bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analisis Kinerja Rele Proteksi di Gardu Induk Bangil T/L Bay Pandaan Pada Tegangan 70kV
Authors: Epiwardi  , Eko Prasetyo Budi , Aldianto Zuhri Moh.
Published: April 2022

Dari rekap data gangguan di APP Probolinggo terdapat gangguan pada tanggal 15 Desember 2017 di line Bangil – Pandaan 1, gangguan tersebut disebabkan oleh kesalahan proteksi pada rele jarak di GI Bangil 70 kv, yang menyebabkan salah pembacaan gangguan sehingga mengakibatkan rele jarak bekerja, gangguan yang terindikasi adalah gangguan pada zona 1 dan rele jarak memerintah PMT untuk trip. Sehingga perlu dilakukan perhitungan yang tepat agar masing-masing rele proteksi bekerja sesuai zona proteksinya sehingga tidak terjadi kesalahan proteksi pada rele jarak. Saluran Bangil-Pandaan 1 sepanjang 9,7 km dimana di proteksi oleh rele jarak dan rele arus lebih (OCR). Dari hasil perhitungan manual untuk zona 1 0,5857 ohm zona 2 1,058 ohm dan zona 3 1,75727 ohm, terdapat selisih setting rele jarak antara perhitungan manual dengan data PLN, zona 1 sebesar 9,7%, zona 2 3,9%, dan zona 3 2,57%, hal tersebut diakibatkan oleh parameter-parameter yang digunakan oleh PLN berbeda seperti penghantar, CT, dan PT. Kemudian disimulasikan pada software DIGSILENT, dan di asumsikan gangguan terjadi di zona 1 maksimum yaitu 80% daripanjang penghantar, hasil report software terbaca saluran sepanjang 9,7 km mampu diamankan zona1 dengan tripping time 0,02 s. Koordinasi rele jarak dan rele arus lebih (OCR) antara GI Bangil - GI Pandaan 1 bekerja dengan normal,karena setelah diasumsikan terjadi gangguan pada tiap-tiap Zone yaitu F1 20% dari Z(Line Pandaan 1), F2 80% dari Z(Line Pandaan 1) untuk Zone 1 maksimum, dan F3 90% dari Z(Line Pandaan 1) untuk Zone 2, nilai tripping time untuk rele jarak 0,02 s dan untuk rele arus lebih (OCR) 2,94 s maka rele jarak bekerja lebih cepat dari rele arus lebih (OCR) sehingga rele jarak memerintah PMT untuk trip.
Analisis Power Quality Gedung Graha Politeknik Negeri Malang
Authors: Wiharya Chandra , Hermawan Ahmad , Seftiana Siffa
Published: April 2022

Kualitas daya listrik adalah kemampuan peralatan listrik untuk beroperasi secara optimal sesuai dengan spesifikasi peralatan. Tujuan dari penelitian ini supaya diketahui kondisi kualitas daya di Gedung Graha Politeknik Negeri Malang seperti keadaan harmonisa, ketidakseimbanagn beban, dan ketidakseimbangan tegangan. Penelitian ini digunakan metode pengambilan data dengan Web – Based Power Quality Meter (PM 5110). Berdasarkan analisis data dan perhitungan yang diperoleh dapat disimpulkan bahwa, tegangan lebih diatasi dengan cara pengoperasian peralatan beban yang besar dikurangi, konduktor netral diperbaiki. Untuk masalah ketidakseimbangan beban diperhatikan ketika pembagian beban antar fasa supaya seimbang, karena sebagian beban tiap lantai di Gedung Graha terdapat beban yang dioperasikan secara bersama dari fasa yang sama sehingga terjadi nilai arus yang besar. Ketidakseimbangan beban tertinggi di Panel Lantai 1 Selatan yaitu 133,50% lebih dari batas standar yangditentukan IEEE 1159-2009 bahwa batas ketidakseimbangan beban 30%. TDD dan THDv masih dalam batas standar yang ditentukan
Analisis Stabilitas Tegangan di Sub sistem 150 kV Kediri Akibat Gangguan PLTU Pacitan dengan Metode PQVSI
Authors: Ananto Rhezal Agung , Sukamdi  , Pralasdiana Putri Citra
Published: April 2022

Dari data yang diperoleh dari hasil observasi di PT.PLN (Persero) Area Pengatur Beban (APB) Region 4 Jawa Timur pada data metering tegangan menggunakan di Bus 150 kV Sub sistem Kediri didapatkan nilai drop tegangan yang besar terjadi pada tanggal 28 November 2016 yaitu pada jam 19.00 pada Bus Ngawi 17 kV dan terjadi lagi pada tanggal 29 November pukul 10.00, 14.00 dan 19.00 pada Bus Ngawi 17 kV. Hal ini diakibatkan terjadi gangguan yaitu Black Out pada Pembangkitan PLTU Pacitan yaitu sekitar 187 MW. Dalam sistem penyediaan tenaga listrik, tegangan sistem harus dipertahankan dalam batas (+5%) dan (-10%) sesuai Peraturan Menteri Energi dan Sumber Daya Mineral Nomor: 03 Tahun 007 tentang Aturan Jaringan Sistem Tenaga Listrik Jawa-Madura-Bali. Tujuan dari penelitian ini untuk mengetahui pengaruh Black Out PLTU Pacitan terhadap kestabilan tegangan pada Sub sistem Kediri. Analisis drop tegangan dengan menggunakan metode PQVSI digunakan untuk memprediksi saluran yang memiliki tingkat kestabilan tegangan paling rawan berdasarkan penyaluran daya saluran pada suatu sistem. Dari hasil analisa denganmenggunakan indeks kestabilan tegangan pada saluran Banaran-Manisrejo dalam kondisi tidak stabil yaitu dengan nilai rata-rata sebesar 0,8231981, yang merupakan nilai maksimal pembebanan. Untuk memperbaiki drop tegangan dan stabilitas tegangan dan stabilitas tegangan maka alternatif solusi yang dilakukan adalah dengan penambahan kapasitor yang dapat menaikkan tegangan dari 138,2 kV menjadi 141,3 kV sehingga saluran juga dapat menjadi lebih stabil
Micro RNA-640 Targeting SLIT1 Enhances Glioma Radiosensitivity by Restraining the Activation of Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway
Authors: Zheng Yamei , Xiao Mingyue , Zhang Jingqiong , Chang Fei
Published: April 2022

