bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Minimal degrees of algebraic numbers with respect to primitive elements
Authors: Park Cheol-Min , Park Sun Woo
Published: July 2021

Given a number field [Formula: see text], we define the degree of an algebraic number [Formula: see text] with respect to a choice of a primitive element of [Formula: see text]. We propose the question of computing the minimal degrees of algebraic numbers in [Formula: see text], and examine these values in degree [Formula: see text] Galois extensions over [Formula: see text] and triquadratic number fields. We show that computing minimal degrees of non-rational elements in triquadratic number fields is closely related to solving classical Diophantine problems such as congruent number problem as well as understanding various arithmetic properties of elliptic curves.
Layered Double Hydroxide Nanomaterials: Biomedical Applications, Current Status and Challenges
Authors: Sharma Ritika , Bhawna  , Kumar Sanjeev , Singh Poonam , Gupta Akanksha , Kumar Vinod
Published: July 2021

Layered double hydroxide nanomaterials (LDH NMs) have been dragging the researchers’ attention toward biomedical applications owing to their physiochemical properties, biocompatibility, environmental sensitivity and good cellular uptake mechanisms. Various synthetic methods have been presented in brief. This paper draws attention toward the modification and functionalization of LDH nanostructures for biomedical applications in targeted and controlled drug release, anticancer, bioimaging, bone therapy and regeneration, gene delivery, ophthalmic and antitumor activities. Further, it explains the properties of conjugated LDH NMs which put forward their possibilities to be used in synthesizing the most demanding vaccine for COVID-19 pandemic. Current scenario, challenges and future perspective of LDH NMs have also been discussed.
Unveiling unexpected training data in internet video
Authors: Dekel Tali , Snavely Noah
Published: July 2021

Using clever video curation and processing practices to extract video training signals automatically.
A European union approach to regulating big tech
Authors: Petropoulos Georgios
Published: July 2021

Considering a new regulatory proposal for addressing digital market competition concerns.
A journal for interdisciplinary data science education
Authors: Hazzan Orit , Mike Koby
Published: July 2021

The
Communications
website, http://cacm.acm.org, features more than a dozen bloggers in the BLOG@CACM community. In each issue of
Communications
, we'll publish selected posts or excerpts.

twitter

Follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/blogCACM

http://cacm.acm.org/blogs/blog-cacm

Orit Hazzan and Koby Mike on the need for a journal to cover data science education exclusively.
Public Processes Are Open for Play
Authors: De Classe Tadeu Moreira , De Araujo Renata Mendes , Xexéo Geraldo Bonorino , Siqueira Sean Wolfgand Matsui
Published: July 2021

As public services become digital and online, both the need to design digital public services closer to citizens’ expectations and to provide ways to improve their participation and engagement increases. To participate and co-design, citizens must understand how the public service is delivered, but understanding service provision is challenging for non-technical subjects. This article argues that games can promote transparency of public service processes and citizens’ understanding of them. We designed games related to three distinct public service delivery scenarios using Play Your Process (PYP), a method which translates business process models into game design artifacts. We also investigate players’ ability to understand the process designed into these games through evaluation settings based on qualitative and quantitative analyses, using questionnaires and interviews. Results show that these games can help citizens understand the process execution aspects, with at least 95% confidence through statistical analysis. This research is innovative by showing an approach to systematically design serious games describing public processes as a potential tool for citizen-government transparency and understanding of public process delivery, particularly in Brazil.
Locally Based, Regionally Manifested, and Globally Relevant: Indigenous and Local Knowledge, Values, and Practices for Nature
Authors: Brondízio Eduardo S. , Aumeeruddy-Thomas Yildiz , Bates Peter , Carino Joji , Fernández-Llamazares Álvaro , Ferrari Maurizio Farhan , Galvin Kathleen , Reyes-García Victoria , McElwee Pamela , Molnár Zsolt , Samakov Aibek , Shrestha Uttam Babu
Published: July 2021

The knowledge, values, and practices of Indigenous peoples and local communities offer ways to understand and better address social-environmental problems. The article reviews the state of the literature on this topic by focusing on six pathways by which Indigenous peoples and local communities engage with management of and relationships to nature. These are ( a) undertaking territorial management practices and customary governance, ( b) contributing to nature conservation and restoration efforts with regional to global implications, ( c) co-constructing knowledge for assessments and monitoring, ( d) countering the drivers of unsustainable resource use and resisting environmental injustices, ( e) playing key roles in environmental governance across scales, and ( f) offering alternative conceptualizations of the interrelations between people and nature. The review shows that through these pathways Indigenous peoples and local communities are making significant contributions to managing the health of local and regional ecosystems, to producing knowledge based in diverse values of nature, confronting societal pressures and environmental burdens, and leading and partnering in environmental governance. These contributions have local to global implications but have yet to be fully recognized in conservation and development polices, and by society at large.
Brain Repair by Cell Replacement via In Situ Neuronal Reprogramming
Authors: Qian Hao , Fu Xiang-Dong
Published: July 2021

