bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Restoration of cardiac metabolic flexibility by acetate in high-fat diet-induced obesity is independent of ANP/BNP modulation
Authors: Olaniyi K.S. , Atuma C.L. , Sabinari I.W. , Hadiza M. , Saidi A.O. , Akintayo C.O. , Ajadi I.O. , Olatunji L.A.
Published: April 2022

The present study hypothesized that cardiac metabolic inflexibility is dependent on cardiac atrial natriuretic peptide/brain natriuretic peptide (ANP/BNP) alteration and histone deacetylase (HDAC) activity. We further sought to investigate the therapeutic potential of short-chain amino acid (SCFA) acetate in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese rat model. Adult male Wistar rats were assigned into groups ( n = 6 per group): Control, Obese, and Sodium acetate (NaAc)-treated and Obese + NaAc-treated groups received distilled water once daily (oral gavage), 40% HFD ad libitum, 200 mg/kg NaAc once daily (oral gavage), and 40% HFD + NaAc, respectively. The treatments lasted for 12 weeks. HFD resulted in increased food intake, body weight, and cardiac mass. It also caused insulin resistance and enhanced β-cell function, increased fasting insulin, lactate, plasma and cardiac triglyceride, total cholesterol, lipid peroxidation, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, HDAC, and cardiac troponin T and γ-glutamyl transferase, and decreased plasma and cardiac glutathione with unaltered cardiac ANP and BNP. However, these alterations were averted when treated with acetate. Taken together, these results indicate that obesity induces defective cardiac metabolic flexibility, which is accompanied by an elevated level of HDAC and not ANP/BNP alteration. The results also suggest that acetate ameliorates obesity-induced cardiac metabolic inflexibility by suppression of HDAC and independent of ANP/BNP modulation.
Particle detection and tracking with DNA
Authors: O’Hare Ciaran A. J. , Matsos Vassili G. , Newton Joseph , Smith Karl , Hochstetter Joel , Jaiswar Ravi , Kyaw Wunna , McNamara Aimee , Kuncic Zdenka , Grellscheid Sushma Nagaraja , Bœhm Céline
Published: April 2022

We present the first proof-of-concept simulations of detectors using biomaterials to detect particle interactions. The essential idea behind a “DNA detector” involves the attachment of a forest of precisely-sequenced single or double-stranded nucleic acids from a thin holding layer made of a high-density material. Incoming particles break a series of strands along a roughly co-linear chain of interaction sites and the severed segments then fall to a collection area. Since the sequences of base pairs in nucleic acid molecules can be precisely amplified and measured using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), the original spatial position of each broken strand inside the detector can be reconstructed with nm precision. Motivated by the potential use as a low-energy directional particle tracker, we perform the first Monte Carlo simulations of particle interactions inside a DNA detector. We compare the track topology as a function of incoming direction, energy, and particle type for a range of ionising particles. While particle identification and energy reconstruction might be challenging without a significant scale-up, the excellent potential angular and spatial resolution ($$\lesssim 25^\circ $$

≲

25
∘

axial resolution for keV-scale particles and nm-scale track segments) are clear advantages of this concept. We conclude that a DNA detector could be a cost-effective, portable, and powerful new particle detection technology. We outline the outstanding experimental challenges, and suggest directions for future laboratory tests.
Mathematical Modeling of Buck Converter with Relay Feedback
Authors: Ramaprabha R. , Ethirajan Anjana
Published: April 2022

This paper proposes the idea of mathematical modeling of the buck converter. The modified approach is achieved through the relay feedback (RF) method and the changes are introduced on the converter output with a soft start. Mathematical modeling of the buck converter is achieved by the state-space model (SSM) and converter’s transfer function (TF) to attain stability. By iteration, the proportional-integral (PI) parameters are tuned by a controller that is incorporated in the RF. The output voltage changes are introduced by maintaining the relay-tuned PI control. The concept requires small tuning times which is obtained at a reduced cost. The effectiveness of buck converter using RF is validated in simulation and hardware.
Review of gravitational wave solutions in quadratic metric-affine gauge gravity
Authors: Jiménez-Cano Alejandro
Published: April 2022

In this paper, we consider the quadratic Metric-Affine Gauge gravity Lagrangian, which contains all the algebraic invariants up to quadratic order in torsion, nonmetricity and curvature. The goal is to collect the known exact solutions for this theory that describe the propagation of a gravitational wave and some useful properties. We concentrate on solutions whose connections are different from the Levi-Civita one and provide also the extension of already known axial torsion solutions to more general Lagrangians. In the end, we will briefly discuss colliding waves and Riemannian solutions.
A new class of uncertainty principles for the Gabor transform
Authors: Mejjaoli Hatem , Shah Firdous A.
Published: April 2022

The aim of this paper is to formulate a new class of uncertainty principles for the classical Gabor transform in [Formula: see text]. To begin with, we formulate a couple of concentration-based uncertainty principles, including the Benedick–Amrein–Berthier and the local-type uncertainty inequalities for the Gabor transform. Second, we derive several unique weighted uncertainty inequalities, such as the Pitt’s and Beckner’s inequalities for the Gabor transforms on [Formula: see text]. Besides, the logarithmic Sobolev-type principles for the Gabor transforms are established at the end.
Routing Games in the Wild: Efficiency, Equilibration, Regret, and a Price of Anarchy Bound via Long Division
Authors: Monnot Barnabé , Benita Francisco , Piliouras Georgios
Published: April 2022

Routing games are amongst the most well studied domains of game theory. How relevant are these pen-and-paper calculations to understanding the reality of everyday traffic routing? We focus on a semantically rich dataset that captures detailed information about the daily behavior of thousands of Singaporean commuters and examine the following basic questions:

-

Does the traffic stabilize?

