bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Estimating error rates for single molecule protein sequencing experiments
Authors: Smith Matthew Beauregard , VanderVelden Kent , Blom Thomas , Stout Heather D. , Mapes James H. , Folsom Tucker M. , Martin Christopher , Bardo Angela M. , Marcotte Edward M.
Published: July 2024

The practical application of new single molecule protein sequencing (SMPS) technologies requires accurate estimates of their associated sequencing error rates. Here, we describe the development and application of two distinct parameter estimation methods for analyzing SMPS reads produced by fluorosequencing. A Hidden Markov Model (HMM) based approach, extends whatprot, where we previously used HMMs for SMPS peptide-read matching. This extension offers a principled approach for estimating key parameters for fluorosequencing experiments, including missed amino acid cleavages, dye loss, and peptide detachment. Specifically, we adapted the Baum-Welch algorithm, a standard technique to estimate transition probabilities for an HMM using expectation maximization, but modified here to estimate a small number of parameter values directly rather than estimating every transition probability independently. We demonstrate a high degree of accuracy on simulated data, but on experimental datasets, we observed that the model needed to be augmented with an additional error type, N-terminal blocking. This, in combination with data pre-processing, results in reasonable parameterizations of experimental datasets that agree with controlled experimental perturbations. A second independent implementation using a hybrid of DIRECT and Powell’s method to reduce the root mean squared error (RMSE) between simulations and the real dataset was also developed. We compare these methods on both simulated and real data, finding that our Baum-Welch based approach outperforms DIRECT and Powell’s method by most, but not all, criteria. Although some discrepancies between the results exist, we also find that both approaches provide similar error rate estimates from experimental single molecule fluorosequencing datasets.
“You know that we travel a lot”: Mobility narratives among female sex workers living with HIV in Tanzania and the Dominican Republic
Authors: Hendrickson Zoé M. , De Jesus Maria , Barrington Clare , Cole S. Wilson , Kennedy Caitlin E. , Sisson Laura Nicole , Uzzi Mudia , Donastorg Yeycy , Perez Martha , Gomez Hoisex , Mbwambo Jessie , Likindikoki Samuel , Kerrigan Deanna L.
Published: July 2024

Female sex workers (FSW) are highly mobile, which may result in reduced access to and use of health services and increased risk for poor health outcomes, particularly for those living with HIV. Mobility includes spatial, temporal, and social elements that are not fully captured by quantitative measures. We conducted two rounds of in-depth interviews with FSW living with HIV in Iringa, Tanzania (n = 20), and Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic (n = 20), to describe mobility experiences and compare mobility narratives across settings. We integrated a thematic analysis of all interviews with a narrative analysis of a subset of 10 information-rich interviews (five in each country) with women who had recently traveled, for sex work or another reason, outside of their hometown. Across narratives, FSW living with HIV traveled locally or to seasonal destinations, for short and long periods. Social factors influencing mobility included economic drivers; risk of arrest, harassment, or violence; anonymity and/or familiarity; social relationships; and clients’ mobility. Spatial, temporal, and social factors intersected in unique ways in FSW’s mobility experiences, yet distinct mobility typologies were evident across settings and destinations. Together, mobility narratives of FSW living with HIV can inform quantitative research on mobility typologies in Tanzania, the Dominican Republic, and elsewhere. With the potential for economic circumstances, climate change, and other emergencies to increase people’s mobility around the world, researchers and practitioners can learn from the lived experiences of FSW to inform whether and how to tailor and improve the accessibility of HIV care and treatment interventions based on spatial, temporal, and social characteristics of mobility.
Association between achieving adequate antenatal care and health-seeking behaviors: A study of Demographic and Health Surveys in 47 low- and middle-income countries
Authors: Jiao Boshen , Iversen Isabelle , Sato Ryoko , Pecenka Clint , Khan Sadaf , Baral Ranju , Kruk Margaret E. , Arsenault Catherine , Verguet Stéphane
Published: July 2024

Background

Antenatal care (ANC) is essential for ensuring the well-being of pregnant women and their fetuses. This study models the association between achieving adequate ANC and various health and health-seeking indicators across wealth quintiles in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

Methods and findings

We analyzed data from 638,265 women across 47 LMICs using available Demographic and Health Surveys from 2010 to 2022. Via multilevel logistic regression analyses adjusted for a series of confounding variables and country and wealth quintile fixed effects, we estimated the projected impact of achieving adequate ANC utilization and quality on a series of health and health care indicators: facility birth, postnatal care, childhood immunizations, and childhood stunting and wasting. Achieving adequate levels of ANC utilization and quality (defined as at least 4 visits, blood pressure monitoring, and blood and urine testing) was positively associated with health-seeking behavior across the majority of countries. The strongest association was observed for facility birth, followed by postnatal care and child immunization. The strength of the associations varied across countries and wealth quintiles, with more significant ones observed in countries with lower baseline ANC utilization levels and among the lower wealth quintiles. The associations of ANC with childhood stunting and wasting were notably less statistically significant compared to other indicators. Despite rigorous adjustments for potential confounders, a limitation to the methodology is that it is possible that unobserved variables may still impact outcomes.

