bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Systematizing the array of dissertations in individual discipline based on chronologizing of Ph.D. defenses and title content-analysis. (Part 1)
Authors: Piskunov M. A.
Published: June 2023

The author explores the array of doctoral dissertations in the area of forest engineering, forestry technologies and machines, submitted in the period of 1955–2022 (190 dissertations). The bibliometrical analysis enabled to specify 5 time periods differing in their dynamics (1955–1962; 1963–1970; 1971–1989; 1990–1999; 2000–2022). Before 1993, there were two defense hubs, namely Moscow and Leningrad (now St. Petersburg); after 1993, regional hubs emerged. In 1993–2022, 68% dissertations were defended in the regions outside Moscow and St. Petersburg; 14% dissertations were defended in two disciplines. On average, 16 years were passing between scientist’s candidate and doctoral dissertations, however, since 1994, this difference may make less than 10 years – 24% papers in 2009–2022. In 1955–1982, the keywords “study”, “problems”, “basics” dominated in the titles, and since 1986 – “feasibility”, “increase”, and “improvement”. After 2006–2008, the number of titles including “feasibility” decreased, and the word combination “refining the theory (method)” became popular. Since 1986, the vector of studies changed from process and system studies toward their modernization and enhancement. Through classification by the research subject, 42 topical areas were specified, and then divided into two groups. Within the group one, the papers can be bundled (over 3 dissertations) and make subject fields where their own systematization is possible. In the group two, the dissertations make the individual studies (103 papers) that can hardly be consolidated into the array. Within several topical field, the cyclicism is observed – the dissertations are defended regularly. The content analysis of dissertation titles coupled with bibliometrical methods, reveals the more regular pattern within the individual specialty. The obtained findings will be demanded by researchers and professionals engaged in scientometrical and bibliometrical research.
Charged and free services in the libraries of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation within the theory of patronized goods
Authors: Gendina N. I. , Kolkova N. I. , Ryabtseva L. N.
Published: June 2023

The purpose of the article is to analyze the ratio of charged and free services provided by central libraries of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation (i. e. republican, territorial and regional libraries). The problem of library charged user services is examined through the optics of professional library community and the government. The authors attempt to expand theoretical foundations of library services with the new ideas of national economists focusing on the humanitarian sector and, in particular, those developing the theory of patronized goods. The theoretical analysis is complemented with the large-scale empirical study of services presented at the official websites of 77 central libraries in the RF constituent entities. The findings demonstrate that the charged services dominate while the share of free services has drastically decreased. The charged services in these libraries exceed the free ones by a factor 8.4. The authors conclude that massive and mechanistic implementation of charged services is a dangerous challenge for the libraries as it exposes them to a risk of abandoning the principle of common availability of libraries and, in long run, of users exodus.
Amini Protests: Vowing for a New Commitment Between Society and State
Authors: ÇALHAN Merve
Published: June 2023

This article aims to contextualize Iran’s recent protests, following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini while in the custody of Iran’s so-called morality police. The protests have amounted to be one of the most serious challenge to the regime’s uninterrupted legitimacy. The protests have been recorded as the longest standing one compared to the White Wednesdays Movement. Protesters have taken over the streets across the country to stand up for requesting equal rights for women. The attempt has been argued by critics and academics as posing a serious security challenge to presence of Islamic Republic. This courageous experiment could spur more significant developments in Iran over the coming days and weeks and the protesters may pose a major challenge to Iran’s entrenched leadership, however prediction of whether the survival of the government is at stake or not, is still very much debatable issue. In the article, distinctive features and reasons of Amini protests and the effects of launching dialogue channels among different segments of the society have been analyzed through main components of political process theory. In this framework of op-eds, reviews and reports which have been published in Iran national and international media platforms were interpreted.
France and Iran's Rivalry in the Middle East: Strategies, Interactions, and Consequences
Authors: SARI İsmail
Published: June 2023

This study argues that France has recently sought to reassert itself as a power in the Middle East, North Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean (MENA), especially in its former colonies. In this context, France's quest for "Pax Mediterranea" under the leadership of Emmanuel Macron, which has intensified its political-military initiatives in the MENA region, is analyzed through the rivalry between Paris and Tehran in Lebanon, Iraq and Syria, which are considered as Iran's spheres of influence in the Middle East. In this context, it is possible to explain the ups and downs of France-Iran relations from a realist perspective based on geopolitical competition, concrete threat perceptions and military-economic factors. Within the framework of neo-realist theory, which emphasizes the need to prevent the rise of regional hegemonic powers, this study argues that France's concern about Iran's growing influence in the region, the conflict of interests they face at the regional level and Iran's efforts to acquire nuclear weapons are the most important reasons for the unfriendly relations between the two countries.
DISCOURSE INTERPRETATION AND ITS CHARACTERISTICS IN LINGUISTIC THOUGHT
Authors:   Mykhailo Tuhan-Baranovskyi Donetsk National University of Economics and Trade, Herasymenko O. Yu.
Published: June 2023

