bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Single-molecule study reveals Hmo1, not Hho1, promotes chromatin assembly in budding yeast
Authors: Wang Mengxue , Li Jinghua , Wang Yong , Fu Hang , Qiu Haoning , Li Yanying , Li Ming , Lu Ying , Fu Yu Vincent
Published: July 2023

Linker histone H1 plays a crucial role in various biological processes, including nucleosome stabilization, high-order chromatin structure organization, gene expression, and epigenetic regulation in eukaryotic cells. Unlike higher eukaryotes, little about the linker histone in
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
is known. Hho1 and Hmo1 are two long-standing controversial histone H1 candidates in budding yeast. In this study, we directly observed at the single-molecule level that Hmo1, but not Hho1, is involved in chromatin assembly in the yeast nucleoplasmic extracts (YNPE), which can replicate the physiological condition of the yeast nucleus. The presence of Hmo1 facilitates the assembly of nucleosomes on DNA in YNPE, as revealed by single-molecule force spectroscopy. Further single-molecule analysis showed that the lysine-rich
C
-terminal domain (CTD) of Hmo1 is essential for the function of chromatin compaction, while the second globular domain at the
C
-terminus of Hho1 impairs its ability. In addition, Hmo1, but not Hho1, forms condensates with double-stranded DNA via reversible phase separation. The phosphorylation fluctuation of Hmo1 coincides with metazoan H1 during the cell cycle. Our data suggest that Hmo1, but not Hho1, possesses some functionality similar to that of linker histone in
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
, even though some properties of Hmo1 differ from those of a canonical linker histone H1. Our study provides clues for the linker histone H1 in budding yeast and provides insights into the evolution and diversity of histone H1 across eukaryotes.

IMPORTANCE

There has been a long-standing debate regarding the identity of linker histone H1 in budding yeast. To address this issue, we utilized YNPE, which accurately replicate the physiological conditions in yeast nuclei, in combination with total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy and magnetic tweezers. Our findings demonstrated that Hmo1, rather than Hho1, is responsible for chromatin assembly in budding yeast. Additionally, we found that Hmo1 shares certain characteristics with histone H1, including phase separation and phosphorylation fluctuations throughout the cell cycle. Furthermore, we discovered that the lysine-rich domain of Hho1 is buried by its second globular domain at the
C
-terminus, resulting in the loss of function that is similar to histone H1. Our study provides compelling evidence to suggest that Hmo1 shares linker histone H1 function in budding yeast and contributes to our understanding of the evolution of linker histone H1 across eukaryotes.
Tigecycline Resistance-Associated Mutations in the MepA Efflux Pump in Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Huang Honghao , Wan Peng , Luo Xinyue , Lu Yixing , Li Xiaoshen , Xiong Wenguang , Zeng Zhenling
Published: July 2023

Previous analysis has shown that overexpression of MepA is an exact mechanism involved in tigecycline resistance apart from the
rpsJ
mutation and is usually dependent on the mutant
mepR
. However, no research has evaluated the effects of diverse mutations discovered in TRSA in MepA.
Babesia gibsoni
Whole-Genome Sequencing, Assembling, Annotation, and Comparative Analysis
Authors: Liu Qin , Guan Xing-Ai , Li Dong-Fang , Zheng Ya-Xin , Wang Sen , Xuan Xue-Nan , Zhao Jun-Long , He Lan
Published: July 2023

The whole genome of
B. gibsoni
was first sequenced, annotated, and disclosed. The key part of genome composition, four chromosomes, was comparatively analyzed for the first time.
Optimized Replication of Arrayed Bacterial Mutant Libraries Increases Access to Biological Resources
Authors: Willett Julia L. E. , Barnes Aaron M. T. , Brunson Debra N. , Lecomte Alexandre , Robertson Ethan B. , Dunny Gary M.
Published: July 2023

Arrayed mutant collections drive robust genetic screens, but few protocols exist for replication of these resources and subsequent quality control. Increasing the distribution of arrayed biological collections will increase the accessibility and use of these resources. Developing standardized techniques for replication of these resources is essential for ensuring their quality and usefulness to the scientific community.
Comprehensive Genomic Characterization of Staphylococcus aureus Isolated from Atopic Dermatitis Patients in Japan: Correlations with Disease Severity, Eruption Type, and Anatomical Site
Authors: Obata Shoko , Hisatsune Junzo , Kawasaki Hiroshi , Fukushima-Nomura Ayano , Ebihara Tamotsu , Arai Chika , Masuda Kanako , Kutsuno Shoko , Iwao Yasuhisa , Sugai Motoyuki , Amagai Masayuki , Tanese Keiji
Published: July 2023

While
Staphylococcus aureus
is a member of the normal human skin flora, its strong association with the onset of atopic dermatitis (AD) has been suggested. However, previous studies failed to assign specific clones relevant to disease activities.
Seeking Excellence in End of Life Care UK (SEECare UK): a UK multi-centred service evaluation
Authors: Tavabie Simon , Ta Yinting , Stewart Eleanor , Tavabie Oliver , Bowers Sarah , White Nicola , Seton-Jones Cate , Bass Stephen , Taubert Mark , Berglund Anja , Ford-Dunn Suzanne , Cox Sarah , Minton Ollie
Published: July 2023

Objective

To evaluate the care of patients dying in hospital without support from specialists in palliative care (SPC), better understand their needs and factors influencing their care.