Neurodegenerative diseases, characterized by progressive neural loss, have been some of the most challenging medical problems in aging societies. Treatment strategies such as symptom management have little impact on disease progression, while intervention with specific disease mechanisms may only slow down disease progression. One therapeutic strategy that has the potential to reverse the disease phenotype is to replenish neurons and rebuild the pathway lost to degeneration. Although it is generally believed that the central nervous system has lost the capability to regenerate, increasing evidence indicates that the brain is more plastic than previously thought, containing perhaps the biggest repertoire of cells with latent neurogenic programs in the body. This review focuses on key advances in generating new neurons through in situ neuronal reprogramming, which is tied to fundamental questions regarding adult neurogenesis, cell source, and mechanisms for neuronal reprogramming, as well as the ability of new neurons to integrate into the existing circuitry.
Sulfuric Acid Etching for Surface Modification and Improved Polishing of Magnesium Aluminate Spinel
Authors: Qin Daicheng , Wang Chao , Ye Minheng , Dong Hui , Huang Shuke , Li Xiaoyuan , Ji Fang , Liu Pinkuan
Published: July 2021

Magnesium aluminate spinel is a material with high optical transparency and great potential for optical applications. However, its high hardness, high strength and chemical inertness make obtaining the required surface quality quickly through traditional processing a challenge. Existing assisted machining methods are complicated and costly, which limits their application to high-efficiency and ultra-precision manufacturing. In this study, etching was employed as a polishing preprocess owing to its obvious advantages of simplicity, practicality and low cost. Sulfuric acid was applied to etching spinel, and the influences of the etching temperature and time on the surface morphology and mechanical properties of the spinel were evaluated. Surface analytical techniques were performed to clarify the mechanism for improved polishing. Experimental results indicated that sulfuric acid etching significantly reduced the surface hardness. The surface quality and efficiency were significantly improved with the etching pretreatment compared with traditional chemical mechanical polishing. Thus, the proposed method of sulfuric acid etching-assisted polishing can reduce the difficulty of spinel machining to realize the high-efficiency and precision manufacturing for a wider range of applications.
High‐Temperature Environmental Protection Metal Material 3D Printing Equipment Development and Process Research
Authors: Huo Jiaofei , Zhang Guangpeng
Published: July 2021

At present, 3D printing technology is becoming more and more popular, but the traditional learning method has some limitations. The price of 3D printing equipment is expensive, and there are some security risks in the process of learning operation. This paper mainly introduces the development and process research of high‐temperature environmental protection metal 3D printing equipment and realizes the design of 3D printing equipment combined with virtual reality technology. In this paper, the whole system of 3D printing equipment is designed and built. The function of motion platform and substrate in mechanical system is analyzed, and the detailed structure design is carried out; the control principle of control system including motion control system and temperature control system is introduced in detail, and the corresponding design and construction work is carried out. In this paper, the pure tin wire with low melting point was used as the experimental material, and the mechanical properties and microstructure of the metal tin forming parts were analyzed. On the basis of tin formation experiment, metal deposition experiment and metal forming error experiment were carried out with H65 high melting copper wire as the raw material. The experimental results show that when the printing speed is 35/mm, the dimensional accuracy of the products is high; the microhardness of the printed tin is close to that of the original material, the surface hardness is 12.50HV0.05, and that of the copper alloy is 14.31HV0.05; the tensile strength of tin wire after melt deposition is slightly reduced after tensile test for the machined tin parts, the ultimate tensile strength of the first group of specimens is reduced by 1.58%, and that of the second group is reduced by 0.74%. This paper combines virtual reality technology with 3D printing technology and develops 3D printing equipment for high‐temperature environmental protection metal using virtual reality technology. The forming and printing performance of the device is analyzed theoretically and experimentally. The experimental results verify the feasibility of the system and the practicability of the device.
Head Node Selection Algorithm in Cloud Computing Data Center
Authors: Kanwal Samira , Iqbal Zeshan , Irtaza Aun , Sajid Muhammad , Manzoor Sohaib , Ali Nouman
Published: July 2021

Cloud computing provides multiple services such as computational services, data processing, and resource sharing through multiple nodes. These nodes collaborate for all prementioned services in the data center through the head/leader node. This head node is responsible for reliability, higher performance, latency, and deadlock handling and enables the user to access cost-effective computational services. However, the optimal head nodes’ selection is a challenging problem due to consideration of resources such as memory, CPU-MIPS, and bandwidth. The existing methods are monolithic, as they select the head nodes without taking the resources of the nodes. Still, there is a need for the candidate node which can be selected as a head node in case of head node failure. Therefore, in this paper, we proposed a technique, i.e., Head Node Selection Algorithm (HNSA), for optimal head node selection from the data center, which is based on the genetic algorithm (GA). In our proposed method, there are three modules, i.e., initial population generation, head node selection, and candidate node selection. In the first module, we generate the initial population by randomly mapping the task on different servers using a scheduling algorithm. After that, we compute the overall cost and the cost of each node based on resources. In the second module, the best optimal nodes are selected as a head node by applying the genetic operations such as crossover, mutation, and fitness function by considering the available resources. In the selected optimal nodes, one node is chosen as a head node and the other is considered as a candidate node. In the third module, the candidate node becomes the head node in the case of head node failure. The proposed method HNSA is compared against the state-of-the-art algorithms such as Bees Life Algorithm (BLA) and Heterogeneous Earliest Finished Time (HEFT). The simulation analysis shows that the proposed HNSA technique performs better in terms of execution time, memory utilization, service level sgreement (SLA) violation, and energy consumption.
Effect of Die Spacer Thickness on the Microshear Bond Strength of CAD/CAM Lithium Disilicate Veneers
Authors: Farag Sherine Mohamed , Ghoneim Mona Mohamed , Afifi Rania Reda
Published: July 2021

