bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
New Insights into the Structure and Function of Class B1 GPCRs
Authors: Cary Brian P , Zhang Xin , Cao Jianjun , Johnson Rachel M , Piper Sarah J , Gerrard Elliot J , Wootten Denise , Sexton Patrick M
Published: December 2022

G protein–coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the largest family of cell surface receptors. Class B1 GPCRs constitute a subfamily of 15 receptors that characteristically contain large extracellular domains (ECDs) and respond to long polypeptide hormones. Class B1 GPCRs are critical regulators of homeostasis, and, as such, many are important drug targets. While most transmembrane proteins, including GPCRs, are recalcitrant to crystallization, recent advances in cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) have facilitated a rapid expansion of the structural understanding of membrane proteins. As a testament to this success, structures for all the class B1 receptors bound to G proteins have been determined by cryo-EM in the past 5 years. Further advances in cryo-EM have uncovered dynamics of these receptors, ligands, and signaling partners. Here, we examine the recent structural underpinnings of the class B1 GPCRs with an emphasis on structure–function relationships.
Clinical, Pathophysiologic, Genetic, and Therapeutic Progress in Primary Bilateral Macronodular Adrenal Hyperplasia
Authors: Bertherat Jérôme , Bourdeau Isabelle , Bouys Lucas , Chasseloup Fanny , Kamenický Peter , Lacroix André
Published: December 2022

Patients with primary bilateral macronodular adrenal hyperplasia (PBMAH) usually present bilateral benign adrenocortical macronodules at imaging and variable levels of cortisol excess. PBMAH is a rare cause of primary overt Cushing's syndrome but may represent up to one-third of bilateral adrenal incidentalomas with evidence of cortisol excess. The increased steroidogenesis in PBMAH is often regulated by various G protein–coupled receptors (GPCRs) aberrantly expressed in PBMAH tissues; some receptor ligands are ectopically produced in PBMAH tissues, creating aberrant autocrine/paracrine regulation of steroidogenesis.

The bilateral nature of PBMAH and familial aggregation led to the identification of germline heterozygous inactivating mutations of the ARMC5 gene, in 20% to 25% of the apparent sporadic cases and more frequently in familial cases; ARMC5 mutations/pathogenic variants can be associated with meningiomas. More recently, combined germline mutations/pathogenic variants and somatic events inactivating the KDM1A gene were specifically identified in patients affected by glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide (GIP)-dependent PBMAH. Functional studies demonstrated that inactivation of KDM1A leads to GIP-receptor (GIPR) overexpression and over- or downregulation of other GPCRs. Genetic analysis is now available for early detection of family members of index cases with PBMAH carrying identified germline pathogenic variants. Detailed biochemical, imaging, and comorbidity assessment of the nature and severity of PBMAH is essential for its management. Treatment is reserved for patients with overt or mild cortisol/aldosterone or other steroid excesses, taking in account comorbidities. It previously relied on bilateral adrenalectomy; however, recent studies tend to favor unilateral adrenalectomy or, less frequently, medical treatment with cortisol synthesis inhibitors or specific blockers of aberrant GPCR.
Marxist and Formless: Uncanny Materialism in Peter Weiss’s The Aesthetics of Resistance
Authors: Langston Richard
Published: December 2022

Peter Weiss made no secret of the importance of form for his magnum opus The Aesthetics of Resistance. “Again and again [I’ve made] new attempts at finding a form for the book,” he wrote early on in its conception. This authorial search is, in fact, far more complicated than the long blocks of prose Weiss settled on for the novel. Exemplified in volume 2’s opening confrontation with Théodore Géricault’s painting The Raft of the Medusa, this search within the narrative vacillates between constituting erect forms and leveling them altogether. With the aid of Georges Bataille, the following essay illuminates not only how reading and writing embody these oppositions between form and formless but also how this tension culminates in Weiss’s poetic regeneration of a Marxism uncanny in nature despite what he perceived as dialectical materialism’s bureaucratic exhaustion in the Eastern bloc.
Collagen VI expression is negatively mechanosensitive in pancreatic cancer cells and supports the metastatic niche
Authors: Papalazarou Vasileios , Drew James , Juin Amelie , Spence Heather J. , Whitelaw Jamie , Nixon Colin , Salmeron-Sanchez Manuel , Machesky Laura M.
Published: December 2022

Pancreatic cancer is a deadly and highly metastatic disease, although how metastatic lesions establish is not fully understood. A key feature of pancreatic tumours is extensive fibrosis and deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM). While pancreatic cancer cells are programmed by stimuli derived from a stiff ECM, metastasis requires loss of attachment and adaptation to a softer microenvironment at distant sites. Growing evidence suggests that stiff ECM influences pancreatic cancer cell behaviour. Here, we argue that this influence is reversible and that pancreatic cancer cells can be reprogrammed upon sensing soft substrates. Using engineered polyacrylamide hydrogels with tuneable mechanical properties, we show that collagen VI is specifically upregulated in pancreatic cancer cells on soft substrates, due to a lack of integrin engagement. Furthermore, the expression of collagen VI is inversely correlated with mechanosensing and activity of YAP (also known as YAP1), which might be due to a direct or indirect effect on transcription of genes encoding collagen VI. Collagen VI supports migration in vitro and metastasis formation in vivo. Metastatic nodules formed by pancreatic cancer cells lacking Col6a1 display stromal cell-derived collagen VI deposition, suggesting that collagen VI derived from either cancer cells or the stroma is an essential component of the metastatic niche.