Methods

Prospective UK-wide service evaluation including all dying adult inpatients unknown to SPC, excluding those in emergency departments/intensive care units. Holistic needs were assessed through a standardised proforma.

Results

88 hospitals, 284 patients. 93% had unmet holistic needs, including physical symptoms (75%) and psycho-socio-spiritual needs (86%). People were more likely to have unmet needs and require SPC intervention at a district general hospital (DGH) than a teaching hospital/cancer centre (unmet need 98.1% vs 91.2% p0.02; intervention 70.9% vs 50.8% p0.001) and when end-of-life care plans (EOLCP) were not used (unmet need 98.3% vs 90.3% p0.006; intervention 67.2% vs 53.3% p0.02). Multivariable analyses demonstrated the independent influence of teaching/cancer hospitals (adjusted OR (aOR)0.44 CI 0.26 to 0.73) and increased SPC medical staffing (aOR1.69 CI 1.04 to 2.79) on need for intervention, however, integrating the use of EOLCP reduced the impact of SPC medical staffing.

Conclusion

People dying in hospitals have significant and poorly identified unmet needs. Further evaluation is required to understand the relationships between patient, staff and service factors influencing this. The development, effective implementation and evaluation of structured individualised EOLCP should be a research funding priority.
A doubt–confirmation-based visual detection method for foreign object debris aided by assembly models
Authors: Kong Feifei , Zhao Delong , Du Fuzhou
Published: July 2023

Foreign object debris (FOD) impacts significantly on the quality control during product assembly because it usually causes product failure. The vision-based method as a nondestructive and efficient technology has become an important approach to FOD detection. However, it faces two important challenges: (1) inexhaustible types (almost any object can become FOD) and (2) unpredictable locations (FOD can appear almost anywhere on surface of a product). Therefore, this paper proposes an FOD visual detection method based on doubt–confirmation strategy and aided by assembly models. Firstly, a coarse-to-fine method is designed for feature extraction and registration to align the test image with the reference image. Then, to solve the unpredictable location problem, different types of suspected FOD are extracted from the test image by a combined method of supervision and nonsupervision. Finally, to solve the inexhaustible type problem, an image comparison method based on a Histogram of Line Direction Angle is proposed, and re-recognition rules of suspected FOD established to complete the final discrimination. Experiments are conducted on a product with complex shape, and the results demonstrate the effectiveness and efficiency of our approach.
Reconstructing particles in jets using set transformer and hypergraph prediction networks
Authors: Di Bello Francesco Armando , Dreyer Etienne , Ganguly Sanmay , Gross Eilam , Heinrich Lukas , Ivina Anna , Kado Marumi , Kakati Nilotpal , Santi Lorenzo , Shlomi Jonathan , Tusoni Matteo
Published: July 2023

The task of reconstructing particles from low-level detector response data to predict the set of final state particles in collision events represents a set-to-set prediction task requiring the use of multiple features and their correlations in the input data. We deploy three separate set-to-set neural network architectures to reconstruct particles in events containing a single jet in a fully-simulated calorimeter. Performance is evaluated in terms of particle reconstruction quality, properties regression, and jet-level metrics. The results demonstrate that such a high-dimensional end-to-end approach succeeds in surpassing basic parametric approaches in disentangling individual neutral particles inside of jets and optimizing the use of complementary detector information. In particular, the performance comparison favors a novel architecture based on learning hypergraph structure, HGPflow, which benefits from a physically-interpretable approach to particle reconstruction.
A new Om(z) diagnostic of dark energy in general relativity theory
Authors: Myrzakulov N. , Koussour M. , Gogoi Dhruba Jyoti
Published: July 2023

In this paper, we propose a new parametrization of dark energy based on the Om(z) diagnostic tool behavior. For this purpose, we investigate a functional form of the Om(z) that predicts the popular dark energy dynamical models, namely phantom and quintessence. We also found the famous cosmological constant for specified values of the model’s parameters. We employed the Markov Chain Monte Carlo approach to constrain the cosmological model using Hubble, Pantheon samples, and BAO datasets. Finally, we used observational constraints to investigate the characteristics of dark energy evolution and compare our findings to cosmological predictions.
Study of structural and spectroscopic characterization of ZnS nanoparticles and its application as supercapacitor
Authors: Perumal Sankari , Gnanam Sivasankari , Krishnasamy Kannagi , Narayanan Pavithra , Balasubramanian Shanmugapriya , Rajasekaran Kiruthika , Al-Zaharani Asla A. , Mahanim Sarif M.
Published: July 2023

ZnS nanoparticles (NPs) are prepared by co-precipitation method using ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid as a stabilizer and capping agent. The structural, morphological and optical properties of as-synthesized NPs are investigated using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) absorption, and photoluminescence spectroscopy. The X-ray diffraction pattern exhibits a zinc-blended crystal structure at room temperature. The particle size was found to be in the range of 22.22 nm. The ultraviolet absorption spectrum shows the blue shift in the bandgap due to the quantum confinement effect. The photoluminescence spectrum of ZnS NPs shows a blue visible spectrum. The template of the cyclic voltammetry contour demonstrated a strong rate suggesting that the ZnS nanostructure electrode has a reduced polarization effect. The above studies have provided resplendent efficiency and proven that ZnS NPs can be used as a prominent material for supercapacitor applications.
Torus knots and links in V1 that are invariant under the ℤm × ℤl-actions on V1 that form the quotient orbifold (A0,k)
Authors: Bandara Aruna
Published: July 2023

