bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of heat degradation of betanin in red beetroot (Beta vulgaris L.) on biological activity and antioxidant capacity
Authors: Muramatsu Daisuke , Uchiyama Hirofumi , Higashi Hideaki , Kida Hiroshi , Iwai Atsushi
Published: May 2023

Betanin is a red pigment of red beetroot (Beta vulgaris L.), providing the beneficial effects to maintain human health. Betanin is involved in the characteristic red color of red beetroot, and used as an edible dye. Betanin is known to be a highly unstable pigment, and water solutions of betanin are nearly fully degraded after heating at 99°C for 60 min in the experimental conditions of this study. The present study investigated the effects of red beetroot juice (RBJ) and betanin on immune cells, and found that stimulation with RBJ and betanin induces interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-8, and IL-10 mRNA in a human monocyte derived cell line, THP-1 cells. This mRNA induction after stimulation with RBJ and betanin was not significantly changed after heat treatment when attempting to induce degradation of the betanin. Following these results, the effects of heat degradation of betanin on the inhibition of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced nitric oxide (NO) production in RAW264 cells and the antioxidant capacity were investigated. The results showed that the inhibition activity of RBJ and betanin with the LPS induced NO production is not altered after heat degradation of betanin. In addition, the results of FRAP (ferric reducing antioxidant power) and DPPH (1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) assays indicate that a not inconsiderable degree of the antioxidant capacity of RBJ and betanin remained after heat degradation of betanin. These results suggest that it is important to consider the effects of degradation products of betanin in the evaluation of the beneficial effects of red beetroot on health.
A new NASH model in aged mice with rapid progression of steatohepatitis and fibrosis
Authors: Li Xuecheng , Lu Yi , Liang Xiaoshuang , Zhou Xiaofei , Li Dirui , Zhang Zan , Niu Yunchao , Liu Shuaishuai , Ye Ling , Zhang Rufeng
Published: May 2023

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has a high prevalence worldwide, with a significant proportion of patients progressing into non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and further into cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Most of the current animal models of NASH have limitations, such as incompatibility with human pathogenesis characteristics or long induction periods, which severely limit the development of new drugs and preclinical studies for NASH. We investigated the progression of NASH and fibrosis, as well as metabolic indicators, at different time points in aged mice induced by the Gubra Amylin NASH (GAN) diet, a high-fat, high-sugar, high-cholesterol diet, and attempted to establish a rapid and useful mouse model of NASH. Young and aged C57BL/6 mice were induced on a normal chow or GAN diet for 12 and 21 weeks, respectively. After 12 weeks of induction, aged mice developed NASH, including hepatic steatosis, lobular inflammation and hepatic ballooning, and the phenotype was more severe compared with young mice. After 21 weeks of induction, aged mice developed hepatic fibrosis, which greatly shortened the induction time compared with young mice. Furthermore, analysis of immune cell infiltration in the liver by flow cytometry elucidated the changes of multiple immune cells during the pathogenesis of NASH. These findings suggest that aged mice may develop NASH and fibrosis more rapidly under GAN diet induction, which may significantly shorten the period for preclinical studies of NASH.
Electron microscopy imaging and mechanical characterization of T47D multicellular tumor spheroids–Older spheroids reduce interstitial space and become stiffer
Authors: Madhavan Mathangi , Jaiswal Devina , Karlberg Sarah , Duggan Alexis , Almarshad Hassan A. , Claffey Kevin P. , Hoshino Kazunori
Published: May 2023

Multicellular cancer spheroids are an in vitro tissue model that mimics the three-dimensional microenvironment. As spheroids grow, they develop the gradients of oxygen, nutrients, and catabolites, affecting crucial tumor characteristics such as proliferation and treatment responses. The measurement of spheroid stiffness provides a quantitative measure to evaluate such structural changes over time. In this report, we measured the stiffness of size-matched day 5 and day 20 tumor spheroids using a custom-built microscale force sensor and conducted transmission electron microscopy (TEM) imaging to compare the internal structures. We found that older spheroids reduce interstitial spaces in the core region and became significantly stiffer. The measured elastic moduli were 260±100 and 680±150 Pa, for day 5 and day 20 spheroids, respectively. The day 20 spheroids showed an optically dark region in the center. Analyzing the high-resolution TEM images of spheroid middle sections across the diameter showed that the cells in the inner region of the day 20 spheroids are significantly larger and more closely packed than those in the outer regions. On the other hand, the day 5 spheroids did not show a significant difference between the inner and outer regions. The observed reduction of the interstitial space may be one factor that contributes to stiffer older spheroids.
Different disease inoculations cause common responses of the host immune system and prokaryotic component of the microbiome in Acropora palmata
Authors: Young Benjamin D. , Rosales Stephanie M. , Enochs Ian C. , Kolodziej Graham , Formel Nathan , Moura Amelia , D’Alonso Gabrielle L. , Traylor-Knowles Nikki
Published: May 2023

