bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preliminary Results on Receiver Function Study in Mt Merapi, Central Java, Indonesia
Authors: Ramadanti F , Aldi M , Tambunan R P , Lubis H M
Published: September 2023

Mount Merapi, a stratovolcano, is the world’s most active volcano, with a relatively short eruption period. Mount Merapi formed in the Java region as a result of regional tectonics dominated by the Sunda Arc, resulting in a large earthquake. Many earth scientists are interested in studying the volcano’s subsurface conditions due to its relatively short eruption period and interesting geological features. The Receiver Function method was used in this study to determine the crust’s depth and assess the presence of a LVZ (low velocity zone) by reprocessing receiver function data. The Receiver function is used to identify the Moho discontinuity area by converting P to S waves. A total of 100 earthquake data from 8 teleseismic stations were successfully downloaded from the IRIS website, that was distributed into sections A-A′ (west side of Mount Merapi) and B-B’ (east side of Mount Merapi). The processing of the receiver function data, as shown by the stacking align results, shows that the closest teleseismic station at west side of Mount Merapi has a very strong negative amplitude response, which is represented as a LVZ or magma reservoir after the arrival of P wave. To estimate the zone for LVZ, a forward modeling receiver function technique was used to find the best correlation between the Synthetic Receiver Function curve and the Receiver Function observation curve. A forward modeling receiver function technique was used to find the best correlation between the Synthetic RFcurve and the RF observation curve to estimate the zone for the LVZ. The correlation between the synthetic RF curve from Ramdhan et al’s (2019) tomographic velocity model and the observed RF curve is poor. To improve the correlation, include the main signal source that affects the receiver function curve in the form of seismic wave velocity particularly Vs, LVZ Zone, thin sedimen layer or shallow reservoir, and depth of discontinuity by Suhardja et al (2019). The estimated depth of the LVZ at 10 - 17 km is thinning towards the south or towards Mount Merapi, according to the results of the synthetic receiver function curve modelling at the closest station to Mount Merapi.
Allowable Limit of Human Annoyance Towards Ground-Borne Vibration Velocity Induced by Rail Traffic: A Review
Authors: Lazi Mohd Khairul Afzan Mohd , Adnan Muhammad Akram , Sulaiman Norliana , Kamarudin Siti Nur Naqibah , Hassan Sitti Asmah , Warid Muhammad Naqiuddin Mohd , Samsudin Mohamad Saifullah , Jasmi Ahmad Razin , Zolkepli Muhammad Farhan
Published: September 2023

Many industrialized nations have created their own standards for determining and grading the dangers posed by ground-borne vibration, notably in terms of human irritation. Excessive vibrations created by trains have an impact not only on individuals, but also on sensitive machinery and buildings. The authority as well as practitioners have critical responsibilities in managing and accessing vibrations. This study discusses the differences between the standard and the limit of vibrations caused by trains that can irritate people. The local standard guideline was compared to the standards used by the US, Norway, Sweden, California, Germany, and the Netherlands. This study was mainly interested in the limitations of vibration velocity in residential settings.
From Rio Earth Summit to COP26: Malaysia’s pledges, political leadership, policies, administrative apparatus and performance
Authors: Aziz Abdul Rashid Abdul
Published: September 2023

This paper charts Malaysia’s green journey, beginning with its pledge at the Rio Earth Summit in 1992 to its most recent commitment at the COP26 (Conference of Parties 26) in 2021. Malaysia’s nationally-determined contributions (NDC) have progressed (as they should be) to the present ambitious claim that the nation will be carbon neutral by 2050. Malaysia has been led by several prime ministers during this 30 years journey. Despite coming from different political shades (especially in the last four years) their commitment to the green agenda has been unwavering, rhetorically at least until when the governments’ actions are scrutinised. Understandably, balancing climate change imperatives and socio-economic progress is not easy. To the layman, the series of policies and related documents unveiled over the course of the duration seem disconnected and do not add up to make a complete whole. Various parts of the administrative apparatus have been assigned the responsibility to address the green agenda through the years, though the disconnect of the various government documents suggests that they may not be in conversation with one another. All Paris Agreement signatories are required to submit biennial update reports (BUR) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC). In 2021, one major investigation by a reputable US newspaper accused Malaysia, just like many other countries, of under-reporting its greenhouse emissions to UNFCC, which the Malaysian government strongly denied. Making climate change pledges is the easy bit, fulfilling those pledges while addressing the nation’s aspirations is not easy. This challenge also manifests in policy formulation, administration and measurement methodology conundrum.
Classification of compressive strength grades for lightweight aggregate concrete with palm oil fuel ash (POFA) using k-Nearest Neighbour (k-NN)
Authors: Haron Mohamad Hushnie , Zamri Nur Azzimah Binti , Muthusamy Khairunisa
Published: September 2023