This article has an associated First Person interview with Vasileios Papalazarou, joint first author of the paper.
Endosomal vesicle fusion machinery is involved with the contractile vacuole in Dictyostelium discoideum
Authors: Manna Paul T. , Barlow Lael D. , Ramirez-Macias Inmaculada , Herman Emily K. , Dacks Joel B.
Published: December 2022

Contractile vacuoles (CVs), enigmatic osmoregulatory organelles, share common characteristics, such as a requirement for RAB11 and high levels of V-ATPase. These commonalities suggest a conserved evolutionary origin for the CVs with implications for understanding of the last common ancestor of eukaryotes and eukaryotic diversification more broadly. A taxonomically broader sampling of CV-associated machinery is required to address this question further. We used a transcriptomics-based approach to identify CV-associated gene products in Dictyostelium discoideum. This approach was first validated by assessing a set of known CV-associated gene products, which were significantly upregulated following hypo-osmotic exposure. Moreover, endosomal and vacuolar gene products were enriched in the upregulated gene set. An upregulated SNARE protein (NPSNB) was predominantly plasma membrane localised and enriched in the vicinity of CVs, supporting the association with this organelle found in the transcriptomic analysis. We therefore confirm that transcriptomic approaches can identify known and novel players in CV function, in our case emphasizing the role of endosomal vesicle fusion machinery in the D. discoideum CV and facilitating future work to address questions regarding the deep evolution of eukaryotic organelles.
Reorganization of the DNA replication landscape during adipogenesis is closely linked with adipogenic gene expression
Authors: Hayakawa Takuya , Yamamoto Asahi , Yoneda Taiki , Hori Sakino , Okochi Nanami , Kagotani Kazuhiro , Okumura Katsuzumi , Takebayashi Shin-ichiro
Published: December 2022

The temporal order of DNA replication along the chromosomes is thought to reflect the transcriptional competence of the genome. During differentiation of mouse 3T3-L1 cells into adipocytes, cells undergo one or two rounds of cell division called mitotic clonal expansion (MCE). MCE is an essential step for adipogenesis; however, little is known about the regulation of DNA replication during this period. Here, we performed genome-wide mapping of replication timing (RT) in mouse 3T3-L1 cells before and during MCE, and identified a number of chromosomal regions shifting toward either earlier or later replication through two rounds of replication. These RT changes were confirmed in individual cells by single-cell DNA-replication sequencing. Coordinate changes between a shift toward earlier replication and transcriptional activation of adipogenesis-associated genes were observed. RT changes occurred before the full expression of these genes, indicating that RT reorganization might contribute to the mature adipocyte phenotype. To support this, cells undergoing two rounds of DNA replication during MCE had a higher potential to differentiate into lipid droplet-accumulating adipocytes, compared with cells undergoing a single round of DNA replication and non-replicating cells.
The microbiome buffers tadpole hosts from heat stress: a hologenomic approach to understand host–microbe interactions under warming
Authors: Fontaine Samantha S. , Kohl Kevin D.
Published: December 2022

Phenotypic plasticity is an important strategy that animals employ to respond and adjust to changes in their environment. Plasticity may occur via changes in host gene expression or through functional changes in their microbiomes, which contribute substantially to host physiology. Specifically, the presence and function of host-associated microbes can impact how animals respond to heat stress. We previously demonstrated that ‘depleted’ tadpoles, with artificially disrupted microbiomes, are less tolerant to heat than ‘colonized’ tadpoles, with more natural microbiomes. However, the mechanisms behind these effects are unclear. Here, we compared gene expression profiles of the tadpole gut transcriptome, and tadpole gut microbial metagenome, between colonized and depleted tadpoles under cool or warm conditions. Our goal was to identify differences in host and microbial responses to heat between colonized and depleted tadpoles that might explain their observed differences in heat tolerance. We found that depleted tadpoles exhibited a much stronger degree of host gene expression plasticity in response to heat, while the microbiome of colonized tadpoles was significantly more heat sensitive. These patterns indicate that functional changes in the microbiome in response to heat may allow for a dampened host response, ultimately buffering hosts from the deleterious effects of heat stress. We also identified several specific host and microbial pathways that could be contributing to increased thermal tolerance in colonized tadpoles including amino acid metabolism, vitamin biosynthesis and ROS scavenging pathways. Our results demonstrate that the microbiome influences host plasticity and the response of hosts to environmental stressors.
Human RNase P: overview of a ribonuclease of interrelated molecular networks and gene-targeting systems
Authors: Jarrous Nayef , Liu Fenyong
Published: December 2022

The seminal discovery of ribonuclease P (RNase P) and its catalytic RNA by Sidney Altman has not only revolutionized our understanding of life, but also opened new fields for scientific exploration and investigation. This review focuses on human RNase P and its use as a gene-targeting tool, two topics initiated in Altman's laboratory. We outline early works on human RNase P as a tRNA processing enzyme and comment on its expanding nonconventional functions in molecular networks of transcription, chromatin remodeling, homology-directed repair, and innate immunity. The important implications and insights from these discoveries on the potential use of RNase P as a gene-targeting tool are presented. This multifunctionality calls to a modified structure–function partitioning of domains in human RNase P, as well as its relative ribonucleoprotein, RNase MRP. The role of these two catalysts in innate immunity is of particular interest in molecular evolution, as this dynamic molecular network could have originated and evolved from primordial enzymes and sensors of RNA, including predecessors of these two ribonucleoproteins.
Σχολική ανάπτυξη ως ανάπτυξη πολυπλοκότητας
Authors: Παπαδόσηφου Μαρία
Published: December 2022

Η παρούσα διατριβή επιδιώκει να προωθήσει μια νέα φιλοσοφία προσέγγισης των σχολικών μονάδων ως πολύπλοκων κοινωνικών συστημάτων. Η αποτύπωση της οργανωσιακής πραγματικότητας της σχολικής μονάδας ως πολύπλοκου κοινωνικού συστήματος αποσκοπεί στην απομάκρυνση από τα παραδοσιακά πρότυπα παρέμβασης. Έννοιες όπως «ποιότητα», «αποτελεσματικότητα», «βελτίωση», αντικαθίστανται από μια ευρύχωρη έννοια που θα αναφέρεται στο σύνολο της σχολικής μονάδας: τη «συστημική επάρκεια». Η συστημική επάρκεια θα μπορούσε ως μια ευρεία έννοια, χωρίς ιδεολογικές, ιστορικό-θεωρητικές, κοινωνικοπολιτικές επιβαρύνσεις, να αναφέρεται και να περιγράφει τα χαρακτηριστικά της σχολικής μονάδας που την καθιστούν ένα υγιές, αυτοοργανωτικό σύστημα, ικανό να παράγει αποτελέσματα, χωρίς να υπονοεί ότι οι σχολικές μονάδες είναι συστήματα με σταθερή και αμετάβλητη οργάνωση. Αντίθετα, λειτουργούν σε ένα πλαίσιο συνεχών εξωτερικών αλλαγών, που απαιτούν μια σειρά αλλαγών στο εσωτερικό της σχολικής μονάδας, ως μια σχέση εσωτερικής και εξωτερικής πολυπλοκότητας. Οι παράγοντες αυτοί δημιουργούν στη σχολική μονάδα, μια ανάγκη διαχείρισης του περιβάλλοντος της, με την συνεχώς αυξανόμενη πολυπλοκότητα, αυξάνοντας τη δική της πολυπλοκότητα μέσω της εσωτερικής διαφοροποίησης και ωριμότητας. Η αναγνώριση των ιδιαίτερων δομικών στοιχείων και χαρακτηριστικών της σχολικής μονάδας και ο τρόπος με τον οποίο διαχειρίζεται το εσωτερικό της και το περιβάλλον της, είναι καθοριστικοί παράγοντες στην ανάπτυξη ενός σταθερά αποτελεσματικού εκπαιδευτικού έργου. Σκοπός της παρούσας διατριβής είναι να προτείνει μια νέα μεθοδολογία αξιολόγησης των σχολικών μονάδων, συμβατής με το συστημικό χαρακτήρα τους και την κοινωνική πραγματικότητα μέσα στην οποία λειτουργούν, μέσω της κατασκευής ενός εργαλείου αυτοπαρατήρησης βασισμένου στην ανάπτυξη της πολυπλοκότητάς τους. Η μελέτη των πραγματικών συνθηκών λειτουργίας των σχολικών μονάδων, αναμένεται να δομήσει μια ολοκληρωμένη εικόνα σχετικά με την εισαγωγή της συστημικής και πολύπλοκης προσέγγισης στη σχολική μονάδα. Συνολικά, η εργασία στοχεύει μέσω θεωρίας και έρευνας, να προτείνει ένα μοντέλο ανάπτυξης της ποιότητας για τις σχολικές μονάδες, σύμφωνο με τον πολύπλοκο χαρακτήρα τους. Η διερεύνηση της συστημικής προσέγγισης ως τρόπου προσέγγισης της σχολικής ανάπτυξης και της εκπαιδευτικής πραγματικότητας, είναι ιδιαίτερα ελλιπής στην ερευνητική βιβλιογραφία. Η παρούσα έρευνα ως ένα παράδειγμα εκπαιδευτικής μηχανικής και εκτελεστικής οντολογίας, επιδιώκει όχι μόνο να καλύψει το θεωρητικό κενό της εφαρμογής της συστημικής θεωρίας στη σχολική μονάδα, αλλά και να καταγράψει πρακτικά τις συνθήκες που προβλέπονται και εν τέλει διαμορφώνουν τη συστημική της επάρκεια, κατασκευάζοντας εργαλεία για τον εντοπισμό των ιδιαίτερων χαρακτηριστικών της, γεγονός που καθιστά αυτή την διατριβή πρωτότυπη.
Trends of research topics related to Halal meat as a commodity between Scopus and Web of Science: A systematic review
Authors: Nafik Hadi Ryandono Muhammad , Mawardi Imron , Nugraha Rani Lina , Widiastuti Tika , Tri Ratnasari Ririn , Kusuma Wardhana Akhmad
Published: December 2022

Background: People are more aware of halal products in commodity markets. Halal meat is an essential commodity for society in the Islamic commodity market in particular. The objective of this study was to analyze differences in research trends related to halal meat in published papers indexed by Scopus and Web of Science. The objective is to observe how was halal meat as commodity become the trend of research written by Indonesian authors, as well as what was the novelty of the research trend related to such tiopic.

Methods: This study used purposive sampling with a bibliometric approach in collecting the samples. The samples were published papers from the Scopus and Web of Science (SCI) databases from 2006 to 25th October 2021. The were 154 samples found from cSopus and 50 samples in Web of Science (SCI). Analysis was performed by VOSviewer and biblioshiny.

Results: Overall, 154 papers from Scopus and 50 from SCI were analyzed. Scopus and SCI exhibited different research trends. Moreover, papers from Scopus were dominated by Indonesian authors; those from SCI were not. The source growth of published papers in SCI was more dynamic than that in Scopus. The research trends in papers from SCI were more focused on the types of meat and the source itself. This was different to papers in Scopus, which placed greater emphasis on the supply chain.

Conclusions: This paper can act as a reference for continued research into halal meat in commodity markets, especially in Islamic countries. This paper is the first to compare the research trends in halal meat in the commodity market by comparing the differences in two major indexes, Scopus and SCI.
The relationship between climate change and malaria in South-East Asia: A systematic review of the evidence
Authors: Rahmani Ardhi Arsala , Susanna Dewi , Febrian Tommi
Published: December 2022

Background: Climatic change is an inescapable fact that implies alterations in seasons where weather occurrences have their schedules shift from the regular and magnitudes intensify to more extreme variations over a multi-year period. Southeast Asia is one of the many regions experiencing changes in climate and concurrently still has endemicities of malaria. Given that previous studies have suggested the influence of climate on malaria’s vector the Anopheles mosquitoes and parasite the Plasmodium group, this study was conducted to review the evidence of associations made between malaria cases and climatic variables in Southeast Asia throughout a multi-year period.

Methods: Our systematic literature review was informed by the PRISMA guidelines and registered in PROSPERO: CRD42022301826 on 5th February 2022. We searched for original articles in English and Indonesian that focused on the associations between climatic variables and malaria cases.

Results: The initial identification stage resulted in 535 records of possible relevance and after abstract screening and eligibility assessment we included 19 research articles for the systematic review. Based on the reviewed articles, changing temperatures, precipitation, humidity and windspeed were considered for statistical association across a multi-year period and are correlated with malaria cases in various regions throughout Southeast Asia.

Conclusions: According to the review of evidence, climatic variables that exhibited a statistically significant correlation with malaria cases include temperatures, precipitation, and humidity. The strength of each climatic variable varies across studies. Our systematic review of the limited evidence indicates that further research for the Southeast Asia region remains to be explored.
Until the dawn: everyday experiences of people living with COVID-19 during the pandemic in Thailand
Authors: Imkome Ek-uma , Moonchai Kamonchanok
Published: December 2022

Background: This study aims to understand and analyze the complex experiences of people living with COVID-19 to support future cases.

Methods: Purposive and snowball sampling techniques were employed to collect data through in-depth interviews; the data were combined with non-aggregated behavioral observations. Lived experiences of 15 individuals were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using a phenomenological-hermeneutic approach. We used the thematic analysis technique to analyze the data.

Results: Through analysis, themes of stress, economic impact, social stigma, social support, and unexpected benefits were identified. Participants further expressed economic and social concerns during the interviews.

Conclusion: The identified themes can help develop multidisciplinary treatment strategies that would be useful during a healthcare crisis, establish comprehensive support systems that could address economic and social problems, and provide training for employees for post-COVID-19 assistance.
Modified recurrent equation-based cubic spline interpolation for missing data recovery in phasor measurement unit (PMU)
Authors: Thangaraj Shruthi , Goh Vik Tor , Yap Timothy Tzen Vun
Published: December 2022

Background: Smart grid systems require high-quality phasor measurement unit (PMU) data for proper operation, control, and decision-making. Missing PMU data may lead to improper actions or even blackouts. While the conventional cubic interpolation methods based on the solution of a set of linear equations to solve for the cubic spline coefficients have been applied by many researchers for the interpolation of missing data, the computational complexity increases non-linearly with increasing data size.

Methods: In this work, a modified recurrent equation-based cubic spline interpolation procedure for recovering missing PMU data is proposed. The recurrent equation-based method makes the computations of spline constants simpler. Using PMU data from the State Load Despatch Center (SLDC) in Madhya Pradesh, India, a comparison of the root mean square error (RMSE) values and time of calculation (ToC) is calculated for both methods.

Results: The modified recurrent relation method could retrieve missing values 10 times faster when compared to the conventional cubic interpolation method based on the solution of a set of linear equations.  The RMSE values have shown the proposed method is effective even for special cases of missing values (edges, continuous missing values).

Conclusions: The proposed method can retrieve any number of missing values at any location using observed data with a minimal number of calculations.
Response of Odonata communities to dry season in a Deciduous Forest in the Northern Minas Gerais, Brazil
Authors: Gouvêa Taiguara Pereira de , Oliveira Tomás Matheus Dias de , Folha Ferreira Eike Daniel , Jacques Gabriel de Castro , Teofilo-Guedes Gabriel , Vilela Diogo Silva , Souza Marcos Magalhães de
Published: December 2022

Odonata sampling effort in the state of Minas Gerais has intensified throughout the 21st century. However, research on these insects in some regions and ecosystems such as the Deciduous Forest are incipient, and the effect of prolonged dry periods over these insects is still unknown. This study thus aimed to assess changes in adult Odonata species composition over one year in a Brazilian Deciduous Forest and the Odonata species richness in the Mata Seca State Park in the Manga and Itacarambi municipalities in the Northern region of the state of Minas Gerais State, Brazil. Twenty-four days of sampling were distributed in February, May, July and November, adopting an active search through entomological nets close to lentic environments (Lagoa Angical, Lagoa Comprida, Lagoa Encantada, Lagoa da Prata and two wetlands of Lajedo da Lua); lotic environments (São Francisco river) and in associated terrestrial ecosystems. In total, 55 species were collected. Rainy and dry periods altered Odonata communities’ composition but did not affect species richness and abundance due to the presence of permanent lagoons associated with the São Francisco river. This study shows the importance of the Mata Seca State Park for preserving Odonatofauna in the state of Minas Gerais and for protecting those permanent lagoons.
DIÁLOGO FILOSÓFICO COM O TEXTO “UMA FENOMENOLOGIA DO HOMEM CAPAZ”, DE PAUL RICOEUR
Authors: Rueda Neto Eduardo
Published: December 2022

Este artigo propõe um breve diálogo filosófico com o texto “Uma fenomenologia do homem capaz”, do livro Percurso do reconhecimento, de Paul Ricoeur. Nesse texto, o filósofo desenvolve uma antropologia fenomenológica a partir da análise de quatro capacidades inerentes e constitutivas da identidade humana: o dizer, o fazer, o narrar e o imputar. No trajeto seguido pelo autor, abrem-se inúmeras janelas para diferentes discussões que se ramificam em outras tantas possibilidades de reflexão e dialética. O objetivo deste ensaio é explorar de forma embrionária essas potencialidades do texto ricoeriano, com o fim de viabilizar futuras discussões mais aprofundadas com base nas sendas indicadas. Por fim, o artigo conclui endossando a ideia de que é no exercício de suas capacidades intrínsecas que o ser humano constrói sua própria identidade, num processo autorreflexivo que se aprofunda e amplia na medida em que interage consigo, com o meio e com o outro.

 

Palavras-chave: ser humano; capacidade; reflexividade; identidade.
A RELAÇÃO ENTRE FILOSOFIA E TEOLOGIA NO PENSAMENTO DE PAUL RICOEUR
Authors: Soares de Almeida Frederico
Published: December 2022

Este artigo tem como proposta desenvolver breves apontamentos sobre a relação entre filosofia e teologia no pensamento de Paul Ricoeur. O pensador francês é considerado um dos grandes filósofos franceses pós Segunda Guerra. Em suas reflexões filosóficas, Ricoeur procurou trabalhar com muitas temáticas que são relevantes para a existência humana. Ele era considerado um filósofo atento as questões de seu tempo. Nesse sentido, buscando compreender o ser humano, Ricoeur irá investigar aquilo que ele mesmo chamava das fontes não filosóficas da filosofia. É nesse contexto que podemos ver como a teologia e a hermenêutica bíblica serão uma preocupação do pensador francês dentro do horizonte de sua filosofia. Dessa forma, o objetivo deste artigo é apresentar a relação entre filosofia e teologia no pensamento de Paul Ricoeur, enfatizando como o pensador francês constrói uma relação respeitosa e profícua entre as duas áreas do saber.
Welcoming and educational care in multicultural society
Authors: Indellicato Rosa
Published: December 2022

In a highly multicultural society, it is right to speak of welcome and educational care, a perfect combination that should characterise all educational contexts starting with the family and the school. Welcome and care have a strong impact on the educational and training context. A foreign child who finds himself in a new environment should feel welcomed, recognised, valued in his original and individual way of being, the bearer of his own history, and this should happen during his growth and learning process. Taking care of the child, having a genuine interest in him, in his well-being and growth, requires special attention to his education and training.
FMR1 CGG Repeats and Stress Influence Self-Reported Cognitive Functioning in Mothers
Authors: Maltman Nell , DaWalt Leann Smith , Hong Jinkuk , Baker Mei Wang , Berry-Kravis Elizabeth M. , Brilliant Murray H. , Mailick Marsha
Published: December 2022

Variation in the FMR1 gene may affect aspects of cognition, such as executive function and memory. Environmental factors, such as stress, may also negatively impact cognitive functioning. Participants included 1,053 mothers of children with and without developmental disabilities. Participants completed self-report measures of executive function, memory, and stress (i.e., life events, parenting status), and provided DNA to determine CGG repeat length (ranging from 7 to 192 CGGs). Stress exposure significantly predicted greater self-reported difficulties in executive function and the likelihood of memory problems. Cubic CGG effects independently predicted executive function and memory difficulties, suggesting effects of both genetic variation and environmental stress exposure on cognitive functioning.
Does the slanted-edge method provide the true value of spatial frequency response?
Authors: Nishi Kazuki
Published: December 2022

The slanted-edge method is commonly used for measuring the spatial frequency response (SFR) of digital imaging systems. To investigate the intrinsic capability of the slanted-edge method, this study formulated a procedure for calculating the SFR and proposed a numerical method for evaluating the accuracy of the estimated SFR relative to the theoretical value. It is shown that the slanted-edge method yields an accurate value of the SFR under ideal conditions and is a rational and consistent tool for determining the true resolution characteristics. However, under practical conditions, this includes some estimation errors. Based on this analysis, it is possible to identify the parameter that influences the estimation accuracy in the SFR computation.
A Laplace sensitivity operator enhances the calculation efficiency of OCD metrology
Authors: Zhang Peiting , Peng Fei , Yang Dekun , Lei Zhidan , Song Yi
Published: December 2022

In integrated circuit manufacturing, optical critical dimension measurement is an efficient and non-destructive metrology method. It is also a model-based metrology in which a numerical model of the target device is formed to simulate the optical spectrum. The result is then reconstructed by fitting the simulated spectrum to the experimentally measured optical spectrum. Normally, the measured optical spectrum contains a great deal of data points that consume the storage space, and increase the fitting time. Therefore, it is worth finding an appropriate approach to downsample these data points without losing much accuracy. To quickly and accurately extract critical data with high sensitivity, we propose a Laplace sensitivity operator that is widely used for feature extraction. Compared with traditional sensitivity calculation, the Laplace sensitivity operator focuses more on the correlation and coupling between multiple parameters. Thus, the sensitivity can be properly analyzed from different dimensions. To test the feasibility and correctness of the proposed method, three basic structures were used for single-parameter verification: thin film, one-dimensional grating, and two-dimensional grating, and a vertical gate-all-around device used for multi-parameter analysis. Using the Laplace sensitivity operator, the extracted data showed better results in most cases than those achieved by the traditional sensitivity calculation method. The data volume was compressed by approximately 70%, the result matching loss was not significantly increase in terms of the root mean square error, and the calculation speed was increased by a factor of 2.4. Compared to the traditional sensitivity operator, the Laplace sensitivity operator was able to reduce the RMSE by up to 50%.
Implementation of a full-color holographic system using RGB-D salient object detection and divided point cloud gridding
Authors: Zhao Yu , Bu Jing-Wen , Liu Wei , Ji Jia-Hui , Yang Qin-Hui , Lin Shu-Feng
Published: December 2022

At present, a real objects-based full-color holographic system usually uses a digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) camera array or depth camera to collect data. It then relies on a spatial light modulator to modulate the input light source for the reconstruction of the 3-D scene of the real objects. However, the main challenges the high-quality holographic 3-D display faced were the limitation of generation speed and the low accuracy of the computer-generated holograms. This research generates more effective and accurate point cloud data by developing an RGB-D salient object detection model in the acquisition unit. In addition, a divided point cloud gridding method is proposed to enhance the computing speed of hologram generation. In the RGB channels, we categorized each object point into depth grids with identical depth values. The depth girds are divided into M × N parts, and only the effective parts will be calculated. Compared with traditional methods, the calculation time is dramatically reduced. The feasibility of our proposed approach is established through experiments.
Fiber Bragg grating-based linear-cavity fiber laser
Authors: Wang Shuang , Liu Xiao , Wang Haiyan , Hu Guijun
Published: December 2022

A fiber Bragg grating-based linear-cavity fiber laser is proposed and demonstrated experimentally. A single-mode fiber Bragg grating is used as a wavelength selector in the fundamental mode, and four few-mode fiber Bragg gratings are used to reflect LP01 mode, LP11 mode, LP21 mode and LP02 mode at the same wavelength. Different modes can be reflected at the same wavelength between a single-mode fiber Bragg grating and four few-mode fiber Bragg gratings to form four sub-linear-cavities. This fiber laser, which enables simultaneous lasing of LP01 mode, LP11 mode, LP21 mode and LP02 mode at the same wavelength, plays an important role in the field of mode-division multiplexing fiber-optic communications.
Gap plasmon modes and plasmon-exciton coupling in a hybrid Au/MoSe2/Au tunneling junction
Authors: Alves Estefania , Péchou Renaud , Coratger Roland , Mlayah Adnen
Published: December 2022

The light-matter interaction between plasmonic nanocavity modes and excitons at the nanometer scale is here addressed in the scanning tunneling microscope configuration where an MoSe2 monolayer is located between the tip and the substrate. We investigate by optical excitation the electromagnetic modes of this hybrid Au/MoSe2/Au tunneling junction using numerical simulations where electron tunneling and the anisotropic character of the MoSe2 layer are taken into account. In particular, we pointed out gap plasmon modes and Fano-type plasmon-exciton coupling taking place at the MoSe2/Au substrate interface. The spectral properties and spatial localization of these modes are studied as a function of the tunneling parameters and incident polarization.
Design of a statically foveated display based on a perceptual-driven approach
Authors: Lyu Pengyinjie , Hua Hong
Published: December 2022

Foveated display technology has the potential to offer both a large field of view (FOV) and high spatial resolution for head-mounted display (HMD) systems, through allocating the limited resources differently between the region of interest (ROI) and the peripheral region. However, the common method used in the prior studies is based on a dual-resolution dynamic foveation scheme, which is inevitably complex and high cost due to the requirements for multiple display sources, a 2D steering mechanism, and an eye tracking device. We recently proposed a new perceptual-driven approach to design a statically foveated HMD with the goal of offering a wide FOV with nearly imperceptible or minimal degradation of the perceived image resolution within regions where frequent eye movement occurs. Compared to a dynamical dual-resolution foveation approach, it not only minimizes the hardware complexity by eliminating the need for an eyetracker, a scanning mechanism, and multiple display sources, but also offer continuous degradation in resolution to avoid visual artifacts. In this paper, a statically foveated display is designed by carefully controlling the spatial variation of optical magnification of the eyepiece optics, which covers an 80° FOV and achieves a peak resolution of 1.5 arcminutes per pixel. The angular resolution distribution of the prototype design closely matches the theoretical statically foveated scheme described in our previous work with excellent perceived performance. Finally, a foveated display prototype based on the design was experimentally demonstrated with excellent perceived performance matching the designed resolution distribution.
Threat management priorities for conserving Antarctic biodiversity
Authors: Lee Jasmine R. , Terauds Aleks , Carwardine Josie , Shaw Justine D. , Fuller Richard A. , Possingham Hugh P. , Chown Steven L. , Convey Peter , Gilbert Neil , Hughes Kevin A. , McIvor Ewan , Robinson Sharon A. , Ropert-Coudert Yan , Bergstrom Dana M. , Biersma Elisabeth M. , Christian Claire , Cowan Don A. , Frenot Yves , Jenouvrier Stéphanie , Kelley Lisa , Lee Michael J. , Lynch Heather J. , Njåstad Birgit , Quesada Antonio , Roura Ricardo M. , Shaw E. Ashley , Stanwell-Smith Damon , Tsujimoto Megumu , Wall Diana H. , Wilmotte Annick , Chadès Iadine
Published: December 2022

Antarctic terrestrial biodiversity faces multiple threats, from invasive species to climate change. Yet no large-scale assessments of threat management strategies exist. Applying a structured participatory approach, we demonstrate that existing conservation efforts are insufficient in a changing world, estimating that 65% (at best 37%, at worst 97%) of native terrestrial taxa and land-associated seabirds are likely to decline by 2100 under current trajectories. Emperor penguins are identified as the most vulnerable taxon, followed by other seabirds and dry soil nematodes. We find that implementing 10 key threat management strategies in parallel, at an estimated present-day equivalent annual cost of US$23 million, could benefit up to 84% of Antarctic taxa. Climate change is identified as the most pervasive threat to Antarctic biodiversity and influencing global policy to effectively limit climate change is the most beneficial conservation strategy. However, minimising impacts of human activities and improved planning and management of new infrastructure projects are cost-effective and will help to minimise regional threats. Simultaneous global and regional efforts are critical to secure Antarctic biodiversity for future generations.
Evaluating the efficacy of various traps in catching tsetse flies at Nech Sar and Maze National Parks, Southwestern Ethiopia: An Implication for Trypanosoma Vector Control
Authors: Asfaw Netsanet , Hiruy Berhanu , Worku Netsanet , Massebo Fekadu
Published: December 2022

Tsetse flies are the vector of protozoan parasite of the genus Trypanosoma, the causative agent of human African sleeping sickness and animal trypanosomiasis. Traps such as Nguruman (NGU), biconical and sticky traps are in use for tsetse flies sampling and monitoring. However, there is no evidence regarding their comparative efficiency in catching flies using olfactory cues. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of different types of traps in catching tsetse flies at Nech Sar and Maze National Parks, Southwestern Ethiopia. The study was done for six consecutive months from February to July 2019. Briefly, a 3×4 Latin square design was performed, and tsetse flies were collected for three days each month in four different vegetation types, including wood grassland, bush land, forest, and riverine forest. To avoid trapping position bias, rotation of traps has been done every day. Almost all (99.5%) of the flies were Glossina pallidipes and the remaining were G. fuscipes. The latter were present only at Maze national park. NGU traps were the most efficient type with 12.1 flies/trap/day at Nech Sar National Park and it was 2.2 flies/trap/day at Maze National Park followed by biconical and sticky traps. The number of tsetse flies collected by biconical trap was three-fold lower than NGU trap, and it was four-fold lower in sticky trap than NGU trap in both Nech Sar and Maze National Parks. A substantial number (41%) of G. pallidipes were collected from woody grassland (WGL). In conclusion, G. pallidipes monitoring and evaluation activities could consider NGU trap model as it performed better in most vegetation types in the region.
High seroprevalence of Immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgM antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 in asymptomatic and symptomatic individuals amidst vaccination roll-out in western Kenya
Authors: Awandu Shehu Shagari , Ochieng Ochieng Alfred , Onyango Benson , Magwanga Richard Odongo , Were Pamela , Atieno Ochung’ Angeline , Okumu Fredrick , Oloo Marceline Adhiambo , Katieno Jim Seth , Lidechi Shirley , Ogutu Fredrick , Awuor Dorothy , Kirungu Joy Nyangasi , Orata Francis , Achieng Justine , Oure Bonface , Nyunja Regina , Muok Eric M. O. , Munga Stephen , Estambale Benson
Published: December 2022

The population’s antibody response is a key factor in comprehending SARS-CoV-2 epidemiology. This is especially important in African settings where COVID-19 impact, and vaccination rates are relatively low. This study aimed at characterizing the Immunoglobulin G (IgG) and Immunoglobulin M (IgM) in both SARS-CoV-2 asymptomatic and symptomatic individuals in Kisumu and Siaya counties in western Kenya using enzyme linked immunosorbent assays. The IgG and IgM overall seroprevalence in 98 symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals in western Kenya between December 2021-March 2022 was 76.5% (95% CI = 66.9–84.5) and 29.6% (95% CI = 20.8–39.7) respectively. In terms of gender, males had slightly higher IgG positivity 87.5% (35/40) than females 68.9% (40/58). Amidst the ongoing vaccination roll-out during the study period, over half of the study participants (55.1%, 95% CI = 44.7–65.2) had not received any vaccine. About one third, (31.6%, 95% CI = 22.6–41.8) of the study participants had been fully vaccinated, with close to a quarter (13.3% 95% CI = 7.26–21.6) partially vaccinated. When considering the vaccination status and seroprevalence, out of the 31 fully vaccinated individuals, IgG seropositivity was 81.1% (95% CI = 70.2–96.3) and IgM seropositivity was 35.5% (95% CI = 19.22–54.6). Out of the participants that had not been vaccinated at all, IgG seroprevalence was 70.4% (95% CI 56.4–82.0) with 20.4% (95% CI 10.6–33.5) seropositivity for IgM antibodies. On PCR testing, 33.7% were positive, with 66.3% negative. The 32 positive individuals included 12(37.5%) fully vaccinated, 8(25%) partially vaccinated and 12(37.5%) unvaccinated. SARs-CoV-2 PCR positivity did not significantly predict IgG (p = 0.469 [95% CI 0.514–4.230]) and IgM (p = 0.964 [95% CI 0.380–2.516]) positivity. These data indicate a high seroprevalence of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 in western Kenya. This suggests that a larger fraction of the population was infected with SARS-CoV-2 within the defined period than what PCR testing could cover.
Intimate partner violence during pregnancy and adverse birth outcomes in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Belay Habtamu Gebrehana , Debebe Getachew Arage , Ayele Alemu Degu , Kassa Bekalu Getnet , Mihretie Gedefaye Nibret , Bezabih Lealem Meseret , Worke Mulugeta Dile
Published: December 2022

Background

Intimate partner violence is a significant public health issue that affects maternal and neonatal health worldwide. Several studies have been conducted to investigate the prevalence of intimate partner violence during pregnancy as well as the factors that contribute to it. As a result, the purpose of this study was to determine the impact of intimate partner violence on birth outcomes.

Methods

International databases including Scopus, PubMed, Google Scholar, Embase, and CINAHL were used to search primary studies. The quality and strength of the included studies were evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale quality assessment tool. The studies heterogeneity and publication biases were assessed using I2 statistics and Egger’s regression test. The Meta-analysis was carried out using STATA version 16 software.

Results

A total of nine hundred and fifty-eight articles were retrieved from various databases, and seventeen articles were included in the review. The pooled prevalence of intimate violence during pregnancy in Ethiopia was 32.23% (95% CI 28.02% -36.45%). During pregnancy, intimate partner violence was a significant predictor of low birth weight (AOR: 3.69, 95%CI 1.61–8.50) and preterm birth (AOR: 2.23, 95%CI 1.64–3.04).

Conclusion

One in every three pregnant women experiences intimate partner violence. Women who experienced intimate partner violence during their pregnancy are more likely to experience adverse outcomes such as premature delivery and low birth weight infants.
Phylogeography of hepatitis B virus: The role of Portugal in the early dissemination of HBV worldwide
Authors: Marcelino Rute , Ezeonwumelu Ifeanyi Jude , Janeiro André , Mimoso Paula , Matos Sónia , Briz Veronica , Pimentel Victor , Pingarilho Marta , Tato Marinho Rui , Maria Marcelino José , Taveira Nuno , Abecasis Ana
Published: December 2022

In Portugal, the genetic diversity, origin of HBV and the Portuguese role in the dissemination of HBV worldwide were never investigated. In this work, we studied the epidemic history and transmission dynamics of HBV genotypes that are endemic in Portugal. HBV pol gene was sequenced from 130 patients followed in Lisbon. HBV genotype A was the most prevalent (n = 54, 41.5%), followed by D (n = 44, 33.8%), and E (n = 32, 24.6%). Spatio-temporal evolutionary dynamics was reconstructed in BEAST using a Bayesian Markov Chain Monte Carlo method, with a GTR nucleotide substitution model, an uncorrelated lognormal relaxed molecular clock model, a Bayesian skyline plot, and a continuous diffusion model. HBV subgenotype D4 was the first to be introduced in Portugal around 1857 (HPD 95% 1699–1931) followed by D3 and A2 a few decades later. HBV genotype E and subgenotype A1 were introduced in Portugal later, almost simultaneously. Our results indicate a very important role of Portugal in the exportation of subgenotypes D4 and A2 to Brazil and Cape Verde, respectively, in the beginning of the XX century. This work clarifies the epidemiological history of HBV in Portugal and provides new insights in the early and global epidemic history of this virus.
Higher intraoperative mean arterial blood pressure does not reduce postoperative delirium in elderly patients following gastrointestinal surgery: A prospective randomized controlled trial
Authors: Zhang Yanke , Zhang Ying , Zhou Zhou , Sang Xiaoqiao , Qin Miaomiao , Dai Guangrong , Zhao Zhibin , Yan Fang , Zhang Xiaobao
Published: December 2022

Background

This study aimed to describe the relationship between the different levels of intraoperative mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) and postoperative delirium in elderly patients undergoing gastrointestinal laparoscopic surgery.

Materials and methods

This prospective controlled clinical trial enrolled 116 patients aged 65 to 85 years who underwent gastrointestinal laparoscopic surgery. These patients were randomized 1:1 to a MAP goal of 65 to 85 mmHg (L group) or an 86 to 100 mmHg (H group). The primary endpoint was the incidence of postoperative delirium, assessed twice daily with the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) and Richmond Agitation–Sedation Scale (RASS) during the first five postoperative days. Delirium severity was evaluated with the Delirium-O-Meter (D-O-M).

Results

108 patients (L group n = 55, H group n = 53) were eventually included in intention-to-treat analyses. Postoperative delirium occurred in 18 (32.7%) of 55 cases of L group and in 15 (28.3%) of 53 cases of H group. The incidence of delirium subtypes between the two groups: hypoactive delirium 14.5% (8/55) vs 11.3% (6/53); hyperactive delirium 7.3% (4/55) vs 3.8% (2/53); mixed delirium 10.9% (6/55) vs 13.2% (7/53). However, the L group showed higher D-O-M scores of the first episode of delirium: 14.5 (Q1 = 12, Q3 = 18.5) vs 12 (Q1 = 10, Q3 = 14), which means the delirium is more severe.

Conclusions

Compared with 65 to 85 mmHg, maintaining intraoperative MAP at 86–100 mmHg did not reduce the incidence of postoperative delirium in elderly patients undergoing gastrointestinal laparoscopic surgery. However, the severity of delirium could be reduced and blood loss is a risk factor for postoperative delirium.