Objective. The objective of the article is to investigate the origin of the phenomenon of “discourse” in linguistics, to analyze the various approaches of domestic and foreign scholars in order to define this definition, to identify its main specific characteristics and to present author’s own interpretation of this complex communicative phenomenon. Methods. The main scientific results are obtained using a set of general scientific and special research methods, such as: analysis, systematization and generalization of scientific literature, induction, deduction (to identify approaches to understand the essence of discourse and its characteristics). Results. The definition of “discourse” presents significant difficulties due to the fact that this phenomenon is at the intersection of a number of scientific disciplines, such as linguistics, anthropology, sociology, philosophy, socio- and psycholinguistics and so on. However, due to the efforts of modern scientists in various fields of science, the theory of discourse is formed as an independent disciplinary field. The article considers the problem of complexity and versatility of the concept of “discourse” through the prism of various approaches to identify the features of each of them. The main trends in the use of the phenomenon of “discourse” in terms of systemic, formal and functional approaches are considered. The study assumes that in modern humanities research discourse is considered, on the one hand, as a coherent sequence of language units created by the speaker for the listener at a certain time, in a certain place, with a certain purpose, and on the other hand, as a complex communicative phenomenon, an oral speech action, taking into account the social context, which informs about the participants of communication and characterizes them, as well as the processes of production and perception of the message. Different approaches to understanding discourse are presented: communicative, structural-syntactic, social-pragmatic and structural-stylistic. The definition of “discourse” is studied in connection with such concepts as “speech” and “text”, their differences and similarities are stated. Different classifications of discourse types are analyzed. The author attempts to interpret such a terminological unit as “discourse” in the narrow and broad sense.
ADEQUACY OF TRANSLATION OF COMPLEX SENTENCES OF «THE OLD MAN AND THE SEA» BY E. HEMINGWAY INTO UKRAINIAN
Authors:   Mykhailo Tuhan-Baranovskyi Donetsk National University of Economics and Trade, Ostapenko S. A. , Vorobiova L. V. ,   Mykhailo Tuhan-Baranovskyi Donetsk National University of Economics and Trade
Published: June 2023

Objective. The objective of the study is to identify and analyze ways of translating complex sentences, the difficulties that arise in the process of their translation, as well as the use of grammatical transformations as a method of adequate reproduction of sentence structure in translation. Methods. The main scientific results are obtained applying a set of general scientific and special methods of research, namely: analysis and generalization of scientific literature on the problems of complex sentences and ways of their translation; theoretical generalization, analysis and synthesis; holistic and integral approaches to the study of linguistic phenomena; comparative, descriptive and analytical methods. Results. The article defines the notion of complex sentences, their types and principles of classification. The author points out the main ways of English complex sentences translation into Ukrainian, describes difficulties which can occur during the process of translation, and grammatical transformations applying for the adequacy of complex sentences translation from one language into another. The greater part of the article deals with the analysis of complex sentences from “The Old Man and The Sea” translation made by V. Mytrofanow. Having analyzed the translation of the novel “The Old Man and The Sea” made by V. Mytrofanov, we can conclude that in general the author in the translation process in almost all cases leaves the grammatical structure of the sentence unchanged, applying different ways of translating subordinate clauses depending on their type and method of coordination with the principle clause, using grammatical transformations of replacement, compensation, partitioning. The authors study cases where the translator deviates from the basic principles and methods of rendering complex sentences in Ukrainian, but this does not violate the context and style of the story.
Criminal Law Protection of a Child by means of Slovak Criminal Law and European Union Law
Authors: Vaško Adrián , Klátik Jaroslav
Published: June 2023

Background: The contribution is focused on current challenges in the criminal protection of children field by means of criminal law in the Slovak Republic and the European Union. The authors define the term, “child,” in the applicable law. They examine in detail the legal regulation of the child’s position as a victim, especially as a particularly vulnerable victim in criminal law. Attention is given to the victimisation process in relation to the specifics of the child. The legal regulation of criminal law in the Slovak Republic, as well as within the European Union, reflects the need for a special approach to the protection of children and youth, and adequate legal instruments are gradually being created and introduced.
Methods: Legal comparison, content and functional analysis of legal acts, analysis of court decisions, historical analysis, and comparisons were used to process research data.
Results and Conclusions: The current criminal law regulation of the status and protection of children and youth in the Slovak Raepublic requires regulation to effectively respond to new threats and risks, primarily associated with the increase of criminal activity against children in the virtual world. New forms of criminal activity by using computer technology and social networks are constantly increasing. Prevention and education are irreplaceable aspects of the protection of children and youth from crime. It is more effective to have a good prevention system than to deal with the consequences. Based on our research, we recommend introducing a subject focused on the prevention and intervention of crimes of a sexual nature into the education of school-age children. At the same time, we recommend continual building of specialized workplaces within law enforcement bodies in the Slovak Republic.
On the coefficients of a class of ternary cyclotomic polynomials
Authors:   School of Mathematical Sciences, Qufu Normal University, 273165 Qufu, P. R. China, Zhang Bin
Published: June 2023

A cyclotomic polynomial \(\Phi_n(x)\) is said to be flat if its nonzero coefficients involve only \(\pm1\).
In this paper, for odd primes \(p \lt q \lt r\)
with \(q\equiv 1\pmod p\) and \(9r\equiv \pm1\pmod {pq}\), we
prove that \(\Phi_{pqr}(x)\) is flat if and only if \(p=5\), \(q\geq
41\), and \(q\equiv 1\pmod 5\).
Pillai's conjecture for polynomials
Authors:   Institute of Analysis and Number Theory, Graz University of Technology, Steyrergasse 30/II, A-8010 Graz, Austria, Heintze Sebastian
Published: June 2023

In this paper we study the polynomial version of Pillai's conjecture on the exponential Diophantine equation

-17ex p^n - q^m = f.