Annually, a massive number of agricultural by-products of the palm oil extraction process including palm oil fuel ash (POFA) were generated which contributes towards ammonia pollution and emission of nitrogen compounds. Fortunately, both by-products can be utilised as mixing additives in lightweight aggregate concrete manufacturing. The utilisation leads to a more sustainable green environment. Traditional methods for classifying concrete grades in civil engineering are difficult due to the non-linear relationship between the composition of concrete and its strength and require a significant amount of time, material resources, and labour. To address these shortcomings, a technique to classify the compressive strength grades for lightweight aggregate concrete containing POFA using a machine learning algorithm has been developed. In terms of method, concrete mixtures consisting of POFA, cement, sand, superplasticizer and water were prepared and tested to determine the compressive strength. The data from this process were first transformed using min-max normalization and then, analysed using exploratory and descriptive analysis to discover patterns between input variables and concrete grades. Next, the grades of concrete were classified using a machine learning algorithm named k-Nearest Neighbour (k-NN). Lastly, a confusion matrix was used to assess the performance of the k-NN classifier. The results showed that k-NN can classify the grades of concrete with accuracies between 71% and 95% using five nearest neighbours. The accuracies are inversely proportional to the number of nearest neighbours. To conclude, the study succeeds in classifying the compressive strength grades for lightweight aggregate concrete with POFA using k-Nearest Neighbour. It can cut down a significant amount of time, material resources, and labour in determining the grades of compressive strength for POFA-based lightweight concrete.
The Contractors’ Perception on the Development of Green Building Projects in Penang
Authors: Rahim Nur Soleha Abdul , Rahman Balqish Abdul , Ibrahim Fazdliel Aswad , Ishak Nurfadzillah , Ayob Afizah
Published: September 2023

A strategy to lessen the substantial effects of the building development on the environment, society, and economy is green construction. However, despite the positive effects of green buildings on society, numerous market hurdles prevent the growth of green buildings, particularly in Malaysia. This happens because of the lack of awareness regarding the development of green buildings. Therefore, this study aims to explore the contractor perception of the development of green building projects in Penang. A set of questionnaire survey was distributed among eighty-three (83) contractors representing construction organizations in Penang. The analysis showed that the contractors mostly agreed with the benefits of green building, indicating that the respondents are aware of green building. The results shows that financial factor with mean value of 4.66 is the main factor hampering the development of green buildings, followed by law and regulation factor (x̄ = 4.60) and quality factor (x̄ = 4.54). Besides, most of the respondents also agreed that improving the professional knowledge among contractors (x̄ = 4.70) will encourage the development of green buildings. Immediate action should be taken on the strategy either from their sides or from other authorities. Overall, this research provides insight into the perception of the development of green building projects among contractors, which can increase awareness on green building and contributing to a better environment.
Bioretention System as a Stormwater Best Management Practices (BMPs): A Case Study in Malaysia
Authors: Azizan Nor Ariza , Goh Hui Weng , Faudzi Liyana Mohd , Juiani Siti Fairuz , Kiat Chang Chun
Published: September 2023

Bioretention systems, such as rain gardens, are landscaped depressions that treat on-site stormwater discharge from impervious surfaces such as roofs, driveways, sidewalks, parking lots and compacted lawns. They are used to collect stormwater and filter it through a mixture of soil, sand and/or gravel. In this study, a pilot-scale bioretention system has been constructed in Universiti Sains Malaysia, Nibong Tebal, Pulau Pinang. This bioretention system will be used as a stormwater Best Management Practices (BMPs) to solve water quality issues in tropical climates, particularly Malaysia. This study consists of two bioretention pilot sites, a vegetated site with tropical plants, such as Red Hot Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis), Amaryllis (Hippeastrum), Singapore Daisy (Sphagneticola trilobata), Lobster claw (Heliconia rostrata), Alternanthera (Alternanthera cultivar) and a non-vegetated control site. The study investigated the pollutant removal efficiency between two pilot sites in treating polluted runoff. The site uptake from the polluted runoff will be observed by testing the effluent with TSS, TN and TP test for three weeks at 30 mins, 2 hours, 4 hours and 8 hours after the runoff being released. The results showed pollutant removal efficiency for TSS (76 %), TN (78 %), and TP (71 %) for the vegetated site, which is slightly better compared to control site (TSS (75 %), TN (76 %) and TP (54 %)). This study concluded that the vegetated site has slightly better performance on nutrient removal efficiency.
Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) for Environmental Screening of Solar Photovoltaic Utilities in Pulau Pinang, Malaysia.
Authors: Ismail Siti Isma Hani , Sinnakaudan Shanker Kumar , Seng Loh Yong , Zakaria Zulfairul , Tutur Nuraini
Published: September 2023

