bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Environment Change Scenarios on the Potential Geographical Distribution of Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lamb.) Hook. in China
Authors: Feng Jiajie , Cao Yiwei , Manda Teja , Hwarari Delight , Chen Jinhui , Yang Liming
Published: May 2024

Changes in climate and environmental conditions have aggravated the severity and unpredictability of plant survival and growth. Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lamb.) Hook. is an economically important timber tree. Exploring its potential distribution and dynamic changes and identifying the leading environmental variables affecting it will help to adjust the planting range reasonably according to the habits and climate change, thus contributing to its survival and growth. Based on the MaxEnt model and ArcGIS tool, climate, soil, terrain, human activities, variable environment layers, and 395 C. lanceolata distribution points were used to simulate and analyze the geographical distribution characteristics of C. lanceolata in the current and future periods (the 2050s and 2070s) under RCP2.6, RCP4.5, RCP6.0, and RCP8.5. The results showed that C. lanceolata was suitable to grow in a subtropical monsoon climate with warm, humid, abundant rainfall and a relatively gentle topography. Additionally, using percent contribution, permutation importance, and the knife-cutting test, we noted that the annual precipitation (Bio12), human activities (Hfp), minimum temperature of the coldest month (Bio6), mean temperature of the coldest quarter (Bio11), precipitation of coldest quarter (Bio19), annual temperature range (Bio7), and elevation were the leading environmental factors affecting the geographical distribution of C. lanceolata. Among them, it should be noted that the impact of human activities was negatively correlated with suitable habitat areas of C. lanceolata and led to the degeneration of suitable habitats and fragmentized distribution. In addition, predictions have shown that the areas of habitats under other scenarios will be characterized by an increasing and then decreasing trend by the 2050s and 2070s, except for the RCP2.6 scenario, under which the suitable habitats area of C. lanceolata will increase continuously. The core distributional shifts showed that the suitable habitats of C. lanceolata will gradually shift and migrate to high-latitude areas due to global warming. This study focused on the characteristics of suitable habitats of C. lanceolata under different climatic scenarios using more environmental factors and scenarios than before, aiming to provide a theoretical basis and guidance for the management and utilization of forest resources, the planning of suitable planting areas, and germplasm protection.
Cloning, Characterization and Functional Analysis of Caspase 8-like Gene in Apoptosis of Crassostrea hongkongensis Response to Hyper-Salinity Stress
Authors: Lin Jinji , Yu Ziqi , Leng Yang , Zhu Jiexiong , Yu Feifei , Lu Yishan , Chen Jiayu , He Wenhao , Zhang Yixin , Wen Yaoshen
Published: May 2024

Caspase-8, a member of the caspase family, is an initiating caspase and plays a crucial role in apoptosis. In this study, the full-length cDNA of caspase8-like (CASP8-like) was isolated from Crassostrea hongkongensis (C. hongkongensis) by RACE-PCR. ChCASP8-like contained a 1599-bp open reading frame (ORF) encoding 533 amino acids with two conserved death effector domains (DEDs) and a cysteine aspartase cysteine structural domain (CASc). Amino acid sequence comparison showed that ChCASP8-like shared the highest identity (85.4%) with CASP8-like of C. angulata. The tissue expression profile showed that ChCASP8-like was constitutively expressed in gills, hepatopancreas, mantle, adductor muscle, hemocytes and gonads, and was significantly upregulated in hemocytes, hepatopancreas and gills under hyper-salinity stress. The apoptosis-related genes, including ATR, CHK1, BCL-XL, CASP8-like, CASP9 and CASP3, were significantly activated by hyper-salinity stress, but were remarkably inhibited by ChCASP8-like silencing. The caspase 8 activity was increased by 1.7-fold after hyper-salinity stress, and was inhibited by 9.4% by ChCASP8-like silencing. Moreover, ChCASP8-like silencing clearly alleviated the apoptosis resulting from hyper-salinity stress. These results collectively demonstrated that ChCASP8-like played a crucial role in inducing apoptosis against hyper-salinity stress.
Coexisting in the Surf Zone: Age and Feeding Habits of the Spotted Seabass (Dicentrarchus punctatus) and European Seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) on the Gulf of Cádiz Beaches (Southwest Iberian Peninsula)
Authors: Rodríguez-García Carlos , Toro-Podadera Ana , Sarmiento-Carbajal Jesica , Cabrera-Castro Remedios
Published: May 2024

Various commercial fish species utilize different coastal habitats as nurseries in their juvenile stages, with surf zones being particularly crucial due to the protection and abundant food resources they offer. Among the species that rely on these areas are the spotted seabass (Dicentrarchus punctatus) and the European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax). This study aimed to investigate the age and feeding habits of surf zone specimens of these species and explore their environmental adaptations. The average size for D. punctatus was 16.94 ± 4.05 cm, and for D. labrax, it was 23.23 ± 6.30 cm. The length–weight relationship for D. punctatus was TW = 0.013*TL2.885 (parameter a: 95% CI: 0.012–0.014; parameter b: 95% CI: 2.854–2.917), and for D. labrax, it was TW = 0.008*TL3.095 (parameter a: 95% CI: 0.006–0.009; parameter b: 95% CI: 3.040–3.151). In both D. punctatus (79.20%) and D. labrax (75.92%), the predominant age classes were 1+ and 2+. Significant variations in age class abundance were observed in D. punctatus based on the time of day, lunar phase, and season, while D. labrax showed variations only by season. A diet analysis revealed that both species primarily consume mysids and fish, with D. punctatus showing dietary variations related to the time of day, lunar phase, and season, and D. labrax showing variations with the time of day and season.
The Case for Reading War Poetry as Ephemera
Authors: Ribeiro S. C. Thomaz Julia
Published: May 2024

