bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Studies on Pollen Morphology, Pollen Vitality and Preservation Methods of Gleditsia sinensis Lam. (Fabaceae)
Authors: Liu Qiao , Yang Ju , Wang Xiurong , Zhao Yang
Published: January 2023

Gleditsia sinensis Lam. (Fabaceae) is an endemic species in China, which has a wide range of ecological functions and high economic value. G. sinensis belongs to androdioecy, and the stamens of perfect flowers are aborted, meaning that a perfect flower is a functional female flower. Understanding the dynamic process of flowering and the characteristics of pollen morphology effectively determine the viability of pollen vitality, and the suitable conditions for short-term storage of pollen can provide theoretical basis and technical reference for hybrid breeding and germplasm conservation of G. sinensis. In this study, the male plants of G. sinensis in Guiyang area were used as research materials. The flowering dynamic process of male flowers was recorded through field observation. The morphology of pollen was observed and analyzed with a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The germination characteristics of pollen were studied with an in vitro germination method, and the pollen vitality was also determined using four staining methods. The effects of different storage temperatures and water contents on pollen germination rate were discussed. The results showed that the male flowers of G. sinensis had a short, single flowering period, lasting 2–3 days from the opening to the shedding. The dynamic opening process of a single flower was artificially divided into five stages. Pollen grains of G. sinensis are oblate spheroidal, tricolporate with equatorial elongated endoapertures and the sporoderm surface is reticulate. The MTT (Thiazolyl Blue Tetrazolium Bromide) staining method could accurately and quickly determine the pollen vitality of G. sinensis. The highest pollen germination rate was 65.89% ± 3.41%, and the length of the pollen tube was 3.96 mm after cultured in 15% sucrose + 100 mg/L boric acid + 20 mg/L calcium chloride for 24 h. It was necessary to collect the pollen at the big bud stage, which was conducive to improving the efficiency of pollen collection because the pollen had been mature with high pollen vitality at this stage. When it came to pollen preservation, the pollen germination rate was significantly affected by storage time, storage temperature and pollen water content. The pollen still had high vitality after being stored at −80 °C for 30 days when the moisture content of the pollen decreased to 9%, and the pollen germination rate only decreased by 28.84% compared with that before storage. In conclusion, this study has comprehensively and systematically studied the morphology, vitality determination and preservation methods of the pollen of G. sinensis, providing a theoretical basis for the cross regional breeding and the conservation and utilization of germplasm resources.
Distinct Responses of European Beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) to Drought Intensity and Length—A Review of the Impacts of the 2003 and 2018–2019 Drought Events in Central Europe
Authors: Rukh Shah , Sanders Tanja G. M. , Krüger Inken , Schad Tobias , Bolte Andreas
Published: January 2023

A combined severe heatwave and drought, starting in 2018 and lasting for several months, restarted the discussion on the resistance of European beech to climatic changes, with severe growth reductions, early leaf senescence, leaf browning, and diebacks reported across Central Europe. These responses may result in long-term impacts such as reduced vitality of beech, especially under potential future drought periods. While the 2003 drought caused severe crown damage and defoliation and a loss in vitality, resulting in insect and fungal infestations and subsequent dieback, the drought in 2018 was even more severe in terms of geographical scale, duration, and intensity with reports of complete diebacks and severe mortality across Central Europe. These impacts were exacerbated in some regions by the consecutive drought in 2019 and secondary attacks from pathogens, as well as a further loss in vitality. Such enhanced drought exposure of beech trees could push them beyond their hydraulic safety margins. Moreover, growth legacy effects due to past droughts may lead to lower recovery over time, potentially leading to subsequent tree death. In order to better predict the future of beech growth and vitality in Central Europe, both short- and long-term legacy effects of defoliation and their influence on post-drought growth should be explored, and adaptive forest management strategies evaluated. Moreover, synergistic or additive interactions of legacy effects with drought, as well as with biotic disturbances, require further investigation. Long-term forest monitoring data facilitates investigations of drought responses of beech.
Variation Patterns of Forest Structure Diversity after Set-Aside in Rarău-Giumalău Mountains, Romania
Authors: Barbu Cătălina-Oana , Duduman Gabriel , Tomescu Cezar Valentin
Published: January 2023

The present study aims to analyze the set-aside effect on the current structure diversity of mountain temperate forests from the Natura 2000 site Rarău-Giumalău. In the past 80 years, the area of entirely protected forests successively increased to up to 77% of the site. The description of past structure diversity was based on the analysis of management plans drawn up for these ecosystems after 1940, while their current structure diversity was based on a tree census carried out in 2015. The forests’ structure diversity was described in relation to: tree dimensional heterogeneity; wood volumes homogeneity of the living trees throughout the site; variability of the standing and lying dead wood volume; number and basal area of large trees; natural regeneration. The results show that forest stands where no harvest has ever been registered record the highest level of tree size heterogeneity, while in previously managed forests, the current structure diversity was influenced by the harvesting intensity. The dimensional diversity of trees also depends on the structure, density and age of forest stands at the moment when they are set aside. We observed that the volume of dead wood on the ground greatly increases after abandonment of timber production and that there is a progressive decrease in the number and percentage of large trees in the first 40 years after the last timber harvest, accompanied by a significant decrease in living trees volume. Nevertheless, the number of large trees in stands where the last timber harvesting occurred more than six decades ago is 1.8 times higher than that of the corresponding number in stands where no harvesting was ever performed. The time elapsed since the last harvest generated important changes in the regeneration process, which seems to stabilize after three decades. The forest stands’ reaction after set-aside very much depends on their characteristics at the time of exclusion from timber production, especially their age and structure. After 80 years since set-aside, the ecosystem processes and descriptors begin to look very much like those in the forests unaffected by human actions, but the old-growth characteristics have not entirely recovered.
The Effect of Rapid Development on Soil CO2 Efflux in a Cellulosic Biofuel Stand
Authors: Wright-Osment Nicholas , Starr Gregory , Aubrey Doug P. , Rau Benjamin M. , Staudhammer Christina L.
Published: January 2023

