bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Novel Xylose and Shikimate Transporters Facilitating the Design of a Microbial Consortium as a Chassis for Benzylisoquinoline Alkaloid Production
Authors: Gao Meirong , Zhao Yuxin , Su Qianhe , Shao Zengyi
Published: August 2022

Plant-sourced aromatic amino acid (AAA) derivatives are a vast group of compounds with broad applications. This study focuses on the development of a yeast consortium for efficient production of (S)-norcoclaurine, the key precursor for benzylisoquinoline alkaloid biosynthesis. A novel xylose-specific transporter insensitive to glucose inhibition enabled the concurrent mixed-sugar utilization in Scheffersomyces stipitis, which played a crucial role in enhancing the flux entering the highly regulated shikimate pathway located upstream of AAA biosynthesis. Two novel quinate permeases isolated from Aspergillus niger facilitated shikimate translocation to the co-cultured Saccharomyces cerevisiae that converted shikimate to (S)-norcoclaurine, resulting in the highest titer (4.2 mg/L) ever reported in literature, nearly 40-fold higher than the best titer from an S. cerevisiae monoculture. Our findings magnify the potential of microbial consortium platforms for the economical de novo synthesis of complex compounds, where pathway modularization and compartmentalization in distinct specialty strains enable effective fine-tuning of long biosynthetic pathways and diminish intermediate buildup, thereby leading to remarkable increases in production.
A post-quantum signature scheme from the secant variety of the Grassmannian
Authors: Tullio Daniele Di , Gyawali Manoj
Published: August 2022

In this paper we present a new signature scheme based on the difficulty of finding a point in a shifted Grassmannian variety or on its secant variety from a knowledge of its defining polynomials. An advantage of using the secant variety of the Grassmannian is that it is defined by sparse cubic equations, which are in general more difficult to solve than quadratic ones, thereby reducing the size of the public key.
Recurrence and prognosticators of recurrence in odontogenic keratocyst of the jaws.
Authors: BERA RATHINDRA , TANDON SAPNA , TIWARI PREETI
Published: August 2022

Introduction: The incidence of recurrence of OKC varied from 2.5%-62%. Studies have linked recurrence to treatment methods and also clinical and pathological features. The aim of this study was to evaluate the 5 year recurrence and the factors associated with recurrence in odontogenic keratocysts of the jaws.Methods: A retrospective review of records was done from the Institute’s Medical Records Directory from 2010-2021. The following data were obtained of the lesion; age at presentation, gender, site, subsite, radiographic presentation (locularity), radiographic borders, presence or absence of satellite cysts, inflammatory infiltrate, and treatment rendered presence or absence of cortical perforation and soft tissue extension and presence or absence of recurrence. Kaplan Meir estimator was used to evaluate recurrence rate and log rank test was used to compare the survival amongst groups. Cox regression analysis was used to evaluate the odds ratio to find out the possible factors influencing risk of recurrence. A p value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant at 95% confidence interval. Results: In our study cohort 44.44% had recurrence. Multilocular lesions, lesions with scalloped borders, presence of soft tissue extension and cortical perforation, presence of satellite cysts and inflammatory infiltrate and enucleation with peripheral ostectomy were significantly associated with recurrence. However; soft tissue extension, cortical perforation, enucleation with peripheral ostectomy and marsupialization followed by enucleation+ peripheral ostectomy were independent risk factors. Conclusion: There is still debate on the best treatment modality for the management of OKCs. More studies are required to quantify the results.
The Relationship of Serum Gastrin-17 and Oral Mucositis in Head and Neck Carcinoma Patients Receiving Radiotherapy
Authors: Wu Congye , Liu Yehong , Shi Feiyue , Chen Fei , Zhao Yongcai , Zhao Huanyu
Published: August 2022

Objective
The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship of serum gastrin-17 (G-17) and oral mucositis in head and neck carcinoma (HNC) patients receiving radiotherapy.
Methods
Serum G-17 were detected in patients before and after radiotherapy. Patients were divided into high G-17 group (baseline serum G-17 ≥ 5pmol/L) and low G-17 group (baseline serum G-17 < 5pmol/L). The severity of oral mucositis was analyzed between the two group. Other complications such as dysphagia, salivary gland, mandible, thyroid function, larynx, pain, and weight loss were also investigated.
Results
Forty-two patients were analyzed in this study. The median level of serum G-17 had a significant decrease after radiotherapy (7.29 ± 5.70pmol/L versus 4.93 ± 4.46pmol/L, P = 0.038). In low serum G-17 group, the incidences of grade 0, 1–2 and 3–4 of oral mucositis were 0%, 30.4%, and 69.6%, respectively. In high serum G-17 group, the incidences of grade 0, 1–2 and 3–4 of oral mucositis were 0%, 63.2%, and 36.8%, respectively. Pearson correlation analysis showed that serum G-17 was negatively correlated with oral mucositis (r=-0.595, P < 0.01). Weight loss of low G-17 group was more serious than that of high G-17 group.
Conclusions
Serum G-17 has a close relationship with oral mucositis. Baseline serum G-17 may be a potential predictor for the severity of oral mucositis in HNC patients receiving radiotherapy.
How fast is ECG signal? Propagation of the endogenous electromagnetic wave of cardiac origin
Authors: Buchner Teodor , Zajdel Maryla , Pęczalski Kazimierz , Nowak Paweł
Published: August 2022