Conclusions

Strengthening ANC is associated with improved use of other health care in LMICs. ANC could serve as a critical platform for improving health outcomes for mothers and their children, emphasizing its importance beyond direct impact on maternal and neonatal mortality.
Replication properties of a contemporary Zika virus from West Africa
Authors: Machmouchi Dana , Courageot Marie-Pierre , El-Kalamouni Chaker , Kohl Alain , Desprès Philippe
Published: July 2024

Zika virus (ZIKV) has become a global health problem over the past decade due to the extension of the geographic distribution of the Asian/American genotype. Recent epidemics of Asian/American ZIKV have been associated with developmental disorders in humans. There is mounting evidence that African ZIKV may be associated with increased fetal pathogenicity necessitating to pay a greater attention towards currently circulating viral strains in sub-Saharan Africa. Here, we generated an infectious molecular clone GUINEA-18 of a recently transmitted human ZIKV isolate from West Africa, ZIKV-15555. The available infectious molecular clone MR766MC of historical African ZIKV strain MR766-NIID was used for a molecular clone-based comparative study. Viral clones GUINEA-18 and MR766MC were compared for their ability to replicate in VeroE6, A549 and HCM3 cell lines. There was a lower replication rate for GUINEA-18 associated with weaker cytotoxicity and reduced innate immune system activation compared with MR766MC. Analysis of chimeric viruses between viral clones stressed the importance of NS1 to NS4B proteins, with a particular focus of NS4B on GUINEA-18 replicative properties. ZIKV has developed strategies to prevent cytoplasmic stress granule formation which occurs in response to virus infection. GUINEA-18 was greatly efficient in inhibiting stress granule assembly in A549 cells subjected to a physiological stressor, with NS1 to NS4B proteins also being critical in this process. The impact of these GUINEA-18 proteins on viral replicative abilities and host-cell responses to viral infection raises the question of the role of nonstructural proteins in the pathogenicity of currently circulating ZIKV in sub-Saharan Africa.
Glucose transporters and sodium glucose co-transporters cooperatively import glucose into energy-demanding organs in carcinogenic liver fluke Clonorchis sinensis
Authors: Dai Fuhong , Lee Soon-Ok , Song Jin-Ho , Yoo Won-Gi , Shin Eun-Hee , Bai Xuelian , Hong Sung-Jong
Published: July 2024

Background

The liver fluke Clonorchis sinensis imports large amounts of glucose to generate energy and metabolic intermediates through glycolysis. We hypothesized that C. sinensis absorbs glucose through glucose transporters and identified four subtypes of glucose transporter (CsGTP) and one sodium glucose co-transporter (CsSGLT) in C. sinensis.

Methodology/Principal findings

Expressed sequence tags encoding CsGTPs were retrieved from the C. sinensis transcriptome database, and their full-length cDNA sequences were obtained by rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE). The tissue distribution of glucose transporters in C. sinensis adults was determined using immunohistochemical staining. Developmental expression was measured using RT-qPCR. The transport and distribution of glucose into living C. sinensis were monitored using confocal microscopy. Membrane topology and key functional residues of CsGTPs were homologous to their counterparts in animals and humans. CsGTP1, 2, and 4 were transcribed 2.4–5.5 times higher in the adults than metacercariae, while CsGTP3 was transcribed 2.1 times higher in the metacercariae than adults. CsSGLT transcription was 163.6 times higher in adults than in metacercariae. In adults, CsSGLT was most abundant in the tegument; CsGTP3 and CsSGLT were localized in the vitelline gland, uterine wall, eggs, mesenchymal tissue, and testes; CsGTP4 was found in sperm and mesenchymal tissue; and CsGTP1 was mainly in the sperm and testes. In C. sinensis adults, exogenous glucose is imported in a short time and is present mainly in the middle and posterior body, in which the somatic and reproductive organs are located. Of the exogenous glucose, 53.6% was imported through CsSGLT and 46.4% through CsGTPs. Exogenous glucose import was effectively inhibited by cytochalasin B and phlorizin.

Conclusions/Significance

We propose that CsSGLT cooperates with CsGTPs to import exogenous glucose from the environmental bile, transport glucose across mesenchymal tissue cells, and finally supply energy-demanding organs in C. sinensis adults. Studies on glucose transporters may pave the way for the development of new anthelmintic drugs.
Declining lake ice in response to climate change can impact spending for local communities
Authors: Filazzola Alessandro , Imrit Mohammad Arshad , Fleck Andrew , Woolway Richard Iestyn , Sharma Sapna
Published: July 2024

