bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PLANEJAMENTO SISTEMÁTICO DO LAYOUT APLICADO EM UMA EMPRESA DO SETOR MOVELEIRO
Authors: Coimbra Fernando Da Silva , De Menezes Larissa Laila Alves , Prates Glaucia Aparecida , Attadia Galli Lesley Carina Do Lago , Turati Ricardo De Carvalho
Published: February 2022

O crescimento do setor moveleiro no Brasil fez com que as empresas buscassem métodos mais eficientes para seus processos produtivos, esse assunto é ligado diretamente ao estilo de layout que as mesmas adotam, podendo influenciar sua produtividade. O estudo sobre o planejamento sistemático de layout (SLP) traz a empresas uma melhor utilização do seu espaço físico, garantindo maior eficiência. Para isso, utilizou-se como método de pesquisa o estudo de caso sendo realizado em uma empresa do setor moveleiro, na produção voltada para guarda-roupas. Com a análise da situação atual da empresa foi possível realizar diagnósticos de seus principais problemas e com isso elaborar propostas de melhorias a fim de reduzir o fluxo de pessoas e materiais pela fábrica e definir um sistema de layout adequado para seu processo de fabricação.
ESTUDO DO CONCEITO DE PROJETO DE UM PRODUTO PARA AUXÍLIO EM INSTALAÇÕES ELÉTRICAS RESIDENCIAIS
Authors: Mota Adriano Caires , Vitorino Luís Roberto , Geron Luis Carlos
Published: February 2022

A passagem de cabos elétrico sem uma obra requer muito trabalho eperde-se muito tempo quando o técnico executa essa atividade sozinho devido aos problemas decabos elétricos embaraçados e, também, dificuldade na condução desses cabos elétricos dentro dos eletrodutos e com base nesse problema foi desenvolvido um conceito de projeto que pode auxiliar nesse trabalho resultando em economia de tempo. Esse conceito explora a ideia de uma caixa organizadora contendo divisões para a separação de cores e bitolas dos cabos elétricos e um acessório dessa caixa chamado lançador, que auxilia o técnico forçando uma sonda que conduz os cabos elétricos pelo eletroduto poupando o tempo de deslocamentodo técnico. Acaixa organizadora possui carretéis que mantém os cabos elétricos organizados evitando que se embaracem. Nos experimentos verificou-se através desimulações em campo que houve uma grande economia de tempo utilizando esse sistema de organização de cabos e auxílio na passagem.
ANÁLISE DO SISTEMA DE MEDIÇÃO DE DESEMPENHO DE UMA ORGANIZAÇÃO AGROINDUSTRIAL
Authors: Berti Livia Nicioli , Galli Lesley Carina do Lago Attadia , Arroyo Cristiane Sonia , Prates Glaucia Aparecida , Garcia Sheila Faria Alves
Published: February 2022

O objetivo deste trabalho foi identificar os elementos críticos no sistema de medição de desempenho (SMD) em uma organização agroindustrial. Uma pesquisa descritiva foi realizada com abordagem qualitativa utilizando como método uma pesquisa em campo em uma empresa do setor agroindustrial na cidade de Jaboticabal-SP. Como resultado obteve-se um maior entendimento do SMD utilizado na empresa. Os resultados mostram que há uma utilização parcial dos indicadores do SMD, pois o sistema é limitado e restrito apenas aos indicadores impostos pelo Sistema de Gestão da Qualidade (SGQ) e atendimento das normas da ISO 9001:2008, portanto, esse fato deixa de trazer benefícios para a empresa porque o SMD não é usado pelos gestores como uma visão e tomada de decisão estratégica. Sugere-se para que todo esse processo seja eficiente e eficaz, as etapas do SMD tais como desenvolvimento, implantação, uso, além da comunicação dos indicadores devem ser trabalhadas em toda sua extensão com uma visão estratégica entre os gestores e colaboradores com a finalidade de contribuir para o desenvolvimento da organização.
Mendacity, Rule Consequentialist Ethics and The Ploughman's Lunch
Authors: Bolton Jonathan
Published: February 2022

This article examines Ian McEwan's script for director Richard Eyre's film, The Ploughman's Lunch (1983), the title of which alludes to a deceptive, post-World War II advertising campaign that promulgated a false narrative about British tradition. McEwan's script, and Eyre's film adaptation of it, offer a prescient exposé of Britain's culture of mendacity in the 1980s in ways that draw on rule-consequentialist ethics to maintain that lying on the personal, professional, and political level has a pernicious effect on society. McEwan's work on the film also marks a crucial turning point in the author's career, one in which he first begins to explore complex ethical and moral conundrums that would figure prominently in his major fiction.
ANALISIS KESEDIAAN MEMBAYAR WILLINGNESS TO PAY (WTP) KONSUMEN TERHADAP PRODUK BATIK TULIS KHAS JOMBANG
Authors: Hidayah Listiani , Ayu Nuning Farida Afiatna Fatma
Published: February 2022

