bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Accuracy and Reproducibility of Facial Measurements of Digital Photographs and Wrapped Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) Photographs
Authors: Alhammadi Maged Sultan , Al-mashraqi Abeer Abdulkareem , Alnami Rayid Hussain , Ashqar Nawaf Mohammad , Alamir Omar Hassan , Halboub Esam , Reda Rodolfo , Testarelli Luca , Patil Shankargouda
Published: April 2021

The study sought to assess whether the soft tissue facial profile measurements of direct Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) and wrapped CBCT images of non-standardized facial photographs are accurate compared to the standardized digital photographs. In this cross-sectional study, 60 patients with an age range of 18–30 years, who were indicated for CBCT, were enrolled. Two facial photographs were taken per patient: standardized and random (non-standardized). The non-standardized ones were wrapped with the CBCT images. The most used soft tissue facial profile landmarks/parameters (linear and angular) were measured on direct soft tissue three-dimensional (3D) images and on the photographs wrapped over the 3D-CBCT images, and then compared to the standardized photographs. The reliability analysis was performed using concordance correlation coefficients (CCC) and depicted graphically using Bland–Altman plots. Most of the linear and angular measurements showed high reliability (0.91 to 0.998). Nevertheless, four soft tissue measurements were unreliable; namely, posterior gonial angle (0.085 and 0.11 for wrapped and direct CBCT soft tissue, respectively), mandibular plane angle (0.006 and 0.0016 for wrapped and direct CBCT soft tissue, respectively), posterior facial height (0.63 and 0.62 for wrapped and direct CBCT soft tissue, respectively) and total soft tissue facial convexity (0.52 for both wrapped and direct CBCT soft tissue, respectively). The soft tissue facial profile measurements from either the direct 3D-CBCT images or the wrapped CBCT images of non-standardized frontal photographs were accurate, and can be used to analyze most of the soft tissue facial profile measurements.
Sex Difference in the Risk of Dementia in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Chen Yung-Lung , Chen Joseph , Wang Hui-Ting , Chang Ya-Ting , Chong Shaur-Zheng , Hsueh Shukai , Chung Chang-Ming , Lin Yu-Sheng
Published: April 2021

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the risk factors for dementia. Female sex is an inconsistent risk factor for dementia after adjusting for age in the general population, and there lacks research on its impact in developing dementia in patients with AF. This paper aims to investigate whether female sex is a risk factor for dementia in AF patients. Data of patients with newly diagnosed AF between 2001–2013 were retrieved from Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Research Database. Exclusion criteria were: patients with incomplete demographic data, age < 20 years, rheumatic heart disease, hyperthyroidism, past valvular heart surgery, and a history of dementia. Propensity score matching (PSM) between sexes was performed, including comorbidities, medications and index date stratified by age. The primary outcome was a new diagnosis of dementia at follow-up. A total of 117,517 men and 156,705 women were eligible for analysis. After 1:1 PSM, both 100,065 men and women (aged 72.5 ± 12.5 years) were included for analysis. Dementia risk varied with age in women compared with men. The difference was negligible for ≤55 years (sub distribution HR (SHR) = 0.89, 95% CI 0.73–1.07), but increased between 56–65 years (SHR = 1.13, 95% CI 1.02–1.25), 66–75 years (SHR = 1.14, 95% CI 1.09–1.20), 75–85 years (SHR = 1.11, 95% CI 1.07–1.15) and >85 years (SHR 1.10, 95% CI 1.04–1.16) for females. This study establishes that female sex increases the risk of developing dementia compared to male sex in AF patients aged >56 years. However, the impact of female sex on dementia in AF patients differs between dementia types.
Can Alveolar-Arterial Difference and Lung Ultrasound Help the Clinical Decision Making in Patients with COVID-19?
Authors: Secco Gianmarco , Salinaro Francesco , Bellazzi Carlo , La Salvia Marco , Delorenzo Marzia , Zattera Caterina , Barcella Bruno , Resta Flavia , Vezzoni Giulia , Bonzano Marco , Cappa Giovanni , Bruno Raffaele , Casagranda Ivo , Perlini Stefano
Published: April 2021

Background: COVID-19 is an emerging infectious disease, that is heavily challenging health systems worldwide. Admission Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) and Lung Ultrasound (LUS) can be of great help in clinical decision making, especially during the current pandemic and the consequent overcrowding of the Emergency Department (ED). The aim of the study was to demonstrate the capability of alveolar-to-arterial oxygen difference (AaDO2) in predicting the need for subsequent oxygen support and survival in patients with COVID-19 infection, especially in the presence of baseline normal PaO2/FiO2 ratio (P/F) values. Methods: A cohort of 223 swab-confirmed COVID-19 patients underwent clinical evaluation, blood tests, ABG and LUS in the ED. LUS score was derived from 12 ultrasound lung windows. AaDO2 was derived as AaDO2 = ((FiO2) (Atmospheric pressure − H2O pressure) − (PaCO2/R)) − PaO2. Endpoints were subsequent oxygen support need and survival. Results: A close relationship between AaDO2 and P/F and between AaDO2 and LUS score was observed (R2 = 0.88 and R2 = 0.67, respectively; p < 0.001 for both). In the subgroup of patients with P/F between 300 and 400, 94.7% (n = 107) had high AaDO2 values, and 51.4% (n = 55) received oxygen support, with 2 ICU admissions and 10 deaths. According to ROC analysis, AaDO2 > 39.4 had 83.6% sensitivity and 90.5% specificity (AUC 0.936; p < 0.001) in predicting subsequent oxygen support, whereas a LUS score > 6 showed 89.7% sensitivity and 75.0% specificity (AUC 0.896; p < 0.001). Kaplan–Meier curves showed different mortality in the AaDO2 subgroups (p = 0.0025). Conclusions: LUS and AaDO2 are easy and effective tools, which allow bedside risk stratification in patients with COVID-19, especially when P/F values, signs, and symptoms are not indicative of severe lung dysfunction.
Students’ and Instructors’ Understandings, Attitudes and Beliefs about Educational Theories: Results of a Mixed-Methods Study
Authors: Siegel Stefan T. , Daumiller Martin
Published: April 2021