We demonstrate how the genus one handlebody orbifold [Formula: see text] is obtained as a quotient of orientation preserving [Formula: see text]-action on the solid torus [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text] are positive integers, [Formula: see text] divides [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] divides [Formula: see text]. We determine the torus knots and links in [Formula: see text] that are invariant under the corresponding action. In that case, the image of [Formula: see text] in [Formula: see text] is always a torus knot or link on the boundary of [Formula: see text]. We compute the image of [Formula: see text] in [Formula: see text] in both cases [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. Finally, we lift the torus knots and links in [Formula: see text] to [Formula: see text] and compute their images in [Formula: see text].
CMVFTA: Optimal regression and deep maxout with optimization algorithm for pan-sharpening
Authors: Singh Preeti , Singh Sarvpal , Paprzycki Marcin
Published: July 2023

Pan-sharpening is a procedure to fuse the spatial detail of high-resolution multispectral images (HR-MSI) and low-resolution hyperspectral images (LR-HSI) to produce HR-MSI. Due to increase in high-resolution satellites, methods based on pan-sharpening are increasingly utilized all over the world. However, the majority of techniques consider pan-sharpening as a major issue, which hinders the discriminative ability. This work proposes an optimization-based deep model for pan-sharpening using LR-HSI and HR-MSI. Initially, the LR-HSI is input into an up-sampling mode, and the resulting image is fed into weighted linear regression. Concurrently, HR-MSI is supplied into weighted linear regression. Weighted linear regression is used to combine the upsampled LR-HSI and HR-MSI. The HR-MSI is then sent into the Deep Maxout network (DMN), which learns the priors via residual learning. Furthermore, the suggested Competitive Multi-Verse Feedback Artificial Tree (CMVFTA) strategy is used for DMN training, which is constructed by combining the Competitive Multi-Verse Optimizer (CMVO) and Feedback Artificial Tree (FAT) approaches. Finally, the DMN, LR-HSI, and HR-MSI outputs are merged together to provide a pan-sharpening image. The proposed CMVFTA-based DMN offered enhanced performance with Degree of Distortion (DD) of 0.0402 dB, Peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) of 49.60 dB, Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) of 0.330, Relative Average Spectral Error (RASE) of 0.322, Filtered Correlation Coefficients (FCC) of 0.874, Quality with no reference (QNR) of 76.19.
EXTREME HEAT REDUCES INDIVIDUAL HAPPINESS
Authors: CHEN FANGLIN , ZHANG XIN , CHEN ZHONGFEI
Published: July 2023

Using individual-level happiness data in Chinese General Social Survey (CGSS) and county-level temperature data, this study analyzes the impact of extreme high temperature on happiness. Results show that extreme heat reduces individuals’ happiness. Specifically, each additional day spent experiencing extreme temperatures resulted in a 0.005 unit decrease in happiness. Results remained robust after modifying the model specification and variable measures. Further analysis shows that extreme heat more strongly affects the low-income and nonair-conditioned groups. Results of the mechanism analysis showed that extreme high temperature mainly affects the individual’s happiness by reducing the individual’s income and health. Thus, the effects of extreme heat on happiness are gradually amplified, in turn exacerbating environmental inequality. This study analyzes the negative impact of climate change from the perspective of social welfare and reveals the internal mechanism of environmental inequality, thus providing a reference for policy formulation.
Quantum Computing: Principles and Applications
Authors: Feng Guanru , Lu Dawei , Li Jun , Xin Tao , Zeng Bei
Published: July 2023

People are witnessing quantum computing revolutions nowadays. Progress in the number of qubits, coherence times and gate fidelities is happening. Although quantum error correction era has not arrived, the research and development of quantum computing have inspired insights and breakthroughs in quantum technologies, both in theories and in experiments. In this review, we introduce the basic principles of quantum computing and the multilayer architecture for a quantum computer. There are different experimental platforms for implementing quantum computing. In this review, based on a mature experimental platform, the Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) platform, we introduce the basic steps to experimentally implement quantum computing, as well as the common challenges and techniques.
Prolonging the Qubits Entanglement via Local Surface Plasmon Modes
Authors: Ju Chia-Yi , Liu Wan-Yu , Chen Shuo-Yen , Chen Guang-Yin
Published: July 2023

A key to achieving quantum computing is the qubit-entanglement. Nevertheless, real-life qubits cannot be isolated from the environment completely. As a result, the entanglement between qubits decoheres via their interaction with the environment. Therefore, it is essential to understand how the qubit-entanglement changes over time. In this work, we study the entanglement between qubits when placed in a bulk of dielectric material embedded with a nanosized metal particle. Most importantly, we focus on the effects of the unavoidable localized surface plasmons induced at the surface of the metal particle. We discuss how the distance between the metal particles affects the entanglement of the qubits and how various entangled states are affected by the localized surface plasmons.
Experimental and Computational Study of Elasticoluminescence in Gd2O2S:Tb3+: Implications for Mechanoluminescence Origins
Authors: Han Joo Hyeong , Yoon Yeongjun , Park Yong Min , Kim Ha Jun , Viswanath N. S. M. , Cho Han Bin , Jang Se Hyuk , Kim Yu Ri , Seo Jeong Min , Moon Ji Yoon , Kim Kyeounghak , Im Won Bin
Published: July 2023

