bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Metagenome-Assembled Genomes from a Microbiome Grown in Dairy Manure Hydrolysate
Authors: Ingle Abel T. , Fortney Nathaniel W. , Myers Kevin S. , Walters Kevin A. , Scarborough Matthew J. , Donohue Timothy J. , Noguera Daniel R.
Published: July 2022

Anaerobic microbiomes can be used to recover the chemical energy in agroindustrial and municipal wastes as useful products. Here, we report a total of 109 draft metagenome-assembled genomes from a bioreactor-fed carbohydrate-rich dairy manure hydrolysate. Studying these genomes will aid us in deciphering the metabolic networks in anaerobic microbiomes.
Draft Genome Sequences of Nine “
Candidatus
Nanosynbacter sp. HMT-352” Strains Cultured from the Human Oral Cavity
Authors: Liu Jett , Utter Daniel R. , Nie Jie , Kerns Kristopher A. , Lamont Eleanor I. , Hendrickson Erik L. , Wang Xiaoyan , McLean Jeffrey S. , He Xuesong , Bor Batbileg
Published: July 2022

Here, we report draft genome sequences for nine strains of “
Candidatus
Nanosynbacter sp. HMT-352.” These strains and their sequences were used to interrogate strain-level variations in host range, gene content, and growth dynamics among the phylum “
Candidatus
Saccharibacteria.”
Complete Genome Sequence of a Salmonella enterica subsp.
enterica
Serovar Tennessee Strain from Tahini
Authors: Schlund Olga , Göhler Andre , Borowiak Maria , Deneke Carlus , Fischer Matthias , Lamparter Marina C.
Published: July 2022

Salmonella
sp. infections are associated with contaminated low-moisture foods (with high fat content) with increasing frequency. Here, we report the complete genome sequence of
Salmonella enterica
subsp.
enterica
serovar Tennessee, which was isolated from tahini (a paste made from ground sesame seeds) purchased at a local retailer in Berlin, Germany.
RNA-seq Sample Preparation Kits Strongly Affect Transcriptome Profiles of a Gas-Fermenting Bacterium
Authors: de Lima Lorena Azevedo , Reinmets Kristina , Nielsen Lars Keld , Marcellin Esteban , Harris Audrey , Köpke Michael , Valgepea Kaspar
Published: July 2022

RNA-seq is a powerful technique for transcriptome profiling while involving elaborate sample processing before library sequencing. We show that RNA-seq library preparation kits can strongly affect the outcome of an RNA-seq experiment.
Differentiation between carbonate and silicate metasomatism based on lithium isotopic compositions of alkali basalts
Authors: Tan Dong-Bo , Xiao Yilin , Dai Li-Qun , Sun He , Wang Yangyang , Gu Hai-Ou
Published: July 2022

Carbonate and silicate metasomatism occurring in subduction zones is an important mechanism underlying mantle heterogeneity and compositional diversity of mantle-derived rocks. However, distinguishing between the two kinds of metasomatism is often difficult. Lithium (Li) and its isotopes have great potential in this regard because of the different Li isotopic compositions of recycled marine carbonate and silicate components. We report Li isotopic data from Cenozoic and Mesozoic alkali basalts of the West Qinling orogen in central China. Relative to those for normal basalts, very high δ7Li values (up to +11.2‰) were observed for the Cenozoic alkali basalts, but significantly and systematically lower values (as low as −3.3‰) were estimated for the Mesozoic alkali basalts. Their abnormal Li isotopic compositions, combined with major- and trace-element contents and Sr-Mg isotope ratios, indicate that the Cenozoic and Mesozoic alkali basalts originated from carbonated and silicated mantle sources, respectively, reflecting metasomatism of the mantle by slab-derived carbonate and silicate melts during Paleotethyan oceanic subduction. Interactions of such melts with the mantle peridotite in subduction channels can account for the elemental and isotopic differences of the studied alkali basalts. The present study demonstrates an effective way to distinguish between carbonate and silicate metasomatism in subduction zones by studying Li isotopic compositions of alkali basalts and highlights the prospect of Li isotopes in tracing the deep carbon cycle.
Autobrecciation and fusing of mafic magma preceding explosive eruptions
Authors: Marshall Aaron A. , Manga Michael , Brand Brittany D. , Andrews Benjamin J.
Published: July 2022

Bubble and crystal textures evolve during magma ascent, altering properties that control ascent such as permeability and viscosity. Eruption style results from feedbacks between ascent, bubble nucleation and growth, microlite crystallization, and gas loss, all processes recorded in pyroclasts. We show that pyroclasts of the mafic Curacautín ignimbrite of Llaima volcano, Chile, record a history of repeated autobrecciation, fusing, and crystallization. We identified pyroclasts with domains of heterogeneous vesicle textures in sharp contact with one another that are overprinted by extensive microlite crystallization. Broken crystals with long axes (l) >10 μm record fragmentation events during the eruption. A second population of unbroken microlites with l ≤10 μm overprint sutures between fused domains, suggesting the highly crystalline groundmass formed at shallow depths after autobrecciation and fusing. Nearly all pyroclasts contain plutonic and ancestral Llaima lithics as inclusions, implying that fusing occurs from a few kilometers depth to as shallow as the surface. We propose that Curacautín ignimbrite magma autobrecciated during ascent and proto-pyroclasts remained melt rich enough to fuse together. Lithics from the conduit margins were entrained into the proto-pyroclasts before fusing. Autobrecciation broke existing phenocrysts and microlites; rapid post-fusing crystallization then generated the highly crystalline groundmass. This proposed conduit process has implications for interpreting the products of mafic explosive eruptions.
Supplemental Material: Nanometer-scale pore structure and the Monterey Formation: A new tool to investigate silica diagenesis
Authors: Ross Cynthia , Kovscek Anthony
Published: July 2022

