bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ammonia Cycling and Emerging Secondary Aerosols from Arable Agriculture: A European and Irish Perspective
Authors: Pohl Vivien , Gilmer Alan , Hellebust Stig , McGovern Eugene , Cassidy John , Byers Vivienne , McGillicuddy Eoin J. , Neeson Finnian , O’Connor David J.
Published: December 2022

Ammonia (NH3) is a naturally occurring, highly reactive and soluble alkaline trace gas, originating from both natural and anthropogenic sources. It is present throughout the biosphere, yet plays a complicated role in atmospheric acid–base reactions resulting in the formation of inorganic secondary inorganic aerosols (SIAs). While the general mechanisms are recognised, factors controlling the reactions leading to SIA formation are less explored. This review summarises the current knowledge of NH3 sources, emission and deposition processes and atmospheric reactions leading to the formation of SIA. Brief summaries of NH3 and SIA long-range transport and trans-boundary pollution, a discussion of precursor species to SIAs (other than NH3), abiotic and biotic controls and state-of-the-art methods of measurement and modelling of pollutants are also included. In Ireland, NH3 concentrations remained below National and European Union limits, until 2016 when a rise in emissions was seen due to agricultural expansion. However, due to a lack of continuous monitoring, source and receptor relationships are difficult to establish, including the appointment of precursor gases and aerosols to source regions and industries. Additionally, the lack of continuous monitoring leads to over- and underestimations of precursor gases present, resulting in inaccuracies of the estimated importance of NH3 as a precursor gas for SIA. These gaps in data can hinder the accuracy and precision of forecasting models. Deposition measurements and the modelling of NH3 present another challenge. Direct source measurements are required for the parameterization of bi-directional fluxes; however, high-quality data inputs can be limited by local micrometeorological conditions, or the types of instrumentation used. Long-term measurements remain challenging for both aerosols and precursor gases over larger areas or arduous terrains.
Cryopreservation of Yak Semen: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Kalwar Qudratullah , Chu Min , Korejo Rashid Ali , Soomro Hidayatullah , Yan Ping
Published: December 2022

An urgent need to boost the sustainability and efficiency of animal production exists, owing to the growing global population. Enhancing the global fertility of animals, especially cattle, is essential to ameliorate this issue. Artificial insemination and sperm cryopreservation have a considerable and favorable influence on the quantity and quality of the cattle produced. Sperm cryopreservation is crucial for livestock production because it promotes and accelerates genetic diversity and the worldwide dispersion of animals with enhanced genetics. Owing to the importance of cryobiology in reproductive technologies, researchers are developing new approaches, and they are testing cryoprotectant drugs to enhance sperm cryosurvival. However, the viability of sperm after freezing is low and widely varies across breeding yaks. These faults are crucial because they impede advances in reproductive biotechnology and the study of mammalian gametes at a fundamental level. Using chemicals, researchers have developed and enhanced various extenders with varying degrees of efficiency to reduce cryodamage and oxidative stress. In this article, we review the cryopreservation of yak semen, the development of extenders, the difficulties faced during cryopreservation, and the evaluation of semen quality using various methodologies. This review might be helpful for researchers exploring semen cryopreservation in the future, as demand for enhanced cryopreservation exists to boost the post-thaw viability and fertility of sperm.
Performance Study on a Soft X-ray Betatron Radiation Source Realized in the Self-Injection Regime of Laser-Plasma Wakefield Acceleration
Authors: Curcio Alessandro , Cianchi Alessandro , Costa Gemma , Demurtas Francesco , Ehret Michael , Ferrario Massimo , Galletti Mario , Giulietti Danilo , Pérez-Hernández José Antonio , Gatti Giancarlo
Published: December 2022

We present an analysis of the performance of a broadband secondary radiation source based on a high-gradient laser-plasma wakefield electron accelerator. In more detail, we report studies of compact and ultra-short X-ray generation via betatron oscillations in plasma channels. For the specific working point examined in this paper, determined by the needs of other experiments ongoing at the facility, at ∼0.02 Hz operation rate, we have found ≲106 photons emitted per shot (with a fluctuation of 50%) in the soft X-rays, corresponding to a critical energy of ∼0.8 keV (with a fluctuation of 40%). The source will be implemented for experiments in time-domain spectroscopy, e.g., biological specimens, and for other applications oriented to medical physics.
An On-Site-Based Opportunistic Routing Protocol for Scalable and Energy-Efficient Underwater Acoustic Sensor Networks
Authors: Zhu Rongxin , Huang Xiwen , Huang Xiangdang , Li Deshun , Yang Qiuling
Published: December 2022