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of miR-640–SLIT1 axis and the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway on radiosensitivity of glioma cells.

Methods: Relative expressions of miR-640 and slit guidance ligand 1 (SLIT1) in glioma tissues and glioma cell lines U251 and A172 were detected using RT-qPCR. The cell lines were transfected with si-SLIT1 or miR-640 inhibitor to study the radiosensitivity of glioma cells. We detected cell activity using CCK-8 assay, cell migration using wound healing assay, cell invasion using transwell assay, and apoptosis using caspase-3 assay.

Results: SLIT1 was upregulated in glioma tissues and cell lines, and inversely correlated with radiation sensitivity. Its knockdown reduced radioresistance, migration, and invasion, but increased apoptosis in U251 and A17 cells. Loss of miR-640 activity upregulated SLIT1, Wnt, and β-catenin protein expression, whereas it inhibited p-GSK-3β protein levels in U251 and A17 cells. These results suggest that miR-640 mediates the radiosensitivity of glioma cells through SLIT1 and the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.

Conclusion: The miR-640–SLIT1 axis that regulates the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is a possible therapeutic option for the effective treatment of glioma in combination with radiotherapy.
Naringin Mediates Adult Hippocampal Neurogenesis for Antidepression via Activating CREB Signaling
Authors: Gao Chong , Wu Meiling , Du Qiaohui , Deng Jiagang , Shen Jiangang
Published: April 2022

The brain-derived neurotrophic factor/tropomyosin receptor kinase B/cAMP response element-binding protein (BDNF/TrkB/CREB) signaling pathway is a critical therapeutic target for inducing adult hippocampal neurogenesis and antidepressant therapy. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that naringin, a natural medicinal compound, could promote adult hippocampal neurogenesis and improve depression-like behaviors via regulating the BDNF/TrkB/CREB signaling pathway. We first investigated the effects of naringin on promoting adult hippocampal neurogenesis in both normal and chronic corticosterone (CORT)-induced depressive mice. Under physiological condition, naringin treatment enhanced the proliferation of neural stem/progenitor cells (NSPCs) and accelerated neuronal differentiation. In CORT-induced depression mouse model, naringin treatment promoted neuronal differentiation and maturation of NSPCs for hippocampal neurogenesis. Forced swim test, tail suspension test, and open field test confirmed the antidepressant and anxiolytic effects of naringin. Co-treatment of temozolomide (TMZ), a neurogenic inhibitor, abolished these antidepressant and anxiolytic effects. Meanwhile, naringin treatment increased phosphorylation of cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) but had no effect on the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and phosphorylation of TrkB in the hippocampus of CORT-induced depressive mice. Co-treatment of CREB inhibitor 666-15, rather than TrkB inhibitor Cyc-B, abolished the neurogenesis-promoting and antidepressant effects of naringin. Taken together, naringin has antidepressant and anxiolytic effects, and the underlying mechanisms could be attributed to enhance hippocampal neurogenesis via activating CREB signaling.
Roles of Embryonic Lethal Abnormal Vision-Like RNA Binding Proteins in Cancer and Beyond
Authors: Cai Haijian , Zheng Dandan , Yao Yizhu , Yang Lehe , Huang Xiaoying , Wang Liangxing
Published: April 2022

Embryonic lethal abnormal vision-like (ELAVL) proteins are RNA binding proteins that were originally discovered as indispensable regulators of the development and functioning of the nervous system. Subsequent studies have shown that ELAVL proteins not only exist in the nervous system, but also have regulatory effects in other tissues. ELAVL proteins have attracted attention as potential therapeutic targets because they stabilize multiple mRNAs by binding within the 3′-untranslated region and thus promote the development of tumors, including hepatocellular carcinoma, pancreatic cancer, ovarian cancer, breast cancer, colorectal carcinoma and lung cancer. Previous studies have focused on these important relationships with downstream mRNAs, but emerging studies suggest that ELAVL proteins also interact with non-coding RNAs. In this review, we will summarize the relationship of the ELAVL protein family with mRNA and non-coding RNA and the roles of ELAVL protein family members in a variety of physiological and pathological processes.
Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of [1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a] Pyrazine Derivatives as Novel Dual c-Met/VEGFR-2 Inhibitors
Authors: Liu Xiaobo , Li Yuzhen , Zhang Qian , Pan Qingshan , Zheng Pengwu , Dai Xinyang , Bai Zhaoshi , Zhu Wufu
Published: April 2022

