bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Electro-Magnetic switching in NiO-Graphene film
Authors: Goswami S. , Chakraborty M. , De D.
Published: February 2022

Nickel oxide (NiO) thin film is grown via pulse laser deposition (PLD) technique and it is trapped in between conducting graphene films deposited through the same technique. Epitaxial crystalline growth of both NiO and graphene films are confirmed from X-ray diffraction studies. Raman studies propose creation of pure graphene film with acceptable defects. Electrical transport of the NiO film reveal resistance switching properties for an wide range of temperature which is useful for resistive random access memory (RRAM) and electric-switch. Besides electrical switching, the transport properties of the NiO film depict a systematic response in influence of magnetic field. Resistance of the NiO film changed significantly with external magnetic field which makes the system useful as a magnetic-switch.
Experimental study of Carbon Nanotubes to enhance Tribological Characteristics of Lubricating Engine Oil SAE10W40
Authors: Kumar Nitesh , Goyal Parveen
Published: February 2022

Wear and friction had always been key factors in the functioning of advanced machines. Machine components containing high-performance oil cannot withstand increasing temperatures and intense pressures; therefore, additives improve different lubricants’ parameters and performances. Lubricating oil is the only element that can minimize wear and friction while simultaneously protecting materials from wear. The relative movement between two surfaces is impossible without a lubricant. As a result, for a more complex machine, stern lubrication is necessary. Nanomaterials play a vital role and have tendency to improve tribological properties. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are most popular due to numerous applications in different fields on account of their excellent chemical, electrical, thermal, mechanical, and optical properties. This study aims to research the tribological activity of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with a four-ball tribotester. Furthermore, SWCNTs and MWCNTs as an additives in SAE10W40 motor oil were also tested to evaluate its tribological characteristics. In compared to industrial engine oil without SWCNT and MWCNT, using MWCNTs as additives in the engine oil reduced the worn scar diameter by 67 percent, while utilising SWCNTs as an addition reduced the worn scar diameter by 38 percent. The average friction coefficient with MWCNTs is decreased by 56%, and with SWCNTs is decreased by 48%; this may be due to the effect of viscosity. The provided experimental result conveys that the lubricating oil with multiwall carbon nanotubes exhibit higher performance in anti-wear and decrease friction reduction compared with single-walled carbon nanotubes.
Effect of Surface Modification of Silica Nanoparticles with Thiol group on the Shear Thickening Behaviors of the Suspensions of Silica Nanoparticles in polyethylene glycol (PEG)
Authors: Sharma Shuchi , Kumar Walia Yogesh , Grover Gunjan , Sanjeev Verma K.
Published: February 2022

The Fine-tuning of Shear Thickening Fluids (STFs) by surface modification of silica particles has fascinated scientist’s interest worldwide as it results in performance enhancement of STF based on armor systems. In the current study, surface modified Silica nanoparticles (average diameter of 600 nm) possess thiol functional groups which were attained through a reaction with 3-mercaptopropyl-trimethoxysilane in absolute ethanol at 90 °C. Shear thickening fluid of Thiol functionalized Silica nanoparticles were prepared by sonochemical method in polyethylene glycol (PEG-200). The rheological parameters of STFs (modified and unmodified silica Nano particles) were measured using Rheometer MCR 52, Anton Par, Germany. The shear thickening behavior of thiol-based STF shows shear thickening at a higher shear rate compared to only silica-based STF with the decrease in viscosity maximum.
User-friendly microfluidic manufacturing of hydrogel microspheres with sharp needle
Authors: Shao Lei , Pan Bingchu , Hou Ruxia , Jin Yuan , Yao Yudong
Published: February 2022

Hydrogel microspheres are flexible microstructures with many fascinating functions, such as three-dimensional cell culture, injection therapy, drug delivery, organoids and microtissues construction. The traditional methods of manufacturing hydrogel microspheres more or less have some shortcomings, such as atomization/emulsion method with uneven sizes; piezoelectric-/thermal-/electric-assisted inkjet with high cell damage and unknown cell growth effects; microfluidic manufacturing with sophisticated microdevices etc, which lead to poor user experiences. Here, we designed a user-friendly microfluidic device to generate hydrogel microspheres with sharp needles that can be replaced at will. Specifically, a commercial tapered opening sharp needle was inserted into a transparent silicone tube with the tapered opening facing the upper wall of the silicone tube. Then, gelatin methacrylate (GelMA) solution and paraffin oil were pumped into the sharp needle and the silicone tube respectively. GelMA microdroplets were formed under the shear stress of the silicone tube and the oil phase, and after being photo-crosslinked in situ, GelMA microspheres with uniform and adjustable sizes can be generated. Due to the simplicity of our original device, heterogeneous microspheres such as Janus, core–shell and hollow microspheres can be easily manufactured by simple modification of the device. In addition, we demonstrated the strong flexibility and maneuverability of the microspheres through macroscopic free assembly. Finally, we prepared different cell-laden GelMA microspheres, and the cells showed stretching behavior similar to that in vivo after a short period culture, which indicated the high bioactivity of GelMA microspheres. Meanwhile, we cultured the Janus cell-laden GelMA microspheres and the assembly of cell-laden GelMA microspheres, where the cells stretched and interacted, demonstrating the potential of GelMA microspheres for co-culture and fabrication of large-scale tissue constructs. In view of the above results, our user-friendly microfluidic manufacturing method of hydrogel microspheres with sharp needles will provide great convenience to relevant researchers.
Freeform printing of thermoresponsive poly(2-cyclopropyl-oxazoline) as cytocompatible and on-demand dissolving template of hollow channel networks in cell-laden hydrogels
Authors: Mair Vincent , Paulus Ilona , Groll Jürgen , Ryma Matthias
Published: February 2022

