bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synchronous measurements of prefrontal activity and pulse rate variability during online video game playing with functional near-infrared spectroscopy
Authors: Zhang Xuzhe , Long Kehong , Wang Ningxin , Zhang Jin , Lei Hao
Published: July 2023

Interactions between the central nervous system (CNS) and autonomic nervous system (ANS) play a crucial role in modulating perception, cognition, and emotion production. Previous studies on CNS–ANS interactions, or heart–brain coupling, have often used heart rate variability (HRV) metrics derived from electrocardiography (ECG) recordings as empirical measurements of sympathetic and parasympathetic activities. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) is a functional brain imaging modality that is increasingly used in brain and cognition studies. The fNIRS signals contain frequency bands representing both neural activity oscillations and heartbeat rhythms. Therefore, fNIRS data acquired in neuroimaging studies can potentially provide a single-modality approach to measure task-induced responses in the brain and ANS synchronously, allowing analysis of CNS–ANS interactions. In this proof-of-concept study, fNIRS was used to record hemodynamic changes from the foreheads of 20 university students as they each played a round of multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game. From the fNIRS recordings, neural and heartbeat frequency bands were extracted to assess prefrontal activities and short-term pulse rate variability (PRV), an approximation for short-term HRV, respectively. Under the experimental conditions used, fNIRS-derived PRV metrics showed good correlations with ECG-derived HRV golden standards, in terms of absolute measurements and video game playing (VGP)-related changes. It was also observed that, similar to previous studies on physical activity and exercise, the PRV metrics closely related to parasympathetic activities recovered slower than the PRV indicators of sympathetic activities after VGP. It is concluded that it is feasible to use fNIRS to monitor concurrent brain and ANS activations during online VGP, facilitating the understanding of VGP-related heart–brain coupling.
Improved Security for Multimedia Data Visualization using Hierarchical Clustering Algorithm
Authors: S. Shitharth , Manoharan Hariprasath , Khadidos Alaa O. , Shankar Achyut , Maple Carsten , Khadidos Adil O. , Mumtaz Shahid
Published: July 2023

In this paper, a realization technique is designed with a unique analytical model for transmitting multimedia data to appropriate end users. Transmission of multimedia data to all end users through a variety of visualization methods is the foundation of future computer systems. Yet, highly limited system resources prevent the updating of the methods used to manage multimedia data. Hence, a high-end visualization technique where uncertainties are eliminated is required for the visualization process with a multimedia system. As a result, the suggested system incorporates a clustering technique utilizing an analytical framework to ensure a high degree of transmission for all multimedia data. The technical contribution of the proposed method depends on a multimedia visualization process that takes place with high security features by including necessary parametric relationships such as occurrence of jitter, data density points, time period, multimedia storage, data smoothness and distance. For the established parametric relationship the validation methodology is integrated with a hierarchical clustering algorithm, thereby transmitting every clustered data with high security feature, thereby the examined outcomes under five scenarios proves that data security which is represented by simulation outcomes is improved to 88% as compared to the existing approach.
Experimental and Numerical Study on the Vortical Flow of MULDICON Wing Configuration
Authors: Madan Ibrahim , Miau Jiun-Jih , Mat Shabudin Bin
Published: July 2023

This paper highlights the results and comparison of the flow topology investigation above the unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) configuration, namely, multidisciplinary design configuration (MULDICON), with modified leading-edge profile at the apex region from a sharp to a blunt profile to reduce the complexity of the flow structure above the wing. It was found from the flow visualization results that at a low angle of attack, for instance, 10°, the onset of the flow separation took place near the apex region; the onset of a tip vortex at the wing tip was also detected. At a medium angle of attack, for instance, 15°, the onset of the flow separation moved further upstream with the formation of the apex vortex, and the magnitude of the tip vortex increased due to increasing incoming flow with increasing the angle of attack. At higher angle of attack, for instance, 20°, the apex vortex intensity increased and wing tip vortices shedding is observed. Furthermore, at an angle of attack of 25°, the configuration is partially stalled, while a complete stalled occurred at an angle of attack of 30°. The current results obtained from this study have shown that the configuration has a maximum lift coefficient of 0.8 obtained from the K-Omega-SST turbulence model while it is 0.93 calculated from the Spalart-Allmaras turbulence model, while the maximum drag coefficient is 0.31 and 0.35, respectively, when calculated for the K-Omega-SST turbulence model and the Spalart-Allmaras turbulence model at an AOA of 25°. The flow visualization results revealed that there is a single flow separation due to modified leading edge from sharp to blunt, thus flow complexity is reduced.
Overflow Effect of COVID-19 Pandemic on Stock Market Performance: A Study Based on Growing Economy
Authors: Qadri Syed Usman , Raza Mohsin , Qadri Safwan , Mahmood Shahid , Ye Chengang , Rauf Fawad , Taqi Muhammad , Hossain Md Shamim
Published: July 2023