In determining the selling price, it is important to know how much consumers' willingness to pay (WTP) to get Jombang Typical Batik Tulis products with better quality. In this regard, this study aims to determine the maximum average value of WTP that consumers are willing to pay in buying Batik Tulis Jombang Typical and to find out the significant factors that affect the WTP of Batik Tulis Jombang typical consumers. This study took a sample of 40 respondents who were consumers of Jombang's typical written batik products, and were selected using the purposive sampling method. The data were analyzed using the contingent valuation method (CVM) analysis and using multiple linear regression analysis. The results showed that the maximum average value of WTP for consumers of Batik Tulis Jombang typical was Rp 555,250.00 per piece. Among them, the factors that significantly influence consumers' willingness to pay are gender, income and price.
Integrated Analysis of Multi-Omics Alteration, Immune Profile, and Pharmacological Landscape of Pyroptosis-Derived lncRNA Pairs in Gastric Cancer
Authors: Guo Chunguang , Liu Zaoqu , Yu Yin , Liu Shirui , Ma Ke , Ge Xiaoyong , Xing Zhe , Lu Taoyuan , Weng Siyuan , Wang Libo , Liu Long , Hua Zhaohui , Han Xinwei , Li Zhen
Published: February 2022

Background: Recent evidence demonstrates that pyroptosis-derived long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have profound impacts on the initiation, progression, and microenvironment of tumors. However, the roles of pyroptosis-derived lncRNAs (PDLs) in gastric cancer (GC) remain elusive.

Methods: We comprehensively analyzed the multi-omics data of 839 GC patients from three independent cohorts. The previous gene set enrichment analysis embedding algorithm was utilized to identify PDLs. A gene pair pipeline was developed to facilitate clinical translation via qualitative relative expression orders. The LASSO algorithm was used to construct and validate a pyroptosis-derived lncRNA pair prognostics signature (PLPPS). The associations between PLPPS and multi-omics alteration, immune profile, and pharmacological landscape were further investigated.

Results: A total of 350 PDLs and 61,075 PDL pairs in the training set were generated. Cox regression revealed 15 PDL pairs associated with overall survival, which were utilized to construct the PLPPS model via the LASSO algorithm. The high-risk group demonstrated adverse prognosis relative to the low-risk group. Remarkably, genomic analysis suggested that the lower tumor mutation burden and gene mutation frequency (e.g., TTN, MUC16, and LRP1B) were found in the high-risk group patients. The copy number variants were not significantly different between the two groups. Additionally, the high-risk group possessed lower immune cell infiltration abundance and might be resistant to a few chemotherapeutic drugs (including cisplatin, paclitaxel, and gemcitabine).

Conclusion: PDLs were closely implicated in the biological process and prognosis of GC, and our PLPPS model could serve as a promising tool to advance prognostic management and personalized treatment of GC patients.
Mitochondrial Dynamics, Mitophagy, and Mitochondria–Endoplasmic Reticulum Contact Sites Crosstalk Under Hypoxia
Authors: Wang Shuying , Tan Jin , Miao Yuyang , Zhang Qiang
Published: February 2022

Mitochondria are double membrane organelles within eukaryotic cells, which act as cellular power houses, depending on the continuous availability of oxygen. Nevertheless, under hypoxia, metabolic disorders disturb the steady-state of mitochondrial network, which leads to dysfunction of mitochondria, producing a large amount of reactive oxygen species that cause further damage to cells. Compelling evidence suggests that the dysfunction of mitochondria under hypoxia is linked to a wide spectrum of human diseases, including obstructive sleep apnea, diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular disorders. The functional dichotomy of mitochondria instructs the necessity of a quality-control mechanism to ensure a requisite number of functional mitochondria that are present to fit cell needs. Mitochondrial dynamics plays a central role in monitoring the condition of mitochondrial quality. The fission–fusion cycle is regulated to attain a dynamic equilibrium under normal conditions, however, it is disrupted under hypoxia, resulting in mitochondrial fission and selective removal of impaired mitochondria by mitophagy. Current researches suggest that the molecular machinery underlying these well-orchestrated processes are coordinated at mitochondria–endoplasmic reticulum contact sites. Here, we establish a holistic understanding of how mitochondrial dynamics and mitophagy are regulated at mitochondria–endoplasmic reticulum contact sites under hypoxia.
Electrochemical Studies of the Cycloaddition Activity of Bismuth(III) Acetylides Towards Organic Azides Under Copper(I)-Catalyzed Conditions
Authors: Nazarova Antonina L. , Zayat Billal , Fokin Valery V. , Narayan Sri R.
Published: February 2022

Time-dependent monitoring of the reactive intermediates provides valuable information about the mechanism of a synthetic transformation. However, the process frequently involves intermediates with short lifetimes that significantly challenge the accessibility of the desired kinetic data. We report in situ cyclic voltammetry (CV) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy studies of the cycloaddition reaction of organobismuth(III) compounds with organic azides under the copper(I)-catalyzed conditions. A series of bismuth(III) acetylides carrying diphenyl sulfone scaffolds have been synthesized to study the underlying electronic and steric effects of the tethered moieties capable of transannular oxygen O···Bi interactions and para-functionality of the parent phenylacetylene backbones. While belonging to the family of copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition reactions, the reaction yielding 5-bismuth(III)-triazolide is the sole example of a complex catalytic transformation that features activity of bismuth(III) acetylides towards organic azides under copper(I)-catalyzed conditions. Stepwise continuous monitoring of the copper(I)/copper(0) redox activity of the copper(I) catalyst by cyclic voltammetry provided novel insights into the complex catalytic cycle of the bismuth(III)-triazolide formation. From CV-derived kinetic data, reaction rate parameters of the bismuth(III) acetylides coordination to the copper(I) catalyst (KA) and equilibrium concentration of the copper species [cat]eq. are compared with the overall 5-bismuth(III)-triazolide formation rate constant kobs obtained by 1H-NMR kinetic analysis.
Glycerol Electrocatalytic Reduction Using an Activated Carbon Composite Electrode: Understanding the Reaction Mechanisms and an Optimization Study
Authors: Md. Rahim Siti Aqilah Nadhirah , Lee Ching Shya , Aroua Mohamed Kheireddine , Wan Daud Wan Mohd Ashri , Abnisa Faisal , Cognet Patrick , Pérès Yolande
Published: February 2022

