bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improved Off-State Leakage Current and Cutoff Frequency for AlGaN/GaN HEMT by Using Silicon-on-Insulator
Authors: Trung Hieu Le , Hsu Heng-Tung , Panda Debashis , Lee Ching-Ting , Lin Chun-Hsiung , Chang Edward Yi
Published: February 2023

An improvement in off-state leakage current and cutoff frequency for AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) is investigated. Raman spectroscopy confirms the low stress of GaN heterostructure grown on a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrate. The HEMT devices on SOI substrate show lower knee voltage (Vknee) and on-resistance (RON) compared to those on the high-resistive silicon (HR-Si) substrates by 20.8% and 30.4%, respectively. Off-state leakage current is reduced to 10−7 A mm−1, and the cutoff frequency (f

t
) is increased by 19.2% as compared to HR-Si substrate. Thus, the GaN/SOI technology is proven to be a potential technology for high-frequency communication applications.
Aprotic Solvent Effect in Preparation of Organo Lead Iodide Perovskite Nanowires by Two-Step Spin-Coating Procedure
Authors: Qaid Saif M. H. , Aldwayyan Abdullah S.
Published: February 2023

Lead-iodide perovskite (CH3NH3PbI3 ≡ MAPbI3) nanowires (NWs) were prepared by a two-step spin-coating technique by modifying one of the perovskite precursors with a small amount of aprotic solvent. In the two-step spin-coating technique, the perovskite precursors are MAI and PbI2. The first MAI powder is dissolved in isopropanol (IPA) to produce an isopropanol-MAI solution, while the second PbI2 is used in N, N-dimethylformamide (DMF) as an aprotic solvent. Here, a small amount of DMF was used with an IPA solution of MAI to grow 1D NWs based on MAPbI3 perovskite. Then, the film was formed directly from the MAPbI3 perovskite nanowires (PNWs) by coating the PbI2 layer with an IPA solution of MAI modified by DMF. The amount of DMF in the MAI/IPA solution was adjusted in the range between 0 and 50 μl. One-dimensional (1D) PNWs (∼100 nm diameter) and three-dimensional (3D) perovskite nanocrystals are compared. The structural and optical properties of the PNWs films are systematically investigated using X-ray diffraction patterns (XRD), scanning electron microscopy images (SEM), UV–vis absorption, and photoluminescence (PL). The result is that the presence of an additional solvent and its optimized amount in the MAI/IPA solution can increase the length and efficiency of charge transfer by facilitating perovskite transformation, as evidenced by the intensity of PL and the formation of a high-quality perovskite film. Compact, hole-free films with low trap states (crystal defects) were obtained. Further investigation of the lead iodide perovskite showed that reducing the dimensionality from 3D to 1D resulted in shorter wavelengths of the absorption edge and the PL peak in both the absorption and PL spectra. The shorter wavelengths indicate more localized exciton states in NWs. Finally, the amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) properties were obtained under picosecond laser excitation and a low ASE threshold was found at 10 and 53 μJ/cm2 for 1D and 3D, respectively, at about 300 nm film thickness.
Inhibition of knee joint sensory afferents alters covariation across strides between quadriceps muscles during locomotion
Authors: Alessandro Cristiano , Prashara Adarsh , Tentler David P. , Tresch Matthew C.
Published: February 2023

Sensory afferents originating from knee joint receptors provide the nervous system with information about the internal state of the joint. In this study, we show that these sensory signals are used to modulate the covariations among the activity of a subset of vasti muscles across strides of locomotion. Sport-related injuries that damage joint receptors may therefore compromise these mechanisms of muscle coordination, potentially leading to persistent internal joint stresses and strains.
Machine Learning Performance Prediction of a Solar Photovoltaic-Thermoelectric System with Various Crystalline Silicon Cell Types
Authors: Alghamdi Hisham , Maduabuchi Chika , Albaker Abdullah , Almalaq Abdulaziz , Alsuwian Turki , Alatawi Ibrahim
Published: February 2023

Since the solar photovoltaic-thermoelectric (PV-TE) is an upcoming technology, the current literature on PV-TEs have failed to thoroughly investigate the effects of different solar cell types on the PV-TE’s performance. Such parametric study becomes necessary since the properties of the solar cell, characterized by the cell temperature coefficient and reference efficiency, determine the overall performance of the PV-TE. Further, the design information obtained from numerical solvers is minimal due to the high time and computational energy required to optimize the photovoltaic-thermoelectric (PV-TE) performance. This problem severely affects the ease with which useful design information can be drawn from current methods to design high-performance PVs. Additionally, to reduce the complexity of the existing numerical model, the previous models have introduced some principal assumptions that have significantly affected the accuracy of the numerical results. Finally, the numerical model has neglected several real-life operating conditions since they increase the model complexity. For the first time, deep neural networks are proposed to predict the photovoltaic-thermoelectric performance designed with 3 different crystalline solar cells as a perfect replacement for the inefficient numerical methods used to analyze the hybrid system. After that, the data generated by the numerical solver is fed to an optimum 3-layer deep neural network with 20 neurons per layer to forecast the hybrid system’s performance efficiently. The training of the neural network is governed by Bayesian regularization and the performance of the model is evaluated using the mean squared error, coefficient of determination, and training time. Results show that the deep neural network accurately learned the results that took the conventional numerical solver 1,600 mins to generate in just 12 min and 27 s, making the proposed network 128.51 times faster than the traditional numerical method. Furthermore, the accuracy of the network is demonstrated by the low mean squared error of