-

Is the system behavior consistent with latency-minimizing agents?

-

Is the resulting system efficient?

In order to capture the efficiency of the traffic network in a way that agrees with our everyday intuition we introduce a new metric, the
Free-flow Index (FFI)
, which reflects the inefficiency resulting from system congestion. Along the way, we provide the first model-free computation of an upper bound to the price of anarchy utilizing only real world measurements of traffic data.
OpenVSLAM
Authors: Sumikura Shinya , Shibuya Mikiya , Sakurada Ken
Published: April 2022

Visual simultaneous localization and mapping (VSLAM) systems are essential for augmented reality devices, autonomous control of robots and drones, etc. However, conventional open-source visual SLAM frameworks are not designed to be called as libraries from third-party programs. To overcome this situation, we have developed OpenVSLAM [1-3], a novel visual SLAM framework, and released it as open-source software under the 2-clause BSD license.

OpenVSLAM was presented and won first place in ACM Multimedia 2019 Open Source Software Competition.

In this article, we show examples of using OpenVSLAM and hope that this encourages and enables further use of OpenVSLAM in research and development.
Development of Tissue-Agnostic Treatments for Patients with Cancer
Authors: Lemery Steven , Fashoyin-Aje Lola , Marcus Leigh , Casak Sandra , Schneider Julie , Theoret Marc , Kluetz Paul , Pazdur Richard , Beaver Julia A.
Published: April 2022

In 2017 the FDA (US Food and Drug Administration) approved pembrolizumab, a programmed death 1 (PD-1) inhibitor, for the treatment of unresectable or metastatic, microsatellite instability–high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair–deficient (dMMR) solid tumors, regardless of tumor site or histology. This represented the first approval based on the identification of a biomarker and independent of tumor site. Although this approach may intuitively appear rational, tissue-agnostic drug development can be complicated by tumor-specific resistance mechanisms or other factors that can alter a drug's effect. Inherent with the tissue-agnostic approach is the fact that there may be residual uncertainty concerning a drug's effect in unstudied tumor types (e.g., at the time of approval). However, this approach may be the only available mechanism to support approval and provide access to a drug that is indicated for the treatment of patients with certain rare biomarker-positive cancers.
The Plant Anaphase-Promoting Complex/Cyclosome
Authors: Willems Alex , De Veylder Lieven
Published: April 2022

The anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C) represents a large multisubunit E3-ubiquitin ligase complex that controls the unidirectional progression through the cell cycle by the ubiquitination of specific target proteins, marking them for proteasomal destruction. Although the APC/C's role is largely conserved among eukaryotes, its subunit composition and target spectrum appear to be species specific. In this review, we focus on the plant APC/C complex, whose activity correlates with different developmental processes, including polyploidization and gametogenesis. After an introduction into proteolytic control by ubiquitination, we discuss the composition of the plant APC/C and the essential nature of its core subunits for plant development. Subsequently, we describe the APC/C activator subunits and interactors, most being plant specific. Finally, we provide a comprehensive list of confirmed and suspected plant APC/C target proteins. Identification of growth-related targets might offer opportunities to increase crop yield and resilience of plants to climate change by manipulating APC/C activity.
Design Insights into Thermal Performance of Vertically Stacked JL-NSFET with High-k Gate Dielectric for Sub 5-nm Technology Node
Authors: Valasa Sresta , Tayal Shubham , Thoutam Laxman Raju
Published: April 2022

This paper demonstrates the impact of temperature variation on vertically stacked junctionless nanosheet field effect transistor (JL-NSFET) concerning analog/RF performances using different gate lengths (Lg) along with high-k gate dielectrics. A comprehensive analysis of analog/RF performances like Transconductance (gm), Gate capacitance (Cgg), Gate to drain capacitance (Cgd), Output conductance (gds), Intrinsic gain (Av), Maximum oscillation frequency (fMAX), Gain Frequency Product (GFP), Cutoff frequency (fT) is carried out for the temperature range 77 K to 400 K. It is noticed that with the decrease in temperature from 400 K to 77 K, there is an improvement in AV, GFP, fT, and fMAX by an amount of ∼7.43%, ∼78.4%, ∼78.38%, ∼50.9% respectively. It is also found AV gets degraded with the downscaling of Lg from 16 nm to 8 nm. However, the same resulted in the improvement of RF performance. From detailed analysis, it is further observed that the usage of high-k gate dielectrics (k = 22) in JL-NSFET devices is not suitable due to the depreciation of analog/RF FOMs. Moreover interestingly, it is also noticed that the improvement in analog/RF performance (ΔFoM=FoM(T=400) − FoM(T=100)) resulted from lowering the temperature can further be improved by downscaling of Lg and by using low-k gate dielectric.
Fabrication of heterogeneous CuO/ZnO nanocomposite immobilized Cu and Ni tubular films through pulse electrodeposition having enhanced photocatalytic and antibacterial performance
Authors: Biswal Hrudaya , Gupta Ankur
Published: April 2022

