bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Coupled Heat-Mass Transport Modelling of Radionuclide Migration from a Nuclear Waste Disposal Borehole
Authors: Sookhak Lari Kaveh , Mallants Dirk
Published: April 2022

Disposal of radioactive waste originating from reprocessing of spent research reactor fuel typically includes stainless steel canisters with waste immobilised in a glass matrix. In a deep borehole disposal concept, waste packages could be stacked in a disposal zone at a depth of one to potentially several kilometres. This waste will generate heat for several hundreds of years. The influence of combining a natural geothermal gradient with heat from decaying nuclear waste on radionuclide transport from deep disposal boreholes is studied by implementing a coupled heat-solute mass transport modelling framework, subjected to depth-dependent temperature, pressure, and viscosity profiles. Several scenarios of waste-driven heat loads were investigated to test to what degree, if any, the additional heat affects radionuclide migration by generating convection-driven transport. Results show that the heat output and the calculated radioactivity at a hypothetical near-surface observation point are directly correlated; however, the overall impact of convection-driven transport is small due to the short duration (a few hundred years) of the heat load. Results further showed that the calculated radiation dose at the observation point was very sensitive to the magnitude of the effective diffusion parameter of the host rock. Coupled heat-solute mass transport models are necessary tools to identify influential processes regarding deep borehole disposal of heat-generating long-lived radioactive waste.
Intelligent Intrusion Detection Method of Industrial Internet of Things Based on CNN-BiLSTM
Authors: Li Aichuan , Yi Shujuan
Published: April 2022

Aiming at the problems of fuzzy detection characteristics, high false positive rate and low accuracy of traditional network intrusion detection technology, an improved intelligent intrusion detection method of industrial Internet of Things based on deep learning is proposed. Firstly, the data set is preprocessed and transformed into 122 dimensional intrusion data set after one-hot coding; Secondly, aiming at the problem that convolution network cannot deal with data with long-distance attributes, Bidirectional long short-term memory (BiLSTM) is used to mine the relationship between data features; At the same time, the Batch Normalization mechanism is introduced to speed up the training of deep neural network. After the activation function performs nonlinear transformation on the input data of the previous layer, it is normalized to ensure the trainability of the network. The experimental results on NSL-KDD data set show that the accuracy of the proposed CNN-BiLSTM model is 96.3%, the detection rate is 97.1%, and the performance is the best.
Pomiferin Exerts Antineuroinflammatory Effects through Activating Akt/Nrf2 Pathway and Inhibiting NF-κB Pathway
Authors: Zhao Yan , Sang Yuxuan , Sun Yanan , Wu Jie
Published: April 2022

Background. Neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and Huntington’s disease, are mainly characterized by progressive motor, sensory, or cognitive dysfunction in patients. Such diseases mostly occur in middle-aged and elderly people, and there is no effective cure. Studies have shown that neurodegenerative diseases are accompanied by neuroinflammation. The proinflammatory mediators produced neuroinflammation further damage neurons and aggravate the process of neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, inhibiting neuroinflammation might be an effective way to alleviate neurodegenerative diseases. Pomiferin extracted from the fruit of the orange mulberry has a wide range of antioxidation and anti-inflammatory effects in peripheral tissues. However, it is not clear whether it plays a role on neuroinflammation. Methods. In our experiment, we studied the effect of Pomiferin on BV2 cell inflammation and its mechanism with cck-8, LDH, quantitative PCR, and ELISA and methods. We then investigated the effect of Pomiferin on the classical inflammatory pathway by Western blot methods. Results. The results showed that Pomiferin inhibited the production of ROS, NO, and proinflammatory mediators (IL-6, TNF-α, iNOS, and COX2) in BV2 cells. Further mechanism studies showed that Pomiferin activated the Akt/Nrf2 pathway and inhibited the NF-κB pathway. Conclusion. Our study demonstrated that Pomiferin exerts antineuroinflammatory effects through activating Akt/Nrf2 pathway and inhibiting NF-κB pathway.
The Effects of Febuxostat on Urine NGAL and Urine KIM-1 in Patients with Hyperuricemia
Authors: Tang Yushang , Liu Tongqiang , Cai Qiuping , Zhao Minwen
Published: April 2022

Retrospective analysis of the effects of febuxostat on urine neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) in patients with hyperuricemia was performed. From January 2018 to June 2018, there were 45 patients with asymptomatic hyperuricemia in the outpatient or inpatient of Changzhou Second People’s Hospital, which were divided into the febuxostat group (25 cases) and the control group (20 cases). We collected the patients’ baseline indicators and testing indicators after three months of treatment, including blood urea nitrogen, blood creatinine, blood uric acid, urine microalbumin, urine NGAL, urine KIM-1, and other indicators. The subjects in both groups were given lifestyle intervention, instructed to drink more water, and given a low-purine diet. The patients in the febuxostat group took febuxostat 40 mg/D or 80 mg/D. We used SPSS 25.0 statistical software for statistical analysis. Baseline indexes between the febuxostat group and the control group and indexes after treatment between two groups were both performed by independent sample t-test, and paired t-test was used for self-comparison between the groups before and after treatment. There was no significant difference in age, sex, body mass index (BMI), urea nitrogen, creatinine, uric acid, urine microalbumin/creatinine, urine NGAL/creatinine, and urine KIM-1/creatinine between the two groups before treatment (

P
>
0.05

). Compared with before treatment, after 3 months of intervention, the levels of serum uric acid, urine microalbumin/creatinine, urine NGAL/creatinine, and urine KIM-1/creatinine were significantly decreased in the febuxostat group (

