bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Parametrical Study of Freshwater–Saltwater Interface Dynamic
Authors: Lo Mody , Sangare Daouda
Published: March 2023

In this paper, a saltwater intrusion model, in view to study the dynamics of the interface between the saltwater and the freshwater in a coastal aquifer, is established. This dynamic is caused by an injection of saltwater and a freshwater pumping through a well located in a given position. From the flow model in each phase, we defined an appropriate hypothesis to obtain our global model based only on the height of the interface. The numerical simulation of our model led us to study the effect of the parameters and obtain some empirical laws of the pollution time versus the distance well-injection area and pollution time versus the pumping flow.
Effect of Oblique SV Wave on the Seismic Response of Mountain Tunnel
Authors: Cao Mingxing , Yan Songhong , Du Jiaxuan , Sun Weiyu , Li Yuxiang , Zhao Junjie
Published: March 2023

In order to study the dynamic response of parallel mountain tunnels under the oblique incidence of seismic waves, based on the display finite element method and using viscoelastic artificial boundary, the oblique incidence of three-way seismic waves was realized by angular incident mode. The displacement and stress distribution characteristics of the tunnel lining under different propagation angles and vibration angles of SV waves were studied. The results show that the oblique incidence of SV wave has a certain effect on the displacement of the double tunnel, the forces in the tunnel are symmetrical and the axis displacement increases with the increase of incident angle, and the vertical displacement changes greatly. The stress of the tunnel lining under the oblique incidence of the SV wave is elliptical. The peak value of the maximum principal stress appears at the maximum span on both sides, and the maximum principal stress decreases with the increase of the vibration angle. The maximum principal stress of the right tunnel is flat. The minimum principal stress of the left and right holes decreases with the increase of vibration angle, and the minimum principal stress of the left hole is 90°∼270°. The distribution of the minimum principal stress in the range is large. Mises stress increases with the increase of the incidence angle of seismic waves.
Creative Design and Technical Analysis of Animation Public Service Advertisement Based on Ant Colony Optimization Algorithm
Authors: Liu Huabai
Published: March 2023

In order to solve the bottleneck problem of public service advertising, an analysis method of creative design and design and production technology of animation public service advertising based on the ant colony optimization algorithm was proposed. In the current creative design process of animation public service advertising, along with the improvement of people’s aesthetic requirements, it is necessary to carry out a comprehensive innovative design of its design methods and content. This paper mainly describes how to use the ant colony optimization algorithm in the actual design process to carry out the corresponding design and analysis and then improve the overall communication of advertising. The research results show that under the ant colony algorithm, the customer satisfaction rate of public service advertising design is 89%, the general rate is 10%, and the dissatisfaction rate is 1%, which is superior to the traditional algorithm. Using Flash, 3DS Max, Premiere, and other software as well as “3D simulation,” Easy Mocap motion capture, and other technologies, the production quality of animation public service advertising films has been effectively improved.
Encenações da descrença: a performance dos espíritos e a presentificação do real
Authors: Cardoso Vânia Z. , Head Scott C.
Published: March 2023

Para J. Fabian, a performance reescreve a clássica questão shakespeariana de “ser ou não ser”, como “ser e não ser”. É por meio da ambiguidade da performance, trazida à tona neste jogo de palavras, que buscamos explorar os sentidos da descrença que impregnam tanto estórias sobre “espíritos”, contadas pelos que lhes procuram em busca de “conselhos” e “ajuda” em centros religiosos afro-brasileiros, como estórias sobre a mandinga da capoeira. Partindo da relação teatral entre encenação e suspensão da descrença, o artigo se encontra suspenso entre o retraçar de um modo pelo qual uma visão essencialmente teatral da vida social tem sido elaborada nas ciências sociais e uma intervenção etnográfica nesta visão, em rumo à uma noção mais propriamente performativa do real.
“Ser E não ser”, eis a questão: relatórios antropológicos, categorias nativas e Antropologia
Authors: Hartung Miriam Furtado
Published: March 2023

Historicamente a relação entre a Antropologia e o Estado tem sido marcada por momentos de intensa e efetiva participação dos antropólogos na formulação e/ou aplicação de políticas estatais. No Brasil, o engajamento político com os grupos estudados fez da disciplina uma eterna crítica do Estado, mesmo quando por este é chamada a opinar sobre a situação de seus “objetos” de estudo. Não restam dúvidas de que a relação entre Antropologia, Estado e os coletivos sociais é complexa, conflituosa e ambígua. Neste artigo pretendo discutir essa questão partindo da situação de elaboração do relatório antropológico sobre a situação da comunidade quilombola Invernada Paiol de Telha (PR), solicitado pelo Estado, no caso representado pelo Instituo Nacional de Colonização e Reforma Agrária (INCRA). A proposta aqui é menos uma crítica ao já bem conhecido modo como o Estado tem se relacionado com os coletivos sociais e mais trazer outros elementos que possibilitem discutir quais os pressupostos político-teórico-metodológicos da Antropologia nesta triangulação com o Estado e os coletivos sociais.
NetPlotBrain: A Python package for visualizing networks and brains
Authors: Fanton Silvia , Thompson William Hedley
Published: March 2023

