bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Does consumer knowledge of sorghum impact their liking? Investigating consumers preferences on sorghum biscuits using JAR (Just-About-Right) scale
Authors: Ervina Ervina , Tenadi Angelly , Renata Gabriella , Aurelia Shanie
Published: May 2023

Sorghum has been widely cultivated around the world. The plant has a high survival rate to be grown in barren land and is reported to be positively correlated with health benefits, in particular for being gluten-free. Recently, sorghum application in food products has increased significantly. This study aims to investigate consumer acceptance of sorghum biscuits and to evaluate whether consumer knowledge related to sorghum will influence their preferences. The preferences of 132 adult consumers were recorded for the different substitutions of sorghum to wheat (0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% of sorghum substitution). Sensory attributes of sweet and bitter aroma, sweetness, bitterness, texture, and grittiness were recorded using the JAR (Just-About-Right) scale while consumer knowledge regarding sorghum and gluten-free product was recorded using an online questionnaire. The result indicated that consumer knowledge did not influence their liking on sorghum biscuits, and they have limited knowledge concerning sorghum and gluten-free products. The liking was significantly influenced by the sensory attributes of biscuits. Texture quality such as hardness and grittiness showed to significantly reduce liking while sweet aroma, sweetness, and soft texture showed to promote liking. This study could be used as a preliminary study to develop gluten-free products using sorghum.
Shrimp paste: different processing and microbial composition across Southeast Asia
Authors: Stefanny  , Pamungkaningtyas F H
Published: May 2023

Among the indigenous fermented foods, shrimp paste has been traditionally consumed in Southeast Asia as a condiment to its delicacy and nutritional value. In addition, shrimp paste is added to main dishes to enhance the salty and umami taste. Shrimp paste is named differently in Southeast Asia countries and possesses varied processing methods and microbial composition. This paper aimed to review the production process and microbial composition of shrimp paste in various Southeast Asia countries: mam tom in Vietnam, kapi in Cambodia and Thailand, belacan in Malaysia, terasi in Indonesia, ngapi in Myanmar, and bagoong-alamang in Philippines. Generally, the shrimp paste is made by mixing the ground shrimp with salt at the beginning, followed by fermentation and drying process. Interestingly, some shrimp paste is made through multiple fermentation and drying process to obtain desired consistency. Lactic acid bacteria were identified in most of shrimp paste in Southeast Asia.
Evaluating consumer preferences based on the total antioxidant activity of the Indonesian herbal drink “Bandrek”
Authors: Wilianto Vincentia , Ervina Ervina
Published: May 2023

Traditional herbal drink is made from local herbs and is believed to be able to increase immune system. Bandrek is a Javanese traditional drink commonly made with local herbs and spices. One of the important ingredients should be added in bandrek is ginger. The objective of this study is to investigate consumers’ preferences of bandrek with different processing treatments of ginger (control, cold press, oven-cold press, cold press-boiled, smashed-boiled). In addition, sensorial profiles of bandrek with different ginger treatment was also investigated. A total of 105 consumers participated and their liking scores for bandrek were assessed. In addition, the descriptive sensory evaluation was measured using QDA (Quantitative Descriptive Analysis) by 13 trained panelists and the total antioxidant activity was analyzed using DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) method. The result shows that the bandrek drinks with cold pressed ginger had the highest antioxidant activity compared to the other samples. Moreover, these samples were also shown to be closely associated with consumers’ preferences and correlated with the aroma and taste of spices and herbs including the hot sensation of ginger. This study could be used as a preliminary study to develop functional drinks made from ginger by considering ginger treatment and its antioxidant content.
Analysis of antioxidant and hedonic acceptance of turmeric extract-enriched milk
Authors: Partio E K U , Tedjakusuma F , Surya R
Published: May 2023

Since COVID-19 pandemic, there was an increasing of people adopting a healthy lifestyle through health supplement and functional foods. This study aimed to develop turmeric milk which has high antioxidant activity that can be accepted by the community. The difference in the concentration of turmeric powder added (0.9%, 1.9%, and 2.8%) was carried out to determine the antioxidant activity by DPPH method and the curcumin level by HPLC method. Hedonic tests were used to evaluate the effect of turmeric powder into consumer acceptance. Results showed that the addition of turmeric is lowering the hedonic value. Turmeric milk with 2.8% turmeric powder had the highest levels of curcumin (53.95 mg/260 mL) and antioxidant activity (90.51%) but had the lowest acceptance rate (4.02) while turmeric milk with 0.9% of turmeric powder) had the lowest levels of curcumin (25.28 mg/260 mL) and antioxidant activity (81.76%) but had the highest acceptance rate (4.97). Turmeric milk with 1.9% was the most favourable due to overall value in the hedonic test is 4.58 and antioxidant activity of 86.61%.
Supplier Assessment in PET Recycle for The Beverage Industry
Authors: Ivander  , Pramudita N D , Yonathan N
Published: May 2023

