bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intelligent renovation of existing Olympic venues: digital design and construction strategy of a DfD-based prefabricated structure system
Authors: Wang Xiang , Zhou Ziqi , Lv Xueyuan , Yang Li , Yuan Philip F. , Chen Lei
Published: February 2023

This article introduces introduces a new prefabricated and assembled steel structure system and its key construction technologies for repeated switching scenes in existing stadiums. This steel structure system follows the DfD design method, minimizing the volume of each group of structural member units and separating the connection interfaces between members. In order to improve the construction and assembly efficiency of all the structural components, this study establishes an assembly-oriented BIM model data system by adding customized attributes in the family library in Autodesk REVIT. By associating model attributes with on-site monitoring data of the construction process, this research realizes real-time acquisition and display of construction data of all components during the whole life cycle. At the same time, aiming at the requirements of high-precision positioning and digital dynamic monitoring in future on-site construction, this research proposes an innovative construction positioning monitoring method which combines motion capture system with traditional construction monitoring technology. By correcting the positioning data of motion capture system with traditional construction monitoring data, real-time dynamic monitoring of several monitoring points in a 12*15 m large site is realized and the measurement error is controlled within ±1 mm. This study takes the construction project of “ice-water conversion” from the main swimming pool of the National Swimming Center in the Summer Olympic Games to the curling venue of the Winter Olympic Games as an example to show the important role of relevant technology to improve the construction efficiency in the construction application for the renovation of existing Olympic venues.
The impact of sustainable aviation fuels on aircraft fuel line ice formation and pump performance
Authors: Ugbeh-Johnson J. , Carpenter M.
Published: February 2023

With the aviation industry facing increasing environmental and energy challenges, there has been a growing demand for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Previous studies have shown the role of ice accretion, release and blockage in aviation-related incidents and accidents with conventional jet fuel. However, there is no available data that establishes the magnitude of influence new fuel compositions will pose on ice formation and accretion in aircraft fuel systems. A recirculating fuel test rig capable of cooling fuel from ambient to −30°C within 4h was built by Airbus to simulate conditions in an aircraft wing tank and allow characterisation of ice accretion. The key characteristic was the pressure drop across an inline fuel strainer for the different SAF explored but visual analysis of ice accretion on the strainer mesh (filters used in protecting fuel feed pumps) was also performed for individual experimental runs for comparison. Measurements revealed that 100% conventional fuel exhibited a higher propensity to strainer blockage compared to the SAF tested. However, all SAF blends behaved differently as the blending ratio with Jet A-1 fuel had an impact on the pressure differential at different temperatures. Data from this work are essential to establish confidence in the safe operation of future aircraft fuel systems that will potentially be compatible with 100 % SAF.
Inequality and the Value of a Statistical Life
Authors: Sunstein Cass R.
Published: February 2023

A uniform value of a statistical life (VSL) is part of established practice within the federal government. Some people have applauded a uniform VSL on the ground that it respects the equality of persons; takes harm to poor people as seriously as it does harm to wealthy people; avoids expressive harms; and builds appropriate wealth redistribution into regulatory policy. Other people have strenuously objected to a uniform VSL, emphasizing that to reduce mortality risks, poor people are willing to pay less than rich people are, and urging that poor people should not have to pay more than they are willing to pay. Whether a uniform VSL is in the interest of poor people depends on whether we are dealing with subsidies or regulations. In the case of subsidies, a uniform VSL is highly likely to benefit poor people. If we are dealing with regulations, we cannot know whether a uniform VSL helps or harms poor people without knowing the incidence of costs (and benefits).
Physician Approaches to Antithrombotic Therapies for Recently Symptomatic Carotid Stenosis
Authors: Ganesh Aravind , Beland Benjamin , Jewett Gordon A.E. , Campbell David J.T. , Varma Malavika , Singh Ravinder-Jeet , Al-Sultan Abdulaziz , Wong John H. , Menon Bijoy K.
Published: February 2023

Background:

Whereas the beneficial effect of antiplatelet therapy for recurrent stroke prevention has been well established, uncertainties remain regarding the optimal antithrombotic regimen for recently symptomatic carotid stenosis. We sought to explore the approaches of stroke physicians to antithrombotic management of patients with symptomatic carotid stenosis.

Methods:

We employed a qualitative descriptive methodology to explore the decision-making approaches and opinions of physicians regarding antithrombotic regimens for symptomatic carotid stenosis. We conducted semi-structured interviews with a purposive sample of 22 stroke physicians (11 neurologists, 3 geriatricians, 5 interventional-neuroradiologists, and 3 neurosurgeons) from 16 centers on four continents to discuss symptomatic carotid stenosis management. We then conducted thematic analysis on the transcripts.

Results:

Important themes revealed from our analysis included limitations of existing clinical trial evidence, competing surgeon versus neurologist/internist preferences, and the choice of antiplatelet therapy while awaiting revascularization. There was a greater concern for adverse events while using multiple antiplatelet agents (e.g., dual-antiplatelet therapy (DAPT)) in patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy compared to carotid artery stenting. Regional variations included more frequent use of single antiplatelet agents among European participants. Areas of uncertainty included antithrombotic management if already on an antiplatelet agent, implications of nonstenotic features of carotid disease, the role of newer antiplatelet agents or anticoagulants, platelet aggregation testing, and timing of DAPT.

