bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lower and Upper Ordovician conodont biostratigraphy and revised lithostratigraphy in the fault and fold zones of the Boothia Uplift, south-western Boothia Peninsula, Nunavut
Authors: Zhang Shunxin
Published: March 2023

The strata exposed near Pasley Bay on south-western Boothia Peninsula were previously named the Franklin Strait Formation, spanning Lower Ordovician through early Silurian and dissected by two disconformities. The interpretation of the age and correlation were based on limited fossil evidence. New detailed field investigations and sampling at the Pasley Bay section resulted in a finding of over 1000 identifiable conodont specimens representing 37 species among 28 genera. Five Lower Ordovician and four Upper Ordovician North American standard conodont Zone-equivalent faunas are documented from the section, namely: Lower Ordovician Cordylodus angulatus, Rossodus manitouensis, Acodus deltatus/ Oneotodus costatus, Oepikodus communis, Reutterodus andinus, and Upper Ordovician Belodina confluens, Oulodus velicuspis, Oulodus robustus, and Amorphognathus ordovicicus Zone-equivalent faunas. These faunas enable a new understanding of the age and stratigraphic position of the Franklin Strait Formation: (1) it is now correlated to the Turner Cliffs (upper part of lower member and upper member), Ship Point, Thumb Mountain, Irene Bay, and Allen Bay (lower member) formations straddling Lower to upper Upper Ordovician with the Middle and lower Upper Ordovician missing; (2) it biostratigraphically overlaps with the simultaneously named Netsilik Formation for the strata containing the Cordylodus angulatus, Rossodus manitouensis, Acodus deltatus/Oneotodus costatus, and lower Oepikodus communis Zone-equivalent faunas, and lithostratigraphically for the upper part of lower member and upper member of the Turner Cliffs Formation and lower Ship Point Formation. This study also provides stratigraphic support for the tectonic model that advocates the Boothia Uplift to be a deep-seated, east-dipping thrust block. Additionally, the conodont Colour Alteration Index is used to estimate the increased heat effects close to the fault zones in the environs of the Boothia Uplift.
Hyperon–nucleon interaction in chiral effective field theory at next-to-next-to-leading order
Authors: Haidenbauer Johann , Meißner Ulf-G. , Nogga Andreas , Le Hoai
Published: March 2023

A hyperon–nucleon potential for the strangeness $$S=-1$$

S
=
-
1

sector ($$\varLambda N$$

Λ
N

, $$\varSigma N$$

Σ
N

) up to third order in the chiral expansion is presented. SU(3) flavor symmetry is imposed for constructing the interaction, however, the explicit SU(3) symmetry breaking by the physical masses of the pseudoscalar mesons and in the leading-order contact terms is taken into account. A novel regularization scheme is employed which has already been successfully used in studies of the nucleon–nucleon interaction within chiral effective field theory up to high orders. An excellent description of the low-energy $$\varLambda p$$

Λ
p

, $$\varSigma ^- p$$

Σ
-

p

and $$\varSigma ^+ p$$

Σ
+

p

scattering data is achieved. New data from J-PARC on angular distributions for the $$\varSigma N$$

Σ
N

channels are analyzed. Results for the hypertriton and $$A=4$$

A
=
4

hyper-nuclear separation energies are presented. An uncertainty estimate for the chiral expansion is performed for selected hyperon–nucleon observables.
Achieving higher magnetic entropy change peak at lower temperature by minor Ti substitution for Zr in the Fe88Zr8B4 metallic glass
Authors: Zheng X. N. , Wang Q. , Yue C. Y. , Li A. L. , Ding D. , Xia L.
Published: March 2023

Fe-Zr-B-based amorphous alloys (AAs) show good magnetocaloric effect (MCE) around the ambient temperature, and their maximum magnetic entropy change ([Formula: see text] generally increases with their Curie temperature ([Formula: see text], which means the poor magnetocaloric properties near the cold end of the air conditioner. In this work, by adding 2% (at.%) Ti to replace the Zr element in a [Formula: see text] AA, we successfully fabricated the [Formula: see text] amorphous ribbon. The [Formula: see text] amorphous ribbon exhibits a slightly enhanced glass formability, improved [Formula: see text] and decreased [Formula: see text] when compared to the [Formula: see text] AA. The results are helpful for developing better MCE of the Fe-Zr-B-based metallic glasses working near the cold end of a domestic magnetic air conditioner.
Crowdsourcing Thumbnail Captions: Data Collection and Validation
Authors: Aguirre Carlos , Cao Shiye , Mahmood Amama , Huang Chien-Ming
Published: March 2023

Speech interfaces, such as personal assistants and screen readers, read image captions to users. Typically, however, only one caption is available per image, which may not be adequate for all situations (e.g., browsing large quantities of images). Long captions provide a deeper understanding of an image but require more time to listen to, whereas shorter captions may not allow for such thorough comprehension yet have the advantage of being faster to consume. We explore how to effectively collect both thumbnail captions—succinct image descriptions meant to be consumed quickly—and comprehensive captions—which allow individuals to understand visual content in greater detail. We consider text-based instructions and time-constrained methods to collect descriptions at these two levels of detail and find that a time-constrained method is the most effective for collecting thumbnail captions while preserving caption accuracy. Additionally, we verify that caption authors using this time-constrained method are still able to focus on the most important regions of an image by tracking their eye gaze. We evaluate our collected captions along human-rated axes—correctness, fluency, amount of detail, and mentions of important concepts—and discuss the potential for model-based metrics to perform large-scale automatic evaluations in the future.
Uncertainty-aware Simulation of Adaptive Systems
Authors: Jézéquel Jean-Marc , Vallecillo Antonio
Published: March 2023