A satisfactory model of the biopotentials, propagating through the human body, is essential for medical diagnostics, particularly for cardiovascular diseases. In our study, we develop the theory, that the propagation of biopotential of cardiac origin (ECG signal) may be treated as the propagation of low-frequency endogenous electromagnetic (EM) wave through the human body. We show that within this approach, the velocity of the ECG signal can be theoretically estimated, like for any other wave and physical medium, from the refraction index of the tissue in an appropriate frequency range. We confirm the theoretical predictions by the results of a direct measurement of the ECG signal propagation velocity and obtain mean velocity as low as v=1500 m/s. The results shed new light on our understanding of biopotential propagation through living tissue. This finding may improve medical diagnostics based on the impedance spectroscopy and electrocardiographic imaging, not to mention ECG, EEG and virtually all electric measurements. Better understanding of the underlying phenomena may also lead to new therapy solutions in various clinical contexts.
Deep-learning algorithm development for river flow prediction: PNP algorithm
Authors: Bak Gwiman , Bae Youngchul
Published: August 2022

Deep-learning algorithms developed in recent decades have performed well in prediction and classification using accumulated big data. However, as climate change has recently become a more serious global problem, natural disasters are occurring frequently. When analyzing natural disasters from the perspective of a data analyst, they are considered outliers, and the ability to predict outliers (natural disasters) using deep-learning algorithms based on big data acquired by computers is limited. To predict natural disasters, deep-learning algorithms must be enhanced to be able to predict outliers based on information such as the correlation between the input and output. Thus, algorithms that specialize in one field must be developed, and specialized algorithms for abnormal values must be developed to predict natural disasters. Therefore, considering the correlation between the input and output, we propose a positive and negative perceptron (PNP) algorithm to predict the flow rate of rivers using climate change-sensitive precipitation. The PNP algorithm consists of a hidden deep-learning layer composed of positive and negative neurons. We built deep-learning models using the PNP algorithm to predict the flow of three rivers. We also built comparative deep-learning models using long short-term memory (LSTM) to validate the performance of the PNP algorithm. We compared the predictive performance of each model using the root mean square error and symmetric mean absolute percentage error and demonstrated that it performed better than the LSTM algorithms.
Video endoscopic finding of acute laryngitis caused by SARS-CoV-2 during the Omicron variant wave
Authors: Tamura Atsushi
Published: August 2022

A 44-year-old male, who was diagnosed with SARS‑CoV‑2/Omicron variant, reported strong sore throat and difficulty swallowing after hospitalization. The rhino-laryngo flexible video endoscopy, which was conducted for excluding acute epiglottis, showed necrotic legion localized to the supraglottic, glottic and subglottic area, and mildly edematous arytenoids. Meanwhile, no findings of acute epiglottitis were found. Based on the endoscopic findings, I considered that acute laryngitis was caused by Omicron variant, and strong sore throat and difficulty swallowing were developed. He received an oral painkiller and no supplemental oxygen were administered. After several days, his symptoms resolved. The Omicron variant is more likely to infect the upper respiratory tract than the lower respiratory system, and main symptoms caused by the Omicron variant consist of upper respiratory tract symptoms, such as sore throat. The diffuse necrotic lesion seen in the larynx in this case could be a characteristic of acute laryngitis caused by the Omicron variant.
Structured implementation of the Supportive and Palliative Care Indicators Tool in general practice – A prospective interventional study with follow-up
Authors: Afshar Kambiz , Baal Katharina van , Wiese Birgitt , Schleef Tanja , Stiel Stephanie , Müller-Mundt Gabriele , Schneider Nils
Published: August 2022

Background
General practitioners (GPs) play a key role in the provision of primary palliative care (PC). The identification of patients who might benefit from PC and the timely initiation of patient-centred measures at the end of life are essential, yet challenging. Although different tools exist to support these key tasks, a structured approach is often missing.
Objective
The study aimed at implementing the German version of the Supportive and Palliative Care Indicators Tool (SPICT-DE™) in general practices, following a structured and regional approach, in order to evaluate the effects of this tool on the identification of patients with potential PC needs and the initiation of patient-centred measures.
Methods
The intervention of this mixed-methods study comprised a standardised training of 52 GPs from 34 general practices in two counties in Lower Saxony, Germany, on the use of the SPICT-DE™. Subsequently, over a period of 12 months, GPs applied the SPICT-DE™ in daily practice with adult patients with chronic, progressive diseases, and completed a follow-up survey 6 months after the initial patient assessment. The outcome parameters were alterations in the patient’s situation, and the type and number of initiated patient-centred measures during the follow-up interval. Additionally, 12 months after the standardised training, GPs provided feedback on their application of the SPICT-DE™.
Results
A total of 43 GPs (n = 15 female, median age 53 years) out of an initial sample of 52 trained GPs assessed 580 patients (345 female, median age 84 years) with mainly cardiovascular (47%) and oncological (33%) diseases. Follow-up of 412 patients revealed that 231 (56%) experienced at least one critical incident in their disease progression (e.g. acute crisis), 151 (37%) had at least one hospital admission, and 141 (34%) died. A review of current treatment/medication (76%) and a clarification of treatment goals (53%) were the most frequently initiated patient-centred measures. The majority of GPs deemed the SPICT-DE™ practical (85%) and stated an intention to continue applying the tool in daily practice (66%).
Conclusions
The SPICT-DE™ is a practical tool that supports the identification of patients at risk of deterioration or dying and promotes the initiation of patient-centred measures.
Trial registration
The study was registered in the German Clinical Trials Register (N° DRKS00015108; 22/01/2019).
A simplified workflow for end-point validation of real-time electrical cell-substrate impedance sensing of retinoic acid stimulated neurogenesis in human SH-SY5Y cells in vitro
Authors: Joos-Vandewalle Julia , Steenkamp Vanessa , Prinsloo Earl
Published: August 2022