P
<
0.05

), while the changes of blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, and epidermal growth factor receptor (eGFR) were not statistically significant (

P
>
0.05

). After 3 months of intervention, the control group had no significant changes in blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, eGFR, uric acid, microalbumin/creatinine, urine NGAL/creatinine, and urine KIM-1/creatinine (

P
>
0.05

). After 3 months of intervention, compared with the control group, the serum uric acid, microalbumin/creatinine, urine NGAL/creatinine, and urine KIM-1/creatinine were significantly decreased in the febuxostat group (

P
<
0.05

), but there was no significant difference in blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, and eGFR (

P
>
0.05

). Febuxostat can reduce urine NGAL/creatinine and urine KIM-1/creatinine levels in patients with hyperuricemia and has the protective effects on renal tubular injury caused by hyperuricemia, which can provide evidences for the early prevention and treatment of asymptomatic hyperuricemia.
Thermoelastic Damping Limited Quality Factor Enhancement and Energy Dissipation Analysis of Rectangular Plate Resonators Using Nonclassical Elasticity Theory
Authors: R. Resmi , V. Suresh Babu , M. R. Baiju
Published: April 2022

Among the different energy dissipation mechanisms, thermoelastic damping plays a vital role and needs to be alleviated in vibrating resonators to mitigate parameters by improving the thermoelastic damping limited quality factor, QTED. The maximum energy dissipation is also interrelated with the critical dimension

h

c

of the plates, and by optimizing the dimensions, the peaking of energy dissipation can be diminished. As the size of the devices is scaled down, classical continuum theories become incompetent to explain the size-effect related mechanical nature at the micron and submicron levels, and, as a result, nonclassical continuum theories have been pioneered with the inception of internal length scale parameters. In this work, an analysis of isotropic rectangular microplates based on the Kirchhoff model and a higher order theory like Modified Couple Stress Theory is utilized to study size-dependent thermoelastic damping and its impact on the quality factor and critical dimensions. The Hamilton principle is adapted to derive the governing equations of motion, and the coupled heat conduction equation is employed to formulate the thermoelastic damping limited quality factor of the plates. Five different structural materials (PolySi, diamond, Si, GaAs, and SiC) are used for optimizing QTED and hc, which depends on two material performance index parameters: the thermoelastic damping index (TDI) and the material thermal diffusion length,

l

T

. According to this work, the maximum QTED is attained for PolySi with the lowest TDI, and hcmax is obtained for Si with the maximum

 

l

T

. The impacts of the dimensionless length-scale parameters (l/h), vibration modes, and boundary conditions (clamped-clamped and simply supported) on QTED and hc are also investigated. From the current analysis, QTED can be further enhanced by selecting higher vibration modes and clamped-clamped boundary conditions. QTED can be maximized by fixing the internal length scale parameter (l) and making the thickness of the beam equal to l. The analytical study is numerically simulated by using MATLAB 2015 software. Prior knowledge of QTED and hc will help designers to produce high-performance and low-loss resonators for the futuristic technological applications.
The Effect of Acupuncture on Elbow Joint Sports Injuries Based on Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Authors: Yang Weihua , Wang Fei
Published: April 2022

Purpose. Elbow joint injuries are extremely common in most athletes. Athletes’ chronic elbow injuries can involve multiple complex anatomical structures related to orthopedics. Therefore, it is of great significance to explore the characteristics of magnetic resonance (MR) images of chronic sports injuries of the elbow joint and the influence of acupuncture treatment on MR images and clinical symptoms. Methods. A total of 60 elbow joints of 39 athletes from 15-25 years old were selected for coronal, sagittal, and axial MR scans to observe the image characteristics; 60 elbow joints were randomly divided into acupuncture group and control group and observed changes in MR images and clinical symptoms after acupuncture treatment. Results. After acupuncture treatment, the clinical symptoms were significantly improved. MR images showed that the elbow joint effusion was reduced, and the bone marrow edema was reduced. The effective rate of acupuncture treatment is as high as 100%, while the effective rate of the control group is only 40%. Acupuncture treatment has significantly improved the range of motion of the elbow joint. Conclusion. Acupuncture treatment can significantly relieve athletes’ elbow joint pain and locking symptoms, improve joint range of motion, and is beneficial to recovery of special training and high-level competitive competitions. It is a sensitive, effective, and noninvasive method.
Naringenin Improves Ovalbumin-Induced Allergic Asthma in Rats through Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Effects
Authors: Jasemi Seyed Vahid , Khazaei Hosna , Fakhri Sajad , Mohammadi-Noori Ehsan , Farzaei Mohammad Hosein
Published: April 2022