Purpose. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect that COVID-19 has on the performance of the stock market in emerging economies. The findings as a whole demonstrate that the stock market does not react significantly. We believe that the outcomes of this study provide knowledge that is useful for decision makers in financial markets and policy all around the globe. Methods. Data for 140 companies are obtained from the official websites of the companies listed on the Pakistan Stock Exchange. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to determine whether there was a significant difference before and after the pandemic era. In addition, the ARDL model was chosen because of the variable integration mix (order 0 and 1). Implications. Theoretically, it added to the information that was already available about the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on the performance of stock markets in emerging economies. In a purely practical way, it will help those in charge of making policies come up with plans to deal with things that cannot be predicted. Results. The findings of the analysis demonstrate that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused a 52.85% reduction in the volatility of Pakistan’s net profit returns. The study shows a statistically insignificant negative association between the COVID-19 pandemic and Pakistan’s stock returns. The empirical results of ARDL models provide the first conclusion of the analysis, indicating that the number of long-term connections was greater than short-term connections. Conclusion. According to the findings of the research, the pandemic caused by COVID-19 has a bigger impact on the financial performance of enterprises (both positively and negatively). Some companies are able to maintain their place in the market even if the bulk of the firms see their performance suffer during a pandemic. Originality. We are the first to use the ARDL model to evaluate the effect of the new COVID-19 pandemic on a stock market in a developing nation.
An Innovation in the Test for Material Jurisdiction under Certain Compromissory Clauses
Authors: de Vries-Zou Ivo Tarik
Published: July 2023

To decide on the question of material jurisdiction under a compromissory clause, the World Court has at times interpreted treaties provisionally, seeing whether these could reasonably, though not per se correctly, be read so as to apply to acts of which an applicant complains. Other times it has interpreted treaties definitively, to assess whether the respondent actually has the obligations it allegedly violated. The former method may be criticised for not basing jurisdiction in consent; the latter for prejudging the merits. This article shows that the Court has nevertheless made the latter its standard approach. But to avoid prejudging the merits, it will only use definitive interpretations to resolve those preliminary objections, or aspects of an objection, which it perceives as raising issues relevant to its material jurisdiction, as opposed to the merits. The article argues this innovation creates uncertainty for the parties and could be a misuse of the definitive approach.
Obligations Erga Omnes (Partes) and the Participation of Third States in Inter-State Litigation
Authors: McGarry Brian
Published: July 2023

This article addresses the role of third States in public interest litigation – i.e., ongoing proceedings concerning interests which they share with the international community. It scrutinizes third-State intervention in inter-State cases through the prism of rules and principles arising in public interest litigation, and aims to clarify the limits of such participation. Having synthesized the relevant law and doctrine of intervention practice before the ICJ and other institutional courts, it considers the extent to which third-State interests find expression through Articles 62 and 63 of the ICJ Statute. It examines the invocation of international legal responsibility on the basis of obligations erga omnes and erga omnes partes, as well as the prospect of intervention on this basis. It then identifies and addresses jurisdictional and procedural questions arising in these and other instances of “public interest” intervention. It concludes by envisaging the prospective institutional development of multilateral participation in public interest litigation.
Climatology and Changes in Extratropical Cyclone Activity in the Southern Hemisphere during Austral Winters from 1948 to 2017
Authors: Zhan Xinyue , Chen Lei
Published: July 2023

An objective detection and tracking algorithm based on relative vorticity at 850 hPa using National Centers for Environmental Prediction–National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCEP–NCAR) Reanalysis-1 data was applied to track cyclones in the Southern Hemisphere during austral winters from 1948 to 2017. The climatological characteristics of extratropical cyclones, including track density, frequency, intensity, lifetime, and their related variabilities, are discussed. The frequency and average lifetime of cyclones have substantially decreased. The average maximum intensity of cyclones has shown an increasing trend over the 70-yr study period. The cyclone track density shows a decreasing trend in lower latitudes, consistent with the region where the upper-troposphere zonal wind weakens. Baroclinicity can explain the increase in cyclone intensity: when a cyclone moves to higher latitudes and enters the region with greater baroclinicity, it strengthens. As there is no discernible increase in cyclogenesis in the medium latitudes (45°–70°S), but significantly less cyclogenesis in lower and higher latitudes, it is hypothesized that there is no clear poleward cyclogenesis shift over the Southern Hemisphere.

Significance Statement

While much is known about the Northern Hemisphere cyclones, few studies have examined how extratropical cyclones have changed in the Southern Hemisphere. We used an automatic tracking algorithm to study the climatological characteristics of extratropical cyclones over the past 70 years and found that the frequency of winter extratropical cyclones has decreased significantly in most parts of the Southern Hemisphere, with the number of intense cyclones increasing. Under global warming conditions, variability in regional low-level baroclinicity and a weakened upper-troposphere jet are likely to be responsible for this change. Future studies may focus on how the increasing autumn sea ice around Antarctica affects polar cyclone activities.
Causal effects of serum lipid biomarkers on early age-related macular degeneration using Mendelian randomization
Authors: Li Fen-Fen , Wang Yuqin , Chen Lishuang , Chen Chong , Chen Qi , Xiang Lue , Rao Feng-Qin , Shen Li-Jun , Zheng Qin-Xiang , Yi Quanyong , Huang Xiu-Feng
Published: July 2023

Background

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the major causes of vision loss. Early AMD needs to be taken seriously, but the causal effects of lipid biomarkers on early AMD remain unclear.

