bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vertically Integrated Digital Twins For Rapid Adaptation Of Manufacturing Value Chains
Authors: Demir Ozan Emre , Colledani Marcello , Teicher Uwe , Achour Anas Ben , Seidel Andre , Haenel Albrecht , Yemane Anteneh Teferi , Borzi Giovanni Paolo , Uhlenkamp Jan-Frederik , Eberlein Sebastian , Poelarends Remco
Published: August 2023

The rapid changes in social, political and economic policies in today’s European landscape create an increasingly turbulent and demanding market. In response to disruptive internal and external factors, the manufacturing industry strives to establish integrated, intelligent and digital solutions, targeting sustainable, reconfigurable and resilient systems capable of swiftly ramping up to maximum production capacity, enabling rapid adaptations in product functionality, process technology and production volume. In this context, Digital Twins (DTs) are means to map complex manufacturing systems and process chains for fast and efficient reconfiguration of production lines and entire value chains. This paper proposes a holistic architecture for digital twins spanning various hierarchical levels: (i) product level, (ii) process level, (iii) system level, and (iv) system of systems level. The benefits and challenges of the proposed approach are discussed in a real case study from automotive industry.
A Light-Weight Model For Run-Time Battery SOC-SOH Estimation While Considering Aging
Authors: Heydarzadeh Mohsen , Immonen Eero , Haghbayan Hashem , Plosila Juha
Published: August 2023

Batteries are becoming one important part to power varieties of devices including electro-mechanical robots and vehicles. Understanding the behaviour of the battery and its state of charge can help the control systems to significantly improve the decision-making and risk management at run-time, after the device starts its operation. Currently, there is an increased interest in tracking battery dynamics as a function of health in both academia and industry. In this paper, we propose a light-weight approach for modeling the state of charge of lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries during the life-time of the system. We also consider the battery capacity of charge degradation over its usage. To do that, we use electrical equivalent circuit model (EECM) modeling as the basis for modeling the battery and add the aging model to it to consider the effect of battery usage in the long term. Experimental results show that our proposed technique successfully estimates the battery state of charge at different states of health for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) randomized usage battery dataset in comparison with the state-of-the-art. The obtained estimation error in the worst case is 2.2%.
Modelling And Simulating Age-Dependent Pedestrian Behaviours With An Autonomous Vehicle
Authors: Jobert Ophelie , Dugdale Julie , Predhumeau Manon
Published: August 2023

In shared spaces, autonomous vehicles (AVs) will have to move, efficiently and safely without normal road signage, and with other users such as pedestrians, cyclists and drivers. To achieve this, AVs need to anticipate the behaviours of other road users in order to adapt their navigation accordingly. This paper focuses on age-related pedestrian behaviours with an autonomous vehicle. Looking at age as one of the main determining factors for behaviour, a literature review is conducted and the results are used to integrate age-dependent pedestrian behaviours into a model and simulator for simulating more realistic pedestrian behaviours in shared spaces with an AV.
Stochastic Modeling And Optimization For Power And Performance Control In DVFS Systems
Authors: Ait El Mahjoub Youssef , Le Corre Leo , Castel-Taleb Hind
Published: August 2023

The paper addresses the problem of performance-energy trade-off in DVFS (Dynamic Voltage Frequency Scaling) systems. We propose a stochastic hybrid model between hysteresis models and server block models. We provide a closed form for the steady-state distribution probability and we establish a "st" type order to compare the performance measures. The fast computation of power and performance measures leads to a multi-objective optimization analysis in two forms: a scalarization method and a Pareto based method. For the two approaches, we propose fast and efficient approximate algorithms that construct progressively an optimal solution. To discuss results, the model is used to simulate a physical server hosting several VMs (Virtual Machines) where we investigate optimal thresholds for the performance-energy trade-off.
Towards Data-Driven NARX ANN Simulation For Optimal Control Of The Flue Gas Desulphurization For Coal Power Plants
Authors: Cywicka Dominika , Jakobik Agnieszka
Published: August 2023

This paper presents the ANN-based algorithm for data-driven optimal control of desulfurization of the flue gases from Coal Power Plants. We have proposed the NARX recurrent neural network with experimentally selected feedback connection length as the black box model for the first stage of the control process. Then simple brute force algorithm was used to find the optimal level of the reagent added into the system to keep the SOx concentration outlet below the assumed level. This procedure was designed for a known level of SOx concentration inlet. The proposed approach was tested on real data collected from the selected Coal Power Plant in Poland. The simulation that was made confirms that such an approach is effective for coal power plants to increase their energy efficiency and meet the appropriate environmental standards.
Cost- And Performance-Based Evaluation Of Cloud-Based Disaster Recovery
Authors: Barbierato Enrico , Iacono Mauro , Gribaudo Marco , Mastroianni Michele
Published: August 2023

Cloud platforms offer not only the capacity to facilitate effective and scalable services for third-party applications and business solutions, but also present an opportunity to implement intricate disaster recovery strategies. For instance, a Chief Technical Officer may opt to maintain operations on private systems in order to effectively manage costs, privacy, and security, while simultaneously leveraging the cloud as an autonomous and immediate disaster recovery support. This can be achieved by building a secondary leg of the IT system that functions as an online cold or hot spare, manages workload peaks, or handles a portion of the workload under normal conditions. To assess the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of such solutions, appropriate models are essential to examine the trade-offs and explore the parameter space of possible alternatives. This paper presents a modeling approach for the design and evaluation of cloud-based recovery setups.
The COVID-19 pandemic's impact on prostate cancer screening and diagnosis in Korea
Authors: Kang Byeong Jin , Kim Kyung Hwan , Ha Hong Koo
Published: August 2023