Conclusion:

Our qualitative findings can help physicians critically examine the rationale underlying their own antithrombotic approaches to symptomatic carotid stenosis. Future clinical trials may wish to accommodate identified variations in practice patterns and areas of uncertainty to better inform clinical practice.
Tiered dietary exposure assessment of steviol glycosides in the Belgian population
Authors: Van Loco Joris , Janssens Raphael , Goscinny Séverine , Van Hoeck Els , Vleminckx Christiane , Andjelkovic Mirjana
Published: February 2023

The objective of the present study was to assess the dietary intake of steviol glycosides in the Belgian population and to conduct a risk assessment by comparing the estimated intakes to the acceptable daily intake (ADI). A tiered approach was adopted in this study. First, a Tier 2 assessment was performed using maximum permitted levels. Next, the calculations were refined because market share data were used (refined Tier 2). Finally, the actual concentration data of 198 samples purchased from the Belgian market were used for Tier 3 exposure assessment. Based on a Tier 2 assessment, the ADI was exceeded for the high-consumer children population. However, the results of a more refined exposure assessment (Tier 3) of high consumers (P95) within the child, adolescent and adult populations were 13·75, 10 and 6·25 % of the ADI, respectively, using mean analytical results. Even with more conservative refined approaches, the estimated daily intake remained below 20 % of ADI. Flavoured drinks, flavoured fermented milk products and jams, jellies, and marmalades were the top three contributing food groups to steviol intake at 26–49 %, 12–27 % and 5–13 %, respectively. Despite the high concentrations (up to 94 000 mg/kg) of steviol glycosides in tabletop sweeteners, their contribution to the total intake remains low. The impact of the use of food supplements on the total intake was also considered to be limited. It was concluded that there was no risk for the Belgian population related to dietary exposure to steviol glycoside.
Dynamic impedance is correlated with static impedance and seizure quality parameters in bifrontal electroconvulsive therapy
Authors: Exner Jan , Deuring Gunnar , Seifritz Erich , Brühl Annette Beatrix
Published: February 2023

Background:

To evoke a therapeutically effective seizure, electrical stimulation in electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) has to overcome the combined resistivity of scalp, skull and other tissues. Static impedances are measured prior to stimulation using high-frequency electrical alternating pulses, dynamic impedances during passage of the stimulation current. Static impedance can partially be influenced by skin preparation techniques. Earlier studies showed a correlation between dynamic and static impedance in bitemporal and right unilateral ECT.

Objective:

This study aims at assessing the correlation of dynamic and static impedance with patient characteristics and seizure quality criteria in bifrontal ECT

Methods:

We performed a cross-sectional single-centre retrospective analysis of ECT treatments at the Psychiatric University Hospital Zurich between May 2012 and March 2020 and used linear mixed-effects regression models in 78 patients with a total of 1757 ECT sessions.

Results:

Dynamic and static impedance were strongly correlated. Dynamic impedance was significantly correlated with age and higher in women. Energy set and factors positively (caffeine) and negatively (propofol) affecting seizure at the neuronal level were not associated with dynamic impedance. For secondary outcomes, dynamic impedance was significantly related to Maximum Sustained Power and Average Seizure Energy Index. Other seizure quality criteria showed no significant correlation with dynamic impedance.

Conclusion:

Aiming for low static impedance might reduce dynamic impedance, which is correlated with positive seizure quality parameters. Therefore, good skin preparation to achieve low static impedance is recommended.
The transience and persistence of high optical polarisation state in beamed radio quasars
Authors: Chand Krishan , Gopal-Krishna  , Omar Amitesh , Chand Hum , Bisht P. S.
Published: February 2023

We examine the long-term stability (on decade-like timescales) of optical ‘high polarisation’ (HP) state with${p_{opt}}$${> 3\%}$, which commonly occurs in flat-spectrum (i.e., beamed) radio quasars (FSRQs) and is a prominent marker of blazar state. Using this clue, roughly a quarter of the FSRQ population has been reported to undergo HP$\leftrightarrow$non-HP state transition on year-like timescales. This work examines the extent to which HP (i.e., blazar) state can endure in a FSRQ, despite these ‘frequent’ state transitions. This is the first attempt to verify, using purely opto-polarimetric data for a much enlarged sample of blazars, the recent curious finding that blazar state in individual quasars persists forat leasta few decades, despite its changing/swinging observed fairly commonly on year-like timescales. The present analysis is based on a well-defined sample of 83 radio quasars, extracted from the opto-polarimetric survey RoboPol (2013–2017), for which old opto-polarimetric data taken prior to 1990 could be found in the literature. By a source-wise comparison of these two datasets of the same observable ($p_{opt}$), we find that$\sim$90% of the 63 quasars found in blazar state in our RoboPol sample, were also observed to be in that state about three decades before. On the other hand, within the RoboPol survey itself, we find that roughly a quarter of the blazars in our sample migrated to the other polarisation state on year-like timescales, by crossing the customary$p_{opt}$= 3% threshold. Evidently, these relatively frequent transitions (in either direction) do not curtail the propensity of a radio quasar to retain its blazar (i.e., HP) state for at least a few decades. The observed transitions/swings of polarisation state are probably manifestation of transient processes, like ejections of synchrotron plasma blobs (VLBI radio knots) from the active nucleus.
Eine Kinderkrankheit wird erwachsen
Authors: Schneider Susanne A. , Duning Thomas , Buchholz Ina , Schönermark Matthias P. , Kolb Stefan A.
Published: February 2023

