bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
WLAN Access Points Channel Assignment Strategy for Indoor Localization Systems in Smart Sustainable Cities
Authors: Khattak Sohaib Bin Altaf , Nasralla Moustafa M. , Marey Mohamed , Esmail Maged Abdullah , Jia Min , Umair Mir Yasir
Published: July 2022

The idea of smart and sustainable cities is incomplete without using information and communication technologies. Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) plays a vital role in connecting different services, transferring data and providing indoor localization. WLAN fingerprinting technique has become the most common approach for indoor localization in smart cities. This technique utilizes received signal strength (RSS) and channel status from the installed WLAN Access Points (AP). Currently, WLAN planning relies on the site survey, which is laborious and uneconomical for large areas. The WLAN has a limited number of channels assigned in the frequency reuse strategy. An inefficient channel assignment strategy will lead towards increased interference, thus degrading the overall service. This paper proposes a WLAN channel assignment strategy for large and crowded indoor areas. The proposed scheme assigns the channels to installed APs for indoor localization in fingerprinting framework. The proposed technique ensures that the proposed AP channel assignment algorithm in our network-planning scheme mitigates interference.
Assessing heritage reuse interventions in the Gulf Countries
Authors: Mazzetto S
Published: July 2022

The extraordinary developments and massive urban growth that have plasmid many Gulf countries due to the massive oil exportation have raised many questions regarding the directions of change for many new global cities in the Middle East Regions post-oil era. Discussing the consequences of rapid urbanization and ongoing developments, which have led to a general loss of identity in the Gulf regions, there is a robust ongoing dispute that confronts the desire to build new contemporary cities and the instinctive social need to preserve and re-qualify historical heritage as a precious tool for establishing new relationships with local history and culture. The paper describes, classifies, and compares some exemplary projects for preserving historical heritage in the Gulf countries, with particular attention to the Saudi Arabia heritage. The interventions were analyzed and compared, considering the sustainable aspects linked to the local heritage's environmental, socio-economic, and socio-cultural principles. As a cultural, social, and environmental value, sustainability is one of the most distinctive principles that should be applied to the entire heritage restoration and conservation process, promoting its enhancement, especially in the post-oil era. The results highlight many links between the conservation of ancient natural materials of the historical heritage, the promotion of cultural and social values, the adaptation techniques to the climate, the synergy with the existing historic buildings environment, enhancing the high level of sustainability and environmental respect for local culture and traditional construction techniques.
Reading of Yas Island 2020 Master Plan in Terms of Accessibility and Walkability by Using Space Syntax
Authors: Meziani Dr. Rim , AlRifai Duaa
Published: July 2022

The concept of walkability in cities has been spreading wider with time and even more rapidly during the past decade. Due to several factors, including climate change and human wellbeing, expanding the walkability within cities as a substitute for vehicular means of transportation has become a very noticeable change in cities around the world, and in Abu Dhabi city in specific. When it comes to entertainment and tourist destinations, walkability plays as a main factor in enhancing the experience of the users in that area of the city. Yas Island has become one of the main focal points in Abu Dhabi city, and the various and important landmarks, mostly recreational, are placed on the island adjacently and very close to each other, with the hospitality facilities, in a way that encourages the factor of walkability to be added, and therefore enhancing the overall experience of the visitors within the island. The most common Axial Map analysis methods of a street network that were used are Integration, Choice, Mean Depth, and Connectivity, and space syntax is based on four those basic conceptions of space. Using a program named 'DepthmapX,' that was built on mathematical methods and geographical computer technology, we ran different simulations on Yas Island 2020 street network map to get the four main axial maps. In the context of the island being an urban and dynamic system, the study focuses on simulations of street networks as well as spatial integration for urban walkable regions of different areas of the island. The analysis, at the beginning, aimed to read the simulations to translate the findings, then went in depth on highlighted areas on the street network maps that had critical information that identifies zones for improvement related walkability and spatial integration. The outcome of the analysis, the streets that circulate and revolve around Yas Island's major tourist attractions become extremely segregated and less interconnected. To reach the surrounding closeted tourist attraction it is easy to reach by foot, yet difficult across the island with such hot weather in Abu Dhabi. It also calls for the revision of currently vacant property and the reconsideration of high-connectivity regions, which were originally intended to be solely residential neighborhoods, into more public and communal spaces. This paper demonstrates the usability of space syntax in defining/assessing the accessibility of spaces, its role and importance in mobility and urban planning for the case of Abu Dhabi.
The role of architectural reconstruction in a post-war context: the case of Mosul
Authors: Chizzoniti D , Lolli T , Scotto G
Published: July 2022

