bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Programmed cell death ligand 1 expression associated with subtypes of post‐transplant lymphoproliferative disorder among pediatric kidney transplant recipients
Authors: Weinberg Olga K. , Pinkus Geraldine C. , Ramos‐Gonzalez Gabriel J. , Agur Timna , Rodig Nancy M.
Published: September 2023

Background

Programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD‐L1) expression on tumor cells engages the PD‐1 receptor on T cells, inhibiting anti‐tumor responses. PD‐L1 has been detected in cases of post‐transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) but reports are limited. Here we examine PD‐L1 expression and evaluate for clinical correlations.

Methods

Twenty‐one cases of PTLD were identified among pediatric kidney transplant recipients at our institution from February 1996 to April 2017. Using paraffin‐embedded tissue biopsies, we examined 21 primary tumors for expression using PD‐L1 monoclonal antibody performed with PAX5 as a double stain. We scored expression of PD‐L1 on lesional B‐cells as a percentage of positive cells. Clinical course and outcome were obtained from retrospective chart review.

Results

Applying revised 2017 WHO PTLD classification showed five non‐destructive, nine polymorphic, and seven monomorphic cases. Average PD‐L1 expression based upon PTLD subtype was: non‐destructive 11%, polymorphic 43%, and monomorphic 73% (p = .01). Two patients transferred shortly after diagnosis, five received chemotherapy, and three died from PTLD. Among the fatalities, all showed monomorphic PTLD and 90% of lesional B‐cells expressed PD‐L1.

Conclusion

In this case series, significant differences in PD‐L1 expression were seen among different subtypes, and monomorphic PTLD demonstrated the highest expression. Study of a larger cohort is needed, and if the correlation of PD‐L1 expression and PTLD subtype is confirmed, this may highlight the potential utility of checkpoint inhibitor therapy in cases of severe or refractory disease among kidney transplant recipient in whom the risk of allograft loss is acceptable given the option of chronic dialysis.
The colour temperature and placement of LED lighting near rivers can reduce attraction of flying adult caddisflies
Authors: Schofield Jessica , Hogsden Kristy , Greenwood Michelle J. , Smith Brian J. , Harding Jon S.
Published: September 2023

Artificial light at night (ALAN), which can confuse and distract insects, has been implicated as a contributor of their decline worldwide. Changes in artificial light technology has led to a widespread conversion of outdoor lighting to light‐emitting diode (LED) bulbs, which are more energy efficient than older high‐intensity discharge or fluorescent lamps. However, many outdoor LED lights emit a proportion of short‐wavelength blue light, to which insects are commonly sensitive. The potential to reduce flying insect attraction to outdoor lights by using LEDs that emit different amounts of blue light, or by placing lights further from insect sources has not been well‐studied, particularly for freshwater insects.

We tested whether four blue‐white LEDs that varied in their emittance of blue light intensity (3000, 4000, 5650, 6500 Kelvin [K] colour temperature) differed in their attractiveness to flying insects, particularly adult caddisflies (Trichoptera) over distances up to 100 m from a river. LEDs were deployed at a lit urban river and a predominantly unimpacted braided river in Canterbury, New Zealand. We expected a greater abundance and species richness of adult caddisflies to be attracted to LEDs that emit more blue light (cooler white LEDs [6500, 5650 K]) than those that emit less (warmer colour temperatures [3000 K, 4000 K]). We also expected the abundance and species richness of adult caddisflies in light traps to decline rapidly with increasing distance from the river, regardless of colour temperature.

Moths, flies and a total of 26 caddisfly species were collected from both rivers. Significantly more caddisflies were attracted to higher than lower colour temperature LEDs. For example, a more than 1.6‐fold number of caddisflies were caught by the bluer‐white 6500 K LEDs than the warmer‐white 3000 K LEDs. This trend was consistent across most caddisfly taxa and both rivers. The number of caddisflies attracted to LEDs significantly declined with increasing distance from the river edge for the two most abundant caddisfly families and the four most abundant species; 65% of all caddisflies were caught by 20 m from the river margin.

In order to reduce the attraction of caddisflies to outdoor lights such as streetlights, our study highlights the importance of considering a low LED colour temperature (3000 K or 4000 K) or those that emit less blue light and the benefit of positioning lights further back from waterways, where possible.

Our results indicate that plans for urban outdoor lighting should consider the ecological implications of different colour temperature LEDs and their spatial position as project design considerations.
RESIDENTIAL SATISFACTION AND INTENTION TO MOVE: THE CASE OF PRAGUE'S NEW SUBURBANITES
Authors: Špačková Petra , Dvořáková Nina , Tobrmanová Martina
Published: September 2023