Objective
Retinoic acid (RA) is known to transition proliferating SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells towards functional neurons. However, the activity of RA is restricted due to its photosensitivity. The aim of the study was to establish a real-time, long-term (9-day) protocol for the screening and identification of novel small molecule compounds that can induce or enhance SH-SY5Y differentiation and subsequently aid in the development of synthetic neurotrophic factors.
Results
A differentiation baseline for SH-SY5Y cells was established. Cells were seeded and exposed to repeated spikes of RA using the xCELLigence real-time cell analyser single plate (RTCA-SP) for real-time monitoring and identification of differentiation activity over a 9-day period in order to be more representative of differentiation timelines.
Conclusion
RA-induced growth inhibition was identified by the xCELLigence analysis and confirmed by end-point metabolic and phenotypic analysis. Change in cellular morphology and neurite outgrowth length was identified by end-point fluorescence detection followed by computational analysis. It was possible to confirm SH-SY5Y phenotypic differentiation using the combination of technologies employed.
The Epidemiology of and Management of Pediatric Patients with Head Trauma: A Hospital-based Study from Southern Sweden
Authors: Mukhtar Ali Al , Bergenfeldt Henrik , Edelhamre Marcus , Vedin Tomas , Larsson Per-Anders , Öberg Stefan
Published: August 2022

Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a common cause of morbidity and mortality in children worldwide. In Scandinavia, the epidemiology of pediatric head trauma is poorly documented. This study aimed to investigate and compare the epidemiology and management of pediatric patients with isolated head trauma (IHT) and head trauma in connection with multitrauma (MHT).Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of medical records of patients < 18 years of age who attended any of the five emergency departments (ED) in Scania County in Sweden in 2016 due to head trauma. Clinical data of patients with IHT were analyzed and compared with those of patients with MHT.Results: We identified 5046 pediatric patients with head trauma, 4874 with IHT and 186 with MHT, yielding an incidence of ED visits due to head trauma of 1815/100,000 children/year. There was male predominance, and the median age was four years. Falls were the dominating trauma mechanism in IHT patients, while motor vehicle accidents dominated in MHT patients. The frequencies of CT head-scans, ward admissions and intracranial injuries (ICI) were 5.4%, 11.1% and 0.7%, respectively. Four patients (0.08%) required neurosurgical intervention. The relative risks for CT-scans and admissions to a hospital ward and ICI were 10, 4.5 and 19 times higher for MHT compared with IHT patients.Conclusion: Head trauma is a common cause of ED visits in our study. Head-CTs and ICIs were less frequent than in previous studies. MHT patients had higher rates of CT-scans, admissions, and ICIs than IHT patients, suggesting that they are separate entities that should ideally be managed using different guidelines to optimize the use of CT-scans of the head.
Gut microbiome profiling of term versus preterm infants using Nanopore MinION and Illumina MiSeq sequencing
Authors: Cha Teahyen , Kim Hoo Hugo , Keum Jihyun , Kwak Min‑Jin , Park Jae Yong , Hoh Jeong Kyu , Kim Chang-Ryul , Jeon Byong-Hun , Park Hyun-Kyung
Published: August 2022

Background: The impact of prematurity on the gut microbiome has not been extensively studied. The newer Nanopore MinION sequencing (long-read, Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT)), a third-generation sequencing for microbiome profiling, is an attractive option in clinical settings. However, its application remains a challenge, particularly in the clinical field. This study aimed to evaluate how different gut microbiomes are longitudinally between preterm and term infants by ONT compared with an established gold standard, Illumina (second-generation short-read sequencing).Methods: A total of 38 stool samples from 34 neonates (12 term (T) and 22 preterm (P) infants) were collected at 7 days (T1, P1) and 1 month of life (T2, P2). Gut colonization profiling was performed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing using ONT. We used Illumina to validate and compare the patterns in 17 neonates (25 samples). Bioinformatic analysis was performed to identify the features that differed between P and T.Results: The ONT reliably identified pathogenic bacteria at the genus level, and taxonomic profiles were comparable to those identified by Illumina at the genus level (Pearson’s correlation coefficient, r = 0.906). Both T1 and P1 microbiomes were dominated by the Firmicutes phylum (Staphylococcus and Enterococcus), whereas sequentially showed dominant transitions to Lactobacillus (p < 0.001) and Streptococcus in T2 (p = 0.001), and pathogenic bacteria (Klebsiella) in P2 (p = 0.001). The abundance of beneficial bacteria (Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus genera/species) increased in T2 (p = 0.026 and p < 0.001, respectively). These assignments were correlated with the abundance at the species level. Longitudinally, bacterial α-diversity increased in T (p = 0.005) but not in P (p = 0.156), and P2 showed distinct β-diversity clustering than T2 (p = 0.001).Conclusions: This study shows that ONT and Illumina are highly correlated. P and T had different microbiome profiles, and the α- and β-diversity varied. These findings highlight the potential of ONT sequencing as an adaptable technology for pathogen detection in neonates in clinical settings.
Sexual and Gender-Based Violence victims’ satisfaction of the support services through the holistic model of care in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Authors: Mugisho Gilbert M. , Maroyi Raha , Nabami Solange , Kasherwa Amani C. , Bitenga Ali , Mukwege Denis
Published: August 2022

