bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Saving gas with a packaging framework for Ethereum transactions
Authors: Oliveira Bruno Medeiros de , Antonino Pedro , Sampaio Augusto
Published: July 2023

Transaction costs are a barrier to the wide adoption of decentralized applications. To address this issue, this paper proposes a framework to optimize transaction fees by carrying out a conflict-avoiding packaging of multiple smart-contract calls into a single transaction. It relies on two main concepts: a way to optimize the bundling of transactions with a conflict-avoiding packaging strategy and a way to execute such bundles with a package-processing methodology. We illustrate our framework and the gas economy it can bring with a case study where we analyze a popular Ethereum smart contract.
Estudo de Oráculos em Neo para Auditoria de Dados de Robótica Móvel em Locais Remotos
Authors: Coelho Mateus Nazário , Coelho Vitor Nazário , Coelho Igor Machado , Coelho Bruno Nazário
Published: July 2023

O uso de robótica móvel para coleta de dados em ambientes remotos tem se tornado cada vez mais comum na indústria, seja pelos avanços no acesso a pacotes de software aberto e hardware de baixo custo. A integração desses dispositivos com blockchain ainda se mostra desafiadora, especialmente em cenários de maior latência e não determinismo das transações em redes par-a-par descentralizadas. Como estudo de caso, propomos um cenário envolvendo uma agência governamental com foco em auditoria de dados de robôs móveis, utilizando contratos inteligentes e oráculos da Neo Blockchain. Experimentos com sensoriamento remoto em uma rede de satélites Starlink exploram vantagens e limitações do sistema de auditoria desenvolvido.
Execução Controlada de Programas
Authors: Silva José Roque Voltolini da , Segalin Deoni Luiz , Vieira Renata , Azeredo Paulo A. de
Published: July 2023

Este trabalho descreve um método para execução controlada de programas escritos em Pascal, objetivando auxiliar o programador no processo de desenvolvimento e depuração de programas. A execução do programa pode ser normal ou reversa, e o processo pode ser contínuo ou passo à passo.
Ferramenta para Planejamento e Controle de Projetos
Authors: Murai Roselee M. P.
Published: July 2023

Este artigo não possui resumo.
Editor de Grafico de Estrutura. Uma Ferramenta para Apoio ao Projeto Estruturado
Authors: Nogueira Durval Lordelo
Published: July 2023

Este trabalho apresenta o Editor de Gráfico de Estrutura, uma ferramenta gráfica automatizada para o apoio ao desenvolvimento de software na fase de projeto. São descritas a organização de seus componentes, de forma a permitir a perfeita compreensão de seu funcionamento e aplicação. A ferramenta foi implementada em microcomputador compatível com IBM – PC XT.
Modelo de Qualidade para Métodos e Linguagens de Especificação
Authors: Falcão João Fernando Diniz , Souza Junior Adilson Emanuel de , Meire Alexandre Pereira
Published: July 2023

Busca-se, ultimamente, métodos e ferramentas que possam aumentar a qualidade de software devido aos seus elevados custos. A escolha do método adequado tem um papel fundamental na elaboração de software de alta qualidade. Este trabalho descreve atributos de qualidade para métodos e linguagens de especificação.
Editor de FOP
Authors: Watabe Eduardo Eiji , Mendes Francisco C. F.
Published: July 2023

Este artigo não possui resumo.
Draco-PUC, Experiências e Resultados de Re-Engenharia de Software
Authors: Leite Julio Cesar Sampaio do Prado , Prado Antonio F. , Sant’Anna Marcelo
Published: July 2023

A re-engenharia de software é um processo distinto da engenharia tradicional porque parte de um desenho já existente. Tendo como ponto de partida um desenho, a re-engenharia pode explorar oportunidades de reutilização. Como normalmente não se dispõe de um desenho que reflita o artefato que se quer refazer, a recuperação de desenho ou engenharia de reversa passa a ser peça fundamental na re-engenharia. Este artigo relata nossa experiência na re-engenharia da máquina Draco, e concentra sua atenção na re-engenharia do componente analisador sintático da máquina Draco. A máquina Draco é uma instanciação da paradigma Draco, um dos novos paradigmas para desenvolvimento de software. O paradigma Draco distingue-se pelo uso de técnicas de transformação aliadas a tecnologias de compilação, procurando focar o desenvolvimento de software na reutilização de componentes.
Um Ambiente para o Desenvolvimento baseado na Composição de Aplicações
Authors: Werner Cláudia M. L. , Mattos Flavio Araujo de
Published: July 2023

Este artigo apresenta um ambiente de suporte à reutilização baseado em uma tecnologia de composição. O ambiente fornece uma série de ferramentas especializadas que dão suporte à organização e manipulação de uma biblioteca de componentes de software reutilizáveis, facilitando o desenvolvimento de aplicações a partir da composição de software já existente. O ambiente proposto combina as tecnologias de orientação a objetos e hipertexto, mostrando ser esta uma abordagem bastante adequada à implementação dos conceitos envolvidos em ambientes de reutilização por composição.
Projeções da produção de rebanhos e área de cobertura de pastagem usando modelagem ARIMA com abordagem hierárquica para o estado do Pará e suas regiões
Authors: Oliveira Mikeias S. , Fernandes Rafael S. , Melo Marcio R. S. , Souza Daniel L. , Silva David C. C. , Souza Jr Gilberto N. , Braga Marcus B.
Published: July 2023

