bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Feedback-AVPGAN: Feedback-guided generative adversarial network for generating antiviral peptides
Authors: Hasegawa Kano , Moriwaki Yoshitaka , Terada Tohru , Wei Cao , Shimizu Kentaro
Published: November 2022

In this study, we propose Feedback-AVPGAN, a system that aims to computationally generate novel antiviral peptides (AVPs). This system relies on the key premise of the Generative Adversarial Network (GAN) model and the Feedback method. GAN, a generative modeling approach that uses deep learning methods, comprises a generator and a discriminator. The generator is used to generate peptides; the generated proteins are fed to the discriminator to distinguish between the AVPs and non-AVPs. The original GAN design uses actual data to train the discriminator. However, not many AVPs have been experimentally obtained. To solve this problem, we used the Feedback method to allow the discriminator to learn from the existing as well as generated synthetic data. We implemented this method using a classifier module that classifies each peptide sequence generated by the GAN generator as AVP or non-AVP. The classifier uses the transformer network and achieves high classification accuracy. This mechanism enables the efficient generation of peptides with a high probability of exhibiting antiviral activity. Using the Feedback method, we evaluated various algorithms and their performance. Moreover, we modeled the structure of the generated peptides using AlphaFold2 and determined the peptides having similar physicochemical properties and structures to those of known AVPs, although with different sequences.
Generalized Barrow entropic holographic dark energy with Granda–Oliver cut-off
Authors: Garg Priyanka , Pradhan Anirudh , Bhardwaj Vinod Kumar
Published: November 2022

Holographic dark energy (HDE) models are significantly different from standard dark energy (DE) models since they are based on holographic principles rather than mentioning a term in Lagrangian. Nojiri et al. [Barrow entropic dark energy: A member of generalized holographic dark energy family, Phys. Lett. B 825 (2022) 136844] proposed a generalized Barrow HDE (BHDE) model depending on particle horizon and future horizon, where the infra-red cut-off is considered as a usual cut-off. In this paper, we have revisited the generalized BHDE adopting the Granda–Oliver cut-off as the standard cut-off for the model. We have generalized BHDE behaviors with two different cut-offs, future horizon [Formula: see text] and particle horizon [Formula: see text]. The holographic cut-off is extended to depend on [Formula: see text], where a is the scale factor. Using this formalism, we demonstrated that the Barrow entropic DE model is equivalent to the generalized HDE model, where two ways are used to compute the respective holographic cut-off: first, in terms of particle horizon and its derivative, and second, future horizon and its derivative. We use 57 observational data points to determine the current Hubble constant [Formula: see text]. We have studied the behavior of few quantities, such as DE density [Formula: see text], pressure [Formula: see text], equation of state (EoS) parameter under the observational data. Here, we have to find the EoS parameter for generalized HDE, equivalent to Barrow entropic DE model. Besides this, we have also discussed k-essence and tachyon DE models.
Accelerating cosmological models in f(T,B) gravitational theory
Authors: Kadam S. A. , Said Jackson Levi , Mishra B.
Published: November 2022

In this paper, we have explored the field equations of [Formula: see text] gravity as an extension of teleparallel gravity in an isotropic and homogeneous space-time. In the basic formalism developed, the dynamical parameters are derived by incorporating the power law and exponential scale factor function. The models show accelerating behavior and approach [Formula: see text]CDM at late time. The present value of the equation of state parameter for both the cases is obtained to be in accordance with the range provided by cosmological observations. The geometrical parameters and the scalar field reconstruction are performed to assess the viability of a late-time accelerating universe. Further, the stability of both the models is presented. It has been observed that both the models are parameter-dependent. Since most of the geometrically modified theories of gravity favor the violation of strong energy condition (SEC), we have derived the energy conditions both for the power law and exponential model. In both the models, the violation of SEC is established.
HOW USING WEATHER AND CLIMATE INFORMATION SERVICES MAY IMPACT FARM PRODUCTIVITY AND TECHNICAL EFFICIENCY: EVIDENCE FROM COWPEA AND SESAME PRODUCERS IN BURKINA FASO
Authors: OUÉDRAOGO MATHIEU , BARRY SILAMANA , ZOUGMORÉ ROBERT B.
Published: November 2022

Weather and climate information services (WCIS) are recognized as a powerful tool to support the management of climate risk in the context of climate variability. However, the picture of its value for agriculture is not yet well evaluated. This study used the Average Treatment Effect (ATE) framework to assess the impact of WCIS use on yield, income and technical efficiency of cowpea and sesame production in Burkina Faso. The study involved 170 farmers from 17 villages including 11 experimental villages exposed to WCIS and 6 control villages not exposed. The study found that farmers exposed to WCIS changed their crop management’s practices. A significant number of farmers used forecasts of the rainy season’ length and the onset date to choose which crop and variety to grow, which location and size of plots to crop. Daily forecast information was used for farm crop operations (choosing the date of land preparation, sowing, fertilizing, weeding, etc.), while the seasonal forecast was used for strategic decision (selection of crop and production site location). The use of farm inputs and labor requirements are different between climate-informed farmers and non-exposed farmers, the latter farmers tending to use more labor. The study showed that cowpea producers using WCIS obtained significantly higher yields (848[Formula: see text]kg/ha on an average compared to 675[Formula: see text]kg/ha for non-WCIS users); higher gross margin (34% higher than non-users). However, the impact of WCIS was not significant for sesame production. This may translate the strong linkage and dependence of the effectiveness of using WCIS with other factors than just climate variability, particularly the ability of the farmer to understand and apply relevant agro-met-advisories and crop–soil–water attributes.
Producing competent HPC graduates
Authors: Chen Juan , Ghafoor Sheikh , Impagliazzo John
Published: November 2022

