bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Relationship Between Work Engagement, Psychosocial Risks, and Mental Health Among Spanish Nurses: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: García-Iglesias Juan Jesús , Gómez-Salgado Juan , Ortega-Moreno Mónica , Navarro-Abal Yolanda
Published: January 2021

Background: Exposure to risk factors may lead to health problems of varied nature and to an increased risk of suffering accidents at work.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the work engagement, psychosocial risks, and psychological well-being of Spanish nurses, analyzing existing relationships, and their associations with self-reported mental health problems of nurses.

Methods: To this end, a cross-sectional observational study was carried out with a sample of 1,704 Spanish nurses between January 2019 and January 2020, using a self-administered questionnaire containing sociodemographic variables, the Spanish version of the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire (CoPsoQ-istas21), the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES-9), and the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12).

Results: The Kruskal-Wallis test showed that nurses' perceptions for each of the tests significantly differed among different healthcare areas (p < 0.05). The results indicated that emergency nurses offered higher scores in all dimensions of the CoPsoQ-istas21 and GHQ-12 tests; and in primary care, nurses scored higher in all three dimensions of the UWES-9 test. In addition, self-perceived health and vigor at work were identified as predictive factors of mental health.

Conclusions: A high percentage of Spanish nurses perceived a high level of psychosocial risk in the exercise of their duties and nearly 41% could suffer from some mental health-related problem. Primary Care nurses showed higher levels of work engagement and lower perception of psychosocial risks than Emergency nurses. Results may allow to identify a professional profile which is more likely to suffer from psychological distress, as both the working conditions and the work commitment expressed by nurses in their daily work are key elements in assessing the possible psychosocial risks to which they may be exposed.
The Impact of COVID-19 and Homeschooling on Students' Engagement With Physical Activity
Authors: Roe Astrid , Blikstad-Balas Marte , Dalland Cecilie Pedersen
Published: January 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic forced an unprecedented global shutdown that closed schools for months. In many nations, schools were closed to students, and teachers directed educational activities remotely via digital devices or homeschooling resources. This article explores how these months of homeschooling have affected the physical activity of Norwegian students in Grades 1–10. All Norwegian students are supposed to have at least 60 min of physical activity every day in school. We draw on data from two surveys, one with parents (N = 4,624) and the other with teachers (N = 726), to provide an indication of the daily physical activity students engaged in during the period of homeschooling. An important finding from the teacher survey is that the degree to which schools prioritized physical education among the school subjects varied greatly between schools and teachers. Key findings from the parent survey were that reported time spent on physical activity increased with the age of the students, that many parents expressed concerns about increased sedentary behavior, and that the most active students were those who showed the greatest engagement and effort in schoolwork in general. Our findings raise the questions of whether students were given too much responsibility for their own physical activity during this period and whether teachers should provide their students with more digital workout sessions and instructional videos.
Diversity Measures for Niching Algorithms
Authors: Mwaura Jonathan , Engelbrecht Andries P. , Nepomuceno Filipe V.
Published: January 2021

Multimodal problems are single objective optimisation problems with multiple local and global optima. The objective of multimodal optimisation is to locate all or most of the optima. Niching algorithms are the techniques utilised to locate these optima. A critical factor in determining the success of niching algorithms is how well the search space is covered by the candidate solutions. For niching algorithms, high diversity during the exploration phase will facilitate location and identification of many solutions while a low diversity means that the candidate solutions are clustered at optima. This paper provides a review of measures used to quantify diversity, and how they can be utilised to quantify the dispersion of both the candidate solutions and the solutions of niching algorithms (i.e., found optima). The investigated diversity measures are then used to evaluate the distribution of candidate solutions and solutions when the enhanced species-based particle swarm optimisation (ESPSO) algorithm is utilised to optimise a selected set of multimodal problems.
The Role of Engineering Thermodynamics in Explaining the Inverse Correlation between Surface Temperature and Supplied Nitrogen Rate in Corn Plants: A Greenhouse Case Study
Authors: Alzaben Heba , Fraser Roydon , Swanton Clarence
Published: January 2021

Nitrogen stress plays a critical role in corn yield reduction. Thermal remote sensing has many applications: as an assessment tool for urban heat island, as an ecological indicator of ecosystem development, and as a water-stress-detection tool. In this study, it was hypothesized that corn crops supplied with optimum or high rates of nitrogen would have lower surface temperatures compared to corn grown under nitrogen-stressed conditions. Two experiments were conducted in the greenhouse at the University of Guelph, Canada, from the period between 2015 and 2016, involving three rates of nitrogen (high, medium, and low rates) supplied to corn plants after seed emergence. Leaf and whorl temperatures were collected by using a high-resolution thermal camera, an infrared handheld point measurements gun, and a type T thermocouple, respectively. An approximate difference of 2 °C was observed in temperatures between plants receiving high and low rates of nitrogen. These results supported the hypothesis that nitrogen-stressed plants have higher temperatures compared to less stressed plants, at a 0.05 significance level. This study investigated the application of the exergy destruction principle through thermal remote sensing, to detect crop stress at early growth stages under greenhouse conditions, to increase the production and reduce the harmful environmental impact.
Social and Economic Aspects of Sustainable Development of Livestock Production and Meat Consumption in the Czech Republic
Authors: Šrédl Karel , Prášilová Marie , Severová Lucie , Svoboda Roman , Štěbeták Michal
Published: January 2021