Background: The global coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, which started in early 2020, has had multiple impacts on cancer care. This study assessed how the COVID-19 pandemic influenced prostate cancer (PCa) screening and diagnosis in South Korea. Methods: Patients who visited the outpatient clinic at a single institution for PCa evaluation were included in this study and divided into a pre-COVID-19 group and a COVID-19 pandemic group, based on the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing policies on March 1, 2020. The number of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests, patients with elevated PSA levels, and prostate biopsy results were analyzed. Results: In total, 8,926 PSA tests were administered during the COVID-19 pandemic, compared to 15,654 before the pandemic (p<0.05). Of 2,132 patients with high PSA levels, 1,055 (49.5%) received prostate biopsies before the pandemic and 1,077 (50.5%) did so during the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic group had a higher detection rate of PC, and increased rates of Gleason scores (GS) 7 and 9–10, while the rate of GS 6 decreased compared to the pre-COVID-19 group (p<0.05). The rate of clinically significant PCa (csPCa) was also higher during the pandemic (p<0.05). In both magnetic resonance imaging-guided and standard biopsies, the GS 6 rate decreased, and the csPCa rate increased during the COVID-19 pandemic (each, p<0.05). Conclusions: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the detection rate of prostate biopsies and the rate of csPCa increased significantly. Thus, PCa was diagnosed at a more advanced state in Korea during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Regeneration Through Acquisition: Undoing the Pastoral in Sam Peckinpah’s The Ballad of Cable Hogue
Authors: Paryż Marek
Published: August 2023

The article explores the deconstructive use of the pastoral in Sam Peckinpah’s film The Ballad of Cable Hogue (1970). The film is singular in how closely it recreates the pastoral configuration of space as described in Leo Marx’s “Pastoralism in America.” However, Peckinpah evokes pastoral images and sentiments in order to raise questions about the validity of the pastoral as an entrenched American symbolic narrative in the face of specific contextual factors, especially possessive individualism as an important manifestation of transactional relations in capitalism. By constructing a metaphor of the exploitation of nature by man, Peckinpah addresses, even if by way of implication, the issue of ecological consciousness.
Anticipation and Divination of Technological Culture: Dialectic Images of the Internet in Emerson’s Nature
Authors: Stachura Paweł
Published: August 2023

The article presents certain aspects of the Internet (interface design, user behavior, advertising, codes of conduct) as new incarnations of the American pastoralism, defined in terms derived from literary criticism and history of American literature. The rationale of this procedure is provided in terms of “dialectic images,” which are old pieces of imagery that seem to anticipate subsequent technological and social developments. Of particular importance is the set of dialectical images derived from Ralph Waldo Emerson’s writings, and the pastoral descriptions of nature derived from various American poets and fiction writers. Arguably, dialectic images of the Internet offer an opportunity for a better understanding of contemporary development of the Internet, and its possible future.
Coalescent RNA-localizing and transcriptional activities of SAM68 modulate adhesion and subendothelial basement membrane assembly
Authors: Rekad Zeinab , Ruff Michaël , Radwanska Agata , Grall Dominique , Ciais Delphine , Van Obberghen-Schilling Ellen
Published: August 2023

Endothelial cell interactions with their extracellular matrix are essential for vascular homeostasis and expansion. Large-scale proteomic analyses aimed at identifying components of integrin adhesion complexes have revealed the presence of several RNA binding proteins (RBPs) of which the functions at these sites remain poorly understood. Here, we explored the role of the RBP SAM68 (Src associated in mitosis, of 68 kDa) in endothelial cells. We found that SAM68 is transiently localized at the edge of spreading cells where it participates in membrane protrusive activity and the conversion of nascent adhesions to mechanically loaded focal adhesions by modulation of integrin signaling and local delivery of β-actin mRNA. Furthermore, SAM68 depletion impacts cell-matrix interactions and motility through induction of key matrix genes involved in vascular matrix assembly. In a 3D environment SAM68-dependent functions in both tip and stalk cells contribute to the process of sprouting angiogenesis. Altogether, our results identify the RBP SAM68 as a novel actor in the dynamic regulation of blood vessel networks.
Multiomics Analyses Reveal Dynamic Bioenergetic Pathways and Functional Remodeling of the Heart During Intermittent Fasting
Authors: Arumugam Thiruma V. , Alli-Shaik Asfa , Liehn Elisa A. , Selvaraji Sharmelee , Poh Luting , Rajeev Vismitha , Cho Yoonsuk , Cho Yongeun , Kim Jongho , Kim Joonki , Swa Hannah L. F. , Hao David Tan Zhi , Ratttanasopa Chutima , Fann David Yang-Wei , Mayan David Castano , Ng Gavin Yong-Quan , Baik Sang-Ha , Mallilankaraman Karthik , Gelderblom Mathias , Drummond Grant R. , Sobey Christopher G. , Kennedy Brian K. , Singaraja Roshni R. , Mattson Mark P. , Jo Dong-Gyu , Gunaratne Jayantha
Published: August 2023

