bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Benchmark PhotoIonization Cross-Sections of Neutral Scandium from the Ground and Excited States
Authors: Tayal Swaraj S. , Zatsarinny Oleg
Published: October 2021

The B-spline R-matrix method has been used to investigate cross-sections for photoionization of neutral scandium from the ground and excited states in the energy region from the 3d and 4s valence electron ionization thresholds to 25 eV. The initial bound states of Sc and the final residual Sc+ ionic states have been accurately calculated by combining the multiconfiguration Hartree-Fock method with the frozen-core close-coupling approach. The lowest 20 bound states of Sc I belonging to the ground 3d4s2 and excited 3d24s, 3d24p, 3d4s4p, 4s24p, and 3d3 configurations have been considered as initial states. The 81 LS final ionic states of Sc+ belonging to the terms of 3p63d2, 3p63d4l (l = 0–3), 3p63d5l (l = 0–3), 3p63d6s, 3p64s2, 3p64s4l (l = 0–3), 3p64s5l (l = 0–1), and 3p64p2 configurations have been included in the final-state close-coupling expansion. The cross-sections are dominated by complicated resonance structures in the low energy region converging to several Sc+ ionic thresholds. The inclusion of all these final ionic states has been noted to significantly impact the near-threshold resonance structures and background cross-sections. The important scattering channels for leaving the residual ion in various final states have been identified, and the 3d electron ionization channels have been noted to dominate the cross-sections at higher photon energies.
An Efficient Localized Meshless Method Based on the Space–Time Gaussian RBF for High-Dimensional Space Fractional Wave and Damped Equations
Authors: Raei Marzieh , Cuomo Salvatore
Published: October 2021

In this paper, an efficient localized meshless method based on the space–time Gaussian radial basis functions is discussed. We aim to deal with the left Riemann–Liouville space fractional derivative wave and damped wave equation in high-dimensional space. These significant problems as anomalous models could arise in several research fields of science, engineering, and technology. Since an explicit solution to such equations often does not exist, the numerical approach to solve this problem is fascinating. We propose a novel scheme using the space–time radial basis function with advantages in time discretization. Moreover this approach produces the (n + 1)-dimensional spatial-temporal computational domain for n-dimensional problems. Therefore the local feature, as a remarkable and efficient property, leads to a sparse coefficient matrix, which could reduce the computational costs in high-dimensional problems. Some benchmark problems for wave models, both wave and damped, have been considered, highlighting the proposed method performances in terms of accuracy, efficiency, and speed-up. The obtained experimental results show the computational capabilities and advantages of the presented algorithm.
Differential Models, Numerical Simulations and Applications
Authors: Bretti Gabriella
Published: October 2021

Differential models, numerical methods and computer simulations play a fundamental role in applied sciences. Since most of the differential models inspired by real world applications have no analytical solutions, the development of numerical methods and efficient simulation algorithms play a key role in the computation of the solutions to many relevant problems. Moreover, since the model parameters in mathematical models have interesting scientific interpretations and their values are often unknown, estimation techniques need to be developed for parameter identification against the measured data of observed phenomena. In this respect, this Special Issue collects some important developments in different areas of application.
Thermal Runaway Modelling of Li-Ion Cells at Various States of Ageing with a Semi-Empirical Model Based on a Kinetic Equation
Authors: Grandjacques Mathilde , Kuntz Pierre , Azaïs Philippe , Genies Sylvie , Raccurt Olivier
Published: October 2021

The thermal runaway model used is a semi-empirical model based on a kinetic equation, parametrised by three parameters (m,n,p). It is believed that this kinetic equation can describe any reaction. The choice of parameters is often made without justifications. We assumed it necessary to develop a method to select the parameters. The method proposed is based on data coming from an accelerating rate calorimeter (ARC) test. The method has been applied on data obtained for cells aged on different conditions. Thanks to a post-mortem analysis and simulations carried out using the parameters obtained, we have shown that the ageing mechanisms have a major impact on the parameters.
Autoantibodies and Rheumatologic Manifestations in Hepatitis C Virus Infection
Authors: Priora Marta , Borrelli Richard , Parisi Simone , Ditto Maria Chiara , Realmuto Cristina , Laganà Angela , Centanaro Di Vittorio Chiara , Degiovanni Rosanna , Peroni Clara Lisa , Fusaro Enrico
Published: October 2021

HCV is a virus that can cause chronic infection which can result in a systemic disease that may include many rheumatologic manifestations such as arthritis, myalgia, sicca syndrome, cryoglobulinemia vasculitis as well as other non-rheumatological disorders (renal failure, onco-haematological malignancies). In this population, the high frequency of rheumatoid factor (45–70%), antinuclear (10–40%) and anticardiolipin (15–20%) antibodies is a B-cell mediated finding sustained by the infection. However, the possibility that a primitive rheumatic pathology may coexist with the HCV infection is not to be excluded thus complicating a differential diagnosis between primitive and HCV-related disorders.
Coffee Bioactive N-Methylpyridinium Attenuates Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF)-α-Mediated Insulin Resistance and Inflammation in Human Adipocytes
Authors: Quarta Stefano , Scoditti Egeria , Carluccio Maria Annunziata , Calabriso Nadia , Santarpino Giuseppe , Damiano Fabrizio , Siculella Luisa , Wabitsch Martin , Verri Tiziano , Favari Claudia , Del Rio Daniele , Mena Pedro , De Caterina Raffaele , Massaro Marika
Published: October 2021