The aim of this article was to express social and economic aspects of the sustainable livestock production in relation to meat consumption in the Czech Republic and to predict the possibilities of further development of livestock production in the conditions of Czech agriculture. With the accession of Czechia to the EU (2004), the structure of Czech agriculture changed to the detriment of livestock production. The decisive sectors of livestock production are pig breeding, cattle breeding and poultry farming. This article (contribution) analyzes trends in the development of production in the basic categories of livestock, and it evaluates the degree of self-sufficiency of the economy in the given sector of agricultural production and the consumption of individual types of meat in Czechia. Using Holt’s model of statistical analysis, it then predicts the future consumption of meat and its individual types in the Czech Republic in the years 2020–2024. As research has shown, the sustainable development of livestock production and meat consumption in the Czech Republic depends not only on the mutual size of meat production and consumption or its quality, but also significantly on the market prices of meat (including world prices), as well as changes in eating habits of the population.
Genetic Purity of Cacao Criollo from Honduras Is Revealed by SSR Molecular Markers
Authors: López Marlon , Gori Massimo , Bini Lorenzo , Ordoñez Erick , Durán Erick , Gutierrez Osman , Masoni Alberto , Giordani Edgardo , Biricolti Stefano , Palchetti Enrico
Published: January 2021

The cultivation of cacao represents an income option and a source of employment for thousands of small producers in Central America. In Honduras, due to the demand for fine flavor cacao to produce high-quality chocolate, the number of hectares planted is increasing. In addition, cacao clones belonging to the genetic group named Criollo are in great demand since their white beans lack of bitterness and excellent aroma are used in the manufacturing of premium chocolate. Unfortunately, the low resistance to pests and diseases and less productive potential of Criollo cacao leads to the replacement with vigorous new cultivars belonging to the other genetic groups or admixture of them. In this study, 89 samples showing phenotypic traits of Criollo cacao from four regions of Honduras (Copán, Santa Bárbara, Intibucá, and Olancho) were selected to study their genetic purity using 16 SSR molecular markers. The results showed that some samples belong to the Criollo group while other accessions have genetic characteristics of “Trinitario” or other admixtures cacao types. These results confirm the genetic purity of Criollo cacao in Honduras, reaffirming the theory that Mesoamerica is a cacao domestication center and also serves to generate interest in the conservation of this genetic wealth both in-situ and ex-situ.
The Effect of Crop Rotation and Cultivation History on Predicted Carbon Sequestration in Soils of Two Experimental Fields in the Moscow Region, Russia
Authors: Prokopyeva Kristina , Romanenkov Vladimir , Sidorenkova Nadezhda , Pavlova Vera , Siptits Stanislav , Krasilnikov Pavel
Published: January 2021

Soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration in arable soils is a challenging goal. We focused on the effect of crop rotation and previous land use for future carbon sequestration on two experimental fields on Retisols with four contrasting fertilization treatments each. We analyzed the SOC dynamics and used the RothC model to forecast the SOC. We found a consistent increase in SOC stocks and stable fractions of the soil organic matter (SOM) with C accumulation in the next 70 years compared to the 90-year experimental period, more evident under the Representative Concentration Pathway 4.5 (RCP4.5) compared with the RCP8.5 scenario. The expected increase in SOC will be higher in the crop rotation with a grass field than in the experiment with an alternation of row crops and cereals. The efficiency depended on stable SOM fractions, and fields with more extended cultivation history showed higher SOM stability. Proper crop rotations are more important for SOC stability than the uncertainty associated with the climate change scenarios that allows timely adaptation. The goal of a 4‰ annual increase of SOC stocks may be reached under rotation with grasses in 2020–40 and 2080–90 when applying a mineral or organic fertilizer system for scenario RCP4.5 and a mineral fertilizer system in 2080–2090 for scenario RCP8.5.
Effect of Deficit Irrigation and Reduced N Fertilization on Plant Growth, Root Morphology and Water Use Efficiency of Tomato Grown in Soilless Culture
Authors: Ullah Ikram , Mao Hanping , Rasool Ghulam , Gao Hongyan , Javed Qaiser , Sarwar Abid , Khan Muhammad Imran
Published: January 2021

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of various irrigation water (W) and nitrogen (N) levels on growth, root-shoot morphology, yield, and irrigation water use efficiency of greenhouse tomatoes in spring–summer and fall–winter. The experiment consisted of three irrigation water levels (W: 100% of crop evapotranspiration (ETc), 80%, and 60% of full irrigation) and three N application levels (N: 100%, 75%, and 50% of the standard nitrogen concentration in Hoagland’s solution treatments equivalent to 15, 11.25, 7.5 mM). All the growth parameters of tomato significantly decreased (p < 0.05) with the decrease in the amount of irrigation and nitrogen application. Results depicted that a slight decrease in irrigation and an increase in N supply improved average root diameter, total root length, and root surface area, while the interaction was observed non-significant at average diameter of roots. Compared to the control, W80 N100 was statistically non-significant in photosynthesis and stomatal conductance. The W80 N100 resulted in a yield decrease of 2.90% and 8.75% but increased irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) by 21.40% and 14.06%. Among interactions, the reduction in a single factor at W80 N100 and W100 N75 compensated the growth and yield. Hence, W80 N100 was found to be optimal regarding yield and IWUE, with 80% of irrigation water and 15 mM of N fertilization for soilless tomato production in greenhouses.
Feeding Value Assessment of Substituting Cassava (Manihot esculenta) Residue for Concentrate of Dairy Cows Using an In Vitro Gas Test
Authors: Zheng Yuhui , Zhao Yanyan , Xue Shenglin , Wang Wei , Wang Yajing , Cao Zhijun , Yang Hongjian , Li Shengli
Published: January 2021