The beverage Industry is a company that is engaged in the production of mineral water in Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) bottles. PET bottle is the primary material used in the beverage industry. Therefore, the use of PET resin as bottle material is unavoidable. On the other hand, public awareness about the environment is getting bigger. Seeing these conditions, the company decided to use recycled pet resin to solve this problem. Currently, the company has three candidates for recycle PET suppliers, as alternative suppliers to be selected. The company wants to know which suppliers are eligible to be selected and which suppliers can be eliminated so that this project can run successfully. The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method will be used in this study to assist in making research weights. Further, a supplier assessment and evaluation system will be made to decide which supplier to select.
Selection and identification of antibacterial and GABA-producing lactic acid bacteria from Vietnamese fermented meat
Authors: Duyen T H , Binh N N H , Viet L Q , Chau L M , Thanh N N , Phat D T , Truong L D , Phong H X
Published: May 2023

This study aimed to screen the lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strain that has high potential in gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) production and antibacterial properties, which could be applied in Vietnamese fermented meat (Nem chua) fermentation. These bacterial strains were isolated from commercial Nem chua products and stored in the laboratory. GABA synthesized from 18 strains of LAB in the MRS media adding 3% MSG was qualitative and quantitative analyzed through thin layer chromatography (TLC) and its calibration curve equation, then antibacterial activity and lactic acid production were also tested by acidic titration method, and well diffusion method, respectively. The results showed that all LAB strains synthesized GABA with a concentration from 1.323 - 1.582 mg/mL; however, eight strains were recorded with higher potential, including VL1, XP1, TP1, HC2, CP2, LV2, TX7, and HK 162. These eight strains showed the inhibition zone to Escherichia coli indicator from 4.67 - 11.67 mm. Besides, they are capable of yielding lactic acid from 18.00 - 19.35 g/L after seven days of fermentation in MRS media. The strain VL1 with the highest potential was identified as Lactobacillus plantarum. This strain was suggested as a promising starter to be applied in the Nem chua fermentation process.
Reconstruction of tumor microenvironment via in vitro three-dimensional models
Authors: Zhou Zhenzhen , He Jianyu , Pang Yuan , Sun Wei
Published: May 2023

Recent advances in tumor microenvironment (TME) modeling as well as its applications to cancer therapy has brought various dramatical changes in multiple malignancies management. Understanding the mechanisms of response and resistance to cancer therapy requires a clear elucidation of the intricate interactions between TME cells, the surrounding stroma, and distant affected tissues or organs. To address this demand, various three-dimensional (3D) cell culture techniques have been developed in order to recapitulate and understand cancer biology over the past decade. This review summarizes some saliant progresses in in vitro 3D TME modeling, including the cell-based, matrix-based, and vessel-based dynamic 3D modeling techniques and their applications in investigating tumor-stroma interactions and responses to cancer therapies. The review also discusses the limitations of current TME modeling approaches and proposes some new thoughts on the construction of more clinically relevant models.
Fracture analysis of friction stir spot welded acrylonitrile butadiene styrene sheet in butt configuration
Authors: Mishra Akshansh , Potnis Mihir S , Sapre Mandar S , Jatti Vijaykumar S
Published: May 2023

The friction stir spot welding (FSSW) process is a novel technique that overcomes the limitation of resistance spot welding. Recently, FSSW used for welding of polymers which are difficult to be joined by traditional welding processes. The demand for Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) for industrial applications has increased in recent years. However, to employ this technique the challenge is to get optimal FSSW parameters setting to achieve the best weld strength during the welding of ABS sheets. To achieve this, in the present work, full factorial experimental design layout was employed to investigate the effect of process parameters on weld strength i.e., ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and percentage elongation during FSSW of ABS-ABS sheet in butt configuration. To predict the UTS and percentage elongation, machine learning regression namely, linear, polynomial, support vector machine, and decision tree was used. Further, the study includes the identification of the fracture patterns post tensile test specimens based on the topography of the fracture surface under scanning electron microscopy. It was found that plunge depth is the most significant parameter followed by spindle speed and dwell time. The optimal setting of process parameters i.e., spindle speed of 1000 rpm, plunge depth of 1 mm, and dwell time of 40 s resulted in maximum UTS of 7.849 MPa. The maximum value of percentage elongation obtained was 5 at the parameter setting of spindle speed of 1000 rpm, plunge depth of 0.8 mm, and dwell time of 40 s. Polynomial regression outperformed in the prediction of UTS and percentage elongation with an R-square of 0.99.
Paving the way toward 800 Gbps quantum-secured optical channel deployment in mission-critical environments
Authors: Pistoia Marco , Amer Omar , Behera Monik R , Dolphin Joseph A , Dynes James F , John Benny , Haigh Paul A , Kawakura Yasushi , Kramer David H , Lyon Jeffrey , Moazzami Navid , Movva Tulasi D , Polychroniadou Antigoni , Shetty Suresh , Sysak Greg , Toudeh-Fallah Farzam , Upadhyay Sudhir , Woodward Robert I , Shields Andrew J
Published: May 2023