Zusammenfassung: Die Untersuchung von seltenen Erkrankungen ist aufgrund der geringen Anzahl an Patient_innen sowie einem häufig heterogenen, multisymptomatischen Erscheinungsbild deutlich erschwert. Als Beispiel für eine solche seltene Krankheit dient im Folgenden die progrediente, neurodegenerative Erbkrankheit Niemann-Pick Typ C (NPC), die lange Zeit als „Kinderkrankheit“ galt. Im Verlauf des letzten Jahrzehnts wurde jedoch auch ein substanzieller Anteil an erwachsenen NPC-Patient_innen diagnostiziert. Da zum klinischen Erscheinungsbild von erwachsenen NPC-Patient_innen wenig Umfassendes bekannt ist, widmet sich der Artikel diesem Thema und zeigt, inwieweit die Erkenntnisse zu Manifestationen sowie zur Krankheitsentwicklung von pädiatrischen auf erwachsene NPC-Patient_innen übertragbar sind. Die Darstellung von Erkrankungsmerkmalen der Subpopulationen pädiatrischer gegenüber jugendlicher bzw. erwachsener NPC-Patient_innen basiert auf der verfügbaren Literatur sowie Expertenmeinungen hinsichtlich der Epidemiologie, des genetischen Mutationsmusters, des klinischen Bildes einschließlich der Prodromalsymptome, der Progressionsrate, dem allgemeinen Behandlungsregime und den Therapieeffekten. Insgesamt erweist sich NPC als ein Krankheitskontinuum, basierend auf weitestgehend ähnlichen genetischen Mutationsmustern sowie einer sich in den Altersgruppen entsprechenden Pathophysiologie. Pädiatrische und jugendliche bzw. erwachsene Patient_innen sind durch diverse Facetten fortschreitender neuropsychologischer Manifestationen wie bspw. kognitive Defizite und deutliche Einschränkungen ihrer motorischen Fähigkeiten (einschließlich der Berücksichtigung von prodromalen Symptomen) gekennzeichnet. NPC verläuft bei Kindern sowie bei jugendlichen bzw. erwachsenen Patient_innen auf die ähnliche Weise – jedoch mit einer beschleunigten Progressionsrate und einer somit verkürzten Lebenserwartung, je jünger die Patient_innen bei erstmaligem Auftreten neurologischer Symptome sind. Jedoch weist die hohe Krankheitslast aller NPC-Patient_innen auf die Schwere dieser seltenen Stoffwechselkrankheit hin. Die Behandlung von NPC erfolgt altersunabhängig interdisziplinär. Es besteht bisher keine kausale Therapieoption.
The Influence of Posture on Attention
Authors: Caron Emilie E. , Marusich Laura R. , Bakdash Jonathan Z. , Ballotti Reynolds J. , Tague Andrew M. , Carriere Jonathan S. A. , Smilek Daniel , Harter Derek , Lu Shulan , Reynolds Michael G.
Published: February 2023

Abstract. Smith et al. (2019) found standing resulted in better performance than sitting in three different cognitive control paradigms: a Stroop task, a task-switching, and a visual search paradigm. Here, we conducted close replications of the authors’ three experiments using larger sample sizes than the original work. Our sample sizes had essentially perfect power to detect the key postural effects reported by Smith et al. The results from our experiments revealed that, in contrast to Smith et al., the postural interactions were quite limited in magnitude in addition to being only a fraction of the size of the original effects. Moreover, our results from Experiment 1 are consistent with two recent replications ( Caron et al., 2020 ; Straub et al., 2022 ), which reported no meaningful influences of posture on the Stroop effect. In all, the current research provides further converging evidence that postural influences on cognition do not appear to be as robust, as was initially reported in prior work.
Constraining Mountain Streamflow Constituents by Integrating Citizen Scientist Acquired Geochemical Samples and Sentinel‐1 SAR Wet Snow Time‐Series for the Shimshal Catchment in the Karakoram Mountains of Pakistan
Authors: Lund Jewell , Forster Richard R. , Jameel Yusuf , Rupper Summer B. , Deeb Elias J. , Dars Ghulam Hussain , Zaheer Azhar , Ali Masood , Ghafoor Abdul , Khan Garee , Arfan Muhammad , Liston Glen E. , Akhter Qureshi Javed , Carling Gregory , Burian Steven J.
Published: February 2023

Upper Indus Basin (UIB) streamflow originates largely from glacier and snow melt in the upstream Himalaya, Karakoram, and Hindu Kush mountain ranges and is extremely vulnerable because of its projected climate changes, dense populations, and hydropolitical tensions. Accurate knowledge of streamflow constituents is required for resilient water resources management; this is precluded by a paucity of measurement as well as climatological and topographic complexity. Here we integrate citizen scientist acquired geochemical samples, collected from October 2018 through September 2019 in the Shimshal watershed of the Karakoram Mountains of Pakistan, with Sentinel‐1 (S1) synthetic aperture radar (SAR)‐derived wet snow maps, to better understand streamflow constituents for the high altitude and heavily glaciated catchment. We use Bayesian end‐member mixture analysis to separate river flows into baseflow and meltwater constituents, using fixed and time‐variant melt end‐member values. We compare river hydrograph separation results with S1 wet snow time series maps for the same timeframe. We then utilize S1 imagery to inform end‐member mixture analysis to separate meltwaters into snow and glacier melt. For the Shimshal catchment, we find that about 85% of annual river flows are derived from snow and glacier melt; 45% of annual flows are derived from snow melt and 40% glacier melt. Engaged and committed citizen scientists enabled geochemical sample collection and analysis on a significant temporal and spatial scale. In the future, co‐produced knowledge that both implements local expertise and that is also planned and utilized by diverse stakeholders may increase climatological awareness and resilience in the UIB.
Signaling pathways in Parkinson’s disease: molecular mechanisms and therapeutic interventions
Authors: Dong-Chen Xu , Yong Chen , Yang Xu , Chen-Yu ShenTu , Li-Hua Peng
Published: February 2023

