bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Highly Expressed Progesterone Receptor B Isoform Increases Platinum Sensitivity and Survival of Ovarian High-Grade Serous Carcinoma
Authors: Lin Hao , Lan Kuo-Chung , Ou Yu-Che , Wu Chen-Hsuan , Kang Hong-Yo , Chuang I-Chieh , Fu Hung-Chun
Published: November 2021

Background: Expression of the progesterone receptor (PR) has been reported to influence survival outcomes in patients with ovarian high-grade serous carcinoma (HGSC). In the present study, we attempted to investigate the association among PR and its isoforms’ expression, platinum sensitivity, and survival in ovarian HGSC. Material and methods: This retrospective study reviewed ovarian HGSC patients who received surgery followed by adjuvant chemotherapy. We analyzed total PR and PR isoform-B (PR-B) expression by immunohistochemical staining and quantified using the H-score. Then, we compared platinum sensitivity and survival outcomes between those patients with weak and strong PR-B expression. Cisplatin viability assays were carried out in ovarian HGSC cell lines (OC-3-VGH and OVCAR-3) with different PR-B expression. Results: Among 90 patients, 49 and 41 patients were considered to have platinum-sensitive and platinum-resistant disease, respectively. Pearson’s correlation model showed that the H-score of total PR correlated positively with PR-B (r = 0.813). The PR-B H-score of tumors was significantly higher in the platinum-sensitive group (p = 0.004). Multivariate analysis revealed that the PR-B H-score and optimal debulking status were independent factors predicting platinum sensitivity. When compared with strong PR-B expression, patients with weak PR-B had significantly poorer progression-free (p = 0.021) and cancer-specific survival (p = 0.046). In a cell model, cisplatin-resistant OC-3-VGH cells expressed a lower level of PR-B than wild-type cells. Overexpression of PR-B or progesterone could increase cisplatin sensitivity in both OC-3-VGH and OVCAR-3 cells via the mechanism of promoting cisplatin-related apoptosis. Conclusions: When compared to weak PR-B, ovarian HGSC patients with a strong PR-B expression had a better chance of platinum sensitivity and survival, and this finding was compatible with our experimental results. Progesterone seemed to be a platinum sensitizer, but the value of adding progesterone in the treatment of ovarian HGSC should be further investigated.
Gossypol Treatment Restores Insufficient Apoptotic Function of DFF40/CAD in Human Glioblastoma Cells
Authors: Martínez-Escardó Laura , Alemany Montse , Sánchez-Osuna María , Sánchez-Chardi Alejandro , Roig-Martínez Meritxell , Suárez-García Salvio , Ruiz-Molina Daniel , Vidal Noemi , Plans Gerard , Majós Carles , Ribas Judit , Baltrons María Antonia , Bayascas Jose R. , Barcia Carlos , Bruna Jordi , Yuste Victor J.
Published: November 2021

Glioblastoma (GBM) is a highly aggressive brain tumor and almost all patients die because of relapses. GBM-derived cells undergo cell death without nuclear fragmentation upon treatment with different apoptotic agents. Nuclear dismantling determines the point-of-no-return in the apoptotic process. DFF40/CAD is the main endonuclease implicated in apoptotic nuclear disassembly. To be properly activated, DFF40/CAD should reside in the cytosol. However, the endonuclease is poorly expressed in the cytosol and remains cumulated in the nucleus of GBM cells. Here, by employing commercial and non-commercial patient-derived GBM cells, we demonstrate that the natural terpenoid aldehyde gossypol prompts DFF40/CAD-dependent nuclear fragmentation. A comparative analysis between gossypol- and staurosporine-treated cells evidenced that levels of neither caspase activation nor DNA damage were correlated with the ability of each compound to induce nuclear fragmentation. Deconvoluted confocal images revealed that DFF40/CAD was almost completely excluded from the nucleus early after the staurosporine challenge. However, gossypol-treated cells maintained DFF40/CAD in the nucleus for longer times, shaping a ribbon-like structure piercing the nuclear fragments and building a network of bridged masses of compacted chromatin. Therefore, GBM cells can fragment their nuclei if treated with the adequate insult, making the cell death process irreversible.
A Prostate Cancer Proteomics Database for SWATH-MS Based Protein Quantification
Authors: Muazzam Ammara , Chiasserini Davide , Kelsall Janet , Geifman Nophar , Whetton Anthony D. , Townsend Paul A.
Published: November 2021

Prostate cancer is the most frequent form of cancer in men, accounting for more than one-third of all cases. Current screening techniques, such as PSA testing used in conjunction with routine procedures, lead to unnecessary biopsies and the discovery of low-risk tumours, resulting in overdiagnosis. SWATH-MS is a well-established data-independent (DI) method requiring prior knowledge of targeted peptides to obtain valuable information from SWATH maps. In response to the growing need to identify and characterise protein biomarkers for prostate cancer, this study explored a spectrum source for targeted proteome analysis of blood samples. We created a comprehensive prostate cancer serum spectral library by combining data-dependent acquisition (DDA) MS raw files from 504 patients with low, intermediate, or high-grade prostate cancer and healthy controls, as well as 304 prostate cancer-related protein in silico assays. The spectral library contains 114,684 transitions, which equates to 18,479 peptides translated into 1227 proteins. The robustness and accuracy of the spectral library were assessed to boost confidence in the identification and quantification of prostate cancer-related proteins across an independent cohort, resulting in the identification of 404 proteins. This unique database can facilitate researchers to investigate prostate cancer protein biomarkers in blood samples. In the real-world use of the spectrum library for biomarker detection, using a signature of 17 proteins, a clear distinction between the validation cohort’s pre- and post-treatment groups was observed. Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD028651.
Impact of the Hypoechogenicity Criteria on Thyroid Nodule Malignancy Risk Stratification Performance by Different TIRADS Systems
Authors: Popova Nina Malika , Radzina Maija , Prieditis Peteris , Liepa Mara , Rauda Madara , Stepanovs Kaspars
Published: November 2021