Employers seek recruits who can apply the knowledge, skill, and culture they acquire in college to solve problems as soon as they enter the workforce.
Quantum computers and the universe
Authors: Monroe Don
Published: November 2022

Ideas for quantum computing change the way we think about space and time.
Preserving the past with immersive technologies
Authors: Shein Esther
Published: November 2022

Digital technologies such as virtual reality, augmented reality, and holograms allow museums and other institutions to preserve historical events and tell stories in an engaging way.
Swarm robotics moves forward
Authors: Greengard Samuel
Published: November 2022

Drawing inspiration from nature to enable complex behaviors.
Finding an alternate way forward with AI
Authors: Hoffmann Leah
Published: November 2022

Former Googlers Timnit Gebru and Alex Hanna are thinking about outcomes at their Distributed AI Research Institute.
DIAMETRICS
Authors: Deep Shaleen , Gruenheid Anja , Nagaraj Kruthi , Naito Hiro , Naughton Jeff , Viglas Stratis
Published: November 2022

This paper introduces DIAMETRICS: a novel framework for end-to-end benchmarking and performance monitoring of query engines. DIAMETRICS consists of a number of components supporting tasks such as automated workload summarization, data anonymization, benchmark execution, monitoring, regression identification, and alerting. The architecture of DIAMETRICS is highly modular and supports multiple systems by abstracting their implementation details and relying on common canonical formats and pluggable software drivers. The end result is a powerful unified framework that is capable of supporting every aspect of benchmarking production systems and workloads. DIAMETRICS has been developed in Google and is being used to benchmark various internal query engines. In this paper, we give an overview of DIAMETRICS and discuss its design and implementation. Furthermore, we provide details about its deployment and example use cases. Given the variety of supported systems and use cases within Google, we argue that its core concepts can be used more widely to enable comparative end-to-end benchmarking in other industrial environments.
Dissecting Flux Balances to Measure Energetic Costs in Cell Biology: Techniques and Challenges
Authors: Arunachalam Easun , Ireland William , Yang Xingbo , Needleman Daniel
Published: November 2022

Life is a nonequilibrium phenomenon: Metabolism provides a continuous supply of energy that drives nearly all cellular processes. However, very little is known about how much energy different cellular processes use, i.e., their energetic costs. The most direct experimental measurements of these costs involve modulating the activity of cellular processes and determining the resulting changes in energetic fluxes. In this review, we present a flux balance framework to aid in the design and interpretation of such experiments and discuss the challenges associated with measuring the relevant metabolic fluxes. We then describe selected techniques that enable measurement of these fluxes. Finally, we review prior experimental and theoretical work that has employed techniques from biochemistry and nonequilibrium physics to determine the energetic costs of cellular processes.
An In Vitro Comparison of Costimulatory Domains in Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cell for Breast Cancer Treatment
Authors: Khuisangeam Nattarika , Jewmoung Sirirut , Thaiwong Rattapoom , Tudsamran Suparat , Hirankarn Nattiya , Suppipat Koramit , Tawinwung Supannikar
Published: November 2022

Adoptive cellular therapy with chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells has emerged as a potential novel treatment for various cancers. In this study, we have generated CAR T cells targeting mucin-1 (MUC1), which is an aberrantly glycosylated antigen overexpressed on breast cancer cells. Two different signaling domains, including CD28 and 41BB, were incorporated and directly compared the superiority of different costimulatory signals. Two different CAR MUC1 constructs were transduced into primary T cells and evaluated their characteristics and antitumor activities against MUC1+ cancer cells. CAR MUC1 T cells showed high transduction efficiency and antigen specificity toward MUC1+ cancer cell lines and primary breast cancer cells. When coculturing with target cells, the transduced cells exhibited potent antitumor activity in vitro and secrete proinflammatory cytokines. Upon antigen stimulation, incorporation of the 41BB signaling domain was able to improve T cell proliferation and reduce surface PD1 expression and the upregulation of suppressive cytokines, when compared with CAR MUC1 containing the CD28 domain. Our findings show that CAR T cell targeting MUC1 can be effective against MUC1+ breast cancer cell and support the further development of CAR MUC1 T cells containing 41BB signaling in preclinical and clinical studies of breast cancer treatment.
Climate Change and Water Crises in Pakistan: Implications on Water Quality and Health Risks
Authors: Ishaque Waseem , Tanvir Rida , Mukhtar Mudassir
Published: November 2022