Adaptive systems manage and regulate the behavior of devices or other systems using control loops to automatically adjust the value of some measured variables to equal the value of a desired set-point. These systems normally interact with physical parts or operate in physical environments, where uncertainty is unavoidable. Traditional approaches to manage that uncertainty use either robust control algorithms that consider bounded variations of the uncertain variables and worst-case scenarios or adaptive control methods that estimate the parameters and change the control laws accordingly. In this article, we propose to include the sources of uncertainty in the system models as first-class entities using random variables to simulate adaptive and control systems more faithfully, including not only the use of random variables to represent and operate with uncertain values but also to represent decisions based on their comparisons. Two exemplar systems are used to illustrate and validate our proposal.
Experimental and Theoretical Analysis for Hypoeutectic Cast Iron Oxidation Behaviors
Authors: Sun Chenteng , Wang Qiaoling , Tao Wen , Li Aqiao , Xu Qian , Li Ying , Li Shenggang , Zou Xingli , Cheng Hongwei , Lu Xionggang
Published: March 2023

The anodic dissolution of hypoeutectic cast iron consisting of pearlite and ledeburite was studied in the sulfuric acid solution by electrochemical methods. The oxidation activities of ferrite and cementite, which are two phases in cast iron, are evaluated by their structural and electronic properties according to the first-principles calculations. The results show that the anodic dissolution of ferrite occurs at the more negative potential compared with cementite. With comparison of ledeburite, the microstructure of pearlite is easier to be crumbled during the anodic dissolution because more amount of ferrite dissolves from the framework of pearlite. The first principle calculations demonstrate the Fe 3d-band center of iron is closer to Fermi level than that of cementite, indicating that Fe atoms in ferrite are more active and prone to suffering electrophilic attack. It is the intrinsic reason that cementite is more stable than ferrite under anodic polarization in the sulfuric acid solution.
Dependence of cognitive ability on synchronous neural interactions determined by magnetoencephalography
Authors: James Lisa M. , Leuthold Arthur C. , Dolan Stacy , Georgopoulos Apostolos P.
Published: March 2023

This study in cognitively healthy women showed that decreased cognitive performance is associated with increased neural network correlations, particularly involving the temporal cortices. As healthy brain function relies on dynamic neural network communication, these findings suggest that subtle increases in correlated neural network activity may be a useful early indicator of decrements in cognitive function.
Cholinergic depolarization recruits a persistent Ca2+ current in Aplysia bag cell neurons
Authors: Lee Kelly H. , Wassef David E. , MacNeil Eammon K. , Magoski Neil S.
Published: March 2023

Ionotropic acetylcholine receptors mediate brief synaptic communication, including in bag cell neurons of the sea snail Aplysia. However, this study demonstrates that cholinergic depolarization can open a voltage-gated persistent Ca2+ current, which extends the bag cell neuron response to acetylcholine. Bursting in these neuroendocrine cells results in hormone release and egg laying. Thus, this emphasizes the role of ionotropic signaling in reaching a depolarized level to engage Ca2+ influx and perpetuating the activity necessary for behavior.
Growth Performance and Nutritional Condition of Marble Goby (Oxyeleotris marmoratus) Larvae Fed under Different Onsets of First Feeding
Authors: Mohamed Yusoff Siti Fairus , Ching Fui Fui , Kawamura Gunzo , Senoo Shigeharu
Published: March 2023

The marble goby (Oxyeleotris marmoratus) is a valuable food fish, but its aquaculture production is often hampered by poor growth performance associated with starvation at an early stage. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of delayed initial feeding on the growth performance and nutritional condition of the marble goby. Six different first feeding times were examined: 0, 12, 24, 36, 48, and 60 hours after the first feeding (HAFF), and their impacts on growth performances were evaluated based on larval final total length (mm) and survival (%), while nutritional condition was evaluated based on body morphometric changes, gut epithelium height (μm), and gut condition. The experiment was conducted for 15 days. All parameters were measured after larvae were collected at different sampling times, except survival and growth, which were measured at the end of the experiment. The results showed that the onset of the first feeding was 36 h after hatching (hAh) and that a short delay in the first feeding by 12, 24, 36, 48, and 60 HAFF significantly reduced the growth performance of the larvae and severely affected the larval nutrition condition with noticeable shrinkage in body morphometry and gut epithelium height. This study concluded that the onset of first feeding in marble goby occurs at 36 hAH and that first feeding beyond 36 hAH significantly worsens the nutritional condition and growth performance of the larvae.
Targeting Shikimate Kinase Pathway of Acinetobacter baumannii: A Structure-Based Computational Approach to Identify Antibacterial Compounds
Authors: Shil Aparna , Akter Most. Afrin , Sultana Arafin , Halder Sajal Kumar , Himel Mahbubul Kabir
Published: March 2023

Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii) is an opportunistic bacterium that has developed multidrug resistance (MDR) to most of today’s antibiotics, posing a significant risk to human health. Considering the fact that developing novel drugs is a time-consuming and expensive procedure, this research focuses on utilizing computational resources for repurposing antibacterial agents for A. baumannii. We targeted shikimate kinase, an essential enzyme in A. baumannii, that plays a significant role in the metabolic process. The basis for generating new therapeutic compounds is to inhibit the shikimate kinase and thereby targeting the shikimate pathway. Herein, 1941 drug-like compounds were investigated in different in silico techniques for assessing drug-likeness properties, ADMET (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity) profiling, binding affinity, and conformation analysis utilizing Autodock-vina and SwissDock. CHEMBL1237, CHEMBL1237119, CHEMBL2018096, and CHEMBL39167178 were determined as potential drug candidates for suppressing shikimate kinase protein. Molecular Dynamics Simulation (MDS) results for root mean square deviation, root mean square fluctuation, hydrogen bond, and gyration radius confirm the drug candidates’ molecular stability with the target protein. According to this study, CHEMBL1237 (Lisinopril) could be the most suitable candidate for A. baumannii. Our investigation suggests that the inhibitors of shikimate kinase could represent promising treatment options for A. baumannii. However, further in vitro and in vivo studies are necessary to validate the therapeutic potential of the suggested drug candidates.
COX7B Is a New Prognostic Biomarker and Correlates with Tumor Immunity in Esophageal Carcinoma
Authors: Song Yinsen , Gao Na , Yang Zhenzhen , Zhang Sisen , Fan Tanli , Zhang Baojun
Published: March 2023

