bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cryopreservation of Hydractinia symbiolongicarpus Sperm to Support Community-Based Repository Development for Preservation of Genetic Resources
Authors: Huene Aidan L. , Koch Jack C. , Arregui Lucía , Liu Yue , Nicotra Matthew L. , Weis Virginia M. , Tiersch Terrence R.
Published: September 2022

Hydractinia symbiolongicarpus is an emerging model organism in which cutting-edge genomic tools and resources are being developed for use in a growing number of research fields. One limitation of this model system is the lack of long-term storage for genetic resources. The goal of this study was to establish a generalizable cryopreservation approach for Hydractinia that would support future repository development for other cnidarian species. Specific objectives were to: (1) characterize basic parameters related to sperm quality; (2) develop a generalizable approach for sperm collection; (3) assess the feasibility of in vitro fertilization (IVF) with sperm after refrigerated storage; (4) assess the feasibility of IVF with sperm cryopreserved with various sperm concentrations; (5) evaluate feasibility of cryopreservation with various freezing conditions, and (6) explore the feasibility of cryopreservation by use of a 3-D printed open-hardware (CryoKit) device. Animal husbandry and sperm collection were facilitated by use of 3-D printed open hardware. Hydractinia sperm at a concentration of 2 × 107 cells/mL stored at 4 °C for 6 d were able to achieve 50% fertilization rate. It appeared that relatively higher sperm concentration (>5 × 107 cells/mL) for cryopreservation could promote fertilization. A fertilization rate of 41–69% was observed using sperm equilibrated with 5, 10, or 15% (v/v) cryoprotectant (dimethyl sulfoxide or methanol) for 20 min, cooled at a rate of 5, 10, or 20 °C/min from 4 °C to −80 °C, at a cell concentration of 108/mL, in 0.25 mL French straws. Samples cryopreserved with the CryoKit produced a fertilization rate of 72–82%. Establishing repository capabilities for the Hydractinia research community will be essential for future development, maintenance, protection, and distribution of genetic resources. More broadly, these generalizable approaches can be used as a model to develop germplasm repositories for other cnidarian species.
Occurrence and Risk Assessment of Fluoroquinolone Residues in Chicken and Pork in China
Authors: Fei Zhixin , Song Shufeng , Yang Xin , Jiang Dingguo , Gao Jie , Yang Dajin
Published: September 2022

Antibiotics, especially fluoroquinolones, have been exhaustively used in animal husbandry. However, very limited information on the occurrence and exposure assessment of fluoroquinolone residues in chicken and pork in China is available to date. Thus, a total of 1754 chicken samples and 1712 pork samples were collected from 25 provinces in China and tested by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC–MS/MS) for residual determination of six common fluoroquinolones. The results revealed that the detection frequencies of fluoroquinolone residues were 3.99% and 1.69% in chicken and pork samples. The overall violation frequencies were 0.68% and 0.41% for chicken and pork. Enrofloxacin and its metabolite ciprofloxacin were found to be the most predominant fluoroquinolones. The occurrence of these antibiotics in different sampling regions and market types was analyzed. The %ADI values of enrofloxacin and ciprofloxacin were far less than 100, indicating the health risk associated with the exposure to these aforementioned fluoroquinolone residues via chicken and pork for Chinese children, adolescents, and adults was acceptable. The results provided useful references for Chinese consumers, and helped to appropriately use these antibiotics in poultry and livestock industry.
The Combination of Amoxicillin and 1,8-Cineole Improves the Bioavailability and the Therapeutic Effect of Amoxicillin in a Rabbit Model
Authors: Akhmouch Ahmed Amin , Hriouech Soukayna , Chefchaou Hanane , Tanghort Mariam , Mzabi Aouatef , Chami Najat , Remmal Adnane
Published: September 2022

In this study, the effectiveness of the combination therapy of 1,8-cineole with amoxicillin (AMX) and clavulanic acid (Clav) was investigated. For this, the pharmacokinetic behaviors of AMX in rabbits were studied after a single oral dose. The animals were divided randomly into two groups: the reference group (received AMX/Clav (50/12.5 mg/kg)) and the test group (received AMX/Clav/1,8-cineole (50/12.5/10 mg/kg)). Blood samples were collected prior to administration and after T1h, T2h, T3h, and T6h post-administration. Plasma concentrations of AMX were quantified using a validated HPLC method. The antibacterial activity of plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of treated rabbits was tested against Escherichia coli ESBL-producing a strain by microdilution method. The obtained results showed significant differences in pharmacokinetic parameters between the two groups. The resulting AUC0–6h and Cmax mean values of the AMX reference group were 14.74 µg.h/mL and 3.49 µg/mL, respectively. However, those of the AMX test group were 22.30 µg.h/mL and 5.79 µg/mL, respectively. The results showed that the antibacterial activity of the plasma and CSF test group was significantly higher than that of the reference group. The effectiveness of this combination (Olipen: AMX/Clav/1,8-cineole) was demonstrated by increasing the level of the antibiotic and by improving the bioavailability.
Prevalence and Molecular Mechanisms of Carbapenem Resistance among Gram-Negative Bacilli in Three Hospitals of Northern Lebanon
Authors: Rima Mariam , Oueslati Saoussen , Dabos Laura , Daaboul Dina , Mallat Hassan , Bou Raad Elie , Achkar Marcel , Mawlawi Osman , Bernabeu Sandrine , Bonnin Rémy A. , Girlich Delphine , Osman Marwan , Hamze Monzer , Naas Thierry
Published: September 2022