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease worldwide, and its treatment remains a big challenge. The pathogenesis of PD may be related to environmental and genetic factors, and exposure to toxins and gene mutations may be the beginning of brain lesions. The identified mechanisms of PD include α-synuclein aggregation, oxidative stress, ferroptosis, mitochondrial dysfunction, neuroinflammation, and gut dysbiosis. The interactions among these molecular mechanisms complicate the pathogenesis of PD and pose great challenges to drug development. At the same time, the diagnosis and detection of PD are also one of obstacles to the treatment of PD due to its long latency and complex mechanism. Most conventional therapeutic interventions for PD possess limited effects and have serious side effects, heightening the need to develop novel treatments for this disease. In this review, we systematically summarized the pathogenesis, especially the molecular mechanisms of PD, the classical research models, clinical diagnostic criteria, and the reported drug therapy strategies, as well as the newly reported drug candidates in clinical trials. We also shed light on the components derived from medicinal plants that are newly identified for their effects in PD treatment, with the expectation to provide the summary and outlook for developing the next generation of drugs and preparations for PD therapy.
Kitaev spin-orbital bilayers and their moiré superlattices
Authors: Nica Emilian Marius , Akram Muhammad , Vijayvargia Aayush , Moessner Roderich , Erten Onur
Published: February 2023

We determine the phase diagram of a bilayer, Yao-Lee spin-orbital model with inter-layer interactions (J), for several stackings and moiré superlattices. For AA stacking, a gapped $${{\mathbb{Z}}}_{2}$$

Z

2

quantum spin liquid phase emerges at a finite Jc. We show that this phase survives in the well-controlled large-J limit, where an isotropic honeycomb toric code emerges. For moiré superlattices, a finite-q inter-layer hybridization is stabilized. This connects inequivalent Dirac points, effectively ‘untwisting’ the system. Our study thus provides insight into the spin-liquid phases of bilayer spin-orbital Kitaev materials.
Surface profile analysis of laminated transfemoral prosthetic socket fabricated with different ratios of epoxy resin and acrylic resin
Authors: Zainuddin Nik Abdul Muiz Nik , Razak Nasrul Anuar Abd , Karim Mohd Sayuti Ab , Osman Noor Azuan Abu
Published: February 2023

Acrylic and epoxy are common types of resin used in fabricating sockets. Different types of resin will affect the internal surface of a laminated socket. This paper is to determine the best combination of ratio for epoxy and acrylic resin for a laminated prosthesis socket and to evaluate the surface profile analysis of different combinations of laminated prosthetic sockets for surface roughness. Transfemoral sockets were created using various resin-to-hardener ratios of 2:1, 3:1, 3:2, 2:3, and 1:3 for epoxy resin and 100:1, 100:2, 100:3, 100:4, and 100:5 for acrylic resin. Eight layers of stockinette consisting of four elastic stockinette and four Perlon stockinette were used. A sample with a size of 4 cm × 6 cm was cut out from the socket on the lateral side below the Greater Trochanter area. The Mitutoyo Sj-210 Surface Tester stylus was run through the sample and gave the Average Surface Roughness value (Ra), Root Mean Square Roughness value (Rq), and Ten-Point Mean Roughness value (Rz). Epoxy resin shows a smoother surface compared to acrylic resin with Ra values of is 0.766 µm, 0.9716 µm, 0.9847 µm and 1.5461 µm with 3:2, 3:1, 2:1 and 2:3 ratio respectively. However, for epoxy resin with ratio 1:3, the resin does not cure with the hardener. As for acrylic resin the Ra values are 1.0086 µm, 2.362 µm, 3.372 µm, 4.762 µm and 6.074 µm with 100: 1, 100:2, 100:5, 100:4 and 100:3 ratios, respectively. Epoxy resin is a better choice in fabricating a laminated socket considering the surface produced is smoother.
Therapeutic benefits of factors derived from stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth for radiation-induced mouse xerostomia
Authors: Kano Fumiya , Hashimoto Noboru , Liu Yao , Xia Linze , Nishihara Takaaki , Oki Wakana , Kawarabayashi Keita , Mizusawa Noriko , Aota Keiko , Sakai Takayoshi , Azuma Masayuki , Hibi Hideharu , Iwasaki Tomonori , Iwamoto Tsutomu , Horimai Nobuyasu , Yamamoto Akihito
Published: February 2023

