bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The art of design in azlactone–benzoxazinone chemistry, docking studies and
Authors: Dadkhah Shadi , Malekzadeh Mahla , Hassanzadeh Farshid , Khodarahmi Ghadamali , Asadi Parvin , Rostami Mahboubeh
Published: March 2022

In this study, by combining azlactone–benzoxazinone chemistry, we synthesized new hybrid compounds and evaluated the in vitro cytotoxicity on the breast cancer cell line. The desired compounds were synthesized using green and straightforward chemical reactions on azlactone and benzoxazinone structures through simple ring closure and nucleophilic ring-opening reactions. Preliminary in vitro cytotoxic results on the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line showed that the synthesized compounds have excellent anticancer activity with interestingly low inhibitory concentrations (IC50s in the range of 8–20 mM). Fortunately, our structures simultaneously had low toxicity on the normal HUVEC cell line. Finally, molecular docking studies were performed on the EGFR enzyme as one of the active signaling pathways in cancer cells for the best cytotoxic candidates. In this regard, the alignment of the docking and cytotoxicity results was interesting. In conclusion, these potential cytotoxic compounds could be considered in further studies.
Integrating cultural considerations and developmental screening into an Australian First Nations child health check
Authors: Reid Natasha , Page Marjad , McDonald Theresa , Hawkins Erinn , Liu Wei , Webster Heidi , White Codi , Shelton Doug , Katsikitis Mary , Wood Andrew , Draper Bronwyn , Moritz Karen , Shanley Dianne C.
Published: March 2022

The aim of the present study was to integrate cultural considerations and developmental screening into a First Nations child health check. The ‘Share and Care Check,’ an optimised child health check, was co-designed with a remote Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation and led by Aboriginal Health Practitioners/Workers. Of 55 families who completed the Share and Care Check, the majority of participants indicated that their family/child was connected with their tribe and country. However, half of the caregivers reported that they or their child would like to know more about their tribe. The most common developmental screening outcome was no functional concerns (32.7%), followed by having one area identified as a functional concern (24.5%) and two functional concerns (16.3%). All caregivers reported that the Share and Care Check was culturally appropriate, and the majority also reported that it was helpful. Data obtained from questions regarding cultural and developmental aspects of health can assist health providers regarding the best pathway of support for a child and their family. This could ultimately contribute to closing the gap through the provision of holistic culturally appropriate services.
Perspective on the relationship between reproductive tract microbiota eubiosis and dysbiosis and reproductive function
Authors: Hashem Nesrein M. , Gonzalez-Bulnes Antonio
Published: March 2022

The role played by microbiota is attracting growing attention within the scientific and medical community, in both human and animal fields, in the last years. Most of the studies have been focused on the intestinal microbiome, whilst little attention has been paid to other systems, like the reproductive tract of both females and males. However, there is a growing body of information showing the interplay between reproductive tract dysbiosis, due to the action of pathogens and/or unhealthy lifestyle, and reproductive disease and disorders in many mammalian species. The present review aims to summarise current knowledge on the biodiversity of the microbiota of the reproductive tract, and the possible relationships between eubiosis or dysbiosis and reproductive health and function in both females and males.
An uncharacteristically low-potential flavin governs the energy landscape of electron bifurcation
Authors: Wise Courtney E. , Ledinina Anastasia E. , Mulder David W. , Chou Katherine J. , Peters John W. , King Paul W. , Lubner Carolyn E.
Published: March 2022

Significance

Nature has long been an inspiration for materials design, as it exemplifies exquisite control of both matter and energy. Electron bifurcation, a mechanism employed in biological systems to drive thermodynamically unfavorable and energetically challenging chemical reactions, is one such example. A key feature of bifurcating enzymes is the ability of a single redox cofactor to distribute a pair of electrons across two spatially separated electron transfer pathways. Here, we report on the empirical determination of both the one-electron potential and two-electron potential of the bifurcating flavin cofactor in the NADH-dependent ferredoxin-NADP
+
oxidoreductase I (NfnSL) enzyme. Insights arising from the defined energy landscape of this bifurcation site may underlie the design of synthetic catalysts capable of generating high-energy intermediates.
Cervical Cancer Screening, Abnormal Results, and Follow-Up in Women with Substance Use-Related Diagnoses
Authors: Eastment McKenna C. , Gupta Ayushi , James Jocelyn , Richardson Barbra A. , Pinder Leeya , Kim H. Nina , Wald Anna , Tsui Judith I.
Published: March 2022

Background: Substance use-related diagnoses are common and associated with poor health outcomes. The objective of this analysis was to compare rates of cervical cancer screening, screening abnormalities, and follow-up care in women with and without a substance use-related diagnosis seen for primary care between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2019 in the University of Washington healthcare system. Methods: This study included women aged 21–65 years of age who had at least one outpatient visit between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2019 within one of 45 primary care or women's health clinics in the academic healthcare system. Exposure status was defined using ICD10 codes for substance-use related diagnoses or no substance-use related diagnoses. Only first cervical cancer screening was included. Generalized linear models with a binomial family and log link were used to estimate risk ratios. Results: 3845 women had a substance use-related diagnosis and 89214 did not. Women with a substance use-related diagnosis were less likely to be screened for cervical cancer (44%, 1675/3845) compared to women without a substance use-related diagnosis (49%, 43338/89214; relative risk [RR] 0.90, 95% CI 0.86–0.93). Women with a substance use-related diagnosis were also more likely to have an abnormal screening result (18%, 304/1675) compared to women without a substance use-related diagnosis (10%, 4528/43338; RR 1.74, 95% CI 1.56–1.93). Follow-up for abnormal screens did not differ significantly between groups (24 vs 25%; RR 0.80, 95% CI 0.55–1.17). Conclusion: To combat disparities in cervical cancer screening for women with substance use-related diagnoses, public health efforts should expand access to screening where women with substance use-related diagnoses are seen, including acute care, inpatient hospitalizations, and addiction treatment settings.
Mass spectra of Ξ
cc
, Ξ
bc
, Ω
cc
, and Ω
bc
baryons in Regge phenomenology
Authors: Oudichhya Juhi , Gandhi Keval , Kumar Rai Ajay
Published: March 2022