Lake ice is an important socio-economic resource that is threatened by climate change. The cover and duration of lake ice are expected to decline as air temperatures warm in the coming decades, disrupting a previously reliable source of income for many activities dependent on lake ice. The economic consequences of climate-induced lake ice loss remain unexplored, creating a significant research gap. The purpose of this study was to quantify the monetary spending associated with lake ice and how climate change may impact that value. Using a series of General Circulation Models (GCMs), greenhouse gas emissions scenarios, and models for lake ice cover, we predicted changes in lake ice by the end of the 21st century for the Northern Hemisphere. We also synthesized examples of spending associated with lake ice activities and discussed the potential implications expected with declining ice cover. We found that lake ice will decrease in area by 44,000–177,000 km2 and shorten in duration by 13–43 days by 2100. Using 31 examples of revenue from lake ice, we found that lake ice generates spending of over USD 2.04 billion to local communities and economies. We also found that countries predicted to experience the greatest ice loss by the end of the century are those that currently have the largest GDP, highest greenhouse gas emissions, and are most dependent on freshwater withdrawal. Our findings confirm predicted losses in lake ice that are expected because of climate change and quantify some of the potential consequences for local communities. Here we highlight lake ice as another casualty of human-caused climate change that will have profound socio-economic implications.
Drug resistance markers in Plasmodium vivax isolates from a Kanchanaburi province, Thailand between January to May 2023
Authors: Sridapan Thanawat , Rattanakoch Paweesuda , Kijprasong Kaewkanha , Srisutham Suttipat
Published: July 2024

Background

Plasmodium vivax has become the predominant species in the border regions of Thailand. The emergence and spread of antimalarial drug resistance in P. vivax is one of the significant challenges for malaria control. Continuous surveillance of drug resistance is therefore necessary for monitoring the development of drug resistance in the region. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of the mutation in the P. vivax multidrug resistant 1 (Pvmdr1), dihydrofolate reductase (Pvdhfr), and dihydropteroate synthetase (Pvdhps) genes conferred resistance to chloroquine (CQ), pyrimethamine (P) and sulfadoxine (S), respectively.

Method

100 P. vivax isolates were obtained between January to May 2023 from a Kanchanaburi province, western Thailand. Nucleotide sequences of Pvmdr1, Pvdhfr, and Pvdhps genes were amplified and sequenced. The frequency of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)-haplotypes of drug-resistant alleles was assessed. The linkage disequilibrium (LD) tests were also analyzed.

Results

In Pvmdr1, T958M, Y976F, and F1076L, mutations were detected in 100%, 21%, and 23% of the isolates, respectively. In Pvdhfr, the quadruple mutant allele (I57R58M61T117) prevailed in 84% of the samples, followed by (L57R58M61T117) in 11%. For Pvdhps, the double mutant allele (G383G553) was detected (48%), followed by the triple mutant allele (G383M512G553) (47%) of the isolates. The most prevalent combination of Pvdhfr (I57R58M61T117) and Pvdhps (G383G553) alleles was sextuple mutated haplotypes (48%). For LD analysis, the association in the SNPs pairs was found between the intragenic and intergenic regions of the Pvdhfr and Pvdhps genes.

Conclusion

The study has recently updated the high prevalence of three gene mutations associated with CQ and SP resistance. Genetic monitoring is therefore important to intensify in the regions to further assess the spread of drug resistant. Our data also provide evidence on the distribution of drug resistance for the early warning system, thereby threatening P. vivax malaria treatment policy decisions at the national level.
Inequalities in health-related quality of life and functional health of an aging population: A Canadian community perspective
Authors: Singh Sarah , Goodwin Shane , Zhong Shiran , Avan Abolfazl , Rogers Kem , Hachinski Vladimir , Frisbee Stephanie
Published: July 2024

Background

Reducing health inequalities among older adults is crucial to ensuring healthy aging is within reach for all. The current study provides a timely update on demographic- and geographic-related inequalities in healthy aging among older adults residing in Canadian communities.

Methods

Data was extracted from the Canadian Health Survey on Seniors [2019–2020] for ~6 million adults aged 65 years and older residing in 10 provinces of Canada. Healthy aging was defined by two indices: 1] health-related quality of life and 2] functional health. Poisson regression models and spatial mapping were used to demonstrate inequalities among age, race, and sex categories, and health regions.

Results

Approximately 90.3% of individuals reported less than perfect quality of life and 18.8% reported less than perfect functional health. The prevalence of less than perfect quality of life was higher for females [PR 1.14, 95% CI;1.02–1.29] and for older adults aged ≥80 years as compared to males and older adults aged ≤79 years [PR 1.66, 95% CI;1.49–1.85]. Similarly, the prevalence of less than perfect functional health was higher for females [PR 1.58, 95% CI;1.32–1.89] and for older adults aged ≥80 years [PR 2.71, 95% CI;2.59–2.84]. Spatial mapping showed that regions of lower quality of life were concentrated in the Prairies and Western Ontario, whereas regions of higher quality of life were concentrated in Quebec.