Aim. The aim of this study was to compare the microshear bond strength of ceramic veneers with digital die spacer settings at 20, 40, and 100 µm. Materials and Methods. Eighteen milled lithium disilicate microdiscs (IPS e.max CAD, Ivoclar Vivadent) were divided into three groups (n = 6) according to their digital die spacer settings: group A = 20 µm, group B = 40 µm, and group C = 100 µm. Six randomly selected sound maxillary premolars received three microdiscs each. Each microdisc was 1 mm in diameter and 1 mm in height. The buccal surfaces of the premolars were prepared with a 0.5 mm depth in enamel. After cementation, the specimens were thermocycled for 2,500 cycles between 5 and 55°C. Microshear bond strength testing was performed using a universal testing machine until bonding failure. Failure modes were evaluated using a stereomicroscope. Statistical analyses included one-way ANOVA, Tukey’s post hoc test, and chi-square test with a 5% alpha error and 80% study power. Results. The mean microshear bond strength values were calculated in MPa for group A = 31.91 ± 12.41, group B = 29.58 ± 5.03, and group C = 13.85 ± 4.12. One-way ANOVA (

p
≤
0.05

) showed a statistically significant difference in microshear bond strength among the three groups. Tukey’s post hoc test showed significant differences between groups A and C (

p
=
0.004

) and between groups B and C (

p
=
0.011

). The failure modes were presented as cohesive, adhesive, and mixed failures. Chi-square test indicated that the failure mode distribution was not significantly different among the three groups (

p
=
0.970

). Conclusion. Higher digital die spacer settings decrease the microshear bond strength of CAD/CAM lithium disilicate veneers.
Complexity Analysis for Price Competition of Agricultural Products with Regional Brands
Authors: Liu Haolong , Su Xin , Wang Xiaohui , Li Xiao
Published: July 2021

The disordered price competition among various agricultural business agents leads to chaos of agricultural products’ prices, which makes it difficult for customers to form stable price expectation and correct brand cognition, restricting the sales of agricultural products with regional brands. Based on the Salop circular market model with bounded rationality and delayed feedback, this paper discusses the complexity in price competition of agricultural products with regional brands. It is found that when the price adjustment speed of agricultural business agents exceeds the stability region, the pricing system of agricultural products with regional brands would appear the phenomenon of periodic bifurcation or chaos. The delayed feedback controlling mechanism of price adjustment could make the pricing system in the chaos state turn to the equilibrium state. Therefore, the price fluctuation of agricultural products with regional brands needs reasonable control from the industrial associations and government departments.
Multiple Solutions for a Nonlocal Elliptic Problem Involving

p

x

,
q

x

-Biharmonic Operator
Authors: Zhang Qi , Miao Qing
Published: July 2021

In this paper, using the variational principle, the existence and multiplicity of solutions for

p

x

,
q

x

-Kirchhoff type problem with Navier boundary conditions are proved. At the same time, the sufficient conditions for the multiplicity of solutions are obtained.
The Level of Knowledge about Toxoplasmosis among University Students in Rabat in Morocco
Authors: Ait Hamou Sanaa , Lamhamdi Brahim , Hayah Ichrak , Belbacha Imane , Sadak Abderrahim , Laboudi Majda
Published: July 2021

The aim of this descriptive cross-sectional study is to evaluate the knowledge of toxoplasmosis among medical, biology, and veterinary students in Rabat in Morocco. The data was collected by using a questionnaire which includes demographic characteristics, epidemiology, diagnosis, and clinical issues related to knowledge of toxoplasmosis. During analysis, the study groups were divided based upon their specialty of students who were medical, biology, and veterinary students. Out of 230 students, 55.2% were female and 44.8% were male. The average age of the study population is

21.7
±
02

years. Less than half (42.6%) have heard of the disease; most of them have heard from faculty during studies in classrooms with 75.8%, and 3.2% were from the internet. Only 36.5% knew the correct causative agent of toxoplasmosis, and 32.1% were aware of the definitive host. The current study documented that there are gaps in the knowledge of the students regarding toxoplasmosis. Therefore, the present study puts the basis for future studies highlighting the importance of educating students to improve knowledge and attitudes towards toxoplasmosis.
Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine Body Constitution and Health-Related Quality of Life in Female Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Lai Ning-Sheng , Lu Ming-Chi , Chang Hsiu-Hua , Lo Hui-Chin , Hsu Chia-Wen , Huang Kuang-Yung , Tung Chien-Hsueh , Hsu Bao-Bao , Wu Cheng-Han , Koo Malcolm
Published: July 2021