Radiation therapy for head and neck cancers is frequently associated with adverse effects on the surrounding normal tissue. Irreversible damage to radiation-sensitive acinar cells in the salivary gland (SG) causes severe radiation-induced xerostomia (RIX). Currently, there are no effective drugs for treating RIX. We investigated the efficacy of treatment with conditioned medium derived from stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED-CM) in a mouse RIX model. Intravenous administration of SHED-CM, but not fibroblast-CM (Fibro-CM), prevented radiation-induced cutaneous ulcer formation (p < 0.0001) and maintained SG function (p < 0.0001). SHED-CM treatment enhanced the expression of multiple antioxidant genes in mouse RIX and human acinar cells and strongly suppressed radiation-induced oxidative stress. The therapeutic effects of SHED-CM were abolished by the superoxide dismutase inhibitor diethyldithiocarbamate (p < 0.0001). Notably, quantitative liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry shotgun proteomics of SHED-CM and Fibro-CM identified eight proteins activating the endogenous antioxidant system, which were more abundant in SHED-CM than in Fibro-CM (p < 0.0001). Neutralizing antibodies against those activators reduced antioxidant activity of SHED-CM (anti-PDGF-D; p = 0.0001, anti-HGF; p = 0.003). Our results suggest that SHED-CM may provide substantial therapeutic benefits for RIX primarily through the activation of multiple antioxidant enzyme genes in the target tissue.
Effects of activation energy and chemical reaction on unsteady MHD dissipative Darcy–Forchheimer squeezed flow of Casson fluid over horizontal channel
Authors: Li Shuguang , Raghunath Kodi , Alfaleh Ayman , Ali Farhan , Zaib A. , Khan M. Ijaz , ElDin Sayed M. , Puneeth V.
Published: February 2023

The impact of chemical reaction and activation energy plays a vital role in the analysis of fluid dynamics and its thermal properties. The application of the flow of fluid is significantly considered in nuclear reactors, automobiles, manufacturing setups, electronic appliances etc. This study explores the impacts of activation energy and chemical reaction on the magnetohydrodynamic Darcy–Forchheimer squeezed Casson fluid flow through a porous material across the horizontal channel where the two parallel plates are assumed to be in motion. By using similarity variables, partial differential equations are converted to ordinary differential equations. Numerical method is applied using MATLAB to solve the problems and acquire the data for velocity field, thermal distribution, and concentration distribution. The graphs indicate that fluid velocity and temperature increases as the plates are brought closer. In addition, there was a correlation between a rise in the Hartmann number and a decrease in the fluid's velocity because of the existence of strong Lorentz forces. The temperature and the concentration of the liquid will increase due to the Brownian motion. When the Darcy–Forchheimer and activation energy parameters are both increased, the velocity and concentration decreases.
Characterization of sinoatrial automaticity in Microcebus murinus to study the effect of aging on cardiac activity and the correlation with longevity
Authors: DiFrancesco Mattia L. , Marrot Manon , Torre Eleonora , Mesirca Pietro , Davaze Romain , Lautier Corinne , Fontes Pascaline , Cuoq Joël , Fernandez Anne , Lamb Ned , Pifferi Fabien , Mestre-Francés Nadine , Mangoni Matteo E. , Torrente Angelo G.
Published: February 2023

Microcebus murinus, or gray mouse lemur (GML), is one of the smallest primates known, with a size in between mice and rats. The small size, genetic proximity to humans and prolonged senescence, make this lemur an emerging model for neurodegenerative diseases. For the same reasons, it could help understand how aging affects cardiac activity. Here, we provide the first characterization of sinoatrial (SAN) pacemaker activity and of the effect of aging on GML heart rate (HR). According to GML size, its heartbeat and intrinsic pacemaker frequencies lie in between those of mice and rats. To sustain this fast automaticity the GML SAN expresses funny and Ca2+ currents (If, ICa,L and ICa,T) at densities similar to that of small rodents. SAN automaticity was also responsive to β-adrenergic and cholinergic pharmacological stimulation, showing a consequent shift in the localization of the origin of pacemaker activity. We found that aging causes decrease of basal HR and atrial remodeling in GML. We also estimated that, over 12 years of a lifetime, GML generates about 3 billion heartbeats, thus, as many as humans and three times more than rodents of equivalent size. In addition, we estimated that the high number of heartbeats per lifetime is a characteristic that distinguishes primates from rodents or other eutherian mammals, independently from body size. Thus, cardiac endurance could contribute to the exceptional longevity of GML and other primates, suggesting that GML’s heart sustains a workload comparable to that of humans in a lifetime. In conclusion, despite the fast HR, GML replicates some of the cardiac deficiencies reported in old people, providing a suitable model to study heart rhythm impairment in aging. Moreover, we estimated that, along with humans and other primates, GML presents a remarkable cardiac longevity, enabling longer life span than other mammals of equivalent size.
Studying the connection between SF3B1 and four types of cancer by analyzing networks constructed based on published research
Authors: Samy Asmaa , Ozdemir Mehmet Kemal , Alhajj Reda
Published: February 2023