In this study, we designed and synthesized a series of novel [1,2,4]triazolo [4,3-a]pyrazine derivatives, and evaluated them for their inhibitory activities toward c-Met/VEGFR-2 kinases and antiproliferative activities against tested three cell lines in vitro. Most of the compounds showed satisfactory activity compared with lead compound foretinib. Among them, the most promising compound 17l exhibited excellent antiproliferative activities against A549, MCF-7, and Hela cancer cell lines with IC50 values of 0.98 ± 0.08, 1.05 ± 0.17, and 1.28 ± 0.25 µM, respectively, as well as excellent kinase inhibitory activities (c-Met IC50 = 26.00 nM and VEGFR-2 IC50 = 2.6 µM). Moreover, compound 17l inhibited the growth of A549 cells in G0/G1 phase in a dose-dependent manner, and induced the late apoptosis of A549 cells. Its intervention on intracellular c-Met signaling of A549 was verified by the result of Western blot. Fluorescence quantitative PCR showed that compound 17l inhibited the growth of A549 cells by inhibiting the expression of c-Met and VEGFR-2, and its hemolytic toxicity was low. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation indicated that compound 17l could bind to c-Met and VEGFR-2 protein, which was similar to that of foretinib.
Simultaneous Quantitation of Clevidipine and Its Active Metabolite H152/81 in Human Whole Blood by LC-MS/MS: Application to Bioequivalence Study
Authors: Li Pengfei , Wu Haitang , Zhao Zhixia , Du Ping , Xu Haitong , Liu Hongchuan , Zhou Yu , Yu Weiyue , Li Hao , Liu Lihong
Published: April 2022

Clevidipine is an ultrashort-acting dihydropyridine calcium antagonist, which can control blood pressure accurately. It is necessary to develop a liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method to quantitate clevidipine and its active metabolite H152/81 for clinical pharmacokinetic study and therapeutic drug monitoring. Liquid–liquid extraction was used for sample preparation, and clevidipine-d7 and H152/81-13C-d3 were chosen as the isotope internal standard. The chromatographic separation was performed on an ACE Excel 2 Phenyl column (50 × 2.1 mm). Mass quantification was carried out on the multiple reaction monitoring of the transitions of m/z 473.1→338.1, 480.1→338.1, 356.0→324.0, and 362.2→326.2 for clevidipine, clevidipine-d7, H152/81, and H152/81-13C-d3. The validated method gave an excellent linearity over a concentration range of 0.1–30 ng/ml for clevidipine and 2–600 ng/ml for H152/81. Other fully validated content such as accuracy, precision, extraction recovery, matrix effect, and stability were also investigated and showed satisfactory results. It was strongly recommended that whole blood is the first choice for clinical bioanalysis. Using whole blood for sample analysis can reduce the whole blood collection volume (1 ml vs. 4 ml) and shorten the time from sample collection to storage to 5 min, and there is no centrifugation process and precooling in the ice water bath, which can further reduce the instability caused by exposure. The method was successfully applied to a bioequivalence study of clevidipine butyrate-injectable emulsion.
Heterometallic Dual-Liganded AE-Ln-CPs Luminescent Probes for Efficient Sensing of Fe(III) Ions
Authors: Hou Jieqiong , Chen Yanmei , Zou Shuixiang , Dong Wenwen , Ju Zhenghua , Lin Junqi , Ruan Zhijun , Liu Shanshan , Tian Zhengfang
Published: April 2022

Iron ion is widely present in the environment and in biological systems, and are indispensable trace elements in living organisms, so development of an efficient and simple sensor for sensing Fe(III) ions has attracted much attention. Here, six heterometallic AE-Ln coordination polymers (CPs) [Ln2 (pda)4(Hnda)2Ca2(H2O)2]·MeOH (Ln = Eu (1), Tb (2); H2pda = 2,6-pyridinedicarboxylic acid, H2nda = 2,3-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid), [Ln (pda)2 (nda)AE2(HCOO)(H2O)] (AE = Sr, Ln = Eu (3), Tb (4); AE = Ba, Ln = Eu (5), Tb (6)) with two-dimensional (2D) layer structures were synthesized by hydrothermal method. All of them were characterized by elemental analysis, XRD, IR, TG, as well as single crystal X-ray diffraction. They all show infinite 2D network structure, where complexes 1 and 2 are triclinic with space group of P1¯, while 3-6 belong to the monoclinic system, space group P21/n. The solid-state fluorescence lifetimes of complexes 1, 3 and 5 are τobs1 = 1930.94, 2049.48 and 2,413.04 µs, respectively, and the quantum yields Фtotal are 63.01, 60.61, 87.39%, respectively, which are higher than those of complexes 2, 4 and 6. Complexes 1-6 all exhibited efficient fluorescence quenching response to Fe3+ ions in water, and were not interfered by the following metal ions: Cu2+, Cd2+, Mg2+, Ni2+, Co2+, Ca2+, Ba2+, Sr2+, Li+, Na+, K+, Al3+, Fe2+, Pb2+, Cr3+, Mn2+ and Zn2+. The quenching coefficient KSV for complexes 1-6 is 1.41 × 105 M−1, 7.10 × 104 M−1, 1.70 × 105 M−1, 1.57 × 105 M−1, 9.37 × 104 M−1, 1.27 × 105 M−1, respectively. The fluorescence quenching mechanism of these complexes towards Fe3+ ions was also investigated. It is possible that the weak interaction formed between the complexes and the Fe3+ ions reduce the energy transfer from the ligand to the Ln3+ ion, producing the emission burst effect. This suggests that complexes 1-6 can be candidate for efficient luminescent sensor of Fe3+.
First-Principles Calculations of Two-Dimensional CdO/HfS2 Van der Waals Heterostructure: Direct Z-Scheme Photocatalytic Water Splitting
Authors: Zhang Qiuhua , Ren Kai , Zheng Ruxing , Huang Zhaoming , An Zongquan , Cui Zhen
Published: April 2022