3.34
×

10

−
8

and high training and testing regression of 100% and 99.98%, respectively.
The Current Landscape of Bioactive Molecules against DENV: A Systematic Review
Authors: Babbar Ritchu , Kaur Ramanpreet , Rana Parteek , Arora Sandeep , Behl Tapan , Albratty Mohammed , Najmi Asim , Meraya Abdulkarim M. , Alhazmi Hassan A. , Singla Rajeev K.
Published: February 2023

With a 30‐fold increase in incidence over the previous 50 years, dengue fever is now the most widespread viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes in the world. The intricate interaction of the human defense system, hereditary predisposition, and specific bitterness elements is more likely to be the pathogenesis of dengue. There are presently no viable treatments for dengue. Synthetic drugs which are used against this ailment also show major side effects. There must be a deeper understanding of the underlying mechanism generating severe symptoms to develop auguring markers, cutting‐edge diagnostics, and treatments and finally a well‐rounded and secure antiserum. Hence, the aim is to search for safer and more potent drugs derived from plants. Plants or herbs are mainly targeting replication or its enzyme or specific stereotypes, though an exact mechanism of phytoconstituents interfering with the viral replication is still undiscovered. The present attempt provided the update with the objective to bringing up forward pathophysiological eventualities involved in dengue virus along with the naturally derived treatment relevant to provide the impregnable therapy by evading the noxious symptoms for dengue fever. Governor’s plum, Cryptocarya chartacea, magnolia berry, and Chinese ginger are such plants exhibiting many effective phytoconstituents against DENV and can be further explored for novel drug discovery by medicinal scientists.
Analysis on Black Shale Sedimentary Paleoenvironment and Tectonic Setting of the First Member of Luzhai Formation of Lower Carboniferous, Rongshui Area of Guangxi, China
Authors: Li Juan , Qin Yinglun , Chi Huanpeng , Tian Yukun , Wang Yufang , Kong Liyun
Published: February 2023

In order to promote the discovery of new shale gas exploration areas in Guangxi, based on the latest drilling data, through detailed observation and description of logging data and cores, this paper selects high-quality shale samples of the target layer for X-ray diffraction analysis and testing of clay minerals and whole rock, major and trace elements (including rare-earth elements), TOC, and other related analysis and testing. The study shows that the total amount of rare-earth elements in the first member of Lower Carboniferous Luzhai Formation in Rongshui area, Guangxi, is low;

δ

EU and

δ

CE show negative abnormality. The average value of

w

V
/

V
+
Ni

, Th / U ratio, and Mo-TOC covariant model diagram of the first member of Luzhai Formation show that it was the condition of anoxic reduction at that time. At the same time, Ba-Sr diagram, Sr/Cu ratio, and total rare-earth elements reflect that the area was in an arid, hot, and marine salt water paleoenvironment during the sedimentary period. Most of the sample parent rocks of the first member of Luzhai Formation are in shale area, and some samples are close to felsic igneous rock area, which is of mixed origin. The tectonic background of the source area is mainly continental island arc and active continental margin, indicating that the sedimentary environment was unstable and highly active under the background of extensional rifting at that time.
Effects of Fibulin-5 Gene Silencing on Proliferation and Apoptosis of IgG4-ROD Lacrimal Gland Fibroblasts
Authors: Wu Huarong , Lei Daikun , Zhang Xiaoling , Wang Mengfei , Wang Yuanyuan , Xia Jie , Chen Fan , Chen Bei , Tian Yanming
Published: February 2023

Objective. This study is aimed at discussing the value of RNA interference technology on inhibiting lacrimal gland fibrosis in IgG4-related ocular disease (IgG4-ROD). Methods. Six patients with IgG4-ROD who came to the hospital for surgical treatment from October 2018 to August 2019 were selected, and their diseased lacrimal glands were taken for primary cell culture and fibroblast identification. High efficiency and specificity small interference RNA (siRNA) plasmid vector was constructed, its inhibitory effect on fibroblast proliferation was determined by CCK-8 assay, and the appropriate concentration was selected as the siRNA concentration for subsequent experiments. RT-PCR and Western blot detected the relative expression levels of Fibulin-5 mRNA and protein in the cells 48 hours after transfection. The apoptosis rate of each group of cells at 24 hours, 48 hours, and 72 hours after transfection was detected by flow cytometry, and the proliferation and apoptosis of cells after silencing Fibulin-5 were analyzed and compared. Results. 24 hours after transfection, there was no significant difference in the proliferation rate among the four groups (

P
>
0.05

); 48 hours and 72 hours after Fibulin-5 siRNA transfection, the proliferation activity of the transfected cells was significantly decreased compared with the 0 nM group, and the inhibitory effect of 75 nM siRNA was the strongest. The expression of Fibulin-5 mRNA and protein in the siRNA-transfected cells was significantly decreased compared with the blank and empty vector negative siRNA groups, and the difference was statistically significant (