We prove that for any non-constant polynomial \( f \) there are only finitely many quadruples \( (n,m,\deg p,\deg q) \) consisting of integers \( n,m \geq 2 \) and non-constant polynomials \( p,q \) such that Pillai's equation holds.
Moreover, we will give some examples that there can still be infinitely many possibilities for the polynomials \( p,q \).
PEWARISAN TRADISI LISAN PERTUNJUKAN SENI DENDANG MASYARAKAT SERAWAI BENGKULU
Authors: Lubis Bustanuddin , Yoesoef Muhammad , Pudentia
Published: June 2023

Fokus penelitian ini adalah mengungkapkan pewarisan tradisi pertunjukan seni dendang Serawai di Bengkulu. Pertunjukan seni dendang Serawai merupakan pertunjukan tradisi yang ditampilkan pada saat bimbang adat (upacara pernikahan cara adat) yang ditampilkan oleh sanggar budaya di masyarakat etnik Serawai. Metode penelitian yang digunakan yakni penelitian kualitatif dengan teknik pengumpulan data pengamatan langsung dan wawancara langsung dengan ketua sanggar budaya. Data yang dikumpulkan diolah berdasarkan konsep transmisi. Hasil penelitian yang ditemukan terdapat unsi Harapan Bersama di Kabupaten Seluma yang masih berusaha untuk mempertahankan dan mewariskan seni dendang masyarakat Serawai. Pewarisan tradisi pertunjukan seni dendang dilakukan secara terbuka dengan berproses. Proses pewarisan yang dilakukan dilalui oleh para pemain dendang dengan cara aktif dan pasif. Pertunjukan seni dendang diwariskan secara turun-temurun dari generasi ke generasi.
Anonim Şirketlerde Geçersiz Yönetim Kurulu Kararına Dayanılarak Toplanan Genel Kurulun Durumu
Authors: ÖZTÜRK Alperen
Published: June 2023

Anonim şirketlerde yönetim kurulu yönetim ve temsil organıdır. Yönetim yetkisi şirketin iç ilişkilerini, temsil yetkisi dış ilişkileri ifade eder. Kural olarak genel kurulu toplantıya çağırma yetkisi de yönetim kuruluna aittir. Yönetim kurulu kararları hukuki işlem niteliğindedir. Bu yüzden kararların genel ve özel geçerlilik şartlarına uygun olmalıdır. Geçerlilik şartlarına aykırılık halinde yönetim kurulu kararı geçersiz olacaktır. Geçersiz yönetim kuruluna dayanılarak toplanan genel kurulda alınan kararlar bu geçersizlikten etkilenecektir. Genel kurul kararları da hukuki işlem niteliğindedir. Yönetim kurulu kararının geçerli olması genel kurul kararları açısından kurucu unsurdur. Geçersiz yönetim kurulu kararına dayanılarak toplanan genel kurulun kurucu unsuru eksik olacaktır. Bu sebeple alınan genel kurul kararları yok hükmünde kabul edilir.
Clinical case of rare hemolytic conflict in hemolytic disease of the newborn
Authors:   G. S. Postol Perinatal Center of the Ministry of Health of the Khabarovsk Krai,, Bondar L.I , Klimkovich N.M. ,   Postgraduate Institute for Public Health Workers under Health Ministry of Khabarovsk Krai
Published: June 2023

The article presents general data on the pathogenesis and immunohematological diagnosis of a possible hemolytic conflict between the mother and the newborn (fetus) for erythrocyte antigens. The results of our own observations of a case of hemolytic disease of the newborn by erythrocyte antigens, which are rarely the cause of hemolytic conflict between mother and fetus, are presented
SOSYAL AĞ SİTELERİNDE SERGİLENEN TARAFTAR BAĞLILIĞI ÖLÇEĞİNİN GEÇERLİK GÜVENİRLİK ÇALIŞMASI
Authors: ÖZSOY Ahmet , KARLI Ünal
Published: June 2023

Bu çalışmanın amacı “Sosyal Ağ Siteleri Yoluyla Sergilenen Taraftar Bağlılığı” ölçeğinin Türkçeye, Türk kültürüne uyarlama sürecinde geçerlik, güvenirliğini test etmek ve Sosyal Ağ Siteleri Yoluyla Sergilenen Taraftar Bağlılığı ile taraftarlık seviyesi arasındaki ilişkiyi incelemektir. Çalışmanın örneklemi, 166 (49 kadın, 117 erkek) üniversite öğrencisi katılımcıdan oluşmuştur. Çalışmada veri toplama aracını; “Fan Engagement Through Social Networking Sites” ölçeğinin Türkçe formu ve araştırmacılar tarafından oluşturulan katılımcıların taraftarı olduğu takımı, cinsiyetini ve taraftarlık seviyesini sorgulayan demografik bilgiler bölümü oluşturmuştur. Elde edilen veriler üzerinde doğrulayıcı faktör analizi ile korelasyon analizi uygulanmıştır. Bulgular Sosyal Ağ Siteleri Yoluyla Sergilenen Taraftar Bağlılığı Ölçeği’ nin psikometrik özelliklerini koruduğunu ve geçerlik ve güvenirlik ölçütlerini sağladığını ortaya koymuştur. Ayrıca yapılan korelasyon analizi de taraftarın sosyal ağ siteleri yoluyla sergilediği bağlılık ile taraftarlık seviyesi arasında istatistiksel olarak anlamlı ilişki tespit edilmiştir. Sonuç olarak, Sosyal Ağ Siteleri Yoluyla Sergilenen Taraftar Bağlılığı Ölçeğinin Türk popülasyonu üzerinde uygulanacak çalışmalarda kullanılabilecek geçerli ve güvenilir bir ölçek olduğu ayrıca taraftarların, kulüplerinin resmi sosyal ağ siteleri (Twitter, Instagram ve Facebook) aracılığıyla sergiledikleri bağlılıkları ile taraftarlık seviyelerinin ilişkili olduğu söylenebilir.
DİJİTAL SERBEST ZAMAN AKIŞ DENEYİMİ: ÖLÇEK GELİŞTİRME ÇALIŞMASI
Authors: ER Batuhan , CENGIZ Recep
Published: June 2023