Asthma is a chronic disease with eosinophilic inflammation and oxidative damages leading to airway obstruction. Naringenin is a phytochemical possessing strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities against chronic destructive conditions. The current study is devoted to evaluating naringenin’s effects on the attenuation of inflammation and oxidative stress in lung tissue in a rat model of ovalbumin-induced asthma. Male Wistar rats were allocated to five groups of six: normal control (NC, receiving 1 ml/day of normal saline, orally), asthmatic (AS, receiving ovalbumin (1 mg/mL), and alum (1 mg/mL in saline) on days 0 and 14. Then, on days 21, 22, and 23, they were sensitized with the inhalation of ovalbumin), AS treated with dexamethasone (AS, 1 mg/kg/day, orally) [AS + D1], AS treated with naringenin (20 mg/kg/day, orally) [AS + N20], and AS treated with naringenin (40 mg/kg/day, orally) [AS + N40]. All the groups received associated drugs/agents for 28 days. Finally, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and lung tissue samples were taken off from the animals. The eosinophil count in BALF and malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), interleukin-13 and -4 (IL-13 and IL-4) levels were measured. Besides, the expression of urocortin (UCN) and surfactant protein-D (SP-D) were evaluated in the lung tissue using immunohistochemistry (IHC) and western blotting methods, respectively. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining were utilized to conduct histopathological analysis. Naringenin treatment significantly reduced MDA, remarkably increased GSH, and meaningfully reduced IL-4 and IL-13 levels in lung tissue. The count of eosinophils in the BALF of AS + N20 and AS + N40 was significantly reduced in comparison with the AS group. The UCN and SP-D protein levels were significantly decreased in the AS + N20 and AS + N40 groups compared to the AS group, using the IHC and western blot methods, respectively. Histopathological analysis data also confirm the results. Naringenin improves the symptoms of allergic asthma through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.
Tie2 Receptor in Tumor-Infiltrating Macrophages Is Dispensable for Tumor Angiogenesis and Tumor Relapse after Chemotherapy
Authors: Jakab Moritz , Rostalski Till , Lee Ki Hong , Mogler Carolin , Augustin Hellmut G.
Published: April 2022

Tumor relapse after chemotherapy relies on the reconstruction of damaged tumor vasculature. In this context, proangiogenic Tie2-expressing macrophages have been suggested to serve as crucial instructors of tumor revascularization by secreting angiogenic factors while being closely associated with the vessel wall. Although the proangiogenic nature of Tie2+ macrophages is well described, the functional contribution of macrophage Tie2 expression remains elusive. Here, we employed a Cre-loxP system to specifically delete Tie2 in macrophages. In multiple syngeneic solid tumor models and two distinct chemotherapeutic treatment regimens, macrophage-expressed Tie2 did not contribute to primary tumor growth, tumor revascularization after chemotherapy, tumor recurrence, or metastasis. Exposing cultured murine macrophage cell lines and bone marrow–derived macrophages to hypoxia or stimulating them with Ang2 did not induce expression of Tie2 at the RNA or protein level. Furthermore, a comprehensive meta-analysis of publicly available single cell RNA sequencing datasets of human and murine tumor-infiltrating CD11b+ myeloid cells did not reveal a transcriptionally distinct macrophage population marked by the expression of Tie2. Collectively, these data question the previously reported critical role of Tie2-expressing macrophages for tumor angiogenesis and tumor relapse after chemotherapy. Moreover, lack of Tie2 inducibility and absence of Tie2-positive macrophages in multiple recently published tumor studies refute a possible prognostic value of macrophage-expressed Tie2.

Significance:

Multiple preclinical tumor models, cell stimulation experiments, and meta-analysis of published tumor single cell RNA sequencing data challenge the reported role of Tie2-positive macrophages for tumor angiogenesis, metastasis, and relapse after chemotherapy.

See related commentary by Zhang and Brekken, p. 1172
Predictive Markers of Response to Neoadjuvant Durvalumab with Nab-Paclitaxel and Dose-Dense Doxorubicin/Cyclophosphamide in Basal-Like Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
Authors: Blenman Kim R.M. , Marczyk Michal , Karn Thomas , Qing Tao , Li Xiaotong , Gunasekharan Vignesh , Yaghoobi Vesal , Bai Yalai , Ibrahim Eiman Y. , Park Tristen , Silber Andrea , Wolf Denise M. , Reisenbichler Emily , Denkert Carsten , Sinn Bruno V. , Rozenblit Mariya , Foldi Julia , Rimm David L. , Loibl Sibylle , Pusztai Lajos
Published: April 2022

Purpose:

We examined gene expression, germline variant, and somatic mutation features associated with pathologic response to neoadjuvant durvalumab plus chemotherapy in basal-like triple-negative breast cancer (bTNBC).

Experimental Design:

Germline and somatic whole-exome DNA and RNA sequencing, programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) IHC, and stromal tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte scoring were performed on 57 patients. We validated our results using 162 patients from the GeparNuevo randomized trial.

Results:

Gene set enrichment analysis showed that pathways involved in immunity (adaptive, humoral, innate), JAK–STAT signaling, cancer drivers, cell cycle, apoptosis, and DNA repair were enriched in cases with pathologic complete response (pCR), whereas epithelial–mesenchymal transition, extracellular matrix, and TGFβ pathways were enriched in cases with residual disease (RD). Immune-rich bTNBC with RD was enriched in CCL-3, -4, -5, -8, -23, CXCL-1, -3, -6, -10, and IL1, -23, -27, -34, and had higher expression of macrophage markers compared with immune-rich cancers with pCR that were enriched in IFNγ, IL2, -12, -21, chemokines CXCL-9, -13, CXCR5, and activated T- and B-cell markers (GZMB, CD79A). In the validation cohort, an immune-rich five-gene signature showed higher expression in pCR cases in the durvalumab arm (P = 0.040) but not in the placebo arm (P = 0.923) or in immune-poor cancers. Independent of immune markers, tumor mutation burden was higher, and PI3K, DNA damage repair, MAPK, and WNT/β-catenin signaling pathways were enriched in germline and somatic mutations in cases with pCR.

