bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A primer for ZooMS applications in archaeology
Authors: Richter Kristine Korzow , Codlin Maria C. , Seabrook Melina , Warinner Christina
Published: May 2022

Collagen peptide mass fingerprinting by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry, also known as zooarchaeology by mass spectrometry (ZooMS), is a rapidly growing analytical technique in the fields of archaeology, ecology, and cultural heritage. Minimally destructive and cost effective, ZooMS enables rapid taxonomic identification of large bone assemblages, cultural heritage objects, and other organic materials of animal origin. As its importance grows as both a research and a conservation tool, it is critical to ensure that its expanding body of users understands its fundamental principles, strengths, and limitations. Here, we outline the basic functionality of ZooMS and provide guidance on interpreting collagen spectra from archaeological bones. We further examine the growing potential of applying ZooMS to nonmammalian assemblages, discuss available options for minimally and nondestructive analyses, and explore the potential for peptide mass fingerprinting to be expanded to noncollagenous proteins. We describe the current limitations of the method regarding accessibility, and we propose solutions for the future. Finally, we review the explosive growth of ZooMS over the past decade and highlight the remarkably diverse applications for which the technique is suited.
α1B/D-adrenoceptors regulate chemokine receptor–mediated leukocyte migration via formation of heteromeric receptor complexes
Authors: Enten Garrett A. , Gao Xianlong , Strzelinski Hannah R. , Weche McWayne , Liggett Stephen B. , Majetschak Matthias
Published: May 2022

Significance

Here we show that most chemokine receptors (CRs) form heteromeric complexes with α1-adrenergic receptors (ARs) in recombinant systems and that such heteromers are detectable in human monocytes and in the human monocytic leukemia cell line THP-1. Furthermore, we provide evidence that α1B/D-ARs control the function of their CR heteromerization partners. Our findings suggest that heteromeric complexes between α1B/D-ARs and CRs are necessary for normal function of CR heteromerization partners, indicate receptor heteromerization as a molecular mechanism by which stress hormones regulate leukocyte trafficking in health and disease, and offer opportunities to modulate leukocyte and/or cancer cell trafficking in disease processes.
On question words in Czech Sign Language
Authors: Strachoňová Hana
Published: May 2022

This paper investigates content questions and the paradigm of question words in Czech Sign Language (český znakový jazyk – ČZJ). While this topic has been investigated for a fair number of other sign languages, a comprehensive study for ČZJ is still missing. Our aim is to fill this gap. In the absence of a representative corpus for ČZJ, we use data from the most extensive electronic dictionary database (Dictio), developed at the Masaryk University in Brno. We offer a basic description of the ČZJ interrogative strategies for content questions. In doing so, we also situate the language within the typology of sign language interrogatives: we classify ČZJ as a language with a rich paradigm of question words, and we identify the basic syntactic position of question words as sentence-final. Furthermore, we outline three morphological types of ČZJ question words: simple, complex, and derived.
Effect of uneven temperature distribution on underwater computational ghost imaging
Authors: Wang Mengqian , Bai Yanfeng , Zou Xuanpengfan , Peng Mingda , Zhou Liyu , Fu Qin , Jiang Tongji , Fu Xiquan
Published: May 2022

The influence of uneven temperature distribution on imaging quality of computational ghost imaging (CGI) in the underwater environment is investigated experimentally. It is shown that as the water temperature increases, imaging quality presents a trend from deterioration to improvement. The results can be explained by the changes of the temperature difference between the upper and lower layers of underwater environment and laser spot travelling through the underwater environment. Moreover, the effect from different positions of the underwater environment with the same water temperature on CGI is also discussed.
A Detailed Study of Mode Changing and Modulation of PSR B1237+25 with FAST
Authors: Wang Zheng-Wu , Yuan Mao , Wang Lin , Zhang Cheng-Min , Peng Bo
Published: May 2022

PSR B1237+25, whose mean pulse profile has five components, is a well-known star to study pulsar emission geometries. We conducted mode changing and modulation analysis on this pulsar using FAST data at 1.25 GHz with a bandwidth of 400 MHz. We observed and identified three emission modes of this pulsar: a quiet normal mode that has little or no core activity with distinctive 2.8-period subpulse modulation on its outer cone, a flare normal mode in which the core is highly active and an abnormal mode in which the core is active and the last component is weak. We found that the core activity cuts off the position angle traverse in flare normal mode and leads to a position angle jumping in abnormal mode. We also found that there exists a quasi-periodical modulation on the outer conal components. Such modulation shows an irregular wave-like pattern, and has a weak correlation with the core component. We discuss the likely origin of such a modulation, and argue that this modulation can be interpreted as precession of the emission cones around the magnetic axis.
LTE-based passive forward scattering radar for drone detection and classification
Authors: Abdul Aziz N H , Mohd Fodzi M H , Mohd Shariff K K , Haron M A
Published: May 2022