The feeding value of replacing concentrate with cassava (Manihot esculenta) residue in the feed of Holstein cows was confirmed using an in vitro gas test. The treatments consisted of 0% (control, CON), 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, and 30% inclusion of cassava residue in fermentation culture medium composed of buffer solution (50 mL) and filtrated rumen fluid (25 mL). The parameters analyzed included the kinetics of gas production and fermentation indexes. Forty-eight hours later, there were no significant differences on in vitro dry matter disappearance (IVDMD), pH, and microbial crude protein (MCP) content among treatments (p > 0.05). However, the “cumulative gas production at 48 h” (GP48), the “asymptotic gas production” (A), and the “maximum gas production rate” (RmaxG) all increased linearly or quadratically (p < 0.01). The GP48 was significantly higher in the 25% treatment compared to the other treatments, except for the 30% (p < 0.01). The A was significantly larger in the 25% treatment compared to the other treatments, except for the 20% and 30% (p < 0.01). The RmaxG was distinctly larger in the 25% treatment compared to other treatments (p < 0.01); moreover, the “time at which RmaxG is reached” (TRmaxG) and the “time at which the maximum rate of substrate degradation is reached” (TRmaxS) were significantly higher in the 25% treatment than the CON, 20%, and 30% treatments (p < 0.01). Additionally, the content of ammonia-N (NH3-N) in all treatments showed linearly and quadratically decreases (p < 0.01), whereas total volatile fatty acid (VFA), iso-butyrate, butyrate, and iso-valerate contents changed quadratically (p = 0.02, p = 0.05, p = 0.01, and p = 0.02, respectively); all of these values peaked in the 25% treatment. In summary, the 25% treatment was associated with more in vitro gas and VFA production, indicating that this cassava residue inclusion level may be used to replace concentrate in the feed of Holstein cows. However, these results need to be verified in vivo.
Feeding Preferences of the Italian Roe Deer (Capreolus capreolus italicus Festa, 1925) in a Coastal Mediterranean Environment
Authors: Freschi Pierangelo , Fascetti Simonetta , Riga Francesco , Rizzardini Gabriella , Musto Mauro , Cosentino Carlo
Published: January 2021

The present study was aimed to deepen the knowledge on diet and on feeding preferences of the Italian roe deer. The research was carried on in the Castelporziano Presidential Estate, a protected area of Latium coast. Quadrat method was used to assess plant frequency, whereas diet composition was determined by fecal micro-histological analysis. A total of 143 plant species were identified in the site and 109 of them were found in the feces of the Capreolus capreolus italicus. All over the year, most of the taxa were ingested in low percentages (≤5%) and the most utilized plant species were Quercus suber, Prunus spinosa, Rubia peregrina, and Crateaegus monogyna. Fagaceae and Rosaceae plant families represented the bulk of the diet and were positively selected. In addition, a positive selection on Fabaceae and Oleaceae families was found in wet season but not in dry one. In both periods the Italian roe deer showed a positive selection for deciduous woody plants and evergreen woody plants, instead avoided wild forbs and wild graminoids. Our results confirmed that this subspecies behaved as a generalist highly selective feeder.
Ecotyping of Anaplasma phagocytophilum from Wild Ungulates and Ticks Shows Circulation of Zoonotic Strains in Northeastern Italy
Authors: Grassi Laura , Franzo Giovanni , Martini Marco , Mondin Alessandra , Cassini Rudi , Drigo Michele , Pasotto Daniela , Vidorin Elena , Menandro Maria Luisa
Published: January 2021

Anaplasma phagocytophilum (A. phagocytophilum) is a tick-borne pathogen causing disease in both humans and animals. Human granulocytic anaplasmosis (HGA) is an emerging disease, but despite the remarkable prevalence in European ticks and wild animals, human infection appears underdiagnosed. Several genetic variants are circulating in Europe, including the zoonotic ecotype I. This study investigated A. phagocytophilum occurrence in wild ungulates and their ectoparasites in an area where HGA has been reported. Blood samples from wild ungulates and ectoparasites were screened by biomolecular methods targeting the mps2 gene. The groEL gene was amplified and sequenced to perform genetic characterization and phylogenetic analysis. A total of 188 blood samples were collected from different wild ungulates species showing an overall prevalence of 63.8% (88.7% in wild ruminants and 3.6% in wild boars). The prevalence of A. phagocytophilum DNA in ticks (manly Ixodes ricinus), and keds collected from wild ruminants was high, reflecting the high infection rates obtained in their hosts. Among ticks collected from wild boars (Hyalomma marginatum and Dermacentor marginatus) no DNA was detected. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated the presence of ecotype I and II. To date, this is the first Italian report of ecotype I in alpine chamois, mouflon, and wild boar species. These findings suggest their role in HGA epidemiology, and the high prevalence detected in this study highlights that this human tick-borne disease deserves further attention.
Optimization of a Coherent Dual-Beam Array Feed Network for Aperiodic Concentric Ring Antennas
Authors: Arce Armando , Stevens-Navarro Enrique , Pineda-Rico Ulises , Cardenas-Juarez Marco , Castillo-Soria Francisco R. , Covarrubias David H.
Published: January 2021