As awareness of climate change increases, the need for carbon neutral fuel sources is growing. Lignocellulosic biofuel derived from pine trees has been suggested as one potential energy source; however, it requires more research before its efficacy for climate change mitigation can be determined. Due to the large share of forest carbon held in soils and the extensive area of pine plantations in the southeast U.S., a better understanding of plantation soil carbon dynamics is critical for biofuel carbon accounting. This study evaluated the effects of canopy development and productivity on soil CO2 efflux, a proxy for soil respiration (Rs), in an intensively managed loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) stand over a period from May 2015 to December 2019. We found that leaf area index (LAI) and gross ecosystem production (GEP), as well as meteorological variables, had significant effects on Rs, but that both overall Rs and soil carbon pools did not increase over the course of the study. We thus hypothesize that GEP and LAI had intra-annual effects on Rs, and that the lack of change in Rs is the result of an increase in autotrophic respiration (Ra) that offset a decrease in decomposition of the previous stand’s organic matter.
Soil-Available Nutrients Associated with Soil Chemical and Aggregate Properties following Vegetation Restoration in Western Sichuan, China
Authors: Cheng Huan , Che Mingxuan , Hu Wangyang , Wu Qiang , Cheng Yilun , Hu Xu , Xiong Shichen , Zheng Jiangkun , Gong Yuanbo
Published: January 2023

The status and drivers of soil-available nutrients in plant-recovered soils are not fully understood, limiting our ability to explore the role of soil-available nutrients in soil geochemical cycling and ecosystem sustainability. Here, we combined the spatial distribution of soil-available nutrients and chemical and aggregate properties from six soil types (subalpine meadow soil, meadow soil, dark brown soil, brown soil, yellow-brown soil, and cinnamon soil) and three horizons (a leaching horizon, sediment horizon, and parent material horizon) to study the status and drivers of soil-available nutrients. Our findings reveal that the soil-available nitrogen (AN) ranged from 72.33 to 169.67 mg/kg, the soil-available phosphorus (AP) ranged from 1.77 to 75.90 mg/kg, and the soil-available potassium (AK) ranged from 46.43 to 88.55 mg/kg in the six soil types. The subalpine meadow soil and the dark brown soil had the highest soil AN, with means of 169.67 and 139.35 mg/kg, respectively. The brown soil had the highest soil AP, with a mean of 75.9 mg/kg, and the dark brown soil and the brown soil had the highest soil AK, with means of 83.49 and 88.55 mg/kg, respectively. The results show that the soil types and soil depths had a significant impact on the status of AN, AP, and AK (p < 0.05). Moreover, a higher cation exchange capacity (CEC), the macro-aggregate contents (with 2–1 mm and 1–0.5 mm particle sizes) of the non-water-stable aggregates, and the macro-aggregate content and stability (2–1 mm particle size and geometric mean diameter (GMD) of the water-stable aggregates were deemed to facilitate soil-available nitrogen because of the positive correlations (p < 0.05). Lower exchangeable cations (ECs) and the micro-aggregate content (≤0.1 mm particle size) of the water-stable aggregates and higher soil cations helped in the accumulation of soil-available phosphorus and soil-available potassium, respectively. Moreover, the regulation of the soil chemical and aggregate properties was found to vary with soil type and horizon in a correlation analysis. Together, our results provide insights into the importance of chemical and aggregate properties in regulating soil nutrient availability across soil types, as well as providing strong support for the inclusion of soil resource utilization in regional forest restoration and management.
Electric Drive with an Adaptive Controller and Wireless Communication System
Authors: Malarczyk Mateusz , Zychlewicz Mateusz , Stanislawski Radoslaw , Kaminski Marcin
Published: January 2023

In this paper, the problem of the remote control of electric drives with a complex mechanical structure is discussed. Oscillations of state variables and control precision are the main issues found in such applications. The article proposes a smart, IoT-enabled controller, which allows remote communication with a drive. To solve the problem of speed oscillations and to make the system robust to parameter uncertainty, an adaptive controller with two neural networks is designed. First, numerical tests are conducted in a Matlab/Simulink environment to examine the operation of the proposed control strategy. Afterwards, the obtained results are verified in a laboratory setup equipped with a 0.5 kW electric motor. Remote access is provided by a low-cost, ARM-based ESP32 microcontroller. Usually, virtual instruments used to communicate with remote devices require specific software, which may be expensive and pose compatibility problems. Therefore, the main contribution of the article is the creation of a low-cost, web-based Human-Machine Interface (HMI) with an asynchronous server utility provided by the ESP32 that allows remote control and data acquisition of electric drive state variables.
A Model Based Framework for IoT-Aware Business Process Management
Authors: Bocciarelli Paolo , D’Ambrogio Andrea , Panetti Tommaso
Published: January 2023

