bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modeling Fatigue Damage in Chemically Treated Soft Tissues
Authors: Slaughter William S. , Sacks Michael S.
Published: November 2021

Chemically treated, biologically derived tissues are used extensively in cardiac valve bioprostheses. Unfortunately, while extensive research has focused on chemical treatment technologies to reduce negative in-vivo effects such as mineralization and to enhance overall biocompatibility, little work has been done on understanding the effects of fatigue on tissue mechanical properties. In the current work, a structure-based damage mechanics model for the evolution of mechanical properties with cyclic loading of chemically treated soft tissues is presented. The model is used to clarify and relate the impact of different structural changes, such as collagen fiber debonding and collagen fiber weakening, to changes in macro-level tissue mechanical properties. The fatigue damage model will ultimately serve as a guide for the development of key experiments for fatigue damage assessment of novel chemical treatment technologies. This will aid in the rational development, as opposed to the current ad-hoc approach, of novel chemically modified collagenous biomaterials for more durable cardiac valve bioprostheses.
On Numerical Simulations of Complex Flows of Viscoplastic Materials
Authors: Souza Mendes Paulo R. , Naccache Mônica F. , Vinagre Harry T. M.
Published: November 2021

The performance of a typical numerical simulation for complex flows of viscoplastic materials was examined. The inertialess flow of viscoplastic materials through an axisymmetric channel formed by an abrupt expansion followed by a contraction was employed with this purpose. Flow visualization experiments were performed with a well characterized Carbopol aqueous solution. Numerical solutions of the mass and momentum balance equations were obtained, using the Generalized Newtonian Liquid model with a biviscosity function. The flow visualization results showed that the flow pattern is essentially Newtonian for large expansion lengths. For smaller expansion lengths, however, flow is observed only in an inner axisymmetric region whose diameter is approximately the same as the one of the inlet and outlet tubes. Outside this region the flow is stagnant, and a slip interface between these two regions seems to occur. The corresponding numerical solution was not capable of predicting the observed flow pattern.
Lubricity Problems and Solutions for a Methanol Fueled Gas Turbine
Authors: Bond Robert E. , Loth John L. , Guiler Richard W. , Clark Nigel N. , Heydorn Edward C.
Published: November 2021

The Liquid Phase Methanol (LPMEOH™) process, which was developed by Air Products and Chemicals Inc. and sponsored by the United States Department of Energy, uses a slurry bubble column reactor to convert synthesis gas to methanol. In 1998, LPMOH™ “as produced” (about 98% purity) was used at West Virginia University to fuel a small (235 Hp) gas turbine. The objective was to demonstrate the viability of LPMEOH™ as a gas turbine fuel, identify and operational problems and obtain exhaust gas emissions samples using the WVU Mobile Emissions Laboratory. During these tests, the fuel system gear pump and rpm controller failed due to the lack of lubricity of the methanol fuel. To remedy this problem, a pint (over an order of magnitude larger than the recommended amount) of a commercially available fuel additive was dissolved in half a barrel of methanol, and the fuel controller/pump was replaced. The next series of runs produced a similar failure. This prompted the WVU team to search for a suitable methanol additive, which can provide lubricity equal or better than that of jet fuel. To minimize the amount and thus cost of such an additive, it was essential to accurately measure lubricity of methanol/additive solutions, at various concentration levels. Conventional lubricity measuring tests are based on measuring wear. When used with methanol, the data were erratic due to a changing wear pattern. To get repeatable steady data, a new lubricity test apparatus was developed, based on comparing friction coefficients, at a typical bearing design load. After many modifications this apparatus provided satisfactory and consistent results. A few percent castor oil or less than one percent of Two Cycle Blue, a racing fuel additive, produced a methanol lubricity in excess of that of jet fuel.
Experimental Study of Multiphase Flow in Cold Box Core Process
Authors: Bakhtiyarov Sayavur I. , Overfelt Ruel A.
Published: November 2021

The results of experimental study of pressure variations inside core box during resin bonded sand filling process are reported. The test core specimens were produced using Laempe® Test Specimen Curing Machine L 1. A special pressure measurement system was designed and built with safety and portability requirements of the foundry environment. Special experiments were conducted to establish the effect of sand deposition on vent permeability.
HashSeq: a Simple, Scalable, and Conservative
De Novo
Variant Caller for 16S rRNA Gene Data Sets
Authors: Fouladi Farnaz , Young Jacqueline B. , Fodor Anthony A.
Published: November 2021

Recent bioinformatics development has enabled the detection of sequence variants with a high resolution of only one single-nucleotide difference in 16S rRNA gene sequence data. Despite this progress, there are several limitations that can be associated with variant calling pipelines, such as producing a large number of low-abundance sequence variants which need to be filtered out with arbitrary thresholds in downstream analyses or having a slow runtime.
Uneven spatial sampling distorts reconstructions of Phanerozoic seawater temperature
Authors: Jones Lewis A. , Eichenseer Kilian
Published: November 2021

