bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Compensation temperature and hysteresis behaviors of a graphene-like bilayer: Monte Carlo Study
Authors: Li Bo-chen , Lv Dan , Wang Wei , Sun Lei , Hao Zi-Ming , Bao Jia
Published: February 2023

Using the Monte Carlo method, the compensation temperature and hysteresis loops of a ferrimagnetic mixed spin-3/2 and spin-5/2 Ising-type graphene-like bilayer are investigated induced by different physical parameters such as crystal field, exchange coupling, external magnetic field, and temperature. The variations of magnetization, magnetic susceptibility, specific heat, and internal energy with the change of temperature are discussed. In addition, we also plot the phase diagrams including transition temperature and compensation temperature. Finally, multiple hysteresis loops under certain parameters are given.
Complete numerical description of the laser-induced thermal profile in a liquid, to explain complex self-induced diffraction patterns
Authors: Domínguez-Juárez J L , Quiroz-Juárez M A , Aragón J L , Quintero-Bermúdez R , Quintero-Torres R
Published: February 2023

In the past, laser propagation in a fluid with heat transfer has been modeled using simplistic conduction and convection conditions yielding inaccurate predictions. Here we present a detailed numerical study describing the thermal profile of the fluid and its interaction with the laser. Furthermore, we evaluate the diffraction field in the far field produced by a pump beam impinging in the fluid and the interferometric pattern obtained normal to the propagation direction to test our model. Direct comparison between experimental results and numerical simulation allows for a complete understanding of the energy transfer from the laser to the liquid and the subsequent effect on the laser propagation. Spatial self-phase modulation and propagation control from small-phase diffraction to aberration-controlled diffraction and up to diffraction oscillation are observed and explained with our modeling.
Charge sharing simulations and measurements for digital algorithms aiming at subpixel resolution in photon counting pixel detectors
Authors: Krzyżanowska A. , Szczygieł R. , Gryboś P. , Koczwara J. , Cisło K. , Stasiak A.
Published: February 2023

Hybrid pixel detectors are segmented devices used for X-ray detection that consist of a sensor attached to the readout electronics. Detectors working in single-photon counting mode process each incoming photon individually, have essentially infinite dynamic range, and by applying energy discrimination they provide noiseless imaging. To improve the resolution of the detector and allow operation with high-intensity photon fluxes, the pixel size is reduced. However, with decreasing pixel size, a charge sharing effect is more prominent. This leads to false event registration or omitting the event, and degradation of the energy resolution of the detector. Algorithms aiming at reducing the influence of charge sharing have already been implemented on-chip. However, the spatial resolution of the detector can be increased beyond the physical size of the pixel if the charge proportions collected by neighboring pixels are analyzed.The simulations show that charge cloud size referred to pixel size and noise are the key parameters that determine the accuracy of the subpixel algorithm. The article shows the concept of subpixel algorithm and the simulations for different detector parameters and approximation algorithms. The slanted-edge method was implemented to quantify the resolution of detectors consisting standard readout architecture. The chips were simulated and tested to verify the influence of different bias voltages, sensor materials, and thicknesses on charge sharing and as a consequence on the detector resolution. The simulated and measured edge spread functions were compared. The results show that the simulator can be used to describe the spatial resolution of the detectors, and can be used for further studies of the resolution of detectors with subpixel algorithm implemented.
Stimulus classification with electrical potential and impedance of living plants: comparing discriminant analysis and deep-learning methods
Authors: Buss Eduard , Aust Till , Wahby Mostafa , Rabbel Tim-Lucas , Kernbach Serge , Hamann Heiko
Published: February 2023

The physiology of living organisms, such as living plants, is complex and particularly difficult to understand on a macroscopic, organism-holistic level. Among the many options for studying plant physiology, electrical potential and tissue impedance are arguably simple measurement techniques that can be used to gather plant-level information. Despite the many possible uses, our research is exclusively driven by the idea of phytosensing, that is, interpreting living plants’ signals to gather information about surrounding environmental conditions. As ready-to-use plant-level physiological models are not available, we consider the plant as a blackbox and apply statistics and machine learning to automatically interpret measured signals. In simple plant experiments, we expose Zamioculcas zamiifolia and Solanum lycopersicum (tomato) to four different stimuli: wind, heat, red light and blue light. We measure electrical potential and tissue impedance signals. Given these signals, we evaluate a large variety of methods from statistical discriminant analysis and from deep learning, for the classification problem of determining the stimulus to which the plant was exposed. We identify a set of methods that successfully classify stimuli with good accuracy, without a clear winner. The statistical approach is competitive, partially depending on data availability for the machine learning approach. Our extensive results show the feasibility of the blackbox approach and can be used in future research to select appropriate classifier techniques for a given use case. In our own future research, we will exploit these methods to derive a phytosensing approach to monitoring air pollution in urban areas.
Metal-organic framework derived porous hollow ZnCo2S4 improving electrocatalytic oxidation of glucose
Authors: Wang Yanan , Yan Jun , Zhu Weiwei , Zhang Yuheng , Cao Keru , Zhang Biao , Yu Xiaohua , Shen Qingfeng , Liu Chunxia , Wang Qi
Published: February 2023

