bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Heavy Metal Intake from Meat and Poultry Consumption and Potential Human Health Risk Assessment in Noakhali, Bangladesh
Authors: Chowdhury Akibul Islam , Alam Mohammad Rahanur
Published: February 2023

Heavy metal contamination poses a significant food safety risk for human health in developing countries like Bangladesh. This study examined the quantities of heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Pb, Ni, Fe, and Cu) in commercially accessible meat, poultry, and game products in Noakhali, Bangladesh, and their carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic effects. Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry was used to analyze heavy metals, and the health risk assessment was based on Estimated Daily Intake (EDI), Targeted Hazard Quotient (THQ), Total THQ, and Total Carcinogenic Risk (TCR). Most samples exceeded Maximum Allowable Concentrations (MAC) for heavy metals. The EDI value of Cd, Pb, and Cr for duck liver, goat liver, and pigeon brain, were higher than the Maximum Tolerable Dietary Intake (MTDI). Children had 1.28 times higher HI values than an adult. The calculation of THQ of all elements in adults and children was in the order of Cu> Pb>Ni>Cr>Cd>Fe. The calculated TTHQ values were in the range of 0.051 to 1.988 and 0.047 to 3.975 for adults and children, respectively. The TCR values for Cd in poultry liver, brain, and meat, Sonali chicken, cow, pigeon, duck, and goat liver were higher than the reference value for adults and children, suggesting a potential cancer risk.
Correlation between induced polarization and sulfide content of rock samples obtained from seafloor hydrothermal mounds of the Okinawa Trough, Japan
Authors: Ohta Yusuke , Goto Tada-nori , Koike Katsuaki , Kashiwaya Koki , Lin Weiren , Tadai Osamu , Kasaya Takafumi , Kanamatsu Toshiya , Machiyama Hideaki
Published: February 2023

Physical properties of seafloor massive sulfides provide a basis for interpreting of sub-seafloor images obtained from geophysical surveys. They are useful for elucidating the evolution of seafloor mineral deposits. A few reports have described studies of the correlation between electrical conductivity and the volume of conductive minerals of rocks collected from seafloor massive sulfide deposits. More studies are performed on artificial samples than on natural rock samples, and the characteristics of natural samples are not well understood. For this study, complex conductivity measurements, elemental concentration analysis, and content mineral identification analysis were applied to rock samples collected from the hydrothermal active zones of the Okinawa Trough in Japan. The measured complex conductivity is characterized by a very high overall value, with a large imaginary component and a wide frequency band by induced polarization. Most of the rock samples have contained large amounts of conductive sulfide minerals, e.g., pyrite, chalcopyrite, and galena predominating. A rock physics model, the Cole–Cole model, was applied to the measured data. Our results indicate good correlation between rock chargeability and the volume fraction of conductive sulfide minerals. However, the correlation trend differs from those found from earlier studies. The intensity of the induced polarization is much larger than that predicted from earlier studies of artificial samples. The samples have less distinct quadrature conductivity peaks, and might continue to be polarized outside of the conventional measurement frequency bands. This discrepancy is probably attributable to the geometric characteristics of sulfide minerals.
First-principles study on the stability of Cd passivates in soil
Authors: Shen Jianglong , Li Juan , Mao Zhongan , Zhang Yang
Published: February 2023

The stable existence of heavy metals in soil under natural conditions is the core issue in heavy metal pollution solidification and remediation technology. This paper takes the common heavy metal ion Cd2+ as an example to analyze the stability of the combination of heavy metal ions and common ion groups in soil. The stability and existing form of Cd are analyzed by using the first principle, and the free energy, band structure, and partical density of states (PDOS) of CdCO3, CdSO4, CdCl2, CdSiO3 are calculated. Determine the stability of Cd binding to common anions in soil. The results show that the order of structural stability of cadmium compounds from high to low is CdSiO3, CdSO4, CdCO3, CdCl2. SO42−, and SiO32− can be used as preferred functional groups for cadmium pollution passivation. Anhydrous sodium sulfate and sodium silicate are effective passivator.
Creation of Co(II) single-ion magnets by doping into Zn(II) diamagnetic metal-organic frameworks
Authors: Wakizaka Masanori , Ishikawa Ryuta , Tanaka Hisaaki , Gupta Shraddha , Takaishi Shinya , Yamashita Masahiro
Published: February 2023

The combination of single-ion magnets (SIMs) and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) is expected to produce new quantum materials. The principal issue to be solved in this regard is the development of new strategies for the synthesis of SIM-MOFs. This work demonstrates a new simple strategy for the synthesis of SIM-MOFs where a diamagnetic MOF is used as the framework into which the SIM sites are doped. 1 mol%, 0.5 mol%, and 0.2 mol% of the Co(II) ions are doped into the Zn(II) sites of [CH6N3][ZnII(HCOO)3]. The doped Co(II) sites in the MOFs perform as SIM with a positive D term of zero-field splitting. Temperature dependency of the relaxation time suggests suppressing spin- lattice relaxation by the rigid framework. Thus, this work represents a proof of concept for the creation of single-ion doped magnets in MOFs. This simple synthetic strategy will be widely applied for the creation of quantum magnetic materials.
When space rules time: the Kappa effect with concurrent visual and tactile stimulation
Authors: De Pra Yuri , Catrambone Vincenzo , Wassenhove Virginie van , Valenza Gaetano , Bianchi Matteo
Published: February 2023