Paleotemperature proxy records are widely used to reconstruct the global climate throughout the Phanerozoic and to test macroevolutionary hypotheses. However, the spatial distribution of these records varies through time. This is problematic because heat is unevenly distributed across Earth's surface. Consequently, heterogeneous spatial sampling of proxy data has the potential to bias reconstructed temperature curves. We evaluated the spatiotemporal evolution of sampling using a compilation of Phanerozoic δ18O data. We tested the influence of variable spatial coverage on global estimates of paleotemperature by sampling a steep “modern-type” latitudinal temperature gradient and a flattened “Eocene-type” gradient, based on the spatial distribution of δ18O samples. We show that global paleotemperature is overestimated in ∼70% of Phanerozoic stages. Perceived climatic trends for some intervals might be artifactually induced by shifts in paleolatitudinal sampling, with equatorward shifts in sampling concurring with warming trends, and poleward shifts concurring with cooling trends. Yet, the magnitude of some climatic perturbations might also be underestimated. For example, the observed Ordovician cooling trend may be underestimated due to an equatorward shift in sampling. Our findings suggest that while proxy records are vital for reconstructing Earth's paleotemperature in deep time, consideration of the spatial nature of these data is crucial to improving these reconstructions.
Supplemental Material: The building blocks of igneous sheet intrusions: Insights from 3-D seismic reflection data
Authors: Köpping Jonas , al. et
Published: November 2021

Uninterpreted seismic reflection images (Figs. 5, 6, and 8); Jupyter notebooks and associated input- and output-files to: (1) describe the time-depth conversion of data, (2) create tuning wedge models, (3) quantify connector heights, and (4) quantify element geometries; and a QGIS project including all shapefiles and georeferenced maps used for this study.
Advances in systemic therapy for non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Miller Meagan , Hanna Nasser
Published: November 2021

Lung cancer remains a leading cause of cancer related mortality worldwide. Despite numerous advances in treatments over the past decade, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains an incurable disease for most patients. The optimal treatment for all patients with locally advanced, but surgically resectable, NSCLC contains at least chemoradiation. Trimodality treatment with surgical resection has been a subject of debate for decades. For patients with unresectable or inoperable locally advanced disease, the incorporation of immunotherapy consolidation after chemoradiation has defined a new standard of care. For decades, the standard of care treatment for advanced stage NSCLC included only cytotoxic chemotherapy. However, with the introduction of targeted therapies and immunotherapy, the landscape of treatment has rapidly evolved. This review discusses the integration of these innovative therapies in the management of patients with newly diagnosed NSCLC.
48 Immune environment correlates with NSCLC and CRC patient survival
Authors: Miller Dannah , Nguyen Huong , Hieber Kate , Caldwell Charles , Gianani Roberto
Published: November 2021

Background

Immune cells within the tumor microenvironment (TME) play a vital role in regulating tumor progression. Therefore, immunotherapies that stimulate anti-tumor responses are of great interest for the treatment of various cancers. PD-L1 expression on immune cells is positively correlated with increased patient survival. Our hypothesis is that non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) and colorectal cancer (CRC) patients with high immune infiltration and greater amounts of anti-tumor immune cells within the tumor compartment have an increased time of survival compared to cancers with immune excluded or immune desert environments.

Methods

One NSCLC and one CRC tumor microarray (TMA) containing primary tumors, metastases, and normal tissue were stained via multiplex immunofluorescence (mIF) for 6 different immune markers: CD3, CD8, CD56, CD68, CD163, and PD-L1. This multiplex panel was designed to evaluate the immune cell population as well as tumor and immune cell PD-L1 status to aid in research for immunotherapies, specifically anti-PD-L1 therapies. The stained TMAs were analyzed utilizing Flagship Biosciences’ proprietary image analysis platform. Machine learning algorithms stratified cells as belonging to the tumoral or stromal space based on their cellular features. Core level expression data was pulled and represented on a whole-cohort basis. All staining and image analysis outputs were reviewed by a board-certified, MD pathologist. Kaplan-meier curves were generated based on survival data in relation to the levels of immune cells present within the tumor cores as well as the percentage of immune cells infiltrating into the tumor.

Results

There is a clear correlation between patient survival and the presence or absence of various types of immune cells, including helper T cells, cytotoxic T cells, M1 macrophages, M2, macrophages, NK cells, as well as PDL1 expression on tumor and immune cells. Specifically, the increased presence of anti-tumor immune cells as well as increased expression of PD-L1 on immune cells within the tumor compartment correlates with an increase in patient survival.

Conclusions

Data generated through Flagship Biosciences’ image analysis platform showed a strong relationship between immune cell presence and localization and NSCLC and CRC patient survival. Altering the immune cells within the tumor to an anti-tumor immune environment could increase patient survival times. Combining immune checkpoint inhibitors with current FDA approved therapies for NSCLC and CRC are of interest to further extend patient survival. Further, utilizing Flagship Biosciences’ image analysis software to understand cancer immune microenvironments should be further utilized to aid in diagnosis and treatment decisions.
64 A cloning and expression system of the neoantigen-specific TCRs from tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes by single-cell sequencing of paired TCRα and TCRβ chains
Authors: Kobayashi Yukari , Nagaoka Koji , Kubo Kaori , Nishie Toshikazu , Okamoto Sachiko , Enoki Tatsuji , Mineno Junichi , Sato Yasuyoshi , Takahashi Shunji , Nakajima Jun , Kakimi Kazuhiro
Published: November 2021

Background

T-cells that target tumor neoantigens arising from cancer mutations are the primary mediators of cancer immunotherapies. Identifying neoantigens and T-cells that recognize them is essential for T-cell-based immunotherapy. However, neoantigen-reactive Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) are highly differentiated or exhausted with a limited proliferative capacity; it is challenging to expand them for a sufficient number to probe their specificity. Therefore, we developed a novel cloning and expression system to examine TCRs discovered by single-cell sequencing of TILs for their neoantigen-specificity.

