were recorded in nonwhite children with public insurance. Adjusted models revealed higher chance for ED reuse in white as well as nonwhite children covered by public insurance. Hospitalization rate was not dependent on the combination of social determinants, but on the number of post-discharge ED revisits. The combined effect of race/ethnicity and health insurance are associated with post-discharge utilization of ED services, but not with hospital readmission.
Insightful Analysis of Phenomena Arising at the Metal|Polymer Interphase of Au-Ti Based Non-Enzymatic Glucose Sensitive Electrodes Covered by Nafion
Authors: Olejnik Adrian , Karczewski Jakub , Dołęga Anna , Siuzdak Katarzyna , Grochowska Katarzyna
Published: August 2020

This paper focuses on the examination of glucose oxidation processes at an electrode material composed of gold nanoparticles embedded in a titanium template. Three different conditions were investigated: the chloride content in the electrolyte, its ionic conductivity and the presence of a Nafion coating. The impact of the provided environment on the oxidation reaction was evaluated by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Two models, namely: chemisorption and incipient hydrous oxide/adatom mediator (IHOAM), were applied to explain the complex voltammetric responses of the electrodes exposed to solutions of varied glucose concentrations. Three different phenomena were observed for the studied cases. The first is related to the transition between the dominant mechanism of glucose oxidation from the IHOAM model to the chemisorption model. This happens only in an electrolyte containing chlorides after exceeding a certain amount of glucose. The second effect exhibits a bottleneck nature resulting from the presence of Nafion on the electrode’s surface. In this case, mass transport through the semi-permeable polymer is hampered, due to the blocking of channels and physical internal cross-linking. This leads to a preconcentration of glucose inside the pores resulting in an increase in both the material sensitivity and the linear range of the calibration curve. Lastly, the third effect is manifested in a low concentration of the supporting electrolyte. It is based on the fact that mass transport of hydroxyl ions is governed not only by diffusion, but also by migration. These three effects have a tremendous impact on the glucose oxidation mechanism and reveal its very complex nature.
Three-Stage Analysis of the Maximum Accommodation Capacity of a Distribution System with High Photovoltaic Penetration
Authors: Gu Jiaqi , Mei Fei , Lu Jixiang , Lu Jinjun , Chen Jingcheng , Zhang Xinmin , Li Limin
Published: August 2020

The safety and stability of a distribution network will be affected by high photovoltaic (PV) penetration. Therefore, it is of great significance to evaluate the PV accommodation capacity of a distribution network and to select an appropriate PV accommodation scheme. This paper assesses the PV accommodation capacity of a distribution network with an improved algorithm and optimizes the accommodation scheme with a comprehensive index. First, the PSO (particle swarm optimization)–Monte Carlo algorithm is used to evaluate the maximum accommodation capacity of a distribution network with PV integration. Second, a year-round voltage timing simulation is performed to analyze the node voltage that exceeds the limit under the planned PV capacity, which is higher than the previously evaluated maximum accommodation capacity. Finally, the staged control strategy of the PV inverter and energy storage is carried out to select the scheme for the sizing and siting of energy storage. The simulation tests use a 10 kV standard distribution network as an example for PV evaluation and PV accommodation scheme selection to verify the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed model.
Modeling and Detection of Future Cyber-Enabled DSM Data Attacks
Authors: Hatalis Kostas , Zhao Chengbo , Venkitasubramaniam Parv , Snyder Larry , Kishore Shalinee , Blum Rick S.
Published: August 2020