Visualizations of networks are complex since they are multidimensional and generally convey large amounts of information. The layout of the visualization can communicate either network properties or spatial properties of the network. Generating such figures to effectively convey information and be accurate can be difficult and time-consuming, and it can require expert knowledge. Here, we introduce NetPlotBrain (short for network plots onto brains), a Python package for Python 3.9+. The package offers several advantages. First, NetPlotBrain provides a high-level interface to easily highlight and customize results of interest. Second, it presents a solution to promote accurate plots through its integration with TemplateFlow. Third, it integrates with other Python software, allowing for easy integration to include networks from NetworkX or implementations of network-based statistics. In sum, NetPlotBrain is a versatile but easy to use package designed to produce high-quality network figures while integrating with open research software for neuroimaging and network theory.
Patrons and Clients
Authors: Luqman Saka , Busari Dauda A.
Published: March 2023

Godfatherism as a phenomenon has been in existence since time immemorial and continues to feature in many human endeavors. It is a sui generis practice that depicts political might, political survival and power sustenance. In Nigeria, it indicates political relevance and significance that guarantees meteoric rise in political careers. This dominant political culture has been sustained by a privileged few that have held sway over the political directions and fortunes within Nigeria’s polity. Drawing case studies from Northern and Southern Nigeria, this study explores the characteristics of presumed godfathers in Nigeria’s political sphere. It details the basic information about godfathers, their ideology, the goals that inform their kind of politics and their primordial engagements with the phenomenon. The study has major policy implications for the seemingly uneven gradation that party politics has assumed in Nigeria.
Happiness Inequality in Post-Socialist Countries during Neoliberal Transition
Authors: Arslan Hilal
Published: March 2023

Both average levels of happiness and its distribution have dramatically changed with neoliberal transition in post-socialist countries that have been marked by chronic unhappiness. This study aims to describe the distribution of happiness by showing its levels and trajectories, and investigates the factors explaining it. The descriptive and multivariate statistical analysis were conducted by using cross-national survey data and a dataset covering country indicators. The findings show an inverse V-shaped pattern for changes in happiness inequality, although there are notable differences between individual countries. Income inequality explains cross-national differences in distribution of happiness during the first intensive reform years. However, objective health status and social trust are the most important predictors in explaining happiness inequality in consolidation and convergence periods.
Different Strokes and Different Folks
Authors: Terblanché-Greeff Aïda C.
Published: March 2023

In cross-cultural studies, cultures are often described based on their cultural values. Examples of such values are time orientation and social self-construal. Cultures might predominantly represent one of these seemingly bipolar categories, and often dualistic categories of time orientation and social self-construal are grouped, namely monochronism and individualism (MONO+INDV), as well as polychronism and collectivism (POLY+COLL). In academic literature, limited focus is allocated to unique cultural value variations or orthogonal groupings (e.g., MONO+COLL) – a clear gap in the knowledge base. In this article, through conceptual analysis, the author expounds some differences between three POLY+COLL cultures (found in South Africa, the Arab League, and China) based on their time orientation and social self-construal. She also gives accounts of the Japanese and French cultures that present with orthogonal groupings (MONO+COLL and POLY+INDV, respectively) to illustrate that such groupings – much like unique cultural value variants – should receive more focused attention in cross-cultural research.
Missives for the Future? Michael Löwy’s Close Encounters with the US Left
Authors: Wald Alan M.
Published: March 2023

The oeuvre of Brazilian-born and Parisian-educated Michael Löwy is widely recognised as the achievement of an exacting revolutionary cultural worker who integrates theory with his political duties, and labours hard at his craft so that the poetic imagination can reclaim and thereby re-enchant the reified reality of capitalist modernity. Nevertheless, when we come to Löwy’s reputation in the United States we face a curious situation. There is no doubt that his work is known and respected among many activists and scholars. Yet from the perspective of the needs of the Marxist Left, the disparity is striking between what Löwy has to offer as a militant thinker and the actuality of his impact. The search for an explanation of such a discrepancy must begin with a preliminary stab at what I regard as a ‘Löwyian’ interpretation of Michael Löwy’s life and writings. The method includes an exploration of his possible ‘elective affinities’, defined in a broad sense, with the cultural and political work of US radicalism since the 1960s. Are there analogies, kinships, or attractions of meaning that have entered into a relationship of reciprocal appeal and influence? In the end, however, I conclude that the disproportion between potential and actual stems largely from fractional perceptions of his accomplishment that are rooted in the peculiarities of US Marxist thought in general and of US Trotskyism in particular. Such partial and one-sided assessments are a profound barrier because the achievement of Michael Löwy needs to be understood in its totality.
Reconstructing the List of Returnees
Authors: Segal Michael
Published: March 2023

