bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Research on the influence of environmental regulation on the total factor energy efficiency of China’s construction industry
Authors: Chen Zhiding , Zheng Xiaoyu
Published: April 2023

In order to reduce the global carbon emission pressure and improve the energy efficiency of the construction industry, this paper establishes the Un-Super-SBM model to measure the total factor energy efficiency of the construction industry in China, which based on the 2012–2019 Chinese provincial panel data with CO2 emissions as the non-desired output, and uses the panel data model to empirically analyze the impact of formal and informal environmental regulations on the energy efficiency of the construction industry. The results show that, from the national level, the impact of formal environmental regulation on energy efficiency of the construction industry shows an inverted U-shaped trend of promotion followed by inhibition, while the impact of informal environmental regulation on energy efficiency of the construction industry shows a U-shaped trend of inhibition followed by promotion. From the regional level, there are regional differences in the impact of formal and informal environmental regulations on the energy efficiency of the construction industry. Finally, the paper puts forward relevant policy suggestions to promote the improvement of energy utilization efficiency of China’s construction industry and achieve sustainable development.
Real-time remaining useful life kernel density estimation considering dynamic transition of degradation states
Authors: Li Zhehao , Shi Hui , Zhang Zhizhuang , Dong Zengshou , Li Lijun
Published: April 2023

The accurate prediction of remaining useful life is a significant issue for ensuring the reliable operation of the system. Considering the dynamic transfer of degenerate state can improve the prediction accuracy and reduce the number of late prediction. Firstly, a time series density peak clustering algorithm suitable for real-time manifold data clustering is proposed. By choosing larger truncation distance at points with high sample density, the cluster centers can be found more accurately. Then, different degradation state patterns according to clustering results can be divided. Moreover, the smoothing parameters can be adaptively updated according to the sample density under different degradation modes and an adaptive kernel density remaining useful life estimation model is established. The test of the gearbox verifies the necessity and accuracy of the proposed model by comparison with the remaining useful life predictions of kernel density estimation without considering degraded state transitions.
Aluminium-Silicon based Metal Matrix Composites for brake rotor applications: a review
Authors: Dinesh Kumar P K , Darius Gnanaraj S
Published: April 2023

In an automotive vehicle, the brake discs, also known as rotors, contribute significant weight to the engine chassis. Hence, lightweight aluminum brake discs are in the developmental stage as a popular alternative to traditional cast iron or steel brake discs. Weight reduction is desirable to improve vehicle performance and fuel efficiency. Monolithic aluminum is not a practical choice as an alternative to existing commercial brake discs because of its poor operational temperature and wear performance. Literature suggests that Aluminum Metal Matrix composite (AMC) can be an ideal choice for brake discs. AMC brake discs are more resistant to warping and cracking than cast iron discs. They also have better heat dissipation properties, which help reduce brake fade and prolong the life of the brake pads. This study examines the different types of aluminum alloys, reinforcements, and manufacturing processes for manufacturing ideal AMC brake discs. The significance of silicon as the principal alloying element to improve thermal characteristics and incorporate various reinforcements to increase the AMC’s wear resistance and frictional stability for brake disc applications is outlined. This article focuses on the thermal and tribological behavior of the AMC brake discs’ performance over traditional rotors. The review discusses the different equipment required to assess the tribological characteristics of brake discs to meet industrial requirements. In addition to experimental validation, this paper addresses the necessity of proper rotor design selection and numerical analysis to evaluate the thermo-mechanical behavior of the brake disc at various braking events. The article points out that aluminum metal matrix composites have great potential to replace conventional grey cast iron brake discs. Finally, this review discusses possible future research avenues for developing an AMC rotor disc.
Influence of tool pin profile on material flow, mechanical properties and corrosion behavior of friction stir welded dissimilar Al5083-6061
Authors: Padmavathi Tejavath , Naik Banoth Balu
Published: April 2023

In the current investigation, dissimilar aluminum alloys (6 mm thick Al5083 and Al6061) joints were friction stir welded by three different kinds of tool geometries with varied pin features. The results indicated that the formation of the onion ring was confined to a small part of the stir region in the case of triangular pin profile (TP) and square pin profile (SP), whereas the whole stir zone was covered by onion ring or banded structure in case of taper threaded pin profile (TTP). TP and SP show better pulsating action and result in better shearing of the material, causing the material to mix in sideward directions from the advancing side to the retreating side. But, the essential upward and downward material flow to obtain uniform mixing of both base materials were observed in TTP. It contributed to better material flow, and the tool achieved better mechanical and corrosion properties. The hardness values of the joints welded with TP and SP showed uneven distribution in the stir zone, and using TTP could minimize the deviation in hardness values. The role of different tool geometries on material flow, microstructure, corrosion, and mechanical behavior was studied, and the result has been reported and described with detailed analysis.
Force between magnetic nanoplates with dipolar interactions
Authors: Inui Norio
Published: April 2023