Conclusions

Amongst older individuals residing in Canadian communities, less than perfect quality of life and functional health is unequally distributed among females, older adults aged ≥80 years, and those residing in the Prairie regions specifically. Newer policy should focus on interventions targeted at these subpopulations to ensure that healthy aging in within reach for all Canadians.
TIR domains of TLR family-from the cell culture to the protein sample for structural studies
Authors: Lushpa Vladislav A. , Goncharuk Marina V. , Talyzina Irina A. , Arseniev Alexander S. , Bocharov Eduard V. , Mineev Konstantin S. , Goncharuk Sergey A.
Published: July 2024

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are key players in the innate immune system. Despite the great efforts in TLR structural biology, today we know the spatial structures of only four human TLR intracellular TIR domains. All of them belong to one of five subfamilies of receptors. One of the main bottlenecks is the high-level production of correctly folded proteins in soluble form. Here we used a rational approach to find the optimal parameters to produce TIR domains of all ten human TLR family members in soluble form in E. coli cells. We showed that dozens of milligrams of soluble His-tagged TLR2/3/6/7TIR and MBP-tagged TLR3/5/7/8TIR can be produced. We also developed the purification protocols and demonstrated by CD and NMR spectroscopy that purified TLR2/3/7TIR demonstrate a structural organization inherent to TIR domains. This illustrates the correct folding of produced proteins and their suitability for further structural and functional investigations.
Transmural APD heterogeneity determines ventricular arrhythmogenesis in LQT8 syndrome: Insights from Bidomain computational modeling
Authors: Scacchi Simone , Pavarino Luca F. , Mazzanti Andrea , Trancuccio Alessandro , Priori Silvia G. , Colli Franzone Piero
Published: July 2024

Long QT Syndrome type 8 (LQT8) is a cardiac arrhythmic disorder associated with Timothy Syndrome, stemming from mutations in the CACNA1C gene, particularly the G406R mutation. While prior studies hint at CACNA1C mutations’ role in ventricular arrhythmia genesis, the mechanisms, especially in G406R presence, are not fully understood. This computational study explores how the G406R mutation, causing increased transmural dispersion of repolarization, induces and sustains reentrant ventricular arrhythmias. Using three-dimensional numerical simulations on an idealized left-ventricular model, integrating the Bidomain equations with the ten Tusscher-Panfilov ionic model, we observe that G406R mutation with 11% and 50% heterozygosis significantly increases transmural dispersion of repolarization. During S1-S4 stimulation protocols, these gradients facilitate conduction blocks, triggering reentrant ventricular tachycardia. Sustained reentry pathways occur only with G406R mutation at 50% heterozygosis, while neglecting transmural heterogeneities of action potential duration prevents stable reentry, regardless of G406R mutation presence.
Sparse spectral graph analysis and its application to gastric cancer drug resistance-specific molecular interplays identification
Authors: Park Heewon , Miyano Satoru
Published: July 2024

Uncovering acquired drug resistance mechanisms has garnered considerable attention as drug resistance leads to treatment failure and death in patients with cancer. Although several bioinformatics studies developed various computational methodologies to uncover the drug resistance mechanisms in cancer chemotherapy, most studies were based on individual or differential gene expression analysis. However the single gene-based analysis is not enough, because perturbations in complex molecular networks are involved in anti-cancer drug resistance mechanisms. The main goal of this study is to reveal crucial molecular interplay that plays key roles in mechanism underlying acquired gastric cancer drug resistance. To uncover the mechanism and molecular characteristics of drug resistance, we propose a novel computational strategy that identified the differentially regulated gene networks. Our method measures dissimilarity of networks based on the eigenvalues of the Laplacian matrix. Especially, our strategy determined the networks’ eigenstructure based on sparse eigen loadings, thus, the only crucial features to describe the graph structure are involved in the eigenanalysis without noise disturbance. We incorporated the network biology knowledge into eigenanalysis based on the network-constrained regularization. Therefore, we can achieve a biologically reliable interpretation of the differentially regulated gene network identification. Monte Carlo simulations show the outstanding performances of the proposed methodology for differentially regulated gene network identification. We applied our strategy to gastric cancer drug-resistant-specific molecular interplays and related markers. The identified drug resistance markers are verified through the literature. Our results suggest that the suppression and/or induction of COL4A1, PXDN and TGFBI and their molecular interplays enriched in the Extracellular-related pathways may provide crucial clues to enhance the chemosensitivity of gastric cancer. The developed strategy will be a useful tool to identify phenotype-specific molecular characteristics that can provide essential clues to uncover the complex cancer mechanism.
Research on control strategy of pneumatic soft bionic robot based on improved CPG
Authors: Zhao Wenchuan , Zhang Yu , Lim Kian Meng , Yang Lijian , Wang Ning , Peng Linghui
Published: July 2024

To achieve the accuracy and anti-interference of the motion control of the soft robot more effectively, the motion control strategy of the pneumatic soft bionic robot based on the improved Central Pattern Generator (CPG) is proposed. According to the structure and motion characteristics of the robot, a two-layer neural network topology model for the robot is constructed by coupling 22 Hopfield neuron nonlinear oscillators. Then, based on the Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS), the membership functions are offline learned and trained to construct the CPG-ANFIS-PID motion control strategy for the robot. Through simulation research on the impact of CPG-ANFIS-PID input parameters on the swimming performance of the robot, it is verified that the control strategy can quickly respond to input parameter changes between different swimming modes, and stably output smooth and continuous dynamic position signals, which has certain advantages. Then, the motion performance of the robot prototype is analyzed experimentally and compared with the simulation results. The results show that the CPG-ANFIS-PID motion control strategy can output coupled waveform signals stably, and control the executing mechanisms of the pneumatic soft bionic robot to achieve biological rhythms motion propulsion waveforms, confirming that the control strategy has accuracy and anti-interference characteristics, and enable the robot have certain maneuverability, flexibility, and environmental adaptability. The significance of this work lies in establishing a CPG-ANFIS-PID control strategy applicable to pneumatic soft bionic robot and proposing a rhythmic motion control method applicable to pneumatic soft bionic robot.
Mining the relationship between COVID-19 sentiment and market performance
Authors: Xia Ziyuan , Chen Jeffrey , Sun Anchen
Published: July 2024