A pecuária no território paraense oferece desafios de planejamento tanto para o estado, quanto para iniciativa privada, com consequências da expansão do rebanho impactando em variáveis econômicas e socioambientais. Este artigo apresenta um estudo sobre projeções de produção de rebanhos e área de cobertura de pastagem utilizando a modelagem ARIMA (AutoRegressive Integrated Moving Average) por meio da abordagem hierárquica. Foi desenvolvido um framework de análise de dados de séries temporais de curto prazo, abrangendo dados referentes ao estado do Pará e suas regiões entre os anos de 1985 e 2021, com projeções até 2026. Os resultados indicam um aumento de 19% de efetivo bovino e 1,5% nas áreas de pastagem do estado do Pará, revelando um aumento de produtividade na região de Marabá, bem como uma estabilização na região de Redenção.
Predição do Incremento Médio Anual Volumétrico de Eucalyptus com Aprendizado de Máquina
Authors: Lopes Adilson Rosa , Lira Jean Marcel Sousa , Oliveira Leonardo Araujo , Garuzzo Marlon dos Santos Pereira Birindiba , Barbalho Marcos Veniciu de Sá , Araújo Patrick Oliveira Corrêa de , Santos Gleison Augusto dos , Nacif José Augusto
Published: July 2023

Este trabalho aplicou algoritmos de aprendizado de máquina (Machine Learning - ML) para predição futura do Incremento Médio Anual Volumétrico (IMAVol m³/ha/ano) de eucalipto. O conjunto de dados utilizado é composto de variáveis fisiológicas e o IMAVol de plantas de eucalipto de um projeto de melhoramento genético florestal. Aplicando quatro algoritmos de ML, os resultados foram a média de 2,84 ± 0,02 e 0,83 ± 0,03 para as métricas de raiz do erro quadrático médio (RMSE) e coeficiente de determinação (R²), respectivamente, após a realização de 50 iterações de validação cruzada Kfold. Os resultados são promissores para apoiar a seleção precoce de materiais genéticos de alta produtividade volumétrica.
Applying Computer Vision Models to Detect in Real Time the Pollen Flow at the Input of Honeybee Hives (Apis mellifera L.)
Authors: Silva Daniel de Amaral da , Bomfim Isac Gabriel Abrahão , Braga Antonio Rafael , Gomes Danielo G.
Published: July 2023

Pollen flow into the beehives is directly related to the strength and the health of the honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) colonies. Traditional monitoring of beehives is done through manual and invasive inspections, which are time-consuming, stress bees. On the other hand, the recent paradigm of precision beekeeping has allowed for remote and non-invasive monitoring of hives. In this study, six computer vision models were applied to videos recorded at the entrance of honeybee hives to detect incoming pollen flow. The results showed that the YOLOv7 model performed better in the FPS metric, while also achieving a metric of AP75 superior to 77%. The CenterNet model presented the best metrics for real-time applications, with an excellent predictive performance at low computational cost.
Optimized light sources for enhancing color discrimination in people with low vision
Authors:   , Radsamrong Anukul
Published: July 2023

This research was divided into 2 parts. The aim of the first part was to investigate if illuminance level and correlated color temperature (CCT) had an effect on mobility performance in people with low vision compared to the elderly wearing simulated low vision glasses and the elderly with naked eyes. We also compared their mobility in pouring liquid to a specified level. The second part’s aim was to optimize combinations of light emitting diode (LED) channels that increased the discrimination of color in people with low vision. The research procedure of the first part involved 7 lighting conditions, with different illuminance levels and CCTs, and walking course with an obstacle. The participants walked along the walking course at their normal speed and avoid contacting the obstacles. The walking speed and contact score indicated mobility performance. We found that the illuminance levels and the CCTs, in the experiment, did not influence the walking mobility of the low vision and the elderly with low vision glasses. However, the walking speed obtained from a different type of low visions differed under low illuminance level. Moreover, the walking speed of the elderly with low vision glasses was slower than the low vision. The deviation of the specified scale in pouring liquid by the low vision was less than by the elderly with low vision glasses. The elderly with naked eyes had better mobility performance than the low vision. The research procedure of the second part involved color discrimination in colored pairs under 14 LEDs individually, having different spectral power distribution (SPD), by the participants wearing cloudy and blurred simulated low vision glasses (CVG and BVG). The selected channels yielded the lowest color difference (∆E*ab) between the pairs determined in psychophysics experiment. The least color difference of the colored pairs, that could be enhanced, indicated the performance of the SPD or LED channels. We combined the optimized SPDs from 3 regions (short, medium and long) of wavelength, obtained from CVG and BVG, and made white light from them for testing color discrimination of 200 colored pairs. Finally, the optimized white lights were tested by participants with simulated low vision glasses and the patients with low vision. The results were indicated that R-RP-P pairs and BG-G pairs were enhanced by CV-L and Y-YR pairs and PB-B pairs were enhanced by BV-L because of the different SPD of lighting. The proposed combinations of SPDs showed better performance and gave the lower average color difference threshold than the commercial white light. Comparison of 3 of proposed lighting by simulated low vision observers and the low vision patients showed that the color difference (∆E*94) thresholds were similar.
Information Technology Infrastructure and Organisational Sustainability of Petroleum Tank Farms in South-South, Nigeria
Authors:   Department of Management, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria., Okoisama Thomas C. , Bagshaw Karibo B. ,   Department of Management,  Rivers State University, Rivers State, Nigeria.
Published: July 2023

