bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Karabağ Problem on Relationship Turkey and Russia
Authors: ALIYEV İsrafil
Published: April 2022

This essay discusses gepolitical changes which happen in Transcaucasia region as a result of the war the between Azerbaijan and Armenia in 2020. The most important ethnic studies which overwhelm the USSR ended since the late 1980’s. As a result, while each of the two republic control their international well accepted land, Karabagh actually is subsisting under the peace force of Russia. The long term ethno-political study has been removed between Azerbaijan and Armenia and Nagarno Karabagh Republic that self proclaimed lost its existence. Russian peace keeping soldiers turned back to this lands for the first time after a period of 30 years. The role of Turkey that have a voice for so long, rallied. The effect of Turkey at the region can confuse (?)with condition in 1920’s. This prestige gave Turkey right to acces in problems of Caucasus without allowing to clash with Russia. The support of Turkey to Azerbaijan at the Karabagh war, didnt allow and balanced the current situation Russia to take any steps to Azerbaijan. The abilities of Putin to "convince" irreconcilable enemies to stop the war and accept the subsequent "peacekeeping intervention" has contributed to a noticeable increase in Russia's authority in the region. Neverthless, it is impossible the role of an independent arbitrator who can solve ‘unsolvable’ problems without strong political, legal, economic, military pozitions at the region. For this reason, the expending of Russian existence in Transcaucasia strategically is a important factor that gain benefit the of Russia. Therefore, it is vital for Moscow that the South Caucasus autherities take into account their political interests.
Education in a Democratic and Multi-Cultural Nigerian State: An Assessment
Authors: NZIADAM Lucky
Published: April 2022

The work highlighted a multicultural approach to ethical issues in school, as Nigerian in its heterogeneous nature and democratic tenets will stand a better position to fight ethnocentrism and racism that often result from ignorance of other people’s and culture. The essence of multicultural education can be seen from the perspective of cultural tolerance and complementarity. By a way of recommendation, the paper made a strong moral case for inclusive disclosure of different ethical viewpoints of different cultures in Nigeria as a democratic society. Such an approach fosters respect for the values and beliefs of other people and respect is generally accepted by most culture as a moral value. All these should be reflected in the school.
Respon Pertumbuhan Bibit Kakao (Theobroma cacao L.) Pada Pemberian Biochar dan MOL.
Authors: Adam Sitti Putri Fitriah Madjidir , Bahrun Andi , Alwi La Ode
Published: April 2022

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengevaluasi pengaruh perlakuan pemberian biochar dan larutan MOL terhadap pertumbuhan bibit tanaman kakao. Penelitian di laksanakan di rumah kaca pada Laboratorium Lapangan Fakultas Pertanian Universitas Halu Oleo Kendari Provinsi Sulawesi Tenggara, pada bulan Juni sampai bulan November tahun 2019. Dengan menggunakan  metode Rancangan Acak Kelompok (RAK) dengan pola faktorial. Faktor pertama adalah Biochar Kulit Buah Kakao (B) yang terdiri dari 3 (tiga) taraf, yaitu tanpa biochar kulit buah kakao (B0), biochar kulit buah kakao 30 g/polybag (B1), biochar kulit buah kakao 60 g/polybag (B2). Sedangkan faktor kedua adalah Mikro Organisme Lokal (MOL) (M) dari bonggol pisang, rebung bambu dan sabut kelapa  yang terdiri dari 3 (tiga) taraf, yaitu tanpa MOL (M0), MOL 40 ml/polybag(M1),  MOL 80 ml/polybag(M2). Setiap perlakuan diulang sebanyak 3 kali, sehingga terdapat 27 unit percobaan. Data hasil pengamatan di alanalisis dengan analisis ragam, di lanjutkan dengan uji UJBD jika terdapat pengaruh nyata. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa interaksi perlakuan biochar dan larutan MOL berpengaruh nyata terhadap pertumbuhan bibit tanaman kakao yang ditunjukkan dengan peningkatan tinggi tanaman, dan berpengaruh sangat nyata terhadap berat basah akar,  berat kering tajuk dan akar serta panjang akar. Interaksi Pemberian perlakuan biochar 30 g/polybag dan larutan MOL 80 ml/polybag mampu meningkatkan pertumbuhan bibit tanaman kakao dibandingkan dengan kontrol.
Pengaruh Pupuk Organik Hayati dan Kultivar terhadap Pertumbuhan dan Produksi Tanaman Padi Gogo (Oryza sativa L.) Lokal Buton Utara
Authors: Arman Arman , Safuan La Ode , Hadini Hamirul
Published: April 2022

