bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Novel Memristor-Based Multi-Vortex Hyper-Chaotic Circuit Design and its Application in Image Encryption
Authors: Zhang Jie , Wang Xinghao , Hou Jinyou , Guo Yan , Xie Qinggang
Published: September 2023

This paper proposes a new four-dimensional hyper-chaotic system capable of generating multi-wing chaotic attractors by introducing active magnetron memristors, multi-segmented square functions and trigonometric functions. The dynamical properties of this new hyper-chaotic system, such as equilibrium point, dissipation, Lyapunov exponential spectrum, bifurcation diagram and Poincaré cross-section and attraction basin, are analyzed theoretically and simulated numerically, and the complexity of this system with different parameters is analyzed. It is observed that this hyper-chaotic system has periodic, chaotic and hyper-chaotic variations with an infinite number of equilibria and coexisting attractors under different parameter conditions. The circuit simulation was performed using Multisim and the results obtained were consistent with the numerical analysis of the dynamics, and the chaotic circuit system is designed by FPGA to verify the realizability of the system. Finally, an image encryption algorithm is designed in conjunction with the DNA algorithm to enable a new system chaotic sequence for image encryption. The results show that the hyper-chaotic system has rich dynamical behavior and has high-security performance when applied to image encryption with strong chaotic key and plaintext sensitivity and large key space in image encryption.
ADVANCES IN SYSTEMS EVOLUTION THROUGH QUANTUM CORRELATIONS WITHIN ENGINEERING APPLICATIONS
Authors: BARY GHULAM , AHMED WAQAR , AHMAD RIAZ , SINGH ABHA , ELDIN SAYED M. , HUANG DUOHUI , KHAN ILYAS
Published: September 2023

In this paper, we explore the dynamics of quantum correlations in an isolated physical quantum under the influence of intrinsic coherence. We characterize the quantum correlations in the hybrid system using the granular model to investigate the amount of coherent-chaotic fractions, and we particularly use the spherical droplets to measure the specific correlations. Likewise, we examine the effect of coherence on the source evolution of these quantifiers within engineering applications. In particular, the behavior of the multiparticle correlations in terms of the system parameters and the coherence rate is investigated and analyzed in detail to explore the source intrinsic dimensions. We found that the correlations with genuine interferences behave slightly unsymmetrical for identical parameters characterizing the considered complex system and that the genuine correlations are more meaningful than primary interference which probed the chaotic peculiarities against the coherence phenomena. Our results also show that the robustness of quantum correlations can be modulated by adjusting the coherent rate, source physical properties and the initial conditions.
SIMULATING THE BEHAVIOR OF THE POPULATION DYNAMICS USING THE NON-LOCAL FRACTIONAL CHAFFEE–INFANTE EQUATION
Authors: KHATER MOSTAFA M. A. , ATTIA RAGHDA A. M.
Published: September 2023

In recent years, there has been growing interest in fractional differential equations, which extend the concept of ordinary differential equations by including fractional-order derivatives. The fractional Chaffee–Infante ([Formula: see text]) equation, a nonlinear partial differential equation that describes physical systems with fractional-order dynamics, has received particular attention. Previous studies have explored analytical solutions for this equation using the method of solitary wave solutions, which seeks traveling wave solutions that are localized in space and time. To construct these solutions, the extended Khater II ([Formula: see text]) method was used in conjunction with the properties of the truncated Mittag-Leffler ([Formula: see text]) function. The resulting soliton wave solutions demonstrate how solitary waves propagate through the system and can be used to investigate the system’s response to different stimuli. The accuracy of the solutions is verified using the variational iteration [Formula: see text] technique. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of analytical and numerical methods for finding accurate solitary wave solutions to the [Formula: see text] equation, and how these methods can be used to gain insights into the behavior of physical systems with fractional-order dynamics.
HERMITE–HADAMARD-TYPE INEQUALITIES INVOLVING SEVERAL KINDS OF FRACTIONAL CALCULUS FOR HARMONICALLY CONVEX FUNCTIONS
Authors: SUN WENBING , WAN HAIYANG
Published: September 2023

In this paper, we use the properties of Atangana–Baleanu (AB) fractional calculus and Prabhakar fractional calculus to construct some novel Hermite–Hadamard-type fractional integral inequalities for harmonically convex functions. And these inequalities are represented by the Mittag-Leffler functions. Finally, several special inequalities are established to illustrate the applications of our conclusions in special means.
ANALYSIS OF TRANSMISSION DYNAMICS OF SARS-COV-2 UNDER SEASONAL CHANGE
Authors: WANG JIAN , JIANG WENJING , YANG MENGDIE , SHAO WEI
Published: September 2023

In this paper, we explore whether the activity of SARS-CoV-2 was associated with seasonality. MF-DFA model is utilized to calculate multifractal strength and multifractal complexity to evaluate the change state of SARS-CoV-2 activity. We select 10 countries with serious epidemic in the world, which are distributed in different latitudes of the northern and southern hemispheres. The study utilized the time series data of daily new cases and daily new deaths recorded in these countries. We regard May to October as the “high temperature season” for countries in the northern hemisphere, November to April as the “low temperature season”, and the southern hemisphere is just the opposite. By comparing the multifractal intensity [Formula: see text] and multifractal complexity [Formula: see text] of the two time series in the two seasons, we draw a conclusion that, for both the sequence of the daily newly diagnosed persons and the daily newly increased number of deaths, in the countries of both the northern and southern hemispheres, [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are weaker in the “low temperature season”. That is, in the low temperature environment, SARS-CoV-2 can survive for a long time and be more infectious. In addition, we also observe that in the northern hemisphere, Iran is at a lower latitude, and although the SARS-CoV-2 activity in the low temperature season is higher than that in the high temperature season, the difference is not significant. Therefore, the lower latitude may resist this phenomenon. However, most of the countries in the southern hemisphere are within 30° of south latitude, with low latitude, and other meteorological characteristics such as humidity in the countries in the southern hemisphere are also relatively unique. Although SARS-CoV-2 is characterized by high activity in low temperature seasons, no direct evidence related to the characteristics of latitude distribution has been found.
AVERAGE FERMAT DISTANCE ON VICSEK POLYGON NETWORK
Authors: ZHAO ZIXUAN , XUE YUMEI , ZENG CHENG , WANG DAOHUA , WU ZHIQIANG
Published: September 2023