Conclusions:

The TGFβ pathway is associated with immune-poor phenotype and RD in bTNBC. Among immune-rich bTNBC RD, macrophage/neutrophil chemoattractants dominate the cytokine milieu, and IFNγ and activated B cells and T cells dominate immune-rich cancers with pCR.
Anti-Inflammatory Drugs Decrease the PD-L1 Expression and Increase the CD8+ T-Cell Infiltration
Authors: Rao Chinthalapally V.
Published: April 2022

In this issue of Cancer Prevention Research, Cecil and colleagues show that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID), celecoxib and naproxen, decrease the expression of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) and increase the influx of Type I tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in colonic tumors. Importantly, both decrease of PD-L1 expression and increase of CD8+ T cells were associated with the inhibition of COX-2/PGE2 pathway in vitro and syngeneic colonic tumor xenograft models. This study clearly suggests that NSAIDs regulate the intratumoral immunity multiple ways, including suppression of expression of immune checkpoint blockade. Thus, NSAIDs should be considered as chemopreventive for patients with PD-L1–positive colonic polyp.

See related article, p. 225
Two Cases of Consecutive Toxic Anterior Segment Syndrome after Uneventful Trabeculectomy Surgeries in a Tertiary Center
Authors: Gil-Martínez Tatiana M. , Herrera María J. , Vera Vanessa
Published: April 2022

Toxic anterior segment syndrome (TASS) is a severe, acute, sterile intraocular inflammation that occurs the same day or in the early stages after intraocular surgery. It has been most commonly reported after phacoemulsification. We report 2 cases that developed TASS after sequential uneventful trabeculectomy surgeries, in which a quaternary ammonium compound was used for the disinfection of surgical instruments. Good outcomes were achieved, possibly related to the fast treatment initiation.
A Case Report of Atrial Myxoma in the Time of Corona Presenting with Systemic Embolization
Authors: Younes Maher , Al Mansour Alma , Al Halaki Mohammad Jawdat , Lutfi Lubna
Published: April 2022

Myxomas are very rare intracardiac benign tumors. They can arise in any of the cardiac chambers, although 75% occur in the left atrium. Atrial myxomas (AMs) show a female predominance with a sex ratio of 3:1. There is a diversity in the clinical presentation; it may resemble many cardiovascular or systemic diseases. Furthermore, it is possible to present as an acute upper or lower limb ischemia or organ infarction due to systemic emboli. Hereby, we report a previously healthy 38-year-old male, who presented to the emergency department with acute pain of both lower limbs, unilateral upper limb, and acute abdomen. A bedside transthoracic echocardiogram was done which showed a mass that was confirmed to be an AM. The patient underwent surgical embolectomy and tumor resection. As this tumor is rare, the duration between the onset of symptoms to finally reaching the correct diagnosis is usually prolonged, and meanwhile, the patient can experience irreversible neurological damage or even death. Hence, we would like to highlight the role of echocardiogram in detecting AMs. In addition, excluding the primary cause of the thrombi, the patient’s ischemic pain has a spectrum of differential diagnosis ranging from peripheral vascular disease to COVID-19. We would also like to emphasize the importance of a high index of suspicion by emergency physicians when such cases present.
Acute Liver Injury and Acute Liver Failure following Bariatric Surgery
Authors: van Golen Rowan F. , de Waard Nadine E. , Moolenaar Laura R. , Inderson Akin , Crobach Stijn , Langers Alexandra M.J. , van Hoek Bart , Tushuizen Maarten E.
Published: April 2022

Bariatric surgery is the most effective treatment for obesity and improves several manifestations of the metabolic syndrome, including nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Strict nutritional counseling after bariatric surgery is a key in realizing these outcomes. When postoperative nutrient intake or nutrient uptake is compromised, bariatric surgery can also lead to severe hepatic complications. Here, we describe 3 cases of acute liver injury and acute liver failure caused by bariatric surgery, all with different management strategies and outcomes.
Paramedian Midbrain Infarction Presenting with Bilateral Ptosis and Unilateral Median Longitudinal Fasciculus Syndrome: A Peculiar Midbrain Syndrome
Authors: Aoki Yoshihiro , Hashimoto Takao
Published: April 2022

We report a case of bilateral ptosis due to paramedian midbrain infarction, which was associated with ipsilateral impaired adduction of the eye and contralateral ataxia. T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging of the brain revealed a right paramedian midbrain infarction. The ptosis rapidly improved without a difference between the left and right sides, while the other symptoms mostly resolved within a month following treatment with antiplatelet agents and rehabilitation. An infarction of the paramedian dorsocaudal portion of the midbrain can involve both the central caudal nucleus and the median longitudinal fasciculus (MLF), causing a peculiar combination of symptoms, bilateral ptosis, and unilateral MLF syndrome.
SARS-COV-2 Triggers the Development of Class I and Class II HLA Antibodies in Recovered Convalescent Plasma Donors
Authors: Dada Ashraf , Elhassan Khalid , Bawayan Rayan Mohammed , Albishi Ghadeer , Hefni Lama , Bassi Sawsan , Sobahy Turki , Cupler Edward , AlBaz Nabeela , Wali Ghassan , Alraddadi Basem , Alshukairi Abeer N.
Published: April 2022