P
<
0.05

). The apoptosis rate of cells in the Fibulin-5 siRNA transfection group was significantly higher than that of cells in the blank and empty vector negative siRNA groups, and the difference was statistically significant (

P
<
0.05

). Conclusion. Fibulin-5 siRNA recombinant plasmid can significantly downregulate the mRNA and protein expressions of target gene Fibulin-5 and promote apoptosis after transfection into IgG4-ROD lacrimal gland fibroblasts. It is speculated that Fibulin-5 can be used as a target to effectively inhibit the fibrosis of lacrimal gland tissues by RNAi technique.
Intravitreal Injection of Conbercept Combined with Minimally Invasive Photocoagulation and Phacoemulsification Intraocular Lens Implantation in the Treatment of Neovascular Glaucoma Complicated with Cataract
Authors: Li Xue , Zhang Dawei
Published: February 2023

Background. Neovascular glaucoma (NVG) is a complex refractory glaucoma with a high rate of blindness. Compaq is an anti‐VEGF agent that has been used in clinical NVG therapy. Objective.This study aims to investigate the effect of intravitreal injection of conbercept combined with minimally invasive photocoagulation and phacoemulsification intraocular lens implantation in the treatment of NVG complicated with cataracts. Methods. A total of 84 patients with NVG complicated with cataracts who were admitted to our hospital from September 2019 to September 2021 were selected. According to the random number table method, they were divided into the study group and the control group, with 42 cases in each. The control group underwent minimally invasive photocoagulation combined with phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation. The study group was given an intravitreal injection of conbercept first, followed by minimally invasive photocoagulation combined with phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation 3 to 7 days after the injection. The intraocular pressure and visual acuity of the two groups before surgery, 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months after the operation were compared. The levels of serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) were compared between the two groups before the operation and 1 week after the operation. The incidence of postoperative complications in the two groups was statistically compared. Results. At 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months after the operation, the intraocular pressure of the study group was lower than that of the control group, and the visual acuity was better than that of the control group (P < 0.05); one week after the operation, the serum levels of VEGF and IL‐6 in the study group were lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05); there was no significant difference in the incidence of complications between the two groups (P > 0.05). Conclusions. Intravitreal injection of conbercept combined with minimally invasive photocoagulation and phacoemulsification intraocular lens implantation in the treatment of NVG complicated with cataract can improve the levels of serum inflammatory factors and vasoactive substances, effectively reduce intraocular pressure, and improve visual acuity.
Care Planning for Community-Dwelling People with Dementia: A Systematic Scoping Review
Authors: Low Lee-Fay , Duckworth Tanya J. , King Lauren , Gresham Meredith , Phillipson Lyn , Jeon Yun-Hee , Brodaty Henry
Published: February 2023

People with dementia and their care partners report a lack of support, treatment, and information, fragmented services, and a lack of inclusion in decisions about their care. Care planning may address these issues; however, there is scarce literature on the process or benefits of care planning for people with dementia. This review describes the literature on care planning for community-dwelling people with dementia and their care partners. A systematic scoping methodology was followed to identify the research questions, identify relevant documents, select relevant documents, chart the data, and collate, summarise, and report the results. 31 full-text documents published between 2010 and May 2020 were identified and reviewed. Seven were guidelines, seven were expert opinion pieces, 11 were intervention studies, and six were descriptive studies. The topics and process of care planning varied depending on the service context (e.g., memory clinic, home care, and primary care). Care planning was presented as a component of case management in 15 papers. Six of the 11 intervention studies reported positive outcomes, one showed no improvement, and one did not evaluate outcomes for people with dementia or their care partners. Of the six with positive outcomes, four evaluated care planning in the context of care management. There is limited evidence that care planning alone improves outcomes for people with dementia and their care partners. It is unclear whether it may have benefits when combined with care management.
YOLO‐DFD: A Lightweight Method for Dog Feces Detection Based on Improved YOLOv4
Authors: Wang Guozhan , Feng Ansong , Gu Chonglin , Liu Xiqing
Published: February 2023

Computer vision has been integrated into people’s daily lives, but mainstream target detection algorithms deployed to embedded devices with limited hardware resources are difficult to meet the task requirements in terms of real time and accuracy. So we proposed YOLO‐DFD, a light detection algorithm based on improved YOLOv4 to solve the problem of dog feces in our living environment. The main improvement strategies are as follows: the YOLOv4 backbone network is replaced with MobileNetV3, and the 3∗3 convolutions in the feature enhancement network are replaced by depthwise separable convolutions to further reduce the number of parameters. To enhance the accuracy of target detection, we introduced the convolutional block attention module (CBAM) in neck network, and the complete intersection over union (CIoU) loss of YOLOv4 is replaced with the SCYLLA intersection over union (SIoU) loss to reduce false detection rate. In this paper, the dataset we used was made up of pictures of dog feces taken in life. For the self‐made dog feces dataset, we used data enhancement technology to expand it. The training result shows that the average precision (AP) has reached 98.66%. While maintaining detection performance, the parameter of YOLO‐DFD is reduced by 82% and FPS increases 14 compared to YOLOv4. And YOLO‐DFD has a lower parameter quantity and a smaller calculation than other algorithms, making it easier to deploy on embedded devices to clean dog feces.
Optimization of Concrete Containing Polyethylene Terephthalate Powder and Rice Husk Ash Using Response Surface Methodology
Authors: Awolusi Temitope F. , Oguntayo Daniel O. , Aladegboye Oluwasegun J. , Azab Marc , Deifalla Ahmed F.
Published: February 2023