In March 2020, the outbreak of COVID-19 precipitated one of the most significant stock market downturns in recent history. This paper explores the relationship between public sentiment related to COVID-19 and stock market fluctuations during the different phases of the pandemic. Utilizing natural language processing and sentiment analysis, we examine Twitter data for pandemic-related keywords to assess whether these sentiments can predict changes in stock market trends. Our analysis extends to additional datasets: one annotated by market experts to integrate professional financial sentiment with market dynamics, and another comprising long-term social media sentiment data to observe changes in public sentiment from the pandemic phase to the endemic phase. Our findings indicate a strong correlation between the sentiments expressed on social media and market volatility, particularly sentiments directly associated with stocks. These insights validate the effectiveness of our Sentiment(S)-LSTM model, which helps to understand the evolving dynamics between public sentiment and stock market trends from 2020 through 2023, as the situation shifts from pandemic to endemic and approaches new normalcy.
Priorities for quality of life after traumatic brain injury
Authors: Grewal Jasleen , Citton Kix , Sing Geoff , Biagioni Janelle Breese , Schmidt Julia
Published: July 2024

Background

After traumatic brain injury (TBI), individuals can experience changes to quality of life (QOL). Despite understanding the factors that impact QOL after TBI, there is limited patient-oriented research to understand the subjective priorities for QOL after TBI. This study aims to understand the priorities for QOL after TBI using a group consensus building method.

Methods

The Technique for Research of Information by Animation of a Group of Experts (TRIAGE) method was used to determine priorities for QOL after TBI. In phase one, expert participants were consulted to understand the context of QOL after TBI. In phase two, participants with TBI completed a questionnaire to broadly determine the factors that contributed to their QOL. In phase three, a portion of participants from phase two engaged in focus groups to identify the most relevant priorities. Data was analyzed thematically. In phase four, expert participants were consulted to finalize the priorities.

Results

Phase one included three expert participants who outlined the complexity and importance of QOL after TBI. Phase two included 34 participants with TBI who described broad priorities for QOL including social support, employment, and accessible environments. Phase three included 13 participants with TBI who identified seven priorities for QOL: ensuring basic needs are met, participating in everyday life, trusting a circle of care, being seen and accepted, finding meaning in relationships, giving back and advocating, and finding purpose and value. In phase four, four expert participants confirmed the QOL priorities.

Interpretations

Findings emphasize the critical need to address priorities for QOL after TBI to ensure improved health outcomes.
The evolutionary features and internal logic of the one-vote veto system: A Nvivo analysis based on the policy texts of the three provinces in the east, middle and west
Authors: Li Jiancheng
Published: July 2024

Analyzing the evolutionary features and internal logic of the one-vote veto system in China over the past two decades is highly significant when considering reform and standardization. In order to conduct this analysis, the Nvivo 12 software was used to examine policy texts related to the one-vote veto issued by Fujian, Hubei, and Gansu provinces. Through a comparative analysis of keyword frequency statistics, policy text form, and content characteristics across the three provinces, it was discovered that governmental departments have experienced fundamental changes in their utilization of the one-vote veto system after 20 years of development. These changes are primarily seen in the refinement of the description of the one-vote veto in policy texts, the gradual reduction in the withdrawal mechanism of the one-vote veto, and an expanded application field for the one-vote veto.
Extreme value statistics of nerve transmission delay
Authors: Tsuzuki Satori
Published: July 2024

Delays in nerve transmission are an important topic in the field of neuroscience. Spike signals fired or received by the dendrites of a neuron travel from the axon to a presynaptic cell. The spike signal then triggers a chemical reaction at the synapse, wherein a presynaptic cell transfers neurotransmitters to the postsynaptic cell, regenerates electrical signals via a chemical reaction through ion channels, and transmits them to neighboring neurons. In the context of describing the complex physiological reaction process as a stochastic process, this study aimed to show that the distribution of the maximum time interval of spike signals follows extreme-order statistics. By considering the statistical variance in the time constant of the leaky Integrate-and-Fire model, a deterministic time evolution model for spike signals, we enabled randomness in the time interval of the spike signals. When the time constant follows an exponential distribution function, the time interval of the spike signal also follows an exponential distribution. In this case, our theory and simulations confirmed that the histogram of the maximum time interval follows the Gumbel distribution, one of the three forms of extreme-value statistics. We further confirmed that the histogram of the maximum time interval followed a Fréchet distribution when the time interval of the spike signal followed a Pareto distribution. These findings confirm that nerve transmission delay can be described using extreme value statistics and can therefore be used as a new indicator of transmission delay.
mRNA-encoded Cas13 treatment of Influenza via site-specific degradation of genomic RNA
Authors: Chaves Lorena C. S. , Orr-Burks Nichole , Vanover Daryll , Mosur Varun V. , Hosking Sarah R. , Kumar E. K. Pramod , Jeong Hyeyoon , Jung Younghun , Assumpção José A. F. , Peck Hannah E. , Nelson Sarah L. , Burke Kaitlyn N. , Garrison McKinzie A. , Arthur Robert A. , Claussen Henry , Heaton Nicholas S. , Lafontaine Eric R. , Hogan Robert J. , Zurla Chiara , Santangelo Philip J.
Published: July 2024