The conversion of biomass-derived glycerol into valuable products is an alternative strategy for alleviating energy scarcity and environmental issues. The authors recently uncovered an activated carbon composite electrode with an Amberlyst-15 mediator able to generate 1,2-propanediol, diethylene glycol, and acetolviaa glycerol electrocatalytic reduction. However, less attention to mechanistic insights makes its application to industrial processes challenging. Herein, two proposed intermediates, acetol and ethylene glycol, were employed as the feedstocks to fill the gap in the mechanistic understanding of the reactions. The results discovered the importance of acetol in producing 1,2-propanediol and concluded the glycerol electrocatalytic reduction process has a two-step reduction pathway, where glycerol was initially reduced to acetol and consecutively hydrogenated to 1,2-propanediol. At 353 K and 0.28 A/cm2, 1,2-propanediol selectivity achieved 77% (with 59.8 C mol% yield) after 7 h of acetol (3.0 mol/L) electrolysis. Finally, the influences of the temperature, glycerol initial concentration, and current density on the glycerol electrocatalytic reduction were evaluated. The initial step involved the C-O and C-C bonds cleavage in glycerol plays a crucial role in producing either acetol or ethylene glycol intermediate. This was controlled by the temperature, which low to moderate value is needed to maintain a selective acetol-1,2-propanediol route. Additionally, medium glycerol initial concentration reduced the hydrogen formation and indirectly improved 1,2-propanediol yield. A mild current density raised the conversion rate and minimized the growth of intermediates. At 353 K and 0.21 A/cm2, glycerol (3.0 mol/L) electrocatalytic reduction to 1,2-propanediol reached the maximum yield of 42.3 C mol%.
Collateral Damage in the Human Gut Microbiome - Blastocystis Is Significantly Less Prevalent in an Antibiotic-Treated Adult Population Compared to Non-Antibiotic Treated Controls
Authors: Jeffery Ian B. , Cotter Paul D. , Scanlan Pauline D.
Published: February 2022

Antibiotics can drive the rapid loss of non-target, phylogenetically diverse microorganisms that inhabit the human gut. This so-called “collateral damage” has myriad consequences for host health and antibiotic mediated changes to the gut microbiota have been implicated in the aetiology of many chronic diseases. To date, studies have largely focused on how antibiotics affect the bacterial fraction of the gut microbiome and their impact on non-bacterial members, including prevalent eukaryal species, such as Blastocystis, remains largely unknown. Here we assessed the prevalence and diversity of Blastocystis in an elderly adult group that were in receipt of antibiotics (n = 86) and an equivalent non-antibiotic treated group (n = 88) using a PCR-based approach. This analysis revealed that although similar subtypes were present in both groups, Blastocystis was significantly less prevalent in the antibiotic-treated group (16%) compared to non-antibiotic treated controls (55%); Fisher’s Exact test, p < 0.0001). Given that antibiotics target structures and molecules of prokaryotic cells to kill or inhibit bacterial populations, the most likely explanation for differences in prevalence between both groups is due to secondary extinctions owing to the potential dependence of Blastocystis on bacteria present in the gut microbiome that were negatively affected by antibiotic treatment. Although further work is required to explore this hypothesis in greater detail, these data clearly show that Blastocystis prevalence in human populations is negatively associated with antibiotic treatment. This finding may be relevant to explaining patterns of variation for this microorganism in different human populations and cohorts of interest.
Comparative Study of Diagnostic Efficacy of Single Phase-Computed Tomography Pulmonary Angiography and Dual Phase-Computed Tomography Pulmonary Angiography in the Diagnosis of Pulmonary Embolism
Authors: Guan Xuechun , Lan Qiaoqing , Liang Yi , Ke Honghong , Chen Siqi , Long Liling
Published: February 2022

Objective

We compared the efficacy of single phase-computed tomography pulmonary angiography (SP-CTPA) and dual phase-computed tomography pulmonary angiography (DP-CTPA) for the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism (PE).

Methods

We recruited 1,019 consecutive patients (359 with PE) who underwent DP-CTPA (phase I: pulmonary artery phase; phase II: aortic phase) for suspected PE between January and October 2021. Phase I of DP-CTPA was used as SP-CTPA, and the final clinical diagnosis (FCD) was used as the gold standard.