Methods

TILs of lung cancer and sarcoma were analyzed. Surgically removed tumors were divided into several pieces. They were enzymatically digested to prepare fresh tumor digest (FTD) and cryopreserved. They were used to generate TIL cultures and perform WES and RNA-Seq to identify tumor-specific mutations. MHCflurry was used to predict the binding affinity of potential epitopes arising from these mutations to HLA class I. Peptides that were predicted to bind to patients‘ own MHC class I molecules strongly were then synthesized. Single TILs isolated with the ICELL8® cx system (Takara Bio) were dispensed into a nanowell TCR chip containing preprinted barcodes. Barcoded cDNAs were PCR-amplified in-chip, pooled off-chip, and used as a template in the TCR-specific PCR or for the whole transcriptome library generation of 5’ ends of all transcripts. Based on single-cell transcriptome data and TCR profiles of TILs, we predict and prioritize neoantigen-specific TCRs and cloned them into siTCR® retrovirus vectors. These TCRs were transduced into SUP-T1-based reporter cells in which ZsGreen fluorescent protein expression is controlled by AP-1 and NFAT binding sites. TCR-expressing reporter cells were cocultured with patient autologous APCs pulsed with a pool of candidate neoantigen peptides. ZsGreen expression indicates that TCRs match their cognate neoantigens.

Results

In a lung cancer patient, we set up 18 TIL cultures and obtained 12 TILs. TILs were cocultured with FTD; IFN-γ production was measured by ELISA to evaluate their reactivity to the autologous tumor. NGS identified 197 somatic mutations, 4 fusion genes, and 8 highly expressed cancer-testis antigens. Among them, 339 candidate peptides were synthesized and screened. In addition, we cloned 3 pairs of TCRαβ chains from most expanded TIL cultures and 4 TCRs from ex vivo TILs with exhausted phenotype. Two reporter cells that express TCRs from exhausted TILs responded to the same neoantigen peptide.

Conclusions

Generating TCR expressing cell lines facilitated the identifying neoantigens and their cognate TCR sequences from patients.

Ethics Approval

G3545
281 Measuring immune checkpoint inhibitor efficacy using primary patient-derived 3D spheroids
Authors: Appleton Kathryn , Lassahn Katy , Elrod Ashley , DesRochers Tessa
Published: November 2021

Background

Cancerous cells can utilize immune checkpoints to escape T-cell-mediated cytotoxicity. Agents that target PD-1, PD-L1 and CTLA4 are collectively deemed immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), and many have been approved for treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and melanoma. Unfortunately, many patients do not respond to these therapies and often experience disease progression. Immunohistochemistry assays to predict response to ICIs have been inconsistent in their readouts and often patients with low expression levels respond to ICIs. Understanding the determinants of ICI response in individual patients is critical for improving the clinical success of this drug class. Using patient-derived spheroids from NSCLC and melanoma primary tissue, we developed a multi-plexed assay for detecting ICI efficacy.

Methods

Nine NSCLC and 11 melanoma primary tumor samples were dissociated to single cells, classified for immune checkpoint expression and cell content by flow cytometry, and seeded for spheroid formation. Spheroids were treated with pembrolizumab, nivolumab, atezolizumab, ipilimumab or durvalumab across a range of concentrations and monitored for cytotoxicity at 24-hours and viability at 72-hours by multiplexing CellTox™ Green Cytotoxicity Assay and CellTiter-Glo® 3D Cell Viability Assay. IFNγ and granzyme B secretion was assessed using Luminex technology. ICI response was evaluated by determining the concentration-response relationship for all three read-outs.

Results

Increased IFNγ and granzyme B were detected for every ICI in one or more patient samples. ICI-induced IFNγ secretion inversely correlated with PD-1+ immune cells. Durvalumab was significantly more cytotoxic for both NSCLC and melanoma spheroids compared to the other ICIs and significantly reduced spheroid viability with mean spheroid survival decreasing to 19.5% for NSCLC and 58.2% for melanoma. We evaluated if there was an association between durvalumab response and cell composition and found that percent spheroid survival significantly correlated with CD8+ T-cells for both NSCLC (r=-0.7920, p=0.0191) and melanoma (r=-0.6918, p=0.0390). Furthermore, CD8+ T-cells correlated with durvalumab-induced granzyme B secretion for NSCLC (r=-0.7645, p=0.0271) and melanoma (r=-0.7419, p=0.0221).