Esophageal carcinoma (ESCA) refers to the most common type of malignant tumor, which reveals that it occurs often all over the world. ESCA is also correlated with an advanced stage and low survival rates. Thus, the development of new prognostic biomarkers is an absolute necessity. In this study, the aim was to investigate the potential of COX7B as a brand-new predictive biomarker for ESCA patients. COX7B expression in pancancer was examined using TIMER2. The statistical significance of the predictive value of COX7B expression was explored. The relationship between COX7B expression and tumor-infiltrating immune cells in ESCA was analyzed by using ssGSEA. In this study, the result indicated that several types of cancers had an abnormally high amount of COX7B. COX7B expression in samples from patients with ESCA was considerably higher than in nontumor tissues. A more advanced clinical stage may be anticipated from higher COX7B expression. According to the findings of Kaplan-Meier survival curves, patients with low COX7B levels had a more favorable prognosis than those with high COX7B levels. The result of multivariate analysis suggested that COX7B expression was a standalone prognostic factor for the overall survival of ESCA patients. A prognostic nomogram including gender, clinical stage, and COX7B expression was constructed, and TCGA-based calibration plots indicated its excellent predictive performance. An analysis of immune infiltration revealed that COX7B expression has a negative correlation with TFH, Tcm, NK cells, and mast cells. COX7B may serve as an immunotherapy target and as a biomarker for ESCA diagnosis and prognosis.
Lyapunov Stability in the Cournot Duopoly Game
Authors: Zhu Dan , Ni Debing
Published: March 2023

This paper studies Lyapunov stability at a point and its application in the Cournot duopoly game. We first explore the relationship between Lyapunov stability at a point, nonsensitivity and non-Devaney chaos and find that a dynamical system is nonsensitive and non-Devaney chaotic if there is a point in this system such that it is Lyapunov stable at that point. We next prove a group of equivalent characterizations of Lyapunov stability at a point to deduce the composite theorems and product theorems of Lyapunov stability at a point, and then we prove three equivalent characterizations of the Cournot duopoly system to demonstrate that this system is Lyapunov stable at its unique nonzero fixed point (Cournot equilibrium point) when the unit costs of the Cournot double oligarchies satisfy certain conditions. Therefore, we conclude that the Cournot duopoly system is safe relative to both sensitivity and Devaney chaos. The robustness of our results are also verified by conducting numerical simulations in the Cournot duopoly game.
G1 Cell Cycle Arrest Is Induced by the Fourth Extracellular Loop of Meningococcal PorA in Epithelial and Endothelial Cells
Authors: Vassey Matthew , Firdaus Rininta , Aslam Akhmed , Wheldon Lee M. , Oldfield Neil J. , Ala’Aldeen Dlawer A. A. , Wooldridge Karl G.
Published: March 2023

Neisseria meningitidis is the most frequent cause of bacterial meningitis and is one of the few bacterial pathogens that can breach the blood-brain barrier (BBB). The 37/67 kDa laminin receptor (LamR) was previously identified as a receptor mediating meningococcal binding to rodent and human brain microvascular endothelial cells, which form part of the BBB. The meningococcal surface proteins PorA and PilQ were identified as ligands for this receptor. Subsequently, the fourth extracellular loop of PorA (PorA-Loop4) was identified as the LamR-binding moiety. Here, we show that PorA-Loop4 targets the 37 kDa laminin receptor precursor (37LRP) on the cell surface by demonstrating that deletion of this loop abrogates the recruitment of 37LRP under meningococcal colonies. Using a circularized peptide corresponding to PorA-Loop4, as well as defined meningococcal mutants, we demonstrate that host cell interaction with PorA-Loop4 results in perturbation of p-CDK4 and Cyclin D1. These changes in cell cycle control proteins are coincident with cellular responses including inhibition of cell migration and a G1 cell cycle arrest. Modulation of the cell cycle of host cells is likely to contribute to the pathogenesis of meningococcal disease.
Antiplasmodial, Antioxidant and Cytotoxicity Activity of Ethanol and Aqueous Extracts of Khaya grandifoliola Stem Bark
Authors: Guy-Armand Gamago Nkadeu , Cedric Yamssi , Christelle Nadia Noumedem Anangmo , Azizi Mounvera Abdel , Aboubakar Sidiki Ngouyamsa Nsapkain , Jemimah Sandra Tientcheu Noutong , Alex Kevin Tako Djimefo , Payne Vincent Khan
Published: March 2023