Reef-building corals contain a complex consortium of organisms, a holobiont, which responds dynamically to disease, making pathogen identification difficult. While coral transcriptomics and microbiome communities have previously been characterized, similarities and differences in their responses to different pathogenic sources has not yet been assessed. In this study, we inoculated four genets of the Caribbean branching coral Acropora palmata with a known coral pathogen (Serratia marcescens) and white band disease. We then characterized the coral’s transcriptomic and prokaryotic microbiomes’ (prokaryiome) responses to the disease inoculations, as well as how these responses were affected by a short-term heat stress prior to disease inoculation. We found strong commonality in both the transcriptomic and prokaryiomes responses, regardless of disease inoculation. Differences, however, were observed between inoculated corals that either remained healthy or developed active disease signs. Transcriptomic co-expression analysis identified that corals inoculated with disease increased gene expression of immune, wound healing, and fatty acid metabolic processes. Co-abundance analysis of the prokaryiome identified sets of both healthy-and-disease-state bacteria, while co-expression analysis of the prokaryiomes’ inferred metagenomic function revealed infected corals’ prokaryiomes shifted from free-living to biofilm states, as well as increasing metabolic processes. The short-term heat stress did not increase disease susceptibility for any of the four genets with any of the disease inoculations, and there was only a weak effect captured in the coral hosts’ transcriptomic and prokaryiomes response. Genet identity, however, was a major driver of the transcriptomic variance, primarily due to differences in baseline immune gene expression. Despite genotypic differences in baseline gene expression, we have identified a common response for components of the coral holobiont to different disease inoculations. This work has identified genes and prokaryiome members that can be focused on for future coral disease work, specifically, putative disease diagnostic tools.
Sociodemographic disparities in concomitant left atrial appendage occlusion during cardiac valve operations
Authors: Ng Ayesha P. , Chervu Nikhil , Sanaiha Yas , Vadlakonda Amulya , Kronen Elsa , Benharash Peyman
Published: May 2023

Background

Sociodemographic disparities in atrial fibrillation (AF) management and thromboembolic prophylaxis have previously been reported, which may involve inequitable access to left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) during cardiac surgery. The present study aimed to evaluate the association of LAAO utilization with sex, race, and hospital region among patients with AF undergoing heart valve operations.

Methods

Adults with AF undergoing valve replacement/repair in the 2012–2019 National Inpatient Sample were identified and stratified based on concurrent LAAO. Multivariable linear and logistic regressions were developed to identify factors associated with LAAO utilization. Mortality, complications including stroke and thromboembolism, hospitalization costs and length of stay (LOS) were secondarily assessed.

Results

Of 382,580 patients undergoing valve operations, 18.7% underwent concomitant LAAO. Over the study period, the proportion of female patients receiving LAAO significantly decreased from 44.8% to 38.9% (p<0.001). Upon risk adjustment, female (AOR 0.93 [95% CI 0.89–0.97]) and Black patients (0.91 [0.83–0.99]) had significantly reduced odds of undergoing LAAO compared to males and Whites, respectively. Additionally, hospitals in the Midwest (1.38 [1.24–1.51]) and West (1.26 [1.15–1.36]) had increased likelihood of LAAO whereas Northeast hospitals (0.85 [0.77–0.94)] had decreased odds relative to the South. Furthermore, LAAO was associated with decreased stroke (0.71 [0.60–0.84]) and thromboembolism (0.68 [0.54–0.86]), $4,200 reduction in costs and 1-day decrement in LOS.

Conclusions

Female and Black patients had significantly lower odds while Midwest and Western hospitals had greater odds of LAAO utilization. Enhancing access to LAAO during valvular surgery is warranted to improve clinical and financial outcomes for patients with AF.
Occupational radiation exposure dose and associated factors among radiology personnel in Eastern Amhara, Ethiopia
Authors: Alemayehu Tadesse Guangul , Bogale Getahun Gebre , Bazie Getaw Walle
Published: May 2023

Background

Ionizing radiation is being used more frequently in medicine, which has been linked to recognized biological effects such as cancer and mortality. Radiology services are becoming more widely available in Ethiopian health facilities but there is no compiled record of worker’s radiation dose. So, assessing the magnitude and identifying the associated factors of occupational radiation exposure dose among radiology personnel help to design strategies for radiation protection.

Objective

The study was designed to assess the occupational radiation exposure dose and associated factors among radiology personnel in eastern Amhara, northeast Ethiopia, 2021.

Methods

Cross-sectional study was conducted from March 25 to April 30, 2021, in 57 health institutions among 198 radiology personnel. The study comprised all eligible radiology personnel. The data were collected using an electronic-based (Google form) self-administered questionnaire, and document review. The data were entered into an excel spread sheet and then, exported to Stata 14 software. Linear regression model was used to analyse the data after checking its assumptions. Variables with a p-value < 0.25 were entered into a multiple linear regression analysis, and those with a p-value < 0.05 were judged significant. VIF was used to check for multi-collinearity. Coefficient of determination was used to check the model fitness.

Results

The mean (± SD) annual shallow and deep dose equivalents of radiology personnel were 1.20 (± 0.75) and 1.02 (± 0.70) mSv, respectively. Body mass index (β = 0.104, 95% CI: 0.07, 0.14), practice of timing (β = -0.43, 95% CI: -0.73, -0.13), working experience (β = -0.04, 95% CI: -0.048, -0.032), and practice of distancing (β = -0.26, 95% CI: -0.49, -0.17) were found to be statistically significant factors of annual deep dose equivalent. In addition, body mass index (β = 0.113, 95% CI: 0.08, 0.15), practice of timing (β = -0.62 95% CI: -0.93, -0.31) and, working experience (β = -0.044, 95% CI: -0.053, -0.036 had statistically significant associations with annual shallow dose equivalent.