Conventional additive-manufacturing technologies rely on the vertical stacking of layers, whereas each layer provides the structural integrity for the upcoming one. This inherently gives rise to limitations in freedom of design especially when structures containing large voids or truly 3D pathways for printed filaments are aspired. An especially interesting technique, which overcomes these layer limitations, is freeform printing, where thermoplastic materials are printed in 3D through controlling the temperature profile such that the polymer melt solidifies right when it exits the nozzle. In this study, we introduce freeform printing for thermoresponsive polymers at the example of poly(2-cyclopropyl-oxazoline) (PcycloPrOx). This material is especially interesting for biofabrication, as poly(oxazoline)s are known to provide excellent cytocompatibility. Furthermore, (PcycloPrOx) scaffolds provide adequate stability, so that the printed structures can be embedded in cell-laden hydrogels and sufficient time remains for the gel to form around the scaffold before dissolution via temperature reduction. This ensures accuracy and prevents channel collapse for the creation of cell-laden hydrogels with an embedded three-dimensionally interconnected channel network without the need of any additional processing step such as coating.
Numerical study of the effect of aft-loaded magnetic field on multiple ionizations in Hall thruster
Authors: ZENG Demai , LI Hong , LIU Jinwen , DING Yongjie , WEI Liqiu , YU Daren , MAO Wei
Published: February 2022

It is assumed that the shift of a strong magnetic field region with a positive gradient from exit plane to outside, namely the transit from a normal loaded magnetic field to an aft-loaded one, enhances the multiple ionization process in the magnetically shielded Hall thruster. To confirm this conjecture, a comparative study is carried out numerically with a particle-in-cell method. The simulation results prove that compared with the normal loaded magnetic field, the application of aft-loaded magnetic field enhances the multiple ionization process. This study further analyzes the ionization characteristics of the transition from low-charged ions to high-charged ions under two magnetic field conditions and the influence of the magnetic strength of aft-loaded magnetic field on the multiple ionization characteristics. The study described herein is useful for understanding the discharge characteristics of Hall thruster with an aft-loaded magnetic field.
Bench test of interferometer measurement for the Keda Reconnection eXperiment device (KRX)
Authors: LIU Dongkuan , DING Weixing , MAO Wenzhe , ZHANG Qiaofeng , SANG Longlong , LU Quanming , XIE Jinlin
Published: February 2022

Motivated by the need of the electron density measurement for the Keda Reconnection eXperiment (KRX) facility which is under development, an interferometer system has been designed and tested in bench. The 320 GHz solid-state microwave source with 1 mm wavelength is used to fulfill the high phase difference measurement in such low temperature plasma device. The results of the bench test show that the phase difference is accurately measured. In contrast to tens of degrees of phase shift expected to be measured on the KRX, the system noise (∼1°) is low enough for the KRX diagnostics. In order to optimize the system for better performance, we utilize the Terasense sub-THz imaging system to adjust alignment. The interferometer system has also been calibrated via changing of the optical path length controlled by the piezo inertial motor. Simultaneously, high density polyethylene thin film is introduced successfully to change a tiny phase difference and test the sensitivity of the interferometer system.
The Art of Interpretation or the Art of Construction? The Case of Gestorum—A Constitutional Treatise by Andrzej Maksymilian Fredro
Authors: Tracz-Tryniecki Marek , Patrick Higgins J
Published: February 2022

Andrzej Maksymilian Fredro was a seventeenth-century Polish statesman whose works on Polish legal theory and history are generally underappreciated. Whenever he is mentioned, it is generally as a defender of the institution liberum veto, which is nearly universally blamed for the decline and eventually collapse of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth. This article is part of a contemporary attempt to reignite academic interest in Fredro by bring his work to the attention of comparative constitutional scholars and legal historians, as well as to rehabilitate his reputation. More concretely, it examines the Gestorum, his first major work and a historical treatise, in order to recreate Fredro’s theories of constitutional interpretation in contemporary theoretical parlance: his theory of casus qui facit leges as a constitutional moment, interpretatio/ratio legislatoris vs verbis legis as legislators’ intentionalism vs textualism, and his interpretation vs explication as interpretation vs construction. These latter two sets of distinctions are particularly relevant to ongoing debates about originalistic approaches within comparative constitutional theory and legal history.
Variation in Metadiscourse across Speech and Writing: A Multidimensional Study
Authors: Zhang Man
Published: February 2022