IoT-aware Business Processes (BPs) that exchange data with Internet of Things (IoT) devices, briefly referred to as IoT-aware BPs, are gaining momentum in the BPM field. Introducing IoT technologies from the early stages of the BP development process requires dealing with the complexity and heterogeneity of such technologies at design and analysis time. This paper analyzes widely used IoT frameworks and ontologies to introduce a BPMN extension that improves the expressiveness of relevant BP modeling notations and allows an appropriate representation of IoT devices from both an architectural and a behavioral perspective. In the BP management field, the use of simulation-based approaches is recognized as an effective technology for analyzing BPs. Simulation models need to be parameterized according to relevant properties of the process under study. Unfortunately, such parameters may change during the process operational life, thus making the simulation model invalid with respect to the actual process behavior. To ease the analysis of IoT-aware BPs, this paper introduces a model-driven method for the automated development of digital twins of actual business processes. The proposed method also exploits data retrieved by IoT sensors to automatically reconfigure the simulation model, to make the digital twin continuously coherent and compliant with its actual counterpart.
Analysis of Lightweight Cryptographic Algorithms on IoT Hardware Platform
Authors: El-hajj Mohammed , Mousawi Hussien , Fadlallah Ahmad
Published: January 2023

Highly constrained devices that are interconnected and interact to complete a task are being used in a diverse range of new fields. The Internet of Things (IoT), cyber-physical systems, distributed control systems, vehicular systems, wireless sensor networks, tele-medicine, and the smart grid are a few examples of these fields. In any of these contexts, security and privacy might be essential aspects. Research on secure communication in Internet of Things (IoT) networks is a highly contested topic. One method for ensuring secure data transmission is cryptography. Because IoT devices have limited resources, such as power, memory, and batteries, IoT networks have boosted the term “lightweight cryptography”. Algorithms for lightweight cryptography are designed to efficiently protect data while using minimal resources. In this research, we evaluated and benchmarked lightweight symmetric ciphers for resource-constrained devices. The evaluation is performed using two widely used platform: Arduino and Raspberry Pi. In the first part, we implemented 39 block ciphers on an ATMEGA328p microcontroller and analyzed them in the terms of speed, cost, and energy efficiency during encryption and decryption for different block and key sizes. In the second part, the 2nd-round NIST candidates (80 stream and block cipher algorithms) were added to the first-part ciphers in a comprehensive analysis for equivalent block and key sizes in the terms of latency and energy efficiency.
Effect of Cross-Linkers on the Processing of Lignin/Polyamide Precursors for Carbon Fibres
Authors: Kandola Baljinder K. , Hewage Trishan A. M. , Hajee Muhammed , Horrocks A. Richard
Published: January 2023

This work reports the use of cross-linkers in bio-based blends from hydroxypropyl-modified lignin (TcC) and a bio-based polyamide (PA1010) for possible use as carbon fibre precursors, which, while minimising their effects on melt processing into filaments, assist in cross-linking components during the subsequent thermal stabilisation stage. Cross-linkers included a highly sterically hindered aliphatic hydrocarbon (Perkadox 30, PdX), a mono-functional organic peroxide (Triganox 311, TnX), and two different hydroxyalkylamides (Primid® XL-552 (PmD 552) and Primid® QM-1260 (PmD 1260)). The characterisation of melt-compounded samples of TcC/PA1010 containing PdX and TnX indicated considerable cross-linking via FTIR, DSC, DMA and rheology measurements. While both Primids showed some evidence of cross-linking, it was less than with PdX and TnX. This was corroborated via melt spinning of the melt-compounded chips or pellet-coated TcC/PA1010, each with cross-linker via a continuous, sub-pilot scale, melt-spinning process, where both Primids showed better processability. With the latter technique, while filaments could be produced, they were very brittle. To overcome this, melt-spun TcC/PA1010 filaments were immersed in aqueous solutions of PmD 552 and PmD 1260 at 80 °C. The resultant filaments could be easily thermally stabilised and showed evidence of cross-linking, producing higher char residues than the control filaments in the TGA experiments.
Genus Brassica By-Products Revalorization with Green Technologies to Fortify Innovative Foods: A Scoping Review
Authors: Artés-Hernández Francisco , Martínez-Zamora Lorena , Cano-Lamadrid Marina , Hashemi Seyedehzeinab , Castillejo Noelia
Published: January 2023