Methods

In this study, two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was performed to systematically assess the causal relationships between seven serum lipid biomarkers (apolipoprotein A (ApoA), apolipoprotein B (ApoB), total cholesterol (CHOL), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), direct low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), lipoprotein A [Lp(a)], and triglycerides (TG)) and risk of early AMD. In total, 14,034 cases and 91,214 controls of European ancestry were included in the analysis (number of SNPs = 11,304,110).

Results

MR estimates revealed that a higher HDL-C level is strongly associated with increased risk of early AMD (OR = 1.25, 95% CI: 1.15–1.35, P = 2.61 × 10−8). In addition, level of ApoA is also positively associated with risk of early AMD (OR = 2.04, 95% CI: 1.50–2.77, P = 6.27 × 10−6). Conversely, higher levels of TG significantly decrease the risk of early AMD (OR = 0.77, 95% CI: 0.71–0.84, P = 5.02 × 10−10). Sensitivity analyses further supported these associations. Moreover, multivariable MR analyses, adjusted for the effects of correlated lipid biomarkers, yielded similar results.

Conclusion

This study identifies causal relationships between elevated circulating HDL-C/ApoA levels and increased risk of early AMD, in addition to finding that TG specifically reduces the risk of early AMD. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the role of lipid metabolism in drusen formation, particularly in early AMD development.
Dietary flavonoids intake contributes to delay biological aging process: analysis from NHANES dataset
Authors: Xing Wenmin , Gao Wenyan , Zhao Zhenlei , Xu Xiaogang , Bu Hongyan , Su Huili , Mao Genxiang , Chen Jun
Published: July 2023

Background

Diet may influence biological aging and the discrepancy (∆age) between a subject’s biological age (BA) and chronological age (CA). We aimed to investigate the correlation of dietary flavonoids with the ∆age of organs (heart, kidney, liver) and the whole body.

Method

A total of 3193 United States adults were extracted from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) in 2007–2008 and 2017–2018. Dietary flavonoids intake was assessed using 24-h dietary recall method. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to evaluate the association of dietary flavonoids intake with the ∆age of organs (heart, kidney, liver) and the whole body. BA was computed based on circulating biomarkers, and the resulting ∆age was tested as an outcome in linear regression analysis.

Results

The ∆age of the whole body, heart, and liver was inversely associated with higher flavonoids intake (the whole body ∆age β = − 0.58, cardiovascular ∆age β = − 0.96, liver ∆age β = − 3.19) after adjustment for variables. However, higher flavonoids intake positively related to renal ∆age (β = 0.40) in participants with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Associations were influenced by population characteristics, such as age, health behavior, or chronic diseases. Anthocyanidins, isoflavones and flavones had the strongest inverse associations between the whole body ∆age and cardiovascular ∆age among all the flavonoids subclasses.

Conclusion

Flavonoids intake positively contributes to delaying the biological aging process, especially in the heart, and liver organ, which may be beneficial for reducing the long-term risk of cardiovascular or liver disease.
Management of pain in Fabry disease in the UK clinical setting: consensus findings from an expert Delphi panel
Authors: Stepien Karolina M. , Broomfield Alexander , Cole Duncan , Deegan Patrick B. , Forshaw-Hulme Stuart , Hughes Derralynn , Jovanovic Ana , Morris Liz , Muir Alison , Ramaswami Uma
Published: July 2023

Background

Fabry disease is a rare, X-linked inherited lysosomal storage disorder, that manifests as a heterogeneous disease with renal, cardiac and nervous system involvement. The most common pain experienced by people with Fabry disease are episodes of neuropathic pain reported in up to 80% of classical hemizygous male patients and up to 65% of heterozygous female patients. No clear consensus exists within UK clinical practice for the assessment and management of pain in Fabry disease based on agreed clinical practice and clinical experience. Here we describe a modified Delphi initiative to establish expert consensus on management of pain in Fabry disease in the UK clinical setting.

Methods

Delphi panel members were identified based on their demonstrated expertise in managing adult or paediatric patients with Fabry disease in the UK and recruited by an independent third-party administrator. Ten expert panellists agreed to participate in two survey rounds, during which they remained anonymous to each other. Circulation of the questionnaires, and collection and processing of the panel’s responses were conducted between September 2021 and December 2021. All questions required an answer.

Results

The Delphi panel reached a consensus on 21 out of 41 aspects of pain assessment and management of pain in Fabry disease. These encompassed steps in the care pathway from the goals of therapy through to holistic support, including the use of gabapentin and carbamazepine as first-line analgesic medications for the treatment of neuropathic pain in Fabry disease, as well as the proactive management of symptoms of anxiety and/or depression associated with Fabry pain.