Conclusion

The annual dose equivalents were two times higher than the global average of annual per caput effective dose due to medical exposure. Body mass index, practice of timing, working experience, and practice of distancing were factors of occupational radiation exposure dose. Strategies focusing on increasing the skill, experience, and lifestyle of radiology personnel would be supreme important means to reduce occupational radiation exposure dose.
A conformational epitope in placental malaria vaccine antigen VAR2CSA: What does it teach us?
Authors: Doritchamou Justin Y. A. , Renn Jonathan P. , Hviid Lars , Duffy Patrick E.
Published: May 2023

VAR2CSA is the Plasmodium falciparum variant surface antigen that mediates binding of infected erythrocytes to chondroitin sulfate A (CSA) and their sequestration in intervillous spaces of the placenta, leading to placental malaria (PM). Relatively high polymorphism in VAR2CSA sequences has hindered development of a vaccine that induces broadly neutralizing immunity. Recent research has highlighted that a broadly reactive human monoclonal antibody, called PAM1.4, binds to multiple conserved residues of different subfragments of VAR2CSA, forming a conformational epitope. In this short perspective, we describe evidence that residues located in the interdomain-1 fragment of VAR2CSA within the PAM1.4 binding epitope might be critical to broad reactivity of the antibody. Future investigation into broadly reactive anti-VAR2CSA antibodies may be important for the following: (1) identification of similar conformation epitopes targeted by broadly neutralizing antibodies; and (2) understanding different immune evasion mechanisms used by placenta-binding parasites through VAR2CSA polymorphism in critical epitopes.
Hydroxyapatite-chitosan composites derived from sea cucumbers and shrimp shells ameliorate femoral bone defects in an albino rat model
Authors: Safira Arifia , Rani Cinta Atsa Mahesa , Fikri Faisal , Purnomo Agus , Khairani Shafia , Chhetri Shekhar , Maslamama Salipudin Tasil , Purnama Muhammad Thohawi Elziyad
Published: May 2023

Background and Aim: A bone defect is defined as a critically sized autologous bone and a bone gap. Bone grafting is one of the most commonly used surgical methods to enhance bone regeneration in orthopedic procedures. A composite of collagen, hydroxyapatite (HA), and chitosan (Ch) is suitable as a bone matrix and stimulates ossification. This study aimed to evaluate the use of natural HA-Ch composites derived from sea cucumbers and shrimp shells and quantify the levels of cytokines, polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs), serum liver enzymes, calcium, phosphate, and procollagen type 1 N-terminal propeptide (PINP) in albino rats with femoral bone defects.

Materials and Methods: A total of 48 albino rats with femoral bone defects were divided into 4 groups (n = 12 each): (C–) placebo, (C+) polyethylene glycol, (T1) HA, and (T2) HA–Ch groups. Each group was divided into two subgroups (n = 6 each), with euthanization on 7- and 42-day post-treatment, respectively. Procollagen Type 1 N-terminal propeptide and the cytokines interleukin (IL)-4, IL-6, IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha were quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Flow cytometry was performed to evaluate PMNs. A clinical chemistry analyzer was used to measure the serum levels of liver enzymes, calcium, and phosphate.

Results: There was a significant decrease in the level of IL-6 on 7 days and in the level of IL-10 on 42 days in the HA-Ch group. The level of PMNs also decreased significantly on 7 and 42 days in the HA-Ch group. Regarding serum liver enzymes, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels in the HA-Ch group increased significantly on 42 days. Calcium and phosphate levels increased significantly on 7 and 42 days in the HA and HA-Ch groups, and PINP levels increased significantly on 7 and 42 days in the HA-Ch group.

Conclusion: The HA-Ch composite derived from sea cucumbers and shrimp shells ameliorated femoral bone defects in albino rats. The HA-Ch composite modulated the levels of IL-6, IL-10, PMNs, ALP, calcium, phosphate, and PINP on 7- and 42-day post-treatment.

Keywords: bone defect, chitosan, human and health, hydroxyapatite, sea cucumber, shrimp shell.
A Survey on Disaster Experience of Residents in Samcheok, Gangwon-do: Focusing on Direct or Indirect Trauma
Authors:   Crisis and Emergency Management: Theory and Praxis, La Se Won , An Jeong Eun , Lee Hae Jeong , Lee Yeon Jae , An Gi Chan , Kim Hye Sun
Published: May 2023

This study was conducted to provide basic data for effective interventions in PTSD, by understanding Samcheok-si residents’direct and indirect trauma caused by their natural disaster experience. It administered questionnaires to 241 residents in Samcheok-si, and the results are as follows: First, the ratio of residents who have experienced disasters accounted for 72.2% of all residents in Samcheok-si, and they experienced indirect disasters more frequently than direct disasters. Second, they have most frequently experienced ‘forest fire’. Third, all residents who have directly and indirectly experienced disasters have rarely received support for damage caused by them. Fourth, the PTSD levels of the residents who have directly/indirectly experienced disasters were entirely higher. In particular, PTSD levels were higher in one group which have repeatedly experienced disasters and another group which has long experienced psychological difficulties caused. On the basis of the findings as basic data, it is necessary to consider overall interventions in the mental health of residents in Samcheok-si.
The Regional Vulnerability Assessment Model of Heat Wave Considering Heat Wave Disaster Vulnerable Groups
Authors:   Crisis and Emergency Management: Theory and Praxis, Na Ye Ji , Won Jeong-Hun
Published: May 2023