Conclusions

In this study we show ICI-specific increases in immune-related analytes in a concentration-dependent manner for NSCLC and melanoma patient-derived spheroids. We detected spheroid cytotoxicity following short term ICI treatment which closely mirrored decreased spheroid viability at a later timepoint. Finally, we can decipher response mechanisms as exemplified by durvalumab-induced granzyme B secretion correlating with the presence of CD8+ T-cells which results in reduced spheroid viability for both tested cancer indications.
315 Application of the SITC immunotherapy resistance taskforce definitions of anti-PD-1 resistance to studies evaluating patients with advanced melanoma
Authors: Shui Irene , Scherrer Emilie , Frederickson Andrew , Druyts Eric , Tawbi Hussein
Published: November 2021

Background

Until the recent 2020 publication by the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) Immunotherapy Resistance Taskforce, there was little consensus on defining primary and secondary resistance to anti-programmed cell death protein 1 monotherapy. Our objective was to characterize the clinical outcomes reported in peer-reviewed literature when categorized according to the SITC definitions.

Methods

A systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted in Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online, Excerpta Medica database, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (September 2015 - September 2020). Data were extracted on the proportion of patients with progressive disease (PD), and SITC criteria were applied to define resistance (table 1).

Results

Thirty six studies were included, yielding 55 patient cohorts with data on PD; 42 cohorts reported PD specifically by best overall response, while 13 cohorts provided another definition of response. Response evaluation criteria in solid tumors (RECIST) 1.1 was most commonly used (37 cohorts), followed by immune-RECIST (7 cohorts). Twenty four cohorts reporting PD also had data on length of drug exposure, 13 on duration of response, 22 on utilization of a confirmatory scan, and 1 on whether progression occurred within 12 weeks of the last dose of therapy; no studies reported on all 4 criteria. We were able to partially apply SITC criteria for primary resistance to 42 of 55 cohorts and the proportion of patients with primary resistance ranged from 25% to 81%. Only a few studies had data on secondary resistance, but none provided enough granularity to fully categorize secondary resistance by SITC.

Abstract 315 Table 1

SITC definitions of primary and secondary resistance in advanced disease

Conclusions

The majority of studies in this SLR did not report complete criteria to apply the SITC definitions; however, partial categorization of primary resistance was possible. The patient characteristics and outcomes reported varied, thus the data assessed were heterogeneous. Future studies should consider utilizing the SITC consensus definitions to harmonize how resistance is classified and facilitate meaningful context for clinical activity.
‘Hand mechanogram’ in epilepsia partialis continua
Authors: Salles Philippe A , Espay Alberto J
Published: November 2021

Epilepsia partialis continua manifests as low-frequency, rhythmic involuntary movements of a focal body part. We report a young man, HIV-positive and with syphilis, who developed right-hand epilepsia partialis continua associated with a small left-sided cortico-subcortical frontal lesion. A pen and paper test provided ‘mechanographic’ data on frequency, amplitude and rhythmicity of the hand movements, helping distinguish it from other causes of low-frequency repetitive hand movements.
Improvement of METANET model based on critical density modeling for traffic control
Authors: Fu Lina , Fang Jie , Lyu Yunjie , Xie Huahui
Published: November 2021

Freeway control has been increasingly used as an innovative approach to ease traffic congestion, improve traffic safety and reduce exhaust emissions. As an important predictive model involved in freeway control, the predictive performance of METANET greatly influences the effect of freeway control. This paper focuses on modifying the METANET model by modeling the critical density. First, the critical density model is deduced based on the catastrophe theory. Then, the perturbation wave and traveling wave that are obtained using the macro and micro data, respectively, have been developed to modify the above proposed critical density model. Finally, the numerical simulation is established to evaluate the effectiveness of the modified METANET model based on the field data from the realistic motorway network. The results show that overall, the predicted data from the modified METANET model are closer to the field data than those obtained from the original model.
Evaluation of barley testing locations in Ontario
Authors: Khanal Raja , Badea Ana
Published: November 2021

To develop new barley cultivars, promising genotypes are evaluated for their performance each year at several test locations representing the target region. In this study, we analyzed the Ontario barley registration trial data from 2015 to 2020 to understand the barley mega-environment in Ontario and to evaluate the suitability of the test locations. The analysis showed that the barley test locations fall into two mega-environments, with a major mega-environment consists of five test locations and a minor mega-environment with a single test location. Among the six test locations used for the barley registration trials, Palmerston was found to be the most desirable for the barley cultivar evaluation representing the Ontario barley growing region. This study also identified OB2930-35, a recently released cultivar, to be both high yielding and stable across Ontario. These findings are useful for future barley breeding and cultivar evaluation in Ontario.
Machine Learning in Mobile Crowd Sourcing: A Behavior-Based Recruitment Model
Authors: Abououf Menatalla , Singh Shakti , Otrok Hadi , Mizouni Rabeb , Damiani Ernesto
Published: November 2021