Carbapenem resistance (CR) is an emerging health issue. Epidemiological surveys on carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacilli (CR-GNB) in Lebanon remain scarce. In this study, we determined the prevalence of CR-GNB isolated between 2015 to 2019 in three hospitals in northern Lebanon: 311 CR-Enterobacterales (out of 11210; 2.8%), 155 CR-Pseudomonas (out of 1034; 15%) and 106 CR- Acinetobacter (out of 184; 57.6%) were identified. CR mechanisms were determined for 146 randomly chosen isolates: the Carba NP test revealed an enzymatic resistance to carbapenems in 109 isolates (out of 146, 74.7%). Produced carbapenemases were evaluated by the NG-Test Carba5, NG-Test OXA-23 immunochromatographic assays and PCR. Carbapenemase-producing (CP) Enterobacterales expressed blaOXA-48-like, blaNDM-like and blaVIM-like genes and CP-Pseudomonas expressed blaIMP-like and blaVIM-like genes, whereas CP-Acinetobacter expressed blaOXA-23-like genes. The NG-Test Carba5 results were confirmed by PCR sequencing and revealed several variants, such as NDM-19, VIM-62 and OXA-162, never described so far in Lebanon. Isolates with discordant results were sequenced by WGS and highlighted novel variants of the natural oxacillinases of Pseudomonas aeruginosa: blaOXA-50-like genes. Their role in carbapenem resistance should be further studied. Overall, our findings highlight an alarming situation and encourage health care centers to establish performant registration systems that could help in limiting resistance spread.
Analysis of an Elasto-Hydrodynamic Seal by Using the Reynolds Equation
Authors: Cesmeci Sevki , Lyathakula Karthik Reddy , Hassan Mohammad Fuad , Liu Shuangbiao , Xu Hanping , Tang Jing
Published: September 2022

This paper reports numerical studies of an Elasto-Hydrodynamic (EHD) seal, which is being developed for supercritical CO2 (sCO2) turbomachinery applications. Current sCO2 turbomachinery suffers from high leakage rates, which is creating a major roadblock to the full realization of sCO2 power technology. The high leakage rates not only penalize the efficiencies but also create environmental concerns due to greenhouse effects caused by the increased CO2 discharge to the atmosphere. The proposed EHD seal needs to work at elevated pressures (10–35 MPa) and temperatures (350–700 °C) with low leakage and minimal wear. The unique mechanism of the EHD seal provides a self-regulated constriction effect to restrict the flow without substantial material contact, thereby minimizing leakage and wear. This work utilizes a physics-based modeling approach. The flow through the gradually narrowing seal clearance is modeled by the well-known Reynolds equation in EHD lubrication theory, while the deformation of the seal is modeled by using the governing equations of three-dimensional solid mechanics. As for the solution methodology, COMSOL’s Thin-Film Flow and Solid Mechanics modules were employed with their powerful capabilities. The numerical results were presented and discussed. It was observed that the Reynolds equation fully coupled with the surface deformation was able to successfully capture the constriction effect. The maximum and minimum leakages were calculated to be 2.25 g/s and 0.1 g/s at P = 5.5 MPa and P = 11 MPa for the design seal, respectively. It was interesting to observe that the seal leakage followed a quadratic trend with increasing pressure differential, which can become advantageous for high-pressure applications such as sCO2 power generation technology.
A Novel Inverse Kinematic Solution of a Six-DOF Robot Using Neural Networks Based on the Taguchi Optimization Technique
Authors: Ibarra-Pérez Teodoro , Ortiz-Rodríguez José Manuel , Olivera-Domingo Fernando , Guerrero-Osuna Héctor A. , Gamboa-Rosales Hamurabi , Martínez-Blanco Ma. del Rosario
Published: September 2022

The choice of structural parameters in the design of artificial neural networks is generally based on trial-and-error procedures. They are regularly estimated based on the previous experience of the researcher, investing large amounts of time and processing resources during network training, which are usually limited and do not guarantee the optimal selection of parameters. This paper presents a procedure for the optimization of the training dataset and the optimization of the structural parameters of a neural network through the application of a robust neural network design methodology based on the design philosophy proposed by Genichi Taguchi, applied to the solution of inverse kinematics in an open source, six-degrees-of-freedom robotic manipulator. The results obtained during the optimization process of the structural parameters of the network show an improvement in the accuracy of the results, reaching a high prediction percentage and maintaining a margin of error of less than 5%.
Special Issue on Emerging Technologies in Food Science: Advances in Microencapsulation
Authors: Kurek Marcin
Published: September 2022

This Special Issue was dedicated to “Emerging Technologies in Food Science: Advances in Microencapsulation”; it brought together six articles pertaining to a very diverse spectrum of topics [...]
Effects of Heavy Rainfall on Shallow Foundations in Bukit Timah Granite in Singapore
Authors: Sia Verasak , Satyanaga Alfrendo , Kim Yongmin
Published: September 2022

