bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Robust delivery of RIG‐I agonists using extracellular vesicles for anti‐cancer immunotherapy
Authors: Peng Boya , Nguyen Trinh Mai , Jayasinghe Migara Kavishka , Gao Chang , Pham Thach Tuan , Vu Luyen Tien , Yeo Eric Yew Meng , Yap Gracemary , Wang Lingzhi , Goh Boon Cher , Tam Wai Leong , Luo Dahai , Le Minh TN
Published: April 2022

The RIG‐I pathway can be activated by RNA containing 5′ triphosphate, leading to type I interferon release and immune activation. Hence, RIG‐I agonists have been used to induce immune responses against cancer as potential immunotherapy. However, delivery of 5′ triphosphorylated RNA molecules as RIG‐I agonists to tumour cells in vivo is challenging due to the susceptibility of these molecules to degradation. In this study, we demonstrate the use of extracellular vesicles (EVs) from red blood cells (RBCs), which are highly amenable for RNA loading and taken up robustly by cancer cells, for RIG‐I agonist delivery. We evaluate the anti‐cancer activity of two novel RIG‐I agonists, the immunomodulatory RNA (immRNA) with a unique secondary structure for efficient RIG‐I activation, and a 5′ triphosphorylated antisense oligonucleotide with dual function of RIG‐I activation and miR‐125b inhibition (3p‐125b‐ASO). We find that RBCEV‐delivered immRNA and 3p‐125b‐ASO trigger the RIG‐I pathway, and induce cell death in both mouse and human breast cancer cells. Furthermore, we observe a significant suppression of tumour growth coupled with increased immune cell infiltration mediated by the activation of RIG‐I cascade after multiple intratumoral injections of RBCEVs loaded with immRNA or 3p‐125b‐ASO. Targeted delivery of immRNA using RBCEVs with EGFR‐binding nanobody administrated via intrapulmonary delivery facilitates the accumulation of RBCEVs in metastatic cancer cells, leading to potent tumour‐specific CD8+ T cells immune response. This contributes to prominent suppression of breast cancer metastasis in the lung. Hence, this study provides a new strategy for efficient RIG‐I agonist delivery using RBCEVs for immunotherapy against cancer and cancer metastasis.
Sexual morph specialisation in a trioecious nematode balances opposing selective forces
Authors: Adams Sally , Pathak Prachi , Kittelmann Maike , Jones Alun R. C. , Mallon Eamonn B. , Pires-daSilva Andre
Published: April 2022

The coexistence of different mating strategies, whereby a species can reproduce both by selfing and outcrossing, is an evolutionary enigma. Theory predicts two predominant stable mating states: outcrossing with strong inbreeding depression or selfing with weak inbreeding depression. As these two mating strategies are subject to opposing selective forces, mixed breeding systems are thought to be a rare transitory state yet can persist even after multiple speciation events. We hypothesise that if each mating strategy plays a distinctive role during some part of the species life history, opposing selective pressures could be balanced, permitting the stable co-existence of selfing and outcrossing sexual morphs. In this scenario, we would expect each morph to be specialised in their respective roles. Here we show, using behavioural, physiological and gene expression studies, that the selfing (hermaphrodite) and outcrossing (female) sexual morphs of the trioecious nematodeAuanema freiburgensishave distinct adaptations optimised for their different roles during the life cycle.A. freiburgensishermaphrodites are known to be produced under stressful conditions and are specialised for dispersal to new habitat patches. Here we show that they exhibit metabolic and intestinal changes enabling them to meet the cost of dispersal and reproduction. In contrast,A. freiburgensisfemales are produced in favourable conditions and facilitate rapid population growth. We found that females compensate for the lack of reproductive assurance by reallocating resources from intestinal development to mate-finding behaviour. The specialisation of each mating system for its role in the life cycle could balance opposing selective forces allowing the stable maintenance of both mating systems inA. freiburgensis.
Understanding the spatiotemporal dynamics of understorey biomass in semi-arid woodlands of south-eastern Australia
Authors: Riquelme Linda , Rumpff Libby , Duncan David H. , Vesk Peter A.
Published: April 2022

When managing grazing pressure for conservation, understanding forage dynamics is essential. In south-eastern Australia, ongoing grazing is inhibiting regeneration in several semi-arid woodland communities. Western grey kangaroos (Macropus fuliginosus (Desmarest, 1817)) have been identified as a key component of total grazing pressure. They are thought to switch from grass to lower-quality browse, including tree seedlings, when grass biomass falls below 400 kg ha−1. One static threshold may not adequately capture the spatial and temporal hazard associated with kangaroo grazing, and this study aimed to explore how grassy biomass varies across a case-study landscape. Understorey biomass and species composition data were collected in the field on seven occasions between December 2016 and May 2019. We used Generalised Linear Mixed Models (GLMMs) to describe the influence of environmental and herbivory variables on total (live and dead) understorey, live understorey, and grass (live and dead) biomass. Canopy cover showed the strongest influence on understorey biomass, with more biomass found in open sites than in woodland. Understorey biomass levels were lowest in summer and autumn. Grass biomass, in particular, fell below the 400 kg ha−1 forage-switch threshold in wooded areas during this time. We anticipate that an increased understanding of understorey biomass dynamics will inform managers as to when and where to focus management efforts to promote regeneration and sustained recovery of these semi-arid woodlands. Results of this study suggest that conducting management efforts before the summer/autumn decline in understorey biomass, particularly in woodlands, is critical in reducing the browsing risk to seedlings.
Applications of cold atmospheric plasmas (CAPs) in agriculture: a brief review and the novel development of a radio-frequency CAP jet generator for plant mutation
Authors: LI Heping , LI Jing , ZHAO Xiting , WANG Liyan , FANG Chuan , SU Nan , ZHANG Chong , XU Yan , LV Meng , LI Mingjun , XING Xinhui
Published: April 2022