The First World War blurred the lines between “ordinary” and “literary” writing practices. Many sources corroborate this: necrologies written about poets who died in the act of writing not a poem but rather a letter, or introductions to poetry collections where bereaved families and friends admit they had no knowledge of their loved one’s writing practices until they found a journal full of poems after the author’s death, which they only published as a posthumous tribute. This article uses examples of French poetry of the Great War to explore this permeability between what is considered war poetry and what is considered war ephemera. The main question it addresses is what changes when we look at the war poems that were initially ephemera or ordinary writing. Whose stories get told when poetry is studied not as literature to be judged as accomplished or failed art but as a way of writing to make sense of the world? It argues that when we choose to read poems as ephemera and from the point of view of a larger anthropology of writing practices, diverse histories emerge and communities who write poetry not only as an artistic pursuit but also as a means of organizing experience and leaving traces behind reclaim ownership over their own narratives. This can challenge the false equivalence between the cultural history of warfare and an intellectual history of the elites at war and includes poetry within paradigmatic shifts that place objects at the centre of mediations of the experience of war.
Integrating Dendrogeomorphology into Stress–Strain Numerical Models: An Opportunity to Monitor Slope Dynamic
Authors: Curioni Silvia , Gattinoni Paola , Leonelli Giovanni
Published: May 2024

Monitoring systems are recognized worldwide as fundamental tools for landslide risk management. However, monitoring can be difficult when dealing with large slopes in forested areas. In these situations, dendrogeomorphology can offer a low-cost and low-impact alternative for providing distributed information with an annual temporal resolution. The present study is a first attempt to integrate dendrometric and dendrogeomorphic data into a numerical finite difference model, in order to simulate the stress–strain behavior of the tree-slope system. By using a parametrical approach, the capability of the numerical model to effectively reproduce the tree stem anomalies (i.e., tilting angle, J-shaped feature, and internal stresses causing tree-ring growth anomalies such as eccentric growth and reaction wood) was verified, and the target parameters for the model calibration were identified based on a sensitivity analysis, which emphasized the relevance of the wood deformability; moreover, the interpretation of results allowed to point out different peculiarities (in terms of type of deformation, falling direction, and distribution of internal stresses) for different slope conditions (kinematics and depth of the failure surface) and different zones of the landslide (head scarp, main body, and toe). Afterwards, the modeling approach was applied to the Val Roncaglia landslide (Northen Italy), which involves a complex roto-translational kinematics, characterized by multiple sliding surfaces. The simulated stem anomalies showed good agreement with the ones arising from onsite dendrometric surveys, and they confirmed the conceptual model of the landslide, enabling the planning of further specific investigations. Moreover, the capability of the model in reproducing the tilting angle of trees, if correlated to their eccentricity, could provide a quite long time series (over more than 50–60 years) of the landslide reactivation and allow the use of dendrochronological data for the model calibration, thereby enhancing slope dynamic monitoring and landslide risk management.
The Sick Body Writing: Towards an Affective Genetic Criticism
Authors: Bell Emily , Davidson Andrea
Published: May 2024

The Sick Body Writing: Towards an Affective Genetic Criticism examines the idea that manuscripts can be affected by illness as much as their authors’ bodies are. This article aims to highlight a critical gap in the methodology of literary genetic criticism by introducing a new lens of affective genetic criticism. Genetic criticism looks at the archive of drafts and notes related to a literary work-in-progress. The application of affect theory brings focus to the impacts of the author’s bodily experience during writing while in different states of un/healthiness. The effects of authors’ health on their writing, especially textual non/production and the representations of un/healthiness, can be found in their archive in a variety of forms, whether represented in the narrative or responsible for elements of the narrative’s structure. Using two case studies from different literary canons, James Joyce (modernist) and Aidan Chambers (children’s and Young Adult), the article concludes that this lens can be productively applied to understand better the embodiment of writing processes and adaptations of writing environments as a result of affective needs.
Introduction: Border Politics and Refugee Narratives in Contemporary Literature
Authors: Lojo-Rodríguez Laura , Pereira-Ares Noemí
Published: May 2024

Refugeehood—whether triggered by religious intolerance, ethnic strife, political repression, war, or environmental factors—has been a constant throughout human history, but it was not until the twentieth century that refugees were endowed with legal status on an international level [...]
An Unknown 18th-Century Flemish Dyers Manuscript from Antwerp (1778–1802)
Authors: Lupatini Emile , Ortega Saez Natalia
Published: May 2024