The continuous increase in population, advancement in technology, and affluence have influenced the amount of biodegradable and nonbiodegradable waste generated. Studies have shown that the utilization of different wastes in concrete is imperative to reduce the long-term environmental problems associated with their handling and management. This study evaluates the performance of concrete incorporating polyethene terephthalate powder (PETp) and rice husk ash (RHA) as supplementary cementitious materials varied at 0%, 7.5%, and 15%. Results indicated that the presence of PETp reduces workability while increasing the content of both PETp and RHA decreased the compressive and flexural strengths. A few studies have demonstrated the prediction and optimization of PETp as a fine aggregate. This study explores the central composite design of response surface methodology in optimizing the fresh and hardened properties of concrete incorporating PETp and RHA. The results indicate that workable concrete can be achieved with an RHA content higher than the PETp content. The analysis of variance provided effective models with good prediction capabilities. The simulated values from the models were close to those obtained experimentally. An optimal percentage of 5.76% PETp and 9.45% RHA was obtained for predicted responses and validated with a good level of accuracy. An overview of the different combinations of RHA and PETp indicates that concrete incorporating only RHA had the tendency to absorb the least water and exhibit low voids. However, the combination of 7.5% RHA and 7.5% PETp had a reduced water absorption when compared with a concrete mix containing 15% of either supplementary cementitious material. In general, eco-friendly concrete with improved durability can be produced by incorporating PETp and RHA.
M6A Promotes Colorectal Cancer Progression via Regulating the miR-27a-3p/BTG2 Pathway
Authors: Liu Wenjun , Zhang Zilang , Luo Xitu , Qian Kai , Huang Baojun , Deng Jianzhong , Yang Chengyu
Published: February 2023

Long noncoding (lnc) RNAs regulate cancer progression. However, the importance of lncRNAs and how they are regulated in colorectal cancer (CRC) are unclear. We aim to evaluate the function of lncRNA ADAMTS9-AS2 in CRC and its fundamental mechanism. Levels of ADAMTS9-AS2, miR-27a-3p, and B-cell translocation gene 2 (BTG2) were measured by qPCR. Cell viability was analyzed by CCK-8 and colony formation. Migration and invasion were tested by transwell assay. The interactions among ADAMTS9-AS2, miR-27a-3p, BTG2, and YTHDF2 were analyzed by luciferase test, immunoblotting, RNA pull-down, or RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP). An animal model was adopted to assess ADAMTS9-AS2’s function. Overexpressing ADAMTS9-AS2 inhibited cell migration, invasion, colony formation capacity, and proliferation in vitro. The direct targeting of miR-27a-3p by ADAMTS9-AS2 abrogated the latter’s effect in CRC cells. BTG2 was identified a target of miR-27a-3p, and silencing BTG2 weakened miR-27a-3p’s effect. Knocking down ADAMTS9-AS2 abolished sh-YTHDF2’s inhibitory effect on cell proliferation and invasion. Finally, overexpressing ADAMTS9-AS2 restrained xenograft growth. M6A reader YTHDF2-mediated degradation of ADAMTS9-AS2 promotes colon carcinogenesis via miR-27a-3p/BTG2 axis.
Establishment of Ferroptosis-Related Key Gene Signature and Its Validation in Compression-Induced Intervertebral Disc Degeneration Rats
Authors: Guo Jiangbo , Yang Yilin , Niu Junjie , Luo Zongping , Shi Qin , Yang Huilin
Published: February 2023

Cell death and functional loss of nucleus pulposus cell play essential roles in intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). Ferroptosis is a newly identified cell death type, and its role in IDD is still under investigation. Identifying the key genes of ferroptosis in IDD helps to identify the therapeutic targets of IDD. In this study, we downloaded the human IDD mRNA microarray data from the Gene Expression Omnibus and ferroptosis genes from FerrDb, then performed a series of analyses using strict bioinformatics algorithms. In general, we obtained 40 ferroptosis-related differential expression genes (FerrDEGs) and identified six ferroptosis key gene signatures, namely, ATF3, EIF2S1, AR, NQO1, TXNIP, and AKR1C3. In addition, enrichment analysis of the FerrDEGs was conducted, the protein-protein interaction network was constructed, the correlations between ferroptosis key genes and immune infiltrating cells were analyzed, and the lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA ceRNA network was constructed. In particular, ATF3 and EIF2S1 showed the strongest correlation with immune cell function, which might lead to the development of IDD. Finally, the expressions of ferroptosis key genes were verified in the rat compression-induced IDD. In conclusion, this preliminary study analyzed and verified the mechanism of ferroptosis in IDD, laid a foundation for the follow-up study of the mechanism of ferroptosis in IDD, and provided new targets for preventing and delaying IDD.
Stir Casting Processing, Mechanical, and Wear Behavior of AA2024 +10 wt. % Flyash +5 wt. % Graphite Hybrid Composite
Authors: Senthil Murugan S. , Vigneshkumar M. , John Iruthaya Raj M. , Selvaraju Sivamani , Vinayaka N. , Murugan Srinivasan , Vijayan V. , Mekonnen Addisalem
Published: February 2023