In this article, we study the mass spectra of baryons containing two heavy quarks; charm-charm (cc) and bottom-charm (bc) with a light quark (u, d, s) within the framework of Regge phenomenology. With the assumption of linear Regge trajectories we have derived the relations between slope ratios, intercepts, and baryon masses. Using these relations, the ground state masses of Ξ
cc
, Ξ
bc
, Ω
cc
, and Ω
bc
baryons are obtained. The values of Regge slopes and Regge intercepts are extracted for these baryons to estimate the excited state masses in both the (J, M
2) and (n, M
2) planes. Our obtained results are compared with the experimental observations where available and other theoretical predictions, which could be a valuable addition to the interpretations of experimentally unknown heavy baryon spectra.
Detecting extragalactic diffuse interstellar bands (DIBs) in supernova spectra by using ESO data
Authors: Destiarasari A , Puspitarini L
Published: March 2022

Diffuse Interstellar Bands (DIBs) are weak and wide absorption features due to interstellar matter. DIBs are interesting to study because until now their chemical identifications are still unclear. DIBs can be found in reddened spectrum of celestial bodies in our Galaxy and other galaxies. Detecting extragalactic DIBs is challenging, one of the ways is by using an extragalactic supernova spectrum. The supernova acts as a background source to probe interstellar matter in a galaxy. We studied extragalactic DIBs by using the SN 2006X spectrum. The spectrum was observed by using the UVES instrument and the La Silla telescope at the European Southern Observatory (ESO) and was accessed from ESO archives. Detection of DIBs was performed by predicting the central wavelengths of DIBs in the supernova spectrum by taking the galaxy redshift (z) into account and observing DIBs profiles. Small shift variations in the wavelength are allowed. The detection of extragalactic DIBs indicates that DIBs are universal.
Null singularity on nonsingular spacetime
Authors: Pratama F. P. , Ramadhan H. S.
Published: March 2022

It is known that when coupled to nonlinear electrodynamics (NLED), Einstein’s equations can have nonsingular black hole (BH) solutions. For such BH the absence of horizon poses no violation of cosmic censorship theorem. In this work we show that the horizonless nonsingular BH charged with NLED, viewed from photon’s perspective, ironically is also responsible for the existence of singularity in its null geodesics. This is due to fact that the effective geometry gives additional conformal factor to the metric. For massive particles, on the other hand, the spacetime is still perfectly regular.
Searching for white dwarf variables in TESS data
Authors: Priyatikanto Rhorom
Published: March 2022

A sample of 4 thousands Gaia sources with apparent G-band magnitudes of < 17 and trigonometric parallaxes of > 3.33 milli-arcseconds were cross-matched to the Transiting Exoplanet Survey high level science products and the Full-Frame Images in order to extract the light curves of possible white dwarf variables. Most of the targets in the sample were observed in at least 27-day observing cycle with 30-minutes cadence. Based on Lomb-Scargle periodogram constructed from de-trended light curves, more than 600 sources have indication of periodic variability. This paper presents the early results from the identification.
Development of Coronal Holes Index For Study of Coronal Hole Geo-Effectiveness
Authors: Santoso Anwar , Musafar K. Laode Muhammad , Nuraeni Fitri , Wellyanita Visca , Juangsih Mira , Winarko Anton
Published: March 2022

Coronal holes are expansion regions in the solar corona with lower density and temperature than their surroundings. Coronal holes have open magnetic field structure that radiates out into interplanetary space as the solar wind. During minimum solar activity, coronal holes play important role in space weather because they are sources of high speed-streams. Therefore, studying the geo-effectiveness of coronal holes is very important. This paper presented a development of the coronal holes geo-effectiveness index related to the occurrence of geomagnetic storms. The index which was represented as “G(CH)”, is based on the combination of center position and cross-sectional length of coronal holes surface on latitudinal direction. Using 5 years of data of coronal holes (2015-2020), we analyzed the threshold combinations of the two parameters that can be used to scale the geo-effectiveness of a coronal hole. The results of all CH events with G(CH) > 0 should be considered as geomagnetic storm generator; CH events having the same characteristics as the CME event, i.e. although they have the potential to generate geomagnetic storms, the determining factor is influenced by the behavior and conditions of the solar wind and IMF Bz (-) during reconnection. So, the intensity of geomagnetic storm is strongly influenced by behavior and conditions (value and duration) both solar wind and Bz(-); the duration of CH event with G(CH) > 0 that have the potential to generate geomagnetic storms is a minimum of 6 days after the CH event; CH events accompanied by CIR affect the intensity and duration of the geomagnetic storms they generate, and the minimum value of G(CH) = 2.21.
Design of decision support system service in the Space Science Center using microservices approach
Authors: Elyyani  , Andrian Y. , Utama A.Z. , Eko Saputro M.F. , Fatimah S.K.
Published: March 2022

