bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Some Bond Incident Degree Indices of Cactus Graphs
Authors: Ali Akbar , Bhatti Akhlaq Ahmad , Iqbal Naveed , Alraqad Tariq , Mazorodze Jaya Percival , Saber Hicham , Alanazi Abdulaziz M.
Published: January 2022

A connected graph in which no edge lies on more than one cycle is called a cactus graph (also known as Husimi tree). A bond incident degree (BID) index of a graph G is defined as ∑uv∈E(G)f(dG(u), dG(v)), where dG(w) denotes the degree of a vertex w of G, E(G) is the edge set of G, and f is a real‐valued symmetric function. This study involves extremal results of cactus graphs concerning the following type of the BID indices: , where i ∈ {1,2}, f1 is a strictly convex function, and f2 is a strictly concave function. More precisely, graphs attaining the minimum and maximum values are studied in the class of all cactus graphs with a given number of vertices and cycles. The obtained results cover several well‐known indices including the general zeroth‐order Randić index, multiplicative first and second Zagreb indices, and variable sum exdeg index.
Study of the Frost Resistance of HDFC Based on a Response Surface Model and GM (1,1) Model
Authors: Liu Zeli , Jiang Jiuhong , Xu Ziling
Published: January 2022

Taking high ductility concrete (HDFC) as a research object, the frost resistance of HDFC in freeze-thaw cycle tests is studied, accurately predicted, and quantitatively described. Taking the relative dynamic elastic modulus as the evaluation index, the response surface model and GM (1,1) model were used to study the frost resistance of HDFC, and the advantages and disadvantages were evaluated. Design-Expert software was used to establish a response surface model to study the effects of polyvinyl alcohol fiber (PVA) length, polyvinyl alcohol fiber volume content, and number of freeze-thaw cycles on the frost resistance of HDFC, and a fitting relationship model between the relative dynamic elastic modulus and these three factors was established. The results show that the influence of PVA fiber content on the frost resistance durability of HDFC is higher than that of the PVA fiber length, but the effect of the external environment on the degree of deterioration for HDFC is greater than the improvement of the properties of the material itself; that is, the freeze-thaw cycling has a greater effect than the PVA fiber content and length. Grey system theory was introduced in the HDFC freezing resistance test, and the change rule for the relative elastic modulus and the average relative error for the GM (1,1) model for varying PVA fiber length and content was determined to be less than 5%. It is concluded that the freezing resistance prediction accuracy for HDFC based on the GM (1,1) model is higher than that of the response surface model. The GM (1,1) model can be used to accurately predict the degree of damage caused by freezing and melting cycles for HDFC.
Effect of Bronchoscopist-Directed Sedation and Other Factors on Patient Comfort during Diagnostic Flexible Bronchoscopy
Authors: Magazine Rahul , Sisupalan Keerthi Nedumala , Surendra Vyshak Uddur , Chogtu Bharti , Acharya Preetam Rajgopal , Guddattu Vasudeva
Published: January 2022

Background. The factors affecting patient comfort during flexible bronchoscopy are not sufficiently addressed in resource-limited countries, and a need to devise strategies to improve patient experience is felt. The present study was undertaken to assess the effect of sedation and other factors on patient comfort during flexible bronchoscopy. Methods. A total of 374 patients, aged ≥18 years undergoing flexible bronchoscopy, were enrolled in this prospective, single-center, cross-sectional study. The baseline clinical data of sedation and nonsedation groups were recorded. Anxiety level was assessed using Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Postprocedure VAS score (primary outcome measure) assessed the discomfort related to flexible bronchoscopy. Patient-reported willingness for a repeat procedure and occurrence of adverse events were used as secondary outcome measures. Based on the median of VAS score, the study population was divided into low discomfort and high discomfort groups, and the factors affecting comfort levels in these two groups were noted. Results. Postprocedural VAS score (median (Q1, Q3)) for sedation and nonsedation groups was 20 (15, 30) and 25 (20, 40), respectively (<0.001). Willingness for a repeat procedure was significantly more in the sedation group (

p
=
0.002

). In the low and high discomfort groups, the preprocedural anxiety level (median (Q1, Q3)) was 20 (10, 25) and 30 (20, 40), respectively (

p
<
0.001

). Conclusion. Bronchoscopist-directed sedation significantly reduces patient discomfort and increases their willingness for a repeat procedure. Midazolam-fentanyl combination and lower prebronchoscopy anxiety are associated with lower discomfort levels during flexible bronchoscopy. This study is registered with the Clinical Trial Registry of India (CTRI/2018/11/016328).
Metaheuristic Load-Balancing-Based Clustering Technique in Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Chaurasiya Sandip K. , Biswas Arindam , Bandyopadhyay Prasit Kumar , Banerjee Amit , Banerjee Rajib
Published: January 2022