Background: The quality-of-care assessment is an important indicator of the efficiency of a healthcare system. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), despite the implementation of the holistic care model for the treatment of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) victims, little is known about the client’s perception of this model and its outcome. This study aimed to examine the expected and perceived satisfaction of service recipients through the One-Stop-Center model of health care in eastern DRC.Methodology: This descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study was conducted at Panzi Hospital (PH), in eastern DRC. Data were collected by a mixed-methods approach, 64 Victims of Sexual Violence (VSVs) participated in individual (in-depth) interviews and 150 completed the Survey.Results: The findings from our qualitative analysis demonstrated that the VSVs admitted at PH had various expectations and needs on arrival depending on their social identity and residence locations. For instance, the VSVs coming from remote areas with ongoing armed conflicts mentioned concerns related to their security in the post-treatment period and the risks of re-victimization that this could incur. Conversely, those who came from the urban neighborhood, with relative security raised various concerns related to their legal reparation and ongoing access to other support services. Based on their origins, the result from the quantitative analysis demonstrated the overall satisfaction of the client with the support services, 86% (p<10%) mentioned their satisfaction with the home visiting or follow-up of the support workers during and after the treatment and 88% (p<10%) of respondents mentioned the social support received both at the hospital and in their communities. In relation to the holistic care model, 89 % (p<5%) of clients mentioned that the healthcare services they received from the PH exceeded their expectations and wished that PH could continue supporting them mentally and financially for an effective reintegration into their communities.Conclusions: Results of this study suggest that victims’ satisfaction with support services is based on either the organizational frameworks of clinical or support services within the hospital and the victims’ social environment.
DYRK1A haploinsufficiency affects the development of astroglia and oligodendroglia, and axonal conductivity in the brain
Authors: Pijuan Isabel , Balducci Elisa , Soto-Sánchez Cristina , Fernández Eduardo , Barallobre María José , Arbonés Maria L.
Published: August 2022

Background: The correct development and activity of neurons and glial cells, and the interplay between them, is necessary to establish proper brain connectivity. DYRK1A encodes a protein kinase that influences neurogenesis and the morphological differentiation of neurons. Indeed, it is a gene associated with a risk of autism spectrum disorders. DYRK1A loss-of-function mutations cause a rare disorder in heterozygosity characterized by developmental delay, microcephaly, moderate-to-severe intellectual disability, speech delay or the absence of communicative language, motor dysfunctions and a distinctive facial gestalt. Ritualized behaviours and/or autism are also frequent traits in this disorder. As such, glial cell development and myelination in the brain have been explored in relation to DYRK1A haploinsufficiency syndrome.Methods: Using cell-specific markers, the developmental trajectories of cortical macroglial cells were analysed in brain sections of Dyrk1a+/- mice, a mouse model that recapitulates the main neurological features of DYRK1A syndrome. In combination with in utero electroporation, the ultrastructure of the brain white matter was studied by electron microscopy and the characteristics of the nodes of Ranvier by immunofluorescence. Myelin protein was assessed by immunoblotting and electrophysiology was performed to measure conduction velocities of evoked compound action potentials in the corpus callosum.Results: In Dyrk1a+/- mice the development of glial cells that populate the prospective neocortex was altered. An increase in astrogliogenesis produced an excess of astrocytes that persisted into adulthood, in conjunction with a delay in the production of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells and their progression along the oligodendroglial lineage. There were fewer myelinated axons in the corpus callosum of Dyrk1a+/- mice, axons that are thinner and with abnormal nodes of Ranvier. Moreover, action potential propagation along myelinated and unmyelinated callosal axons was slower in Dyrk1a+/- mutants. All these abnormalities are likely to affect neuronal circuit development and alter network synchronicity, influencing higher brain functions.Conclusions: The results obtained here indicate that disrupted macroglial development and white matter myelination contribute to the core neurological symptoms of DYRK1A syndrome, paving the way to design pharmacological interventions that ameliorate or revert these symptoms postnatally.
Changes in rhythmic oscillations of skeletal muscle clock genes and metabolic clock-controlled genes after heavy exercise
Authors: FU Zeting , Li Lunyu , Xia Yu , Yao Binyu , Liu Ying , Ding Haili
Published: August 2022