A dual-beam coherent feeding system design approach with a non-uniform layout on a concentric ring array is described and synthesized. In this case, the feeding system is based on a reconfigurable topology composed of a set of alternated power dividers and combiners, providing coherent in-phase outputs. Thus, in this paper, a two-beam architecture based on a coherent feeding system formed by a set of intercalated input signals feeding each circular ring in a non-uniform antenna array with multi-beam shaping and steering features is analyzed. The task of optimizing the aperiodic layout on the shared aperture based on the radii of the circular rings is realized by the differential evolution method. Numerical experiments grounded in antenna synthesis validate the capabilities and improved performance of the proposed dual-beam configuration with a non-uniform layout in contrast with its uniform counterpart, with enhanced performance on average by up to −6.1 dB for sidelobe level and 3.5 dB for directivity. Additionally, the results show a significantly less complex two-beam feeding network in contrast with the case of a typical electronically scanned array—in this proposal, each direction of maximum radiation is conformed and scanned with approximately half of the control inputs.
GNSS Profile from the Greenland Korth Expeditions in the Context of Satellite Data
Authors: Bezděk Aleš , Kostelecký Jakub , Sebera Josef , Hitziger Thomas
Published: January 2021

Over the last two decades, a small group of researchers repeatedly crossed the Greenland interior skiing along a 700-km long route from east to west, acquiring precise GNSS measurements at exactly the same locations. Four such elevation profiles of the ice sheet measured in 2002, 2006, 2010 and 2015 were differenced and used to analyze the surface elevation change. Our goal is to compare such locally measured GNSS data with independent satellite observations. First, we show an agreement in the rate of elevation change between the GNSS data and satellite radar altimetry (ERS, Envisat, CryoSat-2). Both datasets agree well (2002–2015), and both correctly display local features such as an elevation increase in the central part of the ice sheet and a sharp gradual decline in the surface heights above Jakobshavn Glacier. Second, we processed satellite gravimetry data (GRACE) in order for them to be comparable with local GNSS measurements. The agreement is demonstrated by a time series at one of the measurement sites. Finally, we provide our own satellite gravimetry (GRACE, GRACE-FO, Swarm) estimate of the Greenland mass balance: first a mild decrease (2002–2007: −210 ± 29 Gt/yr), then an accelerated mass loss (2007–2012: −335 ± 29 Gt/yr), which was noticeably reduced afterwards (2012–2017: −178 ± 72 Gt/yr), and nowadays it seems to increase again (2018–2019: −278 ± 67 Gt/yr).
Simulation and Experimental Validation of Sound Field in a Rotating Tire Cavity Arising from Acoustic Cavity Resonance
Authors: Hu Xiaojun , Liu Xiandong , Shan Yingchun , He Tian
Published: January 2021

As we all know, the tire acoustic cavity resonance noise (TACRN) can cause irritating noise in a vehicle, but it is evidently difficult to be weakened. To obtain accurately the characteristics of TACRN is a key step of attenuating TACRN. In this paper, a simulation method, in which a simplified finite element model of automobile tire with acoustic cavity introducing the rotation of automobile tire is established, is proposed to gain the sound field in the cavity of a rotating automobile tire. And the test of sound pressure in a rotating tire is also performed to validate the proposed simulation method. The comparisons between the simulation and experimental consequences show a satisfying conclusion. Furthermore, the influence factors of the rotating speed, the inflation pressure of the tire and the load on the sound field of automobile tire acoustic cavity are calculated and analyzed.
Smart Fibrous Structures Produced by Electrospinning Using the Combined Effect of PCL/Graphene Nanoplatelets
Authors: Francavilla Paola , Ferreira Diana P. , Araújo Joana C. , Fangueiro Raul
Published: January 2021

Over the years, the development of adaptable monitoring systems to be integrated into soldiers’ body gear, making them as comfortable and lightweight as possible (avoiding the use of rigid electronics), has become essential. Electrospun microfibers are a great material for this application due to their excellent properties, especially their flexibility and lightness. Their functionalization with graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) makes them a fantastic alternative for the development of innovative conductive materials. In this work, electrospun membranes based on polycaprolactone (PCL) were impregnated with different GNPs concentrations in order to create an electrically conductive surface with piezoresistive behavior. All the samples were properly characterized, demonstrating the homogeneous distribution and the GNPs’ adsorption onto the membrane’s surfaces. Additionally, the electrical performance of the developed systems was studied, including the electrical conductivity, piezoresistive behavior, and Gauge Factor (GF). A maximum electrical conductivity value of 0.079 S/m was obtained for the 2%GNPs-PCL sample. The developed piezoresistive sensor showed high sensitivity to external pressures and excellent durability to repetitive pressing. The best value of GF (3.20) was obtained for the membranes with 0.5% of GNPs. Hence, this work presents the development of a flexible piezoresistive sensor, based on electrospun PCL microfibers and GNPs, utilizing simple methods.
Platonin, a Cyanine Photosensitizing Dye, Ameliorates Inflammatory Responses in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells by Modulating Inflammatory Transcription Factors
Authors: Chiu Chih-Wei , Yang Chih-Hao , Tsai Jie-Heng , Hsieh Cheng-Ying , Huang Shih-Yi
Published: January 2021