This study considers the dependence of the force caused by the dipolar interaction between small low-dimensional magnets such as single-molecule magnets and two-dimensional magnets on the distance between them within the framework of the dipolar Ising model with nearest-neighbor exchange interactions and long-range dipolar interactions. In particular, we focus on the rapid change in the force between ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic plates, which arise from the transition of the spin states and explain that this behavior originates from the spin frustrations between magnetic plates. Furthermore, the size and temperature dependence of the interaction energy are investigated using a Monte Carlo simulation.
Spiking neural networks compensate for weight drift in organic neuromorphic device networks
Authors: Felder Daniel , Linkhorst John , Wessling Matthias
Published: April 2023

Organic neuromorphic devices can accelerate neural networks and integrate with biological systems. Devices based on the biocompatible and conductive polymer PEDOT:PSS are fast, require low amounts of energy and perform well in crossbar simulations. However, parasitic electrochemical reactions lead to self-discharge and the fading of the learned conductance states over time. This limits a neural network’s operating time and requires complex compensation mechanisms. Spiking neural networks (SNNs) take inspiration from biology to implement local and always-on learning. We show that these SNNs can function on organic neuromorphic hardware and compensate for self-discharge by continuously relearning and reinforcing forgotten states. In this work, we use a high-resolution charge transport model to describe the behavior of organic neuromorphic devices and create a computationally efficient surrogate model. By integrating the surrogate model into a Brian 2 simulation, we can describe the behavior of SNNs on organic neuromorphic hardware. A biologically plausible two-layer network for recognizing

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pixel MNIST images is trained and observed during self-discharge. The network achieves, for its size, competitive recognition results of up to 82.5%. Building a network with forgetful devices yields superior accuracy during training with 84.5% compared to ideal devices. However, trained networks without active spike-timing-dependent plasticity quickly lose their predictive performance. We show that online learning can keep the performance at a steady level close to the initial accuracy, even for idle rates of up to 90%. This performance is maintained when the output neuron’s labels are not revalidated for up to 24 h. These findings reconfirm the potential of organic neuromorphic devices for brain-inspired computing. Their biocompatibility and the demonstrated adaptability to SNNs open the path towards close integration with multi-electrode arrays, drug-delivery devices, and other bio-interfacing systems as either fully organic or hybrid organic-inorganic systems.
Surface ID: a geometry-aware system for protein molecular surface comparison
Authors: Riahi Saleh , Lee Jae Hyeon , Sorenson Taylor , Wei Shuai , Jager Sven , Olfati-Saber Reza , Zhou Yanfeng , Park Anna , Wendt Maria , Minoux Hervé , Qiu Yu
Published: April 2023

Motivation

A protein can be represented in several forms, including its 1D sequence, 3D atom coordinates, and molecular surface. A protein surface contains rich structural and chemical features directly related to the protein’s function such as its ability to interact with other molecules. While many methods have been developed for comparing the similarity of proteins using the sequence and structural representations, computational methods based on molecular surface representation are limited.

Results

Here, we describe “Surface ID,” a geometric deep learning system for high-throughput surface comparison based on geometric and chemical features. Surface ID offers a novel grouping and alignment algorithm useful for clustering proteins by function, visualization, and in silico screening of potential binding partners to a target molecule. Our method demonstrates top performance in surface similarity assessment, indicating great potential for protein functional annotation, a major need in protein engineering and therapeutic design.

Availability and implementation

Source code for the Surface ID model, trained weights, and inference script are available at https://github.com/Sanofi-Public/LMR-SurfaceID.
Antagonism between DDX6 and PI3K-AKT signaling is an oocyte-intrinsic mechanism controlling primordial follicle growth
Authors: Kato Yuzuru , Saga Yumiko
Published: April 2023

Oocyte maturation and subsequent ovulation during the reproductive lifespan ensure long-term reproduction in mammalian females. This is achieved by tight regulation for the maintenance and growth of primordial follicles. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unsolved. We herein report that posttranscriptional gene regulation mediated by an RNA helicase, DEAD-box helicase 6 (DDX6), and phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K)-AKT signaling exhibits an antagonistic interaction in mouse primordial follicles. DDX6 forms P-body-like cytoplasmic foci in oocytes, which colocalize to a P-body component, DCP1A. Interestingly, the P-body-like granules predominantly assemble in primordial follicles, but disperse once follicle growth is initiated, suggesting that they play a role in the maintenance of primordial follicles. Oocyte-specific knockout of Ddx6 using Gdf9-iCre revealed that Ddx6-deficient oocytes are defective in foci assembly and are abnormally enlarged, resulting in premature depletion of primordial follicles. These results indicate that DDX6 is required to maintain primordial follicles. The abnormal oocyte enlargement is because of enhanced PI3K-AKT signaling, a pivotal signaling pathway in the growth of primordial follicles. Conversely, the forced activation of PI3K-AKT signaling by knocking out Pten disassembles P-body-like granules in primordial follicles. These data suggest that DDX6 and PI3K-AKT signaling mutually antagonize the assembly of P-body-like granules and the growth of primordial follicles. We propose this mutual antagonism as an oocyte-intrinsic mechanism controlling the maintenance and growth of primordial follicles, ensuring the longevity of female reproduction.
Eosinophilic myocarditis during treatment of acute myeloid leukaemia: cardiac magnetic resonance in the very early phase mimicking triple-vessel coronary artery disease: a case report
Authors: Salihu Adil , Stadelmann Raphael , Solimando Emilie , Schwitter Juerg
Published: April 2023