This article describes experimental research studies conducted toward understanding the implementation aspects of high-capacity quantum-secured optical channels in mission-critical metro-scale operational environments using quantum key distribution (QKD) technology. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that an 800 Gbps quantum-secured optical channel—along with several other dense wavelength division multiplexed channels on the C-band and multiplexed with the QKD channel on the O-band-was established at distances up to 100 km, with secret key-rates relevant for practical industry use cases. In addition, during the course of these trials, transporting a blockchain application over this established channel was utilized as a demonstration of securing a financial transaction in transit over a quantum-secured optical channel. The findings of this research pave the way toward the deployment of QKD-secured optical channels in high-capacity, metro-scale, mission-critical operational environments, such as Inter-Data Center Interconnects.
Sequence of penalties method to study excited states using VQE
Authors: Carobene R , Barison S , Giachero A
Published: May 2023

We propose an extension of the variational quantum eigensolver (VQE) that leads to more accurate energy estimations and can be used to study excited states. The method is based on the introduction of a sequence of increasing penalties in the cost function. This approach does not require circuit modifications and thus can be applied with no additional depth cost. Through numerical simulations, we show that we are able to produce variational states with desired physical properties, such as total spin and charge. We assess its performance both on classical simulators and on currently available quantum devices, calculating the potential energy curves of small molecular systems in different physical configurations. Finally, we compare our method to the original VQE and to another extension, obtaining a better agreement with exact simulations for both energy and targeted physical quantities.
Land use effects of biofuel production in the US
Authors: Wang Weiwei , Khanna Madhu
Published: May 2023

Biodiesel production from soybean has been growing in the United States and although its amount is small by comparison with corn ethanol, its addition to existing demands on land can have nonlinear effects on land use, due to an upward sloping and increasingly inelastic supply of land. It is critical to quantify these effects to inform future policies that may expand production of soy biodiesel. Here we apply a multi-period, partial equilibrium economic model (BEPAM) to determine land use under a validated counterfactual scenario with no biofuel policy or with corn ethanol mandate alone to isolate the extent to which expansion of biodiesel production in the US led to the conversion of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres and other noncropland to crop production, over the 2007–2018 period. We find that the land use change intensity of biodiesel ranged from 0.78 to 1.5 million acres per billion gallons in 2018 which is substantially higher than that of corn ethanol, that ranged from 0.57 to 0.75; estimates at the lower end of these ranges are obtained under the assumption that there is no conversion of permanent pastureland to cropland and better supported by model validation than the upper end of these ranges. The land use change elasticity with respect to changes in land rent was more inelastic for biodiesel than for corn ethanol. The largest levels of expansion in cropland were in Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, Kansas, Michigan and Mississippi.
Development of a high-resolution top-down model to estimate actual household-level heat pump electricity consumption
Authors: Biscocho Kelsey , Rezqalla Mohammad , Farha Aaron , Boanta Alexandru , Ciez Rebecca E
Published: May 2023

Heat pumps can play an important part in decarbonizing the residential sector due to their use of electricity instead of fossil fuels, and their high efficiency, which often exceeds 100%. However, heat pump performance and energy savings vary with climate and individual household energy usage. Recent studies have used geospatial models to estimate potential heat pump energy consumption across the United States. Yet most studies use generic and oversimplified heat pump models. We contribute to this field with a geospatial model based on manufacturer data and measured test data for 16 different R410A, high efficiency, variable speed compressor heat pumps. Using linear regression, we estimate a market average of COP with respect to ambient temperature. From this, we can identify the variation in efficiency with temperature across this technology class. We also use linear regression to estimate demand for heating and cooling as a function of ambient temperature and household characteristics. We compare the performance of both the predicted energy demand and heat pump efficiency against measured data from a heat pump-equipped house in West Lafayette, Indiana, and find that the model predicts daily heat pump electricity consumption with 27.8% relative error, comparable to other building simulation models. By incorporating high-resolution geospatial data inputs, such top-down models can still maintain a large scope across technologies and diverse climates while increasing spatial and temporal resolution.
On recurrence and transience of some Lévy-type processes in ℝ
Authors: Knopova Victoria
Published: May 2023

In this note we prove some sufficient conditions for transience and recurrence of a Lévy-type process in

R

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, whose generator defined on the test functions is of the form
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\begin{equation*} Lf(x) =\int _{\mathbb {R}} \left ( f(x+u)-f(x)- \nabla f(x)\cdot u \mathbb {1}_{|u|\leq 1} \right ) \nu (x,du), \quad f\in C_\infty ^2(\mathbb {R}). \end{equation*}

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Investigating the Shape and Strength of the Relationship Between Maternal Weight Gain and Gestational Age at Delivery in Twin and Singleton Pregnancies
Authors: Dimitris Michelle C , Hutcheon Jennifer A , Platt Robert W , Abrahamowicz Michal , Beauchamp Marie-Eve , Himes Katherine P , Bodnar Lisa M , Kaufman Jay S
Published: May 2023