The Fermat problem is a crucial topological issue corresponding to fractal networks. In this paper, we discuss the average Fermat distance (AFD) of the Vicsek polygon network and analyze structural properties. We construct the Vicsek polygon network based on Vicsek fractal in an iterative way. Given the structure of network, we present an elaborate analysis of the Fermat point under various situations. The special network structure allows a way to calculate the AFD based on average geodesic distance (AGD). Moreover, we introduce the Vicsek polygon fractal and calculate its AGD and AFD. Its relationship with the network enables us to deduce the above two indices of the network directly. The results show that both in network and fractal, the ratio of AFD and AGD tends to 3/2, which demonstrates that both of them can serve as indicators of small-world property of complex networks. In fact, in Vicsek polygon network, the AFD grows linearly with network order, implying that our evolving network does not possess the small-world property.
REMARKS ON THE LOCAL STRUCTURE OF REGULAR FRACTAL FUNCTIONS WITH FRACTAL DIMENSIONS
Authors: ZHANG Q. , LU L. J.
Published: September 2023

In this paper, we have explored the local structure and fractal characteristics of fractal functions with certain fractal dimensions. The conclusion that points with inconsistent oscillation amplitudes with the upper Box dimension of the corresponding fractal functions have been proved to be nowhere dense. This will play an important supporting role in exploring the fractal dimension estimation of the combination of fractal functions.
A Better Alternative to the Generalized Bilal Distribution: A New Model and Applications
Authors: Abd-Elrahman A. M.
Published: September 2023

In 2017, A. M. Abd-Elrahman [A new two-parameter lifetime distribution with decreasing, increasing or upside-down bathtub-shaped failure rate, Commun. Stat. - Theory Methods 46 (2017) 8865–8880, doi:10.1080/03610926.2016.1193198] introduced a generalization of the Bilal distribution, where a new two-parameter distribution, generalized Bilal distribution (GBD), was presented. He showed that its failure rate function can be upside-down bathtub-shaped. The failure rate can either be decreasing or increasing due to some mathematical and statistical reasons, which will be given below. In this paper, we introduce a simple and better alternative to the GBD, which will be denoted by WMD. We show that the WMD is a two-parameter distribution which can fit five different types of data sets with respect to their empirical hazard rate functions. Most properties of the WMD are investigated. Point and interval estimation procedures for the two unknown parameters are presented. The existence and uniqueness of the maximum likelihood estimates are proved. The moment estimates are obtained and we showed that one of these estimates is the minimum variance unbiased estimate (MVUE) for its corresponding parameter. A simulation study is provided and the paper is motivated by applications to four different real data sets. A detailed analysis for the Meeker and Escobar data is provided by the book of Meeker and Escobar [Statistical Methods for Reliability Data, 2nd edn. (John Wiley, 1998)]. The results may show that the new distribution provides a better fit than some other most recent existing and already known distributions in the literature. Finally, some concluding remarks are presented.
EFFECT OF Fe CONTENT ON THE STRUCTURAL AND MAGNETIC PROPERTIES OF TERNARY (Ni60Co40)100−xFex NANOMATERIALS SYNTHESIZED BY HYDROTHERMAL ROUTE
Authors: GACI Y. , GUITTOUM A. , HEMMOUS M. , MARTÍNEZ-BLANCO D. , GORRIA P. , BLANCO J. A. , AOUAROUN T.
Published: September 2023

The effect of iron content on the structure, morphology and magnetic properties of (Ni[Formula: see text]Co[Formula: see text])[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]Fe[Formula: see text] powders synthesized by hydrothermal method has been studied. Several samples have been elaborated for different Fe content ([Formula: see text]= 0, 3, 5, 7, 10 and 13.5). The as- prepared samples have been characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Vibrating Sample Magnetometry (VSM). From XRD spectra and for all Fe content, we have shown the presence of both face centered cubic (FCC) and Hexagonal (HCP) nanosized phases. The lattice parameter increases with increasing Fe content and the grains size varies with Fe content to reach a minimum value of 32 nm for (Co[Formula: see text]Ni[Formula: see text])[Formula: see text]Fe[Formula: see text]. From hysteresis curves, we have extracted the saturation magnetization, Ms, and the coercivity, Hc. We noticed that Ms increases and then decreases as a function of Fe content. The values of Hc vary from 156 Oe to 186 Oe depending on the particles shape.
INVESTIGATION OF CORROSION BEHAVIOR OF AISI 304 AND AISI 316L STAINLESS STEELS COATED WITH FeAL AND NiAL INTERMETALLICS USING ELECTRO-SPARK DEPOSITION METHOD
Authors: BAYSAN EROL , KAYALI YUSUF
Published: September 2023

Due to their superior corrosion resistance at high temperatures, stainless steels have a wide range of applications in numerous industries (including chemistry, the petrochemical industry, the paper industry, and nuclear engineering), it is also utilized in the medical industry as an implant material. To enhance the outstanding qualities of stainless steel such as high temperature corrosion, surface coating methods are also used. Boronizing, nitriding, thermal spray coating, physical vapor deposition, chemical vapor deposition, and electro-spark deposition procedures are used to apply these coating processes to steel surfaces. The electro-spark deposition (ESD) coating technology is one of the most promising approaches in this area. Using high-frequency and high-current electric pulses, the ESD micro-welding procedure bonds electrode material to the surface of a metallic substrate.