The increase in rainfall intensities due to climate change affect the entire globe. In particular, Singapore suffers from floods and rising of coastlines. Notably, in the Bukit Timah Region in Singapore, floods are getting more intense, and the region houses multitudes of low-rise constructions with shallow foundations. Damages ranging from physical, in terms of motor vehicle and property damages, to intangible losses such as major traffic delays in both private and public transit were caused by the floods. Few studies have been carried out in Singapore in terms of shallow foundations’ response to rainfall events. When rainfall infiltrates into the soil, the bearing capacity and soil stiffness are affected by the change in matric suction. Thus, the impact of heavy rainfall on shallow foundations in Bukit Timah Granite is investigated numerically using SIGMA/W. Fully coupled flow-deformation analysis with unsaturated soil characteristics, e.g., the Soil Water Characteristic Curve (SWCC) and unsaturated permeability functions, were conducted. A range of rainfall intensities, rainfall durations, and applied loadings were investigated to produce a load–settlement curve that was compared against a semi-empirical model to yield reasonable results. The studies showed that the change in matric suction is affected by the rainfall duration, rainfall intensity, initial groundwater conditions, and hydraulic properties of soil, which in turn affects the settlement response heavily. The bearing capacity is evaluated using graphical methods via the load–settlement response curves, and it was found that the reduction in matric suction heavily reduces the bearing capacity of the soil. Combined with the unsaturated residual soils and transient analyses, the discoveries give insight into the assessment of shallow foundations subjected to water infiltration.
Accurate Prediction of Tunnel Face Deformations in the Rock Tunnel Construction Process via High-Granularity Monitoring Data and Attention-Based Deep Learning Model
Authors: Zhou Mingliang , Xing Zhenhua , Nie Cong , Shi Zhunguang , Hou Bo , Fu Kang
Published: September 2022

Monitoring and predicting the deformation of surrounding rocks in the rock tunnel construction process is of great significance. This study implemented a wireless sensor network (WSN), including gateway transmission, relay point, and sensor nodes, to obtain high granularity deformation data during construction. A transformer model is proposed, which considers the construction sequence into the positional embedding and has an attention module to deeply learn the high dimensionality correlation between the nearby deformation data and the tunnel face deformation. The attention-enhanced LSTM model and the LSTM model are also constructed to compare them with the performance of the transformer model. A site study conducted on a shallow buried tunnel section suggested an excellent performance of the proposed WSN system. The transformer model shows the best performance in terms of the model prediction results, which can extract more information from the time sequence data than the attention-enhanced LSTM and LSTM models. The proposed system has great value as guidance and reference for the construction of rock tunnel projects in complex and unfavourable geological conditions.
An Investigation into the Water Retention Behaviour of an Unsaturated Natural Fissured Clay
Authors: Pedone Giuseppe , Cotecchia Federica , Tagarelli Vito , Bottiglieri Osvaldo , Murthy Madhusudhan B. N.
Published: September 2022

The presence of intensely fissured soils is often found to relate to high geotechnical risks, such as landslide risk. This is especially the case of the Southern Apennines, Italy, where slopes formed of intensely fissured clays are frequently affected by landslides. The latter are generally triggered by rainfall infiltration, which takes place through the outcropping, unsaturated clayey soil cover. With the final aim of reducing landslide risk in areas covered by fissured clays, a detailed hydro-mechanical characterisation of these materials is required. While the behaviour of fully saturated fissured clays has been investigated in the last decade, only a few studies dealing with unsaturated, natural fissured clays are reported in the literature. The present paper aims to give a contribution toward filling this gap by extending an investigation campaign started a few years ago on the Paola Doce fissured clay outcropping on the Pisciolo slope (Southern Apennines, Italy). The physical properties of the material and some of its key micro- to meso-structural features are first analysed, the latter also based on Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) micrographs of an undisturbed sample taken at 1.4 m depth on the Pisciolo slope, which is mainly formed of Paola Doce clay. Subsequently, water retention data of the soil are presented, which were obtained using both high-capacity tensiometers and the filter paper technique. These data were collected not only on undisturbed samples but also while subjecting the same material to drying paths. The results herein reported aim to make a link between the water retention behaviour of the Paola Doce clay sampled at Pisciolo and its fissured structure.
Thou Shalt Tell Thy Daughter: Mothers Tell Daughters Their Holocaust Story—Three Case Studies of Contemporary Israeli Women Artists
Authors: Scheflan-Katzav Hadara
Published: September 2022

The story of Israel and its raison d’être are suffused by memories of the Holocaust, which construct the self-definition and identity of the state. This article examines works by three contemporary Israeli women artists—Dvora Morag, Miri Nishri, and Bracha Ettinger—who subvert the traditional telling of history and enable rethinking of the past as the basis for the individual’s existence in the nation state. Through the works of these artists, official memory disintegrates into fragments of personal memories of the artists’ mothers, enabling a new moral, historical perspective. The reconstruction of history through stories that pass from mother to daughter contrasts sharply with Jewish tradition in which the historical story passes from father to son. The yearly Passover retelling of the Exodus admonishes “Thou shalt tell thy son on that day to say, ‘It is because of what the Lord did for me when I came out of Egypt’”. The two narratives, the Exodus from Egypt and the Holocaust, are told as stories of redemption of the Jewish people—from ruin to resurrection. The art examined here reassesses the past, while unraveling parallels between the stories from a female perspective that reflects a personal moral stance.
CRA: Identifying Key Classes Using Markov-Chain-Based Ranking Aggregation
Authors: Du Xin , Pan Weifeng , Jiang Bo , Ding Luyun , Pan Yun , Yuan Chengxiang , Xiang Yiming
Published: September 2022

