bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inflammatory Biomarkers in the Diagnosis and Prognosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis–Associated Interstitial Lung Disease
Authors: Mena-Vázquez Natalia , Godoy-Navarrete Francisco Javier , Lisbona-Montañez Jose Manuel , Redondo-Rodriguez Rocío , Manrique-Arija Sara , Rioja José , Mucientes Arkaitz , Ruiz-Limón Patricia , Garcia-Studer Aimara , Ortiz-Márquez Fernando , Oliver-Martos Begoña , Cano-García Laura , Fernández-Nebro Antonio
Published: April 2023

This study aimed to identify inflammatory factors and soluble cytokines that act as biomarkers in the diagnosis and prognosis of rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD). We performed a nested prospective observational case–control study of patients with RA-ILD matched by sex, age, and time since the diagnosis of RA. All participants underwent pulmonary function testing and high-resolution computed tomography. ILD was defined according to the criteria of the American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society; the progression of lung disease was defined as the worsening of FVC > 10% or DLCO > 15%. Inflammation-related variables included the inflammatory activity measured using the DAS28-ESR and a multiplex cytokine assay. Two Cox regression models were run to identify factors associated with ILD and the progression of ILD. The study population comprised 70 patients: 35 patients with RA-ILD (cases) and 35 RA patients without ILD (controls). A greater percentage of cases had higher DAS28-ESR (p = 0.032) and HAQ values (p = 0.003). The variables associated with RA-ILD in the Cox regression analysis were disease activity (DAS28) (HR [95% CI], 2.47 [1.17–5.22]; p = 0.017) and high levels of ACPA (HR [95% CI], 2.90 [1.24–6.78]; p = 0.014), IL-18 in pg/mL (HR [95% CI], 1.06 [1.00–1.12]; p = 0.044), MCP-1/CCL2 in pg/mL (HR [95% CI], 1.03 [1.00–1.06]; p = 0.049), and SDF-1 in pg/mL (HR [95% CI], 1.00 [1.00–1.00]; p = 0.010). The only variable associated with the progression of ILD was IL-18 in pg/mL (HR [95% CI], 1.25 [1.07–1.46]; p = 0.004). Our data support that the inflammatory activity was higher in patients with RA-ILD than RA patients without ILD. Some cytokines were associated with both diagnosis and poorer prognosis in patients with RA-ILD.
Artificial Intelligence That Predicts Sensitizing Potential of Cosmetic Ingredients with Accuracy Comparable to Animal and In Vitro Tests—How Does the Infotechnomics Compare to Other “Omics” in the Cosmetics Safety Assessment?
Authors: Kalicińska Jadwiga , Wiśniowska Barbara , Polak Sebastian , Spiewak Radoslaw
Published: April 2023

The aim of the current study was to develop an in silico model to predict the sensitizing potential of cosmetic ingredients based on their physicochemical characteristics and to compare the predictions with historical animal data and results from “omics”-based in vitro studies. An in silico model was developed with the use of WEKA machine learning software fed with physicochemical and structural descriptors of haptens and trained with data from published epidemiological studies compiled into estimated odds ratio (eOR) and estimated attributable risk (eAR) indices. The outcome classification was compared to the results of animal studies and in vitro tests. Of all the models tested, the best results were obtained for the Naive Bayes classifier trained with 24 physicochemical descriptors and eAR, which yielded an accuracy of 86%, sensitivity of 80%, and specificity of 90%. This model was subsequently used to predict the sensitizing potential of 15 emerging and less-studied haptens, of which 7 were classified as sensitizers: cyclamen aldehyde, N,N-dimethylacrylamide, dimethylthiocarbamyl benzothiazole sulphide, geraniol hydroperoxide, isobornyl acrylate, neral, and prenyl caffeate. The best-performing model (NaiveBayes eAR, 24 parameters), along with an alternative model based on eOR (Random Comittee eOR, 17 parameters), are available for further tests by interested readers. In conclusion, the proposed infotechnomics approach allows for a prediction of the sensitizing potential of cosmetic ingredients (and possibly also other haptens) with accuracy comparable to historical animal tests and in vitro tests used nowadays. In silico models consume little resources, are free of ethical concerns, and can provide results for multiple chemicals almost instantly; therefore, the proposed approach seems useful in the safety assessment of cosmetics.
C-Terminal-Modified Oligourea Foldamers as a Result of Terminal Methyl Ester Reactions under Alkaline Conditions
Authors: Kedzia Katarzyna , Dobrzycki Lukasz , Wilczek Marcin , Pulka-Ziach Karolina
Published: April 2023

Hybrids of short oligourea foldamers with residues of α, β and γ-amino acids esters at the C-terminus were obtained and subjected to a reaction with LiOH. There are two possible transformations under such conditions, one of which is ester hydrolysis and the formation of a carboxylic group and the other is the cyclization reaction after abstraction of a proton from urea by a base. We have investigated this reaction with difference C-terminal residue structures, as well as under different work-up conditions, especially for oligourea hybrids with α-amino acid esters. For these compounds, an oligourea–hydantoin combination is the product of cyclization. The stability of the hydantoin ring under alkaline conditions has been alsotested. Furthermore, this work reports data related to the structure of C-terminal-modified oligourea foldamers in solution and, for one compound, in the solid state. Helical folding is preserved both for cyclized and linear modifications, with oligourea–acid hybrids appearing to be more conformationally stable, as they are stabilized by an additional intramolecular hydrogen bond in comparison to cyclic derivatives.
Investigating the Relationship between Obstructive Sleep Apnoea, Inflammation and Cardio-Metabolic Diseases
Authors: Alterki Abdulmohsen , Abu-Farha Mohamed , Al Shawaf Eman , Al-Mulla Fahd , Abubaker Jehad
Published: April 2023

Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a prevalent underdiagnosed disorder whose incidence increases with age and weight. Uniquely characterised by frequent breathing interruptions during sleep—known as intermittent hypoxia (IH)—OSA disrupts the circadian rhythm. Patients with OSA have repeated episodes of hypoxia and reoxygenation, leading to systemic consequences. OSA consequences range from apparent symptoms like excessive daytime sleepiness, neurocognitive deterioration and decreased quality of life to pathological complications characterised by elevated biomarkers linked to endocrine-metabolic and cardiovascular changes. OSA is a well-recognized risk factor for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Furthermore, OSA is linked to other conditions that worsen cardiovascular outcomes, such as obesity. The relationship between OSA and obesity is complex and reciprocal, involving interaction between biological and lifestyle factors. The pathogenesis of both OSA and obesity involve oxidative stress, inflammation and metabolic dysregulation. The current medical practice uses continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) as the gold standard tool to manage OSA. It has been shown to improve symptoms and cardiac function, reduce cardiovascular risk and normalise biomarkers. Nonetheless, a full understanding of the factors involved in the deleterious effects of OSA and the best methods to eliminate their occurrence are still poorly understood. In this review, we present the factors and evidence linking OSA to increased risk of cardiovascular conditions.
Rhythm of the First Language: Dynamics of Extracellular Vesicle-Based Embryo–Maternal Communication in the Pre-Implantation Microenvironment
Authors: Godakumara Kasun , Heath Paul R. , Fazeli Alireza
Published: April 2023

One of the most critical steps in mammalian reproduction is implantation. Embryos with an impaired capacity for embryo–maternal crosstalk are thought to have a reduced potential for implantation. One agent of embryo–maternal communication is extracellular vesicles (EV). EVs are lipid bilayer-bound biological nanoparticles implicated in intercellular communication between many of the known cell types. In the current study, we isolated EVs from trophoblast analogue JAr spheroids and supplemented the EVs with receptive endometrium analogue RL95-2 cells to simulate pre-implantation embryo–maternal dialogue. The transcriptome of the endometrial cells was examined at 30 min, 4 h and 48 h intervals using Oxford Nanopore® technology. At the time points, 30 min, 4 h and 48 h, the endometrial cells showed a significantly altered transcriptome. It seems trophoblast EVs induce a swift and drastic effect on the endometrial transcriptome. The effect peaks at around 4 h of EV supplementation, indicating a generalized effect on cell physiology. Alterations are especially apparent in biological pathways critical to embryonic implantation, such as extracellular matrix–receptor interactions and cytokine–receptor interactions. These observations can be helpful in elucidating the dynamics of embryo–maternal communication in the pre-implantation period.
Metalloporphyrins as Tools for Deciphering the Role of Heme Oxygenase in Renal Immune Injury
Authors: Lianos Elias A. , Detsika Maria G.
Published: April 2023

Renal immune injury is a frequent cause of end-stage renal disease, and, despite the progress made in understanding underlying pathogenetic mechanisms, current treatments to preserve renal function continue to be based mainly on systemic immunosuppression. Small molecules, naturally occurring biologic agents, show considerable promise in acting as disease modifiers and may provide novel therapeutic leads. Certain naturally occurring or synthetic Metalloporphyrins (Mps) can act as disease modifiers by increasing heme oxygenase (HO) enzymatic activity and/or synthesis of the inducible HO isoform (HO-1). Depending on the metal moiety of the Mp employed, these effects may occur in tandem or can be discordant (increased HO-1 synthesis but inhibition of enzyme activity). This review discusses effects of Mps, with varying redox-active transitional metals and cyclic porphyrin cores, on mechanisms underlying pathogenesis and outcomes of renal immune injury.
To Target or Not to Target Schistosoma mansoni Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterase 4A?
Authors: Zheng Yang , Schroeder Susanne , Kanev Georgi K. , Botros Sanaa S. , William Samia , Sabra Abdel-Nasser A. , Maes Louis , Caljon Guy , Gil Carmen , Martinez Ana , Salado Irene G. , Augustyns Koen , Edink Ewald , Sijm Maarten , de Heuvel Erik , de Esch Iwan J. P. , van der Meer Tiffany , Siderius Marco , Sterk Geert Jan , Brown David , Leurs Rob
Published: April 2023

Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease with high morbidity. Recently, the Schistosoma mansoni phosphodiesterase SmPDE4A was suggested as a putative new drug target. To support SmPDE4A targeted drug discovery, we cloned, isolated, and biochemically characterized the full-length and catalytic domains of SmPDE4A. The enzymatically active catalytic domain was crystallized in the apo-form (PDB code: 6FG5) and in the cAMP- and AMP-bound states (PDB code: 6EZU). The SmPDE4A catalytic domain resembles human PDE4 more than parasite PDEs because it lacks the parasite PDE-specific P-pocket. Purified SmPDE4A proteins (full-length and catalytic domain) were used to profile an in-house library of PDE inhibitors (PDE4NPD toolbox). This screening identified tetrahydrophthalazinones and benzamides as potential hits. The PDE inhibitor NPD-0001 was the most active tetrahydrophthalazinone, whereas the approved human PDE4 inhibitors roflumilast and piclamilast were the most potent benzamides. As a follow-up, 83 benzamide analogs were prepared, but the inhibitory potency of the initial hits was not improved. Finally, NPD-0001 and roflumilast were evaluated in an in vitro anti-S. mansoni assay. Unfortunately, both SmPDE4A inhibitors were not effective in worm killing and only weakly affected the egg-laying at high micromolar concentrations. Consequently, the results with these SmPDE4A inhibitors strongly suggest that SmPDE4A is not a suitable target for anti-schistosomiasis therapy.
Role of Orai3-Mediated Store-Operated Calcium Entry in Radiation-Induced Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cell Injury
Authors: Wu Qibing , Fang Yang , Huang Xiaoyu , Zheng Fan , Ma Shaobo , Zhang Xinchen , Han Tingting , Gao Huiwen , Shen Bing
Published: April 2023