Bu çalışmanın amacı, günümüzde dijital teknolojilerin etkisi ile serbest zaman deneyimlerinin yeni bir türü olarak ortaya çıkan “dijital serbest zaman” etkinlikleri içerisindeki akış deneyiminin ölçülmesine yönelik geçerli ve güvenilir bir ölçme aracının geliştirilmesidir. Bu amaç doğrultusunda oluşturulan 36 maddelik havuz uzman görüşlerine sunulmuş ve ölçeğin yapısında uygun olmayan 9 madde havuzdan çıkarılarak kalan madde havuzu üzerinde düzenlemeler yapılmış ve kapsam geçerliliği sağlanmıştır. 27 madde ile ölçeğin yapısının belirlenmesi amacıyla amaçsal örnekleme yöntemi ile seçilen üniversite öğrencisi 291 (YaşOrt.= 20.80 ± 2.095) katılımcı dahil edilip SPSS 25.0 paket programı aracılığıyla AFA gerçekleştirilmiştir. AFA sonucunda toplam varyansın %55,064’ünü açıklayan 18 madde ve 3 faktörlük bir yapı tespit edilmiştir. Bir sonraki aşamada ise ölçeğin doğrulanması amacı doğrultusunda farklı bir örneklem grubu ile 377 katılımcı (YaşOrt. = 20.73 ±2.020) AMOS.21 lisanslı paket programı kullanılarak DFA gerçekleştirilmiştir. DFA sonucunda modelin yeterli uyum sağladığı tespit edilmiştir. Uygulanan istatiksel analiz ve değerlendirmeler sonucunda Dijital Serbest Zaman Akış Deneyimi Ölçeği’ nin (DSZ-ADÖ) 17 madde ve 3 alt boyuttan oluşan geçerli ve güvenilir bir yapıya sahip olduğu ortaya konmuştur.
CONSTITUTIONAL AND LEGAL REGULATION OF THE FOUNDATIONS OF MODERN SECURITY THROUGH THE PRISM OF RESPECT FOR RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS
Authors:   East Siberian Institute of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia, Irkutsk, Russian Federation, ZHIGALOVA EVGENIYA , SHELEGOV YURI
Published: June 2023

The study touches upon the aspect of assessment and legislative implementation of the issue of ensuring national security through the prism of constitutional and legal regulation of its foundations. The purpose of the study is to establish the relationship between the principles of constitutional regulation of mechanisms for ensuring rights and protecting rights and freedoms and the legislative structure reflecting the procedure for the operation (application) of means of ensuring national security. The objective of the study is to identify the balance and contradictions between these principles, as well as to assess the measures taken by the legislator when introducing new directions of constitutional and legal regulation into these institutions. The spectral analysis method was chosen as the main research method. Results: according to the results of the study, the author was able to establish that the forms of coexistence introduced by the legislator require more detailed consideration, both from the point of view of disclosing their legal essence and from the point of view of their evaluative purpose in ensuring the necessary security of society. Conclusions: the legislator initially does not give an unambiguous answer to the question-what exactly means and methods should be used so that the issue of moral development of society will allow raising the state of national security to a new level, while not violating the principles reflected in the Constitution of the Russian Federation.
Site Analysis of Maritime Transportation Infrastructures by Using the Coastal Vulnerability Index Approach: The Case of Bodrum Peninsula
Authors: KULELİ Tuncay , BAYAZIT Şeyma
Published: June 2023

In this research, site locations of marina-type maritime transportation infrastructure (MTI) in the Bodrum Peninsula were analyzed using the coastal vulnerability index (CVI) approach. For the calculation of CVI, six parameters; coastal slope, relief, relative sea level change, shoreline erosion/accretion, mean tide range, and mean wave height were used in accordance with the method. After the data collected from different data sources were transferred into a geo-database, basic geographical information systems analyses were applied (reclass, buffer, subset, slope, overlay, classify, count, map algebra, etc.). CVI results have been presented as maps and tabular values using a scale of 1 (Very Low) to 5 (Very High). Thus, the vulnerability level of the MTI site locations was determined. According to the determined results, it was founded that, Ortakent and Turgutreis were Very High (red-5); Yalıkavak, Milta and Kale MTIs are High (orange-4); Cruise Port, Gumbet and Bitez were found to have Moderate (yellow-3) CVI values. In this research, the CVI approach was applied by evaluating the physical site location characteristics of marina-type MTI, for the first time applied in the Bodrum Peninsula, where there is a high density of marina. For adaptation strategies for existing MTIs, more investigations should be realized from the functional, economic, social, and ecosystem points of view. From the managerial point of view, it can be said that small marinas or municipal berthing facilities with a state ownership model are advised to work together with other marinas in the region if they exist. The CVI-methodology should also utilize for the site selection of any type of maritime transportation infrastructure.
In Silico Analysis and Tissue-Specific Transcription of Platyfish (Xiphophorus maculatus) Catalase Gene
Authors: ÇAPAN Esra Can , ARSLAN Gökhan , BAYIR Mehtap
Published: June 2023