This work addresses the topic of architectural reconstruction in a post-war context, in this case in Mosul, Iraq. Heavily damaged during the war against ISIS, the city faces the immense task of cleaning, restructuring, and rebuilding. The damaged buildings are diverse, but the ancient monuments require specific care as they carry the memory and the heritage of a traumatized community. Both in the cases of partial or complete destruction, the architectural intervention needs to face both cultural and the preservation dimensions of reconstruction. This approach is based on interventions in strategic neuralgic points for the community life such as the market, a religious structure, and the baths. These symbolic spaces host the social, economic, and religious activities that gather the inhabitants. They are also the stages of the traditions and cultural life of Mosul. The reconstitution of the inhabitants' habits and sense of community is centred around these locations and planned to spread around the urban fabric following the redevelopment of the city. Our three different sites are the Souk, the Great Mosque and the Hammam. These projects address several challenges: the construction of a new building inspired by the existing urban fabric, the partial reconstruction of an ancient monument and the construction of a new building in dialogue with existing Ottoman ruins. The balance between tradition and modernization; memory and oblivion; reconstruction and restoration is the focus of the paper.
Towards BIM Guidelines in Saudi Arabia: Literature Review and Stakeholders Identification
Authors: Alhammad Ibrahim , Yi Tae Yeual
Published: July 2022

BIM is a graphical representation for a given engineering design, let be the structure of a building, which carries information related to 3D view, cost estimation, scheduling, and others. BIM is created and used mainly by the owner. By default, the designer, contractor, and supplier are shared and treated by all parties as an advanced medium of technical and visual communication. In the last few years, and many developed countries, BIM documents, and related legal provisions have become mandatory in construction projects contract documents by public and private owners and project stakeholders as best practice. The authors observed that although some projects in Saudi Arabia have used BIM, it is still not as widely used as it is supposed to be. It is apparent to the authors that the leap of using BIM in the Saudi Construction Industry without proper provisions in the contract documents among the construction project stakeholders will create confusion. The paper explores the current status and trend of using BIM in the construction industry and related difficulties and challenges to using BIM in Saudi Arabia. Ultimately, based on those investigated results, the paper proposes the basic guidelines for applying BIM following the situation of the national construction industry in Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Vision 2030: Applying a Sustainable Smart Techno-cultural Assessment method to Evaluate Museums’ performance post-COVID-19
Authors: Hind Khogali
Published: July 2022

UNESCO has defined world cultural heritage as either tangible or intangible cultural heritage. Saudi Vision 2030 strategies is the Culture of Community and Dynamic Supportive Environment, which supports the national identity, maintains the museums, and encourages tourism. This research aimed to assess museums’ performance in four focus areas (sustainability, smart solutions, techno-cultural solutions, and health procedures) during the post-COVID-19 period in Riyadh city. The method consisted of a survey distributed during 04/2021 to stakeholders at the University in two sample case studies: Al Masmak Fort Museum and Riyadh National Museum. The main research aspects of the two samples were compared. The results are average results from survey records and respondents’ responses to survey questions between RNM and MFM to each category: sustainable access (31%) material (31%) water efficiency (29.5%) energy efficiency (32%) smart solutions (31%) and techno-cultural solutions (33%). The health procedures (50.5%) in Table 2. The improvement will be reflected in more advanced and innovative solutions for the museum buildings. could be applied to museum buildings locally and internationally.
Assessment of environmental and economic impacts of trickle irrigation system
Authors: Khalifa Walid M A
Published: July 2022

The systems of trickle irrigation offer the potential influential irrigation to increase crop yields and have been proven reasonable according to the engineering and agricultural opinion particularly in barren areas. Trickle irrigation systems that have been offered comparatively lately in Arab countries have demonstrated to save huge amounts of water and enhance crop yield. The computational program (Trickle Irrigation System Design, TISD) connected with the economic procedures were used to research the environmental and economic conditions of the agriculture system. The conditions of environment comprised the type of soil, the topography of land, the climate areas, the water quantum and quality, and the dimensions of land. The conditions of economic included the interest rates of nominal and real, the principal price of land, and the rates of labor and energy escalation. The research deemed the ratio of B/C indicating the effects of environmental and economic parameters applying the system of trickle irrigation. The research presented the crop rotation of tomato-sesame as a line-source, and the point-source was represented by citrus trees. The research results revealed a significant impact on the ratio of B/C for the parameters; soil type, land topography, and water quality. The other parameters evidenced a variety impacts among considerable, small, and negligible on the B/C ratio. The study represents a worthy perception for institutional considerations in agricultural economics.
Influence of Surface Discontinuity on Sound Absorption Coefficient of Vehicle Interior Material
Authors: Mohamed  , Sulaeman Erwin , Dianne Amelda , Abidin Adri Zainal
Published: July 2022

There has been considerable effort in the automotive industry to reduce and control the noise in the car cabin. Selecting or designing a better absorber will enhance the comfort of the passengers in the car. There are many techniques to reduce or control the noise in the car cabin. One of the techniques is to place specific material in order to reduce its acoustical noise. This paper presents a study on sound absorption of the felt, polyurethane foam and fabric which are commonly used as car interior material. Furthermore, the influence of surface discontinuity created between two joined material parts is also investigated. The sound absorption coefficient is measured using two-microphone impedance tube. This tube is used to provide noise source frequency ranging from 50 Hz to 10 kHz. Using the dBAlpha software that is connected to the microphone via Symphonie Analyzer, the sound absorption coefficient of the material for every frequency is presented in tabular as well as in graphical form. The test results show that material selection is significantly important for the absorption of noise. Besides, it is found that the surface discontinuity gives different effect depending on the material. For the felt material, the surface discontinuity has insignificant effect. However, the surface discontinuity may give a moderate effect for other materials such as polyurethane foam and fabric.
A designer mixture of six amino acids promotes the extracellular matrix gene expression in cultured human fibroblasts
Authors: Tedesco Laura , Rossi Fabio , Ruocco Chiara , Ragni Maurizio , Carruba Michele O , Valerio Alessandra , Nisoli Enzo
Published: July 2022

