bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Examining user acceptance and satisfaction of HE’s E-learning platform
Authors: Widiantoro Albertus Dwiyoga , Murniati Cecilia Titiek Murniati , Hartono Heny Hartono
Published: October 2022

The purpose of this study is to determine the determinants of user satisfaction (USat) and continuance intention (CoIn) to use e-learning platforms in Indonesian universities. More specifically, this study examines the effects of system quality (SisQua), information quality (InfQua), confirmation, perceived usefulness (PU) and self-efficacy (SE) on USat and CoIn to use e-learning platform. The expectation-confirmation model and technology acceptance model were used to test the hypotheses with 340 students. This research uses purposive sampling. Surveys were administered for 340 college students. To test the correlation among the variables, the structural equation model was used. This study showed that InfQua, PU, SE, service quality and SisQua positively affected USat. The data analysis indicates the positive effect between SE and USat and CoIn to use e-learning. However, InfQua had a negative effect with USat. This study has several implications for higher education (HE). First, to increase USat, universities should provide excellent services, technical support and user training and workshops for their e-learning platforms, including new features and functionalities so that students can take utmost advantage from them. Students who are contented with their e-learning platform are more likely to keep using it.
Keywords: self-efficacy; e-learning; satisfaction; continuance intention
Teaching students to use Decision trees (Dt) for unstructured data
Authors: Bogdanov Konstantin , Gura Dmitry , Khimmataliev Dustnazar , Bogdanova Yulia
Published: October 2022

The research aims to analyze the importance of teaching to use unstructured data methods that students generate from the learning activities and examine the relative efficiency of the decision trees within load conditions and self-efficacy of each learner. The present research collected the data using a questionnaire to analyze self-efficacy and cognitive load among students. The sample included 150 students divided into two groups. The research revealed no significant differences in self-efficacy between the two groups participants (F = 0.01, p> 0.05). According to the results, no differences were identified between the students who worked with unstructured data using decision trees and those students who analyzed the unstructured data using association rules. The research uses an independent t-test for the analysis of cognitive load within the academic environment. No significant differences were detected concerning cognitive load between the two groups of participants.
Keywords: unstructured data, decision trees, association rules, self-efficacy, cognitive load, SDGs.
Teaching children's literature to school children through digital educational resources
Authors: Yerahmetkyzy Zhaina , Shyryn Akimbekova , Kulgildinova Tulеbіkе , Lazzat Adilbekova , Yerlan Alashbayev , Ulbala Ibragimova
Published: October 2022

This study aimed to provide and use literature education with digital educational resources for students and was designed according to this purpose. In this context, it is aimed at carrying out a study in the school environment. The research was created and implemented in the 2021–2022 spring academic year. 184 volunteer students participated in the research. In the research, the study group participating in the study was given a 3-week online education with digital education resources and literature education. In order to collect data in the study, the ‘Digital Education and Literature’ data collection tool, which was developed by the researchers and whose validity and reliability were obtained, was used. The data collection tool used in the research was delivered and collected by the online method. The analysis of the data was made by using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences programme, frequency analysis, t-test, and the results were added to the research in the presence of tables. As a result of the research, it is seen that the working groups participating in the research have achieved the results that digital education technologies and education literature subject teaching bring success.
 
Keywords: Students, digital education technology, literature education;
Evaporate salt exploration by two dimensional (2D) seismic reflection method: Ankara-Polatlı region, Central Turkey
Authors: GÜNEY Recep , ÖZERK Zeynep Rezzan , IZLADI Erdener , ERDEN Salih , AK Esra , APATAY Erdi , YILMAZ Erdoğan , YIKMAZ Batuğhan , ÖZDEMİR Sami Aytaç , GÜNDÜZ Sermet , CAN Tuğçe , ÇELİK İmam , GÜRER Abdullah , AYKAÇ Sinem , ARISYO Muzaffer Özgü , KÖSE Esra Burcu , DEMİRCİ Büşra Bihter
Published: October 2022

The presence of the Evaporate salt zone in Ankara-Polatlı region has been determined by the drillings and is thought to be the largest reserve in Turkey. The seismic reflection method was used to determine the top-bottom levels of the zone; its depth; its thickness and extent boundaries; the horst-graben structures; base depth and tectonic movements affecting the study area. Data were collected on three seismic lines. The near-surface tomographic velocity sections were compatible with the top of the zone depth observed in the drillings. As a result of the study, the depth and thickness of the top-bottom of the zone were determined along the lines. Within the scope of the study, a combined interpretation was made on the lines by using gravity and seismic data. The extent of the ore zone was determined only in the E-W direction section, but not in the north-south direction lines since they are outside the license area and so, the seismic lines. The closest point of the evaporate zone to the surface is approximately 150 m, deepest point is approximately 310 m, average thickness is approximately 100 m and maximum thickness is 185 m.
MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF PLANTAIN SQUIRREL (Callosciurus notatus) SPERM
Authors: Umami Muhimatul
Published: October 2022