Researchers have proposed many approaches to identify key classes in software from the perspective of complex networks, such as CONN-TOTAL-W, PageRankBR, and ElementRank, which can effectively help developers understand software. However, these approaches tend to rely on a single metric when measuring the importance of classes. They do not consider the aggregation of multiple metrics to select the winner classes that rank high in majority metrics. In this work, we propose a key class identification approach using Markov-Chain-based ranking aggregation, namely CRA. First, CRA constructs a weighted directed class coupling network (WDCCNet) to describe the software and further applies existing approaches on WDCCNet to calculate class importance. Second, CRA filters out some metrics according to specific rules and uses the Markov chain to aggregate the remaining metrics. When the state probability distribution reaches a fixed point and does not change anymore, the classes in the software are sorted in a descending order according to the probability distribution, and the top-15% classes are treated as key classes. To evaluate the CRA approach, we compare it with 10 baseline approaches available on 6 pieces of software. Empirical results show that our approach is superior to the baselines according to the average ranking of the Friedman Test.
Approximating Solutions of Optimization Problems via Fixed Point Techniques in Geodesic Spaces
Authors: Shukla Rahul
Published: September 2022

The principal objective of this paper is to find the solution to a constrained minimization problem and the zero of the monotone operator in geodesic spaces. The basic tool in our study is a nonexpansive mapping. Further, we employ the general Picard–Mann iterative method to approximate fixed points of nonexpansive mappings under various conditions. We obtain certain theorems concerning Δ and strong convergence.
DFT Modelling of Li6SiO4Cl2 Electrolyte Material for Li-Ion Batteries
Authors: Kuganathan Navaratnarajah
Published: September 2022

There is significant interest in finding a promising lithium-containing oxide that can act as a solid electrolyte in a rechargeable lithium-ion battery. Li6SiO4Cl2 is a candidate electrolyte material which was recently characterized using both experimental and computational techniques. In this study, density functional theory simulation was used to examine the intrinsic defects, solution of promising isovalent and aliovalent dopants, possible reaction routes for the formation of Li6SiO4Cl2, and the feasibility of incorporating additional Li in this material. The results revealed that the O–Cl anti-site cluster was the lowest energy defect in this material. The LiCl Schottky was the second lowest energy defect process, and the Li Frenkel was higher—only by 0.06 eV—than the LiCl Schottky. The candidate dopants on the Li, Si and Cl were Na, Ge and F, respectively. Substituting Al on the Si site was an efficient way of increasing the amount of Li in this material. Incorporation of extra Li (up to three) was considered and this process was endothermic. Different chemical reaction routes were constructed and their reaction energies were calculated to predict the feasibility of the formation of Li6SiO4Cl2. The formation of Li6SiO4Cl2 from constituent elements (Li, Si O2 and Cl2) is thermodynamically feasible.
An Electrical–Thermal Coupling Model with Artificial Intelligence for State of Charge and Residual Available Energy Co-Estimation of LiFePO4 Battery System under Various Temperatures
Authors: Mao Shuoyuan , Han Meilin , Han Xuebing , Lu Languang , Feng Xuning , Su Anyu , Wang Depeng , Chen Zixuan , Lu Yao , Ouyang Minggao
Published: September 2022

The LiFePO4 (LFP) battery tends to underperform in low temperature: the available energy drops, while the state of charge (SOC) and residual available energy (RAE) estimation error increase dramatically compared to the result under room temperature, which causes mileage anxiety for drivers. This paper introduces an artificial intelligence-based electrical–thermal coupling battery model, presents an application-oriented procedure to estimate SOC and RAE for a reliable and effective battery management system, and puts forward a model-based strategy to control the battery thermal state in low temperature. Firstly, an LFP battery electrical model based on artificial intelligence is proposed to estimate the terminal voltage, and a thermal resistance model with an EKF estimation algorithm is established to assess the temperature distribution in the battery pack. Then, the electrical and thermal models are coupled, a closed-loop EKF algorithm is employed to estimate the battery SOC, and a fusion method is discussed. The coupled model is simulated under a given protocol and RAE can be obtained. Finally, based on the electrical–thermal coupling model and RAE calculation algorithm, a preheating method and constant power condition-based RAE estimation are discussed, and the thermal management strategy of the battery system under low temperature is formed. Results show that the estimation error of SOC can be controlled within 2% and RAE can be controlled within 4%, respectively. The preheating strategy at low temperature and low SOC can significantly improve the energy output of the battery pack system.
Diagnostic and Therapeutic Roles of the “Omics” in Hypoxic–Ischemic Encephalopathy in Neonates
Authors: Rasineni Girish Kumar , Panigrahy Nalinikanta , Rath Subha Narayan , Chinnaboina Madhurarekha , Konanki Ramesh , Chirla Dinesh Kumar , Madduri Srinivas
Published: September 2022