In this paper, ZnCo2S4 nanomaterial with a unique structure were synthesized by static and hydrothermal method and applied to the field of electrochemical sensing. Based on the advantages of metal-organic frameworks (MOF) materials with large specific surface areas, multiple active centers, and synergistic effect of multi-metals, we choose Zn and Co bimetallic MOF as the precursor material and synthesized ZnCo2S4 nanomaterials with large active area and multiple active centers after vulcanization. In addition, we verified the excellent electrochemical sensing performance of the prepared ZnCo2S4 nanomaterial through the catalytic oxidation experiment of glucose. The results showed that ZnCo2S4 nanomaterials with bimetallic MOF as a precursor had higher electrocatalytic activity for glucose oxidation than ZnCo2S4 nanomaterials without precursor and single metal sulfide. According to the analysis of the electrochemical performance of the material, the detection limit is extremely low (0.007 μM)and two linear range (3 ∼9 μM) and (10 ∼100 μM)for glucose. Therefore, we believe that the method of preparing polymetallic sulfides with MOF as a precursor is of great significance in electrochemical sensing.
Machining of nickel-based super alloy inconel 718 using alumina nanofluid in powder mixed electric discharge machining
Authors: Patel Rakesh Kumar , Pradhan Mohan Kumar
Published: February 2023

Inconel 718 is a nickel-based superalloy with exceptional mechanical qualities, including high tensile and impact strength, as well as good oxidation and corrosion resistance. EDM is widely used to cut hard materials of this type by common parameters affecting spark, current, duty cycle etc, whereas MRR, SR can be greatly improved by using sufficient fluid properties of the dielectric. Incorporation of alumina nanoparticles with deionized water may improve machining performance, with no prior research on machining characteristics of Inconel 718 using alumina nanofluid in EDM. The machinability of Inconel 718 via the electrical discharge machining process, as well as the performance of alumina nanofluid as a dielectric medium, have been evaluated using deionized water with a concentration of 0.5%. In this study, based on the effect of various input parameters such as

I

p

,

P

o
n

and

G

v

on the MRR, TWR and SR, and the RSM has been used to conduct the experiments. A maximum MRR of 0.048 g min−1, a TWR of 0.00632 g min−1 and an SR of 3.271 μm are achieved. Overall, the use of alumina nanofluid can improve machining performance in EDM, due to the reduction of abnormalities such as crack formation and molten metal debris in the machined surface of Inconel 718.
Hadamard product-based in-memory computing design for floating point neural network training
Authors: Fan Anjunyi , Fu Yihan , Tao Yaoyu , Jin Zhonghua , Han Haiyue , Liu Huiyu , Zhang Yaojun , Yan Bonan , Yang Yuchao , Huang Ru
Published: February 2023

Deep neural networks (DNNs) are one of the key fields of machine learning. It requires considerable computational resources for cognitive tasks. As a novel technology to perform computing inside/near memory units, in-memory computing (IMC) significantly improves computing efficiency by reducing the need for repetitive data transfer between the processing and memory units. However, prior IMC designs mainly focus on the acceleration for DNN inference. DNN training with the IMC hardware has rarely been proposed. The challenges lie in the requirement of DNN training for high precision (e.g. floating point (FP)) and various operations of tensors (e.g. inner and outer products). These challenges call for the IMC design with new features. This paper proposes a novel Hadamard product-based IMC design for FP DNN training. Our design consists of multiple compartments, which are the basic units for the matrix element-wise processing. We also develop BFloat16 post-processing circuits and fused adder trees, laying the foundation for IMC FP processing. Based on the proposed circuit scheme, we reformulate the back-propagation training algorithm for the convenience and efficiency of the IMC execution. The proposed design is implemented with commercial 28 nm technology process design kits and benchmarked with widely used neural networks. We model the influence of the circuit structural design parameters and provide an analysis framework for design space exploration. Our simulation validates that MobileNet training with the proposed IMC scheme saves

91.2
%

in energy and

13.9
%

in time versus the same task with NVIDIA GTX 3060 GPU. The proposed IMC design has a data density of 769.2 Kb mm−2 with the FP processing circuits included, showing a 3.5 × improvement than the prior FP IMC designs.
Equiangular lines in Euclidean spaces: Dimensions 17 and 18
Authors: Greaves Gary , Syatriadi Jeven , Yatsyna Pavlo
Published: February 2023

We show that the maximum cardinality of an equiangular line system in 17 dimensions is 48, thereby solving a longstanding open problem. Furthermore, by giving an explicit construction, we improve the lower bound on the maximum cardinality of an equiangular line system in 18 dimensions to 57.
On the Koebe quarter theorem for trinomials with fold symmetry
Authors: Dmitrishin Dmitriy , Gray Daniel , Stokolos Alexander
Published: February 2023

The Koebe problem for univalent polynomials with real coefficients is fully solved only for trinomials, which means that in this case the Koebe radius and the extremal polynomial (extremizer) have been found. The general case remains open, but conjectures have been formulated. The corresponding conjectures have also been hypothesized for univalent polynomials with real coefficients and

T
T

-fold rotational symmetry. This paper provides confirmation of these hypotheses for trinomials

z
+
a

z

T
+
1

+
b

z

2
T
+
1

z + az^{T + 1} + bz^{2T + 1}

. Namely, the Koebe radius is

r
=
4

cos
2

⁡

(

π
(
1
+
T
)

2
+
3
T

)

r=4\cos ^2\left (\frac {\pi (1+T)}{2+3T}\right )