Inflammation of the arterial wall is critical to atherosclerosis pathogenesis. The switch of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) to macrophage-like cells is essential in the exacerbation of vascular inflammation. Platonin, a cyanine photosensitizing dye, exhibits protective effects in sepsis, trauma, and acute ischemic stroke through its anti-inflammatory capacity in macrophages. The present study investigated the effects and underlying mechanisms of platonin in inflammatory VSMCs. Pretreatment with platonin suppressed the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthetase and mature interleukin-1β but not that of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) in VSMCs stimulated by a combination of lipopolysaccharide and interferon-γ (LPS/IFN-γ). Furthermore, platonin inhibited LPS/IFN-γ-induced Nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) activation though the direct reduction of p65Ser536 phosphorylation but not the restoration of Inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa B (IκBα) degradation in VSMCs. However, platonin inhibited Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL)-induced MCP-1 production, possibly through the attenuation of Activator protein 1 (AP-1) binding activity and C-Jun N-terminal kinases ½ (JNK1/2) phosphorylation. Platonin also lowered lipid drop accumulation in VSMCs in Oil red O staining assay. The results collectively indicated that platonin has a vascular protective property with potent anti-inflammatory effects in VSMCs. In conclusion, platonin should be a potential for treating vascular inflammatory diseases such as atherosclerosis.
Efficient Robot Skills Learning with Weighted Near-Optimal Experiences Policy Optimization
Authors: Hou Liwei , Wang Hengsheng , Zou Haoran , Wang Qun
Published: January 2021

Autonomous learning of robotic skills seems to be more natural and more practical than engineered skills, analogous to the learning process of human individuals. Policy gradient methods are a type of reinforcement learning technique which have great potential in solving robot skills learning problems. However, policy gradient methods require too many instances of robot online interaction with the environment in order to learn a good policy, which means lower efficiency of the learning process and a higher likelihood of damage to both the robot and the environment. In this paper, we propose a two-phase (imitation phase and practice phase) framework for efficient learning of robot walking skills, in which we pay more attention to the quality of skill learning and sample efficiency at the same time. The training starts with what we call the first stage or the imitation phase of learning, updating the parameters of the policy network in a supervised learning manner. The training set used in the policy network learning is composed of the experienced trajectories output by the iterative linear Gaussian controller. This paper also refers to these trajectories as near-optimal experiences. In the second stage, or the practice phase, the experiences for policy network learning are collected directly from online interactions, and the policy network parameters are updated with model-free reinforcement learning. The experiences from both stages are stored in the weighted replay buffer, and they are arranged in order according to the experience scoring algorithm proposed in this paper. The proposed framework is tested on a biped robot walking task in a MATLAB simulation environment. The results show that the sample efficiency of the proposed framework is much higher than ordinary policy gradient algorithms. The algorithm proposed in this paper achieved the highest cumulative reward, and the robot learned better walking skills autonomously. In addition, the weighted replay buffer method can be made as a general module for other model-free reinforcement learning algorithms. Our framework provides a new way to combine model-based reinforcement learning with model-free reinforcement learning to efficiently update the policy network parameters in the process of robot skills learning.
Spectroscopy and Near-Infrared to Visible Upconversion of Er3+ Ions in Aluminosilicate Glasses Manufactured with Controlled Optical Transmission
Authors: Sola Daniel , Miguel Adrián , Arias-Egido Eduardo , Peña Jose I.
Published: January 2021

In this work we report on the spectroscopic properties and the near-infrared to visible upconversion of Er3+ ions in aluminosilicate glasses manufactured by directionally solidification with the laser floating zone technique. Glasses were manufactured in a controlled oxidizing atmosphere to provide them with high optical transmission in the visible spectral range. Absorption and emission spectra, and lifetimes were assessed in both the visible and the near infrared spectral range. Green upconversion emissions of the 2H11/2→4I15/2 and 4S3/2→4I15/2 transitions at 525 nm and 550 nm attributed to a two-photon process were observed under excitation at 800 nm. Mechanisms responsible for the upconversion luminescence were discussed in terms of excited state absorption and energy transfer upconversion processes. Excitation spectra of the upconverted emission suggest that energy transfer upconversion processes are responsible for the green upconversion luminescence.
Iterative Sequences for a Finite Number of Resolvent Operators on Complete Geodesic Spaces
Authors: Kasahara Kengo , Kimura Yasunori
Published: January 2021

