bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An investigation of metabolic disturbances, including urinary stone disease, hypothyroidism, and osteoporosis in basal cell nevus syndrome
Authors: Schlaht Karl M. , Sas David J. , Davis Dawn Marie R. , Hand Jennifer L.
Published: May 2022

Background/Objectives

Basal cell nevus syndrome (BCNS) is an autosomal dominant skin cancer predisposition syndrome associated with abnormal mineral metabolism, a risk factor for urinary stone disease (USD). However, no research investigating the association between BCNS and USD or other manifestations of abnormal mineral metabolism has been conducted. The objective of this study is to investigate the association between BCNS and conditions associated with disordered mineral metabolism including USD, hypothyroidism, and osteoporosis and compare them to prevalence in the general population to elucidate potential unknown manifestations of the condition.

Methods

This retrospective study examined medical records of adult and pediatric patients with confirmed BCNS from the Mayo Clinic database from 1 January 1995 to 12 January 2020. Records were surveyed for evidence of USD and other comorbidities potentially related to BCNS. The studied cohort included 100 adult patients and 5 pediatric patients.

Results

A total of 105 patients were included in this analysis, 10 of whom experienced confirmed USD, representing a prevalence of 10%. Six adult patients were identified with a diagnosis of osteoporosis, representing a prevalence of 6%. Thirteen adult patients were identified with a diagnosis of hypothyroidism, representing a prevalence of 13%.

Conclusions

This study identified a prevalence of USD in BCNS patients comparable to estimates of national prevalence, indicating that known abnormalities in mineral metabolism likely do not increase the incidence of USD in BCNS patients. Additional findings included increased prevalence of hypothyroidism and decreased prevalence of osteoporosis in the BCNS cohort compared to national averages.
Implications for quantifying early life growth trajectories of term‐born infants using INTERGROWTH‐21st newborn size standards at birth in conjunction with World Health Organization child growth standards in the postnatal period
Authors: Perumal Nandita , Ohuma Eric O. , Prentice Andrew M. , Shah Prakesh S. , Al Mahmud Abdullah , Moore Sophie E. , Roth Daniel E.
Published: May 2022

Background

The INTERGROWTH‐21st sex and gestational age (GA) specific newborn size standards (IG‐NS) are intended to complement the World Health Organization Child Growth Standards (WHO‐GS), which are not GA‐specific. We examined the implications of using IG‐NS at birth and WHO‐GS at postnatal ages in longitudinal epidemiologic studies.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to quantify the extent to which standardised measures of newborn size and growth are affected when using WHO‐GS versus IG‐NS at birth among term‐born infants.

Methods

Data from two prenatal trials in Bangladesh (n = 755) and The Gambia (n = 522) were used to estimate and compare size at birth and growth from birth to 3 months when using WHO‐GS only (‘WHO‐GS’) versus IG‐NS at birth and WHO‐GS postnatally (‘IG‐NS’). Mean length‐for‐age (LAZ), weight‐for‐age (WAZ) and head circumference‐for‐age (HCAZ), and the prevalence of undernutrition (stunting: LAZ < −2SD; underweight: WAZ < −2SD; and microcephaly: HCAZ < −2SD) were estimated overall and by GA strata [early‐term (370/7–386/7), full‐term (390/7–406/7) and late‐term (410/7–430/7)]. We used Bland–Altman plots to compare continuous indices and Kappa statistic to compare categorical indicators.

Results

At birth, mean LAZ, WAZ and HCAZ, and the prevalence of undernutrition were most similar among newborns between 39 and 40 weeks of GA when using WHO‐GS versus IG‐NS. However, anthropometric indices were systematically lower among early‐term infants and higher among late‐term infants when using WHO‐GS versus IG‐NS. Early‐term and late‐term infants demonstrated relatively faster and slower growth, respectively, when using WHO‐GS versus IG‐NS, with the direction and magnitude of differences varying between anthropometric indices. Individual‐level differences in attained size and growth, when using WHO‐GS versus IG‐NS, were greater than 0.2 SD in magnitude for >60% of infants across all anthropometric indices.

Conclusions

Using IG‐NS at birth with WHO‐GS postnatally is acceptable for full‐term infants but may give a misleading interpretation of growth trajectories among early‐ and late‐term infants.
Endometriosis diagnosis, staging and typology and adverse pregnancy outcome history
Authors: Schliep Karen C. , Farland Leslie V. , Pollack Anna Z. , Buck Louis Germaine , Stanford Joseph B. , Allen‐Brady Kristina , Varner Michael W. , Kah Kebba , Peterson C. Matthew
Published: May 2022

Background

Women with endometriosis may have an increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Research has focused on infertility clinic populations limiting generalisability. Few studies report differences by endometriosis severity.

Objectives

We investigated the relationships between endometriosis diagnosis, staging and typology and pregnancy outcomes among an operative and population‐based sample of women.