Using two-dimensional (2D) heterostructure as photocatalyst for water splitting is a popular strategy for the generation of hydrogen. In this investigation, the first-principles calculations are explored to address the electronic performances of the 2D CdO/HfS2 heterostructure formed by van der Waals (vdW) forces. The CdO/HfS2 vdW heterostructure has a 1.19 eV indirect bandgap with type-II band alignment. Importantly, the CdO/HfS2 vdW heterostructure possesses an intrinsic Z-scheme photocatalytic characteristic for water splitting by obtaining decent band edge positions. CdO donates 0.017 electrons to the HfS2 layer in the heterostructure, inducing a potential drop to further separate the photogenerated electrons and holes across the interface. The CdO/HfS2 vdW heterostructure also has excellent optical absorption capacity, showing a promising role as a photocatalyst to decompose the water.
Thrombospondin Related Anonymous Protein Superfamily in Vector-Borne Apicomplexans: The Parasite’s Toolkit for Cell Invasion
Authors: Paoletta Martina Soledad , Wilkowsky Silvina Elizabeth
Published: April 2022

Apicomplexan parasites transmitted by vectors, including Babesia spp. and Plasmodium spp., cause severe disease in both humans and animals. These parasites have a complex life cycle during which they migrate, invade, and replicate in contrasting hosts such as the mammal and the invertebrate vector. The interaction of parasites with the host cell is mediated by adhesive proteins which play a key role in the different cellular processes regarding successful progression of the life cycle. Thrombospondin related anonymous protein (TRAP) is a superfamily of adhesins that are involved in motility, invasion and egress of the parasite. These proteins are stored and released from apical organelles and have either one or two types of adhesive domains, namely thrombospondin type 1 repeat and von Willebrand factor type A, that upon secretion are located in the extracellular portion of the molecule. Proteins from the TRAP superfamily have been intensively studied in Plasmodium species and to a lesser extent in Babesia spp., where they have proven to be functionally relevant throughout the entire parasite’s journey both in the arthropod vector and in the mammalian host. In recent years new findings provided answers to the role of TRAP proteins and in some cases the function of these adhesins during the parasite’s life cycle was redefined. In this review we will discuss the current knowledge of the diverse roles of the TRAP superfamily in vector-borne parasites from Class Aconoidasida. We will focus on the varied approaches that allowed the understanding of protein function and the relevance of TRAP- superfamily throughout the entire parasite’s cell cycle.
A Pilot Study Exploring the Association of Entacapone, Gut Microbiota, and the Subsequent Side Effects in Patients With Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Fu Shih-Chen , Lee Chung-Han , Hsieh Yi-Chen , Wu Pei-Hua , Lin Sheng-Hsuan , Wang Hsiuying
Published: April 2022

Background and Aims

Entacapone, one of the most common drugs distributed among patients with Parkinson’s disease, is a peripherally acting catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) inhibitor that is used in addition to levodopa to control symptoms. However, there have been negative effects reported against entacapone, namely, gastrointestinal (GI) problems and drowsiness. In this pilot study, we aim to examine the hypothesis that the discomfort induced by entacapone might be originated from the shift of microbial composition by adjusting the effect of levodopa.

Methods

The population in this pilot study consisted of 13 PD patients treated with levodopa only and 11 with both levodopa and entacapone. The 16S rRNA gene sequence data were processed, aligned, and categorized using the DADA2. Alpha diversity indices for Observed, Chao1, Shannon, and Simpson metrics were calculated with Phyloseq 1.32.0. Dissimilarities were calculated using unweighted unique fraction metrics (Unifrac), weighted Unifrac, and Canberra distance. Functional differences were calculated by PICRUSt2 based on the KEGG database.

Results

Results of 16S rRNA sequencing analysis showed that while entacapone did not influence the species richness, the composition of the microbial community shifted considerably. Relative abundances of bacteria related to constipation and other GI disorders also altered significantly. Functional enrichment analysis revealed changes in the metabolic activity of alanine, aspartate, and glutamate. These amino acids are related to common side effects of entacapone such as auditory hallucinations, fatigue, and nightmare.

Conclusion

Our findings provide testable hypothesis on the cause of unpleasant side effects of entacapone, which in the long run could possibly be reduced through gut microbiota manipulation.
Transcriptome Architecture of Osteoblastic Cells Infected With Staphylococcus aureus Reveals Strong Inflammatory Responses and Signatures of Metabolic and Epigenetic Dysregulation
Authors: Nicolas Aurélie , Deplanche Martine , Commere Pierre-Henri , Diot Alan , Genthon Clemence , Marques da Silva Wanderson , Azevedo Vasco , Germon Pierre , Jamme Hélène , Guédon Eric , Le Loir Yves , Laurent Fréderic , Bierne Hélène , Berkova Nadia
Published: April 2022