Intermittent fasting (IF) reduces cardiovascular risk factors in animals and humans, and can protect the heart against ischemic injury in models of myocardial infarction, but the underlying molecular mechanisms are unknown. To delineate molecular and cellular adaptations of the heart to IF, we carried out system-wide comprehensive analyses of proteome and phosphoproteome, complemented with transcriptome profiling, followed by functional analysis.In order to understand molecular and cellular remodeling of the heart during IF, we employed advanced mass spectrometry for system-wide profiling of the proteome and phosphoproteome of heart tissues obtained from mice maintained for 6 months on either daily 12- or 16-hour fasting, every-other-day fasting or ad libitum control feeding regimens. We also performed transcriptome analyses using RNA sequencing to evaluate whether the observed molecular responses to IF occur at the transcriptional or post-transcriptional levels. IF regimens significantly affected pathways that regulate cyclic GMP signaling, lipid and amino acid metabolism, cell adhesion, cell death, and inflammation. Comparison of differentially expressed proteome and transcriptome upon IF showed the higher correlation of pathway alternation in short IF regimen but the inverse correlation of metabolic processes such as fatty acid oxidation and immune processes in longer IF regimens. In addition, functional echocardiographic analyses demonstrated that IF enhances stress-induced cardiac performance.Our systematic multi-omics study elucidates a molecular framework for understanding how IF impacts the heart’s function and its vulnerability to injury and disease.Intermittent fasting is emerging as a desirable lifestyle adaptation to impact cardiovascular health through the modulation of molecular and cellular mechanisms, and by acting on disease risk factors. Evidence from numerous studies indicates that the fasting cycles are highly and consistently effective in protecting against cardiovascular diseases and improving cardiac health in animals and human. Using multi-omics, here we dissect distinct molecular adaptations of the heart to different intermittent fasting regimens. Our results unveil novel cardioprotective mechanisms and open up new avenues for innovative pharmacological approaches to prevent and treat cardiovascular diseases.
Activity modulation in anaerobic ribonucleotide reductases: nucleotide binding to the ATP-cone mediates long-range order-disorder transitions in the active site
Authors: Bimaï Ornella , Banerjee Ipsita , Grinberg Inna Rozman , Huang Ping , Lundin Daniel , Sjöberg Britt-Marie , Logan Derek T.
Published: August 2023

A small, nucleotide-binding domain, the ATP-cone, is found at the N-terminus of most ribonucleotide reductase (RNR) catalytic subunits. By binding ATP or dATP it regulates the enzyme activity of all classes of RNR. Functional and structural work on aerobic RNRs has revealed a plethora of ways in which dATP inhibits activity by inducing oligomerization and preventing a productive radical transfer from one subunit to the active site in the other. Anaerobic RNRs, on the other hand, store a stable glycyl radical next to the active site and the basis for their dATP-dependent inhibition is completely unknown. We present biochemical, biophysical and structural information on the effects of ATP and dATP binding to the anaerobic RNR from
Prevotella copri
. The enzyme exists in a dimer-tetramer equilibrium biased towards dimers when two ATP molecules are bound and tetramers when two dATP molecules are bound. In the presence of ATP,
P. copri
NrdD is active and has a fully ordered glycyl radical domain (GRD) in one monomer of the dimer. Binding of dATP to the ATP-cone results in loss of activity and disordering of the GRD. The glycyl radical is formed even in the dATP-bound form, but the substrate does not bind, suggesting that dATP inhibition in anaerobic RNRs acts by disordering of the GRD more than 30 Å away from the dATP molecule, thereby preventing both substrate binding and radical mobilisation. The structures implicate a complex network of activity regulation involving the GRD, the allosteric substrate specificity site and a conserved but previously unseen flap over the active site.
Antifungal effects of eugenol on Candida albicans adherence to denture polymers
Authors: Zanul Abidin Zubaidah , Mohd Salleh Nosizana , Himratul-Aznita Wan Harun , Ahmad Siti Fauzza , Lim Ghee Seong , Raja Mohd Noorhayati , Dziaruddin Nabihah
Published: August 2023

Background

The study’s objective is to assess the adherence of C. albicans in different types of denture polymers and the effectiveness of eugenol and commercialized denture cleansers in the removal of C. albicans. Three types of denture base polymers (Lucitone® 199 (High-Impact PMMA), Impact® (conventional PMMA) and Eclipse® (UDMA)) and two hard denture reline materials (Kooliner® and Tokuyama® Rebase II Fast) were used in this study.

Methods

Three hundred samples were prepared (6 × 2 mm disc shape) and divided into five groups of denture polymers (n = 60) and further subjected into five treatment groups (Polident®, Steradent, distilled water, eugenol 5-minutes, and eugenol 10-min). Three samples were extracted from each treatment group for baseline data (n = 12). Baseline data were used to calculate the initial number of C. albicans adherence. A 0.5 ml immersion solution from each specimen was cultured on YPD agar and incubated for 48 h at 37 °C. Visible colonies were counted using a colony counter machine (ROCKER Galaxy 230).

Results

The result showed that the denture base polymer significantly affected the initial adherence (p = 0.007). The removal of C. albicans was also considerably affected by the denture base polymers and denture cleansers (p < 0.05). Lucitone®, Tokuyama®, and Kooliner® denture base polymers immersed for 3 min in eugenol showed the best results of removal.