Results

Three hundred fifty-two cases of PE were detected by both methods, with the same sensitivity of 98.1% (99.6–99.5%). Using SP-CTPA, 142 cases [13 pulmonary insufficiency artifacts (PIA) and 129 systemic-pulmonary shunt artifacts (S-PSA)] were false-positive with specificity of 78.5% (75.3–81.6%). No false-positive was found with DP-CTPA, with specificity of 100%, positive predictive value of 1, and negative predictive value of 0.990 (Net Reclassification Improvement = 0.215; P < 0.05). According to FCD, the positive results of SP-CTPA were divided into PIA, S-PSA, and true-positive (TPSP−CTPA) groups, and pairwise comparisons were performed. The bronchiectasis and hemoptysis rate in S-PSA group was higher than that in PIA and TP groups (P < 0.001), and the pulmonary hypertension (PH) rate in PIA group was higher than that in S-PSA and TP groups (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

The diagnostic efficiency of DP-CTPA for the diagnosis of PE was high. SP-CTPA may misdiagnose PIA (common in patients with PH) and S-PSA (common in patients with bronchiectasis and hemoptysis) as PE.
Different Seasonal Precipitation Anomaly Patterns in Central Asia Associated With Two Types of El Niño During 1891–2016
Authors: Feng Fan , Zhao Yong , Huang Anning , Li Yang , Zhou Xin
Published: February 2022

In this study, we examine the different seasonal precipitation anomaly patterns in Central Asia associated with the cold-tongue (CT) El Niño and warm-pool (WP) El Niño from the El Niño developing autumn to the decaying spring based on the Global Precipitation Climatology Centre (GPCC) full data reanalysis version 2018 (GPCC V2018) data set. Overall, El Niño are associated with more precipitations over Central Asia, but significant discrepancies can be found in the precipitation anomaly spatial patterns associated with the two types of El Niño from the El Niño developing autumn to the decaying spring. The precipitation associated with CT El Niño is mostly concentrated in the plains and hilly areas of Central Asia and is more dispersed in space. Whereas the precipitation associated with WP El Niño is mostly concentrated along Pamirs and Tian Shan Mountains with consistency throughout the autumn before El Niño peaks to the spring when El Niño decays. Also, the strength of the positive precipitation anomaly associated with WP El Niño is significantly stronger than that of CT El Niño. The analysis of anomalous atmospheric circulation caused by two types of El Niño shows that the interconfiguration of anomalous high pressure in the south side of Central Asia at low and middle latitudes and anomalous low pressure and anomalous high pressure in the high latitudes of Eurasia affects the southwest water vapor flux and north side water vapor flux in Central Asia, thus causing different effects of different types of El Niño on precipitation in Central Asia at different stages. The spatial consistency of the WP El Niño effect on precipitation in Central Asia over three seasons may be related to the upward branch of the anomalous Walker circulation over the Indian Ocean induced by it.
Pre-university Measures and University Performance: A Multilevel Structural Equation Modeling Approach
Authors: Vista Alvin , Alkhadim Ghadah S.
Published: February 2022

This study investigated the relationship between three pre-university measures (high school grade point average, the General Aptitude Test, and the scholastic achievement admission test) and university performance as indicted by (preparatory year and cumulative university grade point average, and graduation). Data from 330,684 undergraduate students from 23 universities across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia were analyzed using a multilevel structural equation modeling approach. Results indicated that all pre-university measures were consistent in predicting university performance. These findings supported previous results that pre-university measures performance predict eventual performance at the university, including performance at the preparatory year, and whether the student stays regular and eventually completes university studies. These results have implications for the importance of the pre university measures in predicting university eventual success and graduation and this study adds to the body of work that can inform further cost-benefits of the pre university measures. For policymakers, these findings suggest that strengthening support during secondary school levels can have positive effects on eventual performance at university.
Parathyroid Imaging: Past, Present, and Future
Authors: Morris Michael A. , Saboury Babak , Ahlman Mark , Malayeri Ashkan A. , Jones Elizabeth C. , Chen Clara C. , Millo Corina
Published: February 2022

The goal of parathyroid imaging is to identify all sources of excess parathyroid hormone secretion pre-operatively. A variety of imaging approaches have been evaluated and utilized over the years for this purpose. Ultrasound relies solely on structural features and is without radiation, however is limited to superficial evaluation. 4DCT and 4DMRI provide enhancement characteristics in addition to structural features and dynamic enhancement has been investigated as a way to better distinguish parathyroid from adjacent structures. It is important to recognize that 4DCT provides valuable information however results in much higher radiation dose to the thyroid gland than the other available examinations, and therefore the optimal number of phases is an area of controversy. Single-photon scintigraphy with 99mTc-Sestamibi, or dual tracer 99mTc-pertechnetate and 99mTc-sestamibi with or without SPECT or SPECT/CT is part of the standard of care in many centers with availability and expertise in nuclear medicine. This molecular imaging approach detects cellular physiology such as mitochondria content found in parathyroid adenomas. Combining structural imaging such as CT or MRI with molecular imaging in a hybrid approach allows the ability to obtain robust structural and functional information in one examination. Hybrid PET/CT is widely available and provides improved imaging and quantification over SPECT or SPECT/CT. Emerging PET imaging techniques, such as 18F-Fluorocholine, have the exciting potential to reinvent parathyroid imaging. PET/MRI may be particularly well suited to parathyroid imaging, where available, because of the ability to perform dynamic contrast-enhanced imaging and co-registered 18F-Fluorocholine PET imaging simultaneously with low radiation dose to the thyroid. A targeted agent specific for a parathyroid tissue biomarker remains to be identified.
PTEN Deletion in Adult Mice Induces Hypoinsulinemia With Concomitant Low Glucose Levels
Authors: Crespo-Masip Maria , Pérez-Gómez Aurora , Guzmán Carla , Rayego Sandra , Doladé Nuria , García-Carrasco Alicia , Jover Ramiro , Valdivielso José Manuel
Published: February 2022

