bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On-demand cell-autonomous gene therapy for brain circuit disorders
Authors: Qiu Yichen , O’Neill Nathanael , Maffei Benito , Zourray Clara , Almacellas-Barbanoj Amanda , Carpenter Jenna C. , Jones Steffan P. , Leite Marco , Turner Thomas J. , Moreira Francisco C. , Snowball Albert , Shekh-Ahmad Tawfeeq , Magloire Vincent , Barral Serena , Kurian Manju A. , Walker Matthew C. , Schorge Stephanie , Kullmann Dimitri M. , Lignani Gabriele
Published: November 2022

Several neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders are characterized by intermittent episodes of pathological activity. Although genetic therapies offer the ability to modulate neuronal excitability, a limiting factor is that they do not discriminate between neurons involved in circuit pathologies and “healthy” surrounding or intermingled neurons. We describe a gene therapy strategy that down-regulates the excitability of overactive neurons in closed loop, which we tested in models of epilepsy. We used an immediate early gene promoter to drive the expression of Kv1.1 potassium channels specifically in hyperactive neurons, and only for as long as they exhibit abnormal activity. Neuronal excitability was reduced by seizure-related activity, leading to a persistent antiepileptic effect without interfering with normal behaviors. Activity-dependent gene therapy is a promising on-demand cell-autonomous treatment for brain circuit disorders.
Should Webb telescope’s data be open to all?
Authors: Clery Daniel
Published: November 2022

NASA plans to end policy of giving some observers 1 year’s exclusive access to data
Comparison of Genome and Plasmid-Based Engineering of Multigene Benzylglucosinolate Pathway in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Wang Cuiwei , Poborsky Michal , Crocoll Christoph , Nødvig Christina Spuur , Mortensen Uffe Hasbro , Halkier Barbara Ann
Published: November 2022

Intake of brassicaceous vegetables such as cabbage is associated with numerous health benefits. The major defense compounds in the Brassicales order are the amino acid-derived glucosinolates that have been associated with the health-promoting effects.
Stringent Starvation Protein SspA and Iron Starvation Sigma Factor PvdS Coordinately Regulate Iron Uptake and Prodiginine Biosynthesis in
Pseudoalteromonas
sp. R3
Authors: Zha Fanglan , Wei Ning , Liu Zhuangzhuang , Zhou Luosai , Ding Mengdan , Meng Qiu , Zhu Tingheng , Yin Jianhua , Cao Xueqiang , Yu Zhiliang
Published: November 2022

Both deficiency and excess of intracellular iron can be harmful, and thus, the iron homeostasis needs to be tightly regulated in organisms. At present, the ferric uptake regulator (Fur) is the best-characterized regulator involved in bacterial iron homeostasis, while other regulators of iron homeostasis remain to be further explored.
Community Dynamics of Free-Living and Particle-Attached Bacteria over Sequential Blooms of Heterotrophic Dinoflagellate
Noctiluca scintillans
and Mixotrophic Ciliate
Mesodinium rubrum
Authors: Zhang Shuwen , Liu Hongbin , Xia Xiaomin
Published: November 2022

Shifts in the bacterioplankton community composition during phytoplankton blooms have been studied extensively; however, investigations on protozoan blooms are rare. This study first evaluated the impact of perturbations caused by sequential protozoan blooms of the heterotrophic dinoflagellate
Noctiluca scintillans
and the mixotrophic ciliate
Mesodinium rubrum
on the structuring of these two bacterial communities.
Complete Genome Sequence of O’nyong Nyong Virus Isolated from a Febrile Patient in 2017 in Uganda
Authors: Ledermann Jeremy P. , Kayiwa John T. , Perinet Lara C. , Apangu Titus , Acayo Sarah , Lutwama Julius J. , Powers Ann M. , Mossel Eric C.
Published: November 2022

Despite causing numerous large outbreaks in the 20th century, few isolates of o’nyong nyong virus (ONNV) have been fully sequenced. Here, we report the complete genome sequence of an isolate of ONNV obtained from a febrile patient in northwest Uganda in 2017, designated ONNV UVRI0804.
Expansion of Known Rhodobacter capsulatus Bacteriophage Diversity with 24 Additional Genomes
Authors: Wilson Amanda , Molinar Joselyn , Aldrich Josephine , Chintala Gnandeep , Smit Katy , Miller Kai , Bollivar David W. , Alvey Richard M.
Published: November 2022

We report the genome sequences of 24 newly discovered bacteriophages that infect
Rhodobacter capsulatus
, a model for photosynthesis and horizontal gene transfer studies. All have substantial relatedness to previously reported siphovirus bacteriophages. Most are categorized in known clusters (RcB, RcC, RcD, and RcF), with one forming a new cluster, RcG.
Draft Genome Sequence of Stutzerimonas stutzeri NT-I, Which Reduces Selenium Oxyanions into Elemental Selenium and Volatile Selenium Species
Authors: Kuroda Masashi , Sei Kazunari , Yamashita Mitsuo , Ike Michihiko
Published: November 2022

Stutzerimonas stutzeri
strain NT-I effectively reduces selenate and selenite into elemental selenium and volatile selenium species. It is thus a promising biological agent for treatment of selenium-contaminated wastewater. We here report the draft genome sequence of this strain.
Patients’ perceptions of conflicting information on chronic medications: a prospective survey in Switzerland
Authors: Santos Beatriz , Blondon Katherine S , Van Gessel Elisabeth , Cerutti Bernard , Backes Claudine , Locher Sophie , Guignard Bertrand , Bonnabry Pascal , Carpenter Delesha , Schneider Marie P
Published: November 2022

Objective

The number of patients with chronic diseases and subsequent visits to various healthcare professionals has been rising over the past decades, exposing patients to potential risks of receiving conflicting medication information. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of conflicting information on medications perceived by chronic patients in Switzerland and to understand its impact on patients’ medication self-management and navigation in the healthcare system.