Mechanoluminescent materials can convert mechanical stress into light. Among these, elasticoluminescent materials are useful for monitoring periodic and repetitive events. However, the development of high-performance elasticoluminescent materials remains a significant challenge because of the lack of understanding of the structures and mechanisms underlying mechanoluminescent materials. To address this issue, this study investigated the elasticoluminescence properties of Gd2O2S:Tb3+ through a comprehensive analysis using experimental and computational techniques. Using thermoluminescence spectroscopy and density functional theory, we observed that trap states within the bandgap are generated by the O2− and S2− anion vacancies, which contribute to mechanoluminescence. The observation of green mechanoluminescence (ML) characteristics in Gd2O2S:Tb3+ was accompanied by a meticulous analysis of their origins, which aligned significantly well with the computational results. These findings enhance our understanding of the origin of ML and provide a solid foundation for the development of next-generation high-performance ML materials, thus fostering advancements in various fields of advanced technology research.
Study of Low Noise with High Linearity AlGaN/GaN HEMTs by Optimizing Γ-Gate Structure for Ka-Band Applications
Authors: Hsu Che-Wei , Lin Yueh-Chin , Yang Che-Han , Chang Edward Yi
Published: July 2023

This paper investigates the device noise and linearity of an AlGaN/GaN HEMT with an optimized Γ-Gate structure for Ka-band applications. The Γ-Gate was used to provide low gate resistance for the device by increasing the gate cross-section and acting as a gate field plate to achieve a flat transconductance (Gm) profile. The device’s Gm profile was analyzed under different gate positions, including at the center or close to the source. Under different bias conditions, we performed the optimization of the Γ-gate head length (Lhead). The results show that an excellent minimum noise figure (NFmin) for the device can be achieved when the Γ-gate is positioned close to the source with an optimum Lhead. Finally, the NFmin improved from 1.9 dB to 1.59 dB and the third-order intercept point (OIP3) value improved from 27.7 dBm to 31.1 dBm when the source-drain distance (LSD) was reduced from

2.5

μ
m

to

2

μ
m
.

It was demonstrated that the optimized Γ-Gate design has the potential to attain the device with low noise and high linearity.
Reduction of Corner Effect in ZG-ES-TFET for Improved Electrical Performance and its Reliability Analysis in the Presence of Traps
Authors: Ashok Tammisetti , Pandey Chandan Kumar
Published: July 2023

In this paper, various electrical parameters of a Z-shaped gate elevated source TFET (ZG-ES-TFET) in the presence of interface traps are investigated. The placement of Z-shaped gate across the elevated source region enhances the line tunneling in both horizontal and vertical direction, which eventually increases the device ON-current. Moreover, the L-shaped pocket placed above the elevated source region increases the rate of carriers tunneling into the channel region and improves the drain current in ZG-ES-TFET. In addition to this, the optimization of channel portion below the source region limits the corner effects, suppress the OFF-state leakage and which in turn leads to achieve high switching ratio in the proposed ZG-ES-TFET. Simulation results revels that ZG-ES-TFET shown improvement in switching ratio (ION/IOFF) and ON-current (ION) by an order of ∼2 and ∼1 as when compared to conventional LTFET. Thereafter, improvement in the carrier’s tunneling rate at source-channel (S-C) interface shows a significant enhancement in the transconductance (∼76.4 μs μm−1) of ZG-ES-TFET. It further helps to achieve a high cut-off frequency and Gain-Bandwidth-Product (GBW) of ∼6.9 GHz and ∼1.3 GHz, respectively. In reliability concern, the transfer characteristics of the proposed ZG-ES-TFET found to be less sensitive towards the presence of interface traps and temperature variations.
Explant of a Chronic Atlantoaxial Implant Infection in a Dog
Authors: Vo Thao , Garcia Gabriel , Carrera-Justiz Sheila
Published: July 2023

An 11-year-old male neutered Yorkshire Terrier was presented with a cervical mass that developed a draining tract. Aside from the dysphagia reported by the owner, his neurologic exam was normal. Three years prior, the patient was diagnosed with an atlantoaxial subluxation that was ventrally stabilized with polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) and self-tapping titanium screws. There were no postoperative complications until presenting with the cervical mass and dysphagia. Computerized tomography (CT) of the cervical spine confirmed caudal migration of the PMMA and screws with an abscess surrounding the implant. A surgical explant of the PMMA and screws was performed without complication. The atlantoaxial joint remained normally aligned on postoperative radiographs. Cultures of the implant grew Streptococcus bovis. He was treated with cephalexin (22 mg/kg PO BID) for 30 days. At the time of his one-month recheck, he was swallowing normally with no neurologic deficits. He remains normal at the time of this report (17 months later). This case reports a successful explant of a chronic atlantoaxial implant infection.
Smartphone Photography as a Teledentistry Method to Evaluate Anterior Composite Restorations
Authors: Valizadeh-Haghi Haleh , Valizadeh-Haghi Safa , Naslseraji Nasim , Zandian Hamed
Published: July 2023