, and the only extremizer of the Koebe problem is the trinomial
<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" alttext="StartLayout 1st Row upper B Superscript left-parenthesis upper T right-parenthesis Baseline left-parenthesis z right-parenthesis equals z plus StartFraction 2 Over 2 plus 3 upper T EndFraction left-parenthesis negative upper T plus left-parenthesis 2 plus 2 upper T right-parenthesis cosine left-parenthesis StartFraction pi upper T Over 2 plus 3 upper T EndFraction right-parenthesis right-parenthesis z Superscript 1 plus upper T Baseline plus 2nd Row plus StartFraction 1 Over 2 plus 3 upper T EndFraction left-parenthesis 2 plus upper T minus 2 upper T cosine left-parenthesis StartFraction pi upper T Over 2 plus 3 upper T EndFraction right-parenthesis right-parenthesis z Superscript 1 plus 2 upper T Baseline period EndLayout">

B

(
T
)

(
z
)
=
z
+

2

2
+
3
T

(
−
T
+
(
2
+
2
T
)
cos
⁡

(

π
T

2
+
3
T

)

)

z

1
+
T

+

+

1

2
+
3
T

(
2
+
T
−
2
T
cos
⁡

(

π
T

2
+
3
T

)

)

z

1
+
2
T

.

\begin{gather*} B^{(T)}(z)=z+\frac 2{2+3T}\left (-T+(2+2T)\cos \left (\frac {\pi T}{2+3T}\right )\right )z^{1+T}+\\ +\frac 1{2+3T}\left (2+T-2T\cos \left (\frac {\pi T}{2+3T}\right )\right )z^{1+2T}. \end{gather*}
Tall 𝐹_{𝜎} subideals of tall analytic ideals
Authors: Grebík Jan , Vidnyánszky Zoltán
Published: February 2023

Answering a question of Hrušák, we show that every analytic tall ideal on

ω
\omega

contains an

F
σ

F_\sigma

tall ideal. We also give an example of an

F
σ

F_\sigma

tall ideal without a Borel selector.
Constructing positive definite polynomials
Authors: Kilmer S. , Liu J. , Sun X. , Wright M.
Published: February 2023

We study positive definite functions on real Hilbert spaces and show that for a given polynomial

p
p

, there exists a nontrivial polynomial

q
q

such that

p
q

pq

is positive definite on every real Hilbert space if and only if

p
p

has no positive roots. We use a generalized Fibonacci sequence to find an explicit construction of

q
q

, in which the degree of

q
q

depends on the location of the roots of

p
p

that lie in the first quadrant of the complex plane.
Generalized surgery on Riemannian manifolds of positive Ricci curvature
Authors: Reiser Philipp
Published: February 2023

The surgery theorem of Wraith states that positive Ricci curvature is preserved under surgery if certain metric and dimensional conditions are satisfied. We generalize this theorem as follows: instead of attaching a product of a sphere and a disc, we glue a sphere bundle over a manifold with a so-called core metric, a type of metric which was recently introduced by Burdick to construct metrics of positive Ricci curvature on connected sums. As applications we extend a result of Burdick on the existence of core metrics on certain sphere bundles and obtain new examples of 6-manifolds with metrics of positive Ricci curvature.
Trophic Ecology Drives Annual Variation in Abundance of Aphidophagous (Coccinellidae, Coleoptera and Chrysopidae, Neuroptera) and Phytophagous (Noctuidae, Lepidoptera) Insects: Evidence From Light Traps
Authors: Honěk Alois , Novák Ivo , Martinková Zdenka , Saska Pavel , Kulfan Ján , Holecová Milada , Jauschová Terézia , Zach Peter
Published: February 2023

Using seventeen-year records of daily light trap catches of predatory Neuroptera (Chrysopidae, 13 species) and Coleoptera (Coccinellidae, 10 species), and of phytophagous Lepidoptera (Noctuidae, 79 species) we tested a hypothesis predicting that the range of annual fluctuations of catch size is greater in aphidophages, whose diet occurs irregularly and locally, than in phytophages, whose diet is available regularly and abundantly. The ranges of fluctuations of annual catches measured as the coefficient of variance (standard deviation expressed as a percentage of the average) of detrended annual catches were significantly greater in Chrysopidae (84 ± 7.1%) and Coccinellidae (121 ± 14.0%) than in Noctuidae (66 ± 2.6%). The difference between aphidophages and phytophages remained when we tested differences between the former and the samples of Noctuidae consisting only of those species whose characteristics (abundance, length and timing of flight period, number of generations per season, overwintering stage) were the same as in aphidophages. Similarly, no differences were found between sets of Noctuidae species that have characteristics (abundance, voltinism, period of flight activity) similar to aphidophages and sets of Noctuidae species that have contrary characteristics. Flight abilities of aphidophages are smaller than those of Noctuidae. As a result of this difference a light trap collects populations of aphidophages from a smaller area than populations of Noctuidae. Thus the extent of fluctuations of catch size of aphidophagous and phytophagous species is influenced both by annual differences in food availability and by differences in size of the area from which the individuals assembling to the light source are recruited.
The Role of Ozone as a Mediator of the Relationship Between Heat Waves and Mortality in 15 French Urban Areas
Authors: Alari Anna , Chen Chen , Schwarz Lara , Hdansen Kristen , Chaix Basile , Benmarhnia Tarik
Published: February 2023