Pakistan is vulnerable and most affected by adverse impacts of climate change. The study examines the impact of climate change on Pakistan during the year 2022, resulting into unprecedented heatwave and drought in summers followed by the abnormal rains and floods during monsoon season. Agriculture is the backbone of Pakistan’s economy, which has been devastated by both drought and floods. While the flood water is gradually receding, the stagnant contaminated water is causing several health risks for the inhabitants. This research argues that water security is the emerging national security challenge for Pakistan. The article investigates the status of water availability vis‐a‐vis the burgeoning population, agriculture, and other uses of water. Impact of abnormal melting of glaciers, nonavailability of dams for storage of rainwater, and lack of smart means for agriculture water have been examined to empirically validate the arguments.
Molecular Function of cGAS‐STING in SARS‐CoV‐2: A Novel Approach to COVID‐19 Treatment
Authors: Moossavi Maryam , Rastegar Mandana , Moossavi Seyedeh Zahra , Khorasani Milad
Published: November 2022

Coronavirus illness 2019 is a significant worldwide health danger that began with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus two infections. It is the largest pandemic of our lifetime to date, affecting millions of people and crippling economies globally. There is currently no viable therapy for this devastating condition. The fast spread of SARS‐CoV‐2 underlines the critical need for favorable treatments to prevent SARS‐CoV‐2 infection and dissemination. Regulating the upstream cytokine release might be a possible method for COVID‐19 therapy. We propose that more consideration be paid to the dysregulated IFN‐I release in COVID‐19 and that cGAS and STING be considered therapeutic targets for avoiding cytokine storms and as critical components in host antiviral defense mechanisms.
Sodium Selenite Regulates the Proliferation and Apoptosis of Gastric Cancer Cells by Suppressing the Expression of LncRNA HOXB-AS1
Authors: Jiang Hongsheng , Hu Lingbo , Wu Quanfeng , Zhang Bitao , Sun Jianhua , Li Xiaoying
Published: November 2022

Gastric carcinoma has a high incidence, accounting for approximately 6% of all cancers worldwide. The in vivo antitumor effect of sodium selenite on gastric carcinoma has been demonstrated. This study therefore aimed to further explore its targets in gastric cancer in vitro and elucidate its mechanism of action. The effects of inorganic sodium selenite (Na2SeO3) on apoptosis, proliferation, and invasion of gastric cancer cells were investigated, and the interaction between Na2SeO3 and expression of long noncoding RNA homeobox B cluster antisense RNA 1 (HOXB-AS1) was investigated to elucidate the specific mechanism of action of selenium on gastric cancer cell proliferation through regulation of HOXB-AS1. Na2SeO3 downregulated the expression of HOXB-AS1 in the human gastric cancer (HGC) cell lines, HGC-27, NCI-N87, and KATO III cells, while inhibiting their proliferation and invasion and inducing apoptosis. The upregulation of HOXB-AS1 produced the opposite results. Na2SeO3 was used to stimulate HGC-27 cells, which caused HOXB-AS1 overexpression. The cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay revealed a decrease in cell proliferation, while western blotting, flow cytometry, and transwell migration assays showed the expression of apoptosis-related (Bad, Bcl-2, and cleaved-caspase-3) and invasion-related (MMP2, E-cadherin, and N-cadherin) proteins, indicating increased apoptosis and decreased invasion. We therefore conclude that Na2SeO3 inhibits the malignant progression of gastric cancer by downregulating the expression of HOXB-AS1 and thus could be used as a potential drug for its treatment.
An Evolutionary Algorithm: An Enhancement of Binary Tournament Selection for Fish Feed Formulation
Authors: Soong Cai-Juan , Rahman Rosshairy Abd , Ramli Razamin , Manaf Mohammed Suhaimee Abd , Ting Chek-Choon
Published: November 2022

Binary tournament (BT) selection is known as an established selection operator that has been employed in various problems. However, in the development of evolutionary algorithms (EA), this selection operator has a drawback in providing an efficient implementation of the union procedure, which cannot guarantee a parsimonious knowledge base with reduced number of rules. Therefore, this paper introduces binary‐standard deviation (SD) tournament selection into EA as an enhancement of BT that can lead to focus on more exploration in terms of searching for the best solutions. The proposed selection operator has been experimented within fish feed formulation in grouper fish farming as a case study on finding the minimum cost and fulfilling constraints. This approach is better than experimental design in terms of costs and time. The motivation for doing so is to search for alternative ingredients for the grouper fish, as the price of trash fish is too luxurious. It is because grouper fish are carnivorous and need many trash fish for better growth. The novelty of the proposed SD tournament selection is compared with BT selection in terms of searching for an efficient but not myopic algorithm. Hence, based on the comparative study, the findings of the enhanced selection operator towards the EA have been convinced and accepted in terms of better cost and fulfilling constraints requirements.
Microcontroller Implementation, Controls, and Synchronization of Three-Dimensional Autonomous System with a Parabolic Equilibrium Point
Authors: Dianorre Tokoue Ngatcha , Eric Donald Dongmo , Jules Metsebo , Saeed Nasr , Alex Stephane Kemnang Tsafack , Hubert Boudoue Malwe
Published: November 2022