The deterioration of the skin is caused by dermatological disorders, environmental conditions, and aging processes. One incisive strategy for supervising the skin aging process is implementing healthy nutrition, preserving a balanced diet, and a good supply of food supplements. Here, we compared H-Pro-Hyp-OH peptide, hydrolyzed collagen, and an original mixture of six amino acids (we named 6aa)—including glycine, l-alanine, l-proline, l-valine, l-leucine, and l-lysine—effects on the production of extracellular matrix (ECM) components, particularly the elastin, fibronectin, collagen 1, and collagen 4. Treatment of BJ human skin fibroblasts with the 6aa mixture upregulated elastin, fibronectin, and collagen 1 gene expression, without affecting the expression of anti-reactive oxygen species enzymes. Moreover, the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway seems to be involved, at least in part. Collectively, these results suggest that the six amino acid mixture exerts beneficial effects in human skin fibroblasts.
Alternative processing of humanHTTmRNA with implications for Huntington’s disease therapeutics
Authors: Fienko Sandra , Landles Christian , Sathasivam Kirupa , McAteer Sean J , Milton Rebecca E , Osborne Georgina F , Smith Edward J , Jones Samuel T , Bondulich Marie K , Danby Emily C E , Phillips Jemima , Taxy Bridget A , Kordasiewicz Holly B , Bates Gillian P
Published: July 2022

Huntington disease is caused by a CAG repeat expansion in exon 1 of the huntingtin gene (HTT) that is translated into a polyglutamine stretch in the huntingtin protein (HTT). We previously showed that HTT mRNA carrying an expanded CAG repeat was incompletely spliced to generate HTT1a, an exon 1 only transcript, which was translated to produce the highly aggregation-prone and pathogenic exon 1 HTT protein. This occurred in all knock-in mouse models of Huntington’s disease and could be detected in patient cell lines and post-mortem brains. To extend these findings to a model system expressing human HTT, we took advantage of YAC128 mice that are transgenic for a yeast artificial chromosome carrying human HTT with an expanded CAG repeat.

We discovered that the HTT1a transcript could be detected throughout the brains of YAC128 mice. We implemented RNAscope to visualize HTT transcripts at the single molecule level and found that full-length HTT and HTT1a were retained together in large nuclear RNA clusters, as well as being present as single transcripts in the cytoplasm. Homogeneous time-resolved fluorescence analysis demonstrated that the HTT1a transcript had been translated to produce the exon 1 HTT protein. The levels of exon 1 HTT in YAC128 mice, correlated with HTT aggregation, supportive of the hypothesis that exon 1 HTT initiates the aggregation process.

Huntingtin-lowering strategies are a major focus of therapeutic development for Huntington’s disease. These approaches often target full-length HTT alone and would not be expected to reduce pathogenic exon 1 HTT levels. We have established YAC128 mouse embryonic fibroblast lines and shown that, together with our QuantiGene multiplex assay, these provide an effective screening tool for agents that target HTT transcripts. The effects of current targeting strategies on nuclear RNA clusters are unknown, structures that may have a pathogenic role or alternatively could be protective by retaining HTT1a in the nucleus and preventing it from being translated. In light of recently halted antisense oligonucleotide trials, it is vital that agents targeting HTT1a are developed, and that the effects of HTT-lowering strategies on the subcellular levels of all HTT transcripts and their various HTT protein isoforms are understood.
HMGN4 plays a key role in STAT3-mediated oncogenesis of triple-negative breast cancer
Authors: Mou Jiahui , Xu Xiaoding , Wang Feifei , Kong Weiwen , Chen Jing , Ren Jin
Published: July 2022