Although coffee consumption has been historically associated with negative health outcomes, recent evidence suggests a lower risk of metabolic syndrome, obesity and diabetes among regular coffee drinkers. Among the plethora of minor organic compounds assessed as potential mediators of coffee health benefits, trigonelline and its pyrolysis product N-methylpyridinium (NMP) were preliminary shown to promote glucose uptake and exert anti-adipogenic properties. Against this background, we aimed at characterizing the effects of trigonelline and NMP in inflamed and dysfunctional human adipocytes. Human Simpson-Golabi-Behmel syndrome (SGBS) adipocytes were treated with NMP or, for comparison, trigonelline, for 5 h before stimulation with tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. NMP at concentrations as low as 1 µmol/L reduced the stimulated expression of several pro-inflammatory mediators, including C-C Motif chemokine ligand (CCL)-2, C-X-C Motif chemokine ligand (CXCL)-10, and intercellular adhesion Molecule (ICAM)-1, but left the induction of prostaglandin G/H synthase (PTGS)2, interleukin (IL)-1β, and colony stimulating factor (CSF)1 unaffected. Furthermore, NMP restored the downregulated expression of adiponectin (ADIPOQ). These effects were functionally associated with downregulation of the adhesion of monocytes to inflamed adipocytes. Under the same conditions, NMP also reversed the TNF-α-mediated suppression of insulin-stimulated Ser473 Akt phosphorylation and attenuated the induction of TNF-α-stimulated lipolysis restoring cell fat content. In an attempt to preliminarily explore the underlying mechanisms of its action, we show that NMP restores the expression of the master regulator of adipocyte differentiation peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)γ and downregulates activation of the pro-inflammatory mitogen-activated protein jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). In conclusion, NMP reduces adipose dysfunction in pro-inflammatory activated adipocytes. These data suggest that bioactive NMP in coffee may improve the inflammatory and dysmetabolic milieu associated with obesity.
Hyperhomocysteinemia: Metabolic Role and Animal Studies with a Focus on Cognitive Performance and Decline—A Review
Authors: Nieraad Hendrik , Pannwitz Nina , Bruin Natasja de , Geisslinger Gerd , Till Uwe
Published: October 2021

Disturbances in the one-carbon metabolism are often indicated by altered levels of the endogenous amino acid homocysteine (HCys), which is additionally discussed to causally contribute to diverse pathologies. In the first part of the present review, we profoundly and critically discuss the metabolic role and pathomechanisms of HCys, as well as its potential impact on different human disorders. The use of adequate animal models can aid in unravelling the complex pathological processes underlying the role of hyperhomocysteinemia (HHCys). Therefore, in the second part, we systematically searched PubMed/Medline for animal studies regarding HHCys and focused on the potential impact on cognitive performance and decline. The majority of reviewed studies reported a significant effect of HHCys on the investigated behavioral outcomes. Despite of persistent controversial discussions about equivocal findings, especially in clinical studies, the present evaluation of preclinical evidence indicates a causal link between HHCys and cognition-related- especially dementia-like disorders, and points out the further urge for large-scale, well-designed clinical studies in order to elucidate the normalization of HCys levels as a potential preventative or therapeutic approach in human pathologies.
Comparison of the Confluence-Initiated Neurogenic Differentiation Tendency of Adipose-Derived and Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Authors: Wu Szu-Hsien , Liao Yu-Ting , Huang Chi-Han , Chen Yi-Chou , Chiang En-Rung , Wang Jung-Pan
Published: October 2021

Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs), which tended to neurogenically differentiate spontaneously after achieving high confluence, were observed. Human ADSCs reaching 80% confluence were cultured in DMEM without an inducing factor for 24 h and then maintained in DMEM plus 1% FBS medium for 7 days. The neurogenic, adipogenic, and osteogenic genes of the factor-induced and confluence-initiated differentiation of the ADSCs and bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) at passages 3 to 5 were determined and compared using RT-qPCR, and the neurogenic differentiation was confirmed using immunofluorescent staining. In vitro tests revealed that the RNA and protein expression of neuronal markers, including class III β-tubulin (TUBB3), microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2), neurofilament medium polypeptide (NEFM), neurofilament heavy polypeptide (NEFH), and neurofilament light polypeptide (NEFL), had been enhanced in the confluence-initiated differentiation of the ADSCs. In addition, the expressions of neurotrophins, such as the nerve growth factor (NGF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), were also elevated in the confluence-initiated differentiation of the ADSCs. However, the confluent ADSCs did not show a tendency toward spontaneous adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation. Moreover, compared with the confluent ADSCs, the tendency of spontaneous neurogenic, adipogenic, and osteogenic differentiation of the confluent human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) was not observed. The results indicated that ADSCs had the potential to spontaneously differentiate into neuron-like cells during the confluent culture period; however, this tendency was not observed in BMSCs.
Metacognitive Performance on Memory and Visuospatial Tasks in Functional Cognitive Disorder
Authors: Pennington Catherine , Ball Harriet , Swirski Marta , Newson Margaret , Coulthard Elizabeth
Published: October 2021