One of the earliest puzzles discussed in the textual history of the Hebrew Bible is the parallel lists and count of returnees in the Restoration period that appear in Ezra 2 ‖ Nehemiah 7 ‖ 1 Esdras 5, to which both traditional and critical commentators have turned their attention. These passages have raised multiple interpretive cruxes in the interpretation of the book of Ezra-Nehemiah, including contradictions between the different versions of the list, and their internal inconsistency. The current study offers a solution for both of these issues, based upon two independent arguments: (1) a proposed arithmetic methodology for determining the original numerical details of the entries to the list according to a maximalist principle. Using this method, the attested values for each entry are compared, allowing for the reconstruction of the list in a putative original form. (2) a text-critical analysis of the verses in which the total of the returnees is summarized (Ezr 2:64–65; Neh 7:66–67; 1 Esd 5:41), which expands the boundaries of those included in the total count. When the list is reconstructed by combining these insights, then we are left with an internally coherent, almost equation of the entries with the sum total.
Understanding The Approaches Towards Internationalization of Higher Education in China: a Review
Authors: Ngao Ayubu Ismail , Sang Guoyuan
Published: March 2023

Internationalization of higher education viewed as an engine towards development of any country. National governments around the world adopted different strategies to internationalize their higher education. The current study aimed to understand the approaches towards internationalization of higher education in China. In this study 26 published articles were deeply reviewed and analyzed so as to unpack the approaches towards internationalization of higher education in China. The findings highlighted main five approaches towards internationalization of higher education in China (i) recruiting quality and diversity international students through providing scholarship and delivering quality services (ii) widening chances for Chinese students to study different programs abroad (iii) international universities collaborations or partnership, jointly researches and innovative international programs, (iv) strengthening recruitment process of excellent international academics to higher education and strongly encouraging domestic academics to go abroad for researches and (v) increasing of budget to finance higher education, international activities, international programs like English language program and Chinese culture program. Future studies should concentrate on understanding the approaches towards internationalization of higher education in other countries.
covid19 and China’s International Higher Education Policies
Authors: Qi Jing , Ma Cheng
Published: March 2023

In 2010, China announced its aspiration to build the Study in China initiative into a global education brand. A decade of active and strategic policymaking ensued and spurred the growth of international higher education in the rising Asian power. Its overarching objective of becoming the largest study-abroad destination in Asia by 2020 was fulfilled ahead of schedule in 2017. However, as the covid19 pandemic disrupted international mobilities and stunted international education in many countries, the Study in China initiative has also encountered unprecedented challenges. This study analyses the Chinese policies on international higher education between 2020 and mid-2022, and international students’ online queries and responses to these policies. This paper concludes with implications of international students’ experiences since-covid for China’s international education sector.
Analyzing the New Educational Policies on Studying Abroad in the Epidemic Era: Insight From China
Authors: Yukai Wei , Li Jian
Published: March 2023

After the epidemic, the increase of the number of Chinese students studying abroad slowed down, and the flow scale of international students entered a downward stage, but the overall trend was still stable. The globalization of education in the epidemic period presents a new feature of “double-edged sword”. Along with the current situation of studying aboard, this study explores China’s new policy on studying abroad in the epidemic era. Overview of China’s new policy on studying abroad during the epidemic period and interpretation of China’s new policy on studying abroad during the epidemic period have been provided in this study. In addition, the suggestions and remarks have been offered in the last.
Exploring the New Educational Policies of Foreign Exchange and Cooperation in the Epidemic Era: A Policy Mapping Perspective
Authors: Li Jian
Published: March 2023

International education is an important part of our country’s cause of reform and opening. It provides strong manpower and intellectual support for our country to implement the innovation-driven strategy, to rejuvenate our country through science and education, and to powerful person with talent strategy. Thus, this study explores Current education policies for China’s foreign exchanges and cooperation during the epidemic period, in-depth understanding of China’s foreign exchanges and cooperation during the epidemic period, and the problems and strategies of implementing the foreign exchange policy during the pandemic. The conclusion and implication have been offered in the last.
Subsurface Thermohaline Biases in the Southern Tropical Pacific and the Roles of Wind Stress and Precipitation
Authors: Zhang Qiushi , Zhu Yuchao , Zhang Rong-Hua
Published: March 2023