Food losses and waste reduction are a worldwide challenge involving governments, researchers, and food industries. Therefore, by-product revalorization and the use of key extracted biocompounds to fortify innovative foods seems an interesting challenge to afford. The aim of this review is to evaluate and elucidate the scientific evidence on the use of green technologies to extract bioactive compounds from Brassica by-products with potential application in developing new foods. Scopus was used to search for indexed studies in JCR-ISI journals, while books, reviews, and non-indexed JCR journals were excluded. Broccoli, kale, cauliflower, cabbage, mustard, and radish, among others, have been deeply reviewed. Ultrasound and microwave-assisted extraction have been mostly used, but there are relevant studies using enzymes, supercritical fluids, ultrafiltration, or pressurized liquids that report a great extraction effectiveness and efficiency. However, predictive models must be developed to optimize the extraction procedures. Extracted biocompounds can be used, free or encapsulated, to develop, reformulate, and/or fortify new foods as a good tool to enhance healthiness while preserving their quality (nutritional, functional, and sensory) and safety. In the age of recycling and energy saving, more studies must evaluate the efficiency of the processes, the cost, and the environmental impact leading to the production of new foods and the sustainable extraction of phytochemicals.
Stability Kinetics of Anthocyanins of Grumixama Berries (Eugenia brasiliensis Lam.) during Thermal and Light Treatments
Authors: Modesto Junior Elivaldo Nunes , Martins Mayara Galvão , Pereira Gustavo Araujo , Chisté Renan Campos , Pena Rosinelson da Silva
Published: January 2023

Grumixama (Eugenia brasiliensis Lam.) are red-colored fruits due to the presence of anthocyanins. In this paper, anthocyanin-rich extracts from grumixama were submitted to different temperatures and light irradiations, with the aim of investigating their stabilities. The thermal stability data indicated that a temperature range from 60 to 80 °C was critical to the stability of the anthocyanins of the grumixama extracts, with a temperature quotient value (Q10) of 2.8 and activation energy (Ea) of 52.7 kJ/mol. The anthocyanin-rich extracts of grumixama fruits showed the highest stability during exposure to incandescent irradiation (50 W), followed by fluorescent radiation (10 W). The t1/2 and k were 59.6 h and 0.012 h−1 for incandescent light, and 45.6 h and 0.015 h−1 for fluorescent light. In turn, UV irradiation (25 W) quickly degraded the anthocyanins (t1/2 = 0.18 h and k = 3.74 h−1). Therefore, grumixama fruits, and their derived products, should be handled carefully to avoid high temperature (>50 °C) and UV light exposure in order to protect the anthocyanins from degradation. Furthermore, grumixama fruits showed high contents of anthocyanins that can be explored as natural dyes; for example, by food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. In addition, the results of this study may contribute to the setting of processing conditions and storage conditions for grumixama-derived fruit products.
Ciabatta Bread Incorporating Goji (Lycium barbarum L.): A New Potential Functional Product with Impact on Human Health
Authors: Sicari Vincenzo , Romeo Rosa , Mincione Antonio , Santacaterina Simone , Tundis Rosa , Loizzo Monica Rosa
Published: January 2023

This work investigated the phytochemical content and bioactivity of Lycium barbarum collected in Calabria and evaluated, for the first time, the possibility of enriching traditional ciabatta bread with goji fresh flesh puree. For this purpose, goji flesh puree, bread, and bread enriched with 20% and 40% goji flesh puree (G20 and G40 samples, respectively) were subjected to several analyses. Selected compounds were quantified by UHPLC analysis in both goji fresh flesh puree and after simulation of the cooking process. The impact of the addition on key enzymes (lipase, α-amylase, and α-glucosidase) related to metabolic syndrome was assessed together with the antioxidant properties. Texture, colourimetric, and sensory analyses on enriched bread were performed to evaluate consumer acceptance. Despite cooking, the enriched bread maintained good levels of bioactive compounds compared to the berry pulp alone (p < 0.01). The enriched bread showed the ability to protect against lipid peroxidation, with IC50 values of 6.88 and 6.52 μg/mL for samples G20 and G40, respectively, after incubation for 30 min (p < 0.01). Although less active than the control, the enriched bread showed inhibitory activities against the enzymes involved in the digestion of carbohydrates. From a sensory point of view, the addition of goji fresh pulp puree slightly modified the appearance but not the flavour and taste of the bread. Collectively, our results support the potential healthy function of this baked product.
The Effect of Cyclosporin A on Aspergillus niger and the Possible Mechanisms Involved
Authors: Li Fengming , Lv Zhencheng , Zhong Zhijuan , Mao Lutian , Chua Lee Suan , Xu Liangxiong , Huang Riming
Published: January 2023

Aspergillus niger is one of the major pathogenic fungi causing postharvest grape decay. The development of antifungal agents is beneficial to reduce the loss of grapes during storage. The aim of this study was to investigate the antifungal mechanism of cyclosporin A (CsA). It was indicated that the rot development on grapes caused by A. niger was almost completely inhibited with CsA in vivo at a concentration of 200 mg/L. The transcriptomic analysis revealed that the expression levels of genes involved in rRNA processing and ribosome biogenesis were down-regulated, whereas those related to β-glucosidases and chitinases were up-regulated. The results implied that CsA may disturb rRNA and ribosome formation to obstruct protein synthesis, accelerate chitin and glucan degradation to destruct cell walls, and ultimately reduce postharvest decay caused by A. niger in grapes. This study evaluated the potential of CsA as a grape preservative and provided new insights into the mechanisms underlying the molecular response in A. niger with the treatment of CsA.
Hurdle Technology Approach to Control Listeria monocytogenes Using Rhamnolipid Biosurfactant
Authors: Lenaerts Lowieze , Passos Tathiane Ferroni , Gayán Elisa , Michiels Chris W. , Nitschke Marcia
Published: January 2023