The PI3K/AKT pathway, negatively regulated by PTEN, plays a paramount role in glucose metabolism regulation due to its activation by the insulin receptor signaling pathway. We generated a PTEN-KO mouse to evaluate the systemic effect of the overactivation of the PI3K/AKT pathway in insulin signaling and glucose homeostasis. Our results demonstrate that PTEN-KO mice show very low glucose levels in the fasted state, which poorly respond to glucose and pyruvate administration. Insulinemia decreased without alterations in pancreatic islets. Among the possible reasons, we uncover the deregulation of the expression of proximal tubule glucose transporter and consequent glycosuria. Moreover, we evidence an altered activation of hepatic gluconeogenesis-related genes. In addition, the expression of several genes related to β-oxidation showed a delayed or even absent response to fasting, suggesting that the lack of PTEN not only impairs glucose metabolism but also slows down the use of lipids as a metabolic fuel. We conclude that the inducible full PTEN-KO mice could be a good model to study the metabolic interactions between glycidic and lipidic metabolism in hypoinsulinemic hypoglycemia and that PTEN could be an important mediator in the disease and/or a potential drug target.
Study of Supercritical CO2 Physical Property Calculation Models
Authors: Min Luyue , Liu Minyun , Xi Dapeng , He Maogang , Liu Xiangyang , Huang Yanping
Published: February 2022

The supercritical CO2 (SC-CO2) thermodynamic cycle has been a promising and revolutionary technology. Related research has put higher demands on CO2 physical property calculations in terms of computational accuracy and speed. In this study, the deviations between the experimental data and predicted data calculated by several models of CO2 physical property calculation were obtained. According to the comparison results, the Span–Wagner equation of state, the Vesovic model, and the free-volume viscosity model are selected to construct a set of high-precision CO2 property calculation models. For the time-consuming problem of commonly used models, new models were developed by using the polynomial fitting and interpolation method, which improved the speed of the physical property calculation by five orders of magnitude while ensuring high accuracy. On this basis, a physical property calculation program for the SC-CO2 thermodynamic cycle could be developed, which can meet the demands of engineering applications in accuracy and calculation speed.
Material Based Penalty-Cost Quantification Model for Construction Projects Influencing Waste Management
Authors: Nawaz Ahsan , Chen Jian , Su Xing , Zahid Hassan Hafiz Muhammad
Published: February 2022

The Construction and demolition (C and D) waste generation is a critical issue for the construction industry, which negatively affects the economy, environment, and society. This study estimates the penalty-cost based on the produced C&D wastes in steel and concrete skeleton projects. Field survey and the BOQ data were collected from five concrete and four steel skeleton projects. The difference of materials used and wastes generated between concrete and steel skeleton projects were evaluated statistically (ANOVA and Welch and Brown-Forsythe). A financial analysis was implemented for estimating the penalty cost. The study outcomes demonstrate that the amount of waste that construction managers estimated is significantly lower than the actual amount generated. Furthermore, 0.055% of the total project cost of a penalty was estimated based on the waste produced at construction sites. In the end, the estimated penalty was validated by comparing it with the six recent completed projects. The penalty calculated in this study could save the project cost and reduce the C&D waste. As a result, imposing the estimated cost as a penalty would force construction managers to think thoroughly about the generated C&D waste problems. This study also has a novelty and will add to the body of knowledge by using penalty-cost quantification model to save project-cost of construction material-based-waste, and it can be further explored by adopting more quality data and engaging different construction materials.
A Micro-Scale Study of Flood Risk Assessment in Urban Fluvial Areas Using the Flood Potential Index
Authors: Tallar Robby Yussac , Geldoffer Golan Mauregar
Published: February 2022

Worldwide, increasing various methods are being offered to solve the issue of flood disasters in urban fluvial areas, yet there is a relative lack of micro-scale studies concerning the flood potential index (FPI) to forecast future flood events in DKI Jakarta. With recent advances, the information of flood risk assessment can be monitored and communicated by using FPI embedded with a geographical information system (GIS)-based model. Therefore, the main purpose and concerned issue in this paper is how to relate the micro-scale study of flood risk assessment in the urban fluvial area in DKI Jakarta as the study case using FPI. Specific parameters were selected to develop and analyze FPI, involving three considerations: meteorological, physical-environment, and socio-economic aspects. The classification has also been developed by the analysis of data from rainfall, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) obtained from Landsat eight interpretation, and population density to produce a flood potential hazard map for each sub-district in DKI Jakarta during 2021–2024. The results of the completed analysis of classification for each sub-district in DKI Jakarta showed 10 sub-districts with high potential, 219 sub-districts with medium potential, and 32 sub-districts with low potential in 2024. Our findings also confirmed that using a GIS approach in identifying and measuring the FPI in DKI Jakarta for micro-scale areas is very helpful in order to develop better adaptive local flood management practices. For future works, the assessment not only produces a visualization of the flood potential index but also estimates possible damage due to the flood hazard itself.
Challenges in Linking Cognition and Survival: A Review
Authors: Rochais Céline , Rymer Tasmin L. , Pillay Neville
Published: February 2022