(1) Background: Educational theories are a constitutive element of educational studies. Despite their theoretical relevance, little is still known about students’ and instructors’ understandings of educational theories and their theory-related attitudes and beliefs. (2) Methods: To elucidate these constructs and to test their relevance, we conducted a mixed-methods study with 32 students and 12 instructors of educational studies at a German university. (3) Results: We found that both groups perceived educational theories as rather abstract concepts. Students reported rather negative attitudes and naive beliefs. For both groups, we found that attitudes and beliefs were strongly tied to motivational and affective aspects when dealing with educational theories, which stresses their relevance for educational studies. (4) Conclusions: We suggest a systematic theoretical clarification of the term educational theories. Furthermore, consideration of students’ and instructors’ theory-related attitudes and beliefs can give rise to meaningful practical implications (e.g., through self-reflection).
Coding as Literacy in Preschool: A Case Study
Authors: Monteiro Ana Francisca , Miranda-Pinto Maribel , Osório António José
Published: April 2021

Coding is increasingly recognized as a new literacy that should be encouraged at a young age. This understanding has recontextualized computer science as a compulsory school subject and has informed several developmentally appropriate approaches to computation, including for preschool children. This study focuses on the introduction of three approaches to computation in preschool (3–6 years), specifically computational thinking, programming, and robotics, from a cross-curricular perspective. This paper presents preliminary findings from one of the case studies currently being developed as part of project KML II—Laboratory of Technologies and Learning of Programming and Robotics for Preschool and Elementary School. The purpose of the KML II project is to characterize how approaches to computation can be integrated into preschool and elementary education, across different knowledge domains. The conclusions point to “expression and communication” as an initial framework for computational approaches in preschool, but also to multidisciplinary and more creative methodological activities that offer greater scope for the development of digital and computational competences, as well as for personal and social development.
Aircraft Track Anomaly Detection Based on MOD-Bi-LSTM
Authors: Cao Yupeng , Cao Jiangwei , Zhou Zhiguo , Liu Zhiwen
Published: April 2021

In order to ensure flight safety and eliminate hidden dangers, it is very important to detect aircraft track anomalies, which include track deviations and track outliers. Many existing track anomaly detection methods cannot make full use of multidimensional information of the relevant track. Based on this problem, an aircraft track anomaly detection method based on the combination of the Multidimensional Outlier Descriptor (MOD) and the Bi-directional Long-Short Time Memory network (Bi-LSTM) is proposed in this paper. Firstly, track deviation detection is transformed into the track density classification problem, and then a multidimensional outlier descriptor is designed to detect track deviation. Secondly, track outliers detection is transformed into a prediction problem, and then a Bi-LSTM model is designed to detect track outliers. Experimental results based on real aircraft track data indicate that the accuracy of the proposed method is 96% and the recall rate is 97.36%. It can detect both track deviation and track outliers effectively.
Applying FPGA Control with ADC-Free Sampling to Multi-Output Forward Converter
Authors: Yau Yeu-Torng , Hwu Kuo-Ing , Shieh Jenn-Jong
Published: April 2021

In this paper, a forward converter with multiple outputs is employed to build up a circuit system with full-digital control without any analog-to-digital (ADC) converter adopted. In this circuit, all the output voltages can be regulated by individual feedback control loops. As transient load variations due to the main output happens, the secondary outputs are affected quite slightly. Furthermore, the output voltage with the largest output current adopts not only the voltage mode control but also the interleaved control and current sharing control. Therefore, if this circuit system adopts full-digital control, the number of ADCs employed is relatively large, and the corresponding cost is expensive. Accordingly, the sampling of multiple output voltages and two-phase currents without any ADCs is used herein. Moreover, a nonlinear control strategy is proposed and applied to the traditional proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller to accelerate the load transient response. In addition, the field programmable gate array (FPGA) is used as a control kernel.
A Comprehensive Review on Valorization of Agro-Food Industrial Residues by Solid-State Fermentation
Authors: Šelo Gordana , Planinić Mirela , Tišma Marina , Tomas Srećko , Koceva Komlenić Daliborka , Bucić-Kojić Ana
Published: April 2021