The CRISPR-Cas13 system has been proposed as an alternative treatment of viral infections. However, for this approach to be adopted as an antiviral, it must be optimized until levels of efficacy rival or exceed the performance of conventional approaches. To take steps toward this goal, we evaluated the influenza viral RNA degradation patterns resulting from the binding and enzymatic activity of mRNA-encoded LbuCas13a and two crRNAs from a prior study, targeting PB2 genomic and messenger RNA. We found that the genome targeting guide has the potential for significantly higher potency than originally detected, because degradation of the genomic RNA is not uniform across the PB2 segment, but it is augmented in proximity to the Cas13 binding site. The PB2 genome targeting guide exhibited high levels (>1 log) of RNA degradation when delivered 24 hours post-infection in vitro and maintained that level of degradation over time, with increasing multiplicity of infection (MOI), and across modern influenza H1N1 and H3N2 strains. Chemical modifications to guides with potent LbuCas13a function, resulted in nebulizer delivered efficacy (>1–2 log reduction in viral titer) in a hamster model of influenza (Influenza A/H1N1/California/04/09) infection given prophylactically or as a treatment (post-infection). Maximum efficacy was achieved with two doses, when administered both pre- and post-infection. This work provides evidence that mRNA-encoded Cas13a can effectively mitigate Influenza A infections opening the door to the development of a programmable approach to treating multiple respiratory infections.
ESG disclosure, firm internationalization, and firm financial performance: Evidence from Asia-Pacific
Authors: Hussain Waleed , Ong Tze San , Kamarudin Fakarudin Bin , Khan Muhammad Asif , Bács Zoltán
Published: July 2024

Environmental, social and governance (ESG) disclosures maintain a sustainable strategic fit between the organization's goals and its changing environment and have an impact on the firm's ability to attract funds, gain competitiveness, and hence firm's financial performance (FFP). The objective of the present study is to evaluate the impact of environmental, social, and governance disclosures (ESGD) on firm financial performance (FFP), especially emphasizing the moderating role of firm internationalization. The study employed a panel dataset of 697 firms listed in the Asia-Pacific emerging economies from 2013 to 2022. The findings of the fixed effect and robust two-stage least square estimations reflect that the modern pillars of corporate social responsibility – ESGD - significantly and negatively influence FFP; however, the degrees of corporate internationalization (international intensity, geographical extensity) significantly and positively moderate the association between ESGD and FFP. The findings of the current study have several implications for regulatory bodies, practitioners, and administrative decision-making authorities in both government and corporations. We further recommend a course of action where an attempt can be made to encourage international trade that is best aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals.
Infraestructuras, inundaciones y producción y reproducción de la vida: claves para pensar en la producción socio histórica y espacial del territorio isleño del municipio de Santa Fe (1573- 1970/80)
Authors: Acebal Anahí
Published: July 2024

Este artículo tiene como objetivo analizar los procesos constitutivos y constituyentes de las actuales disputas en y por el territorio isleño del municipio de Santa Fe. Para ello daremos de cuenta de la manera en que las infraestructuras, las inundaciones y la producción de la vida en el lugar le dieron un determinado orden a este territorio isleño desde su fundación y hasta 1970/80. Para llevar adelante este trabajo recurrimos a una estrategia metodológica cualitativa, el estudio de caso instrumental (Merlinsky; 2008). Emprendemos un trabajo multimétodo en donde convergen diferentes evidencias empíricas. Asimismo, recuperamos la periodización propuesta por Gioria (2009) para estudiar la construcción del espacio geográfico de Santa Fe.
Intersubjective management theory: Decision support system creation
Authors: Moiseeva Tatyana V.
Published: July 2024

A lot of problem situations arise in our everyday life, that worsen quality of life, reduce labor productivity. Modern science does not have decision-making technologies in problem situations under conditions of uncertainty, when the subjects themselves need to decide what to do, and not how to do it. The only theory that proposes actors a new approach to managing the problem situations solving is the theory of intersubjective management, proposed at the beginning of the XXI century. The fundamental difference between intersubjective management and classical one is that management functions are assigned to people themselves, immersed in a problem situation and actively acting (actors). In the process of decision making in a problem situation actors need methodological and informational support. For this purpose, a decision support system is developed that uses methods and tools of slightly formalized subject areas. When choosing models, methods and tools that support actors in the process of problem situation solving, the features of the group decision-making process in intersubjective management are taken into account. The choice of methods for application by actors is also influenced by the subjective component, i. e. their personal characteristics and preferences, knowledge, and skills. Decision support system design is based on the Nonaka-Takeuchi knowledge management model.
Numerical and analytical calculation of the rotor mechanical stresses of a synchronous electricfl machine with incorporated permanent magnets
Authors: Zubkov Yuri V. , Vladimirov Denis A. , Biktashev Irshat H.
Published: July 2024