Thermohaline structure and time evolution in the subsurface ocean play a critical role in climate variability and predictability. They are still poorly represented in ocean and climate models. Here, the characteristics of subsurface thermohaline biases in the southern tropical Pacific and their causes are investigated through CMIP-based analyses and model-based experiments. There exists a pronounced subsurface cold bias at 200-m depth over the southern tropical Pacific in CMIP6 simulations with an ensemble mean of about −4°C and an extreme close to −10°C. This cold bias is accompanied by a fresh subsurface bias of about −0.9 psu in the ensemble mean (−1.9 psu minimum). Similar subsurface thermohaline biases also exist in CMIP5 outputs, indicating that reduction of these biases remains a long-standing challenge for model developments. To understand the causes of these biases, attribution analyses and POP2-based sensitivity experiments are performed. It is found that the subsurface thermohaline biases are attributed to the model deficiencies in simulating wind stress curl and precipitation in the southern tropical Pacific. By conducting CESM2-based coupled experiments, a warm SST bias in the southeastern tropical Pacific is found to be responsible for the poor simulations in wind stress curl and precipitation. The consequences of these biases are also analyzed. The subsurface thermohaline biases cause the density field to increase substantially along 10°S, flattening the zonal isopycnal surface and reducing equatorward interior transport. In addition, the anomalously cold and fresh subsurface signals in the southern tropical Pacific are seen to propagate to the equator, leading to an overall spurious cooling in the equatorial subsurface.

Significance Statement

Subsurface biases severely degrade the credibility of climate models in their predictions and projections; hence, it is important to understand the causes of these subsurface biases. Our study analyzes the characteristics of subsurface thermohaline biases in the southern tropical Pacific and investigates their causes. A pronounced subsurface cold bias is found over the southern tropical Pacific, accompanied by an obvious subsurface fresh bias. By performing attribution analyses and numerical experiments, it is found that the subsurface thermohaline biases are attributed to the model deficiencies in simulating wind stress and precipitation, which are further attributed to the warm SST bias in the southeastern tropical Pacific. These results provide a guide for improving climate model performances.
Age-Related Outcomes in Le Fort Fractures
Authors: Limanto Cindy A. , Galvez Cabezas Kevin , Saadat Ghulam H. , Fu Chih Y. , Phillips Bradley J. , Bokhari Faran , Brown Laura R.
Published: March 2023

This study aims to provide patient characteristics and short-term clinical outcomes of Le Fort fractures. Using the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database from 2016 to 2019, cases involving Le Fort fractures on initial encounters were reviewed. 130 cases from 3293 facial fractures were identified. 70 cases were diagnosed with type I, 41 with type II, and 19 with type III. The male-to-female ratio was 4.9:1. Compared to geriatric patients (>65 years old), Le Fort fractures were more common among patients between the ages of 18 and 65 ( P < .003). 5.4% of patients had in-hospital complications, including sepsis, superficial-deep incisional surgical site infection, and wound disruption. Two patients (1.5%) were readmitted, while three (2.3%) underwent reoperation. Type I fractures in adult males are the most common presentation. Overall complication rates for surgical repairs are low.
Cultural and Linguistic Adaptations of Stop the Bleed in Multi-Ethnic Refugee Communities
Authors: Abdullahi Dirir , Zeidan Amy , Koganti Deepika , Feinberg Iris , O’Connor Mary Helen , Asker Samira , Butler Jennifer , Meyer Courtney , Rasheed Mustafa , Herard Kimberly , Smith Randi N.
Published: March 2023

Introduction

Stop the Bleed (STB), and other trainings that promote health education in basic trauma management techniques, is offered mostly in English and Spanish in the United States. Limited access to injury prevention training may contribute to inequities in health outcomes for individuals with limited English proficiency (LEP). Our study aims to determine the feasibility and effectiveness of STB training in 4 languages spoken in a super diverse refugee settlement community, Clarkston, GA.

Methods

Written STB educational materials were culturally adapted, translated, and back translated into 4 languages: Arabic, Burmese, Somali, and Swahili. Four 90-minute in-person STB trainings were conducted by medical personnel with community-based interpreters at a central and familiar location in the Clarkston community. Pre- and post-tests were administered in participant’s preferred language to evaluate change in knowledge and beliefs as well as the effectiveness of the training method.

Results

A total of 46 community members were trained in STB, the majority of which were women (63%). Participants demonstrated improvement in their knowledge, confidence, and comfort using STB techniques. Participants reported that 2 aspects of the training were particularly beneficial: the presence of language concordant interpreters from the community and small group hands on sessions that allowed for practicing STB techniques.

Conclusion

Cultural and linguistic adaptation of STB training is a feasible, cost-effective, and effective method for disseminating life-saving information and trauma education to immigrant populations who have LEP. Expansion of community training and partnerships to support the needs of diverse communities is both necessary and urgent.
Executive Functions and Motor Adaptation to Predictable and Unpredictable Perturbations
Authors: Loschiavo-Alvares Fabricia Q. , Benda Rodolfo N. , Lage Guilherme M. , Nicolato Rodrigo , Ugrinowitsch Herbert
Published: March 2023