The plantain squirrel (Callosciurus notatus) is a rodent of the family Sciuridae. The population of plantain squirrels in Indonesia has decreased every year. The 2019 Checklist of the Mammals of Indonesia reports that the plantain squirrel is in a low concentration status; thus, accelerated efforts in wildlife conservation, including integrating technology with conservation efforts, are necessary. This study aims to determine the morphological characteristic of the plantain squirrel spermatozoa. This research consisted of several stages: anesthesia of animal samples, surgery, a maceration method, observation of the spermatozoa morphology using William's staining, and morphometry of sperm using ImageJ 1.46r software. The results show that the plantain squirrel sperm has a slightly flat head shape, falciform with one apical hook, and a not too long tail. The average sperm head length is 1.87 ± 0.30 µm, the average sperm tail length is 5.48 ± 0.95 µm.
NEW CRANE BUMPER DESIGN WITH AN ENERGY ABSORPTION DEVICE SYSTEM
Authors: HANISZEWSKI Tomasz , MARGIELEWICZ Jerzy , GĄSKA Damian , OPASIAK Tadeusz
Published: October 2022

This article presents research carried out using physical data from the experimental construction of an overhead crane. This article aims to determine the dynamic behaviour of the cart-pendulum system when the hoisting mechanism hits the new bumper design at the end of the girder support structure with selected speed and bumper material to the length of the wire rope. This research shows the influence of the horizontal speed of the hoisting mechanism on the bumper force during a collision with a standard buffer and its modifications. The presented model can be the basis for modelling more complex cases, and its assumed role (i.e. the ability to determine the angle of deflection of the rope during an impact) has been confirmed and is possible to use in a specific case of an overhead crane on an industrial scale. Preliminary analysis of the construction of the bumper considered reveals its positive features, aiming, among other goals, to reduce the acceleration and force acting on the crane cart in emergency situations.
TECHNOLOGIES AND INTELLIGENT SYSTEMS FOR ADAPTIVE VIBRATION CONTROL IN RAIL TRANSPORT
Authors: ALIEV Telman , BABAYEV Tofig , MUSAEVA Naila , MAMMADOVA Ana , ALIBAYLI Elnur
Published: October 2022

Vibration diagnostics is of particular importance in rail transport safety systems because the signals received from vibration sensors installed on rolling stock, bridges, tunnels, and other infrastructure objects have great diagnostic information potential. Despite this, in practice, there are cases when the adequacy of the results of the vibration control and diagnostics task is not ensured. The reason is that the sampling step of the vibration signal does not change when the train speed changes. Given the need to change the sampling interval depending on the train speed, this article proposes an adaptive technology for vibration signal sampling that allows the building of intelligent systems of adaptive vibration control of malfunctions in rail transport.
PREDICTION OF FINE PARTICULATE MATTER IN LOW-EMISSION ZONES USING A MODIFIED NUMERICAL METHOD FOR A SYSTEM OF ORDINARY DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
Authors: ASENOV Asen , GEORGIEV Ivan , PENCHEVA Velizara , MINEVA Kremena
Published: October 2022

Currently, many European cities have severely exceeded the EU air quality standards and are struggling with high concentrations of fine particulate matter PM10 and PM2.5 in the air, with road transport often being one of the major polluters. One of the forms for correction of the problem that many cities in the EU are currently using is the construction of low-emission zones. For the prediction of PM10 and PM2.5, a modified numerical method for a system of ordinary differential equations has been proposed. In the right part of this system, in addition to the main trend and the periodicity of PM10 and PM2.5, their correlation is taken into account. Against the background of the best solution obtained, a forecast is made for the emission levels in a period of one week in the town of Ruse.
Focus sur le projet « Z », un espace de production de fruits renforçant les régulations biologiques dans un objectif zéro phyto
Authors: SIMON Sylvaine , ALAPHILIPPE Aude , BORNE Solène
Published: October 2022

Comment produire des fruits tout en renforçant le service écosystémique de régulation des bio-agresseurs pour limiter voire supprimer l’utilisation des pesticides ? Une démarche de co-conception agroécologique, associant un ensemble d’acteurs du territoire et de la filière, a été développée dans le cadre du Projet « Z » (Zéro phyto) de l’unité expérimentale recherche intégrée (UERI) INRAE Gotheron pour aborder cette question complexe. L’approche vise à mobiliser, dans le temps et dans l’espace, une diversité d’espèces et variétés fruitières, de plantes associées et d’habitats, pour limiter l’arrivée, l’installation, le développement et la dispersion des bio-agresseurs dans la parcelle, et les dégâts qu’ils occasionnent. Ceci a conduit à repenser la diversité et l’agencement spatial du verger, pour rendre le milieu très défavorable aux bio-agresseurs, et très accueillant pour les auxiliaires, tout en organisant plantes et aménagements de manière fonctionnelle et qui optimise le partage des ressources entre plantes. Un prototype de verger circulaire a été implanté en 2018 à Gotheron. L’enjeu est maintenant de le piloter, de l’évaluer dans la durée de manière multicritère, et de comprendre les processus écologiques se mettant en place. Si ce dispositif exploratoire est encore jeune pour produire des résultats stabilisés, la démarche s’accompagne d’une dynamique multi-acteurs et d’échanges qui alimentent la transition agroécologique.
AI Controller for SEPIC Converter of PV Systems
Authors: Pa Mary
Published: October 2022