Radiation-induced brain injury is a serious complication with complex pathogenesis that may accompany radiotherapy of head and neck tumors. Although studies have shown that calcium (Ca2+) signaling may be involved in the occurrence and development of radiation-induced brain injury, the underlying molecular mechanisms are not well understood. In this study, we used real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting assays to verify our previous finding using next-generation sequencing that the mRNA and protein expression levels of Orai3 in rat brain microvascular endothelial cells (rBMECs) increased after X-ray irradiation. We next explored the role of Orai3 and Orai3-mediated store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE) in radiation-induced brain injury. Primary cultured rBMECs derived from wild-type and Orai3 knockout (Orai3(−/−)) Sprague–Dawley rats were used for in vitro experiments. Orai3-mediated SOCE was significantly increased in rBMECs after X-ray irradiation. However, X-ray irradiation-induced SOCE increase was markedly reduced in Orai3 knockout rBMECs, and the percentage of BTP2 (a nonselective inhibitor of Orai channels)-inhibited SOCE was significantly decreased in Orai3 knockout rBMECs. Functional studies indicated that X-ray irradiation decreased rBMEC proliferation, migration, and tube formation (a model for assessing angiogenesis) but increased rBMEC apoptosis, all of which were ameliorated by BTP2. In addition, occurrences of all four functional deficits were suppressed in X-ray irradiation-exposed rBMECs derived from Orai3(−/−) rats. Cerebrovascular damage caused by whole-brain X-ray irradiation was much less in Orai3(−/−) rats than in wild-type rats. These findings provide evidence that Orai3-mediated SOCE plays an important role in radiation-induced rBMEC damage and brain injury and suggest that Orai3 may warrant development as a potential therapeutic target for reducing or preventing radiation-induced brain injury.
Stearoyl-CoA Desaturases1 Accelerates Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Metastasis by Promoting Aromatase Expression to Improve Estrogen Synthesis
Authors: Chen Jiaping , Wang Yangwei , Meng Wangyang , Zhao Rong , Lin Wei , Xiao Han , Liao Yongde
Published: April 2023

Metastases contribute to the low survival rate of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Targeting lipid metabolism for anticancer therapies is attractive. Accumulative evidence shows that stearoyl-CoA desaturases1 (SCD1), a key enzyme in lipid metabolism, enables tumor metastasis and the underlying mechanism remains unknown. In this study, immunohistochemical staining of 96 clinical specimens showed that the expression of SCD1 was increased in tumor tissues (p < 0.001). SCD1 knockdown reduced the migration and invasion of HCC827 and PC9 cells in transwell and wound healing assays. Aromatase (CYP19A1) knockdown eliminated cell migration and invasion caused by SCD1 overexpression. Western blotting assays demonstrated that CYP19A1, along with β-catenin protein levels, was reduced in SCD1 knocked-down cells, and estrogen concentration was reduced (p < 0.05) in cell culture medium measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. SCD1 overexpression preserving β-catenin protein stability was evaluated by coimmunoprecipitation and Western blotting. The SCD1 inhibitor A939572, and a potential SCD1 inhibitor, grape seed extract (GSE), significantly inhibited cell migration and invasion by blocking SCD1 and its downstream β-catenin, CYP19A1 expression, and estrogen concentration. In vivo tumor formation assay and a tail vein metastasis model indicated that knockdown of SCD1 blocked tumor growth and metastasis. In conclusion, SCD1 could accelerate metastasis by maintaining the protein stability of β-catenin and then promoting CYP19A1 transcription to improve estrogen synthesis. SCD1 is expected to be a promised therapeutic target, and its novel inhibitor, GSE, has great therapeutic potential in NSCLC.
The Cellular Response to DNA Damage: From DNA Repair to Polyploidy and Beyond
Authors: Mirzayans Razmik
Published: April 2023

A major challenge in treating patients with solid tumors is posed by intratumor heterogeneity, with different sub-populations of cancer cells within the same tumor exhibiting therapy resistance through different biological processes [...]
Effect of Mechanical Recycling on the Mechanical Properties of PLA-Based Natural Fiber-Reinforced Composites
Authors: Finnerty James , Rowe Steven , Howard Trevor , Connolly Shane , Doran Christopher , Devine Declan M. , Gately Noel M. , Chyzna Vlasta , Portela Alex , Bezerra Gilberto Silva Nunes , McDonald Paul , Colbert Declan Mary
Published: April 2023