In this study, AISI 304 and AISI 316L stainless steels were coated with FeAl and NiAl intermetallics using the ESD method. First, suitable experimental parameters for ESD coating were established. Second, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to characterize the microstructures and phases that formed on the coated surfaces. Then, the surface hardness of the resulting layers was determined. Finally, the corrosion properties of intermetallic-coated stainless steels were determined using electrochemical methods and compared with each other. As a result, both the hardness values and corrosion resistances of both stainless steel sheets have increased with intermetallic coatings.
On the propagation of regularity for solutions of the Zakharov–Kuznetsov equation
Authors: Mendez Argenis J.
Published: September 2023

In this paper, we focus on the Zakharov–Kuznetsov (ZK) equation in the [Formula: see text]-dimensional setting with [Formula: see text] and investigate its smoothness properties. We extend the well-known regularity propagation phenomenon observed in the 2D and 3D cases, where the regularity of the initial data on certain half-spaces propagates with infinite speed, to the case where the regularity of the initial data is measured on a fractional scale. To achieve this, we introduce new localization formulas that enable us to describe the regularity of the solution on a specific class of subsets in Euclidean space. This work provides insights into the regularity behavior of solutions of the ZK equation in higher dimensions and with more general initial data.
Seismic Fragility Curves of Combined Multiple Tunnel Complexes in Soft Soils
Authors: Naseem Ahsan , Kashif Muhammad , Schotte Ken , De Backer Hans
Published: September 2023

Seismic fragility assessment is the probability of damage exceeding a certain design limit. The dynamic performance of a combined multiple tunnel complex is less explored and requires thorough study. This research is based on the numerical approach to evaluate the damage caused to the two new types of tunnel complexes, i.e. twin and triple tunnel complexes in a soft soil profile. A two-dimensional (2D) finite element analysis is performed to determine the induced bending moments for each of the tunnel complexes and develop the seismic fragility curves. A set of full acceleration-time histories are applied to the soil–tunnel complex system by varying embedment depths in different soft soil profiles. From the results, it is concluded that increasing the embedment ratio results in an increased probability of tunnel damage. The developed fragility curves are also inter-compared for both the tunnel complexes to evaluate the better performer during a seismic event. This study serves as an initial step toward the guidelines to determine the percentage of incurred damage and design the combined multiple tunnel complex in a seismic-prone area.
Representations of superassociative algebras by commutative functions with different types
Authors: Kumduang Thodsaporn , Sriwongsa Songpon
Published: September 2023

For fixed integers [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], we study the faithful representation of superassociative algebras by two kinds of functions of the arity [Formula: see text], the so called [Formula: see text]-commutative and [Formula: see text]-commutative. The automorphism on the algebra of all [Formula: see text]-commutative functions is determined. In general, an isomorphism from a superassociative system which consists of a family of nonempty sets and a family of operations satisfying the axiom of superassociativity to a system of full multiplace functions is discussed. Particularly, we also provide necessary and sufficient conditions under which a superassociative system and a system of [Formula: see text]-commutative functions are isomorphic. With these results, a close connection with the theory of terms and tree languages is described.
On constant-ratio surfaces of rotation in Euclidean 4-space
Authors: Arslan Kadri , Bulca Betül , Demirbaş Eray
Published: September 2023

The general rotational surfaces of [Formula: see text] were first studied by Moore. The Vranceanu surfaces are special examples of this kind of surfaces. These constant-ratio surfaces are surfaces for which the ratio of the norms of the tangent and normal components of the position vector fields is constant. However, spherical surfaces and conical surfaces are also trivial examples of constant-ratio surfaces. Thus, if the norms of the tangent or normal components of the position vector fields are constant, then the given surface is called [Formula: see text]-constant or [Formula: see text]-constant, respectively. In this paper, we considered three types of rotational surfaces lying in [Formula: see text]-dimensional Euclidean space [Formula: see text]. We have obtained the necessary and sufficient conditions for these surfaces to satisfy the [Formula: see text]-constant, [Formula: see text]-constant or constant-ratio conditions. With the help of these results, we characterized the meridian curves of the surfaces. Further, we also give some examples to support the results obtained.
CHIP-KNNv2: A

C

onfigurable and

Hi

gh-

P

erformance

K

-

N

earest

N

eighbors Accelerator on HBM-based FPGAs
Authors: Liu Kenneth , Lu Alec , Samtani Kartik , Fang Zhenman , Guo Licheng
Published: September 2023

The k-nearest neighbors (KNN) algorithm is an essential algorithm in many applications, such as similarity search, image classification, and database query. With the rapid growth in the dataset size and the feature dimension of each data point, processing KNN becomes more compute and memory hungry. Most prior studies focus on accelerating the computation of KNN using the abundant parallel resource on FPGAs. However, they often overlook the memory access optimizations on FPGA platforms and only achieve a marginal speedup over a multi-thread CPU implementation for large datasets.