Heat and tropospheric ozone have acute impacts on rates of premature death. Warm temperatures affect the photochemical processes in ozone formation, suggesting ozone as a mediator of the acute health effect of heat on mortality. We assembled a summertime daily time-series data set of 15 French urban areas during 2000–2015 to decompose the acute total effect of heat waves on mortality into natural direct and indirect effects using a regression-based product method under the potential outcomes framework. For each area, we estimated the effect of heat waves on mortality using a quasi-Poisson model with adjustment for covariates such as lagged nitrogen dioxide concentration, and we modeled ozone with a linear regression of heat waves and the same set of covariates. We pooled estimates across areas using random-effects models. We also provide R software code (R Foundation for Statistical Computing, Vienna, Austria) with which to reproduce or replicate our analysis. Most areas demonstrated evidence of mediation by ozone, with the pooled relative risks for natural indirect effects being 1.03 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.02, 1.05), 1.03 (95% CI: 1.01, 1.04), and 1.04 (95% CI: 1.00, 1.07) for nonaccidental, cardiovascular, and respiratory mortality, respectively. We found evidence of a mediation effect by ozone in the association between heat waves and mortality in France which varied by geographic location and cause of mortality.
A 3-Year Retrospective Study of the Impact of Integrating an Addiction Liaison Team into an Outpatient Alcoholism Treatment Programme
Authors: Bernal-Sobrino José L , Arias-Horcajadas Francisco , Varela-Rodríguez Carolina , Losada-Pérez Cristina , Blanco-Echevarría Agustín , xsdel Yerro Alvarez María J , Martín-Mayor Marta , Rubio Gabriel
Published: February 2023

Background

The number of inpatients with alcohol and other substance-related problems (ASRP) in the general hospital population at any time is vast. To meet the needs of those patients, most hospitals have an Addiction Liaison Team (ALT) that diagnoses and initiates the treatment of the addictive disorder. In our hospital, this team is part of a more extensive and intensive Outpatient Alcoholism Treatment Programme that facilitates the continuity of care.

Aim

the main goal of this study is to evaluate the performance and effectiveness of our inpatient ALT.

Methodology

we carried out an observational cohort study of patients with ASRP admitted to the hospital from 2015 to 2017. We evaluated the performance and effectiveness of our ALT: referrals to the programme, inpatients mortality, readmissions to hospital, hospital length of stay (LOS) and medical or surgical treatment adherence.

Results

out of 133,181 admissions, 17,387 (13.14%) were positive for ASRP, and 615 (3.54%) were referred to the ALT. Referred patients had less in-hospital mortality, shorter LOS and lower risk of readmissions during the first year of follow-up. Subjects treated in the programme had better therapeutic adherence.

Conclusions

integrating the ALT into an outpatient programme facilitates an earlier detection and initiation of treatment during the hospital stay and the continuity of care. Alcohol misuse conditions affect the patient’s prognosis and health outcomes, so appropriate care is needed. Inclusion in the programme was associated with less risk of hospital mortality, fewer readmissions and a lower LOS.
The habitat connectivity hypothesis of escape in urban woodland birds
Authors: Radvan Max , Rendall Anthony R , Weston Michael A
Published: February 2023

Habitat destruction and fragmentation increasingly bring humans into close proximity with wildlife, particularly in urban contexts. Animals respond to humans using nuanced anti-predator responses, especially escape, with responses influenced by behavioral and life history traits, the nature of the risk, and aspects of the surrounding environment. Although many studies examine associations between broad-scale habitat characteristics (i.e., habitat type) and escape response, few investigate the influence of fine-scale aspects of the local habitat within which escape occurs. We test the “habitat connectivity hypothesis,” suggesting that given the higher cost of escape within less connected habitats (due to the lack of protective cover), woodland birds should delay escape (tolerate more risk) than when in more connected habitat. We analyze flight-initiation distances (FIDs) of five species of woodland birds in urban Melbourne, south-eastern Australia. A negative effect of habitat connectivity (the proportion of the escape route with shrubs/trees/perchable infrastructure) on distance fled was evident for all study species, suggesting a higher cost of escape associated with lower connectivity. FID did not vary with connectivity at the location at which escape was initiated (four species), apart from a positive effect of habitat connectivity on FID for Noisy Miner Manorina melanocephala. We provide some support for two predictions of the “habitat connectivity hypothesis” in at least some taxa, and conclude it warrants further investigation across a broader range of taxa inhabiting contrasting landscapes. Increasing habitat connectivity within urban landscapes may reduce escape stress experienced by urban birds.
eccDNA Atlas: a comprehensive resource of eccDNA catalog
Authors: Zhong Tengwei , Wang Wenqing , Liu Houyan , Zeng Maolin , Zhao Xinyu , Guo Zhiyun
Published: February 2023

Extrachromosomal circular DNA (eccDNA) represents a large category of non-mitochondrial and non-plasmid circular extrachromosomal DNA, playing an indispensable role in various aspects such as tumorigenesis, immune responses. However, the information of characteristics and functions about eccDNA is fragmented, hiding behind abundant literatures and massive whole-genome sequencing (WGS) data, which has not been sufficiently used for the identification of eccDNAs. Therefore, establishing an integrated repository portal is essential for identifying and analyzing eccDNAs. Here, we developed eccDNA Atlas (http://lcbb.swjtu.edu.cn/eccDNAatlas), a user-friendly database of eccDNAs that aims to provide a high-quality and integrated resource for browsing, searching and analyzing eccDNAs from multiple species. eccDNA Atlas currently contains 629 987 eccDNAs and 8221 ecDNAs manually curated from literatures and 1105 ecDNAs predicted by AmpliconArchitect based on WGS data involved in 66 diseases, 57 tissues and 319 cell lines. The content of each eccDNA entry includes multiple aspects such as sequence, disease, function, characteristic, validation strategies. Furthermore, abundant annotations and analyzing utilities were provided to explore existing eccDNAs in eccDNA Atlas or user-defined eccDNAs including oncogenes, typical enhancers, super enhancers, CTCF-binding sites, SNPs, chromatin accessibility, eQTLs, gene expression, survival and genome visualization. Overall, eccDNA Atlas provides an integrated eccDNA data warehouse and serves as an important tool for future research.
Recurrent ulcerated nodules and erythematous plaques in a patient with Kartagener syndrome
Authors: Escolà Helena , Lopez-Castillo Daniel , Pojol Ramon M
Published: February 2023