With the advent of mobile crowd sourcing (MCS) systems and its applications, theselectionof the right crowd is gaining utmost importance. The increasing variability in the context of MCS tasks makes the selection of not only the capable but also the willing workers crucial for a high task completion rate. Most of the existing MCS selection frameworks rely primarily on reputation-based feedback mechanisms to assess the level of commitment of potential workers. Such frameworks select workers having high reputation scores but without any contextual awareness of the workers, at the time of selection, or the task. This may lead to an unfair selection of workers who will not perform the task. Hence, reputation on its own only gives an approximation of workers’ behaviors since it assumes that workers always behave consistently regardless of the situational context. However, following the concept of cross-situational consistency, where people tend to show similar behavior in similar situations and behave differently in disparate ones, this work proposes a novel recruitment system in MCS based on behavioral profiling. The proposed approach uses machine learning to predict the probability of the workers performing a given task, based on their learned behavioral models. Subsequently, a group-based selection mechanism, based on the genetic algorithm, uses these behavioral models in complementation with a reputation-based model to recruit a group of workers that maximizes the quality of recruitment of the tasks. Simulations based on a real-life dataset show that considering human behavior in varying situations improves the quality of recruitment achieved by the tasks and their completion confidence when compared with a benchmark that relies solely on reputation.
Characterization of Cancer Stem Cell Characteristics and Development of a Prognostic Stemness Index Cell-Related Signature in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Feng Jin , Li Yunxia , Wen Ning
Published: November 2021

Objective. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) with self-renewal and plasticity contribute to tumor initiation and progression. This study developed an mRNA expression-based stemness index- (mRNAsi-) associated signature and validated biological functions of stem cell-related genes in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Methods. Here, mRNAsi was measured for OSCC samples from TCGA cohort, and prognosis and tumor microenvironment (stromal/immune scores, tumor purity) in high- and low-mRNAsi samples were evaluated with survival analyses and ESTIMATE algorithm. Based on prognostic mRNAsi-related genes, a risk score model was constructed by the LASSO method. The predictive accuracy was evaluated by uni- and multivariate Cox analyses and ROC curves. Among the genes in the model, the functions of H2AFZ on proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, and EMT were investigated in OSCC cells. Results. High mRNAsi was distinctly associated with undesirable prognosis, increased stromal and immune scores, and lowered tumor purity. The mRNAsi-associated signature containing 11 genes was developed, and high-risk score was distinctly related to poor survival outcomes. Moreover, this signature was an independent and robust risk factor. H2AFZ upregulation significantly enhanced proliferative and invasive capacities and facilitated EMT as well as lowered apoptotic levels in Cal-27 and HSC-3 cells. Conclusion. Our study characterized cancer stem cell characteristics that were closely related to tumor microenvironment and developed a stemness index cell-related signature that could assist prognosis prediction and risk stratification for OSCC. H2AFZ could become a potential therapeutic target against OSCC.
Effects of Hybrid Graphene Oxide with Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes and Nanoclay on the Mechanical Properties and Fire Resistance of Epoxy Nanocomposite
Authors: Nguyen Tuan Anh , Bui Thi Thu Trang
Published: November 2021

In this study, nanoclay I.30E and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) were hybridized with graphene oxide (GO) on Epikote 240 epoxy resin. Research results show that the hybridization between 0.5 wt.% GO with 1 or 3 wt.% nanoclay and 0.05 wt.% MWCNT has better mechanical properties and flame-retardant properties than the component materials. The combination of epoxy nanocomposite materials with flame-retardant additives such as nanoclay, MWCNT, and GO leads to improving flame-retardant and mechanical properties. Flame-retardant materials have no environmental problems and are nontoxic. Therefore, the flame-retardant additives studied in this work have great potential to become one of the promising flame-retardant hybrid materials. The study also showed that the result of the combination, the hybridization between the three components (nanoclay, MWCNT, and GO) synergized the mechanisms of fire resistance, creating insulating barriers, preventing objects from entering material exposed to heat and oxygen in the air.
Circular RNA circPHKA2 Relieves OGD‐Induced Human Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cell Injuries through Competitively Binding miR‐574‐5p to Modulate SOD2
Authors: Yang Xiaobo , Li Xiuying , Zhong Chuanhong , Peng Jianhua , Pang Jinwei , Peng Tangming , Wan Weifeng , Li Xianglong
Published: November 2021

Background. Circular RNA phosphorylase kinase regulatory subunit alpha 2 (circPHKA2; hsa_circ_0090002) has a significantly, specifically different expression in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients’ blood. Here, we intended to investigate the role and mechanism of circPHKA2 in oxygen‐glucose deprivation‐ (OGD‐) induced stoke model in human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMEC). Methods. Expression of circPHKA2, microRNA‐ (miR‐) 574‐5p, and superoxide dismutase‐2 (SOD2) was detected by quantitative PCR and western blotting. Cell injury was measured by detecting cell proliferation (EdU assay and CCK‐8 assay), migration (transwell assay), neovascularization (tube formation assay), apoptosis (flow cytometry and western blotting), endoplasmic reticulum stress (western blotting), and oxidative stress (assay kits). Direct intermolecular interaction was determined by bioinformatics algorithms, dual‐luciferase reporter assay, biotin‐labelled miRNA capture, and argonaute 2 RNA immunoprecipitation. Results. circPHKA2 was downregulated in AIS patients’ blood in SOD2‐correlated manner. Reexpressing circPHKA2 rescued EdU incorporation, cell viability and migration, tube formation, B cell lymphoma‐2 (Bcl‐2) expression, and SOD activity of OGD‐induced HBMEC and alleviate apoptotic rate and levels of Bcl‐2‐associated protein (Bax), glucose‐regulated protein 78 kD (GRP78), C/EBP‐homologous protein (CHOP), caspase‐12, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and malondialdehyde (MDA). Additionally, blocking SOD2 partially attenuated these roles of circPHKA2 overexpression. Molecularly, circPHKA2 upregulated SOD2 expression via interacting with miR‐574‐5p, and miR‐574‐5p could target SOD2. Similarly, allied to neurovascular protection of circPHKA2 was the downregulation of miR‐574‐5p. Conclusion. circPHKA2 could protect HBMEC against OGD‐induced cerebral stroke model via the miR‐574‐5p/SOD2 axis, suggesting circPHKA2 as a novel and promising candidate in ischemic brain injury.
The Economic Analysis on the Competitiveness of Small Towns with Sports Characteristics under the Guidance of “Diamond Model” Theory
Authors: Xu Yan
Published: November 2021