In this study, we aimed to investigate the influence of executive functions (EF) on motor adaptation. We compared the motor performance of adults with and without EF deficits. Those with EF deficits ( n = 21) were individuals with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) under medical treatment, and those without EF deficits ( n = 21) comprised a control group (CG) of participants who were also without neurological or psychiatric diagnoses. Both groups performed a complex coincident timing motor task and various computerized neuropsychological tests for assessing EF. To investigate motor adaptation, the motor task provided measures of absolute error (AE) and variable error (VE) to reflect, respectively, performance accuracy and consistency relative to the task goal. We used reaction time (RT) to measure planning time taken before starting the task. First, participants practiced until they reached a criterion of performance stabilization (prior to their exposure to motor perturbations). They were next exposed to fast and slow predictable and unpredictable perturbations. On all neuropsychological tasks, participants with ADHD scored more poorly than control participants ( p < .05); participants with ADHD also performed worse than control participants on all motor measures, particularly under unpredictable perturbations ( p < .05). Under slow perturbations, EF deficits, particularly attentional impulsivity, negatively affected motor adaptation while cognitive flexibility was related to performance improvement. Under fast perturbations, both impulsivity and fast reaction time were related to improvement in motor adaptation under both predictable and unpredictable perturbations. We discuss the research and practical implications of these findings.
Implementation of T-S fuzzy approach for the synchronization and stabilization of non-integer-order complex systems with input saturation at a guaranteed cost
Authors: Rasooli Berardehi Zahra , Zhang Chongqi , Taheri Mostafa , Roohi Majid , Khooban Mohammad Hassan
Published: March 2023

One of the fundamental topics in engineering that has many applications in applied sciences is guaranteed cost control and synchronization of chaotic dynamical systems. In this paper, a Takagi–Sugeno (T-S) fuzzy model-free state feedback (MFSF) technique is used to synchronize and stabilize various complex fractional-order systems (FOSs) in the presence of input saturation. A T-S fuzzy MFSF method is developed to suppress the inappropriate behavior of the FOSs without any unpleasant chattering phenomena using the non-integer form of the Lyapunov stability theory (LST) and linear matrix inequality concept. The suggested MFSF technique may be used to stabilize and synchronize FOSs with model uncertainty, external disturbances, and input saturation. The designed method has the advantages of being a model-free technique, being resistant to uncertainties, being simple to use, and achieving the equilibrium point quickly at a guaranteed cost. Furthermore, the effectiveness and application of the T-S fuzzy MFSF are proven using the suggested approach to synchronize two separate canonical chaotic FOSs and stabilize the permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) chaotic system. Two comparisons demonstrate the efficacy and advantages of the T-S fuzzy approach over other existing control methods.
Curb Allocation and Pick-Up Drop-Off Aggregation for a Shared Autonomous Vehicle Fleet
Authors: Hunter Christian B. , Kockelman Kara M. , Djavadian Shadi
Published: March 2023

Advances in information technologies and vehicle automation have birthed new transportation services, including shared autonomous vehicles (SAVs). Shared autonomous vehicles are on-demand self-driving taxis, with flexible routes and schedules, able to replace personal vehicles for many trips in the near future. The siting and density of pick-up and drop-off (PUDO) points for SAVs, much like bus stops, can be key in planning SAV fleet operations, since PUDOs impact SAV demand, route choices, passenger wait times, and network congestion. Unlike traditional human-driven taxis and ride-hailing vehicles like Lyft and Uber, SAVs are unlikely to engage in quasi-legal procedures, like double parking or fire hydrant pick-ups. In congested settings, like central business districts (CBD) or airport curbs, SAVs and others will not be allowed to pick up and drop off passengers wherever they like. This paper uses an agent-based simulation to model the impact of different PUDO locations and densities in the Austin, Texas CBD, where land values are highest and curb spaces are coveted. In this paper 18 scenarios were tested, varying PUDO density, fleet size and fare price. The results show that for a given fare price and fleet size, PUDO spacing (e.g., one block vs. three blocks) has significant impact on ridership, vehicle-miles travelled, vehicle occupancy, and revenue. A good fleet size to serve the region’s 80 core square miles is 4000 SAVs, charging a $1 fare per mile of travel distance, and with PUDOs spaced three blocks of distance apart from each other in the CBD.
Influence of body mass index on early post-operative functional outcomes after total knee arthroplasty: A prospective, clinical and observational study
Authors: Sane Rohit M , Samant Prakash D
Published: March 2023

Background/Purpose: The evidence on the influence of body mass index (BMI) on functional outcomes following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is conflicting. This study assessed and compared the effect of BMI on early mobility and function after TKA. Methods: Adult patients with osteoarthritis (OA) or rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who received unilateral TKA were recruited and then divided into normal, overweight and obese groups. The pain and functional outcomes of pre/post-TKA were examined using visual analogue scale (VAS) and Lysholm Knee Scale (LKS), respectively. Results: At 3 and 6 weeks post-TKA, LKS score was significantly higher in normal BMI group compared to overweight and obese. Lower BMI gained early improvement in functional outcome than higher BMI groups. However, patients showed considerable functional improvement at 6 months post-TKA, regardless of BMI category. Conclusion: Although BMI levels influence postoperative early functional improvement in TKA patients, the functional benefits after TKA at 6 months were similar regardless of BMI class.
Single-step genome-wide association analyses of claw horn lesions in Holstein cattle using linear and threshold models
Authors: Li Bingjie , Barden Matthew , Kapsona Vanessa , Sánchez-Molano Enrique , Anagnostopoulos Alkiviadis , Griffiths Bethany Eloise , Bedford Cherril , Dai Xiaoxia , Coffey Mike , Psifidi Androniki , Oikonomou Georgios , Banos Georgios
Published: March 2023