This study developed regional vulnerability assessment model of heat wave considering heat wave disaster vulnerable groups. As indicators of the vulnerability assessment model, climate exposure, sensitivity, adaptive capacity indicators were considered. As detailed indicators in sensitive, the heat wave disaster vulnerable groups were considered (Model A). In addition, the model considering general disaster vulnerable groups (Model B) as indicators in sensitive were analyzed. AHP survey was conducted to measure the relative importance and ranking of the heat wave vulnerability assessment indicators. Results showed that the farmer and obesity were recognized as highly vulnerable among sensitive indicators in Model A and female, multicultural family, and foreigner were recognized as highly vulnerable in Model B based on AHP analysis. By comparing the relationship between the damage from heat wave and the results of the vulnerability assessment, Model A showed high explanatory power in case of heat wave deaths while Model B showed high explanatory power in case of heat wave victims.
Relationship between Motivation, Leadership, and Organizational Participation in Volunteer Organizations: Focusing on the Alderfer' ERG Theory
Authors:   Crisis and Emergency Management: Theory and Praxis, Choi Don Oh , Lee Ju Ho
Published: May 2023

This study intend to verify the role tasks of leaders considering the influence of leadership types and understanding motivation at the level of individual needs to prevent the departure of existing members in the volunteer organization. For purpose, this study analysis on Liongs Clubs with historical traditions and social contribution achievements. As a result of this study, the desire for existence, relationship, and growth of individual members were all identified as factors that increased individual organizational participation. At the same time, leadership was also identified as a factor that induces the participation of members of the volunteer organization. In particular, in the case of volunteer organizations, it is meaningful to confirm that the continuous participation and activities of members are important, which affects the intention to remain, unlike individual satisfaction and immersion. However, unlike the hypothesis of this study, the fact that leadership has not been confirmed to moderate between individual participation motivation and organizational participation is a task to be solved through follow-up studies in the future.
Analyzing the Socio-economic Impact of the COVID-19 Disaster Relief Funds on the Type and Target: Focusing on the Perception of Social and Economic Effectiveness in Chungbuk, Korea
Authors:   Crisis and Emergency Management: Theory and Praxis, Lee Ju Ho , Lee Jae Eun , Kim Young Bae , Shin Dong Min , Park Seong Su , Cha Yun Jeong
Published: May 2023

This research aims to comprehensively examine the economic and social effects by analyzing the perception of disaster relief funds for provincial residents focusing on Chungbuk. As a result of the study, it was found that the policy effectiveness of the disaster relief funds had a direct influence on the effectiveness of disaster relief funds, policy satisfaction, and policy attitude. In particular, it was found that the overall policy effectiveness and economic effectiveness were affected by the perception of the effectiveness of disaster relief funds. However, social effectiveness was found to be relatively affected by policy satisfaction. Considering the analysis results, it is interpreted that the point of attention in determining the policy effectiveness is affected by the possibility and effectiveness of policy means. And, it is judged that the perception of social effectiveness, which is a factor in judging the subjective area, is highly related to policy satisfaction, which is distinguished from the achievement of policy goals. Therefore, detailed content design of disaster relief funds is necessary by considering not only economic effectiveness but also social value and policy satisfaction management such as community recovery and government trust.
The Impact of COVID-19 on Child Malnutrition in Nigeria: Special Focus on Strategic Solutions
Authors: Aborode Abdullahi , Fajemisin Emmanuel , Awoniyi Oluwasola , Akinremi Quadri
Published: May 2023

The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed the rising spate of malnutrition burden especially in under-5 children in Africa, and Nigeria as the most populous black nation is grossly affected. Amidst lingering hunger, and food insecurity issues; the emergence of COVID-19 pandemic is expected to severely exacerbated malnutrition in Nigeria especially in children and women. Concurrently, the malnutrition spate is also a contributing factor to increase the impact of infectious diseases like COVID-19 in Nigeria, hence there is need to consider their impacts together and provide striking interventions. This commentary article presents a perspective on the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and child malnutrition burden in Nigeria; with special focus on strategic solutions so as to improve the health and well-being Nigerian children.
Bairisch verstehen – auf Hochdeutsch reagieren. Strategien zum Aufbau einer rezeptiven Varietätenkompetenz für (tschechische) DaF-Lerner
Authors: Blahak Boris
Published: May 2023

Based on previous studies discussing the thematization of German dialects in lessons of German as a foreign language within and outside the German speaking countries, the article outlines a didactic concept for building receptive variety competence of Czech learners of German towards the diatopic varieties of German spoken in the Free State of Bavaria. Using the example of the North and Middle Bavarian dialects, it will be demonstrated how the Bavarian-Austrian loan vocabulary present in the Czech non-standard varieties can be used didactically to enable learners to overcome the phonetic distance between dialect and standard language, which is the main barrier to comprehension. In this respect, the learners’ inner multilingualism is used to differentiate their outer multilingualism. The current foreign German studies background to the concept is the establishment of interdisciplinary Bavarian Studies at the University of West Bohemia in Pilsen (2019) whose curriculum provides a more profound receptive study of the dialects of Bavaria.
Calcium‐ and voltage‐driven atrial alternans: Insight from [Ca]i and Vm asynchrony
Authors: Kanaporis G. , Martinez‐Hernandez E. , Blatter L. A.
Published: May 2023