Background. Malaria is a serious public health problem, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. The aim of this study was to scientifically provide baseline information on the use of Khaya grandifoliola stem bark as an antimalaria drug by traditional healers. Method. The stem barks of K.grandifoliola were harvested and dried to obtain powder, and fifty grams of the powder were soaked in ethanol and hot distilled water respectively, for the preparation of ethanol and aqueous extracts, then dried in an oven at 40°C for the ethanol extract and 50°C for the aqueous extract. Plasmodium falciparum strains 3D7 sensitive and Dd2 resistant to chloroquine, were used to evaluate in vitro antiplasmodial activity using SYBR Green. The ability of the extracts to prevent oxidative stress was assessed by trapping 2, 2′-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH); nitric oxide, hydrogen peroxide and ferric reducing power. The cytotoxicity test of the extracts was carried out on RAW 264.7 cell lines and on erythrocytes. The data obtained were entered in the Excel software, then in Graph pad where the IC50 was calculated and the curves plotted. Results. The fifty percent inhibition (IC50) of the antiplasmodial activity of the chloroquine-resistant strain PfDd2 were 54.27 ± 2.41 μg/mL and 31.19 ± 4.06 μg/mL respectively, for the aqueous and ethanol extracts. As for the Chloroquino-sensitive Pf3D7, IC50 of 53.06 μg/mL was obtained for the aqueous extract and 28.03 ± 1.90 μg/mL for ethanol. The DPPH radical scavenging activity presented IC50 of 104 μg/mL for the aqueous and 2.617 μg/mL for the ethanol extract; for the Nitric oxide (NO) presented an IC50 of 301 ± 21 μg/mL for the aqueous extract 140.7 ± 21 μg/mL for the ethanol; for hydrogen peroxide the ethanol and aqueous presented IC50 of 845.1 ± 21 μg/mL and 509.4 ± 21 μg/mL respectively. The cytotoxicity on RAW 264.7 cells presented High CC50 in particular >1000 μg/mL and 467.4 μg/mL respectively for the aqueous and ethanol extract. Conclusion. Extracts of Khaya grandifoliola exhibited antiplasmodial activity. The ability to inhibit oxidative stress as well as lower cell toxicity on RAW 264.7 and erythrocytes, is a good indicator. However, in vivo tests remain important in order to confirm the use of this plant for the treatment of malaria.
Phytochemical Screening and In Vitro Evaluation of the Antioxidant Potential of Dichloromethane Extracts of Strychnos henningsii Gilg. and Ficus sycomorus L.
Authors: Wanjala Wafula Kenedy , Kiambi Mworia Joseph , Piero Ngugi Mathew
Published: March 2023

Medicinal plants are a rich source of antioxidants such as flavonoids, phenols, tannins, and alkaloids among others and are currently used as alternative and complementary drugs in the management of stress-related disorders. Strychnos henningsii and Ficus sycomorus have been traditionally used by the people of Mbeere, Embu county, Kenya, as medicine for the treatment of various oxidative stress-related disorders such as diabetes and rheumatism; however, no empirical data are available to authenticate the said claim. The aim of this study was to evaluate preliminary phytochemical screening and in vitro antioxidant activity of dichloromethane (DCM) leaf extract of S. henningsii and stem bark extract of F. sycomorus using DPPH, hydrogen peroxide, and ferric reducing power assays; total flavonoids and phenolic compounds were also determined by colorimetric assay and Folin–Ciocalteu reaction, respectively. Phytochemical screening showed that both extracts possessed saponins, flavonoids, phenols, steroids, alkaloids, and cardiac glycosides; however, terpenoids were found to be absent in S. henningsii. The total phenolic and flavonoid content of the DCM stem bark extract of F. sycomorus was lower than that of the leaf extract of S. henningsii. These extracts significantly exhibited strong antioxidant activities at different concentrations tested. The IC50 values of S. henningsii and F. sycomorus were 0.325 mg/ml and 0.330 mg/ml for hydrogen peroxide and 0.068 mg/ml and 0.062 mg/ml for DPPH, respectively. Both DCM leaf and stem bark extracts of S. henningsii and F. sycomorus were found to have strong ferric reducing power. Therefore, both extracts showed significant nonenzyme-based antioxidant activities. The two plants possess phytochemicals that have significant antioxidant properties.
A New Mathematical Model for Economic Ordering with Preventive Maintenance and Reworking in a Supply Chain
Authors: Ding Guolei , Kaliyaperumal Karthikeyan , Wang Xiaoguang
Published: March 2023

Cost reduction in production systems is one of the main concerns of most manufacturing industries. Achieving this goal requires the effective use of resources. Nowadays, due to the competitiveness of production and the need to reduce costs and deliver goods on time, equipment availability and prevention of unexpected stops are particularly important in industrial units. In recent years, equipment, machinery, and human resources have been the foundations of any organization. On the other hand, to increase the productivity and efficiency of providing services and achieve global standards, special attention should be paid to increase the efficiency of machinery and reducing downtime costs. This research conducted a mathematical formulation to find the best possible solution for the economic production quantity and inventory ordering by considering preventive maintenance. In this model, the success of organizations in providing services and increasing the quality depends on various reasons, such as maintenance and repair systems. In the proposed model, the defective items are considered, and the goal is to achieve an optimal amount of production in such a way that the costs of the entire system, including production cost, setup, maintenance, inspection, and rework costs, are minimized during a period per unit of time. The numerical results show that increasing the preventive maintenance periods leads to an upward trend in the total cost of the supply chain. Moreover, the sensitivity analysis shows that the longer the preventive maintenance on the machine, the higher reliability of the system as well as total costs will be achieved.
Potential of Palm Oil Fuel Ash as a Partial Replacement of Fine Aggregates for Improved Fresh and Hardened Mortar Performance
Authors: Zaimi Siti Adriana , Muhd Sidek Muhd Norhasri , Hashim Nor Hafida , Mohd Saman Hamidah , Putra Jaya Ramadhansyah , Marzuki Nur Ashikin
Published: March 2023