Suburbanization has been a particularly significant process in transforming the metropolitan regions in Central and East European countries in the past two decades. Many critics emphasize the negative consequences of suburbanization, such as a low level of residential environment quality, and some of them anticipate that suburbanites' expectations would remain unfulfilled. Moreover, a growing body of literature describes the tendency for reurbanization and discusses the importance of back‐to‐the city moves. Few authors, however, have paid attention to the empirical evidence of the residential stability of suburban areas. Therefore, this paper seeks to investigate the relationship between the quality of the suburban environment, the everyday life experiences associated with suburbia, and reurbanization tendencies. Various aspects of residential satisfaction and intentions to move in the medium term were analysed using data from a questionnaire survey which was carried out in three case study sites within Prague's hinterland. In addition, major differences between groups of potential “stayers” and “movers” were examined to reveal key factors which lie behind intentions to move from current suburban homes. The results suggested a relatively high degree of stability and a reasonable overall satisfaction of new suburbanites with their residential environment. They also indicated that trigger moments in the decision‐making process were more closely related to the changing needs of households than the wider residential environment. Based on the research results, we were able to hypothesize that (1) a strong out‐migration from the suburban zone is rather unlikely in the near future, and (2) only a small proportion of new suburbanites are likely to engage in the reurbanization process.
Learning Theories Applied to Teaching and Improving Hydrogeological Conceptualization
Authors: Brown Shane , Bornasal Floraliza
Published: September 2023

Conceptual change is the process of developing a new understanding of an idea or related set of ideas and has been researched and theorized extensively in the last few decades. Although there is ongoing debate about how and why conceptual change occurs, all agree that individuals' prior knowledge plays a role, everyone engages differently in the process, and the context of the learning environment is influential. In this paper we build upon the work explored by Jimenez‐Martinez (this issue) on conceptual change in hydrogeology, and explore how the conceptual change theory of Vosniadou may facilitate understanding the learning process in hydrogeology. Vosniadou's theory is particularly applicable because it addresses the learning of ideas that combine abstract (GW flow) and visible (water flow) concepts. A pathway for exploring hydrogeology students' mental models (from naïve framework theory, to synthetic models, to scientific mental models) and identifying misconceptions specifically within hydrogeology using methods established by Vosniadou and colleagues is proposed as a means to address some of the challenges identified by Jimenez‐Martinez.
Well‐being, postoperative pain and outcome after clinical application of a novel root canal irrigation fluid—RISA—in teeth with apical periodontitis: A first‐in‐human study
Authors: Brochado Martins João Filipe , Jautze Anthony , Georgiou Athina Christina , Tulp Birgitte Maria Theresia , Crielaard Wim , van der Waal Suzette Veronica
Published: September 2023

Aim

The aim of the study was to assess the tolerance to the new root canal irrigation fluid RISA after root canal treatment (RCT) by evaluating the subject's postoperative well‐being, postoperative pain (PP) and treatment outcome.

Methodology

A single‐arm prospective study with 16 subjects (17 teeth) diagnosed with asymptomatic apical periodontitis. Endodontic treatment in one session performed using RISA for root canal irrigation. Well‐being was assessed on the same day and after 24 h by telephone. For pain intensity, a visual analogue scale was used at 0–5 days. Clinical and radiographic evaluations were performed at ≥12 months. Well‐being, occurrence of PP and outcome were qualitatively reported. Friedman test for paired samples and Spearman correlation coefficient were used. Significance was set at p < .05.

Results

At the same day and after 24 h, 14/16 subjects felt ‘good’. 9/16 presented intra‐ or extra‐oral swelling. The frequency of PP ≥36 (weak) was 82.4%. On the same day, 1 and 2 days postoperatively, there was more pain compared with preoperative pain p < .05. At Day 3, PP equalled preoperative pain (p > .05). 62.5% of subjects needed analgesics Day 0–2. The recall rate was 94.1%, and resolution of apical periodontitis was observed in 87.5%.

Conclusions

The well‐being of subjects was good, and the overall PP intensity was low. However, postoperative intra‐ and extra‐oral swelling occurred often. At the recall visit, the effectiveness of the RCT with RISA appeared high (87.5%). The encouraging outcome results plus the fact that RISA has a broader action range than NaOCl in vitro, justify further work on the RISA solution. To reduce postoperative swelling, it is advised to further investigate the optimal way of application of RISA in the laboratory before clinical application is recommended.
Treatment options for necrobiosis lipoidica: a systematic review
Authors: Nihal Aman , Caplan Avrom S. , Rosenbach Misha , Damsky William , Mangold Aaron R. , Shields Bridget E.
Published: September 2023

Background

Necrobiosis lipoidica (NL) is a rare, idiopathic, and recalcitrant disease of collagen degeneration for which treatment options have been poorly studied. Due to its recurring nature, risk for ulceration, and high morbidity, there is a need to understand existing treatment modalities to better inform clinical care.

Objective

This review aims to describe the therapeutic modalities reported in the literature for the treatment of NL.

Methods

A literature search of treatments was performed by searching for publications between January 2016 and May 2022 on PubMed and Scopus. Given the limited high‐quality evidence, case reports and series were included. Only publications presenting information on both attempted treatments and outcomes were included.

Results

A total of 60 novel articles were identified (54 case reports, two case series, and four retrospective cohort studies). These studies cumulatively reported on 274 patients and covered treatments including phototherapy, topical corticosteroids, topical calcineurin inhibitors, biologics, immunosuppressants, JAK inhibitors, combination therapies, and several others. The greatest amount of evidence was found for photodynamic therapy (improvement in 72 of 80 patients), UVA‐based phototherapy (12 of 33), topical corticosteroids (21 of 46), compression therapy (15 of 20), and topical calcineurin inhibitors (11 of 17). Several newer treatments were also described, including ustekinumab and JAK inhibitors.