We consider Halpern’s and Mann’s types of iterative schemes to find a common minimizer of a finite number of proper lower semicontinuous convex functions defined on a complete geodesic space with curvature bounded above.
One Year of SARS-CoV-2: How Much Has the Virus Changed?
Authors: Vilar Santiago , Isom Daniel G.
Published: January 2021

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused a worldwide crisis with profound effects on both public health and the economy. In order to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, research groups have shared viral genome sequence data through the Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data (GISAID). Over the past year, ≈290,000 full SARS-CoV-2 proteome sequences have been deposited in the GISAID. Here, we used these sequences to assess the rate of nonsynonymous mutants over the entire viral proteome. Our analysis shows that SARS-CoV-2 proteins are mutating at substantially different rates, with most of the viral proteins exhibiting little mutational variability. As anticipated, our calculations capture previously reported mutations that arose in the first months of the pandemic, such as D614G (Spike), P323L (NSP12), and R203K/G204R (Nucleocapsid), but they also identify more recent mutations, such as A222V and L18F (Spike) and A220V (Nucleocapsid), among others. Our comprehensive temporal and geographical analyses show two distinct periods with different proteome mutation rates: December 2019 to July 2020 and August to December 2020. Notably, some mutation rates differ by geography, primarily during the latter half of 2020 in Europe. Furthermore, our structure-based molecular analysis provides an exhaustive assessment of SARS-CoV-2 mutation rates in the context of the current set of 3D structures available for SARS-CoV-2 proteins. This emerging sequence-to-structure insight is beginning to illuminate the site-specific mutational (in)tolerance of SARS-CoV-2 proteins as the virus continues to spread around the globe.
Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Rosmarinic Acid-Loaded Nanovesicles in Acute Colitis through Modulation of NLRP3 Inflammasome
Authors: Marinho Sonia , Illanes Matilde , Ávila-Román Javier , Motilva Virginia , Talero Elena
Published: January 2021

Ulcerative colitis (UC), one of the two main types of inflammatory bowel disease, has no effective treatment. Rosmarinic acid (RA) is a polyphenol that, when administered orally, is metabolised in the small intestine, compromising its beneficial effects. We used chitosan/nutriose-coated niosomes loaded with RA to protect RA from gastric degradation and target the colon and evaluated their effect on acute colitis induced by 4% dextran sodium sulphate (DSS) for seven days in mice. RA-loaded nanovesicles (5, 10 and 20 mg/kg) or free RA (20 mg/kg) were orally administered from three days prior to colitis induction and during days 1, 3, 5 and 7 of DSS administration. RA-loaded nanovesicles improved body weight loss and disease activity index as well as increased mucus production and decreased myeloperoxidase activity and TNF-α production. Moreover, RA-loaded nanovesicles downregulated protein expression of inflammasome components such as NLR family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3), adaptor protein (ASC) and caspase-1, and the consequent reduction of IL-1β levels. Furthermore, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) protein expression increased after the RA-loaded nanovesicles treatment However, these mechanistic changes were not detected with the RA-free treatment. Our findings suggest that the use of chitosan/nutriose-coated niosomes to increase RA local bioavailability could be a promising nutraceutical strategy for oral colon-targeted UC therapy.
Impact of Multidisciplinary Stroke Post-Acute Care on Cost and Functional Status: A Prospective Study Based on Propensity Score Matching
Authors: Chiu Chong-Chi , Wang Jhi-Joung , Hung Chao-Ming , Lin Hsiu-Fen , Hsien Hong-Hsi , Hung Kuo-Wei , Chiu Herng-Chia , Jennifer Yeh Shu-Chuan , Shi Hon-Yi
Published: January 2021

Few papers discuss how the economic burden of patients with stroke receiving rehabilitation courses is related to post-acute care (PAC) programs. This is the first study to explore the economic burden of stroke patients receiving PAC rehabilitation and to evaluate the impact of multidisciplinary PAC programs on cost and functional status simultaneously. A total of 910 patients with stroke between March 2014 and October 2018 were separated into a PAC group (at two medical centers) and a non-PAC group (at three regional hospitals and one district hospital) by using propensity score matching (1:1). A cost–illness approach was employed to identify the cost categories for analysis in this study according to various perspectives. Total direct medical cost in the per-diem-based PAC cohort was statistically lower than that in the fee-for-service-based non-PAC cohort (p < 0.001) and annual per-patient economic burden of stroke patients receiving PAC rehabilitation is approximately US $354.3 million (in 2019, NT $30.5 = US $1). Additionally, the PAC cohort had statistical improvement in functional status vis-à-vis the non-PAC cohort and total score of each functional status before rehabilitation and was also statistically significant with its total score after one-year rehabilitation training (p < 0.001). Early stroke rehabilitation is important for restoring health, confidence, and safe-care abilities in these patients. Compared to the current stroke rehabilitation system, PAC rehabilitation shortened the waiting time for transfer to the rehabilitation ward and it was indicated as an efficient policy for treatment of stroke in saving medical cost and improving functional status.
NOTCH Activation via gp130/STAT3 Signaling Confers Resistance to Chemoradiotherapy
Authors: Koerdel Kristin , Spitzner Melanie , Meyer Thomas , Engels Niklas , Krause Florian , Gaedcke Jochen , Conradi Lena-Christin , Haubrock Martin , Beißbarth Tim , Leha Andreas , Johnsen Steven A. , Ghadimi B. Michael , Rose-John Stefan , Grade Marian , Wienands Jürgen
Published: January 2021