Cold atmospheric plasmas (CAPs) have shown great applicability in agriculture. Many kinds of CAP sources have been studied in agricultural applications to promote plant growth and cure plant diseases. We briefly review the state-of-the-art stimulating effects of atmospheric-pressure dielectric-barrier-discharge (AP-DBD) plasmas, after the direct or indirect treatment of plants for growth promotion and disease control. We then discuss the special demands on the characteristics of the CAP sources for their applications in plant mutation breeding. An atmospheric and room temperature plasma (ARTP) jet generator with a large plasma irradiation area, a high enough concentration of chemically reactive species and a low gas temperature is designed for direct plant mutagenesis. Experimental measurements of the electrical, thermal and optical features of the ARTP generator are conducted. Then, an ARTP-P (ARTP for plant mutagenesis) mutation breeding machine is developed, and a typical case of plant mutation breeding by the ARTP-P mutation machine is presented using Coreopsis tinctoria Nutt. seeds. Physical and agricultural experiments show that the newly-developed ARTP-P mutation breeding machine with a large irradiation area can generate uniform CAP jets with high concentrations of chemically reactive species and mild gas temperatures, and have significant mutagenesis effects on the Coreopsis tinctoria Nutt. seeds. The ARTP-P mutation breeding machine may provide a platform for systematic studies on mutation mechanisms and results for various plant seeds under different operating conditions in future research.
The Resistance and Resilience of National Image Building: An Empirical Analysis of Confucius Institute Closures in the USA
Authors: Hu Yue , Sun Yufei , Lien Donald
Published: April 2022

National image building (NIB) has become a critical strategy in public diplomacy. Extending the existing sender-focused literature on NIB, this study takes the receiver side into account. Our focus on the Confucius Institute (CI), China’s critical NIB effort in the USA, examines how a powerful receiver’s resistance affects the sender’s image locally. Based on an extensive data set of American CIs, we also pinpoint exactly who in the receiver country motivates the resistance to China’s NIB endeavours. The analytic results show that CI closures may indeed have diminished local US media attention to China, but empirical evidence nevertheless proves the resilience of China’s NIB—one whose ethos lingers even in places where institutes have been closed down. As to the motivators of NIB resistance, American colleges have called for a certain level of autonomy in regard to deciding the fate of CIs, and the government undoubtedly has influence on the issue, largely through public school decisions.
Treatment Strategies and Risk of Recurrence in Patients With Heart Valve Prosthesis, Staphylococcus aureus Bacteremia, and Possible Endocarditis—A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Toth Nikita , Nilson Bo , Berge Andreas , Rasmussen Magnus
Published: April 2022

Patients with heart valve prosthesis (HVP) and Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia (SAB) are at risk for endocarditis. In this retrospective, population-based cohort study of 134 patients with SAB and HVP, 97 patients (72%) were diagnosed with possible endocarditis. Despite that most patients with possible endocarditis received short antibiotic treatment, only 3 patients suffered recurrent SAB.
Hip Joint Infections Caused by Multidrug-Resistant Enterobacterales Among Patients With Spinal Cord Injury: Experience of a Reference Center in the Greater Paris Area
Authors: Davido B , Noussair L , El Sayed F , Jaffal K , Le Liepvre H , Marmouset D , Bauer T , Herrmann J L , Rottman M , Cremieux A C , Saleh-Mghir A
Published: April 2022

Background

We aimed to describe the management and treatment of hip joint infections caused by multidrug-resistant Enterobacterales among patients with spinal cord injury (SCI).

Methods

We included all hip joint infections associated with grade IV decubitus ulcers caused by extended-spectrum beta-lactamase producing Enterobacterales (ESBL-PE) and carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales treated in a reference center for bone and joint infections over 9 years in a retrospective study.

Results

Seventeen SCI patients with ischial pressure ulcers breaching the hip capsule (mean age 52 ± 15 years) were analyzed. In 16 patients, paraplegia was secondary to trauma and 1 was secondary to multiple sclerosis. Infections were mostly polymicrobial (n = 15; 88.2%), notably caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae (n = 10) and Staphylococcus aureus (n = 10). The carbapenemases identified were exclusively OXA-48-type (n = 3) including 2 isolates coexpressed with ESBL-PE within the same bacterial host. Multidrug-resistant Enterobacterales were commonly resistant to fluoroquinolones (n = 12; 70.6%). Most therapies were based on carbapenems (n = 10) and combination therapies (n = 13). Median duration of treatment was 45 (6–60) days. Of 17 cases of hip joint infections, 94.1% (n = 16) benefited from a femoral head and neck resection. Infection control was initially achieved in 58.8% (n = 10) of cases and up to 88.2% after revision surgeries, after a median follow-up of 3 (1–36) months.