The resource-constrained nature of wireless sensor networks engenders the development of energy-efficient network operations. To mitigate the prime concern of developing an energy-efficient network, clustering of the nodes has emerged as a very effective tool. If executed intelligently, clustering can not only help in obtaining even load distribution among the network nodes but also help in having the enhanced network lifetime and scalability. In this work, a Metaheuristic Load-Balancing-Based Clustering Technique (MLBCT) in wireless sensor networks has been proposed which formulates the energy-balanced clusters based on the differential evolution technique to improve the network lifetime. To ensure the formation of balanced clusters, several metrics like nodes’ proximity, nodes’ distribution, and energy distribution across the sensing field have been considered. Moreover, to facilitate the even load distribution among the cluster members, a randomized rotation of cluster head is implemented. The supremacy of the proposed scheme is confirmed through an extensive set of simulations against the state-of-art schemes. Simulation results reflect an average gain of 51.85% in network lifetime under the variable network configurations in an ideal environment. Moreover, a thorough statistical analysis is performed to prove the efficacy of the proposed fitness function by obtaining confidence intervals under two different network scenarios with variable node counts.
Effect of Intervention of Vaccination and Treatment on the Transmission Dynamics of HBV Disease: A Mathematical Model Analysis
Authors: Wodajo Firaol Asfaw , Mekonnen Temesgen Tibebu
Published: January 2022

Hepatitis B is a globally infectious disease. It is pretty contagious and can be transmitted by blood or bodily fluids, through things like sharing razors and toothbrushes. It has been called the silent killer because it is asymptomatic, one might have the virus but not know until it manifests itself until much later. Since people do not give attention, it will develop into cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma that leads to liver transplantation and death. This nature of HBV disease motivated us to perform this work. Mathematical modeling of HBV transmission is an interesting research area. In this paper, we present characteristics of HBV virus transmission in the form of a mathematical model. We proposed and analyzed a compartmental nonlinear deterministic mathematical model SEACTR for transmission dynamics and control of hepatitis B virus disease. In this model, we used force infection which takes the contact rate of susceptible population and transmission probability into account. We proved that the solution of the considered dynamical system is positive and bounded. The model is studied qualitatively using the stability theory of differential equations and the effective reproductive number which represents the epidemic indicator is obtained from the largest eigenvalue of the next‐generation matrix. Both local and global asymptotic stability conditions for disease‐free and endemic equilibria are determined. The sensitivity index shows that the transfer rate from exposed class to acute infective class and transfer rate from exposed class to chronic infective class are the most dominant parameters contributing to the transmission of HBV. On the one hand, the vaccination rate and treatment rate are the parameters that suppress the transmission of the disease the most, and enhancing the vaccination rate for newborns and treatment for chronically infected individuals is very effective to stop the transmission of HBV. The combined efforts of vaccination, effective treatment, and interruption of transmission make elimination of the infection plausible and may eventually lead to the eradication of the virus.
EBV Infection in Epithelial Malignancies Induces Resistance to Antitumor Natural Killer Cells via F3-Mediated Platelet Aggregation
Authors: Duan Xiaobing , Chen Haiwen , Zhou Xiang , Liu Pingjuan , Zhang Xiao , Zhu Qian , Zhong Ling , Zhang Wanlin , Zhang Shanshan , Zhang Xinyu , Chen Yanhong , Zhou Yan , Yang Chaopin , Feng Qisheng , Zeng Yi-Xin , Xu Miao , Xiang Tong
Published: January 2022

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and Epstein–Barr virus (EBV)–associated gastric carcinoma (EBVaGC) are two major EBV-associated epithelial malignancies, both of which are characterized by the infiltration of a large number of lymphocytes, including natural killer (NK) cells. Although NK cells can prevent the development of EBV-associated epithelial malignancies, EBV-infected tumor cells often develop resistance to surveillance by NK cells. Elucidating the interactions between NK cells and EBV-infected tumor cells will facilitate the development of more effective NK-mediated therapies for treating EBV-associated malignancies. Here we investigated the cytotoxic function of NK cells in EBV-associated epithelial malignancies and discovered that EBV infection-induced upregulation of F3 expression correlates with NK-cell dysfunction in NPC and EBVaGC. The subsequent inhibitory effect of F3-mediated platelet aggregation on NK-cell function was verified in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, EBV latent membrane protein 2A (LMP2A) mediated upregulation of F3 through the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. In an NPC xenograft mouse model, inhibition of F3 restored the antitumor function of NK cells and showed therapeutic efficacy when administered with NK-cell transfer. On the basis of these findings, EBV infection induces F3-mediated platelet aggregation that inhibits the antitumor function of NK cells, providing a rationale for developing and combining NK-cell–based therapies with F3 inhibitors to treat EBV-associated epithelial malignancies.

Significance:

This study reveals a mechanism by which EBV-associated epithelial malignancies escape NK-cell–mediated immune surveillance, providing a new target for improving NK-cell immunotherapy.
Development of Novel Aptamer-Based Targeted Chemotherapy for Bladder Cancer
Authors: Wang Yao , Zhang Yang , Li Peng-Chao , Guo Jiajie , Huo Fan , Yang Jintao , Jia Ru , Wang Juan , Huang Qiju , Theodorescu Dan , Yu Hanyang , Yan Chao
Published: January 2022

Bladder cancer is common worldwide, with most patients presenting with nonmuscle invasive disease. Multiple intravesical recurrences lead to reduced quality of life and high costs for patients with this form of bladder cancer. Intravesical chemotherapy aimed at reducing recurrence is the standard-of-care but has significant side effects from nonspecific cytotoxicity to normal urothelium. Importantly, toxicity limits doses that can be administered. Thus, tumor-specific drug targeting could reduce toxicity and enhance effectiveness by allowing higher doses. Here, using cell internalization systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX), we identify a novel bladder cancer-specific, chemically modified nucleic acid aptamer that can be preferentially internalized into tumor cells but not normal urothelial cells. The 35-nucleotide B1 aptamer is internalized into bladder cancer cells through clathrin-mediated endocytosis and macropinocytosis. As proof of principle, a B1-guided DNA nanotrain delivery vehicle for epirubicin was constructed as a targeted intravesical chemotherapy. The B1-nanotrain-epirubicin construct exhibited selective cytotoxicity towards bladder cancer cells and outperformed epirubicin in murine orthotopic xenograft models of human bladder cancer. This aptamer-based delivery system makes targeted chemotherapy possible for bladder cancer, providing a compelling rationale for clinical development.