High-mobility group nucleosome-binding domain 4 (HMGN4) exerts biological functions by regulating gene transcription through binding with nucleosome. As a new epigenetic regulator discovered in 2001, its biological functions have not been clarified. HMGN4 belongs to HMGNs family, in which HMGN1, 2 and 5 have been reported to play roles in oncogenesis of various cancers. However, it is reported that HMGN4 was associated with thyroid and liver cancer. In this study, we discovered for the first time that HMGN4 was highly expressed in human triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), based on the analysis of the TCGA database. Moreover, we found that HMGN4 controlled the proliferation of human TNBC cells both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, the positive correlation occurred between HMGN4 and STAT3 downstream genes while HMGN4 played an indispensable role in constitutively active STAT3 (STAT3C) induced colony formation. Interestingly, we reported that STAT3 regulated HMGN4 transcription as its transcriptional factor by chromatin immunoprecipitation and HMGN4 promoter-luc assays. That is to say, there is a feed-forward signaling circuit between HMGN4 and STAT3, which might control TNBC cell growth. Finally, we proved that the interference of HMGN4 by nanovehicle-packaged siRNA may be a potentially effective approach in TNBC treatment. In summary, our findings not only identified a novel regulator in TNBC cell proliferation but also revealed the mechanism by which HMGN4 acted as a downstream gene of STAT3 to participate in the STAT3 pathway, which indicated that HMGN4 was likely to be a potential novel target for anti-TNBC therapy.
Severity of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Infection in Pregnancy in Ontario: A Matched Cohort Analysis
Authors: Murison Kiera R , Grima Alicia A , Simmons Alison E , Tuite Ashleigh R , Fisman David N
Published: July 2022

Background

Pregnancy represents a physiological state associated with increased vulnerability to severe outcomes from infectious diseases, both for the pregnant person and developing infant. The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic may have important health consequences for pregnant individuals, who may also be more reluctant than nonpregnant people to accept vaccination.

Methods

We sought to estimate the degree to which increased severity of SARS-CoV-2 outcomes can be attributed to pregnancy using a population-based SARS-CoV-2 case file from Ontario, Canada. Because of varying propensity to receive vaccination, and changes in dominant circulating viral strains over time, a time-matched cohort study was performed to evaluate the relative risk of severe illness in pregnant women with SARS-CoV-2 compared to other SARS-CoV-2 infected women of childbearing age (10–49 years old). Risk of severe SARS-CoV-2 outcomes was evaluated in pregnant women and time-matched nonpregnant controls using multivariable conditional logistic regression.

Results

Compared with the rest of the population, nonpregnant women of childbearing age had an elevated risk of infection (standardized morbidity ratio, 1.28), whereas risk of infection was reduced among pregnant women (standardized morbidity ratio, 0.43). After adjustment for confounding, pregnant women had a markedly elevated risk of hospitalization (adjusted odds ratio, 4.96; 95% confidence interval, 3.86–6.37) and intensive care unit admission (adjusted odds ratio, 6.58; 95% confidence interval, 3.29–13.18). The relative increase in hospitalization risk associated with pregnancy was greater in women without comorbidities than in those with comorbidities (P for heterogeneity, .004).

Conclusions

Given the safety of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in pregnancy, risk-benefit calculus strongly favors SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in pregnant women.
The comparative energetics of the ray-finned fish in an evolutionary context
Authors: Lika Konstadia , Augustine Starrlight , Kooijman Sebastiaan A L M
Published: July 2022

To address challenges in management and conservation of fishes and fisheries it is essential to understand their life histories and energetics. The Add-my-Pet (AmP) collection of data on energetics and Dynamic Energy Budget (DEB) parameters currently contains 1150 of the 40000 extant species of fish. It gives 250–280 traits per species, depending on the model type that was applied, such as maximum reserve capacity, lifespan, specific respiration and precociality index, based on which the ray-finned fish (Actinopterygii) was compared with the four other fish classes (Cyclostomata, Chondrichthyes, Actinistia, Dipnoi) and the Tetrapoda. The Actinopterygii are the only vertebrate class that shows metabolic acceleration, and clearly so in only three sub-clades. Different from chondrichthyans, quite a few species follow the waste-to-hurry strategy, especially small bodied freshwater fish such as tropical annual killifish, but also in small minnows and darters in continental climates. We briefly discuss links between waste-to-hurry, which is associated with a large specific somatic maintenance, and sensitivity for pesticides. We discuss why this interferes with the physical co-variation between maximum reserve capacity and ultimate structural length or weight and explains why maximum reserve capacity increases with body length in chondrichthyans, but not in actinopterygians. Reserve capacity has relevance, e.g. mass-specific maintenance, starvation and the kinetics of lipophyllic compounds (such as pesticides), since reserve is relatively rich in lipids in fish. Also, unlike chondrichthyans, the size at birth is very small and not linked to ultimate size; we discuss the implications. Actinopterygians allocate more to soma, compared with chondrichthyans; the latter allocate more to maturity or reproduction. Actinopterygians, Actinistia and Dipnoi are near the supply-end of the supply–demand spectrum, while chondrichthyans clearly show demand properties.
Analysis of ribonucleotide content in the genomic DNA of ribonuclease H2 A subunit (RH2A)-knockout NIH3T3 cells after transient expression of wild-type RH2A or RH2A variants with an Aicardi–Goutières syndrome-causing mutation
Authors: Kandabashi Mako , Yano Haruna , Hara Haruka , Ogawa Saori , Kamoda Kana , Ishibashi Shu , Himeda Kohei , Baba Misato , Takita Teisuke , Yasukawa Kiyoshi
Published: July 2022