With the advancements in wireless sensor networks and the Internet of Underwater Things (IoUT), underwater acoustic sensor networks (UASNs) have attracted much attention, which has also been widely used in marine engineering exploration and disaster prevention. However, UASNs still face many challenges, including high propagation latency, limited bandwidth, high energy consumption, and unreliable transmission, influencing the good quality of service (QoS). In this paper, we propose a routing protocol based on the on-site architecture (SROA) for UASNs to improve network scalability and energy efficiency. The on-site architecture adopted by SROA is different from most architectures in that the data center is deployed underwater, which makes the sink nodes closer to the data source. A clustering method is introduced in SROA, which makes the network adapt to the changes in the network scale and avoid single-point failure. Moreover, the Q-learning algorithm is applied to seek optimal routing policies, in which the characteristics of underwater acoustic communication such as residual energy, end-to-end delay, and link quality are considered jointly when constructing the reward function. Furthermore, the reduction of packet retransmissions and collisions is advocated using a waiting mechanism developed from opportunistic routing (OR). The SROA realizes opportunistic routing to choose candidate nodes and coordinate packet forwarding among candidate nodes. The scalability of the proposed routing protocols is also analyzed by varying the network size and transmission range. According to the evaluation results, with the network scale ranging from 100 to 500, the SROA outperforms the existing routing protocols, extensively decreasing energy consumption and end-to-end delay.
Enhanced Impedance Measurement to Predict Electromagnetic Interference Attenuation Provided by EMI Filters in Systems with AC/DC Converters
Authors: Wan Lu , Negri Simone , Spadacini Giordano , Grassi Flavia , Pignari Sergio Amedeo
Published: December 2022

Due to the widespread integration of renewable energy sources connected to AC and DC power systems by means of power electronics converters, electromagnetic noise propagates along lines, and metallic earth-return structures. EMI filters are commonly used to mitigate the common mode and differential mode noise at the interface of distribution lines, and their suppression characteristics are usually assessed in standard test setups, the impedances of which are, however, scarcely representative of real-world applications. In this paper, an online, inductively coupled impedance measurement method is proposed. A sensitivity analysis to highlight the benefits of the proposed setup and experimental verification is performed. The proposed method enables non-intrusive impedance measurement in energized systems, including power converters. These measures, in turn, allow the evaluation of modal insertion losses of EMI filters in real-world operating conditions. The three-phase example considered in this study shows significant deviations from manufacturer specifications, thus justifying the need for more advanced estimation techniques.
Synthetic Generation of Realistic Signal Strength Data to Enable 5G Rogue Base Station Investigation in Vehicular Platooning
Authors: Saedi Mohammad , Moore Adrian , Perry Philip
Published: December 2022

Rogue Base Stations (RBS), also known as 5G Subscription Concealed Identifier (SUCI) catchers, were initially developed to maliciously intercept subscribers’ identities. Since then, further advances have been made, not only in RBSs, but also in communication network security. The identification and prevention of RBSs in Fifth Generation (5G) networks are among the main security challenges for users and network infrastructure. The security architecture group in 3GPP clarified that the radio configuration information received from user equipment could contain fingerprints of the RBS. This information is periodically included in the measurement report generated by the user equipment to report location information and Received Signal Strength (RSS) measurements for the strongest base stations. The motivation in this work, then is to generate 5G measurement reports to provide a large and realistic dataset of radio information and RSS measurements for an autonomous vehicle driving along various sections of a road. These simulated measurement reports can then be used to develop and test new methods for identifying an RBS and taking mitigating actions. The proposed approach can generate 20 min of synthetic drive test data in 15 s, which is 80 times faster than real time.
Effect of Soil Water Contents on Arsenic Accumulation in Phytoliths of Pteris multifida and Phragmites australis
Authors: Min Hyun-Gi , Kim Min-Suk , Kim Jeong-Gyu
Published: December 2022

The accumulation of metal(loid)s in phytoliths can physically immobilize the toxic materials and reduce toxicity in plant bodies and soil. Spider brake (Pteris multifida) is a well-known As hyperaccumulator that also harbors phytolith. However, As accumulation in phytoliths has not yet been studied with P. multifida. Soil water content is considered the main factor influencing phytolith accumulation. In this study, the As concentration in the phytoliths of P. multifida was compared with that in common reed (Phragmites australis) phytoliths with various soil water content. The range of As concentration in the phytoliths of P. multifida was 414.70–1610.74 mg kg−1, and the range for P. australis phytoliths was 41.67–126.54 mg kg−1. In P. multifida, higher soil water content increased As accumulation in the phytolith but did not affect the phytolith content in the plant. In P. australis, the higher soil water content increased phytolith content in the plant but decreased As concentration in phytoliths. This study suggests that P. multifida has higher As content in phytoliths than P. australis, and this accumulation can be affected by soil water content. The current findings provide how As encapsulated in phytolith and detoxified in different plants and conditions.
A Recommendation System for Selecting the Appropriate Undergraduate Program at Higher Education Institutions Using Graduate Student Data
Authors: Zayed Yara , Salman Yasmeen , Hasasneh Ahmad
Published: December 2022