Participants

This cross-sectional study included adult patients taking at least one prescribed medication for at least 6 months, who had visited at least two physicians in the past 3 months.

Main outcome measures

Data on patients’ perceptions of conflicting information were collected in person through a 17-item questionnaire available on paper and electronically with four domains: (1) whether the patient had perceived any conflicting information, (2) categories of conflicting information, (3) impact and (4) sources involved in the conflicting information.

Results

Of the 405 included patients, 47% perceived conflicting information related to one or more medication topics including indication, schedule, dosage, risk, severity or duration of side effects. Patients who perceived conflicting information were prescribed more drugs than those perceiving no conflicting information (p<0.01). Consequently, 65% of the participants modified their navigation of the healthcare system and 34% reported medication non-adherence. General practitioners (82%), specialist physicians (74%) and pharmacists (49%) were the healthcare professionals most often involved in conflicting information. Experience with the medication, its package insert and significant others were more frequently involved in conflicting information than internet or social media.

Conclusion

Nearly half the patients in our study perceived conflicting information in the outpatient healthcare system, which can decrease medication effectiveness and pose safety issues. This issue is widely overlooked and unaddressed. Consistency of information among healthcare providers in partnership with patients should be reinforced through guidelines and new models of interprofessional care.
Is laparoscopic excision for superficial peritoneal endometriosis helpful or harmful? Protocol for a double-blinded, randomised, placebo-controlled, three-armed surgical trial
Authors: Marschall Henrik , Forman Axel , Lunde Sigrid Juhl , Kesmodel Ulrik Schiøler , Hansen Karina Ejgaard , Vase Lene
Published: November 2022

Introduction

Placebo-controlled surgical designs are recommended to ascertain treatment effects for elective surgeries when there is genuine doubt about the effectiveness of the surgery. Some elective surgeries for pain have been unable to show an effect beyond sham surgery, suggesting contributions from contextual factors. However, the nature of contextual factors in elective surgery is largely unexplored. Further, methodological difficulties in placebo-controlled surgical trials impact the ability to estimate the effectiveness of a surgical procedure. These include an overall lack of testing the success of blinding, absence of comparison to a no-surgery control group and dearth of test for neuropathic pain.

For women with peritoneal endometriosis, there is uncertainty regarding the pain-relieving effect of surgery. Surgery may put patients at risk of complications such as postsurgical neuropathic pain, without guarantees of sufficient pelvic pain relief. The planned placebo-controlled trial aims to examine the effect of surgery on pelvic pain, widespread pain and neuropathic pain symptoms in women with peritoneal endometriosis, and to test the contribution of contextual factors to pain relief.

Methods and analysis

One hundred women with peritoneal endometriosis will be randomised to either diagnostic laparoscopy with excision of endometrial tissue (active surgery), purely diagnostic laparoscopy (sham surgery) or delayed surgery (no-surgery control group). Outcomes include pelvic pain relief, widespread pain, neuropathic pain symptoms and quality of life. Contextual factors are also assessed. Assessments will be obtained at baseline and 1, 3 and 6 months postrandomisation. Mixed linear models will be used to compare groups over time on all outcome variables.

Ethics and dissemination

The trial is approved by the Regional Ethics Committee in the Central Denmark Region (1-10-72-152-20). The trial is funded by a PhD scholarship from Aarhus University, and supported by a grant from ‘Helsefonden’ (20-B-0448). Findings will be published in international peer-reviewed journals and disseminated at international conferences.

Trial registration number

NCT05162794.
Factors affecting providers’ comfort and fear during intubations of patients with COVID-19
Authors: Lee Esther , Al Shabeeb Reem Qabas , El Shatanofy Muhammad , Mulcahy Collin F , Yamane David P , Sherman Marian L , Heinz Eric R
Published: November 2022

Background

Providers performing endotracheal intubation are at high risk of contracting SARS-CoV-2. The objective was to assess various demographic, exposure and institutional preparedness factors affecting intubators’ comfort and fear level during COVID-19 intubations.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional, survey-based study during the COVID-19 pandemic from September 2020 to January 2021 at a single academic medical centre in Washington, DC, USA. Inclusion criteria were healthcare providers who had an experience in intubating patients confirmed with or suspected of COVID-19. The survey assessed various factors related to the providers’ comfort with intubation and fear during COVID-19 intubations.