Until now, there has been very little unified analysis of metadiscourse across speech and writing. Drawing on a reflexive metadiscourse model, this article conducts a multidimensional analysis of metadiscourse across 10 spoken and written registers in a corpus of 626 texts. Two metadiscourse dimensions, participants’ interaction and discourse presentation, are identified. The more interactive registers are more prominently marked by participants’ interaction, and the more informational registers by discourse presentation. Along metadiscourse dimensions, the 10 registers are lumped into 6 clusters: ‘discussion broadcasts and public conversations’, ‘scripted speeches and unscripted speeches’, ‘general prose and nondiscussion broadcasts’, ‘press and fiction’, ‘casual conversations’, and ‘academic prose’. Metadiscourse markers of both dimensions are frequently used in registers of the first two clusters which are highly interactive and informational, while they rarely occur in registers of the next two clusters which have low interactive or informational focuses. Metadiscourse markers of participants’ interaction are pervasive in the highly interactive register (casual conversations), and those of discourse presentation in the highly informational register (academic prose).
Drug resistance prediction and resistance genes identification in Mycobacterium tuberculosis based on a hierarchical attentive neural network utilizing genome-wide variants
Authors: Jiang Zhonghua , Lu Yongmei , Liu Zhuochong , Wu Wei , Xu Xinyi , Dinnyés András , Yu Zhonghua , Chen Li , Sun Qun
Published: February 2022

Prediction of antimicrobial resistance based on whole-genome sequencing data has attracted greater attention due to its rapidity and convenience. Numerous machine learning–based studies have used genetic variants to predict drug resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB), assuming that variants are homogeneous, and most of these studies, however, have ignored the essential correlation between variants and corresponding genes when encoding variants, and used a limited number of variants as prediction input. In this study, taking advantage of genome-wide variants for drug-resistance prediction and inspired by natural language processing, we summarize drug resistance prediction into document classification, in which variants are considered as words, mutated genes in an isolate as sentences, and an isolate as a document. We propose a novel hierarchical attentive neural network model (HANN) that helps discover drug resistance-related genes and variants and acquire more interpretable biological results. It captures the interaction among variants in a mutated gene as well as among mutated genes in an isolate. Our results show that for the four first-line drugs of isoniazid (INH), rifampicin (RIF), ethambutol (EMB) and pyrazinamide (PZA), the HANN achieves the optimal area under the ROC curve of 97.90, 99.05, 96.44 and 95.14% and the optimal sensitivity of 94.63, 96.31, 92.56 and 87.05%, respectively. In addition, without any domain knowledge, the model identifies drug resistance-related genes and variants consistent with those confirmed by previous studies, and more importantly, it discovers one more potential drug-resistance-related gene.
Calpain7 negatively regulates human endometrial stromal cell decidualization in EMs by promoting FoxO1 nuclear exclusion via hydrolyzing AKT1
Authors: Kang Nannan , Shan Huizhi , Wang Junxia , Mei Jie , Jiang Yue , Zhou Jidong , Huang Chenyang , Zhang Hui , Zhang Mei , Zhen Xin , Yan Guijun , Sun Haixiang
Published: February 2022

Endometrial receptivity damage caused by impaired decidualization may be one of the mechanisms of infertility in endometriosis (EMs). Our previous study demonstrated that Calpain-7 (CAPN7) is abnormally overexpressed in EMs. Whether CAPN7 affects the regulation of decidualization and by what mechanism CAPN7 regulates decidualization remains to be determined. In this study, we found CAPN7 expression decreased during human endometrial stromal cell (HESC) decidualization in vitro. CAPN7 negatively regulated decidualization in vitro and in vivo. We also identified one conserved potential PEST sequence in the AKT1 protein and found that CAPN7 was able to hydrolyse AKT1 and enhance AKT1’s phosphorylation. Correspondingly, CAPN7 notably promoted the phosphorylation of Forkhead Box O1 (FoxO1), the downstream of AKT1 protein, at Ser319, leading to increased FoxO1 exclusion from nuclei and attenuated FoxO1 transcriptional activity in decidualized HESC. In addition, we detected endometrium CAPN7, p-AKT1, and p-FoxO1 expressions were increased in EMs. These data demonstrate that CAPN7 negatively regulates HESC decidualization in EMs probably by promoting FoxO1’s phosphorylation and FoxO1 nuclear exclusion via hydrolyzing AKT1. The dysregulation of CAPN7 may be a novel cause of EMs.
Effects of exogenous progesterone on the expression of mineral regulatory molecules by ovine endometrium and placentomes
Authors: Stenhouse Claire , Halloran Katherine M , Hoskins Emily C , Newton Makenzie G , Moses Robyn M , Seo Heewon , Dunlap Kathrin A , Satterfield Michael C , Gaddy Dana , Johnson Gregory A , Wu Guoyao , Suva Larry J , Bazer Fuller W
Published: February 2022