Background. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) body constitution has been studied in many diseases, but few have focused on systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and particularly their association with disease-specific quality of life (QoL). Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the association of TCM body constitution and QoL in female patients with SLE. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted on adult female patients with a clinician-confirmed diagnosis of SLE in a regional hospital in Taiwan. TCM body constitution types were determined using the Constitution in Chinese Medicine Questionnaire (CCMQ). Disease-specific QoL of the participants was assessed using the LupusQoL. Multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to assess the associations between TCM body constitution types with the score of each of the eight domains of LupusQoL and between the numbers of multiple unbalanced body constitution types and score of each of the eight domains of LupusQoL. Results. Of the 317 female patients with SLE, 22 (6.9%) were classified to have a gentleness balanced body constitution type. Among the remaining 295 patients with unbalanced body constitution types, Qi-deficiency was the most common (64.4%), followed by Yin-deficiency (57.6%). Multiple linear regression analyses showed that Qi-deficiency was significantly associated with the emotional, pain, and fatigue domains of the LupusQoL, whereas Yin-deficiency was significantly associated with the emotional and fatigue domains of the LupusQoL. In addition, all domains of the LupusQoL showed a general pattern of poorer QoL with increasing numbers of unbalanced body constitution types. Conclusions. Different TCM body constitution types were significantly associated with various domains of the LupusQoL. A high prevalence of multiple body constitution types in patients with SLE was observed. A consistent pattern of poorer LupusQoL with increasing numbers of unbalanced body constitution types was evident.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma Developing in a Buccal Mucosa Graft after Urethroplasty: A Report of 2 Cases of Malignant Degeneration
Authors: Massimo Catti , Simona Nappo Gerocarni , Barbara Tadini , Elisa Cerchia , Luisa Ferrero , Alessandro Gambella , Donatella Pacchioni , Teruzzi Elisabetta , Falcone Marco , Omidreza Sedigh , Paolo Gontero
Published: July 2021

Buccal mucosa graft (BMG) was originally described in 1992 for the treatment of challenging cases of hypospadias (proximal or redo cases) and has gained increasingly popularity also when dealing with complicated urethral stenosis, as it is associated with a good outcome. The development of a malignancy in a BMG urethroplasty was reported for the first time in 2017. We report two more cases of a malignant degeneration of a BMG used in a urethroplasty to treat recurrent urethral stricture.
Astaxanthin Inhibits Interleukin-6 Expression in Cerulein/Resistin-Stimulated Pancreatic Acinar Cells
Authors: Kwak Min Seung , Lim Joo Weon , Kim Hyeyoung
Published: July 2021

Acute pancreatitis is a common clinical condition with increasing the proinflammatory mediators, including interleukin-6 (IL-6). Obesity is a negative prognostic factor in acute pancreatitis. Obese patients with acute pancreatitis have a higher systemic inflammatory response rate. Levels of serum resistin, an adipocytokine secreted by fat tissues, increase with obesity. Cerulein, a cholecystokinin analog, induces calcium (Ca2+) overload, oxidative stress, and IL-6 expression in pancreatic acinar cells, which are hallmarks of acute pancreatitis. A recent study showed that resistin aggravates the expression of inflammatory cytokines in cerulein-stimulated pancreatic acinar cells. We aimed to investigate whether resistin amplifies cerulein-induced IL-6 expression and whether astaxanthin (ASX), an antioxidant carotenoid with anti-inflammatory properties, inhibits ceruelin/resistin-induced IL-6 expression in pancreatic acinar AR42J cells. We found that resistin enhanced intracellular Ca2+ levels, NADPH oxidase activity, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, NF-κB activity, and IL-6 expression in cerulein-stimulated AR42J cells, which were inhibited by ASX in a dose-dependent manner. The calcium chelator BAPTA-AM inhibited cerulein/resistin-induced NADPH oxidase activation and ROS production. Antioxidant N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) and ML171, a specific NADPH oxidase 1 inhibitor, suppressed cerulein/resistin-induced ROS production, NF-κB activation, and IL-6 expression. In conclusion, ASX inhibits IL-6 expression, by reducing Ca2+ overload, NADPH oxidase-mediated ROS production, and NF-κB activity in cerulein/resistin-stimulated pancreatic acinar cells. Consumption of ASX-rich foods could be beneficial for preventing or delaying the incidence of obesity-associated acute pancreatitis.
Modulation of Working Memory and Resting-State fMRI by tDCS of the Right Frontoparietal Network
Authors: Pupíková Monika , Šimko Patrik , Gajdoš Martin , Rektorová Irena
Published: July 2021

Many cognitive functions, including working memory, are processed within large-scale brain networks. We targeted the right frontoparietal network (FPN) with one session of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in an attempt to modulate the cognitive speed of a visual working memory task (WMT) in 27 young healthy subjects using a double-blind crossover design. We further explored the neural underpinnings of induced changes by performing resting-state fMRI prior to and immediately after each stimulation session with the main focus on the interaction between a task-positive FPN and a task-negative default mode network (DMN). Twenty minutes of 2 mA anodal tDCS was superior to sham stimulation in terms of cognitive speed manipulation of a subtask with processing of objects and tools in unconventional views (i.e., the higher cognitive load subtask of the offline WMT). This result was linked to the magnitude of resting-state functional connectivity decreases between the stimulated FPN seed and DMN seeds. We provide the first evidence for the action reappraisal mechanism of object and tool processing. Modulation of cognitive speed of the task by tDCS was reflected by FPN-DMN cross-talk changes.
Applications of Some Generalized Janowski Meromorphic Multivalent Functions
Authors: Ahmad Bakhtiar , Khan Muhammad Ghaffar , Darus Maslina , Khan Mashwani Wali , Arif Muhammad
Published: July 2021