Linking cognitive performance with fitness outcomes, measured using both reproductive and survival metrics, of free-living animals is crucial for understanding the evolution of cognition. Although there is increasing evidence showing a link between cognitive traits and reproductive success metrics, studies specifically exploring the link between cognition and survival are scarce. We first explore which cognitive traits related to survival have been investigated in free-living animals. We also discuss the challenges associated with investigating the links between cognition and survival. We then review studies that specifically consider survival of animals of known cognitive abilities that are either free-living or in captivity and later released into the wild. We found nine studies exploring cognitive traits in wild populations. The relationships between these cognitive traits and survival were equivocal. We found a further nine studies in captive-reared populations trained to predator cues and later released into the wild. Training to recognize predator cues was correlated with increased survival in the majority of studies. Finally, different individual intrinsic characteristics (i.e., age, body condition, personality, sex) showed varied effects between studies. We argue that finding ecologically relevant cognitive traits is crucial for gaining a better understanding of how selection impacts certain cognitive traits, and how these might contribute to an individual’s survival. We also suggest possible standardized, easy to implement, cognitive tests that can be used in long-term studies, which would generate large sample sizes, take into account intrinsic characteristics, and provide an opportunity to understand the mechanisms, development and evolution of cognition.
Comprehensive Transcriptome Analysis of Patients With Keratoconus Highlights the Regulation of Immune Responses and Inflammatory Processes
Authors: Sun Xiao , Zhang Hao , Shan Mengyuan , Dong Yi , Zhang Lin , Chen Luxia , Wang Yan
Published: February 2022

Keratoconus (KTCN), characterized by the steeper curvature of the cornea and the thinner central corneal thickness, was a degenerative corneal ectasia with ambiguous etiology and mechanism. We aim to reveal underlying pathological mechanisms of KTCN by multi-level transcriptomic, integrative omics analyses. We performed RNA-sequencing on corneal epithelial samples from seven patients and seven control donors, as well as peripheral matched blood samples from three of the patients and three control donors. After RNA extraction, library construction, and sequencing, differentially expressed genes and splicing events were identified, followed by over-representation analysis. In total, 547 differential expressed genes were identified in KTCN corneal epithelial samples, which were mainly enriched in immune responses and inflammatory processes. WGCNA module analysis, the transcriptomic analysis of peripheral blood samples, multiple omics data, and the meta-analysis of GEO samples confirmed the involvement of immune and inflammatory factors. Besides, 190 and 1,163 aberrant splicing events were identified by rMATS combined with CASH methods in corneal epithelial and blood samples with KCTN. In conclusion, this comprehensive transcriptome analysis of KTCN patients based on patients’ tissue and blood samples uncovered a significant association between immune-inflammatory genes and pathways with KCTN, highlighting the contribution of the perturbed immune signaling to the pathogenesis of KCTN. Our study suggested the importance of measures to control inflammation in the treatment of KCTN.
Comprehensive Analysis of a Zinc Finger Protein Gene–Based Signature with Regard to Prognosis and Tumor Immune Microenvironment in Osteosarcoma
Authors: Sun Xiangran , Zheng Di , Guo Weichun
Published: February 2022

Osteosarcoma is the most common malignant bone tumor that seriously threatens the lives of teenagers and children. Zinc finger (ZNF) protein genes encode the largest transcription factor family in the human genome. Aberrant expressions of ZNF protein genes widely occur in osteosarcoma, and these genes are therefore attractive biomarker candidates for prognosis prediction. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of ZNF protein genes in osteosarcoma and identified prognosis-related ZNF protein genes. Then, we constructed a prognostic signature based on seven prognosis-related ZNF protein genes and stratified patients into high- and low-risk groups. The seven genes included MKRN3, ZNF71, ZNF438, ZNF597, ATMIN, ZNF692, and ZNF525. After validation of the prognostic signature in internal and external cohorts, we constructed a nomogram including clinical features such as sex and age and the relative risk score based on the risk signature. Functional enrichment analysis of the risk-related differentially expressed genes revealed that the prognostic signature was closely associated with immune-related biological processes and signaling pathways. Moreover, we found significant differences between the high- and low-risk groups for the scores of diverse immune cell subpopulations, including CD8+ T cells, neutrophils, Th1 cells, and TILs. Regarding immune function, APC co-inhibition, HLA, inflammation promotion, para-inflammation, T-cell co-inhibition, and the type I IFN response were significantly different between the high- and low-risk groups. Of the seven ZNF protein genes, lower expressions of ATMIN, MKRN3, ZNF71, ZNF438, and ZNF597 were correlated with a high risk, while higher expressions of ZNF525 and ZNF692 were associated with a high risk. The Kaplan–Meier survival analysis suggested that lower expressions of ATMIN, ZNF438, and ZNF597 and the higher expression of ZNF692 were associated with worse overall survival in osteosarcoma. In conclusion, our ZNF protein gene–based signature was a novel and clinically useful prognostic biomarker for osteosarcoma patients.
Discordance in STING-Induced Activation and Cell Death Between Mouse and Human Dendritic Cell Populations
Authors: Pang Ee Shan , Daraj Ghazal , Balka Katherine R. , De Nardo Dominic , Macri Christophe , Hochrein Hubertus , Masterman Kelly-Anne , Tan Peck S. , Shoppee Angus , Magill Zoe , Jahan Nazneen , Bafit Mariam , Zhan Yifan , Kile Benjamin T. , Lawlor Kate E. , Radford Kristen J. , Wright Mark D. , O’Keeffe Meredith
Published: February 2022