Detailed methods, additional measurements and images, experimental summary, and comparison with other sorption studies, Table S1, and Figures S1–S12 
Prospects for the Use of Palladium from NPP Spent Nuclear Fuel and Ways to Design the Technology of its Recovery at a Radiochemical Enterprise
Authors: Pokhitonov Yu. A. , Tananaev I. G.
Published: July 2022

The removal of platinoids (Pd, Rh, and Ru) from irradiated fuel the yield of which is kilograms per ton is a complex problem due to a number of technological and economic reasons. The paper proposes ways of a phased approach to the introduction of technology for the recovery of platinum-group metals (PGM) at one of the radiochemical enterprises. Information is presented on the dynamics of production volume and prices of PGMs in the world over the past decades and on the possibility of using reactor platinoids in various fields. According to the authors, it is of interest to consider the problem of isolating and using reactor Pd in ​​hydrogen power engineering and in the processing of waste from radiochemical enterprises.
Light-cone quantization of scalar field on time-dependent backgrounds
Authors: Arduino Andrea , Pesando Igor
Published: July 2022

We discuss what is light-cone quantization on a curved spacetime also without a null Killing vector. Then we consider as an example the light-cone quantization of a scalar field on a background with a Killing vector and the connection with the second quantization of the particle in the same background. It turns out that the proper way to define the light-cone quantization is to require that the constant light-cone time hypersurface is null or, equivalently, that the particle Hamiltonian is free of square roots. Moreover, in order to quantize the scalar theory it is necessary to use not the original scalar rather a scalar field density, i.e. the Schrödinger wave functional depends on a scalar density and not on the original field. Finally we recover this result as the second quantization of a particle on the same background, where it is necessary to add as input the fact that we are dealing with a scalar density.
Testing non-local gravity by clusters of galaxies
Authors: Bouchè Filippo , Capozziello Salvatore , Salzano Vincenzo , Umetsu Keiichi
Published: July 2022

Extended theories of gravity have been extensively investigated during the last thirty years, aiming at fixing infrared and ultraviolet shortcomings of General Relativity and of the associated$$\varLambda $$ΛCDM cosmological model. Recently, non-local theories of gravity have drawn increasing attention due to their potential to ameliorate both the ultraviolet and infrared behavior of gravitational interaction. In particular, Integral Kernel theories of Gravity provide a viable mechanism to explain the late time cosmic acceleration so as to avoid the introduction of any form of unknown dark energy. On the other hand, these models represent a natural link towards quantum gravity. Here, we study a scalar-tensor equivalent model of General Relativity corrected with non-local terms, where corrections are selected by the existence of Noether symmetries. After performing the weak field limit and generalizing the results to extended mass distributions, we analyse the non-local model at galaxy cluster scales, by comparing the theoretical predictions with gravitational lensing observations from the CLASH program. We obtain agreement with data at the same level of statistical significance as General Relativity. We also provide constraints for the Navarro–Frenk–White parameters and lower bounds for the non-local length scales. The results are finally compared with those from the literature.
Type IIB moduli stabilization, inflation and waterfall fields
Authors: Antoniadis Ignatios , Lacombe Osmin , Leontaris George K.
Published: July 2022

In this paper, we present a string realization of the hybrid inflationary scenario within type IIB effective string theory constructions and a geometric configuration of intersecting D7 branes. A metastable de Sitter minimum is ensured by perturbative logarithmic corrections and D-term contributions from abelian factors associated with the D7 branes. The inflaton is identified with the internal volume modulus whereas possible waterfall fields correspond to excitations of open strings attached to the magnetized D7 branes. By incorporating contributions of these fields in the scalar potential, inflation stops and the metastable vacuum settles to a minimum with the observed tunable value of the cosmological constant.
Hadronic resonances in heavy-ion collisions at NICA energies and their reconstruction in the MPD setup
Authors: Riabov Victor
Published: July 2022

The short-lived hadronic resonances are used to study the properties of the hot and dense medium produced in the relativistic heavy-ion collisions. The resonance masses and widths, yields and mean transverse momenta measured in the hadronic decay channels probe different stages of the nuclear collisions and are most sensitive to strangeness production, collective flow and hadronization mechanisms as well as to lifetime and density of the hadronic phase. In this contribution, we discuss line shape modifications for short-lived resonances and their consequences for the yields and shapes of the production spectra measured in heavy-ion collisions at intermediate collision energies, [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]GeV. Capabilities of the MPD facility at NICA to reconstruct resonances in Bi+Bi collisions at [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]GeV are presented and discussed.
Properties of B and Bs meson states in a nonrelativistic quark model with the inclusion of coupled channel effects
Authors: D’Souza Praveen P. , Monteiro Antony Prakash , Naik N. S. Vipin , Kumar K. B. Vijaya
Published: July 2022