Tanaman dapat tumbuh dan berproduksi tinggi sesuai potensi genetiknya jika kondisi lingkungan tumbuhnya sesuai. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengkaji pengaruh interaksi pupuk organik hayati dan kultivar terhadap pertumbuhan dan produksi tanaman padi gogo lokal. Rancangan penelitian yang digunakan yaitu rancangan acak kelompok dalam pola rancangan petak terbagi. Petak utama yaitu pupuk organik hayati terdiri dari tanpa pupuk organik hayati (P0), pupuk organik hayati dosis 5 t.ha-1 (P1), 10 t.ha-1 (P2), 15 t.ha-1 (P3), d a n 20 t.ha-1 (P4). Anak petak yaitu kultivar terdiri dari Kultivar Wakawondu (K1), Wangkariri (K2), dan Wakombe (K3). Variabel yang diamati adalah tinggi tanaman, jumlah daun, jumlah anakan, jumlah anakan produktif, jumlah gabah per malai, bobot 1000 butir dan produktivitas. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa perlakuan dosis pupuk organik hayati dan kultivar yang berbeda menghasilkan pertumbuhan dan produksi tanaman padi gogo lokal Buton Utara yang berbeda. Kultivar Wakawondu menunjukkan pertumbuhan dan produksi tanaman terbaik dibandingkan dengan Kultivar Wangkariri dan Wakombe dan pupuk organik hayati dosis 15 t.ha-1 dan 20 ton ha-1 memberikan pengaruh yang lebih baik terhadap pertumbuhan dan produksi tanaman padi gogo lokal Buton Utara dibandingkan dengan perlakuan lainnya. Kata Kunci: Kultivar wakawondu, padi gogo lokal, pupuk organik hayati
STRATEGI PROMOSI WISATA MAI TE WUNA SEBAGAI DAYA TARIK WISATAWAN DI KABUPATEN MUNA
Authors: Zulzaman Zulzaman , Bahtiar Bahtiar , Marhadi Akhmad
Published: April 2022

Tujuan penelitian adalah untuk menganalisis dan mendeskripsikan strategi promosi Mai Te Wuna sebagai daya tarik wisatawan di Kabupaten Muna.  Teori yang digunakan untuk membaca data adalah pemikiran Stephen K. Sanderson (2003) tentang infrastruktur material. Metode yang digunakan, yaitu metode etnografi Sanderson, dimana data diperoleh melalui observasi dan wawancara, serta melakukan pengamatan mengenai hal-hal yang berkaitan dengan promosi wisata, dan selanjutnnya semua objek penelitian dianalisis secara deskriptif kualitatif. Hasil penelitian mengenai promosi wisata Mai Te Wuna sebagai daya tarik wisatawan di Kabupaten Muna masih fokus pada pembenahan sarana dan prasarana seperti jalan, air bersih, dan penataan lokasi objek wisata. Adapun, untuk menarik simpati para wisatawan dibuatkan promosi wisata melalui TV, radio, website dan media sosial lainnya dan untuk menopang segala pengembangan pembangunan infrastruktur menuju objek wisata yang ada di Kabupaten Muna masih menyesuaikan dengan kebutuhan anggaran daerah yang tersedia. Pembangunan sektor pariwisata yang berkelanjutan akan menyandingkan ekologi masyarakat setempat demi menjaga kultur dan budaya tradisionalnya. Hal ini menjadi sangat penting bagi masyarakat Muna untuk meminimalisir jiwa dan mental masyarakat Muna yang belum sepenuhnya siap menerima kebudayaan asing yang datang secara tiba-tiba. Dengan tetap mempertahankan nilai-nilai budaya, adat dan istiadatnya yang ada akan menjadi benteng pertahanan dari masuknya budaya-budaya luar.Kata Kunci: Promosi Wisata, Mai Te Wuna, Wisatawan, Kabupaten Muna
PENGARUH BEBAN KERJA DAN PENGALAMAN AUDIT TERHADAP KEMAMPUAN AUDITOR MENDETEKSI KECURANGAN PADA INSPEKTORAT PROVINSI SULAWESI TENGGARA
Authors: Anto La Ode , Mustafa Santiadji , Florensia Angela
Published: April 2022

This study aims to examine the influence of workload and audit experience on auditor to detect fraud. The variables in this study consisted of workload and audit experience as independent variables, and the auditor's ability to detect fraud as the dependent variable. The sample in this study was 39 auditors at the Southeast Sulawesi Province Inspectorate. The data collection method uses a questionnaire. Data analysis using descriptive analysis methods and multiple linear analysis The results of this study indicate that: (1) workload partially has a significant influence on auditor to detect fraud, (2) audit experience partially has a significant influence on auditor to detect fraud, and (3) workload and audit experience simultaneously have a significant influence on auditor to detect fraud. In the coefficient of determination R Square value test of 0.518, this shows that the ability of the independent variable is able to explain the dependent variable with a coefficient of determination of 51,8%, while the remaining 48.2% is explained by other variables not examined in this study.
PENGARUH MOTIVASI KERJA, TEAM WORK DAN KOMUNIKASI INTERPERSONAL TERHADAP KINERJA PEGAWAI KESEHATAN DI BIDDOKES POLDA SULTRA
Authors: Zaitun Nanny , Awasinombu Aidin Hudani , Sukotjo Endro , Hastuti Hastuti , Adam La Ode Bahana , Budi Nuryamin
Published: April 2022

The purpose of this research is to know the influence of work motivation, Team Work and Interpersonal communication towards Kinerjai Health officer in the POLDA SULTRA Biddokes. This research approach is to use explanatory research. Data collection is done Cross Sectional Study by using instrument in the form of poll. The population of this study was all the officers of the POLDA Sultra Biddokes with a total of 196 people. The samples in this study numbered 66 people based on the sample formula. The analysis equipment used is regression analysis.The results showed that work motivation, Team Work and Interpersonal communication have positive and significant effect on improving the performance of the Biddokkes POLICE officer Sultra. Based on test results of multiple linear regression analyses, regression coefficient, correlation coefficient, coefficient of determination, and regression partial (t). Thus it can be concluded that the work motivation, Teamwork and Interpersonal communication contributed positively and significantly to the performance of POLICE Biddokkes Sultra.
PENGARUH KECUKUPAN MODAL DAN EFISIENSI OPERASIONAL TERHADAP PROFITABILITAS PADA PERBANKAN UMUM SYARIAH DI INDONESIA
Authors: Hasmirati Hasmirati , Akuba Alfin
Published: April 2022