In this work, we report the fabrication of Ni and Cu tubular substrates and the synthesis of ZnO/CuO nanocomposite on them through the economical process of pulse electrodeposition. The systematic variation of CuO incorporation in the ZnO matrix and the processing technique has been seen to affect the structural, optical, photocatalytic, and antibacterial properties which are well in accordance with the Field Emission-Scanning Electron Microscope, X-Ray Diffraction, Fourier transform Infrared Spectroscopy and UV-Differential reflectance spectroscopy results. The remediation capabilities of the photocatalytic substrates were assessed through the degradation of Methylene blue (MB) dye under solar irradiation. Optimized CuO incorporation within the ZnO nanorods resulted in the degradation of 20 ppm of MB dye within 40 minutes and a higher concentration of 50 ppm within 95 mins. The Ni and Cu electroformed tubes not only provide a reusable supporting frame but also a large surface area for the growth of CuO/ZnO nanocomposite. The present study also deals with the anti-bacterial efficacy of the above-mentioned substrates against E.coli. Hence, the Ni and Cu tubular thin lm substrates with nanorods of ZnO/CuO composite have been explored for the removal of organic as well as biological contaminants from wastewater.
Research Proposal on REMOVAL OF PHENOLIC COMPOUNDS FROM OIL REFINERY WASTEWATER BY MUTATED BACTERIA, GORDONIA SPUTI
Authors: Sakib S M Nazmuz
Published: April 2022

Water is the need of abiding living beings. Just modest quantity of water is accessible for eating reason and in this limited quantity an assortment of the water is go through in considerations as contaminated. As the human games exercises are fostering every day so a report outfitted with the asset of the utilization of UNO, steady with this situation dramatic expansion in overall populace is setting weight on the restricted gleaming water property as they're diminishing . In this 21st century, because of urbanization and industrialization water our bodies have become contaminated. Likewise with the expansion in industrialization our earth is uniquely dirtied and, in this contamination, most extreme imperative trademark is finished with the asset of the use of fragrant poisons. Wastewater coming from enterprises or metropolitan authority incorporate dirtied substances that might cause horrendous outcomes. Drinking wastewater can case various Gastrointestinal track issues. Wastewater inconvenience up push up as a stop outcome simultaneously as untreated water is release into the water our bodies through agrarian, city, and modern games exercises . Untreated wastewater now not excellent reason horrible human outcomes but rather it might besides harms the climate and oceanic life . Untreated wastewater grade by grade impacts the science of water and soil.
Thermal Analysis of Axial-Flux Permanent Magnet Motors for Vehicles Based on Fast Two-Way Magneto-Thermal Coupling
Authors: Zhang Xiaoting , Zhang Bingyi , Chen Xin , Zhong Simeng
Published: April 2022

Axial-flux permanent magnet motor (AFPMM) have small size and high power density. It has a good application prospect in the field of new energy vehicle driving. In this paper, based on a 56 kW AFPMM, the magnetic circuit characteristics are calculated by the split loop method, considering the influence of pulse width modulated (PWM) power supply. The loss is taken as the heat source, combined with the motor structure characteristics and cooling conditions, the lumped-parameter thermal network model of the motor is established to solve the steady-state and transient temperature distribution of each structure. By this way, fast and accurate thermal calculation of the motor is realized in design stage. The accuracy of the lumped-parameter thermal network model is verified by experiment. At the same time, the effects of spliting the permanent magnet (PM) into pieces, flow rate of cooling water, and loss distribution on temperature rise are analyzed. This research work provides an effective fast thermal calculation method for AFPMM and provides a reference basis for the design of similar motors. It has important value of theoretical significance and engineering practical.
A Butyrylcholinesterase Camera Biosensor Tested for Carbofuran and Paraoxon Assay
Authors: Pohanka Miroslav , Zakova Jitka
Published: April 2022