The spatial and temporal dimensions of a subjective experience are intertwined. In the Kappa effect, the spatial distance between consecutive visual stimuli proportionally influences the perceived duration of the inter-stimulus interval. Despite its relevance, to our knowledge no study has investigated such an illusory effect in concurrent multimodal perception through visual and tactile elicitations. To overcome this limitation, we characterise the Kappa effect on vision and somatosensation also through the assessment of duration perception in the sub-second range when sensory inputs are delivered on the palm or forearm using wearable devices. The effect of unimodal visual/tactile elicitations was also compared to several bimodal stimulations. Results showed that the illusory effect, which arose in both unimodal conditions, produces significantly higher distortions in vision. In the multimodal condition, when visual stimuli were at not-equidistant spatial locations, the integration with the tactile channel did not diminish the Kappa effect. Conversely, the Kappa effect vanished when the visual stimuli were at equidistant spatial locations, independently from the tactile stimuli location. These findings shed light on the human perceptual mechanisms, suggesting that the perceptual channel with lower variance in the spatial discrimination has a preeminent role in determining illusory perceptions in the time domain.
Evaluation of the susceptibility of Tritrichomonas foetus to extracts of Lantana camara (Verbenaceae) by flow cytometry
Authors: Lopez L A , Luque M E , Rivero M B , Abdala M E , Carranza P G , Luna B E , Lullo D Di , Volta B J , Rodriguez S A , Rivero F D
Published: February 2023

Bovine Trichomonosis (BT), a sexually transmitted disease endemic in countries with extensive cattle farming and natural service, is one of the most common causes of reproductive failure. 5-nitroimidazoles and their derivatives are used for its treatment, mainly metronidazole. The emergence of drug resistance mechanisms and treatment failures raise the need to investigate the effectiveness of new active compounds that contribute to parasite control. In this regard, extracts of Lantana camara (Verbenacea) have shown high biocidal potential against isolates of Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania braziliensis in vitro assays, although their effect on Tritrichomonas foetus has not been demonstrated yet. The available information on in vitro susceptibility of trichomonicidal drugs comes from the use of a diversity of methodologies and criteria, especially the observation of parasite motility under the optical microscope to assess their viability. Recently, in our laboratory, the use of flow cytometry has been described for the first time as a rapid and efficient method to evaluate the viability of T. foetus against metronidazole. The present study aimed to evaluate the cytostatic effect of L. camara extracts against T. foetus isolates by flow cytometry. Under aerobic conditions, IC50 values of 22.60 µg/mL were obtained on average. Under anaerobic conditions, the IC50 oscilated around 29.04 µg/mL. The results obtained allowed describing the susceptibility exhibited by these protozoa, being a valuable information for the development of potential BT treatments.
Beliefs About the Causes and Permanence of Depression in High-Symptom Adolescents: Correlates, Parent-Child Agreement, and Stability Over Time
Authors: Ahuvia Isaac L. , Schleider Jessica L.
Published: February 2023

Beliefs about the cause and timeline of depression inform how people manage depression and predict clinical outcomes. However, more research is needed to understand the relationship between these variables, especially among adolescents. We assessed causal and timeline beliefs in a sample ofN= 106 adolescents with elevated depression symptoms and their parents. Adolescents varied substantially in their endorsement of biological and external causes for depression, as well as in their beliefs about the timeline of depression. In contrast to prior research, we found that adolescents who held stronger biological causal beliefs also held stronger external causal beliefs (r= .39,p= .005). Moreover, neither causal beliefs were strongly linked with pessimistic timeline beliefs. Beliefs showed moderate stability across time, and adolescents’ beliefs did not correlate with those of their parents. We conclude that adolescents with elevated depression symptoms do not hold biological causal beliefs at the expense of other explanations.
WITHDRAWN: Functional network alterations in adult obstructive sleep apnea：A resting-state fNIRS study
Authors: Mingming Zhao , Wenhong Chen , xiaoying Mo , Jianrong Yang , Liu Howe , Lingli Shi , Hongwu Ma , Zhirong Jiang , Peiwen Zhang
Published: February 2023

Study Objectives: To evaluate brain network connectivity characteristics and complex network topology properties in adult with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) based on functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). Methods Forty-five subjects including 22 with OSA and 23 healthy as the control were recruited for assessment of a 3-minute resting-state prefrontal cortex (PFC) activity with the fNIRS technique. Only the oxygenated hemoglobin(HbO2) signal was used to calculate resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC) and construct brain connection network. To better describe prefrontal connectivity, we also divided it into four types of connectivity (Short-1: intra-hemispheric connection within Regions of interest (ROIs); Short-2: intra-hemispheric connection between ROIs; Long-1: inter-hemispheric connection witnin ROIs; Long-2: inter-hemispheric connection between ROIs). We extracted the relevant indicators of brain network connection and the complex network based on graph theory, and then analyzed the correlation between the indicators and cognitive scale. Results Compared with the healthy control group, patients with OSA showed more chaotic connection patterns, weaker intra- and inter-hemispheric connection intensity, and lower integration efficient. Specifically, patients with OSA exerted significantly lower connection intensity and the total network edge numbers in all four connection types. Furthermore, the average correlation coefficient and global efficiency of brain network were positively correlated with Montreal Cognitive Assessment score. Conclusions The fNIRS-based brain functional connection and complex network topology properties in patients with OSA were significantly different from those in healthy subjects. Such differences based on the fNIRS technique could be considered as potential biomarkers for OSA diagnosis, assessment, and intervention.
Optimal nodes placement using a closed BCMP queueing network
Authors: Mizuno Shinya , Ohba Haruka
Published: February 2023