This study aims to determine and analyze how much influence capital adequacy, and operational efficiency both simultaneously and partially on profitability. This research is a quantitative study, using ratio analysis. The method of analysis uses multiple linear regression. The results showed that capital adequacy and operational efficiency simultaneously had no significant effect on profitability in Islamic general banking in Indonesia. Capital adequacy partially did not have a significant effect on profitability. Operational efficiency partially does not have a significant effect on profitability.
Expectations regarding aging among ethnically diverse undergraduates in Japan: a life course perspective on anticipated health and meaning in later life
Authors: Annear Michael , Kidokoro Tetsuhiro , Shimizu Yasuo
Published: April 2022

This study explored expectations regarding aging among a diverse cohort of undergraduates in Japan. A concurrent mixed methods design was employed with online administration of the Expectations Regarding Aging scale (ERA-12), and open-format and demographic questions among 133 culturally diverse undergraduates in Tokyo. Independent samples t-tests, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), descriptive sta­tistics, and thematic analysis were used to explore the data. ERA-12 scores and physical and cognitive function subscale results revealed negative perceptions about the aging process, while scores on the mental health subscale were significantly higher and positive. No significant differences emerged based on gender or cultural background. Qualitative data anal­ysis revealed student awareness of lifestyle influences on health in later life, concerns about current health and risk factors, and potential to tran­scend negative physical changes by finding meaning in other aspects of life. Understanding expectations regarding aging among younger cohorts may inform gerontological education and public health promotion to sup­port a life course approach to healthy aging.
Properties of Foods That Impact Appetite Regulation in Cats
Authors: Bosch Guido , Gilbert Myrthe , Beerda Bonne
Published: April 2022

Overweight and obesity are common in global pet cat populations which makes it important to understand how properties of food affect appetite (food motivation). In four experiments, we studied this by using a model of operant conditioning for assessing appetite in which cats could press a lever for food rewards. There was no effect of protein status on motivation for protein, when evaluated in a cross-over design with cats receiving low protein (LP) or high protein (HP) foods for 14 days. Cats obtained similar numbers of HP and LP rewards, irrespective of whether their daily food was HP or LP (mixed-effects model, P = 0.550 for food × reward, P = 0.151 for reward). High dietary protein reduced food motivation when we regressed protein levels in 12 commercial foods (12.0 to 27.4 g crude protein/MJ metabolizable energy; P = 0.022) fed for 2 days and tested at 5 h postprandially on the third day whereas fiber levels were without effect (3.8 to 17.8 g non-starch polysaccharides/MJ; P = 0.992). Dietary fiber may reduce appetite depending on its physicochemical properties and we tested the effect of a gelling fiber (alginate), viscous fiber (psyllium) and a fermentable fiber (inulin). Cats received test foods as well as control foods for 3 days and were tested on the third day at 3 h (alginate), 5 h (psyllium) or 8 h (inulin) postprandially. Enriching the food with alginate (P = 0.379) or psyllium (P = 0.153) did not affect the number of rewards obtained, but the feeding of the inulin-enriched food did make the cats obtain fewer rewards than when they received the control food (P = 0.001). Finally, cooking or grinding of dietary meat increased the number of rewards obtained by cats, on day 3 at 3 h postprandial, without evidence for additive effects of these treatments (P = 0.014 for grinding × cooking). This study shows that dietary content of protein or fiber, and the grinding or cooking of meat, all affect appetite in cats as expected, though some predicted effects remained undetected and clearly details regarding food properties matter. These and future findings can guide the designing of foods that promote satiety and prevent over-eating in meal-fed cats.
Meeting in the Middle: Towards Successful Multidisciplinary Bioimage Analysis Collaboration
Authors: Schlaeppi Anjalie , Adams Wilson , Haase Robert , Huisken Jan , MacDonald Ryan B. , Eliceiri Kevin W. , Kugler Elisabeth C.
Published: April 2022

With an increase in subject knowledge expertise required to solve specific biological questions, experts from different fields need to collaborate to address increasingly complex issues. To successfully collaborate, everyone involved in the collaboration must take steps to “meet in the middle.” We thus present a guide on truly cross-disciplinary work using bioimage analysis as a showcase, where it is required that the expertise of biologists, microscopists, data analysts, clinicians, engineers, and physicists meet. We discuss considerations and best practices from the perspective of both users and technology developers, while offering suggestions for working together productively and how this can be supported by institutes and funders. Although this guide uses bioimage analysis as an example, the guiding principles of these perspectives are widely applicable to other cross-disciplinary work.
Biomechanical Evaluation of Decellularized and Crosslinked Corneal Implants Manufactured From Porcine Corneas as a Treatment Option for Advanced Keratoconus
Authors: Wilson Abby , Jones John , Marshall John
Published: April 2022