Passive forward scattering radar is a system that consists of a transmitter that generates microwaves domain, and at the receiver part, receives LTE-based signal from the transmitter, which will result in the Doppler signature of any object. This system can actually be used for detecting the presence of guided missiles, human, aircraft and drone that pass through between the transmitter and receiver. For this study, the main objective is to detect a drone, which are mainly used by humans to trespass or enter secure and private areas. Recently, there have been a few cases of burglary in several states where they have made use of drones to monitor the owner of the house before entering that house. For that reason, this study can help to increase the security and protection against drone trespassing. Specifically, the detection of a drone was carried out by determining the Doppler signature of the drone at two different heights, which are 2 meters (lower) and 3 meters (upper) from the ground by using passive scattering radar. All of the experimental data collected from this study were processed using the MATLAB software to compare the result of drone detection at different heights through Principal Component Analysis (PCA) results. This analysis, from the upper and lower heights, shows a good detection and classification of the drone, however lower height indicated better performance in PCA and confusion matrices analysis. This is due to the bigger cross-sectional area for lower height compared to the upper height of drone that passed through the forward scatter region. This is useful for border protection and monitoring.
Design Strategies to Overcome EMI/EMC Issues of Airborne Receivers
Authors: Sarkar Mahadev , Raghu B R
Published: May 2022

This article describes various housing design strategies of a complex receiver system to overcome EMI/EMC challenges for airborne system applications. Isolation of leakage energy between various RF/DC-DC converters/Regulators/pulsing blocks are the key target of this design to keep conductive and radiative emission minimum. Hence, complex receiver design has been segregated into various modules. Block level design is carried out using 3D EM simulator to assess the leakage. Then they are stacked together very tactfully within the specified area without compromising inter-channel/module interference between them and the form factor respectively. The super compact stacks are further channelized for RF, DC supply, controls etc. and protected them from any kind of interferences. Low cost flexi interconnects are made to interface various stacks to arrest unwanted high/low frequency leakages. Finally, receiver module is developed and tested over temperature and EMI/EMC successfully to establish the methodology.
Detection and Classification of Target’s Speed and Size Using LTE-Based Passive Forward Scattering Radar
Authors: Abdul Aziz N H , Abdul Hadi M F , Abd Rahman N H , Alias A J , AL-Hiealy M R J
Published: May 2022

Radar is a system that uses radio waves to detect any objects that pass through the range of its system. The radar system must have two main components which are the transmitter and the receiver. The passive forward scattering radar is being used to detect the target’s speed and size. This passive radar uses the cell tower of Long-Term Evolution (LTE) as a transmitter and will illuminate any moving targets that pass through the system. The passive radar receiver which can be remotely placed will detect the scattered radiation of the target. The detection of the target is in a waveform called the Doppler signature. From the Doppler signature, the target’s speed and size can be classified according to its group. In this research, a different target has a different Doppler signature because every target’s body has a different body build. The differences in Doppler signature also can be detected when the target moves at different speeds. The study of different speed targets will relate to the relationship between the time and frequency theory. The data collection of Doppler signature is collected in three different places which are Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM, Shah Alam), Kampung Sungai Kajang (Tanjung Karang), and Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang (MAEPS) (Serdang). In conclusion, the LTE-based passive forward scattering radar system is applicable to detect and classify every target with different speed and size which is useful to the country’s border safety and security system.
Why total solar eclipses are important to science?
Authors: Tsvetkov Ts , Petrov N
Published: May 2022

Despite today we have plenty of opportunities for high-quality observations of the Sun from both Earth and space, total solar eclipses remain a rare chance to explore the corona, its features and various atmospheric phenomena. Members of our team took part of 5 out of 6 Bulgarian expeditions for total solar eclipse observations ever realized. In the current paper we summarize the tasks we fulfilled and the scientific results we obtained. Special attention is paid to the investigation of the shadow bands that accompanied the last eclipse we witnessed – on 2019 July 2.
Observational features of thin accretion disks around traversable wormholes
Authors: Deliyski V , Gyulchev G , Nedkova P , Yazadjiev S
Published: May 2022

We investigate the potential appearance of qualitatively new observational features of accretion disk images around compact objects. More specifcally we focus on a particular class of traversable wormholes, possessing a photon sphere. We discover that for certain solution parameters the shape of the images produced possesses distinct features that are not present for Kerr black holes. This provides potential avenues for diferentiating between compact objects based on observational data at the scale of the gravitational radius.
Observational features of hot spots on neutron stars with a photon sphere
Authors: Gyulchev Galin
Published: May 2022

We describe and illustrate light deflection near neutron stars possessing a photon sphere motivated by modern confirmations of general relativity and its significance for relativistic astrophysics. In this paper, we model the spacetime outside the star with the Schwarzschild metric and summarize the properties of the photon orbits. More especially we illustrate the relativistic appearance of the hot spots on the neutron star surfaces over the celestial screen of an asymptotic observer. We visualize the relativistic images of the neutron star surface for various ratios of neutron star radius to Schwarzschild radius. We establish a noticeable increscent of the visual size of ultra-compact neutron stars with a photon sphere, which could distinguish stars with extremely strong surface gravity with respect to less compact neutron stars. We found an appearance of additional relativistic images of the hot spots leading to a higher magnification of the neutron star luminosity emission regions.
Impact Point Determination of Gamma Interaction in a Monolithic Scintillator Crystal Read Out by a SiPM Matrix
Authors: Ivanov Svetoslav , Ivanov Simeon
Published: May 2022