Both inadequate and excessive maternal weight gain are correlated with preterm delivery in singleton pregnancies, yet this relationship has not been adequately studied in twins. We investigated the relationship between time-varying maternal weight gain and gestational age at delivery in twin pregnancies and compared it with that in singletons delivered in the same study population. We used serial weight measurements abstracted from charts for twin and singleton pregnancies delivered during 1998–2013 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Our exposure was time-varying weight gain z score, calculated using gestational age–standardized and prepregnancy body mass index–stratified twin- and singleton-specific charts, and our outcome was gestational age at delivery. Our analyses used a flexible extension of the Cox proportional hazards model that allowed for nonlinear and time-dependent effects. We found a U-shaped relationship between weight gain z score and gestational age at delivery among twin pregnancies (lowest hazard of delivery observed at z score = 1.2), which we attributed to increased hazard of early preterm spontaneous delivery among pregnancies with low weight gain and increased hazard of late preterm delivery without labor among pregnancies with high weight gain. Our findings may be useful for updating provisional guidelines for maternal weight gain in twin pregnancies.
PepGM: a probabilistic graphical model for taxonomic inference of viral proteome samples with associated confidence scores
Authors: Holstein Tanja , Kistner Franziska , Martens Lennart , Muth Thilo
Published: May 2023

Motivation

Inferring taxonomy in mass spectrometry-based shotgun proteomics is a complex task. In multi-species or viral samples of unknown taxonomic origin, the presence of proteins and corresponding taxa must be inferred from a list of identified peptides, which is often complicated by protein homology: many proteins do not only share peptides within a taxon but also between taxa. However, the correct taxonomic inference is crucial when identifying different viral strains with high-sequence homology—considering, e.g., the different epidemiological characteristics of the various strains of severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus-2. Additionally, many viruses mutate frequently, further complicating the correct identification of viral proteomic samples.

Results

We present PepGM, a probabilistic graphical model for the taxonomic assignment of virus proteomic samples with strain-level resolution and associated confidence scores. PepGM combines the results of a standard proteomic database search algorithm with belief propagation to calculate the marginal distributions, and thus confidence scores, for potential taxonomic assignments. We demonstrate the performance of PepGM using several publicly available virus proteomic datasets, showing its strain-level resolution performance. In two out of eight cases, the taxonomic assignments were only correct on the species level, which PepGM clearly indicates by lower confidence scores.

Availability and implementation

PepGM is written in Python and embedded into a Snakemake workflow. It is available at https://github.com/BAMeScience/PepGM.
Cutaneous sarcoma: a review and practical approach to management
Authors: Stoneham Sophie , Hunter Alys , Raahimi Mina , Livesey Amy , Mitchell Charles D , Keohane Stephen
Published: May 2023

Sarcomas arising in the skin are rare but potentially fatal. These tumours originate from mesenchymal cells and can be divided between those that arise in soft tissue and those arising from bone. General guidelines exist for the management of soft-tissue sarcomas; however, there are no specific guidelines for cutaneous sarcomas. Current literature was reviewed for management of seven cutaneous sarcomas including atypical fibroxanthoma, pleomorphic dermal sarcoma, dermal and subcutaneous leiomyosarcoma, dermatofibroma sarcoma protuberans, Kaposi sarcoma, cutaneous angiosarcoma and malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour. All suspected sarcomas should be discussed in a sarcoma multidisciplinary team meeting. This article is not a clinical guideline but should serve as a practical summary of how these tumours present, how they are recognized histologically, and how best to manage and follow-up patients. The aim is to support clinicians and facilitate the best and most evidence-based standard of care available.
Anthropogenic noise interacts with the predation risk assessment in a free-ranging bird
Authors: Matyjasiak Piotr , Chacińska Patrycja , Książka Piotr
Published: May 2023

Anthropogenic noise can affect a number of behavioral, physiological, and ecological aspects of animals from major taxonomic groups, raising serious conservation concerns. For example, noise pollution impacts communicative behavior and perception of signals, movements and distribution, as well as predator–prey interactions, such as hunting success or predator detection and predation risk assessment. We have carried out an experimental playback study, in which we investigated whether exposure to anthropogenic noise (sound of a tractor) distracts free-ranging barn swallows Hirundo rustica from paying attention to an approaching human “predator” (the “cognitive distraction” hypothesis), or whether noise leads to increased responsiveness to this “predator” (the “increased threat” hypothesis). The subjects were male barn swallows attending their breeding territories during the time when the females were incubating. We found that barn swallow males initiated flight at significantly greater distances to the approaching human “predator” in the noise treatment than during the quiet control trials. These results suggest that anthropogenic noise causes increased vigilance and reactivity rather than a distraction, enabling birds to avoid the “predator” more quickly. We further discuss the mechanism behind the increased alertness in response to noise and contrast the “increased threat” mechanism, usually tested in previous studies, with an alternative “cognitive sensitization” mechanism.
Obefazimod: A First-in-class Drug for the Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis
Authors: Vermeire Séverine , Solitano Virginia , Peyrin-Biroulet Laurent , Tilg Herbert , Danese Silvio , Ehrlich Hartmut , Scherrer Didier , Gineste Paul , d’Agay Laurence , Sands Bruce E
Published: May 2023