Objective. Today, teledentistry have gain more attention than past due to the advances in technology. The aim of this study was to compare the use of smartphone photography as a method in teledentistry with the face-to-face examination in the evaluation of anterior composite restorations. Materials and Methods. In this study, photographs of 24 composite restorations in patients attended to the clinic of Ardabil Dental School were obtained using a smartphone without any additional equipment and sent by email to 10 remote observers. As a gold standard method, these restorations were evaluated by an experienced expert in restorative dentistry a face-to-face examination. In both methods FDI criteria were used to evaluate the restorations and classified them as acceptable or not. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and diagnostic accuracy of the photographic method relative to face-to-face method were calculated. Furthermore the Mann–Whitney U test was used to statistically compare the two methods in detail. Results. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of the smartphone photography method was 69.35%, 48.72%, 87.34%, and 23.75%, respectively. A diagnostic accuracy of 65.97% was obtained. Statistically, in overall the photographic method rated the restorations as better than they were in reality (face-to-face examination) (

p
=
0.002

). Conclusions. The diagnostic accuracy of the method of evaluating anterior composite restorations by smartphone photography was moderate and the use of this method in teledentistry, although was promising, needs to be improved.
Method to Determine the Optimal Aptamer-to-Bead Ratio by Using Flow Cytometry
Authors: Lee Sun Young , Kim Eun-Ok , Jang Daehyuk , Hwang Soonjae , Rhee Ki-Jong , Yun Miyong
Published: July 2023

Research on the effective attachment of aptamers to beads, which is essential for using aptamers, has made relatively little progress. Here, we demonstrate a new method based on flow cytometry to determine the optimal aptamer-to-bead ratio for aptamer immobilization. The fluorescence intensity increased with a gradual two-fold increase in the aptamer fluorescence concentration, peaked at an aptamer-to-bead ratio of 2.56 × 105, and tended to decrease at higher ratios. A similar pattern was observed in an additional analysis using fluorescence microscopy. However, measurement of the free aptamer concentration after the aptamer-bead conjugation reaction revealed a large aptamer loss compared to the 1.28 × 105 aptamer-bead ratio. In addition, the binding efficiency of the aptamer/bead to the target was highest at the aptamer-to-bead ratio of 1.28 × 105. Taken together, our data suggest that the proposed method is the best and easiest for determining the optimal aptamer-to-bead ratio.
Functional Characterization of Novel Lunatic Fringe Variants in Spondylocostal Dysostosis Type-III with Scoliosis
Authors: Wengryn Parker , Silveira Karina da Costa , Oborn Connor , Soltys Carrie-Lynn , Beke Alexander , Chacon-Fonseca Inara , Damseh Nadirah , Rodriguez Marco Quesada , Badilla-Porras Ramses , Kannu Peter
Published: July 2023

Scoliosis affects over four million Americans, with most cases having an idiopathic cause. Pathogenic variants in the LUNATIC FRINGE (LFNG) gene can cause spondylocostal dysostosis type-III (SCD3), which is a rare skeletal dysplasia characterized by the absence, fusion, or partial development of vertebrae and ribs. Acute restrictive lung disease and scoliosis may also be present in some cases. The variability in symptoms suggests that there may be other underlying pathological mechanisms that are yet to be discovered. We conducted an analysis of two novel LFNG variants, c.766G>A (p.G256S) and c.521G>A (p.R174H), that were observed in a patient with SCD3 phenotype and scoliosis. Characterizing these variants can help us better understand the relationship between genotype and phenotype. We assessed both variants for impaired glycosyltransferase activity, subcellular mislocalization, and aberrant pre-proprotein processing. Our results indicate that the p.G256S variant is enzymatically nonfunctional, while the p.R174H variant is functionally less effective. Both variants were correctly localized and processed. Our findings suggest that the hypomorphic variant (p.R174H) may have partially improved the patient’s stature, as evidenced by a lower arm span-to-height ratio, increased height, and more vertebrae. However, this variant did not appear to have any effect on the severity of vertebral malformations, including scoliosis. Further research is necessary to determine the extent to which variations in LFNG activity affect the presentation of SCD3.
Partial Excision and Ablative Carbon Dioxide Fractional Laser Therapy for Multiple Apocrine Hidrocystomas on the Periorbital Regions and Cheeks
Authors: Kitagawa Hiroshi , Sugimoto Isao , Bito Toshinori , Yamanaka Keiichi , Terashi Hiroto
Published: July 2023

A 51-year-old Japanese woman presented with translucent papules on the periorbital area and cheeks that had progressively enlarged over five years. She underwent a skin biopsy and was diagnosed with multiple apocrine hidrocystomas. Her lesions became more pronounced and obscured her vision when her body warmed up, such as during bathing. To alleviate her symptoms, we began treatment by partially resecting the tumors on the lower eyelids. After surgery, her vision was no longer obscured. Approximately 1.5 years later, she underwent ablative 10,600 nm carbon dioxide fractional laser therapy for the mildly enlarged apocrine hidrocystomas on her lower eyelids and cheeks. At roughly six months of follow-up, the symptoms had improved, and the cosmetic results were satisfactory, although minor scarring and hypopigmentation were still evident. These case findings underscore the effectiveness of ablative carbon dioxide fractional lasers in treating apocrine hidrocystomas.
Sleep Deprivation and Heart Rate Variability in Healthy Volunteers: Effects of REM and SWS Sleep Deprivation
Authors: Xu YaHui , Qu BinBin , Liu FengJuan , Gong ZhiHua , Zhang Yi , Xu DeXiang
Published: July 2023