In this study, a closed BCMP queueing network, which is one of the most flexible queueing models relative to customer class and multiple service types that can be selected, was used for optimal node placement. Although the closed BCMP queueing network offers flexibility, it is computationally expensive when calculating performance evaluation quantities, such as the average number of customers in a system. Thus, the application of the closed BCMP to large-scale problems is considered challenging. In this study, an optimal node placement model, which uses a genetic algorithm to select the nodes where customers are not concentrated and are appropriately distributed, was implemented using a computational engine that calculated the performance evaluation quantity of a closed BCMP queueing network in real time. Two types of objective functions were designed: a penalty type, which applied a penalty when customers were concentrated at a node, and a variance type, which minimized the standard deviation of the average number of customers to equalize the average in the system. The features of this study, including the large-scale application of the closed BCMP queueing network and optimal node placement model, find application as a general-purpose model for node allocation planning in numerous situations and have high academic significance in the application of queueing theory to the real world.
Assessing the knee joint biomechanics and trunk posture according to medial osteoarthritis severity
Authors: Suzuki Yuki , Ohkoshi Yasumitsu , Kawakami Kensaku , Shimizu Kenta , Chida Shuya , Ukishiro Kengo , Onodera Tomohiro , Iwasaki Koji , Maeda Tatsunori , Suzuki Shoji , Kondo Eiji , Iwasaki Norimasa
Published: February 2023

Background
During progression of knee osteoarthritis (KOA), coronal, sagittal, and horizontal biomechanical parameters are dramatically altered. The purpose of this study is to assess the three-dimensional knee joint biomechanics and trunk posture according to KOA severity.
Methods
Seventy-five patients (95 knees) with medial knee osteoarthritis and 19 young healthy controls (38 knees) were enrolled in this study. The Kellgren-Lawrence classification was used for radiographic evaluation. There were 20 patients with 24 knees with grade 2, 25 with 28 knees with grade 3, and 30 with 43 knees with grade 4. All patients walked at a self-selected speed using an optical motion capture system. Additionally, six-degrees-of-freedom kinematics of the knee joint were calculated using the point cluster technique. The three moment components of the knee joint were calculated using inverse dynamics.
Results
In grade 2 KOA, the relative contribution of knee adduction moment (KAM) increased significantly, and that of knee flexion moment (KFM) decreased at the first peak of total joint moment prior to significant progression of varus knee deformity. Grade 3 KOA showed significant exacerbation of varus knee deformity and increased KA. Maximum knee extension angle decreased and trunk flexion increased during gait in grade 4 KOA.
Conclusions
We showed that kinetic conversion occurred in grade 2 KOA prior to varus deformity appearance as in grade 3. Knee flexion contracture and trunk flexion during gait occurred in grade 4 KOA. The relative contribution of KAM increased significantly, and that of KFM decreased prior to progression of varus knee deformity.
Trial registration:
Not applicable
Identification of FKBP1A associated DC cell infiltration as malignant predictor to prognosis in Glioblastoma
Authors: Xu Liming , Lin Baihua , Jia Yongshi , Xiong Hanchu
Published: February 2023

Purpose: FKBP1A is a member of the immunophilin protein family, which participates in basic cellular processes involving cell proliferation and immunity, especially interacting with rapamycin drug and mTOR protein. However, the relation between FKBP1A and clinical characteristics in glioblastoma (GBM)patients remains to be explored.
Methods
HPA, Prognoscan and GEPIA2 databases were used for data mining and analyzing FKBP1A, its co-expressed genes and dendritic cell (DC) related markers. TIMER2.0 database was used for analyzing the correlation and prognosis of FKBP1A and DC cells infiltration level in GBM.
Results
For the first time, we found that up-regulated FKBP1A expression and its co-expressed genes RPN2, DDOST and ITGB1 were correlated with GBM patients’ worse survival. Then, the oncogenic gene FKBP1A correlated with abundant infiltration of DC cell in GBM, the increase of DC marker NRP1 expression was also mined to be significantly correlated with worse survival in GBM. FKBP1A might play a role in the biological activity of protein N-linked glycosylation among GBM tumor microenvironment.
Conclusions
These findings infer that FKBP1A and its associated DC cell infiltration are significantly potential novel malignant prognostic indicators for GBM.
Evaluation of the histologic effects of injectable hyaluronic acid as a filler material in rat’s lip
Authors: Alaroomy Leena , AbdelBary Sawsan , El-Rouby Dalia , Alwadeai Mohamed , Ashoub Madiha
Published: February 2023