Background

Chemotherapy of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) can cause a broad spectrum of cardiotoxic effects. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) is key for the diagnosis of eosinophilic myocarditis (EM) defined by the presence of sub-endocardial necrosis and fibrosis. This case report describes the picture of severe triple-vessel ischaemia due to infiltration of eosinophilia without atherosclerotic coronary artery disease (CAD).

Case summary

A 57-year-old woman was diagnosed with AML requiring chemotherapy. Three days after initiation of chemotherapy, the patient presented with chest pain and new left ventricular (LV) dysfunction and hyper-eosinophilia. A CMR examination initially was compatible with severe triple-vessel ischaemia. Tissue characterization by CMR was not done due to severe dyspnoea promoting the differential diagnosis of triple-vessel CAD or chemotherapy-induced triple-vessel coronary spasm. However, invasive coronary angiography excluded obstructive CAD. Severe LV dysfunction and troponin elevation persisted arguing against coronary vasospasm. Chemotherapy induced a massive increase in blood eosinophils, and EM was considered as most likely diagnosis. Immunosuppressive treatment improved the patient’s status and a CMR later on confirmed the diagnosis of EM.

Discussion

Chemotherapy-induced massive eosinophilia can cause widespread coronary micro-vascular infiltration mimicking severe triple-vessel CAD. Early CMR did not evaluate tissue composition, and EM was not considered which delayed adequate treatment. A complete CMR assessment is key to establish the correct diagnosis.
An explainable artificial intelligence-enabled electrocardiogram analysis model for the classification of reduced left ventricular function
Authors: Katsushika Susumu , Kodera Satoshi , Sawano Shinnosuke , Shinohara Hiroki , Setoguchi Naoto , Tanabe Kengo , Higashikuni Yasutomi , Takeda Norifumi , Fujiu Katsuhito , Daimon Masao , Akazawa Hiroshi , Morita Hiroyuki , Komuro Issei
Published: April 2023

Aims

The black box nature of artificial intelligence (AI) hinders the development of interpretable AI models that are applicable in clinical practice. We aimed to develop an AI model for classifying patients of reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) from 12-lead electrocardiograms (ECG) with the decision-interpretability.

Methods and results

We acquired paired ECG and echocardiography datasets from the central and co-operative institutions. For the central institution dataset, a random forest model was trained to identify patients with reduced LVEF among 29 907 ECGs. Shapley additive explanations were applied to 7196 ECGs. To extract the model’s decision criteria, the calculated Shapley additive explanations values were clustered for 192 non-paced rhythm patients in which reduced LVEF was predicted. Although the extracted criteria were different for each cluster, these criteria generally comprised a combination of six ECG findings: negative T-wave inversion in I/V5–6 leads, low voltage in I/II/V4–6 leads, Q wave in V3–6 leads, ventricular activation time prolongation in I/V5–6 leads, S-wave prolongation in V2–3 leads, and corrected QT interval prolongation. Similarly, for the co-operative institution dataset, the extracted criteria comprised a combination of the same six ECG findings. Furthermore, the accuracy of seven cardiologists’ ECG readings improved significantly after watching a video explaining the interpretation of these criteria (before, 62.9% ± 3.9% vs. after, 73.9% ± 2.4%; P = 0.02).

Conclusion

We visually interpreted the model’s decision criteria to evaluate its validity, thereby developing a model that provided the decision-interpretability required for clinical application.
Epicardial adipose tissue and obstructive coronary artery disease in acute chest pain: the EPIC-ACS study
Authors: Jehn Stefanie , Roggel Anja , Dykun Iryna , Balcer Bastian , Al-Rashid Fadi , Totzeck Matthias , Risse Joachim , Kill Clemens , Rassaf Tienush , Mahabadi Amir A
Published: April 2023

Aims

We tested the hypothesis that epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) quantification improves the prediction of the presence of obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients presenting with acute chest pain to the emergency department.

Methods and results

Within this prospective observational cohort study, we included 657 consecutive patients (mean age 58.06 ± 18.04 years, 53% male) presenting to the emergency department with acute chest pain suggestive of acute coronary syndrome between December 2018 and August 2020. Patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction, haemodynamic instability, or known CAD were excluded. As part of the initial workup, we performed bedside echocardiography for quantification of EAT thickness by a dedicated study physician, blinded to all patient characteristics. Treating physicians remained unaware of the results of the EAT assessment. The primary endpoint was defined as the presence of obstructive CAD, as detected in subsequent invasive coronary angiography. Patients reaching the primary endpoint had significantly more EAT than patients without obstructive CAD (7.90 ± 2.56 mm vs. 3.96 ± 1.91 mm, P < 0.0001). In a multivariable regression analysis, a 1 mm increase in EAT thickness was associated with a nearby two-fold increased odds of the presence of obstructive CAD [1.87 (1.64–2.12), P < 0.0001]. Adding EAT to a multivariable model of the GRACE score, cardiac biomarkers and traditional risk factors significantly improved the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (0.759–0.901, P < 0.0001).