Conclusions

The consensus panel outcomes reported here have highlighted strengths in current UK clinical practice, along with unmet needs for further research and agreement. This consensus is intended to prompt the next steps towards developing clinical guidelines.
Diagnostic and therapeutic practices in adult chronic nonbacterial osteomyelitis (CNO)
Authors: Leerling A. T. , Clunie G. , Koutrouba E. , Dekkers O. M. , Appelman-Dijkstra N. M. , Winter E. M.
Published: July 2023

Background

Chronic nonbacterial osteomyelitis (CNO) is a rare, and impactful auto-inflammatory bone disease occurring in children and adults. Clinical care for CNO is challenging, as the condition lacks validated classification criteria and evidence-based therapies. This study aimed to map the current diagnostic and therapeutic practices for CNO in adults, as a first step towards a standardized disease definition and future consensus treatment plans.

Methods

A primary survey was spread among global rheumatological/bone networks and 57 experts as identified from literature (May 2022), covering terminology, diagnostic tools (clinical, radiological, biochemical) and treatment steps. A secondary survey (sent to primary survey responders in August 2022) further queried key diagnostic features, treatment motivations, disease activity and treatment response monitoring.

Results

36 and 23 physicians completed the primary and secondary survey respectively. Diagnosis was mainly based on individual physician assessment, in which the combination of chronic relapsing-remitting bone pain with radiologically-proven osteitis/osteomyelitis, sclerosis, hyperostosis and increased isotope uptake on bone scintigraphy were reported indicative of CNO. Physicians appeared more likely to refer to the condition as synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis, osteitis (SAPHO) syndrome in the presence of joint and skin pathology. MRI was most frequently performed, and the preferred diagnostic test for 47%. X-rays were second-most frequently used, although considered least informative of all available tools. Typical imaging features reported were hyperostosis, osteitis, osteosclerosis, bone marrow edema, while degeneration, soft tissue calcification, and ankylosis were not regarded characteristic. Inflammation markers and bone markers were generally regarded unhelpful for diagnostic and monitoring purposes and physicians infrequently performed bone biopsies. Management strategies diverged, including indications for treatment, response monitoring and declaration of remission. Step-1 treatment consisted of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs/COX-2 inhibitors (83%). Common step 2–3 treatments were pamidronate, methotrexate, and TNF-a-inhibition (anti-TNFα), the latter two regarded especially convenient to co-target extra-skeletal inflammation in SAPHO syndrome. Overall pamidronate and anti-TNFα and were considered the most effective treatments.

Conclusions

Following from our survey data, adult CNO is a broad and insufficiently characterized disease spectrum, including extra-osseous features. MRI is the favoured imaging diagnostic, and management strategies vary significantly. Overall, pamidronate and anti-TNFα are regarded most successful. The results lay out current practices for adult CNO, which may serve as backbone for a future consensus clinical guideline.
Preschool-located influenza vaccination and influenza-like illness surveillance: an Italian pilot experience
Authors: Amendola Antonella , Borghi Elisa , Bianchi Silvia , Gori Maria , Fappani Clara , Barcellini Lucia , Forlanini Federica , Garancini Nicolò , Nava Chiara , Mari Alessandra , Sala Anna , Gasparini Chiara , Ottaviano Emerenziana , Colzani Daniela , Biganzoli Elia Mario , Tanzi Elisabetta , Zuccotti Gian Vincenzo
Published: July 2023

Background

We describe the first school-located influenza vaccination campaign with quadrivalent live-attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) among pre-school children in Italy, coupled with an innovative school-centred influenza-like illnesses (ILIs) surveillance using a self-sampling non-invasive saliva collection method.

Methods

The pilot study was proposed during the 2021/2022 influenza season to fifteen pre-schools in the Milan municipality. LAIV was offered directly in school to all healthy children without contraindications. ILI differential diagnosis was conducted by real-time RT-PCR for influenza A/B and SARS-CoV-2.

Results

Five pre-schools were involved in the pilot project and overall, 135 families (31.2%) participated in the study, adhering to both surveillance and vaccination; 59% of families had an immigrant background. No pupil experienced adverse reactions after vaccination. Nineteen saliva samples were collected from sixteen children (11.8%). Six samples (31.6%) tested positive for SARS-CoV-2; none was positive for influenza A/B.

Conclusions

The participation in the immunisation campaign was good, considering possible absences due to COVID-19 pandemic, and the intranasal administration was well tolerated and helped to overcome parental hesitancy. Saliva sampling represented a useful tool to reduce children’s stress and increase parents’ compliance. The high participation of families with an immigrant background suggests that school-based interventions can represent an effective strategy to overcome socioeconomic and cultural barriers.
Quantum iterative reconstruction on a photon-counting detector CT improves the quality of hepatocellular carcinoma imaging
Authors: Graafen Dirk , Stoehr Fabian , Halfmann Moritz C. , Emrich Tilman , Foerster Friedrich , Yang Yang , Düber Christoph , Müller Lukas , Kloeckner Roman
Published: July 2023

Background

Excellent image quality is crucial for workup of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with liver cirrhosis because a signature tumor signal allows for non-invasive diagnosis without histologic proof. Photon-counting detector computed tomography (PCD-CT) can enhance abdominal image quality, especially in combination with a novel iterative reconstruction algorithm, quantum iterative reconstruction (QIR).