Staphylococcus aureus is an opportunistic pathogen that causes a range of devastating diseases including chronic osteomyelitis, which partially relies on the internalization and persistence of S. aureus in osteoblasts. The identification of the mechanisms of the osteoblast response to intracellular S. aureus is thus crucial to improve the knowledge of this infectious pathology. Since the signal from specifically infected bacteria-bearing cells is diluted and the results are confounded by bystander effects of uninfected cells, we developed a novel model of long-term infection. Using a flow cytometric approach we isolated only S. aureus-bearing cells from mixed populations that allows to identify signals specific to intracellular infection. Here we present an in-depth analysis of the effect of long-term S. aureus infection on the transcriptional program of human osteoblast-like cells. After RNA-seq and KEGG and Reactome pathway enrichment analysis, the remodeled transcriptomic profile of infected cells revealed exacerbated immune and inflammatory responses, as well as metabolic dysregulations that likely influence the intracellular life of bacteria. Numerous genes encoding epigenetic regulators were downregulated. The later included genes coding for components of chromatin-repressive complexes (e.g., NuRD, BAHD1 and PRC1) and epifactors involved in DNA methylation. Sets of genes encoding proteins of cell adhesion or neurotransmission were also deregulated. Our results suggest that intracellular S. aureus infection has a long-term impact on the genome and epigenome of host cells, which may exert patho-physiological dysfunctions additionally to the defense response during the infection process. Overall, these results not only improve our conceptual understanding of biological processes involved in the long-term S. aureus infections of osteoblast-like cells, but also provide an atlas of deregulated host genes and biological pathways and identify novel markers and potential candidates for prophylactic and therapeutic approaches.
Renal Function Impact in the Prognostic Value of Galectin-3 in Acute Heart Failure
Authors: Caravaca Perez Pedro , González-Juanatey José R. , Nuche Jorge , Matute-Blanco Lucia , Serrano Isabel , Martínez Selles Manuel , Vázquez García Rafael , Martínez Dolz Luis , Gómez-Bueno Manuel , Pascual Figal Domingo , Crespo-Leiro María G. , García-Osuna Álvaro , Ordoñez-Llanos Jordi , Cinca Cuscullola Juan , Guerra José M. , Delgado Juan F.
Published: April 2022

Introduction

Galectin-3 (Gal-3) is an inflammatory marker associated with the development and progression of heart failure (HF). A close relationship between Gal-3 levels and renal function has been observed, but data on their interaction in patients with acute HF (AHF) are scarce. We aim to assess the prognostic relationship between renal function and Gal-3 during an AHF episode.

Materials and Methods

This is an observational, prospective, multicenter registry of patients hospitalized for AHF. Patients were divided into two groups according to estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR): preserved renal function (eGFR ≥ 60 mL/min/1.73 m2) and renal dysfunction (eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m2). Cox regression analysis was performed to evaluate the association between Gal-3 and 12-month mortality.

Results

We included 1,201 patients in whom Gal-3 values were assessed at admission. The median value of Gal-3 in our population was 23.2 ng/mL (17.3–32.1). Gal-3 showed a negative correlation with eGFR (rho = −0.51; p < 0.001). Gal-3 concentrations were associated with higher mortality risk in the multivariate analysis after adjusting for eGFR and other prognostic variables [HR = 1.010 (95%-CI: 1.001–1.018); p = 0.038]. However, the prognostic value of Gal-3 was restricted to patients with renal dysfunction [HR = 1.010 (95%-CI: 1.001–1.019), p = 0.033] with optimal cutoff point of 31.5 ng/mL, with no prognostic value in the group with preserved renal function [HR = 0.990 (95%-CI: 0.964–1.017); p = 0.472].

Conclusions

Gal-3 is a marker of high mortality in patients with acute HF and renal dysfunction. Renal function influences the prognostic value of Gal-3 levels, which should be adjusted by eGFR for a correct interpretation.
Closed-Loop Vagus Nerve Stimulation for the Treatment of Cardiovascular Diseases: State of the Art and Future Directions
Authors: Ottaviani Matteo Maria , Vallone Fabio , Micera Silvestro , Recchia Fabio A.
Published: April 2022

The autonomic nervous system exerts a fine beat-to-beat regulation of cardiovascular functions and is consequently involved in the onset and progression of many cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Selective neuromodulation of the brain-heart axis with advanced neurotechnologies is an emerging approach to corroborate CVDs treatment when classical pharmacological agents show limited effectiveness. The vagus nerve is a major component of the cardiac neuroaxis, and vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is a promising application to restore autonomic function under various pathological conditions. VNS has led to encouraging results in animal models of CVDs, but its translation to clinical practice has not been equally successful, calling for more investigation to optimize this technique. Herein we reviewed the state of the art of VNS for CVDs and discuss avenues for therapeutic optimization. Firstly, we provided a succinct description of cardiac vagal innervation anatomy and physiology and principles of VNS. Then, we examined the main clinical applications of VNS in CVDs and the related open challenges. Finally, we presented preclinical studies that aim at overcoming VNS limitations through optimization of anatomical targets, development of novel neural interface technologies, and design of efficient VNS closed-loop protocols.
Electronic Cigarette Use and the Risk of Cardiovascular Diseases
Authors: Espinoza-Derout Jorge , Shao Xuesi M. , Lao Candice J. , Hasan Kamrul M. , Rivera Juan Carlos , Jordan Maria C. , Echeverria Valentina , Roos Kenneth P. , Sinha-Hikim Amiya P. , Friedman Theodore C.
Published: April 2022