Cardiac alternans is defined as beat‐to‐beat alternations in contraction strength, action potential duration (APD), and Ca transient (CaT) amplitude. Cardiac excitation–contraction coupling relies on the activity of two bidirectionally coupled excitable systems, membrane voltage (Vm) and Ca release. Alternans has been classified as Vm‐ or Ca‐driven, depending whether a disturbance of Vm or [Ca]i regulation drives the alternans. We determined the primary driver of pacing induced alternans in rabbit atrial myocytes, using combined patch clamp and fluorescence [Ca]i and Vm measurements. APD and CaT alternans are typically synchronized; however, uncoupling between APD and CaT regulation can lead to CaT alternans in the absence of APD alternans, and APD alternans can fail to precipitate CaT alternans, suggesting a considerable degree of independence of CaT and APD alternans. Using alternans AP voltage clamp protocols with extra APs showed that most frequently the pre‐existing CaT alternans pattern prevailed after the extra‐beat, indicating that alternans is Ca‐driven. In electrically coupled cell pairs, dyssynchrony of APD and CaT alternans points to autonomous regulation of CaT alternans. Thus, with three novel experimental protocols, we collected evidence for Ca‐driven alternans; however, the intimately intertwined regulation of Vm and [Ca]i precludes entirely independent development of CaT and APD alternans.
Interactional features in second language classroom discourse: variations across novice and experienced language teachers
Authors: Derakhshan Ali , Karimpour Sedigheh , Nazari Mostafa
Published: May 2023

Classrooms provide a context in which teachers and learners co-construct meaning in light of their sociocultural understandings and profiles. However, to date, few studies have scrutinized the way such profiles contribute to teachers’ classroom discourse. Informed by the methodological framework of conversation analysis and drawing upon a corpus of 20-h naturally-occurring classroom interactions, the present study examined variations in novice and experienced teachers’ classroom discourse in providing opportunities for learner interlanguage development. The study relied on Walsh’s (2006. Investigating classroom discourse. Routledge) conceptualization of classroom context mode in the data collection and analysis stages. Quantitative and qualitative analyses of the data revealed that the experienced teachers’ discourse was marked by greater simultaneity and immediacy characteristics targeted at learner engagement in comparison to novice teachers. The study findings highlight variations between the two groups across a range of discursive constructions and provide implications for enhancing novice teachers’ classroom discourse.
Dutch Loanwords in Russian: A Cultural-Historical Perspective
Authors: Ai Xin
Published: May 2023

Compared with other loanwords in Russian, the borrowing of Dutch vocabulary has a clear historical and cultural motivation and is closely related to the reforms and westernization during the reign of Peter I (1682–1725) in the late 17th and the early 18th centuries. Dutch loanwords in Russian are mainly distributed in the fields of navigation and construction technology, with some nouns of new objects introduced through business transactions, many of which have become active vocabulary commonly used in modern Russian. Trying to break away from the barriers of traditional linguistic research, this article will analyze the motives, semantic fields, phonetic and grammatical characteristics of Dutch loanwords from the perspective of cultural history to explore and confirm the approaches and characteristics of cultural and technological exchanges between Russia and the Netherlands during the reforms of Peter I, as well as their presence in vocabulary.
SMACS: A framework for formal verification of complex adaptive systems
Authors: Fakhir Ilyas , Kazmi Asad Raza , Qasim Awais , Ishaq Atif
Published: May 2023

Self-adaptive systems (SASs) have the capability to evaluate and change their behavior according to changes occurring in the environment. Research in this field is being held since mid-60, and over the last decade, the importance of self-adaptivity is being increased. In the proposed research, colored petri nets (CPN) formal language is being used to model self-adaptive multiagent system. CPN is increasingly used to model self-adaptive complex concurrent systems due to its flexible formal specification and formal verification behavior. CPN being visually more expressive than simple, Petri Nets enable diverse modeling approaches and provides a richer framework for such a complex formalism. The main goal of this research is to apply self-adaptive multi-agent concurrent system (SMACS) for complex architectures. In our previous research, the SMACS framework is proposed and verified through traffic monitoring system. All agents of SMACS are also known as intelligent agents due to their self-adaptation behavior. Due to decentralized approach in this framework, each agent will intelligently adapt its behavior in the environment and send updates to other agents. In this research, we are choosing smart computer lab (SCL) as a case study. For internal structure of each agent modal,

μ

\mu

-calculus will be used, and then a model checker TAPAs: a tool for the analysis of process algebras will be applied to verify these properties. CPN-based state space analysis will also be done to verify the behavioral properties of the model. The general objective of the proposed system is to maximize the utility generated over some predetermined time horizon.
Phase portraits of two classes of quadratic differential systems exhibiting as solutions two cubic algebraic curves
Authors: Benterki Rebiha , Belfar Ahlam
Published: May 2023

The classification of the phase portraits is one of the classical and difficult problems in the qualitative theory of polynomial differential systems in

