bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
‘Health in All Policies’—A Key Driver for Health and Well-Being in a Post-COVID-19 Pandemic World
Authors: Green Liz , Ashton Kathryn , Bellis Mark A. , Clemens Timo , Douglas Margaret
Published: September 2021

Policy in all sectors affects health, through multiple pathways and determinants. Health in all policies (HiAP) is an approach that seeks to identify and influence the health and equity impacts of policy decisions, to enhance health benefits and avoid harm. This usually involves the use of health impact assessment or health lens analysis. There is growing international experience in these approaches, and some countries have cross-sectoral governance structures that prioritize the assessment of the policies that are most likely to affect health. The fundamental elements of HiAP are inter-sectoral collaboration, policy influence, and holistic consideration of the range of health determinants affected by a policy area or proposal. HiAP requires public health professionals to invest time to build partnerships and engage meaningfully with the sectors affecting the social determinants of health and health equity. With commitment, political will and tools such as the health impact assessment, it provides a powerful approach to integrated policymaking that promotes health, well-being, and equity. The COVID-19 pandemic has raised the profile of public health and highlighted the links between health and other policy areas. This paper describes the rationale for, and principles underpinning, HiAP mechanisms, including HIA, experiences, challenges and opportunities for the future.
Relationship between Bullying Victimization and Quality of Life in Adolescents with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in Taiwan: Mediation of the Effects of Emotional Problems and ADHD and Oppositional Defiant Symptoms
Authors: Lin Chien-Wen , Lee Kun-Hua , Hsiao Ray C. , Chou Wen-Jiun , Yen Cheng-Fang
Published: September 2021

This cross-sectional study investigated the mediating effects of emotional problems including depression, anxiety, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) symptoms on the association between bullying victimization and quality of life (QoL) among adolescents with ADHD in Taiwan. A total of 171 adolescents diagnosed as having ADHD participated in this study. Adolescents completed the School Bullying Experience Questionnaire, the Taiwanese Quality of Life Questionnaire for Adolescents, the Taiwanese version of the Children’s Depression Inventory and the Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children. Caregivers completed the Chinese version of the Swanson, Nolan, and Pelham Version IV Scale. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to examine the relationships among the variables. The results of SEM revealed that bullying victimization indirectly correlated with QoL through the mediation of emotional problems in adolescents with ADHD, whereas ADHD and ODD symptoms did not mediate the association between bullying victimization and QoL. Bullying victimization should be actively prevented and intervened on to ensure better QoL in adolescents with ADHD. Moreover, emotional problems should be alleviated among adolescents with ADHD with bullying victimization experience to maintain their QoL.
Morpho-Syntactic Deficit in Children with Cochlear Implant: Consequence of Hearing Loss or Concomitant Impairment to the Language System?
Authors: Benassi Erika , Boria Sonia , Berghenti Maria Teresa , Camia Michela , Scorza Maristella , Cossu Giuseppe
Published: September 2021

Background: Among implanted children with similar duration of auditory deprivation and clinical history, the morpho-syntactic skills remain highly variable, suggesting that other fundamental factors may determine the linguistic outcomes of these children, beyond their auditory recovery. The present study analyzed the morpho-syntactic discrepancies among three children with cochlear implant (CI), with the aim of understanding if morpho-syntactic deficits may be characterized as a domain-specific language disorder. Method: The three children (mean age = 7.2; SD = 0.4) received their CI at 2.7, 3.7, and 5.9 years of age. Their morpho-syntactic skills were evaluated in both comprehension and production and compared with 15 age-matched normal-hearing children (mean age = 6.6; SD = 0.3). Results: Cases 1 and 2 displayed a marked impairment across morphology and syntax, whereas Case 3, the late-implanted child, showed a morpho-syntactic profile well within the normal boundaries. A qualitative analysis showed, in Cases 1 and 2, language deficits similar to those of normal hearing children with Developmental Language Disorder (DLD). Conclusions: We suggest that a severe grammatical deficit may be, in some implanted children, the final outcome of a concomitant impairment to the language system. Clinical implications for assessment and intervention are discussed.
The Burden and Risk Factors of Patellar and Achilles Tendinopathy in Youth Basketball: A Cohort Study
Authors: Owoeye Oluwatoyosi B. A. , Palacios-Derflingher Luz , Pasanen Kati , HubkaRao Tate , Wiley Preston , Emery Carolyn A.
Published: September 2021

This study aimed at evaluating the burden and risk factors of patellar and Achilles tendinopathy among youth basketball players. Patellar and Achilles tendinopathy were prospectively monitored in 515 eligible male and female youth basketball players (11–18 years) through a competitive season. Overall, the season prevalence of patellar tendinopathy was 19.0% (95% CI: 15.7–22.7%), 23.2% (95% CI: 18.6–28.2%) in males and 12.5% (95% CI: 8.3–17.9%) in females. The season prevalence of Achilles tendinopathy was 4.3% (95% CI: 2.7–6.4%), 4.1% (95% CI: 2.2–7.0%) in males and 4.5% (95% CI: 2.1–8.4%) in females. Median proportion of symptoms duration was 83% of average total weeks of basketball exposure for patellar tendinopathy and 75% for Achilles tendinopathy. Median time to patellar tendinopathy onset was 8 weeks for male players and 6 weeks for female players. Higher odds of patellar tendinopathy risk were seen in males (OR: 2.23, 95% CI: 1.10–4.69) and players with previous anterior knee pain had significantly elevated odds (OR: 8.5, 95% CI: 4.58–16.89). The burden and risk of patellar tendinopathy is high among competitive youth basketball players. Risk factors include sex and previous anterior knee pain. These findings provide directions for practice and future research.
Public Protests and the Risk of Novel Coronavirus Disease Hospitalizations: A County-Level Analysis from California
Authors: Bui Linh N. , Berkowitz Rachel L. , Jilek Wendy , Bordner Andrew J. , Azar Kristen M. J. , Pressman Alice , Romanelli Robert J.
Published: September 2021

