bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How the Anthropocene Changes Religious Ethics
Authors: Rasmussen Larry
Published: February 2023

Humans are remaking the planet, with the planetary human imprint so profound that all planetary systems are being changed: the atmosphere, the hydrosphere and cryosphere (water and ice), the lithosphere (Earth's crust), and the biosphere (the community of life). The changes are so deep and far reaching that a new geological epoch, the first effected by humans, has set in, the Anthropocene. It succeeds the only geological epoch human civilizations have known, the late Holocene. The tattoo of the Holocene, climate stability, is replaced by climate volatility, mass eco‐social uncertainty, and extinction. Because the Anthropocene is itself the outcome of cumulative human choices, everything in response also turns on ethics. In this case, that entails rethinking and reforming human responsibility. This essay pursues that, after making the case for climate and the Anthropocene as a new prism for Religious Ethics, one that changes the work of Religious Ethics itself.
A longitudinal survey in the wild reveals major shifts in fish host microbiota after parasite infection
Authors: Mathieu‐Bégné Eglantine , Blanchet Simon , Rey Olivier , Toulza Eve , Veyssière Charlotte , Manzi Sophie , Lefort Maxim , Scelsi Orlane , Loot Géraldine
Published: February 2023

Recent studies have highlighted associations between diseases and host microbiota. It remains extremely challenging – especially under natural conditions – to clarify whether host microbiota promote future infections, or whether changes in host microbiota result from infections. Nonetheless, deciphering between these two processes is essential for highlighting the role of microbes in disease progression. We longitudinally surveyed, in the wild, the microbiota of individual fish hosts (Leuciscus burdigalensis) both before and after infection by a crustacean ectoparasite (Tracheliastes polycolpus). We found a striking association between parasite infection and the host microbiota composition restricted to the fins the parasite anchored. We clearly demonstrated that infections by the parasite induced a shift in (and did not result from) the host fin microbiota. Furthermore during infection, the microbiota of infected fins got similar to the microbiota of the adult stage, and the free‐living infective stage of the parasite with a predominance of the Burkholderiaceae bacteria family. This suggests that some Burkholderiaceae bacteria are involved in a coinfection process and possibly facilitate T. polycolpus infection. In this study, we reveal novel mechanistic insights for understanding the role of the microbiota in host–parasite interactions, which has implications for predicting the progression of diseases in natural host populations.
Automatic pixel‐level crack detection with multi‐scale feature fusion for slab tracks
Authors: Ye Wenlong , Ren Juanjuan , Zhang Allen A. , Lu Chunfang
Published: February 2023

Cracks are common defects in slab tracks, which can grow and expand over time, leading to a deterioration of the mechanical properties of slab tracks and shortening service life. Therefore, it is essential to accurately detect and repair cracks before they impact services. This study developed a systematic pixel‐level crack segmentation–quantification method suited for nighttime detection of slab tracks. To be specific, slab track crack network II, a pixel‐level segmentation network that aggregates multi‐scale information was proposed to extract the morphology of slab track cracks, and then their widths were calculated by an alternative quantification method proposed in the paper. The model performs best when the initial learning rate is 0.0001, with intersection over unions (IOUs) 84.94% and 83.84% observed on the training set and validation set, respectively. In the test set, the IOU value is 81.07%, higher than that derived from similar segmentation algorithms, indicating higher robustness and better generalization of the network architecture. In addition, the average errors in predicting crack widths resulting from the proposed method are 0.13 and 0.12 mm, compared to the results measured by a vernier caliper and a 3D scanner, respectively. The proposed pixel‐level segmentation–quantification system provides a new method and theoretical support for slab track maintenance and repair.
NADH dehydrogenases are the predominant phenazine reductases in the electron transport chain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Ciemniecki John A. , Newman Dianne K.
Published: February 2023

Phenazines are redox‐active secondary metabolites produced by diverse bacteria including the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Extracellular electron transfer via phenazines enhances anaerobic survival by serving as an electron sink for glucose catabolism. However, the specific phenazine reductase(s) used to support this catabolism are unknown. Because electron transport chain components have been previously implicated in phenazine reduction, we sought to determine which of them possess phenazine reductase activity. We show that phenazine‐1‐carboxamide (PCN) and pyocyanin (PYO) are reduced at the highest rate by cells and are localized to the cell envelope while reduced. Using a coupled genetic and biochemical approach, we show that phenazine reductase activity in membrane fractions is attributable to the three NADH dehydrogenases present in P. aeruginosa and that their order of phenazine reductase activity is Nqr > Nuo > Ndh. In mutants possessing only one functional NADH dehydrogenase, whole cell reduction rates of PCN, but not PYO, recapitulate the pattern of biochemical results, implying that PYO reduction is predominantly occurring in the cytosol. Lastly, we show that ubiquinone rapidly and non‐enzymatically oxidizes reduced phenazines, demonstrating that phenazines have the capability to serve in a redox loop between the NADH and ubiquinone pools, a finding that carries bioenergetic implications.
Constitutive activation of TORC1 signalling attenuates virulence in the cross‐kingdom fungal pathogen Fusarium oxysporum
Authors: Navarro‐Velasco Gesabel Yaneth , Di Pietro Antonio , López‐Berges Manuel Sánchez
Published: February 2023

