bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Good vibrations: Raman spectroscopy enables insights into plant biochemical composition
Authors: Zavafer Alonso , Ball Marilyn C.
Published: October 2022

Non-invasive techniques are needed to enable an integrated understanding of plant metabolic responses to environmental stresses. Raman spectroscopy is one such technique, allowing non-destructive chemical characterisation of samples in situ and in vivo and resolving the chemical composition of plant material at scales from microns to metres. Here, we review Raman band assignments of pigments, structural and non-structural carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and secondary metabolites in plant material and consider opportunities this technology raises for studies in vascular plant physiology.
Plantation tree growth responses to P, N, K and minor and trace elements on low fertility savanna soils
Authors: Rance Stan J. , Cameron David M. , Gosper Carl R. , Williams Emlyn R.
Published: October 2022

Context Widespread soil nutrient limitations in savanna soils typically constrain plantation tree growth, and hence limit economic opportunities in tropical regions. Fertilisation offers an approach to overcome soil nutrient limitations, but requires research on nutrient contents and rates to maximise plant growth while avoiding nutrient imbalances that have stunted plant growth under some fertiliser regimes. Aims To test the hypothesis that multiple nutrient limitations exist in savanna soils, with nutrient deficiencies exposed in sequence with fertiliser addition. Methods Factorial field experiments tested the growth of the plantation timber species African mahogany (Khaya senegalensis) to applications of phosphorus, potassium, nitrogen and minor and trace elements (referred to as the T treatment) on a kandosol soil near Darwin, Australia. Key results Under high stocking rates to induce deficiencies sooner through utilisation of a high proportion of the available nutrient capital, positive responses and interactions to all four main treatments were recorded. There were step-wise responses to phosphorus, potassium, nitrogen and the T treatment. Treatments with greater mean tree growth were more uniform than lesser-growing treatments, even though the largest and smallest individuals were similar across treatments. Conclusions Consistent with our hypothesis, correcting one soil nutrient deficiency exposed another in sequence as nutrient reserves were depleted in a drying soil. Variation in tree performance across plots indicates that testing of soil nutrients and fertiliser responses need to be assessed in replicate and dispersed samples. Implications Khaya senegalensis demonstrated potential for plantation use in northern Australia with minimal mortality from termites and other causes, if supported with broad-spectrum fertilisation balanced to match plant growth and water availability.
Pan-mitogenomics reveals the genetic basis of cytonuclear conflicts in citrus hybridization, domestication, and diversification
Authors: Wang Nan , Li Chaochao , Kuang Lihua , Wu Xiaomeng , Xie Kaidong , Zhu Andan , Xu Qiang , Larkin Robert M. , Zhou Yongfeng , Deng Xiuxin , Guo Wenwu
Published: October 2022

Although interactions between the cytoplasmic and nuclear genomes occurred during diversification of many plants, the evolutionary conflicts due to cytonuclear interactions are poorly understood in crop breeding. Here, we constructed a pan-mitogenome and identified chimeric open reading frames (ORFs) generated by extensive structural variations (SVs). Meanwhile, short reads from 184 accessions of citrus species were combined to construct three variation maps for the nuclear, mitochondrial, and chloroplast genomes. The population genomic data showed discordant topologies between the cytoplasmic and nuclear genomes because of differences in mutation rates and levels of heteroplasmy from paternal leakage. An analysis of species-specific SVs indicated that mitochondrial heteroplasmy was common and that chloroplast heteroplasmy was undetectable. Interestingly, we found a prominent divergence in the mitogenomes and the highest genetic load in the, which may provide the basis for cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) and thus influence the reshuffling of the cytoplasmic and nuclear genomes during hybridization. Using cytoplasmic replacement experiments, we identified a type of species-specific CMS in mandarin related to two chimeric mitochondrial genes. Our analyses indicate that cytoplasmic genomes from mandarin have rarely been maintained in hybrids and that paternal leakage produced very low levels of mitochondrial heteroplasmy in mandarin. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) provided evidence for three nuclear genes that encode pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) proteins contributing to the cytonuclear interactions in the
Citrus
genus. Our study demonstrates the occurrence of evolutionary conflicts between cytoplasmic and nuclear genomes in citrus and has important implications for genetics and breeding.
Residual stress distribution in a large specimen fabricated by wire-arc additive manufacturing
Authors: Yuan Quan , Liu Chuan , Wang Wenrong , Wang Mingjie
Published: October 2022

The longitudinal and transverse residual stress distributions in a large high-strength steel block fabricated by wire-arc additive manufacturing are measured by the contour method and X-ray diffraction method. The effect of the restraint intensity on the longitudinal stress distribution pattern at the middle-width location along the height is discussed. Research results show that the longitudinal stress changes drastically from compressive stress in the deposition to the tensile stress in the baseplate, while the transverse stress is compressive in the interface zone between the deposition metal and the baseplate and changes gently across the interface zone. The restraint intensity exerted by the baseplate on the deposition has a great effect on the stress distribution pattern along the height.
Higher sirt1 is associated with a better body composition in master sprinters and untrained peers
Authors: Leite Patrício Lopes de Araújo , Maciel Larissa Alves , Santos Patrick Anderson , Barbosa Lucas Pinheiro , Gutierrez Sara Duarte , Corrêa Hugo de Luca , de Deus Lysleine Alves , Araújo Marcia Cristina , Aguiar Samuel da Silva , Rosa Thiago dos Santos , Lewis John E. , Simões Herbert Gustavo
Published: October 2022