The growth of Malaysia has caused many industries to grow rapidly, especially construction industries due to the demand for more homes, buildings, and infrastructure. The production of concrete and mortar is highly requested. Therefore, the demand for fine aggregate becomes higher because fine aggregate is one of the main elements in concrete and mortar production. The high demand for fine aggregates will create a worrying situation where the fine aggregate crisis will worsen. An alternative was introduced to replace the fine aggregate known as palm oil fuel ash (POFA) in order to reduce the use of natural resources such as fine aggregates and lead to the reduction of fine aggregate mining activity. POFA produced from palm oil fibre, palm oil shell, and mesocarp at high temperature has no benefits in the commercial return. Thus, POFA that has accumulated in landfill has the ability to create environmental pollution. Due to the pozzolanic behaviour of POFA, it could be relevant when POFA is used in the production of mortar as a partially fine aggregate replacement. There is a limited study on the effects of POFA as a partially fine aggregate replacement in the production of mortar. The aim of this research is to study the effects of POFA on the workability of fresh mortar, and for the hardened mortar, compressive strength and microstructural analysis will be analysed. A total of 45 cubes with dimensions of 100 mm × 100 mm × 100 mm were cast at different percentages of POFA at 0%, 2.5%, 5%, 7.5%, and 10% by the weight of fine aggregates. Slump and flow table tests were conducted during the casting process to determine the workability. All the specimens were water cured at days 3, 7, and 28 before being tested with a compression test and scanning electron microscope (SEM) on the hardened mortar. It was discovered that 0% POFA recorded the highest workability. Furthermore, the laboratory results showed that the 2.5% POFA in the mortar recorded the highest compressive strength compared to other specimens. Moreover, the microstructure of the mortar specimen was observed to be denser, and the pores were refined with the presence of POFA, compared to the control specimen. Based on the findings, this research enables us to give an understanding of the effect of POFA incorporated in mortar as a partially fine aggregate replacement in terms of workability, compressive strength, and microstructural analysis. Based on the results from this research, the advantage of POFA can be fully utilized and can help reduce the environmental problems.
Specifications of the ACMG/AMP Variant Classification Guidelines for Germline DICER1 Variant Curation
Authors: Hatton Jessica N. , Frone Megan N. , Cox Hannah C. , Crowley Stephanie B. , Hiraki Susan , Yokoyama Noriko N. , Abul-Husn Noura S. , Amatruda James F. , Anderson Michael J. , Bofill-De Ros Xavier , Carr Ann G. , Chao Elizabeth C. , Chen Kenneth S. , Gu Shuo , Higgs Cecilia , Machado Jerry , Ritter Deborah , Schultz Kris Ann P. , Soper Emily R. , Wu Mona K. , Mester Jessica L. , Kim Jung , Foulkes William D. , Witkowski Leora , Stewart Douglas R.
Published: March 2023

Germline pathogenic variants in DICER1 predispose individuals to develop a variety of benign and malignant tumors. Accurate variant curation and classification are essential for reliable diagnosis of DICER1-related tumor predisposition and the identification of individuals who may benefit from surveillance. Since 2015, most labs have followed the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics and the Association for Molecular Pathology (ACMG/AMP) sequence variant classification guidelines for DICER1 germline variant curation. However, these general guidelines lack gene-specific nuances and leave room for subjectivity. Consequently, a group of DICER1 experts joined ClinGen to form the DICER1 and miRNA-Processing Genes Variant Curation Expert Panel (VCEP) to create DICER1-specific ACMG/AMP guidelines for germline variant curation. The VCEP followed the FDA-approved ClinGen protocol for adapting and piloting these guidelines. A diverse set of 40 DICER1 variants were selected for piloting, including 14 known pathogenic/likely pathogenic (P/LP) variants, 12 known benign/likely benign (B/LB) variants, and 14 variants classified as variants of uncertain significance (VUS) or with conflicting interpretations in ClinVar. Clinically meaningful classifications (i.e., P, LP, LB, or B) were achieved for 82.5% (33/40) of the pilot variants, with 100% concordance among the known P/LP and known B/LB variants. Half of the VUS or conflicting variants were resolved with four variants classified as LB and three as LP. These results demonstrate that the DICER1-specific guidelines for germline variant curation effectively classify known pathogenic and benign variants while reducing the frequency of uncertain classifications. Individuals and labs curating DICER1 variants should consider adopting this classification framework to encourage consistency and improve objectivity.
Internet of Things Enabled Intelligent Automation for Smart Home with the Integration of PSO Algorithm and PID Controller
Authors: Singh Rajesh , Gehlot Anita , Kuchhal Piyush , Choudhury Sushabhan , Akram Shaik Vaseem , Priyadarshi Neeraj , Khan Baseem
Published: March 2023

Currently, due to the widespread population growth, there is a widespread concern about an electricity shortage. As a result, smart devices have evolved and gained significant attention to reduce power consumption in home appliances due to electricity shortages. However, it lacks a universal remote control that can control home appliances based on environmental conditions. To overcome these challenges, this study proposed a hardware-based remote-control system that operates both in autonomous and semiautonomous modes to control home appliances based on environmental conditions. In the autonomous mode, the receiver section regulates the parameters under ambient conditions by varying the appliance’s applied voltage levels via a dimmer. The parameters in semiautonomous are monitored by the user via various levels of remote control. A 2.4 GHz RF modem is used to establish wireless personal network (WPAN) communication between the remote and the receiver. In addition, a Wi-Fi modem is built into the receiver to enable internet-based mobile applications to operate appliances. During the MATLAB analysis, a proportional integral derivative (PID) controller with a particle swarm optimization (PSO) method was found as a superior approach to control the home appliance with adequate environmental conditions. It is concluded from the MATLAB study that the PSO-PID controller delivered an energy saving of 14.88% for the heater, 36.9% for the exhaust fan, and 37.49% for the light bulb compared to the conventional appliances.
Figure S5D from Linking Physical Activity to Breast Cancer via Inflammation, Part 2: The Effect of Inflammation on Breast Cancer Risk
Authors: Lou Makayla W.C. , Drummond Ann E. , Swain Christopher T.V. , Milne Roger L. , English Dallas R. , Brown Kristy A. , van Roekel Eline H. , Skinner Tina L. , Moore Melissa M. , Gaunt Tom R. , Martin Richard M. , Lewis Sarah J. , Lynch Brigid M.
Published: March 2023