Significance:

These findings identify a bladder cancer–specific aptamer that can be used for targeted delivery of chemotherapy, potentially reducing toxicity and enhancing therapeutic efficacy.
Financial Hardship by Age at Diagnosis Including in Young Adulthood among African American Cancer Survivors
Authors: Hastert Theresa A. , Ruterbusch Julie J. , Abrams Judith , Nair Mrudula , Wenzlaff Angie S. , Beebe-Dimmer Jennifer L. , Pandolfi Stephanie S. , Schwartz Ann G.
Published: January 2022

Background:

Financial hardship is most common among cancer survivors with the fewest financial resources at diagnosis; however, little is known about the financial outcomes of young adult (YA) survivors (ages 20–39 at diagnosis), despite their having fewer financial reserves than older adults.

Methods:

We utilized data from 3,888 participants in the population-based Detroit Research on Cancer Survivors cohort. Participants self-reported several forms of material and behavioral financial hardship (MFH and BFH, respectively). Psychological financial hardship (PFH) was measured using the Comprehensive Score for financial Toxicity (COST) score. Modified Poisson models estimated prevalence ratios (PR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for financial hardship by age at diagnosis controlling for demographic, socioeconomic, and cancer-related factors.

Results:

MFH prevalence was inversely associated with age such that 72% of YA survivors reported MFH, 62% ages 40 to 54, 49% ages 55 to 64, and 33% ages 65 to 79 (PRadjusted YA vs. 65+: 1.75; 95% CI, 1.49–2.04; Ptrend < 0.001). BFH was also more common among YA survivors (26%) than those ages 65 to 79 (20%; PRadjusted: 1.50; 95% CI, 1.08–2.08; Ptrend = 0.019). Age was positively associated with financial wellbeing. COST scores ranged from 20.7 (95% CI, 19.0–22.4) among YA survivors to 27.2 (95% CI, 26.1–28.2) among adults 65 to 79 years old (Ptrend < 0.001).

Conclusions:

In this population of African American cancer survivors, MFH and BFH were more common, and PFH was more severe, in YA survivors compared with those diagnosed as older adults.

Impact:

Young adulthood at diagnosis should be considered a risk factor for cancer-related financial hardship and addressed in work designed to reduce the adverse financial impacts of cancer.
AHRR (cg05575921) Methylation Safely Improves Specificity of Lung Cancer Screening Eligibility Criteria: A Cohort Study
Authors: Jacobsen Katja Kemp , Schnohr Peter , Jensen Gorm Boje , Bojesen Stig E.
Published: January 2022

Background:

Screening reduces lung cancer mortality, but specificities of eligibility criteria are low. We tested if leukocyte AHRR(cg05575921) methylation improves specificity of lung cancer screening eligibility criteria.

Methods:

A total of 9,206 and 5,370 individuals of the 1991 to 1994 and 2001 to 2003 examinations of the Copenhagen City Heart Study, Denmark, were followed for lung cancer within 5 years after examination and mortality. Screening eligibility criteria (DANTE, DLCST, ITALUNG, LUSI, NELSON, NLST, and PLCOM2012) were evaluated, and AHRR (cg05575921) methylation extent at different methylation cut points was added. The model with the lowest number of eligible individuals per 5-year lung cancer was validated within the 2001 to 2003 examination.

Results:

Eligibility criteria identified risk-groups ranging from 3,182 (DANTE) to 1,641 (ITALUNG) individuals. The positive predictive value was highest for PLCOM2012 (3.2%), while DANTE showed the highest negative predictive value (99.7%). Adding AHRR (cg05575921) methylation led to higher specificities for all criteria. Number of eligible individuals per 5-year lung cancer varied from 38 (NELSON) to 27 (NLST) with AHRR (cg05575921) methylation <55%. This last model led to a 21.9% lower screening burden and increased (P < 0.05) specificity of 84.0%. Findings were reproduced among the 5,334 individuals of the 2001 to 2003 examination.

Conclusions:

Adding AHRR (cg05575921) methylation on top of current eligibility criteria for lung cancer screening improves specificity by excluding those individuals with the lowest risk.

Impact:

The results point toward a potential clinical use of AHRR (cg05575921) methylation, which is a cost-effective measurement compared with lung CT scanning, to provide additional predictive risk information to identify eligible smokers for lung cancer screening.