The present study focused on conducting in silico analysis and investigating the tissue-specific distribution and expression of the catalase gene in platyfish (Xiphophorus maculatus), which can be used as a model organism for studying stress responses in fish. Assay of the steady-state levels of cat gene transcripts by real time PCR revealed. The steady-state level of platyfish cat transcript was abundant liver (2162.21) compared with the level of cat transcript in intestine (1270.94), heart (1241.25), muscle (419.157), brain (46.205), eye (47.57), swimming bladder (28.99), gills (81.18), spleen (95.45), kidney (20.25) ovary (91.16) and testis (113.22). The results suggest that the liver is the major site of cat expression in platyfish, with significantly higher expression levels compared to other tissues. In addition, the research involved using bioinformatics tools to analyze the genetic sequence of the catalase gene and predict its structure and function. The results of the study indicated that the cat in Platyfish shares a high sequence identity and similarity with its orthologs in other teleost species, including medaka, fugu, and zebrafish. This observation suggests that the cat gene is conserved among these fish species, and the gene’s function and regulatory mechanisms are likely to be similar. The high conservation of the cat gene among teleost fish species highlights the importance of this gene in the antioxidant defense system and its potential role in responding to environmental stressors. Platyfish cat gene exhibits a conserved gene structure, as evidenced by its conserved gene synteny with the orthologous cat/CAT genes in other teleost fish and humans. Overall, the study provides evidence for the highly conserved gene structure of the cat gene in platyfish, which contributes to its functional stability and the maintenance of its critical role in antioxidant defense and stress response mechanisms.
Misidentification of Three Mullet Species Under Family Mugilidae Due to Differential Pigmentation Pattern
Authors: BEHERA Anwesha , BHUSHAN Shashi , KUMAR Annam Pavan , NAYAK Binaya Bhusan , JAİSWAR Ashok
Published: June 2023

The mullet species under the family Mugilidae, considered to be a commercially important teleost, are mostly found in coastal waters throughout the world, distributed in tropical, subtropical and temperate areas. In terms of taxonomic study, biogeography and distribution pattern of mullets remain unclear due to difficulty in separating the species based on morphological characters. Thus, there is a need to study the taxonomy of Mugilidae. Further, phylogeny of family Mugilidae also exceptionally obscure at inter and intraspecific levels challenges exist in species under the family. The present study, has brought a new observation in form of temporary black dots (patrial pigmentation abnormality), especially in three species of Mugilidae were observed. Sometimes these pigmentation pattern can lead to misidentification or identification as different species. Further, DNA Barcoding (COI gene) and morpho-meristic analysis performed to resolve the ambiguity in the species identification, confirmed these species as Mugil cephalus, Planiliza sp., Osteomugil perusii. Present study will help to avoid the misidentification of species, which will assist biologists and managers for acquiring more information their distribution and life history pattern.
Large-scale data mining pipeline for identifying novel soybean genes involved in resistance against the soybean cyst nematode
Authors: Nissan Nour , Hooker Julia , Arezza Eric , Dick Kevin , Golshani Ashkan , Mimee Benjamin , Cober Elroy , Green James , Samanfar Bahram
Published: June 2023

The soybean cyst nematode (SCN) [Heterodera glycines Ichinohe] is a devastating pathogen of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] that is rapidly becoming a global economic issue. Two loci conferring SCN resistance have been identified in soybean, Rhg1 and Rhg4; however, they offer declining protection. Therefore, it is imperative that we identify additional mechanisms for SCN resistance. In this paper, we develop a bioinformatics pipeline to identify protein–protein interactions related to SCN resistance by data mining massive-scale datasets. The pipeline combines two leading sequence-based protein–protein interaction predictors, the Protein–protein Interaction Prediction Engine (PIPE), PIPE4, and Scoring PRotein INTeractions (SPRINT) to predict high-confidence interactomes. First, we predicted the top soy interacting protein partners of the Rhg1 and Rhg4 proteins. Both PIPE4 and SPRINT overlap in their predictions with 58 soybean interacting partners, 19 of which had GO terms related to defense. Beginning with the top predicted interactors of Rhg1 and Rhg4, we implement a “guilt by association” in silico proteome-wide approach to identify novel soybean genes that may be involved in SCN resistance. This pipeline identified 1,082 candidate genes whose local interactomes overlap significantly with the Rhg1 and Rhg4 interactomes. Using GO enrichment tools, we highlighted many important genes including five genes with GO terms related to response to the nematode (GO:0009624), namely, Glyma.18G029000, Glyma.11G228300, Glyma.08G120500, Glyma.17G152300, and Glyma.08G265700. This study is the first of its kind to predict interacting partners of known resistance proteins Rhg1 and Rhg4, forming an analysis pipeline that enables researchers to focus their search on high-confidence targets to identify novel SCN resistance genes in soybean.
Case report: acute myocardial infarction in the setting of acute transcatheter aortic valve thrombus
Authors: Hebbo Elsa , Khoury Alessandro El , Iskandarani Dounia , Sawaya Fadi
Published: June 2023