Functional Cognitive Disorder (FCD) is a common diagnosis at the memory clinic. FCD is characterised by significant self-reported cognitive symptoms in the absence of external evidence of cognitive dysfunction. A potential explanation for this is a deficit in metacognition, the process by which we internally judge our own abilities. Here we investigated differences in accuracy, confidence, and metacognition between people with FCD (N = 20), neurodegenerative mild cognitive impairment (nMCI; N = 14), and healthy controls (N = 23). The groups were assessed on forced choice memory and perceptual tasks, with trial by trial confidence ratings. FCD and nMCI participants showed lower accuracy on the memory task (means FCD 63.65%, nMCI 63.96%, HC 71.22%), with a significant difference between the FCD and HC groups after controlling for age and sex. There were no between-group differences in memory task confidence (means FCD 3.19, nMCI 3.59, HC 3.71). The FCD group showed greater confidence when longer time was allowed on the memory task. No between group differences in perceptual task accuracy (means FCD 63.97%, nMCI 64.50%, FCD 65.86%) or confidence (means FCD 3.71, nMCI 3.43, HC 3.88) were found. No differences in metacognitive efficacy emerged between the groups, either on the memory or perceptual task (Memory Meta-d’/d’:FCD 0.63, nMCI 0.94 HC 0.85; Perceptual Meta-d’,d’: FCD 0.50, nMCI 0.51, HC 0.72). Participants showed greater metacognitive efficacy on the memory task compared to the perceptual task. The difficulties experienced by people with FCD do not appear to be due to metacognitive deficits. Their performance was similar to people with nMCI over aspects of the memory tasks, which suggests that the primary issue may lie with memory encoding or retrieval, rather than with their judgement of performance accuracy.
BIM and BEM Methodologies Integration in Energy-Efficient Buildings Using Experimental Design
Authors: González Jorge , Soares Carlos , Najjar Mohammad , Haddad Assed
Published: October 2021

Linking Building Information Modelling and Building Energy Modelling methodologies appear as a tool for the energy performance analysis of a dwelling, being able to build the physical model via Autodesk Revit and simulating the energy modeling with its complement Autodesk Insight. A residential two-story house was evaluated in five different locations within distinct climatic zones to reduce its electricity demand. Experimental Design is used as a methodological tool to define the possible arrangement of results emitted via Autodesk Insight that exhibits the minor electric demand, considering three variables: Lighting efficiency, Plug-Load Efficiency, and HVAC systems. The analysis concluded that while the higher the efficiency of lighting and applications, the lower the electric demand. In addition, the type of climate and thermal characteristics of the materials that conform to the building envelope have significant effects on the energetic performance. The adjustment of different energetic measures and its comparison with other climatic zones enable decision-makers to choose the best combination of variables for developing strategies to lower the electric demand towards energy-efficient buildings.
Navigation Tasks in Desktop VR Environments to Improve the Spatial Orientation Skill of Building Engineers
Authors: Carbonell-Carrera Carlos , Saorin Jose , Jaeger Allison
Published: October 2021

Virtual reality is a powerful tool for teaching 3D digital technologies in building engineering, as it facilitates the spatial perception of three-dimensional space. Spatial orientation skill is necessary for understanding 3D space. With VR, users navigate through virtually designed buildings and must be constantly aware of their position relative to other elements of the environment (orientation during navigation). In the present study, 25 building engineering students performed navigation tasks in a desktop-VR environment workshop. Performance of students using the desktop-VR was compared to a previous workshop in which navigation tasks were carried out using head-mounted displays. The Perspective Taking/Spatial Orientation Test measured spatial orientation skill. A questionnaire on user experience in the virtual environment was also administered. The gain in spatial orientation skill was 12.62%, similar to that obtained with head-mounted displays (14.23%). The desktop VR environment is an alternative to the HMD-VR environment for planning strategies to improve spatial orientation. Results from the user-experience questionnaire showed that the desktop VR environment strategy was well perceived by students in terms of interaction, 3D visualization, navigation, and sense of presence. Unlike in the HDM VR environment, student in the desktop VR environment did not report feelings of fatigue or dizziness.
Exploring Socio-Demographic and Urban Form Indices in Demand Forecasting Models to Reflect Spatial Variations: Case Study of Childcare Centres in Hobart, Australia
Authors: Mousavi Amir , Bunker Jonathan , Lee Jinwoo (Brian)
Published: October 2021

This study investigated whether indices for socioeconomic, demographic and urban form characteristics can reflect the overall effect of each category in a demand forecasting model. Regression equations were developed for trip generation of the land use of long day care centres (LDCC) in the metropolitan region of Hobart, Australia, to estimate the morning peak hourly private car trip generation of the centres. The independent variables for the model were functions of socioeconomic, demographic and urban form related indices, while the dependent variable was private car trip generation per number of staff or children. Findings show that using indices for socioeconomic, demographic and urban form characteristics enhances overall model performance, while the models based on the commonly used method for estimating trip generation present acceptable results in just some specific sites. The use of socioeconomic, demographic and urban form indices can reflect differences in these characteristics across suburbs when estimating trip generation.
Metagenomic Profiling of Fecal-Derived Bacterial Membrane Vesicles in Crohn’s Disease Patients
Authors: Kameli Nader , Becker Heike E. F. , Welbers Tessa , Jonkers Daisy M. A. E. , Penders John , Savelkoul Paul , Stassen Frank R.
Published: October 2021