Background: Various Thyroid Imaging and Reporting data systems (TIRADS) are used worldwide for risk stratification of thyroid nodules. Their sensitivity is high, while the specificity is suboptimal. The aim of the study was to compare several TIRADS systems and evaluate the effect of hypoechogenicity as a sign of risk of malignancy on the overall assessment of diagnostic accuracy. Methods: The prospective study includes 274 patients with 289 thyroid nodules to whom US and risk of malignancy were assessed according to four TIRADS systems—European (EU-TIRADS), Korean (K-TIRADS), TIRADS by American College of Radiology (ACR TIRADS), and modified Kwak et al. TIRADS (L-TIRADS) systems, in which mild hypoechogenicity is not included in malignancy risk suggestive signs. For all thyroid nodules, a fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy was performed and evaluated according to the Bethesda system. For all systems, diagnostic accuracy was calculated. Results: Assessing the echogenicity of the thyroid nodules: from 81 of isoechogenic nodules, 2 were malignant (2.1%), from 151 mild hypoechogenic, 18 (12%) were malignant, and from 48 marked hypoechogenic nodules, 16 (33%) were malignant. In 80 thyroid nodules, mild hypoechogenicity was the only sign of malignancy and none appeared malignant. Assessing various TIRADS systems on the same cohort, sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and accuracy, firstly for EU-TIRADS, they were 97.2%; 39.9%; 18.7%; 99.0%, and 73.3%, respectively; for K-TIRADS they were 97.2%; 46.6%; 20.6%; 99.2%, and 53.9%; for ACR-TIRADS they were 97.2%; 41.1%, 19.0%; 99.0%, and 48.0%, respectively; finally, for L-TIRADS they were 80.6%; 72.7%; 29.6%; 96.3%, and 73.3%. Conclusions: This comparative research has highlighted that applying different TIRADS systems can alter the number of necessary biopsies by re-categorization of the thyroid nodules. The main pattern that affected differences was inconsistent hypoechogenicity interpretation, giving the accuracy superiority to the systems that raise the malignancy risk with marked hypoechogenicity, at the same time with minor compensation for sensitivity.
Catalytic Activity of High-Surface-Area Amorphous MgO Obtained from Upsalite
Authors: Gliński Marek , Iwanek (nee Wilczkowska) Ewa M. , Ulkowska Urszula , Czajka Agnieszka , Kaszkur Zbigniew
Published: November 2021

The first aim of the research was to synthesize a pure Upsalite, which is an amorphous form of MgCO3, by modifying a procedure described in the literature, so that it would be the precursor of a high-surface, amorphous magnesium oxide. The results indicate that within the studied reaction conditions, the type of alcohol used as the reactant has the most pronounced effect on the yield of reaction. From the two alcohols that led to the highest yield of Upsalite, methanol gave a substantially larger surface area (794 vs. 191 m2 g−1). The optimized synthesis conditions of Upsalite were used to obtain MgO via thermolysis, whose activity in the transfer hydrogenation reaction (THR) from ethanol, 2-propanol and 2-pentanol to various carbonyl compounds was determined. The optimal conditions for the thermolysis were as follows: vacuum, T = 673 K as the final temperature, and a heating rate of 2 deg min−1. The high-surface, amorphous magnesia (SBET = 488 m2 g−1) was found to be a very selective catalyst to 4-t-butylcyclohexanone in THR, which led to a diastereoselectivity of over 94% to the E-isomer of 4-t-butylcyclohexanol for more than 3 h, with conversions of up to 97% with either 2-propanol or 2-pentanol as the hydrogen donor. In the case of acrolein and 2-n-propylacrolein being used as the hydrogen acceptors, the unsaturated alcohol (UOL) was the main product of the reaction, with higher UOL yields noted for ethanol than 2-propanol.
In Silico Model Estimates the Clinical Trial Outcome of Cancer Vaccines
Authors: Lőrincz Orsolya , Tóth József , Molnár Levente , Miklós István , Pántya Kata , Megyesi Mónika , Somogyi Eszter , Csiszovszki Zsolt , Tőke Enikő R.
Published: November 2021