The mass spectra and decay properties of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] mesons are obtained using the nonrelativistic potential model by applying the variational approach. The quark–anti-quark potential used in our model consists of a Hulthen potential and a confining linear potential. The hyper-fine interaction is introduced to obtain the splittings of the spin-singlet and triplet states, while the spin–orbit and tensor interactions provide the fine structure splittings. The model parameters and the wave functions that reproduce the mass spectra are used to investigate the decay properties of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] mesons. The mass spectra of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] mesons have been enhanced using coupled channel effects.
Characterization of general relativistic spacetime equipped with different types of solitons
Authors: Dey Santu , Khan Meraj Ali , Roy Soumendu , Zhao Peibiao
Published: July 2022

The aim of this paper is to study certain types of metrics such as conformal [Formula: see text]-Ricci soliton and Yamabe soliton in general relativistic spacetime. Here, we have shown the nature of the soliton when the spacetime with semisymmetric energy–momentum tensor admits conformal [Formula: see text]-Ricci soliton, whose potential vector field is torse-forming. We have studied certain curvature conditions on the spacetime that admits conformal [Formula: see text]-Ricci soliton. Also, we have enriched the importance of the Laplace equation on the spacetime admitting conformal [Formula: see text]-Ricci soliton. Next, we have given some applications of physical connection of dust fluid, dark fluid and radiation era on general relativistic spacetime admitting conformal [Formula: see text]-Ricci soliton and Yamabe soliton.
Ray/Ribbon Intersections
Authors: Reshetov Alexander
Published: July 2022

We present a new ray tracing primitive---a curved ribbon, which is embedded inside a ruled surface. We describe two such surfaces. Ribbons inside doubly ruled bilinear patches can be intersected by solving a quadratic equation. We also consider a singly ruled surface with a directrix defined by a quadratic Bézier curve and a generator---by two linearly interpolated bitangent vectors. Intersecting such a surface requires solving a cubic equation, but it provides more fine-tuned control of the ribbon shape.

These two primitives are smooth, composable, and allow fast non-iterative intersections. These are the first primitives that possess all such properties simultaneously.
Software Rasterization of 2 Billion Points in Real Time
Authors: Schütz Markus , Kerbl Bernhard , Wimmer Michael
Published: July 2022

The accelerated collection of detailed real-world 3D data in the form of ever-larger point clouds is sparking a demand for novel visualization techniques that are capable of rendering billions of point primitives in real-time. We propose a software rasterization pipeline for point clouds that is capable of rendering up to two billion points in real-time (60 FPS) on commodity hardware. Improvements over the state of the art are achieved by batching points, enabling a number of batch-level optimizations before rasterizing them within the same rendering pass. These optimizations include frustum culling, level-of-detail (LOD) rendering, and choosing the appropriate coordinate precision for a given batch of points directly within a compute workgroup. Adaptive coordinate precision, in conjunction with visibility buffers, reduces the required data for the majority of points to just four bytes, making our approach several times faster than the bandwidth-limited state of the art. Furthermore, support for LOD rendering makes our software rasterization approach suitable for rendering arbitrarily large point clouds, and to meet the elevated performance demands of virtual reality applications.
Network Lifetime Optimization in Multi-hop Industrial Cognitive Radio Sensor Networks
Authors: Zhang Zengqi , Sun Sheng , Liu Min , Li Zhongcheng
Published: July 2022

Industrial cognitive radio sensor networks (ICRSNs)
extend channel resources by occupying the vacant licensed channels in the absence of licensed users. In ICRSNs, industrial devices should switch to a common available channel to set up a communication link. However, channel switching leads to severe energy consumption. As the energy resources of battery-powered industrial devices are limited, it is crucial to carefully allocate channels to prolong the network lifetime of multi-hop ICRSNs. This paper is the first work that studies the channel allocation problem to optimize the network lifetime by considering the
channel-switching (CS)
energy consumption and the time-critical requirements of industrial applications. The problem is formulated to maximize the minimum residual energy at each round of data transmission, which is linearized as integer linear programming. As the channel allocation results will affect the residual energy at subsequent rounds, we propose a
switching distance-optimized channel allocation (SDOCA)
scheme that shortens the CS distances to improve the residual energy of each device. Moreover, we analyze the characteristics of SDOCA, i.e., convergent CS distance and guaranteed end-to-end delay. Extensive simulation results show that SDOCA can adaptively allocate channels according to the end-to-end delay requirement and significantly prolong the network lifetime.
The Anthropology of Being Haunted: On the Emergence of an Anthropological Hauntology
Authors: Good Byron J. , Chiovenda Andrea , Rahimi Sadeq
Published: July 2022

Since the appearance of Derrida's Specters of Marx: The State of the Debt, the Work of Mourning and the New International in 1994, there has been an outpouring of writing in cultural studies around the themes of hauntology and spectralities. This article asks broadly whether a form of hauntology has emerged within anthropology; if so, when and how it has appeared; and what constitutes such a field as distinctive. This article asks what comprises being haunted as a specific affective state within anthropological writing, what theory of the subject is assumed by such writings, and what distinguishes ethnographic analyses that do not dismiss the presence of ghosts as simply cultural beliefs or literary fictions, as is common in cultural studies. It reviews the literature on the haunting remains of traumatic violence, examines writing that juxtaposes hauntological and ontological theorizing, describes the appearance of an incipient hauntological voice within ethnographic writing, and concludes with a discussion of the emergence of a hauntological ethics.
The Ecoimmunology of Health and Disease: The Hygiene Hypothesis and Plasticity in Human Immune Function
Authors: Blackwell Aaron D.
Published: July 2022