Background: In the past, many studies suggested a crucial role for dysbiosis of the gut microbiota in the etiology of Crohn’s disease (CD). However, despite being important players in host–bacteria interaction, the role of bacterial membrane vesicles (MV) has been largely overlooked in the pathogenesis of CD. In this study, we addressed the composition of the bacterial and MV composition in fecal samples of CD patients and compared this to the composition in healthy individuals. Methods: Fecal samples from six healthy subjects (HC) in addition to twelve CD patients (six active, six remission) were analyzed in this study. Fecal bacterial membrane vesicles (fMVs) were isolated by a combination of ultrafiltration and size exclusion chromatography. DNA was obtained from the fMV fraction, the pellet of dissolved feces as bacterial DNA (bDNA), or directly from feces as fecal DNA (fDNA). The fMVs were characterized by nanoparticle tracking analysis and cryo-electron microscopy. Amplicon sequencing of 16s rRNA V4 hypervariable gene regions was conducted to assess microbial composition of all fractions. Results: Beta-diversity analysis showed that the microbial community structure of the fMVs was significantly different from the microbial profiles of the fDNA and bDNA. However, no differences were observed in microbial composition between fDNA and bDNA. The microbial richness of fMVs was significantly decreased in CD patients compared to HC, and even lower in active patients. Profiling of fDNA and bDNA demonstrated that Firmicutes was the most dominant phylum in these fractions, while in fMVs Bacteroidetes was dominant. In fMV, several families and genera belonging to Firmicutes and Proteobacteria were significantly altered in CD patients when compared to HC. Conclusion: The microbial alterations of MVs in CD patients particularly in Firmicutes and Proteobacteria suggest a possible role of MVs in host-microbe symbiosis and induction or progression of inflammation in CD pathogenesis. Yet, the exact role for these fMV in the pathogenesis of the disease needs to be elucidated in future studies.
Low Dose of IL-2 Normalizes Hypertension and Mitochondrial Function in the RUPP Rat Model of Placental Ischemia
Authors: Deer Evangeline , Amaral Lorena M. , Campbell Nathan , Fitzgerald Sarah , Herrock Owen , Ibrahim Tarek , LaMarca Babbette
Published: October 2021

IL-2 is a cytokine released from CD4+T cells with dual actions and can either potentiate the inflammatory response or quell a chronic inflammatory response depending on its circulating concentration. IL-2 is elevated in many chronic inflammatory conditions and is increased during preeclampsia (PE). PE is characterized by new-onset hypertension during pregnancy and organ dysfunction and increasing evidence indicates that proinflammatory cytokines cause hypertension and mitochondrial (mt) dysfunction during pregnancy. The reduced uterine perfusion pressure (RUPP) model of placental ischemia is a rat model of PE that we commonly use in our laboratory and we have previously shown that low doses of recombinant IL-2 can decrease blood pressure in RUPP rats. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of a low dose of recombinant IL-2 on multi-organ mt dysfunction in the RUPP rat model of PE. We tested our hypothesis by infusing recombinant IL-2 (0.05 ng/mL) into RUPP rats on GD14 and examined mean arterial pressure (MAP), renal, placental and endothelial cell mt function compared to control RUPP. MAP was elevated in RUPP rats (n = 6) compared to controls (n = 5) (122 ± 5 vs. 102 ± 3 mmHg, p < 0.05), but was reduced by administration of LD recombinant IL-2 (107 ± 1 vs. 122 ± 5 mmHg, n = 9, p < 0.05). Renal, placental and endothelial mt ROS were significantly increased in RUPP rats compared to RUPP+ IL-2 and controls. Placental and renal respiration rates were reduced in RUPP rats compared to control rats but were normalized with IL-2 administration to RUPPs. These data indicate that low-dose IL-2 normalized multi-organ mt function and hypertension in response to placental ischemia.
Ethylene Induced by Sound Stimulation Enhances Anthocyanin Accumulation in Grape Berry Skin through Direct Upregulation of UDP-Glucose: Flavonoid 3-O-Glucosyltransferase
Authors: Yamazaki Mone , Ishida Akari , Suzuki Yutaka , Aoki Yoshinao , Suzuki Shunji , Enoki Shinichi
Published: October 2021

Global warming has resulted in the loss of anthocyanin accumulation in berry skin. Sound stimulation can be used as a potential method for enhancing fruit color development since many plants recognize sound vibration as an external stimulus and alter their physiological status in response to it. Sound stimulation (sine wave sound at 1000 Hz) enhanced anthocyanin accumulation in grape cultured cells and berry skins in field-grown grapevines at the early stage of ripening. The transcription of UFGT and ACO2, which encode the key enzymes in anthocyanin and ethylene biosynthesis, respectively, was upregulated in grape cultured cells exposed to sound stimulation. In contrast, the transcription of MybA1 and NCED1, which encode a transcription factor for UFGT and a key enzyme in abscisic acid biosynthesis, respectively, was not affected by the sound stimulation. A treatment with an ethylene biosynthesis inhibitor, aminoethoxyvinyl glycine hydrochloride, revered the enhancement of anthocyanin accumulation by sound stimulation. As the promoter assay using a GUS reporter gene demonstrated that UFGT promoter was directly activated by the ethylene-releasing compound ethephon, which enhanced anthocyanin accumulation in grape cultured cells, we conclude that sound stimulation enhanced anthocyanin accumulation through the direct upregulation of UFGT by ethylene biosynthesis. Our findings suggest that sound stimulation contributes to alleviating poor coloration in berry skin as a novel and innovative practical technique in viticulture.
Neutropenia and Large Granular Lymphocyte Leukemia: From Pathogenesis to Therapeutic Options
Authors: Calabretto Giulia , Teramo Antonella , Barilà Gregorio , Vicenzetto Cristina , Gasparini Vanessa Rebecca , Semenzato Gianpietro , Zambello Renato
Published: October 2021