Conclusion

Epicardial adipose tissue strongly and independently predicts the presence of obstructive CAD in patients presenting with acute chest pain to the emergency department. Our results suggest that the assessment of EAT may improve diagnostic algorithms of patients with acute chest pain.
Early-warning signals of impending speciation
Authors: Sinitambirivoutin Maïdie , Nosil Patrik , Flaxman Samuel , Feder Jeffrey , Gompert Zachariah , Dakos Vasilis
Published: April 2023

Species formation is a central topic in biology, and a large body of theoretical work has explored the conditions under which speciation occurs, including whether speciation dynamics are gradual or abrupt. In some cases of abrupt speciation, differentiation slowly builds up until it reaches a threshold, at which point linkage disequilibrium (LD) and divergent selection enter a positive feedback loop that triggers accelerated change. Notably, such abrupt transitions powered by a positive feedback have also been observed in a range of other systems. Efforts to anticipate abrupt transitions have led to the development of “early warning signals” (EWS), that is, specific statistical patterns preceding abrupt transitions. Examples of EWS are rising autocorrelation and variance in time-series data due to the reduction of the ability of the system to recover from disturbances. Here, we investigate whether speciation dynamics in theoretical models also exhibit EWS. Using a model of genetic divergence between two populations, we search for EWS before gradual and abrupt speciation events. We do so using six different metrics of differentiation: the effective migration rate, the number of selected loci, the mean fitness of our studied population, LD, FST, and Dabs, a metric analogous to DXY. We find evidence for EWS, with a heterogeneity in their strength among differentiation metrics. We specifically identify FST and the effective migration rate as the most reliable EWS of upcoming abrupt speciation events. Our results provide initial insights into potential EWS of impending speciation and contribute to efforts to generalize the mechanisms underlying EWS.
Reading the Sensory Trajectory of Unmoored Existence and the Poetic Encoding of Wounds in Zsuzsa Bánk’s Der Schwimmer (2002)
Authors: Chauhan Shivani
Published: April 2023

Zsuzsa Bánk’s Der Schwimmer (2002) is a meditation on the trials of flight and dislocation. Underpinned by complex memory dynamics, the narrative reconstructs the fate of several ‘unmoored’ figures whose physical or psychological experiences of liminality exacerbate their exile. Drawing on David Howes’s concepts of ‘emplacement’ and ‘displacement’, the primary objective of this essay is to examine the poetic encoding of sensory tropes underlying the core subjects of memory, trauma and migration in the novel. Firstly, rather than reading this novel primarily as a socio-political document, this article highlights the aesthetic qualities of Der Schwimmer while offering deep insights into the subject-specific experiences of belonging and displacement. Secondly, a focus on the literary interweaving of sensory phenomena illuminates a new and under-researched aspect of transnational writing. Ultimately, this article argues that a critical focus on the sensory can open up innovative ways of understanding the aesthetic organization of Der Schwimmer.
Informal Caregiving Networks of Older Adults With Dementia Superimposed on Multimorbidity: A Social Network Analysis Study
Authors: Song Mi-Kyung , Paul Sudeshna , Happ Mary Beth , Lea Janice , Pirkle James L , Turberville-Trujillo Linda
Published: April 2023

Background and Objectives

Caregiving is a social process and commonly involves more than a single caregiver, especially for older adults with multimorbidity, including dementia. This study was to characterize informal caregiving networks of older adults with dementia superimposed on multimorbidity (e.g., end-stage kidney disease) and to examine the relationships of network properties to outcomes of caregivers and older adults.

Research Design and Methods

An egocentric social network survey was conducted. Up to 3 family caregivers of older adults on dialysis who had moderate-to-severe irreversible cognitive impairment with or without a documented diagnosis of dementia were recruited from 11 dialysis centers in 2 states. Caregivers completed a social network survey about individuals providing caregiving to the older adult and measures of caregiving burden and rewards, depression, and financial hardship. Older adults’ emergency department visits and hospital admissions during the past 12 months were abstracted from the medical records.

Results

A total of 76 caregiver informants of 46 older adults (78% Black) participated in the study. Of the 46 older adults, 65% had a multimember network (median size of 4). As the network density (the proportion of ties between members among all possible ties) increased, primary caregivers’ financial hardship decreased whereas nonprimary caregivers’ financial hardship increased. Further, for every 1-unit increase in mean degree (the average number of connections among members), there was a nearly fourfold increase in the odds of no hospital admission during the prior year for the older adult.