Results

A total of 329 surveys from 55 hospitals were analysed. Of the respondents, 173 (52.6%) were from emergency medicine providers. Factors that were associated with a higher comfort level of intubating patients with COVID-19 included attending physician position (adjusted OR (aOR)=2.6, 95% CI 1.4 to 4.8; p=0.003), performing more than 20 COVID-19 intubations (aOR=3.3, 95% CI 1.5 to 6.6; p=0.002), participation in an intubation team (aOR=1.6, 95% CI 1.1 to 2.7; p=0.031) and adequate levels of personal protective equipment (PPE) (aOR=4.3, 95% CI 2.0 to 8.8; p<0.0005). Compared with emergency physicians, anaesthesiology providers had higher fear levels of contracting SARS-CoV-2 during both first and subsequent SARS-CoV-2 intubations (first: OR=1.7, 95% CI 1.1 to 2.6, p=0.006; subsequent: OR=2.0, 95% CI 1.4 to3.2, p<0.0005).

Conclusion

A higher degree of comfort in intubating patients suspected of or confirmed with COVID-19 was demonstrated in more senior physicians, members of intubation teams, providers who performed a higher number of intubations and providers who reported adequate PPE. These findings highlight potential targets for improving the experience of providers in this setting.
Use of the ISUP e-learning module improves interrater reliability in prostate cancer grading
Authors: Flach Rachel N , Egevad Lars , Eklund Martin , van der Kwast Theodorus H , Delahunt Brett , Samaratunga Hemamali , Suelmann Britt B M , Willemse Peter-Paul M , Meijer Richard P , van Diest Paul J
Published: November 2022

Aims

Prostate cancer (PCa) grading is an important prognostic parameter, but is subject to considerable observer variation. Previous studies have shown that interobserver variability decreases after participants were trained using an e-learning module. However, since the publication of these studies, grading of PCa has been enhanced by adopting the International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP) 2014 grading classification. This study investigates the effect of training on interobserver variability of PCa grading, using the ISUP Education web e-learning on Gleason grading.

Methods

The ISUP Education Prostate Test B Module was distributed among Dutch pathologists. The module uses images graded by the ISUP consensus panel consisting of 24 expert uropathologists. Participants graded the same 10 images before and after e-learning. We included those who completed the tests before and after training. We evaluated variation in PCa grading in a fully crossed study design, using linearly weighted kappa values for each pathologist, comparing them to other pathologists and to the ISUP consensus panel. We analysed the improvement in median weighted kappas before and after training, using Wilcoxon’s signed rank-test.

Results

We included 42 pathologists. Inter-rater reliability between pathologists improved from 0.70 before training to 0.74 after training (p=0.01). When compared with the ISUP consensus panel, five pathologists improved significantly, whereas the kappa of one pathologist was significantly lower after training. All pathologists who improved significantly, graded with less than substantial agreement before training.

Conclusions

ISUP Prostate Test B e-learning reduces variability in PCa grading. E-learning is a cost-effective method for standardisation of pathology.
Contemporary study of multiple sclerosis disability in South East Wales
Authors: Harding Katharine Elizabeth , Ingram Gillian , Tallantyre Emma Clare , Joseph Fady , Wardle Mark , Pickersgill Trevor P , Willis Mark D , Tomassini Valentina , Pearson Owen Rhys , Robertson Neil P
Published: November 2022

Background

A contemporary understanding of disability evolution in multiple sclerosis (MS) is an essential tool for individual disease management and planning of interventional studies. We have used prospectively collected longitudinal data to analyse disability progression and variation in a British MS cohort.

Methods

Cox proportional hazards regression was used to estimate hazard of Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) 4.0 and 6.0. A continuous Markov model was used to estimate transitional probabilities for individual EDSS scores. Models were adjusted for age at MS onset, sex and disease-modifying treatments (DMTs) exposure.

Results

2135 patients were included (1487 (70%) female, 1922 (89%) relapsing onset). 865 (41%) had used DMTs. Median time to EDSS 4.0 and 6.0 was 18.2 years (95% CI 16.3 to 20.2) and 22.1 years (95% CI 20.5 to 24.5). In the Markov model, the median time spent at EDSS scores of <6 (0.40–0.98 year) was shorter than the time spent at EDSS scores of ≥6 (0.87–4.11 year). Hazard of change in EDSS was greatest at EDSS scores <6 (HR for increasing EDSS: 1.02–1.33; decreasing EDSS: 0.34–1.27) compared with EDSS scores ≥6 (HR for increasing EDSS: 0.08–0.61; decreasing EDSS: 0.18–0.54).

Conclusions

These data provide a detailed contemporary model of disability outcomes in a representative population-based MS cohort. They support a trend of increasing time to disability milestones compared with historical reference populations, and document disability variation with the use of transitional matrices. In addition, they provide essential information for patient counselling, clinical trial design, service planning and offer a comparative baseline for assessment of therapeutic interventions.
American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine 2021 John J. Bonica Award Lecture
Authors: De Leon-Casasola Oscar
Published: November 2022

I am as deeply inspired and humbled to receive this prestigious award, as I am profoundly indebted to the Bonica Award selection committee and the American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine Board of Directors for recognizing my contributions to the development, teaching, and practice of pain medicine in the tradition of Dr John J Bonica. I would also like to recognize my parents, Aura and Tito for providing me with the support and the environment to fulfill my professional goals. Moreover, the support that I have gotten from my team at the hospital, and the Chair of my Department, Dr Mark Lema needs to be underscored.
Dynamics of Fractional-Order Chaotic Rocard Relaxation Econometric System
Authors: Yao Zhao , Sun Kehui , He Shaobo
Published: November 2022