This research presents a maximum power point tracking of traditional single-ended primary converter (SEPIC) with the aid of fuzzy logic controller (FLC) for regulating the voltage and perturbation and observation(P&O) algorithms for regulating the reference voltage and reaching the maximum power point tracking. This is a promising technique for the conventional SEPIC converter to achieve maximum power point tracking with much less error. Moreover, the method is simple, reliable, and understandable for photovoltaic systems.
Formation of synthetic data in the preparation of training sets for emergency warning systems
Authors: Baluta Victor Ivanovich
Published: October 2022

The preprint contains a brief overview of information materials on the problem of synthetic data formation and substantiation of the possibility of using mathematical modeling to prepare training sets in the interests of creating predictive and analytical models used in emergency warning and response systems by means of machine learning. An assessment of the current state of research in the field of machine learning is given, an analysis and generalization of practical methods for obtaining synthetic data for the formation of training sets with detailed features in relation to the presentation of information in the form of numerical, textual or figurative formats is carried out, recommendations are made on the use of various mechanisms for creating synthetic data in order to prepare training sets of predictive and analytical models for the main types threats.
Mathematical modeling of a multiphase flow in a single-pore reservoir
Authors: Mazitov Ainur Asgatovich , Bobreneva Yuliya Olegovna , Gubaydullin Irek Marsovich , Poveschenko Yuri Andreevich
Published: October 2022

The flowing process of multiphase flows in single-pore reservoirs is considered. The multiphase flow in the well is formed by mixing oil, formation water and petroleum gas. A mathematical model is presented that describes the process of mass transfer of a two-phase fluid in a single-pore reservoir during a hydrodynamic study on a well. Based on the model, a difference scheme is constructed. The scalar sweep method is used as a method for solving a system of linear algebraic equations. The analysis of the influence of various characteristics of productive formations, reflecting their influence on the pressure dynamics, was carried out. The optimal time for conducting a hydrodynamic study on a production well was calculated. Modeling was carried out in the developed compact software.
Adaptive Timestepping, Linearization, and A Posteriori Error Control for Multiphase Flow of Immiscible Fluids in Porous Media with Wells
Authors: Ahmed E. , Klemetsdal Ø. , Raynaud X. , Møyner O. , Nilsen H. M.
Published: October 2022

This work focuses on the development of adaptive timesteps, stopping criteria, and error control strategies for reservoir simulations with fully implicit (FIM) solvers. Using a rigorous error control framework, an adaptive time selector combined with nonlinear stopping criteria is used to control nonlinear iterations as well as to balance accuracy and robustness for challenging nonlinear simulations.

In reservoir simulation, efficiently solving a system of nonlinear equations arising from the FIM method can be computationally burdensome for complex recovery processes. Theoretically, an FIM reservoir simulator has no stability limit on the timestep size. In practice, standard Newton’s method often fails to converge for large timestep sizes and must therefore cut the timestep multiple times to achieve convergence, resulting in a large number of unnecessary iterations. Another cause of nonlinear convergence issues is the presence of wells, which are often presented as singular point/line sources strongly coupled to the reservoir model, posing additional restrictions on the timestep choice. Here, we use a posteriori error estimators to avoid unnecessary nonlinear iterations and timestep cuts when solving immiscible multiphase flow. First, we estimate error components (e.g., spatial, temporal, and nonlinear) and then apply these to balancing criteria, providing us with dynamic and adaptive strategies to control timestep and nonlinear iterations. The error estimators are fully and locally computable, inexpensive to use, and target the various error components, including well singularities. The method provides an adaptive criterion for stopping the nonlinear iteration process whenever the linearization error does not significantly affect the overall error. Simultaneously, timesteps are adapted to maintain a constant size of the temporal discretization error with respect to the total error. Altogether, this avoids using unnecessary linearization iterations, wasteful timestep cuts, and too small timesteps.

To demonstrate the effectiveness of these adaptive features, we present results for a suite of cases, covering both standard benchmarks and conceptual problems incorporating highly heterogeneous media with multiple wells. The proposed timestep selector cooperates with the new stopping criteria to improve nonlinear solver performance and increases robustness for cases with high nonlinearity. Perhaps most important, the adaptive features ensure balanced temporal and spatial errors while maintaining sufficiently small nonlinear errors, which ensures solution accuracy by accurately reproducing saturation fronts, production plateau, and breakthrough times.
A Novel Approach in Understanding the Role of Water in Oxidation and Upgrading Reactions during In-Situ Combustion Oil Recovery, Part A: Experimental Observations
Authors: Fassihi M. Reza , Alamatsaz A. , Moore R. G. , (Raj) Mehta S. A. , Ursenbach M. G. , Mallory D. , Pereira Almao P. , Gupta S. C. , Chhina H. S.
Published: October 2022