The present study investigates the feasibility of utilizing polylactic acid (PLA) and PLA-based natural fiber-reinforced composites (NFRCs) in mechanical recycling. A conical twin screw extrusion (CTSE) process was utilized to recycle PLA and PLA-based NFRCs consisting of 90 wt.% PLA and a 10 wt.% proportion of either basalt fibers (BFs) or halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) for up to six recycling steps. The recycled material was then injection molded to produce standard test specimens for impact strength and tensile property analysis. The mechanical recycling of virgin PLA led to significant discoloration of the polymer, indicating degradation during the thermal processing of the polymer due to the formation of chromatophores in the structure. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis revealed an increase in glass transition temperature (Tg) with respect to increased recycling steps, indicating an increased content of crystallinity in the PLA. Impact strength testing showed no significant detrimental effects on the NFRCs’ impact strength up to six recycling steps. Tensile testing of PLA/HNT NFRCs likewise did not show major decreases in values when tested. However, PLA/BF NFRCs exhibited a significant decrease in tensile properties after three recycling steps, likely due to a reduction in fiber length beyond the critical fiber length. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of the fracture surface of impact specimens revealed a decrease in fiber length with respect to increased recycling steps, as well as poor interfacial adhesion between BF and PLA. This study presents a promising initial view into the mechanical recyclability of PLA-based composites.
Focus Constructions Involving shì in Mandarin Chinese
Authors: Pan Victor Junnan , Liu Chang
Published: April 2023

Recent studies have shown that shì ‘be’… (de) focus sentences in Mandarin Chinese are not structurally uniform. One of the criteria to make distinctions among them is the Adjacency Condition, that is, only the right adjacent element of shì can be focused. The debate has been centered on the question of why this restriction only holds in certain types of sentences involving focus but not in all of them. We argue that the so-called Adjacency Condition is not a primary condition that regulates the distribution of different types of foci; instead, the presence or the absence of adjacency-like restriction precisely indicates the existence of two different syntactic structures involving foci: one gives rise to the adjacency effects, whereas the other one does not. Importantly, our central proposal is that any constituent that falls under the c-command domain of shì will have a chance to get a focus reading if prosodically prominent, which naturally holds for the constituents that are not adjacent to shì. Along this line, shì is analyzed as a focus domain indicator rather than the focus marker itself.
Traffic Accident Detection Method Using Trajectory Tracking and Influence Maps
Authors: Zhang Yihang , Sung Yunsick
Published: April 2023

With the development of artificial intelligence, techniques such as machine learning, object detection, and trajectory tracking have been applied to various traffic fields to detect accidents and analyze their causes. However, detecting traffic accidents using closed-circuit television (CCTV) as an emerging subject in machine learning remains challenging because of complex traffic environments and limited vision. Traditional research has limitations in deducing the trajectories of accident-related objects and extracting the spatiotemporal relationships among objects. This paper proposes a traffic accident detection method that helps to determine whether each frame shows accidents by generating and considering object trajectories using influence maps and a convolutional neural network (CNN). The influence maps with spatiotemporal relationships were enhanced to improve the detection of traffic accidents. A CNN is utilized to extract latent representations from the influence maps produced by object trajectories. Car Accident Detection and Prediction (CADP) was utilized in the experiments to train our model, which achieved a traffic accident detection accuracy of approximately 95%. Thus, the proposed method attained remarkable results in terms of performance improvement compared to methods that only rely on CNN-based detection.
First Report of Two Gymnodimines and Two Tetrodotoxin Analogues in Invertebrates from the North Atlantic Coast of Spain
Authors: Rossignoli Araceli E. , Mariño Carmen , Martín Helena , Blanco Juan
Published: April 2023

Gymnodimine D (GYM D), 16-desmethyl gymnodimine D (16-desmethyl GYM D), and two tetrodotoxin analogues have been found in invertebrates obtained from the north Atlantic coast of Spain from May 2021 to October 2022. It is the first report of GYMD and 16-desmethyl GYM D in invertebrates worldwide and of the tetrodotoxin analogues, 5,6,11 trideoxy tetrodotoxin (5,6,11 trideoxy TTX) and its isomer (referred to as 5,6,11 trideoxy-epi-TTX), in the north Atlantic Coast of Spain. In this study, we also report for the first time the detection of tetrodotoxin (TTX) in three species (the cnidaria Calliactis parasitica, an unidentified species, and the bivalve Tellina donacina). The prevalence was medium for GYM D and 16-desmethyl GYM D and low for TTXs overall. The concentrations recorded were variable, with maximum values of GYM D in the bivalve Cerastoderma edule (8.8 μg GYM A equivalents kg−1), of 16-desmethyl GYM D in the bivalve Magellana gigas (10 μg GYM A equivalents kg−1) and of TTX and 5,6,11 trideoxy TTX in the cnidaria C. parasitica (49.7 and 233 μg TTX equivalents kg−1, respectively). There is very scarce information about these compounds. Therefore, the reporting of these new detections will increase the knowledge on the current incidence of marine toxins in Europe that the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), in particular, and the scientific community, in general, have. This study also highlights the importance of analyzing toxin analogues and metabolites for effective monitoring programs and adequate health protection.
Marine Polyether Phycotoxin Palytoxin Induces Apoptotic Cell Death via Mcl-1 and Bcl-2 Downregulation
Authors: Kim Jaemyun , Ji Seungwon , Lee Jin-Young , Lorquin Jean , Orlikova-Boyer Barbora , Cerella Claudia , Mazumder Aloran , Muller Florian , Dicato Mario , Detournay Olivier , Diederich Marc
Published: April 2023