Development of the Decision Support Systems (DSS) has been written up in the Space Science Center’s roadmap for the next few years. The main programs have to be achieved such as related to the DSS are Space Weather, HF Radio Communication, Space Debris Monitoring, and Navigation activities. Of course, accessing those DSS services separately may become a problem for users who need information as fast as possible. We proposed an information system as a portal to integrate all DSS services collecting the latest information from each main program. We applied the microservice approach for design of this Information System prototype, which will it grows up as the modern application model that is capable to handle multiple features, high scalability but still lightweight. Microservices approach is a method that breaks an application into a single-function module for optimizing its performance. In addition, usage of web service technology and REST-ful API also can support system interoperability functions. In this design we conducted several stages, use case Diagrams, design of microservices database, and prototyping frontend pages in the results. This study purposes to provide an initial system design with a detailed explanation of specification requirements so that the design of the Decision Support System Service in the Space Science Center environment can be developed as expected.
Ultrafine fully vulcanized natural rubber modified by graft-copolymerization with syrene and acrylonitrile monomers
Authors: Longsiri K , Mora P , Jubsilp C , Hemvichian K , Rimdusit S
Published: March 2022

Natural rubber (NR) is known as one of the most important renewable agricultural resources in Thailand. To enhance the NR's value, development and utilization of NR in form of commercial product are necessary. Commercial product based on ultrafine fully vulcanized powdered rubber (UFPR) was widely used in numerous potential applications such as toughening filler or friction modifier in brake pads. However, to meet the required thermal stability of friction modifier in brake pads for replacing the synthetic rubber powder, the modification of NR by graft-copolymerization with styrene (ST) and acrylonitrile (AN) monomer and production into the powder form are promised related to a sustainable economic system. From the beginning, the grafting process of NR latex was prepared by emulsion graft-copolymerization with ST and AN monomers onto deproteinized natural rubber (DPNR). The results revealed that the grafting with ST/AN monomer content of 80/20 weight ratio possessed the monomer conversion and grafting efficiency as high as 71% and 63%, respectively. After that, the obtained DPNR-g-(PS-co-PAN) was radiated by an electron beam, followed by a spray drying process to produce ultrafine fully vulcanized powdered natural rubber (UFPNR-g-(PS-co-PAN)). The SEM micrographs showed that UFPNR particles are relatively spherical with a particle size of approximately 3.56 μm. Furthermore, thermal stability i.e., degradation temperature at 5 % weight loss (Td5) of the modified UFPNR was substantially improved from 334 to 350°C. The benefits of these advanced technologies give an obvious conclusion proved that the modified UFPNR is a good candidate for replacing a commercial synthetic powdered rubber and suitable for using as toughening filler in high performance polymer composite applications.
Thermoplastic natural rubber based on linear-low-density polyethylene
Authors: Yoksan R , Wannawitayapa W
Published: March 2022

Thermoplastic natural rubber (TPNR) is one of the alternative natural rubber (NR) products obtained by blending NR with any compatible thermoplastics, e.g., high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), linear-low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), polystyrene (PS), polylactic acid (PLA) at the temperature above the melting point of plastics, which is always above the softening point of NR. Unlike vulcanized NR, TPNR is recyclable and convertible to the final articles using the existing plastic technologies, including extrusion and injection molding. TPNR materials based on NR/LLDPE blends filled with two types of inorganic fillers, i.e., titanium dioxide and silica, were prepared and their properties were discussed in the current work. Silica provided a better reinforcing effect to the NR/LLDPE blends, whereas the blends filled with titanium dioxide exhibited excellent UVA and weather resistance. The resulting NR/LLDPE blends filled with inorganic fillers can be injection molded to form the products with desired shapes.
Study of parameter affecting morphology of electrospun poly (lactic acid) (PLA) fibers loaded with Ag/CaCO3 filler
Authors: Zin M E , Sutapun W
Published: March 2022

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are widely used as antimicrobial agent in commercial products like textiles, cosmetics and drugs. AgNPs deposited on the surface of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) particles, serve as sustained release of antimicrobial activity. The silver nanoparticles embedded calcium carbonate particles (Ag/CaCO3) are prepared by a precipitation method. In this study, precipitated (Ag/CaCO3) filler will be used for preparation of Ag/CaCO3-poly(L-lactic acid) (Ag/CaCO3-PLA) nanofibers by electrospinning. Polymer concentration and functional filler amount in binary solvent system will be studied. The condition for fabricating electrospun PLA and Ag/CaCO3-PLA was a 15 cm of collection distance and 15 kV of working voltage. Morphology of Ag/CaCO3 loaded PLA electrospun fibers will be investigated by the field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM). The electrospun fibers will be further applied as the antimicrobial material.
Characterization of injection molded polylactide stereocomplexes blended with thermoplastic starch and chain extender
Authors: Srithep Y , Pholharn D , Veang-in O , Morris J
Published: March 2022