The original hygiene hypothesis proposed that certain diseases derive from low levels of early-life microbial exposure. Since then, the hypothesis has been applied to numerous inflammatory, autoimmune, and allergic conditions. The changes in hygiene linked to these diseases include numerous changes in biotic exposure and lifestyle. To this end, some scholars have called for abandonment of the term or have suggested alternate labels, e.g., the old friends hypothesis. However, neither of these terms encompasses the complexity of plasticity in immune response and host–parasite/commensal interactions that influence these conditions. Here, I review this complexity, with particular regard to the factors affecting immunological strategies, the development of tolerance, immune dysfunction, and ecological interactions among organisms. I discuss the biotic factors that affect immune plasticity and how these interact with abiotic factors such as nutrition, as well as how transgenerational exposures may affect immune plasticity. Finally, I review the general features of diseases linked to biotic exposures.
Deconvoluting Charge Transfer Mechanisms in Conducting Redox Polymer-Based Photobioelectrocatalytic Systems
Authors: Weliwatte N. Samali , Simoska Olja , Powell Daniel , Koh Miharu , Grattieri Matteo , Whittaker-Brooks Luisa , Korzeniewski Carol , Minteer Shelley D.
Published: July 2022

Poor electrochemical communication between biocatalysts and electrodes is a ubiquitous limitation to bioelectrocatalysis efficiency. An extensive library of polymers has been developed to modify biocatalyst-electrode interfaces to alleviate this limitation. As such, conducting redox polymers (CRPs) are a versatile tool with high structural and functional tunability. While charge transport in CRPs is well characterized, the understanding of charge transport mechanisms facilitated by CRPs within decisively complex photobioelectrocatalytic systems remains very limited. This study is a comprehensive analysis that dissects the complex kinetics of photobioelectrodes into fundamental blocks based on rational assumptions, providing a mechanistic overview of charge transfer during photobioelectrocatalysis. We quantitatively compare two biohybrids of metal-free unbranched CRP (polydihydroxy aniline) and photobiocatalyst (intact chloroplasts), formed utilizing two deposition strategies (“mixed” and “layered” depositions). The superior photobioelectrocatalytic performance of the “layered” biohybrid compared to the “mixed” counterpart is justified in terms of rate (D
app), thermodynamic and kinetic barriers (H≠, E
a), frequency of molecular collisions (D
0) during electron transport across depositions, and rate and resistance to heterogeneous electron transfer (k
0, R
CT). Our results indicate that the primary electron transfer mechanism across the biohybrids, constituting the unbranched CRP, is thermally activated intra- and inter-molecular electron hopping, as opposed to a non-thermally activated polaron transfer model typical for branched CRP- or conducting polymer (CP)-containing biohybrids in literature. This work underscores the significance of subtle interplay between CRP structure and deposition strategy in tuning the polymer-catalyst interfaces, and the branched/unbranched structural classification of CRPs in the bioelectrocatalysis context.
Impact of Sm2O3 onthe Morphological, Optical, Magnetic, and Pesticide Adsorption of Co3O4/PANI Hybrid Nanocomposites
Authors: Wassel Ahmed R. , Abdelhameed Reda M. , Nasralla N. H. S. , Abomostafa Hala
Published: July 2022

Adsorption is one of the most favored procedures in advanced wastewater treatment. Magnetic hybrid materials have a great adsorption performance and excellent reusability in the industry. For this reason, the amazing roles of Sm2O3 doping on Co3O4/PANI hybrid nanocomposite materials were studied. Co3O4 nanoparticles were synthesized using the thermal decomposition technique where Sm2O3 doped Co3O4/ PANI hybrid nanocomposite materials were prepared via in situ oxidative polymerization. The X-ray analysis, technique results confirm the successful formation of neat Co3O4 nanoparticles with cubic phase and its presence in emeraldine phase of PANI matrix. X-ray reveals that the crystallinity of hybrid nanocomposite materials increases with increasing Sm2O3 doping ratio. HRTEM showed polycrystalline structure of Co3O4 nanoparticles and that the doped Sm2O3 was well incorporated and dispersed within the PANI matrix. The surfaces topography was studied by FESEM. UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectrum revealed two characteristic bands of PANI that are shifted towards higher wavelengths with Sm2O3 doping ratio. The calculated indirect energy gaps were found to decrease from 2.83–2.56 eV which indicates a good response of the hybrid nanocomposite materials to the effect of the UV absorption. The magnetic properties of the investigated samples are measured by VSM. Ms was found to decrease with increasing Sm2O3, while Hc increase with Sm2O3 ratio which will hinder the domain walls motion. Adsorptive removal of chlorpyrifos could be ascribed as pseudo-second ordered and Langmuir model. The maximum adsorptive capacity was 36.9, 47.11, 63.8, and 83.03, 96.73 mg/g for PANI, Co3O4/PANI, Co3O4/PANI-2 wt% Sm2O3, Co3O4/PANI/−4 wt% Sm2O3, and Co3O4/PANI-6 wt% Sm2O3hybridnanocomposite materials, respectively.
Study of Power Gain Capability of CNTFET Power Amplifier in THz Frequency Range
Authors: Gelao G. , Marani R. , Perri A. G.
Published: July 2022