Discussion and Implications

The network dynamics of informal caregiving networks may have an impact on the well-being of caregivers and older adults with dementia, but confirmatory longitudinal studies are needed.
LMNglyPred: prediction of human N-linked glycosylation sites using embeddings from a pre-trained protein language model
Authors: Pakhrin Subash C , Pokharel Suresh , Aoki-Kinoshita Kiyoko F , Beck Moriah R , Dam Tarun K , Caragea Doina , KC Dukka B
Published: April 2023

Protein N-linked glycosylation is an important post-translational mechanism in Homo sapiens, playing essential roles in many vital biological processes. It occurs at the N-X-[S/T] sequon in amino acid sequences, where X can be any amino acid except proline. However, not all N-X-[S/T] sequons are glycosylated; thus, the N-X-[S/T] sequon is a necessary but not sufficient determinant for protein glycosylation. In this regard, computational prediction of N-linked glycosylation sites confined to N-X-[S/T] sequons is an important problem that has not been extensively addressed by the existing methods, especially in regard to the creation of negative sets and leveraging the distilled information from protein language models (pLMs). Here, we developed LMNglyPred, a deep learning-based approach, to predict N-linked glycosylated sites in human proteins using embeddings from a pre-trained pLM. LMNglyPred produces sensitivity, specificity, Matthews Correlation Coefficient, precision, and accuracy of 76.50, 75.36, 0.49, 60.99, and 75.74 percent, respectively, on a benchmark-independent test set. These results demonstrate that LMNglyPred is a robust computational tool to predict N-linked glycosylation sites confined to the N-X-[S/T] sequon.
The death and life of Jang Nayeon: a case for personality rights in the digital layers of reality
Authors: Boothe Amber
Published: April 2023

Inspired by the story of Jang Ji-sung and the virtual resurrection of her daughter, Nayeon, this article explores how the legal issues that arise when people (living or deceased) are digitally cloned and rendered into virtual or augmented reality ground a compelling argument for why UK law should recognize a broader suite of personality rights. Technologies once confined to the two-dimensional realm of print media or locked within the aspect ratio of a digital display are now manifesting in three dimensions. In the same way, that technological advancements in photography gave rise to the current formulation of privacy and publicity rights, innovations in virtual and augmented reality [collectively known as extended reality (XR) technology] foreshadow the next paradigm shift. Utilizing a series of hypothetical scenarios that illustrate the unique challenges XR technology poses, this article reveals how the UK’s lack of personality rights is becoming ever more problematic in the case of the living, and wholly indefensible in the case of the dead.
Amplicon Sequencing Minimal Information (ASqMI): Quality and Reporting Guidelines for Actionable Calls in Biodefense Applications
Authors: Keenum Ishi , Player Robert , Kralj Jason , Servetas Stephanie , Sussman Michael D , Russell Joseph A , Stone Jennifer , Chandrapati Sailaja , Sozhamannan Shanmuga
Published: April 2023

Background

Accurate, high-confidence data is critical for assessing potential biothreat incidents. In a biothreat event, false-negative and -positive results have serious consequences. Worst case scenarios can result in unnecessary shutdowns or fatalities at an exorbitant monetary and psychological cost, respectively. Quantitative PCR assays for agents of interest have been successfully used for routine biosurveillance. Recently, there has been increased impetus for adoption of amplicon sequencing (AS) for biosurveillance because it enables discrimination of true positives from near-neighbor false positives, as well as broad, simultaneous detection of many targets in many pathogens in a high-throughput scheme. However, the high sensitivity of AS can lead to false positives. Appropriate controls and workflow reporting can help address these challenges.

Objectives

Data reporting standards are critical to data trustworthiness. The standards presented herein aim to provide a framework for method quality assessment in biodetection.

Methods

We present a set of standards, Amplicon Sequencing Minimal Information (ASqMI), developed under the auspices of the AOAC INTERNATIONAL Stakeholder Program on Agent Detection Assays for making actionable calls in biosurveillance applications. In addition to the first minimum information guidelines for AS, we provide a controls checklist and scoring scheme to assure AS run quality and assess potential sample contamination.

Results

Adoption of the ASqMI guidelines will improve data quality, help track workflow performance, and ultimately provide decision makers confidence to trust the results of this new and powerful technology.

Conclusion

AS workflows can provide robust, confident calls for biodetection; however, due diligence in reporting and controls are needed. The ASqMI guideline is the first AS minimum reporting guidance document that also provides the means for end users to evaluate their workflows to improve confidence.