Sirt1 is an enzyme involved in several anti‐aging pathways. Associations between Sirt1, age, and body fat (BF) were assessed in master sprinters (MS; n = 35; 50.25 ±5.93 yr.), untrained young non‐athletes (UY; n = 32; 23.78 ±3.98 yr.), and untrained middle‐aged (UMA; n = 24; 47.29 ±8.04 yr.). BF was assessed using a skinfold protocol, and Sirt1 was measured in plasma by using commercial kits. Sirt1 of MS (17.18 ±4.77 ng/mL) was higher than UMA (6.36 ±2.29 ng/mL; p<0.0001) and did not differ from UY (20.26 ±6.20 ng/mL). Relative BF of MS was lower than UMA (12.71 ±4.07% vs. 22.13 ±4.18%; p<0.0001). Sirt1 was negatively correlated with chronological age (r  = −0.735; p<0.0001) when combining UY and UMA in the analysis. However, when Sirt1 of MS and UY was analyzed together, no significant relationship between Sirt1 and chronological age was observed (r =  −0.243; p = 0.083). Sirt1 correlated inversely with BF (r =  −0.743; p<0.0001) for UY and UMA. Stepwise multiple regression revealed that being either a young or master athlete and body adiposity are possible predictors of Sirt1 levels. MS and UY were associated with higher levels of Sirt1, while UMA and increased BF were associated with lower levels of this enzyme. The relationships among Sirt1, BF, and chronological age of young and middle‐aged non‐athletes were not statistically significant when the middle‐aged participants were MS. These findings suggest possible links between Sirt1 and body composition, which may play roles in the rate of biological aging.
Neutrino fields in a sandwich gravitational wave background
Authors: Dereli Tekin , Gurtug Ozay , Halilsoy Mustafa , Senikoglu Yorgo
Published: October 2022

Sandwich gravitational waves are given globally in terms of step functions at the boundaries. Linearized Einstein–Weyl equations are solved exactly in this background in Rosen coordinates. Depending on the geometry and composition of the sandwich wave, the neutrino’s energy-momentum redistributes itself. At the test field level, since the background will not change, the neutrino’s energy density in particular will show variations between positive and negative extrema when crossing the sandwich wave. This may reveal facts about the weakly interacting neutrinos in cosmology.
Application of the ALARA principle for radon at work: feedback from the European ALARA network
Authors: Andresz Sylvain , Morgan Julie , Nuccetelli Cristina , Palacios Martha , Schieber Caroline , Sneve Malgorzata , Stritt Nicolas , Synnott Hugh , Vermeersch Fernand
Published: October 2022

The Council Directive 2013/59/Euratom has introduced binding requirements for the management of radon in the workplace in Member States of the European Union. How does it work in practice? In 2021, the European ALARA Network created a working group on ALARA for Radon at Work with the objective of collecting and sharing experiences from the field. A survey was developed to detail each step of the national regulations for the control of radon and to describe case studies showing implementation. This article presents a qualitative analysis of the answers received from seven countries. There are no two similar national regulations and, at each step, different provisions, protocols, techniques etc are applicable or recommended. This diversity contributes to the richness of the results and can inform about interesting and good practices, where ‘good’ is defined by what is appropriate in the nationally and locally prevailing circumstances. All national regulations follow a graded approach, which is a key component for the implementation of the optimisation (ALARA) principle, yet several potential weak points that may be challenging to ALARA have been identified and are discussed, namely the radon risk assessment, the focus on numerical values, uncertainties in the measurement, how to obtain economically efficient remediation, and the interface with other regulations. Strengthening collaboration between risk prevention and radiation protection actors could help to provide and build expertise on radon management in the workplace, especially when exposure is managed as a planned exposure situation.
Transport properties in MoS2 quantum dot under time-oscillating potential
Authors: Sattari Farhad
Published: October 2022

We report a theoretical study of transport properties in a circular MoS2 quantum dot under spin-orbit coupling and time-periodic potential. It is shown that the scattering coefficient depends on the frequency (

ω

) and the amplitude of the time-periodic potential (

V
˜

) as well as the radius of the quantum dot (R), and has an oscillatory behavior with respect to

ω
,

V
˜

and R. Also, the scattering coefficient is dependent on the order of the sideband as well as the sign of the sideband. Results show that for

n
>
1

(

n
<
−
1

), the scattering is negligible for the large frequency values. Interestingly, the magnitude of radial reflected current can be efficiently controlled by the quantum dot coordinates. Thus, a circular MoS2 quantum dot with a time-oscillating potential can temporarily trap electrons. These results clarify that a circular MoS2 quantum dot can be useful for the design of novel electronic devices.
Ag/n–Si/p–MgSe/(Ag, C, Au, Pt) devices designed as current rectifiers, photodetectors and as ac signal filters suitable for VLC, IR and 6G technologies
Authors: Almotiri R A , Qasrawi A F , Algarni Sabah E
Published: October 2022