Selecting the appropriate undergraduate program is a critical decision for students. Many elements influence this choice for secondary students, including financial, social, demographic, and cultural factors. If a student makes a poor choice, it will have implications for their academic life as well as their professional life. These implications may include having to change their major, which will cause a delay in their graduation, having a low grade-point average (GPA) in their chosen major, which will cause difficulties in finding a job, or even dropping out of university. In this paper, various supervised machine learning techniques, including Decision Tree, Random Forest, and Support Vector Machine, were investigated to predict undergraduate majors. The input features were related to the student’s academic history and the job market. We were able to recommend the program that guarantees both a high academic degree and employment, depending on previous data and experience, for Master of Business Administration (MBA) students. This research was conducted based on a published research and using the same dataset and aimed to improve the results by applying hyper-tuning, which was absent in previous research. The obtained results showed that our work outperformed the work of the published research, where the random forest exceeded the other classification techniques and reached an accuracy of 97.70% compared to 75.00% on the published research. The importance of features was also investigated, and it was found that the degree percentage, MBA percentage, and entry test result were the top contributing features to the model.
Consumer Studies: Beyond Acceptability—A Case Study with Beer
Authors: Hernández-Mora Yareth N. , Verde-Calvo José R. , Malpica-Sánchez Frida P. , Escalona-Buendía Héctor B.
Published: December 2022

Beer is one of the most consumed alcoholic beverages in the world; its consumption and preference are evolving from traditional industrial beers of low complexity to novel craft beers with diverse flavour profiles. In such a competitive industry and considering the complexity of consumer behaviour, improvement and innovation become necessary. Consequently, consumer science, which is responsible for identifying the motivation behind customer preferences through their attitudes, perception and behaviour, has implemented strategies ranging from simple hedonic measurements to several innovative and emerging methodologies for a deeper understanding of the variables that affect the product experience: sensory, affective and cognitive. In this context, we offer a review inspired by previous research that explores some of the quantitative and qualitative methods used in consumer studies related to beer consumption, ranging from traditional approaches (acceptability, purchase intention, preference, etc.) to techniques that go beyond acceptability and allow a different understanding of aspects of consumer perception and behaviour (segmentation, expectations, emotions, representation, etc.). Also, innovative applications (contexts, immersive technologies and virtual reality, implicit measures, etc.) and current trends related to consumer science (Internet, social media, pairing, product experience, etc.) are addressed.
One-Step Electropolymerization of Azure A and Carbon Nanomaterials for DNA-Sensor Assembling and Doxorubicin Biosensing
Authors: Porfireva Anna , Begisheva Ekaterina , Rogov Alexey , Evtugyn Gennady
Published: December 2022

New highly sensitive voltammetric DNA-sensors have been developed for the detection of cytostatic drug doxorubicin based on Azure A electropolymerized on various carbon nanomaterials, i.e., functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (fMWCNTs) and carbon black (CB). Carbon materials promote electropolymerization of the Azure A dye applied as a matrix for DNA molecules saturated with methylene blue (MB) molecules. Interaction with the intercalator (doxorubicin) liberates the MB molecules and changes redox activity. The doxorubicin concentration ranges reached by cyclic voltammetry were from 0.1 pM to 100 nM (limit of detection, LOD, 0.03 pM) for the biosensor based on CB, and from 0.3 pM to 0.1 nM (LOD 0.3 pM) for that based on fMWCNTs. DNA-sensors were tested on spiked samples of artificial serum, and biological and pharmaceutical samples. The DNA-sensors can find further application in the monitoring of the doxorubicin residuals in cancer treatment, as well as for pharmacokinetics studies.
PKCβ Facilitates Leukemogenesis in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia by Promoting Constitutive BCR-Mediated Signalling
Authors: Hay Jodie , Tarafdar Anuradha , Holroyd Ailsa K. , Moka Hothri A. , Dunn Karen M. , Alshayeb Alzahra , Lloyd Bryony H. , Cassels Jennifer , Malik Natasha , Khan Ashfia F. , Sou IengFong , Lees Jamie , Almuhanna Hassan N. B. , Kalakonda Nagesh , Slupsky Joseph R. , Michie Alison M.
Published: December 2022