Various studies have shown that SARS-CoV-2 is a highly immunogenic virus. It is known that different types of immunogenic viral pathogens could trigger the formation of HLA antibodies. Therefore, there is a concern that the SARS-CoV-2 could also induce the development of HLA antibodies in volunteers, who donate convalescent plasma after their recovery from COVID-19. HLA antibodies have been identified as the main cause for transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI), a well-documented life-threatening complication of transfusions. The TRALI risk could be high in COVID-19 patients who need convalescent plasma, as such patients usually have already an impaired respiratory system affected by the SARS-CoV-2 infection. In this study, we screened 34 convalescent plasma donors on the presence of antibodies against HLA class I and II antigens. All included donors have no any history of sensitization events such as blood transfusions, pregnancy, or previous transplants. We found a high rate of HLA antibody formation in convalescent plasma donors. The frequency of positivity for HLA antibodies for class I, class II, class I and II, and the overall reactivity was 23%, 31%, 46%, and 76%, respectively. The presented data suggest a closed correlation between SARS-CoV-2 virus infection and the development of HLA antibodies in recovered convalescent plasma donors. This finding might have the potential to reduce the risk of TRALI and mortality rate in COVID-19 patients by implementing HLA diagnostic strategies before the administration of convalescent plasma.
TRUE SHALLOT ( Allium cepa var ascalonicum ) SEED PRODUCTION DURING OFF SEASON
Authors: Putra Ramadhani Eka , Ramadan D Beta , Adin Adriyanita , Kinasih Ida , Rosmiati Mia , Oktaviani Indah , Leksikowati Sovia Santi
Published: April 2022

The application of seed for true shallot cultivation is an alternative of the more common cultivation practice, in which 30% of harvested tubers used for cultivation purposes. The seed production of this temperate tuber, in the tropical region, is quite challenging due to low flowers and seed formation. Several studies showed that vernalization (cold induction) and application of Benzil Amino Purin (BAP) could be applied to improve flowering and seed production. However, such studies were conducted during the best cultivation period for about 3 months and thus, limit the production period of seeds. This study was conducted to observe the effect of both methods outside cultivation periods to flower and capsule numbers, fruit set, and weight of 100 seeds compared with common cultivation. In this study, bulbs of onion vernalized at 10oC for 30 days then became subjected to synthetic hormone (BAP) prior planted while control group The results showed that BAP treated shallot group has the lowest values for all observed parameters (1552.67, 312.11, 22.5%, 0.2244 gram) compared to those vernalization treated group (1592.44, 623, 30.5%; 0.2261 gram) and control group (6774.67; 3898.44; 57.06%; 0.3304 gram). Based on this study, it could be concluded that common cultivation is a better method to produce true shallot seeds during the offseason.
ENVIRONMENTAL STRESS ON THE REPRODUCTION OF NON-HUMAN PRIMATES
Authors: ShikhMaidin Mashitah Shikh
Published: April 2022

The aim of this review paper is to present some aspects of environmental stress, such as climate change and food limitation that could affect nonhuman primate population due to poor reproductive performance. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists more than a third of worldâ€™s primates are critically endangered or vulnerable. Nonhuman primates, which are the closest biological relative to humans, are threatened with extinction from human activities and environmental stress. Deforestation is the main problem that intercalates with climate change. Either, indirectly or directly, those extinction factors are able to interrupt the physiological basis of reproduction in nonhuman primates. Many research on other species showed that high temperature or heat stress has a negative effect on reproductive performance by interfering the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. Therefore, to conserve and prolong the survivability and sustainability of nonhuman primates in captive and wild nature, more works and research have to be done.
Physical clutter affects the use of artificial ponds by the Lesser Bulldog Bat Noctilio albiventris (Chiroptera: Noctilionidae)
Authors: Rodríguez Juan David , Sánchez Francisco
Published: April 2022

Bats frequently feed over water bodies, but the net value of the water bodies depends on characteristics such as the amount of physical clutter the water body has. More physical clutter may reduce the detection of prey by bats and may also increase energetic costs by increasing in the number of obstacles to avoid. Consequently, we hypothesized that increasing physical clutter affected the use of an artificial pond where the Lesser Bulldog Bat Noctilio albiventris, a Neotropical fishing bat, forages regularly over water. We experimentally tested this idea recording the number of passes and feeding buzzes emitted by the bats on different nights when we added two levels of obstacles over the water and on control nights with no obstacles. We only found differences between the treatment with the highest obstacle density and the control; there were fewer passes and less feeding buzzes with more obstacles. Therefore, the addition of obstacles did affect the foraging behavior of N. albiventris. Furthermore, we suggest that increasing physical clutter, as in our experiments, may be a cost-effective way to reduce conflicts between local fisher farmers and fishing bats in Neotropical rural areas.
The first record of the genus Plega Navás, 1928 (Neuroptera: Rhachiberothidae: Symphrasinae) as a parasitoid of the sawfly genus Monoctenus Dahlbom, 1835 (Hymenoptera: Symphyta: Diprionidae)
Authors: De Lira-Ramos Karla Vanessa , Ardila-Camacho Adrian , González-Gaona Ernesto , García-González Nidia , Contreras-Ramos Atilano
Published: April 2022

The genus Plega Navás, 1928, belongs to the subfamily Symphrasinae, a group recently transferred from Mantispidae to Rhachiberothidae. This genus is herein reported as parasitoid of the symphytan family Diprionidae for the first time, becoming the first record of association between this neuropteran subfamily and non-aculeate Hymenoptera. This new association was discovered in “Ixcateopan de Cuauhtémoc”, in the Mexican state of Guerrero, where Plega spinosa Ardila et al., 2019 was found associated with immatures of the sawfly Monoctenus cuauhtemoci De Lira, 2021, a pest in forests of Juniperus flaccida Schlechtendal (white cedar). The neuropteran was found to be the most abundant parasitoid of this symphytan, becoming a potential candidate for biological control of phytophagous sawflies in juniper forests, an economically important plant species for the wood industry in the region. Considering the behavior and morphological aspects of the primary larvae and the behavior of the adults of Plega, three possible scenarios in which the primary larvae of P. spinosa board the larvae of Monoctenus to complete its life cycle are outlined. This finding reinforces the hypothesis of a generalist ectoparasitoid lifeway of the larvae of the genus Plega on larvae and pupae of holometabolous insects.
As condenações de Dante ao exílio e à morte: tradução dos textos e algumas reflexões
Authors: Aubert Eduardo Henrik
Published: April 2022