Resistance of tumor cells to chemoradiotherapy represents a fundamental problem in clinical oncology. The underlying mechanisms are actively debated. Here we show that blocking inflammatory cytokine receptor signaling via STAT3 re-sensitized treatment-refractory cancer cells and abolished tumor growth in a xenograft mouse model when applied together with chemoradiotherapy. STAT3 executed treatment resistance by triggering the expression of RBPJ, the key transcriptional regulator of the NOTCH pathway. The mandatory RBPJ interaction partner, NOTCH intracellular domain, was provided by tumor cell-intrinsic expression of NOTCH ligands that caused tonic NOTCH proteolysis. In fact, NOTCH inhibition phenocopied the effect of blocking STAT3 signaling. Moreover, genetic profiling of rectal cancer patients revealed the importance of the STAT3/NOTCH axis as NOTCH expression correlated with clinical outcome. Our data uncovered an unprecedented signal alliance between inflammation and cellular development that orchestrated resistance to chemoradiotherapy. Clinically, our findings allow for biomarker-driven patient stratification and offer novel treatment options.
Hepatic and Extrahepatic Colorectal Metastases Have Discordant Responses to Systemic Therapy. Pathology Data from Patients Undergoing Simultaneous Resection of Multiple Tumor Sites
Authors: Vigano Luca , Corleone Pio , Darwish Shadya Sara , Turri Nicolò , Famularo Simone , Viggiani Lorenzo , Rimassa Lorenza , Del Fabbro Daniele , Di Tommaso Luca , Torzilli Guido
Published: January 2021

Background: Systemic therapy is the standard treatment for patients with hepatic and extrahepatic colorectal metastases. It is assumed to have the same effectiveness on all disease foci, independent of the involved organ. The present study aims to compare the response rates of hepatic and extrahepatic metastases to systemic therapy. Methods: All consecutive patients undergoing simultaneous resection of hepatic and extrahepatic metastases from colorectal cancer after oxaliplatin- and/or irinotecan-based preoperative chemotherapy were analyzed. All specimens were reviewed. Pathological response to chemotherapy was classified according to tumor regression grade (TRG). Results: We analyzed 45 patients undergoing resection of 134 hepatic and 72 extrahepatic metastases. Lung and lymph node metastases had lower response rates to chemotherapy than liver metastases (TRG 4–5 95% and 100% vs. 67%, p = 0.008, and p = 0.006). Peritoneal metastases had a higher pathological response rate than liver metastases (TRG 1–3 66% vs. 33%, p < 0.001) and non-hepatic non-peritoneal metastases (3%, p < 0.001). Metastases site was an independent predictor of pathological response to systemic therapy. Conclusions: Response to chemotherapy of distant metastases from colorectal cancer varies in different organs. Systemic treatment is highly effective for peritoneal metastases, more so than liver metastases, while it has a very poor impact on lung and lymph node metastases.
Non-Thermal Biocompatible Plasma Jet Induction of Apoptosis in Brain Cancer Cells
Authors: Akter Mahmuda , Lim Jun Sup , Choi Eun Ha , Han Ihn
Published: January 2021

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a highly malignant and rapidly advancing astrocytic brain tumor in adults. Current therapy possibilities are chemotherapy, surgical resection, and radiation. The complexity of drug release through the blood-brain barrier, tumor reaction to chemotherapy, and the inherent resistance of tumor cells present challenges. New therapies are needed for individual use or combination with conventional methods for more effective treatment and improved survival for patients. GBM is difficult to treat because it grows quickly, spreads finger-shaped tentacles, and creates an irregular margin of normal tissue surrounding the tumor. Non-thermal biocompatible plasma (NBP) has recently been shown to selectively target cancer cells with minimal effects on regular cells, acting by generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS). We applied a soft jet plasma device with a syringe shape to U87 MG cells and astrocytes. Our results show that NBP-J significantly inhibits cell proliferation and changes morphology, induces cell cycle arrest, inhibits the survival pathway, and induces apoptosis. Our results indicate that NBP-J may be an efficient and safe clinical device for brain cancer therapy.
Osteocytic Connexin43 Channels Regulate Bone–Muscle Crosstalk
Authors: Li Guobin , Zhang Lan , Ning Kaiting , Yang Baoqiang , Acosta Francisca M. , Shang Peng , Jiang Jean X. , Xu Huiyun
Published: January 2021