This paper presents a historical analysis of a rare dyer’s manuscript, preserved within the Museum of Industry in Ghent, Belgium. The manuscript, originating from a dyer in late 18th-century Antwerp, includes an extensive collection of recipes. The study will enable researchers to better grasp the practices of traditional dyeing techniques and materials in the region during that time. The manuscript focuses primarily on the dyeing of woolen fabrics. Approximately 90 of the 132 recipes utilize red dyes. Recipes for dying orange, brown, black, blue, and green colors are also described. The document mentions the use of madder, brazilwood, redwood, and cochineal. To create a variety of red shades, the dyer describes how fabrics were treated with different mordanting compounds, with alum and tin as the main ingredients, and how the dyeing solutions were prepared. The resulting colors include ‘madder red’, ‘formal red’, ‘crimson’, ‘scarlet’, ‘Turkish red’, ‘fire color’ and ‘flesh color’. In addition to the dyeing recipes, the manuscript contains various accounting documents and correspondences between the dyer, customers, and suppliers. Lastly, over 100 original, colored samples are attached to the described recipes. In this paper, the artifact’s contents will be disclosed, comprising recipes with attached samples and correspondence. Findings resulting from archive research will be included, contextualizing and placing the dyer in their urban and social context. The paper concludes by discussing its potential limitations and provides avenues for possible future research.
Is the Productivity of Faculty Members Sustainable? The Perspective of Faculty Members
Authors: Doğan Miray , Arslan Hasan
Published: May 2024

In the global economic landscape, a nation’s ability to secure a prominent position is intricately linked to its capacity for knowledge augmentation and technological innovation. This correlation underscores the pivotal role of universities and academicians, whose importance directly reflects a country’s level of development. The effectual execution of educational, research, and innovative pursuits within university settings necessitates the presence of qualified, productive, and dedicated academicians. As key contributors to academic, social, and humanitarian spheres, academicians bear responsibilities spanning research, teaching, societal enlightenment, and problem solving within higher education. The scholarly productivity of researchers is commonly gauged through metrics involving scientific publications and academic engagements. Notably, in many countries, advancements and appointments within academic institutions are contingent on the demonstrated productivity of academicians. Aligning with this global trend, Turkey accordingly structures its promotion and appointment procedures within academia. This study aims to ascertain faculty members’ perspectives regarding academic productivity after their associate professors’ and professors’ appointments in Turkey. Furthermore, we endeavor to identify the underlying factors contributing to this decline and increase academic productivity. Our findings emphasize the intricate interplay of various factors influencing academic productivity and sustainability. These include the significance of institutional support, economic stability, intrinsic motivation, and challenges such as bureaucratic processes and gender-related issues, which collectively shape the academic landscape and faculty members’ ability to produce impactful research over time. The research study group comprised 20 faculty members working at a public University in Turkey in the 2022–2023 academic year. This study was prepared using a qualitative research model. This study used the interview technique, one of the data collection techniques used in process-based evaluation applications. Furthermore, the obtained data were analyzed using the content analysis technique used in qualitative research methods.
PTTH–Torso Signaling System Controls Developmental Timing, Body Size, and Reproduction through Regulating Ecdysone Homeostasis in the Brown Planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens
Authors: Luo Xumei , Zhang Jinli , Zhang Chuanxi , Zhou Naiming
Published: May 2024

In holometabolous insects, such as Drosophila and Bombyx, prothoracicotropic hormone (PTTH) is well established to be critical in controlling developmental transitions and metamorphosis by stimulating the biosynthesis of ecdysone in the prothoracic glands (PGs). However, the physiological role of PTTH and the receptor Torso in hemimetabolous insects remains largely unexplored. In this study, homozygous PTTH- and Torso-null mutants of the brown planthopper (BPH), Nilaparvata lugens, were successfully generated by employing clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/CRISPR-associated 9 (CRISPR–Cas9). Further characterization showed that both NlPTTH−/− and NlTorso−/− mutants exhibited prolonged nymphal duration and increased final adult size. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) revealed that NlPTTH−/− and NlTorso−/− mutants exhibited a significant reduction in 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) in fifth-instar nymphs at 48 h post-ecdysis compared to Wt controls. Furthermore, our results indicated that both NlPTTH−/− and NlTorso−/− mutants had shortened lifespan, reduced female fecundity, and reduced egg hatching rates in adults. These findings suggest a conserved role for the PTTH–Torso signaling system in the regulation of developmental transitions by stimulating ecdysone biosynthesis in hemimetabolous insects.
Molecular Dynamics Simulations of the Mutated Proton-Transferring a-Subunit of E. coli FoF1-ATP Synthase
Authors: Ivontsin Leonid A. , Mashkovtseva Elena V. , Nartsissov Yaroslav R.
Published: May 2024

The membrane Fo factor of ATP synthase is highly sensitive to mutations in the proton half-channel leading to the functional blocking of the entire protein. To identify functionally important amino acids for the proton transport, we performed molecular dynamic simulations on the selected mutants of the membrane part of the bacterial FoF1-ATP synthase embedded in a native lipid bilayer: there were nine different mutations of a-subunit residues (aE219, aH245, aN214, aQ252) in the inlet half-channel. The structure proved to be stable to these mutations, although some of them (aH245Y and aQ252L) resulted in minor conformational changes. aH245 and aN214 were crucial for proton transport as they directly facilitated H+ transfer. The substitutions with nonpolar amino acids disrupted the transfer chain and water molecules or neighboring polar side chains could not replace them effectively. aE219 and aQ252 appeared not to be determinative for proton translocation, since an alternative pathway involving a chain of water molecules could compensate the ability of H+ transmembrane movement when they were substituted. Thus, mutations of conserved polar residues significantly affected hydration levels, leading to drastic changes in the occupancy and capacity of the structural water molecule clusters (W1–W3), up to their complete disappearance and consequently to the proton transfer chain disruption.
Modulation of the Blood–Brain Barrier by Sigma-1R Activation
Authors: Brailoiu Eugen , Barr Jeffrey L. , Wittorf Hailey N. , Inan Saadet , Unterwald Ellen M. , Brailoiu Gabriela Cristina
Published: May 2024