Biologic agents and oral small molecules are the mainstays of inflammatory bowel disease [IBD] management. However, an unmet clinical need remains for additional agents with novel mechanism of action which are effective, safe, and disease-modifying; this is due to the substantial proportion of patients who do not respond, lose response, or develop intolerance to currently marketed products. microRNAs [miRNAs] that play a role in the modulation of signal transduction pathways implicated in the development of IBD hold the potential to be used as therapeutic targets. Recently, a novel first-in-class compound, obefazimod, originally conceived as a human immunodeficiency virus [HIV] infection drug, has shown great promise in phase II induction trials for ulcerative colitis [UC] patients. Findings from the maintenance phases of trials showed that long-term obefazimod treatment provides continued improvement in clinical symptoms of disease, with a substantial proportion of patients in clinical remission, and an overall good safety profile. With a novel mechanism of action, obefazimod is an orally available small molecule with anti-inflammatory properties through the specific and selective upregulation of miR-124 expression. The aim of this paper is to critically review the available evidence related to pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, and to discuss the potential clinical implications of this first-in-class oral small molecule.
Tissue plasminogen activator for axillary Impella 5.0 with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia as a treatment of choice for acute Impella thrombosis: a case report
Authors: Merino Elena , Abdelfattah Omar M
Published: May 2023

Background

Patients with cardiogenic shock requiring temporary support with percutaneous ventricular assist device, such as Impella (Abiomed, Inc.), can develop heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) which requires use of alternative purge solution anticoagulation. There are limited recommendations on use of anticoagulation other than standard Unfractionated Heparin in 5% dextrose solution.

Case summary

This case describes 69-year-old female who presented with symptoms of decompensated systolic heart failure and was found to be in cardiogenic shock and despite use of inotropes and vasopressors maintained low systolic blood pressure and low mixed venous oxygen saturation which lead to use of axillary Impella 5.0 (Abiomed, Inc.) who developed HIT. Purge solution anticoagulation was switched to Argatroban, but due to increased motor pressures, tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) was successfully used to maintain proper motor pressures. Ultimately, patient was transferred to an outside facility for a transplant evaluation.

Discussion

This case demonstrates successful and safe use of tPA as an alternative purge solution although more data needed to support this finding.
Outcome of Stanford type B dissection in patients with Marfan syndrome
Authors: Yildiz Murat , Nucera Maria , Jungi Silvan , Heinisch Paul Philipp , Mosbahi Selim , Becker Daniel , Siepe Matthias , Schoenhoff Florian
Published: May 2023

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to determine the outcome of Stanford type B aortic dissection in patients with Marfan syndrome (MFS) and to evaluate aortic diameters at time of dissection as well as the impact of previous aortic root replacement.

METHODS

Analysis of all patients with MFS fulfilling Ghent criteria seen at this institution since 1995 until 2022.

RESULTS

Thirty-six (19%) out of 188 patients with MFS suffered from Stanford type B aortic dissection during the study period. The Mean aortic diameter at the time of dissection was 39.0 mm [95% confidence interval (CI): 35.6–42.3]. The mean pre-dissection diameter (available in 25% of patients) was 32.1 mm (95% CI: 28.0–36.3) and the mean expansion was 19% (95% CI: 11.9–26.2). There was no correlation between age and diameter at the time of dissection (<20, 21–30, 31–40, 41–50, 51–60, <61 years; P = 0.78). Freedom from intervention after dissection was 53%, 44% and 33% at 1, 5 and 10 years. Aortic growth rate in those patients that had to undergo intervention within the 1st year after dissection was 10.2 mm/year (95% CI: 4.4–15.9) compared to 5.8 mm/year (95% CI: 3.3–8.3, P = 0.109) in those thereafter. The mean time between dissection and intervention was 1.8 years (95% CI: 0.6–3.0). While type B dissection seems more frequent after previous elective aortic repair (58% vs 42%), there was no difference between valve-sparing root replacement (VSRR) compared to Bentall procedures [Hazard ratio (HR) for VSRR 0.78, 95% CI: 0.31–2.0, P-value = 0.61]. The mean age of the entire population at the end of follow-up was 42 years (95% CI: 39.2–44.7). The mean follow-up time was 9 years (95% CI: 7.8–10.4).

CONCLUSIONS

Stanford type B dissection in patients with MFS occurs far below accepted thresholds for intervention. Risk for type B dissection is present throughout lifetime and two-thirds of patients need an intervention after dissection. There is no difference in freedom from type B dissection between a Bentall procedure and a VSRR.
Testicular volume in 268 children and adolescents followed-up for childhood obesity—a retrospective cross-sectional study
Authors: Cannarella R , Caruso M , Condorelli R A , Timpanaro T A , Caruso M A , La Vignera S , Calogero A E
Published: May 2023

Context

Prevalence of obesity in childhood has increased over the past few decades. The impact of obesity and of obesity-related metabolic disorders on testicular growth is unknown.