Splicing factor 3B subunit 1 (SF3B1) is the largest component of SF3b protein complex which is involved in the pre-mRNA splicing mechanism. Somatic mutations of SF3B1 were shown to be associated with aberrant splicing, producing abnormal transcripts that drive cancer development and/or prognosis. In this study, we focus on the relationship between SF3B1 and four types of cancer, namely myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and breast cancer (BC). For this purpose, we identified from the Pubmed library only articles which mentioned SF3B1 in connection with the investigated types of cancer for the period 2007 to 2018 to reveal how the connection has developed over time. We left out all published articles which mentioned SF3B1 in other contexts. We retrieved the target articles and investigated the association between SF3B1 and the mentioned four types of cancer. For this we utilized some of the publicly available databases to retrieve gene/variant/disease information related to SF3B1. We used the outcome to derive and analyze a variety of complex networks that reflect the correlation between the considered diseases and variants associated with SF3B1. The results achieved based on the analyzed articles and reported in this article illustrated that SF3B1 is associated with hematologic malignancies, such as MDS, AML, and CLL more than BC. We found that different gene networks may be required for investigating the impact of mutant splicing factors on cancer development based on the target cancer type. Additionally, based on the literature analyzed in this study, we highlighted and summarized what other researchers have reported as the set of genes and cellular pathways that are affected by aberrant splicing in cancerous cells.
AcrAB efflux pump impacts on the survival of adherent-invasive Escherichia coli strain LF82 inside macrophages
Authors: Fanelli Giulia , Pasqua Martina , Prosseda Gianni , Grossi Milena , Colonna Bianca
Published: February 2023

The tripartite complex AcrAB-TolC is the major RND pump in Escherichia coli and other Enterobacteriaceae. It consists of the AcrB transporter, which is embedded in the inner membrane, the AcrA adapter located in the periplasm, and the channel protein TolC responsible for the transport of substrates towards the extracellular environment. Besides conferring resistance to many classes of antibiotics, AcrAB plays a role in the pathogenesis and virulence of several bacterial pathogens. Here we report that the AcrAB pump heavily affects the infection process of the LF82 strain, the prototype of Adherent-Invasive Escherichia coli (AIEC) which are highly abundant in the ileal mucosa of Chron disease patients. We found that the deletion of genes encoding AcrA and/or AcrB leads to decreased survival of LF82 within macrophages. Ectopic AcrAB expression in a acrAB defective mutant restores the wild type condition. Furthermore, we demonstrate that inhibition of AcrB and replacement of the transporter with an unfunctional AcrB also interfere with bacterial viability inside macrophages. Overall, these data suggest a pivotal role of the AcrAB efflux pump in bacteria-host cell interactions also in AIEC.
Quality prediction and classification of resistance spot weld using artificial neural network with open-sourced, self-executable and GUI-based application tool Q-Check
Authors: Abd Halim Suhaila , Manurung Yupiter H. P. , Raziq Muhamad Aiman , Low Cheng Yee , Rohmad Muhammad Saufy , Dizon John R. C. , Kachinskyi Vladimir S.
Published: February 2023

Optimizing Resistance spot welding, often used as a time and cost-effective process in many industrial sectors, is very time-consuming due to the obscurity inherent within process with numerous interconnected welding parameters. Small changes in values will give effect to the quality of welds which actually can be easily analysed using application tool. Unfortunately, existing software to optimize the parameters are expensive, licensed and inflexible which makes small industries and research centres refused to acquire. In this study, application tool using open-sourced and customized algorithm based on artificial neural networks (ANN) was developed to enable better, fast, cheap and practical predictions of major parameters such as welding time, current and electrode force on tensile shear load bearing capacity (TSLBC) and weld quality classifications (WQC). A supervised learning algorithm implemented in standard backpropagation neural network gradient descent (GD), stochastic gradient descent (SGD) and Levenberg–Marquardt (LM) was constructed using TensorFlow with Spyder IDE in python language. All the display and calculation processes are developed and compiled in the form of application tool of graphical user interface (GUI). Results showed that this low-cost application tool Q-Check based on ANN models can predict with 80% training and 20% test set on TSLBC with an accuracy of 87.220%, 92.865% and 93.670% for GD, SGD and LM algorithms respectively while on WQC 62.5% for GD and 75% for both SGD and LM. It is also expected that tool with flexible GUI can be widely used and enhanced by practitioner with minimum knowledge in the domain.
Reliability‑based probabilistic numerical plastically limited analysis of reinforced concrete haunched beams
Authors: Khaleel Ibrahim Sarah , Movahedi Rad Majid
Published: February 2023

This research proposes a novel method that considers the optimal reliability-based design of reinforced concrete haunched beams subjected to probabilistic concrete properties and complementary strain energy values. The theory is applied twice, once to evaluate a deterministic solution, where the plastic behaviour is constrained by the complementary strain energy of residual stresses induced within steel bars. Secondly, the same method is considered for a probabilistic solution where the concrete characteristics—compressive strength and modulus of elasticity—and complementary strain energy value vary randomly. The reliability index acts as a bound for the solution. It is important to mention that the model utilised in this publication is derived from recent research after being calibrated using Abaqus. This work represents an extension of that recent research that exclusively considered deterministic work. This research led deterministically to new estimates for the complementary strain energy, which will be interpreted as reflecting the behaviour of plastic thresholds and quantifying the associated loads. Afterwards, uncertainty is studied when probability interferes, showing various load values and damage in concrete and steel when the complementary strain energy and concrete properties are probabilistically evaluated, giving a less reliable solution as the load reduces. These effects are reflected in the varying plastic behaviour of the investigated haunched beams.
Mammalian pumilio proteins control cellular morphology, migration, and adhesion
Authors: Sternburg Erin L. , Lillibridge Jordan J. , Phandthong Rattapol , Karginov Fedor V.
Published: February 2023