Esta contribuição oferece uma tradução para o português da sentença que, em 27 de janeiro de 1302, condenou Dante ao exílio e daquela que, em 10 de março do mesmo ano, converteu a primeira condenação em pena capital. Como forma de incrementar a inteligibilidade desses textos, são oferecidas, primeiramente, algumas considerações sobre o desenho institucional em que foram proferidas as condenações e, em seguida, sobre a estrutura, a prolação e a transmissão das sentenças. Por fim, são propostas algumas reflexões a partir do interessante proêmio que abre a primeira sentença do conjunto em que está incluída aquela do exílio de Dante; diante do projeto de restabelecimento da própria reputação empreendido por Dante e de suas repetidas manifestações acerca do exílio, propõe-se que aquele proêmio possa ser um dos importantes intertextos com que o Poeta está dialogando na abertura de sua Comédia.
Presenting Symptoms in Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Disease Evaluation: Association With Noninvasive Test Results and Clinical Outcomes in the PROMISE Trial
Authors: Lowenstern Angela , Alexander Karen P. , Pagidipati Neha J. , Hill C. Larry , Pellikka Patricia A. , Cooper Lawton S. , Alhanti Brooke , Hoffmann Udo , Mark Daniel B. , Douglas Pamela S.
Published: April 2022

Background:

Patients evaluated for coronary artery disease have a range of symptoms and underlying risk. The relationships between patient-described symptoms, clinician conclusions, and subsequent clinical management and outcomes remain incompletely described.

Methods:

In this secondary analysis, we examined the association between 4 types of presenting symptoms (substernal/left-sided chest pain, other chest/neck/arm pain, dyspnea, and other symptoms) and patient risk, noninvasive test results, clinical management, and outcomes for stable outpatients randomized in the PROMISE (Prospective Multicenter Imaging Study for Evaluation of Chest Pain) trial. Multivariable regression models were used to evaluate differences in noninvasive test result, all-cause death/myocardial infarction/unstable angina hospitalization and cardiovascular death/myocardial infarction by symptom type.

Results:

Among 9996 patients, most presented with chest pain (47.2% substernal, 29.2% other), followed by dyspnea (14.9%), and other symptoms (8.7%). Patients with dyspnea were older (median age 63 versus 60,
P
≤0.02) with higher baseline risk (78.2% with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease >7.5% versus 67.6%,
P
≤0.02). Using patients with substernal chest pain as a reference, there was no difference in noninvasive test positivity across symptom groups (all
P
>0.05), but test-positive patients with dyspnea (adjusted odds ratio, 0.66 [95% CI, 0.51–0.85]) or other symptoms (adjusted odds ratio, 0.65 [95% CI, 0.47–0.90]) were less likely to be referred for cardiac catheterization. While symptom type alone was not associated with outcomes, symptom presentation with chest pain or dyspnea did modify the association between a positive noninvasive test and clinical outcome (interaction
P
=0.025 for both all-cause death/myocardial infarction/unstable angina hospitalization and cardiovascular death/MI).

Conclusions:

Among low-risk outpatients evaluated for coronary artery disease, typicality of symptoms was not closely associated with higher baseline risk but was related to differences in processes of care and the prognostic value of a positive test. Adverse events were not associated with clinician risk estimates or symptoms alone. These unexpected findings highlight the limitation of relying solely on symptom presentation or clinician risk estimation to evaluate patients for suspected coronary artery disease.

Registration:

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
; Unique identifier: NCT01174550.
Long‐Term Outcomes and Clinical Predictors of Mortality Following Occurrence of Stent Thrombosis
Authors: Ishihara Takayuki , Okada Katsuki , Kida Hirota , Tsujimura Takuya , Iida Osamu , Okuno Shota , Hata Yosuke , Toyoshima Taku , Higashino Naoko , Kikuchi Atsushi , Watanabe Tetsuya , Morita Takashi , Tanaka Akihiro , Shutta Ryu , Nishino Masami , Kosugi Shumpei , Ueda Yasunori , Ichibori Yasuhiro , Higuchi Yoshiharu , Sotomi Yohei , Nakamura Daisuke , Kumada Masahiro , Hikoso Shungo , Nakatani Daisaku , Mano Toshiaki , Sakata Yasushi , Date Motoo , Ozaki Tatsuhisa , Takayasu Kohtaro , Mori Naoki , Kobayashi Tomoaki , Hamanaka Yuma , Yamada Takahisa , Okamoto Naotaka , Tsuda Masaki , Nakagawa Osamu , Mizote Isamu , Yokoi Kensuke , Shiraki Tatsuya , Sato Taiki , Sunaga Akihiro , Oeun Bolrathanak , Dohi Tomoharu , Suna Shinichiro , Ohtani Tomohito , Takeda Toshihiro , Mizuno Hiroya , Matsumura Yasushi
Published: April 2022

Background

Stent thrombosis (ST) remains a significant medical issue. In particular, longer‐term mortality and clinical predictors after ST occurrence have yet to be elucidated.