B cell antigen receptor (BCR) signalling competence is critical for the pathogenesis of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL). Defining key proteins that facilitate these networks aid in the identification of targets for therapeutic exploitation. We previously demonstrated that reduced PKCα function in mouse hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HPSCs) resulted in PKCβII upregulation and generation of a poor-prognostic CLL-like disease. Here, prkcb knockdown in HSPCs leads to reduced survival of PKCα-KR-expressing CLL-like cells, concurrent with reduced expression of the leukemic markers CD5 and CD23. SP1 promotes elevated expression of prkcb in PKCα-KR expressing cells enabling leukemogenesis. Global gene analysis revealed an upregulation of genes associated with B cell activation in PKCα-KR expressing cells, coincident with upregulation of PKCβII: supported by activation of key signalling hubs proximal to the BCR and elevated proliferation. Ibrutinib (BTK inhibitor) or enzastaurin (PKCβII inhibitor) treatment of PKCα-KR expressing cells and primary CLL cells showed similar patterns of Akt/mTOR pathway inhibition, supporting the role for PKCβII in maintaining proliferative signals in our CLL mouse model. Ibrutinib or enzastaurin treatment also reduced PKCα-KR-CLL cell migration towards CXCL12. Overall, we demonstrate that PKCβ expression facilitates leukemogenesis and identify that BCR-mediated signalling is a key driver of CLL development in the PKCα-KR model.
Dual LSD1 and HDAC6 Inhibition Induces Doxorubicin Sensitivity in Acute Myeloid Leukemia Cells
Authors: Bulut Ipek , Lee Adam , Cevatemre Buse , Ruzic Dusan , Belle Roman , Kawamura Akane , Gul Sheraz , Nikolic Katarina , Ganesan A. , Acilan Ceyda
Published: December 2022

Defects in epigenetic pathways are key drivers of oncogenic cell proliferation. We developed a LSD1/HDAC6 multitargeting inhibitor (iDual), a hydroxamic acid analogue of the clinical candidate LSD1 inhibitor GSK2879552. iDual inhibits both targets with IC50 values of 540, 110, and 290 nM, respectively, against LSD1, HDAC6, and HDAC8. We compared its activity to structurally similar control probes that act by HDAC or LSD1 inhibition alone, as well as an inactive null compound. iDual inhibited the growth of leukemia cell lines at a higher level than GSK2879552 with micromolar IC50 values. Dual engagement with LSD1 and HDAC6 was supported by dose dependent increases in substrate levels, biomarkers, and cellular thermal shift assay. Both histone methylation and acetylation of tubulin were increased, while acetylated histone levels were only mildly affected, indicating selectivity for HDAC6. Downstream gene expression (CD11b, CD86, p21) was also elevated in response to iDual treatment. Remarkably, iDual synergized with doxorubicin, triggering significant levels of apoptosis with a sublethal concentration of the drug. While mechanistic studies did not reveal changes in DNA repair or drug efflux pathways, the expression of AGPAT9, ALOX5, BTG1, HIPK2, IFI44L, and LRP1, previously implicated in doxorubicin sensitivity, was significantly elevated.
The Continuing Question of Adjuvant Therapy in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Berg Stephanie A. , McGregor Bradley A.
Published: December 2022

Treatment advances in kidney cancer continually evolve. The focus of treatment options continues with oral vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) or intravenous immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Multiple trials exploring the role of adjuvant treatment after cytoreductive nephrectomy in high-risk clear cell renal cell carcinoma are currently ongoing. The discovery of biomarkers may help determine which patients benefit from these treatments, but these are not yet available outside clinical studies. Trials with combination therapies are also ongoing, especially using novel therapies with new mechanisms of action, and will hopefully provide more clues on proper patient and therapy selection in the adjuvant setting.
Immunohistochemical Markers of the Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) Are Related to Extensive Lymph Nodal Spread, Peritoneal Dissemination, and Poor Prognosis in the Microsatellite-Stable Diffuse Histotype of Gastric Cancer
Authors: Marrelli Daniele , Marano Luigi , Ambrosio Maria Raffaella , Carbone Ludovico , Spagnoli Luigi , Petrioli Roberto , Ongaro Alessandra , Piccioni Stefania , Fusario Daniele , Roviello Franco
Published: December 2022