Methods

Menstruating women ages 18–44 years enrolled in the ENDO Study (2007–2009), including the operative cohort: 316 gravid women undergoing laparoscopy/laparotomy at surgical centres in Utah and California; and the population cohort: 76 gravid women from the surgical centres' geographic catchment areas. Pregnancy outcomes were ascertained by questionnaire and included all pregnancies prior to study enrolment. Endometriosis was diagnosed via surgical visualisation in the operative cohort and pelvic magnetic resonance imaging in the population cohort. Adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using generalised linear mixed models for pregnancy outcomes, adjusting for women’s age at study enrolment and at pregnancy, surgical site, body mass index and lifestyle factors.

Results

Women in the operative cohort with visualised endometriosis (n = 109, 34%) had a lower prevalence of live births, aPR 0.94 (95% CI 0.85, 1.03) and a higher prevalence of miscarriages, aPR 1.48 (95% CI 1.23, 1.77) compared with women without endometriosis. The direction and magnitude of estimates were similar in the population cohort. Women with deep endometriosis were 2.98‐fold more likely (95% CI 1.12, 7.95) to report a miscarriage compared with women without endometriosis after adjusting for women’s age at study enrolment and at pregnancy, surgical site and body mass index. No differences were seen between endometriosis staging and pregnancy outcomes.

Conclusions

While there was no difference in number of pregnancies among women with and without endometriosis in a population‐based sample, pregnancy loss was more common among women with endometriosis, notably among those with deep endometriosis.
Limited evidence for enhanced working memory performance and effort allocation in the face of loss versus gain incentives: A preregistered (non) replication
Authors: Chen Christina , Long Royston , Pu Zhenghao , Massar Stijn A. A.
Published: May 2022

The motivation to avoid losses is often considered a strong drive of human behavior, affecting decisions in the context of risk, temporal delay, and effort provision. However, studies measuring cognitive performance under loss and gain incentives have yielded mixed findings. In a recent study, we found evidence that losses motivated better working memory performance than gains. Since these results deviated from previous studies, we decided to perform a preregistered, high‐powered, replication, and extension study. Eighty‐six participants performed a working memory task (N‐Back) under Gain and Loss conditions. Pupillometry was recorded during task performance, and subjective effort ratings were taken after each task run. Results showed that contrary to our previous findings, losses did not enhance working memory performance, relative to gains, at any N‐Back level. Similarly, while pupil diameter was parametrically modulated by working memory load, no differences between the Gain and Loss conditions were found. Participants did believe that they were exerting more effort during Loss versus Gain conditions, regardless of N‐Back level. However, this did not translate to performance differences between Gain and Loss conditions.
Myosin V facilitates polarised E‐cadherin secretion
Authors: Tanasic Dajana , Berns Nicola , Riechmann Veit
Published: May 2022

E‐cadherin has a fundamental role in epithelial tissues by providing cell–cell adhesion. Polarised E‐cadherin exocytosis to the lateral plasma membrane is central for cell polarity and epithelial homeostasis. Loss of E‐cadherin secretion compromises tissue integrity and is a prerequisite for metastasis. Despite this pivotal role of E‐cadherin secretion, the transport mechanism is still unknown. Here we identify Myosin V as the motor for E‐cadherin secretion. Our data reveal that Myosin V and F‐actin are required for the formation of a continuous apicolateral E‐cadherin belt, the zonula adherens. We show by live imaging how Myosin V transports E‐cadherin vesicles to the plasma membrane, and distinguish two distinct transport tracks: an apical actin network leading to the zonula adherens and parallel actin bundles leading to the basal‐most region of the lateral membrane. E‐cadherin secretion starts in endosomes, where Rab11 and Sec15 recruit Myosin V for transport to the zonula adherens. We also shed light on the endosomal sorting of E‐cadherin by showing how Rab7 and Snx16 cooperate in moving E‐cadherin into the Rab11 compartment. Thus, our data help to understand how polarised E‐cadherin secretion maintains epithelial architecture and prevents metastasis.
Comparison of intraosseous and intravenous iodinated contrast administration for CT imaging in Hispaniolan Amazon parrots (Amazona ventralis)
Authors: Jania Rachel , Tully Thomas , Mitchell Mark , Granger L. Abbigail
Published: May 2022

Establishing and maintaining intravenous access for contrast medium during CT imaging can be difficult in birds due to their small size and thin walled vessels. Intraosseous (IO) catheters are an alternative to intravenous catheters and are often used for fluid or medication administration in birds. To determine the feasibility of IO iodinated contrast enhancement for CT in birds, 10 adult Hispaniolan Amazon parrots (Amazona ventralis) weighing 260–325 g, were enrolled in a prospective randomized blinded crossover group study to evaluate the differences in contrast route administration. The parrots underwent pre‐ and postcontrast CT scans using both routes of contrast administration with a wash‐out period of at least 1 week between the two methods. Scans were evaluated subjectively for diagnostic quality and objectively with Hounsfield units measured over three organs: the brain, right kidney, and liver. All scans were diagnostic, and there was no statistically significant measurable difference in contrast enhancement between the two methods in any of the three organs. Subjectively, IO catheters were technically more difficult to place, but once in place, they were easier to manipulate for the imaging procedure and provided no complications upon removal. Minimal adverse side effects were noted from the IO catheters. In this small study, IO iodinated contrast administration was comparable in enhancement characteristics to intravenous administration for CT imaging in Hispaniolan Amazon parrots.
Evaluation of a customized 3D‐printed saw guide for tibial plateau leveling osteotomy: An ex vivo study
Authors: Lee Seungeon , Kang Jinsu , Kim Namsoo , Heo Suyoung
Published: May 2022

Objective

To determine whether a tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) performed with a customized 3D‐printed guide and jig is more accurate than the traditional technique using a jig alone.