Large-scale solar photovoltaic (LSSPV) farming activities have increased the global popularity of solar energy installations as one of the highest absolute generation growth rates of all renewable technologies. With higher gas and coal prices and rising carbon prices, have resulted in higher electricity prices, making distributed PV as an increasingly appealing alternative for consumers driving investment. However, due to a lack of suitable sites and environmental conditions, building large-scale installations is becoming increasingly challenging. There is a debate among many stakeholders and experts about the actual environmental benefits and consequences altered by this farming, which could have negative effects on both natural and anthropogenic settings. Hence, this paper focuses on the Environmental Impact Screening (EIS) by employing the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) as part of the Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) in examining the environmental impact arising from a LSSPV project in Pulau Pinang, Malaysia. The methodology for this study was conducted by evaluating results from in-depth interviews with relevant stakeholders, including expert input from academicians, solar consultants, relevant local authorities, etc. This investigation proposed a multicriteria approach to conveying the main environmental aspects of the LSSPV project and assessing the magnitude of impact and significance generated by it. Large projects necessitate an evaluation to ensure that potential problems are identified and addressed early in the planning and design phases. This study had considered the environmental and chemical (EC) impacts, as well as occupational safety (OSH) and economic impact (EI). The data is then analyzed with AHP to determine the final component rankings. The final model provides a structured approach that incorporates detailed criteria that reflect the direct and indirect impacts arising from this LSSPV project, and it is intended to provide assessment magnitude and estimate scenarios based on different stakeholder perspectives in directing for a better decision. According to the study’s findings, sufficient environmental mitigation steps have been implemented prior to project completion to mitigate and gauge all potential environmental degradation.
Smoke emission analysis under normal operating conditions of two cars equipped with similar diesel engines but having different pollution standards
Authors: Burciu S M
Published: September 2023

The present work show you a comparative analysis of smoke emissions in the case of two cars equipped with similar TDI diesel engines, but different generation in terms of the pollution standard in which they can be included, namely Euro 3 and Euro 5. The determinations were carried out at stabilized driving speeds (in the 3rd, 4th, 5th gears of the gearbox) on the chassis dynamometer VT-2M/B1-Dyno type and these experimental determinations showed the important role of the DPF in the case of car with Euro 5 pollution norme. Based on the determinations it was established a 43-75% reduction in smoke for speeds of 40-140 km/h, respectively a 50-80% reduction in smoke for speeds of 100-200 km/h (depending on the gear ratio used) in case of engine with DPF, that are important reductions for smoke emision in case of the speeds specific to the traffic in cities but also for the high speeds specific to the traffic outside of the cities.
Amine treatment application for carbon dioxide capturing from gas emissions of a hybrid power plant with a solid oxide fuel cell
Authors: Beloev Ivan Hristov , Filimonova Antonina Andreevna , Vlasova Alena Yurievna , Kamalieva Ruzina Farsilovna , Vinogradov Artem Sergeevich , Iliev Iliya Krastev
Published: September 2023

The transition to alternative electrical and thermal energy sources has opened up many promising areas for the hydrogen-containing fuel study. When assessing the environmental prospects of using a solid oxide fuel cell, it was found that carbon dioxide is obtained as a by-product, which must be captured and disposed of. Carbon dioxide is captured by physical absorption, chemisorption, adsorption, catalytic hydrogenation, membranes, enzymes under the electricity action. In this work, an experiment was carried out on the carbon dioxide capture by absorption, namely, amine-containing substances. In the experiment, both single-component and multi-component solutions were tested. The experiment was carried out on a laboratory setup. Based on the data obtained, a conclusion was made on the carbon dioxide capture by various classes of amines. Recommendations have been made for industrial scale amine purification. Compliance with these requirements will achieve good results in industrial carbon capture.
Morality and Socially Constructed Norms
Authors: Valentini Laura
Published: September 2023

Socially constructed norms are everywhere: from the “ladies first” custom to the practice of queuing, from the religious norm that prescribes chastity before marriage all the way to the complex demands that the law places on us. A constant presence in our lives, socially constructed norms elicit mixed emotions. On the one hand, we often feel their moral pull: we think that we would act wrongly if we violated them. On the other hand, we look at them with suspicion: even the most ostensibly innocuous norms may contribute to perpetuating injustice. The challenge, then, is to explain when socially constructed norms place moral demands on us and when they do not. Morality and Socially Constructed Norms addresses this challenge. It traces the moral significance of socially constructed norms to the agential commitments underpinning them and explains when and why those commitments ought to be respected. The book explores the implications of this explanation for three core questions in moral, legal, and political philosophy: the grounding of moral rights, the obligation to obey the law, and the wrong of sovereignty violations. In doing so, Morality and Socially Constructed Norms shows how much progress can be made in normative theorizing when we give socially constructed norms their (moral) due.
Introduction
Authors: Valentini Laura
Published: September 2023

This chapter motivates the inquiry undertaken in the book—i.e., about the moral normativity of socially constructed norms—and situates it in the broader literature. It then provides an overview of the book’s content and makes explicit its ambitions and limitations. In a nutshell, the book asks whether we are ever obligated to perform or refrain from performing given actions because this is what socially constructed norms require of us. While legal and political philosophers have mostly asked this question in relation to legal norms specifically—i.e., they have asked whether we have “an obligation to obey the law because it is the law”—the book addresses it in relation to socially constructed norms generally. Part 1 develops a qualified affirmative answer to this question, called the “agency-respect view”. Part 2 applies this view to three important philosophical problems: the grounding of moral rights, the obligation to obey the law, and the wrong of sovereignty violations.
Nitrogen fixation in different termite lineages and diets
Authors: Mullins Aaron , Su Nan-Yao
Published: September 2023