Agro-food industrial residues (AFIRs) are generated in large quantities all over the world. The vast majority of these wastes are lignocellulosic wastes that are a source of value-added products. Technologies such as solid-state fermentation (SSF) for bioconversion of lignocellulosic waste, based on the production of a wide range of bioproducts, offer both economic and environmental benefits. The versatility of application and interest in applying the principles of the circular bioeconomy make SSF one of the valorization strategies for AFIRs that can have a significant impact on the environment of the wider community. Important criteria for SSF are the selection of the appropriate and compatible substrate and microorganism, as well as the selection of the optimal process parameters for the growth of the microorganism and the production of the desired metabolites. This review provides an overview of the management of AFIRs by SSF: the current application, classification, and chemical composition of AFIRs; the catalytic function and potential application of enzymes produced by various microorganisms during SSF cultivation on AFIRs; the production of phenolic compounds by SSF; and a brief insight into the role of SSF treatment of AFIRs for feed improvement and biofuel production.
Food Dishes for Sustainable Development: A Swedish Food Retail Perspective
Authors: Torstensson Linn , Johansson Rebecca , Mark-Herbert Cecilia
Published: April 2021

Current dietary patterns contribute negatively to greenhouse gas emissions and to the increased prevalence of non-communicable diseases. Earlier research on sustainable food consumption mainly focuses on diets, rather than single meals. Diets are difficult to measure, which is usually executed through self-reporting. This paper aims to identify frequently prepared dishes in a home setting through sales statistics, and how they can be altered to reduce climate impact and increase nutritional value. Commonly prepared food dishes in a home setting among customers of a major food retailer in Sweden were identified through sales statistics. The dishes were altered to reach nutritional and climate impact guidelines. Commonly prepared food dishes exceeded goals for climate boundaries by more than threefold and were not in line with nutritional guidelines. The content of fat, including saturated fat, was too high. Vegetables, fruits, wholegrains and fiber need to be increased. To reduce climate impact and increase nutritional value, the amount of animal-based product need to be reduced and/or exchanged to plant-based alternatives. This research contributes empirically to understandings of how portfolio management decisions influence food consumption based on sales statistics and how nutritional and climate impact guidelines can be applied from a single meal perspective.
A Framework for Studying Hydrology-Driven Landslide Hazards in Northwestern US Using Satellite InSAR, Precipitation and Soil Moisture Observations: Early Results and Future Directions
Authors: Lu Zhong , Kim Jinwoo
Published: April 2021

The mountainous Pacific Northwest is prone to heavy winter rainfall, resulting in hundreds of landslides per year, human casualties, and billions of dollars of property damage. Precipitation is a major hydrologic trigger for landslides in the northwestern US and around the world. This paper reviews existing literature to outline a framework to study the linkage between precipitation and landslide hazards over the northwestern US using satellite remote sensing techniques including interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) methods, Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite precipitation products, and Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) satellite soil moisture data, along with correlation analysis and numerical modeling. InSAR time-series displacements provide an indication of landslide occurrence and extent, and help characterize the basal slip surface and slide-body volume based on the law of mass conservation. Precipitation and soil moisture sensed from the space and ground contribute to creating hydrogeological models associated with water infiltration. These crucial parameters are tracked through correlation and slope stability analysis to understand landslide dynamics. We highlight the results on mapping landslides over the state of Washington and analyses at a few select sites over southern Washington and southwestern Oregon. We conclude that satellite observations of landslide motions and the attributing hydrological variables from both radar and optical images improve our understanding of the inter-relationships between the hydrologic processes along with topographic and geologic settings, and the landslide kinematics and mechanisms inferred from time-series measurements and landslide modeling on a regional scale.
Women, Patriarchy and Health Inequalities: The Urgent Need to Reorient Our Systems
Authors: Matheson Anna , Kidd Jacquie , Came Heather
Published: April 2021

This Special Issue is entitled “Women, patriarchy, and health inequalities: an unresolved issue” [...]
Different Domains of Dengue Research in Malaysia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Questionnaire-Based Studies
Authors: Guad Rhanye Mac , Wu Yuan Seng , Aung Yin Nwe , Sekaran Shamala Devi , Wilke André Barretto Bruno , Low Wah Yun , Sim Maw Shin , Carandang Rogie Royce , Jeffree Mohammad Saffree , Taherdoost Hamed , Sunggip Caroline , Lin Constance Liew Sat , Murugaiah Chandrika , Subramaniyan Vetriselvan , Azizan Nornazirah
Published: April 2021