In this paper we study the application of a single-CNTFET as power amplifier in the THz frequency range, using a CNTFET model, already proposed by us. We show that the device has, within stable condition, a Maximum Gain of at least 29 dB at frequencies below 30 GHz, decreasing to 20 dB at 800 GHz and reaching 18 dB at 1 THz. Through the analysis of a simple example, we show that it is possible to obtain a stable amplifier with tuned matching with a gain near the Maximum Gain at 1 THz. Finally we show that the matching of this device requires high ratio which could be hard to implement at 1 THz.
Efficacy and Safety of Exploring Deeper Sections of the Infrapapillary Area of the Duodenum by Using Sedative Esophagogastroduodenoscopy
Authors: Hsu Ming-Tse , Chen Chi-Yi , Liao Kai-Sheng , Chung Wei-Sheng
Published: July 2022

Background. Using conventional esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) to evaluate the infrapapillary area is not feasible. The use of sedative EGD may enable endoscopists to investigate the infrapapillary condition of the duodenum. In this study, we aimed to evaluate lesions in the infrapapillary regions by using sedative EGD. Methods. In this retrospective observational study, we used the data of patients who underwent sedative EGD examinations at a tertiary hospital in southern Taiwan. The endoscopists evaluated the esophagus, stomach, and proximal duodenum and then attempted to explore the infrapapillary portion of the duodenum as deeply as possible. We assessed the success rate for the exploration of infrapapillary areas. Furthermore, we analyzed specific clinical findings of sedative EGD examination. Results. In total, 2973 patients underwent sedative EGD between November 1, 2010, and December 31, 2011. For 2632 of these patients, it was their first sedative EGD examination. In 2511 patients (95.4%), the exploration of the infrapapillary areas was successful. In approximately 10% of the patients, specific findings were detected over the infrapapillary region, and 7 of these patients exhibited clinically significant findings (i.e., gallbladder cancer with metastasis, periampullary Vater adenoma, natural killer cell enteropathy, villous adenoma with moderate dysplasia, infrapapillary duodenal adenoma with dysplasia, duodenal perforation with tumor-like formation, and follicular lymphoma). No patient experienced minor or major adverse reactions during the sedative EGD procedure. Conclusions. The current study provided evidence that sedative EGD examination enables a safe, comfortable, and effective endoscopic examination of deeper sections of the duodenum to evaluate the papillary and infrapapillary regions.
Comparison Analysis Based on Complete Chloroplast Genomes and Insights into Plastid Phylogenomic of Four Iris Species
Authors: Feng Jing-lu , Wu Li-wei , Wang Qing , Pan Yun-jia , Li Bao-li , Lin Yu-lin , Yao Hui
Published: July 2022

Iris species, commonly known as rainbow flowers because of their attractive flowers, are extensively grown in landscape gardens. A few species, including Belamcanda chinensis, the synonym of I. domestica and I. tectorum, are known for their medicinal properties. However, research on the genomes and evolutionary relationships of Iris species is scarce. In the current study, the complete chloroplast (CP) genomes of I. tectorum, I. dichotoma, I. japonica, and I. domestica were sequenced and compared for their identification and relationship. The CP genomes of the four Iris species were circular quadripartite with similar lengths, GC contents, and codon usages. A total of 113 specific genes were annotated, including the ycf1 pseudogene in all species and rps19 in I. japonica alone. All the species had mononucleotide (A/T) simple sequence repeats (SSRs) and long forward and palindromic repeats in their genomes. A comparison of the CP genomes based on mVISTA and nucleotide diversity (Pi) identified three highly variable regions (ndhF-rpl32, rps15-ycf1, and rpl16). Phylogenetic analysis based on the complete CP genomes concluded that I. tectorum is a sister of I. japonica, and the subgenus Pardanthopsis with several I. domestica clustered into one branch is a sister of I. dichotoma. These findings confirm the feasibility of superbarcodes (complete CP genomes) for Iris species authentication and could serve as a resource for further research on Iris phylogeny.
Analysis of Entropy Generation and Potential Inhibition in an Aeroengine System Environment
Authors: Liu Xiaojing , Ding Shuiting , Qiu Tian , Liu Chuankai , Liu Peng , Li Guo , Zhang Xiaozhe
Published: July 2022