Palytoxin is considered one of the most potent biotoxins. As palytoxin-induced cancer cell death mechanisms remain to be elucidated, we investigated this effect on various leukemia and solid tumor cell lines at low picomolar concentrations. As palytoxin did not affect the viability of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from healthy donors and did not create systemic toxicity in zebrafish, we confirmed excellent differential toxicity. Cell death was characterized by a multi-parametric approach involving the detection of nuclear condensation and caspase activation assays. zVAD-sensitive apoptotic cell death was concomitant with a dose-dependent downregulation of antiapoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins Mcl-1 and Bcl-xL. Proteasome inhibitor MG-132 prevented the proteolysis of Mcl-1, whereas the three major proteasomal enzymatic activities were upregulated by palytoxin. Palytoxin-induced dephosphorylation of Bcl-2 further exacerbated the proapoptotic effect of Mcl-1 and Bcl-xL degradation in a range of leukemia cell lines. As okadaic acid rescued cell death triggered by palytoxin, protein phosphatase (PP)2A was involved in Bcl-2 dephosphorylation and induction of apoptosis by palytoxin. At a translational level, palytoxin abrogated the colony formation capacity of leukemia cell types. Moreover, palytoxin abrogated tumor formation in a zebrafish xenograft assay at concentrations between 10 and 30 pM. Altogether, we provide evidence of the role of palytoxin as a very potent and promising anti-leukemic agent, acting at low picomolar concentrations in cellulo and in vivo.
Characterization and Association of Rips Repertoire to Host Range of Novel Ralstonia solanacearum Strains by In Silico Approaches
Authors: Ariute Juan Carlos , Felice Andrei Giachetto , Soares Siomar , da Gama Marco Aurélio Siqueira , de Souza Elineide Barbosa , Azevedo Vasco , Brenig Bertram , Aburjaile Flávia , Benko-Iseppon Ana Maria
Published: April 2023

Ralstonia solanacearum species complex (RSSC) cause several phytobacteriosis in many economically important crops around the globe, especially in the tropics. In Brazil, phylotypes I and II cause bacterial wilt (BW) and are indistinguishable by classical microbiological and phytopathological methods, while Moko disease is caused only by phylotype II strains. Type III effectors of RSSC (Rips) are key molecular actors regarding pathogenesis and are associated with specificity to some hosts. In this study, we sequenced and characterized 14 newly RSSC isolates from Brazil’s Northern and Northeastern regions, including BW and Moko ecotypes. Virulence and resistance sequences were annotated, and the Rips repertoire was predicted. Confirming previous studies, RSSC pangenome is open as α≅0.77. Genomic information regarding these isolates matches those for R. solanacearum in NCBI. All of them fit in phylotype II with a similarity above 96%, with five isolates in phylotype IIB and nine in phylotype IIA. Almost all R. solanacearum genomes in NCBI are actually from other species in RSSC. Rips repertoire of Moko IIB was more homogeneous, except for isolate B4, which presented ten non-shared Rips. Rips repertoire of phylotype IIA was more diverse in both Moko and BW, with 43 common shared Rips among all 14 isolates. New BW isolates shared more Rips with Moko IIA and Moko IIB than with other public BW genome isolates from Brazil. Rips not shared with other isolates might contribute to individual virulence, but commonly shared Rips are good avirulence candidates. The high number of Rips shared by new Moko and BW isolates suggests they are actually Moko isolates infecting solanaceous hosts. Finally, infection assays and Rips expression on different hosts are needed to better elucidate the association between Rips repertoire and host specificities.
Sensing and Processing for Infrared Vision: Methods and Applications
Authors: Moradi Saed
Published: April 2023

Dear readers and fellow researchers, [...]
Laser-Visible Face Image Translation and Recognition Based on CycleGAN and Spectral Normalization
Authors: Qin Mingyu , Fan Youchen , Guo Huichao , Zhang Laixian
Published: April 2023

The range-gated laser imaging instrument can capture face images in a dark environment, which provides a new idea for long-distance face recognition at night. However, the laser image has low contrast, low SNR and no color information, which affects observation and recognition. Therefore, it becomes important to convert laser images into visible images and then identify them. For image translation, we propose a laser-visible face image translation model combined with spectral normalization (SN-CycleGAN). We add spectral normalization layers to the discriminator to solve the problem of low image translation quality caused by the difficulty of training the generative adversarial network. The content reconstruction loss function based on the Y channel is added to reduce the error mapping. The face generated by the improved model on the self-built laser-visible face image dataset has better visual quality, which reduces the error mapping and basically retains the structural features of the target compared with other models. The FID value of evaluation index is 36.845, which is 16.902, 13.781, 10.056, 57.722, 62.598 and 0.761 lower than the CycleGAN, Pix2Pix, UNIT, UGATIT, StarGAN and DCLGAN models, respectively. For the face recognition of translated images, we propose a laser-visible face recognition model based on feature retention. The shallow feature maps with identity information are directly connected to the decoder to solve the problem of identity information loss in network transmission. The domain loss function based on triplet loss is added to constrain the style between domains. We use pre-trained FaceNet to recognize generated visible face images and obtain the recognition accuracy of Rank-1. The recognition accuracy of the images generated by the improved model reaches 76.9%, which is greatly improved compared with the above models and 19.2% higher than that of laser face recognition.
General Purpose Transistor Characterized as Dosimetry Sensor of Proton Beams
Authors: Moreno-Pérez J. A. , Ruiz-García I. , Martín-Holgado P. , Romero-Maestre A. , Anguiano M. , Vila R. , Carvajal M. A.
Published: April 2023