Over 30 years after the first cancer vaccine clinical trial (CT), scientists still search the missing link between immunogenicity and clinical responses. A predictor able to estimate the outcome of cancer vaccine CTs would greatly benefit vaccine development. Published results of 94 CTs with 64 therapeutic vaccines were collected. We found that preselection of CT subjects based on a single matching HLA allele does not increase immune response rates (IRR) compared with non-preselected CTs (median 60% vs. 57%, p = 0.4490). A representative in silico model population (MP) comprising HLA-genotyped subjects was used to retrospectively calculate in silico IRRs of CTs based on the percentage of MP-subjects having epitope(s) predicted to bind ≥ 1–4 autologous HLA allele(s). We found that in vitro measured IRRs correlated with the frequency of predicted multiple autologous allele-binding epitopes (AUC 0.63–0.79). Subgroup analysis of multi-antigen targeting vaccine CTs revealed correlation between clinical response rates (CRRs) and predicted multi-epitope IRRs when HLA threshold was ≥ 3 (r = 0.7463, p = 0.0004) but not for single HLA allele-binding epitopes (r = 0.2865, p = 0.2491). Our results suggest that CRR depends on the induction of broad T-cell responses and both IRR and CRR can be predicted when epitopes binding to multiple autologous HLAs are considered.
Dermal Pericytes Exhibit Declined Ability to Promote Human Skin Regeneration with Ageing in 3D Organotypic Culture Models
Authors: Zhuang Lizhe , Visalakshan Rahul M. , Kaur Pritinder
Published: November 2021

The well documented decline in the regenerative ability of ageing human skin has been attributed to many factors including genomic instability, telomere shortening, poor nutrient sensing, cellular senescence, and stem cell exhaustion. However, a role for the dermal cellular and molecular microenvironment in skin ageing is just emerging. We previously showed that dermal pericytes co-operate with fibroblasts to improve human skin regeneration in an organotypic skin culture model, and even do so in the absence of fibroblasts. Here, we report that the number of dermal cells, particularly pericytes, declines significantly in human skin of donors aged > 50 years. Notably, aged pericytes promoted epidermal regeneration of neonatal keratinocytes in organotypic cultures and the resulting epithelium exhibited a Ki67+/ΔNp63+ basal layer and terminal differentiation. However, the epithelium lacked several features of homeostasis displaying lower levels of ΔNp63 expression, decreased LAMA5 deposition at the dermo-epidermal junction, and the absence of basement membrane and hemi-desmosome assembly. We conclude that a decline in pericyte incidence and function contribute to an impaired epidermal microenvironment and poor skin regeneration with ageing in the human skin.
The Increasing Role of Kappa Free Light Chains in the Diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Konen Franz Felix , Schwenkenbecher Philipp , Jendretzky Konstantin Fritz , Gingele Stefan , Sühs Kurt-Wolfram , Tumani Hayrettin , Süße Marie , Skripuletz Thomas
Published: November 2021

Free light chains (FLC) are a promising biomarker to detect intrathecal inflammation in patients with inflammatory central nervous system (CNS) diseases, including multiple sclerosis (MS). The diagnostic use of this biomarker, in particular the kappa isoform of FLC (“KFLC”), has been investigated for more than 40 years. Based on an extensive literature review, we found that an agreement on the correct method for evaluating KFLC concentrations has not yet been reached. KFLC indices with varying cut-off values and blood-CSF-barrier (QAlbumin) related non-linear formulas for KFLC interpretation have been investigated in several studies. All approaches revealed high diagnostic sensitivity and specificity compared with the oligoclonal bands, which are considered the gold standard for the detection of intrathecally synthesized immunoglobulins. Measurement of KFLC is fully automated, rater-independent, and has been shown to be stable against most pre-analytic influencing factors. In conclusion, the determination of KFLC represents a promising diagnostic approach to show intrathecal inflammation in neuroinflammatory diseases. Multicenter studies are needed to show the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of KFLC in MS by using the latest McDonald criteria and appropriate, as well as standardized, cut-off values for KFLC concentrations, preferably considering non-linear formulas such as Reiber’s diagram.
RNF13 Dileucine Motif Variants L311S and L312P Interfere with Endosomal Localization and AP-3 Complex Association
Authors: Cabana Valérie C. , Bouchard Antoine Y. , Sénécal Audrey M. , Ghilarducci Kim , Kourrich Saïd , Cappadocia Laurent , Lussier Marc P.
Published: November 2021

Developmental and epileptic encephalopathies (DEE) are rare and serious neurological disorders characterized by severe epilepsy with refractory seizures and a significant developmental delay. Recently, DEE73 was linked to genetic alterations of the RNF13 gene, which convert positions 311 or 312 in the RNF13 protein from leucine to serine or proline, respectively (L311S and L312P). Using a fluorescence microscopy approach to investigate the molecular and cellular mechanisms affected by RNF13 protein variants, the current study shows that wild-type RNF13 localizes extensively with endosomes and lysosomes, while L311S and L312P do not extensively colocalize with the lysosomal marker Lamp1. Our results show that RNF13 L311S and L312P proteins affect the size of endosomal vesicles along with the temporal and spatial progression of fluorescently labeled epidermal growth factor, but not transferrin, in the endolysosomal system. Furthermore, GST-pulldown and co-immunoprecipitation show that RNF13 variants disrupt association with AP-3 complex. Knockdown of AP-3 complex subunit AP3D1 alters the lysosomal localization of wild-type RNF13 and similarly affects the size of endosomal vesicles. Importantly, our study provides a first step toward understanding the cellular and molecular mechanism altered by DEE73-associated genetic variations of RNF13.
Chemokines and Innate Lymphoid Cells in Skin Inflammation
Authors: Sun Zhengwang , Vattepu Ravi , Zhang Songfa
Published: November 2021