Conclusions

This systematic review provides a comprehensive summary of recently published treatments for NL. As the existing data comes predominantly from case reports and series, statistical conclusions are not assessed. A greater number of randomized controlled trials with standardized endpoints are necessary to compare treatment efficacy.
Growth of Er3+‐doped LiNbO3 thin‐film on LiTaO3 by e‐beam evaporation
Authors: Xue Sai‐Dong , Yang Yu‐Jing , Zhang De‐Long
Published: September 2023

Growth of Er3+‐doped 100‐nm thick LiNbO3(LN) films on Z‐cut LiTaO3(LT) single‐crystal by e‐beam evaporation and in‐situ anneal at 600–800°C was studied. Crystalline phase, crystallographic orientation, Er3+ spectroscopic properties, constituent element valence states, defects, Er3+ concentration and stoichiometry of the films were characterized. The results show that the films are in LN single‐crystal state and orient along with c crystallographic axis. Constituent elements Li, O and Er are present in their respective single valence states Li+, O2−, Er3+, while the Nb is in two valence states Nb5+ and Nb4+. The films have Li2O‐contents around congruent point. Antisite(NbLi4+) is the major defect. Its concentration decreases, while Li2O‐content, crystallinity degree, and fluorescence intensity increase with increased growth temperature. The presence of Er3+ in the grown films is in the form of LN crystalline phase. Its concentration is considerably lower than that in initial target material because of lower e‐beam evaporation efficiency of heavy Er3+.
Patterns of African American parents' educational involvement: associations with adolescents' academic performance and motivational beliefs
Authors: Tulagan Nestor B. , Eccles Jacquelynne S.
Published: September 2023

The current study used survey data from 786 African American mother–adolescent (M = 12.29 years; 48% female) dyads to examine profiles of 7th‐grade parental educational involvement and their associations with adolescents' 11th‐grade academic performance, academic self‐concept, and educational aspirations. Using latent profile analyses, four patterns emerged: (a) Low Involvers; (b) Helpers, Low Providers; (c) Providers, Low Helpers; and (d) More Involved Helpers and Providers. The More Involved Helpers and Providers had adolescents with higher grades than the Helpers, Low Providers and the Low Involvers. The Providers, Low Helpers also had adolescents with higher educational aspirations than other profiles except for the More Involved Helpers and Providers. Findings suggest multiple pathways through which African American parents can enhance adolescents' academic outcomes.
Genetic diversity and resistance assessment among maize genotypes against banded leaf and sheath blight (caused by Rhizoctonia solani f. sp. sasakii) utilizing SSR markers
Authors: Kumari Poonam , Chauhan Prashant , Kumar Parvesh , Ravika
Published: September 2023

A field investigation was carried out during the consecutive kharif seasons of 2021 and 2022 to assess the resistance response of 38 maize genotypes against banded leaf and sheath bight (BLSB). The trials were conducted at CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Regional Research Station, Karnal (India) under artificial epiphytotic conditions. Throughout both seasons, six genotypes (HKI 163, HKI 193‐2, HKI 488, IQPMH‐18‐2, HKI 194‐7 and HKI 1128) exhibited resistant reactions, one genotype (HM 8) showed susceptible reaction, whereas 19 genotypes showed moderately resistant response to BLSB. To analyse molecular aspects of BLSB resistance, genomic DNA was extracted and PCR amplification was performed using 22 SSR markers. Ten SSR markers (bnlg238, bnlg161, bnlg127, bnlg339, bnlg615, bnlg1272, phi077, phi080, phi035 and umc1275) revealed distinct banding patterns in resistant and susceptible genotypes. Among these, marker bnlg339 exhibited a band size of 120 bp across 14 genotypes, with six (HKI 163, HKI 193‐2, HQPM 5, IQPMH‐18‐2, HKI 194‐7 and HKI 1128) classified as resistant and eight (HKI 193‐1, HKI 1657, HKI 1378, HPQM 1, HKI 1659, HPQM 2, T Bio 259 ER and HKI 191‐2‐5) as moderately resistant, resembling the amplified profile of the resistant check genotype (HKI 163). Similarly, the markers phi080 and bnlg1272 exhibited differential amplified profile of approximately 150 bp and 240 bp, respectively, in 10 (five resistant and five moderately resistant) and 12 (four resistant and eight moderately resistant) maize genotypes throughout the study. The percentage of polymorphism for the SSR markers varied from 0 to 100%, with an average value of 95.45% per primer among all genotypes. The identification of resistant and moderately resistant genotypes and characterization of specific SSR markers associated with resistance offer practical tools for breeders to develop BLSB‐resistant maize varieties, ultimately enhancing crop resilience and food security.
Morphological alterations of the neuronal Golgi apparatus upon seizures
Authors: Skupien‐Jaroszek Anna , Szczepankiewicz Andrzej A. , Rysz Andrzej , Marchel Andrzej , Matyja Ewa , Grajkowska Wiesława , Wilczynski Grzegorz M. , Dzwonek Joanna
Published: September 2023

Aims

Epilepsy is one of the most common chronic neurological disorders, affecting around 50 million people worldwide, but its underlying cellular and molecular events are not fully understood. The Golgi is a highly dynamic cellular organelle and can be fragmented into ministacks under both physiological and pathological conditions. This phenomenon has also been observed in several neurodegenerative disorders; however, the structure of the Golgi apparatus (GA) in human patients suffering from epilepsy has not been described so far. The aim of this study was to assess the changes in GA architecture in epilepsy.