A commercial pMOS transistor (MOSFET), 3N163 from Vishay (USA), has been characterized as a low-energy proton beam dosimeter. The top of the samples’ housing has been removed to guarantee that protons reached the sensitive area, that is, the silicon die. Irradiations took place at the National Accelerator Centre (Seville, Spain). During irradiations, the transistors were biased to improve the sensitivity, and the silicon temperature was monitored activating the parasitic diode of the MOSFET. Bias voltages of 0, 1, 5, and 10 V were applied to four sets of three transistors, obtaining an averaged sensitivity that was linearly dependent on this voltage. In addition, the short-fading effect was studied, and the uncertainty of this effect was obtained. The bias voltage that provided an acceptable sensitivity, (11.4 ± 0.9) mV/Gy, minimizing the uncertainty due to the fading effect (−0.09 ± 0.11) Gy was 1 V for a total absorbed dose of 40 Gy. Therefore, this off-the-shelf electronic device presents promising characteristics as a dosimeter sensor for proton beams.
A Super-Efficient GSM Triplexer for 5G-Enabled IoT in Sustainable Smart Grid Edge Computing and the Metaverse
Authors: Jamshidi Mohammad (Behdad) , Yahya Salah I. , Nouri Leila , Hashemi-Dezaki Hamed , Rezaei Abbas , Chaudhary Muhammad Akmal
Published: April 2023

Global concerns regarding environmental preservation and energy sustainability have emerged due to the various impacts of constantly increasing energy demands and climate changes. With advancements in smart grid, edge computing, and Metaverse-based technologies, it has become apparent that conventional private power networks are insufficient to meet the demanding requirements of industrial applications. The unique capabilities of 5G, such as numerous connections, high reliability, low latency, and large bandwidth, make it an excellent choice for smart grid services. The 5G network industry will heavily rely on the Internet of Things (IoT) to progress, which will act as a catalyst for the development of the future smart grid. This comprehensive platform will not only include communication infrastructure for smart grid edge computing, but also Metaverse platforms. Therefore, optimizing the IoT is crucial to achieve a sustainable edge computing network. This paper presents the design, fabrication, and evaluation of a super-efficient GSM triplexer for 5G-enabled IoT in sustainable smart grid edge computing and the Metaverse. This component is intended to operate at 0.815/1.58/2.65 GHz for 5G applications. The physical layout of our triplexer is new, and it is presented for the first time in this work. The overall size of our triplexer is only 0.007 λg2, which is the smallest compared to the previous works. The proposed triplexer has very low insertion losses of 0.12 dB, 0.09 dB, and 0.42 dB at the first, second, and third channels, respectively. We achieved the minimum insertion losses compared to previous triplexers. Additionally, the common port return losses (RLs) were better than 26 dB at all channels.
A System Dynamics Model for Assessing Land-Use Transport Interaction Scenarios in Chennai, India
Authors: Priyadarisini K Devi , Umadevi G.
Published: April 2023

Purpose—rapid urbanization is dangerous to the development of society as it hinders development and makes urban living more difficult. This research aims to develop a system dynamics model for land use assessment at transport interactions in Chennai. Design/methodology/approach—the parameters of urbanization can be simulated using a system dynamics model. In this paper, the unchecked urbanization of Southern Chennai is considered as a case study; various parameters, such as population, land use, trip rate, Volume/Capacity (V/C), and Demand/Supply (D/S), are simulated for three different years: 2011, 2021, and 2031. Three scenarios are simulated: the Do-Min scenario (existing trend), partial scenario (some models are implemented), and the desirable scenario (all the proposed models are implemented). Findings—the simulation is performed using the Stella simulation tool. The results show that the proposed desirable model is highly effective in controlling both the population and other parameters. Originality/value—this study has been performed in the Indian city of Chennai, where such studies are rare. This study could help to analyze the traffic situation and make improvements to ease the urbanization issues. This research could also help to analyze the future traffic situation and make improvements to ease urbanization-related issues. Moreover, when the desirable scenario is followed in real-time, it could solve future problems that may arise from traffic congestion in Chennai.
On the results of the development of labor relations in the Russian Federation in the new economic and political realities
Authors:   Research and Monitoring Center «Labor Conflicts», Saint Petersburg Humanitarian University of Trade Unions, Dovganenko Aleksandr Anatolievich
Published: April 2023

The article is based on the materials of the analytical bulletin of the Center for Monitoring and Analysis of Social and Labor Conflicts, St. Petersburg Humanitarian University of Trade Unions. In the coming 2023, the social and labor situation in the Russian Federation and the conflict potential in the labor sphere continue to be formed under the influence of unstable global and domestic economic conditions. The article presents statistical data on social and labor conflicts. Based on the analysis of political and socio-economic changes taking place in the country and in the world, the author makes a forecast of further changes in social and labor relations.
Probiotic feed additive in the diets of young chickens of egg productivity
Authors:   Federal State Budgetary Scientifi c Institution “All-Russian Research Veterinary Institute of Pathology, Pharmacology and Therapy”, Russia, Voronezh, Denisenko L. I. , Kotarev V. I. ,   Federal State Budgetary Scientifi c Institution “All-Russian Research Veterinary Institute of Pathology, Pharmacology and Therapy”, Russia, Voronezh
Published: April 2023