As the outermost barrier, skin plays an important role in protecting our bodies against outside invasion. Under stable conditions or during inflammation, leukocytes migration is essential for restoring homeostasis in the skin. Immune cells trafficking is orchestrated by chemokines; leukocytes express receptors that bind to chemokines and trigger migration. The homeostasis of the immune ecosystem is an extremely complicated dynamic process that requires the cooperation of innate and adaptive immune cells. Emerging studies have been shedding a light on the unique characteristics of skin-resident innate lymphoid cells (ILCs). In this review, we discuss how chemokines orchestrate skin ILCs trafficking and contribute to tissue homeostasis and how abnormal chemokine–chemokine receptor interactions contribute to and augment skin inflammation, as seen in conditions such as contact hypersensitivity, atopic dermatitis, and psoriasis.
Conserved Mitotic Phosphorylation of a Proteasome Subunit Regulates Cell Proliferation
Authors: Duan Jinyuan , Li Wenzhu , Shu Xin , Yang Bing , He Xiangwei , Guo Xing
Published: November 2021

Reversible phosphorylation has emerged as an important mechanism for regulating proteasome function in various physiological processes. Essentially all proteasome phosphorylations characterized thus far occur on proteasome holoenzyme or subcomplexes to regulate substrate degradation. Here, we report a highly conserved phosphorylation that only exists on the unassembled α5 subunit of the proteasome. The modified residue, α5-Ser16, is within a SP motif typically recognized by cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs). Using a phospho-specific antibody generated against this site, we found that α5-S16 phosphorylation is mitosis-specific in both yeast and mammalian cells. Blocking this site with a S16A mutation caused growth defect and G2/M arrest of the cell cycle. α5-S16 phosphorylation depends on CDK1 activity and is highly abundant in some but not all mitotic cells. Immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry (IP-MS) studies identified numerous proteins that could interact with phosphorylated α5, including PLK1, a key regulator of mitosis. α5–PLK1 interaction increased upon mitosis and could be facilitated by S16 phosphorylation. CDK1 activation downstream of PLK1 activity was delayed in S16A mutant cells, suggesting an important role of α5-S16 phosphorylation in regulating PLK1 and mitosis. These data have revealed an unappreciated function of “exo-proteasome” phosphorylation of a proteasome subunit and may bring new insights to our understanding of cell cycle control.
Sun Exposure in Pediatric Age: Perspective of Caregivers
Authors: Salvado Mafalda , Fraga Ana , Marques Diogo Luís , Pires Ivan Miguel , Gonçalves Carmo Coelho , Silva Nádia Mendes
Published: November 2021

Excessive sun exposure during childhood increases the risk of skin cancer. This study characterized the knowledge and attitudes of caregivers regarding exposure and sun protection of children and adolescents. One hundred and ninety-eight caregivers (38.5 ± 8.0 years) who resorted to the consultations of a Pediatrics Service or a Family Health Unit answered a questionnaire. The age of children/adolescents was 6.5 ± 5.1 years. On average, caregivers presented a high level of knowledge regarding exposure and sun protection. One hundred and twenty-six caregivers indicated that they obtained more information about sun protection on social communication, and 66% considered the information provided by healthcare professionals to be enough. One-hundred and fifteen caregivers reported that the child/adolescent was more exposed to the sun after 4 a.m., and 88% reported applying sunscreen on the beach/pool and outdoor activities. Fifty-seven percent of caregivers renewed sunscreen application on the child/adolescent every 2 h, and 94% applied a sun protection factor ≥ 50 in the child/adolescent. There was a significant association (p < 0.001) between education level and caregivers’ self-knowledge about sun protection (the higher the education, the higher the knowledge), and between the knowledge of the hour of sun exposure avoidance and the time when the child/adolescent was more exposed to the sun. This study shows that caregivers are highly knowledgeable about exposure and sun protection in children/adolescents, and their attitudes follow the general recommendations.
Validation of the Proposed Specifiers for Conduct Disorder (PSCD) Scale in a Sample of Italian Students
Authors: Muratori Pietro , Buonanno Carlo , Gallani Anna , Grossi Giuseppe , Levantini Valentina , Milone Annarita , Pisano Simone , Salekin Randall T. , Sesso Gianluca , Masi Gabriele , Nocentini Annalaura
Published: November 2021

This study aimed to further validate the self-reported version of the Proposed Specifiers Conduct Disorder (PSCD) scale, testing the associations between the PSCD with a scale that measures emotional/behavioral difficulties and prosocial behaviors (Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire, SDQ). A total of 536 Italian students (47.76% male; 11–14 years) completed the PSCD, while their caregivers and teachers completed the SDQ. A series of confirmatory factor analyses to test the best fitting model were run. The internal consistency of the PSCD was evaluated, and the correlations between the PSCD self-reported scores and SDQ Parent and Teacher report scores were examined. A bi-factor model was fitted with a refined 19-item version of the scale, which showed adequate fit indices. The PSCD total score was strongly associated with higher parent- and teacher-rated conduct problems, hyperactivity, and lower prosocial behavioral symptoms. In conclusion, this study indicated that the self-report PSCD shows preliminary promise as a reliable, easy-to-use tool, for measuring psychopathic traits in Italian children and young adolescents.
Design of CAN Bus Communication Interfaces for Forestry Machines
Authors: Spencer Geoffrey , Mateus Frutuoso , Torres Pedro , Dionísio Rogério , Martins Ricardo
Published: November 2021