Highlights

Standardized reporting guidance for actionable calls is critical to ensuring trustworthy data.
The endoplasmic reticulum stress and B cell lymphoma-2 related ovarian killer participate in docosahexaenoic acid-induced adipocyte apoptosis in grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus)
Authors: Huang Xiaocheng , Ji Shanghong , Bian Chenchen , Sun Jian , Ji Hong
Published: April 2023

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) lessens adipose tissue lipid deposition partly by inducing adipocyte apoptosis in grass carp, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and unfolded protein response (UPR) is the novel pathway for inducing apoptosis. This study aimed to explore the potential role of ER stress in DHA-induced apoptosis in grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus) adipocytes. DHA induced apoptosis by deforming the nuclear envelope, condensing the chromatin, and increasing the expression of apoptosis-related proteins and genes in vivo and in vitro (P < 0.05). However, the ER stress inhibitor, 4-phenylbutyric acid (4-PBA), effectively suppressed DHA-induced apoptosis (P < 0.05), indicating that ER stress mediates DHA-induced adipocyte apoptosis. Furthermore, we observed that 200 μM DHA significantly up-regulates the transcripts of B cell lymphoma-2 (BCL-2) related ovarian killer (BOK) in vitro (P < 0.05). BOK is a pro-apoptotic protein in the BCL-2 family, which governs the mitochondria apoptosis pathway. Hence, we hypothesized that BOK might be an important linker between ER stress and apoptosis. We cloned and identified two grass carp BOK genes, BOKa and BOKb, which encode peptides of 213 and 216 amino acids, respectively. BOKa primarily localizes in ER and mitochondria in the cytoplasm, while BOKb localizes in the nucleus and cytoplasm of grass carp adipocytes. Moreover, 200 μM DHA treatment up-regulated the mRNA expression of BOKa and BOKb, whereas 4-PBA suppressed the DHA-induced expressions. These results raised the possibility that BOK participates in DHA-induced adipocyte apoptosis through ER stress signaling, in line with its localization in ER and mitochondria. Two UPR branches, the inositol-requiring enzyme 1 (IRE1α) and activating transcription factor 6 (ATF6) signaling pathways, are possibly important in DHA-induced adipocyte apoptosis, unlike protein kinase RNA-activated-like ER kinase. The study also emphasized the roles of BOKa and BOKb in IRE1α- and ATF6-mediated apoptosis. This work is the first to elucidate the importance of the ER stress-BOK pathway during adipocyte apoptosis in teleost.
Stump appendicitis: challenging diagnosis with serious complication: a case report
Authors: Alemayehu Abdi , Woyesa Ebisa , Fekadu Desalegn
Published: April 2023

Stump appendicitis is a rare complication of appendectomy because of recurrent inflammation of the residual appendix. The diagnosis is often delayed because of low index of suspicious, which may result in serious complications. Twenty-three-year-old male patient presented with right lower quadrant abdominal pain after 7 month of appendectomy done at a hospital. On physical examination, he has right lower quadrant tenderness and rebound tenderness. Abdominal ultrasound was done with finding of blind-ended tubular noncompressible 2 cm long part of appendix with wall-to-wall diameter of 10 mm. There is also focal defect with surrounding fluid collection. With this finding, perforated stump appendicitis was diagnosed. He was operated with similar intra operative finding. The patient discharged improved after 5 days of hospital. This is first reported case in Ethiopia as far as our search is concerned. Despite past medical history of appendectomy, the diagnosis was made by means of ultrasound scan. Stump appendicitis is a rare but important complication of appendectomy, often misdiagnosed. Prompt recognition is important to avoid serious complications. This pathologic entity should always be kept in mind in case of right lower quadrant pain in patient with previous history of appendectomy.
Apoptotic vesicles: emerging concepts and research progress in physiology and therapy
Authors: Fu Yu , He Yifan , Wu Di , Sui Bingdong , Jin Yan , Hu Xuefeng , Shi Songtao
Published: April 2023

Apoptosis represents the dominant form of programmed cell death and plays critical roles in maintaining tissue and organ homeostasis. A notable population of extracellular vesicles (EVs) is generated during apoptosis, known as apoptotic vesicles (apoVs). These apoVs are increasingly the subject of studies concerning their identity and mechanisms of production, which have been revealed unique biological and functional characteristics that are emerging as crucial regulators for diverse processes. Furthermore, apoVs have been gradually noticed for their essential role in regulating the physiology of various organ systems in vivo, and growing evidence suggests that apoV dysregulation contributes to age- and pathology-associated tissue alterations. Importantly, apoVs can be therapeutically harnessed to unleash their potential in treating several diseases such as immune disorders, osteoporosis, cutaneous wound and acute liver failure; these vesicles, mainly derived from cultured mesenchymal stem cells, hold great translational promise. Here we review the current landscape of scientific knowledge about apoVs, with emphasis on mechanistic insights into how apoVs contribute to organismal health and disease, which also provide novel cell-free strategies for EV-based regenerative therapeutics.
Achieving symptom relief in patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis by targeting the neuro-immune interface and optimizing disease tolerance
Authors: Rodriguez Lucie , Pou Christian , Lakshmikanth Tadepally , Zhang Jingdian , Mugabo Constantin Habimana , Wang Jun , Mikes Jaromir , Olin Axel , Chen Yang , Rorbach Joanna , Juto Jan-Erik , Li Tie Qiang , Julin Per , Brodin Petter
Published: April 2023

Myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) previously also known as chronic fatigue syndrome is a heterogeneous, debilitating syndrome of unknown etiology responsible for long-lasting disability in millions of patients worldwide. The most well-known symptom of ME is post-exertional malaise, but many patients also experience autonomic dysregulation, cranial nerve dysfunction and signs of immune system activation. Many patients also report a sudden onset of disease following an infection. The brainstem is a suspected focal point in ME pathogenesis and patients with structural impairment to the brainstem often show ME-like symptoms. The brainstem is also where the vagus nerve originates, a critical neuro-immune interface and mediator of the inflammatory reflex which regulate systemic inflammation. Here, we report the results of a randomized, placebo-controlled trial using intranasal mechanical stimulation targeting nerve endings in the nasal cavity, likely from the trigeminal nerve, possibly activating additional centers in the brainstem of ME patients and correlating with a ∼30% reduction in overall symptom scores after 8 weeks of treatment. By performing longitudinal, systems-level monitoring of the blood immune system in these patients, we uncover signs of chronic immune activation in ME, as well as immunological correlates of improvement that center around gut-homing immune cells and reduced inflammation. The mechanisms of symptom relief remain to be determined, but transcriptional analyses suggest an upregulation of disease tolerance mechanisms. We believe that these results are suggestive of ME as a condition explained by a maladaptive disease tolerance response following infection.
Religious Speech and Silence about Sexuality
Authors: Daly Thompson Katrina , Anatoli (Ivanova) Olga
Published: April 2023

This chapter explores the theme of silence about sexuality within religious communities. The discussion focuses not only on sexuality as religious taboo that necessitates silence but also on innovative ways to talk about sex while containing the taboo through humor, indirect speech, vagueness, and euphemism. The authors argue that research can benefit from a closer examination of how discourse about sexuality within a religious context is often double-voiced, especially among those whose sexual practices and identifications are censored by religious dogma. The chapter explores this tension in the existing literature and then uses linguistic data to illustrate how people can use speech and silence to circumvent and transgress religious and linguistic taboos.
A Critical Encyclopedia of Heterosex
Authors: Farvid Panteá , Braun Virginia
Published: April 2023

Building on theoretical discussions regarding the institution of heterosexuality and heteronormativity, this chapter demonstrates how language and heterosexual sex (that is, heterosex) are intimately intertwined. The chapter teases out the ways in which the norms of heterosexuality have changed over time yet also remained the same in several fundamental ways. The first section maps the broad discursive conditions that shape dominant norms of contemporary heterosexuality in Anglo-Western contexts. The second section demonstrates the cultural imperatives that govern the desires, norms, and acts of heterosex, outlining how they create specific modes of being and doing in everyday practice. Finally, the conclusion considers the possibility that recent global activism may lead to a revamping of gendered norms and their tired rigidity.
Narratives of Queer Migration
Authors: Gray John , Baynham Mike
Published: April 2023

This chapter considers the phenomenon of queer migration from a linguistic perspective, paying particular attention to the constitutive role of spatial mobility in narrative and its role in the construction of queer migrant identities. The chapter begins by looking at the way in which queer migration has been discussed in the literature and then moves on to address three different types of queer migration in greater depth: migration within national borders from the village/countryside to the city; migration between cities in member states within the context of the European Union; and finally, asylum-seeking within the context of migration from the Global South to the Global North. The chapter concludes by suggesting that queer migration is a complex phenomenon in which the intersection of sexuality, gender identity, desire, affect, abjection, economic necessity, class, politics, and fear for one’s life combine in ways that are unique in the lives of individual migrants.
The Signs of Deaf Female Masculinity: Styles of Gendering/Queering ASL
Authors: Moges Rezenet
Published: April 2023

This chapter merges studies of masculinity with studies of sign language as it analyzes the production of a Deaf masculine style among Deaf female-bodied masculine lesbian ASL signers. The case study demonstrates how these signers produce and reproduce gender through membership and associated forms of participation in their communities of practice. However, signers outside of the community may uncritically also adopt an embodiment associated with masculine signers. With Judith Butler’s theory of performativity in mind, what should we make of ASL learners who are unaware that their signing styles are perceived as masculine? This chapter shows how the existence of diverse “types” of masculinity in fact enables the plurality of gender identities, whether intentionally or unintentionally adopted. The analysis reveals that the theorization of gender is far from simplistic, especially when its performance involves the intersection of bodily movements and signed languages.
Rewiring cell-free metabolic flux inE. colilysates using a block—push—pull approach
Authors: Dinglasan Jaime Lorenzo N , Doktycz Mitchel J
Published: April 2023