Currently corneal transplantation is the main treatment for late-stage keratoconus; however, transplantation procedures are accompanied by significant risk of post-surgical complications; this in addition to supply limitations imposed by a worldwide shortage of human donor corneas, has driven the development of alternative therapies. One such therapy is the use of corneal implants derived from porcine corneas (Xenia®, Gebauer Medizintechnik GmbH, Neuhausen, DE). In contrast to human donor tissue, these implants can be produced on demand and due to the processes used pose no risks for host-immune rejection. Their use has already been demonstrated clinically in patients for preventing the progression of topographic changes in keratoconus whilst improving visual acuity. The implants are derived from natural tissue and not standardised synthetic material, whilst this likely reduces the risk of issues with bio-incompatibility, there is inevitably variability in their intrinsic mechanical properties which requires investigation. Here, speckle interferometry is employed to examine the biomechanical properties, in response to physiologically representative forces, of native porcine corneal tissue prior to processing and after a proprietary 4-stage process involving decellularization, washing, compression and crosslinking. The control lenticules had an average Young’s modulus (E) of 11.11 MPa (range 8.39–13.41 MPa), following processing average E of the lenticules increased by 127% over that of the unprocessed tissue to 25.23 MPa (range 18.32–32.9 MPa). The variability in E of the lenticules increased significantly after processing suggesting variability in the propensity of the native tissue to processing. In summary, it is possible to produce thin (<90 µm) lenticules from porcine corneas with enhanced stiffness that are effective for treating late-stage keratoconus. Due to the observed variability in the responses of lenticules to processing, interferometry could be a useful technique for ensuring quality control in commercial production via biomechanical screening.
The Emergence of Genome Editing—Innovation Network Dynamics of Academic Publications, Patents, and Business Activities
Authors: Laibach Natalie , Bröring Stefanie
Published: April 2022

Transformative societal change can both be triggered and influenced by both macro-level political means and the emergence of technologies. Key enabling technologies and therein biotechnology hold the power to drive those changes forward, evolving from breakthrough academic discoveries into business activities. Due to its increasing empirical relevance, we picked genome editing as an example for an emerging technology and extracted publication, patent, and company data from the years 2000 to 2020. By drawing upon social network analysis, we identify major networks and clusters that are dominating the respective time and layer. Based on these networks, we draw vertical connections between scientific knowledge, patented technologies, and business activities to visualize the interlevel relationships between actors through technological development. Thereby, we identify network dynamics of the emergence of genome editing, the most important actors and clusters evolving, and its spread into different areas.
Characterization of D-Allulose-3-Epimerase From Ruminiclostridium papyrosolvens and Immobilization Within Metal-Organic Frameworks
Authors: Yang Jiaming , Fan Dexun , Zhao Fengguang , Lin Ying , Zheng Suiping , Han Shuangyan
Published: April 2022

D-allulose is one sort of C-3 epimer of D-fructose with the low calorie (0.4 kcal/g) and high sweetness (70% of the relative sweetness of sucrose), which can be biosynthesized by D-allulose-3-epimerase (DAE). In this work, we report the characterization of a novel DAE from Ruminiclostridium papyrosolvens (RpDAE) by genome mining approach. The activity of RpDAE reached maximum at pH 7.5 and 60°C, supplemented with 1 mM Co2+. Using D-fructose (500 g/L) as the substrate for epimerization reaction, RpDAE produced D-allulose (149.5 g/L). In addition, RpDAE was immobilized within the microporous zeolite imidazolate framework, ZIF67, by in situ encapsulation at room temperature. The synthesized bio-composites were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. RpDAE-ZIF67 maintained 56% of residual activity after five reaction cycles. This study provides helpful guidance for further engineering applications and industrial production of D-allulose.
MFN2 Deficiency Impairs Mitochondrial Functions and PPAR Pathway During Spermatogenesis and Meiosis in Mice
Authors: Wang Tianren , Xiao Yuan , Hu Zhe , Gu Jingkai , Hua Renwu , Hai Zhuo , Chen Xueli , Zhang Jian V. , Yu Zhiying , Wu Ting , Yeung William S. B. , Liu Kui , Guo Chenxi
Published: April 2022

Mitochondria are highly dynamic organelles and their activity is known to be regulated by changes in morphology via fusion and fission events. However, the role of mitochondrial dynamics on cellular differentiation remains largely unknown. Here, we explored the molecular mechanism of mitochondrial fusion during spermatogenesis by generating an Mfn2 (mitofusin 2) conditional knock-out (cKO) mouse model. We found that depletion of MFN2 in male germ cells led to disrupted spermatogenesis and meiosis during which the majority of Mfn2 cKO spermatocytes did not develop to the pachytene stage. We showed that in these Mfn2 cKO spermatocytes, oxidative phosphorylation in the mitochondria was affected. In addition, RNA-Seq analysis showed that there was a significantly altered transcriptome profile in the Mfn2 deficient pachytene (or pachytene-like) spermatocytes, with a total of 262 genes up-regulated and 728 genes down-regulated, compared with wild-type (control) mice. Pathway enrichment analysis indicated that the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) pathway was altered, and subsequent more detailed analysis showed that the expression of PPAR α and PPAR γ was up-regulated and down-regulated, respectively, in the MFN2 deficient pachytene (or pachytene-like) spermatocytes. We also demonstrated that there were more lipid droplets in the Mfn2 cKO cells than in the control cells. In conclusion, our study demonstrates a novel finding that MFN2 deficiency negatively affects mitochondrial functions and alters PPAR pathway together with lipid metabolism during spermatogenesis and meiosis.
Functions of Stress-Induced Lipid Droplets in the Nervous System
Authors: Islimye Eva , Girard Victor , Gould Alex P.
Published: April 2022