See related commentary by Hung, p. 698
Projetos para um cotidiano moderno no Brasil : 1920-1960
Authors:   Universidade de São Paulo. Museu de Arte Contemporânea, Magalhães Ana
Published: January 2022

A Coleção MAC Essencial traz, neste volume, os “Projetos para um cotidiano moderno no Brasil, 1920-1960”, uma mostra que apresenta um conjunto de obras representativas da circulação da linguagem moderna no país, sobretudo, no ambiente urbano da primeira metade do século XX. Em seu acervo, o MAC USP possui obras de artistas modernistas que nos permitem observar os processos utilizados na inserção dessa linguagem no cotidiano. Trata-se, principalmente, de projetos para ilustração, cartazes e capas de revistas; estudos para murais decorativos para espaços públicos e privados, e desenhos de cenários e figurinos para peças de teatro e balé. O exercício de expor obras que não se enquadram em um registro convencional do que se entende por “belas-artes” – isto é, pintura e escultura – apresenta desafios próprios, a começar pela terminologia utilizada para descrever esse conjunto. A questão, que pode se colocar a princípio como simplesmente semântica, revela de modo mais profundo, o anseio por um vocabulário apropriado às especificidades desses objetos
A “terra prometida”: práticas de gestão, trabalho na mineração e seus impactos nas relações familiares
Authors: Silva Bruna Coutinho da , Fonseca João César de Freitas , Romagnoli Roberta Carvalho , Araújo José Newton Garcia , Mendes Thiago Casemiro
Published: January 2022

Este artigo visa a apresentar uma pesquisa-intervenção voltada para a compreensão da relação entre família e trabalho, em uma unidade mineradora situada no Norte do Brasil. Adotam-se aqui olhares críticos da psicologia sobre o trabalho. Embora não estivessem previstos originalmente, os dados aqui relatados emergiram do campo, derivados do projeto de pesquisa-intervenção contratado pela empresa, que buscava investigar as variáveis psicossociais que diretamente afetam o trabalho de Operadores de retroescavadeira. A necessidade de buscar maior aproximação dos sujeitos de pesquisa motivou a realização de uma intervenção junto às suas famílias. Essa intervenção foi feita a partir de técnicas grupais, como rodas de conversa e visitas domiciliares, seguida pela análise das percepções dos familiares sobre o trabalho dos Operadores e sobre a relação desses com a empresa. Os resultados destacam a importância do conceito de território para compreender os processos de subjetivação das famílias; os vínculos sociais como fator psicossocial protetivo; a imbricada articulação entre o processo de gestão do trabalho e a política de benefícios sociais. Concluímos destacando a importância dos vínculos familiares para a compreensão real da atividade dos Operadores, e reafirmando a noção de centralidade do trabalho, na conformação do território.
Ritornelos de chefs imigrantes: ritmos e marcas da e na cozinha
Authors: Prestes Vanessa Amaral , Grisci Carmem Ligia Iochins
Published: January 2022

Objetiva-se apresentar como se dá a produção de territórios no trabalho de chefs de cozinha imigrantes a partir dos ritornelos identificados. Toma-se o território como um modo de ser ou de agir, de se expressar e de se relacionar com o mundo, sendo que processos de apropriação, associação e desejo vêm a conferir o caráter existencial ao território. E ritornelo como os padrões rítmicos que permitem visibilizar os territórios por meio da repetição e de tudo aquilo que se faz expressivo. O ritornelo oferece subsídios para pensar a repetição como produtora de territórios no trabalho. O estudo é qualitativo, e adotou a narrativa como método, contemplando a produção e a análise das informações narradas pelos participantes. A narrativa produzida reflete como chefs imigrantes arranjam e fazem a gestão de equipes com códigos culturais distintos dos seus de origem; como estabelecem uma cadência para suas equipes de trabalho; como são marcados por acidentes na cozinha e como investem as pausas na rentabilização de si e do trabalho. Esses ritornelos ganham função afetiva, social e profissional e, ao se tornarem expressivos, dão visibilidade aos territórios na imigração.
Transient Cell Cycle Induction in Cardiomyocytes to Treat Subacute Ischemic Heart Failure
Authors: Abouleisa Riham R.E. , Salama Abou Bakr M. , Ou Qinghui , Tang Xian-Liang , Solanki Mitesh , Guo Yiru , Nong Yibing , McNally Lindsey , Lorkiewicz Pawel K. , Kassem Kamal M. , Ahern Brooke M. , Choudhary Krishna , Thomas Reuben , Huang Yu , Juhardeen Hamzah R. , Siddique Aisha , Ifthikar Zainab , Hammad Sally K. , Elbaz Ayman S. , Ivey Kathryn N. , Conklin Daniel J. , Satin Jonathan , Hill Bradford G. , Srivastava Deepak , Bolli Roberto , Mohamed Tamer M.A.
Published: January 2022

Background:

The regenerative capacity of the heart after myocardial infarction is limited. Our previous study showed that ectopic introduction of 4 cell cycle factors (4F; CDK1 [cyclin-dependent kinase 1], CDK4 [cyclin-dependent kinase 4], CCNB [cyclin B1], and CCND [cyclin D1]) promotes cardiomyocyte proliferation in 15% to 20% of infected cardiomyocytes in vitro and in vivo and improves cardiac function after myocardial infarction in mice.

Methods:

Using temporal single-cell RNA sequencing, we aimed to identify the necessary reprogramming stages during the forced cardiomyocyte proliferation with 4F on a single cell basis. Using rat and pig models of ischemic heart failure, we aimed to start the first preclinical testing to introduce 4F gene therapy as a candidate for the treatment of ischemia-induced heart failure.