The chaotic Rocard relaxation econometric system was proposed earlier than the Lorenz system. In this paper, the fractional-order Rocard system is investigated and its dynamical behaviors are analyzed by bifurcation diagram, Lyapunov exponent and spectral entropy (SE) complexity. The stability analysis is conducted and the conditions for the fractional-order system to maintain chaotic or periodic state are investigated. Compared with the integer-order counterpart, the fractional-order system generates more periodic parameter areas, and they play vital roles in economic cycles and economic chaos control. We also found that the fractional-order oscillator has a larger Lyapunov exponent than its integer-order counterpart. By applying the 0–1 test method, the minimum order for the system for chaotic oscillation is determined. The SE complexity evidence further confirms involving fractional calculus that enriches dynamical behaviors. These results indicate the promising applications in chaos control of the economic system.
Global Dynamics of a Planar Piecewise Linear Refracting System of Node-Node Types
Authors: Zhao Hefei , Wu Kuilin , Shao Yi
Published: November 2022

In this paper, we study global dynamics of a planar piecewise linear refracting system with a straight line of separation of node-node type, improper node-improper node type and improper node-node type, respectively. We obtain the conditions of the uniqueness and nonexistence of limit cycles of the refracting system and provide classifications of the topological phase portraits in the Poincaré disk.
Selecting and Composing Learning Rate Policies for Deep Neural Networks
Authors: Wu Yanzhao , Liu Ling
Published: November 2022

The choice of learning rate (LR) functions and policies has evolved from a simple fixed LR to the decaying LR and the cyclic LR, aiming to improve the accuracy and reduce the training time of Deep Neural Networks (DNNs). This article presents a systematic approach to selecting and composing an LR policy for effective DNN training to meet desired target accuracy and reduce training time within the pre-defined training iterations. It makes three original contributions. First, we develop an LR tuning mechanism for auto-verification of a given LR policy with respect to the desired accuracy goal under the pre-defined training time constraint. Second, we develop an LR policy recommendation system (LRBench) to select and compose good LR policies from the same and/or different LR functions through dynamic tuning, and avoid bad choices, for a given learning task, DNN model, and dataset. Third, we extend LRBench by supporting different DNN optimizers and show the significant mutual impact of different LR policies and different optimizers. Evaluated using popular benchmark datasets and different DNN models (LeNet, CNN3, ResNet), we show that our approach can effectively deliver high DNN test accuracy, outperform the existing recommended default LR policies, and reduce the DNN training time by 1.6-6.7× to meet a targeted model accuracy.
Dielectric, Optical, and Magnetic Behaviors of Magnesium Iron-Based Double Perovskite
Authors: Mohanty S. , Behera S. , Sen Santanu , Parida B. N. , Singh Rashmi
Published: November 2022

The multiferroic nature of the Mg2FeNbO6 complex oxide ceramic, prepared by a mixed oxide reaction route is being communicated. A phase transformation to the tetragonal symmetry was identified from refinement analysis. The optical band gap was estimated to be 1.58 eV with the direct allowed transition consideration. From the temperature-dependent dielectric parameter study, magnetic phase transitions at various Tc values were seen, together with some glassy dynamics. The CIS spectroscopy revealed the dominance of grains towards the complex impedance response of the composite. The conductivity of the compound was found to be following Jonscher’s universal power quite ideally. The plot of μ

B
/unit mass vs

H
⃗

manifests itself as a weak but well-saturated magnetic ordering in the ceramic, with a low retentivity value of 0.0286 emu gm−1. The multiferroic nature of the oxide material is confirmed by the existence of a room temperature(P–E) hysteresis loop, with remnant polarization of Pr = 1.2 μC Cm−2.
ECM-Mimicking Hydrogels Loaded with Bone Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Exosomes for the Treatment of Cartilage Defects
Authors: Cheng Jiyun , Rong Genxiang , Wang Ziqi , Liu Shencai , Yang Qinfeng , Liu Weilu , Zhang Dongkun , Li Jianwei
Published: November 2022

It is well-established that treating articular cartilage injuries is clinically challenging since they lack blood arteries, nerves, and lymphoid tissue. Recent studies have revealed that bone marrow stem cell-derived exosomes (BMSCs-Exos) exert significant chondroprotective effects through paracrine secretions, and hydrogel-based materials can synergize the exosomes through sustained release. Therefore, this research aims to synthesize an ECM (extracellular matrix)-mimicking gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) hydrogel modified by gelatin combined with BMSCs-derived exosomes to repair cartilage damage. We first isolated and characterized exosomes from BMSCs supernatant and then loaded the exosomes into GelMA hydrogel to investigate cartilage repair effects in in vitro and in vivo experiments. The outcomes showed that the GelMA hydrogel has good biocompatibility with a 3D (three-dimensional) porous structure, exhibiting good carrier characteristics for exosomes. Furthermore, BMSCs-Exos had a significant effect on promoting chondrocyte ECM production and chondrocyte proliferation, and the GelMA hydrogel could enhance this effect through a sustained-release effect. Similarly, in vivo experiments showed that GelMA-Exos promoted cartilage regeneration in rat joint defects and the synthesis of related cartilage matrix proteins.
A Secure and Cached-Enabled NDN Forwarding Plane Based on Programmable Switches
Authors: Liu Ningchun , Gao Shuai , Yu Lei , He Guobiao
Published: November 2022