Herein the fabrication and practical applications of

p
−

MgSe thin films as active

p
−

layer of electronic devices are reported. MgSe films are prepared by a vacuum evaporation technique onto

n
−

Si substrates under a vacuum pressure of 10–5 mbar. The films are morphologically, structurally, electrically and opto-electronically investigated. Having identified the work function of

p
−

MgSe as 6.74 eV, the role of Ag, C, Au and Pt metal contacts on the performance of the

n
−

Si/

p
−

MgSe (SM) diodes are studied. It is observed that high rectification ratios of ∼104 and 102 are achieved at an applied voltage of 3.0 V for the Ag/SM/C and Ag/SM/Ag diode structures, respectively. In addition, a current responsivity to visible and infrared light of ∼0.70 A W−1 is observed for the Ag/SM/Ag channels. The noise equivalent ratios, the external quantum efficiency and the detectivity of the Ag/SM/Ag diodes suit requirements of visible light and infrared communication detectors. Moreover, studies of the capacitance-voltage characteristics showed capacitor characteristics. The depleting of the Ag/SM/Ag capacitors is possible up to 50 MHz. Furthermore, analyzing the capacitance, resistance and cutoff frequency spectra have shown that the Ag/SM/Ag device channels can perform as negative resistance sources with cutoff frequency values that suits 6G technology requirements.
Performance forecasts for the primordial gravitational wave detection pipelines for AliCPT-1
Authors: Ghosh Shamik , Liu Yang , Zhang Le , Li Siyu , Zhang Junzhou , Wang Jiaxin , Dou Jiazheng , Chen Jiming , Delabrouille Jacques , Remazeilles Mathieu , Feng Chang , Hu Bin , Huang Zhi-Qi , Liu Hao , Santos Larissa , Zhang Pengjie , Zhang Zhaoxuan , Zhao Wen , Li Hong , Zhang Xinmin
Published: October 2022

AliCPT is the first Chinese cosmic microwave background (CMB) experiment which will make the most precise measurements of the CMB polarization in the northern hemisphere. The key science goal for AliCPT is the detection of primordial gravitational waves (PGWs). It is well known that an epoch of cosmic inflation, in the very early universe, can produce PGWs, which leave an imprint on the CMB in form of odd parity B-mode polarization. In this work, we study the performance of the component separation and parameter estimation pipelines in context of constraining the value of the tensor-to-scalar ratio. Based on the simulated data for one observation season, we compare five different pipelines with different working principles. Three pipelines perform component separation at map or spectra level before estimating r from the cleaned spectra, while the other two pipelines performs a global fit for both foreground parameters and r. We also test different methods to account for the effects of time stream filtering systematics. This work shows that our pipelines provide consistent and robust constraints on the tensor-to-scalar ratio and
a consistent sensitivity σ(r) ∼ 0.02. This showcases the potential of precise B-mode polarization measurement with AliCPT-1. AliCPT will provide a powerful opportunity to detect PGWs, which is complementary with various ground-based CMB experiments in the southern hemisphere.
Influence of Nb content on the mechanical behavior of zirconium alloys
Authors: Pang C , Li H , Zhao W L , Zhang C H
Published: October 2022

Zirconium alloys are basically used in the core structural components of a nuclear reactor. For further understanding mechanical behaviors of zirconium alloy, several alloys with various Nb content are investigated. Microstructure observation, Vickers hardness and mechanical stress-strain curves have been investigated and numerically extracted. Conclusions confirm that the precipitation content of the second phases in Zr-Sn-Nb-Fe-Cr alloys increases with the gradual increment of Nb content. When Nb content reaches to 1.2 wt.%, the excess Nb participates in the formation of second phase containing Nb, which increases the amount of second phases. Moreover, the increase of alloy strength and hardness is mainly attributed to the precipitation strengthening mechanism of second phases.
Overall Design and Hardware Realization of Space Stargazing Camera
Authors: Xu Dongdong , Wang Xiaofeng , Zhu Junqing , Du Limin
Published: October 2022

In order to improve the accuracy of satellite attitude, a complete stargazing camera was designed using KAC-06040 CMOS digital image sensor. An optical system with a focal length of 1220mm, an F-number of 6.71, and a field of view of 0.84 degrees was designed. The electronics system uses FPGA as the core control device to control CMOS to output digital signals, and transmit the signals back to the satellite data transmission system through TLK2711. The star camera has two working modes of imaging and transmitting the threshold and coordinate information of the star point. Through the field imaging experiment, it can be known that the camera has fine imaging quality, strong transplantability and high reliability. Within the field of view, about 1.2 stars can be photographed, and stars of magnitude 9 can be observed at the same time, which can effectively assist the star sensor to work.
Femtosecond Laser Fabrication and Ultrafast Dynamics Study on FTO Film
Authors: Song Jichao , Sun Jingya
Published: October 2022

Transparent conductive oxides (TCO) are widely used in optoelectronic devices due to their high visible light transmittance and high electrical conductivity. Fabricating micro-nano structures on TCO films with femtosecond lasers can further enhance their optoelectronic properties. However, most of the existing researches on femtosecond laser processing of TCO films focus on materials such as indium tin oxide (ITO) and ZnO, and the research on fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) is still insufficient. In this paper, the ablation rules of FTO film irradiated by femtosecond laser is studied in detail. When the fluence is reduced to 1/e2 of the peak value as the radius of the laser spot, the ablation threshold measured by epitaxy method is 1.27 J/cm2. The experiment explores the ablation morphology of FTO film irradiated by single femtosecond laser pulse. When the laser fluence is 2.8-8.3 J/cm2, a bowl-shaped micro-crater is ablated, and when the laser fluence is 9.6-23.4 J/cm2, a secondary crater with a vertical inner wall and a flat bottom generates in the center of the ablated bowl-shaped crater. The pump-probe technique was used to study the ultrafast dynamics of the femtosecond laser interaction with FTO film, and we found that the phase explosion was responsible for the bowl-shaped crater formation.
Reliability Evaluation Method of Buried Natural Gas Pipeline under Random Stress
Authors: Yang Yanlu
Published: October 2022