Objective

To evaluate the impact of obesity, hyperinsulinemia, and insulin resistance on testicular volume (TV) in pre-pubertal (<9 years), peri-pubertal (9-14 years), and post-pubertal (14-16 years) periods.

Methods

We collected data on TV, age, standard deviation score (SDS) of the body mass index (BMI), insulin, and fasting glycemia in 268 children and adolescents followed-up for weight control.

Results

Peri-pubertal boys with normal weight had a significantly higher TV compared to those with overweight or obesity. No difference was found in the other age ranges when data were grouped according to BMI. Pre- and post-pubertal children/adolescents with normal insulin levels had significantly higher TV compared to those with hyperinsulinemia. Peri-pubertal boys with hyperinsulinemia had significantly higher TV compared to those with normal insulin levels. Post-pubertal adolescents with insulin resistance had lower TV and peri-pubertal boys had higher TV compared to those without insulin resistance. No difference was found in pre-puberty.

Conclusions

Closer control of the body weight and the associated metabolic alterations in childhood and adolescence may maintain testicular function later in life.
Vocational education, general education, and on-the-job learning over the life cycle
Authors: Tobback Ilse , Verhaest Dieter , Baert Stijn , De Witte Kristof
Published: May 2023

We investigate whether vocationally and generally educated individuals differ in their on-the-job learning and how this difference evolves over the career. To this end, we exploit the European Skills and Jobs Survey dataset and rely on instrumental variable estimation. While our descriptive results suggest that workers with a vocational degree experience on average more learning, this conclusion largely changes once endogeneity is taken into account. First, we find that, immediately after graduation, workers with a vocational education are less likely to further improve their skills in their jobs. Second, while this gap in on-the-job learning gradually fades over time, it takes almost a full career to catch up in terms of further on-the-job learning with those with a general degree. Finally, the effects are driven by individuals residing in dual system countries and those with a programme involving workplace learning. We argue that these results are likely explained by a combination of compensating (because vocationally educated obtained their specific skills already during education) and complementary (because general skills lay down a foundation for further learning) effects.
Filtration of Gene Trees From 9,000 Exons, Introns, and UCEs Disentangles Conflicting Phylogenomic Relationships in Tree Frogs (Hylidae)
Authors: Hutter Carl R , Duellman William
Published: May 2023

An emerging challenge in interpreting phylogenomic data sets is that concatenation and multi-species coalescent summary species tree approaches may produce conflicting results. Concatenation is problematic because it can strongly support an incorrect topology when incomplete lineage sorting (ILS) results in elevated gene-tree discordance. Conversely, summary species tree methods account for ILS to recover the correct topology, but these methods do not account for erroneous gene trees (“EGTs”) resulting from gene tree estimation error (GTEE). Third, site-based and full-likelihood methods promise to alleviate GTEE as these methods use the sequence data from alignments. To understand the impact of GTEE on species tree estimation in Hylidae tree frogs, we use an expansive data set of ∼9,000 exons, introns, and ultra-conserved elements and initially found conflict between all three types of analytical methods. We filtered EGTs using alignment metrics that could lead to GTEE (length, parsimony-informative sites, and missing data) and found that removing shorter, less informative alignments reconciled the conflict between concatenation and summary species tree methods with increased gene concordance, with the filtered topologies matching expected results from past studies. Contrarily, site-based and full-likelihood methods were mixed where one method was consistent with past studies and the other varied markedly. Critical to other studies, these results suggest a widespread conflation of ILS and GTEE, where EGTs rather than ILS are driving discordance. Finally, we apply these recommendations to an R package named PhyloConfigR, which facilitates phylogenetic software setup, summarizes alignments, and provides tools for filtering alignments and gene trees.
Visual processing in the fly, from photoreceptors to behavior
Authors: Currier Timothy A , Pang Michelle M , Clandinin Thomas R
Published: May 2023

Originally a genetic model organism, the experimental use of Drosophila melanogaster has grown to include quantitative behavioral analyses, sophisticated perturbations of neuronal function, and detailed sensory physiology. A highlight of these developments can be seen in the context of vision, where pioneering studies have uncovered fundamental and generalizable principles of sensory processing. Here we begin with an overview of vision-guided behaviors and common methods for probing visual circuits. We then outline the anatomy and physiology of brain regions involved in visual processing, beginning at the sensory periphery and ending with descending motor control. Areas of focus include contrast and motion detection in the optic lobe, circuits for visual feature selectivity, computations in support of spatial navigation, and contextual associative learning. Finally, we look to the future of fly visual neuroscience and discuss promising topics for further study.
Do Older Adults Adjust Their Control Beliefs According to Changes in Mobility Limitations? Evidence From a Large-Scale Observational Study
Authors: Oi Katsuya
Published: May 2023

Objectives

This study examines cross-over, time-lagged (cross-lagged) effects of nonintervened changes between mobility limitations and control constraints/self-mastery.