Polylactide (PLA) is an interesting biodegradable polymer but has limited application because of its low thermal stability and brittleness. Both weaknesses of PLA were solved by stereocomplexes (ST) blended with thermoplastic starch (TPS). In this work, 15% and 30% TPS and 2% chain extender were blended with poly(L-lactide) (PLLA)/poly(D-lactide) (PDLA) (50/50) in an internal mixer. The blended materials were then injection molded into tensile specimens. Differential scanning calorimetry demonstrated that despite the added starch, the stereocomplex structures were still formed and stereocomplex crystallinity decreased with increasing starch content. Compared to neat PLLA, the melting temperature of the stereocomplex and its starch blends was about 55°C higher. The starch enhanced the elongation at break of the stereocomplex samples. Furthermore, stereocomplex and starch compatibility was improved by extending the chains, which in turn improved the stereocomplex and starch blend mechanical properties.
Monte Carlo simulations of nanotube filler in composite material: code optimization
Authors: Kerdkaen N , Sutthibutpong T , Phongphanphanee S , Boonchui S , Wong-ekkabut J
Published: March 2022

The electrically conductive polymer composites (CPCs) have attracted intensive attention for several decades due to their flexibility and unique electrical properties. CPCs are potentially used in many applications such as flexible electrodes, batteries, and strain sensors. The percolated conductive pathways are formed by conductive filler in polymer matrix which is a major effect on the electrical behavior of CPCs. Computational simulations have been used to study the percolation phenomena of CPCs. The simulation algorithms need to be developed and optimized for reducing the simulation time-consuming. In this study, the in-house Monte Carlo simulation that used to estimate percolation threshold is optimized. To simulate in the large-scale system, cut-off distance will be defined to avoid unnecessary complex calculations. The calculation sequence within the code has been rearranged to omit the unnecessary calculation processes. Results show that the optimized software takes less processing time than the previous version around 5 times. Therefore, we can perform the large system to investigate the percolation phenomenon with less lattice confinement effect.
Mechanical properties of laser-welded and adhesive-bonded ultra-high-strength steel lap joints
Authors: Hietala M , Keskitalo M , Järvenpää A
Published: March 2022

The need to manufacture lightweight structures from ultra-high-strength steels is forcing industry to look for new joining technologies. Hybrid joints are one of the new ways to join materials. This paper investigates joining ultra-high strength steel plates using laser welding and adhesive bonding. Steel used in this paper was abrasion resistant steel (AR600) with tensile strength (Rm) ≥ 2 GPa. Three different epoxy adhesives were used in the experiments. The weld morphologies were investigated using optical microscopy. The mechanical properties of the lap joints were evaluated by hardness measurements and tensile shear tests. Examining the profiles of the joints, it became clear that the adhesive causes an air gap between the plates, which affects the morphology of the joint. The air gap caused by the adhesive increased the width of the weld at the interface of the plates. The width of the weld at the interface was approximately 25% larger in the adhesive-bonded joint. Based on shear strength tests, the use of adhesive in addition to the laser weld significantly improved the shear strength of the lap joint. The shear strength of the best laser-welded and adhesive-bonded joint was approximately 84% higher than that of laser-welded joint.
Investigation of freshly prepared AgCl for high yield silver nanowires under polyol method
Authors: Yala S , Petchsang N
Published: March 2022

Silver nanowires (Ag NWs) have attracted much interest in academics and industries because of their potential applications in electronic devices such as flexible displays, pressure sensors, temperature sensors, and conductive layers. Generally, silver nanowire synthesized by the polyol method is the most common and promising chemical reaction. However, its by-products, a mixture of Ag NWs and silver nanoparticles, reduced Ag NWs performance. In this work, we reported the chemical method that is a fast and straightforward synthesis of Ag NWs by using freshly prepared silver chloride to avoid its degradation. The result showed that the freshly prepared silver chloride plays an essential role in promoting the formation of Ag NWs. The by-product was lower compared to using commercial silver chloride. We also found that avoiding boiling bubbles in flask via controlling temperature and reaction time by injecting ethylene glycol, resulting in decreased nanowires degradation. Furthermore, instantaneously decreasing temperature after finishing the cooking time helps reduce its by-product. A high yield of Ag NWs is noticeable under the observed synthetics.
Positive entropy implies chaos along any infinite sequence
Authors: Huang Wen , Li Jian , Ye Xiangdong
Published: March 2022

Let

G
G

be an infinite countable discrete amenable group. For any

G
G

-action on a compact metric space

(
X
,
ρ
)

(X,\rho )

, it turns out that if the action has positive topological entropy, then for any sequence

{

s
i

}

i
=
1

+
∞

\{s_i\}_{i=1}^{+\infty }

with pairwise distinct elements in

G
G

there exists a Cantor subset

K
K

of

X
X

which is Li–Yorke chaotic along this sequence, that is, for any two distinct points

x
,
y
∈
K

x,y\in K

, one has
\[
<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" alttext="limit sup rho left-parenthesis s Subscript i Baseline x comma s Subscript i Baseline y right-parenthesis greater-than 0 and limit inf rho left-parenthesis s Subscript i Baseline x comma s Subscript i Baseline y right-parenthesis equals 0 period">

lim sup

i
→
+
∞

ρ
(

s
i

x
,

s
i

y
)
>
0
 
and
 

lim inf

i
→
+
∞

ρ
(

s
i

x
,

s
i

y
)
=
0.

\limsup _{i\to +\infty }\rho (s_i x,s_iy)>0\ \text {and}\ \liminf _{i\to +\infty }\rho (s_ix,s_iy)=0.