The sunrise industry of sports characteristic town under the transformation of economic development and the change of social demand contradiction is also a new growth point of sports industry economy. If we avoid homogeneous competition and improve the comprehensive competitiveness of small towns with sports characteristics, it will be a hot issue studied by scholars at home and abroad. The “Diamond Model” theory finds out the shortcomings of the development of sports characteristic towns by analyzing the factors of production, demand conditions, relevant supporting industries, and development strategies and puts forward the corresponding countermeasures. MATLAB simulation results show that the “Diamond Model” theory can improve the comprehensive competitiveness of sports characteristic towns, reduce the consumption of existing resources, and make a good prediction of the future development trend. Therefore, Porter’s “Diamond Model” theory can provide guidance for the improvement of the comprehensive competitiveness of sports characteristic towns, and this study can provide theoretical and case support for relevant domestic research.
System Analysis of ROS‐Related Genes in the Prognosis, Immune Infiltration, and Drug Sensitivity in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Xu Jun Hui , Guan Yong Jun , Qiu Zhen Dong , Zhang Xin , Zi Liu Liu , Zhou Yu , Chen Chen , Yu Jia , Zhang Yi Chao , Wang Wei Xing
Published: November 2021

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an aggressive malignant tumor with a poor prognosis. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play an important role in tumors; however, the role of ROS‐related genes is still unclear in HCC. Therefore, we analyzed the role of ROS‐related genes in HCC via bioinformatics methods. Firstly, a prognosis model was constructed using LASSO Cox regression and multivariate analyses. We also investigated the potential function of the ROS‐related genes and the correlation with immune infiltration, tumor stemness, and drug sensitivity. ICGC database was used for validation. Secondly, we further analyzed the role of 11 ROS‐related genes in HCC. As a member of ROS gene family, the role of STK25 has remained unclear in HCC. We explored the biological function of STK25 using in vitro experiments. The present study was the first to construct a ROS‐related prognostic model in HCC. The correlation of ROS‐related genes with immune infiltration, tumor stemness, and drug sensitivity was dissected. Furthermore, we demonstrated that STK25 knockdown could increase the proliferation, migration, and invasion capacity of HCC cells.
Noninvasive Prototype for Type 2 Diabetes Detection
Authors: Castillo García Javier Ferney , Ortiz Jesús Hamilton , Ibrahim Khalaf Osamah , Valencia Hernández Adrián David , Rodríguez Timaná Luis Carlos
Published: November 2021

The present work demonstrates the design and implementation of a human-safe, portable, noninvasive device capable of predicting type 2 diabetes, using electrical bioimpedance and biometric features to train an artificial learning machine using an active learning algorithm based on population selection. In addition, there is an API with a graphical interface that allows the prediction and storage of data when the characteristics of the person are sent. The results obtained show an accuracy higher than 90% with statistical significance (

p

 < 0.05). The Kappa coefficient values were higher than 0.9, showing that the device has a good predictive capacity which would allow the screening process of type 2 diabetes. This development contributes to preventive medicine and makes it possible to determine at a low cost, comfortably, without medical preparation, and in less than 2 minutes whether a person has type 2 diabetes.
Current Status of the Hypothesis of a Claustro-Insular Homolog in Sauropsids
Authors: Puelles Luis
Published: November 2021