Study design

In vitro study.

Sample population

Cadaveric canine pelvic limbs (n = 10) and 20 synthetic bone models.

Methods

Tibial plateau leveling osteotomy using a jig with (n = 10) and without (n = 10) a customized 3D‐printed guide were performed in bone models, and TPLO using a jig with (n = 5) and without (n = 5) a customized 3D‐printed guide were performed in cadaveric limbs. Angulation of the osteotomy, angulation of the proximal jig pin, angular/torsional deformity and medial cortex damage were measured from photographs of the specimens and compared.

Results

In the bone models, there were differences with and without the 3D guide for mean osteotomy inclination (−0.06° vs. –1.74°, P < .001), osteotomy torsion (5268 vs. 10 469 visible osteotomy pixels, P < .001), and medial cortical damage (2970 vs. 18 562 pixels, P < .001). In the cadaveric study, osteotomy inclination (−1.1° vs. 1.01°, P < .01), induced angular deformity (0.17° vs. –3.01°, P < .001) and angulation of the proximal jig pin (−0.27° vs. 0.80°, P < .001) differed between groups.

Conclusion

The 3D‐printed guide during TPLO resulted in slightly more accurate osteotomies and proximal jig pin placement, and reduced medial cortex damage.

Clinical significance

A customized 3D‐printed guide may improve intraoperative accuracy for TPLO, although the clinical significance of the small benefits is unknown.
Centralized Students’ Authentication for Higher Education Systems
Authors: Ahmed Musa Midila
Published: May 2022

Increase in the adoption of ICT for service provision renders higher educational institutions in Nigeria vulnerable to numerous security challenges. The information security threats addressed in this paper encompasses identity theft and identification frauds. The high number of students patronizing these institutions seeking for knowledge results in the challenges of identifying authentic students. The use of students’ identification number and password is no longer sufficient for authentication of students. Therefore, this paper proposed a centralized authentication model for higher education system (CAMHES) for Nigeria. The model uses multi-factor authentication combining students’ identification number, students’ fingerprint biometric and smartcard technology for students’ authentication. The solution authenticates the identity of genuine students to eliminate impersonation in Nigerian higher education systems. Although, this solution provides authentication that is extremely difficult to replicate, it is recommended that the students’ biometric data captured must be strictly kept safe.
Convolutional Neural Network for Skull Recognition
Authors: Samma Hussein Salem Ali , Lahasan Bader
Published: May 2022

Automatic skull identification systems play a vital role for forensic law authorities to recognize victim identity.  Motivated by potential applications of these kinds of systems, this research aims to apply a pre-trained deep convolutional neural network (CNN) for face skull recognition. Basically, the unknown skull image is fed to a pre-trained CNN network to extract a 1D feature vector, and then it will be matched with photos at database agencies to identify the closest match. To validate the proposed skull recognition system, it has been applied for a total of 13 skulls, and the reported results indicated a good was achieved. In addition, various CNN architectures were investigated, including shallow, medium, and deep CNN models. The best performance was reported from the shallow CNN model with a 92% recognition rate.
Empirical correlation of stable double emulsion system of organic compound extraction in emulsion liquid membrane process
Authors: Jusoh Norela , Othman Norasikin , Alfred Ambi Leonie Lenta Anak , Mohamed Noah Norul Fatiha , Rosly Muhammad Bukhari , Abdul Rahman Hilmi
Published: May 2022

The stability of emulsion is crucial in the emulsion liquid membrane (ELM) process. It has been discovered that the size of emulsion droplets and globules is related to ELM stability and can be predicted using a correlation model. In this study, the best correlation for the emulsion size prediction was determined for ELM extraction of succinic acid. Several parameters affecting the emulsion sizes and stability including emulsification speed, emulsification time, agitation speed, and treat ratio were evaluated. A new correlation for the succinic acid system was obtained that fit experimental data between 0.1-0.5 dispersed phased holdup fraction. From the study, the Weber number depended on the emulsification speed, emulsification time, and agitation speed, which consequently affected the predicted emulsion size. This study demonstrates that mathematical correlations can be used to predict the size of emulsion droplets and globules in the ELM process of organic compound extraction.
Prediction of Zinc Extraction using Facilitated Emulsion Liquid Membrane Model
Authors: Mohamed Noah Norul Fatiha , Othman Norasikin , Binanga Hakim
Published: May 2022