Conclusions

Hip infections among SCI patients caused by multidrug-resistant Enterobacterales are often polymicrobial and fluoroquinolones-resistant infections caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae and S aureus, highlighting the need for expert centers with pluridisciplinary meetings associating experienced surgeons, clinical microbiologists, and infectious disease specialists.
Safety and effectiveness of RBD-specific polyclonal equine F(ab′)2 fragments for the treatment of hospitalized patients with severe Covid-19 disease: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Farizano Salazar Diego H. , Achinelli Fernando , Colonna Mariana , Perez Lucía , Giménez Analía A. , Ojeda Maria Alejandra , Miranda Puente Susana N. , Negrette Lía Sánchez , Cañete Florencia , Martelotte Ibarra Ornela I. , Sanguineti Santiago , Spatz Linus , Goldbaum Fernando A. , Massa Carolina , Rivas Marta , Pichel Mariana , Hiriart Yanina , Zylberman Vanesa , Gallego Sandra , Konigheim Brenda , Fernandez Francisco , Deprati Matías , Roubicek Ian , Giunta Diego H. , Nannini Esteban , Lopardo Gustavo , Belloso Waldo H.
Published: April 2022

Passive immunotherapy has been evaluated as a therapeutic alternative for patients with COVID-19 disease. Equine polyclonal immunotherapy for COVID-19 (EPIC) showed adequate safety and potential efficacy in a clinical trial setting and obtained emergency use authorization in Argentina. We studied its utility in a real world setting with a larger population.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study at “Hospital de Campaña Escuela-Hogar” in Corrientes, Argentina, to assess safety and effectiveness of EPIC in hospitalized adults with severe COVID-19 pneumonia. Primary endpoints were 28-days all-cause mortality and safety. Mortality and improvement in modified WHO clinical scale at 14 and 21 days were secondary endpoints. Potential confounder adjustment was made by logistic regression weighted by the inverse of the probability of receiving the treatment (IPTW) and doubly robust approach.

Results

Clinical records of 395 exposed (EPIC) and 446 non-exposed (Controls) patients admitted between November 2020 and April 2021 were analyzed. Median age was 58 years and 56.8% were males. Mortality at 28 days was 15.7% (EPIC) vs. 21.5% (Control). After IPTW adjustment the OR was 0.66 (95 % CI: 0.46 - 0.96), P= 0.03. The effect was more evident in the subgroup who received two EPIC doses (complete treatment, n=379), OR: 0.58 (95% CI 0.39 to 0.85), P=0.005. Overall and serious adverse events were not significantly different between groups.

Importance

In this retrospective cohort study, EPIC showed adequate safety and effectiveness in the treatment of hospitalized patients with severe SARS-CoV-2 disease.
The effect of neoadjuvant therapy on PD-L1 expression and CD8 lymphocyte density in non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Zens Philipp , Bello Corina , Scherz Amina , Gunten Michael von , Ochsenbein Adrian , Schmid Ralph A , Berezowska Sabina
Published: April 2022

PD-L1 expression is the routine clinical biomarker for the selection of patients to receive immunotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the application and best timing of immunotherapy in the resectable setting is still under investigation. We aimed to study the effect of chemotherapy on PD-L1 expression and tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL), which is to date still poorly understood. This retrospective, single-centre study cohort comprised 96 consecutive patients with NSCLC resected in 2000-2016 after neoadjuvant therapy, including paired chemo-naïve specimens in 57 cases. A biologically matched control cohort of 114 primary resected cases was included. PD-L1 expression, CD8+ TIL density and tertiary lymphoid structures were assessed on whole slides and correlated with clinico-pathological characteristics and survival.

Seven/57 and 12/57 cases had lower respectively higher PD-L1 expressions after neoadjuvant therapy. Most cases (n = 38) had no changes in PD-L1 expression and the majority of these showed PD-L1 < 1% in both samples (23/38 [60.5%]). CD8+ TILs density was significantly higher after chemotherapy (p = 0.031) in paired resections. Neoadjuvant cases showed no difference in PD-L1 expression or CD8+ TILs density compared to the chemotherapy naïve control cohort. In univariable analyses, higher CD8+ TILs density, higher numbers of tertiary lymphoid structures but not PD-L1 expression were significantly associated with better survival. Increased PD-L1 expression after neoadjuvant chemotherapy was visually associated with worse 5-year survival, lacking statistical significance probably due to the low number of cases. PD-L1 expression is mostly unchanged after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. However, an increase of PD-L1 expression after neoadjuvant therapy could be associated with worse survival.
The cognitive phenotype of juvenile absence epilepsy and its heritability: An investigation of patients and unaffected siblings
Authors: Caciagli Lorenzo , Ratcliffe Corey , Xiao Fenglai , van Graan Louis A. , Trimmel Karin , Vollmar Christian , Centeno Maria , Duncan John S. , Thompson Pamela J. , Baxendale Sallie , Koepp Matthias J. , Wandschneider Britta
Published: April 2022

Objective

The cognitive profile of juvenile absence epilepsy (JAE) remains uncharacterized. This study aimed to: (i) elucidate the neuropsychological profile of JAE; (ii) identify familial cognitive traits, by investigating unaffected JAE siblings; (iii) determine whether cognitive traits across the idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE) spectrum are shared or syndrome-specific, by comparing JAE to JME; and (iv) identify associations between cognitive abilities and clinical characteristics.