Supplementary Figure 5D presents the funnel plots from the meta-analysis of adiponectin and breast cancer risk
Supplemental Figure S6 from Deep Transcriptome Profiling of Multiple Myeloma Using Quantitative Phenotypes
Authors: Griffin Rosalie , Hanson Heidi A. , Avery Brian J. , Madsen Michael J. , Sborov Douglas W. , Camp Nicola J.
Published: March 2023

Time to first line treatment failure spectra score. A) Quantile-quantile plot. B) Gaussian mixture modeling to identify patients at high and low risk of early treatment failure. C) Patients in the spectra high-risk TTF (n = 31, 25 events) had median TTF of 9.2 months compared to low-risk patients (n = 736, 344 events) with median TTF of 32.8 months.
Table S2 from High-Throughput Peptide Arrays Identify Potential Diagnostic Autoantibody Signatures in Early-Stage Lung Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Luo Rongrong , Zhong Pei , Li Xiying , Cai Juan , Tao Yimin , Xiong Bangzhu , Zheng Hancheng , Zhang Zhishang , Tang Le , Yao Jiarui , Li Yingrui , Shi Yuankai , Han Xiaohong
Published: March 2023

Comparisons of positive rate between differential autoantibody signatures and tumor biomarkers in Early-LUAD.
Figure S2C from Linking Physical Activity to Breast Cancer via Inflammation, Part 2: The Effect of Inflammation on Breast Cancer Risk
Authors: Lou Makayla W.C. , Drummond Ann E. , Swain Christopher T.V. , Milne Roger L. , English Dallas R. , Brown Kristy A. , van Roekel Eline H. , Skinner Tina L. , Moore Melissa M. , Gaunt Tom R. , Martin Richard M. , Lewis Sarah J. , Lynch Brigid M.
Published: March 2023

Supplementary Figure 2C presents the funnel plot from the meta-analysis of TNF-alpha and breast cancer risk
Figure S1A from Linking Physical Activity to Breast Cancer via Inflammation, Part 2: The Effect of Inflammation on Breast Cancer Risk
Authors: Lou Makayla W.C. , Drummond Ann E. , Swain Christopher T.V. , Milne Roger L. , English Dallas R. , Brown Kristy A. , van Roekel Eline H. , Skinner Tina L. , Moore Melissa M. , Gaunt Tom R. , Martin Richard M. , Lewis Sarah J. , Lynch Brigid M.
Published: March 2023

Supplementary Figure 1A presents forest plots for CRP and breast cancer risk, by menopausal status
Table S8 from Diet Quality and All-Cause Mortality in Women with Breast Cancer from the Breast Cancer Family Registry
Authors: Haslam Danielle E. , John Esther M. , Knight Julia A. , Li Zhongyu , Buys Saundra S. , Andrulis Irene L. , Daly Mary B. , Genkinger Jeanine M. , Terry Mary Beth , Zhang Fang Fang
Published: March 2023

Table S8 Shows Hazard Ratios and 95% Confidence Intervals for Total Mortality in Women Diagnosed with Breast Cancer with or without Excluding People Reporting Post-Diagnosis Diet Less than 12 Month after Diagnosis
Table S6D from Linking Physical Activity to Breast Cancer Risk via Inflammation, Part 1: The Effect of Physical Activity on Inflammation
Authors: Swain Christopher T.V. , Drummond Ann E. , Milne Roger L. , English Dallas R. , Brown Kristy A. , Lou Makayla W.C. , Boing Leonessa , Bageley Amy , Skinner Tina L. , van Roekel Eline H. , Moore Melissa M. , Gaunt Tom R. , Martin Richard M. , Lewis Sarah J. , Lynch Brigid M.
Published: March 2023

Supplementary Table 6D presents findings of the prospective cohort study
Data from High-Throughput Peptide Arrays Identify Potential Diagnostic Autoantibody Signatures in Early-Stage Lung Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Luo Rongrong , Zhong Pei , Li Xiying , Cai Juan , Tao Yimin , Xiong Bangzhu , Zheng Hancheng , Zhang Zhishang , Tang Le , Yao Jiarui , Li Yingrui , Shi Yuankai , Han Xiaohong
Published: March 2023