Results:

Temporal bulk and single-cell RNA sequencing and further biochemical validations of mature human induced pluripotent stem cell–derived cardiomyocytes treated with either LacZ or 4F adenoviruses revealed full cell cycle reprogramming in 15% of the cardiomyocyte population at 48 hours after infection with 4F, which was associated mainly with sarcomere disassembly and metabolic reprogramming (n=3/time point/group). Transient overexpression of 4F, specifically in cardiomyocytes, was achieved using a polycistronic nonintegrating lentivirus (NIL) encoding 4F; each is driven by a TNNT2 (cardiac troponin T isoform 2) promoter (TNNT2-4Fpolycistronic-NIL). TNNT2-4Fpolycistronic-NIL or control virus was injected intramyocardially 1 week after myocardial infarction in rats (n=10/group) or pigs (n=6–7/group). Four weeks after injection, TNNT2-4Fpolycistronic-NIL–treated animals showed significant improvement in left ventricular ejection fraction and scar size compared with the control virus–treated animals. At 4 months after treatment, rats that received TNNT2-4Fpolycistronic-NIL still showed a sustained improvement in cardiac function and no obvious development of cardiac arrhythmias or systemic tumorigenesis (n=10/group).

Conclusions:

This study provides mechanistic insights into the process of forced cardiomyocyte proliferation and advances the clinical feasibility of this approach by minimizing the oncogenic potential of the cell cycle factors owing to the use of a novel transient and cardiomyocyte-specific viral construct.
The 2021 William Feinberg Award Lecture Seeking Glocal Solutions to Cerebrovascular Health Inequities
Authors: Ovbiagele Bruce
Published: January 2022

Global and local (“glocal”) disparities in stroke incidence, prevalence, care, and mortality are persistent, pervasive, and progressive. In particular, the disproportionate burden of stroke in people of African ancestry compared to most other racial/ethnic groups around the world has been long standing, is expected to worsen, and so far, has defied solution, largely because conventional risk factors likely account for less than half of the Black versus White disparity in stroke outcomes. While hypotheses such as a differential impact or inadequate evaluation of traditional risk factors by race have been suggested as potentially key factors contributing to lingering racial/ethnic stroke disparities, relatively understudied novel risk factors such as psychosocial stress, environmental pollution, and inflammation; and influences of the social determinants of health are gaining the most attention (and momentum). Moreover, it is increasingly recognized that while there is a lot still to understand, there needs to be a major shift from incessantly studying the problem, to developing interventions to resolve it. Resolution will likely require targeting multilevel factors, considering contemporaneous cross-national and cross-continental data collection, creating scalable care delivery models, jointly addressing care quality and community drivers of stroke occurrence, incorporating policy makers in planning/dissemination of successful interventions, and investing in robust transdisciplinary research training programs that address the interrelated issues of health equity and workforce diversity, and regional capacity building. To this end, our international multidisciplinary team has been involved in conducting several epidemiological studies and clinical trials in the area of stroke disparities, as well as executing career enhancing research training programs in the United States and Africa. This award lecture paper shares some of the lessons we have learnt from previous studies, presents objectives/design of ongoing initiatives, and discusses plans for the future.
Influence of Rule- and Reward-based Strategies on Inferences of Serial Order by Monkeys
Authors: Ferhat Allain-Thibeault , Jensen Greg , Terrace Herbert S. , Ferrera Vincent P.
Published: January 2022

Knowledge of transitive relationships between items can contribute to learning the order of a set of stimuli from pairwise comparisons. However, cognitive mechanisms of transitive inferences based on rank order remain unclear, as are relative contributions of reward associations and rule-based inference. To explore these issues, we created a conflict between rule- and reward-based learning during a serial ordering task. Rhesus macaques learned two lists, each containing five stimuli that were trained exclusively with adjacent pairs. Selection of the higher-ranked item resulted in rewards. “Small reward” lists yielded two drops of fluid reward, whereas “large reward” lists yielded five drops. Following training of adjacent pairs, monkeys were tested on novels pairs. One item was selected from each list, such that a ranking rule could conflict with preferences for large rewards. Differences between the corresponding reward magnitudes had a strong influence on accuracy, but we also observed a symbolic distance effect. That provided evidence of a rule-based influence on decisions. RT comparisons suggested a conflict between rule- and reward-based processes. We conclude that performance reflects the contributions of two strategies and that a model-based strategy is employed in the face of a strong countervailing reward incentive.
The Significance of the Omission of Leaven and Honey from Grain Offerings
Authors: Ko Ming Him
Published: January 2022

According to Lev 2:11, leaven and honey were not to be burned as a part of a grain offering, although they could be offered to YHWH as an offering of firstfruits, as mentioned in Lev 2:12. This article proposes that the purpose of the omission of leaven and honey from grain offerings was to foster the production of a pleasing odor, because these substances lengthen the burning process (in the case of leaven) and create a burning smell (in the case of honey). This article also suggests that their omission acts as a reminder of God’s mighty hand of salvation in the Exodus story. The lack of yeast and honey corresponds to the unleavened bread and bitter herbs in the Passover meal, providing a clear link to this meal and thus aiding our understanding of their omission in grain offerings.
Missionaries and Commanders: The Jesuits in Mindanao, 1718–68
Authors: Crailsheim Eberhard
Published: January 2022

In the Philippines, at the fringes of the Spanish empire, the Society of Jesus took on a difficult task, the mission and pastoral work on the Island of Mindanao, which was ruled mostly by Muslim polities. In the frontier zone between Spanish and Islamic spheres of influence, Jesuit missionaries, in symbiosis with Spanish and native Christian troops, tried to expand their zone of influence and force Islam back. Thereby, the priests participated actively in defensive and offensive military tasks. This article gives an overview of the Jesuits’ presence in the south of the Philippines and then, by studying printed Jesuit sources, analyzes the image cultivation of the local members of the order. Putting the topic in the context of the anti-Jesuit discussion in Europe, the article reasons that the communication strategy of the Jesuits in the middle of the eighteenth century was particularly aimed at highlighting the usefulness of the missionaries to the colony and the empire in general.
Transfer of Millettia pachycarpa and M. entadoides to Derris (Fabaceae), supported by morphological and molecular data
Authors: SONG ZHUQIU , PAN BO
Published: January 2022