Biosensors containing cholinesterase are analytical devices suitable for the assay of neurotoxic compounds. In the research on biosensors, a new platform has appeared some years ago. It is the digital photography and scoring of coloration (photogrammetry). In this paper, a colorimetric biosensor is constructed using 3D-printed multiwell pads treated with indoxylacetate as a chromogenic substrate and gold nanoparticles with the immobilized enzyme butyrylcholinesterase. A smartphone camera served for photogrammetry. The biosensor was tested for the assay of carbofuran and paraoxon ethyl as two types of covalently binding inhibitors: irreversible and pseudoirreversible. The biosensor exerted good sensitivity to the inhibitors and was able to detect carbofuran with a limit of detection for carbofuran 7.7 nmol/l and 17.6 nmol/l for paraoxon ethyl. A sample sized 25 μl was suitable for the assay lasting approximately 70 minutes. Up to 121 samples can be measured contemporary using one multiwell pad. The received data fully correlated with the standard spectrophotometry. The colorimetric biosensor exerts promising specifications and appears to be competitive to the other analytical procedures working on the principle of cholinesterase inhibition. Low-cost, simple, and portable design represent an advantage of the assay of the biosensor. Despite the overall simplicity, the biosensor can fully replace the standard spectroscopic methods.
Network Education Resource Information Sharing System Based on Data Mining
Authors: Yuan Xinlei
Published: April 2022

To enter a new stage of development of education informatization, network education has become a global trend of education training, the development of lifelong education, and resource sharing platform for higher vocational colleges to some extent, with network technology and multimedia technology as the core of the rapid development of modern information technology. The sharing of network education resource sharing system and the application in the whole advancement provide the conditions, it promotes the construction and development of higher vocational education resource system. This study examines the problems that exist in the construction of higher vocational college education resources, such as unreasonable management of education resources, unclear goals of higher vocational colleges, and unclear school-enterprise cooperation, based on the research status and achievements of higher vocational college education resources at home and abroad. On the basis of combing and analyzing the related concepts, theoretical basis, and construction principles of higher vocational education resources, the paper designs the network sharing system of higher vocational education resources in detail from its design objectives, design ideas, user needs, overall framework system, hierarchical structure, and functional modules. The core part is the realization of system function modules, including the resource management function module, system management function module, and user management function module. At present, domestic scholars have carried out a lot of research on the construction of basic education network resources. Although the research focuses on resource allocation, coconstruction and sharing mechanisms, and the current state of building and development methods, it also serves as a guide for the development of basic education network resources. However, most of these research results analyze problems from the qualitative perspective, and most of the research results are speculative research at the macro level, lacking practicality. With the rapid development of network education, the construction of network resource libraries is developing in the direction of intelligence and individuation to meet the different learning needs of learners. Based on the analysis of the problems encountered by learners in using the resource library for learning, this paper puts forward the application of data mining technology (DM) to guide the construction of the resource library and discusses how to improve the organizational structure of the resource library, improve the utilization rate of the resource library, and adapt to personalized learning. At present, the system is still in the system testing and experience stage, through the continuous testing of relevant functional modules, further improves the function of the sharing system, and constantly increases the scalability of the system function, in order to establish a perfect, comprehensive, and nationwide higher vocational education resource network sharing system.
Identifying Key Biomarkers and Immune Infiltration in Female Patients with Ischemic Stroke Based on Weighted Gene Co-Expression Network Analysis
Authors: Xu Haipeng , He Kelin , Hu Rong , Ge YanZhi , Li Xinyun , Ni Fengjia , Que Bei , Chen Yi , Ma Ruijie
Published: April 2022

Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability worldwide. Evidence shows that ischemic stroke (IS) accounts for nearly 80 percent of all strokes and that the etiology, risk factors, and prognosis of this disease differ by gender. Female patients may bear a greater burden than male patients. The immune system may play an important role in the pathophysiology of females with IS. Therefore, it is critical to investigate the key biomarkers and immune infiltration of female IS patients to develop effective treatment methods. Herein, we used weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) to determine the key modules and core genes in female IS patients using the GSE22255, GSE37587, and GSE16561 datasets from the GEO database. Subsequently, we performed functional enrichment analysis and built a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network. Ten genes were selected as the true central genes for further investigation. After that, we explored the specific molecular and biological functions of these hub genes to gain a better understanding of the underlying pathogenesis of female IS patients. Moreover, the “Cell type Identification by Estimating Relative Subsets of RNA Transcripts (CIBERSORT)” was used to examine the distribution pattern of immune subtypes in female patients with IS and normal controls, revealing a new potential target for clinical treatment of the disease.
Effectiveness of Different Algorithms and Cut-off Value in Preeclampsia First Trimester Screening
Authors: Tousty Piotr , Czuba Bartosz , Borowski Dariusz , Fraszczyk-Tousty Magda , Dzidek Sylwia , Kwiatkowska Ewa , Cymbaluk-Płoska Aneta , Torbé Andrzej , Kwiatkowski Sebastian
Published: April 2022