The filamentous fungus Fusarium oxysporum causes vascular wilt disease in a wide range of plant species and opportunistic infections in humans. Previous work suggested that invasive growth in this pathogen is controlled by environmental cues such as pH and nutrient status. Here we investigated the role of Target Of Rapamycin Complex 1 (TORC1), a global regulator of eukaryotic cell growth and development. Inactivation of the negative regulator Tuberous Sclerosis Complex 2 (Tsc2), but not constitutive activation of the positive regulator Gtr1, in F. oxysporum resulted in inappropriate activation of TORC1 signalling under nutrient‐limiting conditions. The tsc2Δ mutants showed reduced colony growth on minimal medium with different nitrogen sources and increased sensitivity to cell wall or high temperature stress. Furthermore, these mutants were impaired in invasive hyphal growth across cellophane membranes and exhibited a marked decrease in virulence, both on tomato plants and on the invertebrate animal host Galleria mellonella. Importantly, invasive hyphal growth in tsc2Δ strains was rescued by rapamycin‐mediated inhibition of TORC1. Collectively, these results reveal a key role of TORC1 signalling in the development and pathogenicity of F. oxysporum and suggest new potential targets for controlling fungal infections.
SstF, a novel sulforaphane‐sensing transcription factor of Xanthomonas campestris, is required for sulforaphane tolerance and virulence
Authors: Wang Bo , Xu Zhizhou , Zhao Yangyang , Wu Guichun , Li Kaihuai , Hou Rongxian , Guo Baodian , Tang Bao , Zhao Yancun , Liu Fengquan
Published: February 2023

Avoiding the host defence system is necessary for the survival of pathogens. However, the mechanisms by which pathogenic bacteria sense and resist host defence signals are still unknown. Sulforaphane (SFN) is a secondary metabolite of crucifers. It not only plays an important role in maintaining the local defence response but also directly inhibits the growth of some pathogens. In this study, we identified a key SFN tolerance‐related gene, saxF, in Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris (Xcc), the causal agent of black rot in crucifers. More interestingly, we found that the transcription of saxF was regulated by the novel transcription factor SFN‐sensing transcription factor (SstF). As a LysR family transcription factor, SstF can sense SFN and regulate the expression of saxF cluster genes to increase SFN resistance by directly binding to the promoter of saxF. In addition, we found that SstF and saxF also play an important role in positively regulating the virulence of Xcc. Collectively, our results illustrate a previously unknown mechanism by which Xcc senses the host defence signal SFN and activates the expression of SFN tolerance‐related genes to increase virulence. Therefore, this study provides a remarkable result; that is, during pathogen–plant co‐evolution, new functions of existing scaffolds are activated, thus improving the proficiency of the pathogenic mechanism.
Rehabilitating the Shari'a: Ahmad Ibrahim and Reformation of Laws in Southeast Asia
Authors: Aljunied Khairudin
Published: February 2023

Since the 1960s, the shari'a has been equated with belligerent calls for the establishment of Islamic states. One effect of such “global shari'a‐phobia” is the growth of alarmist coverage of Islamic penal law (hudud). Indonesia and Malaysia, which jointly form the home of the largest Muslim population in the world, has witnessed constitutionalization, nationalization, and localization of the shari'a amidst fierce resistance by secular forces. This article examines the ideas of one active Southeast Asian participant in discussions over the shari'a ‐ the late Ahmad Ibrahim (1916‐1999). A legal practitioner, scholar, and social activist, he lived through the key phases of shari'a activism in the Muslim world. In this article, I argue that Ahmad Ibrahim sought to rehabilitate the shari'a, that is, he viewed the shari'a as a legal and ethical code needing of a thorough reinterpretation and repositioning in order to make it applicable for all citizens in modern nation‐states. Rehabilitating the shari'a entailed underlining three modalities of reforms: historicization, amplification, and harmonization.
Expression of malic enzyme reveals subcellular carbon partitioning for storage reserve production in soybeans
Authors: Morley Stewart A. , Ma Fangfang , Alazem Mazen , Frankfater Cheryl , Yi Hochul , Burch‐Smith Tessa , Clemente Tom Elmo , Veena Veena , Nguyen Hanh , Allen Doug K.
Published: February 2023

Central metabolism produces amino and fatty acids for protein and lipids that establish seed value. Biosynthesis of storage reserves occurs in multiple organelles that exchange central intermediates including two essential metabolites, malate, and pyruvate that are linked by malic enzyme. Malic enzyme can be active in multiple subcellular compartments, partitioning carbon and reducing equivalents for anabolic and catabolic requirements. Prior studies based on isotopic labeling and steady‐state metabolic flux analyses indicated malic enzyme provides carbon for fatty acid biosynthesis in plants, though genetic evidence confirming this role is lacking. We hypothesized that increasing malic enzyme flux would alter carbon partitioning and result in increased lipid levels in soybeans.

Homozygous transgenic soybean plants expressing Arabidopsis malic enzyme alleles, targeting the translational products to plastid or outside the plastid during seed development, were verified by transcript and enzyme activity analyses, organelle proteomics, and transient expression assays. Protein, oil, central metabolites, cofactors, and acyl‐acyl carrier protein (ACPs) levels were quantified overdevelopment.

Amino and fatty acid levels were altered resulting in an increase in lipids by 0.5–2% of seed biomass (i.e. 2–9% change in oil).