We construct a simulation framework which can determine simultaneously deposited energy, position and time resolution of interactions of gamma rays in a monolithic scintillator crystal read out by a matrix of photosensitive detectors. And we report and discuss the simulation results form three different methods to determine the impact position of a particle.
Geomagnetic control of cosmic radiation and its impact on the irregularly distributed lower stratospheric ozone
Authors: Kilifarska N A , Peqini K
Published: May 2022

This article has two main objectives: (i) to elucidate the impact of non-dipolar part of geomagnetic field on the spatial distribution of cosmic radiation received over the globe, and (ii) to establish the influence of particles (with different origin and energies) on the atmospheric ozone profile. Our analyses show more evidence that lower stratospheric ozone at subtropics is sensitive to the radiation trapped by geomagnetic filed in Van-Allen radiation belts. At the same time, the high latitude ozone is vulnerable to the solar plasma, hitting the Earth after solar proton events.
Future trends of commercial In- Orbit Satellite Servicing, Active Debris Removal and End-Of Life services
Authors: PhD Stella Alexandrova
Published: May 2022

Space debris growth has become a major threat not only to satellites as well as to the safe operations of the International Space Station (ISS). In September 2021, there were more than 4,700 operational satellites, 36,5000 space debris objects larger than 10 cm and 1 000 000 pieces in the 1cm to 10 cm range. The total mass of all space objects in Earth Orbit is 9,600 tonnes[1]. The launches of Starlink, Amazon Kuiper and OneWeb satellite constellations will increase the threat of space debris collisions.

Satellite owners, operators, space agencies and commercial players owning the mega-constellations will need to find economically viable ways to inspect, refuel, augment, extend and manage the lifetime of their satellites. Some of the emerging trends taking place in the space industry are on- orbit satellite servicing, active debris removal services and end-of life services. With the technology demonstrations on orbit of Mission Extension Vehicles (MEV-1), MEV-2 and ELSA-d missions promising In Orbit Satellite (IOS), markets are emerging and expected to reach up to $ 6.2 bln by 2030[2]. The objective of this paper is to identify the role of Bulgarian organisations in the future emerging of in- orbital satellite (IOS) and space situational services markets. Bulgaria’s historical space competencies can contribute to the development of user-driven services/ solutions for space debris inspection, collision avoidance, space robotics and in- orbit servicing and assembly. By encouraging the creation of a new space eco-system in the domain of space debris and space situational awareness in South-Eastern Europe, Bulgarian companies and research organisations are bound to play an important role in the future space robotics markets.
Analysis of hyperspectral and multispectral reflectance spectra in the Black Sea coastal area near the Danube delta: comparison of PRISMA and Sentinel-2 observations
Authors: Gancheva Irina
Published: May 2022

In this study we investigate the possibility to distinguish between different water types in the Danube delta and the Black Sea coastal zone based on the reflectance spectra. For this we use hyperspectral satellite images from PRISMA (PRecursore IperSpettrale della Missione Applicativa) and multispectral images from Sentinel-2 MSI (MultiSpectral Instrument) in July 2020.

The visual inspection of the available acquisitions differentiates between four aquatic types: lagoons; river and stream plumes mixing with marine waters; turbid and optically complex coastal waters; and optically clean waters away from the shore. For each of the four types we determine the characteristic averaged reflectance spectra from PRISMA and Sentinel-2 for the spectral range from 400 nm to 2500 nm. It is found that Sentinel-2 spectra are very similar for the 4 water types, in contrast to the PRISMA spectra which give substantial additional information.

Further we analyse the gradual modification of the characteristic hyper- and multispectral spectra from the shoreline to the open sea (∼25 km distance) in 15 locations passing through areas of varying turbidity. We demonstrate that the intensity of surface reflectance from the hyperspectral instrument decreases gradually with distance from shoreline, clearly showing the transition zone between riverine and marine water. The multispectral reflectance spectra for the same study areas did not present such consistent behaviour.

The presented results demonstrate the benefits of hyperspectral over multispectral images for turbid aquatic regions in the Black Sea coastal zone. They show that with little requirements regarding pre-processing and computational resources hyperspectral data can contribute greatly to classification of water types, in respect of their turbidity.
Surface impacts of large offshore wind farms
Authors: Golbazi Maryam , Archer Cristina L , Alessandrini Stefano
Published: May 2022