Background: Injectable hyaluronic acid is a type of temporary dermal filler. Hyaluronic acid is found naturally throughout the body, with the highest concentrations in the joints, eyes, and skin. Injectable hyaluronic acid is used to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, facial folds, and to create structure, framework and volume to the face and lips.
Objectives: The present work aimed to examine the early and late histopathological changes occurring in the lower lips of rats, as a result of hyaluronic acid injection, and to determine whether it could really bring us closer to the ideal soft tissue filler material. This research highlights the importance of experimental studies on this subject, since adverse reactions have been observed routinely in dental practice.
Material and methods: The present study was carried out on 36 adult male albino rats with age ranging from 2 to 3 months and weight ranging from 150 to 200g. Rats were divided into two equal groups, each consisting of 18 rats; group I (control group) and group II (experimental group). Rats in the experimental group were injected with hyaluronic acid (0.07 ml), whereas rats in the control group were injected with 0.9% sodium chloride. Each group was further subdivided into 3 subgroups: A, B and C according to the time of sacrifice at one week, one and a half months and three months respectively.
Results: The results showed inflammation triggered by the injection of hyaluronic acid. On examining the specimens histologically using Hematoxylin and Eosin stains, Toluidine Blue stain and immunohistochemistry with anti-CD68 antibody, there was a significantly greater inflammatory response in the groups at early interval with hyaluronic acid compared with the control (P<0.0001). Higher collagen formation was also observed with Masson’s Trichrome staining.
Conclusion: Based on the histopathological, histochemical and immunohistochemical results of this study, undesirable effects of hyaluronic acid filler injection can be detected at early intervals following its injection. Fortunately, all the undesirable effects are transient and decrease by time, reaching levels comparable to normal. Overall, HA was well-tolerated by tissues, reflecting how this filler material possesses a biocompatible property.
International Practice Patterns of Dyslipidemia Management in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease under Nephrology Care: Is it time to review guideline recommendations?
Authors: Calice-Silva Viviane , Muenz Daniel , Wong Michelle M.Y. , McCullough Keith , Charytan David , Reichel Helmut , Robinson Bruce , Stengel Benedicte , Massy Ziad A. , Pecoits-Filho Roberto
Published: February 2023

Background
In contrast to guidelines related to lipid therapy in other areas, 2012 Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) guidelines recommend conducting a lipid profile upon diagnosis of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and treating all patients older than 50 years without defining a target for lipid levels. We evaluated multinational practice patterns for lipid management in patients with advanced CKD under nephrology care.
Methods
We analyzed lipid-lowering therapy (LLT), LDL- cholesterol (LDL-C) levels, and nephrologist-specified LDL-C goal upper limits in adult patients with eGFR < 60ml/min from nephrology clinics in Brazil, France, Germany, and the United States (2014–2019). Models were adjusted for CKD stage, country, cardiovascular risk indicators, sex, and age.
Results
LLT treatment differed significantly by country, from 51% in Germany to 61% in the US and France (p = 0.002) for statin monotherapy. For ezetimibe with or without statins, the prevalence was 0.3% in Brazil to 9% in France (< 0.001). Compared with patients not taking lipid-lowering therapy, LDL-C was lower among treated patients (p < 0.0001) and differed significantly by country (p < 0.0001). At the patient level, the LDL-C levels and statin prescription did not vary significantly by CKD stage (p = 0.09 LDL-C and p = 0.24 statin use). Between 7–23% of untreated patients in each country had LDL-C ≥ 160 mg/dL. Only 7–17% of nephrologists believed that LDL-C should be < 70 mg/dL.
Conclusion
There is substantial variation in practice patterns regarding LLT across countries but not across CKD stages. Treated patients appear to benefit from LDL-C lowering, yet a significant proportion of hyperlipidemia patients under nephrologist care are not receiving treatment.
IoT based Ground Water Level Monitoring System and Its Impact in Agricultural Applications
Authors: JAISUDHAN AZHAGU JAISUDHAN PAZHANI
Published: February 2023

The concept of a water level monitoring system is designed here. The proposed investigate microcontroller-based water level sensing and sound detection in a wireless context, as well as distance computation using an acoustic sensor. Residential electricity usage and water overflow could be reduced with the implementation of a water level monitoring method. It can also indicate that the sensor will detect water and that the water range will be displayed on the LCD if water is detected. Furthermore, cellular phones with a high-quality graphical user interface and a relatively high processing power have just become available. The utilization of such a valuable resource in a mobile application is required from the user's perspective. The suggested technology is a wireless groundwater monitoring system. Prototype sensor module that records and sends real-time groundwater level data from remote locations. It can be used for bore well and agriculture purposes. All data information is connected by the IoT (Internet of Things), a web- and cellular-based monitoring service protocol for calculating and sensing water levels. From the identified water, water quality and TDS have been measured for analyzing the quality levels of water.
Prediction of Air Quality Index (AQI) using Neural Approach
Authors: Singh Mayank Pratap , Chaturvedi D. K.
Published: February 2023

Air pollution has become a serious environmental issue. It is responsible for hundreds of fatalities each year and it poses a serious threat to human health and environment. It leads to global warming, greenhouse effect and it also causes respiratory problems like asthma, lung cancer etc. It is important to predict the quality of the air to regulate air pollution. In this paper, the neural approach is used in predicting the Air quality.
Comprehensive evaluation of similarity between synthetic and real CT images for nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Yuan Siqi , Chen Xinyuan , Liu Yuxiang , Zhu Ji , Men Kuo , Dai Jianrong
Published: February 2023