This study evaluates the combination of mild heat with a natural surfactant for the inactivation of L. monocytogenes Scott A in low-water-activity (aw) model systems. Glycerol or NaCl was used to reduce the aw to 0.92, and different concentrations of rhamnolipid (RL) biosurfactant were added before heat treatment (60 °C, 5 min). Using glycerol, RL treatment (50–250 µg/mL) reduced bacterial population by less than 0.2 log and heat treatment up to 1.5 log, while the combination of both hurdles reached around 5.0 log reduction. In the NaCl medium, RL treatment displayed higher inactivation than in the glycerol medium at the same aw level and a larger synergistic lethal effect when combined with heat, achieving ≥ 6.0 log reduction at 10–250 µg/mL RL concentrations. The growth inhibition activity of RL was enhanced by the presence of the monovalent salts NaCl and KCl, reducing MIC values from >2500 µg/mL (without salt) to 39 µg/mL (with 7.5% salt). The enhanced antimicrobial activity of RL promoted by the presence of salts was shown to be pH-dependent and more effective under neutral conditions. Overall, results demonstrate that RL can be exploited to design novel strategies based on hurdle approaches aiming to control L. monocytogenes.
One-Step Synthesis of Poly(L-Lactic Acid)-Based Soft Films with Gas Permselectivity for White Mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus) Preservation
Authors: Sun Tao , Bian Junxia , Wang Yangyang , Hu Jian , Yun Xueyan , Chen Eerdunbayaer , Dong Tungalag
Published: January 2023

Proper packaging can extend the shelf life and maintain the quality of mushrooms during storage. The purpose of this study is to investigate the preservation of Agaricus bisporus using copolymer-modified poly (L-lactide-co-butylene fumarate) and poly (L-lactide-co-glycolic acid) (PLBF and PLGA) packaging. Shelf life and quality were evaluated over 15 days of storage of Agaricus bisporus at 4 ± 1 °C and 90% relative humidity, including weight loss, browning index (BI), total phenolics (TP), ascorbic acid (AA), malondialdehyde content (MDA), electrolyte leakage rate (EC), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). The results showed that mushrooms packaged in PLBF films exhibited better retention in BI, TP, and AA than those with PLLA, PLGA, or polyethylene (PE) films. They can reduce the rate of weight loss, EC, and MDA, which in turn increases the activity of SOD and CAT. PLBF and PLGA have substantially improved flexibility in comparison with PLLA. They also significantly reduced oxygen (O2) and carbon dioxide (CO2) permeability and changed the gas permeability ratio. These positive effects resulted in the effective restriction of O2 and CO2 in these packages, extending the post-harvest storage period of white mushrooms.
Information Design for Multiple Interdependent Defenders: Work Less, Pay Off More
Authors: Zhou Chenghan , Spivey Andrew , Xu Haifeng , Nguyen Thanh H.
Published: January 2023

This paper studies the problem of information design in a general security game setting in which multiple self-interested defenders attempt to provide protection simultaneously for the same set of important targets against an unknown attacker. A principal, who can be one of the defenders, has access to certain private information (i.e., attacker type), whereas other defenders do not. We investigate the question of how that principal, with additional private information, can influence the decisions of the defenders by partially and strategically revealing her information. In particular, we develop a polynomial time ellipsoid algorithm to compute an optimal private signaling scheme. Our key finding is that the separation oracle in the ellipsoid approach can be carefully reduced to bipartite matching. Furthermore, we introduce a compact representation of any ex ante persuasive signaling schemes by exploiting intrinsic security resource allocation structures, enabling us to compute an optimal scheme significantly faster. Our experiment results show that by strategically revealing private information, the principal can significantly enhance the protection effectiveness for the targets.
Astro-COLIBRI 2—An Advanced Platform for Real-Time Multi-Messenger Discoveries
Authors: Reichherzer Patrick , Schüssler Fabian , Lefranc Valentin , Becker Tjus Julia , Mourier Jayson , Alkan Atilla Kaan
Published: January 2023

The study of flaring astrophysical events in the multi-messenger approach requires instantaneous follow-up observations to better understand the nature of these events through complementary observational data. We present Astro-COLIBRI as a platform that integrates specific tools in the real-time multi-messenger ecosystem. The Astro-COLIBRI platform bundles and evaluates alerts about transients from various channels. It further automates the coordination of follow-up observations by providing and linking detailed information through its comprehensible graphical user interface. We present the functionalities with documented examples of Astro-COLIBRI usage through the community since its public release in August 2021. We highlight the use cases of Astro-COLIBRI for planning follow-up observations by professional and amateur astronomers, as well as checking predictions from theoretical models.
Tracing Hot Spot Motion in Sagittarius A* Using the Next-Generation Event Horizon Telescope (ngEHT)
Authors: Emami Razieh , Tiede Paul , Doeleman Sheperd S. , Roelofs  Freek , Wielgus  Maciek , Blackburn  Lindy , Liska  Matthew , Chatterjee  Koushik , Ripperda Bart , Fuentes  Antonio , Broderick Avery E. , Hernquist  Lars , Alcock  Charles , Narayan Ramesh , Smith  Randall , Tremblay Grant , Ricarte Angelo , Sun He , Anantua  Richard , Kovalev  Yuri Y. , Natarajan Priyamvada , Vogelsberger Mark
Published: January 2023