Derris Lour. and Millettia Wight & Arn. are two genera of the tribe Millettieae (Fabaceae). The biggest difference between the two genera is that Derris has indehiscent, thin and winged pods, while Millettia has dehiscent, compressed and wingless pods, but some exceptions also exist. Because of their tardily dehiscent, inflated and wingless pods, two Asian liana species, Millettia pachycarpa Benth. and M. entadoides Z. Wei, were previously placed in Millettia sect. Macrospermae Dunn. However, their vegetative and floral characters, as well as the shape of seeds match with those of Derris very well. Phylogenetic analyses based on three chloroplast markers (trnK/matK, trnL-F IGS, and psbA-trnH IGS), and nuclear ITS/5.8S showed that the two species are nested within Derris, and separate from other samples of Millettia species with strong support. Therefore, the two species should be transferred from Millettia to Derris to maintain the monophyly of the latter, which inevitably results in an emendation of the generic circumscription of Derris. Due to the existence of Derris pachycarpa Merr., the second earliest valid epithet “taiwaniana” should be used for this taxon when transfering Millettia pachycarpa Benth. to Derris. Thus, a new combination, Derris taiwaniana (Hayata) Z.Q. Song, is proposed here. Millettia entadoides Z. Wei is recombined as Derris entadoides (Z. Wei) Z.Q. Song. The floral morphology of D. entadoides is described here for the first time, and it is reported as a new record from Thailand in this study.
Advances in Imaging Modalities and Contrast Agents for the Early Diagnosis of Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Zhu Guannan , Wu Zijun , Lui Su , Hu Na , Wu Min
Published: January 2022

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common gastrointestinal cancers worldwide. The mortality rate of colorectal cancer has declined by more than 20% due to the rapid development of early diagnostic techniques and effective treatment. At present, there are many diagnostic modalities
available for the evaluation of colorectal cancer, such as the carcinoembryonic antigen test, the fecal occult blood test, endoscopy, X-ray barium meal, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and radionuclide examination. Sensitive and specific imaging modalities have played an increasingly
important role in the diagnosis of colorectal cancer following the rapid development of novel contrast agents. This review discusses the applications and challenges of different imaging techniques and contrast agents applied to detect colorectal cancer, for the purpose of the early diagnosis
and treatment of patients with colorectal cancer.
Prequel to the Stories of Warm Conveyor Belts and Atmospheric Rivers: The Moist Tongues Identified by Rossby and His Collaborators in the 1930s
Authors: Mo Ruping
Published: January 2022

The model of atmospheric rivers (ARs) has been around since the 1990s. A closely related model is the warm conveyor belt (WCB) developed in the 1970s. Looking further back in time, a phenomenon known as the “moist tongue” was intensively investigated in the late 1930s and early 1940s by Rossby and his collaborators using the innovation of isentropic analysis. This article aims to establish a historical perspective on the development of the moist tongue model and its relevance to the current models of WCBs and ARs. As it turns out, the moist tongue was identified as an extension of moist air into a region of lower moisture content on the selected isentropic charts. Most moist tongues are driven by large-scale cyclonic and anticyclonic eddies and are often accompanied by surface cold fronts in close proximity. Ahead of the moist tongues, areas of continuous precipitation are caused mainly by the motion of moist air up the steep isentropic slopes over warm fronts or topographical features. In the warm season, the mere presence of a moist tongue could be sufficient to give thunderstorms. A reanalysis dataset is used to reexamine the structures and evolutions of two moist tongue events in 1936. It is shown that not all but some of the moist tongues fit well with the modern conceptual models of WCB and AR. These two case studies also serve to elucidate the usefulness of reanalysis data for investigating historical high-impact weather events that were poorly understood due to the lack of observational data.
Alternative pathways to CO2 reduction in Gansu province, China
Authors: Wang Guokui , Guo Xiaojia , Fu Jinxiu , Wei Qingyue , Zhang Linlin
Published: January 2022

Climate change has been considerable concerned because of the increasing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Gansu province is a typical less-developed and heavy chemical industrial province, its CO2 emission per unit of the gross domestic product (GDP) is 252.52 ton per million Chinese yuan (t/M-CNY) in 2019, which is 48.42% more than national average value. Gansu province faces the following dual pressures including maintaining economic growth and reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. This paper establishes a low carbon development system dynamics model in order to investigate the effects of four carbon reduction measures (technical progress, industrial transformation, fuel substitution, and low carbon awareness) on reducing CO2 emission over the period of 2020–2030. The simulation results indicate that, without direct intervention, the CO2 emissions per unit of GDP is projected to be 171.34 t/M-CNY by 2030. While utilizing technical progress, implementing industrial transformation, fuel substitution, and low carbon awareness could potentially be 2.12%, 3.33%, 0.72% and 1.27%, respectively less than that. For the sake of achieving the goal of CO2 reduction in the long run, the local government should address today’s industrial transformation and adopt reasonable combination of adjustment and control policies immediately.
Factors affecting bacterial community dynamics and volatile metabolite profiles of Thai traditional salt fermented fish
Authors: Det-udom Rachatida , Settachaimongkon Sarn , Chancharoonpong Chuenjit , Suphamityotin Porrarath , Suriya Atchariya , Prakitchaiwattana Cheunjit
Published: January 2022