In this article, we design and implement CHIP-KNN: an HLS-based, configurable, and high-performance KNN accelerator. CHIP-KNN  optimizes the off-chip memory access on modern HBM-based FPGAs such as the AMD/Xilinx Alveo U280 FPGA board. CHIP-KNN is configurable for all essential parameters used in the algorithm, including the size of the search dataset, the feature dimension and data type representation of each data point, the distance metric, and the number of nearest neighbors - K. In terms of design architecture, we explore and discuss the tradeoffs between two design versions: CHIP-KNNv1 (Ping-Pong buffer based) and CHIP-KNNv2  (streaming-based). Moreover, we investigate the routing congestion issue in our accelerator design, implement hierarchical structures to shorten critical paths, and integrate an open-source floorplanning optimization tool called TAPA/AutoBridge to eliminate the place-and-route issues. To explore the design space and balance the computation and memory access performance, we also build an analytical performance model. Given a user configuration of the KNN parameters, our tool can automatically generate TAPA HLS C code for the optimal accelerator design and the corresponding host code, on the HBM-based FPGA platform.

Our experimental results on the Alveo U280 show that, compared to a 48-thread CPU implementation, CHIP-KNNv2 achieves a geomean performance speedup of 15×, with a maximum speedup of 45×. Additionally, we show that CHIP-KNNv2 achieves up to 2.1× performance speedup over CHIP-KNNv1  while increasing configurability. Compared with the state-of-the-art Facebook AI Similarity Search (FAISS) [23] GPU implementation running on a Nvidia Tesla V100 GPU, CHIP-KNNv2 achieves an average latency reduction of 30.6× while requiring 34.3% of GPU power consumption.
Scheduling Dynamic Software Updates in Mobile Robots
Authors: Yaacoub Ahmed El , Mottola Luca , Voigt Thiemo , Rümmer Philipp
Published: September 2023

We present NeRTA (
Ne
xt
R
elease
T
ime
A
nalysis), a technique to enable dynamic software updates for low-level control software of mobile robots. Dynamic software updates enable software correction and evolution
during
system operation. In mobile robotics, they are crucial to resolve software defects without interrupting system operation or to enable on-the-fly extensions. Low-level control software for mobile robots, however, is time sensitive and runs on resource-constrained hardware with no operating system support. To minimize the impact of the update process, NeRTA safely schedules updates during times when the computing unit would otherwise be idle. It does so by utilizing information from the existing scheduling algorithm without impacting its operation. As such, NeRTA works
orthogonal
to the existing scheduler, retaining the existing platform-specific optimizations and fine-tuning, and may simply operate as a plug-in component. To enable larger dynamic updates, we further conceive an additional mechanism called
bounded reactive control
and apply
mixed-criticality
concepts. The former cautiously reduces the overall control frequency, whereas the latter excludes less critical tasks from NeRTA processing. Their use increases the available idle times. We combine real-world experiments on embedded hardware with simulations to evaluate NeRTA. Our experimental evaluation shows that the difference between NeRTA’s estimated idle times and the measured idle times is less than 15% in more than three-quarters of the samples. The combined effect of bounded reactive control and mixed-criticality concepts results in a 150+% increase in available idle times. We also show that the processing overhead of NeRTA and of the additional mechanisms is essentially negligible.
Competition and the Industrial Challenge for the Digital Age
Authors: Tirole Jean
Published: September 2023

Tech giants' dominance does not confront us with an unpalatable choice between laissez-faire and populist interventions. This article takes stock of available knowledge, considers desirable adaptations of regulation in the digital age, and draws some conclusions for policy reform.
Sodiation and Delithiation of Li4Ti5O12 for the Synthesis of Spinel-Type Sodium Titanium Oxide as an Anode Material for Sodium-Ion Batteries
Authors: Kojima Toshikatsu , Kitta Mitsunori , Kataoka Riki
Published: September 2023

Spinel-type sodium titanium oxide, Na3LiTi5O12 (NTO) has a structure analogous to that of Li4Ti5O12 (LTO) and is a promising anode material for sodium-ion batteries exhibiting good cyclability. However, the synthesis of NTO using LTO is a tedious process and requires more than nine iterated procedures, which involves the reductive insertion of Na+ in a glovebox, followed by oxidation using water, and subsequent extraction of Li+. Therefore, in this study, a efficient method was developed for the conversion of LTO to NTO. The conversion ratio of sodiated LTO to NTO during water oxidation was determined from the quantity of Li+ released into water, which was evaluated using ion chromatography. The results revealed that the conversion ratio was approximately 53 mol% at 273 K but decreased to 45 mol% at 303 K confirming its temperature dependence. Moreover, the sodiation of LTO could be accelerated via stirring, ultrasonication, and heating to 323 K. NTO was successfully produced via five treatment cycles using a method without using the glovebox. The half-cell employing the obtained NTO afforded a capacity of 125 mA h g−1, and stable cyclability for up to 200 cycles, with a retention ratio of 97.6% and a coulombic efficiency of 99.8%.
BCL-3 Promotes Intracerebral Hemorrhage Progression by Increasing Blood–Brain Barrier Permeability, Inflammation, and Cell Apoptosis via Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress
Authors: Yin Hao , Ran Zhongying , Luo Tao , Jin Zexin , Ma Jun
Published: September 2023