This study presents the modelling of zinc extraction facilitated by emulsion liquid membrane (ELM). The previously developed model was extended and modified in accordance with the present research objectives and scope. The modified model is based on the chemical interaction between the carrier molecules and zinc ions, as well as the mass transport mechanism. Furthermore, the model also accounts for the effect of Sauter mean diameter on the extraction efficiency. MATLAB was applied to simulate the ELM extraction of zinc based on the validated model. At the optimum conditions, MATLAB simulation produced a similar outcome to the one obtained experimentally. Using the validated model, several parametric studies were conducted, such as the treat ratio, initial zinc concentration, carrier concentration, and stripping agent concentration. The consistent results between the experimental and simulated data increased the reliability of the model as a viable prediction tool for zinc extraction using facilitated ELM.
Efficient Synthesis of Novel 1-Substituted β- Carboline Derivatives via Pictet-Spengler Cyclization of 5-Hydroxy-L-Tryptophan
Authors: Ashari Nur Ain Nabilah , Pungot Noor Hidayah , Jani Nor Akmalazura , Shaameri Zurina
Published: May 2022

A facile synthesis of novel 1-substituted β-carboline derivatives by using three efficient reaction steps was described. The synthetic route began with the construction of β-carboline frameworks involving the coupling of 5-hydroxy-L-tryptophan with different substituted phenylglyoxal via Pictet-Spengler condensation. Subsequent reduction of carbonyl functionality on carbon-7’ by using Wolff-Kishner reaction followed by N-alkylation afforded a practical access to a series of 1-substituted β-carboline derivatives in moderate yields. These novel derivatives were successfully synthesized without the use of expensive metal catalyst, prolonged reaction hours or critical reaction conditions. The molecular structures of all synthesized derivatives were confirmed by infrared (IR), gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy.
On Variance Estimation for the Population Size Estimator under One-Inflated Positive Poisson Distribution
Authors: Mohd Tajuddin Razik Ridzuan , Ismail Noriszura , Ibrahim Kamarulzaman
Published: May 2022

Let NO1PPbe the Horvitz-Thompson estimator for the population size with one-inflated positive Poisson distribution as the underlying distribution. We estimate the variance of this estimator using conditional expectation technique and provide some descriptions on the variance and its associated confidence interval based on simulation study and real data applications.
Progressive Freeze Concentration Performance Prediction based on Polynomial Curve Model for Star Fruit Juice Concentration
Authors: Sofi Muhammad Hafizuddin , Harun Noor Hafiza , Mansor Anis Haryati , Zakaria Zaki Yamani , Jusoh Mazura
Published: May 2022

Progressive freeze concentration (PFC) is a simpler freeze concentration process of removing water content in fruit juice through ice crystal formation in order to concentrate a solution. Vertical finned crystallizer (VFC) was used in the PFC system as the ice crystallizer in this study. A mathematical model is highly needed to be developed so that theories can be validated and to understand the system developed better with minimal risk and cost. Mathematical modelling is also essential to analyze the performance of the system. In this work, the use of mathematical model was explored based on a polynomial regression in analysing and predicting the performance of PFC system. The polynomials curve fitting were first performed to develop the models followed by the simulations to predict the target variables of effective partition constant (K value) and solute recovery (Y value). The relationship of operating parameters including coolant temperature and operation time on the PFC performance values were also discovered via the correlated polynomial regression models. Based on simulations result, the highest efficiencies of PFC process were achieved at approximately - coolant temperature of 10oC and operation time of 55 minutes. To validate the models’ accuracy, the statistical assessment parameters of R-squared and Absolute Average Relative Deviation (AARD) were determined.  The findings of this study conferred satisfactory results of the prediction performance of polynomial regression model, in which the least analysis error of AARD (i.e., below 10%) and the highest R-squared (i.e., above 0.97) were successfully achieved.  It is concluded that polynomials-based predictive models are promising alternatives to replace time-consuming and expensive experimental evaluation of PFC process for fruit juices.
Exosome engineering for efficient and targeted drug delivery: Current status and future perspective
Authors: Malekian Farzaneh , Shamsian Alireza , Kodam Sai Priyanka , Ullah Mujib
Published: May 2022

Exosomes are membrane‐bound vesicles that are released by most cells. They carry nucleic acids, cytokines, growth factors, proteins, lipids, and metabolites. They are responsible for inter‐ and intracellular communications and their role in drug delivery is well defined. Exosomes have great potential for therapeutic applications, but the clinical use is restricted because of limitations in standardized procedures for isolation, purification, and drug delivery. Bioengineering of exosomes could be one approach to achieve standardization and reproducible isolation for clinical use. Exosomes are important transporters for targeted drug delivery because of their small size, stable structure, non‐immunogenicity, and non‐toxic nature, as well as their ability to carry a wide variety of compounds. These features of exosomes can be enhanced further by bioengineering. In this review, possible exosome bioengineering approaches, their biomedical applications, and targeted drug delivery are discussed.