Recently, the rapid development of software-defined networking (SDN) and programming protocol-independent packet processors (P4) provides a potential possibility for the deployment of Named Data Networking (NDN), which has aroused tremendous attention in academia. Existing P4-based NDN solutions mainly focus on how to describe the stateful forwarding characteristics of NDN in a programmable switch environment. However, the existing solutions still face many challenges such as cache availability and data confidentiality and do not support retransmission of interest packets and multicast forwarding of data packets. In this paper, we propose a new NDN forwarding plane based on programmable switches to address the above challenges. We design a decoupled cache module to avoid a large impact on the data plane forwarding performance when the cache function is enabled. Also, we enhance the design of the existing P4-based NDN forwarding plane to support interest retransmission and multicast forwarding of data packets. In addition, with the advantage of network programmability of P4 technology, we extend the content permutation algorithm and integrate it into the NDN forwarding plane, which makes our scheme support lightweight secure forwarding. Finally, we evaluate our scheme in the prototype system and conduct comparative experiments with representative schemes. Experiment results show that our scheme outperforms it in terms of content retrieval latency and received throughput and can support lightweight secure forwarding with low cost.
Genome Survey and SSR Analysis of Camellia nitidissima Chi (Theaceae)
Authors: Bai Yu , Ye Lin , Yang Kang , Wang Hui
Published: November 2022

Camellia nitidissima Chi (CNC), a species of golden Camellia, is well known as “the queen of camellias.” It is an ornamental, medicinal, and edible plant grown in China. In this study, we conducted a genome survey sequencing analysis and simple sequence repeat (SSR) identification of CNC using the Illumina sequencing platform. The 21-mer analysis predicted its genome size to be 2,778.82 Mb, with heterozygosity and repetition rates of 1.42% and 65.27%, respectively. The CNC genome sequences were assembled into 9,399,197 scaffolds, covering ∼2,910 Mb and an N50 of 869 base pair. Its genomic characteristics were found to be similar to those of Camellia oleifera. In addition, 1,940,616 SSRs were identified from the genome data, including mono-(61.85%), di-(28.71%), tri-(6.51%), tetra-(1.85%), penta-(0.57%), and hexanucleotide motifs (0.51%). We believe these data will provide a useful foundation for the development of novel molecular markers for CNC as well as for further whole-genome sequencing of CNC.
A Comparative Study of Physicochemical Attributes of Pigmented Landrace Maize Varieties
Authors: Majamanda James , Katundu Mangani , Ndolo Victoria , Tembo David
Published: November 2022

Maize has been cultivated and continues to be cultivated for its usability in calorie supply to humans and livestock. There has been great interest in pigmented landrace maize varieties (PLMVs) due to their importance in the pharmaceutical industry. Landraces are to a large extent a repository of the gene pool that enriches biodiversity and maintains but also stabilizes the ecosystem in a sustainable way. PLMVs are still being cultivated by smallholder farmers in smaller portions of their fields and home surroundings despite the high adoption of white hybrid maize. This study examined the ash, moisture, mineral, crude protein, fat, and carbohydrate content of three different PLMVs from central (Ntcheu and Dedza districts) and northern (Mzimba district) Malawi. The mineral content of soils from fields where PLMVs were grown was also analyzed. The study areas experience a warm temperate climate and higher rainfall in summer than in winter but they differ in that Ntcheu has the highest average annual temperature of 20.3°C while Dedza receives the highest annual precipitation of about 1010 mm. Mzimba’s average annual temperature and precipitation are 20.1°C and 915 mm, respectively. The study showed that orange maize from Dedza had a significantly higher content of calcium (71.00 ± 0.58 mg·kg−1), magnesium (819.00 ± 0.58 mg·kg−1), and phosphorus (2720.35 ± 0.03 mg·kg−1). Significantly higher contents of zinc (54.61 ± 0.43 mg·kg−1) and potassium (808.58 ± 0.27 mg·kg−1) were observed in purple maize from Dedza and Ntcheu, respectively. Red maize from Dedza had a significantly higher content of iron (59.80 ± 0.26 mg·kg−1). Purple maize from Dedza has significantly higher carbohydrate content (65.52 ± 0.07%). The findings also revealed that red maize from Dedza provenance had a high content of crude protein (12.57 ± 0.07%) and fat (10.73 ± 0.14%). Moisture (17.30 ± 0.21%) and ash (2.28 ± 0.02%) were significantly higher in orange maize from Dedza. Dedza’s provenance revealed a high content of the analyzed attributes in PLMVs. Mineral analysis showed different levels of mineral bioavailability in different PLMVs and in the soils where maize was grown. It can, therefore, be concluded that production location and maize variety have an influence on the attributes of PLMVs. Understanding the physicochemical attributes of PLMVs and its maximum utilization have the potential of improving food and nutrition security in Sub-Saharan African countries and globally.
Valorization of Waste Cooking Oil into Biodiesel via Bacillus stratosphericus Lipase Amine-Functionalized Mesoporous SBA-15 Nanobiocatalyst
Authors: Ismail Abdallah R. , Kashtoh Hamdy , Betiha Mohamed A. , Abu Amr Salem A. , Baek Kwang-Hyun , El-Gendy Nour Sh.
Published: November 2022