Nitrogen fixation is often cited as an important nitrogen source for termites. However, the rate of nitrogen fixation between experiments and termite species is highly variable due to termite diversity and sampling limitations. New evidence suggests that subterranean termites (Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki) (Blattodea, Rhinotermitidae) seek alternative dietary nitrogen sources for colony growth and development. This study compares N2 fixation rates and nitrogenase gene expression rates to a diverse assemblage of feeding groups. It was observed that nitrogenase expression was much higher in one-piece nesting termites from the family Kalotermitidae which lack access to soil. On the other hand, subterranean termites from the family Rhinotermitidae fix nitrogen at much lower rates, not differing from ambient nitrogenase activity in soil.
Prediction of injurious falls in older adults using digital gait biomarkers extracted from large-scale wrist sensor data
Authors: Chan Lloyd L Y , Arbona Carmen Herrera , Brodie Matthew A , Lord Stephen R
Published: September 2023

Objectives

To determine whether digital gait biomarkers captured by a wrist-worn device can predict injurious falls in older people and to develop a multivariable injurious fall prediction model.

Design

Population-based longitudinal cohort study.

Setting and participants

Community-dwelling participants of the UK Biobank study aged 65 and older (n = 32,619) in the United Kingdom.

Methods

Participants were assessed at baseline on daily-life walking speed, quality, quantity and distribution using wrist-worn accelerometers for up to 7 days. Univariable and multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to analyse the associations between these parameters and injurious falls for up to 9 years.

Results

Five percent of the participants (n = 1,627) experienced at least one fall requiring medical attention over a mean of 7.0 ± 1.1 years. Daily-life walking speed, gait quality, quantity of walking and distribution of daily walking were all significantly associated with the incidence of injurious falls (P < 0.05). After adjusting for sociodemographics, lifestyle factors, comorbidities, handgrip strength and reaction time; running duration, total step counts and usual walking speed were identified as independent and significant predictors of falls (P < 0.01). These associations were consistent in those without a history of previous fall injuries. In contrast, step regularity was the only risk factor for those with a previous fall history after adjusting for covariates.

Conclusions

Daily-life gait speed, quantity and quality, derived from wrist-worn sensors, are significant predictors of injurious falls in older people. These digital gait biomarkers could potentially be used to identify fall risk in screening programs and integrated into fall prevention strategies.
Drivers of diversification in Linum (Linaceae) by means of chromosome evolution: correlations with biogeography, breeding system and habit
Authors: Valdés-Florido Ana , Tan Lu , Maguilla Enrique , Simón-Porcar Violeta I , Zhou Yong-Hong , Arroyo Juan , Escudero Marcial
Published: September 2023

Background and Aims

Chromosome evolution leads to hybrid dysfunction and recombination patterns and has thus been proposed as a major driver of diversification in all branches of the tree of life, including flowering plants. In this study we used the genus Linum (flax species) to evaluate the effects of chromosomal evolution on diversification rates and on traits that are important for sexual reproduction. Linum is a useful study group because it has considerable reproductive polymorphism (heterostyly) and chromosomal variation (n = 6–36) and a complex pattern of biogeographical distribution.

Methods

We tested several traditional hypotheses of chromosomal evolution. We analysed changes in chromosome number across the phylogenetic tree (ChromEvol model) in combination with diversification rates (ChromoSSE model), biogeographical distribution, heterostyly and habit (ChromePlus model).

Key Results

Chromosome number evolved across the Linum phylogeny from an estimated ancestral chromosome number of n = 9. While there were few apparent incidences of cladogenesis through chromosome evolution, we inferred up to five chromosomal speciation events. Chromosome evolution was not related to heterostyly but did show significant relationships with habit and geographical range. Polyploidy was negatively correlated with perennial habit, as expected from the relative commonness of perennial woodiness and absence of perennial clonality in the genus. The colonization of new areas was linked to genome rearrangements (polyploidy and dysploidy), which could be associated with speciation events during the colonization process.

Conclusions

Chromosome evolution is a key trait in some clades of the Linum phylogeny. Chromosome evolution directly impacts speciation and indirectly influences biogeographical processes and important plant traits.
One-Stage Implant-Based Breast Reconstruction With Polyurethane-Coated Device: Standardized Assessment of Outcomes
Authors: Catanuto Giuseppe , Virzì Dario , Latino Marco , Musmeci Nicola , Fichera Debora , Balafa Konstantina , Cannata Irene , Rocco Nicola , Marino Mariagloria , Castiglione Gaetano , Caruso Francesco
Published: September 2023

Background

Nipple-sparing mastectomies (NSMs) and implant-based breast reconstructions have evolved from 2-stage reconstructions with tissue expansion and implant exchange to direct-to-implant procedures. In this study, we tested safety and efficacy of polyurethane-based implants according to standard assessment tools.

Objectives

This study aimed to test safety and feasibility of polyurethane-coated implants with standardized assessment employing internationally acknowledged evaluation criteria.

Methods

Cases of NSMs followed by breast reconstruction in 1 stage with immediate prepectoral polyurethane-coated implant placement were retrospectively reviewed. Preoperative characteristics of the population have been collected. Adherence to quality assurance criteria of the Association of Breast Surgery–British Association of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons was verified. Complications were assessed with the Clavien Dindo classification, modified for the breast. Rippling, implant rotation, and malposition were also evaluated.