Objectives and methods. The first aim of our study was to assess the detectability of women at risk of developing eo-PE depending on the algorithm used. All 801 patients had an estimated risk of eo-PE based on the Fetal Medicine Foundation algorithm. The patients were divided into four groups based on a risk calculation algorithm: 1) screening based on UtPI, MAP, and PlGF; 2) screening based on UtPI, MAP, PAPP-A, and PlGF; 3) screening based on UtPI, MAP, and PAPP-A; and 4) screening based on UtPI and MAP. The second aim was to explore how these groups changed depending on the cut-off points for the increased risk of eo-PE. We selected patients within groups where the risk of eo-PE was >1 : 150. Among them, the UtPI, MAP, PAPP-A, and PLGF values were compared taking into account the sizes of the groups. Results. For the cut-off point >1 : 150, 86 women at an increased risk of eo-PE using algorithm 1 were identified. Of these 86 patients, 83 (96%) were identified using algorithm 2, 62 (72%) using algorithm 3, and 60 (69%) using algorithm 4. In addition, it was demonstrated that between 21% and 29% of women at a low risk of eo-PE could be given acetylsalicylic acid if a screening test was used that did not account for PlGF. Conclusions. In order to provide the highest level of health care to pregnant women, it is extremely important that full screening for eo-PE should be ensured. The cheapest algorithm based only on MAP and UtPI resulted in our patients being unnecessarily exposed to complications.
Influencing Mechanism of Detonator Location on Blasting Vibration with Electronic Initiation Technology
Authors: Zhou Junru , Zhong Dongwang , Cai Lujun , Wu Liang
Published: April 2022

Vibration velocity amplitude and frequency are the critical factors for assessing the adverse effects of blasting on surrounding structures. In this study, vibration signals were measured from a specially designed field test, in which blast holes were detonated by different initiation modes. Results of the field test indicate that the initiation mode has significant effects on blasting vibration. Then the influencing mechanism was revealed with the help of numerical simulation and theoretical analysis. Numerical simulation results show perfect accordance with filed test results. Five initiation modes to detonate the same explosion source, in descending orders of both velocity amplitude and vibration frequency, are the two initiation points, then the midpoint initiation and top and bottom initiation, followed by the bottom initiation and top initiation. By changing the location or increasing the number of detonators to reduce the length of subsource, the propagation path of detonation waves will be shrunk. Then the rising time of blast loading will be reduced and the rising rate will be accelerated, which lead to an increase in vibration frequency. In the meantime, the release and distribution of explosion energy will be accelerated unavoidably, which leads to an increase of vibration intensity. This study has considerable theoretical meaning and engineering value to guide for blasting construction.
Research on the Mechanism of Influencing Factors of the Urban Road Traffic Operation State
Authors: Wang Tianxiao , Wu Hao , Li Qiang , Ni Shaoquan , Qin Tinghui , Niu Yifan , Cao Di
Published: April 2022

Profound understanding of an interaction mechanism among influencing factors in the perspective of urban road traffic operation is of great significance for scientific and effective urban congestion management. In this paper, 6 indicators are proposed for the road traffic operation in the aspects of average speed of road sections, regional traffic index, and number of traffic incidents. Based on this, 4 major influencing factors and 12 measurable subinfluencing factors are proposed according to urban traffic supply and demand, and the SEM (structural equation model) is established to find out their interaction mechanism. And then, several sets of local traffic data collected in Shenzhen are used for model fitting, validation, and path analysis. The mathematical results show that all 6 indicators affiliated to the road traffic operation have a good explanation when it comes to the change of operation status. Among 4 latent variables in the traffic supply and demand aspect, the service equipment operation level and control equipment operation level can positively influence the road traffic operation status, while the urban traffic demand plays a negative role. Complex interactions among four latent variables are further pointed out. Finally, on the basis of the path coefficient relationship among the influencing factors, scientific suggestions and guidance are provided for urban road management control.
Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Anterior Cervical Decompression versus Segmental Fusion and Posterior Expansive Canal Plasty in the Treatment of Multilevel Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy
Authors: Xia Chen , Shi Fangfang , Chen Chuyong , Lv Jun , Chen Qi
Published: April 2022

Objective. To compare the clinical efficacy and safety of anterior cervical decompression and segmental fusion and posterior expansive canal plasty in the treatment of multisegment cervical myelopathy. Methods. Retrospective analysis was performed of 56 cases of multisegment cervical myelopathy patients admitted from July 2018 to June 2021, 32 male patients and 24 females, aged 56.9 ± 12.8 years with an average duration of 10.6 ± 3.2 years. All patients' preoperative imaging examination revealed multiple-segmented cervical disc herniation and had clinical manifestations of cervical myelopathy. Results. No neurovascular complications occurred in both groups, and 24 to 36 months of follow-up (mean 28.6 months) were obtained. The height of the cervical spondylosis segment was higher than that 2 weeks after surgery (

p
<
0.05

), and the curvature of the cervical spine was significantly lower than that before surgery. There was no statistical significance in the height of the anterior column and curvature of the cervical vertebra at 2 weeks after surgery and at the last follow-up (

p
>
0.05

). There were statistically significant differences in anterior curvature of the cervical spine between the two groups at 2 weeks after surgery and the last follow-up (

p
<
0.05

). Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scores in both groups recovered significantly after surgery. At 3 months and the last follow-up, the improvement rate of JOA score in the anterior approach group was significantly higher than that in the posterior approach group (

p
<
0.05

), and the improvement rate of JOA score in the anterior approach group was also better than that in the posterior approach group (

p
<
0.05

). Conclusion. This segmented anterior fusion procedure can effectively restore the anterior cervical column height and can significantly improve spinal cord function compared with posterior spinal canal enlargement plasty, thus could be considered an effective option for the treatment of multisegment cervical myelopathy.
Characteristics of Generating Carbon Oxides at Low-temperature Oxidation Stages of Low-Rank Coal
Authors: Song Yimeng
Published: April 2022