\]
Conditions for the existence of a regular sequence of finite subgraphs of an infinite loaded linear graph
Authors: Gurevich B.
Published: March 2022

We formulate a new condition, weaker than any already known, for the existence of a sequence of finite subgraphs of an infinite loaded linear graph along which the sequence of equilibrium measures converges to the equilibrium measure of the original infinite graph.
Four-factor prothrombin complex concentrate plus andexanet alfa for reversal of factor Xa inhibitor–associated bleeding: Case series
Authors: Liu JiTong , Elsamadisi Pansy , Philips Eli , Bauer Kenneth A , Eche Ifeoma M
Published: March 2022

Purpose

To manage factor Xa (FXa) inhibitor–associated bleeding, andexanet alfa or 4-factor prothrombin concentrate (4F-PCC) has been used to restore hemostasis. However, literature on the outcomes for patients who received both andexanet alfa and 4F-PCC is limited.

We report a case series of 5 patients who received andexanet alfa plus 4F-PCC for reversal of FXa inhibitor–associated bleeding. Patients were included in this case series if they received both andexanet alfa and 4F-PCC for reversal of FXa inhibitor–associated bleeding. They were followed to either discharge or death, and in-hospital complications related to concurrent use of andexanet alfa and 4F-PCC were documented. We report an incidence of thromboembolism of 40% (2 of 5 cases) and an in-hospital mortality rate of 60% (3 of 5 cases). Taking these cases together with those in the existing literature, we found a total of 23 reported cases of safety outcomes with andexanet alfa plus 4F-PCC. The overall incidence of thromboembolism was 35% (8 of 23 cases).

Conclusion

This case series adds to the limited literature describing the outcomes for patients receiving andexanet alfa plus 4F-PCC. We encourage other institutions to report safety data on administering both agents.
Exploring common genetic contributors to neuroprotection from amyloid pathology
Authors: Seto Mabel , Mahoney Emily R. , Dumitrescu Logan , Ramanan Vijay K. , Engelman Corinne D. , Deming Yuetiva , Albert Marilyn , Johnson Sterling C. , Zetterberg Henrik , Blennow Kaj , Vemuri Prashanthi , Jefferson Angela L. , Hohman Timothy J. ,   for the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Published: March 2022

Preclinical Alzheimer’s disease describes some individuals who harbour Alzheimer’s pathologies but are asymptomatic. For this study, we hypothesized that genetic variation may help protect some individuals from Alzheimer’s-related neurodegeneration. We therefore conducted a genome-wide association study using 5 891 064 common variants to assess whether genetic variation modifies the association between baseline beta-amyloid, as measured by both cerebrospinal fluid and positron emission tomography, and neurodegeneration defined using MRI measures of hippocampal volume.

We combined and jointly analysed genotype, biomarker and neuroimaging data from non-Hispanic white individuals who were enrolled in four longitudinal ageing studies (n = 1065). Using regression models, we examined the interaction between common genetic variants (Minor Allele Frequency >0.01), including APOE-ɛ4 and APOE-ɛ2, and baseline cerebrospinal levels of amyloid (CSF Aβ42) on baseline hippocampal volume and the longitudinal rate of hippocampal atrophy. For targeted replication of top findings, we analysed an independent dataset (n = 808) where amyloid burden was assessed by Pittsburgh Compound B ([11C]-PiB) positron emission tomography.

In this study, we found that APOE-ɛ4 modified the association between baseline CSF Aβ42 and hippocampal volume such that APOE-ɛ4 carriers showed more rapid atrophy, particularly in the presence of enhanced amyloidosis. We also identified a novel locus on chromosome 3 that interacted with baseline CSF Aβ42. Minor allele carriers of rs62263260, an expression quantitative trait locus for the SEMA5B gene (P = 1.46 × 10−8; 3:122675327) had more rapid neurodegeneration when amyloid burden was high and slower neurodegeneration when amyloid was low. The rs62263260 × amyloid interaction on longitudinal change in hippocampal volume was replicated in an independent dataset (P = 0.0112) where amyloid burden was assessed by positron emission tomography.

In addition to supporting the established interaction between APOE and amyloid on neurodegeneration, our study identifies a novel locus that modifies the association between beta-amyloid and hippocampal atrophy. Annotation results may implicate SEMA5B, a gene involved in synaptic pruning and axonal guidance, as a high-quality candidate for functional confirmation and future mechanistic analysis.
Approximate equations of PP-, PS1- and PS2-wave reflection coefficients in fluid-filled monoclinic media
Authors: Xie Tianyi , Lu Jun , Li Mengqi , Wang Yun
Published: March 2022