Perinatal asphyxia and neonatal encephalopathy remain major causes of neonatal mortality, despite the improved availability of diagnostic and therapeutic tools, contributing to neurological and intellectual disabilities worldwide. An approach using a combination of clinical data, neuroimaging, and biochemical parameters is the current strategy towards the improved diagnosis and prognosis of the outcome in neonatal hypoxic–ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) using bioengineering methods. Traditional biomarkers are of little use in this multifactorial and variable phenotype-presenting clinical condition. Novel systems of biology-based “omics” approaches (genomics, transcriptome proteomics, and metabolomics) may help to identify biomarkers associated with brain and other tissue injuries, predicting the disease severity in HIE. Biomarker studies using omics technologies will likely be a key feature of future neuroprotective treatment methods and will help to assess the successful treatment and long-term efficacy of the intervention. This article reviews the roles of different omics as biomarkers of HIE and outlines the existing knowledge of our current understanding of the clinical use of different omics molecules as novel neonatal brain injury biomarkers, which may lead to improved interventions related to the diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of HIE.
Genistein Restricts the Epithelial Mesenchymal Transformation (EMT) and Stemness of Hepatocellular Carcinoma via Upregulating miR-1275 to Inhibit the EIF5A2/PI3K/Akt Pathway
Authors: Yang Xiao , Jiang Wangjie , Kong Xiangxu , Zhou Xiao , Zhu Deming , Kong Lianbao
Published: September 2022

Purpose: Genistein is a natural phytoestrogen with various antitumor effects. In recent years, some microRNAs (miRNA) in cancer cells have been reported to be regulated by genistein. Our study focused on exploring the mechanisms of miRNA upregulation to inhibit the epithelial mesenchymal transformation (EMT) and stemness of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Patients and Methods: MiR-1275 was discovered by the transcriptome sequencing of miRNA expression profiles in HepG2 cells treated with genistein or DMSO as a control. Then, we performed series functional experiments in vitro and vivo to explore the relationship between genistein and miR-1275 in HCC. The target gene (Eukaryotic initiation factor 5A2, EIF5A2) of miR-1275 was predicted by databases and finally determined by a dual luciferase reporter assay. The downstream signaling pathway of EIF5A2 was assessed by bioinformatics analysis and Western blot. Results: the inhibition of genistein on the viability of HCC cells was enhanced by the increase in treatment time and dose, but it had no obvious inhibitory effect on normal hepatocytes (QSG-7701). Through qRT-PCR and transcriptome sequencing, we discovered that miR-1275 was lowly expressed in HCC, and it can be raised by genistein. The overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) of HCC patients with lowly expressed miR-1275 were lower than those of those with high expression levels. In vitro and vivo experiments exhibited that genistein and the overexpression of miR-1275 can both significantly suppress the proliferation, migration, invasion, metastasis, EMT and stemness of HCC. Moreover, the inhibition can be further enhanced when miR-1275 mimic and genistein exist together. Finally, we demonstrated that miR-1275 can inhibit the epithelial mesenchymal transformation (EMT) and stemness of HCC via inhibiting the EIF5A2/PI3K/Akt pathway. Conclusion: Our findings proved that genistein can inhibit the EIF5A2/PI3K/Akt pathway by upregulating miR-1275 so as to attenuate the EMT and stemness of HCC cells to restrict their progression and metastasis.
Mass Purification Protocol for Drosophila melanogaster Wing Imaginal Discs: An Alternative to Dissection to Obtain Large Numbers of Disc Cells
Authors: Hoareau Marion , de Noiron Juliette , Colin Jessie , Guénal Isabelle
Published: September 2022

Drosophila melanogaster imaginal discs are larval internal structures that become the external organs of the adult. They have been used to study numerous developmental processes for more than fifty years. Dissecting these imaginal discs for collection is challenging, as the size of third-instar larvae organs is typically less than 1 mm. Certain experimental applications of the organs require many cells, which requires researchers to spend several hours dissecting them. This paper proposes an alternative to dissection in the form of a mass enrichment protocol. The protocol enables the recovery of many wing imaginal discs by grinding large quantities of third-instar larvae and separating the organs using filtration and a density gradient. The wing imaginal discs collected with this protocol in less than three hours are as well preserved as those collected by dissection. The dissociation and filtration of the extract allow the isolation of a large amount of wing imaginal disc cells.
Correction: Ye et al. Investigation of the JASMONATE ZIM-DOMAIN Gene Family Reveals the Canonical JA-Signaling Pathway in Pineapple. Biology 2022, 11, 445
Authors: Ye Li , Cao Ling , Zhao Xuemei , Guo Xinya , Ye Kangzhuo , Jiao Sibo , Wang Yu , He Xiaoxue , Dong Chunxing , Hu Bin , Deng Fang , Zhao Heming , Zheng Ping , Aslam Mohammad , Qin Yuan , Cheng Yan
Published: September 2022

The authors would like to make the following correction to the published paper [...]
Human Alpha 1 Antitrypsin Suppresses NF-κB Activity and Extends Lifespan in Adult Drosophila
Authors: Yuan Ye , Van Belkum Max , O’Brien Alana , Garcia Alain , Troncoso Karla , Elshikha Ahmed S. , Zhou Lei , Song Sihong
Published: September 2022