Metal matrix composites (MMCs) and their hybrid combinations are widely incorporated in research due to their enhanced mechanical properties and wear resistance. In this work, an investigation is made to fabricate AA2024 matrix flyash and graphite-reinforced hybrid composite for industrial applications and determine its suitability by performing testing and characterization. Tensile properties and compressive strength, wear resistance, fracture toughness, impact energy, and the hardness of the composites are evaluated. A tensile strength maximum of 300 MPa was achieved. Furthermore, the thermal analysis of a disc brake of this hybrid composite is performed using SOLIDWORKS software to identify the temperature distribution up to 469°K. The addition of flyash reinforcement shows the changes in properties with weight reduction. Although the content of graphite particles shows a deterioration in mechanical properties, it acts as a lubricant and reduces wear by friction and friction between the components. The coefficient of friction (COF) for the specimen is in the range of 0.1 to 0.3. The distribution of graphite and flyash is analyzed using the scanning electron microscope. It was found that the properties of the prepared composite are lesser than the base alloy AA2024, but the fabricated composite’s density (2.07 g/cc) is lesser than the base alloy AA2024 (2.78 g/cc).
In Vivo Screening Unveils Pervasive RNA-Binding Protein Dependencies in Leukemic Stem Cells and Identifies ELAVL1 as a Therapeutic Target
Authors: Vujovic Ana , de Rooij Laura , Chahi Ava Keyvani , Chen He Tian , Yee Brian A. , Loganathan Sampath K. , Liu Lina , Chan Derek C.H. , Tajik Amanda , Tsao Emily , Moreira Steven , Joshi Pratik , Xu Joshua , Wong Nicholas , Balde Zaldy , Jahangiri Soheil , Zandi Sasan , Aigner Stefan , Dick John E. , Minden Mark D. , Schramek Daniel , Yeo Gene W. , Hope Kristin J.
Published: February 2023

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is fueled by leukemic stem cells (LSC) whose determinants are challenging to discern from hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) or uncover by approaches focused on general cell properties. We have identified a set of RNA-binding proteins (RBP) selectively enriched in human AML LSCs. Using an in vivo two-step CRISPR-Cas9 screen to assay stem cell functionality, we found 32 RBPs essential for LSCs in MLL-AF9;NrasG12D AML. Loss-of-function approaches targeting key hit RBP ELAVL1 compromised LSC-driven in vivo leukemic reconstitution, and selectively depleted primitive malignant versus healthy cells. Integrative multiomics revealed differentiation, splicing, and mitochondrial metabolism as key features defining the leukemic ELAVL1–mRNA interactome with mitochondrial import protein, TOMM34, being a direct ELAVL1-stabilized target whose repression impairs AML propagation. Altogether, using a stem cell–adapted in vivo CRISPR screen, this work demonstrates pervasive reliance on RBPs as regulators of LSCs and highlights their potential as therapeutic targets in AML.

Significance:

LSC-targeted therapies remain a significant unmet need in AML. We developed a stem-cell–adapted in vivo CRISPR screen to identify key LSC drivers. We uncover widespread RNA-binding protein dependencies in LSCs, including ELAVL1, which we identify as a novel therapeutic vulnerability through its regulation of mitochondrial metabolism.

This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 171
PITX2
Knockout Induces Key Findings of Electrical Remodeling as Seen in Persistent Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Schulz Carl , Lemoine Marc D. , Mearini Giulia , Koivumäki Jussi , Sani Jascha , Schwedhelm Edzard , Kirchhof Paulus , Ghalawinji Amer , Stoll Monika , Hansen Arne , Eschenhagen Thomas , Christ Torsten
Published: February 2023

Background:

Electrical remodeling in human persistent atrial fibrillation is believed to result from rapid electrical activation of the atria, but underlying genetic causes may contribute. Indeed, common gene variants in an enhancer region close to
PITX2
(paired-like homeodomain transcription factor 2) are strongly associated with atrial fibrillation, but the mechanism behind this association remains unknown. This study evaluated the consequences of
PITX2
deletion (PITX2
−/−
) in human induced pluripotent stem cell–derived atrial cardiomyocytes.

Methods:

CRISPR/Cas9 (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat–associated 9) was used to delete
PITX2
in a healthy human iPSC line that served as isogenic control. Human induced pluripotent stem cell–derived atrial cardiomyocytes were differentiated with unfiltered retinoic acid and cultured in atrial engineered heart tissue. Force and action potential were measured in atrial engineered heart tissues. Single human induced pluripotent stem cell–derived atrial cardiomyocytes were isolated from atrial engineered heart tissue for ion current measurements.