Methods

We investigated 123 participants: 23 patients with JAE, 16 unaffected siblings of JAE patients, 45 healthy controls, and 39 patients with JME, who underwent a comprehensive neuropsychological test battery including measures within four cognitive domains: attention/psychomotor speed, language, learning, and executive function. We also correlated clinical measures with cognitive performance data to decode effects of age at onset and duration of epilepsy.

Results

Patients with JAE performed worse than controls across tests of psychomotor speed, language, learning and executive function. Patients and siblings were similarly impaired on language measures of verbal comprehension, phonemic fluency, and semantic fluency compared to controls. Receiver operating characteristic curves indicated successful discrimination of patients with JAE and siblings from controls via linguistic measures. Individuals with JME also presented with multidomain cognitive impairment and had worse response inhibition than those with JAE. Across all patients, those with older age at onset had better performance on psychomotor speed and executive function tests.

Significance

JAE is associated with wide-ranging cognitive difficulties that encompass domains reliant on frontal lobe processing, including language, attention, and executive function. JAE siblings demonstrate shared impairment with patients on linguistic measures, indicative of a familial trait. Executive function subdomains may be differentially affected across the IGE spectrum. Cognitive abilities are detrimentally modulated by an early age at seizure onset.

KEY POINTS

JAE presents with multidomain cognitive impairment involving language, attention/ psychomotor speed, executive function, and learning.

Impaired language is common to people with JAE and their unaffected siblings, suggestive of a familial trait (endophenotype).

Response inhibition is worse in JME than JAE, indicating distinct cognitive profiles across the IGE spectrum.

Early age at epilepsy onset is associated with worse cognitive performance in JAE and JME.
Low knowledge about hepatitis B prevention among pregnant women in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Authors: Thahir Sahal , Tulenko Samantha E. , Ngimbi Patrick , Ntambua Sarah , Matondo Jolie , Mwandagalirwa Kashamuka , Tabala Martine , Kaba Didine , Yotebieng Marcel , Parr Jonathan B. , Thompson Peyton
Published: April 2022

Infants infected perinatally with hepatitis B (HBV) are at the highest risk of developing chronic hepatitis and associated sequelae. Prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HBV requires improved screening and awareness of the disease. This study evaluated existing HBV knowledge among pregnant mothers (n = 280) enrolled in two HBV screening studies in two urban maternity centers in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. All mothers responded to three knowledge questions upon study enrollment. Baseline levels of knowledge related to HBV transmission, treatment, and symptoms were low across all participants; 60% of participants responded “I don’t know” to all questions. HBV-positive women who participated in both studies (n= 46) were asked the same questions during both studies and showed improved knowledge after screening and treatment, despite no formal educational component in either study. These findings highlight the need for intensified education initiatives in highly endemic areas to improve PMTCT efforts.
The PAF1 complex cell autonomously promotes oogenesis in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Kubota Yukihiro , Ota Natsumi , Takatsuka Hisashi , Unno Takuma , Onami Shuichi , Sugimoto Asako , Ito Masahiro
Published: April 2022

The RNA polymerase II‐associated factor 1 complex (PAF1C) is a protein complex that consists of LEO1, RTF1, PAF1, CDC73, and CTR9, and has been shown to be involved in RNA polymerase II‐mediated transcriptional and chromatin regulation. Although it has been shown to regulate a variety of biological processes, the precise role of the PAF1C during germ line development has not been clarified. In this study, we found that reduction in the function of the PAF1C components, LEO‐1, RTFO‐1, PAFO‐1, CDC‐73, and CTR‐9, in Caenorhabditis elegans affects oogenesis. Defects in oogenesis were also confirmed using an oocyte maturation marker, OMA‐1::GFP. While four to five OMA‐1::GFP‐positive oocytes were observed in wild‐type animals, their numbers were significantly decreased in pafo‐1 mutant and leo‐1(RNAi), pafo‐1(RNAi), and cdc‐73(RNAi) animals. Expression of a functional PAFO‐1::mCherry transgene in the germline significantly rescued the oogenesis‐defective phenotype of the pafo‐1 mutants, suggesting that expression of the PAF1C in germ cells is required for oogenesis. Notably, overexpression of OMA‐1::GFP partially rescued the oogenesis defect in the pafo‐1 mutants. Based on our findings, we propose that the PAF1C promotes oogenesis in a cell‐autonomous manner by positively regulating the expression of genes involved in oocyte maturation.
Prognostic impact of worsening of esophageal varices after balloon‐occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration
Authors: Shinkai Kazuma , Sakamori Ryotaro , Yamada Ryoko , Tahata Yuki , Nozaki Yasutoshi , Matsumoto Kengo , Tawara Seiichi , Fukuda Kazuto , Yoshida Yuichi , Tanaka Satoshi , Ito Toshifumi , Doi Yoshinori , Iio Sadaharu , Sakakibara Mitsuru , Nakanishi Fumihiko , Kodama Takahiro , Hikita Hayato , Tatsumi Tomohide , Takehara Tetsuo
Published: April 2022

Background and Aim

Balloon‐occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration (BRTO) is widely performed for treating gastric varices (GVs). However, worsening of esophageal varices (EVs) can be observed after BRTO. This study aimed to investigate the impact of EV worsening on prognosis after BRTO.