Sigma non-opioid intracellular receptor 1 (Sigma-1R) is an intracellular chaperone protein residing on the endoplasmic reticulum at the mitochondrial-associated membrane (MAM) region. Sigma-1R is abundant in the brain and is involved in several physiological processes as well as in various disease states. The role of Sigma-1R at the blood–brain barrier (BBB) is incompletely characterized. In this study, the effect of Sigma-1R activation was investigated in vitro on rat brain microvascular endothelial cells (RBMVEC), an important component of the blood–brain barrier (BBB), and in vivo on BBB permeability in rats. The Sigma-1R agonist PRE-084 produced a dose-dependent increase in mitochondrial calcium, and mitochondrial and cytosolic reactive oxygen species (ROS) in RBMVEC. PRE-084 decreased the electrical resistance of the RBMVEC monolayer, measured with the electric cell-substrate impedance sensing (ECIS) method, indicating barrier disruption. These effects were reduced by pretreatment with Sigma-1R antagonists, BD 1047 and NE 100. In vivo assessment of BBB permeability in rats indicates that PRE-084 produced a dose-dependent increase in brain extravasation of Evans Blue and sodium fluorescein brain; the effect was reduced by the Sigma-1R antagonists. Immunocytochemistry studies indicate that PRE-084 produced a disruption of tight and adherens junctions and actin cytoskeleton. The brain microcirculation was directly visualized in vivo in the prefrontal cortex of awake rats with a miniature integrated fluorescence microscope (aka, miniscope; Doric Lenses Inc.). Miniscope studies indicate that PRE-084 increased sodium fluorescein extravasation in vivo. Taken together, these results indicate that Sigma-1R activation promoted oxidative stress and increased BBB permeability.
Regulation and Role of Adiponectin Secretion in Rat Ovarian Granulosa Cells
Authors: Zhou Yue , Zhang Shuhao , Jia Yurong , Wang Xi , Liu Yuning , Zhang Haolin , Yuan Zhengrong , Han Yingying , Weng Qiang
Published: May 2024

Adiponectin is an important adipokine involved in glucose and lipid metabolism, but its secretion and potential role in regulating glucose utilization during ovarian development remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the mechanism and effects of follicle-stimulating hormones (FSHs) on adiponectin secretion and its following impact on glucose transport in the granulosa cells of rat ovaries. A range of experimental techniques were utilized to test our research, including immunoblotting, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, ELISA, histological staining, real-time quantitative PCR, and transcriptome analysis. The immunohistochemistry results indicated that adiponectin was primarily located in the granulosa cells of rat ovaries. In primary granulosa cells cultured in vitro, both Western blot and immunofluorescence assays demonstrated that FSH significantly induced adiponectin secretion within 2 h of incubation, primarily via the PKA signaling pathway rather than the PI3K/AKT pathway. Concurrently, the addition of the AdipoR1/AdipoR2 dual agonist AdipoRon to the culture medium significantly stimulated the protein expression of GLUT1 in rat granulosa cells, resulting in enhanced glucose absorption. Consistent with these in vitro findings, rats injected with eCG (which shares structural and functional similarities with FSH) exhibited significantly increased adiponectin levels in both the ovaries and blood. Moreover, there was a notable elevation in mRNA and protein levels of AdipoRs and GLUTs following eCG administration. Transcriptomic analysis further revealed a positive correlation between the expression of the intraovarian adiponectin system and glucose transporter. The present study represents a novel investigation, demonstrating that FSH stimulates adiponectin secretion in ovarian granulosa cells through the PKA signaling pathway. This mechanism potentially influences glucose transport (GLUT1) and utilization within the ovaries.
Immune Rejection Mediated by prf1 and gzmb Affects the Colonization of Fat Greenling (Hexagrammos otakii) Spermatogonia in Heterotransplantation
Authors: Zhao Xi , Chen Ying , Li Rui , Men Yu , Yan Kai , Li Zibin , Cai Wenxiu , He Yan , Qi Jie
Published: May 2024

Fish germ cell transplantation holds great potential for conserving endangered species, improving cultured fish breeds, and exploring reproductive techniques. However, low transplantation efficiency is a common issue in heterotransplantation. This study transplanted fat greenling (Hexagrammos otakii) spermatogonia into the testes of spotted sea bass (Lateolabrax maculatus) to investigate factors that might affect the colonization and fixation of heterologous transplanted germ cells. Results indicated that transplanted fat greenling spermatogonia cells were successfully detected in the early transplantation phase in spotted sea bass. Their numbers gradually decreased over time, and after 10 days post-transplantation, more than 90% of the transplanted cells underwent apoptosis. Transcriptome sequencing analysis of the testes of spotted sea bass and fat greenling spermatogonia on days 1 and 10 post-transplantation revealed that this apoptosis process involved many immune-related genes and their associated signaling pathways. Acute immune rejection marker genes prf1 and gzmb were detected in the spotted sea bass testes, while immune tolerance genes lck and zap-70 were expressed in the fat greenling spermatogonia. Additionally, differential expression of prf1 and gzmb genes was screened from spotted sea bass, with experimental evidence indicating that PRF1 and GZMB protein from spotted sea bass primarily induce apoptosis in transplanted fat greenling spermatogonia via the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway, at the protein level. This suggests that the difficulties in heterotransplantation are primarily related to acute immune rejection, with PRF1 and GZMB playing significant roles.
ARIP: A Tool for Precise Interatomic Contact Area and Volume Calculation in Proteins
Authors: Ma Tao , Li Wenhui , Tang Zhiping , Sun Xiangwei , Li Lijuan , Liu Zhonghua , Zhang Gaihua
Published: May 2024