Cell-free systems can expedite the design and implementation of biomanufacturing processes by bypassing troublesome requirements associated with the use of live cells. In particular, the lack of survival objectives and the open nature of cell-free reactions afford engineering approaches that allow purposeful direction of metabolic flux. The use of lysate-based systems to produce desired small molecules can result in competitive titers and productivities when compared to their cell-based counterparts. However, pathway crosstalk within endogenous lysate metabolism can compromise conversion yields by diverting carbon flow away from desired products. Here, the ‘block—push—pull’ concept of conventional cell-based metabolic engineering was adapted to develop a cell-free approach that efficiently directs carbon flow in lysates from glucose and toward endogenous ethanol synthesis. The approach is readily adaptable, is relatively rapid and allows for the manipulation of central metabolism in cell extracts. In implementing this approach, a block strategy is first optimized, enabling selective enzyme removal from the lysate to the point of eliminating by-product-forming activity while channeling flux through the target pathway. This is complemented with cell-free metabolic engineering methods that manipulate the lysate proteome and reaction environment to push through bottlenecks and pull flux toward ethanol. The approach incorporating these block, push and pull strategies maximized the glucose-to-ethanol conversion in an Escherichia coli lysate that initially had low ethanologenic potential. A 10-fold improvement in the percent yield is demonstrated. To our knowledge, this is the first report of successfully rewiring lysate carbon flux without source strain optimization and completely transforming the consumed input substrate to a desired output product in a lysate-based, cell-free system.
Justice Matters. News Framing Effects on Opinions about Pension Reform
Authors: van den Heijkant Linda , van Selm Martine , Hellsten Iina , Vliegenthart Rens
Published: April 2023

As aging populations put pressure on pension systems worldwide, pension reforms have dominated the (political) agenda in many countries for years. The media are essential information providers on such hotly debated issues. By selecting and highlighting certain aspects of an issue and glossing over others, also known as framing, news media can propagate a particular interpretation of the issue to the public. This study therefore approaches pension reform from the perspective of the media by examining how news frames of pension reform (i.e., responsibility frame and justice frame) influence how citizens perceive and respond to pension reform. Findings of an online survey-embedded experiment (N = 762) show that citizens who encountered a news frame that emphasized individual or collective responsibility for pensions showed a stronger preference for this type of responsibility; however, this effect was only positive if news media also framed individual or collective responsibility for pensions as just. In fact, exposure to an unjust frame leads to more negative attitudes toward the specific form of responsibility. Regarding individual differences, lower-educated people are more strongly impacted by the responsibility frame than higher-educated people. The strength of framing effects did not differ among citizens of different ages or levels of solidarity, nor between citizens who received the frames via their primary mode of news use and the ones exposed to a less preferred mode of news use. This study shows the importance of news framing in shaping citizens’ attitudes toward pension reforms, suggesting that media coverage matters in the public debate on pensions.
A case report of a lung cancer patient with two uncommon EGFR mutations and a review of the literature: two sides of the same coin
Authors: Cosso Federica , Roviello Giandomenico , Catalano Martina , Botteri Cristina , Comin Camilla Eva , Castiglione Francesca , Ferrari Katia , Baldini Editta , Mini Enrico
Published: April 2023

Lung cancer is the malignancy with the highest morbidity and mortality worldwide. Approximately 60% of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) presents driver alterations most of which are targetable. Nowadays, limited clinical data are available regarding the efficacy of epithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors in patients with NSCLC harboring uncommon EGFR mutations, considering their heterogeneity. Herein, we report a rare case of EGFR-mutated lung adenocarcinoma which has developed into squamous cell carcinoma with uncommon EGFR (Ex18) compound mutations and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase mutation receiving afatinib at the forefront.
Understanding COVID-19-related myocarditis: pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment strategies
Authors: Shu Hongyang , Zhao Chunxia , Wang Dao Wen
Published: April 2023

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) disease has infected nearly 600 million people, resulting in > 6 million deaths, with many of them dying from cardiovascular diseases. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is caused by a combination of the virus surface spike protein and the human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor. In addition to being highly expressed in the lungs, ACE2 is widely distributed in the heart, mainly in myocardial cells and pericytes. Like other types of viruses, SARS-CoV-2 can cause myocarditis after infecting the myocardial tissue, which is attributed to the direct damage of the virus and uncontrolled inflammatory reactions. Patients with chest tightness, palpitation, abnormal electrocardiogram, and cardiac troponin elevation, should be suspected of myocarditis within 1–3 weeks of COVID-19 infection. When the hemodynamics change rapidly, fulminant myocarditis should be suspected. Cardiac ultrasound, myocardial biopsy, cytokine detection, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography, and other examination methods can assist in the diagnosis. Although scientists and clinicians have made concerted efforts to seek treatment and prevention measures, there are no clear recommendations for the treatment of COVID-19-related myocarditis. For most cases of common myocarditis, general symptomatic and supportive treatments are used. For COVID-19-related fulminant myocarditis, it is emphasized to achieve “early identification, early diagnosis, early prediction, and early treatment” based on the “life support-based comprehensive treatment regimen.” Mechanical circulatory support therapy can rest the heart, which is a cure for symptoms, and immune regulation therapy can control the inflammatory storms which is a cure for the disease. Furthermore, complications of COVID-19-related myocarditis, such as arrhythmia, thrombosis, and infection, should be actively treated. Herein, we summarized the incidence rate, manifestations, and diagnosis of COVID-19-related myocarditis and discussed in detail the treatment of COVID-19-related myocarditis, especially the treatment strategy of fulminant myocarditis.