Methods

Golgi visualisation with immunohistochemical staining in the neocortex of adult patients who underwent epilepsy surgery; 3D reconstruction and quantitative morphometric analysis of GA structure in the rat hippocampi upon kainic acid (KA) induced seizures, as well as in vitro studies with the use of Ca2+ chelator BAPTA‐AM in primary hippocampal neurons upon activation were performed.

Results

We observed GA dispersion in neurons of the human neocortex of patients with epilepsy and hippocampal neurons in rats upon KA‐induced seizures. The structural changes of GA were reversible, as GA morphology returned to normal within 24 h of KA treatment. KA‐induced Golgi fragmentation observed in primary hippocampal neurons cultured in vitro was largely abolished by the addition of BAPTA‐AM.

Conclusions

In our study, we have shown for the first time that the neuronal GA is fragmented in the human brain of patients with epilepsy and rat brain upon seizures. We have shown that seizure‐induced GA dispersion can be reversible, suggesting that enhanced neuronal activity induces Golgi reorganisation that is involved in aberrant neuronal plasticity processes that underlie epilepsy. Moreover, our results revealed that elevated cytosolic Ca2+ is indispensable for these KA‐induced morphological alterations of GA in vitro.
The role of Semaphorin 3A in oral diseases
Authors: Zhang Xinyue , Yang Zhenqi , Zhang Demao , Bai Mingru
Published: September 2023

Semaphorin 3A (SEMA3A), also referred to as H‐Sema III, is a molecule with significant biological importance in regulating physiological and pathological processes. However, its role in oral diseases, particularly its association with inflammatory immunity and alveolar bone remodeling defects, remains poorly understood. This comprehensive review article aims to elucidate the recent advances in understanding SEMA3A in the oral system, encompassing nerve formation, periodontitis, pulpitis, apical periodontitis, and oral squamous cell carcinoma. Notably, we explore its novel function in inflammatory immunomodulation and alveolar bone formation during oral infectious diseases. By doing so, this review enhances our comprehension of SEMA3A's role in oral biology and opens up possibilities for modulatory approaches and potential treatments in oral diseases.
First‐year undergraduate students’ statistical problem‐solving skills
Authors: Makwakwa Eva G. , Mogari David , Ogbonnaya Ugorji I.
Published: September 2023

This study investigated first‐year undergraduate statistics students’ statistical problem‐solving skills on the probability of the union of two events, conditional probability, binomial probability distribution, probabilities for x‐limits using the z‐distribution, x‐limit associated with a given probability for a normal distribution, estimating the y‐value using a regression equation, and hypothesis testing for a single population mean when a population standard deviation is unknown. The study was a descriptive case study and employed a mixed‐method research approach. Data were collected through content analysis of a statistics course examination script of 120 first‐year undergraduate students of statistics in an open distance‐learning university in South Africa. Polya's Model of Problem Solving was used as the framework of analysis. The study revealed that the students, in general, had poor statistical problem‐solving skills.
Computed tomography and fluoroscopy versus radiographic guidance for internal fixation of simulated dorsomedial‐plantarolateral central tarsal bone fractures in nonracehorses
Authors: Smanik Lauren E. , Selberg Kurt T. , Kawcak Christopher E. , Stewart Holly L. , Goodrich Laurie R.
Published: September 2023

Objective

The aim of this study was to assess screw placement in simulated dorsomedial‐plantarolateral central tarsal bone (CTB) fractures using two imaging guidance techniques – computed tomography (CT) with fluoroscopy compared to digital radiography alone (DR).

Study design

Experimental study.

Sample population

Equine cadaver hindlimbs (n = 10 pairs).

Methods

One tarsus per pair was randomly assigned to have a 4.5 mm cortical screw placed across the CTB using CT and fluoroscopy (CT/F group) or digital radiography alone (DR group). Postoperative CT was performed on all limbs. Variables related to marker placement, procedure time, and screw positioning were recorded and compared using a paired t‐test for dependent means (p < .05).

Results

Time for marker placement was longer for the CT/F group (p = .001), with no difference in total procedure time (p = .12). CT/F was not superior to radiography alone (p > .05) for parameters related to screw positioning. Based on the 95% CI, there was greater range in relative screw length using radiography (76.5%–91.2%) versus CT/F (78.4%–84.0%).

Conclusion

Internal fixation of CTB fractures can be successfully performed using either technique for imaging guidance. CT and fluoroscopy did not result in faster or more accurate screw placement compared to radiographs alone, except in determining screw length.