Results

Sixty-three consecutive patients underwent 74 NSMs and immediate breast reconstruction with micro polyurethane foam–coated anatomic implants. In 5 cases we had unplanned readmissions with return to the operating room under general anesthesia (6.7%) and implant loss within 3 months from breast reconstruction (5 implants, 6.7%). Postoperative complications according to Clavien Dindo were grade 1 in 6 cases (8.1%), grade 2 in 3 cases (4%), and 3b in 5 cases (6.7%).

Conclusions

Polyurethane-coated implants may prevent rotation and malposition and capsular contracture in the short term. Unplanned readmission rates and implant loss rates in the short term may be slightly higher.

See the abstract translated into Hindi, Portuguese, Korean, German, Italian, Arabic, Chinese, and Taiwanese online here: https://doi.org/10.1093/asj/sjad301.

Level of Evidence: 4
Ethoscopy and ethoscope-lab: a framework for behavioural analysis to lower entrance barrier and aid reproducibility
Authors: Blackhurst Laurence , Gilestro Giorgio F
Published: September 2023

High-throughput analysis of behaviour is a pivotal instrument in modern neuroscience, allowing researchers to combine modern genetics breakthrough to unbiased, objective, reproducible experimental approaches. To this extent, we recently created an open-source hardware platform (ethoscope; Geissmann Q, Garcia Rodriguez L, Beckwith EJ et al. Rethomics: an R framework to analyse high-throughput behavioural data. PLoS One 2019;14:e0209331) that allows for inexpensive, accessible, high-throughput analysis of behaviour in Drosophila or other animal models. Here we equip ethoscopes with a Python framework for data analysis, ethoscopy, designed to be a user-friendly yet powerful platform, meeting the requirements of researchers with limited coding expertise as well as experienced data scientists.

Availability and implementation

Ethoscopy is best consumed in a prebaked Jupyter-based docker container, ethoscope-lab, to improve accessibility and to encourage the use of notebooks as a natural platform to share post-publication data analysis. Ethoscopy is a Python package available on GitHub and PyPi. Ethoscope-lab is a docker container available on DockerHub. A landing page aggregating all the code and documentation is available at https://lab.gilest.ro/ethoscopy.
Phables: from fragmented assemblies to high-quality bacteriophage genomes
Authors: Mallawaarachchi Vijini , Roach Michael J , Decewicz Przemyslaw , Papudeshi Bhavya , Giles Sarah K , Grigson Susanna R , Bouras George , Hesse Ryan D , Inglis Laura K , Hutton Abbey L K , Dinsdale Elizabeth A , Edwards Robert A
Published: September 2023

Motivation

Microbial communities have a profound impact on both human health and various environments. Viruses infecting bacteria, known as bacteriophages or phages, play a key role in modulating bacterial communities within environments. High-quality phage genome sequences are essential for advancing our understanding of phage biology, enabling comparative genomics studies and developing phage-based diagnostic tools. Most available viral identification tools consider individual sequences to determine whether they are of viral origin. As a result of challenges in viral assembly, fragmentation of genomes can occur, and existing tools may recover incomplete genome fragments. Therefore, the identification and characterization of novel phage genomes remain a challenge, leading to the need of improved approaches for phage genome recovery.

Results

We introduce Phables, a new computational method to resolve phage genomes from fragmented viral metagenome assemblies. Phables identifies phage-like components in the assembly graph, models each component as a flow network, and uses graph algorithms and flow decomposition techniques to identify genomic paths. Experimental results of viral metagenomic samples obtained from different environments show that Phables recovers on average over 49% more high-quality phage genomes compared to existing viral identification tools. Furthermore, Phables can resolve variant phage genomes with over 99% average nucleotide identity, a distinction that existing tools are unable to make.

Availability and implementation

Phables is available on GitHub at https://github.com/Vini2/phables.
Biogeographical affinities of the biota of the Tres Marías Islands, Mexico
Authors: García-Navarrete Patricia G , Sánchez-González Luis A , Morrone Juan J
Published: September 2023

The Tres Marías archipelago in the central Mexican Pacific is a protected area that has a complex geological history due to its tectonic setting. This study describes an integrative analysis of the biogeographical affinities of the biota inhabiting the islands. A biotic component analysis showed a close relationship between the islands and the Pacific Lowlands and Veracruzan biogeographical provinces, whereas a cladistic biogeographical analysis additionally showed a Nearctic affinity with the Sonoran biogeographical province. The biogeographical affinity patterns, based on the distribution of the sister group of each endemic species, revealed three distinct patterns: Neotropical, Sonoran-Neotropical and Nearctic-Neotropical. The study recognized that the Tres Marías Islands are a region of great biological complexity where the biota of the Pacific Lowlands and the Veracruzan provinces intersect, with a predominantly Neotropical affinity. In this biogeographical analysis, information on the biotic assemblage and the geological history of the Tres Marías Islands are integrated and discussed. The biotic assembly of the islands must have occurred via both vicariance and dispersal at different geological times, related to opening of the Gulf of California (Miocene–Pleistocene) as well as to periods of glaciation (Pleistocene).
Copine 1 predicts poor clinical outcomes by promoting M2 macrophage activation in ovarian cancer
Authors: Sheng Bo , Zhao Bo , Dong Yue , Zhang Jiamin , Wu Suni , Ji Huihui , Zhu Xueqiong
Published: September 2023

Objective

Copine 1 (CPNE1), a membrane-binding protein, influences the prognosis of various cancers. According to cBioPortal, CPNE1 amplification is a prevalent genetic mutation in ovarian cancer but with unknown oncogenic mechanism.