Bacterial diversity of the Thai traditional salt fermented fish with roasted rice bran (Pla-ra) was investigated using classical and molecular approaches. Bacterial population of Pla-ra ranged from 102–106 in solid-state (SSF) and 106–109 CFU/g in submerged (SMF) fermentation types. Halanaerobium spp. and Lentibacillus spp. were the main genera particularly detected when rRNA analysis was applied. Tetragenococcus halophillus were dominant during the final stage in sea salt-recipe samples while Bacillus spp. were found in those rock salt recipes. In contrast, cultural plating demonstrated that Bacillus spp., generally B. amyloliquefaciens, were the dominant genera. In addition, B. pumilus, B. autrophaeus, B.subtilis and B. velezensis shown some relations with rock salt-recipe samples. The main volatile metabolites in all samples were butanoic acid and its derivatives. Key factors affected bacterial profiles and volatile compounds of salt fermented fish were type of salt, addition of roasted rice bran, and fermenting conditions.
Structural racism is a mediator of disparities in acute myeloid leukemia outcomes
Authors: Abraham Ivy Elizabeth , Rauscher Garth H. , Patel Anand Ashwin , Pearse William B. , Rajakumar Priya , Burkart Madelyn , Aleem Ahmed , Dave Ami , Bharadwaj Sushma , Paydary Koosha , Acevedo-Mendez Maria , Goparaju Krishna , Gomez Richard , Carlson Kylie , Tsai Stephanie B. , Quigley John G. , Galvin John P. , Zia Maryam , Larson Melissa L. , Berg Stephanie , Stock Wendy , Altman Jessica K. , Khan Irum
Published: January 2022

Non-Hispanic Black (NHB) and Hispanic patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) have higher mortality rates than non-Hispanic White (NHW) patients despite more favorable genetics and younger age. A discrete survival analysis was performed on 822 adult patients with AML from 6 urban cancer centers and revealed inferior survival among NHB (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.59; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.15, 2.22) and Hispanic (HR = 1.25; 95% CI: 0.88, 1.79) patients compared with NHW patients. A multilevel analysis of disparities was then conducted to investigate the contribution of neighborhood measures of structural racism on racial/ethnic differences in survival. Census tract disadvantage and affluence scores were individually calculated. Mediation analysis of hazard of leukemia death between groups was examined across 6 composite variables: structural racism (census tract disadvantage, affluence, and segregation), tumor biology (European Leukemia Network risk and secondary leukemia), health care access (insurance and clinical trial enrollment), comorbidities, treatment patterns (induction intensity and transplant utilization), and intensive care unit (ICU) admission during induction chemotherapy. Strikingly, census tract measures accounted for nearly all of the NHB-NHW and Hispanic-NHW disparity in leukemia death. Treatment patterns, including induction intensity and allogeneic transplant, and treatment complications, as assessed by ICU admission during induction chemotherapy, were additional mediators of survival disparities in AML. This is the first study to formally test mediators for observed disparities in AML survival and highlights the need to investigate the mechanisms by which structural racism interacts with known prognostic and treatment factors to influence leukemia outcomes.
Introduction to a review series on normal and pathologic erythropoiesis
Authors: Cazzola Mario
Published: January 2022

Edited by Associate Editor Mario Cazzola, this review series highlights 3 specific areas of scientific and clinical advances in understanding disorders of red cell production. Nobel laureate Gregg Semenza focuses on the hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) pathway, from discovery through the understanding of its role in regulation of erythropoiesis to the potential of HIF inhibitors as therapy. In the second article, Caulier and Sankaran update the concepts of regulation of erythroid differentiation. Complementing these 2 articles, Cazzola provides a review on the clinical problem of ineffective erythropoiesis; this article highlights the interplay between inherited and acquired anemias due to ineffective erythropoiesis and iron-loading and the prospects for improved therapies.
Pro-inflammatory mediators released by activated monocytes promote aortic valve fibrocalcific activity
Authors: Zhang Peijian , The Erlinda , Luo Zichao , Zhai Yufeng , Yao Qingzhou , Ao Lihua , Fullerton David A. , Xu Dingli , Meng Xianzhong
Published: January 2022

Background

Calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) is the most prevalent heart valve disorder in the elderly. Valvular fibrocalcification is a characteristic pathological change. In diseased valves, monocyte accumulation is evident, and aortic valve interstitial cells (AVICs) display greater fibrogenic and osteogenic activities. However, the impact of activated monocytes on valular fibrocalcification remains unclear. We tested the hypothesis that pro-inflammatory mediators from activated monocytes elevate AVIC fibrogenic and osteogenic activities.