The examination assessed the connection between information technology infrastructure and organisational sustainability (with environmental sustainability and economic sustainability as proxies) of petroleum tank farms in South-South, Nigeria. The theory of technology-organisation-environment framework was the underlying theory and the underpinning philosophy is positivism. A cross-sectional survey approach was used, and questionnaire was used to collect primary data. The Krejcie & Morgan’s formula was used to determine a sample size of 262, from a population of 820 key managers. The sample size was adjusted by 10% to 288 respondents, to provide for non-responses and outliers. The hypotheses were tested using the structural equation model, at 0.05 level of significance. The analyses showed that information technology infrastructure has positive significant relationship with the proxies of organisational sustainability. The investigation concludes that information technology infrastructure positively and significantly enhances organisational sustainability. This underscores the need for managers to recognize the pivotal role of information technology infrastructure in boosting environmental sustainability and economic sustainability. Therefore, Managers of petroleum tank farms should effectively provide their teams with IT support for collaborative work regardless of time and place. Also, Management of petroleum tank farms should put in place, appropriate technology that allows effective recording and reporting of outcome for people using their services and ensuring that the selection, implementation, use, maintenance and improvement of technological solution, is included in their organizations’ strategic service planning.
Mapping Personalized Marketing: A Bibliometric Analysis
Authors:   Associate Professor, Department of Commerce, Ramanujan College, University of Delhi, New Delhi, Singh Kanwal Jeet , Kalotra Anil ,   Professor, University of School Business, Chandigarh University, Mohali, Punjab, Kaur Ishwanik ,   Research Scholar, University of School Business, Chandigarh University, Mohali, Punjab
Published: July 2023

The buzzword, personalization in today’s marketing era is an evolving notion. The aim of the paper is to scrutinize the publications dedicated to personalized marketing. The spurring growth in personalized marketing thrives in new experiences for both marketers and consumers. The Publication search was initiated on 1836 review papers and research articles collected by SCOPUS Database and was visualized by using VOS viewer, a bibliometric analysis software. The paper focuses on identifying growth trends in publication for 20 years, i.e., 2003-2023 (till March), linked subject areas, geographical trends, popular keywords, and influential journals. It is found that the research count in this domain has grown at a pace since 2018 and spiked in 2020 amidst COVID. The literature of this domain is studied across Management, Psychology, Management, Computer Science, and Artificial Intelligence. The opportunity for research in this domain from the Indian perspective is high as consumer behavior concerning personalized marketing is yet to be explored. The contribution of this study to the literature will help scholars to explore the domain and influence more research.
Impact of the EU-Vietnam free trade agreement on activities of Vietnamese commercial banks
Authors:   Agribank- Bac Ninh Branch, Nguyễn Quốc Hưng , Trần Thị Thắng , Vương Thị Minh Đức , Phan Thị Hồng Thảo ,   Banking Academy of Vietnam- Bac Ninh Campus
Published: July 2023

The EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) has been implemented and took effect from August 1, 2020. Since the Agreement was signed, changes have been made in many areas of the economy. In the banking sector, the Agreement poses many opportunities as well as many challenges for Vietnamese commercial banks. By using qualitative research methods, through collecting data from expert consultations, analyzing and synthesizing information, the article studies the main provisions of the EVFTA Agreement related to the field of the banking and finance sector, assessing the impacts of the EVFTA on attracting foreign direct investment, risk management, digital transformation, income, costs, products and services for the operation of Vietnamese commercial banks, thereby giving some recommendations on improving risk management capacity, enhancing technology, security, diversifying products to meet customer needs to take advantage of positive impacts and reduce the negative impacts from the Agreement.
Educação permanente em saúde na atenção à pessoa idosa: revisão integrativa
Authors: Costa Jucema Galisa Gomes da , Antunes Michele Nacif , Peres Michele Soltosky
Published: July 2023

O aumento da população idosa alterou o perfil demográfico e epidemiológico da sociedade brasileira com repercussão em todas as políticas públicas. No Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS), isso exige a reorganização dos serviços para responder a diversidade das demandas destinadas à promoção e recuperação da saúde em todos os ciclos de vida. Frente a essa nova realidade é preciso estimular novas aptidões dos profissionais para desenvolverem práticas de cuidados que primem pelos aspectos multidimensionais inerentes à saúde da pessoa idosa. A implementação da Educação Permanente pode favorecer a reconstrução da concepção de saúde da pessoa idosa e a construção de práxis promotora da clínica ampliada, orientada ao atendimento das peculiaridades dessa parcela populacional. Método: Trata-se de um estudo de revisão integrativa com objetivo de conhecer a produção científica sobre educação permanente na atenção à saúde do idoso no Brasil, no período de 2004 a 2020, desenvolvida na atenção primária à saúde do SUS. Após análise das produções científicas obtidas em bases de dados multidisciplinares e de ciências de saúde, oito publicações foram selecionadas para este estudo. Resultados: Identificou-se que as mulheres, enfermeiras, afiliadas a instituições de ensino superior, destacam-se no estudo da EPS nas ações de atenção à saúde da pessoa idosa. Observa-se, ainda, exíguo conhecimento dos profissionais sobre o processo de envelhecimento que, associado à sobrecarga de trabalho, à rotatividade dos profissionais da APS, à ausência de priorização da gestão sobre saúde da pessoa idosa e a processos de educação em saúde, dificultam a realização da EPS nos territórios prejudicando o desenvolvimento da clínica ampliada em saúde da população idosa.
The Slowly Boiling Frog: External State Actors and 21st Century HemisphericChallenges
Authors: Bump Nathan D.
Published: July 2023