From the perspective of modern ideas about the complete balanced feeding of poultry, it is necessary to use biologically active additives to maximize the realization of the genetic potential of poultry. The purpose of the research was to study the eff ect of the probiotic feed additive “Profort” in the diets of young chickens of the egg cross Czech Dominant on egg productivity and the quality of the resulting egg. The control group of chickens received the main diet, in the experimental group of poultry together with the main diet the feed additive “Profort” was used (LLC Biotrof, St. Petersburg) at a dose of 0,5 kg/t of compound feed. The compound feeds used for feeding in the experimental and control groups were developed at the Belgorod Vitamin Enterprise LLC “Biorhythm” corresponded to the norms and needs of the farmed poultry in the studied periods. The growth of young poultry of the cross Czech Dominant when the feed additive “Profort” was introduced into the diets for the period of experiment (0–116 days) was as follows: the live weight in the experimental group was by 12,8 % higher, the average daily gain was by 13,4 % % higher, compare with the control group. The absolute gain in live weight during the experiment in the experimental group was 1223,8 g, in the control group 1080 g, with a diff erence of 13,3 %. The livability of poultry in the experimental group was 97,0 %, and in the control group it was 95,0 %, the diff erence was 2,0 abs.%. In order to increase the complete feeding of poultry of modern egg crosses, increase its productivity and improve the quality of final products, in the process of rearing of young chickens of the egg productivity, we recommend using the feed additive “Profort”, feeding it by introducing into the composition of the compound feed at the dose of 0,5 kg/t.
The application of activated pine nut shell in quail feeding
Authors:   Siberian Research Institute of Animal Husbandry of Siberian Federal Scientifi c Center of Agrobiotechnologies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk region, Krasnoobsk, Solovyov K. A. , Potapov I. Yu. ,   Siberian Research Institute of Animal Husbandry of Siberian Federal Scientifi c Center of Agrobiotechnologies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk region, Krasnoobsk
Published: April 2023

The purpose of the research was to experimentally substantiate the effectiveness of using a new feed additive – activated pine nut shell in quail feeding. The effect of pine nut shell feeding activated and non-activated on the growth rate of quail chickens, meat productivity indicators and blood biochemical parameters has been studied in a comparative aspect. An experiment lasting 74 days was carried out according to the generally accepted method on Japanese quails formed at the daily age in three similar groups (control and two experimental) of 40 heads in each. All groups received compound feed prepared taking into account the age and physiological characteristics of quails. In addition to the main diet, pine nut shell of diff erent treatments was introduced into the diets of young animals of the 1st and 2nd experimental groups in a dosage of 0,04 g/kg of live weight. Crushed pine nut shell was introduced into the diet of the 1st experimental group of quails, and the shell activated at the experimental installation of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences was introduced into the diet of the 2nd experimental group of quails. The quails were housed in a cage battery under the required microclimate conditions. The results of the control slaughter of poultry showed that the weight of the gutted carcass of quails of the 1st and 2nd experimental groups was more than in the control group by 23,97 and 23,6 % (p < 0,05), the slaughter yield was higher by 11,6 and 6,8 %. Preparations containing activated pine nut shell had an impact on the growth and vital trats of quails. The best effect was provided by preparations with activated pine nut shell.
The Slavery of Mystical Creature on The Golem and The Jinni
Authors:   Department of Management, Universitas Komputer Indonesia, Indonesia, Susilawati E
Published: April 2023

The Golem is an artificial creature that made from clay and water with incantations and spells by a man (rabbi), It made to serve its creator. It well known as a creature of Jewish Mythology. The object of this research is The Golem, Chava on the novel with tittle “The Golem and The Jinni” by Helene Wecker. In this novel the character of Golem described as a good creature and has intimate relationship with the Jinni. Actually it is different as the others stories of Golem that always described as an evil creature who can destroy or kill the creator. The purpose of this research is to describe narratively the slavery of mystical creature, especially Golem and how Golem can survive and get along with human. Chava hardly refuse the orders from her master to kill human and do bad things even she was threaten got killed by her master. Due to this research found there was a friction role of Golem, in the past it is made to protect the master or the group from the harm thing or enemy while in this novel it is made to be a wife and she had a feeling and look as well as human. She could make a relationship with both human and the other creature such as Jinni. This research hopefully can be used as a source of cultural studies and narrative approach.
ПРАВОВЕ РЕГУЛЮВАННЯ ВИРОБНИЦТВА ОРГАНІЧНОЇ ПРОДУКЦІЇ РОСЛИННИЦТВА В УКРАЇНІ ТА ГРУЗІЇ
Authors: Псутурі Б.
Published: April 2023

У статті з’ясовано пріоритетні напрямком розвитку аграрного сектору економіки як Грузії так і України. Проведено порівняльно-правовий аналіз законодавства в частині регулювання виробництва органічної продукції рослинництва в Україні та Грузії. Запропоновано рекомендації щодо імплементації норм з грузинського законодавства у вітчизняне з метою вдосконалення останнього.
СУДОВА СИСТЕМА В ДЕРЖАВІ, ЗАСНОВАНА НА ВЕРХОВЕНСТВІ ПРАВА: МІЖНАРОДНО-ПРАВОВІ КРИТЕРІЇ
Authors: Копча В. , Копча Н.
Published: April 2023

У статті досліджено міжнародно-правові документи, які визначають вимоги до організації судової влади та статусу суддів у державах, які засновані на верховенстві права. Особливу увагу звернуто на аналіз документів Ради Європи, які є актами «м'якого права». Зроблено висновки, що незалежна судова система є ключовим механізмом, що гарантує демократію і верховенство права.