Electronic cigarettes or e-cigarettes are the most frequently used tobacco product among adolescents. Despite the widespread use of e-cigarettes and the known detrimental cardiac consequences of nicotine, the effects of e-cigarettes on the cardiovascular system are not well-known. Severalin vitroandin vivostudies delineating the mechanisms of the impact of e-cigarettes on the cardiovascular system have been published. These include mechanisms associated with nicotine or other components of the aerosol or thermal degradation products of e-cigarettes. The increased hyperlipidemia, sympathetic dominance, endothelial dysfunction, DNA damage, and macrophage activation are prominent effects of e-cigarettes. Additionally, oxidative stress and inflammation are unifying mechanisms at many levels of the cardiovascular impairment induced by e-cigarette exposure. This review outlines the contribution of e-cigarettes in the development of cardiovascular diseases and their molecular underpinnings.
A Statistical Approach Towards Fast Estimates of Moderate-To-Large Earthquake Focal Mechanisms
Authors: Monterrubio-Velasco Marisol , Carrasco-Jimenez Jose C. , Rojas Otilio , Rodríguez Juan E. , Fichtner Andreas , Puente Josep De la
Published: April 2022

Emerging high-performance computing systems, combined with increasingly detailed 3-D Earth models and physically consistent numerical wave propagation solvers, are opening up new opportunities for urgent seismic computing. This may help, for instance, to guide emergency response teams in the wake of large earthquakes. A key component of urgent seismic computing is the early availability of source mechanism estimates, well before conventional and time-consuming moment tensor inversions are carried out and published. Here, we introduce a methodology that rapidly estimates focal mechanisms (FM) for moderate and large earthquakes (Mw > 4.0) by means of statistical and clustering algorithms. The fundamental rationale behind the method is that events of a certain size tend to be similar to other events of similar size in similar locations. In this work, two different strategies are used to provide different FM solutions: the first is based only in spatial considerations including statistical analysis, and the other one is based on a data clustering algorithm. We exemplify our methodology with six different subsets of the open-access Global Centroid Moment Tensor (GCMT) catalog. Specifically, our study datasets include events from Japan, New Zealand, California, Mexico, Iceland, and Italy, which represent six seismically active regions, with a large FM variability. Our results show a 70–85% agreement between our fast FM estimates and inversion results, depending on the particular tectonic region, dataset size, and magnitude threshold. In addition, our FM estimation strategies only spend few seconds for processing, since they are totally independent of seismic record retrieval and inversion. Albeit not meant to be a substitute for CMT inversions, our methodologies can bridge the time gap between earthquake detection and FM inversion.
Bearing Capacity Calculation of Soft Foundation of Waste Dumps—A Case of Open-Pit Mine
Authors: Jiang Juyu , Yang Huiwen , Cao Lanzhu , Wang Dong , Wang Laigui , Jia Zhengzhao , Lu Ye , Di Shuai
Published: April 2022

For a waste dump with soft foundation, the foundation bearing capacity has an important impact on slope stability. According to the load distribution and stress characteristics of a waste dump, combining the gravity load of the triangular slope of the waste dump and the passive Earth pressure exerted by the foundation soil with an improved Plandtl formula, the foundation bearing capacity and the ultimate pile height of a waste dump are calculated and determined. The concept of foundation bearing capacity of a waste dump is redefined, that is, the ultimate pile height corresponding to a certain slope angle. A method for determining the ultimate pile height of a waste dump based on the slope angle of the waste dump is proposed, and the relation function between dump slope angle and waste height is established. The results show that the sliding moment increment (∆MS) caused by the gravity load of the triangular slope after waste increase is positively proportional to the pile height increment (∆H); the anti-sliding moment increment (∆MAS) is positively proportional to or positively correlated with the pile height increment (∆H); the slope angle of the waste dump decreases with the increase of the thickness of soft bedrocks, and the smaller thickness of soft bedrocks is more favorable to the ultimate pile height of the waste dump. The research results can provide reference for the calculation of the bearing capacity of soft foundation and the optimal design of slope shape of waste dumps.
Under-Displaced Normal Faults: Strain Accommodation Along an Early-Stage Rift-Bounding Fault in the Southern Malawi Rift
Authors: Ojo Oyewande O. , Ohenhen Leonard O. , Kolawole Folarin , Johnson Steven G. , Chindandali Patrick R. , Atekwana Estella A. , Laó-Dávila Daniel A.
Published: April 2022

One of the fundamental problems in continental rift segmentation and propagation is how strain is accommodated along large rift-bounding faults (border faults) since the segmentation of propagating border faults control the expression of rift zones, syn-rift depo-centers, and long-term basin evolution. In the Southern Malawi Rift, where previous studies on the early-stage rifting only assessed border fault structure from surficial and topographic expression, we integrate surface and subsurface data to investigate border fault segmentation, linkage, and growth as proxies for strain accommodation along the Bilila-Mtakataka Fault (BMF) System. We used 30 m-resolution topographic relief maps, electrical resistivity tomography (ERT), and high-resolution aeromagnetic data to characterize the detailed fault geometry and provide a more robust estimate of along-fault displacement distribution. Our results reveal a discrepancy between sub-aerial segmentation of the BMF geometry (six segments), scarp height (five segments) reflecting the most recent episodes of fault offset, and cumulative throw (three composite segments) reflecting the long-term fault offset. We also observe that although the BMF exhibits continuity of sub-aerial scarps along its length, the throw distribution shows a higher estimate at the Northern-to-Central segment relay zone (423 m absolute, 364 m moving median) compared to the Central-to-Southern segment relay zone (371 m absolute, 297 m moving median). The ERT profiles across the relay zones suggest a shallower basement and a possible canyon-mouth alluvial fan stratigraphy at the Central-to-Southern segment relay zone, contrasting the deeper basement and “simpler” electrical stratigraphy at the Northern-to-Central relay. The results suggest a more complex long-term evolution of the BMF than was assumed in previous studies. A comparison of BMF’s maximum displacement-vs-length with those of other Malawi Rift border faults and global normal fault populations suggest that although the BMF has possibly reached its maximum length, it remains largely under-displaced as its 580–837 m maximum displacement is significantly lower than that of faults of equivalent length. We suggest that the BMF may continue to accrue significant strain as tectonic extension progresses in the Southern Malawi Rift, thus posing a major seismic hazard in the region.
Teacher Educators’ Apprenticeships of Observation and Community-Based Field Settings
Authors: Taylor Linda K. , Hamilton Erica R. , Burns Amy , Leonard Alison E.
Published: April 2022