To understand the role of connate water as a source of hydrogen in oxidation and upgrading of bituminous oil at high temperature, heavy water (D2O) and O-18 enriched water (H2O18) were used as connate water in two different in-situ combustion experiments using a conical tube. Aside from fundamental understanding of the role of such reactions in in-situ combustion, the results could also potentially help in optimizing in-situ hydrogen generation and upgrading of heavy and bituminous oil. The conical tube had previously been used for understanding the impact of air flux (AF) in sustaining the combustion front (Alamatsaz et al. 2011). Significant upgrading was observed in these tests with a produced API gravity of 35 ° compared to the original bitumen gravity of 9 °API. This paper (Part A) deals with the experimental results including a comparison between conical tube and a combustion tube (CT) results. A subsequent paper (Part B) will discuss the upgrading aspects and the mass spectrometry results.
Managing Risk in Well Placement Optimization within an Expected Utility Framework
Authors: Yang Di , Deutsch Clayton V.
Published: October 2022

Well placement optimization is one of the most crucial tasks in the petroleum industry. It often involves high risk in the presence of geological uncertainty due to a limited understanding of the subsurface reservoir. Well placement optimization is different from decision selection as countless alternatives are impossible to be enumerated in a decision model (such as the mean-variance model). In many practical applications, the decision criterion of well placement optimization is based on maximizing the risk-adjusted value (mean-variance optimization) to capture different risk attitudes. This approach regards variance as the measure of risk, and it is performed under the expected utility framework. However, investors only dislike the downside volatility below a certain benchmark. The downside-risk approach has been discussed in previous studies, in this paper, it will be introduced in the well placement optimization and discussed under the expected utility framework. It is demonstrated in a synthetic reservoir model with the consideration of spatial heterogeneity, and the comparison between the downside-risk optimization and mean-variance optimization is also presented in this example. The observation implies that well placement optimization is heavily influenced by individuals’ preference to risk. The downside-risk optimization outperforms the mean-variance optimization because it explicitly assesses risk and does not penalize high outcomes.
Climate Finance Short-changed: The real value of the $100 billion commitment in 2019–2020
Authors: Carty Tracy , Kowalzig Jan
Published: October 2022

In 2009, high-income countries promised to provide $100bn a year in climate finance to low- and middle-income countries by 2020. They have failed to keep this promise. Their official reports claim that the climate finance they provided and mobilized reached $83.3bn in 2020, but Oxfam estimates the real value was only around a third of that reported. Immediate action is needed to restore trust in the $100bn goal and ensure that the provision of climate finance is fair and robust. For too long, most high-income countries have persisted in counting the wrong things in the wrong way. There are too many loans, too much debt, too few grants, too little for adaptation, and too much dishonest and misleading accounting. This paper sets out recommendations for action at COP27 and beyond to rectify these issues, restore trust in climate finance and stop the world’s poorest climate-vulnerable countries and communities being short-changed of the climate finance they urgently need, and to which they are entitled.
Evaluation of embryo production method on the quality of embryos produced by Nguni, Bonsmara, Boran beef cattle breeds
Authors: Mapeka Mohleko Helen Mohleko , Pilane Cyril Mpho , Molomo Karabo , Banga Cuthbert Baldwin , Ng’ambi Jones Wilfred
Published: October 2022

The objective of this study was to compare the quality of in vivo and in vitro produced embryos in Bonsmara, Nguni and Boran cattle. Hormonal supplements were used to produce in vivo embryos while ovum pickup and ovarian follicle aspiration were used to produce in vitro embryos. Embryos produced by both methods in all the three breeds were evaluated for morphological appearence based on the standards of the International Embryo Transfer Society. Data were analysed by ANOVA. No significant difference were observed among breeds in developmental competency of embryos produced in vivo. Development of blastocysts in vivo was significantly higher in Bonsmara and Nguni compared to Boran on day 8. No significant difference was observed between breeds at all development stages for the in vitro environment. There were no significant breed differences in the number of blastocysts and blastocyst quality by either the in vivo or in vitro method. Flushing and Ovum pickup produced a higher number of blastocysts compared to ovary aspiration. The number of Grade I embryos were significantly higher in flushing and OPU compared to ovary aspiration. In conclusion, the study showed that the in vivo method of embryo production is superior to the in vitro method in blastocyst development of Bonsmara, Boran and Nguni breeds.
A TTN-mutation-associated gene signature for prognostic prediction of hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Bi Yanqing , Huang rong , Zhang ziying , Tian Zixuan , Liu min , Bao Han , Yan tao , Xia Yuan , Zhang xingguang , zhang nan
Published: October 2022

Mutation in titin (TTN), associated with a worsened prognosis, is among the most common genetic variants in human hepatocellular carcinoma. mRNA expression data and TTN mutation information from TCGA cohort were utilized to characterize a specific TTN-mutation-associated signature according to gene-expression differences between wild type (TTN-WT) and TTN-mutated (TTN-MUT) hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) patients. Survival analysis was conducted to identify the prognostic gene signature in HCC patients. Depending on this gene signature, patients were grouped into high- and low-risk subgroups and a significant enrichment associated with immunity is detected between the risk groups. Furthermore, the results were further validated in HCC cell lines. In total, 189 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) potentially correlated with TTN mutation status were identified. Five genes (VAX1, MMP3, CXCL5, TKTL1 and KCNA3), identified by survival analyses, constituted an independent OS prognostic gene signature in HCC patients. In addition, the high-risk group was associated with an abundance of macrophages and neutrophils, while the infiltration indices of T follicular helper cells, natural killer cells, and type 2 helper T cells (Th2) were lower compared to low-risk group. MMP3 and CXCL5 expression were further validated in HCC cell lines. We established a novel and unique TTN-mutation-related gene signature for survival outcome prediction for HCC patients.
Metagenomic meta-analysis of the gut microbiome in the different primary locations of colorectal cancer
Authors: DongCheng Luo , Liao Sina , Li Yongqiang , Lai Hao , Lin Youzhi , Liao Xiaoli
Published: October 2022