AbstractBackground:
Early diagnosis is critical to lung adenocarcinoma patients’ survival but faces inadequacies in convenient early detection.
Methods:
We applied a comprehensive microarray of 130,000 peptides to detect “autoantibody signature” that is autoantibodies binding to mimotopes for early detection of stage 0–I LUAD. Plasma samples were collected from 147 early-stage lung adenocarcinoma (Early-LUAD), 108 benign lung disease (BLD), and 122 normal healthy controls (NHC). Clinical characteristics, low-dose CT (LDCT), and laboratory tests were incorporated into correlation analysis.
Results:
We identified 143 and 133 autoantibody signatures, distinguishing Early-LUAD from NHC/BLD in the discovery cohort. Autoantibody signatures significantly correlated with age, stage, tumor size, basophil count, and IgM level (P < 0.05). The random forest models based on differential autoantibody signatures displayed AUC of 0.92 and 0.87 to discern Early-LUAD from NHC/BLD in the validation cohort, respectively. Compared with LDCT, combining autoantibody signature and LDCT improved the positive predictive value from 50% to 78.33% (P = 0.049). In addition, autoantibody signatures displayed higher sensitivity of 72.4% to 81.0% compared with the combinational tumor markers (cyfra21.1, NSE, SCC, ProGRP) with a sensitivity of 22.4% (P = 0.000). Proteins matched by differential peptides were enriched in cancer-related PI3K/Akt, MAPK, and Wnt pathways. Overlaps between matched epitopes and autoantibody signatures illustrated the underlying engagement of autoantibodies in immune recognition.
Conclusions:
Collectively, autoantibody signatures identified by a high-throughput peptide microarray have the potential to detect Early-LUAD, which could assist LDCT to better diagnose Early-LUAD.
Impact:
Novel sensitive autoantibody signatures can adjuvant LDCT to better diagnose LUAD at very early stage.
Figure S1 from ADAM Metallopeptidase Domain 12 Facilitates Colorectal Cancer Progression by Inhibiting Hippo Signaling Pathway Activity
Authors: Wang XiaoPeng , Zhu Mo , Zuo Hao , Hou Guowei , Xie Rui
Published: March 2023

Figure S1. The correlation analysis between ADAM12 and YAP1. (A) The correlation analysis between ADAM12 and YAP1 in CRC based on the TCGA-COAD data. (B) The correlation analysis between ADAM12 and YAP1 in CRC patients. (C) CRC patients with high YAP1 expression showed markedly lower 2000-days survival than those with low YAP1 expression. (D) Western blot analysis of ADAM12 in T84 cells with YAP1 knockdown.
Dl-3-n-Butylphthalide Protects against Memory Deficits in Vascular Dementia Rats by Attenuating Pyroptosis via TLR-4/NF-κB Signaling Pathway
Authors: Li Qiang , Shen LinNa , Liang Peifen , Dong Yinhua , Fang Tao , Wang LiJun , Song YiJun
Published: March 2023

Introduction: Inflammation is closely associated with the pathogenesis of vascular dementia (VD). Dl-3-n-butylphthalide (NBP) is a small molecule compound extracted from the seeds of Chinese celery, which have anti-inflammatory properties in animal models of acute ischemia and patients with stroke. In this experiment, we studied the protective effects of NBP in a rat model of VD induced by permanent bilateral occlusion of the common carotid arteries and investigated the role of the TLR-4/NF-κB inflammatory signaling pathway in the pathology of VD. Methods: The Morris water maze test was used to evaluate cognitive deficits in the VD rats. Western blot, immunohistochemistry, and PCR analyses were used to analyze the molecular basis of the inflammatory response. Results: NBP significantly improved the learning and memory ability of VD rats. With regard to the protective mechanism, the results showed that NBP significantly downregulated the relative expression of Cleaved Cas-1/Cas-1 and Cleaved GSDMD/GSDMD. Moreover, NBP decreased the levels of the TLR-4 and NF-κB (P65) protein and phosphorylation of P65 in the hippocampus of VD rats via the TLR-4/NF-κB signaling pathway. Conclusion: These findings demonstrate that NBP protects against memory deficits in permanent bilateral common carotid artery occlusion-induced VD rats by attenuating pyroptosis via the TLR-4/NF-κB signaling pathway.
Recurrent Mutation (p.Arg718Pro) in the COMP Gene with Clinical Heterogeneity of Pseudoachondroplasia
Authors: Toral López Jaime , González Huerta Luz María
Published: March 2023

Introduction: Pseudoachondroplasia (PSACH) and multiple epiphyseal dysplasia (MED) are allelic and caused by mutations in the COMP gene. Other mutations in the genes MMP13, AIFM1, B3GALT6, MATN3, COL9A1, COL9A2, COL9A3, and SLC26A2 have also been associated with evidence of dysplasia in the epiphysis, metaphysis, and spine. Case Presentation: We report on the first Mexican patient diagnosed with PSACH. The diagnosis was confirmed by identifying a recurrent heterozygous mutation c.2153G>C (p.Arg718Pro) in the COMP gene using whole-exome sequencing. Discussion: The anterior spindle-shaped vertebral bodies and severe short stature are not observed in patients carrying p.Arg718Pro, identifying another amino acid site associated with clinical heterogeneity. Reporting new cases with clinical heterogeneity in terms of phenotype plays a crucial role in understanding PSACH and MED pathogenesis. The most important aspect of this presentation is providing a new perspective on a recognized clinical scenario, thus setting the standard for better genetic counseling.
Metformin in Hidradenitis Suppurativa: Is It Worth Pursuing Further?
Authors: Tsentemeidou Aikaterini , Vakirlis Efstratios , Papadimitriou Ilias , Ioannides Dimitrios , Sotiriou Elena
Published: March 2023

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) often coexists with obesity, metabolic syndrome, diabetes mellitus, or impaired glucose tolerance and insulin resistance and polycystic ovarian syndrome. Metformin is a medication used for the treatment of diabetes, acting in multiple ways. There is evidence that it decreases inflammatory cytokines, some of which are implicated in the pathogenesis of HS (TNF-α, IL-17). We performed a systematic review of data regarding the efficacy and safety of metformin for the treatment of HS. Four electronic databases (MEDLINE, ScienceDirect, Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov), as well as the abstracts compendia of major dermatologic congresses, were searched. A total of 133 patients received metformin for HS across 6 studies, 117 of whom received it as monotherapy. The great majority of participants were female, in their thirties and overweight or obese, with one study including only children. The efficacy tools employed varied widely. Four studies (106 patients) documented improvement, 1 documented treatment failure, and 1 had mixed results. Only mild and transient side effects were noted. Metformin has been tried in few HS patients with acceptable efficacy in a fair number of them. As it is generally well tolerated and reasonably priced, carefully designed clinical trials comparing it with placebo are worth performing.
Effect of Fentanyl for Preterm Infants on Mechanical Ventilation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Sudo Yosuke , Seki-Nagasawa Junko , Kajikawa Daigo , Kuratsuji Gen , Haga Mitsuhiro , Shokraneh Farhad , Yamaji Noyuri , Ota Erika , Namba Fumihiko
Published: March 2023