The microcontroller implementation, controls, and synchronization of a three-dimensional (3D) autonomous system with a parabolic equilibrium point are investigated in this paper. The system in question displays a reverse period doubling route hidden chaotic attractors with two different shapes. Then, the partial and total amplitude controls of the system are achieved by inserting two parameters. A microcontroller implementation is performed in order to confirm the results obtained from the numerical simulations. It is found that the results from the numerical simulations and microcontroller implementation qualitatively agree with each other. The sliding mode controllers are designed to control chaos in the system under study. With the sliding mode control method, the numerical simulations confirm that chaos can be controlled in the 3D autonomous system with a parabolic equilibrium point. In addition, two chaotic 3D autonomous systems with a parabolic equilibrium point and the same parameters are synchronized by the use of a unidirectional linear error feedback coupling scheme. Finally, an active control technique is applied to bring about chaos synchronization between two chaotic 3D autonomous systems with a parabolic equilibrium and different parameters.
Characterization of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition Identifies a Gene Signature for Predicting Clinical Outcomes and Therapeutic Responses in Bladder Cancer
Authors: Wang Yicun , Zhang Hao , Hu Xiaopeng
Published: November 2022

Purpose. The complex etiological variables and high heterogeneity of bladder cancer (BC) make prognostic prediction challenging. We aimed to develop a robust and promising gene signature using advanced machine learning methods for predicting the prognosis and therapy responses of BC patients. Methods. The single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) algorithm and univariable Cox regression were used to identify the primary risk hallmark among the various cancer hallmarks. Machine learning methods were then combined with survival and differential gene expression analyses to construct a novel prognostic signature, which would be validated in two additional independent cohorts. Moreover, relationships between this signature and therapy responses were also identified. Functional enrichment analysis and immune cell estimation were also conducted to provide insights into the potential mechanisms of BC. Results. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) was identified as the primary risk factor for the survival of BC patients (HR=1.43, 95% CI: 1.26-1.63). A novel EMT-related gene signature was constructed and validated in three independent cohorts, showing stable and accurate performance in predicting clinical outcomes. Furthermore, high-risk patients had poor prognoses and multivariable Cox regression analysis revealed this to be an independent risk factor for patient survival. CD8+ T cells, Tregs, and M2 macrophages were found abundantly in the tumor microenvironment of high-risk patients. Moreover, it was anticipated that high-risk patients would be more sensitive to chemotherapeutic drugs, while low-risk patients would benefit more from immunotherapy. Conclusions. We successfully identified and validated a novel EMT-related gene signature for predicting clinical outcomes and therapy responses in BC patients, which may be useful in clinical practice for risk stratification and individualized treatment.
An Empirical Analysis of Racial Segregation in Higher Education
Authors: Hinrichs Peter
Published: November 2022

This paper documents how segregation between Black students and White students across U.S. colleges has evolved since the 1960s, explores potential channels through which changes occur, and studies segregation across majors within colleges. The main findings are: (1) Black–White dissimilarity fell sharply in the late 1960s and early 1970s and has fallen more gradually since then. White students' exposure to Black students rose almost continuously from 1968 through 2011 before declining somewhat in recent years. Meanwhile, Black students' exposure to White students increased sharply in the late 1960s and early 1970s and has fluctuated since. (2) There has been regional convergence, although colleges in the South remain more segregated than those in any other region when measured by dissimilarity or by Black students' exposure to White students. (3) A major channel for the decline in segregation is the declining share of Black students attending historically Black colleges and universities. Differences in which U.S. state students attend college play only a small role in creating segregation, and there is moderate evidence that segregation is related to college selectivity stratification by race. (4) Although there is segregation within universities, most segregation across major × university cells occurs across universities.
Larger lesion volume in people with multiple sclerosis is associated with increased transition energies between brain states and decreased entropy of brain activity
Authors: Tozlu Ceren , Card Sophie , Jamison Keith , Gauthier Susan A. , Kuceyeski Amy
Published: November 2022

Quantifying the relationship between the brain’s functional activity patterns and its structural backbone is crucial when relating the severity of brain pathology to disability in multiple sclerosis (MS). Network control theory (NCT) characterizes the brain’s energetic landscape using the structural connectome and patterns of brain activity over time. We applied NCT to investigate brain-state dynamics and energy landscapes in controls and people with MS (pwMS). We also computed entropy of brain activity and investigated its association with the dynamic landscape’s transition energy and lesion volume. Brain states were identified by clustering regional brain activity vectors, and NCT was applied to compute the energy required to transition between these brain states. We found that entropy was negatively correlated with lesion volume and transition energy, and that larger transition energies were associated with pwMS with disability. This work supports the notion that shifts in the pattern of brain activity in pwMS without disability results in decreased transition energies compared to controls, but, as this shift evolves over the disease, transition energies increase beyond controls and disability occurs. Our results provide the first evidence in pwMS that larger lesion volumes result in greater transition energy between brain states and decreased entropy of brain activity.
Thinking Beyond International Adjudication: Inspections as Instruments of Order Production in the International System
Authors: Methymaki Eleni
Published: November 2022

This article focuses on international inspections, a means of international supervision and monitoring widely used in international law. It argues that to understand how order is produced in and across the international system, it is important to think beyond international adjudication for three reasons. First, the success of international law-making exercises, such as the negotiation of new treaties, is often measured by whether a compromissory clause is included in the agreed text. Such analyses overlook the fact that negotiating parties may choose other mechanisms to ensure compliance with, and implementation of, international norms. Second, not only are inspections often employed in international treaties alongside dispute settlement clauses and other treaty enforcement mechanisms, but – depending on their design – they may also function similarly to dispute settlement processes. Third, and most importantly, that international adjudication is based on state consent is often presented as an important safeguard of sovereignty and sovereign equality. Less often highlighted is the fact that such sovereignty (and sovereign equality) may be unsettled through a multitude of other processes – international inspections being a prime example.
How Ought we Defend Aesthetic Education?
Authors: D’Olimpio Laura
Published: November 2022