Cutaneous manifestations associated with Kartagener syndrome (KS) are exceptional and only two cases of patients with recurrent furunculosis and pyoderma gangrenosum have been described. We report a patient with KS presenting with recurrent sterile exudative nodules and erythematous plaques mimicking an infectious disorder and showing histologically an abscessified granulomatous tissue reaction.
Big Tech Oligopolies, Keith Cowling, and Monopoly Capitalism
Authors: Conyon Martin , Ellman Michael , Pitelis Christos N , Shipman Alan , Tomlinson Philip R
Published: February 2023

This Special Issue of the Cambridge Journal of Economics (CJE) marks and celebrates forty years since the publication of Keith Cowling’s (1982) seminal Monopoly Capitalism, which synthesised, updated, and extended the earlier work of scholars such as Steindl (1952), Baran and Sweezy (1966), Hymer (1970, 1972) and Kalecki (1971). Since the publication of Monopoly Capitalism, the critical transformative event has been the latest (fourth) technological revolution and the emergence of Big Tech companies such as Facebook, Apple, Amazon, Netflix and Google (aka FAANGs), alongside Microsoft and so-called ‘gig’ or ‘sharing economy’ firms (such as Uber, Airbnb). While initially regarded as exemplars of the dynamics of contemporary capitalism, in recent years there has been a public backlash against Big Tech, and its impact and influence within the global economy. Indeed, several commentators have raised concerns that beneath the veneer of Big Tech lies potentially insidious business models and practices that have led to a rise in corporate power and the monopolisation of markets. These criticisms, however, largely ignore the contributions of earlier scholars of monopoly capitalism. This Special Issue addresses this oversight with a series of papers re-examining and extending the work of Cowling and others in the monopoly capitalism tradition, in the specific context of Big Tech. The Introduction opens with a portrait of Keith Cowling, as a person and his scholarly contribution to the field. It then provides a critical assessment of the papers in this Special Issue. In the Epilogue, we summarise and conclude.
C-peptide level concomitant with hypoglycemia gives better performances than insulin for the diagnosis of endogenous hyperinsulinism: a single-center study of 159 fasting trials
Authors: Bonnet-Serrano Fidéline , Devin-Genteuil Clara , Thomeret Louis , Laguillier-Morizot Christelle , Leguy Marie-Clémence , Vaczlavik Anna , Bouys Lucas , Zientek Corinne , Bricaire Léopoldine , Bessiène Laura , Guignat Laurence , Libé Rossela , Mosnier-Pudar Helen , Assié Guillaume , Groussin Lionel , Guibourdenche Jean , Bertherat Jérôme
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Diagnosis of endogenous hyperinsulinism relies on the occurrence of a hypoglycemia, concomitant with inadequate high insulin and C-peptide levels. However, diagnostic cutoffs are not consensual among the different learned societies. The objective of this work was to propose optimized cutoffs for these three parameters for the diagnosis of endogenous hyperinsulinism.

Methods

All the patients having performed a fasting trial in Cochin Hospital Endocrinology Department between February 2012 and August 2022 were included. The results of glycemia, insulin and C-peptide levels during fasting trial were collected and analyzed.

Results

One hundred and fifty-nine patients were included: 26 with endogenous hyperinsulinism and 133 without endogenous hyperinsulinism. ROC analysis of glycemia nadir during fasting trial identified the value of 2.3 mmol/L as the optimal cutoff, ensuring a sensitivity of 100% associated with a specificity of 81%. ROC analysis of insulin and C-peptide levels concomitant with hypoglycemia <2.3 mmol/L showed very good diagnostic performances of both parameters with respective cutoffs of 3.1 mUI/L (=21.5 pmol/L; sensitivity = 96%; specificity = 92%) and 0.30 nmol/L (sensitivity = 96%; specificity = 100%). Insulin to glycemia ratio as well as C-peptide to glycemia ratio (in pmol/mmol) at the time of glycemia nadir did not show better diagnostic performances than C-peptide alone.

Conclusion

A C-peptide level 0.3 nmol/L concomitant with a hypoglycemia <2.3 mmol/L appears as the best criterion to make the diagnosis of endogenous hyperinsulinism. Insulin level can be underestimated on hemolyzed blood samples, frequently observed in fasting trial, and thus shows lower diagnostic performances.
Adrenocortical, somatotropic, and antidiuretic response to nasal glucagon in healthy subjects
Authors: Varaldo Emanuele , Bioletto Fabio , Cuboni Daniela , Prencipe Nunzia , Bona Chiara , Barale Marco , Ghigo Ezio , Grottoli Silvia , Berton Alessandro Maria , Gasco Valentina
Published: February 2023

Objective

The glucagon stimulation test involves the peptide intramuscular or subcutaneous administration for the diagnosis of hypopituitarism. To date, no data are available regarding its intranasal formulation. Our study intended to investigate the role of intranasal glucagon as a potential stimulus test for the evaluation of the corticotropic, somatotropic, and antidiuretic axes.