R

2

{{\mathbb{R}}}^{2}

, particularly for quadratic systems. Even with the hundreds of studies on the topology of real planar quadratic vector fields, fully characterizing their phase portraits is still a difficult problem. This paper is devoted to classifying the phase portraits of two polynomial vector fields with two usual invariant algebraic curves, by investigating the geometric solutions within the Poincaré disc. One can notice that these systems yield 26 topologically different phase portraits.
Fekete-Szegö functional for a class of non-Bazilevic functions related to quasi-subordination
Authors: Shah Syed Ghoos Ali , Al-Sa’di Sa’ud , Hussain Saqib , Tasleem Asifa , Rasheed Akhter , Cheema Imran Zulfiqar , Darus Maslina
Published: May 2023

In this article, we study the Fekete-Szegö functional associated with a new class of analytic functions related to the class of bounded turning by using the principle of quasi-subordination. We derived the coefficient estimates including the classical Fekete-Szegö inequality for functions belonging to this class. We also improved some existing results.
The Application of Open Science Potentials in Research Processes: A Comprehensive Literature Review
Authors: Zarghani Maryam , Nemati-Anaraki Leila , Sedghi Shahram , Noroozi Chakoli Abdolreza , Rowhani-Farid Anisa
Published: May 2023

The aim of this study was to conduct a comprehensive literature review of the dimensions of open science in research processes. A total of four databases and snowball searching were used for the comprehensive literature review during 2011–2020; then, we were able to find 98 studies based on the inclusion criteria. Also, we used thematic method to review the relevant studies and identified three categories of dimensions in the research process, namely (1) the publication and sharing category including open access, open data, transparency and reproducibility, citizen science, and crowd sourcing; (2) the infrastructure and cultural category including open infrastructure, open education, open tools, budget mechanism, open culture, and communication; and (3) governance and evaluation including policies, governance, and the ethical principles associated with open science. Open science emphasizes the efforts to open and make the scientific research process more inclusive so as to engage the inside and outside actors in the research process.
Total variation bound for Milstein scheme without iterated integrals
Authors: Yamada Toshihiro
Published: May 2023

The paper gives new results for the Milstein scheme of stochastic differential equations. We show that (i) the Milstein scheme holds as a weak approximation in total variation sense and is given by second-order polynomials of Brownian motion without using iterated integrals under non-commutative vector fields; (ii) the accuracy of the Milstein scheme is better than that of the Euler–Maruyama scheme in an asymptotic sense. In particular, we provedTV⁢(XTε,X¯Tε,Mil,(n))≤C⁢ε2/nd_{\mathrm{TV}}(X_{T}^{\varepsilon},\bar{X}_{T}^{\varepsilon,\mathrm{Mil},(n)})\leq C\varepsilon^{2}/nanddTV⁢(XTε,X¯Tε,EM,(n))≤C⁢ε/nd_{\mathrm{TV}}(X_{T}^{\varepsilon},\bar{X}_{T}^{\varepsilon,\mathrm{EM},(n)})\leq C\varepsilon/n, wheredTVd_{\mathrm{TV}}is the total variation distance,XεX^{\varepsilon}is a solution of a stochastic differential equation with a small parameter 𝜀, andX¯ε,Mil,(n)\bar{X}^{\varepsilon,\mathrm{Mil},(n)}andX¯ε,EM,(n)\bar{X}^{\varepsilon,\mathrm{EM},(n)}are the Milstein scheme without iterated integrals and the Euler–Maruyama scheme, respectively. In computational aspect, the scheme is useful to estimate probability distribution functions by a simple simulation without Lévy area computation. Numerical examples demonstrate the validity of the method.
α-Hederin regulates macrophage polarization to relieve sepsis-induced lung and liver injuries in mice
Authors: Zeng Junan , Zhao Guangyu
Published: May 2023

Sepsis is one of the most fatal inflammatory diseases with multiple organ failure caused by pathological infection. α-Hederin, a monodesmosidic triterpenoid saponin, has many biological activities including anti-inflammation. This study aimed to investigate the effect of α-Hederin on lung and liver injuries in septic mice. Mice underwent cecal ligation and puncture-induced sepsis were intraperitoneally injected with 0.3 or 3 mg/kg α-Hederin. α-Hederin treatment dose-dependently attenuated the lung and liver injuries in septic mice. Correspondingly, α-Hederin significantly decreased malondialdehyde production, increased the levels of superoxide dismutase and glutathione in lung tissues, reduced serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase activities, and suppressed the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in both tissues and in the serum. Moreover, α-Hederin augmented CD206 level and inhibited the productions of CD86 and iNOS in lung and liver tissues of septic mice. Importantly, p-p65/p65 was suppressed, whereas IκB was elevated by α-Hederin. In conclusion, α-Hederin could improve the lung and liver injuries in mice with sepsis by regulating macrophage M1/M2 polarization and inhibiting the activation of NF-κB signaling pathway.
Disintegration of toilet papers used in shopping malls
Authors: Mertoglu Elmas Gulnur , Karabulut Beyza , Bekiroglu Ozturk Sultan , Atik Celil , Sonmez Sinan
Published: May 2023