In this article, the ideas of post-quantum calculus and meromorphic multivalent functions are combined and some applications of these functions are discussed. We introduce a new subclass of meromorphic multivalent functions in association with Janowski domain. We investigate and study some useful geometric properties of this class of functions such as sufficiency criteria, distortion problem, growth theorem, radii of starlikeness and convexity, convex combination, and coefficient estimates for this class.
A Novel Synergetic LSTM-GA Stock Trading Suggestion System in Internet of Things
Authors: Wu Jimmy Ming-Tai , Sun Lingyun , Srivastava Gautam , Lin Jerry Chun-Wei
Published: July 2021

The Internet of Things (IoT) play an important role in the financial sector in recent decades since several stock prediction models can be performed accurately according to IoT-based services. In real-time applications, the accuracy of the stock price fluctuation forecast is very important to investors, and it helps investors better manage their funds when formulating trading strategies. It has always been a goal and difficult problem for financial researchers to use predictive tools to obtain predicted values closer to actual values from a given financial data set. Leading indicators such as futures and options can reflect changes in many markets, such as the industry’s prosperity. Adding the data set of leading indicators can predict the trend of stock prices well. In this research, a trading strategy for finding stock trading signals is proposed that combines long short-term memory neural networks with genetic algorithms. This new framework is called long short-term memory neural network with leading index, or LSTMLI for short. We thus take the stock markets of the United States and Taiwan as the research objects and use historical data, futures, and options as data sets to predict the stock prices of these two markets. After that, we use genetic algorithms to find trading signals for the designed stock trading system. The experimental results show that the stock trading system proposed in this research can help investors obtain certain returns.
Potential and Prophylactic Use of Plants Containing Saponin-Type Compounds as Antibiofilm Agents against Respiratory Tract Infections
Authors: Tatli Cankaya I. Irem , Somuncuoglu E. Inci
Published: July 2021

Epidemic diseases have been observed in every period of human history, and the treatment process has taken time. Causative microorganisms reproduce as biofilm and contribute to the emergence of various infectious diseases. The process that starts with respiratory disorders causes serious lung infections due to bacteria and viruses that accumulate and multiply. The biofilms are difficult to eliminate and show increased resistance to available antimicrobial agents. There is a need to identify and develop potential resources used in treatment. The search for novel biological agents from plants is gaining popularity due to the high abundance, accessibility with consequent lower cost for discovery, and lesser side effects and toxicity. Saponins found in some plants can be alternative to antibiotics, with antimicrobial activities. This review focused on the potency of saponin-containing plants with antimicrobial properties as antibiofilm agents against these infections. For this purpose, keywords were scanned in Web of Science, Scopus, and Google academics databases, and the related literature was compiled. Approximately, 25 plant taxa belonging to 18 families traditionally used in the treatment of respiratory diseases are listed. These taxa mostly belong to Fabaceae, Asteraceae, Apiaceae, and Asparagaceae families, respectively. Most of these taxa have antibacterial, antifungal, antitussive, and anti-inflammatory activities. Especially, plants with antibiofilm activity that can be effective against many microorganisms are compiled in this study. These plants can prevent or treat upper respiratory tract diseases caused by bacteria due to the phytochemicals they contain, especially saponins.
Dynamical Invariant Applied on General Time-Dependent Three Coupled Nano-Optomechanical Oscillators
Authors: Hassoul Sara , Menouar Salah , Benseridi Hamid , Choi Jeong Ryeol
Published: July 2021

A quadratic invariant operator for general time-dependent three coupled nano-optomechanical oscillators is investigated. We show that the invariant operator that we have established satisfies the Liouville-von Neumann equation and coincides with its classical counterpart. To diagonalize the invariant, we carry out a unitary transformation of it at first. From such a transformation, the quantal invariant operator reduces to an equal, but a simple one which corresponds to three coupled oscillators with time-dependent frequencies and unit masses. Finally, we diagonalize the matrix representation of the transformed invariant by using a unitary matrix. The diagonalized invariant is just the same as the Hamiltonian of three simple oscillators. Thanks to such a diagonalization, we can analyze various dynamical properties of the nano-optomechanical system. Quantum characteristics of the system are investigated as an example, by utilizing the diagonalized invariant. We derive not only the eigenfunctions of the invariant operator, but also the wave functions in the Fock state.
Effect of Peptidylarginine Deiminase 4 on Endothelial Progenitor Cell Function in Peripheral Arterial Disease
Authors: Pan Jialin , Liu Wenqin , Chen Ye , Zhang Chi , Lin Cong
Published: July 2021