Background. Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is among the common types of stroke with high mortality and morbidity. Molecular biomarker selection is crucial for ICH diagnosis and treatment. However, the identification of ICH-related biomarkers remains inadequate. Materials and Methods. In vivo and in vitro ICH models were generated and transfected with silenced B-cell lymphoma-3 (BCL-3 and siRNA BCL-3), overexpressed BCL-3, and endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) agonist (2-CLHA). Hematoxylin–eosin staining and transmission electron microscopy were used to observe the transfected cells. RNA sequencing was performed in vivo on the sham and ICH groups. The blood–brain barrier (BBB) permeability was evaluated by determining Evans blue dye extravasation, transendothelial electrical resistance, and paracellular permeability. Moreover, tight junction-, cell apoptosis-, and endoplasmic reticulum stress- (ERS-) related proteins were evaluated through real-time quantitative PCR, western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and TUNEL staining. The levels of inflammatory cytokines were measured through the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results. RNA-seq revealed that BCL-3 acts as a key player. BCL-3 promotes ICH progression by increasing BBB permeability, ERS, inflammation, and cell apoptosis. Silencing of BCL-3 slows ICH progression by reducing BBB permeability and inflammation and terminating cell apoptosis and ERS in vitro and in vivo. Conclusion. Our study identified ICH biomarkers and elucidated the role of BCL-3 in ICH for the first time.
Increased Expression of Long Noncoding RNA LOC100506314 in T cells from Patients with Nonsegmental Vitiligo and Its Contribution to Vitiligo Pathogenesis
Authors: Lai Ning-Sheng , Yu Hui-Chun , Huang Hsien-Bin , Huang Tseng Hsien-Yu , Lu Ming-Chi
Published: September 2023

This study aimed to identify the abnormal expression of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in T cells from patients with vitiligo and to investigate their functional roles in the immune system. Using microarray analysis, the expression levels of RNA transcripts in T cells from patients with vitiligo and controls were compared. We identified several genes and validated their expression levels in T cells from 41 vitiligo patients and 41 controls. The biological functions of the lncRNAs were studied in a transfection study using an RNA pull-down assay, followed by proteomic analysis and western blotting. The expression levels of 134 genes were significantly increased, and those of 142 genes were significantly decreased in T cells from vitiligo patients. After validation, six genes had increased expression, and three genes had decreased expression in T cells from patients with vitiligo. T-cell expression of LOC100506314 was increased in vitiligo, especially CD4+, but not CD8+ T cells. The expression levels of LOC100506314 in CD4+ T cells was positively and significantly associated with the severity of vitiligo. LOC100506314 was bound to the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF). Enhanced expression of LOC100506314 inhibited the phosphorylation of STAT3, protein kinase B (AKT), and extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases (ERK), as well as the levels of nuclear protein of p65 and the expression of IL-6 and IL-17 in Jurkat cells and T cells from patients with vitiligo. In conclusion, this study showed that the expression of LOC100506314 was elevated in CD4+ T cells from patients with vitiligo and associated the severity of vitiligo. LOC100506314 interacted with STAT3 and MIF and inhibited IL-6 and IL-17 expression by suppressing the STAT3, nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB), AKT, and ERK pathways. Enhanced expression of LOC100506314 in T cells may be a potential treatment strategy for vitiligo.
Combination of Synonymous and Missense Mutations in JAK3 Gene Contributes to Severe Combined Immunodeficiency in One Child
Authors: Wang Xingcui , Tian Rujin , Zhang Haozheng , Abdalla Mohnad , Bai Lu , Lv Yuqiang , Gao Min , Lin Guiyu , Liu Qinghua , Liu Yi , He Qiuxia , Wang Dong , Zhang Kaihui
Published: September 2023

Janus kinase 3 (JAK3, NP_000206.2) is a member of the Janus kinase (JAK) family of tyrosine kinases involved in cytokine receptor-mediated intracellular signal transduction JAK/STAT pathway. JAK3 gene variants can lead to autosomal recessive severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID), which is T-cell-negative, B-cell-positive, and NK-cell-negative (OMIM: 600802). We have detected one infant suffering from cytomegalovirus, fever, and impaired respiratory function with low lymphocytes and immunoglobulin. Two compound heterozygous variants, c.1914G>T (p.L638=) and c.1048C>T (p.R350W), were identified in the proband, each of which was inherited from one unaffected parent. Analysis of splicing was carried out by the Sanger sequencing and RT-PCR from peripheral blood and a minigene splicing assay which both showed a deletion of exon 14 (128 bp) resulting from the c.1914G>T variant at the mRNA level. Bioinformatic analysis for the reported c.1048C>T (p.R350W) variant suggests that the variant is pathogenic. Based on the clinical characteristics of the patient and the functional verification of the gene variants, our pediatricians finally have diagnosed the infant as SCID (OMIM: 600802). The study is the first study regarding a synonymous variant of JAK3 gene influencing alternative splicing. Our findings expand the mutation spectrum leading to JAK3 deficiency-related diseases and provide exact information for genetic counseling.
Development of Flexible Composite Sheet with Chrome Shavings Using Polyvinyl Alcohol as a Cross-Linker
Authors: Debnath Akash , Alam Md. Ashraful , Mondal Ajoy Kanti , Uddin Md. Tushar , Shaikh Md. Aftab Ali , Sujan S. M. Asaduzzaman
Published: September 2023