Background

Lameness in dairy cattle is primarily caused by foot lesions including the claw horn lesions (CHL) of sole haemorrhage (SH), sole ulcers (SU), and white line disease (WL). This study investigated the genetic architecture of the three CHL based on detailed animal phenotypes of CHL susceptibility and severity. Estimation of genetic parameters and breeding values, single-step genome-wide association analyses, and functional enrichment analyses were performed.

Results

The studied traits were under genetic control with a low to moderate heritability. Heritability estimates of SH and SU susceptibility on the liability scale were 0.29 and 0.35, respectively. Heritability of SH and SU severity were 0.12 and 0.07, respectively. Heritability of WL was relatively lower, indicating stronger environmental influence on the presence and development of WL than the other two CHL. Genetic correlations between SH and SU were high (0.98 for lesion susceptibility and 0.59 for lesion severity), whereas genetic correlations of SH and SU with WL also tended to be positive. Candidate quantitative trait loci (QTL) were identified for all CHL, including some on Bos taurus chromosome (BTA) 3 and 18 with potential pleiotropic effects associated with multiple foot lesion traits. A genomic window of 0.65 Mb on BTA3 explained 0.41, 0.50, 0.38, and 0.49% of the genetic variance for SH susceptibility, SH severity, WL susceptibility, and WL severity, respectively. Another window on BTA18 explained 0.66, 0.41, and 0.70% of the genetic variance for SH susceptibility, SU susceptibility, and SU severity, respectively. The candidate genomic regions associated with CHL harbour annotated genes that are linked to immune system function and inflammation responses, lipid metabolism, calcium ion activities, and neuronal excitability.

Conclusions

The studied CHL are complex traits with a polygenic mode of inheritance. Most traits exhibited genetic variation suggesting that animal resistance to CHL can be improved with breeding. The CHL traits were positively correlated, which will facilitate genetic improvement for resistance to CHL as a whole. Candidate genomic regions associated with lesion susceptibility and severity of SH, SU, and WL provide insights into a global profile of the genetic background underlying CHL and inform genetic improvement programmes aiming at enhancing foot health in dairy cattle.
Clinical significance and immune landscape of a novel ferroptosis-related prognosis signature in osteosarcoma
Authors: Yang Liyu , Liu Jiamei , Liu Shengye
Published: March 2023

Background

Osteosarcoma is a malignant tumor that usually occurs in adolescents aged 10–20 years and is associated with poor prognosis. Ferroptosis is an iron-dependent cell death mechanism that plays a vital role in cancer.

Methods

Osteosarcoma transcriptome data were downloaded from the public database TARGET and from previous studies. A prognostic risk score signature was constructed using bioinformatics analysis, and its efficacy was determined by analyzing typical clinical features. The prognostic signature was then validated with external data. Differences in immune cell infiltration between high- and low-risk groups were analyzed. The potential of the prognostic risk signature as a predictor of immunotherapy response was evaluated using the GSE35640 (melanoma) dataset. Five key genes expression were measured by real-time PCR and western blot in human normal osteoblasts and osteosarcoma cells. Moreover, malignant biological behaviors of osteosarcoma cells were tested by modulating gene expression level.

Results

We obtained 268 ferroptosis-related genes from the online database FerrDb and published articles. Transcriptome data and clinical information of 88 samples in the TARGET database were used to classify genes into two categories using clustering analysis, and significant differences in survival status were identified. Differential ferroptosis-related genes were screened, and functional enrichment showed that they were associated with HIF-1, T cells, IL17, and other inflammatory signaling pathways. Prognostic factors were identified by univariate Cox regression and LASSO analysis, and a 5-factor prognostic risk score signature was constructed, which was also applicable for external data validation. Experimental validation indicated that the mRNA and protein expression level of MAP3K5, LURAP1L, HMOX1 and BNIP3 decreased significantly, though meanwhile MUC1 increased in MG-63 and SAOS-2 cells compared with hFOB1.19 cells. Cell proliferation and migration ability of SAOS-2 were affected based on alterations of signature genes.

Conclusions

Significant differences in immune cell infiltration between high- and low-risk groups indicated that the five ferroptosis-related prognostic signature was constructed and could be used to predict the response to immunotherapy in osteosarcoma.
Congenital hypoplastic thumbs treated by staged nonvascularized MTP joint transfer for absent MCP joints and abductor digiti minimi tendon transfer for opposition: a case series study
Authors: Zargarbashi Ramin , Panjavi Behnam , Bozorgmanesh Mohammadreza
Published: March 2023

Background

We developed a 2-stage, MTP (metatarsophalangeal) joint- plus ADM (abductor digiti minimi) tendon-transfer, procedure for treatment of hypoplastic thumb. This method is intended to achieve both structural and functional goals of reconstruction. Structurally, it preserves a five-digit hand with minimal donor site complications. Functionally, it provides a functioning opposable thumb.