Demand-Side Management (DSM) is an essential tool to ensure power system reliability and stability. In future smart grids, certain portions of a customer’s load usage could be under the automatic control of a cyber-enabled DSM program, which selectively schedules loads as a function of electricity prices to improve power balance and grid stability. In this scenario, the security of DSM cyberinfrastructure will be critical as advanced metering infrastructure and communication systems are susceptible to cyber-attacks. Such attacks, in the form of false data injections, can manipulate customer load profiles and cause metering chaos and energy losses in the grid. The feedback mechanism between load management on the consumer side and dynamic price schemes employed by independent system operators can further exacerbate attacks. To study how this feedback mechanism may worsen attacks in future cyber-enabled DSM programs, we propose a novel mathematical framework for (i) modeling the nonlinear relationship between load management and real-time pricing, (ii) simulating residential load data and prices, (iii) creating cyber-attacks, and (iv) detecting said attacks. In this framework, we first develop time-series forecasts to model load demand and use them as inputs to an elasticity model for the price-demand relationship in the DSM loop. This work then investigates the behavior of such a feedback loop under intentional cyber-attacks. We simulate and examine load-price data under different DSM-participation levels with three types of random additive attacks: ramp, sudden, and point attacks. We conduct two investigations for the detection of DSM attacks. The first studies a supervised learning approach, with various classification models, and the second studies the performance of parametric and nonparametric change point detectors. Results conclude that higher amounts of DSM participation can exacerbate ramp and sudden attacks leading to better detection of such attacks, especially with supervised learning classifiers. We also find that nonparametric detection outperforms parametric for smaller user pools, and random point attacks are the hardest to detect with any method.
Estimation of Future Changes in Aboveground Forest Carbon Stock in Romania. A Prediction Based on Forest-Cover Pattern Scenario
Authors: Dumitrașcu Monica , Kucsicsa Gheorghe , Dumitrică Cristina , Popovici Elena-Ana , Vrînceanu Alexandra , Mitrică Bianca , Mocanu Irena , Șerban Paul-Răzvan
Published: August 2020

The aboveground forest biomass plays a key role in the global carbon cycle and is considered a large and constant carbon reservoir. Hence, exploring the future potential changes in forest-cover pattern can help to estimate the trend of forest biomass and therefore, carbon stock in a certain area. As a result, the present paper attempts to model the potential changes in aboveground forest carbon stock based on the forest-cover pattern scenario simulated for 2050. Specifically, the resulting aboveground forest biomass, estimated for 2015 using the allometric equation based on diameter at breast height and the estimated forest density, was used as baseline data in the present approach. These spatial data were integrated into the forest-cover pattern scenario, predicted by using a spatially explicit model, i.e., the Conversion of Land Use and its Effects at Small regional extent (CLUE-S), in order to estimate the potential variation of aboveground forest carbon stock. Our results suggest an overall increase by approximately 4% in the aboveground forest carbon stock until 2050 in Romania. However, important differences in the forest-cover pattern change were predicted on the regional scale, thus highlighting that the rates of carbon accumulation will change significantly in large areas. This study may increase the knowledge of aboveground forest biomass and the future trend of carbon stock in the European countries. Furthermore, due to their predictive character, the results may provide a background for further studies, in order to investigate the potential ecological, socio-economic and forest management responses to the changes in the aboveground forest carbon stock. However, in view of the uncertainties associated with the data accuracy and methodology used, it is presumed that the results include several spatial errors related to the estimation of aboveground forest biomass and simulation of future forest-cover pattern change and therefore, represent an uncertainty for the practical management of applications and decisions.
Yogurts Supplemented with Juices from Grapes and Berries
Authors: Dimitrellou Dimitra , Solomakou Nikoletta , Kokkinomagoulos Evangelos , Kandylis Panagiotis
Published: August 2020

Nowadays, there is growing interest for the development of enriched dairy products with phenolic compounds derived from edible sources, mainly due to their safety and potential health benefits. Following that trend, in the present study, fruit juices (blueberry, aronia, and grape) were supplemented into yogurt as functional ingredients. The main physicochemical characteristics (pH, reducing sugars, acidity, color, and syneresis), total phenolic content, antioxidant activity, and viability of yogurt starters were monitored during production and storage. The use of juices had no significant effect on milk acidification rate and on the main physicochemical characteristics of yogurts, while resulted in increased red color. Total phenolic content increased from 30 to 33% (grape and aronia) and up to 49% (blueberry), while similar results were observed in antioxidant activity. Similar values of syneresis were presented in all yogurts, probably due to exopolysaccharide producing starter culture. Streptococcus thermophilus retained high viable counts during storage especially in yogurts with fruit juices (>108 cells g−1) revealing a possible prebiotic effect of juices. The results obtained from this study show that fruit juices (aronia, blueberry, and grape) have potential to be used in yogurt production in order to optimize the benefits of probiotic products with high phenolic compound intake.
Genetic Dissection of Apomixis in Dandelions Identifies a Dominant Parthenogenesis Locus and Highlights the Complexity of Autonomous Endosperm Formation
Authors: Van Dijk Peter J. , Op den Camp Rik , Schauer Stephen E.
Published: August 2020