Human alpha 1 antitrypsin (hAAT) is a multifunctional protein that has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and cellular protective properties. While previous studies demonstrated the antiaging potential of hAAT, the mechanism(s) underlying the antiaging effect remain elusive. In this study, we performed a detailed analysis of transcriptomic data that indicated that NF-κB-targeted genes and NF-κB-regulated pathways were selectively inhibited by hAAT treatment. We further showed that the first detectable impact of hAAT treatment was the inhibition of the nuclear activity of NF-κB. Subsequently, hAAT treatment suppressed the mRNA levels of NF-κB-targeted genes, as well as NF-κB itself (P65 and P50), in human senescent cells. Using Drosophila models, we further examined the impact of hAAT on locomotor activity and endurance. Finally, using an adult-specific promotor, we demonstrated that overexpression of hAAT in the late stage of life significantly extended the lifespan of transgenic flies. These results extend the current understanding of the anti-inflammatory function of hAAT.
Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) Reversibly Permeabilize the Blood–Brain Barrier In Vitro and In Vivo
Authors: Salvador Ellaine , Kessler Almuth F. , Domröse Dominik , Hörmann Julia , Schaeffer Clara , Giniunaite Aiste , Burek Malgorzata , Tempel-Brami Catherine , Voloshin Tali , Volodin Alexandra , Zeidan Adel , Giladi Moshe , Ernestus Ralf-Ingo , Löhr Mario , Förster Carola Y. , Hagemann Carsten
Published: September 2022

Despite the availability of numerous therapeutic substances that could potentially target CNS disorders, an inability of these agents to cross the restrictive blood–brain barrier (BBB) limits their clinical utility. Novel strategies to overcome the BBB are therefore needed to improve drug delivery. We report, for the first time, how Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields), approved for glioblastoma (GBM), affect the BBB’s integrity and permeability. Here, we treated murine microvascular cerebellar endothelial cells (cerebEND) with 100–300 kHz TTFields for up to 72 h and analyzed the expression of barrier proteins by immunofluorescence staining and Western blot. In vivo, compounds normally unable to cross the BBB were traced in healthy rat brain following TTFields administration at 100 kHz. The effects were analyzed via MRI and immunohistochemical staining of tight-junction proteins. Furthermore, GBM tumor-bearing rats were treated with paclitaxel (PTX), a chemotherapeutic normally restricted by the BBB combined with TTFields at 100 kHz. The tumor volume was reduced with TTFields plus PTX, relative to either treatment alone. In vitro, we demonstrate that TTFields transiently disrupted BBB function at 100 kHz through a Rho kinase-mediated tight junction claudin-5 phosphorylation pathway. Altogether, if translated into clinical use, TTFields could represent a novel CNS drug delivery strategy.
Teenage-Onset Colorectal Cancers in a Digenic Cancer Predisposition Syndrome Provide Clues for the Interaction between Mismatch Repair and Polymerase δ Proofreading Deficiency in Tumorigenesis
Authors: Schamschula Esther , Kinzel Miriam , Wernstedt Annekatrin , Oberhuber Klaus , Gottschling Hendrik , Schnaiter Simon , Friedrichs Nicolaus , Merkelbach-Bruse Sabine , Zschocke Johannes , Gallon Richard , Wimmer Katharina
Published: September 2022

Colorectal cancer (CRC) in adolescents and young adults (AYA) is very rare. Known predisposition syndromes include Lynch syndrome (LS) due to highly penetrant MLH1 and MSH2 alleles, familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), constitutional mismatch-repair deficiency (CMMRD), and polymerase proofreading-associated polyposis (PPAP). Yet, 60% of AYA-CRC cases remain unexplained. In two teenage siblings with multiple adenomas and CRC, we identified a maternally inherited heterozygous PMS2 exon 12 deletion, NM_000535.7:c.2007-786_2174+493del1447, and a paternally inherited POLD1 variant, NP_002682.2:p.Asp316Asn. Comprehensive molecular tumor analysis revealed ultra-mutation (>100 Mut/Mb) and a large contribution of COSMIC signature SBS20 in both siblings’ CRCs, confirming their predisposition to AYA-CRC results from a high propensity for somatic MMR deficiency (MMRd) compounded by a constitutional Pol δ proofreading defect. COSMIC signature SBS20 as well as SBS26 in the index patient’s CRC were associated with an early mutation burst, suggesting MMRd was an early event in tumorigenesis. The somatic second hits in PMS2 were through loss of heterozygosity (LOH) in both tumors, suggesting PPd-independent acquisition of MMRd. Taken together, these patients represent the first cases of cancer predisposition due to heterozygous variants in PMS2 and POLD1. Analysis of their CRCs supports that POLD1-mutated tumors acquire hypermutation only with concurrent MMRd.
Comparable Outcomes in Early Hepatocellular Carcinomas Treated with Trans-Arterial Chemoembolization and Radiofrequency Ablation
Authors: Tay Benjamin Wei Rong , Huang Daniel Q. , Mark Muthiah , Thong Neo Wee , Guan Huei Lee , Gee Lim Seng , Cheng Low How , Mei Lee Yin , Thurairajah Prem , Chen Lim Jia , Ng Cheng Han , Lim Wen Hui , Tan Darren Jun Hao , Maureen Da Costa , Alfred Kow Wei Chieh , Ganpathi Iyer Shridar , Seng Tan Poh , Young Dan Yock
Published: September 2022