Methods

Using the Health and Retirement Study data from the years 2006 to 2016 from 10,690 participants, changes in mobility limitations, control constraints, and self-mastery were analyzed simultaneously with 3 latent change score models, to account for measurement error and pre-existing mobility issues prior to baseline.

Results

An increase in mobility limitations predicts a decrease in mastery observed in the next interval, but not the other way around. Cross-lagged effects of changes are significant only between control and local mobility limitations concerning upper/lower extremity and associated large muscles.

Discussion

The results indicate reciprocity between perceived control constraints and local mobility regardless of pre-existing limitations. To better facilitate recovery and prevention, future intervention designs should consider alleviating control constraints in addition to improving self-mastery.
The Mode Effect of Web-Based Surveying on the 2018 U.S. Health and Retirement Study Measure of Cognitive Functioning
Authors: Domingue Benjamin W , McCammon Ryan J , West Brady T , Langa Kenneth M , Weir David R , Faul Jessica
Published: May 2023

Objectives

Measuring cognition in an aging populabtion is a public health priority. A move towards survey measurement via the web (as opposed to phone or in-person) is cost-effective but challenging as it may induce bias in cognitive measures. We examine this possibility using an experiment embedded in the 2018 wave of data collection for the U.S. Health and Retirement Study (HRS).

Methods

We utilize techniques from multiple group item response theory to assess the effect of survey mode on performance on the HRS cognitive measure. We also study the problem of attrition by attempting to predict dropout and via approaches meant to minimize bias in subsequent inferences due to attrition.

Results

We find evidence of an increase in scores for HRS respondents who are randomly assigned to the web-based mode of data collection in 2018. Web-based respondents score higher in 2018 than experimentally matched phone-based respondents, and they show much larger gains relative to 2016 performance and subsequently larger declines in 2020. The differential in favor of web-based responding is observed across all items, but is most pronounced for the Serial 7 task and numeracy items. Due to the relative ease of the web-based mode, we suggest a cutscore of 12 being used to indicate CIND (cognitively impaired but not demented) status when using the web-based version rather than 11.

Discussion

The difference in mode may be nonignorable for many uses of the HRS cognitive measure. In particular, it may require reconsideration of some cutscore-based approaches to identify impairment.
Siglec15 promotes the migration of thyroid carcinoma cells by enhancing the EGFR protein stability
Authors: Huang Sijing , Ji Zhi , Xu Jinqiang , Yang Yuerong , Wu BingRui , Chen Qihang , Geng Shuting , Si Yu , Chen Jiayue , Wei Yuanyan , Wang Cong , Ai Zhilong , Jiang Jianhai
Published: May 2023

Purpose

Sialic acid-bound immunoglobulin-like lectin 15 (Siglec15) has emerged as a novel therapeutic target in tumor immunotherapy. This study is designed to investigate the function and mechanism of Siglec15 in thyroid carcinoma (THCA).

Materials and methods

The information on patients with THCA from TGCA and GEO database were used to analyze the expression of Siglec15 in THCA. THCA cells were treated with Siglec15-mFc, a recombinant fusion protein consisting of the extracellular domain of human Siglec15 and murine IgG Fc. THP-1 cells expressing human Siglec15 and its mutant were co-cultured with THCA cells to mimic the contact between Siglec15-expressing tumor-associated macrophages and THCA cells. Wound-healing assay and transwell migration assay were used to examine the migration abilities of BCPAP and C643 cells. Pull-down assay was performed to examine the interaction between Siglec15 and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) on the cancer cells. Cycloheximide (CHX) assay was used to evaluate the stability of the protein.

Results

The expression of Siglec15 in thyroid carcinoma tissues is higher than in normal tissues. Siglec15 promotes the migration of THCA cells by binding to EGFR in a sialic acid-dependent manner and increases EGFR protein expression. Inhibition of the EGFR pathway blocks the effect of Siglec15 on the migration of THCA cells.

Conclusions

Our findings reveals that Siglec15 promotes the migration of thyroid carcinoma cells by enhancing the EGFR protein stability.
Gibberellin biosynthesis is required for CPPU-induced parthenocarpy in melon
Authors: Liu Yue , Li Yang , Guo Huixin , Lv Bingsheng , Feng Jing , Wang Huihui , Zhang Zhonghua , Chai Sen
Published: May 2023