Apomixis in the common dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) consists of three developmental components: diplospory (apomeiosis), parthenogenesis, and autonomous endosperm development. The genetic basis of diplospory, which is inherited as a single dominant factor, has been previously elucidated. To uncover the genetic basis of the remaining components, a cross between a diploid sexual seed parent and a triploid apomictic pollen donor was made. The resulting 95 triploid progeny plants were genotyped with co-dominant simple-sequence repeat (SSR) markers and phenotyped for apomixis as a whole and for the individual apomixis components using Nomarski Differential Interference Contrast (DIC) microscopy of cleared ovules and seed flow cytometry. From this, a new SSR marker allele was discovered that was closely linked to parthenogenesis and unlinked to diplospory. The segregation of apomixis as a whole does not differ significantly from a three-locus model, with diplospory and parthenogenesis segregating as unlinked dominant loci. Autonomous endosperm is regularly present without parthenogenesis, suggesting that the parthenogenesis locus does not also control endosperm formation. However, the high recovery of autonomous endosperm is inconsistent with this phenotype segregating as the third dominant locus. These results highlight the genetic complexity underlying apomixis in the dandelion and underline the challenge of introducing autonomous apomixis into sexual crops.
Genetic Structure and Relationships among Wild and Cultivated Grapevines from Central Europe and Part of the Western Balkan Peninsula
Authors: Zdunić Goran , Lukšić Katarina , Nagy Zora Annamaria , Mucalo Ana , Hančević Katarina , Radić Tomislav , Butorac Lukrecija , Jahnke Gizella Gyorffyne , Kiss Erzsebet , Ledesma-Krist Gloria , Regvar Marjana , Likar Matevž , Piltaver Andrej , Žulj Mihaljević Maja , Maletić Edi , Pejić Ivan , Werling Marion , Maul Erika
Published: August 2020

The genetic diversity and relationship between wild (Vitis vinifera L. subsp. sylvestris (Gmel.) Hegi and cultivated (V. vinifera L. subsp. vinifera) grapevine in the western Balkan region and Central Europe have not been studied together previously, although this area has a rich viticultural past. Here, we studied wild grapevine populations sampled from their natural habitats in several countries of the western Balkan region and Central Europe. Their genetic diversity and structure were compared to cultivars that are traditionally in use in this region. A sample set of 243 accessions was genotyped at 20 nuclear microsatellite loci, including 167 sylvestris and 76 diverse vinifera cultivars. The genetic diversity of the wild grapevines was lower than that of cultivars by all genetic parameters. Both hierarchical and nonhierarchical clustering methods differentiated two main groups, indicating clear separation between wild and cultivated vines but also revealed clear gene flow between the cultivated and wild gene pools through overlaps and admixed ancestry values in the graphs. There was greater affinity to the wild grapes in Central European cultivars than in Balkan cultivars. Fine arrangement of the structure among cultivated grapevines showed differentiation among Central European and Balkan cultivars. These results confirm the divergence of wild grapes from vinifera and highlight the “crossroad” role of the western Balkan peninsula in the broader context of European viticulture.
Metabolic Engineering of Wine Strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Eldarov Mikhail A. , Mardanov Andrey V.
Published: August 2020

Modern industrial winemaking is based on the use of starter cultures of specialized wine strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast. Commercial wine strains have a number of advantages over natural isolates, and it is their use that guarantees the stability and reproducibility of industrial winemaking technologies. For the highly competitive wine market with new demands for improved wine quality, it has become increasingly critical to develop new wine strains and winemaking technologies. Novel opportunities for precise wine strain engineering based on detailed knowledge of the molecular nature of a particular trait or phenotype have recently emerged due to the rapid progress in genomic and “postgenomic” studies with wine yeast strains. The review summarizes the current achievements of the metabolic engineering of wine yeast, the results of recent studies and the prospects for the application of genomic editing technologies for improving wine S. cerevisiae strains.
Feasibility of Using a Risk Assessment Tool to Predict Hospital Transfers or Death for Older People in Australian Residential Aged Care. A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Ooi Meidelynn , Lewis Ebony T , Brisbane Julianne , Tubb Evalynne , McClean Tom , Assareh Hassan , Hillman Ken , Achat Helen , Cardona Magnolia
Published: August 2020