This paper presents the initial developments of new hardware devices targeted for CAN (Controller Area Network) bus communications in forest machines. CAN bus is a widely used protocol for communications in the automobile area. It is also applied in industrial vehicles and machines due to its robustness, simplicity, and operating flexibility. It is ideal for forestry machinery producers who need to couple their equipment to a machine that allows the transportation industry to recognize the importance of standardizing communications between tools and machines. One of the problems that producers sometimes face is a lack of flexibility in commercialized hardware modules; for example, in interfaces for sensors and actuators that guarantee scalability depending on the new functionalities required. The hardware device presented in this work is designed to overcome these limitations and provide the flexibility to standardize communications while allowing scalability in the development of new products and features. The work is being developed within the scope of the research project “SMARTCUT—Remote Diagnosis, Maintenance and Simulators for Operation Training and Maintenance of Forest Machines”, to incorporate innovative technologies in forest machines produced by the CUTPLANT S.A. It consists of an experimental system based on the PIC18F26K83 microcontroller to form a CAN node to transmit and receive digital and analog messages via CAN bus, tested and validated by the communication between different nodes. The main contribution of the paper focuses on the presentation of the development of new CAN bus electronic control units designed to enable remote communication between sensors and actuators, and the main controller of forest machines.
Di (Isoquinolin-1-Yl) Sulfane (DIQS) Inhibits Melaninogenesis by Modulating PKA/CREB and MAPK Signaling Pathways
Authors: Yang Jung Yoon , Shin Dae-Seop , Hwang Kyu-Seok , Kim Seong Soon , Lee Byung Hoi , Ahn Se Hwan , Ahn Jin Hee , Bae Myung Ae
Published: November 2021

The novel synthetic compound Di (isoquinolin-1-yl) sulfane (DIQS) was identified by zebrafish larva screening during the development of an agent to inhibit abnormal hyperpigmentation. In this study, we investigated the inhibitory effect of DIQS on melanogenesis and its underlying mechanism. DIQS inhibited melanin production and tyrosinase activity in B16F10 cells stimulated with α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH), as well as zebrafish embryos and reconstituted human skin tissue containing melanocytes. DIQS decreased the mRNA and protein expression of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) and tyrosinase at a concentration of 10 μM. DIQS also inhibited the phosphorylation of cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) and p-p38 and p-JNK stimulated by α-MSH. These results suggest that DIQS attenuates hyperpigmentation via inhibition of the cAMP/PKA/CREB/MITF/tyrosinase axis and MAPK pathways. Liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry analysis revealed that DIQS blocked the conversion of tyrosine to L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA) in zebrafish embryos. Finally, we confirmed that DIQS was non-toxic in reconstituted human tissues such as the epidermis, used to test skin sensitization, and the cornea, used to test eye irritation. In summary, the results of this study suggest the potential of DIQS as a small-molecule agent for skin-whitening cosmetics and the treatment of hyperpigmentation disorders without biological toxicity.
Study of Resistance to Helium Swelling of Lithium-Containing Ceramics under High-Temperature Irradiation
Authors: Shlimas Dmitriy I. , Kozlovskiy Artem L. , Syzdykov Askar Kh. , Borgekov Daryn B. , Zdorovets Maxim V.
Published: November 2021

The aim of this work was to study resistance to helium accumulation processes in the structure of the surface layer of lithium-containing ceramics and the subsequent destruction and embrittlement processes, depending on radiation fluence. The objects of study were Li2TiO3-type ceramics obtained by thermal sintering. The fluence dependency of changes in the structural and strength properties of ceramics was determined to be in the range from 1018 to 1022 ion/m2, which corresponded to the concentration of implanted helium from 0.01% to 0.8–1 at.%. Irradiation was carried out at a temperature of 700 °C, which made it possible to simulate the processes of radiation damage that were closest to the real conditions in the reactor core. During the studies carried out, it was found that, at irradiation fluences of 1018–1020 ion/m2, the formation of point radiation defects was equaled by the process of thermal annealing of defects, as a result of which the concentration of defects and their effect on the change in the structural and strength properties of ceramics were insignificant. An increase in the concentration of implanted helium in the structure of the surface layer to above 0.5 at.% led to the dominance of radiation damage processes over the annealing of defects and the formation of gas-filled cavities, which negatively affects the strength of ceramics.
The FFLO State in the Dimer Mott Organic Superconductor κ-(BEDT-TTF)2Cu[N(CN)2]Br
Authors: Imajo Shusaku , Kindo Koichi
Published: November 2021

The superconducting phase diagram for a quasi-two-dimensional organic superconductor, κ-(BEDT-TTF)2Cu[N(CN)2]Br, was studied using pulsed magnetic field penetration depth measurements under rotating magnetic fields. At low temperatures, Hc2 was abruptly suppressed even by small tilts of the applied fields owing to the orbital pair-breaking effect. In magnetic fields parallel to the conducting plane, the temperature dependence of the upper critical field Hc2 exhibited an upturn and exceeded the Pauli limit field HP in the lower temperature region. Further analyses with the second derivative of the penetration depth showed an anomaly at 31–32 T, which roughly corresponded to HP. The origin of the anomaly should not be related to the orbital effect, but the paramagnetic effect, which is almost isotropic in organic salts, because it barely depends on the field angle. Based on these results, the observed anomaly is most likely due to the transition between the Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer (BCS) and the Fulde-Ferrell-Larkin-Ovchinnikov (FFLO) states. Additionally, we discuss the phase diagram and physical parameters of the transition by comparing them with other FFLO candidates.
Understanding the Long-Term Impact of Bamboos on Secondary Forests: A Case for Bamboo Management in Southern Brazil
Authors: Lacerda André Eduardo Biscaia
Published: November 2021