Exercise is considered to be a timing factor (zeitgeber) that can affect rhythm changes in skeletal muscle. The phase of the skeletal muscle clock affects the metabolism of the muscles. However, whether exercise intensity induces phase changes in oscillations of clock genes as well as clock-controlled metabolic genes remains uncertain. We aimed to assess the effects of heavy exercise on skeletal muscle clock genes and phase changes in oscillations of clock-controlled metabolic genes. The expression of clock genes Bmal1 and Clock in the skeletal muscle of rats was analyzed by real-time PCR, and the expression of clock-controlled metabolic proteins NAMPT, NAD+, and SIRT1 was analyzed by ELISA. Sprague Dawley rats were kept under a regular 12/12-h light/dark cycle. Rats in the exercise group were exposed to a downhill run of 90 min at a speed of 16 m/min and an angle of − 16°. Sampling was performed at 6-h intervals. Compared with the control group, the rhythm of Bmal1 mRNA expression in the exercise group disappeared on the first day, and the rhythm recovered on the second day; Clock mRNA expression lost its rhythmicity in 72 h. The expression of NAMPT, NAD+, and SIRT1 was lost on the first day and the second day, but the rhythm recovered on the third day. These data demonstrate that muscle contractions are sufficient to shift the phase of muscle circadian clock and clock-controlled metabolic genes, likely via changes in core clock gene expression.
Heartwood and Sapwood of Tectona grandis wood characterized by CG/MS-PY
Authors: de Castro Vinícius Resende , Surdi Paula Gabriella , Fernandes Sergio Antonio , Berger Matheus da Silva , Zanuncio Antonio José Vinha , Zanuncio José Cola , Araujo Solange Oliveira
Published: August 2022

Teak wood has a high market value, being used for the manufacture of furniture, naval industry and others. Its wood presents high dimensional stability, resistance to xylophagous organisms and important phytochemical and pharmacological chemical compounds, which can enhance the use of its wood in the pharmaceutical industry. Color differences between the heartwood and sapwood of the teak wood are due to chemical components that need further studies. Heartwood and sapwood of T. grandis (teak), 15 years-old, were characterized by Py-CG/MS analysis and syringyl (S)/guaiacyl (G) ratio was evaluated. Heartwood and sapwood were pyrolyzed at 550°C and 62 and 51 compounds were identified from them, respectively. The largest number of compounds in the heartwood is due to the deposition of extractives during its formation. The organic compounds identified include 2-methylanthraquinone as one of the main component responsible for the resistance of the teak wood to biological factors (fungi and termites). The syringyl (S)/guaiacyl (G) ratio of heartwood and sapwood was 0.51 and 0.50, respectively.
N-fold generalized Darboux transformation and asymptotic analysis of the degenerate solitons for the Sasa-Satsuma equation in the dispersive nonlinear media
Authors: Gao Yi-Tian , Wu Xi-Hu , Yu Xin , Ding Cui-Cui
Published: August 2022

In this paper, the Sasa-Satsuma equation, which is applied to the dynamics of the deep water waves, and the pulse propagation in the optical fibers and generally in the dispersive nonlinear media, is investigated. Starting from the first-order Darboux transformation, we construct an N-fold generalized Darboux transformation (GDT) for the Sasa-Satsuma equation, where N is a positive integer. Through the obtained N-fold GDT, we derive three kinds of the semirational solutions, which describe the second-order degenerate solitons, the third-order degenerate solitons, and the interaction between the second-order degenerate solitons and one soliton, respectively. We graphically illustrate the above three kinds of semirational solutions and investigate them through the asymptotic analysis, from which we find that the characteristic lines of the semirational solutions are composed of the straight lines and curves. Expressions of the characteristic lines, positions, amplitudes, slopes, positions and phase shifts of the asymptotic solitons are presented through the asymptotic analysis.
Graphene Oxide: Comparisons between Experimental and Computational Simulation of HR-TEM Images
Authors: Prias John , Mendoza Luis Mejía , Velasco Mónica , Perea Jose , Aspuru-Guzik Alán , Minoli Cesar Acosta
Published: August 2022

Graphene oxide (GO) has been extensively employed in a wide range of applications, from flexible electronics to energy storage. However, an attempt to relate experimental and computational simulations of HR-TEM images has not been explored from an atomistic approach. This work conducted comparisons between experimental and computational simulations of HR-TEM images in GO, using molecular dynamics simulations and a many-body potential. We designed a heating-quenching procedure in a thermodynamic region to study a sample of 7,479 atomic arrangements produced at different densities, quench rates, and using graphene unit cells as precursor structures. The HR-TEM experiments were carried out at 5-nm scale. All simulated samples were numerically characterized through the calculation of the free volumes, surface areas, radial distribution functions, and structure factors. We found particularly useful how the reactive potential energy could disorder the GO structure. It was possible to identify the atomistic pattern formations of hydroxyl and epoxy bridges in GO. The experimental and simulated electron diffraction patterns exhibited polycrystalline structures with interactions of first and second neighbours, and a 64.68% coincidence between standard deviations/mean relations obtained from histogram analysis. These results suggest that our calculus, based on reactive potential, is compatible with available experimental data and potential applications of high-performance GO materials in electronics. In such case, our calculus is a reliable choice to produce GO structures with low computational cost.
Understanding Impacts of Chemistry on Oxidation of FeCrAl Alloys
Authors: Roy Indranil , Abouelella Hamdy , Umretiya Rajnikant V , Roychowdhury Subhrajit , Feng Bojun , Ravi Sandipp Krishnan , Ghosh Sayan , Rebak Raul B , Ruscitto Daniel M , Gupta Vipul , Hoffman Andrew
Published: August 2022