This review provided a systematic overview of the questionnaire-related dengue studies conducted in Malaysia and evaluated their reliability and validity used in the questionnaires. An extensive literature search was conducted using various electronic databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, Medline, and ScienceDirect. Systematic reviews and meta-analysis (PRISMA) were selected as the preferred item reporting method. Out of 88 identified dengue-related, 57 published from 2000 to April 2020 met the inclusion criteria and were included. Based on the meta-analysis, a poor mean score was obtained for knowledge (49%), attitude (44%), and preventive practice (55%). The study showed that the level of knowledge on cardinal signs and modes of transmission for dengue virus were highest among health care workers, followed by students (international and local) and lastly community residents. In treatment-seeking behaviours, only half of the respondents (50.8%) would send their child to the nearest health clinics or hospitals when a child became restless or lethargic. The acceptance rate for dengue vaccine, bacteria (Wolbachia), as a vector for dengue control and self-test diagnostic kit for dengue showed considerably high (88.4%, 70%, and 44.8%, respectively). Health belief model (HBM) constructs, such as perceived barriers, perceived severity, perceived susceptibility, self-efficacy, and perceived benefit influence prevention practices. Lastly, only 23 articles (40.3%) had piloted or pretested the questionnaire before surveying, in which three reported Cronbach’s alpha coefficient (0.70–0.90). A need for active participation of communities and healthcare personnel, promotion of awareness, and safe complementary medicines, as well as assessment of psychometric properties of questionnaire use in dengue surveys in Malaysia, in order for assessing dengue reliably and valid.
Physical Activity in Adolescents with and without Type 1 Diabetes during the New Zealand COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdown of 2020
Authors: Telford Deborah M. , Signal Dana M. , Hofman Paul L. , Gusso Silmara
Published: April 2021

Physical activity (PA) is an important part of lifestyle management for adolescents with Type 1 diabetes (T1D). Opportunities for PA were reduced by COVID-19 restrictions. Therefore, the purpose of this cross-sectional study was to compare PA among adolescents with and without T1D during the first New Zealand (NZ) COVID-19 lockdown. PA levels of adolescents aged 11–18 years with T1D (n = 33) and healthy controls (n = 34) were assessed through self-reported and parent proxy-reported questionnaires. Overall, PA levels during lockdown were below recommended levels. PA levels did not differ between T1D and control participants (p = 0.212) nor between genders (p = 0.149). Younger adolescents tended to be more active than older adolescents (p = 0.079). PA level was negatively associated with BMI z-score (r = −0.29, p = 0.026) but was not associated with socioeconomic status (SES) or T1D-related parameters. In the T1D group, higher HbA1c was associated with lower school decile (r = −0.58, p < 0.001) and higher BMI z-score (r = 0.68, p < 0.001). Overall, young people were insufficiently active during lockdown, and some sub-groups were more affected than others by the restrictions. Pandemics are likely to be part of our future, and further studies are needed to understand their impact on the health and wellbeing of adolescents.
Rural Height Penalty or Socioeconomic Penalization? The Nutritional Inequality in Backward Spain
Authors: Linares-Luján Antonio M. , Parejo-Moruno Francisco M.
Published: April 2021

This article studies the evolution of nutritional inequality, measured through the male adult height, in one of the poorest regions of Spain, in southwestern Europe: Extremadura. With a wide sample of statures of recruits born between 1855 and 1979, conscripted between 1876 and 2000, the research delves into the urban-rural height gap using coefficients of variation, tests of equality of means and proxy variables of a socioeconomic nature. The results of the analysis reveal that the strong anthropometric growth that Extremadura experienced since the last decades of the 19th century was accompanied by a less internal inequality. The lower heterogeneity did not eliminate, however, the urban-rural height gap during the period under study. In this sense, despite the absence of environmental differences between urban and rural areas in Extremadura, there was a clear rural height penalty in the region from the mid-19th century to the late 20th century. Rural punishment was fundamentally related to the greater presence of agrarian workers and the lower presence of wealthy families in villages and small towns. On the contrary, educational differences or differences in terms of nutritional health were not as decisive in the rural height penalization, at least when such differences are measured with the sources of military recruitment.
A Non-Linear Biostatistical Graphical Modeling of Preventive Actions and Healthcare Factors in Controlling COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Abdulla Faruq , Nain Zulkar , Karimuzzaman Md. , Hossain Md. Moyazzem , Rahman Azizur
Published: April 2021

Background: With the insurgence of the COVID-19 pandemic, many people died in the past several months, and the situation is ongoing with increasing health, social, and economic panic and vulnerability. As most of the countries relying on different preventive actions to control the outcomes of COVID-19, it is necessary to boost the knowledge about the effectiveness of such actions so that the policymakers take their country-based appropriate actions. This study generates evidence of taking the most impactful actions to combat COVID-19. Objective: In order to generate community-based scientific evidence, this study analyzed the outcome of COVID-19 in response to different control measures, healthcare facilities, life expectancy, and prevalent diseases. Methods: It used more than a hundred countries’ data collected from different databases. We performed a comparative graphical analysis with non-linear correlation estimation using R. Results: The reduction of COVID-19 cases is strongly correlated with the earliness of preventive initiation. The apathy of taking nationwide immediate precaution measures has been identified as one of the critical reasons to make the circumstances worse. There is significant non-linear relationship between COVID-19 case fatality and number of physicians (NCC = 0.22; p-value ≤ 0.001), nurses and midwives (NCC = 0.17; p-value ≤ 0.001), hospital beds (NCC = 0.20; p-value ≤ 0.001), life expectancy of both sexes (NCC = 0.22; p-value ≤ 0.001), life expectancy of female (NCC = 0.27; p-value ≤ 0.001), and life expectancy of male (NCC = 0.19; p-value ≤ 0.001). COVID-19 deaths were found to be reduced with increased medical personnel and hospital beds. Interestingly, no association between the comorbidities and severity of COVID-19 was found excluding asthma, cancer, Alzheimer’s, and smoking. Conclusions: Enhancing healthcare facilities and early imposing the control measures could be valuable to prevent the COVID-19 pandemic. No association between COVID-19 and other comorbidities warranted further investigation at the pathobiological level.
Socio-Emotional Variables Linked to the Consumption of Drugs amongst University Students of Social Sciences: A Pilot Study
Authors: Rodríguez-Sáez José Luis , Martín-Antón Luis J. , Salgado-Ruiz Alfonso , Carbonero Miguel Ángel
Published: April 2021