Design

Non-randomized, single-blinded, cross-over study including 10 healthy subjects (50% women).

Methods

All participants underwent 2 days of testing, and intranasal glucagon or placebo was administered. At baseline, every 15′ up to +90′, and then every 30′ up to +180′, a blood sample was taken for adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), cortisol, growth hormone (GH), copeptin, glucose, insulin, sodium, potassium, and plasma osmolarity. At baseline and at the end of the test, urinary osmolarity was evaluated as well.

Results

After administration of both glucagon and placebo, ACTH and cortisol values decreased progressively (P < 0.001), but in the drug group, the reduction in cortisol was less accentuated up to +90′ (P < 0.05). Growth hormone values decreased after placebo administration (P < 0.001); on the other hand, after glucagon, an increasing, yet non-significant trend was observed (P = 0.096) with the difference between the two groups evident starting from +120′ onwards (P < 0.005). The placebo administration led to a reduction of copeptin, while its stability was observed after glucagon administration. Six subjects developed hypokalemia (ie, potassium <3.5 mmol/L) post-glucagon, with the nadir at 45′ (3.6 [3.2-3.8] mmol/L) significantly correlated with the immediate post-glycemic rise insulin peak (Spearman's rho −0.719; P = 0.019). No significant differences were observed compared to the other analytes tested.

Conclusions

Intranasal glucagon administration is not an effective stimulus for hypophyseal secretion. Hypokalemia secondary to hyperinsulinemic rebound appears to be a frequent complication of its acute administration.
Two-year outcomes of leadless vs. transvenous single-chamber ventricular pacemaker in high-risk subgroups
Authors: Boveda Serge , Higuera Lucas , Longacre Colleen , Wolff Claudia , Wherry Kael , Stromberg Kurt , El-Chami Mikhael F
Published: February 2023

Aims

This study compares clinical outcomes between leadless pacemakers (leadless-VVI) and transvenous ventricular pacemakers (transvenous ventricular permanent-VVI) in subgroups of patients at higher risk of pacemaker complications.

Methods and results

This study is based on the Micra Coverage with Evidence Development (CED) study. Patients from the Micra CED study were considered in a high-risk subgroup if they had a diagnosis of chronic kidney disease Stages 4–5 (CKD45), end-stage renal disease, malignancy, diabetes, tricuspid valve disease (TVD), or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) 12 months prior to pacemaker implant. A pre-specified set of complications and reinterventions were identified using diagnosis and procedure codes. Competing risks models were used to compare reinterventions and complications between leadless-VVI and transvenous-VVI patients within each subgroup; results were adjusted for multiple comparisons. A post hoc comparison of a composite outcome of reinterventions and device complications was conducted. Out of 27 991 patients, 9858 leadless-VVI and 12 157 transvenous-VVI patients have at least one high-risk comorbidity. Compared to transvenous-VVI patients, leadless-VVI patients in four subgroups [malignancy, HR 0.68 (0.48–0.95); diabetes, HR 0.69 (0.53–0.89); TVD, HR 0.60 (0.44–0.82); COPD, HR 0.73 (0.55–0.98)] had fewer complications, in three subgroups [diabetes, HR 0.58 (0.37–0.89); TVD, HR 0.46 (0.28–0.76); COPD, HR 0.51 (0.29–0.90)) had fewer reinterventions, and in four subgroups (malignancy, HR 0.52 (0.32–0.83); diabetes, HR 0.52 (0.35–0.77); TVD, HR 0.44 (0.28–0.70); COPD, HR 0.55 (0.34–0.89)] had lower rates of the combined outcome.

Conclusion

In a real-world study, leadless pacemaker patients had lower 2-year complications and reinterventions rates compared with transvenous-VVI pacing in several high-risk subgroups.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT03039712
The Fisher process of sexual selection with the coevolution of preference strength
Authors: Xu Kuangyi , Lerch Brian A , Servedio Maria R
Published: February 2023

Sexual selection has a rich history of mathematical models that consider why preferences favor one trait phenotype over another (for population genetic models) or what specific trait value is preferred (for quantitative genetic models). Less common is exploration of the evolution of choosiness or preference strength: i.e., by how much a trait is preferred. We examine both population and quantitative genetic models of the evolution of preferences, specifically developing “baseline models” of the evolution of preference strength during the Fisher process. Using a population genetic approach, we find selection for stronger and stronger preferences when trait variation is maintained by mutation. However, this force is quite weak and likely to be swamped by drift in moderately-sized populations. In a quantitative genetic model, unimodal preferences will generally not evolve to be increasingly strong without bounds when male traits are under stabilizing viability selection, but evolve to extreme values when viability selection is directional. Our results highlight that different shapes of fitness and preference functions lead to qualitatively different trajectories for preference strength evolution ranging from no evolution to extreme evolution of preference strength.
Differential impact of glycation on apolipoprotein A-I of high-density lipoprotein: a review
Authors: Maarfi Farah , Ahmad Saheem , Alouffi Sultan , Akasha Rihab , Khan M Salman , Rafi Zeeshan , Basnet Hemashri , Khan Mohd Yasir
Published: February 2023