Ribonuclease (RNase) H2 is involved in the removal of ribonucleotides embedded in genomic DNA. Eukaryotic RNase H2 is a heterotrimer consisting of the catalytic A subunit (RH2A) and the accessory B and C subunits. This study aimed to compare the cellular activities of wild-type ribonuclease (RNase) H2 and its variants with a mutation causing neuroinflammatory autoimmune disease, Aicardi–Goutières syndrome (AGS). We first analyzed cellular RNase H2 activity and ribonucleotide content in the genomic DNA of RH2A-knockout (KO) mouse fibroblast NIH3T3 cells after transfection with a transient expression plasmid encoding mouse wild-type RH2A. From 4 h after transfection, the RNase H2 activity increased and the amount of ribonucleotides decreased, as compared with the corresponding non-transfected RH2A-KO cells. This demonstrated the rapidness of ribonucleotide turnover in mammalian genomic DNA and the importance of continuous expression of RNase H2 to maintain the ribonucleotide amount low. Next, we expressed mouse RH2A variants with a mutation corresponding to a human AGS-causing mutation in RH2A-KO NIH3T3 cells. Neither increase in RNase H2 activity nor decrease in ribonucleotide amount was observed for G37S; however, both conditions were observed for N213I and R293H. This corresponded with our previous results on the activity of recombinant human RNase H2 variants.
The Social Construction of Age and ‘Best Interests’ Discourses: An Intersectional Analysis of Canadian Immigration and Refugee Policy for Children
Authors: Ghebrai Sam , Ballucci Dale
Published: July 2022

Canada has received worldwide recognition for its implementation of the Canada Chairperson’s Guideline 3: Child Refugee Claimants. This informal immigration rights policy, statutorily authorized by the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, instructs immigration officials to provide special considerations to accompanied and unaccompanied child migrants. Our analysis examines the language of Guideline 3 to understand how the social construction of age influences the provision of protections. Our findings demonstrate that, although chronological age is prominently featured throughout Guideline 3, other factors known to impact the social construction of age, such as gender and cultural background, are only superficially discussed. The homogenized discourse of children within Guideline 3 illustrates the protection of an idealized conception of childhood, which does not accurately reflect the heterogeneity of migrant and asylum-seeking children. The implications of such an idealized notion of childhood in informal immigration rights policies delineates children worthy of protections, and children who are excluded.
Nitrate transporter MdNRT2.4 interacts with rhizosphere bacteria to enhance nitrate uptake in apple rootstocks
Authors: Chai Xiaofen , Wang Xiaona , Pi Ying , Wu Ting , Zhang Xinzhong , Xu Xuefeng , Han Zhenhai , Wang Yi
Published: July 2022

Plants have developed complex mechanisms to adapt to changing nitrate (NO3-) concentrations and can recruit microbes to boost nitrogen absorption. However, little is known about the relationship between functional genes and the rhizosphere microbiome in NO3- uptake of apple rootstocks. Here, we found that variation in Malus domestica NO3- transporter (MdNRT2.4) expression contributes to nitrate uptake divergence between two apple rootstocks. Overexpression of MdNRT2.4 in apple seedlings significantly improved tolerance to low nitrogen via increasing net NO3- influx at the root surface. However, inhibiting the root plasma membrane H+-ATPase activity abolished NO3- uptake and led to NO3- release, suggesting that MdNRT2.4 encodes an H+-coupled nitrate transporter. Surprisingly, the nitrogen concentration of MdNRT2.4-overexpressing apple seedlings in unsterilized nitrogen-poor soil was higher than that in sterilized nitrogen-poor soil. Using 16S ribosomal RNA gene profiling to characterize the rhizosphere microbiota, we found that MdNRT2.4-overexpressing apple seedlings recruited more bacterial taxa with nitrogen metabolic functions, especially Rhizobiaceae. We isolated a bacterial isolate ARR11 from the apple rhizosphere soil and identified it as Rhizobium. Inoculation with ARR11 improved apple seedling growth in nitrogen-poor soils, compared with uninoculated seedlings. Together, our results highlight the interaction of host plant genes with the rhizosphere microbiota for host plant nutrient uptake.
Locating the GeV emission region in the jets of blazars from months time-scale multiwavelength outbursts
Authors: Barat Saugata , Chatterjee Ritaban , Mitra Kaustav
Published: July 2022

It is well known that the γ-ray emission in blazars originates in the relativistic jet pointed at the observers. However, it is not clear whether the exact location of the GeV emission is less than a parsec (pc) from the central engine, such that it may receive sufficient amount of photons from the broad-line region (BLR) or farther out at 1–100 pc range. The former assumption has been successfully used to model the spectral energy distribution of many blazars. However, simultaneous detection of TeV γ-rays along with GeV outbursts in some cases indicate that the emission region must be outside the BLR. In addition, GeV outbursts have sometimes been observed to be simultaneous with the passing of a disturbance through the so-called ‘very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) core’, which is located tens of pc away from the central engine. Hence, the exact location of γ-ray emission remains ambiguous. Here we present a method that we have developed to constrain the location of the emission region. We identify simultaneous months time-scale GeV and optical outbursts in the light curves spanning over 8 yr of a sample of 11 blazars. Using theoretical jet emission models we show that the energy ratio of simultaneous optical and GeV outbursts is strongly dependent on the location of the emission region. Comparing the energy dissipation of the observed multiwavelength outbursts and that of the simulated flares in our theoretical model, we find that most of the above outbursts originate beyond the BLR at approximately a few pc from the central engine.
Forming iron-rich planets with giant impacts
Authors: Reinhardt Christian , Meier Thomas , Stadel Joachim G , Otegi Jon F , Helled Ravit
Published: July 2022