This descriptive and transversal study, carried out on an intentional sample of 211 subjects who were split in terms of their consumption of psychoactive substances over the last month and who were aged between 18 and 28 (M = 21.36, and SD = 1.90), aimed to explore the emotional intelligence, perceived socio-family support and academic performance of university students vis-à-vis their consumption of drugs and to examine the link between them. The goal was to define university student consumer profile through a regression model using the multidimensional Perceived Social Support Scale (EMAS) and the Trait Meta Mood Scale-24 (TMMS-24) as instruments, together with academic performance and gender. The results report alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis consumption rates that are above the levels indicated by the Spanish household survey on alcohol and drugs in Spain (EDADES 2019) for the 15–34-year-old age range in Castilla y León. A certain link was observed between the consumption of substances and academic performance, although no differences were seen in academic performance in terms of consumer type. There was also no clear link observed between emotional intelligence and academic performance or between social support and academic performance. The predictive contribution of the variables included in the regression model was low (9%), which would advocate completing the model with other predictive variables until more appropriate predictability conditions can be found.
Spatiotemporal Influence of Land Use/Land Cover Change Dynamics on Surface Urban Heat Island: A Case Study of Abuja Metropolis, Nigeria
Authors: Koko Auwalu Faisal , Yue Wu , Abubakar Ghali Abdullahi , Alabsi Akram Ahmed Noman , Hamed Roknisadeh
Published: April 2021

Rapid urbanization in cities and urban centers has recently contributed to notable land use/land cover (LULC) changes, affecting both the climate and environment. Therefore, this study seeks to analyze changes in LULC and its spatiotemporal influence on the surface urban heat islands (UHI) in Abuja metropolis, Nigeria. To achieve this, we employed Multi-temporal Landsat data to monitor the study area’s LULC pattern and land surface temperature (LST) over the last 29 years. The study then analyzed the relationship between LULC, LST, and other vital spectral indices comprising NDVI and NDBI using correlation analysis. The results revealed a significant urban expansion with the transformation of 358.3 sq. km of natural surface into built-up areas. It further showed a considerable increase in the mean LST of Abuja metropolis from 30.65 °C in 1990 to 32.69 °C in 2019, with a notable increase of 2.53 °C between 2009 and 2019. The results also indicated an inverse relationship between LST and NDVI and a positive connection between LST and NDBI. This implies that urban expansion and vegetation decrease influences the development of surface UHI through increased LST. Therefore, the study’s findings will significantly help urban-planners and decision-makers implement sustainable land-use strategies and management for the city.
Utilization of Image, LiDAR and Gamma-Ray Information to Improve Environmental Sustainability of Cut-to-Length Wood Harvesting Operations in Peatlands: A Management Systems Perspective
Authors: Palander Teijo , Kärhä Kalle
Published: April 2021

Forest industry corporations use quality management systems in their wood procurement operations. Spatial quality data are used to improve the quality of wood harvesting and to achieve environmental sustainability. Some studies have proposed new management systems based on LiDAR. The main aim of this study was to investigate how efficiently planning systems can select areas for wood harvesting a priori with respect to avoiding harvesting damage caused by forest machinery. A literature review revealed the possibility of using GISs, and case studies showed the criteria required to predict the required quality levels. Terrestrial LiDAR can be utilized in authorities’ quality control systems, but it is inefficient for preplanning without terrestrial gamma-ray data collection. Airborne LiDAR and gamma-ray information about forest soils can only be used for planning larger regions at the forest level because the information includes too much uncertainty to allow it to be used for planning in small-sized areas before wood harvesting operations involving wood procurement. In addition, airborne LiDAR is not accurate enough, even at the forest level, for the planning of wood procurement systems because wood harvesting remains challenging without field measurements. Therefore, there is a need for the use of manual ground-penetrating radar for determining the peat layer thickness and the depth to the groundwater table.
Disentangling the Molecular Mechanisms of the Antidepressant Activity of Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid: A Comprehensive Review of the Literature
Authors: Kalkman Hans O. , Hersberger Martin , Walitza Suzanne , Berger Gregor E.
Published: April 2021