The objective of this study was to assess the relationship between public protests and county-level, novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) hospitalization rates across California. Publicly available data were included in the analysis from 55 of 58 California state counties (29 March–14 October 2020). Mixed-effects negative binomial regression models were used to examine the relationship between daily county-level COVID-19 hospitalizations and two main exposure variables: any vs. no protests and 1 or >1 protest vs. no protests on a given county-day. COVID-19 hospitalizations were used as a proxy for viral transmission since such rates are less sensitive to temporal changes in testing access/availability. Models included covariates for daily county mobility, county-level characteristics, and time trends. Models also included a county-population offset and a two-week lag for the association between exposure and outcome. No significant associations were observed between protest exposures and COVID-19 hospitalization rates among the 55 counties. We did not find evidence to suggest that public protests were associated with COVID-19 hospitalization within California counties. These findings support the notion that protesting during a pandemic may be safe, ostensibly, so long as evidence-based precautionary measures are taken.
Objective Measurement of 24-Hour Movement Behaviors in Preschool Children Using Wrist-Worn and Thigh-Worn Accelerometers
Authors: De Craemer Marieke , Decraene Marga , Willems Iris , Buysse Feija , Van Driessche Ellen , Verbestel Vera
Published: September 2021

In recent years, more attention has been paid towards the study of 24-h movement behaviors (including physical activity (PA), sedentary behavior (SB) and sleep) in preschoolers instead of studying these behaviors in isolation. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of using wrist- vs. thigh-worn accelerometers and to report accelerometer-derived metrics of 24-h movement behaviors in preschoolers. A convenience sample of 16 preschoolers (50.0% boys, 4.35 years) and one of their parents were recruited for this study. Preschoolers had to wear the ActivPAL accelerometer (attached to the upper thigh) and Axivity accelerometer (using a wrist band) simultaneously for 7 consecutive days and for 24 h a day. Parents completed an acceptability survey. In total, 16 preschoolers (100.0%) had a minimum of 6 days of valid wrist-worn data, while only 10 preschoolers (62.5%) had a minimum of 6 days of valid thigh-worn data (p = 0.002). When looking at the acceptability, 81.3% of parents indicated that it was easy for their child to wear the Axivity for 7 consecutive days, and 93.8% of parents indicated so for the ActivPAL (p = 0.88). However, some parents stated that the wristband of the Axivity accelerometer was big, which might have affected data collection. Significant differences were found for the measurement of total volume of PA, SB and sleep across 24 h. Total PA was 464.44 min/day (±64.00) with the ActivPAL compared with 354.94 min/day (±57.46) with the Axivity (p < 0.001). The volume of SB was 290.94 min/day (±55.05) with the ActivPAL compared with 440.50 min/day (±50.01) with the Axivity (p < 0.001). The total volume of sleep was also significantly different between both devices (p = 0.001; ActivPAL: 684.63 min/day ± 51.96; Axivity: 645.69 min/day ± 46.78). Overall, parents perceived both devices to be feasible to use for preschoolers. However, future studies are required to validate both devices for the measurement of preschoolers’ 24-h movement behaviors since significant differences in the classification of PA, SB and sleep were found in this small sample.
Does the Summer Season Affect the Amniotic Fluid Volume during Pregnancy?
Authors: Choi Ah-Young , Lee Jun-Yi , Sohn In-Sook , Kwon Han-Sung , Seo Yong-Soo , Kim Myoung-Hwan , Yang Seung-Woo , Hwang Han-Sung
Published: September 2021

Amniotic fluid is crucial for the well-being of the fetus. Recent studies suggest that dehydration in a pregnant woman leads to oligohydramnios. We assessed the variation in the amniotic fluid index (AFI) during the summer and non-summer seasons and evaluated neonatal outcomes. We retrospectively reviewed electrical medical records of pregnant women who visited the Konkuk University Medical Center for antenatal care, between July 2005 and July 2019. A total of 19,724 cases from 6438 singleton pregnant women were included after excluding unsuitable cases. All AFI values were classified as 2nd and 3rd trimester values. Additionally, borderline oligohydramnios (AFI, 5–8) and normal AFI (AFI, 8–24) were assessed according to the seasons. The average AFI between the summer and non-summer season was statistically different only in the 3rd trimester; but the results were not clinically significant. In the 3rd trimester, the summer season influenced the increased incidence of borderline oligohydramnios. The borderline oligohydramnios group showed an increased small-for-gestational-age (SGA) rate and NICU admission rate. In the summer season, the incidence of borderline oligohydramnios was seen to increase. This result would be significant for both physicians and pregnant women.
The Modifications of Haemoglobin, Erythropoietin Values and Running Performance While Training at Mountain vs. Hilltop vs. Seaside
Authors: Man Maria Cristina , Ganera Cătălin , Bărbuleț Gabriel Dan , Krzysztofik Michał , Panaet Adelina Elena , Cucui Alina Ionela , Tohănean Dragoș Ioan , Alexe Dan Iulian
Published: September 2021