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A Recent Review of Risk-Based Inspection Development to Support Service Excellence in the Oil and Gas Industry: An Artificial Intelligence Perspective
Authors: Aditiyawarman Taufik , Kaban Agus Paul Setiawan , Soedarsono Johny Wahyuadi
Published: May 2022

Inspection and Maintenance methods development have a pivotal role in preventing the uncertainty-induced risks in the oil and gas industry. A key aspect of inspection is evaluating the risk of equipment from the scheduled and monitored assessment in the dynamic system. This activity includes assessing the modification factor's probability of failure and calculating the equipment's remaining useful life (RUL). The traditional inspection model constitutes a partial solution to grouping the vast amount of real-data inspection and observations at equal intervals. This literature review aims to offer a comprehensive review concerning the benefit of machine learning in managing the risk while incorporating time-series forecasting studies and an overview of risk-based inspection methods (e.g., quantitative, semiquantitative, and qualitative). A literature review with a deductive approach is used to discuss the improvement of the clustering Gaussian mixture model to overcome the noncircular shape data that may show in the K-Means models. Machine learning classifiers such as Decision Trees, Logistic Regression, Support Vector Machines, K-nearest neighbors, and Random Forests were selected to provide a platform for risk assessment and give a promising prediction toward the actual condition and the severity level of equipment. This work approaches complementary tools and grows interest in embedded artificial intelligence in Risk Management systems and can be used as the basis of more robust guidance to organize complexity in handling inspection data, but further and future research is required.
Constant Torque Mechanisms: A Survey
Authors: Saerens Elias , Furnémont Raphaël , Legrand Julie , Langlois Kevin , López García Pablo , Crispel Stein , Rossini Marco , Verstraten Tom , Vanderborght Bram , Lefeber Dirk
Published: May 2022

This work gives an overview of all types of constant torque mechanisms (CTMs) based on both function and structure. Based on their architecture, they can be divided into five distinct categories, which all have their specific behavior. It is also shown that these CTMs can be divided into two application types, namely, power assistance or torque stabilization. Constant force mechanisms (CFMs) are more prevalent in the literature; therefore, some discussion is proposed on how CFMs can be transformed into CTMs. It is also shown that some of these CTMs have a very high specific energy, which makes them potentially interesting for use as energy storage/power providers in novel fields like robotics.
Virtual audiology education tools: A survey of faculty, graduate students, and undergraduate students
Authors: Svec Adam , Morgan Shae D.
Published: May 2022

Due to global shifts at educational institutions from in-person courses to online formats caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the current study aimed to estimate whether currently available virtual audiology education tools are helpful for acquiring necessary audiology skills and knowledge from the perspective of both educators and students. Therefore, a remote survey was developed and distributed to faculty and students in undergraduate communication sciences disorders and graduate audiology programs. Although participation was somewhat limited, the trends observed in the survey results suggested that the majority of both educators and students found the subset of virtual tools easy to use, that these tools improved teaching methods and learning outcomes, and that these tools would likely be used again.
The Impact of COVID-19 on the Work–Life Balance of Collegiate Athletic Trainers
Authors: Jones Nicole , Rynkiewicz Kelsey M. , Singe Stephanie M.
Published: May 2022

Context: The COVID-19 pandemic has potential ramifications on work–life balance for those working in health care. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to better understand COVID-19 on work–life balance and quality of life among collegiate athletic trainers. Method: Data for this study were generated from 636 eligible respondents (33 ± 9 years) representing Division I, II, and III (n = 360, n = 104, and n = 172, respectively) settings. Results: Four main themes emerged from consensual qualitative data analysis: mental health impact, social responsibility, work–life boundaries, and 24/7 work demands. Conclusion: The results suggest that collegiate athletic trainers are struggling to find work–life balance and must find ways to implement self-care practices.
Breaking Barriers with Bread: Using the Sourdough Starter Microbiome to Teach High-Throughput Sequencing Techniques
Authors: Holt Benjamin H. , Buchan Alison , DeBruyn Jennifer M. , Goodrich-Blair Heidi , McPherson Elizabeth , Brown Veronica A.
Published: May 2022

Widespread usage of high-throughput sequencing (HTS) in the LIFE SCIENCES has produced a demand for undergraduate and graduate institutions to offer classes exposing students to all aspects of HTS (sample acquisition, laboratory work, sequencing technologies, bioinformatics, and statistical analyses). Despite the increase in demand, many challenges exist for these types of classes.
Blocking Polyphosphate Mobilization Inhibits Pho4 Activation and Virulence in the Pathogen Candida albicans
Authors: Ahmed Yasmin , Ikeh Mélanie A. C. , MacCallum Donna M. , Day Alison M. , Waldron Kevin , Quinn Janet
Published: May 2022

Acquisition of the essential macronutrient phosphate is important for the virulence of
Candida albicans
, a major human fungal pathogen. All cells store phosphate as polyphosphate (polyP), which is rapidly mobilized when phosphate is limiting.
Monoclonal Antibodies and Flaviviruses: a Possible Option?
Authors: Mancini Nicasio
Published: May 2022