Paper has been used in the field of hygiene for centuries. Tissue papers have low grammage, creped or non-creped surface, and consisting of one or more layers from virgin papers. Toilet paper, which has an important area of use, comes at the beginning of the tissue papers divided into various product groups. Its use has increased even more with the effect of the coronavirus pandemic. Increasing use of toilet paper causes clogging in sewers as solid waste. Because an important and large part of the sewage is composed of cellulosic structures. Therefore, the disintegration of toilet paper is an important issue. The main properties of toilet paper are characterized by grammage, thickness, polymerization degree, softness and wet tensile strength. This study, it was aimed to determine the relationship between the degree of polymerization, thickness, grammage, softness and wet tension strength of toilet papers, which accumulate in the sewer pipes and cause clogging, and their disintegration in tap water and pure water at environment of different pH levels. A great level and positive linear relationship was found between grammage and in disintegration pH9. It was determined a low level and positive relationship with wet tensile strength in disintegration tap water.
Mechanical equipment fault diagnosis based on wireless sensor network data fusion technology
Authors: Hao Fang , Yang Qiuping , Sharma Anjali , Balyan Vipin
Published: May 2023

To save network energy consumption and prolong network life cycle in complex mechanical fault diagnosis, a research method of data fusion routing protocol algorithm based on wireless sensor network (WSN) is proposed. The specific content of the method is as follows: First, the low-energy adaptive clustering hierarchy algorithm is analyzed and discussed. On this basis, the prim route fusion algorithm is proposed to realize the effective utilization of energy and prolong the life of the network. Then, the WSN is abstracted as an undirected graph. From the perspective of saving the energy of the whole network, several current algorithms for building fusion trees are compared. The experimental results show that the prim algorithm consumes energy only after 700 rounds of clustering, while the leach clustering algorithm consumes energy only after 500 rounds. This shows that applying the prim algorithm can reduce the energy consumption of the whole network and prolong the life cycle of the network. However, the algorithm is carried out on the premise of uniform distribution of nodes, and there is a certain gap with the specific application of WSN in mechanical fault diagnosis. In the comparison of node energy consumption, it is found that compared with using the shortest path tree, using the central point of graph algorithm can greatly save the energy consumption of the node and has better performance. Practice has proved that this method can effectively remove redundant data information and solve the problem of unreliable data collected by a single sensor node. It is more suitable for the specific application of WSN in mechanical fault diagnosis.
À propos du titre
jry nfr-ḥȝ.t,
« préposé à celui à l’avant parfait »
Authors: Guigner Mallaury
Published: May 2023

This paper deals with the title jry nfr-ḥȝ.t, which has been debated for a long time. The aim is to identify all individuals who weared this title from the Old Kingdom until the Late Period. The study of people wearing this title can provide some keys to understand the meaning of the expression jry nfr-ḥȝ.t. Some textual and iconographical informations give an idea of its significance, the period and reason of its creation, even if there are no direct evidence. The reuse of the title during the Late Period can be understood as well.
Effects of plaque shape on arterial blood flow
Authors: Marušić Karla , Marušić-Paloka Eduard , Vrdoljak Marko
Published: May 2023

Plaque reduces the conductivity of the blood vessel and its shape is more important than its quantity. We show that, for given quantity, the conductivity is maximal if the plaque forms a uniform layer next to the vessel wall and leaves a circular hole in the middle. On the other hand, for any quantity of the plaque a shape can be found such that the conductivity of the vessel is arbitrary close to zero.
Effect of Aging and a Dual Orexin Receptor Antagonist on Sleep Architecture and Non-REM Oscillations Including an REM Behavior Disorder Phenotype in the PS19 Mouse Model of Tauopathy
Authors: Kam Korey , Vetter Kenny , Tejiram Rachel A. , Pettibone Ward D. , Shim Kaitlyn , Audrain Mickael , Yu Liping , Daehn Ilse S. , Ehrlich Michelle E. , Varga Andrew W.
Published: May 2023

The impact of tau pathology on sleep microarchitecture features, including slow oscillations, spindles, and their coupling, has been understudied, despite the proposed importance of these electrophysiological features toward learning and memory. Dual orexin receptor antagonists (DORAs) are known to promote sleep, but whether and how they affect sleep microarchitecture in the setting of tauopathy is unknown. In the PS19 mouse model of tauopathy MAPT (microtubule-associated protein tau) P301S (both male and female), young PS19 mice 2–3 months old show a sleep electrophysiology signature with markedly reduced spindle duration and power and elevated slow oscillation (SO) density compared with littermate controls, although there is no significant tau hyperphosphorylation, tangle formation, or neurodegeneration at this age. With aging, there is evidence for sleep disruption in PS19 mice, characterized by reduced REM duration, increased non-REM and REM fragmentation, and more frequent brief arousals at the macrolevel and reduced spindle density, SO density, and spindle-SO coupling at the microlevel. In ∼33% of aged PS19 mice, we unexpectedly observed abnormal goal-directed behaviors in REM, including mastication, paw grasp, and forelimb/hindlimb extension, seemingly consistent with REM behavior disorder (RBD). Oral administration of DORA-12 in aged PS19 mice increased non-REM and REM duration, albeit with shorter bout lengths, and increased spindle density, spindle duration, and SO density without change to spindle–SO coupling, power in either the SO or spindle bands, or the arousal index. We observed a significant effect of DORA-12 on objective measures of RBD, thereby encouraging future exploration of DORA effects on sleep-mediated cognition and RBD treatment.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTThe specific effect of tauopathy on sleep macroarchitecture and microarchitecture throughout aging remains unknown. Our key findings include the following: (1) the identification of a sleep EEG signature constituting an early biomarker of impending tauopathy; (2) sleep physiology deteriorates with aging that are also markers of off-line cognitive processing; (3) the novel observation that dream enactment behaviors reminiscent of RBD occur, likely the first such observation in a tauopathy model; and (4) a dual orexin receptor antagonist is capable of restoring several of the sleep macroarchitecture and microarchitecture abnormalities.
Presynaptic targeting of botulinum neurotoxin type A requires a tripartitePSG‐Syt1‐SV2plasma membrane nanocluster for synaptic vesicle entry
Authors: Joensuu Merja , Syed Parnayan , Saber Saber H , Lanoue Vanessa , Wallis Tristan P , Rae James , Blum Ailisa , Gormal Rachel S , Small Christopher , Sanders Shanley , Jiang Anmin , Mahrhold Stefan , Krez Nadja , Cousin Michael A , Cooper‐White Ruby , Cooper‐White Justin J , Collins Brett M , Parton Robert G , Balistreri Giuseppe , Rummel Andreas , Meunier Frédéric A
Published: May 2023