In this study, evaporation-induced self-assembly was applied to prepare amine-functionalized nano-silica (NH2-Pr-SBA-15). That was simply used to immobilize Bacillus stratosphericus PSP8 lipase (E–NH2–Pr-SBA-15), producing a nanobiocatalyst with good stability under vigorous shaking and a maximum lipase activity of 45 ± 2 U/mL. High-resolution X-ray diffractometer, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, N2 adsorption-desorption, field-emission scanning electron, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopic analyses proved the successful SBA-15 functionalization and enzyme immobilization. Response surface methodology based on a 1/2 fraction-three-levels face center composite design was applied to optimize the biodiesel transesterification process. This expressed efficient percentage conversion (97.85%) and biodiesel yield (97.01%) under relatively mild operating conditions: 3.12 : 1 methanol to oil ratio, 3.08 wt.% E–NH2–Pr-SBA-15 loading, 48.6°C, 3.19 h at a mixing rate of 495.53 rpm. E–NH2–Pr-SBA-15 proved to have a long lifetime, operational stability, and reusability.
Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface-Aided Cell-Free Massive MIMO with Low-Resolution ADCs: Secrecy Performance Analysis and Optimization
Authors: Zhang Xianyu , Qiao Xiaoqiang , An Kang , Deng Junquan , Liang Tao , Wang Xiaoyu
Published: November 2022

The secure communication in reconfigurable intelligent surface-aided cell-free massive MIMO system is investigated with low-resolution ADCs and with the existence of an active eavesdropper. Specifically, an aggregated channel estimation approach is applied to decrease the overhead required to estimate the channels. Using the available imperfect channel state information (CSI), the conjugate beamforming and random beamforming are applied at the APs and the RIS for downlink data transmission, respectively. The closed-form expression of the achievable secrecy rate is acquired to appraise the achievable secrecy performance using only the channel statistics. With the achievable analytical results, the impacts of the quantization bit of ADCs, channel estimation error, the number of RIS elements, and the number of the APs can be unveiled. Aiming to maximize the minimum achievable rate of all legitimate users subject to security constraints, the power control optimization scheme is first formulated. To tackle this nonconvex property of the proposed optimization problem, a path-following algorithm is then utilized to solve the initial problem with continuous approximations and iterative optimization. Numerical results are presented to verify the achieved results along with availability of the presented power allocation approach.
Identification of Glucose Metabolism-Related Genes in the Progression from Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease to Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Wang Siyuan , Li Yiling , Liu Ning , Shen Wei , Xu Wenhao , Yao Peng
Published: November 2022

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a manifestation of hepatic metabolic syndrome that varies in severity. Hepatocellular carcinoma progresses from NAFLD when there is heterogeneity in the infiltration of immune cells and molecules. A precise molecular classification of NAFLD remains lacking, allowing further exploration of the link between NAFLD and hepatocellular carcinoma. In this work, a weighted gene coexpression network analysis was used to identify two coexpression modules based on multiple omics data used to differentiate NAFLD subtypes. Additionally, key genes in the process of glucose metabolism and NAFLD were used to construct a prognostic model in a cohort of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Furthermore, the specific expression of signature genes in hepatocellular carcinoma cells was analyzed using a single-cell RNA sequencing approach. A total of 19 liver tissues of NAFLD patients were obtained from the GEO database, and 81 glucose metabolism-related genes were downloaded from the CTD database. In addition, based on nine signature genes, we constructed a prognostic model to divide the HCC cohort into high and low-risk groups. We also demonstrated a significant correlation between prognostic models and clinical phenotypes. Furthermore, we integrated single-cell RNA-sequencing data and immunology data to assess potential relationships between different molecular subtypes and hepatocellular carcinoma. Finally, our study discovered that the glucose metabolism pathway may play an important role in the process of NAFLD-hepatocellular carcinoma. In addition, three glucose metabolism-related genes (SERPINE1, VCAN, and TFPI2) may be the potential targets for the immunotherapy of patients with NAFLD-hepatocellular carcinoma.
Isolation and Identification of Endophytic Fungi from Syzygium cumini Linn and Investigation of Their Pharmacological Activities
Authors: Samapti Mst. Mabiya Sultana , Afroz Farhana , Rony Satyajit Roy , Sharmin Suriya , Moni Fatema , Akhter Shammi , Ahmed Sheikh Feroz Uddin , Sohrab Md. Hossain
Published: November 2022