Methods

This study analysed the CPNE1 expression in ovarian cancer using online datasets, as validated by immunohistochemistry (IHC), quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and western blotting. Concurrently, the prognostic value of CPNE1 was accessed. Cell Counting Kit-8, colony formation, transwells and xenograft experiments were performed to evaluate the functions of CPNE1 during ovarian cancer carcinogenesis. CPNE1 and its related genes were analysed by g:Profiler and Tumour Immune Estimation Resource. Furthermore, human monocytic THP-1 cells were co-cultured with ES2 cells to investigate the effect of CPNE1 on macrophage polarization.

Results

The results of bioinformatic analysis, IHC, qPCR and western blotting indicated a higher CPNE1 in ovarian cancer. CPNE1 overexpression demonstrated an association with a poor prognosis of ovarian cancer. Functionally, CPNE1 overexpression increased ES2 and SKOV3 cell proliferation, invasion and migration in vitro and promoted ovarian tumour xenograft growth in vivo, while CPNE1 knockdown led to opposite effects. Additionally, CPNE1 expression demonstrated an association with immune cell infiltration in ovarian cancer, especially macrophage. CPNE1 promoted protumour M2 macrophage polarization by upregulating cluster of differentiation 163 (CD163), CD206 and interleukin-10.

Conclusions

Our study revealed that CPNE1 mediated M2 macrophage polarization and provided a therapeutic target for ovarian cancer.
Liking of salt is associated with depression, anxiety, and stress
Authors: Ferraris Celeste , Scarlett Christopher J , Bucher Tamara , Beckett Emma L
Published: September 2023

Early research has shown variations in salt taste qualities in depression, anxiety, and stress. These studies evaluated changes to salt taste intensity and liking (pleasantness) of salt solutions but not of salty foods. Therefore, an Australian population survey (n = 424) was conducted where participants rated recalled intensity and liking of salt index foods and completed the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) to measure these states. Standard least squares regression (post hoc Tukey’s HSD) compared means between groups, and nominal logistic regression assessed differences in distributions between categories. Higher salt liking was found in participants with DASS-21 scores indicative of severe depression (68.3 vs. 60.0, P = 0.005) and severe anxiety (68.4 vs. 60.0, P = 0.001) in comparison to those with normal scores, in all models. Higher salt liking was found in participants with DASS-21 scores indicative of moderate stress (67.7 vs. 60.2, P = 0.009) in the unadjusted model only. Higher salt liking was found in females with DASS-21 scores indicative of anxiety and stress, and in males with indicative depression and anxiety. No relationships between salt taste intensity ratings and the mood states were found. Results indicate that liking salty foods is positively correlated with depression, anxiety, and stress scores. Further research on the relationships between salt liking and intake of salt and salty foods, and the biological mechanisms of these mood states are needed to direct the application of findings toward potential new risk assessment measures, dietary interventions, or therapeutics.
Pericardial and mediastinal fat-associated lymphoid clusters are rapidly activated in an alkane-induced model of systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Bentkowska Karolina , Hardgrave Alex , Iqbal Nadia , Gresty Laura , Marsden Bethany , Macharia Sheila , Jackson-Jones Lucy
Published: September 2023

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease predominated by auto-antibodies that recognise cellular components. Pleural involvement is the most common SLE-related lung disease. Natural antibodies are rapidly secreted by innate-like B cells following perturbation of homeostasis and are important in the early stages of immune activation. The serous cavities are home to large numbers of innate-like B cells present both within serous fluid and resident within fat-associated lymphoid clusters (FALCs). FALCs are important hubs for B-cell activation and local antibody secretion within the body cavities. Patients with SLE can develop anti-phospholipid antibodies and in rare situations develop alveolar haemorrhage. Utilising delivery of the hydrocarbon oil pristane in C57BL/6 mice as a model of SLE we identify a rapid expansion of pleural cavity B cells as early as day 3 after intra-peritoneal pristane delivery. Following pristane delivery, pericardial B1 B cells are proliferative, express the plasma-cell surface marker CD138, and secrete both innate and class-switched antibodies highlighting that this cavity niche may play an unrecognised role in the initiation of lupus pleuritis.
Neuroimmune Modulation Through Vagus Nerve Stimulation Reduces Inflammatory Activity in Crohn’s Disease Patients: A Prospective Open-label Study
Authors: D’Haens Geert , Eberhardson Michael , Cabrijan Zeljko , Danese Silvio , van den Berg Remco , Löwenberg Mark , Fiorino Gionata , Schuurman P Richard , Lind Göran , Almqvist Per , Olofsson Peder S , Tracey Kevin J , Hanauer Stephen B , Zitnik Ralph , Chernoff David , Levine Yaakov A
Published: September 2023

Background and Aims

Crohn’s disease [CD] is a debilitating, inflammatory condition affecting the gastrointestinal tract. There is no cure and sustained clinical and endoscopic remission is achieved by fewer than half of patients with current therapies. The immunoregulatory function of the vagus nerve, the ‘inflammatory reflex’, has been established in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and biologic-naive CD. The aim of this study was to explore the safety and efficacy of vagus nerve stimulation in patients with treatment-refractory CD, in a 16-week, open-label, multicentre, clinical trial.