Defending aesthetic education is a vital task and the reasons we offer to justify the arts on the curriculum matter. I offer a philosophical argument for the necessity of aesthetic education for all school-aged students on the basis of its distinctive value, which is the aesthetic experiences the arts afford. It is aesthetic experience that is distinctive to the arts and a vital component in the flourishing life. As educators we have a duty to introduce our students to elements of a fulfilled and enjoyable life, which, I claim, includes the multiple and various arts and their associated aesthetic experiences.
Aesthetic Education is for Enrichment and Salvation of Life
Authors: Wang Li
Published: November 2022

Education makes the individual to sense life in a richer way. The sensibility of beauty is educative. We need to distinguish the specialized art education and the general art education. The cultivation of aesthetic sensibility on beauty and nobility is the general art education. It could strengthen the mental power of the individual. It reminds us to keep hope for life and reminds us that life itself has meaning. It also saves us from the emptiness and darkness of life. It cultivates the wholeness of personality.
Life as Art: John Dewey’s Visit to China (1919–1921) and Its Relevance to China’s Art Education
Authors: Zhang Huajun
Published: November 2022

Based on historical reviews, John Dewey’s visit to China from 1919 to 1921 had little impact on China’s art education. However, a careful examination of the works of art scholars and educators in the 1920s and 1930s reveals a more complex picture of Dewey’s influence. In this study, I analyze the works of the influential art educators and scholars Jing Hengyi (经亨颐, 1877–1938), Lyu Cheng(吕瀓, 1896–1989), Bingxian (冰弦), and Liang Shuming (梁漱溟, 1893–1988). The results show that these scholars overcame the dualism of art and science, which was a prominent discourse in the New Culture Movement. They considered life growth as the goal of art education through the cultivation of a creative, inclusive personality that released the potential life energy. These scholars developed their ideas regarding aesthetics and art education based on their interpretation of some aspects of Dewey’s philosophy of education and came up with a Chinese version of Dewey’s theory of aesthetics even before the publication of his work Art as Experience in 1934. Their interpretation is consistent with Dewey’s ideas of aesthetic experience, and art education as the means of developing the potential of the individual. The goal of art education that these Chinese scholars proposed 100 hundred years ago remains valid today.
(Un)Tethering Indigeneity: The Colonized, Settlerized, Nationalized, and Something Else
Authors: Sargsyan Nelli
Published: November 2022

The term indigenous has been used as a contextual reference to Armenians in relation to Asia Minor. In the ruins produced by the conjoined interests of various ruling classes and global capitalism, how does one come to understand (collective) Armenian indigeneity beyond an experience of ongoing loss? In this article, I propose divesting from exclusionary and abstracted nationalist articulations of indigeneity. I draw on a queer feminist reinterpretation of an Armenian fairy tale, as an opening for healing Armenian necrophilic indigeneity and orienting toward the preciousness of life.
Five new species of black coral (Anthozoa; Antipatharia) from the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea, Australia
Authors: HOROWITZ JEREMY , OPRESKO DENNIS , MOLODTSOVA TINA N. , MOLODTSOVA TINA N. , BEAMAN ROBIN J. , COWMAN PETER F. , BRIDGE TOM C.L.
Published: November 2022

We describe five new species of black corals from the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea, collected at depths ranging from 14 to 789 m: two in the family Antipathidae (Antipathes falkorae sp. nov. and Antipathes morrisi sp. nov.), two in the family Aphanipathidae (Aphanipathes flailum sp. nov. and Rhipidipathes helae sp. nov.), and one in the family Cladopathidae (Hexapathes bikofskii sp. nov.). We also present a phylogeny of 80 black corals reconstructed from a target capture dataset of ultraconserved elements and exons, to show the systematic relationships among new and nominal species. This phylogeny also represents a backbone for future species descriptions and research into the evolutionary history of the Antipatharia.
The first record of Charmon Haliday, 1833 (Braconidae: Charmontinae) from Southeast Asia with description of a new species from Thailand
Authors: LONCLE MARISA K. , QUICKE DONALD L. J. , DEOWANISH SUREERAT , BUTCHER BUNTIKA A.
Published: November 2022

Charmon thailandensis sp. nov. from Thailand is described and illustrated based on a female specimen from Doi Phu Kha National Park, Nan Province, Thailand. The new species is distinguished from apparently closely-related species of Charmon Haliday, 1833, based on both morphology and DNA sequence (barcode) data. Morphologically it appears to be near to C. extensor (L., 1758) but DNA data suggest it is quite basal with respect to all the other sequenced species. A checklist of the 10 known species of Charmon with their known distributions is provided. The possibility that C. extensor might represent a complex of more than one species is briefly discussed.
Exploring the Biological Mechanism of Mammalian Phosphatidylinositol-3-Kinase/Protein Kinase B/Target of Rapamycin (PI3K/Akt/mTOR) Signaling in the Treatment of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC)
Authors: Zhao Ping , Liu Wu , Ye Lun
Published: November 2022