External State Actor (ESA) influence will fuel a variety of Hemispheric challenges in the 21st century. These non-Hemispheric nations vary in approach yet can negatively contribute to issues requiring Hemispheric responses to threats like Transnational Organized Crime (TOC), disinformation challenges, and harmful economic activities. Nevertheless, the Hemisphere cannot create strategies designed to cease all ESA participation. Rather, a comprehensive understanding of where  Hemispheric nations must press for better ESA behavior from countries such as Iran, Russia, and China while seeking new ways to increase integration of positive ESA influences to reduce the likelihood of traditional interstate conflicts will be key. All this while minimizing the effects of ever-present Multi-Dimensional Security (MDS) threats and challenges as global economic uncertainties persist that will likely have outsized, negative impacts on various regions of the world.
A Colaboração das Forças Armadas Na Inclusão da Juventude no Hemisfério Ocidental
Authors: Alencar Thales Mota de
Published: July 2023

The youth is the protagonist in the construction of society's future and should be included in the strategic planning of a nation. Victims or victimizers of a world where conflict is a constant, young people considerably influence the security environment in its various dimensions, permeating all public or private, civilian or military spheres. Thus, the present article aims to identify the participation of the Armed Forces in collaborating with the inclusion of youth in the Western Hemisphere, within harmonious civil-military relations, presenting some successful experiences on the continent.
Câncer de Mama: uma Perspectiva Sistêmica
Authors: Fróes Garcia Ana Cristina Bechara Barros
Published: July 2023

Este artigo apresenta minha experiência, como psicóloga voluntária em uma associação voltada ao apoio psicossocial de mulheres acometidas pelo câncer de mama - ADAMA (Associação dos Amigos da Mama de Niterói - RJ). Com base em observações, entrevistas e reuniões em grupo, desde 2004, foi possível constatar a importância do grupo de apoio na vida das mulheres após o diagnóstico do câncer de mama. Tal vivência aliada à teoria sistêmica ampliou minha visão do sintoma, no caso, o câncer de mama visto a partir de então como caminho de transformação. Além disso, o estudo apontou para a importância do sistema familiar e do entorno social (sistema social) na vida dessas mulheres após o diagnóstico
Networked Press Freedom
Authors: Ananny Mike
Published: July 2023

This book offers a new way to think about freedom of the press in a time when media systems are in fundamental flux. The book challenges the idea that press freedom comes only from heroic, lone journalists who speak truth to power. Instead, drawing on journalism studies, institutional sociology, political theory, science and technology studies, and an analysis of ten years of journalism discourse about news and technology, the book argues that press freedom emerges from social, technological, institutional, and normative forces that vie for power and fight for visions of democratic life. It shows how dominant, historical ideals of professionalized press freedom often mistook journalistic freedom from constraints for the public's freedom to encounter the rich mix of people and ideas that self-governance requires. The book's notion of press freedom ensures not only an individual right to speak, but also a public right to hear. Seeing press freedom as essential for democratic self-governance, the book explores what publics need, what kind of free press they should demand, and how today's press freedom emerges from intertwined collections of humans and machines. If someone says, “The public needs a free press,” the book urges us to ask in response, “What kind of public, what kind of freedom, and what kind of press?” Answering these questions shows what robust, self-governing publics need to demand of technologists and journalists alike.
Identification of candidate mitochondrial inheritance determinants using the mammalian cell-free system
Authors: Zuidema Dalen , Jones Alexis , Song Won-Hee , Zigo Michal , Sutovsky Peter
Published: July 2023

The degradation of sperm-borne mitochondria after fertilization is a conserved event. This process known as post-fertilization sperm mitophagy, ensures exclusively maternal inheritance of the mitochondria-harbored mitochondrial DNA genome. This mitochondrial degradation is in part carried out by the ubiquitin-proteasome system. In mammals, ubiquitin-binding pro-autophagic receptors such as SQSTM1 and GABARAP have also been shown to contribute to sperm mitophagy. These systems work in concert to ensure the timely degradation of the sperm-borne mitochondria after fertilization. We hypothesize that other receptors, cofactors, and substrates are involved in post-fertilization mitophagy. Mass spectrometry was used in conjunction with a porcine cell-free system to identify other autophagic cofactors involved in post-fertilization sperm mitophagy. This porcine cell-free system is able to recapitulate early fertilization proteomic interactions. Altogether, 185 proteins were identified as statistically different between control and cell-free-treated spermatozoa. Six of these proteins were further investigated, including MVP, PSMG2, PSMA3, FUNDC2, SAMM50, and BAG5. These proteins were phenotyped using porcine in vitro fertilization, cell imaging, proteomics, and the porcine cell-free system. The present data confirms the involvement of known mitophagy determinants in the regulation of mitochondrial inheritance and provides a master list of candidate mitophagy co-factors to validate in the future hypothesis-driven studies.
Continuous muscle, glial, epithelial, neuronal, and hemocyte cell lines for Drosophila research
Authors: Coleman-Gosser Nikki , Hu Yanhui , Raghuvanshi Shiva , Stitzinger Shane , Chen Weihang , Luhur Arthur , Mariyappa Daniel , Josifov Molly , Zelhof Andrew , Mohr Stephanie E , Perrimon Norbert , Simcox Amanda
Published: July 2023