The interplay patterns of amino acid residues are pivotal in determining the tertiary structure and flexibility of proteins, which in turn are intricately linked to their functionality and interactions with other molecules. Here, we introduce ARIP, a novel tool designed to identify contact residues within proteins. ARIP employs a modified version of the dr_sasa algorithm and an atomic overlap weighted algorithm to directly calculate the contact area and volume between atoms based on their van der Waals radius. It also allows for the selection of solvent radii, recognizing that not every atom in proteins can interact with water molecules. The solvent parameters were derived from the analysis of approximately 5000 protein and nucleic acid structures with water molecules determined using X-ray crystallography. One advantage of the modified algorithm is its capability to analyze multiple models within a single PDB file, making it suitable for molecular dynamic capture. The contact volume is symmetrically distributed between the interacting atoms, providing more informative results than contact area for the analysis of intra- and intermolecular interactions and the development of scoring functions. Furthermore, ARIP has been applied to four distinct cases: capturing key residue–residue contacts in NMR structures of P4HB, protein–drug binding of CYP17A1, protein–DNA binding of SPI1, and molecular dynamic simulations of BRD4.
From Caves to the Savannah, the Mitogenome History of Modern Lions (Panthera leo) and Their Ancestors
Authors: Broggini Camilla , Cavallini Marta , Vanetti Isabella , Abell Jackie , Binelli Giorgio , Lombardo Gianluca
Published: May 2024

Lions (Panthera leo) play a crucial ecological role in shaping and maintaining fragile ecosystems within Africa. Conservation efforts should focus on genetic variability within wild populations when considering reintroduction attempts. We studied two groups of lions from two conservation sites located in Zambia and Zimbabwe to determine their genetic make-up, information that is usually unknown to the sites. In this study, we analysed 17 specimens for cytb and seven microsatellite markers to ascertain family relationships and genetic diversity previously obtained by observational studies. We then produced a standardised haplogroup phylogeny using all available entire mitogenomes, as well as calculating a revised molecular clock. The modern lion lineage diverged ~151 kya and was divided into two subspecies, both containing three distinct haplogroups. We confirm that Panthera leo persica is not a subspecies, but rather a haplogroup of the northern P.l. leo that exited Africa at least ~31 kya. The progenitor to all lions existed ~1.2 Mya, possibly in SE Africa, and later exited Africa and split into the two cave lion lineages ~175 kya. Species demography is correlated to major climactic events. We now have a detailed phylogeny of lion evolution and an idea of their conservation status given the threat of climate change.
L-PCM: Localization and Point Cloud Registration-Based Method for Pose Calibration of Mobile Robots
Authors: Ning Dandan , Huang Shucheng
Published: May 2024

The autonomous navigation of mobile robots contains three parts: map building, global localization, and path planning. Precise pose data directly affect the accuracy of global localization. However, the cumulative error problems of sensors and various estimation strategies cause the pose to have a large gap in data accuracy. To address these problems, this paper proposes a pose calibration method based on localization and point cloud registration, which is called L-PCM. Firstly, the method obtains the odometer and IMU (inertial measurement unit) data through the sensors mounted on the mobile robot and uses the UKF (unscented Kalman filter) algorithm to filter and fuse the odometer data and IMU data to obtain the estimated pose of the mobile robot. Secondly, the AMCL (adaptive Monte Carlo localization) is improved by combining the UKF fusion model of the IMU and odometer to obtain the modified global initial pose of the mobile robot. Finally, PL-ICP (point to line-iterative closest point) point cloud registration is used to calibrate the modified global initial pose to obtain the global pose of the mobile robot. Through simulation experiments, it is verified that the UKF fusion algorithm can reduce the influence of cumulative errors and the improved AMCL algorithm can optimize the pose trajectory. The average value of the position error is about 0.0447 m, and the average value of the angle error is stabilized at about 0.0049 degrees. Meanwhile, it has been verified that the L-PCM is significantly better than the existing AMCL algorithm, with a position error of about 0.01726 m and an average angle error of about 0.00302 degrees, effectively improving the accuracy of the pose.
Coordination Compounds of Nickel(II) with 3,5–Dibromo–Salicylaldehyde: Structure and Interaction with Biomolecules
Authors: Psarras Georgios I. , Zianna Ariadni , Hatzidimitriou Antonios G. , Psomas George
Published: May 2024