Altitude training increases haemoglobin, erythropoietin values among athletes, but may have negative physiological consequences. An alternative, although less explored, that has the potential to positively influence performance while avoiding some of the negative physiological consequences of hypoxia is sand training. Ten endurance-trained athletes (age: 20.8 ± 1.4, body mass: 57.7 ± 8.2 kg, stature: 176 ± 6 cm; 5000 m 14:55.00 ± 0:30 min) performed three 21-day training camps at different locations: at a high altitude (HIGH), at the sea-level (CTRL), at the sea-level on the sand (SAND). Differences in erythropoietin (EPO) and haemoglobin (Hb) concentration, body weight, VO2max and maximal aerobic velocity (VMA) before and after each training cycle were compared. Data analysis has indicated that training during HIGH elicited a greater increase in VO2max (2.4 ± 0.2%; p = 0.005 and 1.0 ± 0.2%; p < 0.001) and VMA (2.4 ± 0.2%, p < 0.001 and 1.2 ± 0.2%; p = 0.001) compared with CTRL and SAND. While increases in VO2max and VMA following SAND were greater (1.3 ± 0.1%; p < 0.001 and 1.2 ± 0.1%; p < 0.001) than those observed after CTRL. Moreover, EPO increased to a greater extent following HIGH (25.3 ± 2.7%) compared with SAND (11.7 ± 1.6%, p = 0.008) and CTRL (0.1 ± 0.3%, p < 0.001) with a greater increase (p < 0.01) following SAND compared with CTRL. Furthermore, HIGH and SAND elicited a greater increase (4.9 ± 0.9%; p = 0.001 and 3.3 ± 1.1%; p = 0.035) in Hb compared with CTRL. There was no difference in Hb changes observed between HIGH and SAND (p = 1.0). Finally, athletes lost 2.1 ± 0.4% (p = 0.001) more weight following HIGH vs. CTRL, while there were no differences in weight changes between HIGH vs. SAND (p = 0.742) and SAND vs. CTRL (p = 0.719). High-altitude training and sea-level training on sand resulted in significant improvements in EPO, Hb, VMA, and VO2max that exceeded changes in such parameters following traditional sea-level training. While high-altitude training elicited greater relative increases in EPO, VMA, and VO2max, sand training resulted in comparable increases in Hb and may prevent hypoxia-induced weight loss.
The Connection between Czc and Cad Systems Involved in Cadmium Resistance in Pseudomonas putida
Authors: Liu Huizhong , Zhang Yu , Wang Yingsi , Xie Xiaobao , Shi Qingshan
Published: September 2021

Heavy metal pollution is widespread and persistent, and causes serious harm to the environment. Pseudomonas putida, a representative environmental microorganism, has strong resistance to heavy metals due to its multiple efflux systems. Although the functions of many efflux systems have been well-studied, the relationship between them remains unclear. Here, the relationship between the Czc and Cad systems that are predominantly responsible for cadmium efflux in P. putida KT2440 is identified. The results demonstrated that CzcR3, the response regulator of two-component system CzcRS3 in the Czc system, activates the expression of efflux pump genes czcCBA1 and czcCBA2 by directly binding to their promoters, thereby helping the strain resist cadmium stress. CzcR3 can also bind to its own promoter, but it has only a weak regulatory effect. The high-level expression of czcRS3 needs to be induced by Cd2+, and this relies on the regulation of CadR, a key regulator in the Cad system, which showed affinity to czcRS3 promoter. Our study indicates that the Cad system is involved in the regulation of the Czc system, and this relationship is important for maintaining the considerable resistance to cadmium in P. putida.
The Effects of a Meldonium Pre-Treatment on the Course of the Faecal-Induced Sepsis in Rats
Authors: Đurašević Siniša , Ružičić Aleksandra , Lakić Iva , Tosti Tomislav , Đurović Saša , Glumac Sofija , Pavlović Slađan , Borković-Mitić Slavica , Grigorov Ilijana , Stanković Sanja , Jasnić Nebojša , Đorđević Jelena , Todorović Zoran
Published: September 2021

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition caused by the dysregulated and overwhelming response to infection, accompanied by an exaggerated pro-inflammatory state and lipid metabolism disturbance leading to sequential organ failure. Meldonium is an anti-ischemic and anti-inflammatory agent which negatively interferes with lipid metabolism by shifting energy production from fatty acid oxidation to glycolysis, as a less oxygen-demanding pathway. Thus, we investigated the effects of a four-week meldonium pre-treatment on faecal-induced sepsis in Sprague-Dawley male rats. Surprisingly, under septic conditions, meldonium increased animal mortality rate compared with the meldonium non-treated group. However, analysis of the tissue oxidative status did not provide support for the detrimental effects of meldonium, nor did the analysis of the tissue inflammatory status showing anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and anti-necrotic effects of meldonium. After performing tissue lipidomic analysis, we concluded that the potential cause of the meldonium harmful effect is to be found in the overall decreased lipid metabolism. The present study underlines the importance of uninterrupted energy production in sepsis, closely drawing attention to the possible harmful effects of lipid-mobilization impairment caused by certain therapeutics. This could lead to the much-needed revision of the existing guidelines in the clinical treatment of sepsis while paving the way for discovering new therapeutic approaches.
Silver Nanoparticles as a Tool for the Study of Spontaneous Aggregation of Immunoglobulin Monoclonal Free Light Chains
Authors: Lizoń Anna , Tisończyk Joanna , Gajewska Marta , Drożdż Ryszard
Published: September 2021