Background:
Although magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-to-computed tomography (CT) synthesis studies based on deep learning have significantly progressed, the similarity between synthetic CT (sCT) and real CT (rCT) has only been evaluated in image quality metrics (IQMs). To evaluate the similarity between synthetic CT (sCT) and real CT (rCT) comprehensively, we comprehensively evaluated IQMs and radiomic features for the first time.
Methods:
This study enrolled 127 patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma who underwent CT and MRI scans. Supervised-learning (Unet) and unsupervised-learning (CycleGAN) methods were applied to build MRI-to-CT synthesis models. The regions of interest (ROIs) included nasopharynx gross tumor volume (GTVnx), brainstem, parotid glands, and temporal lobes. The peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR), mean absolute error (MAE), root mean square error (RMSE), and structural similarity (SSIM) were used to evaluate image quality. Additionally, 837 radiomic features were extracted for each ROI, and the correlation was evaluated using the concordance correlation coefficient (CCC).
Results:
The MAE, RMSE, SSIM, and PSNR of the body were 91.99, 187.12, 0.97, and 51.15 for Unet and 108.30, 211.63, 0.96, and 49.84 for CycleGAN. For the metrics, Unet was superior to CycleGAN (p < 0.05). For the radiomic features, the percentage of four levels (ie, excellent, good, moderate, and poor, respectively) were as follows: GTVnx, 8.5%, 14.6%, 26.5%, and 50.4% for Unet and 12.3%, 25%, 38.4%, and 24.4% for CycleGAN; other ROIs, 5.44%± 3.27%, 5.56% ± 2.92%, 21.38% ± 6.91%, and 67.58% ± 8.96% for Unet and 5.16% ± 1.69%, 3.5% ± 1.52%, 12.68% ± 7.51%, and 78.62% ± 8.57% for CycleGAN.
Conclusions:
Unet-sCT was superior to CycleGAN-sCT for the IQMs. However, neither exhibited absolute superiority in radiomic features, and both were far less similar to rCT. Therefore, further work is required to improve the radiomic similarity for MRI-to-CT synthesis.
Trial registration:
This study was a retrospective study, so it was free from registration.
Association of ADC of hyperintense lesions on FLAIR images with TERT promotor mutation status in glioblastoma IDH wild type
Authors: Mastuda Ken-ichiro , Mitobe Yuta , Kanemura Yonehiro , Kanoto Masafumi , Futakuchi Mitsuru , Sonoda Yukihiko
Published: February 2023

Purpose: Although mutations in telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) promoter (TERTp) are the most common alterations in glioblastoma, predicting TERTp mutation status by preoperative imaging is difficult. We determined whether tumor-surrounding hyperintense lesions on fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) were superior to those of contrast-enhanced lesions (CEL) in assessing TERTp mutation status using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Methods: This retrospective study included 114 consecutive patients with primary isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH)-wild-type glioblastoma. Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and volume of CELs and FHLs were determined, and the correlation between MRI features and TERTp mutation status was analyzed. In a subset of cases, FHLs were histopathologically analyzed to determine the correlation of tumor cell density and ADC.
Results: TERTp mutations were present in 77 (67.5%) patients. The minimum ADC of FHLs was significantly lower in the TERTp-mutant group than in the TERTp-wild-type group (mean, 961.0 × 10−3 and 1159.9 × 10−3 mm2/s, respectively; P < 0.01). However, other MRI features such as CEL and FHL volumes, minimum ADC of CELs, and FHL/CEL ratio, were not significantly different between the two groups. Histopathologic analysis indicated high tumor cell density in FHLs with low ADC.
Conclusion: The ADC of FHLs was significantly lower in IDH-wild-type glioblastoma with TERTp mutations, suggesting that determining the ADC of FHLs on preoperative MRI might be helpful in predicting TERTp mutation status and surgical planning.
Regularity of the equilibrium measure for meromorphic correspondences
Authors: Dinh Tien-Cuong , Wu Hao
Published: February 2023

Let f be a meromorphic correspondence on a compact Kahler manifold X of dimension k. Assume that its topological degree is larger than the dynamical degree of order k - 1. We obtain a quantitative regularity of the equilibrium measure of f in terms of its super-potentials.
Classification AMS 2020: 32H, 37F05, 32U40.
17q25.3 copy number changes: association with neurodevelopmental disorders and cardiac malformation
Authors: Sahajpal Nikhil Shri , Jeffrey David , DuPont Barbara R. , Hilton Benjamin A.
Published: February 2023

Copy number variants (CNVs) have been identified as common genomic variants that play a significant role in inter-individual variability. The rare recurrent CNVs have been found to be causal for many disorders with well-established genotype-phenotype relationships. However, the phenotypic implications of rare non-recurrent CNVs remain poorly understood. Herein, we re-investigated 18,664 cases reported from chromosomal microarray (CMA) at Greenwood Genetic Center from 2010 to 2022 and identified 15 cases with CNVs involving the 17q25.3 region. We report the detailed clinical features of these subjects, and compare with the cases reported in the literature to determine genotype-phenotype correlation for a subset of genes in this region.The CNVs in the 17q25.3 region were found to be rare events, with a prevalence of 0.0008% (15/18664) observed in our cohort. The CNVs spanned the entire 17q25.3 region with variable breakpoints and no smallest region of overlap. The subjects demonstrated a wide range of clinical features, with neurodevelopmental disorders (ASD, ID, DD) being the most common feature in 80% of cases, expressive language disorder in 33% of cases, followed by cardiovascular malformations in 26% of cases. The association of the critical gene-rich region of 17q25.3 with neurodevelopmental disorders and cardiac malformation, implicates several genes as plausible drivers for these events.
Comparative analysis of genetic diversity in wild and restored subtropical rainforest trees: Argyrodendron trifoliolatum, Ficus watkinsiana and Diploglottis australis
Authors: Cooper Sally L , Bundock Peter C , Nock Catherine
Published: February 2023