Future offshore wind farms around the world will be built with wind turbines of size and capacity never seen before (with diameter and hub height exceeding 150 and 100 m, respectively, and rated power exceeding 10 MW). Their potential impacts at the surface have not yet been studied. Here we conduct high-resolution numerical simulations using a mesoscale model with a wind farm parameterization and compare scenarios with and without offshore wind farms equipped with these ‘extreme-scale’ wind turbines. Wind speed, turbulence, friction velocity, and sensible heat fluxes are slightly reduced at the surface, like with conventional wind turbines. But, while the warming found below the rotor in stable atmospheric conditions extends to the surface with conventional wind turbines, with extreme-scale ones it does not reach the surface, where instead minimal cooling is found. Overall, the surface meteorological impacts of large offshore wind farms equipped with extreme-scale turbines are statistically significant but negligible in magnitude.
Concrete consoles impact to a masonry walls building with a large hall at the top story and a lightweight timber roof
Authors: Constantinescu S
Published: May 2022

The paper studies the behavior of a medium height masonry walls building, placed in Satu Mare (Romania). It contains large balcony consoles and a large hall at the top story, covered by a timber roof. The roof trusses sit at both ends on the external walls. The study’s purpose is to determine the importance of large slab consoles and walls buttresses at the top story, for the structure. The paper compares the structure’s behavior in 3 cases. The first contains both large consoles and wall spurs, the second only incorporates pier buttresses and the third holds just the balcony consoles. The structure’s behavior for both the elastic and plastic stage is compared for the 3 cases. The plastic stage shows the bending moment’s distribution in slabs and stresses in masonry walls during stages when they surpass the masonry strengths. The plastic hinges development at structure collapse and the pushover diagrams for each case along with the results interpretation are presented. A nonlinear analysis is done for the timber roof also, for both orthogonal directions. The study shows both large consoles and halls at the top floor are appropriate for masonry structures, if designed correctly.
Plane shape impact to non-bearing masonry walls in a high rise reinforced concrete walls building
Authors: Constantinescu S
Published: May 2022

Nowadays, due to architectural necessities, structures have emerged in many different plane shapes, such as U, V, L T and others. It is important to establish if a nonrectangular shape causes important changes both for the bearing and non-bearing elements, compared to a rectangular one. The paper shows the impact a buildings shapes on the partitioning walls. For this paper the structures in study are two high rise reinforced concrete walls buildings placed in a high seismic area (Bucharest, Romania). The partitioning walls are made of masonry. Both bearing and non-bearing walls are the same for both buildings. They are just placed in different locations, so that the structures have different shapes in plan. One has the shape of an I and the other of a V. The paper studies the buildings behavior in both cases. The masonry walls stresses are analysed for both the elastic and plastic stage. The conclusion is that in this case, for these shapes, the non-bearing walls are not affected very much by the building’s plane shape.
Assessing the vulnerability of buildings to floods in the lower sector of Slănic River. Case Study of Cernăteşti village, Buzău County, Romania
Authors: Costache R , Popescu C , Barbulescu A
Published: May 2022

Assessing the vulnerability of buildings is very important to determine the settlements affected by floods since authorities can take measures before actual flooding takes place. The present research aims to identify areas affected by flooding in Cernăteşti. The village is located in an area where floods are favored by the elongated shape of the catchment, the horizontal slope, relatively small distance between the hills bordering the valley, water accumulation resulting from flash floods formed upstream, and heavy local rainfall. Field observations, GIS techniques, and mathematical calculations have been used in this research. Flood simulations have been made to determine the degree (number of houses and roads affected, estimated losses in lei) of impact at flows with different probabilities of exceedance (10%, 5%, 2%, and 1%). Depending on the exposure, calculated using factors like distance from the river or construction material, the buildings on the left bank of Slănic are more affected and the flooded area is more extensive. Buildings in the south-eastern, north-eastern, and north-western parts of the flooded area are highly vulnerable, but most of the other settlements are less vulnerable.
Numerical model validation of non-composite slim floor beam subjected to fire
Authors: Duma D , Zaharia R , Pintea D , Both I
Published: May 2022

Compared to traditional composite steel-concrete beams, where the concrete slab is supported by the top flange of a steel profile, in slim floor systems, the beam is integrated into the height of the concrete slab. These configurations are popular due to their cost-effectiveness and fire performance. However, fire design requires advanced calculation models, as Eurocodes do not provide a simplified method for the analysis of these types of beams when exposed to fire. The validation of the numerical models is an important issue for researchers, designers, software developers, and authorities. The European Standard for the fire design of composite steel and concrete structures, EN 1994-1-2, states that advanced calculation models must be validated against experimental test results. The paper presents the validation of a numerical model, for the thermal and mechanical analysis of slim floor beams, using SAFIR software. SAFIR is a special purpose computer program, based on the Finite Element Method, developed for the analysis of structures under elevated temperature conditions. The model is validated against an existing experimental fire test, available in the literature. The temperatures on the cross-section and the vertical beam displacements obtained numerically are reproducing very well the experimental results.
Stiffness analysis of rolling bearing for concrete mixer
Authors: Wang Z , He W Z , Niu S Q
Published: May 2022