Lipid droplets are highly dynamic intracellular organelles that store neutral lipids such as cholesteryl esters and triacylglycerols. They have recently emerged as key stress response components in many different cell types. Lipid droplets in the nervous system are mostly observed in vivo in glia, ependymal cells and microglia. They tend to become more numerous in these cell types and can also form in neurons as a consequence of ageing or stresses involving redox imbalance and lipotoxicity. Abundant lipid droplets are also a characteristic feature of several neurodegenerative diseases. In this minireview, we take a cell-type perspective on recent advances in our understanding of lipid droplet metabolism in glia, neurons and neural stem cells during health and disease. We highlight that a given lipid droplet subfunction, such as triacylglycerol lipolysis, can be physiologically beneficial or harmful to the functions of the nervous system depending upon cellular context. The mechanistic understanding of context-dependent lipid droplet functions in the nervous system is progressing apace, aided by new technologies for probing the lipid droplet proteome and lipidome with single-cell type precision.
Asymmetric Dissociative Tunneling Ionization of Tetrafluoromethane in ω − 2ω Intense Laser Fields
Authors: Hasegawa Hiroka , Walmsley Tiffany , Matsuda Akitaka , Morishita Toru , Madsen Lars Bojer , Jensen Frank , Tolstikhin Oleg I. , Hishikawa Akiyoshi
Published: April 2022

Dissociative ionization of tetrafluoromethane (CF4) in linearly polarized ω-2ω ultrashort intense laser fields (1.4 × 1014 W/cm2, 800 and 400 nm) has been investigated by three-dimensional momentum ion imaging. The spatial distribution of CF3+ produced by CF4 → CF3+ + F + e− exhibited a clear asymmetry with respect to the laser polarization direction. The degree of the asymmetry varies by the relative phase of the ω and 2ω laser fields, showing that 1) the breaking of the four equivalent C-F bonds can be manipulated by the laser pulse shape and 2) the C-F bond directed along the larger amplitude side of the ω-2ω electric fields tends to be broken. Weak-field asymptotic theory (WFAT) shows that the tunneling ionization from the 4t2 second highest-occupied molecular orbital (HOMO-1) surpasses that from the 1t1 HOMO. This predicts the enhancement of the tunneling ionization with electric fields pointing from F to C, in the direction opposite to that observed for the asymmetric fragment ejection. Possible mechanisms involved in the asymmetric dissociative ionization, such as post-ionization interactions, are discussed.
Changes in Protonation Sites of 3-Styryl Derivatives of 7-(dialkylamino)-aza-coumarin Dyes Induced by Cucurbit[7]uril
Authors: Alcázar Jackson J. , Márquez Edgar , García-Río Luis , Robles-Muñoz Agustín , Fierro Angélica , Santos José G. , Aliaga Margarita E.
Published: April 2022

The incorporation of a guest, with different basic sites, into an organized system (host), such as macrocycles, could stabilize, detect, or promote the formation of a certain protomer. In this context, this work aimed to study the influence of cucurbit[7]uril (CB7) on dyes such as 7-(dimethylamino)-aza-coumarins, which have more than one basic site along their molecular structure. For this, three 3-styryl derivatives of 7-(dialkylamino)-aza-coumarin dyes (SAC1-3) were synthesized and characterized by NMR, ESI-HRMS and IR. The spectral behaviour of the SACs in the absence and presence of CB7 was studied. The results showed large shifts in the UV-vis spectrum in acid medium: a hypsochromic shift of ≈5400 cm−1 (SAC1-2) and ≈3500 cm−1 (SAC3) in the absence of CB7 and a bathochromic shift of ≈4500 cm−1 (SAC1-3) in the presence of CB7. The new absorptions at long and short wavelengths were assigned to the corresponding protomers by computational calculations at the density functional theory (DFT) level. Additionally, the binding mode was corroborated by molecular dynamics simulations. Findings revealed that in the presence of CB7 the heterocyclic nitrogen was preferably protonated instead of the dialkylamino group. Namely, CB7 induces a change in the protonation preference at the basic sites of the SACs, as consequence of the molecular recognition by the macrocycle.
Computational Modelling of the Interactions Between Polyoxometalates and Biological Systems
Authors: Gil Adrià , Carbó Jorge J.
Published: April 2022

Polyoxometalates (POMs) structures have raised considerable interest for the last years in their application to biological processes and medicine. Within this area, our mini-review shows that computational modelling is an emerging tool, which can play an important role in understanding the interaction of POMs with biological systems and the mechanisms responsible of their activity, otherwise difficult to achieve experimentally. During recent years, computational studies have mainly focused on the analysis of POM binding to proteins and other systems such as lipid bilayers and nucleic acids, and on the characterization of reaction mechanisms of POMs acting as artificial metalloproteases and phosphoesterases. From early docking studies locating binding sites, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations have allowed to characterize the nature of POM···protein interactions, and to evaluate the effect of the charge, size, and shape of the POM on protein affinity, including also, the atomistic description of chaotropic character of POM anions. Although these studies rely on the interaction with proteins and nucleic acid models, the results could be extrapolated to other biomolecules such as carbohydrates, triglycerides, steroids, terpenes, etc. Combining MD simulations with quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) methods and DFT calculations on cluster models, computational studies are starting to shed light on the factors governing the activity and selectivity for the hydrolysis of peptide and phosphoester bonds catalysed by POMs.
Recent Advances in Transition-Metal Based Nanomaterials for Noninvasive Oncology Thermal Ablation and Imaging Diagnosis
Authors: Peng Qiuxia , Qian Zhangbo , Gao Huali , Zhang Kun
Published: April 2022