Pumilio proteins are RNA-binding proteins that control mRNA translation and stability by binding to the 3’ UTR of target mRNAs. Mammals have two canonical Pumilio proteins, PUM1 and PUM2, which are known to act in many biological processes, including embryonic development, neurogenesis, cell cycle regulation and genomic stability. Here, we characterized a new role of both PUM1 and PUM2 in regulating cell morphology, migration, and adhesion in T-REx-293 cells, in addition to previously known defects in growth rate. Gene ontology analysis of differentially expressed genes in PUM double knockout (PDKO) cells for both cellular component and biological process showed enrichment in categories related to adhesion and migration. PDKO cells had a collective cell migration rate significantly lower than that of WT cells and displayed changes in actin morphology. In addition, during growth, PDKO cells aggregated into clusters (clumps) due to an inability to escape cell–cell contacts. Addition of extracellular matrix (Matrigel) alleviated the clumping phenotype. Collagen IV (ColIV), a major component of Matrigel, was shown to be the driving force in allowing PDKO cells to monolayer appropriately, however, ColIV protein levels remained unperturbed in PDKO cells. This study characterizes a novel cellular phenotype associated with cellular morphology, migration, and adhesion which can aid in developing better models for PUM function in both developmental processes and disease.
Recent progress on single-atom catalysts for lithium–air battery applications
Authors: Bai Tiansheng , Li Deping , Xiao Shenyi , Ji Fengjun , Zhang Shuai , Wang Chu , Lu Jingyu , Gao Quan , Ci Lijie
Published: February 2023

Emerging single-atom catalysts (SACs) and their applications in Li–air batteries, material design, reaction mechanism, and electrochemical performance are summarized. The future development of SACs and metal–air battery applications are also discussed.
Leaf vein-biomimetic nanofibrous membrane with self-assembled nanonet for surface filtration of water contaminants
Authors: Tang Ning , Zhang Shichao , Yin Xia , Yu Jianyong , Ding Bin
Published: February 2023

A leaf vein-biomimetic nanofibrous membrane was constructed by nonsolvent-induced phase inversion for high-performance surface filtration of water contaminants.
Tailoring carbon-based nanofiber microstructures for electromagnetic absorption, shielding, and devices
Authors: Zheng Qi , Cao Wen-Qiang , Zhai Huazhang , Cao Mao-Sheng
Published: February 2023

Fabrications, mechanisms of electromagnetic response, tailoring strategies of carbon-based nanofibers, and electromagnetic devices with multi-function constructed by carbon-based nanofibers are systematically elaborated.
Carbon-based designer and programmable fluorescent quantum dots for targeted biological and biomedical applications
Authors: Barve Ketki , Singh Udisha , Yadav Pankaj , Bhatia Dhiraj
Published: February 2023

Carbon dots (CDs) are emerging nano-biomaterials owing to their exceptional optical and physico-chemical properties.
Phthalocyanine in perovskite solar cells: a review
Authors: Rezaee Ehsan , Khan Danish , Cai Siyuan , Dong Lei , Xiao Hui , Silva S. Ravi P. , Liu Xiaoyuan , Xu Zong-Xiang
Published: February 2023

This review critically analyses the chemical design and functionality of phthalocyanines in perovskite solar cells, which are generally applied in the perovskite layer, as the hole transport layer, or as an interlayer.
Radical addition/spirocyclization cascade of tryptamine-derived isocyanides with aryl boronic acids: efficient access to spiroindoline derivatives
Authors: Jiang Shuai , Huang Yu-Xin , Wang Xiao-Feng , Xu Xiao-Ping , Ji Shun-Jun
Published: February 2023

An efficient Mn(iii)-promoted cascade reaction of tryptamine-derived isocyanides with arylboronic acids for accessing spiroindoline derivatives is described.
Recent developments in transition metal-based MOFs for electrocatalytic water splitting emphasizing fundamental and structural aspects
Authors: Madhu Ragunath , Karmakar Arun , Bera Krishnendu , Nagappan Sreenivasan , Dhandapani Hariharan N , De Aditi , Roy Suprobhat Singha , Kundu Subrata
Published: February 2023

In this review, recent advancement of MOF based materials and their role towards OER is explored. Tuning of structures by adopting various synthetic strategical techniques are discussed for the first time.
Transformations based on direct excitation of hypervalent iodine(iii) reagents
Authors: Narobe Rok , König Burkhard
Published: February 2023

Hypervalent iodine compounds became an important class of reagents in synthesis. In this review, we present reactivity patterns of five different structural classes of hypervalent iodine compounds and their complexes under visible light irradiation.
Ruthenium-catalyzed 1,3-indolyl migration within α,α-disubstituted allylic alcohols
Authors: Zhang Xue , Luo Zhen , Liu Tang-Lin , Li Qing-Hua
Published: February 2023

The functional group migration strategy could facilitate the construction of complex structures from relatively simple starting materials.
Structure and function of microbial α-l-fucosidases: a mini review
Authors: Wu Haiyang , Owen C. David , Juge Nathalie
Published: February 2023