Results:

PITX2
−/−
atrial engineered heart tissue beats slightly slower than isogenic control without irregularity. Force was lower in PITX2
−/−
than in isogenic control (0.053±0.015 versus 0.131±0.017 mN, n=28/3 versus n=28/4, PITX2
−/−
versus isogenic control;
P
<0.0001), accompanied by lower expression of CACNA1C and lower L-type Ca
2+
current density. Early repolarization was weaker (action potential duration at 20% repolarization; 45.5±13.2 versus 8.6±5.3 ms, n=18/3 versus n=12/4, PITX2
−/−
versus isogenic control;
P
<0.0001), and maximum diastolic potential was more negative (−78.3±3.1 versus −69.7±0.6 mV, n=18/3 versus n=12/4, PITX2
−/−
versus isogenic control;
P
=0.001), despite normal inward rectifier currents (both I
K1
and I
K,ACh
) and carbachol-induced shortening of action potential duration.

Conclusions:

Complete PITX2 deficiency in human induced pluripotent stem cell–derived atrial cardiomyocytes recapitulates some findings of electrical remodeling of atrial fibrillation in the absence of fast beating, indicating that these abnormalities could be primary consequences of lower PITX2 levels.
Modeling Emotion Dynamics in Song Lyrics with State Space Models
Authors: Song Yingjin , Beck Daniel
Published: February 2023

Most previous work in music emotion recognition assumes a single or a few song-level labels for the whole song. While it is known that different emotions can vary in intensity within a song, annotated data for this setup is scarce and difficult to obtain. In this work, we propose a method to predict emotion dynamics in song lyrics without song-level supervision. We frame each song as a time series and employ a State Space Model (SSM), combining a sentence-level emotion predictor with an Expectation-Maximization (EM) procedure to generate the full emotion dynamics. Our experiments show that applying our method consistently improves the performance of sentence-level baselines without requiring any annotated songs, making it ideal for limited training data scenarios. Further analysis through case studies shows the benefits of our method while also indicating the limitations and pointing to future directions.
Meteorological Analysis of the Pacific Northwest June 2021 Heatwave
Authors: Loikith Paul C. , Kalashnikov Dmitri A.
Published: February 2023

During the last week of June 2021, the Pacific Northwest region of North America experienced a record-breaking heatwave of historic proportions. All-time high temperature records were shattered, often by several degrees, across many locations, with Canada setting a new national record, the state of Washington setting a new record, and the state of Oregon tying its previous record. Here we diagnose key meteorology that contributed to this heatwave. The event was associated with a highly anomalous midtropospheric ridge, with peak 500-hPa geopotential height anomalies centered over central British Columbia. This ridge developed over several days as part of a large-scale wave train. Back trajectory analysis indicates that synoptic-scale subsidence and associated adiabatic warming played a key role in enhancing the magnitude of the heat to the south of the ridge peak, while diabatic heating was dominant closer to the ridge center. Easterly/offshore flow inhibited marine cooling and contributed additional downslope warming along the western portions of the region. A notable surface thermally induced trough was evident throughout the event over western Oregon and Washington. An eastward shift of the thermal trough, following the eastward migration of the 500-hPa ridge, allowed an inland surge of cooler marine air and dramatic 24-h cooling, especially along the western periphery of the region. Large-scale horizontal warm-air advection played a minimal role. When compared with past highly amplified ridges over the region, this event was characterized by much higher 500-hPa geopotential heights, a stronger thermal trough, and stronger offshore flow.
Evaluating Atmospheric Surface Layer Flux Parameterization within the Coastal Regime
Authors: Hlywiak James , Flagg David D. , Hong Xiaodong , Doyle James D. , Benbow Charlotte , Curcic Milan , Darby Basil , Drennan William M. , Graber Hans , Haus Brian , MacMahan Jamie , Ortiz-Suslow David , Ruiz-Plancarte Jesus , Wang Qing , Williams Neil , Yamaguchi Ryan
Published: February 2023

Traditional atmospheric surface layer theory assumes homogeneous surface conditions. Regardless, nearly all surface layer parameterization schemes employed within numerical weather prediction models utilize the same techniques within highly heterogeneous coastal regimes as for homogeneous environments. We compare predicted surface weather and fluxes of momentum, heat, and moisture—focusing mainly on momentum—from regional simulations using the Coupled Ocean–Atmosphere Mesoscale Prediction System (COAMPS) atmospheric model to observations collected from offshore buoys, inland flux towers, and radiosonde profiles during the Coastal Land-Air-Sea Interaction (CLASI) project throughout the summer of 2021 around Monterey Bay, California. Results reveal that modeled cross-coastal surface flux gradients are spuriously discontinuous, leading to systematically overestimated fluxes and weak winds inland of the coastline during onshore flow periods. Additionally, contrary to observations, modeled surface exchange coefficients are insensitive to wind direction on both sides of the coast, which degrades predictive skill downstream from the coastline. Over the central bay, prediction degrades when near-surface wind directions deviate from the prevailing flow direction as the parameterized stress–wind relationship fails during these cases. Predictive skill over the bay is therefore linked to variations in wind direction. Offshore of the geographically complex peninsula, systematic biases are less clear; however, bifurcations in drag coefficients based on wind direction were measured here as well. Last, increasing the horizontal grid spacing from 333 m to 3 km does not significantly affect surface layer prediction. This work highlights the need to reevaluate surface layer parameterization methods for modeling within coastal regions.