This study aimed to determine whether the acceleration of conceptus development induced by the administration of exogenous progesterone (P4) during the preimplantation period of pregnancy alters calcium, phosphate, and vitamin D signaling at the maternal–conceptus interface. Suffolk ewes (n = 48) were mated to fertile rams and received daily intramuscular injections of either corn oil (CO) vehicle or 25 mg of progesterone in CO (P4) for the first 8 days of pregnancy and hysterectomized on either Day 9 (CO, n = 5; P4, n = 6), 12 (CO, n = 9; P4, n = 4) or 125 (CO, n = 14; P4, n = 10) of gestation. The expression of S100A12 (P < 0.05) and fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR2) (P < 0.01) messenger RNAs (mRNAs) was lower in endometria from P4-treated ewes on Day 12. The expression of ADAM10 (P < 0.05) mRNA was greater in endometria from P4-treated ewes on Day 125. The expression of ADAM10 (P < 0.01), FGFR2 (P < 0.05), solute carrier (SLC)20A1 (P < 0.05), TRPV5 (P < 0.05), and TRPV6 (P < 0.01) mRNAs was greater, but KL mRNA expression was lower (P < 0.05) in placentomes from P4-treated ewes at Day 125. There was lower endometrial and greater placentomal expression of mRNAs involved in mineral metabolism and transport in twin compared to singleton pregnancies. Further, the expression of mRNAs involved in mineral metabolism and transport was greater in P4-treated twin placentomes. KL, FGF23, vitamin D receptor (VDR), S100A9, S100A12, S100G, and CYP27B1 proteins were immunolocalized in endometria and placentomes. Exogenous P4 in early pregnancy altered the expression of regulators of calcium, phosphate, and vitamin D on Day 125 of pregnancy indicating a novel effect of P4 on mineral transport at the maternal–conceptus interface.
Melatonin prevents oocyte deterioration due to cotinine exposure in mice
Authors: Cheng Jinmei , Mi Panpan , Li Yinchuan , Lu Yajuan , Sun Fei
Published: February 2022

Levels of cotinine, a major metabolite of nicotine, have been positively correlated with risks of cigarette smoking-related diseases. Melatonin is synthesized by the pineal gland and has been demonstrated to be beneficial to oocyte maturation due to its antioxidative activity. In this study, we investigated the effects of cotinine on mouse oocyte meiosis and the protective roles of melatonin in vitro and in vivo. The results showed that cotinine exposure caused defects in the first polar body extrusion and reduced parthenogenetic activation in in vitro-matured oocytes. Additionally, cotinine exposure increased the level of oxidative stress, which resulted in aberrant actin distribution, abnormal spindle morphology, chromosome misalignment, and even oocyte aneuploidy. Simultaneously, cotinine exposure decreased the mitochondrial membrane potential and antioxidant gene expression and increased apoptosis-related gene expression. However, all these toxic effects of cotinine could be reversed after the addition of melatonin, and the mechanism may be a decrease in reactive oxygen species production. In conclusion, cotinine causes poor oocyte quality, which could be rescued by melatonin supplementation during meiotic maturation in mouse oocytes.
The “Little Third”: Changing Images of Women Characters Involved in Extramarital Affairs on Chinese TV
Authors: Liao Sara , Ling Qi
Published: February 2022

For this study, we analyzed the changing images of women characters involved in extramarital affairs in three Chinese TV dramas—Come and Go (CG; Hubei TV & Guangxi TV, 1998), Dwelling Narrowness (DN; Beijing TV & Dragon TV, 2009), and Nothing but Thirty (NT; Dongfang TV & Tencent Video, 2020). We argue here that shifting gender relationships, evolving political, economic, and technological conditions relating to the media industry, and a transition in the broader social environment have motivated a return to patriarchal moral discourse on Chinese TV. Specifically, in keeping with this discourse, extramarital affairs have come to be presented as immoral, primarily for the women involved—the “little third” of the title, this being the literal translation of the Mandarin term for “mistress.” We documented this return to patriarchal moral doctrines that are intended to discipline women and limit the diversity and nuance of culturally accepted forms and expressions of sexual attraction and romance on Chinese TV in case studies of the three programs.
On Grain-Like Small State Stream Ciphers Against Fast Correlation Attacks: Cryptanalysis of Plantlet, Fruit-v2 and Fruit-80
Authors: Wang Shichang , Liu Meicheng , Lin Dongdai , Ma Li
Published: February 2022

The fast correlation attack (FCA) is one of the most important cryptanalytic techniques against LFSR-based stream ciphers. In CRYPTO 2018, Todo et al. found a new property for the FCA and proposed a novel algorithm which was successfully applied to the Grain family of stream ciphers. Nevertheless, these techniques cannot be directly applied to Grain-like small state stream ciphers with keyed update, such as Plantlet, Fruit-v2 and Fruit80. In this paper, we study the security of Grain-like small state stream ciphers by the FCA. We first observe that the number of required parity-check equations can be reduced when there are multiple different parity-check equations. With exploiting the Skellam distribution, we introduce a sufficient condition to identify the correct LFSR initial state and derive a new relationship between the number and bias of the required parity-check equations. Then, a modified algorithm is presented based on this new relationship, which can recover the LFSR initial state no matter what the round key bits are. Under the condition that the LFSR initial state is known, an algorithm is given against the degraded system and to recover the NFSR state at some time instant, along with the round key bits. As cases study, we apply our cryptanalytic techniques to Plantlet, Fruit-v2 and Fruit-80. As a result, for Plantlet, our attack takes $ 2^{73.75} $ time complexity and $ 2^{73.06} $ keystream bits to recover the full 80-bit key. Regarding Fruit-v2, $ 2^{55.34} $ time complexity and $ 2^{55.62} $ keystream bits are needed to determine the secret key. As for Fruit-80, $2^{64.47}$ time complexity and $2^{62.82}$ keystream bits are required to recover the secret key. More flexible attacks can be obtained with lower data complexity at the cost of increasing the attack time. Especially, for Fruit-v2, a key recovery attack can be launched with data complexity of $2^{42.38}$ and time complexity of $2^{73.31}$. Moreover, we have implemented our attack methods on a toy version of Fruit-v2. The attack matches the expected complexities predicted by our theoretical analysis quite well, which proves the validity of our cryptanalytic techniques.
Successful percutaneous closure of aortic root-to-right ventricle fistula after transcatheter aortic valve implantation: a valuable option in high-risk surgical patients
Authors: Vrettos Apostolos , Duncan Alison , Ahmed Asrar , Heng Ee Ling , Panoulas Vasileios
Published: February 2022