Leather processing generates a huge amount of chromium (Cr) containing wastes, and one of them is chrome shavings (CS), which frequently end up in landfills. It may be harmful to the environment and human health due to the oxidation of Cr(III) to poisonous Cr(VI). Herein, CS and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) are used for the preparation of flexible CS-PVA composite sheets, using CS as a skeletal and PVA as a cross-linker by a simple and facile technique. CS-PVA composite sheets are characterized by FT-IR, SEM, STA, and UTM. FT-IR analysis of CS-PVA composite sheets indicated the existence of dominating peaks corresponding to collagen amide bands as well as PVA characteristic bands, and it demonstrates the uniformity of the developed composite sheets. When the amount of PVA is increased, the tensile strength of CS-PVA composite sheets increases from 0.21 to 4.17 N/mm2. With increasing of the amount of PVA, the softness decreases from 6.47 to 3.7 mm, and SEM shows decreasing of pores in the composite sheet. The addition of more PVA makes CS-PVA composite sheets more thermally stable. This facile method of preparing CS-PVA composite sheet is low-cost and eco-friendly, having potential applications in various fields, including clothing, leather goods, decoration, packaging, and footwear products, as well as presenting promising platforms for effective utilization of industrial waste materials.
Osteosarcoma PDX-Derived Cell Line Models for Preclinical Drug Evaluation Demonstrate Metastasis Inhibition by Dinaciclib through a Genome-Targeted Approach
Authors: Schott Courtney R. , Koehne Amanda L. , Sayles Leanne C. , Young Elizabeth P. , Luck Cuyler , Yu Katherine , Lee Alex G. , Breese Marcus R. , Leung Stanley G. , Xu Hang , Shah Avanthi Tayi , Liu Heng-Yi , Spillinger Aviv , Behroozfard Inge H. , Marini Kieren D. , Dinh Phuong T. , Pons Ventura María V. , Vanderboon Emma N. , Hazard Florette K. , Cho Soo-Jin , Avedian Raffi S. , Mohler David G. , Zimel Melissa , Wustrack Rosanna , Curtis Christina , Sirota Marina , Sweet-Cordero E. Alejandro
Published: September 2023

Purpose:

Models to study metastatic disease in rare cancers are needed to advance preclinical therapeutics and to gain insight into disease biology. Osteosarcoma is a rare cancer with a complex genomic landscape in which outcomes for patients with metastatic disease are poor. As osteosarcoma genomes are highly heterogeneous, multiple models are needed to fully elucidate key aspects of disease biology and to recapitulate clinically relevant phenotypes.

Experimental Design:

Matched patient samples, patient-derived xenografts (PDX), and PDX-derived cell lines were comprehensively evaluated using whole-genome sequencing and RNA sequencing. The in vivo metastatic phenotype of the PDX-derived cell lines was characterized in both an intravenous and an orthotopic murine model. As a proof-of-concept study, we tested the preclinical effectiveness of a cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor on the growth of metastatic tumors in an orthotopic amputation model.

Results:

PDXs and PDX-derived cell lines largely maintained the expression profiles of the patient from which they were derived despite the emergence of whole-genome duplication in a subset of cell lines. The cell lines were heterogeneous in their metastatic capacity, and heterogeneous tissue tropism was observed in both intravenous and orthotopic models. Single-agent dinaciclib was effective at dramatically reducing the metastatic burden.

Conclusions:

The variation in metastasis predilection sites between osteosarcoma PDX-derived cell lines demonstrates their ability to recapitulate the spectrum of the disease observed in patients. We describe here a panel of new osteosarcoma PDX-derived cell lines that we believe will be of wide use to the osteosarcoma research community.
Circulating Tumor DNA Monitoring on Chemo-immunotherapy for Risk Stratification in Advanced Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Pellini Bruna , Madison Russell W. , Childress Merrida A. , Miller Shoshana T. , Gjoerup Ole , Cheng Jason , Huang Richard S.P. , Krainock Michael , Gupta Pratyush , Zou Wei , Shames David S. , Moshkevich Solomon , Ballinger Marcus , Liu Minetta C. , Young Amanda , Srivastava Minu K. , Oxnard Geoffrey R. , Socinski Mark A.
Published: September 2023

Purpose:

Chemoimmunotherapy (chemoIO) is a prevalent first-line treatment for advanced driver-negative non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with maintenance therapy given after induction. However, there is significant clinical variability in the duration, dosing, and timing of maintenance therapy after induction chemoIO. We used circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) monitoring to inform outcomes in patients with advanced NSCLC receiving chemoIO.

Experimental Design:

This retrospective study included 221 patients from a phase III trial of atezolizumab+carboplatin+nab-paclitaxel versus carboplatin+nab-paclitaxel in squamous NSCLC (IMpower131). ctDNA monitoring used the FoundationOne Tracker involving comprehensive genomic profiling of pretreatment tumor tissue, variant selection using an algorithm to exclude nontumor variants, and multiplex PCR of up to 16 variants to detect and quantify ctDNA.

Results:

ctDNA was detected (ctDNA+) in 96% of pretreatment samples (median, 93 mean tumor molecules/mL), and similar ctDNA dynamics were noted across treatment arms during chemoIO. ctDNA decrease from baseline to C4D1 was associated with improved outcomes across multiple cutoffs for patients treated with chemoIO. When including patients with missing plasma or ctDNA- at baseline, patients with ctDNA- at C4D1 (clearance), had more favorable progression-free survival (median 8.8 vs. 3.5 months; HR, 0.32;0.20–0.52) and OS (median not reached vs. 8.9 months; HR, 0.22; 0.12–0.39) from C4D1 than ctDNA+ patients.