We propose the tracing of the motion of a shearing hot spot near the Sgr A* source through a dynamical image reconstruction algorithm, StarWarps. Such a hot spot may form as the exhaust of magnetic reconnection in a current sheet near the black hole horizon. A hot spot that is ejected from the current sheet into an orbit in the accretion disk may shear and diffuse due to instabilities at its boundary during its orbit, resulting in a distinct signature. We subdivide the motion into two different phases: the first phase refers to the appearance of the hot spot modeled as a bright blob, followed by a subsequent shearing phase. We employ different observational array configurations, including EHT (2017, 2022) and the next-generation Event Horizon Telescope (ngEHTp1, ngEHT) arrays, with several new sites added, and make dynamical image reconstructions for each of them. Subsequently, we infer the hot spot angular image location in the first phase, followed by the axes ratio and the ellipse area in the second phase. We focus on the direct observability of the orbiting hot spot in the sub-mm wavelength. Our analysis demonstrates that for this particular simulation, the newly added dishes are better able to trace the first phase as well as part of the second phase before the flux is reduced substantially, compared to the EHT arrays. The algorithm used in this work can be easily extended to other types of dynamics, as well as different shearing timescales. More simulations are required to prove whether the current set of newly proposed sites are sufficient to resolve any motions near variable sources, such as Sgr A*.
Use of Next-Generation Sequencing to Support the Diagnosis of Familial Interstitial Pneumonia
Authors: Gigante Ana Rita , Tinoco Eduarda Milheiro , Fonseca Ana , Marques Inês , Sanches Agostinho , Salgueiro Natália , Nogueira Carla , Campainha Sérgio , Neves Sofia
Published: January 2023

Familial interstitial pneumonia (FIP) is defined as idiopathic interstitial lung disease (ILD) in two or more relatives. Genetic studies on familial ILD discovered variants in several genes or associations with genetic polymorphisms. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical features of patients with suspected FIP and to analyze the genetic variants detected through next-generation sequencing (NGS) genetic testing. A retrospective analysis was conducted in patients followed in an ILD outpatient clinic who had ILD and a family history of ILD in at least one first- or second-degree relative and who underwent NGS between 2017 and 2021. Only patients with at least one genetic variant were included. Genetic testing was performed on 20 patients; of these, 13 patients had a variant in at least one gene with a known association with familial ILD. Variants in genes implicated in telomere and surfactant homeostasis and MUC5B variants were detected. Most variants were classified with uncertain clinical significance. Probable usual interstitial pneumonia radiological and histological patterns were the most frequently identified. The most prevalent phenotype was idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Pulmonologists should be aware of familial forms of ILD and genetic diagnosis.
Autistic Behavior as Novel Clinical Finding in OFD1 Syndrome
Authors: Papuc Sorina Mihaela , Erbescu Alina , Glangher Adelina , Streata Ioana , Riza Anca-Lelia , Budisteanu Magdalena , Arghir Aurora
Published: January 2023

Orofaciodigital syndrome I (OFD1–MIM #311200) is a rare ciliopathy characterized by facial dysmorphism, oral cavity, digit, and brain malformations, and cognitive deficits. OFD1 syndrome is an X-linked dominant disorder reported mostly in females. The gene responsible for this condition, OFD1 centriole and centriolar satellite protein (OFD1), is involved in primary cilia formation and several cilia-independent biological processes. The functional and structural integrity of the cilia impacts critical brain development processes, explaining the broad range of neurodevelopmental anomalies in ciliopathy patients. As several psychiatric conditions, such as autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and schizophrenia, are neurodevelopmental in nature, their connections with cilia roles are worth exploring. Moreover, several cilia genes have been associated with behavioral disorders, such as autism. We report on a three-year-old girl with a complex phenotype that includes oral malformations, severe speech delay, dysmorphic features, developmental delay, autism, and bilateral periventricular nodular heterotopia, presenting a de novo pathogenic variant in the OFD1 gene. Furthermore, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of autistic behavior in a female patient with OFD1 syndrome. We propose that autistic behavior should be considered a potential feature of this syndrome and that active screening for early signs of autism might prove beneficial for OFD1 syndrome patients.
New Insights into the Genetics and Epigenetics of Aging Plasticity
Authors: Zhang Jie , Wang Shixiao , Liu Baohua
Published: January 2023

Biological aging is characterized by irreversible cell cycle blockade, a decreased capacity for tissue regeneration, and an increased risk of age-related diseases and mortality. A variety of genetic and epigenetic factors regulate aging, including the abnormal expression of aging-related genes, increased DNA methylation levels, altered histone modifications, and unbalanced protein translation homeostasis. The epitranscriptome is also closely associated with aging. Aging is regulated by both genetic and epigenetic factors, with significant variability, heterogeneity, and plasticity. Understanding the complex genetic and epigenetic mechanisms of aging will aid the identification of aging-related markers, which may in turn aid the development of effective interventions against this process. This review summarizes the latest research in the field of aging from a genetic and epigenetic perspective. We analyze the relationships between aging-related genes, examine the possibility of reversing the aging process by altering epigenetic age.
Gene Regulatory Interactions at Lamina-Associated Domains
Authors: Madsen-Østerbye Julia , Abdelhalim Mohamed , Pickering Sarah Hazell , Collas Philippe
Published: January 2023