M. P. Doyle, J. R. Genualdi, A. L. Bailey, N. Kose, et al. (mBio 13:e00512-22, 2022,
https://doi.org/10.1128/mBio.00512-22
), report on the cloning of a panel of fully human monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) directed against yellow fever virus (YFV).
Loss of β-Ketoacyl Acyl Carrier Protein Synthase III Activity Restores Multidrug-Resistant Escherichia coli Sensitivity to Previously Ineffective Antibiotics
Authors: Hong Yaoqin , Qin Jilong , Verderosa Anthony D. , Hawas Sophia , Zhang Bing , Blaskovich Mark A. T. , Cronan John E. , Totsika Makrina
Published: May 2022

Gram-negative pathogens are a major concern for global public health due to increasing rates of antibiotic resistance and the lack of new drugs. A major contributing factor toward antibiotic resistance in Gram-negative bacteria is their formidable outer membrane, which acts as a permeability barrier preventing many biologically active antimicrobials from reaching the intracellular targets and thus limiting their efficacy.
Multi-omic Profiling Reveals that Intra-abdominal-Hypertension-Induced Intestinal Damage Can Be Prevented by Microbiome and Metabolic Modulations with 5-Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid as a Diagnostic Marker
Authors: Li Fang , Jiang Liuyiqi , Pan Shuming , Jiang Shaowei , Fan Yiwen , Jiang Chao , Gao Chengjin , Leng Yuxin
Published: May 2022

Gut protection through modulation of the microbiome for critically ill patients has been gaining much attention recently. Intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) is a prevailing clinical feature of acute gastrointestinal injuries in critically ill patients, characterized by nonspecific intestinal barrier damage.
DWV 3C Protease Uncovers the Diverse Catalytic Triad in Insect RNA Viruses
Authors: Yuan Xuye , Kadowaki Tatsuhiko
Published: May 2022

The number of managed honey bee (
Apis mellifera
) colonies has considerably declined in many developed countries in the recent years. Deformed wing virus (DWV) vectored by the mites is the major threat to honey bee colonies and health.
The Use of Acute Immunosuppressive Therapy to Improve Antibiotic Efficacy against Intracellular Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Beam Jenna E. , Maiocchi Sophie , Cartaya Ana , Rowe Sarah E. , Bahnson Edward S. M. , Conlon Brian P.
Published: May 2022

Staphylococcus aureus
is the leading cause of hospital-acquired infections in the United States with high rates of antibiotic treatment failure. Macrophages represent an important intracellular niche in experimental models of
S. aureus
bacteremia.
Manipulation of transverse emittances in circular accelerators by crossing nonlinear 2D resonances
Authors: Bazzani A. , Capoani F. , Giovannozzi M.
Published: May 2022

Controlling nonlinear effects in the transverse dynamics of charged particle beams in circular accelerators opens new possibilities for controlling some of the beam properties. Beam splitting by crossing a stable 1D nonlinear resonance is part of the routine operation of the CERN Proton Synchrotron. The beam undergoes trapping and transport inside stable islands created in the horizontal plane to allow multi-turn extraction toward the Super Proton Synchrotron, where the beam is used for fixed-target experiments. This process acts only on the horizontal beam emittance, inducing a reduction of its initial value. In this paper, we present a generalization of this approach, in which both transverse planes are affected by the proposed technique. We will discuss in detail how to manipulate the transverse emittances by means of a controlled crossing of a 2D nonlinear resonance. The novel technique will be presented by discussing the theoretical analysis of a Hamiltonian model, as well as simulating the performance of the proposed manipulation using a more realistic nonlinear symplectic map.
Highly Parallel Multi-FPGA System Compilation from Sequential C/C++ Code in the AWS Cloud
Authors: Ebcioglu Kemal , San Ismail
Published: May 2022

We present a High Level Synthesis compiler that automatically obtains a multi-chip accelerator system from a single-threaded sequential C/C++ application. Invoking the multi-chip accelerator is functionally identical to invoking the single-threaded sequential code the multi-chip accelerator is compiled from. Therefore, software development for using the multi-chip accelerator hardware is simplified, but the multi-chip accelerator can exhibit extremely high parallelism. We have implemented, tested, and verified our push-button system design model on multiple field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) of the Amazon Web Services EC2 F1 instances platform, using, as an example, a sequential-natured DES key search application that does not have any DOALL loops and that tries each candidate key in order and stops as soon as a correct key is found. An 8- FPGA accelerator produced by our compiler achieves
44,600
times better performance than an x86 Xeon CPU executing the sequential single-threaded C program the accelerator was compiled from. New features of our compiler system include: an ability to parallelize outer loops with loop-carried control dependences, an ability to pipeline an outer loop without fully unrolling its inner loops, and fully automated deployment, execution and termination of multi-FPGA application-specific accelerators in the AWS cloud, without requiring any manual steps.
The Cell Physiome: What Do We Need in a Computational Physiology Framework for Predicting Single-Cell Biology?
Authors: Rajagopal Vijay , Arumugam Senthil , Hunter Peter J. , Khadangi Afshin , Chung Joshua , Pan Michael
Published: May 2022