Background

Aortic-to-right ventricle (ARV) fistula is an uncommon complication of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). Even though surgical closure is usually the treatment of choice in such communications, percutaneous treatment options are valuable alternatives for these high-risk surgical patients.

Case summary

In this article, we present the percutaneous closure of an ARV fistula after TAVI, in a highly symptomatic patient with recurrent episodes of heart failure decompensation with worsening right ventricular function, who failed conservative medical treatment and was deemed inoperable. Successful closure of the fistula with the use of the Amplatzer atrial septal occluder was performed 6 months post-TAVI, under general anaesthesia and transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE). A detailed multi-modality imaging pre-procedural planning was performed utilizing 4D cardiac computed tomography and echocardiography. The patient has remained asymptomatic and in good health 5 months after the ARV fistula closure, with marked improvement in his clinical picture and echocardiographic parameters.

Discussion

Aortic-to-right ventricle fistulas with significant shunt post-TAVI could lead to biventricular failure and are associated with increased mortality if left untreated. This case demonstrates that TOE-guided percutaneous closure of a TAVI-related ARV fistula, although technically challenging, is feasible, and can be a valuable option for the treatment of symptomatic high-risk surgical patients.
Strength is negatively associated with depression and accounts for some of the sex difference
Authors: Smith Caroline B , Rosenström Tom , Hagen Edward H
Published: February 2022

Background

Depression occurs about twice as often in women as in men, a disparity that remains poorly understood. In a previous publication, Hagen and Rosenström predicted and found that grip strength, a highly sexually dimorphic index of physical formidability, mediated much of the effect of sex on depression. Striking results like this are more likely to be published than null results, potentially biasing the scientific record. It is therefore critical to replicate and extend them.

Methodology

Using new data from the 2013–14 cycle of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a nationally representative sample of US households (n = 3650), we replicated models of the effect of sex and grip strength on depression reported in Hagen and Rosenström, along with additional potential confounds and a new detailed symptom-level exploration.

Results

Overall, the effects from the original paper were reproduced although with smaller effect sizes. Grip strength mediated 38% of the effect of sex on depression, compared to 63% in Hagen and Rosenström. These results were extended with findings that grip strength had a stronger association with some depression symptoms, like suicidality, low interest and low mood than with other symptoms, like appetite changes.

Conclusions

Grip strength is negatively associated with depression, especially its cognitive–affective symptoms, controlling for numerous possible confounds. Although many factors influence depression, few of these reliably occur cross-culturally in a sex-stratified manner and so are unlikely to explain the well-established, cross-cultural sex difference in depression. The sex difference in upper body strength occurs in all populations and is therefore a candidate evolutionary explanation for some of the sex difference in depression.

Lay summary: Why are women at twice the risk of developing depression as men? Depression typically occurs during social conflicts, such as physical or sexual abuse. Physically strong individuals can often single-handedly resolve conflicts in their favor, whereas physically weaker individuals often need help from others. We argue that depression is a credible cry for help. Because men generally have greater strength than women, we argue that men may be more likely to resolve conflicts using physical formidability and women to signal others for help. We find that higher grip strength is associated with lower depression, particularly symptoms like feeling down or thoughts of suicide and that strength accounts for part of the sex difference in rates of depression.
Clinical and radiological factors predicting stroke outcome after successful mechanical intervention in anterior circulation
Authors: Peisker Tomáš , Vaško Peter , Mikulenka Petr , Lauer David , Kožnar Boris , Sulženko Jakub , Roháč Filip , Kučera Dušan , Girsa David , Kremeňová Karin , Widimský Petr , Štětkářová Ivana
Published: February 2022