Discussion

This study’s overall results showed that all denture polymers used as denture bases had an effect on C. albicans initial adherence and removal from the denture base, and eugenol is comparable to commercialised denture cleansers in reducing the number of attached C. albicans on denture base polymers.
LIDER: cell embedding based deep neural network classifier for supervised cell type identification
Authors: Tang Yachen , Li Xuefeng , Shi Mingguang
Published: August 2023

Background

Automatic cell type identification has been an urgent task for the rapid development of single-cell RNA-seq techniques. Generally, the current approach for cell type identification is to generate cell clusters by unsupervised clustering and later assign labels to each cell cluster with manual annotation.

Methods

Here, we introduce LIDER (celL embeddIng based Deep nEural netwoRk classifier), a deep supervised learning method that combines cell embedding and deep neural network classifier for automatic cell type identification. Based on a stacked denoising autoencoder with a tailored and reconstructed loss function, LIDER identifies cell embedding and predicts cell types with a deep neural network classifier. LIDER was developed upon a stacked denoising autoencoder to learn encoder-decoder structures for identifying cell embedding.

Results

LIDER accurately identifies cell types by using stacked denoising autoencoder. Benchmarking against state-of-the-art methods across eight types of single-cell data, LIDER achieves comparable or even superior enhancement performance. Moreover, LIDER suggests comparable robust to batch effects. Our results show a potential in deep supervised learning for automatic cell type identification of single-cell RNA-seq data. The LIDER codes are available at https://github.com/ShiMGLab/LIDER.
Programa de desenvolvimento dos gestores da Fundação João Pinheiro: inovação, desenvolvimento de pessoas e design thinking
Authors: Resende Giovanni Batista Andrade , Tolentino Isabela Gontijo , Bernardi Mônica Moreira Esteves , Ferreira Rayanne Coelho
Published: August 2023

Gestores públicos têm sido cada vez mais demandados por uma atuação inovadora e de liderança no gerenciamento de equipes, promovendo engajamento para o alcance de resultados. Para desenvolver essas competências é importante ir além das exposições teóricas, avançando para a aprendizagem colaborativa e construção de soluções para desafios reais. Este artigo tem como objetivo apresentar a experiência da Fundação João Pinheiro na realização do Programa de Desenvolvimento de Gestores, uma ação de formação desenhada a partir da aprendizagem baseada em problemas. A metodologia utilizada neste trabalho foi um estudo qualitativo a partir de pesquisas bibliográficas e documentais, observação participante e aplicação de questionários.Na etapa de planejamento foi realizada uma pesquisa com os gestores sobre os principais desafios enfrentados. O resultado apontou as competências de liderança e engajamento, gestão de conflitos e comunicação como essenciais para o desenvolvimento gerencial. Após a identificação das competências prioritárias, 38 gestores foram divididos em 6 grupos para trabalhar os temas a partir de uma jornada de design thinking. Os grupos delimitaram os desafios, realizaram uma imersão coletando informações com os usuários, e participaram de exposições teóricas sobre as competências. Algumas propostas apresentadas pelos grupos foram priorizadas para implementação, como a realização de ações de comunicação para o retorno das atividades presenciais e a realização de oficinas de comunicação não violenta, tema que perpassa as três competências trabalhadas.  Os resultados alcançados pelo programa foram além do desenvolvimento de competências, promovendo também a integração dos gestores e a implementação de propostas para desafios da instituição.
Response of Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Varieties to Salicylic Acid, Potassium Silicate and Tamarind Extract in Saline Soils of Kano River Irrigation Scheme Nigeria
Authors: Manga A. A. , Maina M. M. , Auwalu B. M. , Dayyab S. M. , Adnan A. A. , Umar K. M.
Published: August 2023

The experiment was carried out in the Eastern and Western sectors of Kano River Irrigation Scheme, Kano State latitude 11º 45’N and 12º 05’ N and longitude 8º 45’ E and 9º 05’ E in the Sudan Savanna Agro-ecology of Nigeria, during the dry season of 2020 and 2021. The experiment was therefore conceived with the aim of introducing improved salt tolerant varieties to farmers in addition to enhancing their tolerance using synthetic and natural plant growth regulators.  The treatments consisted of four rice varieties made up of 2 salt tolerant accessions {Arica 1 and Arica 2, 1 blast resistant variety (Gawal R1) and a variety (FARO 44) as a check} these were factorially combined with foliar application of salicylic acid (0.2g in 1L of water), potassium silicate (16 g/L-1 of K2SiO3), tamarind extract 8% (320ml of extract in 1 liter of water) and a zero control (0). The treatments were laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) which consisted of 16 treatments replicated six times with a farmer constituting a replication. Results have shown that plant height, leaf area index (LAI), photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), chlorophyll content and the yield were all significantly affected by varietal differences except total number of tillers per plant in 2020. However, in 2021 LAI, PAR and chlorophyll content were not significantly affected by differences due to varieties but the remaining characters differed significantly. Exogenous factors had no effect on all the characters in 2020 but significantly influenced the chlorophyll content, total number of tillers and the yield in 2021. Arica 1 and Faro 44 gave the highest yield. Among the exogenous factors Tamarind extract had significantly heavier paddy yield than the control but was similar to other exogenous factors in terms of effectiveness.  Tamarind extract could therefore be suggested to farmers when growing rice under saline or sodic condition in the irrigation scheme due to its lower cost and availability.
The Implementation of Community Development Infrastructure in Nsukka Local Government Area: The Impact of Informal Community Leaders
Authors: Ochiagha Chibuike Darl , Ugwunnadi Chinasa Maryrose , Ozurumba Iheanyichukwu Godwin
Published: August 2023