Methods and Results

This was a multicenter, retrospective, observational study. A total of 187 definite ST cases from January 2008 to December 2017 were enrolled, and the long‐term clinical outcomes were investigated. The primary outcome measure was the cumulative mortality after ST occurrence. In addition, independent predictors of mortality were assessed. Among the stent types causing ST, bare‐metal stent, first‐generation drug‐eluting stent, second‐generation drug‐eluting stent, and third‐generation drug‐eluting stent comprised 31.0%, 19.3%, 36.9%, and 6.4% of cases, respectively. Median duration from stent implantation to ST was 680.5 (interquartile range, 33.8–2450.5) days. Cumulative mortality was 14.6%, 17.4%, 21.2%, 24.4%, and 33.8% at 1, 2, 3, 5 and 10 years, respectively. The cumulative mortality did not significantly differ by type of stent, and mortality of late ST was higher than that of early ST and very late ST; however, it did not reach statistical significance after the multivariate analysis. Independent predictors of mortality were hemodialysis (hazard ratio [HR], 7.80; 95% CI, 3.07–19.81;
P
<0.001), culprit lesions in the left main trunk (HR, 8.14; 95% CI, 1.71–38.75;
P
=0.008), culprit lesions in the left coronary artery (HR, 2.77; 95% CI, 1.10–6.96;
P
=0.030), and peak creatine kinase (HR, 1.017; 95% CI, 1.011–1.022;
P
<0.001).

Conclusions

The 10‐year cumulative mortality after ST reached 33.8%. Close follow‐up is thus mandatory for patients with ST, especially with hemodialysis, culprit lesions in the left main trunk and left coronary artery, and high peak creatine kinase.
Effects of the Atrial Fibrillation Better Care Pathway on Outcomes Among Clinically Complex Chinese Patients With Atrial Fibrillation With Multimorbidity and Polypharmacy: A Report From the ChiOTEAF Registry
Authors: Kotalczyk Agnieszka , Guo Yutao , Stefil Maria , Wang Yutang , Lip Gregory Y. H. ,   the ChiOTEAF Registry Investigators
Published: April 2022

Background

Patients with atrial fibrillation commonly have complex clinical backgrounds of multimorbidity and polypharmacy. The Atrial Fibrillation Better Care (ABC) pathway has been developed to help deliver integrated and holistic care for patients with atrial fibrillation. In this ancillary analysis, we assessed the adherence to and the effectiveness of the ABC pathway at reducing adverse outcomes in Chinese patients with atrial fibrillation with a complex clinical background of multimorbidity or polypharmacy.

Methods and Results

The ChiOTEAF (Optimal Thromboprophylaxis in Elderly Chinese Patients With Atrial Fibrillation) registry is a prospective, multicenter, nationwide study conducted from October 2014 to December 2018. The primary outcomes of interest were the composite end point of all‐cause death and thromboembolic events, as well as individual end points of all‐cause death, thromboembolic events, and major bleeding.
Multimorbidity
was defined as the presence of ≥2 comorbidities, and
polypharmacy
was defined as the concomitant use of ≥5 medications. The eligible cohort included 4644 patients with multimorbidity, of whom 2610 (56.2%) had available data to assess the ABC pathway usage (mean age, 74.4±10.2; 42.8% women). Among patients with polypharmacy (n=2262; mean age, 74.6±10.1; 43.3% women), 1328 (58.7%) had available data to assess the use of the ABC pathway. Adherence to the ABC pathway was associated with a lower risk of the primary composite outcome among patients with multimorbidity (odds ratio, 0.48; 95% CI, 0.29–0.79) and in the polypharmacy group (odds ratio, 0.39; 95% CI, 0.19–0.78). Health‐related quality of life was lower in the non–ABC‐adherent group compared with the ABC‐treated patients.

Conclusions

This nationwide real‐world registry shows that adherence to the ABC pathway is associated with improved clinical outcomes and health‐related quality of life in clinically complex Chinese patients with atrial fibrillation with multimorbidity or polypharmacy.
Thrombus Imaging Characteristics and Outcomes in Posterior Circulation Stroke Patients Treated With EVT
Authors: Bruggeman Agnetha A.E. , Brouwer Josje , Arrarte Terreros Nerea , Boodt Nikki , den Hartog Sanne J. , Pirson F.A.V. (Anne) , Beenen Ludo F.M. , van Doormaal Pieter‐Jan , van Oostenbrugge Robert J. , Staals Julie , van Zwam Wim H. , Schonewille Wouter J. , Langezaal Lucianne C.M. , Vos Jan‐Albert , van der Lugt Aad , Dippel Diederik W.J. , Coutinho Jonathan M. , Roos Yvo B.W.E.M. , Marquering Henk A. , Emmer Bart J. , Majoie Charles B.L.M. ,   the MR CLEAN Registry investigators
Published: April 2022

Background

Contrary to anterior circulation stroke, studies on the association between thrombus imaging characteristics and outcomes are scarce in patients with posterior circulation stroke (PCS). We aimed to investigate the association of thrombus imaging characteristics with reperfusion and functional outcome in patients with PCS who underwent endovascular treatment.

Methods

In patients with PCS included in the MR CLEAN (Multicenter Randomized Clinical Trial of Endovascular Treatment for Acute Ischemic Stroke in The Netherlands) Registry, thrombus imaging characteristics (thrombus density and perviousness in Hounsfield Units [HU] and thrombus length in mm) were assessed on thin‐slice imaging (<2.5 mm). Regression models were used to assess the relation between thrombus imaging characteristics, reperfusion, functional outcome (24‐hour National Institute of Health Stroke Scale [NIHSS] and 90‐day modified Rankin Scale score ), and safety outcomes.