As secondary forests become more common around the world, it is essential to understand successional pathways to ensure their proper forest management. Despite optimism about secondary forests in terms of landscape restoration, the influence of invasive species on their development has been poorly explored. Here, forest plots in the Araucaria Forest, Southern Brazil, are used to compare forest dynamics over a 14-year period between unmanaged bamboo forest development (control) and the removal of bamboo. Six control plots (15 × 15 m) were monitored for all adult trees since 2007 alongside six adjacent removal plots; after the initial measurement of the control in 2007, all plots were measured bi-annually from 2010 to 2020. Comparisons were based on tree species diversity, composition, and structure parameters. Removal plots show a trend towards developing a forest composition with more secondary and late successional species while the control plots demonstrate succession restricted to the pioneer trees that regenerated immediately after bamboo die-off (2005–2006). Without the presence of bamboos, removal plots are mirroring the well-known successional pathway typical of the Araucaria Forest. Conversely, bamboos are effectively arresting successional development in the control, resulting in lower levels of diversity and less complex forest structure. For the first time, this study presents a direct analysis of the influence of bamboos on forest succession, providing evidence on which practices to manage bamboo forests can be developed so these secondary forests can fulfill their ecological and economic potential.
What Is an “Arachnid”? Consensus, Consilience, and Confirmation Bias in the Phylogenetics of Chelicerata
Authors: Sharma Prashant P. , Ballesteros Jesús A. , Santibáñez-López Carlos E.
Published: November 2021

The basal phylogeny of Chelicerata is one of the opaquest parts of the animal Tree of Life, defying resolution despite application of thousands of loci and millions of sites. At the forefront of the debate over chelicerate relationships is the monophyly of Arachnida, which has been refuted by most analyses of molecular sequence data. A number of phylogenomic datasets have suggested that Xiphosura (horseshoe crabs) are derived arachnids, refuting the traditional understanding of arachnid monophyly. This result is regarded as controversial, not least by paleontologists and morphologists, due to the widespread perception that arachnid monophyly is unambiguously supported by morphological data. Moreover, some molecular datasets have been able to recover arachnid monophyly, galvanizing the belief that any result that challenges arachnid monophyly is artefactual. Here, we explore the problems of distinguishing phylogenetic signal from noise through a series of in silico experiments, focusing on datasets that have recently supported arachnid monophyly. We assess the claim that filtering by saturation rate is a valid criterion for recovering Arachnida. We demonstrate that neither saturation rate, nor the ability to assemble a molecular phylogenetic dataset supporting a given outcome with maximal nodal support, is a guarantor of phylogenetic accuracy. Separately, we review empirical morphological phylogenetic datasets to examine characters supporting Arachnida and the downstream implication of a single colonization of terrestrial habitats. We show that morphological support of arachnid monophyly is contingent upon a small number of ambiguous or incorrectly coded characters, most of these tautologically linked to adaptation to terrestrial habitats.
Early Biomarkers and Hearing Impairments in Patients with Neonatal Hypoxic–Ischemic Encephalopathy
Authors: Chen Da-Yang , Lee Inn-Chi , Wang Xing-An , Wong Swee-Hee
Published: November 2021

Identifying biomarkers for hearing impairments (HIs) in patients with neonatal hypoxic–ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), to initialize early hearing habilitation, is crucial. Seventy-eight neonates with HIE were divided into the following two groups: those with HIs and those without HIs. We compared those patients with 11,837 newborns without HIE, and analyzed the risk factors of HIs among neonatal HIE. Of the 78 patients, 11 were confirmed to have an HI, which is a substantially higher percentage than in the 11,837 newborns without HIE (14.1% vs. 0.87%; p < 0.001). More patients with moderate-to-severe HIE had confirmed HIs (p = 0.020; odds ratio, 8.61) than those with mild HIE. Clinical staging, and blood lactate and glucose levels could be predictive factors for HIs among patients with HIE. The patients who exhibited HIs had significantly higher lactate (104.8 ± 51.0 vs. 71.4 ± 48.4; U = 181, p = 0.032) and serum glucose (159.5 ± 86.1 vs. 112.1 ± 62.3; U = 166, p = 0.036) levels than those without HIs. A higher prevalence of HIs was noted in the patients with stage III HIE than those with stage II HIE (43.8% vs. 10%; p = 0.008). The degree of HI correlated with brain anomalies and neurodevelopmental outcomes at 1 year of age. Clinical staging, and blood lactate and glucose levels could be predictive factors for HIs among patients with HIE.
Investigating the Experience of Social Engineering Victims: Exploratory and User Testing Study
Authors: Banire Bilikis , Al Thani Dena , Yang Yin
Published: November 2021

The advent of mobile technologies and social network applications has led to an increase in malicious scams and social engineering (SE) attacks which are causing loss of money and breaches of personal information. Understanding how SE attacks spread can provide useful information in curbing them. Artificial Intelligence (AI) has demonstrated efficacy in detecting SE attacks, but the acceptability of such a detection approach is yet to be investigated across users with different levels of SE awareness. This paper conducted two studies: (1) exploratory study where qualitative data were collected from 20 victims of SE attacks to inform the development of an AI-based tool for detecting fraudulent messages; and (2) a user testing study with 48 participants with different occupations to determine the detection tool acceptability. Overall, six major themes emerged from the victims’ actions “experiences: reasons for falling for attacks; attack methods; advice on preventing attacks; detection methods; attack context and victims”. The user testing study showed that the AI-based tool was accepted by all users irrespective of their occupation. The categories of users’ occupations can be attributed to the level of SE awareness. Information security awareness should not be limited to organizational levels but extend to social media platforms as public information.
Miniaturized Broadband-Multiband Planar Monopole Antenna in Autonomous Vehicles Communication System Device
Authors: Chung Ming-An , Yang Chih-Wei
Published: November 2021