Studying the seismic reflection characteristics of fractured strata can provide a theoretical basis for the exploration of unconventional oil and gas reservoirs. When several (more than 1) sets of oblique vertical fractures that are rotationally non-invariant are embedded in an isotropic or vertical transversely isotropic (VTI) background, the stratum exhibits equivalent monoclinic anisotropy. However, the exact algorithm of the reflection and transmission coefficients of monoclinic media is algebraically complicated and difficult to use in theoretical analysis and application. In this paper, under the assumption that fractures are filled with fluid, based on the linear-slip theory, we solve the phase velocities of monoclinic media from the Christoffel equations by using the first-order perturbation method and then derive the recursive equations of the PP-, PS1-, and PS2-wave reflection coefficients. The theoretical analysis results show that for an interface of monoclinic media, when setting a series of fracture densities for the lower medium, the relative error of the proposed approximate reflection coefficient of the PS2 wave is less than 5.7 per cent, and those of the PP and PS1 waves are generally less than 2.5 per cent for a wide range of anisotropy strength and impedance contrast; when setting a series of fracture densities for the upper medium, the relative error of the proposed approximate reflection coefficients of the PP, PS1 and PS2 waves are generally less than 6.4, 5.1 and 4.5 per cent, respectively. When degenerated to the horizontal transversely isotropic model, compared with Rüger's approximation, at incidence angles of 1–30°, the two results are almost coincident, but the proposed approximations are closer to the exact solutions.
Results of open thoracoabdominal aortic replacement in patients unsuitable for or after endovascular repair with remaining disease components
Authors: Kondov Stoyan , Frankenberger Leon , Siepe Matthias , Keyl Cornelius , Staier Klaus , Humburger Frank , Rylski Bartosz , Kreibich Maximilian , Berger Tim , Beyersdorf Friedhelm , Czerny Martin
Published: March 2022

OBJECTIVES

Our goal was to evaluate outcomes in all-comer patients undergoing open thoracoabdominal aortic replacement either unsuitable for or after failed endovascular aortic repair.

METHODS

Within a 4-year period, we analysed a consecutive series of 80 patients undergoing elective, urgent and emergency thoracoabdominal aortic replacement. Preoperative data, intraoperative data and outcomes were evaluated. Specific attention was given to technical refinements needed in patients after previous endovascular aortic repair.

RESULTS

Eighty patients underwent thoracoabdominal aortic replacement: 11.3% (n = 9) had connective tissue disorders. Twenty-six patients (32.5%) had previous endovascular aortic repair and 54 (67.5%) did not have previous endovascular repair. The mean age was 64.2 ± 12 years, and 70% (n = 56) were male. The mean EuroSCORE was 7.9 ± 2.6. Urgent or emergency operations were done in 22.5% (n = 18). Overall mortality was 20% (n = 16); symptomatic spinal cord injury occurred in 5% (n = 4). We did not observe differences in survival according to the presence or absence of previous endovascular aortic repair (P = 0.524). Multivariate regression analysis revealed the amount of packed red blood cell units (P = 0.009, confidence interval 1.028–1.215, odds ratio = 1.117) as a predictor of in-hospital death. Follow-up was 100% (37.9 ± 15.8 months); freedom from aortic-related reintervention was 96.3%.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite an early attrition rate, survival after open thoracoabdominal aortic replacement is excellent, and freedom from aortic-related reintervention is high. Open surgery continues to remain an essential component in the treatment armamentarium of acute and chronic thoracoabdominal aortic pathology.
Companion Points on the Eigenvariety with Non-Regular Weights
Authors: Wu Zhixiang
Published: March 2022

We prove the existence of all companion points on the eigenvariety of definite unitary groups associated with generic crystalline Galois representations with possibly non-regular weights under the Taylor–Wiles hypothesis, based on the previous results of Breuil–Hellmann–Schraen [8] in regular cases and the author in [33] in non-regular cases.
The American Appropriation of Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s Legacy
Authors: Looper Joel
Published: March 2022

In recent years, American journalists and academics have appropriated the legacy of German theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer to further their political and social agendas. Rather than leveraging Bonhoeffer’s name to buttress a particular political position, this article contrasts the fundamental political assumptions we find in Bonhoeffer’s writings with those of the American theologian Reinhold Niebuhr, then demonstrates that the sensibilities of the key Americans appropriating Bonhoeffer’s legacy are fundamentally Niebuhrian. In this way, Bonhoeffer’s political commitments are shown to be quite different than those of his American admirers. The article concludes with the claim that Bonhoeffer should be read today as a voice from outside contemporary American political discussions, but one that can be relevant nonetheless.
Development of Tools to Age Grand Fir to Aid in Collaborative Restoration of Federal Lands in Eastern Oregon
Authors: Johnston James D , Lindsay Amanda A
Published: March 2022

The USDA Forest Service is working closely with collaborative stakeholder groups to accelerate the pace and scale of restoration in fire-prone mixed conifer forests of eastern Oregon. Collaboratively planned restoration projects are typically designed to conserve older trees established before fire exclusion policies and other management practices began to alter forest landscapes beginning in the late 1800s. Tools exist for accurately estimating the age of common species including ponderosa pine, Douglas-fir, and western larch. There are no existing tools available for aging grand/white fir, although an important objective of many restoration projects in mixed conifer stands is to retain older grand/white fir while removing younger individuals that have infilled into stands in the absence of fire to enhance resilience of stands to future climate and disturbance regimes. This article describes the development of tools to age grand fir on the Malheur National Forest by taking simple field measurements of morphological characteristics. Bark fissure depth, height to live foliage, and diameter at breast height were the strongest noncorrelated tree morphological characteristics associated with tree age. Crown class had no predictive power for estimating tree age. A variety of methods are presented that can estimate the age of grand fir with reasonable accuracy and are appropriate for different management objectives. Additional field testing and continued experimentation with different tree aging methods within an adaptive management framework is recommended.