Residents of Aged Care Facilities (RACF) experience burdensome hospital transfers in the last year of life, which may lead to aggressive and potentially inappropriate hospital treatments. Anticipating these transfers by identifying risk factors could encourage end-of-life discussions that may change decisions to transfer. The aim was to examine the feasibility of identifying an end-of-life risk profile among RACF residents using a predictive tool to better anticipate predictors of hospital transfers, death or poor composite outcome of hospitalisation and/or death after initial assessment. A retrospective cohort study of 373 permanent residents aged 65+ years was conducted using objective clinical factors from records in nine RACFs in metropolitan Sydney, Australia. In total, 26.8% died and 34.3% experienced a composite outcome. Cox proportional hazard regression models confirmed the feasibility of estimating the level of risk for death or a poor composite outcome. Knowing this should provide opportunities to initiate advance care planning in RACFs, facilitating decision making near the end of life. We conclude that the current structure of electronic RACF databases could be enhanced to enable comprehensive assessment of the risk of hospital re-attendance without admission. Automation tools to facilitate the risk score calculation may encourage the adoption of prediction checklists and evaluation of their association with hospital transfers.
Feeding in the Digital Age: An Observational Analysis of Mobile Device Use during Family Meals at Fast Food Restaurants in Italy
Authors: Kiefner-Burmeister Allison , Domoff Sarah , Radesky Jenny
Published: August 2020

Caregiver mobile phone use while monitoring children is a behavior of increasing prevalence. Family mealtimes have long been considered a time in which parents and children connect emotionally and model eating behaviors, but prior studies have documented less parent-child conversation and more negative parent reactions to child behavioral bids at the table during parent phone use. Research on this topic to date is sparse and focuses only on US populations. The current study used non-participant naturalistic observation to record data on parental mealtime device use and family interactions while dining with children in a fast food restaurant in Italy. Thirty seven families (individuals observed = 129) were observed at a restaurant for the duration of their meal. Qualitative analysis of field notes indicated that mobile phones are frequently used by caregivers during feeding interactions. A novel observation in the current study was different patterns of use by parent gender and age. Mothers appeared to divide their attention between phone and child, whereas fathers evidenced more continuous mobile phone use during which there was lower responsiveness towards children during the meal. Younger parents more frequently used mobile phones, compared to older parents. Parents who missed child bids for attention were all phone users during the mealtime.
Long-Lasting Decrease of the Acquisition of Enterococcus faecium and Gram-Negative Bacteria Producing Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL) by Transient Application of Probiotics
Authors: Borgmann Stefan , Rieß Beate , Meintrup David , Klare Ingo , Werner Guido
Published: August 2020

Previously it was shown that application of probiotics stopped the acquisition of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VRE) by patients in an early rehabilitation ward. Once the application of probiotics ended, we examined whether acquisition of VRE reoccurred. Furthermore, we examined whether probiotics altered prevalence of vancomycin-susceptible E. faecium (VSE) and Gram-negative bacteria, which produce extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL). Although probiotic application ceased in April 2018, VRE-colonized patients rarely presented on that ward until 2019. Probiotic treatment also resulted in a decreased number of patients with VSE and ESBL. While decreased incidence of VRE occurred immediately, decreased VSE and ESBL numbers occurred months later. A probiotic-mediated decrease of VSE and ESBL incidence cannot be explained when assuming bacterial transmission exclusively as a linear cause and effect event. The decrease is better understood by considering bacterial transmissions to be stochastic events, which depend on various driving forces similar to an electric current. We hypothesize that VRE, VSE and ESBL uptake by patients and by staff members mutually reinforced each other, leading staff members to form a bacterial reservoir, similar to a condenser that stores electrical energy. Probiotic treatment then inhibited regeneration of that store, resulting in a breakdown of the driving force.
RNAi-Based Functional Genomics in Hemiptera
Authors: Jain Ritesh G. , Robinson Karl E. , Fletcher Stephen J. , Mitter Neena
Published: August 2020