Methods

A vagus nerve stimulator was implanted in 17 biologic drug-refractory patients with moderately to severely active CD. One patient exited the study pre-treatment, and 16 patients were treated with vagus nerve stimulation [4/16 receiving concomitant biologics] during 16 weeks of induction and 24 months of maintenance treatment. Endpoints included clinical improvement, patient-reported outcomes, objective measures of inflammation [endoscopic/molecular], and safety.

Results

There was a statistically significant and clinically meaningful decrease in CD Activity Index at Week 16 [mean ± SD: -86.2 ± 92.8, p = 0.003], a significant decrease in faecal calprotectin [-2923 ± 4104, p = 0.015], a decrease in mucosal inflammation in 11/15 patients with paired endoscopies [-2.1 ± 1.7, p = 0.23], and a decrease in serum tumour necrosis factor and interferon-γ [46–52%]. Two quality-of-life indices improved in 7/11 patients treated without biologics. There was one study-related severe adverse event: a postoperative infection requiring device explantation.

Conclusions

Neuroimmune modulation via vagus nerve stimulation was generally safe and well tolerated, with a clinically meaningful reduction in clinical disease activity associated with endoscopic improvement, reduced levels of faecal calprotectin and serum cytokines, and improved quality of life.
Population genomic analyses suggest recent dispersal events of the pathogen Cercospora zeina into East and Southern African maize cropping systems
Authors: Welgemoed Tanya , Duong Tuan A , Barnes Irene , Stukenbrock Eva H , Berger Dave K
Published: September 2023

A serious factor hampering global maize production is gray leaf spot disease. Cercospora zeina is one of the causative pathogens, but population genomics analysis of C. zeina is lacking. We conducted whole-genome Illumina sequencing of a representative set of 30 C. zeina isolates from Kenya and Uganda (East Africa) and Zambia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa (Southern Africa). Selection of the diverse set was based on microsatellite data from a larger collection of the pathogen. Pangenome analysis of the C. zeina isolates was done by (1) de novo assembly of the reads with SPAdes, (2) annotation with BRAKER, and (3) protein clustering with OrthoFinder. A published long-read assembly of C. zeina (CMW25467) from Zambia was included and annotated using the same pipeline. This analysis revealed 790 non-shared accessory and 10,677 shared core orthogroups (genes) between the 31 isolates. Accessory gene content was largely shared between isolates from all countries, with a few genes unique to populations from Southern Africa (32) or East Africa (6). There was a significantly higher proportion of effector genes in the accessory secretome (44%) compared to the core secretome (24%). PCA, ADMIXTURE, and phylogenetic analysis using a neighbor-net network indicated a population structure with a geographical subdivision between the East African isolates and the Southern African isolates, although gene flow was also evident. The small pangenome and partial population differentiation indicated recent dispersal of C. zeina into Africa, possibly from 2 regional founder populations, followed by recurrent gene flow owing to widespread maize production across sub-Saharan Africa.
Spenito-dependent metabolic sexual dimorphism intrinsic to fat storage cells
Authors: Diaz Arely V , Stephenson Daniel , Nemkov Travis , D’Alessandro Angelo , Reis Tânia
Published: September 2023

Metabolism in males and females is distinct. Differences are usually linked to sexual reproduction, with circulating signals (e.g. hormones) playing major roles. In contrast, sex differences prior to sexual maturity and intrinsic to individual metabolic tissues are less understood. We analyzed Drosophila melanogaster larvae and find that males store more fat than females, the opposite of the sexual dimorphism in adults. We show that metabolic differences are intrinsic to the major fat storage tissue, including many differences in the expression of metabolic genes. Our previous work identified fat storage roles for Spenito (Nito), a conserved RNA-binding protein and regulator of sex determination. Nito knockdown specifically in the fat storage tissue abolished fat differences between males and females. We further show that Nito is required for sex-specific expression of the master regulator of sex determination, Sex-lethal (Sxl). “Feminization” of fat storage cells via tissue-specific overexpression of a Sxl target gene made larvae lean, reduced the fat differences between males and females, and induced female-like metabolic gene expression. Altogether, this study supports a model in which Nito autonomously controls sexual dimorphisms and differential expression of metabolic genes in fat cells in part through its regulation of the sex determination pathway.
1. Ethical theories
Authors: Herring Jonathan
Published: September 2023