Subcellular targeting of a single gene product in central metabolism impacts carbon and reducing equivalent partitioning for seed storage reserves in soybeans.
Tomato defence against Meloidogyne incognita by jasmonic acid‐mediated fine‐tuning of kaempferol homeostasis
Authors: Zhao Wenchao , Liang Jingjing , Huang Huang , Yang Jinshan , Feng Jiaping , Sun Lulu , Yang Rui , Zhao Mengjia , Wang Jianli , Wang Shaohui
Published: February 2023

Jasmonic acid (JA) is involved in the modulation of defence and growth activities in plants. The best‐characterized growth‐defence trade‐offs stem from antagonistic crosstalk among hormones.

In this study, we first confirmed that JA negatively regulates root‐knot nematode (RKN) susceptibility via the root exudates (REs) of tomato plants. Omics and toxicological analyses implied that kaempferol, a type of flavonol, from REs has a negative effect on RKN infection.

We demonstrated that SlMYB57 negatively regulated kaempferol contents in tomato roots, whereas SlMYB108/112 had the opposite effect. We revealed that JA fine‐tuned the homeostasis of kaempferol via SlMYB‐mediated transcriptional regulation and the interaction between SlJAZs and SlMYBs, thus ensuring a balance between lateral root (LR) development and RKN susceptibility.

Overall, this work provides novel insights into JA‐modulated LR development and RKN susceptibility mechanisms and elucidates a trade‐off model mediated by JA in plants encountering stress.
Pleiotrophin inhibited chondrogenic differentiation potential of dental pulp stem cells
Authors: Liu Chang , Zhang Lili , Zheng Xiaoyu , Zhu Jiaman , Jin Luyuan , Gao Runtao
Published: February 2023

Objective

Studies have shown that the levels of pleiotrophin (PTN) are greatly elevated in the synovial fluid and cartilage in osteoarthritis. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effect and mechanism of PTN on the chondrogenic differentiation of DPSCs in inflammatory and normal microenvironments.

Materials and Methods

A lentiviral vector was used to deplete or overexpress PTN in DPSCs. The inflammatory microenvironment was simulated in vitro by the addition of IL‐1β to the culture medium. The chondrogenic differentiation potential was assessed using Alcian Blue staining and the main chondrogenic markers. A dual‐luciferase reporter assay was used to explore the relationship between miR‐137 and PTN.

Results

The results showed that 0.1 ng/mL IL‐1β treatment during chondrogenic induction greatly impaired the chondrogenic differentiation of DPSCs. Supplementation with PTN and PTN overexpression inhibited chondrogenic differentiation of DPSCs, while PTN depletion promoted chondrogenic differentiation. MiR‐137 negatively regulated the expression of PTN by binding to the 3′UTR of its mRNA. Moreover, miR‐137 promoted chondrogenic differentiation of DPSCs in normal and inflammatory microenvironments.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that PTN may play an inhibitory role in the chondrogenic differentiation of DPSCs in normal and inflammatory microenvironments, which is regulated by miR‐137.
From Enemy to Hero: Andrei Krems and the Legacy of Stalinist Repression in Russia’s Far North, 1964–82
Authors: Kirk Tyler C.
Published: February 2023

This article explores the two lives of the Soviet Union’s “most famous unknown geologist,” Andrei Iakovlevich Krems, the head of Glavneft' who was arrested on September 30, 1938, and sentenced to eight years in Ukhtizhemlag in the Russian Far North. Two years later he was released early and put in charge of the oil mining camp’s Geological Survey Department. Despite his tarnished biography, Krems became somewhat of a local icon featured in numerous newspaper articles, scientific journals, books, and even newsreel films that celebrated his successes in the development of the Timano‐Pechora Basin between 1940 and 1973. On the basis of Krems’s personal archive, which remains unexplored, part one of this article reconstructs Krems’s biography and explores his transition to life after release in Ukhta where he remained for the rest of his life. Part two explores the narratives about Krems, Ukhta’s origins, and the discussions they sparked in the local press and Krems’s private correspondence with the former boss of Ukhtizhemlag. The public narratives about Krems and the development of Komi’s oil and gas industry of the mid‐1960s and 1970s illustrate the complex approaches the Brezhnev regime took in its attempt to deal with the legacy of Stalinist repression in the places where it transpired. I argue that the Communist Party under Brezhnev pursued a politics of memory that was surprisingly forthcoming regarding Stalinist repression in its celebration of Soviet achievements in the Russian Far North, which allowed for the construction of veiled monuments to the victims of Stalinist repression, such as the monument to the “Pioneers of the North” and the Andrei Krems Apartment‐Museum.
Solutions and continuum limits to nonlocal discrete sine‐Gordon equations: Bilinearization reduction method
Authors: Xiang Xiao‐bo , Zhao Song‐lin , Shi Ying
Published: February 2023

In this paper, we investigate local and nonlocal reductions of a discrete negative order Ablowitz–Kaup–Newell–Segur equation. By the bilinearization reduction method, we construct exact solutions in double Casoratian form to the reduced nonlocal discrete sine‐Gordon equations. Then, nonlocal semidiscrete sine‐Gordon equations and their solutions are obtained through the continuum limits. The dynamics of soliton solutions are analyzed and illustrated by asymptotic analysis. The research ideas and methods in this paper can be generalized to other nonlocal discrete integrable systems.
Effects of anticipation on joint kinematics during inversion perturbation in individuals with chronic ankle instability
Authors: Han Seunguk , Lee Hyunwook , Hopkins Jon Tyson
Published: February 2023

Background

Although chronic ankle instability (CAI) patients display altered reactive joint kinematics after inversion perturbation, little is known about the effects of anticipation on reactive joint kinematics among CAI, coper, and control groups.