BACKGROUND
Recent studies have found a relationship between gut microbes and the primary location of colorectal cancer (CRC). However, most of these studies had limitations in sample size or sequencing methods. In this study, we collected metagenomic data from three studies and meta-analyzed the microbiological features according to the grouping of right-side colon cancer (RCC), left-side colon cancer (LCC), and rectal cancer (RC).
METHODS
We first identified confounding factors (except for tumor location) by two-way ANOVA and comparing species diversity. Subsequently, the microbial compositions were compared between different tumor locations. Microbial co-occurrence networks were established based on samples with different tumor locations. A prediction model for primary tumor location was constructed using a random forest algorithm based on microbial abundance features. Finally, tumor location and confounding factors were entered in the MAASLIN2 to identify differential species. Linear discriminant analysis (LDA) also identified the differential species.
RESULTS
Different study sources and BMI influenced gut microbiome and significantly altered α-diversity and β-diversity, bringing the confounding effect when analyzing gut microbial features in different tumor locations. However, α-diversity and β-diversity of gut microbiome had no significant difference in tumor locations. Species belonging to the Phylum of Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, and Proteobacteria played essential linkages in the three microbial networks, while Bacteroidetes were more critical in the microbial network of RCC. There are both the same hub species and different hub species among the three networks. The random forest classification model performed well in predicting RC (class error = 0.217) but poorly classified the RCC and LCC, with an overall classification error of 0.613. In comparing colon cancer (CC) with RC, MAASLIN2 and LDA identified six species significantly enriched in RC and thirteen in CC. In comparing RCC with LCC, MAASLIN2 identified nine species significantly enriched in RCC and six significantly enriched in LCC. Some of the differential species were reported to be associated with CRC location-related Molecular and immune features.
CONCLUSION
This study elucidated the relationship between gut microbiome and CRC location and confirmed that RCC, LCC, and RC had different enrich patterns of microbiota.
Plasma exosome proteomics reveals the pathogenesis mechanism of post stroke cognitive impairment
Authors: Qi Baoyun , Kong Lingbo , Lai Xinxing , Wang Linshuang , Fei Liu , Wei Dongfeng , Ji Weiwei
Published: October 2022

Background
Recently, the plasma exosome biomarkers of post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) have been brought into focus. Exploration and utilization of exosome biomarkers and their related functions provided the possibility for the diagnosis and treatment of PSCI. Aims To identify for new diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers of plasma exosome using label-free quantitative proteomics and biological information analysis in PSCI patients.
Methods
A series of behavioral assessments were performed, including the Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE), the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), the Barthel index, the Morse Fall Seale (MFS) beteen control group (n = 10) and PSCI group (n = 10). The blood samples were collected to analyse the biomarker and differentially expressed proteins of plasma exosome using label-free quantitative proteomics and biological information. The exosomes marker proteins were determined by Western blot. The exosome morphology was observed by transmission electron microscopy.
Results
The scores of MMSE and MoCA were significantly decreasd in the PSCI group. The PT% and high-density lipoprotein decreasd and the INR ratio increasd in PSCI group. The mean size of exosome was approximately 71.6 nm and the concentration was approximately 6.8E + 7 particles/mL. Exosome proteomics identificated 259 differentially expressed proteins, including 131 up-regulated proteins and 128 down-regulated proteins. The mechanisms of cognitive impairment are related to up-regulation of degradation of ubiquitinated proteins, calcium dependent protein binding, cytoskeleton reorganization, platelet aggregation and down-regulation of cell adhesive protein binding, formation of fibrin clot, complement activation, lipid metabolism and ATP-dependent degradation of ubiquitinated proteins in plasma exosome of PSCI patients. Plasma levels of YWHAZ and BAIAP2 were significantly increased while that of IGHD, ABCB6 and HSPD1 were significantly decreased in PSCI patients.
Conclusion
These proteins might be target-related proteins and provide global insights into pathogenesis mechanisms of PSCI at plasma exosome proteins level.
Delta (B1.617.2) variant of SARS-CoV-2 induces severe neurotropic patterns in K18-hACE2 mice
Authors: Yang Ju-Hee , Yang Myeon-Sik , Kim Dae-Min , Kim Bumseok , Tark Dongseob , Kang Sangmin , Lee Gun-Hee
Published: October 2022