This study was conducted to isolate and identify the endophytic fungi from the bark and leaves of the Syzygum cumini plant and investigate the pharmacological activities of endophytic fungi along with plant parts. After isolation, endophytic fungi were identified based on morphological characteristics and molecular identification. Antimicrobial, antioxidant, and cytotoxic activities were studied by a disc diffusion method, free radical scavenging DPPH assay, and brine shrimp lethality bioassay, respectively. A total of eight endophytic fungi were isolated and identified up to the genus level based on morphological characteristics and confirmed by molecular identification techniques. Among the eight isolates, three isolates were identified as Colletotrichum sp. (SCBE-2, SCBE-7, and SCLE-9), while the rest of the isolates belonged to Diaporthe sp. (SCBE-1), Pestalotiopsis sp. (SCBE-3), Penicillium sp. (SCBE-4), Phyllosistica sp. (SCLE-7), and Fusarium sp. (SCLE-8). The presence of flavonoids, anthraquinones, coumarins, and isocoumarins was assumed by the preliminary screening of the fungal and plant extracts by a thin-layer chromatographic technique under UV light. Fungal extracts of Pestalotiopsis sp. Penicillium sp. were found sensitive to all test bacteria, but only extracts from the leaf and bark showed significant antifungal activity along with their antimicrobial activity. Penicillium sp. The fungal extract showed the highest free radical scavenging activity (2.43 μg/mL) near that of ascorbic acid (2.42 μg/mL). Some fungal extracts showed cytotoxic activity that, in general, suggests their probable abundance of biological metabolites. This is the first approach to investigate the endophytic fungi of Syzygium cumini Linn. in Bangladesh, to find the pharmacological potential of endophytes, and to explore novel compounds from those endophytes.
The PO4-tential for Less Toxic CAR T-cell Therapies
Authors: Tobin Joshua W.D. , Green Michael R. , Gandhi Maher K.
Published: November 2022

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy has yielded remarkable and durable responses for some patients with relapsed and refractory blood cancers. However, life-threatening toxicities such as immune effector cell–associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS) remain a challenge for broad delivery of such therapies. In this issue, Tang and colleagues demonstrate an association between hypophosphatemia and CAR T cell–induced ICANS. Prospective studies are required to establish if phosphate monitoring is an early predictor for ICANS occurrence and if maintenance of phosphate levels has a role as a preventative strategy.

See related article by Tang et al., p. 1433 (4).
Asociación entre nivel socioeconómico y riesgo cardiovascular en la población peruana
Authors: Cerpa-Arana Stefany Katherine , Rimarachín-Palacios Lourdes Magaly , Bernabé-Ortiz Antonio
Published: November 2022

OBJETIVO Determinar la asociación entre el nivel socioeconómico y la presencia de obesidad, hipertensión y diabetes mellitus tipo 2 en la población peruana. MÉTODOS Análisis de datos secundarios de la Encuesta Nacional Demográfica y de Salud Familiar (Endes) del 2018 al 2020. Las variables dependientes fueron obesidad, hipertensión y diabetes mellitus tipo 2, y las variables independientes fueron dos indicadores de nivel socioeconómico: el nivel educativo (< 7 años, 7–11 años y 12+ años) y el índice de bienestar (en terciles). Se crearon modelos usando regresión de Poisson, reportando razones de prevalencia (RP) e intervalos de confianza al 95% (IC95%). RESULTADOS Se analizaron los datos de 98.846 sujetos, edad promedio: 45,3 (DE: 16,0) años, y 55,5% fueron mujeres. La prevalencia de obesidad fue del 26% (IC95% 25,4–26,6); la de hipertensión, 24,9% (IC95% 24,3–25,5); y la de diabetes mellitus tipo 2, 4,8% (IC95% 4,5–5,1). En modelo multivariable y comparado con los de índice de bienestar bajo, aquellos con índice de bienestar alto tenían mayor prevalencia de obesidad (RP = 1,49; IC95% 1,38–1,62), de hipertensión (RP = 1,09; IC95% 1,02–1,17) y de diabetes mellitus tipo 2 (RP = 1,72; IC95% 1,29–2,29). De otro lado, mayor nivel educativo sólo se asoció a una reducción en la prevalencia de obesidad (RP = 0,89; IC95% 0,84–0,95). CONCLUSIONES Existe asociación diferencial entre el índice de bienestar, nivel educativo y marcadores de enfermedades no transmisibles: hay evidencia de asociación positiva entre el índice de bienestar y obesidad, hipertensión y diabetes mellitus tipo 2, mientras que el nivel educativo solo estuvo asociado de forma negativa a obesidad.
Long‐Term Risks of Stroke in Patients With Type A Aortic Dissection: A Nationwide Cohort Study
Authors: Hsu Jin‐Yi , Liu Peter Pin‐Sung , Liu An‐Bang , Huang Huei‐Kai , Loh Ching‐Hui
Published: November 2022

Background

Patients with type A aortic dissection (TAAD) have a high short‐term risk of stroke. However, whether patients with TAAD have an increased long‐term risk of stroke is still undetermined, and our study aims to address this knowledge gap.

Methods and Results

A nationwide retrospective cohort study was conducted using Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database. We included patients with TAAD as well as age‐ and sex‐matched aortic disease–free individuals between 2003 and 2016. Inverse probability of treatment weighting was performed to balance patient characteristics between the groups. The primary outcome was the development of stroke, regardless of subtype; the secondary outcomes were the risk of developing either ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke. The hazard ratios (HRs) of stroke were estimated using the Cox proportional hazards model. After inverse probability of treatment weighting, 3556 and 7023 patients were categorized into the TAAD and aortic disease–free cohorts, respectively. The mean follow‐up period was 5.71 years. The HRs for overall, ischemic, and hemorrhagic strokes in the TAAD cohort were 3.01 (95% CI, 2.40–3.78), 3.18 (95% CI, 2.47–4.10), and 2.32 (95% CI, 1.58–3.41), respectively, compared with the aortic disease–free cohort. Consistent trends of higher stroke risk in patients with TAAD were revealed in the analyses stratified by age; sex; antiplatelet use; and history of hypertension, diabetes, or dyslipidemia.