Methods and results

Picro-sirius red staining and Alizarin red staining revealed collagen and calcium depositions in cultured human AVICs exposed to conditioned media derived from Pam3CSK4-stimulated monocytes (Pam3 CM). Pam3 CM up-regulated alkaline phosphatase (ALP), an osteogenic biomarker, and extracellular matrix proteins collagen I and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2). ELISA analysis identified high levels of RANTES and TNF-α in Pam3 CM. Neutralizing RANTES in the Pam3 CM reduced its effect on collagen I and MMP-2 production in AVICs while neutralizing TNF-α attenuated the effect on AVIC ALP production. In addition, Pam3 CM induced NF-κB and JNK activation. While JNK mediated the effect of Pam3 CM on collagen I and MMP-2 production, NF-κB was critical for the effect of Pam3 CM on ALP production in AVICs.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that activated monocytes elevate the fibrogenic and osteogenic activities in human AVICs through a paracrine mechanism. TNF-α and RANTES mediate the pro-fibrogenic effect of activated monocytes on AVICs through activation of JNK, and TNF-α also activates NF-κB to elevate AVIC osteogenic activity. The results suggest that infiltrated monocytes elevate AVIC fibrocalcific activity to promote CAVD progression.
Short-term outcomes of Oxford unicompartmental knee arthroplasty with coronal subluxation of the knee: a retrospective case–control study
Authors: Xi Gang , Wang Hao-hao , Li Hao , Zhang Min
Published: January 2022

Background

The goal of this study was to assess short-term outcomes in single compartment osteoarthritis patients associated with the coronal tibiofemoral subluxation (CTFS) of the knee joint after Oxford unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (OUKA), and to establish the potential impact of the degree of CTFS on operative outcomes.

Methods

Data pertaining to 183 patients with medial compartment osteoarthritis that underwent OUKA treatment between February 2016 and June 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. The presence and degree of severity of CTFS were assessed using preoperative weight-bearing anteroposterior X-ray images of the knee. Patients were stratified into three subgroups based upon the observed degree of subluxation: a normal group, a mild subluxation group (CTFS < 0.5 cm), and a severe subluxation group (CTFS ≥ 0.5 cm). Anterior and posterior X-ray examination of the knee was conducted at the time of most recent follow-up for each patient to assess the degree of CTFS correction following OUKA. Clinical function was assessed using Oxford knee score (OKS) and Hospital for Special Surgery score (HSS) values, while pain was rated using visual-analog scale (VAS) scores. The mechanical femoral tibial angle (mFTA), range of motion (ROM), and complication rates in these three groups were additionally compared.

Results

The average follow-up duration for patients in this study was 24.1 months (range: 17–32 months). There were no significant differences in patient age, sex, body mass index (BMI), follow-up duration, mFTA, ROM, OKS, HSS, or VAS scores among these three groups (P > 0.05). After surgery, OKS and HSS scores declined significantly, but no differences in these scores were observed among groups (P > 0.05). Of these patients, 135 (73.8%) were satisfied with the operation, of whom 80 (43.7%) were very satisfied. There were no significant differences in ROM or VAS scores among groups (P > 0.05). The degree of CTFS for patients in the mild and severe subluxation groups was significantly improved following OUKA relative to preoperative values such that the degree of postoperative CTFS did not differ significantly among these groups (P > 0.05). Postoperative mFTA was also significantly improved in these three patient subgroups (P < 0.05). No patients experienced operative complications over the follow-up period.

Conclusions

OUKA can successfully improve clinical symptoms in patients with single compartmental osteoarthritis. Moreover, OUKA can effectively correct CTFS of the knee in these patients, and the degree of preoperative CTFS has no impact on surgical efficacy.

Level of evidence

III.
Performance of Swedish Warmblood fragile foal syndrome carriers and breeding prospects
Authors: Ablondi Michela , Johnsson Martin , Eriksson Susanne , Sabbioni Alberto , Viklund Åsa Gelinder , Mikko Sofia
Published: January 2022

Background

Warmblood fragile foal syndrome (WFFS) is a monogenetic defect caused by a recessive lethal missense point mutation in the procollagen‐lysine, 2‐oxoglutarate 5‐dioxygenase 1 gene (PLOD1, c.2032G>A). The majority of homozygous WFFS horses are aborted during gestation. Clinical signs of affected horses include fragile skin, skin and mucosa lacerations, hyperextension of the articulations, and hematomas. In spite of its harmful effect, a relatively high frequency of WFFS carriers has been found in Warmblood horses, suggesting a heterozygote advantage. Thus, in this study our aims were to: (1) estimate the frequency of WFFS carriers in the Swedish Warmblood breed (SWB), (2) estimate the effect of WFFS carrier genotype on performance traits in two SWB subpopulations bred for different disciplines, and (3) simulate the potential effects of balancing selection and different selection strategies on the frequency of carriers.

Methods

In total, 2288 SWB sport horses born between 1971 and 2020 were tested for the WFFS mutation and had estimated breeding values (EBV) for ten traditional evaluating and 50 linear descriptive traits.

Results

The frequency of WFFS carriers calculated from a pool of 511 randomly selected SWB horses born in 2017 was equal to 7.4% and ranged from 0.0 to 12.0% among the whole set of tested SWB horses, starting from 1971 till 2020. The effect of the WFFS carrier genotype was significant for several EBV mainly related to movements and dressage traits and especially for horses not bred for the show jumping discipline. Using simulation, we showed that balancing selection can maintain a recessive lethal allele in populations such as the SWB breed over generations and that the frequency is expected to slowly decrease in absence of balancing selection. Finally, we showed that selection against carrier sires can result in a more rapid decrease of the frequency of the mutant allele over time.

Conclusion

Further research is needed to confirm the apparent association between equine performance and the WFFS carrier genotype. Identification of such associations or new causative mutations for horse performance traits can serve as new tools in horse breeding to select for healthy, sustainable, and better performing horses.