Large granular lymphocyte leukemia (LGLL) is a rare lymphoproliferative disorder characterized by the clonal expansion of cytotoxic T-LGL or NK cells. Chronic isolated neutropenia represents the clinical hallmark of the disease, being present in up to 80% of cases. New advances were made in the biological characterization of neutropenia in these patients, in particular STAT3 mutations and a discrete immunophenotype are now recognized as relevant features. Nevertheless, the etiology of LGLL-related neutropenia is not completely elucidated and several mechanisms, including humoral abnormalities, bone marrow infiltration/substitution and cell-mediated cytotoxicity might cooperate to its pathogenesis. As a consequence of the multifactorial nature of LGLL-related neutropenia, a targeted therapeutic approach for neutropenic patients has not been developed yet; moreover, specific guidelines based on prospective trials are still lacking, thus making the treatment of this disorder a complex and challenging task. Immunosuppressive therapy represents the current, although poorly effective, therapeutic strategy. The recent identification of a STAT3-mediated miR-146b down-regulation in neutropenic T-LGLL patients emphasized the pathogenetic role of STAT3 activation in neutropenia development. Accordingly, JAK/STAT3 axis inhibition and miR-146b restoration might represent tempting strategies and should be prospectively evaluated for the treatment of neutropenic LGLL patients.
Pancreatic β-Cell O-GlcNAc Transferase Overexpression Increases Susceptibility to Metabolic Stressors in Female Mice
Authors: Mohan Ramkumar , Jo Seokwon , Da Sol Chung Elina , Oribamise Eunice , Lockridge Amber , Abrahante-Lloréns Juan E. , Ruan Hai-Bin , Yang Xiao-Yong , Alejandro Emilyn U.
Published: October 2021

The nutrient-sensor O-GlcNAc transferase (Ogt), the sole enzyme that adds an O-GlcNAc-modification onto proteins, plays a critical role for pancreatic β-cell survival and insulin secretion. We hypothesized that β-cell Ogt overexpression would confer protection from β-cell failure in response to metabolic stressors, such as high-fat diet (HFD) and streptozocin (STZ). Here, we generated a β-cell-specific Ogt in overexpressing (βOgtOE) mice, where a significant increase in Ogt protein level and O-GlcNAc-modification of proteins were observed in islets under a normal chow diet. We uncovered that βOgtOE mice show normal peripheral insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance with a regular chow diet. However, when challenged with an HFD, only female βOgtOE (homozygous) Hz mice developed a mild glucose intolerance, despite increased insulin secretion and normal β-cell mass. While female mice are normally resistant to low-dose STZ treatments, the βOgtOE Hz mice developed hyperglycemia and glucose intolerance post-STZ treatment. Transcriptome analysis between islets with loss or gain of Ogt by RNA sequencing shows common altered pathways involving pro-survival Erk and Akt and inflammatory regulators IL1β and NFkβ. Together, these data show a possible gene dosage effect of Ogt and the importance O-GlcNAc cycling in β-cell survival and function to regulate glucose homeostasis.
Novel Neonatal Simulator Provides High-Fidelity Ventilation Training Comparable to Real-Life Newborn Ventilation
Authors: Haynes Joanna , Bjorland Peder , Gomo Øystein , Ushakova Anastasia , Rettedal Siren , Perlman Jeffrey , Ersdal Hege
Published: October 2021

Face mask ventilation of apnoeic neonates is an essential skill. However, many non-paediatric healthcare personnel (HCP) in high-resource childbirth facilities receive little hands-on real-life practice. Simulation training aims to bridge this gap by enabling skill acquisition and maintenance. Success may rely on how closely a simulator mimics the clinical conditions faced by HCPs during neonatal resuscitation. Using a novel, low-cost, high-fidelity simulator designed to train newborn ventilation skills, we compared objective measures of ventilation derived from the new manikin and from real newborns, both ventilated by the same group of experienced paediatricians. Simulated and clinical ventilation sequences were paired according to similar duration of ventilation required to achieve success. We found consistencies between manikin and neonatal positive pressure ventilation (PPV) in generated peak inflating pressure (PIP), mask leak and comparable expired tidal volume (eVT), but positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) was lower in manikin ventilation. Correlations between PIP, eVT and leak followed a consistent pattern for manikin and neonatal PPV, with a negative relationship between eVT and leak being the only significant correlation. Airway obstruction occurred with the same frequency in the manikin and newborns. These findings support the fidelity of the manikin in simulating clinical conditions encountered during real newborn ventilation. Two limitations of the simulator provide focus for further improvements.
Higher versus Lower Oxygen Concentration during Respiratory Support in the Delivery Room in Extremely Preterm Infants: A Pilot Feasibility Study
Authors: Law Brenda , Asztalos Elizabeth , Finer Neil , Yaskina Maryna , Vento Maximo , Tarnow-Mordi William , Shah Prakesh , Schmölzer Georg
Published: October 2021