The purpose of this study was to analyze the impact of different QIR levels on PCD-CT imaging of HCC in both phantom and patient scans.

Methods

Virtual monoenergetic images at 50 keV were reconstructed using filtered back projection and all available QIR levels (QIR 1–4). Objective image quality properties were investigated in phantom experiments. The study also included 44 patients with triple-phase liver PCD-CT scans of viable HCC lesions. Quantitative image analysis involved assessing the noise, contrast, and contrast-to-noise ratio of the lesions. Qualitative image analysis was performed by three raters evaluating noise, artifacts, lesion conspicuity, and overall image quality using a 5-point Likert scale.

Results

Noise power spectra in the phantom experiments showed increasing noise suppression with higher QIR levels without affecting the modulation transfer function. This pattern was confirmed in the in vivo scans, in which the lowest noise levels were found in QIR-4 reconstructions, with around a 50% reduction in median noise level compared with the filtered back projection images. As contrast does not change with QIR, QIR-4 also yielded the highest contrast-to-noise ratios. With increasing QIR levels, rater scores were significantly better for all qualitative image criteria (all p < .05).

Conclusions

Without compromising image sharpness, the best image quality of iodine contrast optimized low-keV virtual monoenergetic images can be achieved using the highest QIR level to suppress noise. Using these settings as standard reconstruction for HCC in PCD-CT imaging might improve diagnostic accuracy and confidence.
Dying at home: enablers and barriers
Authors: Dowd Anna , Davies Melanie , Short Sarah , Morrison Ruth , Spiller Cheryl , Carter Jill , Eastman Peter
Published: July 2023

Background:

According to the Grattan institute in 2014, 70% of Australians indicated a preference to die at home, however, only 14% of all deaths were at home.

Aims:

To identify how patients can be supported to die at home if that is their preference.

Methods:

A retrospective medical record audit of eligible Community Palliative Care (CPC) patients who indicated a wish to die at home was undertaken.

Findings:

Out of a total of 114 patients, 74% indicated a preference to die at home. Of these, 66% achieved a home death, and most lived with a carer. Enablers for home death included family support, regular nursing visits and equipment. People who attended an emergency department in their last month of life, lived alone or were undergoing oncological treatment were more likely to die elsewhere.

Conclusion:

A range of enablers and barriers to home death were found, with many of the enablers being factors that prevented hospital presentations.
The safety of one-stage versus two-stage approach to osseointegrated prosthesis for limb amputation
Authors: Banducci Ella , Al Muderis Munjed , Lu William , Bested Stephen R.
Published: July 2023

Aims

Safety concerns surrounding osseointegration are a significant barrier to replacing socket prosthesis as the standard of care following limb amputation. While implanted osseointegrated prostheses traditionally occur in two stages, a one-stage approach has emerged. Currently, there is no existing comparison of the outcomes of these different approaches. To address safety concerns, this study sought to determine whether a one-stage osseointegration procedure is associated with fewer adverse events than the two-staged approach.

Methods

A comprehensive electronic search and quantitative data analysis from eligible studies were performed. Inclusion criteria were adults with a limb amputation managed with a one- or two-stage osseointegration procedure with follow-up reporting of complications.

Results

A total of 19 studies were included: four one-stage, 14 two-stage, and one article with both one- and two-stage groups. Superficial infection was the most common complication (one-stage: 38% vs two-stage: 52%). There was a notable difference in the incidence of osteomyelitis (one-stage: nil vs two-stage: 10%) and implant failure (one-stage: 1% vs two-stage: 9%). Fracture incidence was equivocal (one-stage: 13% vs two-stage: 12%), and comparison of soft-tissue, stoma, and mechanical related complications was not possible.

Conclusion

This review suggests that the one-stage approach is favourable compared to the two-stage, because the incidence of complications was slightly lower in the one-stage cohort, with a pertinent difference in the incidence of osteomyelitis and implant failure.

Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2023;4(7):539–550.
Characterization of factors that underlie transcriptional silencing in C. elegans oocytes
Authors: Belew Mezmur D. , Chien Emilie , Michael W. Matthew
Published: July 2023

While it has been appreciated for decades that prophase-arrested oocytes are transcriptionally silenced on a global level, the molecular pathways that promote silencing have remained elusive. Previous work in C. elegans has shown that both topoisomerase II (TOP-2) and condensin II collaborate with the H3K9me heterochromatin pathway to silence gene expression in the germline during L1 starvation, and that the PIE-1 protein silences the genome in the P-lineage of early embryos. Here, we show that all three of these silencing systems, TOP-2/condensin II, H3K9me, and PIE-1, are required for transcriptional repression in oocytes. We find that H3K9me3 marks increase dramatically on chromatin during silencing, and that silencing is under cell cycle control. We also find that PIE-1 localizes to the nucleolus just prior to silencing, and that nucleolar dissolution during silencing is dependent on TOP-2/condensin II. Our data identify both the molecular components and the trigger for genome silencing in oocytes and establish a link between PIE-1 nucleolar residency and its ability to repress transcription.
Single-cell sequencing analysis reveals development and differentiation trajectory of Schwann cells manipulated by M. leprae
Authors: Ma Shanshan , Mi Zihao , Wang Zhenzhen , Sun Lele , Liu Tingting , Shi Peidian , Wang Chuan , Xue Xiaotong , Chen Wenjie , Wang Zhe , Yu Yueqian , Zhang Yuan , Bao Fangfang , Wang Na , Wang Honglei , Xia Qianqian , Liu Hong , Sun Yonghu , Zhang Furen
Published: July 2023