With the developments of nanobiotechnology and nanomedicine, non-invasive thermal ablation with fewer side effects than traditional tumor treatment methods has received extensive attention in tumor treatment. Non-invasive thermal ablation has the advantages of non-invasiveness and fewer side effects compared with traditional treatment methods. However, the clinical efficiency and biological safety are low, which limits their clinical application. Transition-metal based nanomaterials as contrast agents have aroused increasing interest due to its unique optical properties, low toxicity, and high potentials in tumor diagnosis. Transition-metal based nanomaterials have high conversion efficiency of converting light energy into heat energy, good near-infrared absorption characteristics, which also can targetedly deliver those loaded drugs to tumor tissue, thereby improving the therapeutic effect and reducing the damage to the surrounding normal tissues and organs. This article mainly reviews the synthesis of transition-metal based nanomaterials in recent years, and discussed their applications in tumor thermal ablation and diagnosis, hopefully guiding the development of new transition metal-based nanomaterials in enhancing thermal ablation.
Three Kinds of Rising-Falling Contours in German wh-Questions: Evidence From Form and Function
Authors: Zahner-Ritter Katharina , Einfeldt Marieke , Wochner Daniela , James Angela , Dehé Nicole , Braun Bettina
Published: April 2022

The intonational realization of utterances is generally characterized by regional as well as inter- and intra-speaker variability in f0. Category boundaries thus remain “fuzzy” and it is non-trivial how the (continuous) acoustic space maps onto (discrete) pitch accent categories. We focus on three types of rising-falling contours, which differ in the alignment of L(ow) and H(igh) tones with respect to the stressed syllable. Most of the intonational systems on German have described two rising accent categories, e.g., L+H*and L*+H in the German ToBI system. L+H*has a high-pitched stressed syllable and a low leading tone aligned in the pre-tonic syllable; L*+H a low-pitched stressed syllable and a high trailing tone in the post-tonic syllable. There are indications for the existence of a third category which lies between these two categories, with both L and H aligned within the stressed syllable, henceforth termed (LH)*. In the present paper, we empirically investigate the distinctiveness of three rising-falling contours [L+H*, (LH)*, and L*+H, all with a subsequent low boundary tone] in Germanwh-questions. We employ an approach that addresses both theformand thefunctionof the contours, also takingregional variationinto account. In Experiment 1 (form), we used a delayed imitation paradigm to test whether Northern and Southern German speakers can imitate the three rising-falling contours inwh-questions as distinct contours. In Experiment 2 (function), we used a free association task to investigate whether listeners interpret the pragmatic meaning of the three contours differently. Imitation results showed that German speakers—both from the North and the South—reproduced the three contours. There was a small but significant effect of regional variety such that contours produced by speakers from the North were slightly more distinct than those by speakers from the South. In the association task, listeners from both varieties attributed distinct meanings to the (LH)*accent as opposed to the two ToBI accents L+H*and L*+H. Combined evidence fromformandfunctionsuggests that three distinct contours can be found in the acoustic and perceptual space of German rising-falling contours.
Increasing Arctic Tundra Flooding Threatens Wildlife Habitat and Survival: Impacts on the Critically Endangered Siberian Crane (Grus leucogeranus)
Authors: Haverkamp Paul J. , Bysykatova-Harmey Inga , Germogenov Nikolai , Schaepman-Strub Gabriela
Published: April 2022

Climate change is causing Arctic temperatures to increase at least twice as fast as the planet on average. Temperature and precipitation are predicted to continue increasing, such that flooding might become more prevalent in the new Arctic. Increased flooding frequency and extreme flooding events may pose new threats to Arctic biodiversity through habitat disturbance and decreased survival. We used the Siberian crane (Grus leucogeranus) as a model organism to investigate how flooding influences nesting habitat availability and juvenile counts. When spring flooding destroys eggs, adults either do not raise any chicks or have reduced time to prepare them for their long migration to China, thus years with extensive flooding could negatively impact future crane generations. We used nest site observation data from 14 surveys between 1995 and 2019, habitat mapping based on Landsat 8 imagery, and species distribution modeling to predict Siberian crane potential nesting habitat. Nesting habitat loss due to extreme flooding was calculated by overlaying this potential nesting habitat with Global Surface Water data. The percent of potential flooded nest sites varied between 6.7–55% across years, with a significant increase between 2001 and 2018. Extreme flood events, as experienced in 2017 and 2018, eliminated almost half of the potential nesting habitat. Importantly, we found that the percentage of flooded nest sites across years was negatively correlated with the number of observed juveniles. The Arctic lowlands are exposed to seasonal water level fluctuations that species have evolved with and adapted to. Siberian cranes and other species depending on Arctic ecosystems are expected to continue adapting to changing flood conditions, but extreme flood events further threaten the long-term survival of critically endangered species. It is imperative to assess how ecosystems and species respond to climatic extremes to support Arctic conservation strategies.
Power Allocation for Remote Estimation Over Known and Unknown Gilbert-Elliott Channels
Authors: Farjam Tahmoores , Charalambous Themistoklis
Published: April 2022

In this paper, we consider the problem of power scheduling of a sensor that transmits over a (possibly) unknown Gilbert-Elliott (GE) channel for remote state estimation. The sensor supports two power modes, namely low power, and high power. The scheduling policy determines when to use low power or high power for data transmission over a fading channel with temporal correlation while satisfying the energy constraints. Although error-free acknowledgement/negative-acknowledgement (ACK/NACK) signals are provided by the remote estimator, they only provide meaningful information about the underlying channel state when low power is utilized. This leads to a partially observable Markov decision process (POMDP) problem and we derive conditions that preserve the optimality of a stationary schedule derived for its fully observable counterpart. However, implementing this schedule requires knowledge of the parameters of the GE model which are not available in practice. To address this, we adopt a Bayesian framework to learn these parameters online and propose an algorithm that is shown to satisfy the energy constraint while achieving near-optimal performance via simulation.
Performance of Multiparametric Models in Patients With Brugada Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Wei Hui-ting , Liu Wei , Ma Yue-Rong , Chen Shi
Published: April 2022

Background

Multiparametric models have shown better risk stratification in Brugada syndrome. Recently, these models have been validated in different populations.