Spraying N-(2-chloro-4-pyridyl)-N′-phenylurea (CPPU), an exogenous cytokinin (CK) growth regulator, is the conventional method for inducing fruit set during melon (Cucumis melo L.) production; however, the mechanism by which CPPU induces fruit set is unclear. Through histological and morphological observations, fruit size was comparable between CPPU-induced fruits and normal pollinated fruits because CPPU-induced fruits had higher cell density but smaller cell size compared with normal pollinated fruits. CPPU promotes the accumulation of gibberellin (GA) and auxin and decreases the level of abscisic acid (ABA) during fruit set. Moreover, application of the GA inhibitor paclobutrazol (PAC) partially inhibits CPPU-induced fruit set. Transcriptome analysis revealed that CPPU-induced fruit set specifically induced the GA-related pathway, in which the key synthase encoding gibberellin 20-oxidase 1 (CmGA20ox1) was specifically upregulated. Further study indicated that the two-component response regulator 2 (CmRR2) of the cytokinin signaling pathway, which is highly expressed at fruit setting, positively regulates the expression of CmGA20ox1. Collectively, our study determined that CPPU-induced melon fruit set is dependent on GA biosynthesis, providing a theoretical basis for the creation of parthenocarpic melon germplasm.
CRISPR/Cas9-based gene activation and base editing in Populus
Authors: Yao Tao , Yuan Guoliang , Lu Haiwei , Liu Yang , Zhang Jin , Tuskan Gerald A , Muchero Wellington , Chen Jin-Gui , Yang Xiaohan
Published: May 2023

The genus Populus has long been used for environmental, agroforestry and industrial applications worldwide. Today Populus is also recognized as a desirable crop for biofuel production and a model tree for physiological and ecological research. As such, various modern biotechnologies, including CRISPR/Cas9-based techniques, have been actively applied to Populus for genetic and genomic improvements for traits such as increased growth rate and tailored lignin composition. However, CRISPR/Cas9 has been primarily used as the active Cas9 form to create knockouts in the hybrid poplar clone “717-1B4” (P. tremula x P. alba clone INRA 717-1B4). Alternative CRISPR/Cas9-based technologies, e.g. those involving modified Cas9 for gene activation and base editing, have not been evaluated in most Populus species for their efficacy. Here we employed a deactivated Cas9 (dCas9)-based CRISPR activation (CRISPRa) technique to fine-tune the expression of two target genes, TPX2 and LecRLK-G which play important roles in plant growth and defense response, in hybrid poplar clone “717-1B4” and poplar clone “WV94” (P. deltoides “WV94”), respectively. We observed that CRISPRa resulted in 1.2-fold to 7.0-fold increase in target gene expression through transient expression in protoplasts and Agrobacterium-mediated stable transformation, demonstrating the effectiveness of dCas9-based CRISPRa system in Populus. In addition, we applied Cas9 nickase (nCas9)-based cytosine base editor (CBE) to precisely introduce premature stop codons via C-to-T conversion, with an efficiency of 13%–14%, in the target gene PLATZ which encodes a transcription factor involved in plant fungal pathogen response in hybrid poplar clone “717-1B4”. Overall, we showcase the successful application of CRISPR/Cas-based technologies in gene expression regulation and precise gene engineering in two Populus species, facilitating the adoption of emerging genome editing tools in woody species.
Populist (de)legitimation of international organizations
Authors: Spandler Kilian , Söderbaum Fredrik
Published: May 2023

The rise of populists to power in many states around the world has caused concern among defenders of multilateralism and the so-called liberal international order. Due to their frequent attacks on established international organizations (IOs), populists are often falsely portrayed as unilateralists. Our article addresses the apparent contradiction that populist leaders delegitimate certain IOs but actively legitimate others, and examines on what grounds they do so. We study speeches by three populist leaders from different continents: Viktor Orbán, Hugo Chávez and Rodrigo Duterte. The analysis shows that their (de)legitimation of IOs relies on representational claims, which critically interrogate on whose authority IOs speak, in whose interest they act, who they are made up of and what they stand for. Using the representational frames of popular sovereignty and popular identity, the three leaders have subverted conventional liberal arguments that legitimate IOs with regard to their performance or procedures. Based on these insights, we argue that instead of criticizing populists for being unilateralists (which they rarely are), stakeholders of established IOs should meet the populist challenge by engaging in more fundamental debates over the very purpose and mandate of IOs.
Military intervention as a spectacle? Authoritarian regionalism and protests in Kazakhstan
Authors: Libman Alexander , Davidzon Igor
Published: May 2023

Understanding the scope and the limits of cooperation of authoritarian regimes is important to assess their ability to support each other and strengthen authoritarian rule worldwide. While there is substantial evidence of authoritarian regimes working together to ensure mutual stability, autocracies are also notoriously mistrustful of one another. Therefore, they prefer to limit the assistance from other autocracies to rhetoric, to avoid the emergence of excessive dependencies. The conditions under which authoritarian cooperation goes beyond rhetoric, and even takes such extreme forms as military interventions, are insufficiently studied. The article investigates the case of the Collective Security Treaty Organization's (CSTO) intervention in Kazakhstan in 2022 as an example of an authoritarian regional organization sending a military mission to one of its member states. Using process tracing and carefully investigating the available evidence on the role of CSTO forces in Kazakhstan, we show that their intervention was more of symbolic importance than having an actual military role, and precisely for that reason it was acceptable to the leadership of Kazakhstan and other CSTO countries. The balance of power in central Asia (and in particular the role of China) ensured the credibility of commitment of the CSTO to keep its mission a symbolic one.