Methods

Overall, 258 patients who underwent initial BRTO for GV treatment between January 2004 and May 2019 at 12 institutions were retrospectively registered.

Results

Technical success was achieved in 235 patients (91.1%). Based on the exclusion criteria, 37 patients were excluded, and 198 were evaluated. The cumulative worsening rates of EVs at 1, 2, and 3 years were 39.0%, 59.4%, and 68.4%, respectively. In the univariate Cox proportional hazards model, sex, EV size, history of EV treatment, left gastric vein dilatation, platelet count, aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total bilirubin, albumin, albumin–bilirubin score, prothrombin time‐international normalized ratio, fibrosis‐4 index, AST to platelet ratio index, and spleen width were significantly associated with worsening of EV after BRTO. Multivariate analysis showed that sex (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 1.72; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03–2.86; P = 0.04), left gastric vein dilatation (aHR 1.90; 95% CI 1.17–3.10; P = 0.01), ALT (aHR 1.01; 95% CI 1.00–1.03; P = 0.02), albumin (aHR 0.61; 95% CI 0.43–0.87; P < 0.01), and spleen width (aHR 1.02; 95% CI 1.01–1.03; P < 0.01) were independent risk factors for worsening of EV after BRTO. Patients with EV worsening within 1 year after BRTO had a significantly worse prognosis than the other patients (P = 0.007).

Conclusions

Early worsening of EV after BRTO was associated with poor prognosis after BRTO.
Gender differences in science, technology, engineering and maths uptake and attainment in post‐16 education
Authors: McDool Emily , Morris Damon
Published: April 2022

The underrepresentation of women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) occupations is a world‐wide phenomenon. The UK is simultaneously encountering a shortage of STEM skills. While gender imbalances in STEM study in higher education and A‐level study are widely documented, gender imbalances are apparent in vocational post‐16 education, though the existence and causes of these imbalances have received little attention. This paper uses administrative data to explore the extent of gender imbalances in STEM qualifications attempted and achieved in vocational post‐16 education routes. Gender differentials in the uptake of vocational STEM qualifications are much starker than they are in A‐levels and the roles of ability, socio‐economic status and school characteristics in explaining gender differentials differ with the education route taken, though their power in explaining these gaps is limited.
When healing turns into killing – the pathophysiology of pancreatic and hepatic fibrosis
Authors: Ferdek Pawel E. , Krzysztofik Daria , Stopa Kinga B. , Kusiak Agnieszka A. , Paw Milena , Wnuk Dawid , Jakubowska Monika A.
Published: April 2022

Disorders such as pancreatic or hepatic fibrosis are a cruel reminder that disruption of the delicate physiological balance could result in severe pathological consequences. Fibrosis is usually associated with chronic diseases and manifests itself as excessive deposition of the extracellular matrix, which gradually leads to the replacement of the cellular components by fibrotic lesions, significantly compromising normal tissue functions. The main cellular mediators of fibrosis are different populations of tissue fibroblasts, predominantly hepatic and pancreatic stellate cells in the liver and pancreas, respectively. These cells undergo a phenotypic switch in response to (bio)chemical or physical stimuli and acquire a myofibroblast‐like phenotype characterised by increased contractile and adhesive properties, elevated expression of certain cytoskeletal and membrane proteins, and prominent production of extracellular matrix components. In the past few decades, a substantial scientific effort has been undertaken to investigate the pathogenesis of fibrosis. Here, cellular mechanisms of hepatic and pancreatic fibrosis, their aetiological factors, associated diseases and prospective therapies are discussed. New therapies against fibrosis are likely to be focused on regulation of hepatic/pancreatic stellate cell physiology as well as normalisation of the organ mechanostasis.

image
EFFECT OF DOPING THIOUREA IN CdO THIN FILMS FOR ELECTRONIC APPLICATIONS
Authors: SOYLU M. , KOCUK H.
Published: April 2022

Thiourea (Th)-doped CdO thin films were deposited on glass and crystalline p-type Si (100) substrates for various Th doping concentrations (0.3, 0.5 and 0.7 at.%) using spin coating method. Some structural parameters, such as the crystallite size, lattice constant, dislocation density (δ) and strain in the films were obtained from XRD analysis in which the polycrystalline structure with cubic nature and (111) preferential orientation was confirmed. CdO thin film has not shown any change in crystal phase after Th doping. The optical study emerged that the Th doping caused important changes in the transmittance, absorbance and reflectance spectra. The optical transmittance above 80% range from 720 nm to 800 nm is obtained for 0.3% Th-doped CdO thin films. The rectifying behavior increases with increasing Th content in CdO while Th-doped CdO/p-Si heterojunction exhibits low rectifying character.
The Effect of Physical Training of Athletes Based on Parametric Bayesian Estimation in the Context of Big Data
Authors: Su Huadong , Su Ziyi , Xia Yuxin
Published: April 2022