Since European settlement of Australia, substantial areas of subtropical rainforest have been cleared. More recently, effort is being made to restore small areas of this biodiverse ecological community. The financial investment and increasing reliance on ecological restoration in biodiversity conservation justifies a need for a better understanding of how to improve success at the genetic level. This research measures the levels of genetic diversity (allelic richness (Rs), expected heterozygosity (He), and inbreeding using Wright’s coefficient (FIS)) for expected neutral DNA markers in three characteristic Australian subtropical rainforest trees – white booyong (Argyrodendron trifoliolatum), Watkin’s fig (Ficus watkinsiana) and native tamarind (Diploglottis australis). Wild and restored populations of these species were sampled and compared in two neighbouring regions in Northeast New South Wales (the Tweed Caldera and the Big Scrub). There were no statistically significant differences in allelic richness or expected heterozygosity between wild and restored populations for any of the target species. Inbreeding was significantly higher in one of the restored versus wild population comparisons: F. watkinsiana in the Tweed (restored F = 0.20; wild F = -0.02; p = 0.01)). Small but statistically significant genetic differentiation between restored and wild populations (FST < 0.17 Big Scrub, FST < 0.053 Tweed) was detected for some of the comparisons between these cohorts. The comparable levels of genetic diversity observed in restored and wild populations targeted in this study are likely due to informed practitioner perspectives and practices, multiple introductions and high genetic diversity and low genetic differentiation within source populations.
Sequencing, cloning and expression of the panfilovirus glycoprotein specific recombinant mAb 8C12F11 in a CHO mammalian cell line
Authors: Plewczynski Dariusz , Vlachakis Dimitrios , Bongcam-Rudloff Erik , Jovelin Fabien , Weyer Jacqueline , Paweska Janusz T , Wayengera Misaki
Published: February 2023

Background
Point-of-care diagnostics are a pivotal component of the medical counter-measures against natural outbreaks or bioterror attacks of Class A pathogens. We previously identified and patented conserved B cells of filovirus glycoproteins for diagnostic, therapeutic and subunit vaccine R & D. In recent in-vitro studies, we validated three mAbs as components of an effective sandwich combo for the capture & detection of zaire ebolavirus (EBOV) species. This work describes the gene sequences and methods for the cloning and expression of a recombinant anti-peptide 2 mAb (8C12F11) in CHO mammalian cells towards faster recombinant in-bulk production in-vitro relative to mice-hybridoma generation in-vivo.
Methods
Mice hybridoma were prepared & cultured on modified dulbecco's eagle’s medium (MDEM) Total RNA was extracted using RNA-easy isolation reagent (Vazyme), and reverse transcribed into cDNA using SMARTScribe reverse transcriptase. Antibody fragments of heavy (H) and light (L) chains were amplified by rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) and cloned into standard vectors for screening in 5 colonies. Inserts of matching phenotypic colonies were sequenced by Sanger capillary sequencing and aligned by IMGT analysis of VDJ. Isotyping was done by constant region analysis.
Results
Consensus sequences of the coding DNA of the heavy and light chains of an isotype IgG1/kappa recombinant mice mAb (Genbank accession #s OP966766 and OP966767, respectively) are presented. The biophysical profile of the full expressed recombinant mAb demonstrates a single protein of approximately 142 kda under non reducing conditions and tetramer of duplexes of 23ka and 48kda, respectively. The average area under sec-HPLC curve at a wavelength of 280 nm is 2490.55
Conclusions
This work summarizes the first ever gene sequencing, cloning, and expression of the recombinant panfilovirus mAb 8C12F11 in a CHO mammalian cell line
Protective effect of CACNA1A deficiency against seizure in the CACNA1A-CELSR2 digenic knockdown flies
Authors: Liu Chu-Qiao , Lin Yong-Miao , Zhang Xi-Xing , Peng Rong-Chao , Qiao Jing-Da
Published: February 2023

The vast majority of medically intractable epilepsy cases can be traced to polygenic backgrounds, and pathogenic variants contribute to genetic risk in the complex inheritance of this common disorder. We generated monogenic and digenic drosophila models by knock-down of two epilepsy-associated genes, CACNA1A and CELSR2, with impacts on intersynaptic calcium activities. Monogenic knockdown of CACNA1A or CELSR2 could induce seizure-like behavior in flies. Interestingly, seizure behavior tests showed that CACNA1A deficiency could attenuate the seizure-like activities of the CACNA1A-CELSR2 digenic knockdown flies. The protective effect of CACNA1A deficiency was quantitatively fitted with multiple linear regression equation based on the seizure rates. In calcium imaging results, CACNA1A monogenic knockdown flies showed higher frequency of large spikes calcium activity than that of wild-type flies. That would be the neural base of the seizure in CACNA1A deficiency flies. However, the area under curve of calcium activity showed no difference between CACNA1A monogenic knockdown flies and wild-type flies. The calcium imaging results could partially illustrate the mechanism of the protective effect of CACNA1A deficiency. Furthermore, our study could be an ideal strategy to study polygenic effect on epilepsy by using animal model.
A Hebbian Model to Account for Musical Expertise Differences in a Working Memory Task.
Authors: Lörch Lucas , Lemaire Benoît , Portrat Sophie
Published: February 2023