Three neutral nickel(II) complexes of 3,5–dibromo–salicylaldehyde (3,5–diBr–saloH) were synthesized in the presence or absence of 1,10–phenanthroline (phen) or its derivative 2,9–dimethyl–1,10–phenanthroline (neoc) as co–ligands, namely [Ni(3,5–diBr–salo)2(neoc)] (complex 1), [Ni(3,5–diBr–salo)2(phen)] (complex 2) and [Ni(3,5–diBr–salo)2(H2O)2] (complex 3), and were characterized by various techniques. The crystal structure of [Ni(3,5–diBr–salo)2(neoc)] was determined by single-crystal X-ray crystallography. According to employed studying techniques, the complexes interact tightly with calf-thymus DNA by an intercalative fashion. Furthermore, compounds 1–3 bind tightly and reversibly to human and bovine serum albumin.
Temperature Dependency of Insect’s Wingbeat Frequencies: An Empirical Approach to Temperature Correction
Authors: Saha Topu , Genoud Adrien P. , Park Jung H. , Thomas Benjamin P.
Published: May 2024

This study examines the relationship between the wingbeat frequency of flying insects and ambient temperature, leveraging data from over 302,000 insect observations obtained using a near-infrared optical sensor during an eight-month field experiment. By measuring the wingbeat frequency as well as wing and body optical cross-sections of each insect in conjunction with the ambient temperature, we identified five clusters of insects and analyzed how their average wingbeat frequencies evolved over temperatures ranging from 10 °C to 38 °C. Our findings reveal a positive correlation between temperature and wingbeat frequency, with a more pronounced increase observed at higher wingbeat frequencies. Frequencies increased on average by 2.02 Hz/°C at 50 Hz, and up to 9.63 Hz/°C at 525 Hz, and a general model is proposed. This model offers a valuable tool for correcting wingbeat frequencies with temperature, enhancing the accuracy of insect clustering by optical and acoustic sensors. While this approach does not account for species-specific responses to temperature changes, our research provides a general insight, based on all species present during the field experiment, into the intricate dynamics of insect flight behavior in relation to environmental factors.
Myopia Is an Ischemic Eye Condition: A Review from the Perspective of Choroidal Blood Flow
Authors: Baksh Jiaul , Lee Deokho , Mori Kiwako , Zhang Yan , Torii Hidemasa , Jeong Heonuk , Hou Jing , Negishi Kazuno , Tsubota Kazuo , Kurihara Toshihide
Published: May 2024

Myopia is a common refractive error that affects a large proportion of the population. Recent studies have revealed that alterations in choroidal thickness (ChT) and choroidal blood flow (ChBF) play important roles in the progression of myopia. Reduced ChBF could affect scleral cellular matrix remodeling, which leads to axial elongation and further myopia progression. As ChT and ChBF could be used as potential biomarkers for the progression of myopia, several recent myopia treatments have targeted alterations in ChT and ChBF. Our review provides a comprehensive overview of the recent literature review on the relationship between ChBF and myopia. We also highlight the importance of ChT and ChBF in the progression of myopia and the potential of ChT as an important biomarker for myopia progression. This summary has significant implications for the development of novel strategies for preventing and treating myopia.
Beyond VEGF: Angiopoietin–Tie Signaling Pathway in Diabetic Retinopathy
Authors: Chen-Li Genesis , Martinez-Archer Rebeca , Coghi Andres , Roca José A. , Rodriguez Francisco J. , Acaba-Berrocal Luis , Berrocal María H. , Wu Lihteh
Published: May 2024

Complications from diabetic retinopathy such as diabetic macular edema (DME) and proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) constitute leading causes of preventable vision loss in working-age patients. Since vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays a major role in the pathogenesis of these complications, VEGF inhibitors have been the cornerstone of their treatment. Anti-VEGF monotherapy is an effective but burdensome treatment for DME. However, due to the intensive and burdensome treatment, most patients in routine clinical practice are undertreated, and therefore, their outcomes are compromised. Even in adequately treated patients, persistent DME is reported anywhere from 30% to 60% depending on the drug used. PDR is currently treated by anti-VEGF, panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) or a combination of both. Similarly, a number of eyes, despite these treatments, continue to progress to tractional retinal detachment and vitreous hemorrhage. Clearly there are other molecular pathways other than VEGF involved in the pathogenesis of DME and PDR. One of these pathways is the angiopoietin–Tie signaling pathway. Angiopoietin 1 (Ang1) plays a major role in maintaining vascular quiescence and stability. It acts as a molecular brake against vascular destabilization and inflammation that is usually promoted by angiopoietin 2 (Ang2). Several pathological conditions including chronic hyperglycemia lead to Ang2 upregulation. Recent regulatory approval of the bi-specific antibody, faricimab, may improve long term outcomes in DME. It targets both the Ang/Tie and VEGF pathways. The YOSEMITE and RHINE were multicenter, double-masked, randomized non-inferiority phase 3 clinical trials that compared faricimab to aflibercept in eyes with center-involved DME. At 12 months of follow-up, faricimab demonstrated non-inferior vision gains, improved anatomic outcomes and a potential for extended dosing when compared to aflibercept. The 2-year results of the YOSEMITE and RHINE trials demonstrated that the anatomic and functional results obtained at the 1 year follow-up were maintained. Short term outcomes of previously treated and treatment-naive eyes with DME that were treated with faricimab during routine clinical practice suggest a beneficial effect of faricimab over other agents. Targeting of Ang2 has been reported by several other means including VE-PTP inhibitors, integrin binding peptide and surrobodies.
Drug-Eluting Balloons in Calcified Coronary Lesions: A Meta-Analysis of Clinical and Angiographic Outcomes
Authors: Rivero-Santana Borja , Jurado-Roman Alfonso , Galeote Guillermo , Jimenez-Valero Santiago , Gonzalvez Ariana , Tebar Daniel , Moreno Raul
Published: May 2024