Coal oxidation leads to coal fires prone to coal geohazard accidents. However, studies on carbon oxide gases being indicator gases in predicting spontaneous combustion of coal remain in the initial stage. To better investigate the stage characteristics of generating carbon oxide gases in the low-temperature oxidation process of coal, this study adopts STA-FTIR to experimentally determine the coal weight variation and exothermic condition and the generation law during the low-temperature oxidation process of coal (30–350°C). And, by employing the DFT method, the study determines the chemical reaction and activation energy generated by carbon oxide gases in coal molecules and ascertains the reaction characteristics at different temperatures. The research results indicate that the low-temperature oxidation phase of coal is divided into four main phases, namely, the physical-chemical adsorption phase, the desorption phase, the dynamic equilibrium phase, and the oxidative adsorption phase, each of which has different characteristics for the production of carbon-oxygen compounds, which is important for the prediction of coal spontaneous combustion and the prevention of coal geological disasters.
Exploring the Mechanism through which Phyllanthus emblica L. Extract Exerts Protective Effects against Acute Gouty Arthritis: A Network Pharmacology Study and Experimental Validation
Authors: Tao Haolin , Zhong Jingbin , Mo Yingshi , Liu Wenbin , Wang Hui
Published: April 2022

Increased uric acid levels and inflammatory reactions are the main factors considered responsible for the development of gouty arthritis. Phyllanthus emblica L. (PEL) has several promising pharmacological properties, including anti-inflammation and antioxidation. However, only a few studies have investigated its use for treating acute gouty arthritis (AGA), and the mechanism of action of PEL has not yet been clarified. The aim of this study was to verify the protective effects of PEL against gout and explore its underlying mechanism through network pharmacology and animal experiments. The main active components of the extract from PEL including mucic acid, mucic acid lactone, gallic acid, ethyl hexyl phthalate, and glucose were identified by UPLC-ESI-qTOF-MS. Network pharmacological analysis results revealed 13 active compounds in PEL and 85 related targets for the treatment of gout. The core mechanism of action of PEL is mainly associated with inflammation-related pathways, including the HIF-1, PI3K-Akt, TNF, and NOD-like receptor signaling pathways. Previous studies revealed that the NOD-like receptor signaling pathway, especially the NLRP3 inflammasome, plays an important role in the pathogenesis of AGA; therefore, we mainly investigated the effect of PEL on the NLRP3/ASC/caspase-1 pathway in gout rats. In the animal experiments, PEL was shown to have a satisfactory antigout effect, as it effectively reduced uric acid (UA) and xanthine oxidase (XOD) levels. In terms of inhibiting AGA-associated inflammatory reactions, our results showed that PEL significantly decreased the expression of NLRP3 and caspase-1 in ankle synoviocytes as well as the levels of downstream inflammatory factors, such as TNF-α, IL-10, and IL-1β in serum. Moreover, the results of our study show that PEL reduced MMP13 expression in the ankle synovium. Overall, the results of this study indicate that PEL exerted a therapeutic effect against AGA. Reducing uric acid levels, inhibiting inflammation, and decreasing the expression of MMP13 may be responsible for the therapeutic effect of PEL, which suggests that PEL can be further developed as a drug for the treatment of gout.
Tumor-Derived Lactic Acid Modulates Activation and Metabolic Status of Draining Lymph Node Stroma
Authors: Riedel Angela , Helal Moutaz , Pedro Luisa , Swietlik Jonathan J. , Shorthouse David , Schmitz Werner , Haas Lisa , Young Timothy , da Costa Ana S.H. , Davidson Sarah , Bhandare Pranjali , Wolf Elmar , Hall Benjamin A. , Frezza Christian , Oskarsson Thordur , Shields Jacqueline D.
Published: April 2022

Communication between tumors and the stroma of tumor-draining lymph nodes (TDLN) exists before metastasis arises, altering the structure and function of the TDLN niche. Transcriptional profiling of fibroblastic reticular cells (FRC), the dominant stromal population of lymph nodes, has revealed that FRCs in TDLNs are reprogrammed. However, the tumor-derived factors driving the changes in FRCs remain to be identified. Taking an unbiased approach, we have shown herein that lactic acid (LA), a metabolite released by cancer cells, was not only secreted by B16.F10 and 4T1 tumors in high amounts, but also that it was enriched in TDLNs. LA supported an upregulation of Podoplanin (Pdpn) and Thy1 and downregulation of IL7 in FRCs of TDLNs, making them akin to activated fibroblasts found at the primary tumor site. Furthermore, we found that tumor-derived LA altered mitochondrial function of FRCs in TDLNs. Thus, our results demonstrate a mechanism by which a tumor-derived metabolite connected with a low pH environment modulates the function of fibroblasts in TDLNs. How lymph node function is perturbed to support cancer metastases remains unclear. The authors show that tumor-derived LA drains to lymph nodes where it modulates the function of lymph node stromal cells, prior to metastatic colonization.
A Questão de Deus em Gabriel Marcel
Authors: Sousa Adriano Soares de
Published: April 2022