We describe a case of valve thrombosis and a subsequent thromboembolic event within only 10 days of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). Postprocedural anticoagulants are not standard of care medications post-TAVI in patients without atrial fibrillation. Valve thrombosis is an indication to initiate anticoagulation to resolve and prevent further thrombus.
At the heart of the matter: how mental stress and negative emotions affect atrial fibrillation
Authors: Leo Donato Giuseppe , Ozdemir Hizir , Lane Deirdre A. , Lip Gregory Y. H. , Keller Simon S. , Proietti Riccardo
Published: June 2023

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common form of cardiac arrhythmia, affecting 2%–3% of the world's population. Mental and emotional stress, as well as some mental health conditions (e.g., depression) have been shown to significantly impact the heart and have been suggested to act both as independent risk factors and triggers in the onset of AF. In this paper, we review the current literature to examine the role that mental and emotional stress have in the onset of AF and summarise the current knowledge on the interaction between the brain and heart, and the cortical and subcortical pathways involved in the response to stress. Review of the evidence suggests that mental and emotional stress negatively affect the cardiac system, potentially increasing the risk for developing and/or triggering AF. Further studies are required to further understand the cortical and sub-cortical structures involved in the mental stress response and how these interact with the cardiac system, which may help in defining new strategies and interventions to prevent the development of, and improve the management of AF.
Whole-Exome sequencing analysis identified TMSB10/TRABD2A locus to be associated with carfilzomib-related cardiotoxicity among patients with multiple myeloma
Authors: Tantawy Marwa , Yang Guang , Algubelli Raghunandan Reddy , DeAvila Gabriel , Rubinstein Samuel M. , Cornell Robert F. , Fradley Michael G. , Siegel Erin M. , Hampton Oliver A. , Silva Ariosto S. , Lenihan Daniel , Shain Kenneth H. , Baz Rachid C. , Gong Yan
Published: June 2023

Background

Proteasome inhibitor Carfilzomib (CFZ) is effective in treating patients with refractory or relapsed multiple myeloma (MM) but has been associated with cardiovascular adverse events (CVAE) such as hypertension, cardiomyopathy, and heart failure. This study aimed to investigate the contribution of germline genetic variants in protein-coding genes in CFZ-CVAE among MM patients using whole-exome sequencing (WES) analysis.

Methods

Exome-wide single-variant association analysis, gene-based analysis, and rare variant analyses were performed on 603,920 variants in 247 patients with MM who have been treated with CFZ and enrolled in the Oncology Research Information Exchange Network (ORIEN) at the Moffitt Cancer Center. Separate analyses were performed in European Americans and African Americans followed by a trans-ethnic meta-analysis.

Results

The most significant variant in the exome-wide single variant analysis was a missense variant rs7148 in the thymosin beta-10/TraB Domain Containing 2A (TMSB10/TRABD2A) locus. The effect allele of rs7148 was associated with a higher risk of CVAE [odds ratio (OR) = 9.3 with a 95% confidence interval of 3.9—22.3, p = 5.42*10−7]. MM patients with rs7148 AG or AA genotype had a higher risk of CVAE (50%) than those with GG genotype (10%). rs7148 is an expression quantitative trait locus (eQTL) for TRABD2A and TMSB10. The gene-based analysis also showed TRABD2A as the most significant gene associated with CFZ-CVAE (p = 1.06*10−6).

Conclusions

We identified a missense SNP rs7148 in the TMSB10/TRABD2A as associated with CFZ-CVAE in MM patients. More investigation is needed to understand the underlying mechanisms of these associations.
Video analysis of ex vivo beating hearts during preservation on the TransMedics® organ care system
Authors: Mendiola Pla Michelle , Berrettoni Silvia , Lee Franklin H. , Rozzi Giacomo , Marrano Federica , Gross Ryan T. , Evans Amy , Wendell David C. , Lezberg Paul , Burattini Margherita , Paolo lo Muzio Francesco , Fassina Lorenzo , Milano Carmelo A. , Bang Marie-Louise , Bowles Dawn E. , Miragoli Michele
Published: June 2023

Background

Reliable biomarkers for assessing the viability of the donor hearts undergoing ex vivo perfusion remain elusive. A unique feature of normothermic ex vivo perfusion on the TransMedics® Organ Care System (OCS™) is that the donor heart is maintained in a beating state throughout the preservation period. We applied a video algorithm for an in vivo assessment of cardiac kinematics, video kinematic evaluation (Vi.Ki.E.), to the donor hearts undergoing ex vivo perfusion on the OCS™ to assess the feasibility of applying this algorithm in this setting.

Methods

Healthy donor porcine hearts (n = 6) were procured from Yucatan pigs and underwent 2 h of normothermic ex vivo perfusion on the OCS™ device. During the preservation period, serial high-resolution videos were captured at 30 frames per second. Using Vi.Ki.E., we assessed the force, energy, contractility, and trajectory parameters of each heart.

Results

There were no significant changes in any of the measured parameters of the heart on the OCS™ device over time as judged by linear regression analysis. Importantly, there were no significant changes in contractility during the duration of the preservation period (time 0–30 min, 918 ± 430 px/s; time 31–60 min, 1,386 ± 603 px/s; time 61–90 min, 1,299 ± 617 px/s; time 91–120 min, 1,535 ± 728 px/s). Similarly, there were no significant changes in the force, energy, or trajectory parameters. Post-transplantation echocardiograms demonstrated robust contractility of each allograft.