Introduction: Because excessive physical stress is harmful, reducing pain and discomfort in premature neonates during mechanical ventilation is a major challenge for physicians. There are no consensus and systematic review on the use of fentanyl, the most commonly used pain reliever in preterm neonates during mechanical ventilation. We aim to compare the benefits and harms of fentanyl versus placebo or no drug for preterm neonates receiving mechanical ventilation. Methods: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was conducted according to the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. The systematic review was reported using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement. Scientific databases such as MEDLINE, Embase, CENTRAL, and CINAHL were searched. All preterm infants on mechanical ventilation and enrolled in an RCT of fentanyl versus control were included. Results: Of 256 reports initially retrieved, 4 reports met the eligibility criteria. Fentanyl was not associated with mortality risk compared to the control (risk ratio: 0.72, 95% confidence intervals [CIs]: 0.36–1.44). No increase in ventilation duration (mean difference [MD]: 0.04, 95% CIs: −0.63–0.71) and no effect on hospital stay length (MD: 4.00, 95% CIs: −7.12–15.12) were found. Fentanyl intervention does not affect any other morbidities, including bronchopulmonary dysplasia, periventricular leukomalacia, patent ductus arteriosus, intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), severe IVH, sepsis, and necrotizing enterocolitis. Conclusion: The present systematic review and meta-analysis failed to demonstrate the benefit of administering fentanyl to preterm infants on mechanical ventilation in mortality and morbidities. Follow-up studies are required to investigate the long-term neurodevelopment of the children.
A 7-Day Decitabine-Included Conditioning Regimen Accelerated Donor Hematopoietic Engraftment while Reduced the Occurrence of Mucositis without Interfering with Prognosis
Authors: Shi Yuan Yuan , Su Long , Liu Zeng Yan , Cao Yi Geng , Chen Xin , Zhang Rong Li , Liu Qing Zhen , Yao Jian Feng , Zhai Wei Hua , Ma Qiao Ling , Jiang Er Lie , Han Ming Zhe
Published: March 2023

Introduction: Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) is the standard and curative treatment strategy for patients with hematologic malignancies. Recently, decitabine-included regimens have been investigated by several studies including ours, which may prevent relapse of primary malignant diseases. Methods: This study was to retrospectively evaluate a 7-day decitabine-included regimen with reduced dose of idarubicin for patients with hematologic malignancies who underwent allo-HSCT. Results: A total of 84 patients were enrolled, including 24 cases in 7-day and 60 cases in 5-day decitabine groups, respectively. Patients conditioned with 7-day decitabine regimen showed accelerated neutrophil (12.05 ± 1.97 vs. 13.86 ± 3.15; u = 9.309, p < 0.001) and platelet (16.32 ± 6.27 vs. 21.37 ± 8.57; u = 8.887, p < 0.001) engraftment compared with those treated with 5-day decitabine regimen. Patients in the 7-day decitabine group showed a significantly lower incidence rate of total (50.00% [12/24] versus 78.33% [47/60]; χ2 = 6.583, p = 0.010) and grade III or above (4.17% [1/24] vs. 31.67% [19/60]; χ2 = 7.147, p = 0.008) oral mucositis compared to those in the 5-day decitabine group. However, the occurrence of other major complications post-allo-HSCT and outcomes of patients in these two groups were comparable. Conclusion: These results demonstrate that this 7-day decitabine-contained new conditioning regimen seems to be feasible and safe for patients with myeloid neoplasms who receive allo-HSCT, and a large-scale prospective study is needed to confirm the findings of this study.
Diplopoda de Pirassununga II. Sobre um diplopodo termitófilo do planalto paulistano
Authors: Schubart Otto
Published: March 2023

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Alguns tipos de generos da ordem lepidoptera
Authors: D'Almeida R. Ferreira
Published: March 2023

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Testing Marx: Capital Accumulation, Income Inequality, and Socialism in Late Nineteenth-Century Germany
Authors: Bartels Charlotte , Kersting Felix , Wolf Nikolaus
Published: March 2023

We study the dynamics of capital accumulation, income inequality, capital concentration, and voting up to 1914. Based on new panel data for Prussian regions, we re-evaluate the famous Revisionism Debate between orthodox Marxists and their critics. We show that changes in capital accumulation led to a rise in the capital share and income inequality, as predicted by orthodox Marxists. But against their predictions, this did neither lead to further capital concentration nor to more votes for the socialists. Instead, trade unions and strike activity limited income inequality and fostered political support for socialism, as argued by the Revisionists.
Bringing Them In or Pushing Them Out? The Labor Market Effects of Pro-Cyclical Unemployment Assistance Changes
Authors: Domènech-Arumí Gerard , Vannutelli Silvia
Published: March 2023

We exploit an unanticipated labor market reform to estimate the effects of procyclical changes in long-term unemployment assistance (UA). In July 2012, Spain raised the minimum age to receive unlimited-duration UA from 52 to 55. Using a difference-in-differences design, we document that shorter benefits caused (1) shorter unemployment duration, especially among younger workers; (2) higher labor force exit and other programs’ take-up, especially among older workers; and (c) lower wages upon reemployment. The reform induced moderate government savings. Our results highlight the importance of considering the interplay with labor market conditions when designing long-term benefit schedules that affect workers close to retirement.