Expression of activated Ras, RasV12, provides Drosophila cultured cells with a proliferation and survival advantage that simplifies the generation of continuous cell lines. Here, we used lineage-restricted RasV12 expression to generate continuous cell lines of muscle, glial, and epithelial cell type. Additionally, cell lines with neuronal and hemocyte characteristics were isolated by cloning from cell cultures established with broad RasV12 expression. Differentiation with the hormone ecdysone caused maturation of cells from mesoderm lines into active muscle tissue and enhanced dendritic features in neuronal-like lines. Transcriptome analysis showed expression of key cell-type-specific genes and the expected alignment with single-cell sequencing and in situ data. Overall, the technique has produced in vitro cell models with characteristics of glia, epithelium, muscle, nerve, and hemocyte. The cells and associated data are available from the Drosophila Genomic Resource Center.
Human skeletal muscle organoids model fetal myogenesis and sustain uncommitted PAX7 myogenic progenitors
Authors: Mavrommatis Lampros , Jeong Hyun-Woo , Kindler Urs , Gomez-Giro Gemma , Kienitz Marie-Cecile , Stehling Martin , Psathaki Olympia E , Zeuschner Dagmar , Bixel M Gabriele , Han Dong , Morosan-Puopolo Gabriela , Gerovska Daniela , Yang Ji Hun , Kim Jeong Beom , Arauzo-Bravo Marcos J , Schwamborn Jens C , Hahn Stephan A , Adams Ralf H , Schöler Hans R , Vorgerd Matthias , Brand-Saberi Beate , Zaehres Holm
Published: July 2023

In vitro culture systems that structurally model human myogenesis and promote PAX7+ myogenic progenitor maturation have not been established. Here we report that human skeletal muscle organoids can be differentiated from induced pluripotent stem cell lines to contain paraxial mesoderm and neuromesodermal progenitors and develop into organized structures reassembling neural plate border and dermomyotome. Culture conditions instigate neural lineage arrest and promote fetal hypaxial myogenesis toward limb axial anatomical identity, with generation of sustainable uncommitted PAX7 myogenic progenitors and fibroadipogenic (PDGFRa+) progenitor populations equivalent to those from the second trimester of human gestation. Single-cell comparison to human fetal and adult myogenic progenitor /satellite cells reveals distinct molecular signatures for non-dividing myogenic progenitors in activated (CD44High/CD98+/MYOD1+) and dormant (PAX7High/FBN1High/SPRY1High) states. Our approach provides a robust 3D in vitro developmental system for investigating muscle tissue morphogenesis and homeostasis.
Rubella virus tropism and single-cell responses in human primary tissue and microglia-containing organoids
Authors: Popova Galina , Retallack Hanna , Kim Chang N , Wang Albert , Shin David , DeRisi Joseph L , Nowakowski Tomasz
Published: July 2023

Rubella virus is an important human pathogen that can cause neurological deficits in a developing fetus when contracted during pregnancy. Despite successful vaccination programs in the Americas and many developed countries, rubella remains endemic in many regions worldwide and outbreaks occur wherever population immunity is insufficient. Intense interest since rubella virus was first isolated in 1962 has advanced our understanding of clinical outcomes after infection disrupts key processes of fetal neurodevelopment. Yet it is still largely unknown which cell types in the developing brain are targeted. We show that in human brain slices, rubella virus predominantly infects microglia. This infection occurs in a heterogeneous population but not in a highly microglia-enriched monoculture in the absence of other cell types. By using an organoid-microglia model, we further demonstrate that rubella virus infection leads to a profound interferon response in non-microglial cells, including neurons and neural progenitor cells, and this response is attenuated by the presence of microglia.
The lncRNA Malat1 inhibits miR-15/16 to enhance cytotoxic T cell activation and memory cell formation
Authors: Wheeler Benjamin D , Gagnon John D , Zhu Wandi S , Muñoz-Sandoval Priscila , Wong Simon K , Simeonov Dimitre S , Li Zhongmei , DeBarge Rachel , Spitzer Matthew H , Marson Alexander , Ansel K Mark
Published: July 2023