The unique nerve terminal targeting of botulinum neurotoxin type A (BoNT/A) is due to its capacity to bind two receptors on the neuronal plasma membrane: polysialoganglioside (PSG) and synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2 (SV2). Whether and how PSGs and SV2 may coordinate other proteins for BoNT/A recruitment and internalization remains unknown. Here, we demonstrate that the targeted endocytosis of BoNT/A into synaptic vesicles (SVs) requires a tripartite surface nanocluster. Live‐cell super‐resolution imaging and electron microscopy of catalytically inactivated BoNT/A wildtype and receptor‐binding‐deficient mutants in cultured hippocampal neurons demonstrated that BoNT/A must bind coincidentally to a PSG and SV2 to target synaptic vesicles. We reveal that BoNT/A simultaneously interacts with a preassembled PSG‐synaptotagmin‐1 (Syt1) complex and SV2 on the neuronal plasma membrane, facilitating Syt1‐SV2 nanoclustering that controls endocytic sorting of the toxin into synaptic vesicles. Syt1 CRISPRi knockdown suppressed BoNT/A‐ and BoNT/E‐induced neurointoxication as quantified by SNAP‐25 cleavage, suggesting that this tripartite nanocluster may be a unifying entry point for selected botulinum neurotoxins that hijack this for synaptic vesicle targeting.
Insulinoma with equivocal imaging
Authors: Belabed Wafa , Mnif Fatma , Missaoui Abdel Mouhaymen , Elleuch Mouna , Ben Salah Dhoha , Charfi Nadia , Mnif Mouna , Rekik Nabila , Hadj Kacem Faten , Abid Mohamed
Published: May 2023

A 55-year-old patient was admitted to our department for the management of a repetitive alteration of consciousness. Biological investigation results were consistent with endogenous hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia. Insulinoma was therefore suspected. Abdominal computed tomography and endoscopic ultrasound showed no obvious pancreatic mass.Somatostatin receptor scintigraphy showed abnormal radioactive uptake in both the pancreatic tail and the uncinate process. Contrariwise, abdominal magnetic resonance imaging showed a unique lesion in the pancreas tail. The patient was then proposed for pancreatic surgery. Both intraoperative manual palpation and intraoperative ultrasonography of the pancreas showed a single corporal lesion of 1.5 cm. No lesion was found in the uncinate process. After a left pancreatectomy, the lesion was histopathologically confirmed to be a well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumor. The symptoms of the patient resolved almost immediately following the surgery. The follow-up is one and a half years to date.

Learning points

The exact preoperative localization of the pancreatic mass remains the most challenging part of insulinoma diagnostic workup.

The radiologist’s experience is the best warrantor to a precise localization of the tumor.

111In-DTPA-octreotide uptake in the pancreatic uncinate process may be physiological and its interpretation must, therefore, be vigilant.

Manual palpation along with intraoperative ultrasonography is considered as the most effective method for the localization of insulinomas during open surgery.
Prostate cancer and bone: clinical presentation and molecular mechanisms
Authors: Wells Kristina V , Krackeler Margaret L , Jathal Maitreyee K , Parikh Mamta , Ghosh Paramita M , Leach J Kent , Genetos Damian C
Published: May 2023

Prostate cancer (PCa) is an increasingly prevalent health problem in the developed world. Effective treatment options exist for localized PCa, but metastatic PCa has fewer treatment options and shorter patient survival. PCa and bone health are strongly entwined, as PCa commonly metastasizes to the skeleton. Since androgen receptor signaling drives PCa growth, androgen-deprivation therapy whose sequelae reduce bone strength constitutes the foundation of advanced PCa treatment. The homeostatic process of bone remodeling – produced by concerted actions of bone-building osteoblasts, bone-resorbing osteoclasts, and regulatory osteocytes — may also be subverted by PCa to promote metastatic growth. Mechanisms driving skeletal development and homeostasis, such as regional hypoxia or matrix-embedded growth factors, may be subjugated by bone metastatic PCa. In this way, the biology that sustains bone is integrated into adaptive mechanisms for the growth and survival of PCa in bone. Skeletally metastatic PCa is difficult to investigate due to the entwined nature of bone biology and cancer biology. Herein, we survey PCa from origin, presentation, and clinical treatment to bone composition and structure and molecular mediators of PCa metastasis to bone. Our intent is to quickly yet effectively reduce barriers to team science across multiple disciplines that focuses on PCa and metastatic bone disease. We also introduce concepts of tissue engineering as a novel perspective to model, capture, and study complex cancer-microenvironment interactions.