The recanalization effect of large-vessel occlusion (LVO) in anterior circulation is well documented but only some patients benefit from endovascular treatment. We analysed clinical and radiological factors determining clinical outcome after successful mechanical intervention. We included 146 patients from the Prague 16 study enrolled from September 2012 to December 2020, who had initial CT/CTA examination and achieved good recanalization status after mechanical intervention (TICI 2b-3). One hundred and six (73%) patients achieved a good clinical outcome (modified Rankin Scale 0–2 in 3 months). It was associated with age, leptomeningeal collaterals (LC), onset to intervention time, ASPECTS, initial NIHSS, and leukoaraiosis (LA) in univariate analysis. The regression model identified good collateral status [odds ratio (OR) 5.00, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.91–13.08], late thrombectomy (OR 0.24, 95% CI 0.09–0.65), LA (OR 0.44, 95% CI 0.19–1.00), ASPECTS (OR 1.45, 95% CI 1.08–1.95), and NIHSS score (OR 0.86, 95% CI 0.78–0.95) as independent outcome determinants. In the late thrombectomy subgroup, 14 out of 33 patients (42%) achieved a favourable clinical outcome, none of whom with poor collateral status. The presence of LC and absence of LA predicts a good outcome in acute stroke patients after successful recanalization of LVO in anterior circulation. Late thrombectomy was associated with higher rate of unfavourable clinical outcome. Nevertheless, collateral status in this subgroup was validated as a reliable selection criterion.
Cross-species transcriptomics identifies core regulatory changes differentiating the asymptomatic asexual and virulent sexual life cycles of grass-symbiotic Epichloë fungi
Authors: Berry Daniel , Lee Kate , Winter David , Mace Wade , Becker Yvonne , Nagabhyru Padmaja , Treindl Artemis D , Bogantes Esteban Valverde , Young Carolyn A , Leuchtmann Adrian , Johnson Linda J , Johnson Richard D , Cox Murray P , Schardl Christopher L , Scott Barry
Published: February 2022

Fungi from the genus Epichloë form systemic endobiotic infections of cool season grasses, producing a range of host-protective natural products in return for access to nutrients. These infections are asymptomatic during vegetative host growth, with associations between asexual Epichloë spp. and their hosts considered mutualistic. However, the sexual cycle of Epichloë spp. involves virulent growth, characterized by the envelopment and sterilization of a developing host inflorescence by a dense sheath of mycelia known as a stroma. Microscopic analysis of stromata revealed a dramatic increase in hyphal propagation and host degradation compared with asymptomatic tissues. RNAseq was used to identify differentially expressed genes in asymptomatic vs stromatized tissues from 3 diverse Epichloë–host associations. Comparative analysis identified a core set of 135 differentially expressed genes that exhibited conserved transcriptional changes across all 3 associations. The core differentially expressed genes more strongly expressed during virulent growth encode proteins associated with host suppression, digestion, adaptation to the external environment, a biosynthetic gene cluster, and 5 transcription factors that may regulate Epichloë stroma formation. An additional 5 transcription factor encoding differentially expressed genes were suppressed during virulent growth, suggesting they regulate mutualistic processes. Expression of biosynthetic gene clusters for natural products that suppress herbivory was universally suppressed during virulent growth, and additional biosynthetic gene clusters that may encode production of novel host-protective natural products were identified. A comparative analysis of 26 Epichloë genomes found a general decrease in core differentially expressed gene conservation among asexual species, and a specific decrease in conservation for the biosynthetic gene cluster expressed during virulent growth and an unusual uncharacterized gene.
Candidate resistance genes to foliar phylloxera identified at Rdv3 of hybrid grape
Authors: Yin Lu , Karn Avinash , Cadle-Davidson Lance , Zou Cheng , Londo Jason , Sun Qi , Clark Matthew D
Published: February 2022

The foliage of the native grape species Vitis riparia and certain cold-hardy hybrid grapes are particularly susceptible to the insect pest phylloxera, Daktulosphaira vitifoliae Fitch. A previous study using a cold-hardy hybrid grape biparental F1 population (N ~ 125) detected the first quantitative trait locus (QTL) for foliar resistance on chromosome 14, designated as resistance to Daktulosphaira vitifoliae 3 (Rdv3). This locus spans a ~ 7-Mbp (10–20 cM) region and is too wide for effective marker-assisted selection or identification of candidate genes. Therefore, we fine mapped the QTL using a larger F1 population, GE1783 (N ~ 1023), and genome-wide rhAmpSeq haplotype markers. Through three selective phenotyping experiments replicated in the greenhouse, we screened 184 potential recombinants of GE1783 using a 0 to 7 severity rating scale among other phylloxera severity traits. A 500-kb fine mapped region at 4.8 Mbp on chromosome 14 was identified. The tightly linked rhAmpSeq marker 14_4 805 213 and flanking markers can be used for future marker-assisted breeding. This region contains 36 candidate genes with predicted functions in disease resistance (R genes and Bonzai genes) and gall formation (bifunctional 3-dehydroquinate dehydratase/shikimate dehydrogenase). Disease resistance genes suggest a traditional R-gene-mediated resistance mechanism often accompanied by a hypersensitive response, which has been widely studied in the plant pathology field. A novel resistance mechanism, non-responsiveness to phylloxera gall formation is proposed as a function of the bifunctional dehydratase gene, which plays a role in gallic acid biosynthesis and is important in gall formation. This study has implications for improvement of foliar phylloxera resistance in cold-hardy hybrid germplasm and is a starting place to understand the mechanism of resistance in crops to gall-forming insects.
Haplotype analyses reveal novel insights into tomato history and domestication driven by long-distance migrations and latitudinal adaptations
Authors: Blanca Jose , Sanchez-Matarredona David , Ziarsolo Peio , Montero-Pau Javier , van der Knaap Esther , Díez Ma José , Cañizares Joaquín
Published: February 2022