Objective

To assess changes in reactive joint kinematics after different inverted landing situations including planned‐ and unplanned‐condition among groups of CAI, coper, and control.

Methods

Sixty‐six volunteers participated (22 per group). Participants completed three trials of both planned and unplanned single‐leg landing onto an inverted force platform while reactive joint kinematic data were collected from initial‐contact to 200 ms after initial‐contact. Two‐way repeated measures ANOVAs were used to examine the differences between condition (planned‐, unplanned‐conditions) and group (CAI, coper, control).

Results

There were significant group by condition interactions for total ankle displacement in the frontal plane (p < 0.01) and maximum ankle inversion velocity (p = 0.01). CAI patients displayed increased ankle displacement (p < 0.01) and maximum inversion velocity (p < 0.01) under the unplanned condition compared to the planned condition. However, copers did not show any differences in ankle displacement and maximum inversion velocity between the two conditions.

Conclusions

CAI patients displayed greater changes in ankle joint displacement and maximum ankle inversion velocity occurred after inversion perturbation under unplanned condition compared with copers and controls. Current data suggest that altered reactive joint kinematics under the unanticipated condition in CAI patients may contribute to the condition of CAI after ankle sprains. Clinicians should focus on rehabilitation programs to recover and/or develop feedback control for CAI patients during functional movements under unanticipated condition to prevent further injuries.
Short‐term high‐intensity interval training improves micro‐ but not macrovascular function in hypertensive patients
Authors: Twerenbold Simon , Hauser Christoph , Gander Josephine , Carrard Justin , Gugleta Konstantin , Hinrichs Timo , Schmidt‐Trucksäss Arno , Hanssen Henner , Streese Lukas
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Arterial hypertension is a global health burden that affects vascular structure and function. Assessment of endothelial function can improve cardiovascular (CV) risk stratification. Exercise treatment reduces over all CV risk and improves vascular health. However, it is still not clear which part of the vascular bed is most sensitive to exercise treatment in patients with CV risk. This study aimed to investigate the effects of an 8‐week walking based and supervised high‐intensity interval training (HIIT) on macro‐ and microvascular endothelial function as add‐on therapy in patients with arterial hypertension.

Methods

Forty patients (mean age 58 ± 7 years) treated for arterial hypertension were randomized in the HIIT (3×/week) or control group (CG) receiving standard physical activity recommendations. Arteriolar (aFID) and venular (vFID) flicker light‐induced dilatation for retinal microvascular and flow‐mediated dilatation (FMD) for macrovascular endothelial function were assessed. In addition, standardized assessments of patients' characteristics were performed before and after 8 weeks.

Results

Both groups reduced weight and body mass index but only the HIIT group reduced body fat, visceral fat, and increased peak oxygen uptake after 8 weeks. The control group reduced diastolic blood pressure. No blood pressure changes were found in the HIIT group. Arteriolar FID increased in the HIIT group independently of confounders (pre: 2.40 ± 0.98%, post: 3.19 ± 1.31%, p < 0.001) but not in the control group (pre: 3.06 ± 1.50%, post: 2.90 ± 1.46%, p = 0.280). No changes were found for FMD in either group.

Conclusion

Arteriolar FID was found to be a sensitive vascular biomarker to assess exercise‐induced microvascular improvements even in a short time setting of an 8‐week exercise therapy with HIIT. Short‐term exercise training affects microvascular endothelial function but not large artery endothelial function. Thus, retinal aFID appears to be a sensitive biomarker to detect short‐term exercise efficacy on a vascular level. Dynamic retinal vessel analysis as a diagnostic approach may prove to be an ideal candidate vascular biomarker to monitor treatment effects of exercise in patients with hypertension on top of standard clinical care and may support clinical decision‐making in the future.
Are European Elections Second‐Order Elections for Everyone?
Authors: Bartels Jan‐Eric
Published: February 2023

Second‐order election (SOE) theory has been used to explain voting behaviour in European elections. Voters believe that less is at stake in some elections and some voters hence tend to cast a protest vote. However, most studies on the topic have focused on the demand side of SOEs – i.e. on the voters – and have ignored or only partially tackled the supply side – i.e. the strategic behaviour of parties – and excluded small and marginal parties (SMPs). However, SMPs may have greater incentive to seriously compete in SOEs. The 2019 European Parliament elections in Germany were particularly interesting to SMPs as there was no voting threshold, thereby increasing the chances of SMPs. To capture whether SMPs view European elections as first‐order elections and therefore expend more resources than parliamentary parties on these elections, I analysed campaign expenditures and manifestos. Results indicate that SMPs act within a rational actor framework, though not unequivocally.
FaMYB123 interacts with FabHLH3 to regulate the late steps of anthocyanin and flavonol biosynthesis during ripening
Authors: Martínez‐Rivas Félix J. , Blanco‐Portales Rosario , Serratosa María P. , Ric‐Varas Pablo , Guerrero‐Sánchez Víctor , Medina‐Puche Laura , Moyano Lourdes , Mercado José A. , Alseekh Saleh , Caballero José L. , Fernie Alisdair R. , Muñoz‐Blanco Juan , Molina‐Hidalgo Francisco J.
Published: February 2023