Introduction

The TBRS*C computational model provides a mathematical implementation of the cognitive processes involved in complex span tasks. The logic of the core processes, i.e., encoding, refreshing/time-based decay and chunking, is based on Hebbian learning, synaptic facilitation, and long-term neural plasticity, respectively. The modeling, however, takes place on a cognitive rather than physiological level. Chunking is implemented as a process of searching sequences of memoranda in long-term memory and recoding them as a single unit which increases the efficacy of memory maintenance. Using TBRS*C simulations, the present study investigated how chunking and central working memory processes change with expertise.

Method

Hobby musicians and music students completed a complex span task in which sequences of twelve note symbols were presented for serial recall of pitch. After the presentation of each memorandum, participants performed an unknown, notated melody on an electric piano. To manipulate the potential for chunking, we varied if sequences of memoranda formed meaningful tonal structures (major triads) or arbitrary trichords. Hobby musicians and music students were each split up in a higher-expertise and a lower-expertise group and TBRS*C simulations were performed for each group individually.

Results

In the simulations, higher-expertise hobby musicians encoded memoranda more rapidly, invested less time in chunk search, and recognized chunks with a higher chance than lower-expertise hobby musicians. Parameter estimates for music students showed only marginal expertise differences.

Conclusion

We conclude that expertise in the TBRS model can be conceptualized by a rapid access to long-term memory and by chunking, which leads to an increase in the opportunity and efficacy of refreshing.
Carbon footprint of reinforced concretes columns with and without supplementary cementitious materials
Authors: CORDOBA Gisela , IRASSAR Edgardo Fabián
Published: February 2023

Purpose
The construction sector consumes a large quantity of natural resources and generates a great deal of carbon dioxide emissions and wastes, affecting its sustainability. The replacement of Portland cement for supplementary cementitious materials (SCM) could reduce the environmental impact. This paper examines the carbon footprint of reinforced concrete columns. It focuses on the influence of increasing the steel cross-section and reducing the clinker factor by replacing Portland cement with SCM.
Methods
Eighteen concrete mixtures were selected and classified according to the specified compressive strength at 28 days of curing using binary and ternary blended cements. Columns were designed consisting of such concretes and employing different reinforcing steel cross-sections. The Life Cycle Assessment was conducted on ISO 14040 standard. The embodied carbon dioxide (ECO2) of the reinforced concrete columns was determined.
Results
The results show that the higher the compressive strength of concrete, the lower the carbon footprint of the columns. Concretes with a high volume of SCM replacement and low compressive strength at 28 days do not show the lowest carbon footprint since it requires a greater volume of material to withstand the bearing capacity. It is possible to reduce the volume of materials and reduce the carbon footprint by increasing the steel section of the columns. This reduction is smaller the higher the compressive strength of the concrete.
Conclusions
Portland cement is the component material of concrete that contributes the most to ECO2 and steel has the highest ECO2/ton. Replacing Portland cement with SCM reduces ECO2 at one point of the life cycle, and may increase the material volume and ECO2 at another. The lowest carbon footprint of compressed reinforced concrete elements is achieved for the higher-strength concretes and the minimum volume of materials required.
Future Directions Workshop: Materials, Processes, and R&D Challenges in Microelectronics
Authors: Guha Supratik , Wong H.-S. Philip , Incorvia Jean Anne , Chowdhury Srabanti
Published: February 2023

Microelectronics is a complex field with ever-evolving technologies and business needs, fueled by decades of continued fundamental materials science and engineering advancement. Decades of dimensional scaling have led to the point where even the name microelectronics inadequately describes the field, as most modern devices operate on the nanometer scale. As we reach physical limits and seek more efficient ways for computing, research in new materials may offer alternative design approaches that involve much more than electron transport e.g. photonics, spintronics, topological materials, and a variety of exotic quasi-particles. New engineering processes and capabilities offer the means to take advantage of new materials designs e.g. 3D integration, atomic scale fabrication processes and metrologies, digital twins for semiconductor processes and microarchitectures. The wide range of potential technological approaches provides both opportunities and challenges. The Materials, Processes, and R and D Challenges in Microelectronics Future Directions workshop was held June 23-24, 2022, at the Basic Research Innovation Collaboration Center in Arlington, VA, to examine these opportunities and challenges. Sponsored by the Basic Research Directorate of the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, it is intended as a resource for the S and T community including the broader federal funding community, federal laboratories, domestic industrial base, and academia.
Vergleichende Evaluation von Explorationsarten in interaktiven 3D-360°-Anwendungen
Authors: Funk Johannes , Schmidt Ludger
Published: February 2023