From a system perspective, the entropy generation of an aeroengine is directly related to the thermal efficiency when the Brayton cycle pressure ratio and maximum temperature remain constant. The lower the entropy generation of the engine is, the higher the thermal efficiency. However, the secondary air system of the engine generates a large quantity of entropy compared to the components of the main flow channel, because the irreversible losses of the internal flow and heat exchange between the air system components generate considerable entropy within the system. In this study, the theoretical method is used to build entropy generation model for different characteristics of air system components during the aerothermal process. In this basis, an integrated model of the whole engine is introduced to identify the key components for entropy generation in the system environment. The results show that the labyrinth at outlet of unloading cavity is recognized as the one that generates the most entropy in the entire aeroengine system, and the total entropy generation of the system is highly related to this component. Besides, in the system environment, entropy generation is the sum of the local entropy generated by the components and the total entropy generated by mixing of airflows in each component. High local entropy generated by components does not necessarily result in a high system entropy production, and vice versa. Therefore, when the minimum system entropy generation is the design goal, the most critical operations for entropy generation should be identified according to the corresponding sensitivity and parameter variation range, and the design should be improved accordingly.
Algorithm of Scenic Spot Tourism Route Planning Based on Convolution Neural Network
Authors: Lyu Haijing , Han Zhenkun
Published: July 2022

Based on convolution neural network, a tourism route planning method for scenic spots is proposed. The method of performing primitive trajectory adaptive learning is used to plan and design the tourism route nodes and path space. On this basis, the shortest distribution grid structure model of tourism routes is constructed. Using the visual servo mobile route optimization control method, the constraint parameters of tourism route planning are optimized. In order to avoid the crowded area of tourists and the shortest path as the planning standard, the path planning problem is regarded as a constraint problem. The convolution neural network is used to activate the constraint function with the shortest path, and the output planning results are calculated iteratively. The simulation results show that this method has good learning control ability and convergence performance and improves the reliability of scenic spot tourism route planning.
Genomic and Immunological Characterization of Pyroptosis in Lung Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Song Yaobo , Qu Zhen , Feng Hu , Xu Long , Xiao Yajie , Zhao Zhikun , Wu Dongfang , Sun Chao , Fan Xinglong , Zhou Dongmei
Published: July 2022

Pyroptosis is a programmed cell death that may either promote or hinder cancer growth under different circumstances. Pyroptosis-related genes (PRGs) could be a useful target for cancer therapy, and are uncommon in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). The expression profiles, mutation data and clinical information of LUAD patients were included in this study. A pyroptosis-related prognostic risk score (PPRS) model was constructed by performing Cox regression, weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) analysis to score LUAD patients. Somatic mutation and copy number variation (CNV), tumor immunity, and sensitivity to immunotherapy/chemotherapy were compared between different PPRS groups. Clinical parameters of LUAD were combined with PPRS to construct a decision tree and nomogram. Red module was highly positively correlated with pyroptosis. Seven genes (FCRLB, COTL1, GNG10, CASP4, DOK1, CCR2, and AQP8) were screened from the red module to construct a PPRS model. Significantly lower overall survival (OS), higher incidence of somatic mutation and CNV, elevated infiltration level of the immune cell together with increased probability of immune escape were observed in LUAD patients with higher PPRS, and were more sensitive to Cisplatin, Docetaxel, and Vinorelbine. We constructed a new PPRS model for patients with LUAD. The model might have clinical significance in the prediction of the prognosis of patients with LUAD and in the efficacy of chemotherapy and immunotherapy.
A Background Search on the Potential Role of Scutellaria and Its Essential Oils
Authors: Zehravi Mehrukh , Karthika Chenmala , Azad Abul Kalam , Ahmad Zubair , Khan Farhat S. , Rahman Md. Sohanur , Akter Rokeya , Rahman Md. Habibur
Published: July 2022

Scutellaria (Lamiaceae), which contains over 350 species, usually known as skullcaps, is found throughout Europe, the United States, and East Asia. In traditional Chinese medicine, several species are used to wipe out heat‐evil and remove surface ills (TCM). The current study examines the ethnopharmacology, biological activity, and chemical substances associated with Scutellaria species. More than 295 chemicals, including flavonoids and diterpenes, have been identified. Scutellaria and its active principles have been shown in studies to have a wide range of pharmacological activities, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, antifeedant, phytotoxic, acaricidal toxicity, antibacterial, anti‐inflammatory, and antianalgesic activities. Currently, effective monomeric compounds or active components from Scutellaria have been evaluated for pharmacological action in vivo and in vitro. More data facilitates applications and exploitation of novel medication development.
Language of Medical Instruction in Palestine: A Mixed Method Approach of Students’ Perceptions
Authors: Jabali Oqab
Published: July 2022

This mixed method study explores medical students’ perceptions and attitudes regarding the language(s) of medical instruction in two Palestinian universities. The researcher aimed to identify the way medical students look at the language of medical education as well as the merits and drawbacks of the language(s) used in medical instruction. A 25‐item descriptive, online questionnaire was built to explore the way university students evaluate and perceive the medium of medical instruction at the Faculty of Medicine. To complement and inform the quantitative findings, fifty‐five students from each university were randomly selected, and their responses to an open question about the merits and drawbacks of the language(s) were analyzed using MAXQDA. Of the too many medical students enrolled in the two universities, 604 completed and returned the survey, and 55 students were selected to interpret their open responses qualitatively. The study findings suggest that the students are divided into two camps concerning what the language of medical instruction should be; some prefer Arabic, their mother tongue, while the others showed no reservations about using the medical academic vocabulary in English. Some statistically significant differences were found when some demographic variables, i.e., gender, specific major, and year of study, interact. Finally, study respondents highlighted several issues which the researcher sorted into advantages and disadvantages for each language. There is a considerable discrepancy in the choice of the language of medical instruction at the Faculty of Medicine. Each language has its pros and cons; consequently, a mixture of a mother and a foreign language (e.g., English) could be a suitable compromise in a country like Palestine.
Wavelet and Spectral Analysis of Normal and Abnormal Heart Sound for Diagnosing Cardiac Disorders
Authors: Hossain Amzad , Uddin Sharif , Rahman Parinda , Anee Meratun Junnut , Rifat Md Mehedi Hasan , Uddin M. Monir
Published: July 2022