Conclusion

Vi.Ki.E. assessment of the donor hearts undergoing ex vivo perfusion is feasible on the TransMedics OCS™, and we observed that the donor hearts maintain steady kinematic measurements throughout the duration.
Active gas seepage in western Spitsbergen fjords, Svalbard archipelago: spatial extent and geological controls
Authors: Rodes Nil , Betlem Peter , Senger Kim , Römer Miriam , Hodson Andy , Liira Martin , Birchall Tom , Roy Srikumar , Noormets Riko , Smyrak-Sikora Aleksandra , Olaussen Snorre , Bohrmann Gerhard
Published: June 2023

This study presents the first systematic observations of active gas seepage from the seafloor in the main fjords of western Spitsbergen in the Svalbard archipelago. High-resolution acoustic water column data were acquired throughout two research cruises in August 2015 and June 2021. 883 gas flares have been identified and characterized in Isfjorden, and 115 gas flares in Van Mijenfjorden. The hydroacoustic data indicate active fluid migration into the water column. Interpretation of 1943 km of regional offshore 2D seismic profiles supplemented the water column and existing gas geochemical data by providing geological control on the distribution of source rocks and potential migration pathways for fluids. In the study area, bedrock architecture controls the fluid migration from deep source rocks. Faults, high permeability layers, heavily fractured units and igneous intrusions channel the gas seepage into the water column. The observations of gas seepage presented in this study are an important step towards the assessment of how near-shore seepage impacts upon the carbon budget of Svalbard fjords, which constitute a globally recognized early climate change warning system for the High Arctic.
Changes and mechanisms of apparent resistivity before earthquakes of MS6.0–6.9 on the Chinese mainland
Authors: Xie Tao , Han Ying , Ye Qing , Xue Yan
Published: June 2023

China has been conducting fixed continuous apparent resistivity observations since 1967. Up to June 2022, 45 earthquakes with magnitudes of MS6.0–6.9 have occurred within a range of approximately 250 km from normal operating stations. Through literature investigation and data analysis, monitoring stations counted 61 short-medium-term apparent resistivity anomalous changes (i.e., 44 decrease changes, 15 increase changes, and 2 perturbance changes) appearing before 39 of these earthquakes. In this study, we utilize a fault virtual dislocation model to understand the relative deformations around the epicenters before these earthquakes. The comparison results showed that 36 of the 44 decrease changes were in areas with compression enhancement and that 9 of the 15 increase changes were in areas with relative dilatancy. The results from rock petrophysical experiments and the resistivity model of the cracked medium showed decreased changes in the resistivity of water-bearing geomaterials during the successive loading of compressive stress, while the resistivity showed increased changes during the stress unloading process. Moreover, 45 of the 61 apparent resistivity anomalies were consistent with the mechanism of resistivity change under stress. These apparent resistivity anomalous changes before earthquakes may be related to the seismogenic processes such that the resistivity change is caused by medium deformation.
Impact of progesterone concentration on human chorionic gonadotropin trigger day on clinical outcomes with one top-quality cleavage-stage embryo or blastocyst transfer in fresh in vitro fertilization cycles
Authors: Xu Jianing , Zhang Cuilian , Wang Shuna , Zhang Shaodi
Published: June 2023

Objective

To investigate the impact of the progesterone concentration on the human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) trigger day on clinical outcomes with an antagonist protocol.

Methods

The retrospective cohort study included a total of 1,550 fresh autologous ART cycles with one top-quality embryo transfer. Multivariate regression analysis, curve fitting, and threshold effect analysis were performed.

Results

A significant association was found between the progesterone concentration and clinical pregnancy rate (adjusted OR, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.62–0.97; P = 0.0234), especially in blastocyst transfer (adjusted OR, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.39–0.78; P = 0.0008). The association between the progesterone concentration and the ongoing pregnancy rate was insignificant. The clinical pregnancy rate showed a linear relationship with an increased progesterone concentration in cleavage-stage embryo transfer. In blastocyst transfer, as the progesterone concentration increased, the clinical and ongoing pregnancy rates showed a parabolic reverse-U curve; the curve initially increased before declining at high progesterone concentrations. The clinical pregnancy rate increased with a progesterone concentration up to 0.80 ng/mL rather than tended to be stable. The clinical pregnancy rate significantly decreased when the progesterone concentration was ≥0.80 ng/mL.

Conclusion

The progesterone concentration on the hCG trigger day exhibits a curvilinear relationship with pregnancy outcomes in blastocyst transfer cycles, and the optimal threshold of the progesterone concentration is 0.80 ng/mL.
Prevalence and associated factors of metabolic-associated fatty liver disease in overweight Finnish children and adolescents
Authors: Riekki Hanna , Aitokari Linnea , Kivelä Laura , Lahti Siiri , Hiltunen Pauliina , Vuorela Nina , Huhtala Heini , Lakka Timo A. , Kurppa Kalle
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Data on the prevalence of pediatric fatty liver disease remain limited, partly due to challenges in diagnosis. A novel concept of metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) makes it possible to establish the diagnosis in overweight children with sufficiently elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT). We investigated the prevalence, risk factors, and metabolic co-morbidities of MAFLD in a large group of overweight children.