Proper activation of cytotoxic T cells via the T cell receptor and the costimulatory receptor CD28 is essential for adaptive immunity against viruses, intracellular bacteria, and cancers. Through biochemical analysis of RNA:protein interactions, we uncovered a non-coding RNA circuit regulating activation and differentiation of cytotoxic T cells composed of the long non-coding RNA Malat1 (Metastasis Associated Lung Adenocarcinoma Transcript 1) and the microRNA family miR-15/16. miR-15/16 is a widely and highly expressed tumor suppressor miRNA family important for cell proliferation and survival. miR-15/16 play important roles in T cell responses to viral infection, including the regulation of antigen-specific T cell expansion and memory. Comparative Argonaute-2 high-throughput sequencing of crosslinking immunoprecipitation (AHC) combined with gene expression profiling in normal and miR-15/16-deficient mouse T cells revealed a large network of hundreds of direct miR-15/16 target mRNAs, many with functional relevance for T cell activation, survival and memory formation. Among these targets, Malat1 contained the largest absolute magnitude miR-15/16-dependent AHC peak. This binding site was among the strongest lncRNA:miRNA interactions detected in the T cell transcriptome. We used CRISPR targeting with homology directed repair to generate mice with a 5-nucleotide mutation in the miR-15/16-binding site in Malat1. This mutation interrupted Malat1:miR-15/16 interaction, and enhanced the repression of other miR-15/16 target genes, including CD28. Interrupting Malat1 interaction with miR-15/16 decreased cytotoxic T cell activation, including the expression of interleukin 2 (IL-2) and a broader CD28-responsive gene program. Accordingly, Malat1 mutation diminished memory cell persistence in mice following LCMV Armstrong and Listeria monocytogenes infection. This study marks a significant advance in the study of long non-coding RNAs in the immune system by ascribing cell-intrinsic, sequence-specific in vivo function to Malat1. These findings have implications for T cell-mediated autoimmune diseases, antiviral and anti-tumor immunity, as well as lung adenocarcinoma and other malignancies where Malat1 is overexpressed.
Adaptive coherent weighted averaging algorithm for enhancement of photoacoustic tomography images of brain
Authors: Manwar Rayyan , Li Xin , Kratkiewicz Karl , Zhu Dongxiao , Avanaki Kamran
Published: July 2023

One common method to improve the low signal‐to‐noise ratio of the photoacoustic (PA) signal generated from weak absorbers or absorbers located in deep tissue is to acquire signal multiple times from the same region and perform averaging. However, pulse‐to‐pulse laser fluctuations together with differences in the beam profile of the pulses create undeterministic multiple scattering processes in the tissue. This phenomenon consequently induces a spatiotemporal displacement in the PA signal samples which in turn deteriorates the effectiveness of signal averaging. Here, we present an adaptive coherent weighted averaging algorithm to adjust the locations and values of PA signal samples for more efficient signal averaging. The proposed method is evaluated in a linear array‐based PA imaging setup of ex vivo sheep brain.
Patients with inflammatory bowel disease have more oral health problems and higher costs of professional dental care than healthy controls: The Periodontitis Prevalence in ulcerative Colitis and Crohn disease (PPCC) case‐control study
Authors: Bertl Kristina , Burisch Johan , Pandis Nikolaos , Klinge Björn , Stavropoulos Andreas
Published: July 2023

Background

To describe the frequency and impact of oral lesions and professional dental care costs in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) (i.e., Crohn disease [CD] or ulcerative colitis [UC]) compared to matched controls).

Methods

IBD patients and matched controls were surveyed on general anamnestic information, eating and drinking habits, and oral health‐ and dental care‐related questions; IBD patients were additionally surveyed on oral lesions. Problems related to oral lesions and the amount of money spent for professional dental care in the past 12 months were defined as primary outcome parameters.

Results

Answers from 1108 IBD patients and 3429 controls were analyzed. About 30% of the patients indicated having had problems with oral lesions, with CD patients having 46% higher odds and having them more often in a generalized form compared to UC patients. Further, self‐reported severe periodontitis increased the odds of having oral lesions by almost 2.3‐times. However, only about 12.5% of IBD patients were informed by their physician about oral lesions and about 10% indicated receiving treatment for them. Compared to controls, IBD patients required more often dental treatment and spent more money; specifically, UC and CD patients had 27 and 89% higher odds, respectively, for having spent ≥3000 DKK (ca. 440 USD) at the dentist compared to controls.

Conclusions

IBD patients have more often oral health problems and higher expenses for professional dental care compared to matched controls. This included problems with IBD‐related oral lesions, but these are rarely addressed by the medical or dental team.
Endotracheal tube forces exerted on the larynx and a novel support device to reduce it
Authors: Vahabzadeh‐Hagh Andrew M. , Marsh‐Armstrong Brennan P. , Patel Shiv H. , Lindenmuth Luke , Feng Zeyu , Gong Rufu , Lin Yun‐An , Pierce Taylor , Loh Kenneth J.
Published: July 2023

Objective

Endotracheal tubes (ETTs) are commonly associated with laryngeal injury that may be short lasting and temporary or more severe and life altering. Injury is believed to result from forces that these ETTs exert on the larynx. Here we quantify the forces of ETTs of various sizes on the laryngotracheal complex to gain a more quantitative understanding of these potential damaging forces. Here we also perform preclinical testing of a novel support device to offload these forces.

Methods

Endotracheal intubation was performed on a fresh human cadaver using various ETT sizes. A strain‐sensitive graphene nanosheet sensor and a commercially available force sensing resistor were secured behind the larynx, anterior to the prevertebral fascia. The forces exerted on the larynx were measured for each of the commonly used ETTs. A novel support device, ETT clip (Endo Clip), was attached to the ETTs and changes in these forces were observed.

Results

Forces exerted on the laryngotracheal complex by various ETTs were observed to increase with increasing tube size. This pressure can be significantly reduced with a novel ETT clip.