According to the rolling bearing geometry, the basic principle of kinematics and Hertz elastic contact theory, eccentric mass of mixing shaft, the centrifugal force of steel ball and gyroscopic moment are considered and the dynamic model of angular contact ball bearing is established in this paper. Using this model, the effects of preload, radial load and rotating speed on bearing stiffness and system dynamic characteristics are analyzed in detail. The results show that with the increase of radial load, the axial static stiffness decreases, while the radial stiffness increases gradually, and the increasing trend of radial static stiffness is more obvious than that of axial static stiffness. The increase of rotating speed will soften the stiffness of the bearing. The natural frequencies of each order of the system show a downward trend with the increase of rotating speed.
Completeness of 𝑝-Weil-Petersson distance
Authors: Yanagishita Masahiro
Published: May 2022

Our goal of this paper is to research the completeness of the

p
p

 -Weil-Petersson distance, which is induced by the

p
p

 -Weil-Petersson metric on the

p
p

 -integrable Teichmüller space of hyperbolic Riemann surfaces. As a result, we see that the metric is incomplete for all the hyperbolic Riemann surfaces with Lehner’s condition except for the ones that are conformally equivalent to either the unit disk or the punctured unit disk. The proof is based on the one by Wolpert’s original paper, which is given in the case of compact Riemann surfaces.
The Features of 24-Hour Urine and Paired Serum Electrolytes in Hypertensive Patients With Primary Aldosteronism
Authors: Wang Meng-hui , Cai Li , Luo Qin , Zhang De-lian , Hu Jun-li , Zhang Wei-wei , Zhao Jian-wen , Li Nan-fang
Published: May 2022

Background

To investigate the features of 24-hour urine and paired serum electrolytes in hypertensive patients with primary aldosteronism (PA).

Methods

A total of 764 hypertensive patients, who underwent PA screening and completed the measurement of 24-hour urine and paired serum electrolytes from January 2009 to January 2014 at the Hypertension Center of People’s Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, were included. Of which, 135 patients were diagnosed with PA, whereas 629 patients were non-PA patients.

Results

Compared with the non-PA group, serum potassium (3.66 ± 0.41 vs. 3.86 ± 0.37 mmol/L), serum phosphorus (1.08 ± 0.16 vs. 1.16 ± 0.19 mmol/L), and calcium–phosphorus product (29.7 ± 5.2 vs. 32.4 ± 6.9 mg2/dL2) were lower in the PA group, while urine potassium (41.5, 31.6–52.4 vs. 35.9, 27.7–46.3 mmol/L), urine calcium (6.0, 4.5–8.1 vs. 5.2, 3.9–6.9 mmol/L), urine magnesium (3.8, 3.1–5.0 vs. 3.5, 2.7–4.6 mmol/L), the ratio of blood sodium to urine sodium divided by the ratio of blood potassium squared to urine potassium (SUSPPUP) (2.48, 1.71–3.95 vs. 1.96, 1.39–2.73) were higher in PA group (P < 0.01). Hypokalemia, hypocalcemia, urinary potassium > 54.1 mmol/L, urinary calcium > 7.5 mmol/L, and calcium–phosphorus product < 35 mg2/dL2 were more frequently observed in PA patients (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

In addition to hypokalemia and hypocalcemia, hypertensive patients with PA have higher urinary potassium, magnesium, calcium excretion but lower serum phosphorus. Their electrolyte characteristics show a higher SUSPPUP ratio and a lower calcium–phosphorus product.
Iridescence untwined: honey bees can separate hue variations in space and time
Authors: Ng Leslie , Ospina-Rozo Laura , Garcia Jair E , Dyer Adrian G , Stuart-Fox Devi
Published: May 2022

Iridescence is a phenomenon whereby the hue of a surface changes with viewing or illumination angle. Many animals display iridescence but it currently remains unclear whether relevant observers process iridescent color signals as a complex collection of colors (spatial variation), or as moving patterns of colors and shapes (temporal variation). This is important as animals may use only the spatial or temporal component of the signal, although this possibility has rarely been considered or tested. Here, we investigated whether honey bees could separate the temporal and spatial components of iridescence by training them to discriminate between iridescent disks and photographic images of the iridescent patterns presented by the disks. Both stimuli therefore contained spatial color variation, but the photographic stimuli do not change in hue with varying angle (no temporal variation). We found that individual bee observers could discriminate the variable patterns of iridescent disks from static photographs during unrewarded tests. Control experiments showed that bees reliably discriminated iridescent disks from control silver disks, showing that bees were processing chromatic cues. These results suggest that honey bees could selectively choose to attend to the temporal component of iridescent signals to make accurate decisions.
RBP-TSTL is a two-stage transfer learning framework for genome-scale prediction of RNA-binding proteins
Authors: Peng Xinxin , Wang Xiaoyu , Guo Yuming , Ge Zongyuan , Li Fuyi , Gao Xin , Song Jiangning
Published: May 2022