Aims

To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of the predictive performance of three validated multiparametric models (Delise model, Sieria model, and Shanghai score).

Methods

We searched PubMed, Embase, MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Ovid for studies validating the risk multiparametric model. A Sieria score > 2 and Shanghai score ≥ 4 were considered to indicate higher risk. Performance estimates were summarized using a random-effects model.

Results

Seven studies were included, with sample sizes of 111–1,613. The follow-up duration was 3.3–10.18 years. The Sieria model had a pooled area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, and specificity of 0.71 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.67–0.75], 57% (95% CI: 35–76), and 71% (95% CI: 62–79), respectively. The Shanghai score had an AUC of 0.63–0.71, 68.97–90.67% sensitivity, and 43.53–63.43% specificity. The AUC of the Delise model was 0.77–0.87; however, the optimal cut-off was not identified.

Conclusions

The three models exhibited moderate discriminatory ability for Brugada syndrome. The Sieria model has poor sensitivity and moderate specificity, whereas the Shanghai score has poor specificity and moderate sensitivity.
Systematic Bioinformatics Analysis Based on Public and Second-Generation Sequencing Transcriptome Data: A Study on the Diagnostic Value and Potential Mechanisms of Immune-Related Genes in Acute Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Tan Xiaobing , Dai Qingli , Sun Huang , Jiang Wenqing , Lu Si , Wang Ruxian , Lv Meirong , Sun Xianfeng , Lv Naying , Dai Qingyuan
Published: April 2022

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is one of the most serious cardiovascular diseases worldwide. Advances in genomics have provided new ideas for the development of novel molecular biomarkers of potential clinical value for AMI.

Methods

Based on microarray data from a public database, differential analysis and functional enrichment analysis were performed to identify aberrantly expressed genes in AMI and their potential functions. CIBERSORT was used for immune landscape analysis. We also obtained whole blood samples of 3 patients with AMI and performed second-generation sequencing (SGS) analysis. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) and cross-tabulation analysis identified AMI-related key genes. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to assess the diagnostic power of key genes. Single-gene gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) revealed the molecular mechanisms of diagnostic indicators.

Results

A total of 53 AMI-related DEGs from a public database were obtained and found to be involved in immune cell activation, immune response regulation, and cardiac developmental processes. CIBERSORT confirmed that the immune microenvironment was altered between AMI and normal samples. A total of 77 hub genes were identified by WGCNA, and 754 DEGs were obtained from own SGS data. Seven diagnostic indicators of AMI were obtained, namely GZMA, NKG7, TBX21, TGFBR3, SMAD7, KLRC4, and KLRD1. The single-gene GSEA suggested that the diagnostic indicators seemed to be closely implicated in cell cycle, immune response, cardiac developmental, and functional regulatory processes.

Conclusion

The present study provides new diagnostic indicators for AMI and further confirms the feasibility of the results of genome-wide gene expression analysis.
Development and Validation of a Novel Nomogram to Predict Improved Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction in Patients With Heart Failure After Successful Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for Chronic Total Occlusion
Authors: Yang Lulu , Li Huan , Guo Guangli , Du Jiaqi , Hao Zhengyang , Kong Lingyao , Shi Huiting , Wang Xiaofang , Zhang Yanzhou
Published: April 2022

Background

Heart failure with improved left ventricular ejection fraction (HFiEF) is linked to a good clinical outcome. The purpose of this study was to create an easy-to-use model to predict the occurrence of HFiEF in patients with heart failure (HF), 1 year after successful percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for chronic total occlusion (CTO) (CTO PCI).

Methods

Patients diagnosed with HF who successfully underwent CTO PCI between January 2016 and August 2019 were included. To mitigate the effect of residual stenosis on left ventricular (LV) function, we excluded patients with severe residual stenosis, as quantitatively measured by a residual synergy between PCI with Taxus and Cardiac Surgery score (rSS) of >8. We gathered demographic data, medical history, angiographic and procedural characteristics, echocardiographic parameters, laboratory results, and medication information. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) and multivariate logistic regression models were used to identify predictors of HFiEF 1 year after CTO revascularization. A nomogram was established and validated according to the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and calibration curves. Internal validation was performed using bootstrap resampling.

Results

A total of 465 patients were finally included in this study, and 165 (35.5%) patients experienced HFiEF 1 year after successful CTO PCI. According to the LASSO regression and multivariate logistic regression analyses, four variables were selected for the final prediction model: age [odds ratio (OR): 0.969; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.952–0.988; p = 0.001], previous myocardial infarction (OR: 0.533; 95% CI: 0.357–0.796; p = 0.002), left ventricular end-diastolic dimension (OR: 0.940; 95% CI: 0.910–0.972; p < 0.001), and sodium glucose cotransporter two inhibitors (OR: 5.634; 95% CI: 1.756–18.080; p = 0.004). A nomogram was constructed to present the results. The C-index of the model was 0.666 (95% CI, 0.613–0.719) and 0.656 after validation. The calibration curve demonstrated that the nomogram agreed with the actual observations.