Traditionally, FeCrAl alloys played an important role in high-temperature applications due to their ability to form a passive Al oxide film at temperatures above ~800°C. Recently, FeCrAl alloys became of interest for the application of accident tolerant nuclear fuel cladding. This study covers work done at GE Research for better understanding the role of Al, Cr, and Mo in oxidation kinetics and thermodynamics. Several models and commercial prototype alloys have been tested in hydrothermal corrosion autoclave loops, at low temperature steam exposure (~400°C), high temperature steam exposure (~1000°C or higher), and high temperature air exposures. The results provide insights on how chromium and aluminum play a significant role in both high temperature and low temperature oxidation of FeCrAl. Additionally, machine learning tools are used to gain further insights on both predicting future optimized chemistries for balancing the properties of hydrothermal corrosion, low and high temperature steam oxidation, and thermal aging (which is exacerbated due to radiation in a nuclear reactor environment). GE plans to use this framework to further optimize the FeCrAl alloy system for use in nuclear reactor environments.
Identifying the Role of NUDCD1 in Human Tumors from Clinical and Molecular Mechanisms
Authors: Han Bin , He Jinsong , Li Yuanting , Chen Qing , Yuan Min , Zeng Xi , Zeng Yan , He Meibo , Feng Dan , Ma Daiyuan
Published: August 2022

Purpose
Cancer is a major public health condition characterized by high morbidity and mortality. NUDCD1 (NudC domain-containing 1) is abnormally activated in multiple tumors and has been identified as a cancer antigen. But there is still no pan-cancer analysis available for NUDCD1 in human cancers.
Methods
The role of NUDCD1 across multiple tumors was explored using data from the public databases including HPA, TCGA, GEO, GTEx, TIMER2, TISIDB, UALCAN, GEPIA2, cBioPortal, GSCA and so on.
Results
NUDCD1 was highly expressed in most tumors and its levels were associated with the prognosis of cancer patients. Multiple genetic and epigenetic features of NUDCD1 exist in different cancers such as uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma or kidney renal papillary cell carcinoma. NUDCD1 was associated with expression levels of recognized immune checkpoints (anti-CTLA-4) and immune infiltrates (e.g., CD4 + and CD8 + T cells) in some cancers. Moreover, NUDCD1 correlated with the CTRP and GDSC drug sensitivity and acted as a link between chemicals and cancers. The functional mechanisms of NUDCD1 included RNA metabolism- and protein processing-associated functions. Importantly, NUDCD1-related genes were enriched in several tumors (e.g., COAD, STAD and ESCA) and affected apoptosis, cell cycle and DNA damage cancer-related pathways. Furthermore, expression, mutation and copy number variations for the gene sets were also associated with prognosis.
Conclusions
NUDCD1 was involved in diverse biological processes and it influenced the occurrence and development of cancers through diverse underlying mechanism. This first pan-cancer analysis for NUDCD1 provides a comprehensive understanding about its roles across various cancer types.
Comparative analysis of repetitive DNA in Phaseolus beans and its impact on the karyotype evolution of the dysploid Leptostachyus group
Authors: Ferraz Maria Eduarda , Ribeiro Tiago , Nascimento Thiago , Sader Mariela , Pedrosa-Harand Andrea
Published: August 2022

Structural karyotype changes result from ectopic recombination events frequently associated to repetitive DNA. Although most Phaseolus species have 2n = 22 and a relatively stable karyotype, the species cytogenetically studied so far that belong to the Leptostachyus group, as P. leptostachyus and P. macvaughii, show high rates of rearrangements, including a nested chromosome fusion which led to the dysploid chromosome number of the group (2n = 20). In this study, aiming to test the role of the repetitive landscape in the rearrangements of the Leptostachyus group, we used genome skimming to characterize the repeatome of a range of Phaseolus species in comparison to P. leptostachyus and P. macvaughii. LTR retrotransposons, especially the Ty3/gypsy lineage Chromovirus, were the most abundant elements in the genomes. Remarkable diferences in the abundance of Tekay, Retand and SIRE between P. macvaughii and P. leptostachyus reflected in the total amount of Ty3/gypsy and Ty1/copia in both species. The satellite DNA fraction was the most divergent among species, varying both in abundance and distribution even between P. leptostachyus and P. macvaughii. The rapid turnover of repeats in the Leptostachyus group might be associated with the several rearrangements observed in the group.
Fault Diagnosis for A Class of Nonlinear Systems Based on Reinforcement Learning and Deterministic Learning
Authors: Zhu Zejian , Wu Weiming , Chen Tianrui , Wang Cong
Published: August 2022

In this paper a novel fault diagnosis (FD) approach combing the rein-forcement learning (RL) and the deterministic learning theory (DLT)is proposed for a class of discrete-time nonlinear system with unknowndynamics. First, a bank of DLT-based dynamical neural network (NN)identifiers are utilized to achieve locally-accurate approximations ofthe unknown system dynamics along the normal and fault trajecto-ries. Based on this, a novel feature learning method combing the RLwith DLT is proposed to further adapt the NN weights to extract dis-criminative features. The extracted features are represented by constant NNs. Finally, constant NN-based dynamical estimators are constructedto achieve rapid FD. The novelties of the proposed methods are: 1)according to the DLT, the exponential convergence of the NN weightscan be rigorously analysed based on the Lyapunov stability theory;2) a new class of strategic utility function is designed based on theconcept of the synchronization error in DLT-based dynamical pat-tern recognition approach, which is different from other RL-based FDtechniques that penalise the future wrong FD decisions. Simulationresults shows the practical significance of the proposed FD method.
Beauty and the Beast: multiple effects of wild boar rooting on butterfly microhabitat
Authors: Labadessa Rocco , Ancillotto Leonardo
Published: August 2022