Athletes must maintain their physical fitness in order to compete in any sport. The event can be organized for a single person or multiple people. Irrespective of the number of people or team participation in a sport, the people should have perfect training. The performance and physical fitness of the candidate will be measured under various categories, and the data will be stored in the database. The data to be collected about each event, player, coach, and others will result in the creation of big data with the aid of artificial intelligence and wireless networking. Wireless networking aids in the collection of data around the globe in a shorter period with the aid of intelligent servers. In this study, a recursive Bayesian estimation algorithm is implemented to perform the analysis of training and testing of the athlete’s performance with physical training. The proposed algorithm achieved an accuracy of 99%, which is a minimum increase in nine (09) percentage points over the neural network and an 18% growth over the fuzzy set model. The proposed models are able to analyze players’ success at a higher level based on their scores at each factor level. The experimental results show that the proposed model outperforms well in enhancing player performance.
Energy Efficiency Maximization in the Wireless-Powered Backscatter Communication Networks with DF Relaying
Authors: Zheng Chuangming , Zhou Wengang , Lu Xinxin
Published: April 2022

This paper focuses on the design of an optimal resource allocation scheme to maximize the energy efficiency (EE) in the wireless-powered backscatter communication networks (WPBCN) with decode and forward (DF) relaying. The two different devices are supported to operate in different modes, the harvest-then-transmit (HTT) mode and backscatter communication (BackCom) mode, respectively. In particular, we formulate an optimization problem to maximize system EE by jointly optimizing the transmit power of hybrid access point (H-AP) and the system time resource allocation. To deal with the nonconvex problem, we investigate the characteristics of the EE expression and a variable substitution approach. Then, the optimal power allocation scheme and iterative optimization algorithm were derived for achieving maximum EE. Extensive simulation results have demonstrated that the system EE can be improved about 10% because the proposed scheme provides more flexibility to utilize the resource efficiently by employing the proposed scheme.
The Impact of Death and Dying Education for Undergraduate Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Weisskirch Robert S. , Crossman Kimberly A.
Published: April 2022

Fear of COVID-19 may make the imminence of death prescient for undergraduate students, increasing death anxiety and worsening mental health. Formal death education may provide benefits such as reduced fear of COVID-19 and death anxiety, and improved mental health. In this study, 86 undergraduate students completed a pre- and post-semester online questionnaire on fear of COVID-19, death anxiety, and mental health outcomes. Findings indicate indirect effects of death anxiety on fear of COVID-19 to anxiety. Moreover, fear of COVID-19, individual concerns about death, and death anxiety were reduced over the semester for undergraduate students in formal death education.
Chitosan nanoparticles containing fusion protein (Hspx–PPE44–EsxV) and resiquimod adjuvant (HPERC) as a novel booster vaccine for Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Hoseinpur Rasul , Hasani Alka , Baradaran Behzad , Abdolalizadeh Jalal , Amini Yousef , Salehi Roya , Samadi Kafil Hossein , Azizian Khalil , Memar Mohammad Yousef , Gholizadeh Pourya , Hasani Akbar
Published: April 2022

This study attempted to explore the immunogenicity of chitosan nanoparticles containing fusion protein (Hspx–PPE44–EsxV; HPE) and resiquimod adjuvant (HPERC) in BALB/c mice. HPE was initially expressed in E. coli BL21 cells. HPE and resiquimod adjuvant were then encapsulated in chitosan nanoparticles (HPERC). One group of mice were subcutaneously vaccinated on days 0, 14, and 28 with HPERC, and the other group was primed with bacilli Calmette-Guérin (BCG) on day 0 and then boosted with HPERC on days 14 and 28. Two weeks after the last injection, IFN-γ, IL-4, and IL-17 in spleen cell culture supernatants, and IgG2a and IgG1 titers in sera were measured. HPERC size was 130.84 ± 12.08 nm ( n = 5). Zeta potential of HPERC was 29 ± 4 mv. The highest IFN-γ concentration was detected in BCG-primed mice that were boosted with HPERC. In addition, IL-17 production was significantly increased in all groups compared with that of control, except in those that received nanoparticle (NP), adjuvant (ADJ), NP/ADJ, and fusion protein (Hspx–PPE44–EsxV) (HPE). Comparison of IFN-γ and IL-4 concentration determined that Th1 was activated in BCG-primed and HPERC-boosted group in comparison to the other groups. No significant difference in concentration of IL-4 was observed between groups receiving HPERC and BCG-primed and HPERC-boosted group in comparison to group BCG. Concentrations of IgG2a and IgG1 also increased compared to the control group and the rate of IgG2a was higher compared to IgG1. Chitosan containing HPERC vaccine could induce a high level of specific cytokines in mice. The group of mice which first received BCG and then HPERC as booster vaccine could produce significant amounts of IFN-γ, IL-17, and IgG2a.
Acculturation of Consumer Culture on Impulsive Buying Behaviour among Gen Y: A Contingent Role of Gender
Authors: Thomas Feba , Varghese Ranjana Mary
Published: April 2022