Some misfolded proteins, e.g., immunoglobulin monoclonal free light chains (FLC), tend to form fibrils. Protein deposits in tissue may lead to amyloidosis and dysfunction of different organs. There is currently no technique allowing for the identification of FLC that are prone to aggregate. The development of such a method would enable the early selection of patients at high risk of developing amyloidosis. The aim of this study was to investigate whether silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) could be a useful tool to study the process of aggregation of FLC and their susceptibility to form the protein deposits. Mixtures of AgNPs and urine samples from patients with multiple myeloma were prepared. To evaluate the aggregation process of nanoparticles coated with proteins, UV-visible spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and the original laser light scattering method were used. It has been shown that some clones of FLC spontaneously triggered aggregation of the nanoparticles, while in the presence of others, the nanoparticle solution became hyperstable. This is probably due to the structure of the chains themselves, unique protein-AgNPs interactions and perhaps correlates with the tendency of some FLC clones to form deposits. Nanoparticle technology has proven to be helpful in identifying clones of immunoglobulin FLC that tend to aggregate.
The Effects of Melatonin Administration on Intestinal Injury Caused by Abdominal Irradiation from Mice
Authors: Wang Qin , Wang Yan , Du Liqing , Xu Chang , Liu Qiang , Fan Saijun
Published: September 2021

Intestinal injury caused by ionizing radiation (IR) is a main clinical issue for patients with cancer receiving abdominal or pelvic radiotherapy. Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) is a neurohormone that the pineal gland in the brain normally secretes. The study aimed to disclose the potential function of melatonin in intestinal injury induced by IR and its mechanism. Pretreatment with melatonin enhanced the 30-day survival rate of the irradiated mice and promoted the recovery of the intestinal epithelium and hematopoietic function following abdominal irradiation (ABI). Melatonin altered the gene profile of the small intestines from mice following ABI. The enriched biological process terms for melatonin treatment prior to radiation were mainly involved in the immune process. LPS/IL-1-mediated inhibition of RXR Function, TWEAK signaling, and Toll-like receptor signaling were the most activated canonical pathways targeted by melatonin. An upstream analysis network showed that Tripartite motif-containing 24 (TRIM24) was the most significantly inhibited and S100 calcium binding protein A9 (S100A9) activated. TRIM24 activated atherogenesis and cell viability in breast cancer cell lines and S100A9 inhibited the metabolism of amino acids. Melatonin has radioprotective effects on ABI-caused intestinal injury. The mechanisms behind the beneficial effects of melatonin were involved in activation of the immunity. It is necessary to conduct further experiments to explore the underlying mechanisms.
Neuroprotective Effect of a Novel ATP-Synthase Inhibitor Bedaquiline in Cerebral Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury
Authors: Umbrasas Danielius , Arandarcikaite Odeta , Grigaleviciute Ramune , Stakauskas Rimantas , Borutaite Vilmante
Published: September 2021

Mitochondrial dysfunction during ischemic stroke ultimately manifests as ATP depletion. Mitochondrial ATP synthase upon loss of mitochondrial membrane potential during ischemia rapidly hydrolyses ATP and thus contributes to ATP depletion. Increasing evidence suggests that inhibition of ATP synthase limits ATP depletion and is protective against ischemic tissue damage. Bedaquiline (BDQ) is an anti-microbial agent, approved for clinical use, that inhibits ATP synthase of Mycobacteria; however recently it has been shown to act on mitochondrial ATP synthase, inhibiting both ATP synthesis and hydrolysis in low micromolar concentrations. In this study, we investigated whether preconditioning with BDQ can alleviate ischemia/reperfusion-induced brain injury in Wistar rats after middle cerebral artery occlusion-reperfusion and whether it affects mitochondrial functions. We found that BDQ was effective in limiting necrosis and neurological dysfunction during ischemia-reperfusion. BDQ also caused inhibition of ATPase activity, mild uncoupling of respiration, and stimulated mitochondrial respiration both in healthy and ischemic mitochondria. Mitochondrial calcium retention capacity was unaffected by BDQ preconditioning. We concluded that BDQ has neuroprotective properties associated with its action on mitochondrial respiration and ATPase activity.
Analyzing Plant Gene Targeting Outcomes and Conversion Tracts with Nanopore Sequencing
Authors: Atkins Paul A. P. , Gamo Maria Elena S. , Voytas Daniel F.
Published: September 2021