Background: Optimal starting oxygen concentration for delivery room resuscitation of extremely preterm infants (<29 weeks) remains unknown, with recommendations of 21–30% based on uncertain evidence. Individual patient randomized trials designed to answer this question have been hampered by poor enrolment. Hypothesis: It is feasible to compare 30% vs. 60% starting oxygen for delivery room resuscitation of extremely preterm infants using a change in local hospital policy and deferred consent approach. Study design: Prospective, single-center, feasibility study, with each starting oxygen concentration used for two months for all eligible infants. Population: Infants born at 23 + 0–28 + 6 weeks’ gestation who received delivery room resuscitation. Study interventions: Initial oxygen at 30% or 60%, increasing by 10–20% every minute for heart rate < 100 bpm, or increase to 100% for chest compressions. Primary outcome: Feasibility, defined by (i) achieving difference in cumulative supplied oxygen concentration between groups, and (ii) post-intervention rate consent >50%. Results: Thirty-four infants were born during a 4-month period; consent was obtained in 63%. Thirty (n = 12, 30% group; n = 18, 60% group) were analyzed, including limited data from eight who died or were transferred before parents could be approached. Median cumulative oxygen concentrations were significantly different between the two groups in the first 5 min. Conclusion: Randomized control trial of 30% or 60% oxygen at the initiation of resuscitation of extremely preterm neonates with deferred consent is feasible. Trial registration: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT03706586
Metabolic Pathway Analysis in the Presence of Biological Constraints
Authors: Dague Philippe
Published: October 2021

Metabolic pathway analysis is a key method to study a metabolism in its steady state, and the concept of elementary fluxes (EFs) plays a major role in the analysis of a network in terms of non-decomposable pathways. The supports of the EFs contain in particular those of the elementary flux modes (EFMs), which are the support-minimal pathways, and EFs coincide with EFMs when the only flux constraints are given by the irreversibility of certain reactions. Practical use of both EFMs and EFs has been hampered by the combinatorial explosion of their number in large, genome-scale systems. The EFs give the possible pathways in a steady state but the real pathways are limited by biological constraints, such as thermodynamic or, more generally, kinetic constraints and regulatory constraints from the genetic network. We provide results on the mathematical structure and geometrical characterization of the solution space in the presence of such biological constraints (which is no longer a convex polyhedral cone or a convex polyhedron) and revisit the concept of EFMs and EFs in this framework. We show that most of the results depend only on very general properties of compatibility of constraints with vector signs: either sign-invariance, satisfied by regulatory constraints, or sign-monotonicity (a stronger property), satisfied by thermodynamic and kinetic constraints. We show in particular that the solution space for sign-monotone constraints is a union of particular faces of the original polyhedral cone or polyhedron and that EFs still coincide with EFMs and are just those of the original EFs that satisfy the constraint, and we show how to integrate their computation efficiently in the double description method, the most widely used method in the tools dedicated to EFs computation. We show that, for sign-invariant constraints, the situation is more complex: the solution space is a disjoint union of particular semi-open faces (i.e., without some of their own faces of lesser dimension) of the original polyhedral cone or polyhedron and, if EFs are still those of the original EFs that satisfy the constraint, their computation cannot be incrementally integrated into the double description method, and the result is not true for EFMs, that are in general strictly more numerous than those of the original EFMs that satisfy the constraint.
Blockchain and Recordkeeping: Editorial
Authors: Lemieux Victoria L.
Published: October 2021

Distributed ledger technologies (DLT), including blockchains, combine the use of cryptography and distributed networks to achieve a novel form of records creation and keeping designed for tamper-resistance and immutability. Over the past several years, these capabilities have made DLTs, including blockchains, increasingly popular as a general-purpose technology used for recordkeeping in a variety of sectors and industry domains, yet many open challenges and issues, both theoretical and applied, remain. This editorial introduces the Special Issue of Computers focusing on exploring the frontiers of blockchain/distributed ledger technology and recordkeeping.
SERPINE2 Overexpression Is Associated with Poor Prognosis of Urothelial Carcinoma
Authors: Chuang Hao-Wen , Hsia Kan-Tai , Liao Jia-Bin , Yeh Chih-Ching , Kuo Wei-Ting , Yang Yi-Fang
Published: October 2021