This research was carried out in order to determine the implementation of community development infrastructure in Nsukka Local Government Area: The impact of informal community leaders. The main aim of the study was to determine the impact of community leaders in the implementation of community development infrastructure. The study was guided by three research questions and three hypotheses. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The population of the study was 441,000 [1]. The sample size was 384 (60 community leaders and 324 habitant of the community) in all the six villages with community projects. The formula used to arrive at the sample size was Cochran statistics. The study used purposive and simple sampling technique. The instrument used for data collection was The Implementation of Community Development Infrastructure Questionnaire (IICDIQ) with three clusters. The instrument was made up of 24 items. Using Cronbach Alpha, the reliability coefficient of 0.92, 0.82 and 0.79 were obtained on cluster A, B and C with a general reliability of 0.83. Out of the 384 instruments administered only 360 were returned and used for data analysis. The 360 returned questionnaires represented 94% which was desirable for the study. Mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions while t-test was used for the hypotheses. The result of the findings shows that community leaders had positive impact in the proper utilization of resources for infrastructural development of the communities. The study also finds out no significant difference in the response rating of community leaders and other members of the community on the impact of proper utilization of resources for community infrastructural development. The study concluded that informal community leader serves as important machineries in community infrastructure development and their role should not be neglected. The study recommended that informal community leaders should always use the resources gotten from various quarters when implementing community infrastructure development.
Identification of Good Restorer Lines through Molecular Confirmation of Rf3 and Rf4 Genes in Rice Hybrids
Authors: Kumar T. Akshay , Srikanth T. , Madhukar P. , Hari Y.
Published: August 2023

Pollen fertility can be restored by nuclear-encoded genes known as fertility restorer (Rf) genes. The initial stage in creating high-yielding heterotic hybrids involves the identification of restorers capable of effectively restoring the fertility of CMS lines. Hybrid rice breeding programs have proven effective in achieving these goals by utilizing cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) systems in combination with restorer genes. Among these, Rf3 and Rf4 genes play critical roles in restoring male fertility and are essential components of successful hybrid rice breeding. In this study, we aimed to investigate the molecular conformation of Rf3 and Rf4 genes in a set of restorer lines and hybrids in rice. DNA was isolated from 10 restorer lines and 30 rice hybrids, two checks and KMR3R were used for comparison for positive alleles. Two functional markers, RM SF21-5 for Rf3 and RMS-PRR-9-1 for Rf4, were employed to identify the allelic status of the fertility restorer genes. Results revealed that among the 42 rice entries screened, five rice hybrids lacked both Rf3 and Rf4 genes and Four rice restorer lines and four hybrids were found to possess both Rf3 and Rf4 genes, making them valuable for hybrid breeding programs. Conversely, five hybrids lacked restorer genes and were unsuitable for such breeding programs. These findings establish Rf3and Rf4 as major fertility restoring genes in rice, consistently contributing to complete fertility restoration. The genotyping results provide valuable insights for selecting appropriate parental lines and restorers in hybrid rice breeding programs. The presence or absence of these fertility-restoring genes plays a crucial role in developing high-yielding and productive rice varieties through effective breeding strategies.
Modified Limberg Flap in Pilonidal Sinus: Our Experience
Authors: Lattoo Mohd Riyaz , Mathur Pravesh , Ansari Mohammad Juned , Ahmad Prince Ajaz , Ahmad Younis , Sandal Sahil , Hassan Nayeem ul , Ali Sadaf
Published: August 2023

Introduction: Pilonidal sinus disease is a chronic disease occurring in young hairy adult males.  Many Surgical procedures have been described in literature to manage Pilonidal sinus disease, the best surgical technique is still debated. Excision of pilonidal sinus with Limberg flap reconstruction is still one of the most commonly performed procedures for this disease because of its low complication and recurrence rate and higher postoperative quality of life.

Aim: The aim of our study was to analyse the long-term results of modified Limberg flap reconstruction technique to manage the defect post rhomboid excision of pilonidal sinus.

Methods: We conducted a prospective observational study, to study the results of rhomboid excision and modified Limberg transposition flap closure in the management of the Pilonidal sinus. Form September 2016 to September 2022, 27 male patients were treated with modified Limberg flap repair (Mentes modification) under regional anesthesia. Follow-up examinations were made at the end of the 2 weeks and 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months after surgery.

Results: Average age of Patients was 24 ± 4.2 years with a range of 15-43yrs. Duration of symptoms ranged from 2 months to 36 months with mean of 10 months. Patients usually  presented with local pain, swelling, and/or a  seropurulent discharge . None of our patients developed total wound dehiscence or flap necrosis. One patient  had recurrence at the end of the follow up period.