We investigate mantle stripping giant impacts (GI) between super-Earths with masses between 1 and $20\, {\rm M}_{\oplus }$. We infer new scaling laws for the mass of the largest fragment and its iron mass fraction, as well as updated fitting coefficients for the critical specific impact energy for catastrophic disruption, $Q_{{\rm RD}}^{*}$. With these scaling laws, we derive equations that relate the impact conditions, i.e. target mass, impact velocity, and impactor-to-target mass ratio, to the mass and iron mass fraction of the largest fragment. This allows one to predict collision outcomes without performing a large suite of simulations. Using these equations we present the maximum and minimum planetary iron mass fraction as a result of collisional stripping of its mantle for a given range of impact conditions. We also infer the radius for a given mass and composition using interior structure models and compare our results to observations of metal-rich exoplanets. We find good agreement between the data and the simulated planets suggesting that GI could have played a key role in their formation. Furthermore, using our scaling laws we can further constrain the impact conditions that favour their masses and compositions. Finally, we present a flexible and easy-to-use tool that allows one to predict mass and composition of a planet after a GI for an arbitrary range of impact conditions, which, in turn, allows to assess the role of GI in observed planetary systems.
The halo model with beyond-linear halo bias: unbiasing cosmological constraints from galaxy–galaxy lensing and clustering
Authors: Mahony Constance , Dvornik Andrej , Mead Alexander , Heymans Catherine , Asgari Marika , Hildebrandt Hendrik , Miyatake Hironao , Nishimichi Takahiro , Reischke Robert
Published: July 2022

We determine the error introduced in a joint halo model analysis of galaxy–galaxy lensing and galaxy clustering observables when adopting the standard approximation of linear halo bias. Considering the Kilo-Degree Survey, we forecast that ignoring the non-linear halo bias would result in up to 5σ offsets in the recovered cosmological parameters describing structure growth, S8, and the matter density parameter, Ωm. We include the scales $10^{-1.3}\lt r_{\rm {p}} \ / h^{-1}\, \mathrm{Mpc}\lt 10$ in the data vector, and the direction of these offsets are shown to depend on the freedom afforded to the halo model through other nuisance parameters. We conclude that a beyond-linear halo bias correction must therefore be included in future cosmological halo model analyses of large-scale structure observables on non-linear scales.
Constraining H0 via extragalactic parallax
Authors: Ferree Nicolas C , Bunn Emory F
Published: July 2022

We examine the prospects for measurement of the Hubble parameter H0 via observation of the secular parallax of other galaxies due to our own motion relative to the cosmic microwave background rest frame. Peculiar velocities make distance measurements to individual galaxies highly uncertain, but a survey sampling many galaxies can still yield a precise H0 measurement. We use both a Fisher information formalism and simulations to forecast errors in H0 from such surveys, marginalizing over the unknown peculiar velocities. The optimum survey observes ∼102 galaxies within a redshift zmax = 0.06. The required errors on proper motion are comparable to those that can be achieved by Gaia and future astrometric instruments. A measurement of H0 via parallax has the potential to shed light on the tension between different measurements of H0.
Virial masses of late-type galaxies from the SDSS DR16
Authors: Nigoche-Netro A , de la Fuente E , Diaz R J , Agüero M P , Kemp S N , Marquez-Lugo R A , Lagos P , Ruelas-Mayorga A , López-Contreras N L
Published: July 2022

Motivated by the challenges of calculating the dynamical masses of late-type galaxies (LTGs) and the enormous amount of data from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS), we calculate virial masses of a sample of approximately 126 000 LTGs from the sixteenth data release of the SDSS. The virial mass estimations were made considering Newtonian mechanics, virial equilibrium and velocity dispersion from stars and gas. The procedure gave as a result seven mass estimations for each galaxy. The calculated masses were calibrated using a sample of spiral galaxies with velocity rotation curves. Considering the results from the calibration, we find that the correlation between virial and dynamical (rotation curve) masses is stronger for high inclination values. Therefore, the calibration relies more on the available data for higher inclination angle galaxies. We also show that if we have a heterogeneous sample of galaxies one must take into consideration the size and colour of these galaxies by using the following variables: Sersic index n, concentration index, and colour of the stars. For relatively smaller and bluer LTGs, the gas velocity dispersion provides a more consistent mass calculation, while for LTGs that are relatively larger and redder the stellar velocity dispersion provides a better correlated mass calculation.
The Elephant Evolved p53 Isoforms that Escape MDM2-Mediated Repression and Cancer
Authors: Padariya Monikaben , Jooste Mia-Lyn , Hupp Ted , Fåhraeus Robin , Vojtesek Borek , Vollrath Fritz , Kalathiya Umesh , Karakostis Konstantinos
Published: July 2022