Background

M. leprae preferentially infects Schwann cells (SCs) in the peripheral nerves leading to nerve damage and irreversible disability. Knowledge of how M. leprae infects and interacts with host SCs is essential for understanding mechanisms of nerve damage and revealing potential new therapeutic strategies.

Methodology/Principal findings

We performed a time-course single-cell sequencing analysis of SCs infected with M. leprae at different time points, further analyzed the heterogeneity of SCs, subpopulations associated with M. leprae infection, developmental trajectory of SCs and validated by Western blot or flow cytometry. Different subpopulations of SCs exhibiting distinct genetic features and functional enrichments were present. We observed two subpopulations associated with M. leprae infection, a stem cell-like cell subpopulation increased significantly at 24 h but declined by 72 h after M. leprae infection, and an adipocyte-like cell subpopulation, emerged at 72 h post-infection. The results were validated and confirmed that a stem cell-like cell subpopulation was in the early stage of differentiation and could differentiate into an adipocyte-like cell subpopulation.

Conclusions/Significance

Our results present a systematic time-course analysis of SC heterogeneity after infection by M. leprae at single-cell resolution, provide valuable information to understand the critical biological processes underlying reprogramming and lipid metabolism during M. leprae infection of SCs, and increase understanding of the disease-causing mechanisms at play in leprosy patients as well as revealing potential new therapeutic strategies.
Homeobox transcription factor HbxA influences expression of over one thousand genes in the model fungus Aspergillus nidulans
Authors: Pandit Sandesh S. , Zheng Jinfang , Yin Yanbin , Lorber Sophie , Puel Olivier , Dhingra Sourabh , Espeso Eduardo A. , Calvo Ana M.
Published: July 2023

In fungi, conserved homeobox-domain proteins are transcriptional regulators governing development. In Aspergillus species, several homeobox-domain transcription factor genes have been identified, among them, hbxA/hbx1. For instance, in the opportunistic human pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus, hbxA is involved in conidial production and germination, as well as virulence and secondary metabolism, including production of fumigaclavines, fumiquinazolines, and chaetominine. In the agriculturally important fungus Aspergillus flavus, disruption of hbx1 results in fluffy aconidial colonies unable to produce sclerotia. hbx1 also regulates production of aflatoxins, cyclopiazonic acid and aflatrem. Furthermore, transcriptome studies revealed that hbx1 has a broad effect on the A. flavus genome, including numerous genes involved in secondary metabolism. These studies underline the importance of the HbxA/Hbx1 regulator, not only in developmental processes but also in the biosynthesis of a broad number of fungal natural products, including potential medical drugs and mycotoxins. To gain further insight into the regulatory scope of HbxA in Aspergilli, we studied its role in the model fungus Aspergillus nidulans. Our present study of the A. nidulans hbxA-dependent transcriptome revealed that more than one thousand genes are differentially expressed when this regulator was not transcribed at wild-type levels, among them numerous transcription factors, including those involved in development as well as in secondary metabolism regulation. Furthermore, our metabolomics analyses revealed that production of several secondary metabolites, some of them associated with A. nidulans hbxA-dependent gene clusters, was also altered in deletion and overexpression hbxA strains compared to the wild type, including synthesis of nidulanins A, B and D, versicolorin A, sterigmatocystin, austinol, dehydroaustinol, and three unknown novel compounds.
Barriers and facilitators associated with implementing interventions to support oral anticancer agent adherence in academic and community cancer center settings
Authors: Muluneh Benyam , Muir Michele A. , Collins James Bernard , Proco Darrian , Mackler Emily , Leak Bryant Ashley , Wood William A. , Tilkens Michael , Reichard Jeffrey S. , Foster Matthew , Gatwood Justin , Wheeler Stephanie B. , Zullig Leah L. , Elston Lafata Jennifer
Published: July 2023

Purpose

The goal of this study is to determine barriers and facilitators to the implementation of medication adherence interventions to support cancer patients taking novel, targeted oral anticancer agents (OAAs).

Methods

We conducted qualitative interviews using a semi-structured guide from the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR). We used purposive sampling to identify clinicians (physicians, pharmacists, nurse practitioners, nurses) and administrators (leadership from medicine, pharmacy, and nursing) who delivered care and/or oversee care delivery for patients with chronic leukemia prescribed an OAA.