Conclusions

We developed an simple and effective nomogram for predicting the occurrence of HFiEF in patients with HF, 1 year after successful CTO PCI without severe residual stenosis.
Adiposity-Related Predictors of Vascular Aging From a Life Course Perspective–Findings From the Helsinki Birth Cohort Study
Authors: Eriksson Johan G. , Salonen Minna K. , von Bonsdorff Mikaela B. , Wasenius Niko , Kajantie Eero , Kautiainen Hannu , Mikkola Tuija M.
Published: April 2022

The main objective of this study was to study predictors of vascular health with focus on adiposity-related factors. Glucose metabolism, blood lipids, inflammatory markers and body composition were assessed 15 years before assessment of vascular health which was assessed with pulse wave velocity (PWV) in 660 subjects born 1934–44. In a univariate analysis in women the strongest association with PWV was seen for age, systolic blood pressure, dysglycemia, dyslipidemia, inflammatory markers and body fat percentage measured in late midlife and PWV measured 15 years later. In men age, body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure, dysglycemia, and body fat percentage in late midlife were associated with PWV. One novel finding was that adiposity-related factors were strong predictors of vascular health, something not fully encapsulated in BMI, lean body mass or body fat percentage alone. A higher fat mass index was associated with worse vascular health, which was not ameliorated by a higher lean mass index. Our findings stress the importance to study body composition and fat and lean body mass simultaneously because of their close interaction with each other also in relation to vascular health.
Predictive Modeling of Mental Illness Onset Using Wearable Devices and Medical Examination Data: Machine Learning Approach
Authors: Saito Tomoki , Suzuki Hikaru , Kishi Akifumi
Published: April 2022

The prevention and treatment of mental illness is a serious social issue. Prediction and intervention, however, have been difficult because of lack of objective biomarkers for mental illness. The objective of this study was to use biometric data acquired from wearable devices as well as medical examination data to build a predictive model that can contribute to the prevention of the onset of mental illness. This was an observational study of 4,612 subjects from the health database of society-managed health insurance in Japan provided by JMDC Inc. The inputs to the predictive model were 3-months of continuous wearable data and medical examinations within and near that period; the output was the presence or absence of mental illness over the following month, as defined by insurance claims data. The features relating to the wearable data were sleep, activity, and resting heart rate, measured by a consumer-grade wearable device (specifically, Fitbit). The predictive model was built using the XGBoost algorithm and presented an area-under-the-receiver-operating-characteristic curve of 0.712 (SD = 0.02, a repeated stratified group 10-fold cross validation). The top-ranking feature importance measure was wearable data, and its importance was higher than the blood-test values from medical examinations. Detailed verification of the model showed that predictions were made based on disrupted sleep rhythms, mild physical activity duration, alcohol use, and medical examination data on disrupted eating habits as risk factors. In summary, the predictive model showed useful accuracy for grouping the risk of mental illness onset, suggesting the potential of predictive detection, and preventive intervention using wearable devices. Sleep abnormalities in particular were detected as wearable data 3 months prior to mental illness onset, and the possibility of early intervention targeting the stabilization of sleep as an effective measure for mental illness onset was shown.
Asian Summer Monsoon Changes Inferred From a Stalagmite δ18O Record in Central China During the Last Glacial Period
Authors: Chen Qingmin , Cheng Xing , Cai Yanjun , Luo Qianzhou , Zhang Junliang , Tang Li , Hu Yi , Ren Juangang , Wang Peng , Wang Yan , Zhang Yu , Xue Gang , Zhou Jie , Cheng Hai , Edwards R. Lawrence , Hong Zenglin
Published: April 2022

The reconstruction of Asian summer monsoon (ASM) changes during the last glacial period is of great significance for better understanding monsoon dynamics. The phase relationship between the Indian summer monsoon (ISM) and East Asian summer monsoon (EASM) subsystems on different timescales is still unclear. The comparative analysis of speleothem records in the ISM region, EASM region, and central China helps to clarify the relationship between the ISM and EASM. Based on the well-dated isotope records of stalagmite DDH-B15 from the Didonghe (DDH) Cave in Hanzhong, Shaanxi, we reconstructed ASM changes during the past 34–13 thousand years before the present (kyr BP). The small average error (61 years) of 18 uranium-series ages enables a precise comparison of the stalagmite δ18O record with other well-dated records from the orbital to the millennial timescales. The δ18O signal of the DDH-B15 stalagmite is controlled by changes of the low latitude northern hemisphere summer insolation (NHSI) on the orbital timescale. It records cold Heinrich Stadial (HS) and Dansgaard–Oeschger (DO) cycles which are originated from the northern high latitude on the millennial time scale. The δ18O changes of stalagmites from the three regions are similar on the millennial and centennial timescales. But on the orbital-suborbital timescale, stalagmite δ18O changes during the last glacial cycle have different characteristics. The stalagmite δ18O values in eastern China became gradually negative, and the stalagmite δ18O values in the Indian monsoon domain showed a increasing trend, but the stalagmite δ18O values in Central China adopted an intermediate state between the EASM and ISM. Then we argued that the δ18O value of stalagmites in Central China is a mixed signal of the ISM and EASM, which indicates a change of the water vapor source as an important influence on the Chinese stalagmite δ18O record.