A novel haplotype-based approach that uses Procrustes analysis and automatic classification was used to provide further insights into tomato history and domestication. Agrarian societies domesticated species of interest by introducing complex genetic modifications. For tomatoes, two species, one of which had two botanical varieties, are thought to be involved in its domestication: the fully wild Solanum pimpinellifolium (SP), the wild and semi-domesticated Solanum lycopersicum var. cerasiforme (SLC) and the cultivated S. l. var. lycopersicum (SLL). The Procrustes approach showed that SP evolved into SLC during a gradual migration from the Peruvian deserts to the Mexican rainforests and that Peruvian and Ecuadorian SLC populations were the result of more recent hybridizations. Our model was supported by independent evidence, including ecological data from the accession collection site and morphological data. Furthermore, we showed that photosynthesis-, and flowering time-related genes were selected during the latitudinal migrations.
Large-scale analyses of heat shock transcription factors and database construction based on whole-genome genes in horticultural and representative plants
Authors: Yu Tong , Bai Yun , Liu Zhuo , Wang Zhiyuan , Yang Qihang , Wu Tong , Feng Shuyan , Zhang Yu , Shen Shaoqin , Li Qiang , Gu Liqiang , Song Xiaoming
Published: February 2022

Heat shock transcription factor (Hsf) plays a critical role in regulating heat resistance. Here, 2950 Hsf family genes were identified from 111 horticultural and representative plants. More Hsf genes were detected in higher plants than in lower plants. Based on all Hsf genes, we constructed a phylogenetic tree, which indicated that Hsf genes of each branch evolved independently after species differentiation. Furthermore, we uncovered the evolutionary trajectories of Hsf genes by motif analysis. There were only six motifs (M1–M6) in lower plants, and then four novel motifs (M7–M10) appeared in higher plants. However, the motifs of some Hsf genes were lost in higher plants, indicating that Hsf genes have undergone sequence variation during their evolution. The number of Hsf genes lost was greater than the number of genes that were duplicated after whole-genome duplication in higher plants. The heat response network was constructed using 24 Hsf genes and 2421 downstream and 222 upstream genes of Arabidopsis. Further enrichment analysis revealed that Hsf genes and other transcription factors interacted with each other in the response to heat stress. Global expression maps were illustrated for Hsf genes under various abiotic and biotic stresses and several developmental stages in Arabidopsis. Syntenic and phylogenetic analyses were conducted using Hsf genes of Arabidopsis and the pan-genome of 18 Brassica rapa accessions. We also performed expression pattern analysis of Hsf and six Hsp family genes using expression values from different tissues and heat treatments in B. rapa. The interaction network between the Hsf and Hsp gene families was constructed in B. rapa, and several core genes were detected in the network. Finally, we constructed an Hsf database (http://hsfdb.bio2db.com) for researchers to retrieve Hsf gene family information. Therefore, our study will provide rich resources for the study of the evolution and function of Hsf genes.
Hierarchical transcription factor and regulatory network for drought response in Betula platyphylla
Authors: Jia Yaqi , Niu Yani , Zhao Huimin , Wang Zhibo , Gao Caiqiu , Wang Chao , Chen Su , Wang Yucheng
Published: February 2022

Although many genes and biological processes involved in abiotic stress responses have been identified, how they are regulated remains largely unclear. Here, to study the regulatory mechanism of birch (Betula platyphylla) responding to drought induced by polyethylene glycol 6000 (20%, w/v), a partial correlation coefficient-based algorithm for constructing a gene regulatory network (GRN) was proposed, and a three-layer hierarchical GRN was constructed, including 68 transcription factors and 252 structural genes. A total of 1448 predicted regulatory relationships are included, and most of them are novel. The reliability of the GRN was verified by chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP)–PCR and qRT–PCR based on transient transformation. About 55% of genes in the bottom layer of the GRN could confer drought tolerance. We selected two TFs, BpMADS11 and BpNAC090, from the top layer and characterized their function in drought tolerance. Overexpression of BpMADS11 and BpNAC090 reduces electrolyte leakage, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents, giving greater drought tolerance than wild-type birch. According to this GRN, the important biological processes involved in drought were identified, including ‘signaling hormone pathways’, ‘water transport’, ‘regulation of stomatal movement’, and ‘response to oxidative stress’. This work indicated that BpERF017, BpAGL61, and BpNAC090 are the key upstream regulators of birch drought tolerance. Our data clearly revealed that upstream regulators and transcription factor–DNA interaction regulate different biological processes to adapt to drought stress.
Combination of epidermal growth factor receptor mutation and the presence of high-grade patterns is associated with recurrence in resected stage I lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Kondo Yasuto , Ichinose Junji , Ninomiya Hironori , Hashimoto Kohei , Matsuura Yosuke , Nakao Masayuki , Ishikawa Yuichi , Okumura Sakae , Satoh Yukitoshi , Mun Mingyon
Published: February 2022

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic impact of the combination of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation and the presence of high-grade patterns (solid or micropapillary component) in resected stage I lung adenocarcinoma.

METHODS

Patients who underwent curative resection for pathological stage I lung adenocarcinoma and EGFR mutation analysis were included in this study. The impact of the combination of EGFR mutation and the presence of >5% high-grade patterns on recurrence-free survival (RFS) was retrospectively analysed using Cox proportional hazards model and propensity score-matched analysis.