In this work, we identified and functionally characterized the strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) R2R3 MYB transcription factor FaMYB123. As in most genes associated with organoleptic properties of ripe fruit, FaMYB123 expression is ripening‐related, receptacle‐specific, and antagonistically regulated by ABA and auxin. Knockdown of FaMYB123 expression by RNAi in ripe strawberry fruit receptacles downregulated the expression of enzymes involved in the late steps of anthocyanin/flavonoid biosynthesis. Transgenic fruits showed a parallel decrease in the contents of total anthocyanin and flavonoid, especially malonyl derivatives of pelargonidin and cyanidins. The decrease was concomitant with accumulation of proanthocyanin, propelargonidins, and other condensed tannins associated mainly with green receptacles. Potential coregulation between FaMYB123 and FaMYB10, which may act on different sets of genes for the enzymes involved in anthocyanin production, was explored. FaMYB123 and FabHLH3 were found to interact and to be involved in the transcriptional activation of FaMT1, a gene responsible for the malonylation of anthocyanin components during ripening. Taken together, these results demonstrate that FaMYB123 regulates the late steps of the flavonoid pathway in a specific manner. In this study, a new function for an R2R3 MYB transcription factor, regulating the expression of a gene that encodes a malonyltransferase, has been elucidated.
Blood donor, component, and recipient‐specific factors associated with venous thromboembolism in transfused hospitalized adult patients: Data from the recipient epidemiology and donor evaluation Study‐III (REDS‐III)
Authors: Goel Ruchika , Plimier Colleen , Lee Catherine , Tobian Aaron A. R. , Josephson Cassandra D. , Hod Eldad A. , Roubinian Nareg H.
Published: February 2023

Objective

Growing evidence suggests multiple pathophysiological mechanisms linking red blood cells (RBC) transfusions to thrombosis. This study examined blood donor, component, and recipient factors which may be associated with thromboembolic outcomes following RBC transfusion.

Methods

We utilized the Recipient Epidemiology Donor Evaluation Study‐III (REDS‐III) database on patients transfused in 12 hospitals between 2013–2016. Stratified Cox proportional hazards regression models with time‐dependent exposures were used to examine associations of donor and component modification characteristics on venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients transfused RBC units.

Results

59,603 patients were transfused 229,500 RBC units during 79,298 hospitalizations with post‐transfusion VTE occurring in 1869 (2.4%) of patients. In adjusted regression analyses, a per RBC‐unit risk of VTE was present for gamma irradiation (HR = 1.03; 95% CI: 1.02–1.03), female donor sex (HR = 1.01; 95% CI: 1.00–1.01), storage duration greater than 5 weeks (HR = 1.01; 95% CI: 1.01–1.02), AS‐1 storage solution (HR = 1.01; 95% CI: 1.00–1.01), and apheresis‐derived collections (HR = 1.01; 95% CI: 1.01–1.02). Among recipient factors, male sex (HR = 1.03; 95% CI: 1.02–1.04), pre‐transfusion hemoglobin level (HR = 0.94; 95% CI: 0.94–0.94), body mass index strata (HR = 1.11; 95% CI: 1.08–1.14), and principal diagnoses including malignancy (HR = 1.13; 95% CI: 1.10–1.16), cardiac arrest (HR = 1.38; 95% CI:1.07–1.77) and hip fracture (HR = 1.59; 95% CI:1.53–1.66) were associated with VTE in adjusted analyses.

Discussion

We identified several donor, component, and recipient‐specific factors associated with VTE in transfused hospitalized adult patients. In adjusted models, the dose‐dependent associations of donor and component‐specific factors with VTE were modest and unlikely to be clinically significant in the majority of transfused patients. Additional mechanistic and clinical studies linking blood donor and component factors with thrombotic outcomes are needed.
Density Functional Theory Investigation on the Structural and Electronic Properties of Pristine, Vacancy, and Group IV Doped Zigzag Boron Nitride Nanotubes
Authors: Toh Pek-Lan , Shah Naqvi Syed Amir Abbas , Wang Suh-Miin
Published: February 2023

In this work, density functional theory (DFT) calculations were conducted to study the structural and electronic properties of pure, vacancy, and group IV [i.e. carbon (C), silicon (Si), and germanium (Ge) atoms] doped boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs). The DFT computational results obtained agree well with the literature results. The calculated B−N bond distances obtained in this study are about 1.44 Å – 1.47 Å. Among seven BNNTs, the optimized B35GeN36H12 holds the lowest local energy minimum value in this study Moreover, the structure of B35CN36H12 possesses the smallest HOMO−LUMO energy (2.17 eV) among nine BNNT models considered. The boron (B) atoms hold the positive charges, and the negative charges fall on the nitrogen (N) atoms in this work. Similar results are reported to the molecular electrostatic potentials (MEPs) of studied BNNTs. The distributions of positive and negative electrostatic potentials fall on the regions of N− and B−tips of BNNT frameworks, respectively in this report. The DFT calculations reported that the spin densities were mainly concentrated in the regions around group IV elements, such as C, Si, and Ge atoms. Therefore, we believe that these computed results will provide useful information on the adsorption of hydrogen molecules on the BNNT frameworks in the future.
Randomised Alpha-Cut Fuzzy Logic Hybrid Model in Solving 3-Satisfiability Hopfield Neural Network
Authors: Azizan Farah Liyana , Sathasivam Saratha
Published: February 2023