Conclusion

Here we demonstrate the first quantitative measurement of forces that ETTs exert on the larynx. We demonstrate a novel device that can easily clip onto an ETT reducing pressure on the laryngotracheal complex. This preclinical test paves the way for a human clinical trial.

Level of evidence

5.
Prediction of relative change in free nerve growth factor following subcutaneous administration of tanezumab, a novel monoclonal antibody to nerve growth factor
Authors: Shoji Satoshi , Suzuki Akiyuki , Nouri Parya , Cai Chun‐Hua , Gaitonde Puneet , Marshall Scott
Published: July 2023

Tanezumab is a monoclonal antibody against nerve growth factor (NGF). We investigated tanezumab pharmacokinetic (PK)‐NGF relationships and predicted the extent of systemic free NGF suppression with target‐mediated drug disposition (TMDD) modeling using data from three pivotal phase III interventional studies (NCT02697773, NCT02709486, and NCT02528188) in patients with osteoarthritis. Patients received tanezumab 2.5 mg or 5 mg every 8 weeks (q8w) subcutaneously. A TMDD model using a previously established population PK model was used to describe plasma tanezumab and serum total NGF concentration data, and simulations were performed to predict “unobserved” free NGF versus time profiles and dose–response relationships for free NGF. A total of 2992 patients had available data for plasma tanezumab or serum total NGF concentrations and were included in the analysis; 706 of these had data for both tanezumab and total NGF concentrations. The model generally performed well to predict observed total NGF concentrations up to ~24 weeks after each dose. Simulations suggested free NGF concentration would be suppressed by ~75% (median) near the peak of tanezumab concentration and by less than 5% (median) around the trough tanezumab concentration with a tanezumab 2.5 mg q8w regimen. Free NGF concentration was predicted to return to baseline level at ~8 weeks (95% prediction interval: 5–16 weeks) after the last tanezumab dose. This model adequately described plasma tanezumab and serum total NGF concentrations following s.c. administration of tanezumab 2.5 or 5 mg q8w, allowed prediction of relative change in systemic free NGF following s.c. administration of tanezumab.
Skeletal muscle fiber hypercontraction induced by Bothrops asper myotoxic phospholipases A2 ex vivo does not involve a direct action on the contractile apparatus
Authors: López-Dávila Alfredo Jesús , Weber Natalie , Nayak Arnab , Fritz Leon , Moustafa Kian Rami , Gand Luis Vincens , Wehry Enke , Kraft Theresia , Thum Thomas , Fernández Julián , Gutiérrez José María , Lomonte Bruno
Published: July 2023

Myonecrosis is a frequent clinical manifestation of envenomings by Viperidae snakes, mainly caused by the toxic actions of secreted phospholipase A2 (sPLA2) enzymes and sPLA2-like homologs on skeletal muscle fibers. A hallmark of the necrotic process induced by these myotoxins is the rapid appearance of hypercontracted muscle fibers, attributed to the massive influx of Ca2+ resulting from cell membrane damage. However, the possibility of myotoxins having, in addition, a direct effect on the contractile machinery of skeletal muscle fibers when internalized has not been investigated. This question is here addressed by using an ex vivo model of single-skinned muscle fibers, which lack membranes but retain an intact contractile apparatus. Rabbit psoas skinned fibers were exposed to two types of myotoxins of Bothrops asper venom: Mt-I, a catalytically active Asp49 sPLA2 enzyme, and Mt-II, a Lys49 sPLA2-like protein devoid of phospholipolytic activity. Neither of these myotoxins affected the main parameters of force development in striated muscle sarcomeres of the skinned fibers. Moreover, no microscopical alterations were evidenced after their exposure to Mt-I or Mt-II. In contrast to the lack of effects on skinned muscle fibers, both myotoxins induced a strong hypercontraction in myotubes differentiated from murine C2C12 myoblasts, with drastic morphological alterations that reproduce those described in myonecrotic tissue in vivo. As neither Mt-I nor Mt-II showed direct effects upon the contractile apparatus of skinned fibers, it is concluded that the mechanism of hypercontraction triggered by both myotoxins in patients involves indirect effects, i.e., the large cytosolic Ca2+ increase after sarcolemma permeabilization.
Scents of China
Authors: Huang Xuelei
Published: July 2023

In this vivid and highly original reading of recent Chinese history, Xuelei Huang documents the eclectic array of smells that permeated Chinese life from the High Qing through to the Mao period. Utilising interdisciplinary methodology and critically engaging with scholarship in the expanding fields of sensory and smell studies, she shows how this period of tumultuous change in China was experienced through the body and the senses. Drawing on unexplored archival materials, readers are introduced to the 'smellscapes' of China from the eighteenth to mid-twentieth century via perfumes, food, body odours, public health projects, consumerism and cosmetics, travel literature, fiction and political language. This pioneering and evocative study takes the reader on a sensory journey through modern Chinese history, examining the ways in which the experience of scent and modernity have intertwined.
Global Divergence in the De-routinization of Jobs
Authors: Lewandowski Piotr , Park Albert , Schotte Simone
Published: July 2023