RESULTS

Among the included 721 patients, EGFR mutations were positive in 380 (52.7%). In the EGFR-mutated group, cases with high-grade patterns showed poorer RFS than those without (5-year RFS, 77.7% vs 92.5%, P < 0.001), whereas there were no significant prognostic differences in the EGFR wild-type group (5-year RFS, 89.8% vs 88.2%, P = 0.807). Multivariable analyses revealed that the combination of EGFR mutations and the presence of high-grade patterns was associated with poor RFS (hazard ratio = 1.655, P = 0.035). Furthermore, EGFR mutation was associated with poor RFS in the group with high-grade patterns (hazard ratio = 2.108, P = 0.008). After propensity score matching, EGFR-mutated cases with high-grade patterns showed poorer RFS (P = 0.028).

CONCLUSIONS

The combination of EGFR mutation and the presence of high-grade patterns was associated with recurrence in resected stage I lung adenocarcinoma. Histological subtypes, including minor components, should be considered when evaluating the risk of recurrence in patients with EGFR-mutated lung adenocarcinoma.
Toward a Theory of Heteronomy
Authors: Butcher Charles , Griffiths Ryan D
Published: February 2022

It is thought that political order in premodern Europe was characterized by overlapping and crosscutting forms of authority. Scholars have called this heteronomy, arguing that it preceded and may follow the modern sovereign state system and that it has characterized various historical locales around the world. We maintain that this conception has been under-examined, and we identity three different forms of heteronomy that existed historically. These include: (1) interstitial heteronomy, where polities with limited capacity in low-density regions experience zones of informal mixed rule on the frontier; (2) functional heteronomy, where states in thickly populated systems develop complex patterns of functional differentiation; and (3) personalistic heteronomy, where power that is invested in individuals rather than territorially defined polities can produce patterns of dual vassalage. We develop a theory of heteronomy based on the density of the system (low, high) and the nature of political relations (territorial, personal), and using the resulting two-dimensional map we explore the form of heteronomy that existed and may exist in different systems across time and space. We conclude that when scholars envisage heteronomy in the modern system, it is mostly functional, and not interstitial or personalistic heteronomy, which they have in mind.
Hourly pollutants forecasting using a deep learning approach to obtain the AQI
Authors: Moscoso-López José Antonio , González-Enrique Javier , Urda Daniel , Ruiz-Aguilar Juan Jesús , Turias Ignacio J
Published: February 2022

The Air Quality Index (AQI) shows the state of air pollution in a unique and more understandable way. This work aims to forecast the AQI in Algeciras (Spain) 8 hours in advance. The AQI is calculated indirectly through the predicted concentrations of five pollutants (O3, NO2, CO, SO2 and PM10) to achieve this goal. Artificial neural networks (ANNs), sequence-to-sequence long short-term memory networks (LSTMs) and a newly proposed method combing a rolling window with the latter (LSTMNA) are employed as the forecasting techniques. Besides, two input approaches are evaluated: using only the data from the own time series of the pollutant in the first case or adding exogenous variables in the second one. Several window sizes are employed (24, 28 and 72 hours) with ANNs and LSTMNAs. Additionally, several feature ranking methods are applied in the exogenous approach to select the most relevant lagged variables to feed the models. Results show how the proposed exogenous approach increases the performance of the prediction models. Besides, the newly proposed method LSTMNA provides the best performances in most of the cases evaluated. Hence, it constitutes an exciting alternative to standard LSTMs and ANNs to predict pollutants concentrations and, consequently, the AQI.
A unique case of free-floating gastric band tubing causing intraabdominal sepsis in a patient with locked-in syndrome secondary to Guillain–Barré syndrome
Authors: Cadili Lina , Davis Noelle L
Published: February 2022

Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding is a known bariatric procedure that has largely fallen out of favor in our modern surgical era. Several case reports describe various complications secondary to gastric band slippage. Here we present a unique complication not related to gastric band slippage, but intraabdominal sepsis secondary to free-floating gastric band tubing after removal of the subcutaneous port in a patient with locked-in syndrome secondary to Guillain–Barré syndrome.
Cutoff Value of Qualitative HBsAg for Confirmatory HBsAg Using the Chemiluminescence Microparticle Immunoassay Method
Authors: Pasaribu Merci Monica , Wonohutomo Jessica Purwanti , Immanuel Suzanna , Kumalawati July , Indrasari Nuri Dyah , Yusra Yusra
Published: February 2022

Background

Confirmatory hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) is an assay used to distinguish weakly reactive from false-positive HBsAg results.

Objective

To determine the signal to cutoff (S/CO) value of chemiluminescence microparticle immunoassay (CMIA) HBsAg assay that should trigger follow-up confirmatory HBsAg testing.

Methods

All specimens with an initial S/CO value of 0.90–100.00 were subjected to repeat HBsAg testing after high-speed centrifugation. The specimens with an initial S/CO value in that range remained in the same range and were then followed up with confirmatory HBsAg testing.

Result

In total, 132 specimens had an S/CO value between 0.90 and 100.00 after high-speed centrifugation, followed by confirmatory HBsAg retesting. The S/CO value of HBsAg specimens for which the results required verification with confirmatory HBsAg was 0.98 (100% sensitivity, 3.3% specificity) through 9.32 (47.1% sensitivity, 100% specificity).

Conclusion

The HBsAg S/CO values (as determined by the chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay [CMIA] method) that should trigger confirmatory HBsAg testing are 0.98–9.32.