The p53 tumor suppressor is a transcription factor with roles in cell development, apoptosis, oncogenesis, aging, and homeostasis in response to stresses and infections. p53 is tightly regulated by the MDM2 E3 ubiquitin ligase. The p53–MDM2 pathway has coevolved, with MDM2 remaining largely conserved, whereas the TP53 gene morphed into various isoforms. Studies on prevertebrate ancestral homologs revealed the transition from an environmentally induced mechanism activating p53 to a tightly regulated system involving cell signaling. The evolution of this mechanism depends on structural changes in the interacting protein motifs. Elephants such as Loxodonta africana constitute ideal models to investigate this coevolution as they are large and long-living as well as having 20 copies of TP53 isoformic sequences expressing a variety of BOX-I MDM2-binding motifs. Collectively, these isoforms would enhance sensitivity to cellular stresses, such as DNA damage, presumably accounting for strong cancer defenses and other adaptations favoring healthy aging. Here we investigate the molecular evolution of the p53–MDM2 system by combining in silico modeling and in vitro assays to explore structural and functional aspects of p53 isoforms retaining the MDM2 interaction, whereas forming distinct pools of cell signaling. The methodology used demonstrates, for the first time that in silico docking simulations can be used to explore functional aspects of elephant p53 isoforms. Our observations elucidate structural and mechanistic aspects of p53 regulation, facilitate understanding of complex cell signaling, and suggest testable hypotheses of p53 evolution referencing Peto’s Paradox.
Effects of imbalance of mineral elements on peripheral neutrophil metabolism in sheep
Authors: Wang Di , Zhou Qijun , Ji Ming , Zhou Xiaoqiao , Wang Jianfa , Lian Shuai
Published: July 2022

The imbalance of mineral element homeostasis in animals is common, causing animal immune dysfunction. Ten female sheep were randomly selected and injected with 4% (w/v) Na2EDTA through a central venous catheter to establish the mineral element imbalance model, then divided into control group (before injection) and Ethylene Diamine Tetraacetic Acid (EDTA) group (after injection). Isolation of peripheral blood neutrophils for mineral elements content determination was done using Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and nontargeted metabolomics analysis using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). The ICP–MS results showed that Hg and Cs levels in neutrophils were significantly lower after injection than before (P < 0.05), but had no significant effects on other elements. Our previous study showed that serum Zn, P, K, and other 11 elements were significantly lower after the injection of Na2EDTA than before. LC–MS/MS results showed that differential metabolites are mainly involved in amino acid metabolism, lipid metabolism, and nucleotide metabolism; monoamine metabolism was weakened; and polyamine metabolism was enhanced. Under positive and negative ion modes, the mineral elements P, K, Ca, Mn, Cu, and Zn had the highest correlation with the differential metabolites of neutrophils, followed by Se, and the correlation between each mineral element and different differential metabolites was also different. The results indicated that the imbalance in mineral elements affected the metabolism of sheep neutrophils, these may affect neutrophil function, and Na2EDTA could help to reduce the level of heavy metals in the body of sheep. Our data may provide a theoretical basis for the precise regulation of animal immune metabolism by modern animal husbandry nutrition.
Retrospective study of 59 cases of cancer-associated thrombotic microangiopathy: presentation and treatment characteristics
Authors: Decaestecker Antoine , Hamroun Aghilès , Provot François , Rondeau Eric , Faguer Stanislas , Sallee Marion , Titeca-Beauport Dimitri , Rebibou Jean Michel , Forestier Alexandra , Azar Raymond , Deltombe Clément , Wynckel Alain , Grange Steven , Fremeaux Bacchi Veronique , Cartery Claire
Published: July 2022

Background

Cancer-associated thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) is a rare disease, with a poor prognosis. The classical treatment is urgent chemotherapy. Few data are available on the efficacy of plasma exchange (PE) and eculizumab in these patients.

Methods

Cases of cancer-related TMA treated between January 2008 and December 2019 in 12 French treatment centres were retrospectively analysed, excluding cases associated with chemotherapy and stem cell transplantation. Patients were divided into four groups depending on the treatment received: none, PE therapy alone, chemotherapy, with or without PE therapy, or eculizumab, with or without chemotherapy and PE therapy.

Results

The data of 59 patients with cancer-associated TMA were analysed. Twenty of these cases were related to a cancer recurrence. The cancer was metastatic in 90% of cases (53/59). Bone marrow invasion was observed in 20/41 biopsies. Some laboratory results, including disseminated intravascular coagulation high ferritin and C-reactive protein, were suggestive of cancer. None of the 16 patients whose alternative complement pathway was assessed had abnormal levels of protein expression or activity. The median survival time was 27 days. Chemotherapy was significantly associated with improved survival, with a 30-day survival rate of 85% (17/20) among patients who received PE and chemotherapy, versus 20% (3/15) among patients who received PE alone. Patients treated with eculizumab in addition to chemotherapy and PE therapy did not have longer overall survival or higher haematological remission rates than those treated with chemotherapy and PE therapy alone. Renal remission rates were non-significantly higher, and times to remission non-significantly shorter, in the eculizumab group.