Background: The usefulness of drug-eluting balloons (DEBs) has not been fully elucidated in calcified coronary lesions (CCLs). This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the efficacy of DEBs compared to a drug-eluting stent (DES) in this setting. Methods: PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane were searched through December 2023. The primary endpoint was 12 months major adverse cardiac events (MACE). Secondary endpoints included clinical outcomes and angiographic results after PCI and at a 12-month follow-up. Results: Five studies and a total of 1141 patients with 1176 coronary lesions were included. Overall, the DEB was comparable to DES in MACE (RR = 0.86, 95% CI: 0.62–1.19, p = 0.36), cardiac death (RR = 0.59, 95% CI: 0.23–1.53, p = 0.28), myocardial infarction (RR = 0.89, 95% CI: 0.25–3.24, p = 0.87) and target lesion revascularization (RR = 1.1, 95% CI: 0.68–1.77, p = 0.70). Although the DEB was associated with worse acute angiographic outcomes (acute gain; MD = −0.65, 95% CI: −0.73, −0.56 and minimal lumen diameter; MD = −0.75, 95% CI: −0.89, −0.61), it showed better results at 12 months follow-up (late lumen loss; MD = −0.34, 95% CI: −0.62, −0.07). Conclusions: This meta-analysis showed that the DEB strategy is comparable to DES in the treatment of CCLs in terms of clinical outcomes. Although the DEB strategy had inferior acute angiographic results, it may offer better angiographic results at follow-up.
Long-Term Treatment of Gaucher Disease with Velaglucerase Alfa in ERT-Naïve Patients from the Gaucher Outcome Survey (GOS) Registry
Authors: Deegan Patrick , Lau Heather , Elstein Deborah , Fernandez-Sasso Diego , Giraldo Pilar , Hughes Derralynn , Zimran Ari , Istaiti Majdolen , Gadir Noga , Botha Jaco , Revel-Vilk Shoshana
Published: May 2024

Background: Gaucher disease (GD) is a rare, autosomal, recessive condition characterized by hepatosplenomegaly, thrombocytopenia, anemia, and bone abnormalities, often requiring life-long treatment. Velaglucerase alfa has improved hematologic and visceral parameters in clinical trials; however, limited long-term efficacy and safety data are available. Methods: The Gaucher Outcome Survey (GOS), a structured and validated international registry for patients with confirmed GD, provides an opportunity to evaluate long-term data from patients receiving velaglucerase alfa. Results: This analysis included 376 treatment-naïve children and adults with GD enrolled in GOS, including 20 with type 3 GD, who initiated velaglucerase alfa through participation in clinical trials or as part of their clinical management and continued treatment for a mean (range) time of 6.6 (0.003–18.6) years. Initial improvements in hematologic and visceral parameters and the biomarkers glucosylsphingosine (lyso-GL1) and chitotriosidase were observed after one year of treatment and were maintained throughout the follow-up period. Of 129 (34.3%) patients who developed adverse events during the follow-up period, events were considered related to treatment in 33 (8.8%). None led to treatment discontinuation. There were 21 deaths overall, none of which were considered related to treatment. Conclusions: This analysis of data from the GOS registry supports the safety and efficacy of velaglucerase alfa in patients with GD.
Bilateral Atypical Femoral Fracture in a Bisphosphonate-Naïve Patient with Prior Long-Term Denosumab Therapy: A Case Report of the Management Strategy and a Literature Review
Authors: Auger Kyle , Lee Jason , Hong Ian S. , Jankowski Jaclyn M. , Liporace Frank A. , Yoon Richard S.
Published: May 2024

The benefits of denosumab as an antiresorptive therapy and in reducing fragility fractures are well documented. However, its association with atypical femur fractures (AFFs), especially in the absence of prior bisphosphonate use, remains poorly understood and warrants further investigation. This case report presents a rare instance of bilateral AFFs in a 78-year-old bisphosphonate-naïve patient with a history of long-term denosumab therapy for previous metastatic breast cancer. Management involved intramedullary nail fixation after initial presentation with a unilateral AFF and a recommendation to cease denosumab therapy. However, the patient subsequently experienced a contralateral periprosthetic AFF below a total hip implant 5 months thereafter and was treated with open reduction internal fixation. This case report highlights the critical need for orthopedic surgeons to maintain a high level of suspicion and vigilance in screening for impending AFFs, especially in patients with a prolonged history of denosumab therapy without prior bisphosphonate use. Furthermore, the growing report of such cases emphasizes the urgent need for comprehensive research aimed at refining treatment protocols that balance the therapeutic benefits of denosumab and its associated risks of AFFs.
At Early Rheumatoid Arthritis Stage, the Infectious Spectrum Is Driven by Non-Familial Factors and Anti-CCP Immunization
Authors: Arleevskaya Marina I. , Novikov Andrej A. , Valeeva Anna R. , Korovina Marina O. , Serdiuk Igor L. , Popov Vladimir A. , Carlé Caroline , Renaudineau Yves
Published: May 2024