Stimulator of Interferon Genes (STING) is a cytosolic sensor of cyclic dinucleotides (CDNs). The activation of dendritic cells (DC)viathe STING pathway, and their subsequent production of type I interferon (IFN) is considered central to eradicating tumours in mouse models. However, this contribution of STING in preclinical murine studies has not translated into positive outcomes of STING agonists in phase I & II clinical trials. We therefore questioned whether a difference in human DC responses could be critical to the lack of STING agonist efficacy in human settings. This study sought to directly compare mouse and human plasmacytoid DCs and conventional DC subset responses upon STING activation. We found all mouse and human DC subsets were potently activated by STING stimulation. As expected, Type I IFNs were produced by both mouse and human plasmacytoid DCs. However, mouse and human plasmacytoid and conventional DCs all produced type III IFNs (i.e., IFN-λs) in response to STING activation. Of particular interest, all human DCs produced large amounts of IFN-λ1, not expressed in the mouse genome. Furthermore, we also found differential cell death responses upon STING activation, observing rapid ablation of mouse, but not human, plasmacytoid DCs. STING-induced cell death in murine plasmacytoid DCs occurred in a cell-intrinsic manner and involved intrinsic apoptosis. These data highlight discordance between STING IFN and cell death responses in mouse and human DCs and caution against extrapolating STING-mediated events in mouse models to equivalent human outcomes.
Helminth and Host Crosstalk: New Insight Into Treatment of Obesity and Its Associated Metabolic Syndromes
Authors: Dai Mengyu , Yang Xiaoying , Yu Yinghua , Pan Wei
Published: February 2022

Obesity and its associated Metabolic Syndromes (Mets) represent a global epidemic health problem. Metabolic inflammation, lipid accumulation and insulin resistance contribute to the progression of these diseases, thereby becoming targets for drug development. Epidemiological data have showed that the rate of helminth infection negatively correlates with the incidence of obesity and Mets. Correspondingly, numerous animal experiments and a few of clinic trials in human demonstrate that helminth infection or its derived molecules can mitigate obesity and Mets via induction of macrophage M2 polarization, inhibition of adipogenesis, promotion of fat browning, and improvement of glucose tolerance, insulin resistance and metabolic inflammation. Interestingly, sporadic studies also uncover that several helminth infections can reshape gut microbiota of hosts, which is intimately implicated in the pathogenesis of obesity and Mets. Overall, these findings indicate that the crosstalk between helminth and hosts may be a novel direction for obesity and Mets therapy. The present article reviews the molecular mechanism of how helminth masters immunity and metabolism in obesity.
Metabolism Characteristics of Th17 and Regulatory T Cells in Autoimmune Diseases
Authors: Qin Yan , Gao Chong , Luo Jing
Published: February 2022

The abnormal number and functional deficiency of immune cells are the pathological basis of various diseases. Recent years, the imbalance of Th17/regulatory T (Treg) cell underlies the occurrence and development of inflammation in autoimmune diseases (AID). Currently, studies have shown that material and energy metabolism is essential for maintaining cell survival and normal functions and the altered metabolic state of immune cells exists in a variety of AID. This review summarizes the biology and functions of Th17 and Treg cells in AID, with emphasis on the advances of the roles and regulatory mechanisms of energy metabolism in activation, differentiation and physiological function of Th17 and Treg cells, which will facilitate to provide targets for the treatment of immune-mediated diseases.
Regulatory T Cells: Angels or Demons in the Pathophysiology of Sepsis?
Authors: Gao Yu-lei , Yao Ying , Zhang Xiang , Chen Fang , Meng Xiang-long , Chen Xin-sen , Wang Chao-lan , Liu Yan-cun , Tian Xin , Shou Song-tao , Chai Yan-fen
Published: February 2022

Sepsis is a syndrome characterized by life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by the dysregulated host response to an infection. Sepsis, especially septic shock and multiple organ dysfunction is a medical emergency associated with high morbidity, high mortality, and prolonged after-effects. Over the past 20 years, regulatory T cells (Tregs) have been a key topic of focus in all stages of sepsis research. Tregs play a controversial role in sepsis based on their heterogeneous characteristics, complex organ/tissue-specific patterns in the host, the multi-dimensional heterogeneous syndrome of sepsis, the different types of pathogenic microbiology, and even different types of laboratory research models and clinical research methods. In the context of sepsis, Tregs may be considered both angels and demons. We propose that the symptoms and signs of sepsis can be attenuated by regulating Tregs. This review summarizes the controversial roles and Treg checkpoints in sepsis.
Simian Immunodeficiency Virus Infection Mediated Changes in Jejunum and Peripheral SARS-CoV-2 Receptor ACE2 and Associated Proteins or Genes in Rhesus Macaques
Authors: Boby Nongthombam , Cao Xuewei , Williams Kelsey , Gadila Shiva Kumar Goud , Shroyer Monica N. , Didier Peter J. , Srivastav Sudesh K. , Das Arpita , Baker Kate , Sha Qiuying , Pahar Bapi
Published: February 2022