Recent studies have reported that SERPINE2 contributes to the development of various cancers. However, its association with urothelial carcinoma (UC) remains unclear. In this study, data on urinary bladder UC (UBUC) cases from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database were used to investigate the prognostic value of SERPINE2 mRNA expression. Then, SERPINE2 expression was analyzed with tissue microarrays constructed from 117 upper tract UC (UTUC) and 84 UBUC tissue specimens using immunohistochemical staining. Results were compared to clinicopathologic data by multivariate analysis. In the TCGA database, high SERPINE2 mRNA expression indicated a poor prognosis in patients with UBUC. Furthermore, Mann–Whitney U test showed that high SERPINE2 immunoexpression was significantly associated with adverse pathologic parameters including invasion, high grade, coexistence of UC in situ, and advanced pT stage (all p < 0.05, except for a marginal association with high-grade UBUC, p = 0.066). Kaplan–Meier analysis revealed that high SERPINE2 expression was associated with worse overall survival (OS; UTUC, p = 0.003; UBUC, p = 0.014) and disease-free survival (UTUC, p = 0.031; UBUC, p = 0.033). Moreover, multivariate analysis identified high SERPINE2 expression as an independent prognostic factor for OS (UTUC, p = 0.002; UBUC, p = 0.024). Taken together, our findings demonstrated that increased SERPINE2 expression is associated with adverse pathologic features and may serve as a prognostic biomarker for UC.
Dominating Cause of Pulmonary Hypertension May Change Over Time—Diagnostic and Therapeutic Considerations in a Patient with Pulmonary Hypertension Due to Rheumatoid Arthritis with Lung Involvement
Authors: Szturmowicz Monika , Franczuk Monika , Jędrych Małgorzata Ewa , Wyrostkiewicz Dorota , Oniszh Karina , Darocha Szymon , Kasperowicz Krzysztof , Kurzyna Marcin
Published: October 2021

Chronic lung diseases are one of the most frequent causes of pulmonary hypertension (PH). The diagnostic challenge is to differentiate PH due to chronic lung disease from pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) with coexisting chronic lung disease. Moreover, the dominating cause of PH may change over time, requiring the implementation of new diagnostic procedures and new treatment modalities. We present a 68-year-old female, initially diagnosed with PH in the course of interstitial lung disease, with restrictive impairment of lung function. Therapy with immunosuppressive drugs resulted in significant clinical, radiological and functional improvement. However, five years later, arthritis symptoms developed, with PH worsening, despite stable lung disease. The patient was diagnosed with PAH in the course of rheumatoid arthritis. The introduction of sildenafil resulted in marked clinical and hemodynamic responses. Long-term survival (eleven years from PH onset and five years from PAH confirmation) has been achieved, and the patient remains in good functional condition. As the differential diagnosis of PH in patients with lung diseases is complex, the cooperation of pulmonologists and cardiologists is mandatory to obtain therapeutic success.
MAGnitude-Image-to-Complex K-space (MAGIC-K) Net: A Data Augmentation Network for Image Reconstruction
Authors: Wang Fanwen , Zhang Hui , Dai Fei , Chen Weibo , Wang Chengyan , Wang He
Published: October 2021

Deep learning has demonstrated superior performance in image reconstruction compared to most conventional iterative algorithms. However, their effectiveness and generalization capability are highly dependent on the sample size and diversity of the training data. Deep learning-based reconstruction requires multi-coil raw k-space data, which are not collected by routine scans. On the other hand, large amounts of magnitude images are readily available in hospitals. Hence, we proposed the MAGnitude Images to Complex K-space (MAGIC-K) Net to generate multi-coil k-space data from existing magnitude images and a limited number of required raw k-space data to facilitate the reconstruction. Compared to some basic data augmentation methods applying global intensity and displacement transformations to the source images, the MAGIC-K Net can generate more realistic intensity variations and displacements from pairs of anatomical Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) images. The reconstruction performance was validated in 30 healthy volunteers and 6 patients with different types of tumors. The experimental results demonstrated that the high-resolution Diffusion Weighted Image (DWI) reconstruction benefited from the proposed augmentation method. The MAGIC-K Net enabled the deep learning network to reconstruct images with superior performance in both healthy and tumor patients, qualitatively and quantitatively.
The Role of Bronchoscopy in the Diagnosis and Management of Patients with SARS-Cov-2 Infection
Authors: Biondini Davide , Damin Marco , Bonifazi Martina , Cocconcelli Elisabetta , Semenzato Umberto , Spagnolo Paolo , Gasparini Stefano , Saetta Marina , Balestro Elisabetta
Published: October 2021

Bronchoscopy has several major diagnostic and therapeutic indications in pulmonology. However, it is an aerosol-generating procedure that places healthcare providers at an increased risk of infection. Now more than ever, during the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the infectious risk during bronchoscopy is significantly raised, and for this reason its role in diagnostic management is debated. In this review, we summarized current evidence regarding the indications for bronchoscopy and the measures that should be applied to decrease risk exposure. Indeed, seeing the long-lasting period of the pandemic, resuming standard of care for all patients is required.
Combined Artificial Intelligence Approaches Analyzing 1000 Conservative Patients with Back Pain—A Methodological Pathway to Predicting Treatment Efficacy and Diagnostic Groups
Authors: Wirries André , Geiger Florian , Hammad Ahmed , Redder Andreas , Oberkircher Ludwig , Ruchholtz Steffen , Bluemcke Ingmar , Jabari Samir
Published: October 2021