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), a highly contagious virus, emerged and quickly spread globally, resulting in the coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic. Genetic variants of SARS-CoV-2 have been reported to circulate throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The major symptoms of COVID-19 are respiratory symptoms, fever, muscle pain, and breathing difficulty. In addition, up to 30% of patients with COVID-19 complain of neurological complications such as headache, nausea, stroke, and anosmia. However, the neurotropism of SARS-CoV-2 infection remains largely unknown. This study investigated neurotropic patterns between the B1.617.2 (Delta) and Hu-1 variants (Wuhan, early strain) in K18-hACE2 mice. B1.617.2-infected K18-hACE2 mice displayed massive weight loss, greater lethality, and severe conjunctivitis compared to the findings Hu-1–infected mice despite their similar pathogenic patterns in various organs. Additionally, we demonstrated through histopathological analysis that B1.617.2 more readily infects the brain than the lungs and infects the brain earlier after inoculation. Finally, we found that the upregulation of various signature genes involved in type I interferon- and cytokine-mediated signaling was most pronounced after B1.617.2 infection, and a small population of cells exhibited necrosis-related responses. This study has provided helpful information for potential treatment strategies.
Effect of economic growth, FDI inflows, trade openness, environment related technologies, and environment related revenues taxes on CO2 emission with pooled mean group (PMG) panel ARDL
Authors: Fatima Nudrat , Yanting Zheng , Guohua Ni
Published: October 2022

The current research study employed PMG (Pooled Mean Group) estimator to examine the impact of foreign direct investment inflows (FDI Inflows), Trade Openness (TO), environmental-related technologies (ERTs), environmental-related tax revenues (ERTRs), and Economic growth (EG) on carbon dioxide (CO2) emission with a dataset of 36 OECD countries spanning from 1990 to 2020. Kao and Pedroni cointegration test results show that study variables are stationary at I(0) and I(I) that conform pooled mean group (PMG) panel ARDL method can be employed. Empirical results of PMG demonstrate that environmental-related tax revenues (ERTRs) help reduce CO2 emission while foreign direct investment inflows (FDI Inflows), Trade Openness (TO), environmental-related technologies (ERTs) and Economic growth (EG) are significantly and positively related to environmental degradation. In context of study findings several relevant financial globalization policies are suggested.
Nasal anti-CD3 mAb (Foralumab) dampens CD3+ T effector function and decreases NKG7 in COVID-19 through a mechanism involving GIMAP-7 and TGFb1
Authors: Moreira Thais , Gauthier Christian , Murphy Liam , Lanser Toby , Paul Anu , Matos Kimble , Mangani Davide , Izzy Saef , Rezende Rafael , Healy Brian , Baecher-Allan Clare , Chitnis Tanuja , Kuchroo Vijay , Weiner Howard
Published: October 2022

T cells are present in early stages of the SARS-CoV-2 infection and play a major role in disease outcome and long-lasting immunity. Nasal administration of a fully humanized anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody (Foralumab) reduced lung inflammation as well as serum IL-6 and C-reactive protein in moderate cases of COVID-19. Using RNA-sequencing and serum proteomics, we investigated the immune changes in patients treated with nasal Foralumab. In a randomized trial, mild to moderate COVID-19 outpatients received nasal Foralumab (100ug/day) given for 10 consecutive days and were compared to patients that did not receive Foralumab. We found that naïve-like T cells were increased in Foralumab treated subjects and NGK7+ effector T cells were reduced. CCL5, IL32, CST7, GZMH, GZMB, GZMA, PRF1, and CCL4 gene expression were downregulated in T cells and CASP1 was downregulated in T cells, monocytes and B cells in subjects treated with Foralumab. In addition to the downregulation of effector function, an increase in TGFb1 gene expression in cell types with known effector function was observed in Foralumab treated subjects. We also found increased expression of GTP-binding gene GIMAP7 in subjects treated with Foralumab. Rho/ROCK1, a downstream pathway of GTPases and TGF-b1 signaling, was downregulated in Foralumab treated individuals. TGFb1, GIMAP7 and NKG7 transcriptomic changes observed in Foralumab treated COVID-19 subjects was also observed in healthy volunteers, MS subjects and mice treated with nasal anti-CD3. Our findings demonstrate that nasal Foralumab modulates the inflammatory response in COVID-19 and provides a novel avenue to treat the disease.
Numerical Analysis of the Influence of Size Upgrading on Oxygen and Carbon Impurities in Casting Silicon
Authors: Su Wenjia , Zhang Zhen , Li Jiulong , Guan Zhicheng , Li Jiaqi
Published: October 2022

Size upgrading is the main method to increase production capacity and reduce production costs during the directional solidification of silicon ingots. The performance of solar cells depends directly on the quality of the wafer and impurities distributions in silicon ingots. The distributions of oxygen and carbon impurities in G6 and G7 directional solidification furnaces are studied. The transient global simulation method is used to calculate the coupled thermal and flow fields in the furnaces, considering the convection of gas and melt, chemical reactions, and segregations of the impurities at the crystal-melt interface. The simulation results show that the distributions of oxygen and carbon impurities change significantly in the silicon ingot at different growth stages, especially the position of the highest concentration of carbon impurities has shifted. Compared with the G6 furnace, the average concentrations of oxygen and carbon in silicon crystal in the G7 furnace are reduced by 6.7%, and 7.3% respectively. With the growth of silicon crystal, the average concentration of oxygen gradually decreases, while the average concentration of carbon gradually increases.
A Pangenome Reference of 36 Chinese populations
Authors: Xu Shuhua , Gao Yang , Yang Xiaofei , Chen Hao , Tan Xinjiang , Yang Zhaoqing , Deng Lian , Wang Yimin , Wang Baonan , Li Songyang , Cui Yuhang , Pan Yuwen , Ma Sen , Sun Hao , Kong Shuang , Zhao Xiaohan , Wu Dongdong , Wu Shaoyuan , Shi Bingyin , Jin Li , Lu Yan , Chu Jiayou , Ye Kai
Published: October 2022