RNA binding proteins (RBPs) are critical for the post-transcriptional control of RNAs and play vital roles in a myriad of biological processes, such as RNA localization and gene regulation. Therefore, computational methods that are capable of accurately identifying RBPs are highly desirable and have important implications for biomedical and biotechnological applications. Here, we propose a two-stage deep transfer learning-based framework, termed RBP-TSTL, for accurate prediction of RBPs. In the first stage, the knowledge from the self-supervised pre-trained model was extracted as feature embeddings and used to represent the protein sequences, while in the second stage, a customized deep learning model was initialized based on an annotated pre-training RBPs dataset before being fine-tuned on each corresponding target species dataset. This two-stage transfer learning framework can enable the RBP-TSTL model to be effectively trained to learn and improve the prediction performance. Extensive performance benchmarking of the RBP-TSTL models trained using the features generated by the self-supervised pre-trained model and other models trained using hand-crafting encoding features demonstrated the effectiveness of the proposed two-stage knowledge transfer strategy based on the self-supervised pre-trained models. Using the best-performing RBP-TSTL models, we further conducted genome-scale RBP predictions for Homo sapiens, Arabidopsis thaliana, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella and established a computational compendium containing all the predicted putative RBPs candidates. We anticipate that the proposed RBP-TSTL approach will be explored as a useful tool for the characterization of RNA-binding proteins and exploration of their sequence–structure–function relationships.
Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Patients’ Supportive Care Needs—A Social Work Perspective
Authors: Gualthérie van Weezel Anne E , Husson Olga , Zilver Sanne J M , van der Laan Elsbeth J H M , Koch Sonja , van Klinken Merel , van der Graaf Winette T A , Sleeman Sophia H E , Kunst Judith C E M , de Geus Jenneke E , Bleiker Eveline M A
Published: May 2022

The purpose of this study was to identify (unmet) needs from a social work perspective of Adolescents and Young Adults (AYAs; aged eighteen to thirty-nine years) treated for cancer. The biopsychosocial model was used as framework to investigate the (unmet) needs of the AYAs. AYAs within two years after their cancer diagnosis were invited to participate in an interview. In addition, case studies were presented. Nine AYAs agreed to participate in the interviews. All respondents struggled with the rehabilitation and ‘post cancer’ phase and the impact of the treatment on their physical, sexual and psychological well-being. AYAs with an active desire to have children mentioned lack of information about the options of fertility preservation. The respondents would recommend psychosocial support for their peer AYAs, despite the absence of a need themselves. Themes such as lack of control, social economic (financial) status and existential issues were less prominent. Social workers should standardly be involved in the hospitals’ care path throughout the disease continuum: starting at diagnosis, continuing throughout treatment, and importantly, also in the rehabilitation phase and end-of-life care. The biopsychosocial model can serve as a tool to support the social worker in the counselling of these AYAs.
Sex-specific lipid dysregulation in the Abca7 knockout mouse brain
Authors: Fu YuHong , He Ying , Phan Katherine , Pickford Russell , Kim Young-Bum , Dzamko Nicolas , Halliday Glenda M. , Kim Woojin Scott
Published: May 2022

Alzheimer’s disease is a devastating neurodegenerative disease that affects more women than men. The pathomechanism underlying the sex disparity, especially in the brain, is unclear. ABCA7 is one of the strongest susceptibility genes for Alzheimer’s disease. It mediates the transport of lipids across membranes and is associated with pathways related to amyloid-β neuropathology. However, the role of ABCA7 in the regulation of brain lipids is largely unknown. Sex-specific differences in the pathological link between brain lipid dysregulation and amyloid-β are also unknown. Here, we undertook quantitative discovery lipidomics of male and female Abca7 knockout (n = 52) and wild type (n = 35) mouse brain using sophisticated liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry. We identified 61 lipid subclasses in the mouse brain and found sex-specific differences in lipids that were altered with Abca7 deletion. The altered lipids belong to cellular pathways that control cell signalling, sterol metabolism, mitochondrial function and neuroprotection. We also investigated the relationship between lipids and amyloid-β levels in the Abca7 knockout mice and found elevated free cholesterol only in female mice that was significantly correlated with amyloid-β42 levels. In male Abca7 knockout mice, the neuroprotective ganglioside GD1a levels were elevated and inversely correlated with amyloid-β42 levels. Collectively, these results demonstrate that Abca7 deletion leads to sex-specific lipid dysregulation in the brain, providing insight into the underlying sex disparity in the aetiology of Alzheimer’s disease.
CSF-1R inhibitor, pexidartinib, sensitizes esophageal adenocarcinoma to PD-1 immune checkpoint blockade in a rat model
Authors: Omstead Ashten N , Paskewicz Michael , Gorbunova Anastasia , Zheng Ping , Salvitti Madison S , Mansoor Rubab , Reed Payton , Ballengee Sydne , Wagner Patrick L , Jobe Blair A , Kelly Ronan J , Zaidi Ali H
Published: May 2022

Esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) is a leading cause of cancer deaths. Pexidartinib, a multi-gene tyrosine kinase inhibitor, through targeting colony-stimulating factor 1 (CSF-1) receptor (CSF-1R), down modulates macrophage-mediated pro-survival tumor signaling. Previously, CSF-1R inhibitors have successfully shown to enhance antitumor activity of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors by suppressing tumor immune evasion, in solid tumors. In this study, we investigated the antitumor activity of pexidartinib alone or in combination with blockade of PD-1 in a de novo EAC rat model. Here, we showed limited toxicity with significant tumor shrinkage in pexidartinib treated animals compared to controls, single agent and in combination with a PD-1 inhibitor, AUNP-12. Suppression of CSF-1/CSF-1R axis resulted in enhanced infiltration of CD3 + CD8 + T cells with reduced M2 macrophage polarization, in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Endpoint tissue gene expression in pexidartinib treated animals demonstrated upregulation of BAX, Cas3, TNFα, IFNγ and IL6 and downregulation of Ki67, IL13, IL10, TGFβ and Arg1 (P < 0.05). Additionally, among the pexidartinib treated animals responders compared to nonresponders demonstrated a significant upregulation of pretreatment CSF-1 gene, confirming that tumor-associated macrophage suppression directly translates to clinical benefit. Moreover, a posttreatment serum cytokine assay exhibited similar systemic trends as the gene expression in the TME, depicting increases in proinflammatory cytokines and decreases in anti-inflammatory cytokines. In conclusion, our study established a promising combinatorial strategy using a CSF-1R inhibitor to overcome resistance to PD-1/PD-L1 axis blockade in an EAC model, providing the rationale for future clinical strategies.
Layer-specific distribution and expression pattern of AMPA- and NMDA-type glutamate receptors in the barrel field of the adult rat somatosensory cortex: a quantitative electron microscopic analysis
Authors: Rollenhagen Astrid , Anstötz Max , Zimmermann Kerstin , Kasugai Yu , Sätzler Kurt , Molnar Elek , Ferraguti Francesco , Lübke Joachim H R
Published: May 2022

AMPA (α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid) and NMDA (N-methyl-d-aspartate) glutamate receptors are driving forces for synaptic transmission and plasticity at neocortical synapses. However, their distribution pattern in the adult rat neocortex is largely unknown and was quantified using freeze fracture replication combined with postimmunogold-labeling. Both receptors were co-localized at layer (L)4 and L5 postsynaptic densities (PSDs). At L4 dendritic shaft and spine PSDs, the number of gold grains detecting AMPA was similar, whereas at L5 shaft PSDs AMPA-receptors outnumbered those on spine PSDs. Their number was significantly higher at L5 vs. L4 PSDs. At L4 and L5 dendritic shaft PSDs, the number of gold grains detecting GluN1 was ~2-fold higher than at spine PSDs. The number of gold grains detecting the GluN1-subunit was higher for both shaft and spine PSDs in L5 vs. L4. Both receptors showed a large variability in L4 and L5. A high correlation between the number of gold grains and PSD size for both receptors and targets was observed. Both receptors were distributed over the entire PSD but showed a layer- and target-specific distribution pattern.

The layer- and target-specific distribution of AMPA and GluN1 glutamate receptors partially contribute to the observed functional differences in synaptic transmission and plasticity in the neocortex.
A Fuzzy Inference-Based Decision Support System for Disease Diagnosis
Authors: Alam Talha Mahboob , Shaukat Kamran , Khelifi Adel , Aljuaid Hanan , Shafqat Malaika , Ahmed Usama , Nafees Sadeem Ahmad , Luo Suhuai
Published: May 2022

Disease diagnosis is an exciting task due to many associated factors. Inaccuracy in the measurement of a patient’s symptoms and the medical expert’s expertise has some limitations capacity to articulate cause affects the diagnosis process when several connected variables contribute to uncertainty in the diagnosis process. In this case, a decision support system that can assist clinicians in developing a more accurate diagnosis has a lot of potentials. This work aims to deploy a fuzzy inference-based decision support system to diagnose various diseases. Our suggested method distinguishes new cases based on illness symptoms. Distinguishing symptomatic disorders becomes a time-consuming task in most cases. It is critical to design a system that can accurately track symptoms to identify diseases using a fuzzy inference system (FIS). Different coefficients were used to predict and compute the severity of the predicted diseases for each sign of disease. This study aims to differentiate and diagnose COVID-19, typhoid, malaria and pneumonia. The FIS approach was utilized in this study to determine the condition correlating with input symptoms. The FIS method demonstrates that afflictive illness can be diagnosed based on the symptoms. Our decision support system’s findings showed that FIS might be used to identify a variety of ailments. Doctors, patients, medical practitioners and other healthcare professionals could benefit from our suggested decision support system for better diagnosis and treatment.
Outcomes following cardiac sympathetic denervation in patients with structural heart disease and refractory ventricular arrhythmia
Authors: König Sebastian , Schröter Thomas , Borger Michael A , Bertagnolli Livio , Nedios Sotirios , Darma Angeliki , Hindricks Gerhard , Arya Arash , Dinov Borislav
Published: May 2022

Aim

Cardiac sympathetic denervation (CSD) has been introduced as a bailout therapy in patients with structural heart disease and refractory ventricular arrhythmias (VAs), but available data are scarce. Purpose of this study was to estimate immediate results, complications, and mid-term outcomes of CSD following recurrent VA after catheter ablation.