We aimed to study the biological effect of PI3K/Akt/mTOR signal pathway on the treatment of TNBC, along with the efficiency of PI3K inhibitor BKM120, mTOR inhibitor PF-4708671 and dual inhibitor GDC-0980 on treating breast cancer in terms of proliferation and apoptosis utilizing MDA-MB-213
cell line, as well as on the expression of S6K1. The expressions of PI3K, mTOR and Akt in TNBC and paired adjacent tissues were detected by PCR. After treatment with BKM120, PF-4708671 and GDC-0980 for 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours, CCK-8 method was employed to assess the proliferation and apoptosis
curves of the MDA-MB-231 cell line, the expression of S6K1 was detected by Western Blot. Expressions of PI3K, mTOR and Akt in TNBC tissues were significantly increased than those in normal specimens (P = 0.000); Compared with control group, cell proliferation treated with three inhibitors
was significantly impeded, of which the inhibitory effect of PF-5708671 was slightly stronger than BKM120, while the strongest inhibitory effect was observed for GDC-0980 treatment. After 48 hours treatment, the expression intensity of p-mTOR, p-PI3K and S6K1 in MDA-MB-213 cells treated with
BKM120, PF-4708671 and GDC-0980 was decreased, of which the suppression of p-mTOR, p-PI3K and S6K1 by GDC-0980 was stronger than other groups. The inclined expression of PI3K, mTOR and Akt was observed in TNBC tissues. The antagonists targeting the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling could inhibit the
proliferation of triple-negative breast cancer cell line, of which the dual inhibitor exerted the strongest inhibition effect, and could decreased the expression of S6K1 and activity. The antagonists targeting the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signal transduction showed a promising prospect in the treatment
of TNBC.
Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells Modified with microRNA-216a-5p Enhance Proliferation of Acinar Cells in Severe Acute Pancreatitis
Authors: Yang Hongxiu , Jiang Peng , Xiao Pengfei , Zhou Huiyu
Published: November 2022

This study assesses the effect of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSC) modified with miR-216a-5p on acinar cell proliferation in SAP. 40 rats were equally assigned into miR-NC set, miR-216a-5p set, BMSC set and anti-miR-216a-5p set randomly. The SAP model was prepared using AR42J
cells which were disposed with CAE. Cells were transfected with lipidosome method to meaure miR-216-5p by RT-PCR, cell proliferation by CCK-8 along with analysis of cell clone formation and apoptosis. miR-216a-5p in modified BMSC was significantly upregulated compared with BMSC, indicating
that BMSC was modified with miR-216a-5p successfully. BMSC modified with miR-216a-5p significantly promoted cell proliferation and clone formation and decreased apoptosis. The luciferase activity in wild type of miR-216a-5p was reduced, indicating that miR-216-5p could target Pak2 gene. In
conclusion, proliferation of acinar cells in SAP is prompted and apoptosis ise reduced by BMSC modified with miR-216a-5p, which is possibly through targeting PAK2 gene.
miR-204-3p Regulates Glioma Cell Biological Behaviors via Targeting Protein Kinase B (AKT1)
Authors: Huang Zhengbiao , Deng Tianling
Published: November 2022

This study assesses miR-204-3p’s role in glioma. Cells were transfected with miR-204-3pmimics, miR-204-3p inhibitor, or si-AKT1 to measure cell proliferation, invasion, migration and apoptosis. Glioma tissues showed a significantly downregulated miR-204-3p, whose knockdown can
significantly promote cell proliferation, migration and invasion. However, all the above changes or cell behavior were inhibited by overexpression of miR-204-3p. miR-204-3p regulated AKT1 and its silence can promote cell proliferation and decrease apoptosis by increasing AKT1 expression. However,
si-AKT1 transfection inhibited cell proliferation and promote apoptosis induced by miR-204-3p knockdown. In summary, miR-204-3p regulates glioma cell biological behaviors by targeting AKT1.
Tripterygium Wilfordii Polyglycosides (TP) Ameliorate Alcoholic Kidney Injury in Rats by Regulating Protein Expression Associated with the Nuclear Factor Erythroid 2-Related Factor 2 Signaling Pathway
Authors: Hou Dandan , Shang Sainan , LV Juan , Wang Shuling
Published: November 2022

Objective: To explore the mechanisms of protection of tripterygium wilfordii polyglycosides (TP) against alcoholic kidney injury by regulating Nrf2 signaling pathway in rats. Materials and Methods: Dividing rats into Control, Model, LD, MD and HD groups. The kidney was
weighed to calculate kidney index. The morphology of the kidney was observed by HE staining. Nrf2, p-Nrf2 and HO-1 in kidney were detected by immunohistochemistry. Measuring Scr by Jaffe’s method and BUN by diacetyl-oxime method. The renal SOD and MDA were detected by colorimetry. The
renal ROS was detected by fluorescence spectrometry. Results: Compared with Control, histopathological changes were observed in Model group, The kidney index, Scr, BUN, renal MDA and ROS concentrations increased significantly (P <0.001). Renal SOD activity, expression of p-Nrf2
and HO-1, p-Nrf2/Nrf2 decreased significantly (P < 0.001). With TP supplement, compared with Model, histopathological was improved, The kidney index, Scr, BUN, renal MDA and ROS concentrations decreased significantly (P <0.05, respectively); Renal SOD activity, p-Nrf2 and
HO-1, p-Nrf2/Nrf2 increased significantly (P <0.05, respectively) in TP treated groups (LD, MD and HD). Conclusion: TP can prevent or reduce oxidative stress and attenuate alcoholic kidney injury via regulating Nrf2 signaling pathway in vivo.
The Mechanism of Nemo-Like Kinase (NLK) in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) Cells by Regulating Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF)
Authors: Yang Biaolong , Chen Shiqi , Zang Yuansheng
Published: November 2022