Die vorliegende Studie vergleicht drei Arten des explorativen Lernens mit interaktiven 3D-360°-Anwendungen. Als Szenarien für die Anwendung werden simulierte Vor-Ort-Termine von Handwerkern beim Kunden verwendet. In den Handwerksszenarien «Maler», «Elektriker» und «Klempner» sollen handwerksübliche Arbeitsaufgaben zur Vorbereitung auf reale Vor-Ort-Termine mit verschiedenen Explorationsarten durchgeführt werden. In Art A werden Arbeitsabläufe von einer Fachperson im Video durchgeführt und vom Nutzer beobachtet. In Art B werden arbeitsaufgabenrelevante Stellen in der gezeigten Umgebung durch «!»-Symbole markiert. In Art C werden keine Markierungen eingesetzt, relevante Stellen müssen vom Nutzer entdeckt werden. Die Studie mit 30 Teilnehmern im Within-Subject-Design prüft unter anderem die Hypothesen, ob sich die Explorationsart auf die Gebrauchstauglichkeit (SUS), das Benutzungserlebnis (UEQ) und die eingenommene Rolle der nutzenden Person (aktiv/passiv) auswirkt. Bei allen Explorationsarten liegt eine vergleichbar hohe Gebrauchstauglichkeit vor. Das Benutzungserlebnis ist sowohl in Art B als auch in Art C signifikant höher als in Art A. In Art C wird die eigene Nutzerrolle aktiver eingeschätzt als in Art A und B. Art B ist wiederum aktiver als Art A. Das bessere Benutzungserlebnis und die aktivere Rolle der nutzenden Person bei gleichbleibend hoher Gebrauchstauglichkeit machen die Explorationsarten B (markierte Stellen) und C (unmarkierte Umgebung) interessant für die Wissensvermittlung von praktischen Inhalten.
Innovative Accounting and Audit of the Metaverse Resources
Authors: Zadorozhnyi Zenovii-Mykhaylo , Muravskyi Volodymyr , Humenna-Derij Mariia , Zarudna Nataliia
Published: February 2023

Active use of virtual electronic information environments – metaverses is the most perspective way of information and communication technologies development. In the meta-environment, traditional accounting objects undergo significant changes due to their intangible interpretation, which requires improving their accounting and auditing reflection. Accordingly, the purpose of this study is to improve the methodology and organization of accounting and auditing in the metaverse in terms of identification, recognition, and reflection in the accounting system of non-current intangible assets, goodwill of IT companies, NFT (non-fungible tokens), cryptocurrencies, sales costs and other objects in the meta-environment. To implement the purpose of scientific research, systemic, innovative, and institutional approaches and economic and mathematical modelling, bibliographic and comparative analysis have been used. Given the significant public distrust and active threats in the digital business, the need to introduce an audit in the metaverse to ensure the reliability, integrity, and legitimacy of information flows is justified. The possibility of recognizing from the standpoint of accounting and auditing of all virtual tools and objects of work that carry out the cycle in the meta-environment in the form of NFT, assets due to: uniqueness and separation from other accounting objects; opportunities for free purchase (sale) in the meta space, potential economic value in the case of retention and accumulation; reliable determination of value based on costs, sales contract or expert (market) assessment. It is proposed to classify NFT according to the criterion of useful life on non-current and current assets with the appropriate reflection in the composition of non-current and current intangible assets. The prospects of personalized marketing promotion of products (goods, services) in the metaverse with separate accounting of costs for the sale of tangible and intangible objects to ensure the reliability, analytical, and comparability of accounting information have been defined. As a result, a conclusion was formed on the expediency of transforming the reporting structure of meta-environment enterprises in terms of increasing the share of intangible assets and the potential absence of any tangible assets in terms of the full transfer of financial and economic activities in a virtual environment. The order of structuring the reporting of the enterprises of the metaverse needs further research.
Somatic Embryogenesis of Myrciaria dubia (Kunth.) McVaugh
Authors: Chagas Edvan Alves , Crane Jonathan H. , Chagas Pollyana Cardoso , Vendrame Wagner , Costa Barbara Nogueira Souza , Neto Aurélio Rubens , Araújo Maria Conceição Rocha , de Araújo Machado Caroline , Moura Elias Ariel
Published: February 2023

Myrciaria dubia (caçari or camu-camu) is a species with great relevance because of its high levels of bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity. The species is propagated mainly by seed, which leads to high genetic diversity. Producing plants that maintain their characteristics on a large scale at a low cost is a challenge for fruit species, especially in the Myrtaceae family. Therefore, this study aimed at assessing the effects of different plant growth regulators at various concentrations for the induction of somatic embryogenesis from caçari nodal segments and leaf disk explants. Two independent experiments were performed using nodal segments and leaf disks from plants grown in the greenhouse. In the first experiment, the combined effect of auxin and cytokinin at different concentrations was evaluated: 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid at 0, 1, 2, and 4 mg⋅L–1; and benzylaminopurine at 0, 0.25, 0.5, and 1 mg⋅L–1). In the second experiment, the application of different plant growth regulators (benzylaminopurine, kinetin, thidiazuron, and isopentenyl adenine) and their concentrations (0, 2, 4, and 6 mg⋅L–1) were evaluated. In both experiments, the basic culture medium was woody plant medium. Callus formation via nodal segments and leaf disks occurred in the first 30 d from cultivation and proved to be responsive to induction by 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and benzylaminopurine. Auxin proved to be essential for somatic embryogenesis induction in nodal segments using 1 and 4 mg⋅L–1 of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid alone. The results of this experiment will help advancing protocols for regeneration of somatic embryos and elucidating the physiological, molecular, and genetic mechanisms involved in the process of somatic embryogenesis for M. dubia. The development of an efficient protocol for in vitro clonal propagation of this species also lays the groundwork for further optimization of the system for genetic transformation.