Міжнародно-правові критерії організації судової влади і статусу суддів зосереджені на забезпеченні незалежності здійснення правосуддя. Їхнє значення полягає в обмеженні дискреції національних публічних властей у цій сфері, що надає можливість реального забезпечення принципу поділу влади.
When nude becomes naked, et inversement
Authors: Baudry Patrick
Published: April 2023

Le statut de la nudité renvoie à la construction du regard et aux jeux des échanges qui organisent l’image du corps. La pornographie constitue l’illusion efficace d’une présentation immédiate d’une corporéité tout entière sexuelle. Mais l’érotisation demeure comme condition essentielle d’un montage : celui du désir qui joue de la réversibilité des sens de la nudité érotique et pornographique.
L’éro-guro chez Edogawa Rampo
Authors: Morita Naoko
Published: April 2023

«L ’ égo-guro in Edogawa Rampo »

This paper deals with the notion of «ero-guro » by analysing some short stories written by Edogawa Rampo (1894-1965), pioneer of the detective novel in Japan. The terme ero-guro (erotism and grotesque) is one of the key words for understanding the Japanese culture in the 1920’s. Pornography in prints survived still as a tradition, but the influence of European and American culture made the things more varied and complex. Certain social events helped trigger a new tendency of erotism : the economic depression and the increase of the workless created a mood of decadence and ennui ; and the anonymity of modem life provoked the desire of peeping and the great interest in psychology. Edogawa introduced into his work an erotism at the limit between perversity and crime. He described how uncontrollable the imagination could be, and how it coud invade, is slowly, the ordinary life of the popular class at this age.
La poupée : un objet/sujet si troublant...
Authors: Lachaud Jean-Marc
Published: April 2023

De nombreux artistes mettent en scène ce personnage. Mais, que représentent-ils : leurs propres fantasmes, les aventures d’une figure soumise et libre, les angoisses et désirs refoulés de la société de leur temps ?
De Hester Prynne à Miss Corn Flakes, la société pornographique et la tyrannie de la lettre
Authors: Rougé Bertrand
Published: April 2023

Partant de l’idée que seule une représentation peut être pornographique, il s’agit de suggérer que le pornographique entretient un rapport privilégié avec la lettre, avec la prostitution comme exhibition aliénante d’un corps littéral, et qu’il est d’essence sociale. Suivent les analyses comparées des œuvres de Nathaniel Hawthorne et de Mel Ramos, où apparaît une critique dévastatrice de la permanence insidieuse d’un pornographique social aliénant. Où se profile également une certaine méthode ironique pour dénoncer et échapper à la tyrannie de la lettre. . .
Nobuyoshi Araki photographe de l’Extrême Orient. Témoignage complexe d’une mutation
Authors: Lahuerta Claire
Published: April 2023

«Nobuyoshi Araki photographer from Far-East. Complex testimony of a mutation »

The japanese photographer Nobuyoshi Araki invites the spectator to reconsider his attitude about pornographic sex. He leans on the floating world context, and joins in a priori immaterial negative art and obscenity. Exploiting a pornographic vocabulary, Araki’ s art solicits the spectator’s obscene part, inducing him intuitively to modify his thought system to admit that art and pornography can blend. The pornographic reality, subservient to a phenomenom of transfiguration, turns into a complex meta-pornography coming at a paroxysm of the artistic dimension.
L’entre-deux érotique
Authors: Arrouye Jean
Published: April 2023

«The Betweeness of Eroticism »

Erotic photography relies simultaneously on photographic poetics and figurative rhetoric, representation of a present state of the body and imagination of a forthcoming different situation, display of the whole body and exhibition of part of it, pointed out and implied figuration, enticement by a close image of the body and frustration because of unreachable one. It rests on preserved lucidity and consented illusion.
Figures de la sexualité dans l’art des années quatre-vingt dix
Authors: Ardenne Paul
Published: April 2023

L’une consigne les vues de visages d’hommes au moment de la jouissance sexuelle (Aura Rosenberg). Accompagnés par celle-là (Nan Goldin), ceux-ci tiennent la chronique de l’intimité érotique, mimée ou non (Araki Nobuyoshi, Larry Clark). L’un décharge sur des portraits de top models (Philippe Meste). L’autre préfère l’esthétisation glacée (Andres Serrano). Celui-là parodie les Blue movies sur un mode aussi douteux qu’euphorique (Richard Kern). Cet autre dessine des moustaches aux femmes mais rien à voir avec Mona Lisa retouchée par Duchamp (Chuck Nanney). Certains donnent dans le sulfureux, ont sans doute beaucoup lu Bataille (Gilles Berquet), d’autres préfèrent le style Tom of Finland (Éric Raspaut), d’autres encore, en nombre, célèbrent le queer, le mélange des genders. Il arrive même qu’il ne soit question que de sexe, et de sexe politique, mais sans que celui-ci soit montré (Felix Gonzalez-Torres). Etc., etc. Du sexe dans l’art vivant, -oui, il y en a, et plus que jamais sans doute, convoqué pour servir de béquille à toute thèse. Temps des sexualités protéiformes de l’art, propre à l’époque des tribus culturelles et du «divers » qualifiant dorénavant l’esthétique contemporaine.
Le désir à l’œuvre. Quelques figures de l’érotisme dans l’opéra : Carmen, Salomé, Lady Macbeth de Mzensk
Authors: Auzolle Cécile
Published: April 2023

«Desire on work. A few erotic characters within the opera. Carmen, Salomé, Lady Macbeth of Mzensk »

The opera is one of the most prominent place where desire can be expressed. At the end of the nineteenth century, how did eroticism - appearing suddenly on the lyrical stage - manage to bring a new dimension to make the public realise that it was, from now, impossible for him to make his phantasms come true ? Analysing three operas written and created between 1875-1934, we will focus on the links created by eroticism between feast, trangression, violence and death, when these four topics are seen and felt from a distance thanks to theatrical criterias and sublimated by the highly erotic power of the human voice.