Major depressive disorders (MDDs) are often associated with a deficiency in long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 PUFAs), as well as signs of low-grade inflammation. Epidemiological and dietary studies suggest that a high intake of fish, the major source of ω-3 PUFAs, is associated with lower rates of MDDs. Meta-analyses of randomized placebo-controlled ω-3 PUFAs intervention-trials suggest that primarily eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), but not docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), is responsible for the proposed antidepressant effect. In this review, we dissect the current biological knowledge on EPA and DHA and their bioactive lipid metabolites to search for a pharmacological explanation of this, to date, unexplained clinical observation. Through enzymatic conversion by cyclooxygenase (COX), lipoxygenase (ALOX), and cytochrome P-450 monooxygenase (CYP), EPA and DHA are metabolized to major anti-inflammatory and pro-resolving lipid mediators. In addition, both ω-3 PUFAs are precursors for endocannabinoids, with known effects on immunomodulation, neuroinflammation, food intake and mood. Finally, both ω-3 PUFAs are crucial for the structure and organization of membranes and lipid rafts. While most biological effects are shared by these two ω-3 PUFAs, some distinct features could be identified: (1) The preferential CYP monooxygenase pathway for EPA and EPA derived eicosanoids; (2) The high CB2 receptor affinities of EPA-derived EPEA and its epoxy-metabolite 17,18-EEQ-EA, while the DHA-derived endocannabinoids lack such receptor affinities; (3) The competition of EPA but not DHA with arachidonic acid (AA) for particular glycerophospholipids. EPA and AA are preferentially incorporated into phosphatidylinositols, while DHA is mainly incorporated into phosphatidyl-ethanolamine, -serine and -choline. We propose that these distinct features may explain the superior antidepressant activity of EPA rich ω-3 PUFAs and that these are potential novel targets for future antidepressant drugs.
Connexins in the Heart: Regulation, Function and Involvement in Cardiac Disease
Authors: Rodríguez-Sinovas Antonio , Sánchez Jose Antonio , Valls-Lacalle Laura , Consegal Marta , Ferreira-González Ignacio
Published: April 2021

Connexins are a family of transmembrane proteins that play a key role in cardiac physiology. Gap junctional channels put into contact the cytoplasms of connected cardiomyocytes, allowing the existence of electrical coupling. However, in addition to this fundamental role, connexins are also involved in cardiomyocyte death and survival. Thus, chemical coupling through gap junctions plays a key role in the spreading of injury between connected cells. Moreover, in addition to their involvement in cell-to-cell communication, mounting evidence indicates that connexins have additional gap junction-independent functions. Opening of unopposed hemichannels, located at the lateral surface of cardiomyocytes, may compromise cell homeostasis and may be involved in ischemia/reperfusion injury. In addition, connexins located at non-canonical cell structures, including mitochondria and the nucleus, have been demonstrated to be involved in cardioprotection and in regulation of cell growth and differentiation. In this review, we will provide, first, an overview on connexin biology, including their synthesis and degradation, their regulation and their interactions. Then, we will conduct an in-depth examination of the role of connexins in cardiac pathophysiology, including new findings regarding their involvement in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury, cardiac fibrosis, gene transcription or signaling regulation.
The Multifaceted Mas-Related G Protein-Coupled Receptor Member X2 in Allergic Diseases and Beyond
Authors: Quan Paola Leonor , Sabaté-Brescó Marina , Guo Yanru , Martín Margarita , Gastaminza Gabriel
Published: April 2021

Recent research on mast cell biology has turned its focus on MRGPRX2, a new member of the Mas-related G protein-coupled subfamily of receptors (Mrgprs), originally described in nociceptive neurons of the dorsal root ganglia. MRGPRX2, a member of this group, is present not only in neurons but also in mast cells (MCs), specifically, and potentially in other cells of the immune system, such as basophils and eosinophils. As emerging new functions for this receptor are studied, a variety of both natural and pharmacologic ligands are being uncovered, linked to the ability to induce receptor-mediated MC activation and degranulation. The diversity of these ligands, characterized in their human, mice, or rat homologues, seems to match that of the receptor’s interactions. Natural ligands include host defense peptides, basic molecules, and key neuropeptides such as substance P and vasointestinal peptide (known for their role in the transmission of pain and itch) as well as eosinophil granule-derived proteins. Exogenous ligands include MC secretagogues such as compound 48/80 and mastoparan, a component of bee wasp venom, and several peptidergic drugs, among which are members of the quinolone family, neuromuscular blocking agents, morphine, and vancomycin. These discoveries shed light on its capacity as a multifaceted participant in naturally occurring responses within immunity and neural stimulus perception, as in responses at the center of immune pathology. In host defense, the mice Mrgprb2 has been proven to aid mast cells in the detection of peptidic molecules from bacteria and in the release of peptides with antimicrobial activities and other immune mediators. There are several potential actions described for it in tissue homeostasis and repair. In the realm of pathologic response, there is evidence to suggest that this receptor is also involved in chronic inflammation. Furthermore, MRGPRX2 has been linked to the pathophysiology of non-IgE-mediated immediate hypersensitivity drug reactions. Different studies have shown its possible role in other allergic diseases as well, such as asthma, atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, and chronic spontaneous urticaria. In this review, we sought to cover its function in physiologic processes and responses, as well as in allergic and nonallergic immune disease.
Intraperitoneal Glucose Transport to Micrometastasis: A Multimodal In Vivo Imaging Investigation in a Mouse Lymphoma Model
Authors: Ritter Zsombor , Zámbó Katalin , Jia Xinkai , Szöllősi Dávid , Dezső Dániel , Alizadeh Hussain , Horváth Ildikó , Hegedűs Nikolett , Tuch David , Vyas Kunal , Balogh Péter , Máthé Domokos , Schmidt Erzsébet
Published: April 2021