Clinical significance

Mild adjustments in fluoroscopic or radiographic angle appeared to be a point of variability in the perception of screw placement. While CT is recommended for improved understanding of fracture configuration and surgical planning, radiographic guidance may be a suitable alternative for internal fixation of dorsomedial‐plantarolateral fractures.
Exploration of Undergraduate Vocational Education in China: Process, Experience and Strategy
Authors: Wang Shijie
Published: September 2023

Undergraduate vocational education focuses on the cultivation of students' comprehensive technical ability, problem-solving ability and technical innovation ability. The development of undergraduate vocational education in China is the result of a combination of factors such as national strategies and regional missions. In this article, we sort out the policy documents and development history of China's vocational education and elaborate the current development, orientations, talent goals and faculty structures of undergraduate vocational education in various regions,. By the end of the article, several suggestions are proposed based on international experience and China's national conditions. China's undergraduate vocational education needs to take the"China mode" and follow the main purpose of "dual-track parallel, conditional integration". It's also highlighted that relevant departments should gradually promote the standardization of undergraduate vocational education, development of special features and standardization of governance in order to truly realize the high-quality development of undergraduate vocational education in China.
Performance and Emissions Benefits of Cooled Ceramic Matrix Composite Vanes for High-Pressure Turbines
Authors: Wehrel Patrick , Schöffler Robin , Grunwitz Clemens , Carvalho Francisco , Plohr Martin , Häßy Jannik , Petersen Anna
Published: September 2023

Ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) offer great potential for developing lighter and more efficient aero-engines. Due to their high-temperature capability, CMCs are mainly used in the hot gas section in order to replace cooled metallic components and thus save cooling air. Especially CMC vanes for high-pressure turbines (HPTs) have been researched and tested in the past. A realistic design approach for cooled CMC vanes is the so-called shell and spar concept. The application of such vanes in HPTs as inlet guide vanes (IGVs) at constant rotor inlet temperature (T41) enables performance and emissions benefits which are assessed by means of a reference engine in this paper. Compared to metallic IGVs, more temperature-resistant CMC IGVs require significantly less cooling air and generate lower cooling losses. A quantitative comparison will be presented. Consequently, the redesign of the reference engine to the setting of a hybrid HPT leads to a reduction in thrust specific fuel consumption (TSFC) by 0.23% at cruise conditions. Additionally, there is potential to extract the IGV cooling air at a lower pressure level, increasing the cruise TSFC gain to 0.41%. In the course of the redesign process, the turbine inlet temperature (T4) is reduced by 50 K in order to reach the same T41 with a lower IGV coolant mass flow. Regarding emissions, this leads to a decreased production of nitrogen oxides (NOx). Hence, several NOx emissions parameters can be reduced by more than 4%.
Quasi-One-Dimensional Loss Model of Volute Using Boundary Layer Approach for Inward Flow Radial Supercritical CO2 Turbines
Authors: Hoque Syed Jiaul , Kumar Pramod , Gopi Pramod Chandra
Published: September 2023

Inward flow radial sCO2 turbines operate at considerably higher speeds than conventional gas or steam turbines making only the low specific speed designs practically realizable. Low-specific speed designs suffer from significantly higher viscous losses in the volute due to long and narrow flow passages. The volute loss in low specific speed designs results in an 8% to 12% efficiency drop, which is approximately 50% of the total loss. The paper proposes a quasi-one-dimensional (quasi-1D) model to estimate the total pressure loss in a volute with acceptable accuracy while consuming negligible computational power compared to a three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics simulation. The model converts the three-dimensional flow in a volute into an equivalent quasi-1D flow. Boundary layer-based momentum integral method is used on the quasi-1D flow path to calculate the total pressure loss. A computer program is developed to implement the proposed model. The accuracy of the model is tested with three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics results in the kW to MW power scale for different boundary conditions. The validation exercise is performed for two volute cross sections—circular and trapezoidal, to check the universality of the model. The model predicts the total pressure loss with less than 10% error for all test conditions. In contrast, a fully developed pipe flow model shows a considerably higher error (∼50%) in total pressure loss prediction for identical flow conditions. The model can also incorporate the effect of surface roughness of the volute. In addition, the model accurately calculates losses under off-design operations.
Insights into dike nucleation and eruption dynamics from high-resolution seismic imaging of magmatic system at the East Pacific Rise
Authors: Marjanović Milena , Carbotte Suzanne M. , Stopin Alexandre , Singh Satish C. , Plessix René-Édouard , Marjanović Miloš , Nedimović Mladen R. , Canales Juan Pablo , Carton Hélène D. , Mutter John C. , Escartín Javier
Published: September 2023

Models of magmatic systems suggest that the architecture of crustal magma bodies plays an important role in where volcanic eruptions occur, but detailed field observations are needed to evaluate them. We present ultrahigh-resolution reflection images of magma bodies beneath a region of multiple eruptions along the East Pacific Rise derived from three-dimensional seismic surveying. The observations reveal magma bodies with elongate ridges and troughs vertically aligned with seafloor eruptive fissures that we interpret as remnant dike root zones where repeat dikes nucleate. We document a triangular feeder zone to the axially centered magma body from the off-axis source for a newly forming seamount of the Lamont chain and infer bottom-up eruption triggering due to recharge from this deeper source. The findings indicate that magma bodies are sculpted by both processes of magma recharge from below and magma extraction to the surface, leaving a morphological imprint that contributes to localization of dike nucleation and eruption sites at the East Pacific Rise.
An N-acetyltransferase required for ESAT-6 N-terminal acetylation and virulence in
Mycobacterium marinum
Authors: Collars Owen A. , Jones Bradley S. , Hu Daniel D. , Weaver Simon D. , Sherman Taylor A. , Champion Matthew M. , Champion Patricia A.
Published: September 2023