The high-throughput molecular analysis of gene targeting (GT) events is made technically challenging by the residual presetabce of donor molecules. Large donor molecules restrict primer placement, resulting in long amplicons that cannot be readily analyzed using standard NGS pipelines or qPCR-based approaches such as ddPCR. In plants, removal of excess donor is time and resource intensive, often requiring plant regeneration and weeks to months of effort. Here, we utilized Oxford Nanopore Amplicon Sequencing (ONAS) to bypass the limitations imposed by donor molecules with 1 kb of homology to the target and dissected GT outcomes at three loci in Nicotiana benthamia leaves. We developed a novel bioinformatic pipeline, Phased ANalysis of Genome Editing Amplicons (PANGEA), to reduce the effect of ONAS error on amplicon analysis and captured tens of thousands of somatic plant GT events. Additionally, PANGEA allowed us to collect thousands of GT conversion tracts 5 days after reagent delivery with no selection, revealing that most events utilized tracts less than 100 bp in length when incorporating an 18 bp or 3 bp insertion. These data demonstrate the usefulness of ONAS and PANGEA for plant GT analysis and provide a mechanistic basis for future plant GT optimization.
Tau N-Terminal Inserts Regulate Tau Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation and Condensates Maturation in a Neuronal Cell Model
Authors: Wu Chengchen , Zhao Junyi , Wu Qiuping , Tan Qiulong , Liu Qiong , Xiao Shifeng
Published: September 2021

The microtubule-associated protein tau can undergo liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS) to form membraneless condensates in neurons, yet the underlying molecular mechanisms and functions of tau LLPS and tau droplets remain to be elucidated. The human brain contains mainly 6 tau isoforms with different numbers of microtubule-binding repeats (3R, 4R) and N-terminal inserts (0N, 1N, 2N). However, little is known about the role of N-terminal inserts. Here we observed the dynamics of three tau isoforms with different N-terminal inserts in live neuronal cell line HT22. We validated tau LLPS in cytoplasm and found that 2N-tau forms liquid-like, hollow-shell droplets. Tau condensates became smaller in 1N-tau comparing with 2N-tau, while no obvious tau accumulated dots were shown in 0N-tau. The absence of N-terminal inserts significantly affected condensate colocalization of tau and p62. The results reveal insights into the tau LLPS assembly mechanism and functional effects of N-terminal inserts in tau.
Effective Recycling Solutions for the Production of High-Quality PET Flakes Based on Hyperspectral Imaging and Variable Selection
Authors: Cucuzza Paola , Serranti Silvia , Bonifazi Giuseppe , Capobianco Giuseppe
Published: September 2021

In this study, effective solutions for polyethylene terephthalate (PET) recycling based on hyperspectral imaging (HSI) coupled with variable selection method, were developed and optimized. Hyperspectral images of post-consumer plastic flakes, composed by PET and small quantities of other polymers, considered as contaminants, were acquired in the short-wave infrared range (SWIR: 1000–2500 nm). Different combinations of preprocessing sets coupled with a variable selection method, called competitive adaptive reweighted sampling (CARS), were applied to reduce the number of spectral bands useful to detect the contaminants in the PET flow stream. Prediction models based on partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) for each preprocessing set, combined with CARS, were built and compared to evaluate their efficiency results. The best performance result was obtained by a PLS-DA model using multiplicative scatter correction + derivative + mean center preprocessing set and selecting only 14 wavelengths out of 240. Sensitivity and specificity values in calibration, cross-validation and prediction phases ranged from 0.986 to 0.998. HSI combined with CARS method can represent a valid tool for identification of plastic contaminants in a PET flakes stream increasing the processing speed as requested by sensor-based sorting devices working at industrial level.
Is the Spatial-Temporal Dependence Model Reliable for the Short-Term Freight Volume Forecast of Inland Ports? A Case Study of the Yangtze River, China
Authors: Liu Lei , Zhang Yong , Chen Chen , Hu Yue , Liu Cong , Chen Jing
Published: September 2021

The purpose of this study is to investigate whether spatial-temporal dependence models can improve the prediction performance of short-term freight volume forecasts in inland ports. To evaluate the effectiveness of spatial-temporal dependence forecasting, the basic time series forecasting models for use in our comparison were first built based on an autoregression integrated moving average model (ARIMA), a back-propagation neural network (BPNN), and support vector regression (SVR). Subsequently, combining a gradient boosting decision tree (GBDT) with SVR, an SVR-GBDT model for spatial-temporal dependence forecast was constructed. The SVR model was only used to build a spatial-temporal dependence forecasting model, which does not distinguish spatial and temporal information but instead takes them as data features. Taking inland ports in the Yangtze River as an example, the results indicated that the ports’ weekly freight volumes had a higher autocorrelation with the previous 1–3 weeks, and the Pearson correlation values of the ports’ weekly cargo volume were mainly located in the interval (0.2–0.5). In addition, the weekly freight volumes of the inland ports were higher depending on their past data, and the spatial-temporal dependence model improved the performance of the weekly freight volume forecasts for the inland river. This study may help to (1) reveal the significance of spatial correlation factors in ports’ short-term freight volume predictions, (2) develop prediction models for inland ports, and (3) improve the planning and operation of port entities.
Resistance to the SDHI Fungicides Boscalid and Fluopyram in Podosphaera xanthii Populations from Commercial Cucurbit Fields in Spain
Authors: Vielba-Fernández Alejandra , Polonio Álvaro , Ruiz-Jiménez Laura , de Vicente Antonio , Pérez-García Alejandro , Fernández-Ortuño Dolores
Published: September 2021