For random degradation equipment such as buried natural gas pipeline with cracks, the existing research methods rely more on failure mechanism analysis. However, the construction of failure mechanism models is difficult and complex and has limitations in its use. To overcome these shortcomings, this paper proposes a method based on a nonlinear Wiener degradation model considering the influence of stress. In this method, the effect of stress on the pipe is regarded as a random variable to affect the degradation rate of the pipe, and individual variability is also considered to obtain more accurate reliability assessment results from the nonlinear degradation model. The function of residual life probability density is determined at the first reach failure time. Then, for the degraded small samples, the maximum likelihood estimation is used to estimate the parameters and determine the distribution and reliability functions. The results based on crack data demonstrate the accuracy and validity of the proposed method.
Indoor Wireless Multipaths Outlier Detection and Clustering
Authors: Blanza J , Cabasal X E , Cipriano J B , Guerrero G A , Pescador R Y , Rivera E V
Published: October 2022

Wireless communication systems have grown and developed significantly in recent years to fulfill the growing demand for high data rates across a wireless medium. Channel models have been used to develop various sturdy wireless systems for indoor and outdoor applications, and these are simulated in the form of datasets. The presence of outliers in clusters has been a concern in datasets, as it affects the standard deviation and mean of the dataset which reduces the data accuracy. In this study, the outliers in the Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) 2100 MIMO channel model dataset were shifted to the means of the clusters using the Mean Shift Outlier Detection method. Afterward, the data is clustered using simultaneous clustering and model selection matrix affinity (SCAMSMA). The Mean Shift Outlier Detection method identified 52 and 46 multipaths as outliers and improved the clustering accuracy of the indoor scenarios by 3.5% and 0.93%, respectively. It also increased the precision of the clustering based on the decrease in standard deviation of the Jaccard indices from 0.2435 to 0.1807 and 0.3038 to 0.2075.
A Bibliometric Analysis and Visualization of Digital Economy
Authors: Dai Zhe , Jiang Yuantao
Published: October 2022

Using bibliometrics and visual analysis methods, this paper conducts quantitative analysis on the research hotspots, and research types of Chinese and international digital economy related literature. Chinese research focuses on application and practice, while international research focuses on the intersection of technology and society; Chinese and international digital economy research is summarized as applied theoretical research, governance issue research and application scenario research, each of which is different.
Building Model Generation Framework Based on Wave Function Collapse
Authors: Gao Tianhan , Yu Tingting
Published: October 2022

The procedural generation and mass production of building models are still the current research hotspots. The WFC algorithm is a mass-production-friendly procedurally generated grammar. However, the inefficiency of making the modules required for the algorithm is always a challenge. This paper presents a scheme for extracting module prototypes automatically. First, we generate a parametric building model prototype. The system automatically extracts modules containing constraint information, then we use the WFC algorithm to mass-produce building models based on these modules. The outcomes of our experiments suggest that our framework is effective.
Line Segmentation of Tibetan Ancient Books Based on A* Algorithm
Authors: Liu Huaming , Shi Rumeng , Bi Xuehui , Wang Xiuyou , Wang Weilan
Published: October 2022

Line segmentation is an important step in image character recognition. However, due to the problems of interline adhesion, overlapping, and skewing of document images, the effect of text line segmentation is not ideal. Therefore, further research on image line segmentation of Tibetan ancient books is urgently needed. The standard A* algorithm is not ideal for line segmentation of Tibetan ancient books, so this paper proposes a block-based A* algorithm for line segmentation of Tibetan ancient books. The method firstly preprocesses the image such as binarization and tilt correction and then performs horizontal projection. The obtained horizontal projection histogram is subjected to smoothing and peak detection to determine the position and number of text lines. Use the peak value to find the core area of the image text, extract the upper vowel and perform line attribution. Then, the image after removing the upper vowel is divided into 7 blocks, and each block is processed separately by the A* algorithm. When the algorithm finds the text line segmentation path, five cost functions are selected to calculate the cost from the starting point to the endpoint of the line segmentation, and the minimum cost path is found for text line segmentation. Finally, merge the segmented text lines, attribute the upper vowels, and rotate the text lines to obtain the final text line segmentation result. Experimental results show that our methos can effectively deal with the problems of text line adhesion and overlap, and achieve a good effect on text line segmentation.
Improving GPS-IR Snow Depth Estimation by Considering the Snow Surface Roughness
Authors: Wang Jiatong , Hu Yufeng , Li Zhenhong , Zhang Chenglong , Lei Lei , Wang Ji
Published: October 2022