The study examines the relationship between attitudinal acculturation of consumer culture (A-ACC) and the role of behavioural acculturation of consumer culture (B-ACC) on impulsive buying behaviour (IBB), similarly the role of gender as a moderator between consumer culture and IBB among Indian consumers. The data is collected through a standardized online survey using a structured questionnaire adapted from existing studies. The sample size consists of 153 (male = 77, female = 76) respondents who are Gen Y individuals across various states in India. The findings indicated that gender has a moderated relationship between acculturation of consumer culture (ACC) (attitudinal and behavioural) and IBB. Gender (male and female) strengthens the positive relationship between ACC and IBB. The study provides insights to academicians and marketers about the buying behaviour of the Indian consumer behaviour in the developing retail sector. The major impact of research is to focus the role of gender as a moderating variable on consumer culture and IBB among Gen Y consumers.
Southern Africa and Cultural Heritage: An Assessment of Online Promotion Strategies
Authors: Nyambiya Humphrey , Mutyandaedza Bright , Mugabe Bedone , Muchanyangi Tafadzwa , Zhou Tariro
Published: April 2022

In terms of cultural heritage, Southern Africa is arguably one of the richest regions. This region has potential for a vibrant cultural heritage tourism sector. Against the background that cultural heritage tourism is a major source of revenue to this region and the need to educate the public on the importance of cultural heritage, we assess the region’s online promotion strategies to the public. We employed qualitative and quantitative analysis of data obtained from cultural heritage organizations of six countries, namely Botswana, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa and Zambia. We assessed the websites of these organizations on the premise of the Information, Communication, Transaction, Relationship and Technical model (ICTRT); social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn and Instagram were also analysed. Our results show that except for South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA), South Africa, and National Heritage Council of Namibia, most Southern African cultural heritage institutions are struggling to promote cultural heritage online. Given the increased online activities as a result of the global COVID-19 pandemic, we also show that for most Southern African cultural heritage bodies, this has not yet positively affected their online marketing activities. Based on these results, we recommend that concerned organizations should increase online visibility geared towards aggressive marketing approaches.
“We need to build a better bridge”: findings from a multi-site qualitative analysis of opportunities for improving opioid treatment services for youth
Authors: Marchand Kirsten , Fogarty Oonagh , Pellatt Katrina Marie , Vig Kayly , Melnychuk Jordan , Katan Christina , Khan Faria , Turuba Roxanne , Kongnetiman Linda , Tallon Corinne , Fairbank Jill , Mathias Steve , Barbic Skye
Published: April 2022

Background

Adolescence and young adulthood is an important period for substance use initiation and related harms. In the context of the ongoing opioid crisis, the risks for youth (ages 16–29) who use opioids are particularly heightened. Despite recommendations to adopt a developmentally appropriate and comprehensive approach to reduce opioid-related harms among youth, data continue to show that youth are not adequately engaged in opioid treatments and encounter many barriers. The aim of this study is to identify youth-centered opportunities for improving opioid treatment services.

Methods

This paper reports multi-site qualitative findings from youth participating in the ‘Improving Treatment Together’ project, a community-based participatory project being conducted in British Columbia and Alberta, two western Canadian provinces that have been dramatically impacted by the opioid crisis. Qualitative data were collected during three workshops with youth who used opioids and accessed opioid treatment services in the prior 12 months. These workshops were conducted in three communities following the core elements of human-centered co-design. A multi-site qualitative analysis was conducted to identify within- and between-site themes surrounding youths’ needs for improving opioid treatment service experiences and outcomes.

Results

Three overarching needs themes were identified from across the communities. The first reflected youths’ difficulties finding and staying connected to opioid treatment services, with the overarching need theme suggesting opportunities to reduce organizational and systems-related barriers to care, such as waiting times and wider information about service availability. The second area of need was rooted in youths’ feelings of judgment when accessing services. Consequently, opportunities to increase respectful and empathic interactions were the overarching need. The final theme was more nuanced across communities and reflected opportunities for an individualized approach to opioid treatment services that consider youths’ unique basic safety, social, and health needs.

Conclusions

This study identifies fundamental directions for the operationalization and implementation of youth-centered opioid treatment services. These directions are contextualized in youths’ lived experiences accessing services in their local communities, with overarching themes from across sites strengthening their transferability to other settings.
On the role of stablecoins in cryptoasset pricing dynamics
Authors: Kristoufek Ladislav
Published: April 2022

We examine the interactions between stablecoins, Bitcoin, and a basket of altcoins to uncover whether stablecoins represent the investors’ demand for trading and investing into cryptoassets or rather play a role as boosting mechanisms during cryptomarkets price rallies. Using a set of instruments covering the standard cointegration framework as well as quantile-specific and non-linear causality tests, we argue that stablecoins mostly reflect an increasing demand for investing in cryptoassets rather than serve as a boosting mechanism for periods of extreme appreciation. We further discuss some specificities of 2017, even though the dynamic patterns remain very similar to the general behavior. Overall, we do not find support for claims about stablecoins being bubble boosters in the cryptoassets ecosystem.
Handling Heterogeneous Data in Knowledge Graphs: A Survey
Authors: Singh Sushmita , Siwach Manvi
Published: April 2022