Body auscultation is a frequent clinical diagnostic procedure used to diagnose heart problems. The key advantage of this clinical method is that it provides a cheap and effective solution that enables medical professionals to interpret heart sounds for the diagnosis of cardiac diseases. Signal processing can quantify the distribution of amplitude and frequency content for diagnostic purposes. In this experiment, the use of signal processing and wavelet analysis in screening cardiac disorders provided enough evidence to distinguish between the heart sounds of a healthy and unhealthy heart. Real‐time data was collected using an IoT device, and the noise was reduced using the REES52 sensor. It was found that mean frequency is sufficiently discriminatory to distinguish between a healthy and unhealthy heart, according to features derived from signal amplitude distribution in the time and frequency domain analysis. The results of the present study indicate the adequate discrimination between the characteristics of heart sounds for automatic detection of cardiac problems by signal processing from normal and abnormal heart sounds.
An Empirical Analysis of an Optimized Pretrained Deep Learning Model for COVID-19 Diagnosis
Authors: Sangeetha S. K. B. , Kumar M. Sandeep , K Deeba , Rajadurai Hariharan , Maheshwari V. , Dalu Gemmachis Teshite
Published: July 2022

As a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, which has put the world in an unprecedented predicament, thousands of people have died. Data from structured and unstructured sources are combined to create user-friendly platforms for clinicians and researchers in an integrated bioinformatics approach. The diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19 disease can be accelerated using AI-based platforms. In the battle against the virus, however, researchers and decision-makers must contend with an ever-increasing volume of data, referred to as “big data.” VGG19 and ResNet152V2 pretrained deep learning architectures were used in this study. With these datasets, we could train and fine-tune our model on lung ultrasound frames from healthy people as well as from patients with COVID-19 and pneumonia. In two separate experiments, we evaluated two different classes of predictive models: one against pneumonia and the other against non-COVID-19. COVID-19 can be detected and diagnosed accurately and efficiently using these models, according to the findings. Therefore, the use of these inexpensive and affordable deep learning methods should be considered as a reliable method for the diagnosis of COVID-19.
Humoral Response to the Third Dose of BNT162b2 COVID-19 Vaccine among Hemodialysis Patients
Authors: Agur Timna , Zingerman Boris , Ben-Dor Naomi , Alkeesh Weaam , Steinmetz Tali , Rachamimov Ruth , Korzets Asher , Rozen-Zvi Benaya , Herman-Edelstein Michal
Published: July 2022

Background: Hemodialysis patients are at high risk for severe COVID-19 disease. Despite a high early seropositivity rate, dialysis patients mount a dampened immune response following two doses of an mRNA vaccine. This study aimed to evaluate the serologic response to a booster dose of BNT162b2 vaccine, 6 months after the second dose, among hemodialysis patients. Methods: This prospective study included 80 hemodialysis patients and 56 healthcare workers serving as controls. Serologic samples were evaluated before and ∼3 weeks after the third vaccine dose. The primary outcomes were the seropositivity rate and the log-transformed anti-SARS-COV-2 S1 (RBD) IgG as a continuous variable after the third dose. Secondary outcomes were the proportion of participants with “high response,” defined as antibody levels >1,000 AU/mL, and “robust response,” defined as antibody levels >4,160 AU/mL, according to prespecified cutoff values associated with neutralizing antibodies. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to identify predictors of antibody response. Results: Among 80 hemodialysis patients, seropositivity rates improved from 78% (62/80) before the third dose, up to 96% (77/80) after the booster dose. The S1-RBD log-transformed antibody level increased significantly following the third dose from 2.15 ± 0.75 to 3.99 ± 0.83 compared with 2.65 ± 0.4 to 4.31 ± 0.42 in the control group. Among the hemodialysis patients, 88% (70/80) became “high responders” (>1,000 AU/mL), and of these, 79% (63/80) mounted a “robust response” (>4,160 AU/mL). Baseline antibody level, dialysis therapy, and hypoalbuminemia were independent predictors of impaired antibody response. Conclusions: A third dose of BNT162b2 COVID-19 vaccine, 6 months after the standard two-dose vaccination regimen, substantially improved humoral response in hemodialysis patients.
Is There a Role for Bladder Biopsy in the Diagnosis of Non-Hunner Lesions Interstitial Cystitis?
Authors: Natale Franca , Campagna Giuseppe , Marturano Monia , Caramazza Daniela , Panico Giovanni , Vacca Lorenzo , Torcia Eleonora , Cervigni Mauro , Scambia Giovanni , Ercoli Alfredo
Published: July 2022