At present, the global prevalence of peripheral arterial disease is increasing year by year, and it has become a worldwide disease. Studies have shown that transplanting endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) into ischemic tissues can improve the tissue ischemia, thereby having a therapeutic effect on peripheral arterial diseases. This indicates that EPCs play a therapeutic effect in peripheral arterial disease. Recent studies have shown that peptidylarginine deiminase (PAD) is involved in the regulation of epigenetics and its inhibitor Cl-amidine can improve endothelium-dependent vasodilation and significantly reduce the formation of arterial thrombosis. It can also play a role in hematopoietic stem cells that share the same origin with EPCs. Therefore, we speculate that PAD4 may also have an effect on EPCs through a similar mechanism, thereby participating in the damage and repair of peripheral arterial disease. Therefore, we first detected the expression of PAD4 in EPCs of peripheral arterial disease and detected changes in the number and function of endothelial progenitor cells in peripheral blood after injecting the PAD4 inhibitor Cl-amidine into mice. A mouse model of lower limb ischemia was established to explore the effect of PAD4 on the function of EPCs in peripheral arterial disease. The results show that PAD4 is highly expressed in peripheral arterial diseases and the PAD4 inhibitor Cl-amidine can increase the number of EPCs and can treat peripheral arterial diseases by improving the proliferation, migration, and vascularization of EPCs.
Glycyrrhiza Genus: Enlightening Phytochemical Components for Pharmacological and Health‐Promoting Abilities
Authors: Sharifi-Rad Javad , Quispe Cristina , Herrera-Bravo Jesús , Belén Lisandra Herrera , Kaur Rajandeep , Kregiel Dorota , Uprety Yadav , Beyatli Ahmet , Yeskaliyeva Balakyz , Kırkın Celale , Özçelik Beraat , Sen Surjit , Acharya Krishnendu , Sharopov Farukh , Cruz-Martins Natália , Kumar Manoj , Razis Ahmad Faizal Abdull , Sunusi Usman , Kamal Ramla Muhammad , Shaheen Shabnum , Suleria Hafiz Ansar Rasul
Published: July 2021

The Glycyrrhiza genus, generally well‐known as licorice, is broadly used for food and medicinal purposes around the globe. The genus encompasses a rich pool of bioactive molecules including triterpene saponins (e.g., glycyrrhizin) and flavonoids (e.g., liquiritigenin, liquiritin). This genus is being increasingly exploited for its biological effects such as antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, anti‐inflammatory, antiproliferative, and cytotoxic activities. The species Glycyrrhiza glabra L. and the compound glycyrrhizin (glycyrrhizic acid) have been studied immensely for their effect on humans. The efficacy of the compound has been reported to be significantly higher on viral hepatitis and immune deficiency syndrome. This review provides up‐to‐date data on the most widely investigated Glycyrrhiza species for food and medicinal purposes, with special emphasis on secondary metabolites’ composition and bioactive effects.
Morphological Diversity among Accessions of Apple Tree (Malus × Domestica Borkh)
Authors: Mbovora Simon Mada , Musvosvi Cousin , Gasura Edmore
Published: July 2021

Worldwide, apple ranks fourth in terms of economic importance after citrus, grapes, and bananas with a world production of above 71 million tonnes per year. Apple accessions that are in cultivation throughout the world appear to have come from a genetically similar source. Their diversity has further been decreased through the use of preferred few accessions in breeding programmes. Determination of morphological diversity among the accessions maintained at Nyanga Experimental Station is key for identification and informed use of the accessions in adaptive research. The purpose of this study was to determine the extent of morphological diversity among apple accessions conserved at Nyanga Experimental Station, Zimbabwe, and identify promising accessions for use as cultivars in warmer environments. Sixty-eight Malus domestica accessions of worldwide provenance all maintained at Nyanga Experimental Station were evaluated in a complete randomized design with three replications. The experiment was managed following the standard cultural practices for apples. Characterization using morphological markers was done following the format of the International Board for Plant and Genetic Resources (IBPGR). Data were subjected to cluster analysis based on the unweighted paired group method using arithmetic averages (UPGMA) method. A narrow genetic diversity was observed as reflected by the pairwise genetic similarity matrix that ranged from 80 to 100%. Promising accessions such as Anna, Mayaan, Michal, Elah, Tydeman’s Early Worcester, Discovery, and Mollies Delicious were identified for use as cultivars in warmer areas.
A Proposed High-Gain Observer for a Class of Nonlinear Fractional-Order Systems
Authors: Etlili Dorsaf , Khedher Atef , Errachdi Ayachi
Published: July 2021

This paper proposes a high-gain observer for a class of nonlinear fractional-order systems. Indeed, this approach is based on Caputo derivative to solve the estimation problem for nonlinear systems. The proposed high-gain observer is used to estimate the unknown states of a nonlinear fractional system. The use of Lyapunov convergence functions to establish stability of system is detailed. The influence of different fractional orders on the estimation is presented. Ultimately, numerical simulation examples demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed approach.
The Influence of the Surface Topographical Cues of Biomaterials on Nerve Cells in Peripheral Nerve Regeneration: A Review
Authors: Liu Fang , Xu Jiawei , Wu Linliang , Zheng Tiantian , Han Qi , Liang Yunyun , Zhang Liling , Li Guicai , Yang Yumin
Published: July 2021

The surface topographies of artificial implants including surface roughness, surface groove size and orientation, and surface pore size and distribution have a great influence on the adhesion, migration, proliferation, and differentiation of nerve cells in the nerve regeneration process. Optimizing the surface topographies of biomaterials can be a key strategy for achieving excellent cell performance in various applications such as nerve tissue engineering. In this review, we offer a comprehensive summary of the surface topographies of nerve implants and their effects on nerve cell behavior. This review also emphasizes the latest work progress of the layered structure of the natural extracellular matrix that can be imitated by the material surface topology. Finally, the future development of surface topographies on nerve regeneration was prospectively remarked.
Spectroscopic and Theoretical Studies of Hg(II) Complexation with Some Dicysteinyl Tetrapeptides
Authors: Springfield Elliot , Willis Alana , Merle John , Mazlo Johanna , Ngu-Schwemlein Maria
Published: July 2021