The guidelines recommend radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for early hepatocellular carcinomas that are less than 3 cm and trans-arterial chemoembolization (TACE) for intermediate-stage tumors. Real-world patient and tumor factors commonly limit strict adherence to the guidelines. We aimed to compare the clinical outcomes for TACE and RFA in early HCC. All consecutive patients from 2010 to 2014 that were treated with locoregional therapy at our institution were enrolled. The decision for TACE or RFA was based on tumor location, stage and technical accessibility for ablation. A subgroup analysis was performed for patients with tumors less than 3 cm. A total of 168 patients underwent TACE while 56 patients underwent RFA. Patients treated with TACE and RFA had 1- and 5-year survival rates of 84.7% and 39.8% versus 91.5% and 51.5%, respectively (p = 0.28). In tumors less than 3 cm, there was no significant difference in overall survival (p = 0.69), time to progression (p = 0.55), or number of treatment sessions required (p = 0.12). Radiofrequency ablation had a significantly higher chance of a complete response (p = 0.004). In conclusion, TACE may be selectively considered for early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma in patients unsuitable for other modalities.
Correlation between Macular Neovascularization (MNV) Type and Druse Type in Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) Based on the CONAN Classification
Authors: Muth Daniel Rudolf , Toro Mario Damiano , Bajka Anahita , Jonak Kamil , Rieder Roman , Kohler Myrtha Magdalena , Gunzinger Jeanne Martine , Souied Eric H. , Engelbert Michael , Freund K. Bailey , Zweifel Sandrine Anne
Published: September 2022

To investigate associations and predictive factors between macular neovascularization (MNV) lesion variants and drusen types in patients with treatment-naïve neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Methods: Multimodal imaging was retrospectively reviewed for druse type (soft drusen, subretinal drusenoid deposits (SDDs) or mixed) and MNV type (MNV 1, MNV 2, MNV 1/2 or MNV 3). The Consensus on Neovascular AMD Nomenclature (CONAN) classification was used for characterizing MNV at baseline. Results: One eye of each eligible patient was included (n = 191). Patients with predominant SDDs had an increased adjusted odds ratio (aOR) for MNV 2 (23.4453, p = 0.0025) and any type of MNV 3 (8.7374, p < 0.0001). Patients with MNV 1/2 had an aOR for predominant SDDs (0.3284, p = 0.0084). Patients with MNV1 showed an aOR for SDDs (0.0357, p < 0.0001). Eyes with SDDs only without other drusen types showed an aOR for MNV 2 (9.2945, p < 0.0001). Conclusions: SDDs represent a common phenotypic characteristic in AMD eyes with treatment-naïve MNV. The aOR for eyes with predominant SDDs to develop MNV 2 and MNV 3 was much higher, possibly due to their location in the subretinal space. The predominant druse type may help to predict which type of MNV will develop during the course of AMD.
Can People Be Managed through Fear? An Enquiry into Arab Culture
Authors: Al Lily Abdulrahman Essa , Alhazmi Ahmed Ali
Published: September 2022

This research scrutinises the fear-driven management of Arabs. It conceptualises fear as a structural component of Arab society through a sociological lens and, by drawing upon the reflections of 28 Arab experts, philosophises on the potential of fear to develop into a well-configured managerial system (‘feararchy’) that regulates public and private lives. This research finds this system to rest upon a foundation of three forms of fear: ontological (the normalisation of fear), epistemological (the utilisation of fear to shape knowledge) and axiological (the influence of fear on acceptability). This article makes five contributions. First, it shows how, through turning fear into a collective status, Arab managers exploit fear for social control. Second, it demonstrates the institutional nature of Arabs’ fear, making it worthy of attention from the field of management. Third, it investigates fear as an individually internalised, socially constructed feeling that is psychologically manipulative. Fourth, it presents fear as not merely a natural psychological sensation but a managerially distorted contextual frame within which current (and future) members think and operate. Fifth and finally, it exposes the contextuality of fear: sources of fear in one context may not be sources of fear in another.
Seismic Performance of Eccentrical Braced Frame Retrofitted by Box Damper in Vertical Links
Authors: Miao Fei , Nejati Faezeh , Zubair Sulima Ahmed Mohammed , Yassin Mona Elmahi
Published: September 2022

Passive control methods reduced the vulnerability of structures to earthquakes by decreasing the seismic demand and improving structural plasticity. One of the passive control systems is the eccentrically braced frame with a vertical shear link (V-EBF). The present study aims to direct the damage to the absorbing plates of the vertical link beam to allow the structure’s appropriate seismic performance and reparability. Yielding dampers are one of the most widely used types in systems and can provide perfect vibration control if used optimally. Different types of dampers were introduced and used; how to use them depends on the shape and the way they connect to the structure. This research investigates a new type of damper called box damper, an improved type of shear panel damper. The improvement in the way of connecting to the braced frame and the ease of using this damper in different situations are the features of this new damper. This research investigated the mechanism of these yielding dampers in structures and their strengths and weaknesses. In the next step in this study, a V-EBF with plates of thickness 4, 6, and 8 mm was analysed in the finite element software ABAQUS using the nonlinear static analysis and cyclic loading conditions. Some examples of this damper were attached to the braced frames to investigate the effect of using this damper on the seismic behaviour of the braced structures. The results show that the shear link performs like an electrical fuse absorbing all damage and plastic hinges so that other elements of the braced frame remain in their nonlinear elastic region. By increasing the thickness of the damper from 2 to 8 mm, the resistance increased by two times, and the flexibility of the structure had a noticeable change with the rise in thickness from 2 mm to 8 mm. Ductility increased from 38 to 75 mm.
Expanding Domain Knowledge Elements for Metro Construction Safety Risk Management Using a Co-Occurrence-Based Pathfinding Approach
Authors: Xu Na , Zhang Bo , Gu Tiantian , Li Jie , Wang Li
Published: September 2022