Background: Although the prognostic value of the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in gastric cancer has been reported in several studies, the strong association with the diffuse type may represent a confounding factor. Our aim is to investigate potential correlations among EMT status, tumor advancement, and prognosis in diffuse gastric cancer. Methods: Between 1997 and 2012, 84 patients with microsatellite-stable (MSS) diffuse-type tumors underwent surgery. The EMT phenotype was assessed with the E-cadherin, CD44, and zinc finger E-box binding homeobox 1 (ZEB-1) immunohistochemical markers. Results: Forty-five out of 84 cases (54%) were EMT-positive; more advanced nodal status (p = 0.010), pTNM stage (p = 0.032), and vascular invasion (p = 0.037) were observed in this group. The median numbers of positive nodes (13 vs. 5) and involved nodal stations (4 vs. 2) were higher in the EMT-positive group. The cancer-related survival time was 26 months in EMT-positive cases vs. 51 in negative cases, with five-year survival rates of 17% vs. 51%, respectively (p = 0.001). The EMT status had an impact on the prognosis of patients with <70 years, R0 resections, or treatment with adjuvant chemotherapy. Tumor relapses after surgery and peritoneal spread were significantly higher in the EMT-positive tumors. Conclusions: EMT status, when assessed through immunohistochemistry, identified an aggressive phenotype of MSS diffuse-type tumors with extensive lymph nodal spread, peritoneal dissemination, and worse long-term outcomes.
Prognostic Significance of p16 and Its Relationship with Human Papillomavirus Status in Patients with Penile Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Results of 5 Years Follow-Up
Authors: Chahoud Jad , Zacharias Niki M. , Pham Rachel , Qiao Wei , Guo Ming , Lu Xin , Alaniz Angelita , Segarra Luis , Martinez-Ferrer Magaly , Gleber-Netto Frederico Omar , Pickering Curtis R. , Rao Priya , Pettaway Curtis A.
Published: December 2022

Penile Squamous Cell Carcinoma (PSCC) is associated with high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV). The immunohistochemical (IHC) test for p16INK4a (p16) is highly correlated with HR-HPV expression in other SCCs. To investigate whether the expression of p16 IHC or HR-HPV is associated with survival in PSCC, we conducted a single institution analysis of 143 patients with a diagnosis of PSCC and, available tissue were tested for p16 IHC staining patterns, histological subtype, tumor grade, and lymphovascular invasion (LVI) by an experienced pathologist. HR-HPV status using the Cobas PCR Assay or the RNAScope high-risk HPV in situ hybridization kit were also assessed. Patient characteristics were summarized using descriptive statistics of clinico-pathologic variables. Kaplan–Meier was used to estimate median overall survival (OS), cancer specific survival (CSS) and correlated with HPV, p16, and other study variables. Patients with p16+ tumors had a significantly longer median CSS in comparison to the p16– group (p = 0.004), with respective 5-year CSS probability of 88% (95% CI; 0.84, 1) versus 58% (95% CI; 0.55, 0.76; p = 0.004). HPV status did not predict survival outcomes. Multivariable analysis with respect to OS and CSS, showed that p16+ status was associated with a lower risk of death (HR = 0.36, 95%CI; 0.20–0.67, p = 0.001), and improved CSS (HR = 0.20, 95% CI; 0.07–0.54, p = 0.002) after adjusting for covariates. In conclusion, tumor p16 status via IHC was an easy to perform independent prognostic factor for OS and CSS that correlates with HR-HPV expression.
Caveolin-1 rs1997623 Single Nucleotide Polymorphism Creates a New Binding Site for the Early B-Cell Factor 1 That Instigates Adipose Tissue CAV1 Protein Overexpression
Authors: Al Madhoun Ashraf , Haddad Dania , Nizam Rasheeba , Miranda Lavina , Kochumon Shihab , Thomas Reeby , Thanaraj Thangavel Alphonse , Ahmad Rasheed , Bitar Milad S. , Al-Mulla Fahd
Published: December 2022

Caveolin-1 (CAV1) is implicated in the pathophysiology of diabetes and obesity. Previously, we demonstrated an association between the CAV1 rs1997623 C > A variant and metabolic syndrome (MetS). Here, we decipher the functional role of rs1997623 in CAV1 gene regulation. A cohort of 38 patients participated in this study. The quantitative MetS scores (siMS) of the participants were computed. CAV1 transcript and protein expression were tested in subcutaneous adipose tissue using RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays were performed using primary preadipocytes isolated from individuals with different CAV1 rs1997623 genotypes (AA, AC, and CC). The regulatory region flanking the variant was cloned into a luciferase reporter plasmid and expressed in human preadipocytes. Additional knockdown and overexpression assays were carried out. We show a significant correlation between siMS and CAV1 transcript levels and protein levels in human adipose tissue collected from an Arab cohort. We found that the CAV1 rs1997623 A allele generates a transcriptionally active locus and a new transcription factor binding site for early B-cell factor 1 (EBF1), which enhanced CAV1 expression. Our in vivo and in vitro combined study implicates, for the first time, EBF1 in regulating CAV1 expression in individuals harboring the rs1997623 C > A variant.
RIPOR2 Expression Decreased by HPV-16 E6 and E7 Oncoproteins: An Opportunity in the Search for Prognostic Biomarkers in Cervical Cancer
Authors: Olmedo-Nieva Leslie , Muñoz-Bello J. Omar , Martínez-Ramírez Imelda , Martínez-Gutiérrez Antonio Daniel , Ortiz-Pedraza Yunuen , González-Espinosa Claudia , Madrid-Marina Vicente , Torres-Poveda Kirvis , Bahena-Roman Margarita , Lizano Marcela
Published: December 2022