Conclusion: Rhomboid  excision of pilonidal sinus and reconstruction by  Limberg transposition flap is one of the best methods to manage this notorious condition because of  short hospital stay, low recurrence rates, , and earlier return to normal activities.
Antibiogram of Staphylococcal Isolates and Molecular Characterisation of Coagulase Negative Staphylococci Obtained from a Hospital in Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Authors: Akani N. P. , Adirimo D. E. , Sampson T.
Published: August 2023

Difficulty in the treatment and eradication of bacterial infections as a result of the development of resistance to antibiotics has in recent time remained a serious problem confronting public health. This study investigated the antibiogram of Staphylococcal isolates and molecular characterisation of Coagulase Negative Staphylococci (CoNS) obtained from female patients visiting Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH) in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. A total of 103 clinical samples were collected and processed using the standard laboratory procedures. Antibiotic susceptibility test of the isolates was performed using Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method, following Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines. Molecular characterisation as well as screening for the detection of antibiotics resistance MecA gene was carried out using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) dependent molecular techniques. From the study, 22.3% S. aureus and 1.9% CoNS were recovered. The 16SrRNA gene sequencing revealed two species of CoNS namely S. saprophyticus and S. arlettae. The antibiotics susceptibility test results revealed that all the Staphylococcus aureus isolates were 100% resistant to six of the antibiotics tested: Ampicillin, Augmentin, Ceftazidime, Cefuroxime and Cephalexin (β- lactams), 78.3% resistant to Tetracycline and Cotrimoxazole, 73.9% to Vancomycin, 65.2% to Ciprofloxacin, 56.5% to Gentamicin and 47.8% to Erythromycin but 52.2% sensitive to Erythromycin, followed by Gentamicin (34.8%), Ciprofloxacin (17.4%), Vancomycin and Cotrimoxazole (13%) and Tetracycline (8.7%). All (100%) of the Coagulase negative Staphylococci species were resistant to every antibiotics tested. Data obtained from the study showed all the isolates displayed multidrug resistance, with MAR indices greater than 0.2 and Methicillin (MecA) gene was detected in 66.6% of the isolates. The study has reported the presence of Coagulase Negative Staphylococci showing resistance to all the tested antibiotics, hence indicating alarming public health threats. Strict regulation of antimicrobial usage is therefore vital.
política econômica brasileira sob Guido Mantega: 2006 / 2014
Authors: Da Costa Lourenço Aline , Tayra Flávio
Published: August 2023

Entre 2006 e 2014, a economia brasileira saiu de uma fase ascendente da economia para o início de um cenário econômico e político extremamente conturbado. O Ministro da Fazenda Guido Mantega foi o condutor da economia neste percurso. Na primeira fase de sua gestão, durante o fim do primeiro mandato de Lula e o segundo mandato desse presidente, Mantega optou por políticas hibridas e conciliatórias e essa opção proporcionou inesperados resultados favoráveis no curto prazo. Na segunda fase, quando atuou como Ministro da Fazenda no primeiro governo Dilma, Mantega realizou uma alteração no rumo da política econômica. Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho é escrever um ensaio sobre a longa trajetória de Guido Mantega como Ministro da Fazenda.
Adenosine Triphosphate Citrate Lyase and Fatty Acid Synthesis Inhibition
Authors: Duarte Lau Freddy , Giugliano Robert P.
Published: August 2023

Importance

Adenosine triphosphate citrate lyase (ACLY) is a key regulatory enzyme of glucose metabolism, cholesterol and fatty acid synthesis, and the inflammatory cascade. Bempedoic acid, an ACLY inhibitor, significantly reduces atherogenic lipid markers, including low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), non–high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and apolipoprotein B. Additional effects of ACLY inhibition include antitumor growth; reduction of triglycerides and proinflammatory molecules such as high-sensitivity C-reactive protein; less insulin resistance; reduction of hepatic lipogenesis; and weight loss.

Observations

While numerous ACLY inhibitors have been identified, most of the clinical data have focused on bempedoic acid. The Cholesterol Lowering via Bempedoic Acid, an ACL-Inhibiting Regimen (CLEAR) program was a series of phase 3 clinical trials that evaluated its effects on lipid parameters and safety, leading to US Food and Drug Administration approval in 2020. CLEAR Outcomes was a phase 3, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial in individuals with a history of statin intolerance, serum LDL-C level of 100 mg/dL or higher, and a history of, or at high risk for, cardiovascular disease. Bempedoic acid modestly reduced the primary 4-way cardiovascular composite end point as well as the individual components of myocardial infarction and coronary revascularization but did not reduce stroke, cardiovascular death, or all-cause mortality. Rates of gout and cholelithiasis were higher with bempedoic acid, and small increases in serum creatinine, uric acid, and hepatic-enzyme levels were also observed.

Conclusions and relevance

ACLY inhibition with bempedoic acid has been established as a safe and effective therapy in high-risk patients who require further LDL-C lowering, particularly for those with a history of statin intolerance. The recently published CLEAR Outcomes trial revealed modest reductions in cardiovascular events with bempedoic acid, proportional to its LDL-C lowering, in high-risk individuals with statin intolerance and LDL-C levels of 100 mg/dL or higher. The additional effects of ACLY inhibition have prompted a more thorough search for novel ACLY inhibitors for conditions such as cancer, hypertriglyceridemia, chronic inflammation, type 2 diabetes, fatty liver disease, obesity, and metabolic syndrome. Similarly, therapies that reduce fatty acid synthesis are being explored for their use in cardiometabolic conditions.
Normal Graft Function After Pig-to-Human Kidney Xenotransplant
Authors: Locke Jayme E. , Kumar Vineeta , Anderson Douglas , Porrett Paige M.
Published: August 2023