Conclusions

Our study findings revealed that patients with TAAD had an increased long‐term risk of both ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes. Further studies are warranted to establish optimal strategies for stroke prevention in these patients.
Users’ Recognition and Satisfaction of Trails and Exercise Facilities in Urban Mountainous Forests: Focused on Jinju City, South Korea
Authors: Huh Keun Young , Heo Hyuncheol , Jung Hyunjong , Kim Inhea
Published: November 2022

Background and objective: This study was conducted to analyze users’ behavior, recognition, and satisfaction toward forest trails and exercise facilities in urban mountainous forests, Jinju City, South Korea.Methods: Users’ characteristics, visit motives, and satisfaction with forest trails and exercise facilities in three urban mountainous forests were surveyed from September to October 2020. The data of 300 respondents were analyzed using frequency, descriptive, and regression analysis.Results: There was a high percentage of users aged 51 or older (62.0%). Most users visited regardless of weekdays or weekends, every day or 2-3 times a week, and stayed for 1-2 hours. Most were using the forest trails and outdoor fitness facilities. Hiking or walking showed the highest frequency in visit motives, followed by using outdoor fitness facilities. Overall satisfaction with forest trails was high at 3.74-3.93 on a 5-point Likert scale, which was affected by the landscape and environment of small private arable lands around forest trails and convenient facilities such as handrails and information boards. Overall satisfaction with outdoor fitness facilities was 3.34-3.62, which was affected by harmony with forest landscape and facility maintenance. Overall satisfaction with indoor badminton courts was 3.01-3.08, which was affected by harmony with forest landscape.Conclusion: For improving overall satisfaction, it is crucial to maintain and repair the width and surface of forest trails, but renovating the landscape and environment of small private arable lands and exercise facilities may be more critical. It is desirable to improve and maintain the function and landscape of outdoor fitness facilities and to relocate indoor badminton courts to the outskirts or boundaries of the mountainous forests. To provide various leisure and recreation activities, the creation of a forest bathing place will be first necessary, followed by a family recreation place and outdoor learning classroom.
Knowledge Models on Biosphere Reserves for Visual and Sustainable Meaningful Learning in Pre-Service Teachers
Authors: Pérez de Villarreal Maider , Scotton Paolo
Published: November 2022

It is undeniable that climate change has become one of the greatest global challenges facing humanity in the coming decades. Since the Earth Summit held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, all climate summits have emphasized the importance of sustainability through commitments that set the framework for a low-emission development model. Education, as a training field for the rest of the professions, has the responsibility to promote sustainability and this would be feasible considering environmental education as the backbone of the rest of the subjects of the different educational stages. This article presents the visual methodology of knowledge modeling through the use of concept maps and the free software Cmap Tools (ihmc, Florida) as a possibility to promote environmental awareness and sustainability in teachers in training. In compliance with the 4th and 15th sdg s of the 2030 Agenda, the theme of “biosphere reserves” was selected. The intention was to develop conceptually transparent audiovisual teaching material which would enhance environmental education. This material can be used by any primary school anywhere in the world as an alternative to textbooks and as a proposal for motivation and meaningful learning for their future primary school students.
The Masoretic Notes in RNL EVR II B 80+
Authors: Phillips Kim
Published: November 2022

RNL EVR II B 80 is a Torah codex, quintessentially Tiberian in text and layout. Nonetheless, the masoretic notes reveal extensive and sustained influence from the Babylonian masoretic tradition. This influence can be detected in the technical terms employed in the masoretic notes, the structure of the notes themselves, and the biblical text-form implied by the content of the notes. This article serves as a preliminary report demonstrating the nature and extent of the Babylonian masoretic material in the manuscript and illustrates some of the ways in which this material can be used to consolidate and expand our existing knowledge of the Babylonian Masora.
The Marginal nun/zayin
Authors: Beiler Vincent D.
Published: November 2022

In some early masoretic Bible codices, a large letter resembling nun or zayin occurs in the margin, often in conjunction with the marking of qere/ketiv. Occurring in some codices, but not in others, the letter represents a bit of a cipher. Drawing on a database of ca. 15,000 masora parva notes, taken from 81 different classmarks, I propose that the letter, possibly a zayin, had (or acquired) a practical purpose, viz. as a means of avoiding certain types of copyist mistakes when recording qere/ketiv notes. Because the sign occurs in certain script types more than others, I also show that the notation can function as something of a regional identifier.
Dissonance between Masoretic Vocalisation and Cantillation in Biblical Verse Division
Authors: Breuer Yochanan
Published: November 2022

The Masoretic text is the final stage of a process during which the Masoretes had to decide between numerous various readings in order to produce a fixed and consistent text. Although the final production is a remarkable achievement, the Masoretic text still contains cases of inconsistencies. The prominent example is the discrepancy between the ketiv (the way the word should be written) and the qere (the way the word should be pronounced), where we find two contradictory readings in the same word. In this article, a similar phenomenon is described regarding the vocalisation and the cantillation. Although the vocalisation and the

cantillation usually reflect division of a verse according to the same interpretation, there are also cases where they reflect two opposing divisions based on different interpretations. Awareness of this may enrich our understanding of the complexity that was involved in the fixing of the Masoretic text.