Objective. Using PSG‐guided acute selective REM/SWS sleep deprivation in volunteers, this study examined the effects of sleep deprivation on the cardiovascular and autonomic nervous systems, as well as the relationship between cardiac neuromodulation homeostasis and cardiovascular disease. Methods. An experiment was conducted using 30 healthy volunteers (male : female = 1 : 1, aged 26.33 ± 4.5 years) divided into groups for sleep deprivation of SWS and REM sleep, and then, each group was crossed over for normal sleep (2 days) and repeated sleep deprivation (1 day, 3 times). During the study period, PSG and ELECTRO ECG monitoring were conducted, and five‐minute frequency domain parameters and blood pressure values were measured before and after sleep deprivation. Results. Changes in VLF, LFnu, LF/HF, HF, and HFnu after SWS sleep deprivation were statistically significant (P < 0.05), but not LF (P = 0.063). Changes in VLF, LF, HF, LF/HF, LFnu, and HFnu after REM sleep deprivation were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Conclusions. An increase in sympathetic nerve activity results from sleep deprivation and sudden awakening from SWS sleep is associated with a greater risk of cardiovascular disease.
Endoglin, a Novel Biomarker and Therapeutical Target to Prevent Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor Growth and Metastasis
Authors: González-Muñoz Teresa , Di Giannatale Angela , García-Silva Susana , Santos Vanesa , Sánchez-Redondo Sara , Savini Claudia , Graña-Castro Osvaldo , Blanco-Aparicio Carmen , Fischer Suzanne , De Wever Olivier , Creus-Bachiller Edgar , Ortega-Bertran Sara , Pisapia David J. , Rodríguez-Peralto Jose L. , Fernández-Rodríguez Juana , Pérez-Portabella Cleofé Romagosa , Alaggio Rita , Benassi Maria Serena , Pazzaglia Laura , Scotlandi Katia , Ratner Nancy , Yohay Kaleb , Theuer Charles P. , Peinado Héctor
Published: July 2023

Purpose:

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNST) are highly aggressive soft-tissue sarcomas that lack effective treatments, underscoring the urgent need to uncover novel mediators of MPNST pathogenesis that may serve as potential therapeutic targets. Tumor angiogenesis is considered a critical event in MPNST transformation and progression. Here, we have investigated whether endoglin (ENG), a TGFβ coreceptor with a crucial role in angiogenesis, could be a novel therapeutic target in MPNSTs.

Experimental Design:

ENG expression was evaluated in human peripheral nerve sheath tumor tissues and plasma samples. Effects of tumor cell–specific ENG expression on gene expression, signaling pathway activation and in vivo MPNST growth and metastasis, were investigated. The efficacy of ENG targeting in monotherapy or in combination with MEK inhibition was analyzed in xenograft models.

Results:

ENG expression was found to be upregulated in both human MPNST tumor tissues and plasma-circulating small extracellular vesicles. We demonstrated that ENG modulates Smad1/5 and MAPK/ERK pathway activation and pro-angiogenic and pro-metastatic gene expression in MPNST cells and plays an active role in tumor growth and metastasis in vivo. Targeting with ENG-neutralizing antibodies (TRC105/M1043) decreased MPNST growth and metastasis in xenograft models by reducing tumor cell proliferation and angiogenesis. Moreover, combination of anti-ENG therapy with MEK inhibition effectively reduced tumor cell growth and angiogenesis.

Conclusions:

Our data unveil a tumor-promoting function of ENG in MPNSTs and support the use of this protein as a novel biomarker and a promising therapeutic target for this disease.
Integrative Prognostic Machine Learning Models in Mantle Cell Lymphoma
Authors: Hill Holly A. , Jain Preetesh , Ok Chi Young , Sasaki Koji , Chen Han , Wang Michael L. , Chen Ken
Published: July 2023

Patients with mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), an incurable B-cell malignancy, benefit from accurate pretreatment disease stratification. We curated an extensive database of 862 patients diagnosed between 2014 and 2022. A machine learning (ML) gradient-boosted model incorporated baseline features from clinicopathologic, cytogenetic, and genomic data with high predictive power discriminating between patients with indolent or responsive MCL and those with aggressive disease (AUC ROC = 0.83). In addition, we utilized the gradient-boosted framework as a robust feature selection method for multivariate logistic and survival modeling. The best ML models incorporated features from clinical and genomic data types highlighting the need for correlative molecular studies in precision oncology. As proof of concept, we launched our most accurate and practical models using an application interface, which has potential for clinical implementation. We designated the 20-feature ML model–based index the “integrative MIPI” or iMIPI and a similar 10-feature ML index the “integrative simplified MIPI” or iMIPI-s. The top 10 baseline prognostic features represented in the iMIPI-s are: lactase dehydrogenase (LDH), Ki-67%, platelet count, bone marrow involvement percentage, hemoglobin levels, the total number of observed somatic mutations, TP53 mutational status, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance level, beta-2 microglobulin, and morphology. Our findings emphasize that prognostic applications and indices should include molecular features, especially TP53 mutational status. This work demonstrates the clinical utility of complex ML models and provides further evidence for existing prognostic markers in MCL.