This case series examines the ability of a pig-to-human xenograft to provide life-sustaining kidney function.
Fibroblast growth factor 2 acts as an upstream regulator of inhibition of pulmonary fibroblast activation
Authors: Tian Xiangqin , Jia Yangyang , Guo Yonglong , Liu Hongyin , Cai Xinhua , Li Yong , Tian Zhuangzhuang , Sun Changye
Published: August 2023

Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling plays a crucial role in lung development and repair. Fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) can inhibit fibrotic gene expression and suppress the differentiation of pulmonary fibroblasts (PFs) into myofibroblasts in vitro, suggesting that FGF2 is a potential target for inhibiting pulmonary fibrosis. To gain deeper insights into the molecular mechanism underlying FGF2‐mediated regulation of PFs, we performed mRNA sequencing analysis to systematically and globally uncover the regulated genes and biological functions of FGF2 in PFs. Gene Ontology analysis revealed that the differentially expressed genes regulated by FGF2 were enriched in multiple cellular functions including extracellular matrix (ECM) organization, cytoskeleton formation, β‐catenin‐independent Wnt signaling pathway, supramolecular fiber organization, epithelial cell proliferation, and cell adhesion. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis and cellular experiments confirmed that FGF2 can suppress ECM and actin filament organization and increase PFs proliferation. Taken together, these findings indicate that FGF2 acts as an upstream regulator of the inhibition of PFs activation and may play a regulatory role in pulmonary fibrosis.
The gastric mucosa of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) is abundant in highly active chitinases
Authors: Mengkrog Holen Matilde , Tuveng Tina Rise , Kent Matthew Peter , Vaaje‐Kolstad Gustav
Published: August 2023

Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) possesses a genome containing 10 genes encoding chitinases, yet their functional roles remain poorly understood. In other fish species, chitinases have been primarily linked to digestion, but also to other functions, as chitinase‐encoding genes are transcribed in a variety of non‐digestive organs. In this study, we investigated the properties of two chitinases belonging to the family 18 glycoside hydrolase group, namely Chia.3 and Chia.4, both isolated from the stomach mucosa. Chia.3 and Chia.4, exhibiting 95% sequence identity, proved inseparable using conventional chromatographic methods, necessitating their purification as a chitinase pair. Biochemical analysis revealed sustained chitinolytic activity against β‐chitin for up to 24 h, spanning a pH range of 2 to 6. Moreover, subsequent in vitro investigations established that this chitinase pair efficiently degrades diverse chitin‐containing substrates into chitobiose, highlighting the potential of Atlantic salmon to utilize novel chitin‐containing feed sources. Analysis of the gastric matrix proteome demonstrates that the chitinases are secreted and rank among the most abundant proteins in the gastric matrix. This finding correlates well with the previously observed high transcription of the corresponding chitinase genes in Atlantic salmon stomach tissue. By shedding light on the secreted chitinases in the Atlantic salmon's stomach mucosa and elucidating their functional characteristics, this study enhances our understanding of chitinase biology in this species. Moreover, the observed capacity to effectively degrade chitin‐containing materials implies the potential utilization of alternative feed sources rich in chitin, offering promising prospects for sustainable aquaculture practices.
Identification and analysis of pathogenic bacteria causing outbreaks in Indian major carp aquaculture of Tripura
Authors: Laltlanmawia C. , Saha Himadri , Ghosh Lija , Saha Ratan Kumar , Malla Supratim
Published: August 2023

Objective

The objective of this study was to investigate bacterial disease outbreaks in Indian major carp from aquaculture systems in Tripura, India, and identify the bacterial species associated with those outbreaks.

Methods

A 3-year surveillance was conducted in eight districts of Tripura, during which nine bacterial disease outbreaks were recorded. Fourteen bacterial strains isolated from diseased Indian major carp were selected and identified using phenotypic, molecular (16S ribosomal RNA gene), and phylogenetic analyses. In vitro pathogenicity studies were performed to assess the potential pathogenicity of the isolated bacteria.

Result

The selected isolated strains were preliminarily identified under the genera Aeromonas (9 isolates), Acinetobacter (1 isolate), Citrobacter (3 isolates), and Pseudomonas (1 isolate). Molecular and phylogenetic analyses confirmed the species of the isolated bacteria, including Aeromonas jandaei (strains COF_AHE09 and COF_AHE61), Aeromonas veronii (strains COF_AHE13, COF_AHE52, COF_AHE55, COF_AHE56, and COF_AHE62), Aeromonas hydrophila (strains COF_AHE51 and COF_AHE58), Acinetobacter pittii (strain COF_AHE14), Citrobacter freundii (strains COF_AHE20, COF_AHE57, and COF_AHE59), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (strain COF_AHE54). Behavioral and clinical signs observed in the diseased fish, such as lethargy, skin hemorrhaging, ulcers, fin and tail rot, exophthalmia, distended abdomen, scale loss, and skin discoloration, indicated the presence of bacterial septicemia. The in vitro pathogenicity studies highlighted the potential role of these bacteria in disease development, especially under environmental stress.