This paper proposes an innovative approach to improve the performance of 3SAT logic programming in the Hopfield neural network. The merged structures of the 3SAT and Hopfield network have specific weaknesses, one of which is that, at times, the system attained local minimum solutions rather than global minimum solutions. A new model of integration randomised alpha-cut fuzzy logic with 3SAT in the Hopfield network is built to convey information more effectively. 3SAT and fuzzy logic can work together to solve Hopfield networks' combinatorial optimisation issues. Procedures of fuzzifying and defuzzifying the neurons might ease the computational burden of determining the correct neuron states. Until the proper neuron state is established, unsatisfied neuron clauses will be modified using a randomised alpha-cut approach in the defuzzifier step. An incorporated design built a random approach to select the alpha-cut values of 0.1, 0.25, and 0.5. At this point, a fuzzy value switches into a crisp output back through the defuzzifier process. Based on the results obtained, the proposed hybrid strategy effectively improves the indicators of RMSE, SSE, MAE, MAPE, global minima and total computational time. A computer-generated data set was used to measure how well the hybridised techniques performed. The performance of the proposed network was trained and validated using Matlab 2020b. The results are significant because this model significantly affects how successfully Hopfield networks merged with fuzzy logic can tackle the 3SAT challenges. The obtained data and ideas will help to create novel approaches to data collection for upcoming logic programming exploration.
Comparison of GBM, GFBM and MJD Models in Malaysian Rubber Prices Forecasting
Authors: Ibrahim Siti Nur Iqmal , Muda Nasrin Zulaikha
Published: February 2023

This research studies three mathematical models, namely geometric Brownian motion (GBM), geometric fractional Brownian motion (GFBM) model which was developed by adding the Hurst parameter to GBM to characterize the long-memory phenomenon, and Merton jump-diffusion (MJD) model which captures shocks via GBM. This study sets out to forecast Malaysia rubber prices for the six months period beginning in January 2022 and ending in June 2022, which involves four main steps; calculating the logarithmic return of rubber prices; estimating the parameters for forecasting the rubber prices using the three models; simulating the rubber prices using the GBM, GFBM and MJD models via Monte Carlo simulation; and computing the mean absolute percentage errors (MAPE) and forecast accuracy. Simulation results show that the MJD model is the most accurate model in forecasting the rubber prices.
Nonlinear Fredholm Functional-Integral Equation of First Kind with Degenerate Kernel and Integral Maxima
Authors: Yuldashev T. K. , Eshkuvatov Z. K. , Nik Long N. M. A.
Published: February 2023

In this note, the problems of solving by the aid of regularization method for a nonlinear Fredholm functional-integral equation of the first kind with degenerate kernel and integral maxima are considered. In using the regularization method, we denote the nonlinear function as a new unknown function. This method we combine with the method of the degenerate kernel. Fredholm functional-integral equation of the first kind is ill-posed (non-correct) problem. We have used boundary conditions to ensure the uniqueness of the solution. We transform the implicit functional equation with integral maxima to another type of nonlinear functional-integral equation of the second kind by some integral transforms. Using the method of successive approximations and the method of compressing mapping, the theorem on single valued solvability of the problem is proved. It is obtained the necessary and sufficient conditions of existence and uniqueness of the solution of the problem with integral maxima. Two simple examples are analyzed with an exact and approximate solution.
Isolation and Characterisation of Bacteria and Fungus from the Intestine of Sea Cucumber Acaudina molpadioides
Authors: Lambuk Fatmawati , Mazlan Nurzafirah , Tze Young Thung , Anua Siti Marwanis , Ishak Ruzaina
Published: February 2023

Acaudina molpadioides or locally known as ‘beronok’ is a high valued sea cucumber that is widely distributed in the muddy shores in the west coast Peninsular Malaysia and being consumed by the local people as traditional healthy delicacies. They are made into dishes and are usually consumed raw as ‘kerabu’. The aim of this study was to isolate and characterise the bacteria and fungus from the intestine of A. molpadioides using standard method for biochemical tests, safety assessments and molecular identification. A total of 100 samples were obtained randomly from Pulau Langkawi, Malaysia and 1642 isolates were obtained from the intestine. Biochemical tests, safety evaluation and molecular identification were performed. Six strains (AM8h, AM47e, AM59a, AM67d, AM80d, and AM84d1) were selected for characterisation as they showed distinct morphology and from the biochemical tests. Further molecular identification showed the strains were identified as Priestia megaterium, Carnobacterium maltaromaticum, Bacillus tropicus, Staphylococcus saprophyticus, Bacillus cereus, and Yarrowia lipolytica (GenBank accession number: MZ947169, MZ934727, MZ947170, MZ934728, MZ934726, and MZ956769). The results indicated that both bacteria and fungus were presence in the intestine of A. molpadioides, hence there is a need for adequate measures in consuming this sea cucumber raw.
The dawn of the functional genomics era in muscle physiology
Authors: Seaborne Robert A. E. , Ochala Julien
Published: February 2023

Skeletal muscle is the most abundant component of the mature mammalian phenotype. Designed to generate contractile force and movement, skeletal muscle is crucial for organism health, function and development. One of the great interests for muscle biologists is in understanding how skeletal muscle adapts during periods of stress and stimuli, such as disease, disuse and ageing. To this end, genomic‐based experimental and analytical approaches offer one of the most powerful approaches for comprehensively mapping the molecular paradigms that regulate skeletal muscle. With the power, applicability, and robustness of ‘omic’ technologies continually being developed, we are now in a position to investigate these molecular mechanisms in skeletal muscle to an unprecedented level of accuracy and precision, heralding the dawn of a new era of functional genomics in the field of muscle physiology.