Patients with back pain are common and present a challenge in everyday medical practice due to the multitude of possible causes and the individual effects of treatments. Predicting causes and therapy efficien cy with the help of artificial intelligence could improve and simplify the treatment. In an exemplary collective of 1000 conservatively treated back pain patients, it was investigated whether the prediction of therapy efficiency and the underlying diagnosis is possible by combining different artificial intelligence approaches. For this purpose, supervised and unsupervised artificial intelligence methods were analyzed and a methodology for combining the predictions was developed. Supervised AI is suitable for predicting therapy efficiency at the borderline of minimal clinical difference. Non-supervised AI can show patterns in the dataset. We can show that the identification of the underlying diagnostic groups only becomes possible through a combination of different AI approaches and the baseline data. The presented methodology for the combined application of artificial intelligence algorithms shows a transferable path to establish correlations in heterogeneous data sets when individual AI approaches only provide weak results.
DW-UNet: Loss Balance under Local-Patch for 3D Infection Segmentation from COVID-19 CT Images
Authors: Chen Cheng , Zhou Jiancang , Zhou Kangneng , Wang Zhiliang , Xiao Ruoxiu
Published: October 2021

(1) Background: COVID-19 has been global epidemic. This work aims to extract 3D infection from COVID-19 CT images; (2) Methods: Firstly, COVID-19 CT images are processed with lung region extraction and data enhancement. In this strategy, gradient changes of voxels in different directions respond to geometric characteristics. Due to the complexity of tubular tissues in lung region, they are clustered to the lung parenchyma center based on their filtered possibility. Thus, infection is improved after data enhancement. Then, deep weighted UNet is established to refining 3D infection texture, and weighted loss function is introduced. It changes cost calculation of different samples, causing target samples to dominate convergence direction. Finally, the trained network effectively extracts 3D infection from CT images by adjusting driving strategy of different samples. (3) Results: Using Accuracy, Precision, Recall and Coincidence rate, 20 subjects from a private dataset and eight subjects from Kaggle Competition COVID-19 CT dataset tested this method in hold-out validation framework. This work achieved good performance both in the private dataset (99.94–00.02%, 60.42–11.25%, 70.79–09.35% and 63.15–08.35%) and public dataset (99.73–00.12%, 77.02–06.06%, 41.23–08.61% and 52.50–08.18%). We also applied some extra indicators to test data augmentation and different models. The statistical tests have verified the significant difference of different models. (4) Conclusions: This study provides a COVID-19 infection segmentation technology, which provides an important prerequisite for the quantitative analysis of COVID-19 CT images.
Validation of Rubric Evaluation for Programming Education
Authors: Saito Daisuke , Yajima Risei , Washizaki Hironori , Fukazawa Yoshiaki
Published: October 2021

In evaluating the learning achievement of programming-thinking skills, the method of using a rubric that describes evaluation items and evaluation stages is widely employed. However, few studies have evaluated the reliability, validity, and consistency of the rubrics themselves. In this study, we introduced a statistical method for evaluating the characteristics of rubrics using the goal question metric (GQM) method. Furthermore, we proposed a method for measuring four evaluation results and characteristics obtained from rubrics developed using this statistical method. Moreover, we showed and confirmed the consistency and validity of the statistical method using the GQM method of the resulting developed rubrics. We show how to verify the consistency and validity of the rubric using the GQM method.
Using Web Video Conferencing to Conduct a Program as a Proposed Model toward Teacher Leadership and Academic Vitality in the Philippines
Authors: Torrato Janette Biares , Aguja Socorro Echevarria , Prudente Maricar Sison
Published: October 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic prompted private basic education in the Philippines to hold a professional developmental program for faculty members using web video conferencing (WVC). Given the uncertainties of WVC educational quality and the challenge of shifting to a fully online environment, this study aimed to evaluate the use of web video conferencing and the development of a faculty development program on sustaining teacher leadership and academic vitality through research. The training was held for nine weeks, and 33 faculty members of the institution participated. Quantitative data include survey questionnaires on perceptions on action research, perceptions on technology integration, training proficiency, and pedagogical practices. Qualitative data include analysis of video recordings, reflection journals, observation notes, and actual research outputs. It utilized descriptive developmental action research using a convergent mixed-method approach, and thematic analysis. Findings show that the use of WVC as a mode of delivery proved successful in creating an effective educational experience for all the participants as evidenced by their enhanced teacher leadership skills and academic vitality. These skills were demonstrated through their willingness to promote professional inquiry as shown by their actual research outputs and demonstration of high proficiency in the adoption of technology integration.
The Quality of Training Future Teachers during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Case from TNPU
Authors: Boyko Mariya , Turko Olha , Dluhopolskyi Oleksandr , Henseruk Halyna
Published: October 2021

This article describes the experience of the communicative competence formation of future teachers in a blended form of education as a dominant one in the period of the COVID-19 pandemic. The main features of such terms as “education quality” and “communicative competence” are revealed; the peculiarities of their components and structure are described. Using the results of a survey the authors draw conclusions about the advantages and disadvantages of online and offline learning and the efficacy of technical learning tools. The article also describes the educational platforms and technical means most frequently used by teachers and students in their everyday life. The results of testing in philological and linguodidactic disciplines after online and offline learning are presented in the paper. Conclusions are made concerning the peculiarities of online and offline training by means of Moodle and Google Classroom learning platforms, as well as Viber, Telegram, Email, Zoom Cloud Meetings and other platforms. Considering the results of the survey of students on the usage of technical means in online learning, the authors provide suggestions on improving the quality of training future teachers. The discussion part of the article presents the questions for discussion concerning a blended form of training as an effective one during the COVID-19 pandemic. The conclusion states the advantages and disadvantages of mixed forms of learning.