Study Implications: Shade tolerant grand fir has expanded dramatically in mixed conifer stands of eastern Oregon in the absence of frequent fire. Collaboratively designed restoration projects in mixed conifer stands usually call for the removal of younger grand fir while maintaining older grand fir that contribute to stand- and landscape-scale biodiversity. It can be difficult to estimate the age of grand fir based on morphological clues because of highly variable growth forms in this species. However, several easy-to-use grand fir aging tools promise to facilitate restoration by making reasonably accurate estimates of tree age.
Incisional metastatic breast carcinoma deposit in a total knee replacement presenting as peri-prosthetic joint infection—a case report
Authors: Rajeev Aysha , Elzawahry Ahmed , Rakhra Simren , Singisetti Kiran
Published: March 2022

Cutaneous metastasis from the primary breast carcinoma occurs when the disease is wide spread and can present as skin infection especially in a previous well-healed scar. If the secondary deposit is over a total knee incisional site it can mimic peri-prosthetic joint infection. We report a rare and unusual case of a woman who presented with clinical signs and symptoms of a peri-prosthetic total knee replacement which on biopsy turned out to be cutaneous metastasis from a previously treated breast cancer. Chronic granulation tissue in a total joint incisional scar may present as peri-prosthetic joint infection. A good history taking and clinical examination with specimens from the skin lesions send for both microbiology and histopathology is recommended to arrive at an early and accurate diagnosis.
Constraining the original composition of the gas forming first-generation stars in globular clusters
Authors: Legnardi M V , Milone A P , Armillotta L , Marino A F , Cordoni G , Renzini A , Vesperini E , D’Antona F , McKenzie M , Yong D , Dondoglio E , Lagioia E P , Carlos M , Tailo M , Jang S , Mohandasan A
Published: March 2022

Disentangling distinct stellar populations along the red-giant branches (RGBs) of globular clusters (GCs) is possible by using the pseudo-two-colour diagram dubbed chromosome map (ChM). One of the most intriguing findings is that the so-called first-generation (1G) stars, characterized by the same chemical composition of their natal cloud, exhibit extended sequences in the ChM. Unresolved binaries and internal variations in helium or metallicity have been suggested to explain this phenomenon. Here, we derive high-precision Hubble Space Telescope photometry of the GCs NGC 6362 and NGC 6838 and build their ChMs. We find that both 1G RGB and main-sequence (MS) stars exhibit wider ChM sequences than those of second-generation (2G). The evidence of this feature even among unevolved 1G MS stars indicates that chemical inhomogeneities are imprinted in the original gas. We introduce a pseudo-two-magnitude diagram to distinguish between helium and metallicity, and demonstrate that star-to-star metallicity variations are responsible for the extended 1G sequence. Conversely, binaries provide a minor contribution to the phenomenon. We estimate that the metallicity variations within 1G stars of 55 GCs range from less than [Fe/H]∼0.05 to ∼0.30 and mildly correlate with cluster mass. We exploit these findings to constrain the formation scenarios of multiple populations showing that they are qualitatively consistent with the occurrence of multiple generations. In contrast, the fact that 2G stars have more homogeneous iron content than the 1G challenges the scenarios based on accretion of material processed in massive 1G stars on to existing protostars.
Close, bright, and boxy: the superluminous SN 2018hti
Authors: Fiore A , Benetti S , Nicholl M , Reguitti A , Cappellaro E , Campana S , Bose S , Paraskeva E , Berger E , Bravo T M , Burke J , Cai Y-Z , Chen T-W , Chen P , Ciolfi R , Dong S , Gomez S , Gromadzki M , Gutiérrez C P , Hiramatsu D , Hosseinzadeh G , Howell D A , Jerkstrand A , Kankare E , Kozyreva A , Maguire K , McCully C , Ochner P , Pellegrino C , Pignata G , Post R S , Elias-Rosa N , Shahbandeh M , Schuldt S , Thomas B P , Tomasella L , Vinkó J , Vogl C , Wheeler J C , Young D R
Published: March 2022

SN 2018hti was a very nearby (z = 0.0614) superluminous supernova with an exceedingly bright absolute magnitude of −21.7 mag in r band at maximum. The densely sampled pre-maximum light curves of SN 2018hti show a slow luminosity evolution and constrain the rise time to ∼50 rest-frame d. We fitted synthetic light curves to the photometry to infer the physical parameters of the explosion of SN 2018hti for both the magnetar and the CSM-interaction scenarios. We conclude that one of two mechanisms could be powering the luminosity of SN 2018hti; interaction with ∼10 M⊙ of circumstellar material or a magnetar with a magnetic field of Bp∼ 1.3 × 1013 G, and initial period of Pspin∼ 1.8 ms. From the nebular spectrum modelling we infer that SN 2018hti likely results from the explosion of a ${\sim}40\, \mathrm{M}_\odot$ progenitor star.
Probing vainsthein-screening gravity with galaxy clusters using internal kinematics and strong and weak lensing
Authors: Pizzuti Lorenzo , Saltas Ippocratis D , Umetsu Keiichi , Sartoris Barbara
Published: March 2022