Bc-DLFL.1 is a novel spontaneous, high-grade transplantable mouse B-cell lymphoma model for selective serosal propagation. These cells attach to the omentum and mesentery and show dissemination in mesenteric lymph nodes. We aimed to investigate its early stage spread at one day post-intraperitoneal inoculation of lymphoma cells (n = 18 mice), and its advanced stage at seven days post-inoculation with in vivo [18F]FDG-PET and [18F]PET/MRI, and ex vivo by autoradiography and Cherenkov luminescence imaging (CLI). Of the early stage group, nine animals received intraperitoneal injections, and nine received intravenous [18F]FDG injections. The advanced stage group (n = 3) received intravenous FDG injections. In the early stage, using autoradiography we observed a marked accumulation in the mesentery after intraperitoneal FDG injection. Using other imaging methods and autoradiography, following the intravenous injection of FDG no accumulations were detected. At the advanced stage, tracer accumulation was clearly detected in mesenteric lymph nodes and in the peritoneum after intravenous administration using PET. We confirmed the results with immunohistochemistry. Our results in this model highlight the importance of local FDG administration during diagnostic imaging to precisely assess early peritoneal manifestations of other malignancies (colon, stomach, ovary). These findings also support the importance of applying topical therapies, in addition to systemic treatments in peritoneal cancer spread.
Metformin Protects against NMDA-Induced Retinal Injury through the MEK/ERK Signaling Pathway in Rats
Authors: Watanabe Koki , Asano Daiki , Ushikubo Hiroko , Morita Akane , Mori Asami , Sakamoto Kenji , Ishii Kunio , Nakahara Tsutomu
Published: April 2021

Metformin, an anti-hyperglycemic drug of the biguanide class, exerts positive effects in several non-diabetes-related diseases. In this study, we aimed to examine the protective effects of metformin against N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA)-induced excitotoxic retinal damage in rats and determine the mechanisms of its protective effects. Male Sprague–Dawley rats (7 to 9 weeks old) were used in this study. Following intravitreal injection of NMDA (200 nmol/eye), the number of neuronal cells in the ganglion cell layer and parvalbumin-positive amacrine cells decreased, whereas the number of CD45-positive leukocytes and Iba1-positive microglia increased. Metformin attenuated these NMDA-induced responses. The neuroprotective effect of metformin was abolished by compound C, an inhibitor of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). The AMPK activator, AICAR, exerted a neuroprotective effect in NMDA-induced retinal injury. The MEK1/2 inhibitor, U0126, reduced the neuroprotective effect of metformin. These results suggest that metformin protects against NMDA-induced retinal neurotoxicity through activation of the AMPK and MEK/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling pathways. This neuroprotective effect could be partially attributable to the inhibitory effects on inflammatory responses.
DNA Barcoding Identifies Unknown Females and Larvae of Fannia R.-D. (Diptera: Fanniidae) from Carrion Succession Experiment and Case Report
Authors: Grzywacz Andrzej , Jarmusz Mateusz , Walczak Kinga , Skowronek Rafał , Johnston Nikolas P. , Szpila Krzysztof
Published: April 2021

Application of available keys to European Fanniidae did not facilitate unequivocal species identification for third instar larvae and females of Fannia Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830 collected during a study of arthropod succession on pig carrion. To link these samples to known species, we took the advantage of molecular identification methods and compared newly obtained cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) barcode sequences against sequences deposited in reference databases. As an outcome of the results obtained, we describe for the first time a third instar larva of Fannia nigra Malloch, 1910 and Fannia pallitibia (Rondani, 1866) and a female of Fannia collini d’Assis-Fonseca, 1966. We provide combinations of characters allowing for discrimination of described insects from other Fanniidae. We provide an update for the key by Rozkošný et al. 1997, which allows differentiation between females of F. collini and other species of Fanniidae. Additionally, we provide a case of a human cadaver discovered in Southern Poland and insect fauna associated with it as the first report of F. nigra larvae developing on a human body.
Association of Self-Reported Functional Limitations among a National Community-Based Sample of Older United States Adults with Pain: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Axon David R. , Le Darlena
Published: April 2021

The characteristics of self-reported functional limitations among older United States (US) adults with pain are currently unknown. This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the characteristics associated with functional limitations among non-institutionalized older (≥50 years) US adults with pain using 2017 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) data. Eligible subjects were alive for the calendar year, aged ≥50 years, and experienced pain within the past four weeks. Hierarchical logistic regression models were utilized to determine significant characteristics associated with functional limitations (outcome variable; yes, no). Functional limitations included difficulty with bending, stooping, climbing stairs, grasping objects, lifting, reaching overhead, standing for long periods of time, or walking. Extrapolation of national data values was possible by adjusting for the complex MEPS design. We found approximately 22 million of the 57 million older US adults (≥50 years) who reported pain had a functional limitation in 2017. Characteristics associated with functional limitations included: gender, race, ethnicity, employment status, marital status, pain intensity, physical health, number of chronic conditions, and frequent exercise status. Knowledge of characteristics associated with functional limitations may provide an opportunity to identify and resolve gaps in patient care among this population.
Bioresorbable Magnesium-Based Alloys as Novel Biomaterials in Oral Bone Regeneration: General Review and Clinical Perspectives
Authors: Herber Valentin , Okutan Begüm , Antonoglou Georgios , Sommer Nicole G. , Payer Michael
Published: April 2021