Snow is an important environmental variable influencing weather and climate. The GPS-IR technique is a very effective technique for monitoring snow depth. A GPS-IR snow depth estimation corrected model is proposed to address the impact of the Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) amplitude attenuation and snow surface roughness variation that are not considered in the standard model of GPS-IR. In this study, the snow depth of the P351 GPS site of the Plate Boundary Observatory (PBO) was obtained using the standard model and the corrected model, and the snow depth observations of the nearby SNOTEL station were compared, and the distribution of residuals was analyzed to assess the performance of the two models. Our results show that the correction model derives an RMSE of 11.8 cm and a bias of 6.0 cm at snow depths compared to the observations, a reduction of 1.6 cm in RMSE and 2.1 cm in bias compared to the standard model. The snow surface roughness coefficients obtained by the corrected model well characterize the snowfall process. The residual statistics show that the stability of the two models is approximate. Our study provides a reference for the research on the enhancement of snow observation networks and the improvement of snow products.
Effect of parallel resonance on the electron energy distribution function in a 60 MHz capacitively coupled plasma
Authors: HE You , LIM Yeong-Min , LEE Jun-Ho , KIM Ju-Ho , LEE Moo-Young , CHUNG Chin-Wook
Published: October 2022

In general, as the radio frequency (RF) power increases in a capacitively coupled plasma (CCP), the power transfer efficiency decreases because the resistance of the CCP decreases. In this work, a parallel resonance circuit is applied to improve the power transfer efficiency at high RF power, and the effect of the parallel resonance on the electron energy distribution function (EEDF) is investigated in a 60 MHz CCP. The CCP consists of a power feed line, the electrodes, and plasma. The reactance of the CCP is positive at 60 MHz and acts like an inductive load. A vacuum variable capacitor (VVC) is connected in parallel with the inductive load, and then the parallel resonance between the VVC and the inductive load can be achieved. As the capacitance of the VVC approaches the parallel resonance condition, the equivalent resistance of the parallel circuit is considerably larger than that without the VVC, and the current flowing through the matching network is greatly reduced. Therefore, the power transfer efficiency of the discharge is improved from 76%, 70%, and 68% to 81%, 77%, and 76% at RF powers of 100 W, 150 W, and 200 W, respectively. At parallel resonance conditions, the electron heating in bulk plasma is enhanced, which cannot be achieved without the VVC even at the higher RF powers. This enhancement of electron heating results in the evolution of the shape of the EEDF from a bi-Maxwellian distribution to a distribution with the smaller temperature difference between high-energy electrons and low-energy electrons. Due to the parallel resonance effect, the electron density increases by approximately 4%, 18%, and 21% at RF powers of 100 W, 150 W, and 200 W, respectively.
Risk of non-hormonal cancer after bariatric surgery: meta-analysis of retrospective observational studies
Authors: Clapp Benjamin , Portela Ray , Sharma Ishna , Nakanishi Hayato , Marrero Katie , Schauer Philip , Halfdanarson Thorvardur R , Abu Dayyeh Barham , Kendrick Michael , Ghanem Omar M
Published: October 2022

Background

Obesity is associated with an increased incidence of at least 13 types of cancer. Although bariatric surgery has been associated with a reduced risk of hormonal cancers, data for non-hormonal cancers are scarce. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of bariatric surgery on the incidence of non-hormonal cancers.

Methods

Cochrane, Embase, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched for articles between 1984 and 2018, following the PRISMA system. Meta-analysis was conducted using a random-effect model with subgroup analysis by procedure and cancer type.

Results

From 2526 studies screened, 15 were included. There were a total of 18 583 477 patients, 947 787 in the bariatric group and 17 635 690 in the control group. In comparison to the non-surgical group, the bariatric group had a lower incidence of cancer (OR .65 (95 per cent c.i. 0.53 to 0.80); P < 0.002). In the subgroup analysis, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy were associated with decreased risk of developing cancer, while no difference was observed with adjustable gastric banding. When evaluated by cancer type, liver (OR 0.417 (95 per cent c.i. 0.323 to 0.538)), colorectal (OR 0.64 (95 per cent c.i. 0.49 to 0.84)), kidney and urinary tract cancer (OR 0.77 (95 per cent c.i. 0.72 to 0.83)), oesophageal (OR 0.60 (95 per cent c.i. 0.43 to 0.85)), and lung cancer (OR 0.796 (95 per cent c.i. 0.45 to 0.80)) also presented a lower cancer incidence in the bariatric group.

Conclusion

Bariatric surgery is related to an almost 50 per cent reduction in the risk of non-hormonal cancers.
Accelerated Streptokinase Infusion Regimen Versus Standard Infusion Regimen in STEMI Patients. A Randomized Clinical Trial to Compare Clinical and Angiographic Outcomes
Authors: Ahmed Loai S , Saleh Omar M , Maklady Fathi A
Published: October 2022

Background

Coronary heart disease is the single largest cause of death in the developed countries. ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) can be treated by primary PCI, thrombolytics or pharmaco-invasive strategy. Streptokinase (SK) is the most widely used fibrinolytic agent in developing countries.SK in acute STEMI has a wide debate about the sufficient dose of infusion.

Aim

To improve the outcome of thrombolytic treatment in STEMI patients in terms of angiographic findings.

Subjects and Methods

A randomized controlled double blinded trial was conducted on 120 adult patients presenting to Suez Canal university cardiac care unit with acute STEMI. Divided into two groups, group A n (60) that received SK in an accelerated infusion protocol over 30 minutes, and group B n (60) who received SK over 60 minutes. Clinical echocardiographic and angiographic outcomes were studied in both groups.