The nuclear lamina provides a repressive chromatin environment at the nuclear periphery. However, whereas most genes in lamina-associated domains (LADs) are inactive, over ten percent reside in local euchromatic contexts and are expressed. How these genes are regulated and whether they are able to interact with regulatory elements remain unclear. Here, we integrate publicly available enhancer-capture Hi-C data with our own chromatin state and transcriptomic datasets to show that inferred enhancers of active genes in LADs are able to form connections with other enhancers within LADs and outside LADs. Fluorescence in situ hybridization analyses show proximity changes between differentially expressed genes in LADs and distant enhancers upon the induction of adipogenic differentiation. We also provide evidence of involvement of lamin A/C, but not lamin B1, in repressing genes at the border of an in-LAD active region within a topological domain. Our data favor a model where the spatial topology of chromatin at the nuclear lamina is compatible with gene expression in this dynamic nuclear compartment.
Molecular Characterization, Expression Profile, and A 21-bp Indel within the ASB9 Gene and Its Associations with Chicken Production Traits
Authors: Qin Panpan , Liu Yang , Niu Xinran , Liu Yixuan , Zhang Yushi , Niu Yufang , Wang Yanxing , Chen Bingjie , Han Ruili , Tian Yadong , Liu Xiaojun , Kang Xiangtao , Jiang Ruirui , Li Zhuanjian
Published: January 2023

A growing number of studies have shown that members of the ankyrin repeat and suppressors of cytokine signaling (SOCS) box-containing protein (ASB) family are extensively involved in biological processes such as cell growth, tissue development, insulin signaling, ubiquitination, protein degradation, and skeletal muscle membrane protein formation, while the specific biological role of ankyrin-repeat and SOCS box protein 9 (ASB9) remains unclear. In this study, a 21 bp indel in the intron of ASB9 was identified for the first time in 2641 individuals from 11 different breeds and an F2 resource population, and differences were observed among individuals with different genotypes (II, ID, and DD). An association study of a cross-designed F2 resource population revealed that the 21-bp indel was significantly related to growth and carcass traits. The significantly associated growth traits were body weight (BW) at 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 weeks of age; sternal length (SL) at 4, 8, and 12 weeks of age; body slope length (BSL) at 4, 8, and 12 weeks of age; shank girth (SG) at 4 and 12 weeks of age; tibia length (TL) at 12 weeks of age; and pelvic width (PW) at 4 weeks of age (p < 0.05). This indel was also significantly correlated with carcass traits including semievisceration weight (SEW), evisceration weight (EW), claw weight (CLW), breast muscle weight (BMW), leg weight (LeW), leg muscle weight (LMW), claw rate (CLR), and shedding weight (ShW) (p < 0.05). In commercial broilers, the II genotype was the dominant genotype and underwent extensive selection. Interestingly, the ASB9 gene was expressed at significantly higher levels in the leg muscles of Arbor Acres broilers than those of Lushi chickens, while the opposite was true for the breast muscles. In summary, the 21-bp indel in the ASB9 gene significantly influenced the expression of the ASB9 gene in muscle tissue and was associated with multiple growth and carcass traits in the F2 resource population. These findings suggested that the 21-bp indel within the ASB9 gene could be used in marker-assisted selection breeding for traits related to chicken growth.
Identification of Germline Variants in Patients with Hereditary Cancer Syndromes in Northeast Mexico
Authors: Pérez-Ibave Diana Cristina , Garza-Rodríguez María Lourdes , Noriega-Iriondo María Fernanda , Flores-Moreno Sonia María , González-Geroniz Manuel Ismael , Espinoza-Velazco Absalon , Castruita-Ávila Ana Lilia , Alcorta-Núñez Fernando , Zayas-Villanueva Omar Alejandro , González-Guerrero Juan Francisco , Alcorta-Garza Adelina , Vidal-Gutiérrez Oscar , Burciaga-Flores Carlos Horacio
Published: January 2023

Hereditary cancer syndromes (HCS) are genetic diseases with an increased risk of developing cancer. This research describes the implementation of a cancer prevention model, genetic counseling, and germline variants testing in an oncologic center in Mexico. A total of 315 patients received genetic counseling, genetic testing was offered, and 205 individuals were tested for HCS. In 6 years, 131 (63.90%) probands and 74 (36.09%) relatives were tested. Among the probands, we found that 85 (63.9%) had at least one germline variant. We identified founder mutations in BRCA1 and a novel variant in APC that led to the creation of an in-house detection process for the whole family. The most frequent syndrome was hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome (HBOC) (41 cases with BRCA1 germline variants in most of the cases), followed by eight cases of hereditary non-polyposic cancer syndrome (HNPCC or Lynch syndrome) (with MLH1 as the primarily responsible gene), and other high cancer risk syndromes. Genetic counseling in HCS is still a global challenge. Multigene panels are an essential tool to detect the variants frequency. Our program has a high detection rate of probands with HCS and pathogenic variants (40%), compared with other reports that detect 10% in other populations.
Tumor Androgen Receptor Protein Level Is Positively Associated with a Better Overall Survival in Melanoma Patients
Authors: Singh Nupur , Khatib Jude , Chiu Chi-Yang , Lin Jianjian , Patel Tejesh Surender , Liu-Smith Feng
Published: January 2023