Knowledge is a contribution factor leading to more effective and efficient construction safety management. Metro construction practitioners always find it difficult to determine what specialized knowledge is needed in order to lead to better safety risk management. Currently, domain knowledge elements are generally determined by experts, which is coarse-grained and uncomprehensive. Therefore, this paper aims to provide a structure of domain knowledge elements, using an automatic approach to expand domain knowledge elements (DKEs) from a big dataset of unstructured text documents. First, the co-word co-occurrence network (CCN) was used to find the connected knowledge elements, and then the association rule mining (ARM) was compiled to prune the weakly related subnetworks, leaving the strong associated elements. Finally, a list of DKEs in the metro construction safety risk management was obtained. The result shows that the obtained DKEs are more comprehensive and valuable compared to previous studies. The proposed approach provides an automatic way to expand DKEs from a small amount of known knowledge, minimizing the expert bias. This study also contributes to building a fine-grained knowledge structure for metro construction safety risk management. The structure can be used to guide safety training and help knowledge-based safety risk management.
Identification of the Barriers and Key Success Factors for Renewable Energy Public-Private Partnership Projects: A Continental Analysis
Authors: Othman Kareem , Khallaf Rana
Published: September 2022

The global energy demand has been increasing and posing multiple challenges across the globe, including global warming, environmental pollution, and energy-sustainability issues. Thus, multiple countries have been adopting renewable-energy (RE) sources to provide clean, reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy. Previously, a number of renewable energy projects has been delivered in the form of a public–private partnership (PPP) to take advantage of the private sector’s investment, technology advancements, and expertise. In general, renewable-energy projects are considered large-scale universal projects that involve expertise from different countries and require a clear understanding of the barriers and key success factors (KSFs) across the globe. Thus, this paper focuses on providing a comprehensive understanding of the main barriers and success factors of renewable-energy projects across the globe. For that aim, a comprehensive literature review was first carried out to identify and report on the barriers and KSFs of renewable-energy projects. This was followed by a questionnaire survey wherein the opinions of 60 experts with wide experience in RE PPPs in multiple countries were collected and analyzed. The analysis shows that political and regulatory barriers are the main risks globally. Additionally, well-prepared contract documentations and skilled and efficient parties are the KSFs. However, these factors change from one continent to another. Additionally, this paper sheds light on the difference between the public and private sectors’ perceptions on the severity of the risks and the importance of the KSFs to each sector.
Multi-Omics Analysis of GNL3L Expression, Prognosis, and Immune Value in Pan-Cancer
Authors: Liu Pei , Guo Wenjia , Su Ying , Chen Chen , Ma Yuhua , Ma Ping , Chen Cheng , Lv Xiaoyi
Published: September 2022

Guanine nucleotide-binding protein-like 3-like protein (GNL3L) is a novel, evolutionarily conserved, GTP-binding nucleolar protein. This study aimed to investigate the expression, prognosis, and immune value of GNL3L in pan-cancer from multiple omics analyses. Firstly, the expression and prognostic value of GNL3L in pan-cancer were discussed using the TIMER2 database, the GEPIA database, the cBioportal database, COX regression analysis, and enrichment analysis. The association of GNL3L with tumor mutational burden (TMB), tumor microsatellite instability (MSI), mismatch repair (MMR) genes, and immune cells was then analyzed. Finally, an esophageal cancer (ESCA) prediction model was established, and GNL3L clone formation assays were performed. The final results showed that GNL3L is differentially expressed in the vast majority of cancers, is associated with the prognosis of various cancers, and may affect cancer occurrence through processes such as ribonucleoprotein, ribosomal RNA processing, and cell proliferation. At the same time, it was found that the correlation between GNL3L and TMB, MSI, MMR, and various immune cells is significant. The established ESCA prediction model had a strong predictive ability, and GNL3L could significantly affect the proliferation of esophageal cancer cells. In conclusion, GNL3L may serve as an important prognostic biomarker and play an immunomodulatory role in tumors.
Repurposing of Benzimidazole Anthelmintic Drugs as Cancer Therapeutics
Authors: Song Bomi , Park Eun Young , Kim Kwang Joon , Ki Sung Hwan
Published: September 2022

Benzimidazoles have shown significant promise for repurposing as a cancer therapy. The aims of this review are to investigate the possibilities and limitations of the anti-cancer effects of benzimidazole anthelmintics and to suggest ways to overcome these limitations. This review included studies on the anti-cancer effects of 11 benzimidazoles. Largely divided into three parts, i.e., preclinical anti-cancer effects, clinical anti-cancer effects, and pharmacokinetic properties, we examine the characteristics of each benzimidazole and attempt to elucidate its key properties. Although many studies have demonstrated the anti-cancer effects of benzimidazoles, there is limited evidence regarding their effects in clinical settings. This might be because the clinical trials conducted using benzimidazoles failed to restrict their participants with specific criteria including cancer entities, cancer stages, and genetic characteristics of the participants. In addition, these drugs have limitations including low bioavailability, which results in insufficient plasma concentration levels. Additional studies on whole anti-cancer pathways and development strategies, including formulations, could result significant enhancements of the anti-cancer effects of benzimidazoles in clinical situations.