Modern biology and biomedicine are undergoing a big data explosion, needing advanced computational algorithms to extract mechanistic insights on the physiological state of living cells. We present the motivation for the Cell Physiome Project: a framework and approach for creating, sharing, and using biophysics-based computational models of single-cell physiology. Using examples in calcium signaling, bioenergetics, and endosomal trafficking, we highlight the need for spatially detailed, biophysics-based computational models to uncover new mechanisms underlying cell biology. We review progress and challenges to date toward creating cell physiome models. We then introduce bond graphs as an efficient way to create cell physiome models that integrate chemical, mechanical, electromagnetic, and thermal processes while maintaining mass and energy balance. Bond graphs enhance modularization and reusability of computational models of cells at scale. We conclude with a look forward at steps that will help fully realize this exciting new field of mechanistic biomedical data science.
Five Priorities of African Genomics Research: The Next Frontier
Authors: Wonkam Ambroise , Munung Nchangwi S. , Dandara Collet , Esoh Kevin K. , Hanchard Neil A. , Landoure Guida
Published: May 2022

To embrace the prospects of accurately diagnosing thousands of monogenic conditions, predicting disease risks for complex traits or diseases, tailoring treatment to individuals’ pharmacogenetic profiles, and potentially curing some diseases, research into African genomic variation is a scientific imperative. African genomes harbor millions of uncaptured variants accumulated over 300,000 years of modern humans’ evolutionary history, with successive waves of admixture, migration, and natural selection combining with extensive ecological diversity to create a broad and exceptional genomic complexity. Harnessing African genomic complexity, therefore, will require sustained commitment and equitable collaboration from the scientific community and funding agencies. African governments must support academic public research and industrial partnerships that build the necessary genetic medicine workforce, utilize the emerging genomic big data to develop expertise in computer science and bioinformatics, and evolve national and globalgovernance frameworks that recognize the ethical implications of data-driven genomic research and empower its application in African social, cultural, economic, and religious contexts.
Molecular Interactions BetweenLeptosphaeria maculansandBrassicaSpecies
Authors: Borhan M. Hossein , Van de Wouw Angela P. , Larkan Nicholas J.
Published: May 2022

Canola is an important oilseed crop, providing food, feed, and fuel around the world. However, blackleg disease, caused by the ascomycete Leptosphaeria maculans, causes significant yield losses annually. With the recent advances in genomic technologies, the understanding of the Brassica napus–L. maculans interaction has rapidly increased, with numerous Avr and R genes cloned, setting this system up as a model organism for studying plant–pathogen associations. Although the B. napus–L. maculans interaction follows Flor's gene-for-gene hypothesis for qualitative resistance, it also puts some unique spins on the interaction. This review discusses the current status of the host–pathogen interaction and highlights some of the future gaps that need addressing moving forward.
Systems Biology of Virus-Host Protein Interactions: From Hypothesis Generation to Mechanisms of Replication and Pathogenesis
Authors: Shah Priya S. , Beesabathuni Nitin S. , Fishburn Adam T. , Kenaston Matthew W. , Minami Shiaki A. , Pham Oanh H. , Tucker Inglis
Published: May 2022

As obligate intracellular parasites, all viruses must co-opt cellular machinery to facilitate their own replication. Viruses often co-opt these cellular pathways and processes through physical interactions between viral and host proteins. In addition to facilitating fundamental aspects of virus replication cycles, these virus-host protein interactions can also disrupt physiological functions of host proteins, causing disease that can be advantageous to the virus or simply a coincidence. Consequently, unraveling virus-host protein interactions can serve as a window into molecular mechanisms of virus replication and pathogenesis. Identifying virus-host protein interactions using unbiased systems biology approaches provides an avenue for hypothesis generation. This review highlights common systems biology approaches for identification of virus-host protein interactions and the mechanistic insights revealed by these methods. We also review conceptual innovations using comparative and integrative systems biology that can leverage global virus-host protein interaction data sets to more rapidly move from hypothesis generation to mechanism.
Capsaicin Prevents Contrast-Associated Acute Kidney Injury through Activation of Nrf2 in Mice
Authors: Ran Fei , Yang Yi , Yang Lun , Chen Shichao , He Ping , Liu Qiting , Zou Qingliang , Wang Dan , Hou Jixin , Wang Peijian
Published: May 2022

Capsaicin, a transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 channel agonist, possesses antioxidative properties through activating nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2). As oxidative stress is a major contributor to the development of contrast-associated acute kidney injury (CA-AKI), we investigated the protective effect of capsaicin against CA-AKI via Nrf2. C57BL/6J mice were treated with dehydration and iodixanol to establish the model of CA-AKI. For pretreatment, capsaicin (0.3 mg/kg) was given via intraperitoneal injection one hour before iodixanol injection. Nrf2-specific siRNA was given through the tail vein to knock down Nrf2. The CA-AKI mouse model had remarkable mitochondrial fragmentation and dysfunction and apoptosis of tubular cells, overproduction of superoxide in renal tubules, increased renal malondialdehyde, tubular epithelial cell injury, and renal dysfunction. Importantly, pretreatment with capsaicin significantly ameliorated tubular cell injury and renal dysfunction with decreased superoxide, renal malondialdehyde, and apoptotic tubular cells and improved mitochondrial morphology and function in the CA-AKI mouse model. The expression of Nrf2 was increased in the kidney from the CA-AKI mouse model and was further enhanced by capsaicin. Administration of siRNA through the tail vein successfully decreased Nrf2 expression in the kidney, and knockdown of Nrf2 by siRNA abolished the beneficial effects of capsaicin on CA-AKI. The present study demonstrated a protective effect of capsaicin pretreatment against CA-AKI via Nrf2.
Overall Instability Failure Mechanism and Monitoring Strategy Research of the Shallow Tunnel under Unsymmetrical Pressure during Operation Period
Authors: Guo Hongyan , Liu Xinrong , Li Ke , Zhong Zuliang
Published: May 2022