This paper proposed methods for determining mechanical stresses in the inductor of a synchronous electric machine with magnetoelectric excitation and incorporated V-shaped permanent magnets, intended for use as an auxiliary generator of a gas compressor station driven by a gas turbine engine. Along with the advantages: high energy efficiency, large electromagnetic torque and specific power, the ability to create a small airgap between the stator and the rotor, machines with such an inductor design have a significant drawback - large magnetic flux dissipation in the area of ​​external and internal saturation bridges, which is all the more significant as the bridges are wider. To decrease leakage fluxes and ensure acceptable energy performance, it is desirable to reduce the width of the bridges, but this weakens the mechanical strength of the rotor.
Analytical models of two levels are proposed for assessing mechanical stresses in the inductor design, on the basis of which the configuration option for permanent magnets and rotor pole pieces is selected. The first level model assumes knowledge of the inductor geometric dimensions, which can be obtained at the stage of the electric machine electromagnetic calculation. Therefore, it is more suitable for the estimated calculation of mechanical stresses on external bridges. The second-level model was obtained using analytical dependencies based on the analogy of a magnet-pole tip system with a beam with rigid clamping on supports and a distributed load along it. It is suitable for determining mechanical strength during optimization design, when it is necessary to operate with large volumes of data.
The results of calculating mechanical stresses using analytical models are checked and refined by solving the strength problem using the finite element method in the Ansys Structural software package.
A Modified Numerical Integration Method: Superior Accuracy for Hard-Exponential Functions
Authors: Numayr Karim ,   Isra University, Amman, Jordan.
Published: July 2024

A novel numerical integration method is presented, which uses the tangents at the beginning of the intervals in addition to the ordinates of the function to estimate the integral. The trapezoidal part of the area under the curve between tangent and abscissa is calculated exactly, while the area bounded between the curve and the tangent is estimated. This major reduction of the approximated part yields more accurate numerical-integration results than current methods. The approximation is carried out using a mapped simple power function and a correction function. The method is tested using several functions including hard exponentials, where most numerical-integration methods fail to attain accurate results with limited numbers of intervals, since the ordinates of such functions increased rapidly within a short boundary region. The proposed method is compared with the well-known Simpson’s 1/3 rule, Gauss quadrature, in addition to the MATLAB quad function. The numerical results demonstrate that the proposed method is superior to these methods. Keywords: Numerical integration, Quadrature, Hard-exponential functions, NewtonCotes, MATLAB quad.
Transport Infrastructure of Asian Russia (Review of the Monograph ‘Analysis and Evaluation of the Processes of Creation and Development of the Transport Main Network of Different Purposes in Asian Russia’)
Authors: Bardal Anna ,   Economic Research Institute FEB RAS
Published: July 2024

This paper analyzes the content and features of the monograph ‘Analysis and evaluation of the processes of creation and development of the transport main network of different purposes in Asian Russia’. It is noted that the monograph is based on a combination of macroeconomic and sectoral approaches. The author of the review points out the features of the monograph that distinguish it from scientific publications on the functioning of transport in the eastern regions of Russia at the current stage of geopolitical shocks. The first of these features is the comprehensiveness of the approach, which is expressed in a wide list of research objects (freight and passenger segments, railroad, automobile, air, and river transport). The second feature of the monograph is a broad presentation of theoretical, methodological, and practical research results, including a review of approaches to the study of transport infrastructure as a factor of spatial development, analysis of trends and key problems of freight and passenger segments, forecast assessments of economic and transport development in the long term (up to 2035), study of promising technologies and opportunities for the greening of transport processes. The third feature is the proximity of the paradigms of ‘infrastructure for production’ and ‘infrastructure for people’, emphasizing the social significance of decisions taken in the transport complex. In general, the monograph presents a systemic view of the current situation and development of the transport complex of the eastern regions of Russia. At the same time, the involvement of a large number of experts (from four institutions) in the work on the monograph determines the difficulties of maintaining a unified approach to the text and overall coordination of the work. The latter is reflected, on the one hand, in the presence of substantial repetitions of certain problematic points in the sections of the monograph, and, on the other hand, in the absence of aspects important for the transport complex of the eastern regions of Russia (e.g., the dynamics of tariff policy, effective development of the system of checkpoints across the state border, assessment of the regulatory impact on the transport complex under changing institutional conditions for the use of limited infrastructure, etc.)
IMPROVEMENT OF SUBSTANTIVE PROVISIONS OF THE VALIDITY OF AGREEMENT IN THE INDONESIAN CIVIL CODE
Authors: Sugiastuti Natasya Yunita , Purnamasari Dian
Published: July 2024