O presente trabalho apresenta o pensamento de Gabriel Marcel constitui-se em um contexto de crítica ao cientificismo e o racionalismo moderno, a obra de Marcel projeta, antes de tudo como uma interrogação acerca do peso ontológico da experiência. O artigo procura esclarecer como o autor define Deus através da filosofia, e principalmente baseando-se na sua experiência de vida.
Subfatin concentration decreases in acute coronary syndrome
Authors: Yilmaz Mustafa , Cagri Goktekin Mehmet , Ilhan Nevin
Published: April 2022

We investigated the association of serum subfatin concentration and acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and non-STEMI (NSTEMI).
In this study, patients who presented with chest pain (STEMI, NSTEMI, or non-cardiac chest pain) were included, i.e. 49 patients with non-cardiac chest pain (control) and 66 patients hospitalised with AMI. In the AMI group, 35 patients had NSTEMI and 31 had STEMI. Serum subfatin concentrations were determined via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Descriptive data on the patients and their comorbidities were recorded, and subfatin concentrations were analysed.
Subfatin concentrations were significantly different in the control, STEMI and NSTEMI groups (P = 0.002). In addition, subfatin concentrations were significantly lower in patients in the NSTEMI group than those in the control group (P < 0.001), but there was no significant difference between STEMI and the control group (P = 0.143). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis performed for differentiating the AMI and control groups found that subfatin had 64% sensitivity and 69% specificity, whereas troponin had 59% sensitivity and 95% specificity. In patients with AMI, the ROC analysis for differentiating NSTEMI from STEMI found that subfatin had 94% sensitivity and 41% specificity, while troponin had 65% sensitivity and 88% specificity.
Subfatin concentrations were lower in patients without STEMI than in patients with STEMI. Subfatin concentration is associated with NSTEMI.
Political and Social Aspects of Godparenthood in Early Modern Venice: Spiritual Kinship and Patrician Society
Authors: Vidali Andrew
Published: April 2022

In late medieval and early modern Europe, baptism was the object of confrontation between civil society and the Church. This article will outline the involvement of the Venetian government from the early sixteenth century. This legislation, aimed to shape the practice of godparenthood among Venetian patricians in both Venice and its empire, will be examined until the mid-seventeenth century. In particular, the article will highlight the transformations in the networks established by Venetian nobles throughout the sixteenth century. At the same time, it will focus on the political use of spiritual kinship in the electoral and governorship contexts, and explain how it was a useful way to improve diplomatic relations between states.
The Object-Based and Process-Based Regulation of Genome Editing
Authors: Koščík Michal , Vladíková Eliška
Published: April 2022

The article explores whether the broader regulatory framework applicable to the member states of the EU contains suitable tools to react to the rapid advances in science, especially as to the question of germline editing technologies. From the perspective of EU member states, the regulatory framework is fragmented between norms of international law, secondary EU law and national legislation. The rules and their interpretation are strongly influenced by the concept of precaution, which reflects the concern that there is not enough knowledge to assess the impact of genome editing technology on individuals, society and future populations. However, the argument of precaution loses its strength with every new scientific discovery. The expanding knowledge in the field creates the need to replace regulation, which is based on the lack of knowledge (such as precautionary moratoriums) by the regulation that is based on the actual knowledge. The article reaches a conclusion that the EU framework for advanced treatments and medicinal products is in a state where it can, in principle, address the questions associated with the safety and efficacy of germline editing technologies. The EU framework is, however, not suitable to assess the moral and societal impacts of new technology, which should be left for member states.
Genome Editing: Learning from Its Past and Envisioning Its Future
Authors: Sandor Judit
Published: April 2022

With the technical possibility of genome editing, we have reached a new phase of transforming human beings and even altering our genetic legacy. Genome editing constitutes new responsibilities in many fields. Science and society have never been as dependent on each other as they are today. We must also learn from the past episodes of eugenics and we need to investigate fraudulent practices and cases of failure in scientific research that have often occurred due to merciless scientific competition, profit-seeking commercial interests, or individual pride. Genome editing raises numerous legal questions, such as: Would it be possible to make a legal difference between specific versions of gene editing? Who decides on what is considered a disease or an anomaly, a condition, or a variation? Which diseases are worth being corrected or treated and which ones are not? What kinds of social implications will gene editing bring about when it becomes widely available? Some normative distinctions have already been made in the case of gene therapy: separating somatic from germline interventions. But this distinction has not yet been analyzed in the light of the most recent editing practices. Genome editing also realigns the structure of ethical debates. It makes us rethink the concept of discrimination and scrutinize its cases in the field of assisted reproductive procedures. It revolutionizes the concept of medical treatment. It may increase or reduce inequalities based on health conditions. It may lead to numerous new rights in the field of genetics. Good genome editing practice can only be achieved through the close cooperation between the natural and social sciences. The present paper will endeavor to examine this new form of dialogue.
The Nexus between International Law and Science
Authors: Orangias Joseph
Published: April 2022