Significance Statement

Understanding surface layer weather is critical for many purposes, such as infrastructure design and weather forecasting. Within the context of numerical modeling and weather prediction, skillful forecasts of surface winds and temperature rely on accurate portrayal of the surface layer. By comparing observations collected during the Coastal Land-Air-Sea Interaction field program to numerical model solutions, we show that prediction of the surface layer fluxes of momentum, heat, and moisture break down near the coastline, which leads to biases in the predicted surface layer weather both inland and over the water. As surface layer parameterization methods across nearly all numerical models are rooted in the same practices, our results call into question the use of traditional methods near the coastline.
Bullous Pemphigoid Associated With Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 Inhibitors: A Case Report and Review of Current Evidence
Authors: Hadjkacem Faten , Frikha Hamdi , Boujelben Khouloud , Chaari Chiraz , Mnif Emna , Masmoudi Abderrahmen , Boudawara Tahia , Turki Hamida , Abid Mohamed
Published: February 2023

Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP-4i), or gliptins, are a widely used glucose-lowering agents. A growing amount of evidence pointed to a possible role of DPP-4i in the induction of bullous pemphigoid (BP), which is an auto-immune skin blistering disease that mainly affects the elderly. In this article we discuss a case of DPP-4i associated BP and we provide an updated review of the current knowledge regarding this emerging entity. Use of DPP-4i, particularly vildagliptin, was found to significantly increase the risk of BP. BP180 would be in the center of the aberrant immune response. DPP-4i induced BP is thought to be associated with male gender, mucosal involvement, and milder inflammatory phenotype especially in Asian population. Generally, patients may not remit fully after DPP-4i withdrawal only and require either topical or systemic glucocorticoid courses.
Does Group Maturity Affect Savings and Investment Behaviour of Women: Empirical Investigation of Self-Help Groups in Uttar Pradesh
Authors: Gupta Tanushree , Singh Udai Bhan
Published: February 2023

The aim of this study is to understand the impact of group maturity (age) on savings and investment behaviour of self-help group (SHG) members. Based on the survey data of 300 SHG members, the study finds that as groups mature or get older there is a three-fold rise in the share of household savings being diverted to savings in the SHGs. The results of the propensity score matching (PSM) reveal that group maturity has a positive impact on the per capita savings of member households. Furthermore, the usage of bank loans for a majority of beneficiaries distinctly shifts from consumption purposes to income-generating activities as the group becomes more mature.
Acute necrotising encephalopathy: A rare complication providing a clue for the outbreak of H1N1 among medical students in Kanpur, India
Authors: Agrawal Vibhor , Chaudhary Sahil , Pandey Saurabh
Published: February 2023

Kanpur, India, recently witnessed an outbreak of undifferentiated febrile illness among medical students. Several students developed high-grade fever with altered sensorium within 2–3 days after the index case. Surprisingly, this outbreak coincided with the death of several pigs in the vicinity. Acute necrotising encephalitis, although rare, was noted in some patients. When correlated with each other, all of these incidents were suggestive of an outbreak of H1N1.
Book review: Renny Thomas. 2022. Science and Religion in India: Beyond Disenchantment
Authors: Ray Subhadeepta
Published: February 2023

Renny Thomas. 2022. Science and Religion in India: Beyond Disenchantment. Oxon and New York: Routledge. 214 pp. Figures, notes, bibliography, index. £36.99 (eBook—ISBN: 9781003213475)
The relationship between stressful life events and school engagement for junior high school students in China: A serial mediation model
Authors: Fang Shuanghu , Ding Dongyan
Published: February 2023

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between stressful life events (SLE) and school engagement and to determine if there are some likely mediating variables between them. A sample of 1517 Chinese junior high school students (51.5% female) completed the adolescent self-rating life events checklist (ASLEC), Utrecht Work Engagement Scale-student (UWES-s), cognitive fusion questionnaire (CFQ), and positive psychological capital questionnaire (PPQ). The model was calculated using the PROCESS macro in SPSS. The serial mediator model revealed a significant negative effect of SLE on school engagement through psychological flexibility and psychological capital (effect = −.08, 95% CI [−.10, −.06]). There was also a direct mediating effect through psychological capital (effect = −.17, 95% CI [−.21, −.13]). The results of the present study may help to clarify mechanisms that might explain the association between SLE and school engagement. Future research on improving school engagement should consider the critical roles of psychological flexibility and psychological capital.
The Darkness at Golgotha (Mark 15.33): Exorcizing the Demonic From the Evangelist’s Imagery
Authors: Andrejevs Olegs
Published: February 2023

In this article, my goal is to survey the two principal backgrounds for the darkness in Mark 15:33–39, examining the existing objections against their use by the evangelist and reinforcing their likelihood. In discussing the Greco-Roman parallels an attempt will be made to refine the existing pool of parallels, identifying the accounts that are most relevant to Mark 15:33–39. Then, it will be possible to ask whether Joel Marcus’s interpretation of the darkness as demonic (Anchor Bible Commentaries on Mark 1-8 [2000]; Mark 8-16 [2009]) is compatible with these likely backgrounds.
Newborn Babies and Nursing Jesus (1 Peter 2:2-3): The Petrine Metaphor’s Disruption of Patriarchal Renderings of God and the Child
Authors: Douglas Sally
Published: February 2023