The author previously worked extensively on the broad problem of the evolution of the vertebrate pallium. He proposed various Bauplan models covering at least gnathostomes, based in the definition of a set of pallial sectors with topologically invariant positional relationships and distinct molecular profiles. Out of one of these models, presented as the “updated tetrapartite pallium model,” a modified definition of the earlier lateral pallium sector (LPall) concept emerged, characterizing it in mammals as an unitary claustro-insular transitional (mesocortical) complex intercalated between the neocortex or dorsal pallium (DPall) above and olfactory cortex or ventral pallium (VPall) underneath. A distinctive molecular marker of the early-born deep claustral component of the LPall was found to be the transcription factor Nr4a2, which is not expressed significantly in the overlying insular cortex or in adjoining cortical territories. Given that earlier comparative studies had identified molecularly and topologically comparable VPall, LPall, and DPall sectors in the avian pallium, an avian Nr4a2 probe was applied, aiming to identify the reportedly absent avian claustro-insular complex. An early-born superficial subpopulation of the avian LPall that expresses this marker selectively through development was indeed found. This was proposed to be a claustrum homolog, whereas the remaining Nr4a2-negative avian LPall cells were assumed to represent a possible insular homolog. This last notion was subsequently supported by comparable selective expression of the mouse insular marker Cyp26b, also found restricted to the avian LPall. Some published data suggested that similar molecular properties and structure apply at the reptilian LPall. This analysis was reviewed in Puelles et al. [The pallium in reptiles and birds in the light of the updated tetrapartite pallium model. 2017]. Four years on, the present commentary discusses some international publications accrued in the interval that touch on the claustro-insular homology hypothesis. Some of them are opposed to the hypothesis whereas others corroborate or support it. This raises a number of secondary issues of general interest.
O lugar impossível do corpo na cidade
Authors: Savastano Letícia Becker
Published: November 2021

Com método inspirado no materialismo historiográfico (anacrônico e não linear), este ensaio tece - por meio da montagem, encontro e fricção de imagens, modos pelos quais a arte pode atuar como agente identificador de lugares na cidade nos quais o corpo é impossível para, então, retomar essa dimensão corporal. O fio condutor são as produções da artista Lais Myrrha, centralizando sua obra “Geometria do Acidente “(2014).
Atividade física nos trimestres gestacionais e desfechos perinatais em puérperas do SUS
Authors: Schmidt Tauana Prestes , Tuon Talita , Wagner Katia J. Pudla , Boing Antonio Fernando , Danielewicz Ana Lúcia
Published: November 2021

OBJETIVO: Testar a associação entre a prática de atividade física (AF) de acordo com os trimestres gestacionais e a ocorrência de parto cesáreo, prematuridade e baixo peso ao nascer em puérperas atendidas no Sistema Único de Saúde de Santa Catarina, Brasil. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal realizado com amostra probabilística de puérperas que tiveram seus partos em maternidades da rede pública de Santa Catarina no período de janeiro a agosto de 2019. O desfecho parto cesáreo foi autorreferido e as informações sobre parto prematuro (< 37 semanas gestacionais) e baixo peso ao nascer (< 2.500 gramas) foram obtidas dos prontuários. A prática de AF durante a gestação e conforme cada trimestre foi autorreferida. Foram realizadas análises de Regressão Logística Multivariável e entrevistas com 3.580 puérperas. RESULTADOS: A prática de AF durante qualquer período da gestação foi relatada por 20,6% da amostra, com redução gradativa das prevalências conforme os trimestres gestacionais (16,2%, 15,4% e 12,8%). As maiores prevalências dos desfechos em relação à amostra total, foram observadas nas puérperas não praticantes de AF no terceiro trimestre, sendo 43,9% para o parto cesáreo, 7,7% para o baixo peso ao nascer e 5,5% para o parto prematuro. As chances de parto cesáreo (OR = 1,40; IC95% 1,10–1,76) e de baixo peso ao nascer (OR = 1,99; IC95% 1,04–3,79) foram, respectivamente, 40% e 99% maiores entre as puérperas que não praticaram AF no terceiro trimestre da gestação quando comparadas àquelas que praticaram AF. Não houve associação da prática de AF com a prematuridade. CONCLUSÃO: As puérperas que não praticavam AF no terceiro trimestre da gestação tiveram maiores chances de parto cesáreo e de terem recém-nascidos com baixo peso.
Feeding practices and early weaning in the neonatal period: a cohort study
Authors: Pinheiro Josilene Maria Ferreira , Flor Taiana Brito Menêzes , Araújo Mayara Gabrielly Germano de , Xavier Ana Márcia Soares Fernandes , Mata Amanda Michelly Braga da , Pires Vanessa Cristina da Costa , Oliveira Luana Isabelly Carneiro de , Andrade Fábia Barbosa de
Published: November 2021

OBJECTIVE To describe feeding practices and the risk factors for the mixed breastfeeding and early weaning in the neonatal period. METHODS Cohort study, which we collected socioeconomic, demographic, health care and feeding data from 415 mother/child binomials born in four public maternity hospitals in Natal/Brazil. They were followed-up at 48 hours, 7 and 28 days after birth. The association was established using Pearson’s Chi-square test and Poisson’s regression, after adjusting it to other variables. RESULTS The prevalence of mixed breastfeeding in the first 2 days was 47,2% and early weaning in 7 and 28 days was 8,4% and 16,2% in that order. The main reasons for mixed breastfeeding and early weaning were: colostrum deficiency (33.8%), difficulty in latching/sucking (23.5%) and “little milk” (70.0%). The use of formula/milk/porridge remained associated with maternal age ≤ 20 years (RR = 0.64; 95%CI: 0.47–0.86), age 20–29 years (RR = 0,70; 95%CI: 0,57–0,87), primiparity (RR = 1.37; 95%CI: 1.11–1.60) and cesarean delivery (RR = 1.20; 95%CI: 1.00–1.45) at 2 days; absence of paternal support (RR = 4.98; 95%CI: 2.54–9.79) and pacifier use (RR = 3.21; 95%CI: 1.63–6.32) at 7 days; and only pacifier use (RR = 2.48; 95%CI: 1.53–4.02) at 28 days. CONCLUSIONS Early weaning was associated with maternal and health care factors, thus suggesting the need to readjust good practices and educational actions to achieve the exclusive offer to the maternal breast in the neonatal period.
Transnational Isolates: Portuguese Colonial Race Science and the Foreign World
Authors: Roque Ricardo
Published: November 2021