Powdery mildew is caused by Podosphaera xanthii, and is one of the most important diseases that attacks Spanish cucurbit crops. Fungicide application is the primary control tool; however, its effectiveness is hampered by the rapid development of resistance to these compounds. In this study, the EC50 values of 26 isolates were determined in response to the succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor (SDHI) fungicides boscalid and fluopyram. From these data, the discriminatory doses were deduced and used for SDHI resistance monitoring during the 2018 and 2019 growing seasons. Of the 298 isolates analysed, 37.9% showed resistance to boscalid and 44% to fluopyram. Although different phenotypes were observed in leaf disc assays, the resistant isolates showed the same phenotype in plant assays. Compared to sensitive isolates, two amino acid changes were found in the SdhC subunit, A86V and G151R, which are associated mostly with resistance patterns to fluopyram and boscalid, respectively. Furthermore, no significant differences were observed in terms of fitness cost between the selected sensitive and resistant isolates analysed here. Lastly, a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay was developed to detect A86V and G151R mutations using conidia obtained directly from infected material. Our results show that growers could continue to use boscalid and fluopyram, but resistance management practices must be implemented.
DNA Methylation on N6-Adenine Regulates the Hyphal Development during Dimorphism in the Early-Diverging Fungus Mucor lusitanicus
Authors: Osorio-Concepción Macario , Lax Carlos , Navarro Eusebio , Nicolás Francisco E. , Garre Victoriano
Published: September 2021

The epigenetic modifications control the pathogenicity of human pathogenic fungi, which have been poorly studied in Mucorales, causative agents of mucormycosis. This order belongs to a group referred to as early-diverging fungi that are characterized by high levels of N6-methyldeoxy adenine (6mA) in their genome with dense 6mA clusters associated with actively expressed genes. AlkB enzymes can act as demethylases of 6mA in DNA, with the most remarkable eukaryotic examples being mammalian ALKBH1 and Caenorhabditis elegans NMAD-1. The Mucor lusitanicus (formerly M. circinelloides f. lusitanicus) genome contains one gene, dmt1, and two genes, dmt2 and dmt3, encoding proteins similar to C. elegans NMAD-1 and ALKBH1, respectively. The function of these three genes was analyzed by the generation of single and double deletion mutants for each gene. Multiple processes were studied in the mutants, but defects were only found in single and double deletion mutants for dmt1. In contrast to the wild-type strain, dmt1 mutants showed an increase in 6mA levels during the dimorphic transition, suggesting that 6mA is associated with dimorphism in M. lusitanicus. Furthermore, the spores of dmt1 mutants challenged with macrophages underwent a reduction in polar growth, suggesting that 6mA also has a role during the spore–macrophage interaction that could be important in the infection process.
2-Chloro-4,6-bis{(E)-3-methoxy-4-[(4-methoxybenzyl)oxy]styryl}pyrimidine: Synthesis, Spectroscopic and Computational Evaluation
Authors: Chaves Otávio Augusto , Sueth-Santiago Vitor , Pinto Douglas Chaves de Alcântara , Netto-Ferreira José Carlos , Decote-Ricardo Debora , Lima Marco Edilson Freire de
Published: September 2021

A novel curcumin analog namely 2-chloro-4,6-bis{(E)-3-methoxy-4-[(4-methoxybenzyl)oxy]-styryl}pyrimidine (compound 7) was synthesized by three-step reaction. The condensation reaction of protected vanillin with 2-chloro-4,6-dimethylpyrimidine (6) was the most efficient step, resulting in a total yield of 72%. The characterization of compound 7 was performed by 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), as well as high-resolution mass spectrometry. The experimental spectrometric data were compared with the theoretical spectra obtained by the density functional theory (DFT) method, showing a perfect match between them. UV-visible spectroscopy and steady-state fluorescence emission studies were performed for compound 7 in solvents of different polarities and the results were correlated with DFT calculations. Compound 7 showed a solvatochromism effect presenting higher molar extinction coefficient (log ε = 4.57) and fluorescence quantum yield (ϕ = 0.38) in toluene than in acetonitrile or methanol. The simulation of both frontier molecular orbitals (FMOs) and molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) suggested that the experimental spectra profile in toluene was not interfered by a possible charge transfer. These results are an indication of a low probability of compound 7 in reacting with unsaturated phospholipids in future applications as a fluorescent dye in biological systems.
2,6-Dimethoxybenzyl Bromide
Authors: Aitken R. Alan , Saab Elizabeth A. , Slawin Alexandra M. Z.
Published: September 2021

The unstable title compound has been characterized for the first time. Its melting point, UV, IR, 1H and 13C-NMR and high-resolution mass spectra are presented. The X-ray structure has also been determined and shows a rather long C–Br bond perpendicular to the otherwise planar molecule.
Precise Simulation of Heat-Flow Coupling of Pipe Cooling in Mass Concrete
Authors: Yu Peng , Li Ruiqing , Bie Dapeng , Liu Xiancai , Yao Xiaomin , Duan Yahui
Published: September 2021