Conclusions:

ctDNA monitoring during induction chemoIO can inform treatment outcomes in patients with advanced NSCLC. Importantly, monitoring remains feasible and informative for patients missing baseline ctDNA. ctDNA testing during induction chemoIO identifies patients at higher risk for disease progression and may inform patient selection for novel personalized maintenance or second-line treatment strategies.
Anticancer Efficacy of KRASG12C Inhibitors Is Potentiated by PAK4 Inhibitor KPT9274 in Preclinical Models of KRASG12C-Mutant Pancreatic and Lung Cancers
Authors: Khan Husain Yar , Nagasaka Misako , Aboukameel Amro , Alkhalili Osama , Uddin Md. Hafiz , Bannoura Sahar F. , Mzannar Yousef , Azar Ibrahim , Beal Eliza W. , Tobon Miguel E. , Kim Steve H. , Beydoun Rafic , Baloglu Erkan , Senapedis William , El-Rayes Bassel F. , Philip Philip A. , Mohammad Ramzi M. , Shields Anthony F. , Al Hallak Mohammed Najeeb , Azmi Asfar S.
Published: September 2023

KRASG12C inhibitors, such as sotorasib and adagrasib, have revolutionized cancer treatment for patients with KRASG12C-mutant tumors. However, patients receiving these agents as monotherapy often develop drug resistance. To address this issue, we evaluated the combination of the PAK4 inhibitor KPT9274 and KRASG12C inhibitors in preclinical models of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). PAK4 is a hub molecule that links several major signaling pathways and is known for its tumorigenic role in mutant Ras–driven cancers. We found that cancer cells resistant to KRASG12C inhibitor were sensitive to KPT9274-induced growth inhibition. Furthermore, KPT9274 synergized with sotorasib and adagrasib to inhibit the growth of KRASG12C-mutant cancer cells and reduce their clonogenic potential. Mechanistically, this combination suppressed cell growth signaling and downregulated cell-cycle markers. In a PDAC cell line–derived xenograft (CDX) model, the combination of a suboptimal dose of KPT9274 with sotorasib significantly reduced the tumor burden (P= 0.002). Similarly, potent antitumor efficacy was observed in an NSCLC CDX model, in which KPT9274, given as maintenance therapy, prevented tumor relapse following the discontinuation of sotorasib treatment (P= 0.0001). Moreover, the combination of KPT9274 and sotorasib enhances survival. In conclusion, this is the first study to demonstrate that KRASG12C inhibitors can synergize with the PAK4 inhibitor KPT9274 and combining KRASG12C inhibitors with KPT9274 can lead to remarkably enhanced antitumor activity and survival benefits, providing a novel combination therapy for patients with cancer who do not respond or develop resistance to KRASG12C inhibitor treatment.
O papel do crítico em tempos de crises: entrevista com Mauricio Stycer
Authors: Miranda Amanda Souza , Stycer Mauricio
Published: September 2023

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Farmácia da Natureza: uma farmácia viva no município de Jardinópolis- SP
Authors: Doneida Victor Carlos , Dandaro Ivanice Maria Cestari , Carmona Fabio , Pereira Ana Maria Soares
Published: September 2023

A população brasileira, em especial a que vive em ambiente rural, amplamente mesclada por várias etnias e culturas, sempre fez uso de plantas medicinais e fitoterápicos, estruturando um saber tradicional que passou de geração a geração e se popularizou nos ambientes urbanos. As experiências empíricas das comunidades tradicionais, associadas ao conhecimento acadêmico, contribuíram para o estabelecimento, no Brasil, da Política Nacional de Plantas Medicinais e Fitoterápicos (PNPMF). Nesse contexto, o Ministério da Saúde estabeleceu, no âmbito do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS), o programa denominado Farmácia Viva, cuja base ideológica está assentada no trabalho realizado pelo professor emérito Dr. Francisco José de Abreu Matos, da Universidade Federal do Ceará. A farmácia viva deve ser um ambiente de troca de saberes e, ao mesmo tempo, um ponto de encontro entre a tradicionalidade e outras áreas do conhecimento humano, como a agronomia sustentável, farmacognosia, farmacotécnica e assistência farmacêutica, bem como a atuação de médicos e de outros profissionais da área da saúde. No Brasil, os temas plantas medicinais, fitoterápico e farmácia viva são permeados por normas consolidadas pelos Ministério da Saúde, Ministério do Meio Ambiente, e da Agricultura, Pecuária e Abastecimento, e pela Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária (ANVISA). Essas normas visam regulamentar a utilização de plantas medicinais como patrimônio genético, bem como a produção de fitoterápicos e o seu acesso pela população brasileira. Isso, sem dúvida, significa avanço na área de saúde pública do Brasil. O objetivo desse relato foi compartilhar a experiência, realizada por mais de duas décadas, da Farmácia da Natureza de Jardinópolis em produzir fitoterápicos, a partir de um programa que integra a tradicionalidade, pelo envolvimento da comunidade, a academia, com o apoio técnico de universidades, as ações de voluntariado, a valorização da biodiversidade brasileira e o apoio de políticas públicas em nível municipal, estadual e federal.
Entrevista: A fitoterapia em Botucatu: uma história tecida por muitas mãos
Authors: Leite Ana Luiza Mamede , Doneida Victor Carlos
Published: September 2023

Nesta entrevista, Stéfano Fais Dematte Gomes e os médicos Karina Pavão Patrício e Augusto Cesar Menezes contam como têm trabalhado em prol da implantação da fitoterapia em Botucatu/SP e a necessidade do trabalho em rede.
Caminhos que se bifurcam na implementação de uma Farmácia Viva em Promissão/SP: uma entrevista com a farmacêutica Andresa Baja
Authors: De Angelis Luiza Paiva , Carlessi Pedro Crepaldi
Published: September 2023