The article mainly presents that a simple antenna structure with only two branches can provide the characteristics of dual-band and wide bandwidths. The recommended antenna design is composed of a clockwise spiral shape, and the design has a gradual impedance change. Thus, this antenna is ideal for applications also recommended in these wireless standards, including 5G, B5G, 4G, V2X, ISM band of WLAN, Bluetooth, WiFI 6 band, WiMAX, and Sirius/XM Radio for in-vehicle infotainment systems. The proposed antenna with a dimension of 10 × 5 mm is simple and easy to make and has a lot of copy production. The operating frequency is covered with a dual-band from 2000 to 2742 MHz and from 4062 to beyond 8000 MHz and, it is also demonstrated that the measured performance results of return loss, radiation, and gain are in good agreement with simulations. The radiation efficiency can reach 91% and 93% at the lower and higher bands. Moreover, the antenna gain can achieve 2.7 and 6.75 dBi at the lower and higher bands, respectively. This antenna design has a low profile, low cost, and small size features that may be implemented in autonomous vehicles and mobile IoT communication system devices.
Reliability Metrics for Generation Planning and the Role of Regulation in the Energy Transition: Case Studies of Brazil and Mexico
Authors: Werlang Ana , Cunha Gabriel , Bastos João , Serra Juliana , Barbosa Bruno , Barroso Luiz
Published: November 2021

In recent years electricity sectors worldwide have undergone major transformations, referred to as the “energy transition”. This has required energy planning to quickly adapt to provide useful inputs to the regulation activity so that a cost-effective electricity market emerges to facilitate the integration of renewables. This paper analyzes the role of system planning and regulations on two specific elements in the energy market design: the concept of firm capacity and the presence of distributed energy resources, both of which can be influenced by regulation. We assess the total cost of different regulatory mechanisms in the Brazilian and Mexican systems using optimization tools to determine optimal long-term expansion for a given regulatory framework. In particular, we quantitatively analyze the role of the current regulation in the total cost of these two electricity systems when compared to a reference “efficient” energy planning scenario that adopts standard cost-minimization principles and that is well suited to the most relevant features of the new energy transformation scenario. We show that two very common features of regulatory designs that can lead to distortions are: (i) renewables commonly having a lower “perceived cost” under the current regulations, either due to direct incentives such as tax breaks or due to indirect access to more attractive contracts or financing conditions; and (ii) requirements for reliability are often defined more conservatively than they should be, overstating the hardships imposed by renewable generation on the existing system and underestimating their potential to form portfolios.
Public Attitudes towards Birds and Private Forest Land Conservation
Authors: Sharma Sadikshya , Kreye Melissa M.
Published: November 2021

The eastern United States is dominantd by private forest lands, which are important for supporting a significant proportion of global bird populations. Here, we examine public attitudes towards bird conservation, government involvement in private lands issues, and private forest management objectives with an aim to better understand how these perceptions may shape broader attitudes about bird conservation. Data were collected using psychometric scales and a statewide web survey of the general public in Pennsylvania, USA (n = 656). Findings reveal four unique perspectives about birds and important correlations with conservation support on private lands. Respondents with positive views about landowner assistance programs often had more complex attitudes towards birds and were associated with relational and ethical perspectives about birds. We conclude that future public education efforts might cultivate in learners a more robust understanding of bird conservation if they included private forest lands values and culture in their programs.
Soil Carbon Modelling in Salix Biomass Plantations: Variety Determines Carbon Sequestration and Climate Impacts
Authors: Kalita Saurav , Potter Hanna Karlsson , Weih Martin , Baum Christel , Nordberg Åke , Hansson Per-Anders
Published: November 2021

Short-rotation coppice (SRC) Salix plantations have the potential to provide fast-growing biomass feedstock with significant soil and climate mitigation benefits. Salix varieties exhibit significant variation in their physiological traits, growth patterns and soil ecology—but the effects of these variations have rarely been studied from a systems perspective. This study analyses the influence of variety on soil organic carbon (SOC) dynamics and climate impacts from Salix cultivation for heat production for a Swedish site with specific conditions. Soil carbon modelling was combined with a life cycle assessment (LCA) approach to quantify SOC sequestration and climate impacts over a 50-year period. The analysis used data from a Swedish field trial of six Salix varieties grown under fertilized and unfertilized treatments on Vertic Cambisols during 2001–2018. The Salix systems were compared with a reference case where heat is produced from natural gas and green fallow was the land use alternative. Climate impacts were determined using time-dependent LCA methodology—on a land-use (per hectare) and delivered energy unit (per MJheat) basis. All Salix varieties and treatments increased SOC, but the magnitude depended on the variety. Fertilization led to lower carbon sequestration than the equivalent unfertilized case. There was no clear relationship between biomass yield and SOC increase. In comparison with reference cases, all Salix varieties had significant potential for climate change mitigation. From a land-use perspective, high yield was the most important determining factor, followed by SOC sequestration, therefore high-yielding fertilized varieties such as ‘Tordis’, ‘Tora’ and ‘Björn’ performed best. On an energy-delivered basis, SOC sequestration potential was the determining factor for the climate change mitigation effect, with unfertilized ‘Jorr’ and ‘Loden’ outperforming the other varieties. These results show that Salix variety has a strong influence on SOC sequestration potential, biomass yield, growth pattern, response to fertilization and, ultimately, climate impact.
Soil Aggregate-Associated Carbon Fraction Dynamics during the Process of Tea (Camellia sinensis L.) Planting in Southern Guangxi, China
Authors: Zhang Chao , He Xinxin , Ye Shaoming , Wang Shengqiang
Published: November 2021