Results

Echocardiographic parameters in the study group were significantly better. RWMA index was 1.56±0.11 in group B, compared to 1.38±0.08 in group A. Mean E/e’ in group A was 12.97±1.29 and 14.5±0.83 in group B . Myocardial blush grade, myocardial TIMI score and myocardial frame count were all statistically significant (p<0.001) favoring accelerated SK infusion protocol. The mean time for chest pain relief was 65 minutes in group A and 80 minutes in group B (p<0.001). Score of ST segment resolution in group A was 1.5±0.504 and 1±0.368 in the control group. With no evidence of clinically significant complications in the study group. Only one patient had intracranial hemorrhage and died.

Conclusions

This study deduced that accelerated protocol was a safe and effective method for administration of STK, there was no significant increase in major bleeding in the control group, and heart failure, arrhythmias and mechanical complications were clinically insignificant to raise any alarm against the use of the accelerated protocol.

Additional Content

An author video to accompany this abstract is available on https://academic.oup.com/eurheartjsupp. Please click on the arrow next to ‘More Content’ and then click on ‘Author videos’.
Impact of the Type of Annuloplasty Prosthesis on Hemodynamic Status after Mitral Valve Repair in Egyptian Patients
Authors: Leon Khaled , Thakeb Yousry
Published: October 2022

Objective

The aim of this study is to evaluate mitral valve competency and gradient after mitral valve repair comparing rigid annuloplasty ring vs flat physio II ring.

Methods

Between October 2018 and October 2021, thirty-three (33) patients underwent mitral valve repair by flat physio ring and saddle shaped annuloplasty ring for degenerative and ischemic mitral valve disease respectively.

Correlation between postoperative mitral hemodynamics was evaluated, the ischemic patients were fully revascularized.

Additional Content

An author video to accompany this abstract is available on https://academic.oup.com/eurheartjsupp. Please click on the arrow next to ‘More Content’ and then click on ‘Author videos’.
Coronary Calcification in Asymptomatic Metabolic Syndrome
Authors: Abomandour Hala Gouda , Nashy Baher Nabil , Radwan Hanan Ibrahim
Published: October 2022

Aim of the work

Noninvasive assessment of the prevalence of coronary heart diseases and coronary artery calcification in patients with asymptomatic metabolic syndrome.

Patients and method

The study is carried out in cardiology department, faculty of medicine, Zagazig university hospitals it includes 240 asymptomatic patients with metabolic syndrome, all patients were subjected to, history taking, clinical examination, Waist circumference measurement (12), Body mass index (13), twelve leads ECG, Laboratory investigations: and measuring calcium score using multi-slice coronary CT according to the Agatson scale, (14)

Results

In this study there was no statistical significance association between diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and triglycerides levels and the extent of coronary artery calcification, while there was statistically significant association between coronary artery calcification and reduced HDL, and increased waist circumference.

Conclusion

Coronary artery calcification screening is an accurate and valuable method for detecting atherosclerotic burden in patients with metabolic syndrome.

Additional Content

An author video to accompany this abstract is available on https://academic.oup.com/eurheartjsupp. Please click on the arrow next to ‘More Content’ and then click on ‘Author videos’.
Value of diastolic stress echocardiography combined with speckle tracking imaging in assessment of patients with exertional dyspnea and normal resting left ventricular functions
Authors: Magdy Gehan
Published: October 2022

Background

A group of patients presenting with exertional dyspnea and a preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) have a normal resting left ventricular (LV) filling pressure which increases with exercise or stress due to diastolic dysfunction.

Objectives

We aimed to study the value of diastolic stress echocardiography combined with speckle tracking imaging in assessment of patients with exertional dyspnea and normal resting LV functions.

Patients

We prospectively studied 200 patients their age ≤60years who had unexplained exertional dyspnea and unable to do exercise test including those with (severe physical or mental inability, morbid obesity, recent stroke, etc) all patients included in the study had a normal both LV systolic function (LVEF≥50%), and diastolic function by conventional echocardiography.

Methods

All patients were subjected to a standard DSE protocol with incremental dobutamine infusion rates of 5, 10, 20, 30, and 40 mg/kg/min each stage lasts for 3 minutes, and the following LV echo parameters were recorded at baseline and at peak dose of the DSE; LVEF, (E/e') it is the ratio between early mitral inflow velocity and mitral annular early diastolic velocity, also two-dimensional speckle tracking imaging(2D-STI) was done to measure LV global longitudinal systolic strain (GLS), global longitudinal diastolic strain rate (DSr) during early filling (DSrE), late diastole (DSrA).

Results

The study included 200 patients their mean age 45.7 ± 8.4 years(60% were males). The LVEF, and the GLS showed non-significant difference at baseline compared to peak dose DSE (P=0.81, 0.73 respectively), the E/e', DSrA and E/DSrE were significantly increased from baseline to peak study(p <0.001, 0.003,and 0.006 respectively), while DSrE was significantly decreased at peak stress(p < 0.001), and the E/DSrE, and DSrE were significantly correlated to E/e'(p < 0.001)

Conclusions

DSE combined with global diastolic strain rate parameters are valuable methods to evaluate diastolic dysfunction in patients with exertional dyspnea and normal resting myocardial functions.