Case presentation

The case series included 7 patients with type IV hypoplastic thumb. At the first stage non-vascularized joint (not bone) was transplanted. In the second stage abductor digiti minimi tendon was transferred. Patients were followed for a median 5-yr period (range: 37–79 months). Functional outcome was assessed using a modified Percival assessment tool. Participants aged 17 to 36 months at the time of surgery with (2 male, 4 female). All patients were able to grasp large and small objects after the procedure. The thumb tip could actively move to touch the tips of index (2 patients) middle, ring, and little fingers (all patients) in an ulnar ward sequence and vice versa. All patients attained the ability to do lateral, palmar, and tripod pinch. As for donor site complications, none of the patients were found to have difficulty walking or keeping their balance.

Conclusions

An alternative surgical procedure was developed to reconstruct a hypoplastic thumb. We obtained a good functional and cosmetic outcome with few donor site complications. Future studies will be needed to determine the long-term outcomes, to refine the selection criteria and to examine the necessity of additional procedure at the older ages.
Interrater agreement between children’s self-reported and their mothers’ proxy-reported dental anxiety: a Chinese cross-sectional study
Authors: Fu Su-Wei , Li Shen , Shi Zhi-Yan , He Qing-Li
Published: March 2023

Background

Children's dental anxiety is common in dental clinics. This study aimed to determine the interrater agreement between children’s self-reported and their mothers’ proxy-reported dental anxiety and its affecting factors.

Methods

In this cross-sectional study performed in a dental clinic, primary school students and their mothers were assessed for enrollment eligibility. The Modified Dental Anxiety Scale plus Facial Image Scale (MDAS-FIS) was employed to test both the children’s self-reported and their mothers’ proxy-reported dental anxiety independently. The interrater agreement was analyzed using percentage agreement and the linear weighted kappa (k) coefficient. Factors affecting children’s dental anxiety were analyzed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression models.

Results

One hundred children and their mothers were enrolled. The median ages of the children and mothers were 8.5 and 40.0 years old, respectively, and 38.0% (38/100) of the children were female. The scores of children’s self-reported dental anxiety were significantly higher than their mothers' proxy-reported dental anxiety (MDAS-Questions 1–5, allp < 0.05); moreover, there was no agreement between the two groups in terms of all anxiety hierarchies (kappa coefficient = 0.028,p = 0.593). In the univariate model, a total of seven factors (age, gender, maternal anxiety, number of dental visits, mother’s presence or absence, oral health status, and having siblings or not) were involved for analysis, and age [every 1-year increase, odds ratio (OR) = 0.661, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.514–0.850,p = 0.001], several dental visits (every 1 visit increase, OR = 0.409, 95% CI = 0.190–0.880,p = 0.022), and mother presence (OR = 0.286, 95% CI = 0.114–0.714,p = 0.007) were affecting factors. In the multivariate model, only age (every 1 year increase) and maternal presence were associated with 0.697-fold (95% CI = 0.535–0.908,p = 0.007) and 0.362-fold (95% CI = 0.135–0.967,p = 0.043) decreases in the risk of children’s dental anxiety during dental visits and treatment, respectively.

Conclusion

There was no significant agreement between elementary school students’ self-reported dental anxiety and mothers’ proxy ratings of children’s dental anxiety, which suggests that self-reported dental anxiety by children should be encouraged and adopted, and the mother’s presence during dental visits is strongly recommended.
Integrative analyses identify CD73 as a prognostic biomarker and immunotherapeutic target in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma
Authors: Sun Bao-Ye , Yang Zhang-Fu , Wang Zhu-Tao , Liu Gao , Zhou Cheng , Zhou Jian , Fan Jia , Gan Wei , Yi Yong , Qiu Shuang-Jian
Published: March 2023

Background

CD73 promotes progression in several malignancies and is considered as a novel immune checkpoint. However, the function of CD73 in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) remains uncertain. In this study, we aim to investigate the role of CD73 in ICC.

Methods

Multi-omics data of 262 ICC patients from the FU-iCCA cohort were analyzed. Two single-cell datasets were downloaded to examine the expression of CD73 at baseline and in response to immunotherapy. Functional experiments were performed to explore the biological functions of CD73 in ICC. The expression of CD73 and HHLA2 and infiltrations of CD8 + , Foxp3 + , CD68 + , and CD163 + immune cells were evaluated by immunohistochemistry in 259 resected ICC samples from Zhongshan Hospital. The prognostic value of CD73 was assessed by Cox regression analysis.