This paper presents findings from a 2-year collaborative self-study examining four teacher educators’ (TEs’) experiences facilitating community-based field experiences in the United States and Canada. To examine our experiences working in these field settings we drew experiential learning theory (ELT) as well as the concept of apprenticeship of observation. Facilitating preservice teachers’ (PSTs) learning in field settings outside traditional PK-12 contexts, such as museums and a construction site, prompted us to consider how apprenticeships of observation and ELT intersect when seeking to expand PST education to also include community-based field settings. Working in these community-based field settings also served to disrupt some of our own apprenticeships of observation. Finally, we noted that when working in these non-traditional field settings and utilizing the ELT framework, our experiences as TEs were neither sequential nor unidirectional.
Programmatic Assessment in a Virtual Learning Environment: Supporting Faculty Engagement for a Successful Quality Assurance System
Authors: Kline Amy
Published: April 2022

Quality P-12 student learning begins with quality educator preparation. An integral part of ensuring quality academic programs is ongoing programmatic assessment. Faculty and administrators tasked with overseeing the assessment processes in higher education institutions were faced with an added challenge during the COVID-19 pandemic when campuses across the country pivoted to virtual and hybrid learning. This transition not only meant that faculty and students were now teaching and learning in an online environment, but it also meant that assessment coordinators needed to find new ways to keep their quality assurance system operating well, while working in a pandemic, or post-pandemic reality. This chapter details how one assessment coordinator navigated the challenges and successes of supporting faculty engagement in a fully online programmatic assessment process in a college of education and human services in a private university in the northeast.
The Use of Corpora in Translation Into the Second Language: A Project-Based Approach
Authors: Mohammed Tawffeek A. S.
Published: April 2022

This manuscript investigates to what extent the use of corpora could help translation trainees while translating from Arabic into English and vice versa. Forty Yemeni trainees, who were enrolled in an advanced course in Arabic-English translation during the academic year 2020, participated in the study. They participated in translation projects from which the data for this study was collected, using thinking aloud protocols and computational observation. The translation process was investigated using the translation process software Transalog, an eye-tracking software and the screen recording software Screen-O-Matic. This kind of computational observation enabled a researcher to discover the extent to which the participants were able to employ corpora in their translation projects. At the end of the study, the participants were given a questionnaire with the aim of finding out their perceptions toward the use of corpora in their translation projects, and toward the project-based training approach adopted in the study. The findings of the translation process indicated that the trainees employed various kinds of corpora in their translation projects. Results from the questionnaire showed that the trainees have very positive attitudes toward the progress in their instrumental translation sub-competence, the utilization of corpora tools, and the project-based training approach adopted in this study.
Long-Term Consequences of Repeated School Closures During the COVID-19 Pandemic for Reading and Mathematics Competencies
Authors: Schult Johannes , Mahler Nicole , Fauth Benjamin , Lindner Marlit Annalena
Published: April 2022

School closures during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020 were associated with attenuated learning gains compared to pre-pandemic years. In Germany, two further pandemic waves led to school closures and periods of remote learning between December 2020 and May 2021. The present study investigates the academic achievement of all incoming fifth-graders in the federal state of Baden-Württemberg before and during the pandemic, using educational large-scale assessment results in reading and mathematics. Each year, the assessments took place at the beginning of the school year in September (each n > 84,000). The comparison of average competence levels in 2021 with pre-pandemic years (2017–2019) indicates that the downward trend that was observed after the first pandemic wave in 2020 came to a halt in the domain of reading and continued at a slower rate in the domain of mathematical operations. Achievements in the mathematical domain of numbers even rebounded to pre-pandemic levels. Longer periods of school closures were associated with larger learning losses. Additional analyses showed larger learning losses for the group of low-achieving students and for schools with less socio-cultural capital. The partial rebound of learning outcomes suggests that most teachers and students successfully adapted to the pandemic situation in 2021. Still, disadvantaged student groups are at high risk of further substantial learning losses due to school closures that may negatively affect their future education. Accordingly, disadvantaged student groups in particular should receive additional support to compensate for the loss of learning opportunities in the classroom.
Transcription Factors in the Regulation of Leydig Cell Gene Expression and Function
Authors: de Mattos Karine , Viger Robert S. , Tremblay Jacques J.
Published: April 2022