Results

In 118 patients with PCS, median thrombus density and perviousness were 53 HU (interquartile range [IQR], 47–61 HU) and 4 HU (IQR, −5 to 12 HU), respectively. Median thrombus length was 23 mm (IQR, 15–43 mm). IV alteplase treatment was administered to 57/118 patients with PCS (48%) before endovascular treatment. Thrombus length was associated with 24‐hour NIHSS (adjusted β coefficient 1.4%; 95% CI 0.5%–2.1% increase of NIHSS per mm increase in thrombus length;
P
=0.002) and reperfusion (adjusted common odds ratio 0.99; 95% CI 0.97–1.00;
P
=0.049). None of the other thrombus imaging characteristics were associated with 24‐hour NIHSS or reperfusion. No thrombus characteristic was associated with 90‐day modified Rankin Scale score.

Conclusion

In our population of patients with PCS who underwent endovascular treatment, only thrombus length was associated with 24‐hour NIHSS and reperfusion. None of the thrombus imaging characteristics were associated with 90‐day functional outcome. Our findings suggest that in patients with PCS, thrombus imaging characteristics are not useful predictors for functional outcome after endovascular treatment.
Perceptual Recognition of Sound Trajectories in Space
Authors: Schumacher Federico , Espinoza Vicente , Mardones Francisca , Vergara Rodrigo , Aránguiz Alberto , Aguilera Valentina
Published: April 2022

Sound spatialization is a technique used in various musical genres as well as in soundtrack production for films and video games. In this context, specialized software has been developed for the design of sound trajectories we have classified as (1) basic movements, or image schemas of spatial movement; and (2) archetypal geometric figures. Our contribution is to reach an understanding of how we perceive the movement of sound in space as a result of the interaction between an agent's or listener's sensory-motor characteristics and the morphological characteristics of the stimuli and the acoustic space where such interaction occurs. An experiment was designed involving listening to auditory stimuli and associating them with the aforementioned spatial movement categories. The results suggest that in most cases, the ability to recognize moving sound is hindered when there are no visual stimuli present. Moreover, they indicate that archetypal geometric figures are rarely perceived as such and that the perception of sound movements in space can be organized into three spatial dimensions—height, depth, and width—which the literature on sound localization also confirms.
Electronic Music and Generative Remixing: Improving L-Systems Aesthetics and Algorithms
Authors: Roncoroni Umberto
Published: April 2022

Postmodern art theories, overproduction, and digital technologies are testing the creativity, innovation, and social and political engagement of art. One Dadaist solution being explored by artists is the aesthetic possibilities associated with the conceptual process. For example, in the field of electronic music, producers and DJs are claiming that remixing is a genuine example of such a creative procedure; however, to justify this claim, remixing requires the bringing of the aesthetic foundations together using digital tools. The main problem is that digital audio workstations and plug-ins enclose artists in specific frameworks that blur the boundaries between true creativity and a perception of creativity. This article sought to develop remixing codes and software using Lindenmayer systems (L-systems), which are parallel rewriting systems with a type of formal grammar. As much of their potential remains unexplored, some algorithms and interface designs were developed to improve their interactive programming options. Finally, using the programmable L-systems as a genetic metaphor, some additions to musical morphing were developed as a starting point to building a generative remixing technique.
Funding CRISPR: Understanding the role of government and philanthropic institutions in supporting academic research within the CRISPR innovation system
Authors: Fajardo-Ortiz David , Hornbostel Stefan , Montenegro de Wit Maywa , Shattuck Annie
Published: April 2022

CRISPR/Cas has the potential to revolutionize medicine, agriculture, and biology. Understanding the trajectory of CRISPR research, how it is influenced, and who pays for it is an essential research policy question. We use a combination of methods to map, via quantitative content analysis of CRISPR papers, the research funding profile of major government agencies and philanthropic organizations and the networks involved in supporting key stages of high-influence research, namely, basic biological research and technological development. The results of the content analysis show how the research supported by the main U.S. government agencies focuses both on the study of CRISPR as a biological phenomenon and on its technological development and use as a biomedical research tool. U.S. philanthropic organizations, with the exception of HHMI, tend, by contrast, to specialize in funding CRISPR as a genome editing technology. We present a model of cofunding networks at the two most prominent institutions for CRISPR/Cas research (the University of California system and the Broad/Harvard/MIT system) to illuminate how philanthropic organizations have articulated with government agencies to cofinance the discovery and development of CRISPR/Cas. Our results raise fundamental questions about the role of the state and the influence of philanthropy over the trajectory of transformative technologies.
Two new species of Acanthocyrtus Handschin, 1925 (Collembola, Entomobryidae, Entomobryinae) from Western Australia
Authors: CIPOLA NIKOLAS GIOIA , GREENSLADE PENELOPE
Published: April 2022

Two new species of Acanthocyrtus Handschin from Western Australia are described and illustrated here. Acanthocyrtus necropolitanus sp. nov. and A. pallidus sp. nov. resemble other congenerics by having smooth prelabral chaetae and a unique dorsal chaetotaxy pattern from the third thoracic segment to the third abdominal segment, but both new species are distinguished from others by the presence of labral papillae, a feature is revealed here for the first time in the genus. An identification key for all species in the genus is provided. The description of these two Acanthocyrtus species now increased from six to eight and is now known from southwestern Australia.