Results

CD73 correlated with poor prognosis in two ICC cohorts. Single-cell atlas of ICC indicated high expression of CD73 on malignant cells. TP53 and KRAS gene mutations were more frequent in patients with high CD73 expression. CD73 promoted ICC proliferation, migration, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. High CD73 expression was associated with a higher ratio of Foxp3 + /CD8 + tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and CD163 + /CD68 + tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). A positive correlation between CD73 and CD44 was observed, and patients with high CD73 expression showed elevated expression of HHLA2. CD73 expression in malignant cells was significantly upregulated in response to immunotherapy.

Conclusions

High expression of CD73 is associated with poor prognosis and a suppressive tumor immune microenvironment in ICC. CD73 could potentially be a novel biomarker for prognosis and immunotherapy in ICC.
MiR-760 targets HBEGF to control cartilage extracellular matrix degradation in osteoarthritis
Authors: Zhu Yingchun , Zhang Chi , Jiang Bo , Dong Qirong
Published: March 2023

The present study was developed to explore whether microRNA (miR)-760 targets heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HBEGF) to control cartilage extracellular matrix degradation in osteoarthritis. Both miR-760 and HBEGF expression levels were analysed in human degenerative cartilage tissues and in interleukin (IL)-1β/tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α-treated chondrocytes in vitro. A series of knockdown and overexpression assays were then used to gauge the functional importance of miR-760 and HBEGF in OA, with qPCR and western immunoblotting analyses. Bioinformatics assays were used to identify putative miR-760 target genes, with these predictions then being validated through RNA pulldown and luciferase reporter assays. A murine anterior cruciate ligament transection model of OA was then established to prove the in vivo relevance of these findings. These experiments revealed that human degenerative cartilage tissues exhibited significant increases in miR-760 expression with a concomitant drop in HBEGF levels. IL-1β/TNF-α-treated chondrocytes also exhibited significant increases in miR-760 expression with a concomitant drop in HBEGF expression. When chondrocytes were transfected with either miR-760 inhibitor or HBEGF overexpression constructs, this was sufficient to interfere with degradation of the extracellular matrix (ECM). Moreover, miR-760 was confirmed to control chondrocyte matrix homeostasis by targeting HBEGF, and the overexpression of HBEGF partially reversed the effects of miR-760 mimic treatment on the degradation of the cartilage ECM. When OA model mice were administered an intra-articular knee injection of an adenoviral vector encoding a miR-760 mimic construct, cartilage ECM degradation was aggravated. Conversely, the overexpression of HBEGF in OA model mice partially reversed the effects of miR-760 overexpression, restoring appropriate ECM homeostasis. In summary, these data indicated that the miR-760/HBEGF axis plays a central role in orchestrating the pathogenesis of OA, making it a candidate target for therapeutic efforts in OA.
Some stability and strong convergence results for the algorithm with perturbations for a T-Ciric quasicontraction in CAT(0) spaces
Authors: Calderón Kenyi , Padcharoen Anantachai , Martínez-Moreno Juan
Published: March 2023

In this paper, we establish the stability and strong convergence theorems, for the three-step iteration with perturbations for a T-Ciric quasicontraction, in the environment of the CAT(0) space. Finally, an application to the integral-type contraction and an example are shown.
Bacterial aerobic methane cycling by the marine sponge-associated microbiome
Authors: Ramírez Gustavo A. , Bar-Shalom Rinat , Furlan Andrea , Romeo Roberto , Gavagnin Michelle , Calabrese Gianluca , Garber Arkadiy I. , Steindler Laura
Published: March 2023

Background

Methanotrophy by the sponge-hosted microbiome has been mainly reported in the ecological context of deep-sea hydrocarbon seep niches where methane is either produced geothermically or via anaerobic methanogenic archaea inhabiting the sulfate-depleted sediments. However, methane-oxidizing bacteria from the candidate phylum Binatota have recently been described and shown to be present in oxic shallow-water marine sponges, where sources of methane remain undescribed.

Results

Here, using an integrative -omics approach, we provide evidence for sponge-hosted bacterial methane synthesis occurring in fully oxygenated shallow-water habitats. Specifically, we suggest methane generation occurs via at least two independent pathways involving methylamine and methylphosphonate transformations that, concomitantly to aerobic methane production, generate bioavailable nitrogen and phosphate, respectively. Methylphosphonate may be sourced from seawater continuously filtered by the sponge host. Methylamines may also be externally sourced or, alternatively, generated by a multi-step metabolic process where carnitine, derived from sponge cell debris, is transformed to methylamine by different sponge-hosted microbial lineages. Finally, methanotrophs specialized in pigment production, affiliated to the phylum Binatota, may provide a photoprotective function, closing a previously undescribed C1-metabolic loop that involves both the sponge host and specific members of the associated microbial community.

Conclusion

Given the global distribution of this ancient animal lineage and their remarkable water filtration activity, sponge-hosted methane cycling may affect methane supersaturation in oxic coastal environments. Depending on the net balance between methane production and consumption, sponges may serve as marine sources or sinks of this potent greenhouse gas.