This chapter sets out some general theories about ethics. How do we judge what is the right thing to do? What makes a decision morally justifiable? What makes a person good? It considers some ethical disagreements and describes some of the general ethical approaches that are taken to ethical dilemmas. It then addresses the question of whether lawyers’ ethics are any different from others; in other words, whether lawyers can be said to have any extra ethical obligations because they are lawyers. Finally, it looks at how legal training and legal practice has taken the ethical obligations of lawyers more seriously.
Endoscopically Active Ulcerative Colitis Is Associated With Asymptomatic Atherosclerotic Vascular Disease: A Case-Control Study
Authors: Lasa Juan , Nazario Ezequiel , De Sanctis Gonzalo , Fernández Recalde María , Redondo Juan Pereira , Montañana Juan , Spernanzoni Fernando , Zubiaurre Ignacio , Olivera Pablo A
Published: September 2023

Background

Chronic inflammation in immune-mediated conditions has been associated with an increased risk in atherosclerotic disease. There is paucity of evidence regarding the prevalence of asymptomatic atherosclerosis in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and its association with disease activity. We sought to compare the prevalence of asymptomatic atherosclerotic disease between young patients with UC with and without mucosal healing (MH) and healthy control individuals.

Methods

An observational study was conducted in 2 hospitals in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Patients with UC 18 to 50 years of age with at least 1 previous colonoscopy in the last year were enrolled, along with age- and sex-matched healthy control individuals. Carotid and femoral ultrasound assessments were performed to determine the prevalence of atherosclerotic lesions and abnormal intima-media thickness (IMT). We compared the prevalence of atherosclerotic disease and the prevalence of abnormally increased IMT in at least 1 vascular territory.

Results

Sixty patients with UC and 60 healthy control individuals were enrolled. Mean age was 38 years and 53.33% were men. Although the prevalence of atherosclerotic lesions was similar in patients with UC without MH when compared with both patients with UC with MH and control individuals (3.7% vs 0% vs 6.67%; P = .1), we found a significant increase in abnormal IMT in at least 1 vascular territory in UC patients without MH when compared with healthy control individuals (48.15% vs 26.67%; P = .05).

Conclusions

Patients with UC with active mucosal inflammation showed a significantly increased odds of asymptomatic femoral or carotid vascular disease when compared with control individuals.
Resilience, Vulnerability, and Social Isolation: Barriers to Poverty Reduction in War
Authors: Lake Milli , Pierotti Rachael S , Alik-Lagrange Arthur
Published: September 2023

The majority of the world’s ultra-poor live in conflict-affected environments. Poverty reduction efforts are increasingly attempting to target the most vulnerable inhabitants of these settings. Few studies have so far examined their impacts. Against the backdrop of one of the largest humanitarian crises in recent years, survey data from the Central African Republic demonstrates that a year after the conclusion of a large social safety net program, the poorest female participants did not benefit proportionately to other women and men. We draw on 257 in-depth qualitative interviews in extremely difficult-to-access conflict-affected sites across the country to explore the puzzle of why the most vulnerable inhabitants of conflict-affected settings may fail to benefit equally from poverty reduction programs. We demonstrate that conditions of social isolation—rather than poverty itself—create two specific barriers to long-term benefits. First, social isolation means that the poorest women recipients lack the social support networks that permit others to respond to conflict-related shocks without draining all their new income on emergency spending. Second, small social networks create a shortage of labor and higher start-up costs for new revenue-generating activities, thereby preventing spending on investment opportunities. These factors highlight the social barriers to poverty reduction, which are often intensified by shocks born from war, that material aid alone fails to redress.
Reducing the virulence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa by using multiple quorum-quenching enzymes
Authors: Khatun Mst Afroza , Hoque Md Anarul , Koffas Mattheos , Feng Yan
Published: September 2023

The emergence of multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa in healthcare settings poses a tremendous challenge to traditional antibiotic therapy. Pseudomonas aeruginosa utilizes quorum sensing (QS) to coordinate the production of virulence factors and the formation of drug-resistant biofilms. QS is mediated by signal compounds produced by P. aeruginosa as well as signal molecules produced by other non-pseudomonad bacteria. A potential strategy to prevent bacterial pathogenicity is utilizing enzymes to interfere with QS. Here, we used AidC, a quorum-quenching (QQ) enzyme from Chryseobacterium sp. strain StRB126 that can effectively hydrolyze N-(3-oxododecanoyl) homoserine lactone (3OC12-HSL) and N-butanoyl-homoserine lactone (C4-HSL), the major signal molecules synthesized by P. aeruginosa. The exogenous addition of AidC to P. aeruginosa wild-type strain PAO1 cultures significantly reduced the total protease and elastase activities and the production of pyocyanin. In addition, the application of AidC resulted in thin and sparse biofilm formation. Later, we used a metagenomic-derived QQ enzyme, QQ-2, in combination with AidC to attenuate PAO1 virulence when the presence of a non-pseudomonad signal compound, autoinducer-2, aggravated it. These findings suggest that using a combined antimicrobial approach may lead to a more efficacious therapeutic intervention against P. aeruginosa PAO1 infection, as its behavior is modulated in the presence of intraspecies and interspecies signal compounds.

One-Sentence Summary

In this work, the potential of dual enzymes was investigated to interfere with quorum sensing as a novel concept for reducing the virulence of P. aeruginosa, which is influenced by both intra species and interspecies communication.