For a long time, temperature control and crack prevention of mass concrete is a difficult job in engineering. For temperature control and crack prevention, the most effective and common-used method is to embed cooling pipe in mass concrete. At present, there still exists some challenges in the precise simulation of pipe cooling in mass concrete, which is a complex heat-flow coupling problem. Numerical simulation is faced with the problem of over-simplification and inaccuracy. In this study, precise simulation of heat-flow coupling of pipe cooling in mass concrete is carried out based on finite element software COMSOL Multiphysics 5.4. Simulation results are comprehensively verified with results from theoretical solutions and equivalent algorithms, which prove the correctness and feasibility of precise simulation. Compared with an equivalent algorithm, precise simulation of pipe cooling in mass concrete can characterize the sharp temperature gradient around cooling pipe and the temperature rise of cooling water along pipeline more realistically. In addition, the cooling effects and local temperature gradient under different water flow (0.60 m3/h, 1.20 m3/h, and 1.80 m3/h) and water temperature (5 °C, 10 °C, and 15 °C) are comprehensively studied and related engineering suggestions are given.
How to Assess Different Algorithms Using Intuitionistic Fuzzy Logic
Authors: Pencheva Tania , Angelova Maria , Sotirova Evdokia , Atanassov Krassimir
Published: September 2021

Intuitionistic fuzzy logic is the main tool in the recently developed step-wise “cross-evaluation” procedure that aims at the assessment of different optimization algorithms. In this investigation, the procedure previously applied to compare the effectiveness of two or three algorithms has been significantly upgraded to evaluate the performance of a set of four algorithms. For the first time, the procedure applied here has been tested in the evaluation of the effectiveness of genetic algorithms (GAs), which are proven as very promising and successful optimization techniques for solving hard non-linear optimization tasks. As a case study exemplified with the parameter identification of a S. cerevisiae fed-batch fermentation process model, the cross-evaluation procedure has been executed to compare four different types of GAs, and more specifically, multi-population genetic algorithms (MGAs), which differ in the order of application of the three genetic operators: Selection, crossover and mutation. The results obtained from the implementation of the upgraded intuitionistic fuzzy logic-based procedure for MGA performance assessment have been analyzed, and the standard MGA has been outlined as the fastest and most reliable one among the four investigated algorithms.
Functional Partial Fuzzy Relations
Authors: Daňková Martina
Published: September 2021

We study fuzzy relations that satisfy the functionality property and that their membership functions can be partial functions. Such fuzzy relations are called partial fuzzy relations, and the variable-domain fuzzy set theory is a framework that provides powerful tools for handling these objects. There, the special operations based on connectives and quantifiers of a partial fuzzy logic are in use. The undefined degrees of membership are carried via those special operations. Furthermore, we show that a suitable combination of these operations leads to a meaningful definition of the functionality property, and we investigate its basic characteristics.
Asymptotic Stability of the Pexider–Cauchy Functional Equation in Non-Archimedean Spaces
Authors: Gharib Hamid , Moghimi Mohammad B. , Najati Abbas , Bae Jae-Hyeong
Published: September 2021

In this paper, we investigated the asymptotic stability behaviour of the Pexider–Cauchy functional equation in non-Archimedean spaces. We also showed that, under some conditions, if ∥f(x+y)−g(x)−h(y)∥⩽ε, then f,g and h can be approximated by additive mapping in non-Archimedean normed spaces. Finally, we deal with a functional inequality and its asymptotic behaviour.
On an Anti-Torqued Vector Field on Riemannian Manifolds
Authors: Deshmukh Sharief , Al-Dayel Ibrahim , Naik Devaraja Mallesha
Published: September 2021

A torqued vector field ξ is a torse-forming vector field on a Riemannian manifold that is orthogonal to the dual vector field of the 1-form in the definition of torse-forming vector field. In this paper, we introduce an anti-torqued vector field which is opposite to torqued vector field in the sense it is parallel to the dual vector field to the 1-form in the definition of torse-forming vector fields. It is interesting to note that anti-torqued vector fields do not reduce to concircular vector fields nor to Killing vector fields and thus, give a unique class among the classes of special vector fields on Riemannian manifolds. These vector fields do not exist on compact and simply connected Riemannian manifolds. We use anti-torqued vector fields to find two characterizations of Euclidean spaces. Furthermore, a characterization of an Einstein manifold is obtained using the combination of a torqued vector field and Fischer–Marsden equation. We also find a condition under which the scalar curvature of a compact Riemannian manifold admitting an anti-torqued vector field is strictly negative.
Repair of Geological Models Based on Multiple Material Marching Cubes
Authors: Li Benyu , Zhong Deyun , Wang Liguan
Published: September 2021

In this paper, we present a multi-domain implicit surface reconstruction algorithm for geological modeling based on the labeling of voxel points. The improved algorithm sets a label for each voxel point to represent the type of its geological domain and then obtains all the voxel points in the void areas. After that, the improved algorithm modifies the labels of the voxel points in the void areas and finally reconstructs the geological models through the Multiple Material Marching Cubes (M3C) algorithm. The improved algorithm solves the problems of some unexpected overlaps and voids in geological modeling by setting and modifying the labels of the voxel points. Our key contribution is proposing a labeling processing method to repair the overlap and void defects generated in the geological modeling and realizing the improved M3C algorithm. The experimental results of some geological models show the performance of the improved method. Compared with the original method, the improved method can repair the overlap and void defects in geological modeling to ensure the raw structural adjacency relationships of the geological bodies.
Influence of Cultivation Conditions on the Sioxanthin Content and Antioxidative Protection Effect of a Crude Extract from the Vegetative Mycelium of Salinispora tropica
Authors: Jezkova Zuzana , Schulzova Vera , Krizova Ivana , Karabin Marcel , Branyik Tomas
Published: September 2021