The legal effect of non-fulfillment of the requirement for the validity of the agreement is that the existence of such agreement is not recognized, cancellation can be requested or it can be declared null and void. Due to the significance of such legal requirements and consequences for the validity of the agreement, it is in need of analysis. With the emergence of the idea of reforming national contract law, this research intends to provide some thoughts for the improvement of the national law of obligations, particularly with regard to the validity of the agreement. These reflections are results of the study regarding to contract validity as regulated under Nieuw Burgerlijk Wetboek. This is normative legal research; with the legislative, conceptual, and comparative law approach, the data used is in the form of secondary data, obtained through a literature review. Based on the results of the study, several recommendations are being put forward for the improvement of the national law of obligations, both with regard to the subjects entering into agreement (provisions concerning consent and capacity) as well as recommendations with regard to the object of agreement (provisions concerning certain things and the contents of agreement).
The effect of soy milk on haemoglobin levels in pregnant women with anaemia
Authors: Sugiarsih Ugi , Solihah Eneng , Budiarti Yati
Published: July 2024

Background: Anaemia is one of the health problems that occur in pregnant women, often associated with a lack of iron intake. One approach to overcoming iron deficiency anaemia is through the use of functional foods, such as soy milk, because it contains high protein and iron, which can stimulate the production of red blood cells. This study aims to determine the effect of soy milk on haemoglobin levels in pregnant women with anaemia. This research method uses a quasi-experimental research design with a pretest-posttest control group design. The intervention group underwent an initial haemoglobin level check (Haemoglobin 1), followed by a 15-day intervention period by consuming soy milk (250 ml/day) and Fe tablets (2x1/day). On day 16, the haemoglobin level was re-evaluated (Haemoglobin 2). Meanwhile, the control group also underwent an initial haemoglobin level check (Haemoglobin 1) and then received iron tablets (2x1/day), with a follow-up haemoglobin level check on day 16 (Haemoglobin 2). The total sample size was 130 people (65 people in the intervention group and 65 people in the control group). Sampling was purposive sampling, and the data were analysed with a dependent t-test for the intervention group, a Wilcoxon test for the control group, and a Mann-Whitney test. The majority of respondents were between 20 and 35 years old (94.6%), had junior high school education (63.15%), did not work (75.4%), had a had a parity less than 2 (76.9%), and had a had a low knowledge level (70.8%). After the intervention, haemoglobin levels increased by 0.9. Statistical analysis showed a significant difference in the mean haemoglobin levels before and after soy milk consumption (p = 0.001). In addition, there was a significant difference in haemoglobin levels between the intervention group and the control group (p = 0.001). Soy milk consumption showed a positive effect on haemoglobin levels in anaemic pregnant women. Soy milk consumption (2x250 ml/day) can be an alternative to increasing haemoglobin levels in pregnant women.
Transformasi Novel Dignitate Karyah Hana Margaretha ke Film Dignitate Karya Fajar Nugros (Kajian Ekranisasi)
Authors: Wahyuningsih Sari Puspita , Widyatwati Ken , Komariya Siti
Published: July 2024

Ekranisasi adalah proses adaptasi suatu karya dari bentuk aslinya, seperti novel, cerita pendek, drama, atau sumber nonfisik, menjadi skenario untuk film, televisi, atau media visual lainnya. Penelitian ini fokus analisis pada transformasi novel Dignitate ke dalam bentuk film Dignitate dengan menggunakan pendekatan ekranisasi. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah mendeskripsikan berbagai aspek dalam proses ekranisasi seperti pensilutan, penambahan, dan perubahan variasi yang terjadi selama novel Dignitate diadaptasi menjadi film Dignitate. Penelitian ini menggunakan teori yang meliputi teori struktur fiksi, teori naratif film, alih wahana, dan ekranisasi. Metode yang digunakan adalah deskriptif komparatif dan data dikumpulkan melalui studi pustaka. Teknik pengumpulan data yang digunakan meliputi membaca, menonton, dan mencatat. Hasil dari penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa proses transformasi berhasil mengubah karya sastra dari bentuk novel menjadi media baru, yaitu film. Pada Novel Dignitate yang diubah menjadi film telah mengalami beberapa perubahan yang signifikan, yaitu pada tokoh dan penokohan, alur dan pengaluran, serta latar dan pelatarannya. Proses ekranisasi pada novel Dignitate yang diubah menjadi film telah menghasilkan beberapa pengurangan, penambahan, dan perubahan variasi. Pada proses pengurangan terdapat 15 pengurangan pada elemen tokoh, 14 pengurangan pada elemen latar, dan 7 pengurangan pada peristiwa dalam alur cerita. Pada proses penambahan terdapat 6 penambahan pada elemen tokoh, 6 penambahan pada elemen latar, dan penambahan 5 peristiwa dalam alur cerita. Jika pada perubahan variasi terdapat 2 perubahan variasi pada unsur tokoh, 4 perubahan variasi pada unsur latar, dan 7 perubahan variasi dalam alur cerita.