High-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the main risk factor for cervical cancer (CC) development, where the continuous expression of E6 and E7 oncoproteins maintain the malignant phenotype. In Mexico, around 70% of CC cases are diagnosed in advanced stages, impacting the survival of patients. The aim of this work was to identify biomarkers affected by HPV-16 E6 and E7 oncoproteins that impact the prognosis of CC patients. Expression profiles dependent on E6 and E7 oncoproteins, as well as their relationship with biological processes and cellular signaling pathways, were analyzed in CC cells. A comparison among expression profiles of E6- and E7-expressing cells and that from a CC cohort obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) demonstrated that the expression of 13 genes impacts the overall survival (OS). A multivariate analysis revealed that the downregulated expression of RIPOR2 was strongly associated with a worse OS. RIPOR2, including its transcriptional variants, were overwhelmingly depleted in E6- and E7-expressing cells. Finally, in a Mexican cohort, it was found that in premalignant cervical lesions, RIPOR2 expression decreases as the lesions progress; meanwhile, decreased RIPOR2 expression was also associated with a worse OS in CC patients.
Correction of the Splicing Defect Caused by a Recurrent Variant in ABCA4 (c.769-784C>T) That Underlies Stargardt Disease
Authors: Tomkiewicz Tomasz Z. , Nieuwenhuis Sara E. , Cremers Frans P. M. , Garanto Alejandro , Collin Rob W. J.
Published: December 2022

Stargardt disease is an inherited retinal disease caused by biallelic mutations in the ABCA4 gene, many of which affect ABCA4 splicing. In this study, nine antisense oligonucleotides (AONs) were designed to correct pseudoexon (PE) inclusion caused by a recurrent deep-intronic variant in ABCA4 (c.769-784C>T). First, the ability of AONs to skip the PE from the final ABCA4 mRNA transcript was assessed in two cellular models carrying the c.769-784C>T variant: a midigene assay using HEK293T cells and patient-derived fibroblasts. Based on the splicing-correcting ability of each individual AON, the three most efficacious AONs targeting independent regions of the PE were selected for a final assessment in photoreceptor precursor cells (PPCs). The final analysis in the PPC model confirmed high efficacy of AON2, -5, and -7 in promoting PE exclusion. Among the three AONs, AON2 is chosen as the lead candidate for further optimization, hereby showcasing the high potential of AONs to correct aberrant splicing events driven by deep-intronic variants.
Effect of Metabolic Adaptation by Voluntary Running Wheel Activity and Aldosterone Inhibition on Renal Function in Female Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats
Authors: Atmanspacher Felix , Schreckenberg Rolf , Wolf Annemarie , Grgic Ivica , Schlüter Klaus-Dieter
Published: December 2022

Metabolic effects of physical activity may be reno-protective in the context of hypertension, although exercise stresses kidneys. Aldosterone participates in renal disease in hypertension, but exercise affects the plasma concentration of aldosterone. This study was designed to evaluate whether physical activity and pharmacological treatment by aldosterone have additive effects on renal protection in hypertensive rats. Female spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) or normotensive Wistar rats performed voluntary running wheel activity alone or in combination with aldosterone blockade (spironolactone). The following groups were studied: young and pre-hypertensive SHR (n = 5 sedentary; n = 10 running wheels, mean body weight 129 g), 10-month-old Wistar rats (n = 6 sedentary; n = 6 running wheels, mean body weight 263 g), 10-month-old SHRs (n = 18 sedentary, mean body weight 224 g; n = 6 running wheels, mean body weight 272 g; n = 6 aldosterone, mean body weight 219 g; n = 6 aldosterone and running wheels, mean body weight 265 g). Another group of SHRs had free access to running wheels for 6 months and kept sedentary for the last 3 months (n = 6, mean body weight 240 g). Aldosterone was given for the last 4 months. SHRs from the running groups had free access to running wheels beginning at the age of 6 weeks. Renal function was analyzed by microalbuminuria (Alb/Cre), urinary secretion of kidney injury molecule-1 (uKim-1), and plasma blood urea nitrogen (BUN) concentration. Molecular adaptation of the kidney to hypertension and its modification by spironolactone and/or exercise were analyzed by real-time PCR, immunoblots, and histology. After six months of hypertension, rats had increased Alb/Cre and BUN but normal uKim-1. Voluntary free running activity normalized BUN but not Alb/Cre, whereas spironolactone reduced Alb/Cre but not BUN. Exercise constitutively increased renal expression of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9; mRNA and protein) and arginase-2 (mRNA). Spironolactone reduced these effects. uKim-1 increased in rats performing voluntary running wheel activity exercise irrespectively of blood pressure and aldosterone blockade. We observed independent but no additive effects of aldosterone blockade and physical activity on renal function and on molecules potentially affecting renal lipid metabolism.
Improving the Efficiency of Metalworking by the Cutting Tool Rake Surface Texturing and Using the Wear Predictive Evaluation Method on the Case of Turning an Iron–Nickel Alloy
Authors: Stebulyanin Mikhail , Ostrikov Evgeny , Migranov Mars , Fedorov Sergey
Published: December 2022