Revealing the variation in soil aggregate-associated organic carbon (Corg) in tea plantations of various planting ages is crucial to shed more light on the accumulation and decomposition of soil Corg in the tea-planting period. This study measured the concentrations of soil Corg, active carbon (Cact), and recalcitrant carbon (Crec) in different-sized aggregates obtained from tea plantations of various planting ages (8, 17, 25, and 43 years old) at the soil depths of 0–20 and 20–40 cm in southern Guangxi, China. According to the wet-sieving approach, soil aggregates were classified as macro- (>0.25 mm) and micro- (<0.25 mm) aggregates, and the former were further divided into coarse (>2 mm), medium (2–1 mm), and fine (1–0.25 mm) fractions. Based on the mean weight diameter (MWD), the stability of soil aggregates was the highest in the 17-year-old tea plantations, and it was closely related to the concentration of soil Cact (0–20 cm: R2 = 0.9744, p < 0.05; 20–40 cm: R2 = 0.8951, p < 0.05), but not Corg (0–20 cm: R2 = 0.1532, p > 0.05; 20–40 cm: R2 = 0.4538, p > 0.05), during the tea-planting process. In the 0–20 and 20–40 cm soil layers, the coarse and medium macro-aggregates had higher concentrations of Corg, Cact, and Crec, regardless of the tea-planting age; meanwhile, the soil Cact/Crec ratio, indicating the Corg availability, increased as aggregate size increased, implying that the soil Corg was younger and more labile in coarse macro-aggregates relative to finer aggregates. Moreover, the tea-planting age significantly affected the Corg, Cact, and Crec reserves in both soil layers. To be specific, continuous tea planting facilitated the accumulation of soil Corg and Crec, but their reserves’ increase rates decreased over time; meanwhile, the soil Cact reserve increased during the early (from 8 to 17 years) tea-planting stage and later decreased. Therefore, during the middle (from 17 to 25 years) and late (from 25 to 43 years) tea-planting stages, maintaining the soil as an Cact pool plays a vital role in facilitating the formation and stabilization of soil aggregates in southern Guangxi, China.
New Species of Tomentella (Thelephorales, Basidiomycota) from Temperate Continental Mountain Climate of China (Xinjiang Region)
Authors: Lu Xu , Yuan Hai-Sheng
Published: November 2021

Species in the genus Tomentella are distributed throughout the temperate and tropical regions worldwide, but few studies associated with the taxonomy and phylogeny of this genus had been reported from Northwest China. In this paper, molecular phylogenetic analyses of the nuclear ribosomal ITS (internal transcribed spacer: ITS1-5.8S-ITS2) and LSU (large subunit: 28S) sequences combined with morphological characteristics identified three new species from Xinjiang Autonomous Region in Northwest China, which were named T. aurantispora, T. kanasensis, and T. schrenkiana. Similar macromorphological and anatomical characteristics are shared by these new species: arachnoid basidiocarps; byssoid sterile margins; utriform basidia with a clamp connection at the base; the absence of rhizomorphs and cystidia; and slightly thick-walled, subglobose to globose basidiospores. Among these new species, the color of the hymenophoral surface, the size of the basidiospores, and some other features can be used for species delimitation. The new species and closely related species in the phylogenetic tree were discussed, and a key to the identified species of Tomentella from China was provided.
Comparative Analysis of Biological Activity of Artificial and Wild Agarwood
Authors: Ma Sheng , Qiao Mengji , Fu Yunlin , Wei Penglian , Li Yingjian , Liu Zhigao
Published: November 2021

Agarwood is a highly economically important medicinal herb with widespread uses; however, the difference between the biological activities of artificial and wild agarwood is unclear. In this study, the alcohol-soluble extracts of agarwood produced by fungi and natural agarwood were used to determine the differences between the overall biological activities. The antioxidant ability (the clearance rates of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS+) radicals, and total reducing power), anti-acetylcholinesterase, and anti-α-glucosidase activity were determined by ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry. The results indicated that with 2 mg/mL alcohol-soluble extracts, the scavenging DPPH radical rates of the artificial agarwood samples were 93.74–102.31% of that of the wild agarwood, and the ABTS+ radical clearance rates of the artificial agarwood samples were 75.38–95.52% of that of the natural agarwood. With 3.5 mg/mL alcohol-soluble extracts, the artificial agarwood samples had a total reducing power of 63.07–80.29% of that of the wild agarwood. With 4 mg/mL alcohol-soluble extract, the acetylcholinesterase activity inhibition rates of the artificial agarwood samples were 102.56–109.16% of that of the wild agarwood. With 1 mg/mL alcohol soluble extracts, the α-glucosidase effect inhibitions rates of the artificial agarwood samples were 68.32–100.39% of that of the wild agarwood.