Androgen receptor (AR) is expressed in numerous tissues and serves important biologic functions in skin, prostate, immune, cardiovascular, and neural systems, alongside sexual development. Several studies have associated AR expression and patient survival in various cancers, yet there are limited studies examining the relationship between AR expression and cutaneous melanoma. This study used genomics and proteomics data from The Cancer Proteome Atlas (TCPA) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), with 470 cutaneous melanoma patient data points. Cox regression analyses evaluated the association between AR protein level with overall survival and revealed that a higher level of AR protein was positively associated with a better overall survival (OS) (p = 0.003). When stratified by sex, the AR association with OS was only significant for both sexes. The multivariate Cox models with justifications of sex, age of diagnosis, stage of disease, and Breslow depth of the tumor confirmed the AR-OS association in all patients. However, the significance of AR was lost when ulceration was included in the model. When stratified by sex, the multivariate Cox models indicated significant role of AR in OS of female patients but not in males. AR-associated genes were identified and enrichment analysis revealed shared and distinct gene network in male and female patients. Furthermore, AR was found significantly associated with OS in RAS mutant subtypes of melanoma but not in BRAF, NF1, or triple-wild type subtypes of melanoma. Our study may provide insight into the well-known female survival advantage in melanoma patients.
Histone Modifications in Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Santana Dalileia Aparecida , Smith Marilia de Arruda Cardoso , Chen Elizabeth Suchi
Published: January 2023

Since Late-onset Alzheimer’s disease (LOAD) derives from a combination of genetic variants and environmental factors, epigenetic modifications have been predicted to play a role in the etiopathology of LOAD. Along with DNA methylation, histone modifications have been proposed as the main epigenetic modifications that contribute to the pathologic mechanisms of LOAD; however, little is known about how these mechanisms contribute to the disease’s onset or progression. In this review, we highlighted the main histone modifications and their functional role, including histone acetylation, histone methylation, and histone phosphorylation, as well as changes in such histone modifications that occur in the aging process and mainly in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Furthermore, we pointed out the main epigenetic drugs tested for AD treatment, such as those based on histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors. Finally, we remarked on the perspectives around the use of such epigenetics drugs for treating AD.
Whole Exome Sequencing Reveals a Novel Homozygous Variant in the Ganglioside Biosynthetic Enzyme, ST3GAL5 Gene in a Saudi Family Causing Salt and Pepper Syndrome
Authors: Abdulkareem Angham Abdulrhman , Shirah Bader H. , Naseer Muhammad Imran
Published: January 2023

Salt and pepper developmental regression syndrome (SPDRS) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by epilepsy, profound intellectual disability, choreoathetosis, scoliosis, and dermal pigmentation along with dysmorphic facial features. GM3 synthase deficiency is due to any pathogenic mutation in the ST3 Beta-Galactoside Alpha-2,3-Sialyltransferase 5 (ST3GAL5) gene, which encodes the sialyltransferase enzyme that synthesizes ganglioside GM3. In this study, the Whole Exome Sequencing (WES) results presented a novel homozygous pathogenic variant, NM_003896.3:c.221T>A (p.Val74Glu), in the exon 3 of the ST3GAL5 gene. causing SPDRS with epilepsy, short stature, speech delay, and developmental delay in all three affected members of the same Saudi family. The results of the WES sequencing were further validated using Sanger sequencing analysis. For the first time, we are reporting SPDRS in a Saudi family showing phenotypic features similar to other reported cases. This study further adds to the literature and explains the role of the ST3GAL5 gene, which plays an important role, and any pathogenic variants that may cause the GM3 synthase deficiency that leads to the disease. This study would finally enable the creation of a database of the disease that provides a base for understanding the important and critical genomic regions that will help control intellectual disability and epilepsy in Saudi patients.
Study on the Association between LRRC8B Gene InDel and Sheep Body Conformation Traits
Authors: Zhang Jiaqiang , Toremurat Zhansaya , Liang Yilin , Cheng Jie , Sun Zhenzhen , Huang Yangming , Liu Junxia , Chaogetu BUREN , Ren Gang , Chen Hong
Published: January 2023

Marker-assisted selection is an important method for livestock breeding. In recent years, this technology has been gradually applied to livestock breeding to improve the body conformation traits. In this study, the LRRC8B (Leucine Rich Repeat Containing 8 VRAC Subunit B) gene was selected to evaluate the association between its genetic variations and the body conformation traits in two native sheep breeds in China. Four body conformation traits, including withers height, body length, chest circumference, and body weight, were collected from 269 Chaka sheep. We also collected the body length, chest width, withers height, chest depth, chest circumference, cannon bone circumference, and height at hip cross of 149 Small-Tailed Han sheep. Two different genotypes, ID and DD, were detected in all sheep. Our data showed that the polymorphism of the LRRC8B gene was significantly associated with chest depth (p < 0.05) in Small-Tailed Han sheep, and it is greater in sheep with DD than those with ID. In conclusion, our data suggested that the LRRC8B gene could serve as a candidate gene for marker-assisted selection in Small-Tailed Han sheep.