Methods and results

Adult patients who underwent CSD in the Heart Center Leipzig from March 2017 to February 2021 were retrospectively analysed. Follow-up (FU) was executed via implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) interrogation, telephone interviews, and reviewing medical records. Twenty-one patients (age 63.7 ± 14.4 years, all men, 71.4% non-ischaemic cardiomyopathy, left ventricular ejection fraction 31.6 ± 12.6%) received CSD via video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (90.5% bilateral, 9.5% left-sided only). Indication for CSD was monomorphic ventricular tachycardia in 76.2% and ventricular fibrillation in 23.8 with 71.4% of patients presenting with electrical storm before index hospitalization. Procedure-related major complications occurred in 9.5% of patients. In-hospital adverse events not related to surgery were common (28.6%) and two patients died during the index hospital stay. During FU (mean duration 9.1 ± 6.5 months), five more patients died. Of the remaining patients, 38.5 and 76.9% were free from any VA or ICD shocks, respectively.

Conclusions

The CSD showed additional moderate efficacy to suppress VAs, when performed as a bailout therapy after previously unsuccessful catheter ablation. At 9 months, it was associated with freedom of ICD shocks in two-thirds of patients. In a population with many comorbidities, the rate of CSD-related complications was acceptable, although there was an overall high risk of procedure unrelated adverse events and death.
Use of instant messaging in electrophysiological clinical practice in Latin America: a LAHRS survey
Authors: de Oliveira Figueiredo Márcio Jansen , Cuesta Alejandro , Duncker David , Boveda Serge , Guerra Federico , Márquez Manlio F
Published: May 2022

Aims

Instant messaging (IM) platforms are a prominent component of telemedicine and a practical tool for sharing clinical data and counselling. Purpose of the survey was to inquire about the use of IM, the platforms used, frequency, recipients, and contents in Latin America region.

Methods and results

An online survey was sent to medical community via newsletter and social media channels. The survey consisted in 22 questions, in Spanish and Portuguese, collected on SurveyMonkey. A total of 125 responders from 13 Latin-American countries (79% male, mean age 46.1 ± 9.7 years) completed the survey. Most of the responders declared that they send (88.8%) and receive (97.6%) clinical data through IM apps. Most senders declare that they anonymize clinical data before sending (71.0 ± 38.3%), but that the data received is anonymized only in 51.4 ± 33.5%. The most common tests shared with other physicians were 12-lead electrocardiograms (99.2%), followed by Holter recordings (68.0%) and tracings from electrophysiological studies (63.2%). The majority (55.2%) said that are unaware of legal data protection rules in their countries.

Conclusions

IM apps are used by medical professionals worldwide to share and discuss clinical data and are preferred to many other methods of data sharing and are often used to share many different types of clinical data. They are perceived as a fast and easy way of communication, but medical professionals should be aware of the appropriate use of IM to prevent legal and privacy issues.
GWAS of thyroid dysgenesis identifies a risk locus at 2q33.3 linked to regulation of Wnt signaling
Authors: Narumi Satoshi , Opitz Robert , Nagasaki Keisuke , Muroya Koji , Asakura Yumi , Adachi Masanori , Abe Kiyomi , Sugisawa Chiho , Kühnen Peter , Ishii Tomohiro , Nöthen Markus M , Krude Heiko , Hasegawa Tomonobu
Published: May 2022

Congenital hypothyroidism due to thyroid dysgenesis (TD), presented as thyroid aplasia, hypoplasia or ectopia, is one of the most prevalent rare diseases with an isolated organ malformation. The pathogenesis of TD is largely unknown, although a genetic predisposition has been suggested. We performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) with 142 Japanese TD cases and 8380 controls and found a significant locus at 2q33.3 (top single nucleotide polymorphism, rs9789446: P = 4.4 × 10−12), which was replicated in a German patient cohort (P = 0.0056). A subgroup analysis showed that rs9789446 confers a risk for thyroid aplasia (per allele odds ratio = 3.17) and ectopia (3.12) but not for hypoplasia. Comprehensive epigenomic characterization of the 72-kb disease-associated region revealed that it was enriched for active enhancer signatures in human thyroid. Analysis of chromosome conformation capture data showed long-range chromatin interactions of this region with promoters of two genes, FZD5 and CCNYL1, mediating Wnt signaling. Moreover, rs9789446 was found to be a thyroid-specific quantitative trait locus, adding further evidence for a cis-regulatory function of this region in thyroid tissue. Specifically, because the risk rs9789446 allele is associated with increased thyroidal expression of FDZ5 and CCNYL1 and given the recent demonstration of perturbed early thyroid development following overactivation of Wnt signaling in zebrafish embryos, an enhanced Wnt signaling in risk allele carriers provides a biologically plausible TD mechanism. In conclusion, our work found the first risk locus for TD, exemplifying that in rare diseases with relatively low biological complexity, GWAS may provide mechanistic insights even with a small sample size.