Significance:

Our model is the first to integrate a dynamic algorithm with multiple clinical and molecular features, allowing for accurate predictions of MCL disease outcomes in a large patient cohort.
Subsídios para o estabelecimento de política de desenvolvimento de acervos para as bibliotecas do SIBi/USP: (Cadernos de Estudos SIBIUSP N.7)
Authors:   Universidade de São Paulo. Sistema Integrado de Bibliotecas. Departamento Técnico
Published: July 2023

O objetivo do presente documento é o de contribuir para o estabelecimento da Política de Desenvolvimento de Acervos do SIBi/USP, identificando procedimentos comuns a todas as bibliotecas do Sistema, orientando para a formação e desenvolvimento de coleções, subsidiando a elaboração de critérios para a avaliação no processo de desenvolvimento dos acervos e oferecendo suporte às bibliotecas para estabelecer sua própria política interna de desenvolvimento de acervos.
Rare Forms of Cardiac Amyloidosis: Diagnostic Clues and Phenotype in Apo AI and AIV Amyloidosis
Authors: Ioannou Adam , Porcari Aldostefano , Patel Rishi K. , Razvi Yousuf , Sinigiani Giulio , Martinez-Naharro Ana , Venneri Lucia , Moon James , Rauf Muhammad U. , Lachmann Helen , Wechelakar Ashutosh , Hawkins Philip N. , Gillmore Julian D. , Fontana Marianna
Published: July 2023

BACKGROUND:

Apo AI amyloidosis (AApoAI) and Apo AIV amyloidosis (AApoAIV) are rare but increasingly recognized causes of cardiac amyloidosis (CA). We sought to define the cardiac phenotype in AApoAI and AApoAIV using multimodality imaging.

METHODS:

We identified all patients with AApoAI and AApoAIV assessed at our center between 2000 and 2021, and 2 cohorts of patients with immunoglobulin light-chain amyloidosis (AL) and transthyretin amyloidosis matched for age, sex, and cardiac involvement.

RESULTS:

Forty-five patients had AApoAI, 13 (29%) of whom had cardiac involvement, 32 (71%) renal involvement, 28 (62%) splenic involvement, 27 (60%) hepatic involvement, and 7 (16%) laryngeal involvement. AApoAI-CA commonly presented with heart failure (n=8, 62%) or dysphonia (n=7, 54%). The Arg173Pro variant universally caused cardiac and laryngeal involvement (n=7, 100%). AApoAI-CA was associated with right-sided involvement, with a thicker right ventricular free wall (8.6±1.9 versus 6.3±1.3 mm versus 7.7±1.2 mm,
P
=0.004), greater incidence of tricuspid stenosis (4 [31%] versus 0 [0%] versus 0 [0%],
P
=0.012) and tricuspid regurgitation (6 [46%] versus 1 [8%] versus 2 [15%],
P
=0.048) than AL-CA and transthyretin CA. Twenty-one patients had AApoAIV, and cardiac involvement was more common than in AApoAI (15 [71%] versus 13 [29%],
P
=0.001). AApoAIV-CA most commonly presented with heart failure (n=12, 80%), and a lower median estimated glomerular filtration rate than AL-CA and transthyretin CA (36 mL/[min·1.73 m²] versus 65 mL/[min·1.73 m²] versus 63 mL/[min·1.73 m²],
P
<0.001). All AApoAIV-CA patients had classical CA features on echocardiography/cardiac magnetic resonance, including an apical-sparing strain pattern, which was less common in AApoAI-CA (15 [100%] versus 7 [54%],
P
=0.003), whereas cardiac uptake on bone scintigraphy was less common in AApoAIV-CA than AApoAI-CA (all grade 1) (14% versus 82%,
P
<0.001). Patients with AApoAI and AApoAIV had a good prognosis (median survival >172 and >30 months, respectively), and a lower risk of mortality than matched patients with AL-amyloidosis (AL versus AApoAI: hazard ratio, 4.54 [95% CI, 2.02–10.14];
P
<0.001; AL versus AApoAIV: hazard ratio, 3.07 [95% CI, 1.27–7.44];
P
=0.013).

CONCLUSIONS:

Dysphonia, multisystem involvement, or right-sided cardiac disease should raise suspicion of AApoAI-CA. AApoAIV-CA presents most commonly with heart failure and always displays classical CA imaging features, mimicking common forms of CA. Both AApoAI and AApoAIV are associated with a good prognosis and a lower risk of mortality than matched patients with AL-amyloidosis.
Optimal Burstiness in Populations of Spiking Neurons Facilitates Decoding of Decreases in Tonic Firing
Authors: Durian Sylvia C. L. , Agrios Mark , Schwartz Gregory W.
Published: July 2023

A stimulus can be encoded in a population of spiking neurons through any change in the statistics of the joint spike pattern, yet we commonly summarize single-trial population activity by the summed spike rate across cells: the population peristimulus time histogram (pPSTH). For neurons with a low baseline spike rate that encode a stimulus with a rate increase, this simplified representation works well, but for populations with high baseline rates and heterogeneous response patterns, the pPSTH can obscure the response. We introduce a different representation of the population spike pattern, which we call an “information train,” that is well suited to conditions of sparse responses, especially those that involve decreases rather than increases in firing. We use this tool to study populations with varying levels of burstiness in their spiking statistics to determine how burstiness affects the representation of spike decreases (firing “gaps”). Our simulated populations of spiking neurons varied in size, baseline rate, burst statistics, and correlation. Using the information train decoder, we find that there is an optimal level of burstiness for gap detection that is robust to several other parameters of the population. We consider this theoretical result in the context of experimental data from different types of retinal ganglion cells and determine that the baseline spike statistics of a recently identified type support nearly optimal detection of both the onset and strength of a contrast step.
Modality-Specificity of the Neural Correlates of Linguistic and Non-Linguistic Demand
Authors: Philips Mackenzie , Schneck Sarah M. , Levy Deborah F. , Wilson Stephen M.
Published: July 2023