Due to their bioavailability, glycosylated carotenoids may have interesting biological effects. Sioxanthin, as a representative of this type of carotenoid, has been identified in marine actinomycetes of the genus Salinispora. This study evaluates, for the first time, the effect of cultivation temperature (T) and light intensity (LI) on the total cellular carotenoid content (TC), antioxidant activity (AA) and sioxanthin content (SX) of a crude extract (CE) from Salinispora tropica biomass in its vegetative state. Treatment-related differences in TC and SX values were statistically significantly and positively affected by T and LI, while AA was most significantly affected by T. In the S. tropica CE, TC correlated well (R2 = 0.823) with SX and somewhat less with AA (R2 = 0.777). A correlation between AA and SX was found to be less significant (R2 = 0.731). The most significant protective effect against oxidative stress was identified in the CE extracted from S. tropica biomass grown at the highest T and LI (CE-C), as was demonstrated using LNCaP and KYSE-30 human cell lines. The CE showed no cytotoxicity against LNCaP and KYSE-30 cell lines.
Strongyloidiasis in Children Outside the Tropics: Do We Need to Increase Awareness?
Authors: Venturini Elisabetta , Fusani Lara , Mantella Antonia , Bianchi Leila , Antonelli Alberto , Montagnani Carlotta , Chiappini Elena , Spinicci Michele , Bartoloni Alessandro , Rossolini Gian Maria , Zammarchi Lorenzo , Galli Luisa
Published: September 2021

Strongyloidiasis belongs to the group of neglected tropical diseases, due to diagnostic difficulties and the lack of systematic screening. Studies on strongyloidiasis prevalence are often heterogenous and mainly performed in adults in endemic countries. We retrospectively enrolled 2633 children referred to a tertiary care hospital in Italy between 2009 and 2020 and tested for S. stercoralis infection. Sixty-one (2.3%) had a positive serology and for 55 of them, clinical and epidemiological information were available. Thirteen cases (24%) were diagnosed in Italian children without history residency or travel to foreign countries, while the remaining were internationally adopted or migrant children. Seropositive patients were mostly asymptomatic, and often eosinophilia was the only sign of strongyloidiasis. Sero-reactivity to Toxocara canis was found in 1/3 of patients. Ivermectin was used in 37 (75.5%) treated patients. A significant reduction of eosinophil levels and IgG titer was seen after treatment. Our study confirms that strongyloidiasis is usually asymptomatic in children. However, due to the ability of the parasite to cause a life-long infection together with the risk of a severe form in case of immunosuppression, it is important to identify and treat infected children. Special consideration should be reserved to high-risk groups, such as immigrants and international adoptees, where screening for S. stercoralis is indicated. However, the study highlights that sporadic cases of autochthonous strongyloidiasis in Italy may occur. Therefore, pediatricians should be aware of this condition, which is often under-recognized.
An Integrated Mutually Oriented “Chemical Profiling–Pharmaceutical Effect” Strategy for Screening Discriminating Markers of Underlying Hepatoprotective Effects to Distinguish Garden-Cultivated from Mountain-Cultivated Ginseng
Authors: Li Saiyu , Zhang Yiwen , Yang Panpan , Tong Minghui , Xing Luwen , Zhang Qian , Bi Kaishun , Li Qing
Published: September 2021

Garden-cultivated Ginseng (GG) and mountain-cultivated Ginseng (MG) both belong to Panax Ginseng C. A. Meyer. However, the effective substances which can be used to distinguish GG from MG remain obscure. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to screen for discriminating markers that can assist in the correct identification of GG and MG. HPLC Q-TOF/MS and various chemometrics methods were used to analyze the chemical profiles of 13 batches of Ginseng and to explore the characteristic constituents of both GG and MG. The hepatocyte-protecting effects of GG and MG were investigated through a paclitaxel-induced liver injury model. Through a combination of correlation analysis and bioinformatic techniques, markers for differentiation between GG and MG were ascertained. A total of 40 and 41 compounds were identified in GG and MG, respectively, and 15 characteristic ingredients contributed significantly to the discrimination of GG from MG. Correlation analysis and network pharmacology were applied and ginsenosides Rg1, Re, Rb1, Rc, Rb2, and Rg3 were found to be discriminating markers of GG and MG. Six markers for the identification of GG and MG were screened out by a step-wise mutually oriented “chemical profiling–pharmaceutical effect” correlation strategy, which is of great significance for future quality assessment of Ginseng products.
Regioselective Functionalization of Quinolines through C-H Activation: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Corio Alessandra , Gravier-Pelletier Christine , Busca Patricia
Published: September 2021

Quinoline is a versatile heterocycle that is part of numerous natural products and countless drugs. During the last decades, this scaffold also became widely used as ligand in organometallic catalysis. Therefore, access to functionalized quinolines is of great importance and continuous efforts have been made to develop efficient and regioselective synthetic methods. In this regard, C-H functionalization through transition metal catalysis, which is nowadays the Graal of organic green chemistry, represents the most attractive strategy. We aim herein at providing a comprehensive review of methods that allow site-selective metal-catalyzed C-H functionalization of quinolines, or their quinoline N-oxides counterparts, with a specific focus on their scope and limitations, as well as mechanistic aspects if that accounts for the selectivity.