In 1 Peter 2 the author utilizes a curious metaphor: “Like newborn infants, long for the pure, spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow into salvation–if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good” (2.2-3). When this metaphor is disentangled from Pauline and patriarchal assumptions, it can be recognized on its own terms. This article demonstrates that here, despite repetitive obfuscation, the author invites Jesus communities to imagine themselves as newborn babies who nurse from Christ Jesus. Significant implications unfold from this first-century metaphor. While stubbornly resisted for centuries, the implications of the biblical metaphor of nursing from Jesus continue to flow with provocative challenge and sustenance.
Waters that Witness: How the Bible’s Rivers Help Convey its Message
Authors: Goodman Peter William
Published: February 2023

The rivers mentioned in the Bible are often significant. This narrative-exegetical study focuses on the Mesopotamian rivers, along with the Nile and the Jordan, with the latter leading from the Hebrew Bible on into the New Testament. The paper explores the ways in which these rivers convey divine revelation and mission, asking what the rivers say in expressing that revelation and also what the rivers do as part of its drama. A rich mixture of themes emerge: enabling life and reminding of loss; the nature of power, hubris and vulnerability; transition into new beginnings through crossing the rivers and through washing in them; and ultimately hope for a renewed creation through the flow of life-giving divine presence. In a variety of ways - symbolic, instrumental, sacramental and participatory – the rivers speak and act as partners with their creator.
Educational Attainment, First Employment, and First Marriage in Japan
Authors: Tsuya Noriko O.
Published: February 2023

This study examines the patterns of educational attainment and first employment among young Japanese, and their effects on the likelihood of first marriage, using micro-level data drawn from a national family survey in 2004 and its follow-up in 2007. Attainment of higher education increased dramatically in postwar Japan, and such gains were especially notable for women. Meanwhile, regular employment has decreased, and temporary employment has risen rapidly among young Japanese since the 1990s. The study reveals that obtaining regular employment as the first job strongly enhances the likelihood of first marriage for both genders although the marriage-enhancing effect is stronger for men than for women. First entry to the labor market as a temporary worker also significantly diminishes the likelihood of first marriage for men. Like other industrialized economies in Asia, improving educational attainment is found to be a factor causing declining first marriage among young Japanese women.
Cement leakage during vertebroplasty: comparison between intact and wall disruption in spinal metastases
Authors: Gravel Guillaume , Roussel Alexandre , Guth Axel , Mellot François
Published: February 2023

Background

Percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) is an effective measure for painful metastases or impending pathological fractures of the spine with cement leakages being the most frequent complication. Posterior extrusion of cement into the spinal canal may result in neurological symptoms and deficits.

Purpose

To compare the occurrence of intraspinal canal cement leakage between vertebrae with posterior wall disruption and vertebrae without posterior wall disruption.

Material and Methods

A single-center retrospective study was conducted of all PVP for spine metastases between June 2020 and November 2021. All leaks were analyzed by a postprocedural computed tomography scan or cone-beam computed tomography.

Results

A total of 77 patients with 143 vertebrae treated by PVP were included. Posterior wall disruption was observed in 64 (44.8%) vertebrae while 79 (55.2%) had a complete posterior wall. Spinal canal cement leakage occurred in 36 (25.2%) vertebrae and was comparable in both groups, occurring in 16 (25.0%) vertebrae with posterior wall disruption and 20 (25.3%) vertebrae without posterior wall disruption ( P = 1). No risk factors for spinal canal leakage were found in the univariate and multivariate analyses. One spinal leak was symptomatic with intercostal neuralgia.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that an incomplete vertebral posterior wall does not increase the rate of spinal canal cement leakage during PVP.
Migraine genetics: Status and road forward
Authors: Harder Aster VE , Terwindt Gisela M. , Nyholt Dale R , van den Maagdenberg Arn MJM
Published: February 2023

Background

Migraine is considered a multifactorial genetic disorder. Different platforms and methods are used to unravel the genetic basis of migraine. Initially, linkage analysis in multigenerational families followed by Sanger sequencing of protein-coding parts (exons) of genes in the genomic region shared by affected family members identified high-effect risk DNA mutations for rare Mendelian forms of migraine, foremost hemiplegic migraine. More recently, genome-wide association studies testing millions of DNA variants in large groups of patients and controls have proven successful in identifying many dozens of low-effect risk DNA variants for the more common forms of migraine with the number of associated DNA variants increasing steadily with larger sample sizes. Currently, next-generation sequencing, utilising whole exome and whole genome sequence data, and other omics data are being used to facilitate their functional interpretation and the discovery of additional risk factors. Various methods and analysis tools, such as genetic correlation and causality analysis, are used to further characterise genetic risk factors.

Findings

We describe recent findings in genome-wide association studies and next-generation sequencing analysis in migraine. We show that the combined results of the two most recent and most powerful migraine genome-wide association studies have identified a total of 178 LD-independent ( r2 < 0.1) genome-wide significant single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), of which 99 were unique to Hautakangas et al., 11 were unique to Choquet et al., and 68 were identified by both studies. When considering that Choquet et al. also identified three SNPs in a female-specific genome-wide association studies then these two recent studies identified 181 independent SNPs robustly associated with migraine. Cross-trait and causal analyses are beginning to identify and characterise specific biological factors that contribute to migraine risk and its comorbid conditions.

Conclusion

This review provides a timely update and overview of recent genetic findings in migraine.