This article examines scientific transnationalism as an art of engagement with, and avoidance of, the threats and promises of what was foreign to the nation. Portuguese racial anthropologists experienced a tension between remaining imperial-nationalistic in character, and internationalist in their activities simultaneously. They struggled to exclude foreigners from colonial field sites; they aimed at nativist authority based on total control of colonial data. Yet, they eagerly sought connections with foreign experts to capitalize provincial scientific authority within Portugal’s colonies. The essay conceptualizes this mode of transnationalism as also a kind of isolationism, an inward oriented form of engaging with foreign sciences and scientists as ambivalently powerful and threatening strangers.
The Chapters on Women in Two Adab Encyclopaedias from the Mamluk Period
Authors: López Bernal Desirée
Published: November 2021

This paper is a study of the chapters devoted to women in general and to female figures (female singers) in two encyclopaedic adab works of the Mamluk period, al-Nuwayrī’s Nihāyat al-arab and al-Ibshīhī’s al-Mustaṭraf fī kulli fann al-mustaẓraf. We will analyse the content of these chapters, their focus, the materials from which they are constructed and their objectives within the ensemble of the works. We will also look at the moral and intellectual qualities that configure the portrayal of women in these books, in common with others of adab prose. The final aim of all this is to obtain results to add to those that already exist, with a view to defining the female character types in this literature, the topics that make women visible in it and their relationship with male characters in the stories.
Canonization, Satire, and Criticism of Avot in Midrash Yelammedenu from the Genizah
Authors: Rosenfeld Eliyahu
Published: November 2021

In this article, I present a midrashic reference to one mishnah of tractate Avot that would appear to undermine its canonical status. A close reading of the midrash, will show that it makes use of various satirical tools, including exaggeration and ridicule, which appear to be aimed at a mocking of the mishnah. However, further reading of the midrash in light of a more comprehensive look at tractate Avot will show that contrary to this initial impression, the use of satire may not be directed at undermining the canonical status of Avot but rather at strengthening it. According to this reading, the satire is directed at internal criticism that the midrash identifies in the heart of the mishnaic text, with the result that Avot’s status is restored.
Mikrischyrum musicum, a new katydid species from montane rainforest in southern Ecuador with complex pure-tone calling song (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae: Pseudophyllinae: Platyphyllini)
Authors: BRAUN HOLGER
Published: November 2021

The katydid Mikrischyrum musicum sp. nov. is described as third species of the genus, along with the remarkable low-ultrasound musical calling song of the male. It is the first species of the genus with known females, which are considerably larger than males and lack the conspicuous white spots on the pronotum. Pure-tone songs among pseudophyllines and development of pronotum markings of Platyphyllini are briefly discussed.
4. Auld Lang Syne in the Early Nineteenth Century
Authors: Grant Morag Josephine
Published: November 2021

This chapter looks at the early reception history of Burns’s version of the song. Initial indications of how the song became established beyond Johnson’s and Thomson’s collections come from a number of sources from the first decades of the nineteenth century, including chapbooks and arrangements of the song for voices and instruments Josef Haydn and others. Newspaper advertisements and playbills offer a further route to exploring the song, especially in performance. In particular, the chapter highlights the role played by the internationally renowned Scottish tenor John Sinclair in establishing the song, not least through the opera Rob Roy Macgregor, or, Auld Lang Syne by Isaac Pocock and John Davy, which premiered in London in 1818. The chapter concludes with a discussion of early American sources for the new song, thus demonstrating the initial stages of the song’s journey from its Scottish and British roots into the wider world.
5. The Song of Union
Authors: Grant Morag Josephine
Published: November 2021

The chapter explores one of the most important social contexts for the dissemination of the song—fraternal-type organisations—and also focuses on the roots of the tradition of singing Auld Lang Syne in a circle with arms crossed and hands joined. Because of the way fraternal-type organisations are structured, their use of ritual, and the social functions they perform, they can play a significant role in the transmission of songs and other social practices. Such organisations were enormously significant in the eighteenth and nineteenth century. The chapter begins by discussing Freemasonry and the role of song in Masonic ritual. Burns was a Freemason, and after his death Masonic organisations played an important role in memorialising him. Moreover, Masonic ritual may be the origins for the practice of singing Auld Lang Syne with linked crossed arms, and possibly also for the singing of the song at parting. The chapter also explores the international network of Burns Clubs that began to be established in the early nineteenth century, the use of the song in the trades union movement, and the emerging tradition of singing Auld Lang Syne at commencement/graduation ceremonies in the USA. The chapter concludes by looking at some other instances of singing songs with arms crossed and hands joined, and the practical and symbolic significance of this act.