RNA interference (RNAi) is a powerful approach for sequence-specific gene silencing, displaying tremendous potential for functional genomics studies in hemipteran insects. Exploiting RNAi allows the biological roles of critical genes to be defined and aids the development of RNAi-based biopesticides. In this review, we provide context to the rapidly expanding field of RNAi-based functional genomics studies in hemipteran insects. We highlight the most widely used RNAi delivery strategies, including microinjection, oral ingestion and topical application. Additionally, we discuss the key variables affecting RNAi efficacy in hemipteran insects, including insect life-stage, gene selection, the presence of nucleases, and the role of core RNAi machinery. In conclusion, we summarise the application of RNAi in functional genomics studies in Hemiptera, focusing on genes involved in reproduction, behaviour, metabolism, immunity and chemical resistance across 33 species belonging to 14 families.
Early Valve Replacement for Severe Aortic Valve Disease: Effect on Mortality and Clinical Ramifications
Authors: Koerber Jason P. , Bennetts Jayme S. , Psaltis Peter J.
Published: August 2020

Timing of aortic valve intervention for chronic aortic regurgitation (AR) and/or aortic stenosis (AS) potentially affects long-term survival. The 2014 American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology (AHA/ACC) guidelines provide recommendations for the timing of intervention. Subsequent to the guidelines’ release, several studies have been published that suggest a survival benefit from earlier timing of surgery for severe AR and/or AS. The aim of this review was to determine whether patients who have chronic aortic regurgitation (AR) and/or aortic stenosis (AS) have a survival benefit from earlier timing of aortic valve surgery. Medical databases were systematically searched from January 2015 to April 2020 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies that examined the timing of aortic valve replacement surgery for chronic AR and/or AS. For chronic AR, four observational studies and no RCTs were identified. For chronic AS, five observational studies, one RCT and one meta-analysis were identified. One observational study examining mixed aortic valve disease (MAVD) was identified. All of these studies, for AR, AS, and MAVD, found long-term survival benefit from timing of aortic valve surgery earlier than the current guidelines. Larger prospective RCTs are required to evaluate the benefit of earlier surgical intervention.
Important Factors Influencing the Implementation of Independent Port State Control Regimes
Authors: Yuan Chien-Chung , Chiu Rong-Her , Cai Cunqiang
Published: August 2020

This study investigated the factors influencing the implementation of a port state control (PSC) system. The analytical hierarchy process (AHP) was employed to develop a framework including 4 dimensions and 14 factors for assessing the priority of the major factors and subfactors. An expert questionnaire was conducted in Taiwan. The priority levels of the factors in influencing PSC operation are presented herein. In addition, conclusions were derived from an empirical case study of Taiwan. Some challenges are also discussed to reveal the common problems and special difficulties faced by independent PSC regimes that remain excluded from regional memoranda of understanding.
The Lambert-F Distributions Class: An Alternative Family for Positive Data Analysis
Authors: Iriarte Yuri A. , de Castro Mário , Gómez Héctor W.
Published: August 2020

In this article, we introduce a new probability distribution generator called the Lambert-F generator. For any continuous baseline distribution F, with positive support, the corresponding Lambert-F version is generated by using the new generator. The result is a new class of distributions with one extra parameter that generalizes the baseline distribution and whose quantile function can be expressed in closed form in terms of the Lambert W function. The hazard rate function of a Lambert-F distribution corresponds to a modification of the baseline hazard rate function, greatly increasing or decreasing the baseline hazard rate for earlier times. Herein, we study the main structural properties of the new class of distributions. Special attention is given to two particular cases that can be understood as two-parameter extensions of the well-known exponential and Rayleigh distributions. We discuss parameter estimation for the proposed models considering the moments and maximum likelihood methods. Finally, two applications were developed to illustrate the usefulness of the proposed distributions in the analysis of data from different real settings.