Human genomics is witnessing an ongoing paradigm shift from a single reference sequence to a pangenome form but populations of Asian ancestry are underrepresented. Here, we present the first effort (Phase I) of the Chinese Pangenome Consortium (CPC) with a collection of 116 high-quality and haplotype-phased de novo assemblies based on 58 core samples representing 36 minority Chinese ethnic groups. With > 30.65× High-Fidelity long-reads sequence coverage, an average contiguity N50 > 35.63 Mb, and an average total size of 3.01 Gb, the CPC core assemblies cover ~96.54% and ~93.59% of the latest reference sequence GRCh38 and a Telomere-to-Telomere haploid assembly T2T-CHM13, respectively. Moreover, the CPC Phase I data add 189 million base pairs of euchromatic polymorphic sequence and 1,367 protein-coding gene duplications to GRCh38. We also identify from the CPC pangenome ~15.9 million small variants and ~78 thousand structural variants (SVs), of which ~6.1 million (38.0%) small variants and ~25 thousand (32.4%) SVs are not reported in a recently released pangenome reference by the Human Pangenome Reference Consortium (HPRC)1. The CPC data demonstrate a remarkable increase in discovering novel or missing sequences when individuals are included from underrepresented minority ethnic groups, suggesting the necessity of a more comprehensive sampling effort for both CPC and HPRC.
Autophagy mediates cementoblast mineralization through periostin/β-catenin signaling axis under compression
Authors: Li Weiran , Yang Yuhui , Liu Hao , Wang Ruoxi , Zhao Yi , Zheng Yunfei , Huang Yiping
Published: October 2022

Repair of orthodontic external root resorption and periodontal tissue dysfunction induced by mechanical force remains a clinical challenge. Cementoblasts are vital in cementum mineralization, a process important for restoring damaged cementum and regaining healthy periodontal function. Autophagy is a vital self-renewal process for cellular homeostasis under various environmental stimuli. However, how autophagy mediated cementoblast mineralization remains unclear. Here we verified that murine cementoblasts exhibit compromised mineralization under compressive force. Autophagy was indispensable for cementoblast mineralization, and autophagic activation markedly reversed the capacity for cementoblast mineralization and cementum damage in mice. Subsequently, mRNA sequencing analyses identified periostin (Postn) as a regulator of autophagy and cementoblast mineralization. Cementoblast mineralization was significantly inhibited following knockdown of Postn. Furthermore, Postn silencing downregulated Wnt transcriptional activity by promoting ubiquitination of β-catenin. Together our results highlight autophagy as a mediator of cementoblast mineralization via Postn/β-catenin signaling under compressive force and may provide a new strategy for the remineralization of cementum and regeneration of periodontal tissue.
Text Mining: Identification of Similarity of Text documents using Hybrid Similarity model
Authors: KM Shiva Prasad
Published: October 2022

The volume of data that is accessible on the internet has increased dramatically. This growth of data will only increase exponentially in the future as more data exhaust devices are connected to the network. A part of this data consists of documents from various sources. As the data from various digital sources increases, it becomes tough to perform the process of identification of relevant information which is most essentially needed for their further usage. Our paper aims at providing a hybrid similarity algorithm that identifies similar documents both in terms of semantic similarity and contextual similarity using text summarization techniques. Some of these techniques use deep learning with multiple layers and prebuilt models of NLP to provide similarity between documents and attempt to provide a quantitative number to the polysemy quotient of the corpus. The experimental results of our model provided an accuracy of 76.25% compared with other traditional algorithms
Microkinetics of Lidocaine and Bupivacaine Transfer across Myelinated Nerve Fibre
Authors: Smrkolj Vladimir , Pregeljc Domen , Kavcic Hana , Umek Nejc , Mavri Janez
Published: October 2022

Background
The present study aimed to predict the time to onset and duration of action of two local anesthetics (lidocaine and bupivacaine) based on the experimental dimensions of a typical nerve and experimental octanol/water partition coefficients.
Methods
We started our compilation of experimental data with a numerical solution of the diffusion equation of transfer of lidocaine and bupivacaine across the axon membrane at the region of the node of Ranvier (axolemma) and across the Schwann cell. By including the coordinate-dependent chemical potential, the difference between the aqueous and lipid environments of the neuron was simulated. In the second step, permeation rates calculated using the diffusion equation were applied to solve a system of four ordinary differential equations. This approach allowed us to simulate the cell environment for longer, enabling us to compare our model to the pharmacokinetic properties (time to onset and duration of action) of local anaesthetics found in the literature. The behaviour of local anaesthetics under physiological conditions and in the case of local acidosis was also simulated.
Results
We demonstrated that local anaesthetics cross the axolemma on a sub-microsecond time scale. Time to onset, controlled by diffusion from epineurium to an axon with a typical distance of 500 µm, was 167 s and 186 s for lidocaine and bupivacaine, respectively. Calculated half-time, which is a measure of the duration of action, was 41min and 328 min for lidocaine and bupivacaine, respectively.
Conclusions
Duration of action is controlled by the storage capacity of lipophilic compartments around the axon that are higher for bupivacaine and lower in the case of local acidosis. For the latter case, the literature, including textbooks, provides an incorrect interpretation that protonated species cannot penetrate the membrane.
Strongly sexually dimorphic forelegs are not more condition-dependent than less dimorphic traits in Drosophila prolongata
Authors: Ferreira Jhoniel Perdigon , Rohner Patrick T. , Lüpold Stefan
Published: October 2022