Results

A total of 19 individuals participated in an interview (12 clinicians and 7 administrators), with 10 primarily employed by an academic cancer center; 5 employed by the community cancer center; and 4 employed by the integrated health-system specialty pharmacy. Barriers identified included low awareness of adherence interventions, difficulty in adherence measurement, complexity of designing and implementing a structured adherence intervention, and competing priorities. Facilitators identified included support of hospital administrators, value for pharmacists, and willingness to embrace change. Participants also made recommendations moving forward including standardizing workflow, designating champions, iterating implementation strategies, and improving communication between clinicians and with patients.

Conclusion

Individual and system level factors were identified as determinants of implementation effectiveness of medication adherence interventions. A multidisciplinary advisory panel will be assembled to design comprehensive and actionable strategies to refine and implement a structured intervention to improve medication adherence in cancer patients.
A macroecological perspective on genetic diversity in the human gut microbiome
Authors: Shoemaker William R.
Published: July 2023

While the human gut microbiome has been intensely studied, we have yet to obtain a sufficient understanding of the genetic diversity that it harbors. Research efforts have demonstrated that a considerable fraction of within-host genetic variation in the human gut is driven by the ecological dynamics of co-occurring strains belonging to the same species, suggesting that an ecological lens may provide insight into empirical patterns of genetic diversity. Indeed, an ecological model of self-limiting growth and environmental noise known as the Stochastic Logistic Model (SLM) was recently shown to successfully predict the temporal dynamics of strains within a single human host. However, its ability to predict patterns of genetic diversity across human hosts has yet to be tested. In this manuscript I determine whether the predictions of the SLM explain patterns of genetic diversity across unrelated human hosts for 22 common microbial species. Specifically, the stationary distribution of the SLM explains the distribution of allele frequencies across hosts and predicts the fraction of hosts harboring a given allele (i.e., prevalence) for a considerable fraction of sites. The accuracy of the SLM was correlated with independent estimates of strain structure, suggesting that patterns of genetic diversity in the gut microbiome follow statistically similar forms across human hosts due to the existence of strain-level ecology.
Thrombin cleavage of the hepatitis E virus polyprotein at multiple conserved locations is required for genome replication
Authors: Pierce Danielle M. , Buchanan Frazer J. T. , Macrae Fraser L. , Mills Jake T. , Cox Abigail , Abualsaoud Khadijah M. , Ward Joseph C. , Ariëns Robert A. S. , Harris Mark , Stonehouse Nicola J. , Herod Morgan R.
Published: July 2023

The genomes of positive-sense RNA viruses encode polyproteins that are essential for mediating viral replication. These viral polyproteins must undergo proteolysis (also termed polyprotein processing) to generate functional protein units. This proteolysis can be performed by virally-encoded proteases as well as host cellular proteases, and is generally believed to be a key step in regulating viral replication. Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a leading cause of acute viral hepatitis. The positive-sense RNA genome is translated to generate a polyprotein, termed pORF1, which is necessary and sufficient for viral genome replication. However, the mechanism of polyprotein processing in HEV remains to be determined. In this study, we aimed to understand processing of this polyprotein and its role in viral replication using a combination ofin vitrotranslation experiments and HEV sub-genomic replicons. Our data suggest no evidence for a virally-encoded protease or auto-proteolytic activity, asin vitrotranslation predominantly generates unprocessed viral polyprotein precursors. However, seven cleavage sites within the polyprotein (suggested by bioinformatic analysis) are susceptible to the host cellular protease, thrombin. Using two sub-genomic replicon systems, we demonstrate that mutagenesis of these sites prevents replication, as does pharmacological inhibition of serine proteases including thrombin. Overall, our data supports a model where HEV uses host proteases to support replication and could have evolved to be independent of a virally-encoded protease for polyprotein processing.
ORTEGA LÓPEZ, Teresa María, Mujeres, género y nación en la dictadura de Miguel Primo de Rivera. Madrid, Sílex Ediciones, 2023, 314 pp.
Authors: Villarejo Estévez María José
Published: July 2023

ORTEGA LÓPEZ, Teresa María, Mujeres, género y nación en la dictadura de Miguel Primo de Rivera. Madrid, Sílex Ediciones, 2023, 314 pp.
JENIS KOROSI DAN PENANGGULANGANNYA
Authors: Utomo Budi
Published: July 2023

Dewasa ini banyak sekali kerusakan yang diakibatkan oleh korosi terutama dibidang inndustri khususnya industri perkapalan. Banyak sekali kerugian yang diakibatkan oleh korosi sehingga perusahaan perlu mengeluarkan biaya extra untuk memperbaki peralatan yang mengalami kerusakan akibat korosi. Biasanya korosi terjadi pada pipa, paku, penyangga – pengangga tanki, tanki dll. Jenis korosi yang biasa terjadi pada bidang industri : uniform attack ( korosi merata), galvanic corrosion (korosi galvanis), crevice corrosion (korosi celah), pitting corrosion ( korosi sumur), intergaranular corrosion ( korosi antar butir ), selective corrosion ( korosi pisah ), erosion corrosion ( korosi erosi ), stress corrosion ( korosi tekanan ), fatique corrosion ( korosi lelah ), biological corrosion.
Identifying the role of the reticulospinal tract for strength and motor recovery: A scoping review of nonhuman and human studies
Authors: Akalu Yonas , Frazer Ashlyn K. , Howatson Glyn , Pearce Alan J. , Siddique Ummatul , Rostami Mohamad , Tallent Jamie , Kidgell Dawson J.
Published: July 2023