Aiming at the safety of tunnel operation, based on the investigation and statistical analysis of a large number of operating tunnel diseases, comprehensively considering the interaction between the surrounding rock and the structure, this paper establishes the failure criteria for surrounding rocks and lining materials by using numerical limit analysis and theoretical analysis methods, analyzes the overall stability and instability failure mechanism on the shallow tunnel under unsymmetrical pressure during the operation period by using the strength reduction method in light of the operation safety of the tunnel, proposes the reasonable monitoring strategy, and also constructs monitoring index system. The analysis and research results show that the tunnel structure is affected by bias pressure due to the asymmetry of the terrain. The probability of disease in the bias pressure tunnel under asymmetric terrain conditions is significantly higher than that of the general terrain. The shallow tunnel under unsymmetrical pressure has experienced three development stages from shear failure to overall instability, including rock mass fracture and sliding, structural damage, and overall instability, which can be divided into eight processes. During operation, the key monitoring indicators of surface deformation are the subsidence and deformation of the slope top and the horizontal displacement of the slope itself, followed by the monitoring of the uplift and deformation at the bottom of the slope. Meanwhile, close attention should be paid to the structural stress states in the sliding direction and perpendicular to the sliding direction of the lining structure, which demonstrates that the principal compressive stress in the sliding direction is more sensitive than the principal tensile stress in perpendicular to the sliding direction and should be listed as the key monitoring and early warning indicators of the structural stress.
Seismic Evaluation of Advanced Reinforced Concrete Structures
Authors: Arumugam Vijayakumar , Keshav Lakshmi , Achuthan Aravindan , Dasappa Somashekar
Published: May 2022

Many reinforced concrete frame buildings were developed and constructed in Coimbatore zone III before 2002. In 2002, the seismic code IS 1893 was updated. As a result, structures constructed earlier in 2002 do not meet the codal criterion. The majority of structures through infilled walls were nondesigned with infills in consideration. This paper goals to appraise seismic exposure of an advanced reinforced present concrete building with infilled and without infilled frames. A pushover analysis was used to conduct this analysis. According to ATC40, the analysis shows the comportment levels of several building components for various stated concert objectives.
The Level of Universities Students’ Test Wiseness in Jordan during Distance Learning in Light of Some Variables
Authors: Alnasraween Mo’en Salman , Alsmadi Marwan Saleh , Al-zboon Habis Saad , Alkurshe Taha Oklah
Published: May 2022

This study aimed to determine the level of students’ test wiseness during remote learning. The study sample included (391) students from Amman Arab University. A scale consisting of (28) items was deployed to the participants after assuring its validity and reliability. The results showed a high level of students’ test wiseness. Moreover, there were no statistically significant differences at (

α
=
0.05

) between the arithmetic means of the total degree of test wiseness attributed to the study variables, while there were statistically significant differences at (

α
=
0.05

) between the means of the dimension “Using of Time” on favor of male students. In addition, the findings elucidated that there were statistically significant differences at (

α
=
0.05

) between the arithmetic means of the dimension “Avoidance of Error” attributed to faculty in favor of the humanities faculties. Finally, the results showed statistically significant differences at (

α
=
0.05

) between the arithmetic means of the dimension “Deductive Thinking” attributed to the academic program in favor of master and bachelor students.
Construction of College Students’ Mental Health Education Model Based on Data Analysis
Authors: Tang Fengxia
Published: May 2022

This paper presents an in-depth study and analysis of the model of college students’ mental health education using fine-grained parallel computational programming. In the experimental group, the total level of positive thoughts and the level of life satisfaction significantly increased and the level of depression significantly decreased before and after the implementation of the intervention; in the control group, the level of life satisfaction significantly increased before and after the implementation of the intervention, and there was no significant difference in the total level of positive thoughts and the level of depression. Based on the above results, the positive thinking group-assisted training in this study was effective in improving the level of positive thinking and life satisfaction and reducing the level of depression into two categories of high school students: those who were susceptible and those who were symptomatic but satisfied, thus improving their mental health status, and may provide operational references for future intervention studies. At the same time, some studies have pointed out that when college students are faced with stressful situations, they will have higher psychological levels if they take a positive way to deal with them, and when college students are under stress, they will use a positive psychological restraint mechanism to cope. From a macroperspective, the research results can also be used to guide the training system of mental health education teachers, teachers’ professional development, and career development planning, showing certain application value.