Nemo-like kinase (NLK) is abnormally expressed in several tumors, but its role in NSCLC have not been reported. Real time PCR and Western blot were used to assess NLK level in tumor tissues and adjacent tissues of NSCLC. NSCLC cell line A549 cells were divided into three groups; NC
group and si-NLK group which was transfected with NLK negative control or NLK siRNA respectively followed by analysis of NLK expression by real time PCR and Western blot, cell proliferation by MTT assay, cell migration by cell wound healing assay, cell invasion by transwell chamber and MMP-9
and VEGF expression by Western blot. The expression of NLK in NSCLC tumor tissue was increased, and the difference was statistically significant compared with adjacent tissues (P <0.05), and it was related to tumor size, degree of differentiation, metastasis and survival time (P
<0.05). A549 cells showed significantly increased NLK. Transfection of NLK siRNA could significantly inhibit tumor cell proliferation, migration and invasion, and decrease the expression of MMP-9 and VEGF proteins (P <0.05). Elevated NLK level in NSCLC tumor tissues is related
to clinicopathological characteristics. Decreased the expression of NLK can inhibit VEGF and MMP-9 expression, and inhibit cell function.
LINC01094 Affects Glioma Cell Proliferation Through miR-204-3p
Authors: Li Daokun , Peng Juan , Ran Jian
Published: November 2022

This study intends to assess LINC01094′s role in glioma cells. LINC01094 level in glioma tissue was detected by RT qPCR. After transfection of LINC01094 overexpression plasmid, LINC01094 siRNA, and si-LINC01094 and miR-204-3p inhibitor, cell proliferation was evaluated by MTT
and cell invasion and migration was assessed by transwell and scratch test. LINC01094 expression in glioma tissues was significantly increased. Overexpression of LINC01094 can significantly promote cell proliferation, which was significantly inhibited after knockdown of LINC01094. In addition,
silence of LINC01094 can upregulate miR-204-3p and inhibit cell proliferation and promote apoptosis induced by overexpression of LINC01094. In conclusion, LINC01094 promotes glioma cell proliferation through miR-204-3p.
The Role of Gut Microbiota in the Pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Sun Shaoqiang , Mao Jingwei , Wang Yingde
Published: November 2022

As a degenerative disease of the central nervous system, Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is featured by mental and behavioral dysfunction, and progressive memory loss, which is the most common type of dementia. The incidence of AD is increasing as life expectancy is prolonged, but the pathogenesis of AD remains largely unknown. Recently, the role of gut microbiota in the pathogenesis of AD has drawn increasing attention. The composition of gut microbiota varies across age groups, and the changes in the microbiota metabolites may influence the central nervous system via the brain-gut axis. So far, it has been confirmed that gut bacteria are involved in various pathogenic mechanisms of AD, including amyloidβ-protein deposition, Tau protein hyperphosphorylation, neuroinflammation, oxidative stress injury, increased blood-brain barrier permeability, neurotransmitter imbalance, reduced generation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and insulin resistance. An important direction of research is to investigate the regulation of gut microbiota for the prevention and treatment of AD.
Preparation and Optimization of Poly-Tannic Acid Nanoparticles as Potential Polymeric Drug or Drug Delivery Carrier
Authors: Li Min , Xiao Ru , Chen Shaoqing , Wang Cheng , Ni Xinye
Published: November 2022

Tannic acid (TA), as a common natural catechol derivative, has been widely applied as antibacterial drug or in the construction of carriers for drug delivery with metal ions. However, unlike dopamine, another catechol derivative whose polymerized form of nanoparticles have been successfully
constructed and adopted in various biomedical fields, the development of poly-TA nanoparticles (PTANPs) is rarely reported and the optimization studies are even less. Therefore, the understanding of details and information regarding to the synthesis of PTANPs can provide insights into the
polymerization process of TA and inspire the development of other catechol derivatives based nanoscale platforms for diverse scientific applications. Herein, we used a typical sodium hydroxide (NaOH) triggered polymerization followed by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) degradation
to prepare PTANPs. In our study, we explored the impact of temperature, weight/volume of reactants (TA, NaOH and H2O2) and reaction time (NaOH and H2O2) on the size of finally obtained PTANPs, which can give guidance and inspiration for future researches
and facilitate the studies of followers.
Effect of miR-222 on the Angiogenesis of Bone Microvascular Endothelial Cells After Repair of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor with Polylactide-Poly(ethylene glycol)-Polylactide (PELA) Microspheres
Authors: Qin Yuxing , Zhang Kun , Sun Tao , Shen Peifeng , Wang Haoyu , Zhang Zhiyong , Qiangui Ren
Published: November 2022