Fucose is a monosaccharide commonly found in mammalian, insect, microbial and plant glycans. The removal of terminal α-l-fucosyl residues from oligosaccharides and glycoconjugates is catalysed by α-l-fucosidases. To date, glycoside hydrolases (GHs) with exo-fucosidase activity on α-l-fucosylated substrates (EC 3.2.1.51, EC 3.2.1.-) have been reported in the GH29, GH95, GH139, GH141 and GH151 families of the Carbohydrate Active Enzymes (CAZy) database. Microbes generally encode several fucosidases in their genomes, often from more than one GH family, reflecting the high diversity of naturally occuring fucosylated structures they encounter. Functionally characterised microbial α-l-fucosidases have been shown to act on a range of substrates with α-1,2, α-1,3, α-1,4 or α-1,6 fucosylated linkages depending on the GH family and microorganism. Fucosidases show a modular organisation with catalytic domains of GH29 and GH151 displaying a (β/α)8-barrel fold while GH95 and GH141 show a (α/α)6 barrel and parallel β-helix fold, respectively. A number of crystal structures have been solved in complex with ligands, providing structural basis for their substrate specificity. Fucosidases can also be used in transglycosylation reactions to synthesise oligosaccharides. This mini review provides an overview of the enzymatic and structural properties of microbial α-l-fucosidases and some insights into their biological function and biotechnological applications.
The European native oyster,Ostrea edulis, in Wales, a historical account of a forgotten fishery
Authors: Hayden-Hughes Maria , Bayford Philippa , King Jonathan , Smyth David
Published: February 2023

The history of the European native oyster has been documented for numerous countries within its natural range. However, the history ofOstrea edulisin Wales remains conspicuously absent from current UK and European peer-reviewed publications. It was therefore deemed necessary to address this and as a result in-depth research of archival data was conducted including local trade directories, decennial census returns, collections from the National Museum Wales, annual government fisheries reports and grey literature from local historical societies. These historical reviews resulted in the construction of a timeline which documents all the significant historical dates related toO. edulisin Wales from the early 1500 s to present day. Fisheries statistics for England and Wales were also analysed for the western regional oyster fisheries in an attempt to understand the contribution which the Welsh landings made to the region. The review revealed that the Welsh fishery was the primary contributor of regional landings from the early 1600 s with maximum landings reported 1894, with the oyster beds at Mumbles producing more oysters than any other port until the fishery closed in 1937. A commercial native oyster fishery no longer exists in Wales but there remains a small native oyster population in South Wales. It is hoped that the historical accounts of bountiful catches, overexploitation, and restoration ofO. edulisover the centuries in Wales may offer current conservation practitioners an insight into failures and mistakes of the past which could benefit the future of the European flat oyster in Wales.
Dissociative photoionization ofm-xylene
Authors: Zhao Yujie , Yang Haohang , Huang Pei , Li Li , Jin Jianhui , Chen Yuqian , Cao Xiaogang , Zeng Qi , Du Junjie , Shan Xiaobin , Sheng Liusi
Published: February 2023

The photoionization and dissociative photoionization of m-xylene (C8H10) were researched by using synchrotron radiation vacuum ultraviolet (SR-VUV) and supersonic expanding molecular beam reflectron time-of-flight mass spectrometer (RFTOF-MS) system. The photoionization efficiency spectra (PIEs) of parent ion C8H10+ and main fragment ions C8H9+ and C7H7+ were observed, and the ionization energy (IE) of m-xylene and appearance energies (AEs) of main fragment ions C8H9+ and C7H7+ were determined to be 8.60±0.03 eV, 11.76±0.04 eV and 11.85±0.05 eV, respectively. Structures of reactant, transition states (TSs), intermediates (INTs), and products involved in two dominant dissociation channels were optimized at the B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) level, and the relative energies were calculated at the G3 level. Based on the results, two major dissociative photoionization channels, C7H7++CH3 and C8H9++H were calculated at the B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) level. On the basis of theoretical and experimental results, the dissociative photoionization mechanisms of m-xylene were proposed. The C–H or C–C bond dissociation and hydrogen migration are the main processes in the dissociation channels of m-xylene cation.
Selective mechanism of inhibitors to two bromodomains of BRD4 revealed by multiple replica molecular dynamics simulations and free energy analyses
Authors: Li Meng , Liu Xinguo , Zhang Shaolong , Sun Jiahao , Zhang Qinggang , Chen Jianzhong
Published: February 2023

Bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) is critical in cell cycle regulation and has emerged as a potential target for treatment of various cancers. BRD4 contains two bromodomains, namely BDl and BD2. Research suggests that selectively inhibiting BDl or BD2 may provide more effective treatment options. Therefore, understanding the selective mechanism of inhibitor binding to BDl and BD2 is essential for development of high selective inhibitors to BDl and BD2. Multiple replica molecular dynamics (MRMD) simulations are utilized to investigate the binding selectivity of inhibitors SG3-179, GSK778, and GSK620 for BDl and BD2. The results show that BDl has stronger structural flexibility than BD2, moreover BDl and BD2 exhibit different internal dynamics. The analyses of free energy landscapes reveal significant differences in the conformational distribution of BDl and BD2. Binding free energy predictions suggest that entropy changes, electrostatic interactions, and van der Waals interactions are key factors in the selective binding of BDl and BD2 by SG3-179, GSK778, and GSK620. The calculations of the energy contributions of individual residues demonstrate that residues (W81, W374), (P82, P375), (Q85, K378), (V87, V380), (192, 1385), (N93, G386), (194, 1387), (C136, C429), (N140, N433), (K141, P434), (D144, H437) and (1146, V439) corresponding to (BDl, BD2) generate significant energy difference in binding of SG3-179, GSK778, and GSK620 to BDl and BD2, and they can serve as effective targets for development of high selective inhibitors against BDl or BD2. The related information may provide significant theoretical guidance for improving the selectivity of inhibitors for BDl and BD2.