Cell differentiation and acquisition of specialized functions are inherent steps in events that lead to normal tissue development and function. These processes require accurate temporal, tissue, and cell-specific activation or repression of gene transcription. This is achieved by complex interactions between transcription factors that form a unique combinatorial code in each specialized cell type and in response to different physiological signals. Transcription factors typically act by binding to short, nucleotide-specific DNA sequences located in the promoter region of target genes. In males, Leydig cells play a crucial role in sex differentiation, health, and reproductive function from embryonic life to adulthood. To better understand the molecular mechanisms regulating Leydig cell differentiation and function, several transcription factors important to Leydig cells have been identified, including some previously unknown to this specialized cell type. This mini review summarizes the current knowledge on transcription factors in fetal and adult Leydig cells, describing their roles and mechanisms of action.
Characteristics of Fluorescent Dissolved Organic Matter in Paddy Soil Amended With Crop Residues After Column (0–40 cm) Leaching
Authors: Gao Jiakai , Liu Ling , Shi Zhaoyong , Lv Jialong
Published: April 2022

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) has a critical impact on various processes in the ecological environment, especially in soil and surface water due to its mobility and reactivity. In the present study, a column experiment simulating a paddy field was conducted to evaluate the feasible application of inorganic fertilizer incorporated with three types of organic materials (wheat straw, rapeseed shell, and astragalus smicus). Researchers investigated the vertical distinctions of soil (combined with different organic materials in 0–10 cm) DOM in 0–40 cm profiles after long-term leaching. Excitation–emission matrices coupled with parallel factor analyses (EEM-PARAFAC) and UV-visible techniques were employed to diagnose the spectral characteristics of soil DOM at four depths in different treatments, qualitatively and quantitatively. The results showed that the DOM content of CF (conventional fertilizer) (0.14 g kg−1) was the highest at the 10–20 cm layer and the CK (no fertilizer) (0.05 g kg−1) at 30–40 cm was the lowest, and the mean DOC concentration decreased with the increase in soil depth. Four fluorescent components, protein and tryptophan-like, humic acid-like, fulvic acid-like, and solubility-like microbial metabolite product materials, were identified by the PARAFAC model. Relative distributions of calculated components suggested that DOM mainly contained more aromatic humic materials and litter fulvic acid with the increase in soil depth. However, the SUVA254 showed a maximum in 20–30 cm layers, indicating strong aromatic and abundant hydrophobic fractions. Fluorescent index (FI) values of soil DOM from various treatments have a similar terrestrial and allochthonous source in topsoil and microbial source in deeper soil. In short, the findings obtained in our work could commendably provide some valuable optical information of DOM released from soil column and offer technical guidance when applying organic or green fertilizer to paddy soil during rice production.
The Effect of Hydro-Morphology and Habitat Alterations on the Functional Diversity and Composition of Macrophyte Communities in the Large River
Authors: Vukov Dragana , Ilić Miloš , Ćuk Mirjana , Igić Ružica
Published: April 2022

Macrophyte communities have major role in the functioning of freshwater ecosystems. However, there is gap in knowledge about how natural and anthropogenic hydro-morphological disturbances affect their functional diversity and trait structure, particularly in the temperate large rivers. In this study we investigated the effect of hydro-morphology on functional diversity and trait structure of macrophyte communities in the middle section of the Danube course. We collected macrophyte and environmental data from 947 sampling units in the main river channel and connected side waterbodies. We extracted data on 18 traits with 65 trait states and calculated seven functional diversity metrics and cumulative weighted means of trait states (CWMs). We applied redundancy analysis (RDA) to investigate the response of functional diversity metrics to the environmental variables, and Variation Partitioning to determine whether natural, or anthropogenic subset of hydro-morphological factors is more important predictor of functional diversity. To relate CWMs and environmental variables, we performed RLQ and fourth-corner analysis, followed by false discovery rate procedure. Hydro-morphological variables explained 36.7% of the variability in the functional diversity metrics. Combined effect of two subsets of environmental variables explained largest part of the variability in functional diversity metrics. Six associations between traits and environmental variables were found. We found that functional diversity metrics indicate prevailing ecological processes, from environmental to biotic filtering, along the natural—anthropogenic hydro-morphological gradient. We concluded that functional diversity metrics are potentially useful tools in the identification of the causes of ecological degradation, and could be applied in river bioassessments and management.
The Right Place at the Right Time: Seasonal Variation of Bacterial Communities in Arid Avicennia marina Soils in the Red Sea Is Specific to Its Position in the Intertidal
Authors: Thomson Timothy , Ellis Joanne I. , Fusi Marco , Prinz Natalie , Bennett-Smith Morgan F. , Aylagas Eva , Carvalho Susana , Jones Burton H.
Published: April 2022

Mangrove forests play an important role in facilitating biogeochemical pathways and cycling acting as blue carbon sinks. These services are primarily regulated by the activity of the soil microbiome. However, there is still limited research into spatial and temporal variation patterns of bacterial community assemblages in mangrove soils. This study investigated important ecological scales of microprocesses that govern microbial communities in an arid mangrove ecosystem. Shifts in microbial community composition were influenced by fluctuations in environmental factors within the mangrove forests of the Red Sea influenced by seasonal changes in sea level. Notably, in summer microbial communities in shrub sites differed significantly from the fringe and the winter samples, with lower alpha diversity yet a higher dominance of specialized species capable of surviving in extreme conditions. The onset of dispersal limitation and heterogenous selection and the reduction of drift are likely the main forces shaping community assemblages. Specifically, in summer lower mean tidal levels eliminate tidal inundation creating a harsh high salinity and high temperature environment with no tidal connection thereby influencing the onset of dispersal limitation. An increased understanding of the spatial and temporal variation of bacterial communities is critical when assessing delivery of ecosystem services and their role in soil biogeochemical processes.