Wild boar is among the most abundant ungulates in Europe and its spread is locally creating concerns as a major threat to biodiversity conservation. However, through their rooting activity, wild boars could play an effective role in the creation of specific microhabitat resources for plants and animals. Here, we tested the hypothesis that wild boar affects the habitat suitability to threatened butterflies, by evaluating the influence of rooting on multiple key aspects of the biology and ecology of the Mediterranean endemic Zerynthia cassandra. Namely, we used Z. cassandra as a model to test the effects of wild boar rooting on adult foraging opportunities, host plant occurrence, and oviposition site selection. We found that herbaceous communities disturbed by wild boar rooting have a higher proportion of plants representing nectar resources for early-flying butterflies. We also discovered that wild boar rooting positively influences the occurrence and abundance of the larval host plant of Z. cassandra, as well as the butterfly site selection for egg-laying. Our results indicate that wild boars may locally prove beneficial to endangered butterflies by favoring habitat quality and availability, and their role as ecosystem engineers should thus be further investigated to improve species and habitat management and conservation actions.
Ageing Study and Solvent Resistance of a Polypropylene and Organoclay Nanocomposite
Authors: Bendjaouahdou Chaouki
Published: August 2022

The objective of this research was to study the influence of thermal ageing and solvent resistance of a polypropylene (PP) and organoclay (OMMT) composite. This reinforced composite is a nanocomposite material and is generally used for the fabrication of automobile components and in the house construction parts. The loading of the organoclay was 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 wt %. The composites were prepared by calendering followed by melt extrusion and subjected to mechanical testing, thermal ageing, solvent (toluene) resistance and optical microscopy observations. The results obtained showed that, before thermal aging, at 3 wt % OMMT loading, the tensile strength and hardness are maximal and the elongation at break is minimal. After thermal aging, at 5 wt % organoclay loading, the tensile strength is maximal and the elongation at break is minimal. The resistance towards toluene dissolution is maximal at 3 wt % of OMMT loading. The optical microscopy indicates the apparition of cracks at the interfaces broken samples and debonded organoclay agglomerates from polypropylene matrix induced by thermal ageing.
Negative frequency dependent prey selection by two generalist predators and its implications for the conservation of a threatened rodent in arid Australia
Authors: Sheldon Elizabeth L. , Feit Benjamin , Feit Anna , Letnic Mike
Published: August 2022

Unprecedented anthropogenic changes to biodiversity and biogeography demand a greater understanding of the consequences of altered faunal composition for ecosystem functioning. Selective predation has important, yet poorly understood effects on ecosystem stability, and can be strongly influenced by the relative frequencies of different prey types in the environment. Yet, how predators adjust their selection for prey according to their environmental frequency is often overlooked. Here, we assessed frequency dependent selection of prey by dingoes and foxes in the Australian desert, biannually, across a nine-year period (2007-2016). Both predators exhibited potentially destabilizing, negative frequency dependent selection for prey. Foxes persisted to preferentially consume a threatened, native rodent (Notomys fuscus) when it was environmentally scarce. Bolstered by the observation that N.fuscus occurs at low densities in areas where foxes are common, our results suggest that N.fuscus is particularly vulnerable to predation by this predator; possibly because it is naïve and/or lacks adaptations to avoid or escape predation by the relatively recently introduced fox. Dingoes tended to consume reptiles when they were scarce; potentially constituting a conservation concern if selected reptilian taxa are threatened. Foxes avoided, thus were unlikely to control populations of overabundant kangaroos, while, both foxes and dingoes showed a preference for, and may therefore potentially control populations of invasive rabbits. The integration of our results into the relative suites of (de)stabilizing influences exerted by dingoes and foxes is important to provide a more dynamic insight into how each predator impacts their naturally fluctuating ecosystems.
Design of a Novel Recombinant Protein Vaccine Based on BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants of SARS-CoV-2: An immunoinformatic and structural approach
Authors: Atapour Amir , Golestan Ali , Javadi Parisa , Jamali Kazem , Dashti Maryam Fadaie
Published: August 2022

Currently, many efforts have been made against Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) as a global outbreak. So far, several vaccines with different platforms are available in the market. Various variants of the SAR-CoV-2 virus have evolved over time. The emergence of variant of Concerns (VOCs), especially new subvariants of BA.4 and BA.5, which can neutralize the effect of current vaccines. Therefore, in this study, we used the bioinformatics approach to design an effective novel candidate vaccine against Variant of Concern (VOC) of COVID-19 (B.1.1.529 or Omicron) based on Spike (S1_ receptor-binding domain or RBD) protein sequence. Here, we employed bioinformatics tools to design a novel fusion protein construct containing the mutant sequence of Omicron Spike_S1_RBD region (as target antigen) and amino acid sequence of human β-defensin-2 as adjuvant molecule. Then, the mutant RBD and β-defensin-2 amino acid sequences were joined together by the suitable linker and novel vaccine construct was designed. Subsequently, immunological and structural evaluations such as antigenicity, allergenicity, physicochemical properties, 3D modeling, molecular docking, and fast flexibility simulations, immune responses simulation as well as in silico cloning were performed. Immunological and structural computational data showed that designed vaccine construct potentially has proper capacity for inducing immune responses against BA.4/5 subvariant of Omicron. Based on the preliminary results, in vitro and in vivo experiments are required for validation in the future.
Racial Effects on Masimo Pulse Oximetry: A Laboratory Study
Authors: Barker Steven J. , Wilson William C.
Published: August 2022