Additional Content

An author video to accompany this abstract is available on https://academic.oup.com/eurheartjsupp. Please click on the arrow next to ‘More Content’ and then click on ‘Author videos’.
Recent advances and challenges in the early diagnosis and management of invasive fungal infections in Africa
Authors: Ibe Chibuike , Otu Akaninyene Asuquo
Published: October 2022

Invasive fungal infections are a serious concern globally, especially in African settings which are typified by poorly funded and fragile healthcare systems. Low performance diagnostics, limited therapeutics and poor societal awareness of invasive fungal infections are some of the perennial challenges which have contributed to the unacceptably high death rates from these serious infections. However, recent advances have been recorded in fungal diagnostics and therapeutics development. Research into the development of vaccines to prevent fungal disease is beginning to yield promising results. Here we highlight key successes recorded and gaps in this journey and argue that national governments and relevant stakeholders need to do more to prioritise invasive fungal infections. Pragmatic and context-specific measures are proposed to mitigate the peculiar challenges Africa faces in tackling invasive fungal infections.
Screening of α-amino acid ester acyl transferase variant with improved activity by combining rational and random mutagenesis
Authors: Abe Isao , Tagami Uno , Kashiwagi Tatsuki , Sugiyama Masakazu , Suzuki Shun-ichi , Takagi Hiroshi , Yokozeki Kenzo
Published: October 2022

Random and rational mutagenesis of an α-amino acid ester acyl transferase from Sphingobacterium siyangensis AJ2458 (SAET) was conducted to examine the production of aspartame, an α-l-aspartyl-l-phenylalanine methyl ester. We previously reported aspartame production via combination of enzymatic and chemical methods. However, the productivity of the aspartame intermediate by SAET was approximately one-fifth that of l-alanyl-l-glutamine (Ala-Gln), whose production method has already been established. Here, to improve the enzymatic activity of SAET, we performed random mutagenesis in the gene encoding SAET and obtained 10 mutations that elevated the enzymatic activity (1.2- to 1.7-fold increase) relative to that of wild-type SAET. To further improve the activity, we performed mutagenesis to optimize the combination of the obtained mutations and finally selected one SAET variant with 10 amino acid substitutions (M35-4 SAET). An Escherichia coli strain overexpressing M35-4 SAET displayed a 5.7-fold higher activity than that of the wild-type SAET, which was almost equal to that of Ala-Gln by an E. coli strain overexpressing wild-type SAET. The Vmax value of M35-4 SAET was 2.0-fold greater, and its thermostability was higher than those of wild-type SAET. These results suggest that the obtained SAET variants contribute to improvement in aspartame production.
Compensatory Genetic and Transcriptional Cytonuclear Coordination in Allopolyploid Lager Yeast (Saccharomyces pastorianus)
Authors: Zhang Keren , Li Juzuo , Li Guo , Zhao Yue , Dong Yuefan , Zhang Ying , Sun Wenqing , Wang Junsheng , Yao Jinyang , Ma Yiqiao , Wang Hongyan , Zhang Zhibin , Wang Tianya , Xie Kun , Wendel Jonathan F , Liu Bao , Gong Lei
Published: October 2022

Cytonuclear coordination between biparental-nuclear genomes and uniparental-cytoplasmic organellar genomes in plants is often resolved by genetic and transcriptional cytonuclear responses. Whether this mechanism also acts in allopolyploid members of other kingdoms is not clear. Additionally, cytonuclear coordination of interleaved allopolyploid cells/individuals within the same population is underexplored. The yeast Saccharomyces pastorianus provides the opportunity to explore cytonuclear coevolution during different growth stages and from novel dimensions. Using S. pastorianus cells from multiple growth stages in the same environment, we show that nuclear mitochondria-targeted genes have undergone both asymmetric gene conversion and growth stage-specific biased expression favoring genes from the mitochondrial genome donor (Saccharomyces eubayanus). Our results suggest that cytonuclear coordination in allopolyploid lager yeast species entails an orchestrated and compensatory genetic and transcriptional evolutionary regulatory shift. The common as well as unique properties of cytonuclear coordination underlying allopolyploidy between unicellular yeasts and higher plants offers novel insights into mechanisms of cytonuclear evolution associated with allopolyploid speciation.
CREAMMIST: an integrative probabilistic database for cancer drug response prediction
Authors: Yingtaweesittikul Hatairat , Wu Jiaxi , Mongia Aanchal , Peres Rafael , Ko Karrie , Nagarajan Niranjan , Suphavilai Chayaporn
Published: October 2022

Extensive in vitro cancer drug screening datasets have enabled scientists to identify biomarkers and develop machine learning models for predicting drug sensitivity. While most advancements have focused on omics profiles, cancer drug sensitivity scores precalculated by the original sources are often used as-is, without consideration for variabilities between studies. It is well-known that significant inconsistencies exist between the drug sensitivity scores across datasets due to differences in experimental setups and preprocessing methods used to obtain the sensitivity scores. As a result, many studies opt to focus only on a single dataset, leading to underutilization of available data and a limited interpretation of cancer pharmacogenomics analysis. To overcome these caveats, we have developed CREAMMIST (https://creammist.mtms.dev), an integrative database that enables users to obtain an integrative dose-response curve, to capture uncertainty (or high certainty when multiple datasets well align) across five widely used cancer cell-line drug–response datasets. We utilized the Bayesian framework to systematically integrate all available dose-response values across datasets (>14 millions dose-response data points). CREAMMIST provides easy-to-use statistics derived from the integrative dose-response curves for various downstream analyses such as identifying biomarkers, selecting drug concentrations for experiments, and training robust machine learning models.
Express and Implied Terms
Authors: Wilmot-Smith Frederick
Published: October 2022