Hyperglycemia is a poorly controlled diabetic condition, affects about 70% of people all round the world. In the year 2015, about 41.5 crore people were diabetic and is expected to reach around 64.3 crore by the year 2040. Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are considered as one of the major risk factors that cause more than half of the death of diabetic patients and promote related comorbidities. Atherosclerosis and amyloidosis are the prime factors linked with CVDs. Apolipoprotein A-I (ApoA-I) of HDL have protective action against CVDs, participate in reverse cholesterol transport mechanism and lipid metabolism, but gets easily glycated under prolonged hyperglycemic aura, i.e. glycation. ApoA-I have a potent role in maintenance of glucose level, providing a compelling link between diabetes and CVDs. Increased protein glycation in people with diabetes promote atherosclerosis, which might play possible role in promotion of protein aggregation by altering the protein structure and its confirmation. Here, we intend to investigate the mechanistic behavior of ApoA-I under the menace of glycation and its impact on ApoA-I structure and function that possibly link with aggregation or amyloidosis.
Foreign Direct Investment in Political Influence
Authors: Lee Jieun
Published: February 2023

Do foreign firms engage in domestic politics, and if so, why? I argue that foreign firms, impacted by US policies, employ subsidiaries in the US to represent their political interests in federal elections. Using original data collected for the population of corporate givers during the 2014 and 2016 election cycles, I find US subsidiaries of foreign firms to be significantly more politically active than similarly sized American firms located in the same industry. These subsidiaries are much more likely to sponsor a Political Action Committee and donate in greater amounts. I explore a variety of explanations for this disproportionate political activity, and demonstrate that it is driven in part by the foreign parent firms’ desire to gain a political foothold in the United States. Foreign direct investment therefore serves as an investment in political influence.
A highly contiguous genome assembly for the California quail (Callipepla californica)
Authors: Benham Phred M , Cicero Carla , Escalona Merly , Beraut Eric , Marimuthu Mohan P A , Nguyen Oanh , Nachman Michael W , Bowie Rauri C K
Published: February 2023

The California quail (Callipepla californica) is an iconic native bird of scrub and oak woodlands in California and the Baja Peninsula of Mexico. Here, we report a draft reference assembly for the species generated from PacBio HiFi long read and Omni-C chromatin-proximity sequencing data as part of the California Conservation Genomics Project (CCGP). Sequenced reads were assembled into 321 scaffolds totaling 1.08 Gb in length. Assembly metrics indicate a highly contiguous and complete assembly with a contig N50 of 5.5 Mb, scaffold N50 of 19.4 Mb, and BUSCO completeness score of 96.5%. Transposable elements (TEs) occupy 16.5% of the genome, more than previous Odontophoridae quail assemblies but in line with estimates of TE content for recent long-read assemblies of chicken and Peking duck. Together these metrics indicate that the present assembly is more complete than prior reference assemblies generated for Odontophoridae quail. This reference will serve as an essential resource for studies on local adaptation, phylogeography, and conservation genetics in this species of significant biological and recreational interest.
Same-sex Pairs Retain Their Reproductive Capacity as a Potential Opportunity for Individual Reproductive Success in Termites
Authors: Wu Jia , Wang Jinpei , Wang Yonghui , Hassan Ali
Published: February 2023

In eusocial termites, successful pairing is an essential element of dispersal and distribution after the departure of alates from natal colonies. Two situations could arise during the pairing process: mixed-sex pairs and same-sex pairs. However, most previous studies focused on mixed-sex pairs, overlooking groups formed by same-sex pairings, especially potential fecundity (the total number of oocytes or ovarioles), oogenesis and the development stage of oocytes of females in female–female pairs, and spermatogenesis and testis development of males in male–male pairs. In this study, through experimentation, we investigated the reproductive ability of virgin dealates based on various pairing types as mentioned above. We found that the life spans of virgin dealates can cover 1 yr or even more when they establish a nest with a partner, which is more than 10-fold longer than the life span of individuals establishing a colony alone. After 1 yr of pairing, the potential fecundity of virgin same sex dealates did not degenerate significantly compared with newly emerged dealates, including the number of ovarioles, size of testis, oogenesis, and the development stage of the oocytes. Moreover, when individuals of same-sex pairings experimentally changed into mixed-sex pairs after 1 yr, the eggs produced in the colony hatched into larvae. These findings suggest that dealates which through same-sex pairs retain fecundity after 1 yr have more reproductive potential than dealates that failed to pair with heterosexuals, shedding light on the ecological significance of homosexual behaviors in terms of the successful extension and fecundity of eusocial termites.
Therapeutically important bioactive compounds of the genus Polygonum L. and their possible interventions in clinical medicine
Authors: Cherian Sam , Hacisayidli Kushvar Mammadova , Kurian Renju , Mathews Allan
Published: February 2023

Objectives

Increasing literature data have suggested that the genus Polygonum L. possesses pharmacologically important plant secondary metabolites. These bioactive compounds are implicated as effective agents in preclinical and clinical practice due to their pharmacological effects such as anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antidiabetic, antiaging, neuroprotective or immunomodulatory properties among many others. However, elaborate pharmacological and clinical data concerning the bioavailability, tissue distribution pattern, dosage and pharmacokinetic profiles of these compounds are still scanty.

Key findings

The major bioactive compounds implicated in the therapeutic effects of Polygonum genus include phenolic and flavonoid compounds, anthraquinones and stilbenes, such as quercetin, resveratrol, polydatin and others, and could serve as potential drug leads or as adjuvant agents. Data from in-silico network pharmacology and computational molecular docking studies are also highly helpful in identifying the possible drug target of pathogens or host cell machinery.