Nesta entrevista, Andresa Baja apresenta o caminho percorrido pela cidade de Promissão/SP na implementação do programa farmácia viva.
Marcadores do consumo alimentar do Sisvan: estrutura e invariância de mensuração no Brasil
Authors: Lourenço Bárbara Hatzlhoffer , Guedes Bianca de Melo , Santos Thanise Sabrina Souza
Published: September 2023

OBJETIVO: Caracterizar a estrutura interna do formulário de marcadores do consumo alimentar do Sistema de Vigilância Alimentar e Nutricional (Sisvan) para indivíduos maiores de 2 anos de idade e analisar evidências de invariância de mensuração entre macrorregiões brasileiras, fases do curso da vida e ao longo do tempo. MÉTODOS: Realizou-se análise paralela com estimação de fatores complementada com análise fatorial exploratória a partir de todos os registros de primeiro acompanhamento do Sisvan com respostas válidas no país em 2015 (n = 298.253). A seguir, empregou-se a análise fatorial confirmatória multigrupo para investigação de evidências de invariância configural, métrica e escalar entre as cinco macrorregiões (Centro-Oeste, Nordeste, Norte, Sudeste e Sul) e fases do curso da vida (crianças, adolescentes, adultos e idosos), no mesmo ano de referência. Avaliou-se a invariância longitudinalmente a partir de registros individuais válidos de 2015 a 2019 (n = 4.578.960). A adequação de índices de ajuste foi observada a cada etapa. RESULTADOS: Verificaram-se índices de ajuste aceitáveis e valores de carga fatorial adequados para um modelo bidimensional, que agrupou alimentos ultraprocessados (fator 1) e alimentos in natura ou minimamente processados (fator 2). A estrutura bidimensional, com os respectivos itens em cada fator subjacente ao conjunto de marcadores, foi equivalente entre macrorregiões, fases do curso da vida e longitudinalmente, confirmando a invariância configural. Os pesos de cada item e sua escala foram homogêneos para todos os grupos de interesse, confirmando as invariâncias métrica e escalar. CONCLUSÕES: A estrutura interna do formulário de marcadores do consumo alimentar refletiu adequadamente seu embasamento conceitual, com estabilidade dos fatores relacionados à alimentação saudável e não saudável em configuração, cargas e escala nos recortes investigados. Esses achados qualificam ações de vigilância alimentar e nutricional, potencializando o uso dos marcadores do consumo alimentar do Sisvan em pesquisas, monitoramento, orientação individual e produção de cuidado no Sistema Único de Saúde.
Test-retest reliability of the human connectome: An OPM-MEG study
Authors: Rier Lukas , Michelmann Sebastian , Ritz Harrison , Shah Vishal , Hill Ryan M. , Osborne James , Doyle Cody , Holmes Niall , Bowtell Richard , Brookes Matthew J. , Norman Kenneth A. , Hasson Uri , Cohen Jonathan D. , Boto Elena
Published: September 2023

Magnetoencephalography with optically pumped magnetometers (OPM-MEG) offers a new way to record electrophysiological brain function, with significant advantages over conventional MEG, including adaptability to head shape/size, free movement during scanning, increased signal amplitude, and no reliance on cryogenics. However, OPM-MEG remains in its infancy, with significant questions to be answered regarding the optimal system design. Here, we present an open-source dataset acquired using a newly constructed OPM-MEG system with a triaxial sensor design, 168 channels, OPM-optimised magnetic shielding, and active background field control. We measure the test-retest reliability of the human connectome, which was computed using amplitude envelope correlation to measure whole-brain (parcellated) functional connectivity, in 10 individuals while they watch a 600 s move clip. Our results show high repeatability between experimental runs at the group level, with a correlation coefficient of 0.81 in the θ, 0.93 in α, and 0.94 in β frequency ranges. At the individual subject level, we found marked differences between individuals, but high within-subject robustness (correlations of 0.56 ± 0.25, 0.72 ± 0.15, and 0.78 ± 0.13 in α, θ, and β respectively). These results compare well to previous findings using conventional MEG and show that OPM-MEG is a viable way to robustly characterise connectivity.
Truongsonia (Arecaceae: Arecoideae: Truongsonieae)—a new palm genus and tribe from Vietnam
Authors: SÂM LÝ NGỌC , BAKER WILLIAM J. , BELLOT SIDONIE , DRANSFIELD JOHN , EISERHARDT WOLF L. , HENDERSON ANDREW
Published: September 2023

A genus and species of palm from the Truong Son Range in Vietnam, Truongsonia lecongkietii, is described as new to science. Phylogenomic analysis strongly supports the placement of the new taxon in subfamily Arecoideae as sister to the African endemic tribe Podococceae, which comprises a single genus Podococcus. A new tribe Truongsonieae is also described to accommodate Truongsonia in the current phylogenetic classification of palms. Truongsonia is a dwarf, acaulescent, clump-forming palm bearing entire, bifid leaves with a fibre-like extension of the rachis through the sinus of the two lobes of the leaf. The interfoliar inflorescence is exserted on a long peduncle with 3­–4 tightly sheathing peduncular bracts and rachillae presented at the apex only. The ovary is triovulate-tricarpellate, but fruits are single-seeded. Truongsonia is Critically Endangered, with surveys locating only 10–15 plants in the wild. Swift conservation action is required to secure the future of this remarkable and phylogenetically isolated lineage of palms.