Contract terms can be express or implied. But what does that mean? I argue that the distinction can be illuminated by reference to the philosophy of language. Express terms are best understood by reference to the truth-conditional content of the parties’ agreement; implied terms are derived from express terms by a process of reasoning, albeit one aimed at establishing the parties’ commitments.
The Microstructural Record of Convection in the Little Minch Sill Complex, Scotland
Authors: Holness Marian B , Nicoli Gautier , Rust Alison , Neufeld Jerome
Published: October 2022

Detailed microstructural analysis of three basaltic sills of the Little Minch Sill Complex demonstrates that convection leaves a detectable signature in fully solidified bodies. The presence of dense clusters of equant grains of olivine and clinopyroxene in the central parts of sills can only be accounted for if they formed and were enlarged while suspended in convecting magma, with delayed settling to the sill floor. An associated stratigraphic invariance of plagioclase grain shape is consistent with growth while suspended in convecting magma. These microstructural indicators demonstrate that convection during solidification was vigorous and long-lived in the 135-m-thick picrodolerite-crinanite unit (PCU) of the composite Shiant Isles Main sill and vigorous and likely short-lived in the PCU of the composite Creagan Iar sill. In contrast, convection in the Meall Tuath sill was weak and short-lived: plagioclase grain shape in this sill varies with stratigraphic height, indicative of primarily in situ nucleation and growth at the magma-mush interface, while olivine and clinopyroxene were kept suspended in the overlying convecting magma. The magma in all three sills fractionated during solidification, permitting convection driven by the instability of an upper thermal boundary layer. The comparative vigour and longevity of convection in the Shiant Isles Main sill and the Creagan Iar sill was due to their emplacement above an earlier, still-hot, intrusion, resulting in highly asymmetric cooling.
Rüdin’s 1916 Monograph: On the Inheritance and Primary Origin of Dementia Praecox
Authors: Kendler Kenneth S , Klee Astrid
Published: October 2022

In 1916, Ernst Rüdin published the first modern family study in the history of psychiatric genetics, the major goal of which was to test whether the pattern of risk in the siblings of dementia praecox (DP) probands followed Mendelian expectations. He utilized systematic ascertainment of probands and multisourced diagnostic assessments of probands and relatives, applying the narrow Kraepelinian concept of DP. In a novel step, he collaborated closely with a statistical geneticist—Wilhelm Weinberg—and applied his sibling, proband, and age correction methods. In his key sample—701 sibships when neither parent had DP—the morbid risk for DP in siblings was 4.48%, much lower than 25% expected for a recessive disorder. Risk for DP was increased by alcoholism or other mental disorders in parents. Other non-DP psychoses were common in both siblings and parents of DP probands. Rüdin discussed several alternative genetic models for DP including a 2-locus recessive, incomplete penetrance, and an oligogenic model. The high rates of other psychoses and psychopathic personalities in relatives might arise, he suggested, because these disorders shared genetic risks with DP. Rüdin established that DP, when carefully studied, ran in families, did not have a simple Mendelian genetic transmission pattern, and appeared likely to be genetically related to other non-DP psychotic disorders and perhaps some kinds of psychopathic personalities. This study, the most important in Rüdin’s career, should be viewed in the context of his later extensive support of and collaboration with Nazi eugenic policies.
The Beginnings of Scientific Psychiatric Twin Research: Luxenburger’s 1928 “Preliminary Report on the Psychiatric Examination of a Series of Twins”
Authors: Kendler Kenneth S , Klee Astrid
Published: October 2022

While reports of twin pairs concordant for insanity began to appear in the 19th century, the first modern psychiatric twin study that fulfilled Galton’s 1875 promise of the value of the twin method was published by the German Psychiatrist and Geneticist Hans Luxenburger in 1928. Luxenburger introduced four major methodological advances: the use of representative sampling, proband-wise concordance, rigorous zygosity diagnoses, and age correction. He used a narrow Kraepelinian diagnostic approach diagnosis and ascertained twins hospitalized, on a specific day, in all large Bavarian asylums. We include a brief biography of Luxenburger, summarize the findings of his paper and provide a full English translation in the appendix. Luxenburger presents evidence that the frequency of twinning in those with severe mental illness were as expected and reports proband-wise concordance for probable and definite dementia praecox (MZ—76%, DZ—0%) and manic-depressive insanity (MZ—75%, DZ—0%). He also examined eccentricity and hyperthymic or hypothymic personality in the dementia praecox and manic-depressive pairs, respectively. Luxenburger’s substantial contributions to the history of psychiatric genetics should be considered in the context of his intimate but ambivalent relationship with the racial-hygiene policy of the German National Socialists.
Reorienting after a layoff
Authors: Hooten Phyllis , Knodt Diana R.
Published: October 2022

Although nurses adapt well to change, many may be unprepared for a layoff. This article shares the experience of two seasoned nurses who were laid off and how they moved past the initial shock, reconsidered their finances, and reoriented themselves to find a new lease on life.