Bone–muscle crosstalk plays an important role in skeletal biomechanical function, the progression of numerous pathological conditions, and the modulation of local and distant cellular environments. Previous work has revealed that the deletion of connexin (Cx) 43 in osteoblasts, and consequently, osteocytes, indirectly compromises skeletal muscle formation and function. However, the respective roles of Cx43-formed gap junction channels (GJs) and hemichannels (HCs) in the bone–muscle crosstalk are poorly understood. To this end, we used two Cx43 osteocyte-specific transgenic mouse models expressing dominant negative mutants, Δ130–136 (GJs and HCs functions are inhibited), and R76W (only GJs function is blocked), to determine the effect of these two types of Cx43 channels on neighboring skeletal muscle. Blockage of osteocyte Cx43 GJs and HCs in Δ130–136 mice decreased fast-twitch muscle mass with reduced muscle protein synthesis and increased muscle protein degradation. Both R76W and Δ130–136 mice exhibited decreased muscle contractile force accompanied by a fast-to-slow fiber transition in typically fast-twitch muscles. In vitro results further showed that myotube formation of C2C12 myoblasts was inhibited after treatment with the primary osteocyte conditioned media (PO CM) from R76W and Δ130–136 mice. Additionally, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) level was significantly reduced in both the circulation and PO CM of the transgenic mice. Interestingly, the injection of PGE2 to the transgenic mice rescued fast-twitch muscle mass and function; however, this had little effect on protein synthesis and degradation. These findings indicate a channel-specific response: inhibition of osteocytic Cx43 HCs decreases fast-twitch skeletal muscle mass alongside reduced protein synthesis and increased protein degradation. In contrast, blockage of Cx43 GJs results in decreased fast-twitch skeletal muscle contractile force and myogenesis, with PGE2 partially accounting for the measured differences.
Aberrant Splicing Events and Epigenetics in Viral Oncogenomics: Current Therapeutic Strategies
Authors: Francies Flavia Zita , Dlamini Zodwa
Published: January 2021

Global cancer incidence and mortality are on the rise. Although cancer is fundamentally a non-communicable disease, a large number of cancers are known to have a viral aetiology. A high burden of infectious agents (Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), human papillomavirus (HPV), hepatitis B virus (HBV)) in certain Sub-Saharan African countries drives the rates of certain cancers. About one-third of all cancers in Africa are attributed to infection. Seven viruses have been identified with carcinogenic characteristics, namely the HPV, HBV, Hepatitis C virus (HCV), Epstein–Barr virus (EBV), Human T cell leukaemia virus 1 (HTLV-1), Kaposi’s Sarcoma Herpesvirus (KSHV), and HIV-1. The cellular splicing machinery is compromised upon infection, and the virus generates splicing variants that promote cell proliferation, suppress signalling pathways, inhibition of tumour suppressors, alter gene expression through epigenetic modification, and mechanisms to evade an immune response, promoting carcinogenesis. A number of these splice variants are specific to virally-induced cancers. Elucidating mechanisms underlying how the virus utilises these splice variants to maintain its latent and lytic phase will provide insights into novel targets for drug discovery. This review will focus on the splicing genomics, epigenetic modifications induced by and current therapeutic strategies against HPV, HBV, HCV, EBV, HTLV-1, KSHV and HIV-1.
Data Science on Industrial Data—Today’s Challenges in Brown Field Applications
Authors: Klaeger Tilman , Gottschall Sebastian , Oehm Lukas
Published: January 2021

Much research is done on data analytics and machine learning for data coming from industrial processes. In practical approaches, one finds many pitfalls restraining the application of these modern technologies especially in brownfield applications. With this paper, we want to show state of the art and what to expect when working with stock machines in the field. The paper is a review of literature found to cover challenges for cyber-physical production systems (CPPS) in brownfield applications. This review is combined with our own personal experience and findings gained while setting up such systems in processing and packaging machines as well as in other areas. A major focus in this paper is on data collection, which tends be more cumbersome than most people might expect. In addition, data quality for machine learning applications is a challenge once leaving the laboratory and its academic data sets. Topics here include missing ground truth or the lack of semantic description of the data. A last challenge covered is IT security and passing data through firewalls to allow for the cyber part in CPPS. However, all of these findings show that potentials of data driven production systems are strongly depending on data collection to build proclaimed new automation systems with more flexibility, improved human–machine interaction and better process-stability and thus less waste during manufacturing.
Changes in Healthy Behaviors and Meeting 24-h Movement Guidelines in Spanish and Brazilian Preschoolers, Children and Adolescents during the COVID-19 Lockdown
Authors: López-Gil José Francisco , Tremblay Mark S. , Brazo-Sayavera Javier
Published: January 2021

Background: The aim of this study was to assess changes in physical activity, screen time and sleep duration of preschoolers, children and adolescents and the prevalence of meeting the 24-h movement guidelines during the lockdown caused by COVID-19 in a sample from Spain and Brazil. Methods: A total of 1099 preschoolers, children and adolescents (aged 3–17 years) from Spain (12.1 ± 4.6 years) and Brazil (10.7 ± 4.3 years) were included. An online survey was created and distributed in each country using a snowball sampling strategy. This online survey was completed by parents (mother/father/responsible guardian). Results: The proportion of the sample who met the PA and ST recommendations decreased during the COVID-19 lockdown in both Spanish and Brazilian samples (p < 0.001), while sleep duration increased (p < 0.001). The proportion of the sample meeting the overall 24-h movement guidelines was very low before the lockdown (Spain 3.0%; Brazil 11.7%) and even worse during the lockdown (Spain 0.3%; Brazil 7.5%). Conclusions: The prevalence of preschoolers, children and adolescents in both the Spain and Brazil samples meeting the 24-h movement guidelines during COVID-19 restrictions was as low as previous studies in other countries. Efforts to protect and support healthy behaviors of young people during a period of pandemic restrictions need to be a priority.