We use high-precision combined strong/weak lensing and kinematics measurements of the total mass profiles of the observed galaxy clusters MACS J1206.2-0847 and Abell S1063, to constrain the relativistic sector of the general DHOST dark energy theories, which exhibit a partial breaking of the so called Vainsthein screening mechanism, on the linear level of scalar fluctuations around a cosmological background. In particular, by using the MG-MAMMPOSSt framework developed in Pizzuti et al., for the kinematics analysis of member galaxies in clusters, along with lensing mass profile reconstructions, we provide new constraints on the coupling Y2 that governs the theory’s relativistic contribution to the lensing potential. The new bound from the combination of kinematics and lensing measurements of MACS 1206, $Y_2=-0.12^{+0.66}_{-0.67}$ at 2σ, provides about a two-fold improvement on previous constraints. In the case of Abell S1063, a >2σ tension with the GR expectation arises. We discuss this in some detail, and we investigate the possible sources of systematics that can explain the tension. We further discuss why the combination of kinematics of member galaxies with lensing is capable of providing much tighter bounds compared to kinematics or lensing alone, and we explain how the number density profile of tracers, as well as the choice of the velocity anisotropy profile, affects the final results.
Predicted changes in temperature, more than acidification, affect the shell morphology and survival of the girdled dogwhelk,Trochia cingulata(Linnaeus, 1771)
Authors: Martin Nicole , Clusella-Trullas Susana , Robinson Tamara B
Published: March 2022

Despite the existing body of research that considers altered ocean temperature and acidification as co-occurring stressors, our understanding of the consequences of such shifts remains limited. This is particularly problematic in relation to predators such as whelks, as they can exert strong top-down control of communities yet, as calcifying ectotherms, they are likely to be vulnerable to climate change. This study assessed the effects of simultaneous changes in water temperature and pH on the South African girdled dogwhelk Trochia cingulata. For 12 weeks, whelks were exposed to three temperatures, 9 °C (cooling), 13 °C (current) and 17 °C (warming), each at three target pH levels, 8.0 (current), 7.7 (intermediate) and 7.5 (extreme). For each treatment shell thickness, strength and shape were measured after 6 and 12 weeks, while mortality was recorded daily. Survival was not affected by pH and was highest at 9 °C. Almost all whelks exposed to warming died within 2 weeks. After 6 weeks, shell strength declined significantly as acidity increased, regardless of temperature, and shells of whelks held at 9 °C were thinner. By 12 weeks, whelks exposed to cooling and extreme pH had the weakest shells. Notably, temperature no longer influenced shell thickness, but whelks held at 9 °C became globular in shape. These changes in shell morphology likely resulted from the increased cost of shell maintenance in cool, acidic conditions. The differences observed at 6 and 12 weeks demonstrate how responses can change over time, a point that should be kept in mind when assessing species sensitivities to changing environments. The dominant effect of temperature highlights that T. cingulata is particularly vulnerable to warming, while regional cooling may pose a challenge with respect to shell morphology.
H3K56 deacetylation and H2A.Z deposition are required for aberrant heterochromatin spreading
Authors: Zhang Chengcheng , Tian Yuan , Song Shuang , Zhang Lu , Dang Yunkun , He Qun
Published: March 2022

Crucial mechanisms are required to restrict self-propagating heterochromatin spreading within defined boundaries and prevent euchromatic gene silencing. In the filamentous fungus Neurospora crassa, the JmjC domain protein DNA METHYLATION MODULATOR-1 (DMM-1) prevents aberrant spreading of heterochromatin, but the molecular details remain unknown. Here, we revealed that DMM-1 is highly enriched in a well-defined 5-kb heterochromatin domain upstream of the cat-3 gene, hereby called 5H-cat-3 domain, to constrain aberrant heterochromatin spreading. Interestingly, aberrant spreading of the 5H-cat-3 domain observed in the dmm-1KO strain is accompanied by robust deposition of histone variant H2A.Z, and deletion of H2A.Z abolishes aberrant spreading of the 5H-cat-3 domain into adjacent euchromatin. Furthermore, lysine 56 of histone H3 is deacetylated at the expanded heterochromatin regions, and mimicking H3K56 acetylation with an H3K56Q mutation effectively blocks H2A.Z-mediated aberrant spreading of the 5H-cat-3 domain. Importantly, genome-wide analyses demonstrated the general roles of H3K56 deacetylation and H2A.Z deposition in aberrant spreading of heterochromatin. Together, our results illustrate a previously unappreciated regulatory process that mediates aberrant heterochromatin spreading.
Transcriptogram analysis reveals relationship between viral titer and gene sets responses during Corona-virus infection
Authors: de Almeida Rita M C , Thomas Gilberto L , Glazier James A
Published: March 2022

To understand the difference between benign and severe outcomes after Coronavirus infection, we urgently need ways to clarify and quantify the time course of tissue and immune responses. Here we re-analyze 72-hour time-series microarrays generated in 2013 by Sims and collaborators for SARS-CoV-1 in vitro infection of a human lung epithelial cell line. Transcriptograms, a Bioinformatics tool to analyze genome-wide gene expression data, allow us to define an appropriate context-dependent threshold for mechanistic relevance of gene differential expression. Without knowing in advance which genes are relevant, classical analyses detect every gene with statistically-significant differential expression, leaving us with too many genes and hypotheses to be useful. Using a Transcriptogram-based top-down approach, we identified three major, differentially-expressed gene sets comprising 219 mainly immune-response-related genes. We identified timescales for alterations in mitochondrial activity, signaling and transcription regulation of the innate and adaptive immune systems and their relationship to viral titer. The methods can be applied to RNA data sets for SARS-CoV-2 to investigate the origin of differential responses in different tissue types, or due to immune or preexisting conditions or to compare cell culture, organoid culture, animal models and human-derived samples.