Limited legal analysis exists of how scientific expert bodies participate in multilateral treaty-making. This impedes effective collaboration between treaty-making and scientific expert bodies. This article analyses how scientific expert bodies (1) participate in multilateral treaty-making and (2) how they interface with treaty-making bodies. Based on an updated conceptual framework of the general multilateral treaty-making process, the makings of two treaties are studied: the Paris Agreement and the International Legally Binding Instrument on marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction. In these case studies, scientific expert bodies had three integral roles: preparing evidence for treaty-making bodies, scientifically advising these bodies and directly exchanging with them. When scientific bodies directly exchanged with treaty-making bodies, they interfaced through intergovernmental body sessions or dialogical events. In conclusion, this study provides evidence of the nexus between international law and science for improved multilateral treaty-making.
Google’s Tech Philanthropy: Capitalism and Humanitarianism in the Digital Age
Authors: Henriksen Sofie Elbæk , Richey Lisa Ann
Published: April 2022

Transnational tech companies have become important actors in global philanthropy. Led by tech giants such as Google, this tech philanthropy consists not just of donating funds to expert organizations and ngo s but also, importantly, in using the companies’ own expertise and products to create social impact. This philanthropy is celebrated as innovative and criticized as exploitative for its novel ways of combining capitalism with global helping. But in what way is tech philanthropy novel and to what extent does it continue the well-worn historical trajectory of humanitarianism and capitalism? In this paper, we analyze the philanthropic practices of Google focusing on the company’s current attempt to link philanthropy to the big business of artificial intelligence (ai). Based on ethnographic data collected at the “Google ai Impact Challenge Summit” in San Francisco and interviews with tech and humanitarian stakeholders, we highlight the entanglements of capitalism and humanitarianism in tech philanthropy.
Begonia ostulensis (Begoniaceae), a new species from Michoacán, Mexico
Authors: MARTÍNEZ-GORDILLO MARTHA , RAMOS-ORDOÑEZ MARÍA FELIX
Published: April 2022

Begonia ostulensis sp. nov. is a new species from section Knesebeckia, known solely from the state of Michoacán; it is similar to Begonia monophylla, an endemic species from Mexico with a distribution in the states of Mexico, Colima, Michoacán, Guerrero and Morelos, but B. ostulensis differs from it in having an orbicular, peltate, solitary leaf, with the lower and upper surfaces glabrous, a lobed and double-dentate, non-ciliate margin, inflorescences terminal, peduncle and rachis glabrous and fruit with primary wing asymmetrically triangular, glabrous.
Tropical Cyclone Size Is Strongly Limited by the Rhines Scale: Experiments with a Barotropic Model
Authors: Lu Kuan-Yu , Chavas Daniel R.
Published: April 2022

Recent work found evidence using aquaplanet experiments that tropical cyclone (TC) size on Earth is limited by the Rhines scale, which depends on the planetary vorticity gradient β. This study aims to examine how the Rhines scale limits the size of an individual TC. The traditional Rhines scale is first reexpressed as a Rhines speed to characterize how the effect of β varies with radius in a vortex whose wind profile is known. The framework is used to define the vortex Rhines scale, which is the transition radius that divides the vortex into a vortex-dominant region at smaller radii, where the axisymmetric circulation is steady, and a wave-dominant region at larger radii, where the circulation stimulates planetary Rossby waves and dissipates. Experiments are performed using a simple barotropic model on a β plane initialized with a TC-like axisymmetric vortex defined using a recently developed theoretical TC wind profile model. The gradient β and initial vortex size are each systematically varied to investigate the detailed responses of the TC-like vortex to β. Results show that the vortex shrinks toward an equilibrium size that closely follows the vortex Rhines scale. A larger initial vortex relative to its vortex Rhines scale will shrink faster. The shrinking time scale is well described by the vortex Rhines time scale, which is defined as the overturning time scale of the circulation at the vortex Rhines scale and is shown to be directly related to the Rossby wave group velocity. The relationship between our idealized results and the real Earth is discussed. Results may generalize to other eddy circulations, such as the extratropical cyclone.

Significance Statement

Tropical cyclones vary in size significantly on Earth, but how large a tropical cyclone could potentially be is still not understood. The variation of the Coriolis parameter with latitude is known to limit the size of turbulent circulations, but its effect on tropical cyclones has not been studied. This study derives a new parameter related to this concept called the “vortex Rhines scale” and shows in a simple model how and why storms will tend to shrink toward this size. These results help explain why tropical cyclone size tends to increase slowly with latitude on Earth and can help us understand what sets the size of tropical cyclones on Earth in general.