In addition to the established postural control role of the reticulospinal tract (RST), there has been an increasing interest on its involvement in strength, motor recovery, and other gross motor functions. However, there are no reviews that have systematically assessed the overall motor function of the RST. Therefore, we aimed to determine the role of the RST underpinning motor function and recovery. We performed a literature search using Ovid Medline, Embase, CINAHL Plus, and Scopus to retrieve papers using key words for RST, strength, and motor recovery. Human and animal studies which assessed the role of RST were included. Studies were screened and 32 eligible studies were included for the final analysis. Of these, 21 of them were human studies while the remaining were on monkeys and rats. Seven experimental animal studies and four human studies provided evidence for the involvement of the RST in motor recovery, while two experimental animal studies and eight human studies provided evidence for strength gain. The RST influenced gross motor function in two experimental animal studies and five human studies. Overall, the RST has an important role for motor recovery, gross motor function and at least in part, underpins strength gain. The role of RST for strength gain in healthy people and its involvement in spasticity in a clinical population has been limitedly described. Further studies are required to ascertain the role of the RST's role in enhancing strength and its contribution to the development of spasticity.
The End of Irony. Emotions and Criticism of Capitalism in the United States in the Global 1970s
Authors: Cottier Maurice
Published: July 2023

The aim of this article is to explore an emotional divide within the critical discourse on capitalism in the United States in the period from the late 1950s to the 1970s. By using the examples of John Kenneth Galbraith and Robert Lekachman, the article shows how an older generation of liberal economists used irony and sarcasm to create an air of emotional distance and disengagement between the critic and the subject at hand. This mode corresponded with the emotional regime of “American cool.” In the late 1960s, however, a younger generation of radical economists started to intervene. The rhetoric of this group was distinctively more emotional. Although the younger generation of radicals, like the older liberals, mostly belonged to the white middle class, the new global identity made it possible to overcome the emotional restraints of “American cool” and enabled the use of emotions and affectedness as a discursive tool in the fight for social and economic justice at home. Yet, the fact that the radical emotionality was linked to the hope for revolutionary change made it difficult to make compromises and agree to less radical reforms.
Contrasting the Usage of Punctuations in Chinese and Indonesian Language
Authors: Nahnu Asmuliyati , Marsuki Ria Riski
Published: July 2023

Knowing the punctuation marks in Chinese and Indonesian is very important. Therefore, in order to avoid mistakes or inaccuracies in the use of punctuation marks, this research was conducted to clearly describe the similarities and differences in the use of punctuation marks in Mandarin and Indonesian.This study is a descriptive qualitative research using the literature method and the contrastive analysis method. The results show that of the 12 punctuation marks in this study, there are 7 punctuation marks that have the same form and use, 3 punctuation marks that have different forms with the same use, and there are 2 punctuation marks in Mandarin that are not found in Indonesian.
Use of surfactants in enzymatic hydrolysis of rice straw and lactic acid production from rice straw by simultaneous saccharification and fermentation
Authors: Yao Risheng , Qi Benkun , Deng Shengsong , Liu Na , Peng Shichun , Cui Qingfu
Published: July 2023

Rice straw (RS) is one of the most abundant lignocellulosic waste by-products worldwide and provides an alternative substrate to produce useful chemicals such as bioethanol and lactic acid. However, higher enzyme loadings are needed to obtain a higher product yield, which makes the large-scale utilization economically difficult. The presence of non-ionic surfactants and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) during the enzymatic hydrolysis of lignocellulosics has been found to increase the conversion of cellulose into fermentable sugars. We have found that adding 0.2g g-1 substrate of polyoxyethylene(20) sorbitan monooleate (PSM) or high-mass PEG increased the sugar yield by 22% and 12%, respectively, when enzyme loading was at 10FPU g-1 for 24h. PSM behaved better than PEG when different substrate concentrations, temperatures, and enzyme loadings were investigated. PSM provides an opportunity to reduce enzyme dosage while still keeping the same extent of hydrolysis. We also investigated the effect of PSM on the simultaneous saccharification and fermentation of pretreated RS to lactic acid. Results showed that addition of 0.7g L-1 PSM improved the lactic acid production by 24% compared to the reference without PSM addition at 72h.
On regular copying languages
Authors: Wang Yang , Hunter Tim
Published: July 2023

This paper proposes a formal model of regular languages enriched with unbounded copying. We augment finite-state machinery with the ability to recognize copied strings by adding an unbounded memory buffer with a restricted form of first-in-first-out storage. The newly introduced computational device, finite-state buffered machines (FS-BMs), characterizes the class of regular languages and languages de-rived from them through a primitive copying operation. We name this language class regular copying languages (RCLs). We prove a pumping lemma and examine the closure properties of this language class. As suggested by previous literature (Gazdar and Pullum 1985, p.278), regular copying languages should approach the correct characteriza-tion of natural language word sets.