Angiotensin converting enzyme-2 (ACE2) and associated proteins play a pivotal role in various physiological and pathological events, such as immune activation, inflammation, gut barrier maintenance, intestinal stem cell proliferation, and apoptosis. Although many of these clinical events are quite significant in SIV/HIV infection, expression profiling of these proteins has not been well reported. Considering the different pathological consequences in the gut after HIV infection, we hypothesized that the expression of ACE2 and associated proteins of the Renin-angiotensin system (RAS) could be compromised after SIV/HIV infection. We quantified the gene expression of ACE2 as well as AGTR1/2, ADAM17, and TMPRSS2, and compared between SIV infected and uninfected rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta; hereafter abbreviated RMs). The gene expression analysis revealed significant downregulation of ACE2 and upregulation of AGTR2 and inflammatory cytokine IL-6 in the gut of infected RMs. Protein expression profiling also revealed significant upregulation of AGTR2 after infection. The expression of ACE2 in protein level was also decreased, but not significantly, after infection. To understand the entirety of the process in newly regenerated epithelial cells, a global transcriptomic study of enteroids raised from intestinal stem cells was performed. Interestingly, most of the genes associated with the RAS, such as DPP4, MME, ANPEP, ACE2, ENPEP, were found to be downregulated in SIV infection. HNFA1 was found to be a key regulator of ACE2 and related protein expression. Jejunum CD4+ T cell depletion and increased IL-6 mRNA, MCP-1 and AGTR2 expression may signal inflammation, monocyte/macrophage accumulation and epithelial apoptosis in accelerating SIV pathogenesis. Overall, the findings in the study suggested a possible impact of SIV/HIV infection on expression of ACE2 and RAS-associated proteins resulting in the loss of gut homeostasis. In the context of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the outcome of SARS-CoV-2 and HIV co-infection remains uncertain and needs further investigation as the significance profile of ACE2, a viral entry receptor for SARS-CoV-2, and its expression in mRNA and protein varied in the current study. There is a concern of aggravated SARS-CoV-2 outcomes due to possible serious pathological events in the gut resulting from compromised expression of RAS- associated proteins in SIV/HIV infection.
Methylome and Transcriptome-Based Integration Analysis Identified Molecular Signatures Associated With Meningitis Induced by Glaesserella parasuis
Authors: Guo Ling , Cheng Hongxing , Fu Shulin , Liu Jun , Zhang Yunfei , Qiu Yinsheng , Chen Hongbo
Published: February 2022

Glaesserella parasuis (G. parasuis) can elicit serious inflammatory responses and cause meningitis in piglets. Previous epigenetic studies have indicated that alterations in host DNA methylation may modify the inflammatory response to bacterial infection. However, to date, genome-wide analysis of the DNA methylome during meningitis caused by G. parasuis infection is still lacking. In this study, we employed an unbiased approach using deep sequencing to profile the DNA methylome and transcriptome from G. parasuis infected porcine brain (cerebrum) and integrated the data to identify key differential methylation regions/sites involved in the regulation of the inflammatory response. Results showed that DNA methylation patterns and gene expression profiles from porcine brain were changed after G. parasuis infection. The majority of the altered DNA methylation regions were found in the intergenic regions and introns and not associated with CpG islands, with only a low percentage occurring at promoter or exon regions. Integrated analysis of the DNA methylome and transcriptome identified a number of inversely and positively correlated genes between DNA methylation and gene expression, following the criteria of |log2FC| > 0.5, |diffMethy| > 0.1, and P < 0.05. Differential expression and methylation of two significant genes, semaphoring 4D (SEMA4D) and von Willebrand factor A domain containing 1 (VWA1), were validated by qRT-PCR and bisulfite sequencing. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses demonstrated that DNA methylation inversely correlated genes in G. parasuis infected porcine brains were mainly involved with cell adhesion molecules (CAMs), bacterial invasion of epithelial cells, RIG-1-like receptor signaling pathways, and hematopoietic cell lineage signaling pathways. In addition, a protein-protein interaction network of differentially methylated genes found potential candidate molecular interactions relevant to the pathology of G. parasuis infection. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first attempt to integrate the DNA methylome and transcriptome data from G. parasuis infected porcine brains. Our findings will help understanding the contribution of genome-wide DNA methylation to the pathogenesis of meningitis in pigs and developing epigenetic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for the treatment of G. parasuis induced meningitis.
Foraging Paths of Breeding Leach’s Storm-Petrels in Relation to Offshore Oil Platforms, Breeding Stage, and Year
Authors: Collins Sydney M. , Hedd April , Fifield David A. , Wilson David R. , Montevecchi William A.
Published: February 2022

The global population of Leach’s Storm-Petrels (Hydrobates leucorhous), the smallest and most abundant breeding seabird species in eastern Canada, has declined substantially in recent decades. The species is listed as “Threatened” by the Committee On the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) and as “Vulnerable” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Fatal attraction to anthropogenic light is a major risk for Leach’s Storm-Petrels and many other nocturnal seabirds. From May to September each year, Leach’s Storm-Petrels in eastern Canada breed in island colonies and travel many hundreds of kilometers to obtain prey for themselves and their chick. At the species’ largest colonies in eastern Newfoundland, brightly illuminated oil production platforms intersect breeding storm-petrels’ foraging paths. The level of risk posed by these platforms is poorly understood. GPS tracking from 2016 to 2021 at one of the world’s largest colonies revealed considerable similarity in foraging trip distance, location, and behavior (inferred from Hidden Markov Models) among years, and a decrease in trip distance and duration between incubation and chick-rearing. Leach’s Storm-Petrels flew within the light catch-basin of an oil platform in 17.5% of trips, and the birds tended to transit rapidly past platforms during the day when light attraction is minimal. Exposure to oil platforms at night occurred in only 1.1% of trips. Despite our findings, Leach’s Storm-Petrels are known to strand on oil platforms in large numbers, especially during the fledging period. In addition, storm-petrels migrate over great distances and are likely exposed to brightly illuminated oceanic oil platforms outside the breeding season. Our results emphasize the need to focus conservation research on risks during migration and winter, and on juveniles and immature birds.