Background/Objectives: Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are prone to develop infections. Methods: Accordingly, 195 untreated early (e)RA patients and 398 healthy controls were selected from women in Tatarstan’s cohort to study infectious history in the anamnesis (four criteria) and in the previous year (16 criteria). Information about annual infections was collected face-to-face from year to year by a qualified rheumatologist/general practitioner and included the active use of information from medical records. Results: In the anamnesis, tuberculosis, and pneumonia, and in the previous year, respiratory tract infections, skin infections, and herpes simplex virus reactivation incidence were reported to be increased in eRA patients, as well as the event number and duration of acute and chronic tonsillitis. Moreover, more bacterial-suspected upper respiratory infections and urinary tract infections were retrieved in sporadic eRA patients as compared to familial eRA patients. An elevated immunization against CCP prevented respiratory tract infection in those with HSV exacerbation. Finally, associations were retrieved between infection (event number/delay) and RA indices: (i) chronic tonsillitis exacerbations with disease activity and health assessment (HAQ) in familial eRA; (ii) bacterial-suspected upper respiratory infections with the number of swollen and tender joints in sporadic eRA; and (iii) HSV exacerbation with inflammation in eRA patients with negative/low response against CCP. Here, we demonstrate the complex nature of the interplay of RA with specific infections. Conclusions: For the first time, differences in the patterns of annual trivial infections and their links with RA indices were found in cohorts of familial and sporadic cases of the disease. Additionally, for the first time, we identified a remarkable relationship between early RA and exacerbations of chronic tonsillitis, as well as tuberculosis in the patient’s history. Altogether, this study supports the existence of a complex interplay between infections and RA at onset driven by familial status and the presence of anti-CCP Ab at elevated levels.
Prevalences and Interrelationships of Post COVID-19 Fatigue, Sleep Disturbances, and Depression in Healthy Young and Middle-Aged Adults
Authors: Kim Changhwan , Moon Jae Young , Kim Sung Hyun , Kim Sun-Hyung , Chang Youjin , Cho Woo Hyun , Kim Won-Young , Kwon Sun Jung , Kim Ho Cheol , Yoo Kwang Ha , Lee Young Seok
Published: May 2024

Background: An evaluation of the persistence of symptoms following COVID-19 in economically active young and middle-aged adults is crucial due to its significant socioeconomic impact resulting from compromised work performance. Methods: A prospective, multicenter study at 12 South Korean hospitals from January to December 2022 involved telephone interviews along with validated questionnaires. Results: Among 696 participants with a median age of 32 and no prior diagnoses, 30% of participants experienced persistent fatigue, while 21.4% suffered from sleep disturbance at 6 months following infection. Additionally, approximately 25% of the participants exhibited depression that endured for up to 6 months. Symptomatic individuals at 3 months exhibited a significantly higher prevalence of persistent fatigue, sleep disturbances, and depression at 6 months compared to those who remained asymptomatic. Notably, sleep disturbance and persistent fatigue at 3 months emerged as significant independent predictors of the presence of depression at 6 months. Conclusions: Even among young and middle-aged healthy adults, prolonged fatigue, sleep disturbance, and depression exhibit a significant prevalence and persisted for up to 6 months. Therefore, implementing a workplace management protocol for these symptoms is essential to mitigate the socioeconomic burden caused by the impairment of work efficiency.
Detrimental Impact of Atrial Fibrillation among Patients Hospitalized for Acute Exacerbation of COPD: Results of a Population-Based Study in Spain from 2016 to 2021
Authors: de-Miguel-Diez Javier , Lopez-de-Andres Ana , Zamorano-Leon José J. , Hernández-Barrera Valentín , Cuadrado-Corrales Natividad , Jimenez-Sierra Ana , Jimenez-Garcia Rodrigo , Carabantes-Alarcon David
Published: May 2024

Background/Objectives: To analyze changes in the prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients hospitalized for acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AE-COPD); to evaluate hospital outcomes according to AF status, assessing sex differences; to identify factors associated with AF presence; and to analyze variables associated with in-hospital mortality (IHM) in AE-COPD patients with AF. Methods: We used data from the Registry of Specialized Care Activity-Basic Minimum Data Set (RAE-CMBD) to select patients aged ≥40 years with COPD in Spain (2016–2021). We stratified the study population according to AF presence and sex. The propensity score matching (PSM) methodology was employed to create comparable groups based on age, admission year, and comorbidities at the time of hospitalization. Results: We identified 399,196 hospitalizations that met the inclusion criteria. Among them, 20.58% had AF. The prevalence of AF rose from 2016 to 2021 (18.26% to 20.95%), though the increase was only significant in men. The median length of hospital stay (LOHS) and IHM were significantly higher in patients with AF than in those without AF. After PSM, IHM remained significantly higher for man and women with AF. Older age, male sex, and several comorbidities were factors associated with AF. Additionally, older age, male sex, different comorbidities including COVID-19, hospitalization in the year 2020, mechanical ventilation, and intensive care unit (ICU) admission were associated with higher IHM in patients with AE-COPD and AF. Conclusions: AF prevalence was high in patients hospitalized for AE-COPD, was higher in men than in women, and increased over time. AF presence was associated with worse outcomes. The variables associated with IHM in hospitalized AE-COPD patients with AF were older age, male sex, different comorbidities including COVID-19 presence, hospitalization in the year 2020, need of mechanical ventilation, and ICU admission.