Conclusion

This study provides valuable insights into the diversity of bacterial species associated with bacterial disease outbreaks in Indian major carp from aquaculture systems in Tripura. It serves as the first comprehensive investigation of its kind, contributing to our understanding of bacterial infections in Indian major carp.
N‐Heteroarylation of Sulfonamides: An Overview
Authors: Ghosh Sumit , Pal Prajna Paramita , Hajra Alakananda
Published: August 2023

N‐Heteroaryl sulfonamides are an extremely significant variety of organosulfur compounds that are present in many significant FDA‐approved drugs and therapeutic agents. Therefore, synthesis of these N‐heteroaryl sulfonamides is one of the most interesting topics among the synthetic organic chemists. Among the various synthetic methodologies, direct C−N bond formation through N‐heteroarylation of sulfonamides has emerged as a procedure continued of choice as it bypasses the genotoxicity common in the traditional methods. This review encompasses and summarizes the progress and development in this subject with literature coverage up to June 2023.
A novel microfluidic method to simultaneously measure droplet size and interfacial tension without visualization
Authors: Xuan Xuemei , Lan Wenjie , Xu Xinyong , Li Shaowei
Published: August 2023

Droplet size and interfacial tension are key parameters related to two‐phase flow. However, current methods for measuring these parameters are usually based on visualization and are therefore not applicable for invisible two‐phase flow systems. Moreover, real‐time determination of interfacial tension is difficult because conventional methods cannot be employed in the flow field. This study presents a novel method for simultaneously measuring the droplet size and real‐time interfacial tension in a two‐phase flow system. A T‐shaped microdevice was designed and integrated with the two‐phase flow equipment. The pressure variation as the droplets flowed through the microdevice was used as a probe to detect the two key parameters, that is, visualization is not required. Monodispersed and multidispersed droplet flows in different equipment were used to verify the method. Both the droplet size distribution and real‐time interfacial tension can be determined using the developed approach.
A Fixable Fluorescence‐Quenched Substrate for Quantitation of Lysosomal Glucocerebrosidase Activity in Both Live and Fixed Cells
Authors: Zhu Sha , Deen Matthew C. , Zhu Yanping , Gilormini Pierre‐André , Chen Xi , Davis Oliver B. , Chin Marcus Y. , Henry Anastasia G. , Vocadlo David J.
Published: August 2023

Fluorogenic substrates are emerging tools that enable studying enzymatic processes within their native cellular environments. However, fluorogenic substrates that function within live cells are generally incompatible with cellular fixation, preventing their tandem application with fundamental cell biology methods such as immunocytochemistry. Here we report a simple approach to enable the chemical fixation of a dark‐to‐light substrate, LysoFix‐GBA, which enables quantification of glucocerebrosidase (GCase) activity in both live and fixed cells. LysoFix‐GBA enables measuring responses to both chemical and genetic perturbations to lysosomal GCase activity. Further, LysoFix‐GBA permits simple multiplexed co‐localization studies of GCase activity with subcellular protein markers. This tool will aid studying the role of GCase activity in Parkinson's Disease, creating new therapeutic approaches targeting the GCase pathway. This approach also lays the foundation for an approach to create fixable substrates for other lysosomal enzymes.
Physical properties of zircon‐filled poly(methyl methacrylate) composites following heating around its glass transition temperature
Authors: Hilmi Allif Rosyidy , Sari Yuliani Purnama , Asrori M. Zainul , Zainuri Mochamad , Pratapa Suminar
Published: August 2023

Zircon‐filled poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) composites were synthesized, and their physical properties after ambient heat treatments were investigated. The sub‐micron zircon filler was obtained by purifying local zircon sand. The heat treatments were at 25°C (untreated), 55°C, and 70°C, around the glass transition temperature of PMMA. The crystal and molecular structures of the samples were investigated using X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The thermomechanical, optical, and thermal (between RT and 550°C) properties of all composites were examined using dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), UV–Vis spectroscopy, and differential thermal/thermogravimetric analysis (DT/TGA) instruments. XRD patterns showed that there were no crystal structure changes. FTIR peaks were reduced due to the heat treatment indicating the presence of PMMA molecular degradation in the heat‐treated samples. Meanwhile, DMA data showed that the heat‐treated samples exhibit a much lower room temperature storage modulus, that is, up to half as compared to the untreated ones. Furthermore, the heat treatment also affects the optical properties, including a slight drop of transmittance in UV‐A and visible regions but a slight increase of transmittance in UV‐B and UV‐C regions. Finally, the differential scanning calorimetry/thermogravimetry (DSC/TG) data show that the heat‐treated pure PMMAs become more challenging to undergo thermal degradation (i.e., mass drop).
Determination of mass fractions in polypropylene/polyethylene blends using fast scanning calorimetry
Authors: Furushima Yoshitomo , Hirota Nobuhiro , Nakada Masaru , Masuda Akihiro , Okada Kazuma , Ohkura Masatoshi , Schick Christoph
Published: August 2023

Fast scanning calorimetry (FSC) enables rapid sample cooling from the melt at rates of several thousand Kelvin per second. A perfect amorphous state for polypropylene (PP) can be achieved by fast cooling at rates of 5000 K s−1. In comparison, polyethylene (PE) crystallizes during cooling, even at cooling rates accessible with FSC. Thus, in this study, a novel method was proposed for determining the PP/PE mixing ratio with a standard deviation of 1.4 mass% that combines FSC and differential scanning calorimetry. The proposed method considers the above thermal behavior of the components of polyolefin blends. In addition, the proposed method is expected to provide a convenient way to analyze the composition of recycled polyolefins from the market or industrial processes without the need for high‐temperature solvents that are typically used in nuclear magnetic resonance or for calibration curves in Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometry.