bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of thermal insulation of pipelines in the overhead method of laying in the climatic conditions of the South of Russia
Authors: Lipkovich I E , Tokareva A N , Gracheva N N , Panchenko S V , Ukrainians M M
Published: July 2023

The characteristics of used and new heat-insulating materials for pipelines of heating networks are presented. Functions have been established for determining the outer diameter of a pipeline with thermal insulation for all materials under consideration. A two-factor machine experiment was carried out, as a result of which the quantitative dependence of specific heat losses on the thermal conductivity coefficient and pipeline diameter was determined. Graphical interpretations of the obtained functions are presented. Based on the analysis of the obtained results, it was established which factor has the greatest influence on the value of specific heat losses and which heat-insulating material should be used.
Jurisdictional overlap between domestic courts and investment arbitration: an occasion for judicial dialogue
Authors: Brenninkmeijer Mees
Published: July 2023

Since investors can commonly bring claims under both an international investment treaty and contracts, domestic courts and investment treaty tribunals may compete for jurisdiction over what is—in essence—the same dispute. While much has been written about the distinction between treaty and contract as well as its application in practice, relatively little attention has been paid to the extent of judicial dialogue between domestic courts and investment arbitration regarding this jurisdictional overlap. Investment treaty tribunals have arguably circumvented the issue altogether and show remarkably little restraint when faced with a conflicting contractual forum-selection clause. This current conceptual position presents several issues, however, which domestic courts may encourage arbitral tribunals to overcome. Finding an occasion for more judicial dialogue should therefore not be perceived as an undue encroachment of domestic courts on the autonomous nature of arbitration, but rather as an incentive for investment treaty tribunals to scrutinize the limits of their own jurisdiction more carefully and to start regulating the issue of jurisdictional overlap differently.
Mapping the Unhomely in Edna O’Brien’s The Little Red Chairs
Authors: Du Jun
Published: July 2023

Sigmund Freud elaborates the conceptualization of the unhomely (uncanny) from a psychoanalytical perspective in his 1919 essay “Das Unheimliche.” Thereafter, Martin Heidegger, in Being and Time, probes the idea from a philosophical aspect, asserting that the unhomely is an existential–ontological state of human existence; and subsequently, Homi K. Bhabha has identified the political significance of the concept. In her 2015 fiction The Little Red Chairs, based on the war crimes of a Bosnian Serb leader, Edna O’Brien, as a literary cartographer, maps and appraises historical figures and events in the spaces of the imaginative and the real. The novel powerfully exemplifies the theorization of the unhomely and illuminates Judith Butler’s theories of precariousness and interdependency through the delineation of displacement, violence, and characters’ psychological movements.
GINGER: an integrated method for high-accuracy prediction of gene structure in higher eukaryotes at the gene and exon level
Authors: Taniguchi Takeaki , Okuno Miki , Shinoda Takahiro , Kobayashi Fumiya , Takahashi Kazuki , Yuasa Hideaki , Nakamura Yuta , Tanaka Hiroyuki , Kajitani Rei , Itoh Takehiko
Published: July 2023

The prediction of gene structure within the genome sequence is the starting point of genome analysis, and its accuracy has a significant impact on the quality of subsequent analyses. Gene structure prediction is roughly divided into RNA-Seq-based methods, ab initio-based methods, homology-based methods, and the integration of individual prediction methods. Integrated methods are mainstream in recent genome projects because they improve prediction accuracy by combining or taking the best individual prediction findings; however, adequate prediction accuracy for eukaryotic species has not yet been achieved. Therefore, we developed an integrated tool, GINGER, that solves various issues related to gene structure prediction in higher eukaryotes. By handling artefacts in alignments of RNA and protein sequences, reconstructing gene structures via dynamic programming with appropriately weighted and scored exon/intron/intergenic regions, and applying different prediction processes and filtering criteria to multi-exon and single-exon genes, we achieved a significant improvement in accuracy compared to the existing integration methods. The feature of GINGER is its high prediction accuracy at the gene and exon levels, which is pronounced for species with more complex gene architectures. GINGER is implemented using Nextflow, which allows for the efficient and effective use of computing resources.
Novel compounds ZK-PI-5 and ZK-PI-9 regulate the reproduction of Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), with insecticide potential
Authors: Jiang Xinyi , Zhong Fan , Chen Yan , Shi Dongmei , Chao Lei , Yu Liuhe , He Biner , Xu Caidi , Wu Yan , Tang Bin , Duan Hongxia , Wang Shigui
Published: July 2023

Trehalase inhibitors prevent trehalase from breaking down trehalose to provide energy. Chitinase inhibitors inhibit chitinase activity affecting insect growth and development. This is an important tool for the investigation of regulation of trehalose metabolism and chitin metabolism in insect reproduction. There are few studies on trehalase or chitinase inhibitors’ regulation of insect reproduction. In this study, ZK-PI-5 and ZK-PI-9 were shown to have a significant inhibitory effect on the trehalase, and ZK-PI-9 significantly inhibited chitinase activity in female pupae. We investigated the reproduction regulation of Spodoptera frugiperda using these new inhibitors and evaluated their potential as new insecticides. Compounds ZK-PI-5 and ZK-PI-9 were injected into the female pupae, and the control group was injected with solvent (2% DMSO). The results showed that the emergence failure rate for pupae treated with inhibitors increased dramatically and aberrant phenotypes such as difficulty in wings spreading occurred. The oviposition period and longevity of female adults in the treated group were significantly shorter than those in the control group, and the ovaries developed more slowly and shrank earlier. The egg hatching rate was significantly reduced by treatment with the inhibitor. These results showed that the two new compounds had a significant impact on the physiological indicators related to reproduction of S. frugiperda, and have pest control potential. This study investigated the effect of trehalase and chitin inhibitors on insect reproduction and should promote the development of green and efficient insecticides.
Microplastic ingestion perturbs the microbiome of Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) and Aedes aegypti
Authors: Edwards Carla-Cristina , McConnel Gabriella , Ramos Daniela , Gurrola-Mares Yaizeth , Dhondiram Arole Kailash , Green Micah J , Cañas-Carrell Jaclyn E , Brelsfoard Corey L
Published: July 2023

Microplastics (MPs) are common environmental pollutants; however, little is known about their effects after ingestion by insects. Here we fed Aedes (Stegomyia) aegypti (L.) and Aedes (Stegomyia) albopictus (Skuse) mosquito larvae 1 µm polystyrene MPs and examined the impacts of ingestion on adult emergence rates, gut damage, and fungal and bacterial microbiota. Results show that MPs accumulate in the larval guts, resulting in gut damage. However, little impact on adult emergence rates was observed. MPs are also found in adult guts postemergence from the pupal stage, and adults expel MPs in their frass after obtaining sugar meals. Moreover, MPs effects on insect microbiomes need to be better defined. To address this knowledge gap, we investigated the relationship between MP ingestion and the microbial communities in Ae. albopictus and Ae. aegypti. The microbiota composition was altered by the ingestion of increasing concentrations of MPs. Amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) that contributed to differences in the bacterial and fungal microbiota composition between MP treatments were from the genera Elizabethkingia and Aspergillus, respectively. Furthermore, a decrease in the alpha diversity of the fungal and bacterial microbiota was observed in treatments where larvae ingested MPs. These results highlight the potential for the bacterial and fungal constituents in the mosquito microbiome to respond differently to the ingestion of MPs. Based on our findings and the effects of MP ingestion on the mosquito host micro- and mycobiome, MP pollution could impact the vector competence of important mosquito-transmitted viruses and parasites that cause human and animal diseases.
Differences in Skeletal Muscle Fiber Characteristics Between Affected and Nonaffected Limbs in Individuals With Stroke: A Scoping Review
Authors: Noguchi Kenneth S , Mcleod Jonathan C , Phillips Stuart M , Richardson Julie , Tang Ada
Published: July 2023

Objective

The objective of this scoping review was to characterize and identify knowledge gaps about the changes in skeletal muscle fiber type proportion and cross-sectional area (CSA) after stroke.

Methods

This scoping review followed previously proposed frameworks. A systematic search was conducted for articles examining muscle fiber type proportion and CSA in individuals with stroke in EMBASE, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science databases from inception to December 20, 2022. Two independent authors screened and extracted the data. Results were discussed using theories proposed by the authors of the included studies.

Results

Of 13 studies (115 participants), 6 (46%) were case studies or case series, 6 (46%) were cross-sectional studies, and 1 (8%) was an experimental study. Studies had small sample sizes (1–23 participants) and various muscle sampling sites (6 different muscles). All 13 studies examined muscle fiber type distributions, and 6 (46%) examined CSA. Ten (77%) studies examined differences between paretic and nonparetic muscles, and 5 (38%) compared people with stroke to people without stroke. Results from 9 of 13 studies (69%) supported a greater proportion of type II muscle fibers in the paretic limb. Of those, 4 studies (42 participants), 3 studies (17 participants), and 1 study (1 participant) saw no differences, preferential type II and type I CSA loss between limbs, respectively.

Conclusion

Of the limited available evidence, stroke appears to result in a shift to a higher proportion of type II muscle fibers in the paretic muscles. There are mixed results for effects on muscle fiber CSA, but there is some evidence of specific atrophy of type II muscle fibers.

Impact

Changes in paretic skeletal muscle fibers of individuals with stroke may explain, in part, the substantial losses in strength and power in this population. Interventions to restore type II muscle fiber size may benefit people with stroke.
A systematic review of the international evidence on the effectiveness of COVID-19 mitigation measures in communal rough sleeping accommodation
Authors: Haworth Steven , Cranshaw Owen , Xerri Mark , Stannard Jez , Clark Rachel , Pacey Emma , Leng Gill , Campos-Matos Ines
Published: July 2023

Background

Accommodations with shared washing facilities increase the risks of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection for people experiencing rough sleeping and evidence on what interventions are effective in reducing these risks needs to be understood.

Methods

Systematic review, search date 6 December 2022 with methods published a priori. Electronic searches were conducted in MEDLINE, PubMed, Cochrane Library, CINAHL and the World Health Organization (WHO) COVID-19 Database and supplemented with grey literature searches, hand searches of reference lists and publication lists of known experts. Observational, interventional and modelling studies were included; screening, data extraction and risk of bias assessment were done in duplicate and narrative analyses were conducted.

Results

Fourteen studies from five countries (USA, England, France, Singapore and Canada) were included. Ten studies were surveillance reports, one was an uncontrolled pilot intervention, and three were modelling studies. Only two studies were longitudinal. All studies described the effectiveness of different individual or packages of mitigation measures.

Conclusions

Despite a weak evidence base, the research suggests that combined mitigation measures can help to reduce SARS-CoV-2 transmission but are unlikely to prevent outbreaks entirely. Evidence suggests that community prevalence may modify the effectiveness of mitigation measures. More longitudinal research is needed.

Systematic review registration

PROSPERO CRD42021292803.
IIOld English
Authors: Burns Rachel A , Kehoe Niamh , Knowles Emma , Pascual Rafael J , Ponirakis Eleni
Published: July 2023

This chapter has ten sections: 1. Manuscript Studies; 2. Prose; 3. Beowulf; 4. Other Secular Heroic Poems; 5. Biblical Poetry; 6. Riddles; 7 Wisdom Poetry; 8. Lyric Poetry; 9. Hagiographical Poetry; 10. Reception. Sections 1, 6, and 7 are by Rachel A. Burns; sections 2 and 8 are by Niamh Kehoe; Section 3 is by Rafael J. Pascual; section 4 is by Rafael J. Pascual and Eleni Ponirakis; section 5 is by Emma Knowles; sections 9 and 10 are by Eleni Ponirakis.
Comparing shell size and shape with canonical variate analysis of sympatric Biomphalaria species within Lake Albert and Lake Victoria, Uganda
Authors: Andrus Peter S , Stothard J Russell , Kabatereine Narcis B , Wade Christopher M
Published: July 2023

The Great African Lakes in Uganda (Lake Albert and Lake Victoria) are known habitats to several sympatric species of Biomphalaria, intermediate snail hosts of the human parasite Schistosoma mansoni. However, accurate identification of snails by morphology alone can be problematic, highlighting a need for robust, on-site identification methods, since only certain species have important roles in parasite transmission. This study investigates the conchological variation within Biomphalaria species collected from these two Great East African Lakes. We compared the shell morphologies of Biomphalaria species using landmark-based morphometric techniques and were able to distinguish Biomphalaria species through canonical variate analysis (CVA) of the apical and apertural shell angles. After identification with molecular methods, three Biomphalaria species (B. pfeifferi, B. stanleyi, and B. sudanica), with heterogenous occurrences along the shoreline, were identified at Lake Albert that could be differentiated from one another using CVA of apical and apertural datasets; by contrast, a single Biomphalaria species was identified at Lake Victoria (B. choanomphala). When snails from both lakes were compared together, CVA was able to differentiate all four species using the apical dataset but not the apertural dataset. Of the Biomphalaria species identified, ecological phenotypic variation was only found in B. choanomphala, which exhibited two distinct ecological morphotypes. Furthermore, these two B. choanomphala morphotypes from Lake Victoria overlapped upon analysis of the apical dataset, yet were clearly separated upon analysis of the apertural dataset. Our study demonstrates that landmark-based morphometrics could play a future role in distinguishing sympatric Biomphalaria species in Uganda.
Severity of Prior COVID-19 is Associated with Postoperative Outcomes Following Major Inpatient Surgery
Authors: Verhagen Nathaniel B. , SenthilKumar Gopika , Jaraczewski Taylor , Koerber Nicolas K. , Merrill Jennifer R. , Flitcroft Madelyn A. , Szabo Aniko , Banerjee Anjishnu , Yang Xin , Taylor Bradley W. , Figueroa Castro Carlos E. , Yen Tina W.F. , Clarke Callisia N. , Lauer Kathryn , Pfeifer Kurt J. , Gould Jon C. , Kothari Anai N. ,   on behalf of the N3C Consortium
Published: July 2023

Objective:

To determine how severity of prior history of SARS-CoV-2 infection influences postoperative outcomes following major elective inpatient surgery.

Summary Background Data:

Surgical guidelines instituted early in the COVID-19 pandemic recommended delay in surgery up to 8 weeks following an acute SARS-CoV-2 infection. This was based on the observation of elevated surgical risk following recovery from COVID-19 early in the pandemic. As the pandemic shifts to an endemic phase, it is unclear if this association remains, especially for those recovering from asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic COVID-19.

Methods:

Utilizing the National Covid Cohort Collaborative (N3C), we assessed postoperative outcomes for adults with and without a history of COVID-19 who underwent major elective inpatient surgery between January 2020 and February 2023. COVID-19 severity and time from infection to surgery were each used as independent variables in multivariable logistic regression models.

Results:

This study included 387,030 patients, of whom 37,354 (9.7%) were diagnosed with preoperative COVID-19. History of COVID-19 was found to be an independent risk factor for adverse postoperative outcomes even after a 12-week delay for patients with moderate and severe SARS-CoV-2 infection. Patients with mild COVID-19 did not have an increased risk of adverse postoperative outcomes at any time point. Vaccination decreased the odds of respiratory failure.

Conclusions:

Impact of COVID-19 on postoperative outcomes is dependent on severity of illness, with only moderate and severe disease leading to higher risk of adverse outcomes. Existing perioperative policies should be updated to include consideration of COVID-19 disease severity and vaccination status.
Cardiovascular parameters following parathyroidectomy in primary hyperparathyroidism: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Calpin Gavin G. , Viani-Walsh Dylan , Bell Jack , Kennedy-Williams Saran , Hill Arnold D.K.
Published: July 2023

Introduction

There is conflicting evidence on the benefits of parathyroidectomy (PTx) in reducing the incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT).

Aim

To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the impact of PTx in PHPT on cardiovascular outcomes.

Methods

A systematic review was performed as per PRISMA guidelines. Pre- and post-operative data were expressed as continuous outcomes, reported as mean differences, and expressed with 95% confidence intervals following estimation using the Mantel-Haenszel method.

Results

In total, there were 16 studies included in the meta-analysis with a combined total of 796 patients. Fourteen studies were prospective, one was retrospective and one was a randomised control trial. This analysis found a significant reduction in SBP post-operatively (P = 0.003). The difference in DBP was NS (P = 0.050). Fasting blood glucose levels were also significantly reduced after surgery (P < 0.0001). Echocardiographic values showed that left ventricular mass index was not significantly reduced (P = 0.070) and left ventricular ejection fraction was not affected (P = 0.680). Cholesterol levels were not impacted by surgery.

Conclusion

This meta-analysis shows that PTx likely improves SBP and blood glucose levels in patients with PHPT. It is unclear if this in turn has any impact on long-term outcomes.
N-Cyclohexyltryptamine: freebase, bromide and fumarate
Authors: Naeem Marilyn , Le Alexander N. , Bauer Barbara E. , Chadeayne Andrew R. , Golen James A. , Manke David R.
Published: July 2023

The solid-state structures of N-cyclohexyltryptamine (I) {systematic name: N-[2-(1H-indol-3-yl)ethyl]cyclohexanamine}, C16H22N2, and two of its salts, N-cyclohexyltryptammonium bromide (II) {systematic name: N-[2-(1H-indol-3-yl)ethyl]cyclohexanaminium bromide}, C16H23N2
+·Br−, and N-cyclohexyltryptammonium fumarate (III) (systematic name: bis{N-[2-(1H-indol-3-yl)ethyl]cyclohexanaminium} (2E)-but-2-enedioate), 2C16H23N2
+·C4H2O4
2−, were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The freebase compound forms infinite chains along [010] through N—H...N hydrogen bonds. The bromide salt is held together by N—H...Br interactions in two-dimensional sheets along (001). The fumarate salt is held together in infinite three-dimensional frameworks by N—H...O hydrogen bonds.
Poly[[bis[μ4-3-(2-carboxylatophenyl)propionato]{N-[2-(pyridine-3-amido)ethyl]nicotinamide}dicopper(II)] pentahydrate]
Authors: Gaskin Gabrielle J. , LaDuca Robert L.
Published: July 2023

In the title compound, {[Cu2(C10H8O4)2(C14H14N4O2)]·5H2O}
n
, the CuII cations are coordinated in a square-pyramidal fashion, with four 3-(2-carboxyphenyl)propionate (cpp) carboxylate O-atom donors in the basal plane, along with an N-atom donor from a N-[2-(pyridin-3-ylamino)ethyl]nicotinamide (pen) ligand in the apical position. [Cu2(cpp)2]
n
coordination polymer layer motifs with embedded {Cu2(OCO)4} paddlewheel clusters are thereby constructed. These layer motifs are connected into a three-dimensional [Cu2(cpp)2(pen)]
n
coordination polymer network by tethering pen ligands. Treating the {Cu2(OCO)4 paddelwheel clusters as 6-connected nodes reveals an underlying cross-pillared self-penetrated rob network with 48668 topology. The water molecules of crystallization are held to the coordination polymer network by N—H...O and O—H...O hydrogen-bonding patterns.
Can renewable energy drive industrial growth in developing economies? Evidence from India
Authors: Dey Kaushik , Dubey Amlendu Kumar , Sharma Seema
Published: July 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to focus on the contribution of segregated renewable energy (RE) sources such as solar, wind, bagasse, biomass, small hydropower (SHP) and waste to heat in driving sustainable industrial production in India.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses non-linear modelling techniques such as quantile regression and the non-linear Granger causality test to explore the interplay between segregated RE generation and industrial production in India.

Findings

The study findings support the role of segregated RE sources generation, especially SHP and bagasse, on industrial production in India. This paper finds unidirectional non-linear Granger causality running from segregated RE sources to industrial production. Bidirectional non-linear Granger causality has been established from biomass, waste-heat to index of industrial production and vice versa, supporting an asymmetric feedback hypothesis.

Research limitations/implications

The study findings will aid the energy policymaker in framing policies for RE sources, especially bagasse-based and SHP generation for the sustainable industrial growth of India.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is one of the first studies to explore the role of segregated RE sources generation to drive sustainable industrial growth in India using non-linear techniques.
North: the Canadian shared print network/Nord: Réseau canadien de conservation partagée des documents imprimés
Authors: Hafner Joseph
Published: July 2023

Purpose

This paper was presented at the Kuopio 2022 Conference in Vienna, Austria on September 7, 2022, to show the work in Canada to create a Canadian shared print network and to share information about the projects that new group is working on with their partners.

Design/methodology/approach

This was a case study giving information about the North/Nord Canadian Shared Print network, the history of the group and where the group will go next. The author has been part of this project since it began and continues to work on this at the time of publication.

Findings

This paper shares information about the network and three projects they are working on along with information about shared print projects in Canada and shows that this Canadian network has a unique approach among other current shared print networks.

Originality/value

This is the first international presentation about this new shared print network and their original approach to shared print because of their focus on Canadiana.
Changes experienced in primary education by teachers, autistic students and students' parents after a professional development intervention
Authors: Petersson‐Bloom Linda , Holmqvist Mona
Published: July 2023

We aimed to explore the experiences of teachers, autistic students and students' parents, before and after professional development intervention for teachers in primary school. The main participants were five autistic students aged 7–11 years in three primary schools (intervention schools), their parents and teachers. Five school contexts were studied, with three interventions and two comparisons. Data collected included questionnaires, student evaluations and recorded follow‐up conversations. The results showed statistically significant changes among teachers pre‐ to postintervention at all three intervention schools; no differences were found at control schools. However, analyses of the case studies showed that parents and students did not experience changes at the same levels as teachers. Identified barriers to change included a lack of physical space, time to focus on each child, and resources. Professional development is effective in changing teachers' understanding and attitudes, but not enough to change classroom practice in the views of students and parents.
Quantifying uncertainty in inferences of landscape genetic resistance due to choice of individual‐based genetic distance metric
Authors: Beninde Joscha , Wittische Julian , Frantz Alain C.
Published: July 2023

Estimates of gene flow resulting from landscape resistance inferences frequently inform conservation management decision‐making processes. Therefore, results must be robust across approaches and reflect real‐world gene flow instead of methodological artefacts. Here, we tested the impact of 32 individual‐based genetic distance metrics on the robustness and accuracy of landscape resistance modelling results. We analysed three empirical microsatellite datasets and 36 simulated datasets that varied in landscape resistance and genetic spatial autocorrelation. We used ResistanceGA to generate optimised multi‐feature resistance surfaces for each of these datasets using 32 different genetic distance metrics. Results of the empirical dataset demonstrated that the choice of genetic distance metric can have strong impacts on inferred optimised resistance surfaces. Simulations showed accurate parametrisation of resistance surfaces across most genetic distance metrics only when a small number of environmental features was impacting gene flow. Landscape scenarios with many features impacting gene flow led to a generally poor recovery of true resistance surfaces. Simulation results also emphasise that choosing a genetic distance metric should not be based on marginal R2‐based model fit. Until more robust methods are available, resistance surfaces can be optimised with different genetic distance metrics and the convergence of results needs to be assessed via pairwise matrix correlations. Based on the results presented here, high correlation coefficients across different genetic distance categories likely indicate accurate inference of true landscape resistance. Most importantly, empirical results should be interpreted with great caution, especially when they appear counter‐intuitive in light of the ecology of a species.
Rutin is a potent senomorphic agent to target senescent cells and can improve chemotherapeutic efficacy
Authors: Liu Hanxin , Xu Qixia , Wufuer Halidan , Li Zi , Sun Rong , Jiang Zhirui , Dou Xuefeng , Fu Qiang , Campisi Judith , Sun Yu
Published: July 2023

Aging is a major risk factor for most chronic disorders, for which cellular senescence is one of the central hallmarks. Senescent cells develop the pro‐inflammatory senescence‐associated secretory phenotype (SASP), which significantly contributes to organismal aging and age‐related disorders. Development of senotherapeutics, an emerging class of therapeutic agents to target senescent cells, allows to effectively delay aging and alleviate chronic pathologies. Here we report preliminary outputs from screening of a natural medicinal agent (NMA) library for senotherapeutic candidates and validated several agents with prominent potential as senomorphics. Rutin, a phytochemical constituent found in a number of plants, showed remarkable capacity in targeting senescent cells by dampening expression of the full spectrum SASP. Further analysis indicated that rutin restrains the acute stress‐associated phenotype (ASAP) by specifically interfering with the interactions of ATM with HIF1α, a master regulator of cellular and systemic homeostasis activated during senescence, and of ATM with TRAF6, part of a key signaling axis supporting the ASAP development toward the SASP. Conditioned media produced by senescent stromal cells enhanced the malignant phenotypes of prostate cancer cells, including in vitro proliferation, migration, invasion, and more importantly, chemoresistance, while rutin remarkably downregulated these gain‐of‐functions. Although classic chemotherapy reduced tumor progression, the treatment outcome was substantially improved upon combination of a chemotherapeutic agent with rutin. Our study provides a proof of concept for rutin as an emerging natural senomorphic agent, and presents an effective therapeutic avenue for alleviating age‐related pathologies including cancer.
Forecasting Groundwater Remediation Timeframes: Site‐Specific Temporal Monitoring Results May Not Predict Future Performance
Authors: McHugh Thomas E. , Newell Charles J. , Beckley Lila M. , Adamson David T. , DeVaull George E. , Lahvis Matthew A.
Published: July 2023

At contaminated sites, groundwater monitoring results are commonly used (quantitatively or qualitatively) to predict remediation timeframes. If results are predictive, then there should be a strong positive correlation between attenuation rates for the first half of a temporal monitoring record and attenuation rates for the second half of the same record. We utilized the GeoTracker database to evaluate the power of historical groundwater monitoring results to predict future attenuation rates. For two data sets (petroleum and chlorinated solvent), we found a small negative correlation between the first‐order concentration vs. time attenuation rate observed during the earlier part of the monitoring record and the later part of the monitoring record: benzene—correlation coefficient (r) = −0.11, methyl tert‐butyl ether (MTBE)—r = −0.12, trichloroethene (TCE) = −0.12. For each data set, a small negative correlation between the first‐order attenuation rate observed during the earlier part of the monitoring record and the later part of the monitoring record was also observed for a subset of monitoring records exhibiting the best model fits (R2 > 0.8), a subset with a statistically significant (p < 0.05) positive attenuation rate for the first half of the monitoring record. For the TCE data set, this negative correlation was also observed for a subset of monitoring records with no change in site remedy during the monitoring period (r = −0.22). Our analysis suggests that the historical concentration vs. time attenuation rate for a contaminant at an individual site or monitoring well is a poor predictor of the future rate.
Real‐world effectiveness of abrocitinib treatment in patients with difficult‐to‐treat atopic dermatitis
Authors: Olydam J. I. , Schlösser A. R. , Custurone P. , Nijsten T. E. C. , Hijnen D.
Published: July 2023

Background

Abrocitinib is a JAK‐1 selective inhibitor registered for the treatment of moderate‐to‐severe atopic dermatitis (AD). Although efficacy and safety have been shown in phase 3 clinical trials, data on real‐world patients with a treatment history of advanced systemics are scarce.

Objectives

The objective of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of abrocitinib treatment in patients with difficult‐to‐treat AD in daily practice.

Methods

In this prospective observational single‐centre study, all AD patients who started abrocitinib treatment in the context of standard care between April 2021 and December 2022 were included. Effectiveness was assessed using clinician‐ and patient‐reported outcome measures. Adverse events were evaluated.

Results

Forty‐one patients were included. The majority (n = 30; 73.2%) had failed (ineffectiveness) on other targeted therapies, including JAK inhibitors (n = 14, 34%) and biologics (n = 16, 39%). Abrocitinib treatment resulted in a significant decrease in disease severity during a median follow‐up period of 25 weeks (IQR 16–34). Median EASI score at baseline decreased from 14.7 (IQR 10.4–25.4) to 4.0 (IQR 1.6–11.4) at last review (p < 0.001). Median NRS itch decreased from 7.0 (IQR 5–8) to 3.0 (IQR 1–2) at last review (p < 0.001). The most frequently reported AEs included gastrointestinal symptoms (27.6%), acne (20.7%) and respiratory tract infections (17.2%). 16 (39%) patients discontinued abrocitinib treatment due to ineffectiveness, AEs or both (41.2%, 41.2% and 11.8%, respectively).

Conclusion

Abrocitinib can be an effective treatment for patients with moderate‐to‐severe AD in daily practice, including non‐responders to other targeted therapies.
Effect of botulinum toxin‐A injection applied to the mentalis muscle on free gingival graft operation: A retrospective study
Authors: Sökmen Kevser , Talo Yıldırım Tuba , Dündar Serkan
Published: July 2023

Objective

The purpose of this retrospective study was to investigate the effects of Botulinum Toxin‐A (BTX‐A) injection into the mentalis muscle on the free gingival graft (FGG).

Materials and Methods

Forty patients with keratinized gingiva insufficiency and Cairo's RT 2 gingival recession (formerly classified as Miller class III) in their mandibular central incisors were randomly divided into two groups: FGG and FGG + BTX. Plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), probing pocket depth (PPD), keratinized gingiva width (KGW), attached gingiva width (AGW), clinical attachment level (CAL), gingival thickness (GT), gingival recession amount (GRA), gingival recession width (GRW), and root closure percentage (RCP%) parameters were measured at baseline and at first, third, and sixth months after the operation.

Results

There was no difference in PI, GI, and PPD levels in both groups (p > 0.05). While the change in GT and RCP% levels were found to be statistically significantly higher at FGG + BTX group than FGG group, the change in GRW and CAL levels were statistically significantly lower (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

The findings of this study indicate that BTX‐A injection applied to the mentalis muscle after FGG operation may have positive effects in terms of KGW, AGW, GT, RCP%, GRW, and CAL parameters.

Clinical Significance

As a result of the fact that BTX‐A injection into the mentalis muscle contributed to the nutrition and immobility of FGG, positive developments were obtained in terms of clinical periodontal parameters. BTX‐A injection into the mentalis muscle may be an alternative method that increases the success rate of Cairo's RT 2 gingival recession.
The use of chemical and biological settlement cues in enhancing the larval settlement of abalone (Haliotis midae): Implications for hatcheries and ocean ranching
Authors: Mzozo Ziyanda B. , Hugo Sanet , Vine Niall G.
Published: July 2023

Reducing the time to settlement and metamorphosis of abalone larvae is critical for ensuring that abalone larvae settle within the seeding site for ocean ranching or to increase production in hatcheries. This study investigated the effect of biological (planktonic Nitzschia sp.) and chemical (potassium chloride) cues in inducing settlement and metamorphosis of abalone larvae Haliotis midae on diatom‐coated plastic sheets. Larvae were exposed to different concentrations of KCl (10–20 mM), with settlement being highest at 10 mM in the first 20 h. Settlement of larvae exposed to a combined KCl and Nitzschia treatment for 24 h was highest, followed by larvae exposed to KCl for 12 h, while larvae exposed to KCl for 24 h, and both controls (12 and 24 h) had the lowest settlement. However, in both experiments, larval settlement in all treatments declined after 24 h of exposure, while that of the controls (no added settlement cues) increased and surpassed the other treatments after 24 h. Finally, the settlement was very low on uncoated sheets, compared to diatom‐coated sheets, regardless of exposure to different combinations of KCl and Nitzschia. The exposure period's results should be interpreted with caution when drawing biological conclusions for field studies. This is due to the dramatic decrease in mean settlement post‐exposure to the cue. Therefore, we hypothesize that exposure of H. midae larvae to 10 mM KCl and Nitzschia sp. will not enhance settlement in the ocean, as the inducers are primarily only effective at a KCl concentration level equal to 10 mM for 12 h. However, long‐term exposure to KCl and Nitzschia over 24 h could be used in hatcheries to improve the settlement of H. midae larvae.
Dogs with canine visceral leishmaniasis have a boost of extracellular vesicles and miR‐21‐5p up‐expression
Authors: da Cruz Allecineia Bispo , Carneiro Francieli Marinho , Maia Marta Marques , Pereira Ingrid de Siqueira , Taniwaki Noemi Nosomi , Namiyama Gislene Mitsue , Gava Ricardo , Hiramoto Roberto Mitsuyoshi , Pereira‐Chioccola Vera Lucia
Published: July 2023

This retrospective cohort study analysed extracellular vesicles (EVs) and microRNAs (miRNAs) excreted in canine sera from dogs with canine visceral leishmaniasis (CanVL). A total of 56 canine sera were divided into Group I (28, from healthy dogs) and Group II (28, from the same dogs, but already with CanVL). CanVL was determined by clinical and laboratory diagnoses. Canine sera were ultra‐centrifuged to recover EVs (Can‐EVs). Analyses by transmission electron microscopy, nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA), sodium dodecyl sulfate‐poli‐acrylammide gel eletroforesis (SDS‐PAGE) and, Immunoblot confirmed the presence of (i) microvesicles/exosomes and (ii) the tetraspanins CD63 and CD9. EVs secreted by Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum‐EVs were reactive against sera from dogs with CanVL (performed by ELISA and Immunoblot). NTA analyses exhibited that concentrations of Can‐EVs from dogs with CanVL (7.78 × 1010 Can‐EVs/mL) were higher (p < .0001) than the non‐infected dogs (mean: 1.47 × 1010 Can‐EVs/mL). These results suggested that concentrations of Can‐EVs were able to distinguish dogs with CanVL from healthy dogs. The relative expressions of 11 miRNAs species (miR‐21‐5p, miR‐146a‐5p, miR‐125b‐5p, miR‐144‐3p, miR‐194‐5p, miR‐346, miR‐29c‐3p, miR‐155‐5p, miR‐24‐3p, miR‐181a‐5p, and miR‐9‐5p) were estimated in purified miRNAs of 30 canine sera. Dogs with CanVL up‐expressed miR‐21‐5p and miR‐146a‐5p when compared with healthy dogs. The other miRNA species were poorly or not expressed in canine sera. In conclusion, this study suggests that CanVL induces changes in size and concentration of Can‐EVs, as well as, the up‐expression of miR‐21‐5p and miR‐146a‐5p in infected dogs.
Novel use of robot-assisted gait rehabilitation in a patient with stroke and blindness
Authors: Neo Jin Rui Edmund , Visperas Christine Alejandro , Tan Melvin Peng Hwee , Tay San San
Published: July 2023

Robot-assisted gait training (RAGT) is an effective adjunctive treatment for patients with stroke that helps to regain functional mobility and is applied in many rehabilitation units for poststroke neurorecovery. We discuss our successful attempt to apply RAGT in a patient with blindness that impeded his ability to maintain balance during gait training. He initially required two assistants to walk, but after undergoing conventional therapy with adjunctive RAGT, he improved to standby assistance for ambulation. There were also improvements in balance, activity tolerance and quality of life. Low-or-no vision states can affect the pace of recovery poststroke, but RAGT and conventional physiotherapy can possibly be combined in such patients to improve balance and motor outcomes. The Andago robot’s safety features of weight support, harnessed suspension and walking mode selection supported our decision and enabled us to apply it safely for this patient.
Behavioral Modeling of the Pinched Hysteresis Loop of a Pt/TiO2/Pt Memristor
Authors: Kausani Aalvee Asad , Anwar Mehdi
Published: July 2023

The fourth fundamental circuit element, the memristor, has become a promising candidate to substantially improve the energy and area efficiencies of circuits as traditional complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) technology is approaching its physical limit. However, a mathematical representation of the experimentally obtained current-voltage characteristic of the memristor is necessary to develop and test memristor-based circuitry in electrical design simulators. Here we have developed a behavioral model for the I-V trace of a Pt/TiO2/Pt memristor that can relate the fitting equations with the physical processes associated with the device in response to applied electrical excitation. Multiple conduction mechanisms are involved in memristor that depend upon its latest state. Therefore, the I-V has distinct segments that altogether form a hysteresis loop pinched at the center. In accordance with the predominant conduction mechanisms at each segment, our model defines the form of the equations. The behavioral model can adequately represent the experimental I-V retrieved from existing work.
Low Noise Gain and Index Tailored External Cavity Laser Operating at 1310 nm for Performance Enhancements of IMDD Photonic Links
Authors: Dougenik R. , Lacomb R. , Jain F.
Published: July 2023