Tetrapeptides containing a Cys-Gly-Cys motif and a propensity to adopt a reverse-turn structure were synthesized to evaluate how O-, N-, H-, and aromatic π donor groups might contribute to mercury(II) complex formation. Tetrapeptides Xaa-Cys-Gly-Cys, where Xaa is glycine, glutamate, histidine, or tryptophan, were prepared and reacted with mercury(II) chloride. Their complexation with mercury(II) was studied by spectroscopic methods and computational modeling. UV-vis studies confirmed that mercury(II) binds to the cysteinyl thiolates as indicated by characteristic ligand-to-metal-charge-transfer transitions for bisthiolated S-Hg-S complexes, which correspond to 1 : 1 mercury-peptide complex formation. ESI-MS data also showed dominant 1 : 1 mercury-peptide adducts that are consistent with double deprotonations from the cysteinyl thiols to form thiolates. These complexes exhibited a strong positive circular dichroism band at 210 nm and a negative band at 193 nm, indicating that these peptides adopted a β-turn structure after binding mercury(II). Theoretical studies confirmed that optimized 1 : 1 mercury-peptide complexes adopt β-turns stabilized by intramolecular hydrogen bonds. These optimized structures also illustrate how specific N-terminal side-chain donor groups can assume intramolecular interactions and contribute to complex stability. Fluorescence quenching results provided supporting data that the indole donor group could interact with the coordinated mercury. The results from this study indicate that N-terminal side-chain residues containing carboxylate, imidazole, or indole groups can participate in stabilizing dithiolated mercury(II) complexes. These structural insights on peripheral mercury-peptide interactions provide additional understanding of the chemistry of mercury(II) with side-chain donor groups in peptides.
Anesthetic Management of a Patient with Harlequin Ichthyosis
Authors: Smart Klint J. , Gruffi Catherine A. , Doherty Tara M.
Published: July 2021

Harlequin ichthyosis is a severe and often fatal form of congenital ichthyosis caused by defective lipid transport which results in a dysfunctional skin barrier. Patients who survive the neonatal period are predisposed to skin infections, sepsis, impaired thermoregulation, and dehydration. The unique skin characteristics can present significant anesthetic challenges. We highlight the relevant anesthetic considerations in a 3-year-old presenting for syndactyly release of the right second and fourth digits. We describe the steps to ensure protection of the fragile skin barrier during establishment of intravenous access and airway management, therefore providing guidance for care of this vulnerable patient population.
Canine Gastrointestinal Nematodiases and Associated Risk Factors in Kigali City, Rwanda
Authors: Ntampaka Pie , Niragire François , Nyaga Philip Njeru , Habarugira Gervais
Published: July 2021

Canine nematodes pose a public health risk to humans and livestock; however, the prevalence of canine nematodiases in Rwanda is unknown. This study aimed at determining the prevalence of canine nematodiases and identifying the risk factors for such infections in Kigali, the capital city of Rwanda. A cross-sectional study involved 93 dogs selected across Kigali city. Faecal samples were collected from apparently healthy dogs, and nematode eggs were identified and quantified using the McMaster technique. Risk factors for canine nematodiases were analysed by a multivariable binary logistic regression model. The overall prevalence of gastrointestinal (GI) nematodiases in dogs was 33.3% (95% CI: 23.8–42.9). The most prevalent species was Ancylostoma spp with 32.3% (95% CI: 22.8–41.8). Nearly 38.7% and 3.2% of the dogs infected with Ancylostoma spp and Toxocara canis had high egg counts per gram (EPG) of faeces (≥550), respectively. Approximately 96.8% of dogs infected with nematodes had monoinfection. Logistic regression analysis showed that dog’s age (1 to 2.5 years old), location (Gasabo and Kicukiro districts), and feeding practices were significantly associated with prevalence of canine nematodiases. In particular, the adjusted odds ratio (AOR) was more than 5 times higher for dogs fed on uncooked animal products and leftovers from households and restaurants compared to those who ate food prepared for them. The AOR was also about 16 times higher for dogs that scavenged and ate leftovers from households compared to those who ate food prepared for them. The findings of this study indicate that the prevalence of GI nematodes in domestic dogs in Kigali city, Rwanda, was 33.3% (95% CI: 23.8–42.9). The identified nematodes, namely, Ancylostoma spp. and Toxocara canis, are zoonotic, and dogs and humans are at risk of contracting these nematodes. The factors associated with canine GI nematodes in Kigali city include feeding practices and the dog’s age and location (district). Dog owners need to rethink procedures for deworming and feeding their dogs. Again, the public should be made aware of the role of dogs in transmitting zoonotic nematodes to humans.
RNA Splicing Factors SRRM3 and SRRM4 Distinguish Molecular Phenotypes of Castration-Resistant Neuroendocrine Prostate Cancer
Authors: Labrecque Mark P. , Brown Lisha G. , Coleman Ilsa M. , Lakely Bryce , Brady Nicholas J. , Lee John K. , Nguyen Holly M. , Li Dapei , Hanratty Brian , Haffner Michael C. , Rickman David S. , True Lawrence D. , Lin Daniel W. , Lam Hung-Ming , Alumkal Joshi J. , Corey Eva , Nelson Peter S. , Morrissey Colm
Published: July 2021