Bone preservation and primary regeneration is a daily challenge in the field of dental medicine. In recent years, bioresorbable metals based on magnesium (Mg) have been widely investigated due to their bone-like modulus of elasticity, their high biocompatibility, antimicrobial, and osteoconductive properties. Synthetic Mg-based biomaterials are promising candidates for bone regeneration in comparison with other currently available pure synthetic materials. Different alloys based on Mg were developed to fit clinical requirements. In parallel, advances in additive manufacturing offer the possibility to fabricate experimentally bioresorbable metallic porous scaffolds. This review describes the promising clinical results of resorbable Mg-based biomaterials for bone repair in osteosynthetic application and discusses the perspectives of use in oral bone regeneration.
Appropriate ICD Interventions for Ventricular Arrhythmias Are Predicted by Higher Syntax Scores I and II in Patients with Ischemic Heart Disease
Authors: Strisciuglio Teresa , Ammirati Giuseppe , Pergola Valerio , Addeo Lucio , Losi Maria Angela , Viggiano Aniello , Imparato Livio , Russo Vincenzo , Melillo Enrico , Nigro Gerardo , Stabile Giuseppe , D’Onofrio Antonio , Esposito Giovanni , Rapacciuolo Antonio
Published: April 2021

Aims. The occurrence of ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) in ischemic heart disease (IHD) patients is related to the presence and extent of fibrotic/scar tissue. As coronary atherosclerosis is the underlying cause of myocardial ischemia and fibrosis, in IHD patients implanted with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) we investigated the relation between the VA burden and the complexity of coronary atherosclerotic lesions. Methods and results. In IHD patients who underwent coronary angiography and ICD implant, the Syntax scores I and II (SSI-II), as index of the severity of the coronary atherosclerotic disease, and the occurrence of VA were assessed. Overall 144 patients were included (123 males). Of these 22 patients (15%) experienced at least one episode of VA (cycle length 298 ± 19 msec) that required ICD intervention. The number of episodes per patient and per year was 4 ± 6 and 2.8 ± 4, respectively. Patients that experienced a VA compared to those free from arrhythmic events did not have distinct baseline clinical characteristics except for a higher SS I and SS II (21 (IQR 13–38) vs. 16 (IQR 10–23); p = 0.037; and 50 (IQR 39–62) vs. 42 (IQR 34–50); p = 0.012). In the binary logistic regression analyses the SS I and II were the only independent predictors of VA occurrence. A higher SS II was also associated with an earlier time to first event (p = 0.005). Conclusion. Higher SS I-II scores reflect a more severe coronary atherosclerosis and are associated with a greater VA burden. Further studies are needed to better clarify the ability of SSI-II to stratify the risk of IHD patients to develop life-threatening VA.
UnCanny: Exploiting Reversed Edge Detection as a Basis for Object Tracking in Video
Authors: Honeycutt Wesley T. , Bridge Eli S.
Published: April 2021

Few object detection methods exist which can resolve small objects (<20 pixels) from complex static backgrounds without significant computational expense. A framework capable of meeting these needs which reverses the steps in classic edge detection methods using the Canny filter for edge detection is presented here. Sample images taken from sequential frames of video footage were processed by subtraction, thresholding, Sobel edge detection, Gaussian blurring, and Zhang–Suen edge thinning to identify objects which have moved between the two frames. The results of this method show distinct contours applicable to object tracking algorithms with minimal “false positive” noise. This framework may be used with other edge detection methods to produce robust, low-overhead object tracking methods.
Structural Beauty: A Structure-Based Computational Approach to Quantifying the Beauty of an Image
Authors: Jiang Bin , de Rijke Chris
Published: April 2021

To say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder means that beauty is largely subjective so varies from person to person. While the subjectivity view is commonly held, there is also an objectivity view that seeks to measure beauty or aesthetics in some quantitative manners. Christopher Alexander has long discovered that beauty or coherence highly correlates to the number of subsymmetries or substructures and demonstrated that there is a shared notion of beauty—structural beauty—among people and even different peoples, regardless of their faiths, cultures, and ethnicities. This notion of structural beauty arises directly out of living structure or wholeness, a physical and mathematical structure that underlies all space and matter. Based on the concept of living structure, this paper develops an approach for computing the structural beauty or life of an image (L) based on the number of automatically derived substructures (S) and their inherent hierarchy (H). To verify this approach, we conducted a series of case studies applied to eight pairs of images including Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa and Jackson Pollock’s Blue Poles. We discovered among others that Blue Poles is more structurally beautiful than the Mona Lisa, and traditional buildings are in general more structurally beautiful than their modernist counterparts. This finding implies that goodness of things or images is largely a matter of fact rather than an opinion or personal preference as conventionally conceived. The research on structural beauty has deep implications on many disciplines, where beauty or aesthetics is a major concern such as image understanding and computer vision, architecture and urban design, humanities and arts, neurophysiology, and psychology.