We provide an up-to-date overview of the data from pharmacodynamic, pharmacokinetic profiles and preclinical (in-vitro and in-vivo) investigations and the available clinical data on some of the therapeutically important compounds of genus Polygonum L. and their medical interventions, including combating the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Identification of a novel 5-aminomethyl-2-thiouridine methyltransferase in tRNA modification
Authors: Cho Gyuhyeok , Lee Jangmin , Kim Jungwook
Published: February 2023

The uridine at the 34th position of tRNA, which is able to base pair with the 3′-end codon on mRNA, is usually modified to influence many aspects of decoding properties during translation. Derivatives of 5-methyluridine (xm5U), which include methylaminomethyl (mnm-) or carboxymethylaminomethyl (cmnm-) groups at C5 of uracil base, are widely conserved at the 34th position of many prokaryotic tRNAs. In Gram-negative bacteria such as Escherichia coli, a bifunctional MnmC is involved in the last two reactions of the biosynthesis of mnm5(s2)U, in which the enzyme first converts cmnm5(s2)U to 5-aminomethyl-(2-thio)uridine (nm5(s2)U) and subsequently installs the methyl group to complete the formation of mnm5(s2)U. Although mnm5s2U has been identified in tRNAs of Gram-positive bacteria and plants as well, their genomes do not contain an mnmC ortholog and the gene(s) responsible for this modification is unknown. We discovered that MnmM, previously known as YtqB, is the methyltransferase that converts nm5s2U to mnm5s2U in Bacillus subtilis through comparative genomics, gene complementation experiments, and in vitro assays. Furthermore, we determined X-ray crystal structures of MnmM complexed with anticodon stem loop of tRNAGln. The structures provide the molecular basis underlying the importance of U33-nm5s2U34-U35 as the key determinant for the specificity of MnmM.
Kidney disease and stroke: epidemiology and potential mechanisms of susceptibility
Authors: Bobot Mickaël , Suissa Laurent , Hak Jean-François , Burtey Stéphane , Guillet Benjamin , Hache Guillaume
Published: February 2023

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have an increased risk of both ischaemic and haemorrhagic stroke compared with the general population. Both acute and chronic kidney impairment are independently associated with poor outcome after the onset of a stroke, after adjustment for confounders. End-stage kidney disease (ESKD) is associated with a 7- and 9-fold increased incidence of both ischaemic and haemorrhagic strokes, respectively, poorer neurological outcome and a 3-fold higher mortality. Acute kidney injury (AKI) occurs in 12% of patients with stroke and is associated with a 4-fold increased mortality and unfavourable functional outcome. CKD patients seem to have less access to revascularisation techniques like thrombolysis and thrombectomy despite their poorer prognosis. Even if CKD patients could benefit from these specific treatments in acute ischaemic stroke, their prognosis remains poor. After thrombolysis, CKD is associated with a 40% increased risk of intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH), a 20% increase in mortality and poorer functional neurological outcomes. After thrombectomy, CKD is not associated with ICH but is still associated with increased mortality, and AKI with unfavourable outcome and mortality. The beneficial impact of gliflozins on the prevention of stroke is still uncertain. Non-traditional risk factors of stroke, like uraemic toxins, can lead to chronic cerebrovascular disease predisposing to stroke in CKD, notably through an increase in the blood–brain barrier permeability and impaired coagulation and thrombosis mechanisms. Preclinical and clinical studies are needed to specifically assess the impact of these non-traditional risk factors on stroke incidence and outcomes, aiming to optimize and identify potential therapeutic targets.
Withdrawn as duplicate: Shade represses photosynthetic genes by disrupting the DNA binding of GOLDEN2-LIKE1
Authors: Kim Namuk , Jeong Jinkil , Kim Jeongheon , Oh Jeonghwa , Choi Giltsu
Published: February 2023

Shade represses photosynthetic genes by increasing the expression of a small protein that disrupts the DNA binding of a key transcription factor.
Two interacting basic helix-loop-helix transcription factors control flowering time in rice
Authors: Yin Yanbin , Yan Zhiqiang , Guan Jianing , Huo Yiqiong , Wang Tianqiong , Li Tong , Cui Zhibo , Ma Wenhong , Wang Xiaoxue , Chen Wenfu
Published: February 2023

Flowering time is one of the most important agronomic traits affecting the adaptation and yield of rice (Oryza sativa). Heading date 1 (Hd1) is a key factor in the photoperiodic control of flowering time. In this study, two basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factors, Hd1 Binding Protein 1 (HBP1) and Partner of HBP1 (POH1) were identified as transcriptional regulators of Hd1. We generated knockout mutants of HBP1 and ectopically expressed transgenic lines of the two bHLH transcription factors and used these lines to investigate the roles of these two factors in regulating flowering time. HBP1 physically associated with POH1 forming homo- or heterodimers to perform their functions. Both HBP1 and POH1 bound directly to the cis-acting elements located in the promoter of Hd1 to activate its expression. CRISPR/Cas9-generated knockout mutations of HBP1, but not POH1 mutations, promoted earlier flowering time; conversely, HBP1 and POH1 overexpression delayed flowering time in rice under long-day and short-day conditions by activating the expression of Hd1 and suppressing the expression of Early heading date 1 (Ehd1), Heading date 3a (Hd3a), and Rice Flowering locus T 1 (RFT1), thus controlling flowering time in rice. Our findings revealed a mechanism for flowering time control through transcriptional regulation of Hd1 and laid theoretical and practical foundations for improving the growth period, adaptation, and yield of rice.