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Characterization of pulsed laser deposited La2O2S:Eu3+ thin films and effect of coating with graphene oxide layers
Authors: Tladi Boitumelo C. , Swart Hendrik C. , Kroon Robin E.
Published: February 2023

Surface coatings have been widely used to improve phosphor characteristics for the purpose of increasing luminescence intensity and protecting against degradation. In this study, an uncoated La2O2S:Eu3+ thin film is compared to films coated by graphene oxide, as prepared or annealed in an inert or reducing atmosphere. The characteristic red emission of Eu3+ ions was observed for all samples and attributed to 5D0-7F2 transitions, while no luminescence associated with graphene oxide was observed. The luminescence intensity from the as-coated sample and the one annealed in an inert Ar atmosphere was less, compared to the uncoated film, whereas the coated sample annealed in a reducing atmosphere (Ar/H2) had emission, which was of similar intensity to the uncoated sample. Its degradation, and that of the uncoated sample, were studied by recording Auger electron spectroscopy and cathodoluminescence measurements, simultaneously. During electron irradiation, the surface of the uncoated sample was converted to a much more luminescent layer as C and S were gradually removed from the surface. Auger electron spectroscopy measurements of the coated sample showed that even initially, it had almost no S on the surface. The loss of S was attributed to annealing in Ar/H2, where H2S gas may be produced as the phosphor was converted into La2O3. This La2O3 subsequently formed La(OH)3 due to its hydroscopic nature. Unlike the uncoated sample, from which C due to unintentional contamination was fairly easily removed from the surface, C on the surface of the coated sample became less but was resistant to removal, which was associated with the formation of CHLaO3 at the surface as suggested by x-ray diffraction. Although coating with graphene oxide did not result in chemically stable La2O2S:Eu3+ thin films, the cathodoluminescence intensity of both the uncoated and graphene oxide coated samples annealed in reducing atmosphere increased during electron beam exposure (with no change in the form of the emission spectra) so that such films may have potential cathodoluminescence applications.
History of monitoring induced seismicity in New Mexico
Authors: Litherland Mairi
Published: February 2023

New Mexico has experienced earthquakes throughout its history. Paleoseismic records show numerous Quaternary faults along the Rio Grande Rift, which runs N-S through the state, and events as large as ~M 6.2 have occurred associated with the Socorro magma body in central New Mexico. In recent years, the state has also experienced increased amounts of induced seismicity. Because of its long history of naturally occurring earthquakes, New Mexico began monitoring earthquakes in 1960, primarily around the Socorro area. In 1972, the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology established a seismic monitoring network in southeastern New Mexico to monitor seismicity in the region of the proposed Waste Isolation Pilot Plant, a nuclear waste storage facility. A permanent network was established in the 1990s, and it has been expanded and improved several times over the subsequent decades as the seismicity in the region has increased. Currently, the New Mexico Tech Seismological Observatory maintains 17 real-time stations throughout the state of New Mexico, primarily in the Socorro area and in southeastern New Mexico. The University of New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory, U.S. Geological Survey, and the state of Texas maintain additional stations in and around New Mexico. Although the amount of induced seismicity in New Mexico has been to this point relatively moderate, the rapid increase in seismicity, particularly in the Permian Basin in southeastern New Mexico, has given rise to concerns about what the future could hold and led to increased efforts to understand the seismicity. Due to the location of New Mexico’s major oil- and gas-producing basins, several of which span state borders, collaboration with other states and agencies has been essential to studying these problems. Additionally, the long history of seismic monitoring in southeastern New Mexico provides an invaluable resource for understanding the progression of induced seismicity over time. We have only begun to fully utilize the potential of this data set.
Association between adiponectin and newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes in population with the clustering of obesity, dyslipidaemia and hypertension: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Hong Xiaosi , Zhang Xiaoyun , You Lili , Li Feng , Lian Hong , Wang Jiahuan , Mao Na , Ren Meng , Li Yan , Wang Chuan , Sun Kan
Published: February 2023

Objectives

Adiponectin is closely related to glucose metabolism and traditional diabetes risk factors (obesity, hypertension and dyslipidaemia). We aimed to explore the association between adiponectin levels and newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and pre-diabetes in subgroups classified according to T2DM risk factors.

Setting

Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University.

Participants

3680 individuals (1753 men and 1927 women) aged 18–70 years from Guangzhou and Dongguan, China, were enrolled from December 2018 to October 2019.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

T2DM was defined as fasting plasma glucose (FPG)≥7.0 mmol/L or HbA1c≥6.5%, and pre-diabetes was defined as 6.1 mmol/L≤FPG<7.0 mmol/L or 5.7≤HbA1c<6.5%.