Conclusions

Nephrologists and oncologists should make themselves aware of cancer diagnoses in patients with TMA and bone marrow biopsies should be performed systematically in these cases. All 59 patients had poor survival outcomes, but patients treated with urgent initiation of chemotherapy survived significantly longer than those who were not.
The modifying effect of the serum-to-dialysate potassium gradient on the cardiovascular safety of SSRIs in the hemodialysis population: a pharmacoepidemiologic study
Authors: Assimon Magdalene M , Pun Patrick H , Al-Khatib Sana M , Brookhart Maurice Alan , Gaynes Bradley N , Winkelmayer Wolfgang C , Flythe Jennifer E
Published: July 2022

Background

Hypokalemia is a risk factor for drug-induced QT prolongation. Larger serum-to-dialysate potassium gradients during hemodialysis (HD) may augment the proarrhythmic risks of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

Methods

We conducted a cohort study using 2007–2017 data from the United States Renal Data System and a large dialysis provider to examine if the serum-to-dialysate potassium gradient modifies SSRI cardiac safety. Using a new-user design, we compared 1-year sudden cardiac death (SCD) risk among HD patients newly treated with higher (citalopram, escitalopram) versus lower (fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, sertraline) QT-prolonging potential SSRIs, overall and stratified by baseline potassium gradient (≥4 versus <4 mEq/l). We used inverse probability of treatment-weighted survival models to estimate weighted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and conducted a confirmatory nested case–control study.

Results

The study included 25 099 patients: 11 107 (44.3%) higher QT-prolonging potential SSRI new users and 13 992 (55.7%) lower QT-prolonging potential SSRI new users. Overall, higher versus lower QT-prolonging potential SSRI use was not associated with SCD [weighted HR 1.03 (95% CI 0.86–1.24)]. However, a greater risk of SCD was associated with higher versus lower QT-prolonging potential SSRI use among patients with baseline potassium gradients ≥4 mEq/l but not among those with gradients <4 mEq/l [weighted HR 2.17 (95% CI 1.16–4.03) versus 0.95 (0.78–1.16)]. Nested case–control analyses yielded analogous results.

Conclusions

The serum-to-dialysate potassium gradient may modify the association between higher versus lower QT-prolonging SSRI use and SCD among people receiving HD. Minimizing the potassium gradient in the setting of QT-prolonging medication use may be warranted.
The Effect of Conflicting Public Health Guidance on Smokers’ and Vapers’ E-cigarette Harm Perceptions
Authors: Svenson Madeleine R E , Freeman Tom P , Maynard Olivia M
Published: July 2022

Background

E-cigarettes are increasingly being viewed, incorrectly, as more harmful than cigarettes. This may discourage smokers from switching to e-cigarettes. One potential explanation for these increasingly harmful attitudes is conflicting information presented in the media and online, and from public health bodies.

Aims and Methods

In this prospectively registered online study, we aimed to examine the impact of conflicting public health information on smokers’ and vapers’ e-cigarette harm perceptions. Daily UK smokers who do not vape (n = 334) and daily UK vapers (n = 368) were randomized to receive either: (1) a consistent harm reduction statement from two different public health bodies (Harm Reduction), (2) a consistent negative statement about e-cigarette harms from two different public health bodies (Negative), (3) a harm reduction statement from one public health body and a negative statement from another (Conflict), and (4) a statement of the risks of smoking followed by a harm reduction statement from one public health body and a negative statement from another (Smoking Risk + Conflict). Participants then answered questions regarding their perceptions of e-cigarette harm.

Results

The Negative condition had the highest e-cigarette harm perceptions, significantly higher than the Smoking Risk + Conflict condition (MD = 5.4, SE = 1.8, p < .016, d = 0.3 [CI 0.73 to 10.04]), which did not differ from the Conflict condition (MD = 1.5, SE = 1.8, p = .836, d = 0.1 [CI −3.14 to 6.17]). The Conflict condition differed from the Harm Reduction condition, where harm perceptions were lowest (MD = 5.4, SE = 1.8, p = .016, d = 0.3 [CI 0.74 to 10.07]).

Conclusions

These findings are the first to demonstrate that, compared to harm reduction information, conflicting information increases e-cigarette harm perceptions amongst vapers, and smokers who do not vape.

Implications

This research provides the first empirical evidence that conflicting information increases smokers’ and vapers’ e-cigarette harm perceptions, compared to harm reduction information. This may have a meaningful impact on public health as e-cigarette harm perceptions can influence subsequent smoking and vaping behavior. Conflicting information may dissuade smokers, who have the most to gain from accurate e-cigarette harm perceptions, from switching to e-cigarettes. These findings indicate that public health communications that are consensus-based can lower harm perceptions of e-cigarettes, and have the potential to reduce morbidity and mortality attributable to tobacco smoking.