The article proposes and substantiates the function of predictive evaluation using the criterion of the relative efficiency of using a cutting tool with a microtextured rake surface based on tangential force and cutting temperature. Comprehensive durability tests carried out under various processing modes with the measurement of heat power parameters made it possible to create an experimental base for mathematical modeling. An empirical model of cutting parameters based on modified multiplicative functions with non-constant indicators in the form of linear dependencies on processing factors was used based on planning an experiment for processing a heat-resistant alloy for predictive wear assessment in order to determine rational cutting modes. Predicting the rational use of a cutting tool with a microtextured work surface made it possible to obtain a 1.3-fold increase in durability.
Chemical Stability of Sputter Deposited Silver Thin Films
Authors: Depla Diederik
Published: December 2022

Silver films with a thickness below 50 nanometer were deposited on glass using DC magnetron sputtering. The chemical stability of the films was investigated by exposure of the film to a droplet of a HCl solution in a humid atmosphere. The affected area was monitored with a digital microscope. The affected area increases approximately linearly with time which points to a diffusive mechanism. The slope of the area versus time plot, or the diffusivity, was measured as a function of the acid concentration, the presence of an aluminum seed layer, and film thickness. The diffusivity scales linearly with the acid concentration. It is shown that the diffusivity for Al-seeded Ag films is much lower. The behavior as function of the film thickness is more complex as it shows a maximum.
Thermal Barrier Coatings: An Insight into Conventional Plasma Spray and Water-Stabilized Plasma Spray
Authors: Rafiq Nafisah Mohd , Wang Shijie
Published: December 2022

Thermal barrier coating (TBC) systems have presented an ongoing design issue in bids to improve the lifespan of coatings. A TBC can support an extended lifespan by repairing cracks between interfacial layers during high thermal exposure while at the same time increasing coating thickness. Two deposition techniques, atmospheric plasma spray and water-stabilized plasma spray (WSP), have been distinguished to understand mechanical and thermal performance based on their contrasting torch systems and microstructural characterization. This insight paper will underline the superiority of WSP coating and the need to leverage existing technology by optimizing better deposition parameters for future fatigue-resistant TBC production.
Low Temperature Thermal Properties of Nanodiamond Ceramics
Authors: Szewczyk Daria , Ramos Miguel A.
Published: December 2022

The temperature dependence of thermal conductivity and specific heat for detonated nanodiamond ceramics is investigated on specially designed experimental setups, implementing the uniaxial stationary heat flow method and the thermal relaxation method, respectively. Additionally, complementary studies with a commercial setup (Physical Property Measurement System from Quantum Design operating either in Thermal Transport or Heat Capacity Option) were performed. Two types of samples are under consideration. Both ceramics were sintered at high pressures (6–7 GPa) for 11–25 s but at different sintering temperatures, namely 1000 °C and 1600 °C. The effect of changing the sintering conditions on thermal transport is examined. In thermal conductivity κ(T), it provides an improvement up to a factor of 3 of heat flow at room temperature. The temperature dependence of κ(T) exhibits a typical polycrystalline character due to hindered thermal transport stemming from the microstructure of ceramic material but with values around 1–2 W/mK. At the lowest temperatures, the thermal conductivity is very low and increases only slightly faster than linear with temperature, proving the significant contribution of the scattering due to multiple grain boundaries. The specific heat data did not show a substantial difference between detonated nanodiamond ceramics obtained at different temperatures unlike for κ(T) results. For both samples, an unexpected upturn at the lowest temperatures is observed—most likely reminiscent of a low-T Schottky anomaly. A linear contribution to the specific heat is also present, with a value one order of magnitude higher than in canonical glasses. The determined Debye temperature is 482 (±6) K. The results are supported by phonon mean free path calculations.
Winter Territoriality of the American Redstart in Oil Palm Plantations
Authors: Oliveira Samuel L. , Flaspohler David J. , Wolfe Jared D.
Published: December 2022