Results

With the increasing number of T2DM risk factors, the proportion of the population with high-quartile adiponectin levels gradually decreased (p<0.001). A low level of adiponectin was significantly associated with diabetes and pre-diabetes in a population with ≥1 T2DM risk factor, whereas its association was not consistently significant in the population with all three T2DM risk factors. For instance, participants were more likely to have diabetes or prediabetes with low levels of adiponectin when they had ≥ one T2DM risk factor (quartile 2 vs. 1: OR 0.71 [95%CI: 0.56–0.89]; P=0.003; quartile 3 vs. 1: OR 0.57 [95%CIs: 0.44–0.72]; P<0.001; and quartile 4 vs. 1: OR 0.52 [95%CIs: 0.40–0.67]; P<0.001).

Conclusion

Adiponectin was negatively associated with diabetes and pre-diabetes in a population with few T2DM risk factors, while their relationship gradually attenuated with the accumulation of T2DM risk factors, especially in a population with coexisting diseases such as obesity, hypertension and dyslipidaemia.
Are hospitals with both medical/surgical and psychiatric services associated with decreased difficulty in ambulance transfer for patients with self-harm behaviour? A nationwide retrospective observational study using ambulance transfer data in Japan
Authors: Chiba Takuyo , Takaku Reo , Ito Erina , Tamune Hidetaka , Rivera Marisa , Ikeda Shunya , Shiga Takashi
Published: February 2023

Objectives

Ambulance diversion and prolonged prehospital transfer time have a significant impact on patient care outcomes. Self-harm behaviour in particular is associated with difficulty in hospital acceptance and longer prehospital transfer time. This study aimed to determine if hospitals with both medical/surgical and psychiatric inpatient beds and high-level emergency care centres are associated with a decreased rate of difficulty in hospital acceptance and shorter prehospital transfer time for patients seeking medical care after self-harm behaviour.

Design and setting

A retrospective observational study using the database of Japanese ambulance dispatch data in 2015.

Participants

Patients who were transferred by ambulances after self-harm behaviour.

Interventions

None.

Main outcome measures

Multivariable logistic regression analysis and multivariable linear regression analysis were performed to assess whether the presence of hospitals with both medical/surgical and psychiatric inpatient beds and high-level emergency care centres in the city were associated with a decreased rate of difficulty in hospital acceptance and shorter prehospital transfer time.

Results

The number of transfers due to self-harm behaviour in 2015 was 32 849. There was an association between decreased difficulty in hospital acceptance and the presence of high-level emergency care centres (OR 0.63, 95% CI 0.55 to 0.71, p<0.01) and hospitals with both medical/surgical and psychiatric inpatient beds (OR 0.50, 95% CI 0.38 to 0.66, p<0.01). There was a significant reduction in prehospital transfer time in the city with high-level emergency care centres (4.21 min, 95% CI 3.53 to 4.89, p<0.01) and hospitals with medical/surgical and psychiatric inpatient beds (3.46 min, 95% CI 2.15 to 4.77, p<0.01).

Conclusion

Hospitals with both medical/surgical and psychiatric inpatient beds and high-level emergency care centres were associated with significant decrease in difficulty in hospital acceptance and shorter prehospital transfer time.
Identifying risk factors for perioperative decline in right ventricular performance in cardiac surgery patients: a prospective observational study in a tertiary care hospital
Authors: Bethlehem Carina , Bootsma Inge T , De Lange Fellery , Boerma E Christiaan
Published: February 2023

Objectives

Impaired right ventricular (RV) function after cardiac surgery is associated with morbidity and long-term mortality. The purpose of this study was to identify factors that play a role in the development of RV dysfunction in the perioperative cardiac surgery setting.

Design

We performed a prospective, observational, single centre study. Over a 2-year period, baseline and perioperative characteristics were recorded. For analysis, subjects were divided into three groups: patients with a ≥3% absolute increase in postoperative RV ejection fraction (RVEF) in comparison to baseline (RVEF+), patients with a ≥3% absolute decrease in RVEF (RVEF−) and patients with a <3% absolute change in RVEF (RVEF=).

Setting

Tertiary care hospital in the Netherlands.

Participants

We included all cardiac surgery patients ≥18 years of age equipped with a pulmonary artery catheter and admitted to the ICU in 2015–2016. There were no exclusion criteria. A total number of 267 patients were included (65.5% men).

Outcome measures

Risk factors for a perioperative decline in RV function.

Results

A reduction in RVEF was observed in 40% of patients. In multivariate analysis, patients with RVEF− were compared with patients with RVEF= (first-mentioned OR) and RVEF+ (second-mentioned OR). Preoperative use of calcium channel blocker (CCB) (OR 3.06, 95% CI 1.24 to 7.54/OR 2.73, 95% CI 1.21 to 6.16 (both p=0.015)), intraoperative fluid balance (FB) (OR 1.45, 95% CI 1.02 to 2.06 (p=0.039)/OR 1.09, 95% CI 0.80 to 1.49 (p=0.575)) and baseline RVEF (OR 1.22; 95% CI 1.14 to 1.30/OR 1.27, 95% CI 1.19 to 1.35 (both p<0.001)) were identified as independent risk factors for a decline in RVEF during surgery.

Conclusion

Apart from the impact of the perioperative FB, preoperative use of a CCB as a risk factor for perioperative reduction in RVEF is the most prominent new finding of this study.