In this era of information where everything is digital, data tends to be ubiquitous. Data Analytics is a term that covers all the areas that deal with the logical analysis of raw data Graph analytics is one of the emerging domains of data analytics that represents and analyses data in the form of knowledge graphs. Knowledge graphs play a vital role in analysing and processing data in order to make decisions. In knowledge graphs the data is stored in the form of entities, relationships between the entities and the attributes of entities as well as attributes of relationships. Construction of knowledge graph and its analytics face multiple challenges like data redundancy, heterogeneity of data, missing data, dynamic nature of real-world data etc. This paper focuses on the issue related to heterogeneity of data while constructing a knowledge graph, and it provides a systematic literature review over construction of knowledge graphs from heterogeneous data sources. This review compiles state-of-the-art knowledge fusion techniques. To conduct this systematic literature review, an exhaustive approach has been adopted to identify various procedures and algorithms included and adapted by different research works for knowledge graph construction.
On film and territory: Treading ground with Sacro GRA
Authors: Rascaroli Laura
Published: April 2022

In this article, I change the lens through which we normally look at space in film, transcending at once the national/transnational cinema dichotomy and hierarchical geographical scalings and generic categories that are sometimes unfit to account for a film’s production of space. I propose that the geopolitical notion of ‘territory’ can focus our attention on the critical situatedness of a certain type of cinema while also facilitating formal and industrial types of film analysis. The notion of territory, intended as a geographical space shaped by humans and a geographical expression of power, can be mobilized to analyse films that reveal and critique the social actualization of the material potentialities of specific places. Gianfranco Rosi’s cinema is a case in point. Set along Rome’s ring road, Rosi’s Sacro GRA (‘Holy GRA’) (2013) sits uncomfortably in both the city symphony or road movie genres and calls for different categories of analysis.
Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and their eco-friendly strategies for plant growth regulation: a review
Authors: Choudhury Debapriya , Tarafdar Santanu , Dutta Sikha
Published: April 2022

As a natural engineer, Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) play an important role in increasing plant growth, yield and enhancing plant tolerance to stressful conditions. These beneficial bacteria take up their position in the rhizosphere, around the plants’ root tissues. They may be in, or on their host tissues and help to provide nutrients to their host plants. For sustainable agriculture, PGPR transmit their extensive assistance in ecosystem management, soil structure maintenance, stress management and plant morphology and physiology modulation in an environmentally friendly manner. Plant- PGPR interactions also stimulate nutrient acquisition and accumulation, improve plant performance and enhance plants’ tolerance to abiotic and biotic stresses. Beside these, PGPR are good biofertilizers and safe for our environment. Nanotechnological advances with PGPR applications are important today to increase the impact of PGPR in agriculture. Undoubtedly, PGPR concept is intimately involved with agriculture, horticulture, forestry and they are too enough to establish a vibrant environment. In this review we have focused on the versatility of PGPR-their performance and aimed to address some future prospects of PGPR as an eco-friendly tool for plant growth regulation.
Data normalization methods to improve the quality of classification in the breast cancer diagnostic system
Authors: Polyakova Marina V. , Krylov Victor N.
Published: April 2022

In oncology diagnostic systems, images of cells obtained from breast biopsy are often identified by statistical and geometricfea-tures. To classify the values of these features, presented, in particular, in the Wisconsin Diagnostic Breast Cancer dataset,a naive Bayesian classifier, the k-nearest neighbor’smethod, neural networks, and ensembles of decision trees were used in the literature. It is noticed that the classification results obtained with using these methods differ mainly within the limits of the statistical error. This is related to the selection of the classifier which is determined by the shape of the clusters and the presence of data outliers. They are significantly affected by data preparing, in particular, the method of normalization of the feature values. Normalization is defined as transforming the values of features to a certain interval. The difference in the intervals of feature values can lead to implicit weighting of features in their classification. After feature extraction and normalization, a set of data belonging to the same class may be divided into several clusters as a result of feature space distortion. To separate such data into one class, the distance between them must be greater than the internal scatter of data in each of the clusters. Therefore, in addition to normalization, data preparing can include decorrelation and orthogonalization of features, using, e.g., principal component analysiswhich selects feature projections with better class separation. So to improve the quality of classification, in the article the data preparation methods are used, namely data normalization methods and data analysis using principal components. It is shown that it is advisable to use the standard, robust, or minimax normalization of cell feature vectors if the k-nearest neighbor’sclassifier or a naive Bayesian classifier is selected. If the classification of cell feature vectors in breast biopsy images was carried out using an ensemble of decision trees, the use of normali-zation did not improve the quality of the classification.It is advisable to reduce the dimension of the feature space by analyzing the principal components only for the k-nearest method. When using a naive Bayesian classifier and ensembles of decision trees, the transition to principal components reduces the quality of the classification.The results obtainedin the articleallow choosing the pre-paring data methods for a specific problem.