Neuroendocrine (NE) differentiation in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) is an increasingly common clinical feature arising from cellular plasticity. We recently characterized two mCRPC phenotypes with NE features: androgen receptor (AR)-positive NE-positive amphicrine prostate cancer (AMPC) and AR-negative small cell or neuroendocrine prostate cancer (SCNPC). Here, we interrogated the regulation of RE1-silencing transcription factor (REST), a transcriptional repressor of neuronal genes, and elucidated molecular programs driving AMPC and SCNPC biology. Analysis of prostate cancer cell lines, mCRPC specimens, and LuCaP patient-derived xenograft models detected alternative splicing of REST to REST4 and attenuated REST repressor activity in AMPC and SCNPC. The REST locus was also hypermethylated and REST expression was reduced in SCNPC. While serine/arginine repetitive matrix protein 4 (SRRM4) was previously implicated in alternative splicing of REST in mCRPC, we detected SRRM3 expression in REST4-positive, SRRM4-negative AMPC, and SCNPC. In CRPC cell lines, SRRM3 induced alternative splicing of REST to REST4 and exacerbated the expression of REST-repressed genes. Furthermore, SRRM3 and SRRM4 expression defined molecular subsets of AMPC and SCNPC across species and tumor types. Two AMPC phenotypes and three SCNPC phenotypes were characterized, denoted either by REST attenuation and ASCL1 activity or by progressive activation of neuronal transcription factor programs, respectively. These results nominate SRRM3 as the principal REST splicing factor expressed in early NE differentiation and provide a framework to molecularly classify diverse NE phenotypes in mCRPC.

Significance:

This study identifies SRRM3 as a key inducer of cellular plasticity in prostate cancer with neuroendocrine features and delineates distinct neuroendocrine phenotypes to inform therapeutic development and precision medicine applications.
Lentiviral-Driven Discovery of Cancer Drug Resistance Mutations
Authors: Yenerall Paul , Kollipara Rahul K. , Avila Kimberley , Peyton Michael , Eide Christopher A. , Bottomly Daniel , McWeeney Shannon K. , Liu Yan , Westover Kenneth D. , Druker Brian J. , Minna John D. , Kittler Ralf
Published: July 2021

Identifying resistance mutations in a drug target provides crucial information. Lentiviral transduction creates multiple types of mutations due to the error-prone nature of the HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT). Here we optimized and leveraged this property to identify drug resistance mutations, developing a technique we term LentiMutate. This technique was validated by identifying clinically relevant EGFR resistance mutations, then applied to two additional clinical anticancer drugs: imatinib, a BCR-ABL inhibitor, and AMG 510, a KRAS G12C inhibitor. Novel deletions in BCR-ABL1 conferred resistance to imatinib. In KRAS-G12C or wild-type KRAS, point mutations in the AMG 510 binding pocket or oncogenic non-G12C mutations conferred resistance to AMG 510. LentiMutate should prove highly valuable for clinical and preclinical cancer-drug development.

Significance:

LentiMutate can evaluate a drug's on-target activity and can nominate resistance mutations before they occur in patients, which could accelerate and refine drug development to increase the survival of patients with cancer.
AKT Degradation Selectively Inhibits the Growth of PI3K/PTEN Pathway–Mutant Cancers with Wild-Type KRAS and BRAF by Destabilizing Aurora Kinase B
Authors: Xu Jia , Yu Xufen , Martin Tiphaine C. , Bansal Ankita , Cheung Kakit , Lubin Abigail , Stratikopoulos Elias , Cahuzac Kaitlyn M. , Wang Li , Xie Ling , Zhou Royce , Shen Yudao , Wu Xuewei , Yao Shen , Qiao Ruifang , Poulikakos Poulikos I. , Chen Xian , Liu Jing , Jin Jian , Parsons Ramon
Published: July 2021

Using a panel of cancer cell lines, we characterized a novel degrader of AKT, MS21. In mutant PI3K–PTEN pathway cell lines, AKT degradation was superior to AKT kinase inhibition for reducing cell growth and sustaining lower signaling over many days. AKT degradation, but not kinase inhibition, profoundly lowered Aurora kinase B (AURKB) protein, which is known to be essential for cell division, and induced G2–M arrest and hyperploidy. PI3K activated AKT phosphorylation of AURKB on threonine 73, which protected it from proteasome degradation. A mutant of AURKB (T73E) that mimics phosphorylation and blocks degradation rescued cells from growth inhibition. Degrader-resistant lines were associated with low AKT phosphorylation, wild-type PI3K/PTEN status, and mutation of KRAS/BRAF. Pan-cancer analysis identified that 19% of cases have PI3K–PTEN pathway mutation without RAS pathway mutation, suggesting that these patients with cancer could benefit from AKT degrader therapy that leads to loss of AURKB.

Significance:

MS21 depletes cells of phosphorylated AKT (pAKT) and a newly identified AKT substrate, AURKB, to inhibit tumor growth in mice. MS21 is superior to prior agents that target PI3K and AKT due to its ability to selectively target active, pAKT and sustain repression of signaling to deplete AURKB.

This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 2945