Methods

Data on 703 patients aged 2-16 years examined due to overweight in different levels of healthcare in 2002-2020 were collected retrospectively from patient records. MAFLD was here defined as ALT >2x reference (>44 U/l in girls and >50 U/l in boys) in overweight children according to recently updated definition. Patients with MAFLD and without it were compared, and subgroup analyses were conducted among boys and girls.

Results

Median age was 11.5 years, and 43% were girls. Altogether 11% were overweight, 42% obese and 47% severely obese. Abnormal glucose metabolism was present in 44%, dyslipidemia in 51%, hypertension in 48% and type 2 diabetes (T2D) in 2%. MAFLD prevalence varied between 14-20% in examined years without significant change (p=0.878). The pooled prevalence over the years was 15% (boys 18%, girls 11%; p=0.018), peaking in girls at early puberty and increasing in boys with age and puberty. Associated factors in boys were T2D (OR 7.55, 95% CI 1.23-46.2), postpubertal stage (5.39, 2.26-12.8), increased fasting insulin (3.20, 1.44-7.10), hypertriglyceridemia (2.97, 1.67-5.30), hyperglycemia (2.88, 1.64-5.07), decreased high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (2.16, 1.18-3.99), older age (1.28, 1.15-1.42) and higher body-mass-index (1.01, 1.05-1.15), and in girls T2D (18.1, 3.16-103), hypertriglyceridemia (4.28, 1.99-9.21), and decreased HDL (4.06, 1.87-8.79).

Conclusion

Prevalence of MAFLD was 15%, with no statistically significant increase in the 2000s. The condition was associated in general with male gender, puberty stage and disturbances in glucose and lipid metabolism, and higher age and BMI in boys.
Case Report: Longitudinal follow-up and testicular sperm extraction in a patient with a pathogenic NR5A1 (SF-1) frameshift variant: p.(Phe70Serfs*5)
Authors: Teoli Jordan , Mallet Delphine , Renault Lucie , Gay Claire-Lise , Labrune Elsa , Bretones Patricia , Giscard D’Estaing Sandrine , Cuzin Béatrice , Dijoud Frédérique , Roucher-Boulez Florence , Plotton Ingrid
Published: June 2023

Background

Steroidogenic factor 1 (SF-1), encoded by the nuclear receptor subfamily 5 group A member 1 (NR5A1) gene, is a transcriptional factor crucial for adrenal and gonadal organogenesis. Pathogenic variants of NR5A1 are responsible for a wide spectrum of phenotypes with autosomal dominant inheritance including disorders of sex development and oligospermia–azoospermia in 46,XY adults. Preservation of fertility remains challenging in these patients.

Objective

The aim was to offer fertility preservation at the end of puberty in an NR5A1 mutated patient.

Case report

The patient was born of non-consanguineous parents, with a disorder of sex development, a small genital bud, perineal hypospadias, and gonads in the left labioscrotal fold and the right inguinal region. Neither uterus nor vagina was detected. The karyotype was 46,XY. Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and testosterone levels were low, indicating testicular dysgenesis. The child was raised as a boy. At 9 years old, he presented with precocious puberty treated by triptorelin. At puberty, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinising hormone (LH), and testosterone levels increased, whereas AMH, inhibin B, and testicular volume were low, suggesting an impaired Sertoli cell function and a partially preserved Leydig cell function. A genetic study performed at almost 15 years old identified the new frameshift variant NM_004959.5: c.207del p.(Phe70Serfs*5) at a heterozygous state. He was thus addressed for fertility preservation. No sperm cells could be retrieved from three semen collections between the ages of 16 years 4 months and 16 years 10 months. A conventional bilateral testicular biopsy and testicular sperm extraction were performed at 17 years 10 months of age, but no sperm cells were found. Histological analysis revealed an aspect of mosaicism with seminiferous tubules that were either atrophic, with Sertoli cells only, or presenting an arrest of spermatogenesis at the spermatocyte stage.

Conclusion

We report a case with a new NR5A1 variant. The fertility preservation protocol proposed at the end of puberty did not allow any sperm retrieval for future parenthood.
Expressions of Cushing’s syndrome in multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1
Authors: Simonds William F.
Published: June 2023

Cushing’s syndrome (CS) resulting from endogenous hypercortisolism can be sporadic or can occur in the context of familial disease because of pituitary or extra-pituitary neuroendocrine tumors. Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) is unique among familial endocrine tumor syndromes because hypercortisolism in this context can result from pituitary, adrenal, or thymic neuroendocrine tumors and can therefore reflect either ACTH-dependent or ACTH-independent pathophysiologies. The prominent expressions of MEN1 include primary hyperparathyroidism, tumors of the anterior pituitary, gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, and bronchial carcinoid tumors along with several common non-endocrine manifestations such as cutaneous angiofibromas and leiomyomas. Pituitary tumors are present in about 40% of MEN1 patients, and up to 10% of such tumors secrete ACTH that can result in Cushing’s disease. Adrenocortical neoplasms occur frequently in MEN1. Although such adrenal tumors are mostly clinically silent, this category can include benign or malignant tumors causing hypercortisolism and CS. Ectopic tumoral ACTH secretion has also been observed in MEN1, almost exclusively originating from thymic neuroendocrine tumors. The range of clinical presentations, etiologies, and diagnostic challenges of CS in MEN1 are reviewed herein with an emphasis on the medical literature since 1997, when the MEN1 gene was identified.