N-terminal protein acetylation is a ubiquitous post-translational modification that impacts diverse cellular processes in higher organisms. Bacterial proteins are also N-terminally acetylated, but the mechanisms and consequences of this modification in bacteria are poorly understood. The major virulence factor EsxA (ESAT-6, early secreted antigen, 6 kDa) was one of the first N-terminally acetylated proteins identified in bacteria. EsxA is conserved in mycobacterial pathogens, including
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
and
Mycobacterium marinum
, a non-tubercular mycobacterial species that causes tuberculosis-like disease in ectotherms. However, the enzyme responsible for EsxA N-terminal acetylation has been elusive. Here, we used genetics, molecular biology, and mass-spectroscopy-based proteomics to demonstrate that MMAR_1839 (renamed Emp1, ESX-1 modifying protein, 1) is the putative N-acetyltransferase (NAT) solely responsible for EsxA acetylation in
M. marinum
. We demonstrated that
ERD_3144
, the orthologous gene in
M. tuberculosis
Erdman, is functionally equivalent to Emp1. We previously quantified widespread N-terminal protein acetylation in pathogenic mycobacteria (C. R. Thompson, M. M. Champion, and P. A. Champion, J Proteome Res 17:3246–3258, 2018, https:// doi: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.8b00373). We identified at least 22 additional proteins that require Emp1 for acetylation, demonstrating that this putative NAT is not dedicated to EsxA. Finally, we showed that loss of
emp1
did not prevent phagosomal escape but resulted in a significant reduction in macrophage cytolysis by and cell-to-cell spread of
M. marinum
during infection. Collectively, this study identified a NAT required for N-terminal acetylation and pathogenesis in
Mycobacterium
.

IMPORTANCE

N-terminal acetylation is a protein modification that broadly impacts basic cellular function and disease in higher organisms. Although bacterial proteins are N-terminally acetylated, little is understood how N-terminal acetylation impacts bacterial physiology and pathogenesis. Mycobacterial pathogens cause acute and chronic disease in humans and in animals. Approximately 15% of mycobacterial proteins are N-terminally acetylated, but the responsible enzymes are largely unknown. We identified a conserved mycobacterial protein required for the N-terminal acetylation of 23 mycobacterial proteins including the EsxA virulence factor. Loss of this enzyme from
M. marinum
reduced macrophage killing and spread of
M. marinum
to new host cells. Defining the acetyltransferases responsible for the N-terminal protein acetylation of essential virulence factors could lead to new targets for therapeutics against mycobacteria.
Activities, substrate specificity, and genetic interactions of fission yeast Siw14, a cysteinyl-phosphatase-type inositol pyrophosphatase
Authors: Sanchez Ana M. , Schwer Beate , Jork Nikolaus , Jessen Henning J. , Shuman Stewart
Published: September 2023

Inositol pyrophosphate 1,5-IP
8
is a signaling molecule that regulates phosphate and polyphosphate homeostasis in the fission yeast
Schizosaccharomyces pombe
. 1,5-IP
8
levels are dictated by a balance between the Asp1 kinase domain that converts 5-IP
7
to 1,5-IP
8
and two pyrophosphatases—the Asp1 pyrophosphatase domain (histidine acid phosphatase family) and the Aps1 pyrophosphatase enzyme (Nudix family)—that hydrolyze the β-phosphates of 1,5-IP
8
. Here, we characterize
S. pombe
Siw14 (SpSiw14), a cysteinyl-phosphatase family member and a homolog of
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Siw14, as a third fission yeast pyrophosphatase implicated in inositol pyrophosphate catabolism. We find that SpSiw14’s substrate repertoire embraces inorganic pyrophosphate, inorganic polyphosphate, and the inositol pyrophosphates 5-IP
7
, 1-IP
7
, and 1,5-IP
8
, in addition to the generic substrate
p
-nitrophenylphosphate. Genetic analyses revealed that (i) elimination of the SpSiw14 protein or inactivation of the SpSiw14 pyrophosphatase by the C189S mutation had no effect on
S. pombe
growth but was lethal in the absence of Aps1 and (ii) the synthetic lethality of
siw14
∆
aps1
∆ depended on the synthesis of 1,5-IP
8
by the Asp1 kinase. We conclude that SpSiw14 and Aps1 pyrophosphatases have essential but redundant functions in fission yeast, and that their synthetic lethality is a consequence of the toxic effects of too much 1,5-IP
8
. Suppression of
siw14
∆
aps1
∆ lethality by loss-of-function mutations of components of the fission yeast 3′-processing/termination machinery fortifies the case for overzealous transcription termination as the basis for 1,5-IP
8
toxicosis.