The objectives of this study were to show the effect of miR-222 expression on angiogenesis and the mechanism of angiogenesis differentiation of bone microvascular endothelial cells. For the study, the concentration of VEGF release was detected by ELISA, and cell activity was shown using
a CCK-8 (Cell Counting Kit-8). We used western blotting to detect VEGFR, TGF-β, and bFGF expression. The results showed that miR-222 expression by day 14 was significantly lower compared to the expression results for days 3 and 7. Additionally, miR-222 expression on day 7 was significantly
lower than on day 3. MiR-222 expression in the control group and PELA group decreased gradually over time. On day 14, miR-222 expression in the VEGF microcapsule scaffold group was at its lowest level. Our conclusions were that the regulation of the angiogenesis of bone microvascular endothelial
cells appears to be related to (1) the effect of miR-222 on VEGFR and TGF-β, and (2) how bFGF expression is regulated.
A Systematic Study to Compare the Precise Implantation of Hololens 2 Assisted with Acetabular Prosthesis for Total Hip Replacement
Authors: Rong Ke , Wu Xuhua , Xia Qingquan , Chen Jie , Fei Teng , Li Xujun , Jiang Weimin
Published: November 2022

This study aims to evaluate the accuracy of the precise implantation of Hololens 2 assisted with acetabular prosthesis for total hip replacement. A total of 80 orthopaedic doctors from our hospital are enrolled in this systematic study and these doctors are divided into following four
groups based on the experience of doctors treatment for orthopaedic patients and the Hololens 2 assisted:Rich experienced group with Hololens 2, rich experienced group without Hololens 2, inexperienced group with Hololens 2, inexperienced group without Hololens 2. The abduction angle, the
anteversion angle, the offset degree in the abduction angle, the offset degree in the anteversion angle in four groups are presented and these result are used to evaluate the accuracy of precise implantation of Hololens 2 assisted with acetabular prosthesis for total hip replacement. Finally,
all date in this study is collected and analyzed. The total of 80 physicians are included in this study. The results show that the outcomes between rich experienced group with Hololens 2 and rich experienced group without Hololens 2 are significant difference, and the outcomes between inexperienced
group with Hololens 2 and inexperienced group without Hololens 2 are significant difference. The result between any other two groups is no significant difference. Hololens 2 assisted with acetabular prosthesis for total hip replacement can improve the accuracy.
The Political Legacy of Forced Migration: Evidence from Post-WWII Germany
Authors: Menon Anil
Published: November 2022

Do refugees reshape long-term political behavior in receiving areas? I argue that forced migration can foster a strong group identity among refugees, which can mobilize them toward political parties that champion their identity-based grievances. To test this argument, I examine how one of the largest forced migrations in modern history, the expulsion of ethnic Germans from Eastern Europe into Germany after WWII, shaped their electoral behavior over time. Using an original database of district-level data from 32 elections spanning a century, I find that communities which received greater shares of expellees remain more supportive of the expellees’ political champions—the radical right—over time. This relationship is particularly manifested when identity-based grievances are unresolved and politically salient. Mechanism evidence, including novel data on expellee monuments and associations, suggests that a durable expellee identity helps account for these results. My analysis reveals an enduring behavioral legacy resulting from forced migration.
Agassi on Morality and Ethics
Authors: Amir Lydia
Published: November 2022

This paper presents Agassi’s views of morality and ethics. Agassi proposes a non-reductive psychological theory of moral judgments, complemented by duties, and a psychological hypothesis regarding the psychological and social conditions that invite openness to criticism. His opposition to moralism, his objection to justification, his emphasis on red lines and grey areas, and his rejection of abstract moral debates in favor of public moralism result in a distinct approach to moral philosophy that is in conflict with most of the mainstream work in this field. Following Socrates, he takes education for autonomy as the critical rationalist life-style.
Does auditory numerosity and non-numerical magnitude affect visual non-symbolic numerical representation?
Authors: Wu Zehua , Zhang Jinbo , Wu Jiashuang , Mou Yi , Yue Zhenzhu
Published: November 2022

In the present study, we investigated the effects of auditory numerosity and magnitude (loudness) on visual numerosity processing. Participants compared numerosities of two sequential dot arrays. The second dot array was paired with a tone array that was independent of visual comparison. The numerosity (One-tone vs. Multiple-tone) and the non-numerical magnitude of tones (loudness) were manipulated in Experiments 1 and 2, respectively. In Experiment 1, participants’ inverse efficiency score (IES), that is, the quotient between response time and accuracy, was significantly smaller in the One-tone and Multiple-tone conditions than that in the No-tone condition, and linear trend analyses showed that the IES decreased with the number of tones. In Experiment 2, the IES in the Loud-tone condition was significantly smaller than that in the No-tone condition, and the IES decreased as the loudness of the tones increased. In Experiment 3, both auditory numerosity and magnitude were manipulated. For soft tones, the IES was smaller in the Multiple-tone condition than in the One-tone condition, whereas no significant difference was found between two conditions in loud tones. In sum, these findings suggest that the visual numerical representation can be spontaneously affected by the numerosity and non-numerical magnitude of stimuli from another modality.