Imaging studies of language processing in clinical populations can be complicated to interpret for several reasons, one being the difficulty of matching the effortfulness of processing across individuals or tasks. To better understand how effortful linguistic processing is reflected in functional activity, we investigated the neural correlates of task difficulty in linguistic and non-linguistic contexts in the auditory modality and then compared our findings to a recent analogous experiment in the visual modality in a different cohort. Nineteen neurologically normal individuals were scanned with fMRI as they performed a linguistic task (semantic matching) and a non-linguistic task (melodic matching), each with two levels of difficulty. We found that left hemisphere frontal and temporal language regions, as well as the right inferior frontal gyrus, were modulated by linguistic demand and not by non-linguistic demand. This was broadly similar to what was previously observed in the visual modality. In contrast, the multiple demand (MD) network, a set of brain regions thought to support cognitive flexibility in many contexts, was modulated neither by linguistic demand nor by non-linguistic demand in the auditory modality. This finding was in striking contradistinction to what was previously observed in the visual modality, where the MD network was robustly modulated by both linguistic and non-linguistic demand. Our findings suggest that while the language network is modulated by linguistic demand irrespective of modality, modulation of the MD network by linguistic demand is not inherent to linguistic processing, but rather depends on specific task factors.
Gaps in the Lexicon Restrict Communication
Authors: Rissman Lilia , Liu Qiawen , Lupyan Gary
Published: July 2023

Across languages, words carve up the world of experience in different ways. For example, English lacks an equivalent to the Chinese superordinate noun tiáowèipǐn, which is loosely translated as “ingredients used to season food while cooking.” Do such differences matter? A conventional label may offer a uniquely effective way of communicating. On the other hand, lexical gaps may be easily bridged by the compositional power of language. After all, most of the ideas we want to express do not map onto simple lexical forms. We conducted a referential Director/Matcher communication task with adult speakers of Chinese and English. Directors provided a clue that Matchers used to select words from a word grid. The three target words corresponded to a superordinate term (e.g., beverages) in either Chinese or English but not both. We found that Matchers were more accurate at choosing the target words when their language lexicalized the target category. This advantage was driven entirely by the Directors’ use/non-use of the intended superordinate term. The presence of a conventional superordinate had no measurable effect on speakers’ within- or between-category similarity ratings. These results show that the ability to rely on a conventional term is surprisingly important despite the flexibility languages offer to communicate about non-lexicalized categories.
Political Performances of Surviving Oppression
Authors: Magni Diego
Published: July 2023

In light of the societal and structural changes that have occurred in Palestine since the signing of the Oslo Agreements in the 1990s, the present work aims to analyse the enhanced role of individuals and individual actions as opposed to actions led by collective and/or top-down organisations in the unarmed resistance of Palestinian people to the State of Israel, both in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) and in 1948 Palestine/Israel. To understand the main tracts, limits, and potential of this contemporary trend I resort to the work and ideas developed by Bayat on social nonmovements. A further aim is to highlight how the resistance of the individuals intersects with individual-right movements, to understand the changing relation between the fight for individual rights and the fight against occupation.

Hence, an in-depth analysis of the village realities of al-Walaja and al-Laqiya will be provided, by examining land defense in reaction to illegal acquisition of Palestinian property. Moreover, the results will be confronted with the broad events of May 2021, to better understand how new resistance dynamics have unfolded in different local realities as well as nationwide.

Nowadays Palestine is marked by geographical, social, political, and religious fragmentation, together with economic difficulties. In such an environment I suggest that individuals adapted to the new reality of NGOs’ aid and relief and, with the boost of social media and the discourse brought forward by Palestinian women, have taken the lead of the leaderless Palestinian resistance, as proved by the events of the Habba of May 2021. As for the claims over individual rights, I believe this new resistance paradigm has the potential to prompt social and political reform, while the capabilities of individuals to practice such resistance in a sustained manner have to be carefully thought out.
Do Working-Class Women in the Arab Region Benefit from Trade Liberalisation?
Authors: Paciello Maria Cristina
Published: July 2023

Over the last decades, trade liberalisation has been extensively promoted by international agencies and actors around the world, including the Arab region, based on the assumption that it would contribute to promoting growth, jobs, development, democracy and even gender equality. The aim of this article is to rebalance such over-optimistic narratives about trade, taking as a starting point its concrete effects on the working conditions and lives of women workers in the export-oriented garment industry in Jordan, Morocco and Tunisia. Drawing on feminist political economy research and labour studies, the first part of the paper sets out the context in which to understand the impact of trade liberalisation on working-class women by problematising the dominant narrative and presenting the analytical framework that will be used. The second section reviews the empirical evidence documenting how the expansion of garment exports in the three countries has relied entirely on the recruitment of the most powerless women, under precarious and indecent working conditions. The third section examines the trajectories through which trade liberalisation has led to the observed pattern of female exploitation. Using the analytical framework discussed in the first section, it will look at the interplay between the specific structure of the Global Supply Chain in which the three countries are integrated, state policies and existing gendered social relations.