A novel gain and index tailored (GIT) external cavity laser (ECL) is presented. The single frequency laser demonstrates high power operation in excess of 250 mW and shot noise limited relative intensity noise (RIN) at 100 mW. This laser source is an ideal source for intensity-modulated direct detection (IMDD) photonic links. Link budget analysis is completed based on measured RIN and optical power. The analysis demonstrates that there are significant radio frequency performance advantages to operating at higher optical power while maintaining low RIN.
Memristor-Based Material Implication Logic: Prelude to In-Memory Computing
Authors: Mazady Anas , Anwar Mehdi
Published: July 2023

We report experimental demonstration of Material Implication (IMP) logic using ZnO nanowire-based memristors. The logic is demonstrated with a high-to-low resistance ratio of only five. This imposes much less stringent requirements on memristor performance that can enable IMP logic operation with lower bit error rates. Process independence on memristor and memristor-based IMP logic performance is demonstrated, and a more practical implementation of logic is made by relaxing the restriction imposed on the ranges of the values of on and off state resistances. IMP logic is validated up to a clock frequency of 100 KHz.
Calabi symmetry and the continuity method
Authors: Wondo Hosea
Published: July 2023

We study the convergence and curvature blow up of the continuity method on a generalized Hirzebruch surface. We show that the Gromov–Hausdorff convergence is similar to that of the Kähler–Ricci flow and obtain curvature estimates. We also show that a general solution to the continuity method either exists at all times, or the scalar curvature blows up. This behavior is known to be exhibited by the Kähler–Ricci flow.
The phase transition of Rastall AdS black hole with cloud of strings and quintessence
Authors: Sadeghi Mehdi , Rahmani Faramarz
Published: July 2023

In this paper, we introduce the black hole solution in Rastall theory of gravity in the presence of quintessence and the cloud of strings. Our investigations show that this model meets only second-order phase transition in four dimensions. While both the first- and second-order phase transitions are seen in five dimensions. Therefore, according to the AdS/CFT duality, the confinement–deconfinement phase transition only occurs in five dimensions for this model.
Understanding the chiral and parity anomalies without Feynman diagrams
Authors: Stone Michael , Kim JiYoung , Howland Porter
Published: July 2023

In this paper, we review the construction of the adiabatic expansion for Bose and Fermi systems and show how it may be used to explore the chiral and parity anomalies for Dirac fermions without the need to compute Feynman diagrams. One interesting application examines how the simple spectral-flow picture of the chiral anomaly is modified by the inclusion of a fermion mass.
Size-Dependent Electro-Thermal Buckling Analysis of Flexoelectric Microbeams
Authors: Beni Yaghoub Tadi
Published: July 2023

This paper studies electro-thermal buckling in a flexoelectric microbeam. This first-of-a-kind study focuses on two case-specific types of buckling in microbeams, which are essential to microstructures. Because of the electric fields and high temperatures in their environments, microbeams are susceptible to electro-thermal buckling more often than mechanical buckling. In addition, microstructures can exhibit flexoelectricity. As such a thorough understanding of electro-thermal bucking is extremely important. In this paper, we begin with extracting the equations governing flexoelectric microbeams from size-dependent flexoelectric theories. We then derive closed-form solutions for said equations. We explore various boundary conditions and, with respect to the load, analyze the various pre-buckling and buckling modes. Our study shows that buckling does not occur in some boundary conditions, and electrical curvature is very important in isotropic and homogeneous flexoelectric microbeams. In the end, the paper presents electro-thermal buckling results for specific boundary conditions as well the probability of buckling.
TRANSITION MOTION PATTERN CLASSIFICATION FOR LOWER LIMB EXOSKELETON IN STAIR SCENES BASED ON CNN AND GRU
Authors: YU FANGLI , ZHENG JIANBIN , YU LIE , XIAO HUI , CHEN QIANG , ZHANG DI
Published: July 2023

Motion pattern classification is one of the important research fields in lower extremity exoskeleton robot, it refers to acquiring motion data from multiple sensors installed on the exoskeleton. We designed a wearable lower limb exoskeleton robot with multiple sensors mainly including force sensitive resistors (FSRs) inside smart shoes and encoders inside joints. The wearable robot was used to help people carry the heavy load in the scenes of ascending stairs and descending stairs. The experiments of stair walking were carried out by the subjects who wore the exoskeleton to ascend stairs and descend stairs for a designated time. Before or after the stair walking, the subject would turn to move on flat ground with the result that there existed four transition motions between the stair and flat ground walking. As known, there is less research focusing on the classification of transition motions. The aim of this paper is to classify these motion patterns through a learning algorithm. The convolutional neural network (CNN) and gated recurrent unit (GRU) framework were combined to improve the classification accuracy. Specifically, CNN was used to extract the features of the motion pattern, while GRU was used to extract the temporal correlation during walking. Experimental works showed that the proposed CNN-GRU possessed a significantly high prediction accuracy in motion pattern classification. Compared with CNN, GRU and LSTM-CNN models whose accuracy score does not exceed 93.22%, the proposed CNN-GRU gained a high accuracy of 95.51%.