IMPORTANCE

The inositol pyrophosphate signaling molecule 1,5-IP
8
modulates fission yeast phosphate homeostasis via its action as an agonist of RNA 3′-processing and transcription termination. Cellular 1,5-IP
8
levels are determined by a balance between the activities of the inositol polyphosphate kinase Asp1 and several inositol pyrophosphatase enzymes. Here, we characterize
Schizosaccharomyces pombe
Siw14 (SpSiw14) as a cysteinyl-phosphatase-family pyrophosphatase enzyme capable of hydrolyzing the phosphoanhydride substrates inorganic pyrophosphate, inorganic polyphosphate, and inositol pyrophosphates 5-IP
7
, 1-IP
7
, and 1,5-IP
8
. Genetic analyses implicate SpSiw14 in 1,5-IP
8
catabolism
in vivo
, insofar as: loss of SpSiw14 activity is lethal in the absence of the Nudix-type inositol pyrophosphatase enzyme Aps1; and
siw14
∆
aps1
∆ lethality depends on synthesis of 1,5-IP
8
by the Asp1 kinase. Suppression of
siw14
∆
aps1
∆ lethality by loss-of-function mutations of 3′-processing/termination factors points to precocious transcription termination as the cause of 1,5-IP
8
toxicosis.
From Homogeneous and Isotropic Universes to Braneworlds with Dynamical Tension Strings
Authors: Guendelman E. I.
Published: September 2023

Cosmological solutions are studied in the context of the modified measure formulation of string theory, then the string tension is a dynamical variable and the string the tension is an additional dynamical degree of freedom and its value is dynamically generated. These tensions are then not universal, rather each string generates its own tension which can have a different value for each of the string world sheets and in an ensemble of strings the values of the tensions can have a certain dispersion. We consider a new background field that can couple to these strings, the “tension scalar” which is capable of changing locally along the world sheet and then the value of the tension of the string changes accordingly. When many types of strings probing the same region of space are considered this tension scalar is constrained by the requirement of quantum conformal invariance. For the case of two types of strings probing the same region of space with different dynamically generated tensions, there are two different metrics, associated to the different strings. Each of these metrics have to satisfy vacuum Einstein’s equations and the consistency of these two Einstein’s equations determine the tension scalar. The universal metric, common to both strings generically does not satisfy Einstein’s equation. The two string dependent metrics considered here are flat space in Minkowski space and Minkowski space after a special conformal transformation. The limit where the two string tensions are the same is studied, it leads to a well defined solution. If the string tension difference between the two types of strings is very small but finite, the approximately homogeneous and isotropic cosmological solution lasts for a long time, inversely proportional to the string tension difference and then the homogeneity and isotropy of the cosmology disappears and the solution turns into an expanding Braneworld where the strings are confined between two expanding bubbles separated by a very small distance at large times.
Trajectories of Bright Stars and Shadows around Supermassive Black Holes as Tests of Gravity Theories
Authors: Zakharov A. F.
Published: September 2023

General relativity (GR), created more than a century ago, has been checked in various experimental and observational tests. At an early stage of its development, GR predictions were tested in problems where the gravitational field is weak and relativistic corrections can be considered as small perturbations of the Newtonian theory of gravity. However, in recent years due to the progress of new technologies it turned out to be possible to verify the predictions of GR in the limit of a strong gravitational field, as it was done to verify predictions about the profile of the X-ray line of iron $$K\alpha $$, estimates of the gravitational wave signal during the mergers of binary black holes and/or neutron stars and during the reconstruction of the shadows of black holes in Sgr A* and M87*. Groups of astronomers using the Keck and VLT (GRAVITY) telescopes confirmed the GR predictions for the redshift of the spectral lines of the S2 star near the passage of its pericenter (these predictions were done in the first post-Newtonian approximation). It is expected that in the near future, observations of bright stars using large telescopes VLT (GRAVITY), Keck, E-ELT and TMT will allow us to verify the predictions of GR in the strong gravitational field of supermassive black holes. Observations of bright stars in the vicinity of the Galactic Center and reconstructions of the shadows of black holes allow not only to verify the predictions of the GR, but also to obtain restrictions on alternative theories of gravity.
Compositions of Weighted Extended Tree Transducers — The Unambiguous Case
Authors: Maletti Andreas
Published: September 2023

Generalizations of another two open conjectures, Conjectures 13 and 14, of [Lagoutte, Maletti: Survey — Weighted extended top-down tree transducers — Part III: Composition. Proc. AFCS, LNCS 7020, p. 272–308, Springer 2011] are verified. It is proved that the composition of an unambiguous weighted extended tree transducer [Formula: see text] with a nondeleting weighted top-down tree transducer [Formula: see text] can be computed by a single weighted extended tree transducer. Extending the recent confirmation of Conjecture 11 it is also proved that the composition succeeds for any weighted top-down tree transducer [Formula: see text] (even if it is not nondeleting) if the unambiguous weighted extended tree transducer [Formula: see text] is constant.
An Extended Topology Named Active Switched Capacitor/Switched Inductor Quasi-Z-Source with Multilevel Inverter (ASC/SL-QZSI) for Three-Phase Grid-Tie PV Power System: A SPBO–RBFNN Control Scheme
Authors: Saravanakumar D. , Deeba K.
Published: September 2023