We establish new stylized facts about the global evolution and distribution of routine and non-routine work, relaxing the common assumption that occupations are identical globally. We combine survey data and regression models to predict the country-specific routine-task intensity of occupations in 87 countries employing over 2.5 billion workers, equivalent to 75 per cent of global employment. From 2000 to 2017, the shift away from routine work was much slower in low- and middle-income countries than in high-income countries, widening gaps in the nature of work. Low- and middle-income countries remained the dominant provider of routine work. Not accounting for differences in occupation-specific job tasks across countries leads to a significant overestimation of the role of non-routine tasks in less developed countries.
Persistent Problems with the Conceptualization, Measurement, and Study of “Left-Wing Authoritarianism”
Authors: Saunders Benjamin A. , Jost John T.
Published: July 2023

Authoritarianism—measured in multiple ways—is correlated positively with conservative-rightism (and negatively with liberal-leftism) throughout the non-communist world. Nevertheless, the search for left-wing authoritarianism (LWA) in the West continues unabated, with several researchers claiming triumphantly that they have discovered what has been referred to as the Loch Ness monster: an authoritarian syndrome among leftists in North America. The authors administered two LWA scales (Van Hiel-LWA and Conway-LWA) to two US samples (total N = 897) along with other political and psychological variables. They conclude that the Van Hiel-LWA scale gauges authoritarianism but not leftism, whereas the Conway-LWA scale gauges leftist attitudes (especially suspicion of the religious right) but not authoritarianism. They also reanalyzed previously reported data and found that Republicans were as likely as or more likely than Democrats to endorse the most extreme items on this scale.
The Color of Civics
Authors: Nelsen Matthew D.
Published: July 2023

This book explores how to forge more empowering and equitable spaces for civic learning by centering the agency and lived experiences of marginalized groups. It reimagines the role of education in preparing all kids for democratic participation, highlights a crucial point of political socialization, and provides actionable advice for policymakers hoping to equalize democratic opportunities for young people in the United States. The book makes four primary claims. First, it argues that traditional civic education courses have not lived up to their promise to foster democratic capacity, especially for marginalized students. In response, it presents a new approach to civic education that aims to foster political empowerment by centering critical categories of knowledge—those that highlight the agency and grassroots political action of marginalized groups—and historically grounded conversations about politics. Second, it demonstrates that such an approach to civic education increases rates of intended political participation among young people of color and heightens political empathy among white youth. Third, it highlights the agency of teachers in processes of socialization, exploring how their attitudes and lived experiences drive the creation and implementation of more empowering civic learning environments. Fourth, it argues that teachers and students—those who spend the most time in social studies classrooms—should drive initiatives to revitalize civic education. These insights should inform the work of policymakers looking to make civic education more empowering for young people throughout the United States.
Explosiveness: Territories of war and technoscientific practices in Colombia
Authors: Pardo Pedraza Diana , Morales Fontanilla Julia
Published: July 2023

La Serranía de la Macarena has been a crucial scenario in the Colombian war. In this region, the army and FARC‐EP guerrillas widely deployed aerial bombardment and improvised landmines to control the territory and contain their adversaries. This article is a collaborative ethnographic exploration of retazos—snippets of material‐discursive practices we collected in our fieldworks: a demining project and a state morgue. What can explosive military technologies and their aftermath tell us about the place of war in Colombia? Through two ethnographic retazos, we account of how forensic workers and mine‐removal experts engage with the material traces of explosives and produce bodies and landscapes as territories of war. We reflect on these topographies through the concept of explosiveness. Understood as a tendency, a condition, and a field of forces, explosiveness offers a distinct point of entry to reflect on the material and affective aftermath of landmines and bombs.
Resistance, reclaiming and reframing: Relationship-based Pacific social work practice
Authors: Crichton-Hill Yvonne , Mafile'o Tracie , Veukiso-Ulugia Analosa
Published: July 2023

Editorial.
Four-dimensional compact Clifford–Klein forms of pseudo-Riemannian symmetric spaces with signature (2, 2)
Authors: Maeta Keiichi
Published: July 2023

We give a classification of reducible and indecomposable pseudo-Riemannian symmetric spaces with signature [Formula: see text] which admit compact Clifford–Klein forms. For this, we develop a method that applies to particular 1-connected solvable symmetric spaces. We also examine a “solvable analogue” of Kobayashi’s conjecture for reductive type and find an evidence that the assumption “reductive type” in the conjecture is crucial.
Blood Concentration of Cabazitaxel in a Patient Whose General Condition Worsened with Concomitant Use of Clarithromycin
Authors: Katsumi Shigeaki , Araki Takuya , Yashima Hideaki , Miyazawa Yoshiyuki , Suzuki Kazuhiro , Yamamoto Koujirou
Published: July 2023

We encountered a case in which the general condition of a patient receiving cabazitaxel worsened with concomitant use of clarithromycin. Cabazitaxel is metabolized mainly by CYP3A4, and the frequency of adverse events is known to increase with increasing exposure. Although these drugs are not often quantified in daily practice, we quantified them because we considered it possible that the blood concentration of cabazitaxel had increased due to CYP3A4 inhibition of clarithromycin and that cabazitaxel-related adverse events had occurred. However, the concentration of cabazitaxel was not increased and we attributed the patient’s deterioration to decreased tolerability of cabazitaxel. At least at a trough concentration of 70 ng/mL, which is the trough concentration when a normal dose of clarithromycin is administered, clarithromycin does not appear to have a significant effect on the blood concentration of cabazitaxel. This case suggests that the administration of the normal dose of clarithromycin might be relatively safe in patients receiving cabazitaxel.