Introduction: Bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis (BPS/IC) is either Hunner lesion interstitial cystitis (HL IC) or non-Hunner lesion interstitial cystitis (N-HL IC), differing in the presence of HLs on cystoscopy. Cystoscopy is essential in diagnosing HL but are bladder biopsies useful in N-HL IC patients? Our objective was to assess bladder biopsy in patients with N-HL IC, evaluating whether the count of mast cells (MCs) and percentage of activated MCs could measure severity. Materials and Methods: This is a single-centre retrospective study. Inclusion criteria: diagnosis of BPS/IC by ESSIC definition; absence of HLs. Each patient had three bladder biopsies. Statistical analysis: χ2/Fischer’s exact test; Wilcoxon signed-ranks test/Mann-Whitney U test. Statistical significance: p < 0.05. Results: We separated 48 women into Group 1 with <50% of MCs activated and Group 2 with >50%. We compared the results of the O’Leary-Sant questionnaire between the two groups and did not find any correlation between the severity of the pathology and either the MC count in the detrusor or the percentage of activated MCs in the lamina propria or detrusor. Discussion/Conclusion: These findings cast doubt on the usefulness of bladder biopsy for the evaluation of severity in N-HL IC.
The Pathophysiology of Left Ventricular Hypertrophy, beyond Hypertension, in Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease
Authors: Oto Ozgur A. , Edelstein Charles L.
Published: July 2022

Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) patients. Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is an early and severe complication in ADPKD patients. Two decades ago, the prevalence of LVH on echocardiography in hypertensive ADPKD patients was shown to be as high as 46%. Recent studies using cardiac magnetic resonance imaging have shown that the prevalence of LVH in ADPKD patients may be lower. The true prevalence of LVH in ADPKD patients is controversial. There is evidence that factors other than hypertension contribute to LVH in ADPKD patients. Studies have shown that young normotensive ADPKD adults and children have a higher left ventricular mass index compared to controls and that the prevalence of LVH is high in patients with ADPKD whose blood pressure is well controlled. Polycystin-1 (PC-1) and polycystin-2 (PC-2) control intracellular signaling pathways that can influence cardiac function. Perturbations of PC-1 or PC-2 in the heart can lead to profound changes in cardiac structure and function independently of kidney function or blood pressure. PC-1 can influence mammalian target of rapamycin and mitophagy and PC-2 can influence autophagy, processes that play a role in LVH. Polymorphisms in the angiotensin-converting enzyme gene may play a role in LVH in ADPKD. This review will detail the pathophysiology of LVH, beyond hypertension, in ADPKD.
Genome-Wide Association Study for Idiopathic Ventricular Tachyarrhythmias Identifies Key Role of
CCR7
and
PKN2
in Calcium Homeostasis and Cardiac Rhythm Maintenance
Authors: Fang Chen , Wang Pengxia , Yu Dong , Zhang Xiaoyu , Gou Dongzhi , Liang Lina , Bai Xuemei , Xie Wen , Li Hui , Pu Jielin , Yao Yufeng , Wang Binbin , Ren Xiang , Ke Tie , Tu Xin , Xu Chengqi , Wang Qing K.
Published: July 2022

Background:

Idiopathic ventricular tachycardia (VT) occurs in structurally normal hearts and accounts for a significant number of all types of VT. The genome-wide association study is the most effective strategy for identifying novel genetic variants for common diseases. However, no genome-wide association study has been reported for idiopathic VT.

Methods:

We conducted the first genome-wide association study for idiopathic VT in the Chinese Han population using a discovery population with 246 cases and 648 controls and a replication population with 222 cases and >4072 controls. Candidate VT genes were functionally characterized in zebrafish. Real-time RT-PCR analysis was used to determine the effects of candidate genes on expression of ion channels and regulators. Patch-clamping was used to record L-type calcium current from neonatal rat cardiomyocytes with overexpression of candidate genes.

Results:

We identified 4 significant loci represented by rs78960694 (minor allele frequency [MAF]=5.02% in cases and 1.84% in controls;
P
=4.30×10
−
12, odds ratio [OR]=3.91) and rs2229095 (MAF=3.25% in cases and 1.63% in controls;
P
=1.02×10
−
7, OR=3.44) near and in
CCR7
, respectively, rs68126098 in
NELL1
(MAF=40.98% in cases and 32.07% in controls;
P=
2.40×10
−
8, OR=1.53), rs2390325 between
PKN2
and
LMO4
(MAF=21.19% in cases and 15.12% in controls;
P
=1.92×10
−
7, OR=1.62), and rs270065 in
CSMD1
(MAF=33.63% in cases and 40.25% in controls;
P
=9.51×10
−
7, OR=0.69). Note that the associations of idiopathic VT for
CCR7
variant rs78960694 and
NELL1
variant rs68126098 reach genome-wide significance (
P
<5.00×10
−
8). Overexpression of either
PKN2
or
CCR7
increased the heart rate in zebrafish, and enhanced expression of
CACNA1C, RYR2
, or
NOS1AP
in zebrafish embryos, HEK293, and AC16 cardiomyocytes. Overexpression of either
PKN2
or
CCR7
significantly increased L-type Ca2+ current density.

Conclusions:

The first genome-wide association study identifies 4 novel loci and 2 risk genes (
PKN2
and
CCR7
) for idiopathic VT. These findings identify new molecular determinants for cardiac calcium homeostasis and rhythm maintenance and provide novel targets for diagnosis and treatment for idiopathic VT.