In this paper, the controller modelling and design for the Active Switched Capacitor/Switched Inductor Quasi-Z-Source with Multilevel Inverter (ASC/SL-QZSI) related three-phase grid-tied photovoltaic (PV) power system is proposed. The ASC/SL-QZSI control method consists of two phases: these are assessed with the use of the proposed effective controller. The proposed control system is the hybridization of the Student Psychology-Based Optimization (SPBO) and the Radial Basis Function Neural Network (RBFNN), hence it is named SPBO–RBFNN control scheme. The ASC/SL-QZS offers greater boost capability, uses fewer passive components, like inductors and capacitors, and reduces the voltage stress across main inverter switching devices. The expandability of this topology is another advantage. Extra cells can simply be cascaded at the network’s impedance if a higher boost rate is required by adding an inductor and three diodes. In the proposed control scheme, SPBO is developed for determining the total PV voltages. The input PV reference voltages and gain parameters of the SPBO are created as output for optimal tuning of the Proportional Integral (PI) controller. RBFNN is trained with offline process and it is used to extract the reference currents of the grid, and the output of RBFNN is provided with SPBO. It delivers the corresponding tuning parameters to accomplish the grid current. With this proper control, the input power is reduced and the current, voltage and frequency conditions of DC-link are regulated. Finally, the performance of the QZS-CMI is executed in MATLAB and the performance is compared with existing methods.
A systematic study of α-decay half-lives for Ac, Th, Pa, U and Np isotopes with A = 205–245 using the modified generalized liquid drop model
Authors: Santhosh K. P. , Akrawy Dashty T. , Jose Tinu Ann , Ahmed Ali H. , Hassanabadi H. , Hosseini S. S. , Zanganah V. , Sihver L.
Published: September 2023

The Modified Generalized Liquid Drop Model (MGLDM) has been used for calculating the ground-to-ground states of [Formula: see text]-decay half-lives for various Ac, Th, Pa, U and Np isotopes in the mass number range of [Formula: see text]. To account for the nuclear proximity energy, the potential of Blocki et al. 74 [J. Blocki, J. Randrup, W. J. Swiatecki and C. F. Tsang, Ann. Phys. NY 105 (1977) 427] is used. The experimental [Formula: see text] values are used to evaluate the [Formula: see text]-decay half-lives. It can be observed that the logarithm of [Formula: see text]-decay half-life increases with increasing neutron number ([Formula: see text]), with evident minimum at the magic number 126, where the neutron shell is closed. The calculated results are compared with available experimental data and with the predictions of different empirical formulae such as, ARF, MARF, Royer, AKRE, Akrawy, NRB, VS, MVS, YQZR and MYQZR. It is found that the MGLDM is able to predict the experimental half-lives with a standard deviation of 0.6892 (the lowest one among all the other applied empirical formulae), and is therefore suitable for predicting the [Formula: see text]-decay half-lives for unknown and new heavy nuclei.
Low Delay Transmission Scheme of Power Communication Information Based on 5G Network
Authors: Ma Dongjuan , Jing Feng , Liu Zehui , Guo Min , Jing Weizhe , Liang Jie
Published: September 2023

Power information data transmission is prone to packet loss rate, and communication protocol is required to improve the transmission capacity of power information data. Therefore, a low delay transmission scheme of power communication information based on 5G networking is proposed and constructed, the power communication information data through 5G networking technology is processed and is sent to the corresponding data application module for data classification and mining, and then the information data is converted in different formats to the same data transmission format. TCP communication protocol as the communication protocol is selected for data online transmission to describe the low delay transmission of power communication information. The chaotic sequence is set based on 5G networking, and the connection weight matrix is calculated. Then the power communication information sequence is encrypted in real time according to the row column substitution rule. On this basis, the data encryption module, dynamic key generation module and shared key update module are combined to realize the low delay transmission of power communication information. The experimental results show that with the increase of the network area and the number of nodes, the data transmission volume can be gradually increased. The change range of this method is relatively small, which can effectively improve the feasibility of the low delay transmission scheme of power communication information.
Secure and Energy-Based STEERA Routing Protocol for Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Mohan Ram G. , Ilavarasan E.
Published: September 2023

In wireless sensor networks (WSN), the multifunctional low-power sensor nodes are linked to base stations and are highly responsible for sensing various information. However, maintaining the network’s lifespan is a major issue because of limited battery capacity and node failures. Thus, the proposed study introduced a new Scalable Trust-based Energy Efficient Routing Algorithm (STEERA) with Adaptive Grasshopper Algorithm (AGA) to enhance the network lifespan. At first, the trust values (Tv) are generated for each node to eliminate the malicious node with the help of penalty factor and volatilization. To make efficient routing process, the nodes are formed into cluster groups. A suitable cluster head is selected for each cluster to mitigate the energy consumption problem through the AGA approach by optimizing the parameters like Tv, distance and residual energy. Finally, the data packets are effectively transmitted through a multi-hop routing process by selecting an appropriate path and satisfying certain parameters through Fire Hawks Optimization (FHO). To simulate the proposed techniques, NS2 software is employed, and the performance is measured over various metrics like energy consumption, residual energy, the lifespan of a network, packet loss ratio and average end-to-end delay. The performance analysis shows that the proposed protocol design has obtained higher results than conventional routing protocols.