PURPOSE: Recent publications have suggested that pulse oximeters exhibit reduced accuracy in dark-skinned patients during periods of hypoxemia. Masimo SET® (Signal Extraction Technology®) has been designed, calibrated, and validated using nearly equal numbers of dark and light skinned subjects, with the goal of eliminating differences between pulse oximetry saturation (SpO2) and arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2) values due to skin pigmentation. The accuracy concerns reported in dark-skinned patients led us to perform a retrospective analysis of healthy Black and White volunteers.METHODS: Seventy-five subjects who self-identified as being racially Black or White underwent a desaturation protocol where SaO2 values were decreased from 100% to 70%, while simultaneous SpO2 values were recorded using Masimo RD SET® sensors.RESULTS: Statistical bias difference (mean error) and precision (standard deviation of error) were -0.20 + 1.40% for Black and -0.05 + 1.35% for White subjects. Plots of SpO2 versus SaO2 appear nearly identical for both races throughout the saturation range from 70% to 100%. Box plots grouped in 1% saturation bins, from 89-96%, and plotted against concomitant SaO2 values, show that occult hypoxemia (SaO2 < 88% when SpO2 = 92-96%) occurred in only 0.2% of White subject data pairs, but not in any Black subjects. CONCLUSIONS: There were no clinically significant differences in bias (mean difference of SpO2-SaO2) found between Black and White subjects. Occult hypoxemia was rare and did not occur in Black subjects. Masimo RD SET® is highly accurate and can be used with equal assurance in people with dark or light skin.
Clinical presentation and associated factors of lower limb chronic venous insufficiency at a tertiary hospital in Uganda: a cross-sectional study.
Authors: Komurembe Elizabeth , Kabweru Wilberforce , Majeme Peter , Odongo Robert , Magala John Paul
Published: August 2022

Background
Lower limb chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is a common disorder associated with sequelae of changes that lead to varicose veins and skin trophic changes. There is limited data on potential associated factors from representative studies yet its burden and impact on the quality of life is quite significant. We evaluated the clinical presentation and associated factors of lower limb CVI among patients at Mulago National Referral Hospital (MNRH).
Methods
We conducted a cross-sectional study of 104 consecutive participants with CVI aged ≥ 18 years attending the outpatient clinics of MNRH. Limbs of participants with history of surgery pertaining to CVI were excluded. We recorded information on demographics, relevant medical history, symptoms, lifestyle and clinical presentation. We described CVI using the clinical and anatomical components of the clinical-etiologic-anatomical and pathophysiologic (CEAP) scale. Data was analyzed at both bivariate and multivariate levels using Stata version 14.1
Results
Altogether, 104 participants were enrolled with a male: female ratio of 2:1, age range of 18 to 85 years and median age of 43 years. The commonest venous symptoms included; venous pain (96.2%), sensation of swelling (93.3%) and heaviness (79.8%). Of the 146 affected limbs, CEAP clinical class included; C0:59.6%, C1:40.4%, C2:80.8%, C3:88.5%, C4:73.1%, C5:30.8%, C6:51.9%. The anatomical class identified superficial veins in 138 (90.5%), deep veins in 46 (29.7%) and perforator veins in 122 (79.7%) affected limbs. Men had significantly higher proportions of skin trophic changes 88.7% vs 63.6% (p = 0.003) while females had significantly higher proportions of venous symptoms compared to men 57.6% vs 32.4% (p = 0.015). All participants with a smoking history had skin changes. Obese and overweight patients had higher proportions for venous symptoms 13 (54.2%) and 14(50%) respectively as compared to those who had a normal BMI 14(28.6%).
Conclusions
Most participants are symptomatic with advanced disease, young and predominantly male. Males had 4.5 times higher odds of having skin changes as compared to females. Although some associated factors such as age, gender are immutable, others can be modified, such as physical activity, cigarette smoking.
An Augmented Classical Least Squares Method for Solving Fuzzy Systems with Linear Equations
Authors: SEMMOURI Abdellatif , Jourhmane Mostafa
Published: August 2022

Fuzzy sets theory is a newly emerging mathematical framework to deal with uncertainty problems. Thus, systems of linear equations with vagueness of some parameters play a major role in a large proportion of areas including economics, finance, engineering science and physics. The main purpose of this paper is to compute an approximate solution for the fuzzy systems of linear equations (FSLE) using the least squares method. For simplifying the presentation of the proposed approach, the triangular fuzzy numbers are considered both in algebraic and the parametric forms. According to the first form, the proposed method consists to transform a $n\times n$ fuzzy linear into $3n\times 3n$. Next, the second form requires a transformation into $2n\times 2n$.\\Finally, we illustrate our results via numerical experiments. Effectively, we provide an application of FSLE in economic field. Secondly, we investigate the same fuzzy model in a circuit analysis.