Directional sexual selection drives the evolution of traits that are most closely linked to reproductive success, giving rise to trait exaggeration and sexual dimorphism. Exaggerated structures are often costly and, therefore, thought to be expressed in a condition-dependent manner. Sexual selection theory thus predicts a direct link between directional sexual selection, sexual dimorphism, and sex-specific condition dependence. However, only a handful of studies investigate the relationship between sexual dimorphism and condition dependence. Using 21 genetic lines of Drosophila prolongata, we here compared the degree of sexual dimorphism and sex-specific condition dependence in sexually selected and non-sexual traits. Our data revealed male-biased sexual dimorphism in all traits examined, most prominently in the sexually selected forelegs. However, there was no relationship between the degree of sex-specific condition dependence and sexual dimorphism across traits and genetic lines. Our results contradict theoretical predictions and highlight the importance of understanding the role of exaggerated traits in the context of both sexual and natural selection.
Feasibility of in vivo swine models using guide wire-assisted intraductal radiofrequency ablation for benign biliary stricture
Authors: Park Jae Keun , Yang Ju-Il , Park Joo Kyung , Lee Kwang Hyuck , Lee Jong Kyun , Lee Kyu Taek
Published: October 2022

Background/Aims: Several in vivoswine models of benign biliary stenosis (BBS) have been recently reported for preclinical studies of novel endoscopic techniques and devices. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and feasibility of large animal models of BBS by using intraductal radiofrequency ablation (RFA) assisted by guide wire.
Methods: Six in vivoswine models were made by using an intraductal RFA for cauterization at 10 W, 80 °C, 90 sec in the common bile duct. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) was performed with cholangiography and histologic evaluation was done for the common bile duct. Blood tests were examined before, after, and at the final follow-up.
Results: Guide wire assisted RFA electrode produced BBS in all (6/6, 100%) animal models without severe complications. Fluoroscopy findings at 2 weeks after intraductal RFA in every model revealed BBS in the common bile duct. In histologic evaluations, fibrosis and chronic inflammatory changes were noted. After the procedure, ALP, GGT, and CRP were elevated and decreased after an appropriate drain.
Conclusions: A swine model of BBS is developed by inducing intraductal thermal injury using intraductal RFA assisted by guide wire. This novel technique for inducing BBS in swine is effective and feasible.
Coisotropic Branes on Tori and Homological Mirror Symmetry
Authors: Qin Yingdi
Published: October 2022

Homological mirror symmetry (HMS) asserts that the Fukaya category of a symplectic manifold is derived equivalent to the category of coherentsheaves on the mirror complex manifold. Without suitable enlargement (split closure) of the Fukaya category, certain objects of it are missing to prevent HMS from being true. One possible solution is to include coisotropic branes into the Fukaya category. This paper gives a construction for linear symplectic tori of a version of Fukaya category including coisotropic branes by using a doubling procedure, and discussing the relation between the Fukaya category of the doubling torus and the Fukaya category of the original torus.
“We are the ones who will have to make the change”: Cuban health cooperation and the integration of Cuban medical graduates into practice in the Pacific
Authors: McLennan Sharon , Werle Cristine
Published: October 2022

Background:This paper responds to Asante et al (2014), providing an updated picture of the impacts of Cuban medical training in the Pacific region based on research carried out in 2019-2021, which focused on the experiences of Pacific Island doctors trained in Cuba and their integration into practice in their home countries.Methods:The research focussed on two case studies – the Solomon Islands and Kiribati. Study methods for this research included multi-sited ethnographic methods and semi-structured interviews as well as qualitative analysis of policy documents, reports, and media sources.Results:The Cuban programme has had a significant impact on the medical workforce in the region increasing the number of doctors employed by Pacific Ministries of Health between 2012 and 2019. Qualitatively, there have been some notable improvements in health delivery over this period. However, the integration of the Cuban-trained doctors into practise has been challenging, with criticisms of their clinical, procedural and communication skills, and the need for the rapid development of bridging and internship training programmes (ITPs)which were inadequately planned for at the outset of the programme.Conclusions:The Cuban programme in the Pacific is an important model of development assistance for health in the region. While Cuba’s offer of scholarships was the trigger for a range of positive outcomes, the success of the programme has relied on input from a range of actors including support from other governments and institutions, and much hard work by the graduates themselves, often in the face of conservable criticism. Key impacts of the programme to date include the raw increase in the number of doctors and the development of the ITPs and career pathways for the graduates, although this has also led to the reorientation of Cuban graduates from preventative to curative health. There is considerable potential for these graduates to contribute to improved health outcomes across the region, particularly if their primary and preventative health care skills are utilised.