Aspects of territorial behavior of Nearctic-neotropical migratory birds during the nonbreeding period are poorly studied. Information about territoriality, site persistence, between-year site fidelity, and territory sizes are not available for most birds, especially in tropical agroecosystems. Given the rapid expansion of oil palm in the neotropics, determining how oil palm affects the territorial behaviors of overwintering migratory birds is an important line of inquiry with conservation implications. The American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla) is considered a model species for the study of population dynamics in the neotropics; however, territory size for American Redstart has only been assessed in native habitats. In this study, we outfitted individual redstarts with radio tags, across two winter seasons, to determine variation in territory sizes across oil palm plantations and native forest patches in the State of Tabasco, Mexico. Average redstart territory size was 0.29 ha in oil palm plantations and 0.17 ha in native forest. Albeit presenting larger territories in oil palm plantations, which could indicate poorer habitat quality, the difference between both habitats was not statistically significant. Our results demonstrate, for the first time, that American Redstarts hold territories in oil palm plantations and that territory size may serve as an important indicator of relative habitat quality for redstart populations in tropical working landscapes.
Hypermetabolic Ipsilateral Supraclavicular and Axillary Lymphadenopathy: Optimal Time Point for Performing an 18F-FDG PET/CT after COVID-19 Vaccination
Authors: Antwi Kwadwo , Caobelli Federico , Kudura Ken , Buchholz Hans-Georg , Hoffmann Martin , Schreckenberger Mathias
Published: December 2022

Background: We aimed to evaluate the incidence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type-2 (SARS-CoV2) vaccine-related hypermetabolic lymphadenopathy (HLA) and evaluate which time point produces the least number of false-positive findings in an 18F-2-Fluor-2-desoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT). Methods: For this retrospective, multi-center imaging study, patients with any form of SARS-CoV2 vaccination prior to an 18F-FDG-PET/CT were included between January 2021 and December 2021. Patients were divided into six groups according to the time point of vaccination prior to their 18F-FDG-PET/CT imaging, e.g., group one (0–6 days) and group six (35–80 days). As the reference standards, the SUVmax of the mediastinal blood pool (MBP) and the SUVmax contralateral reference lymph node (RL) were determined. (A) The absolute SUVmax of HLA, (B) the ratio of SUVmaxHLA/SUVmax mediastinal blood pool (rHLA/MBP), (C) the ratio SUVmax HLA vs. SUVmax contralateral reference lymph node (rHLA/RL), (D) and the incidence of HLA defined as rHLA/MBP > 1.5 were assessed. Results: Group one (days 0–6) showed the highest incidence of HLA 16/23 (70%) and rHLA/MBP (2.58 ± 2.1). All three parameters for HLA reduced statistically significantly in the comparison of Groups 1–3 (days 0–20) versus Groups 4–6 (days 21–80) (p-values < 0.001). Conclusions: If feasible, an FDG PET should be postponed by at least 3 weeks after SARS-CoV2 vaccination, especially if an accurate evaluation of axillary status is required.
Characteristics of Dietary Intake in Relation to the Consumption of Home-Produced Foods among Farm Women in Two Rural Areas of Kenya: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Kishino Madoka , Hirose Miru , Hida Azumi , Tada Yuki , Ishikawa-Takata Kazuko , Hara Kenta , Irie Kenji , Maundu Patrick , Morimoto Yasuyuki
Published: December 2022

The present study aimed to clarify the differences in nutritional intake in relation to the consumption of local food products and dietary patterns between two rural Kenyan regions, Kitui and Vihiga, where different ethnic groups live in different agro-ecological zones. A participant observation study with weighted dietary records was conducted in August 2019. Enumerators stayed in each targeted household for approximately one week and measured the ingredients and dishes. We compared the dietary intake of farm women in charge of meal preparation (n = 21) between the two regions and examined the contribution of each dish to the intake and the degree of home production for each food item. The results showed no difference in energy intake, but vitamin B2, B12, and C intakes were significantly higher in Vihiga, influenced by their consuming small fish and a variety of homegrown leafy vegetables. The people in Kitui consumed large quantities of homegrown pigeon peas, largely contributing to their nutritional intake. Dietary patterns were similar; common staple foods and tea with sugar accounted for about 40% of energy and protein intakes and fruit consumption was low. There was no difference in foods purchased frequently. These results suggested that promoting locally available fruits and vegetables would contribute to a sustainable supply of adequate micronutrients. Further studies are required to develop strategies to promote healthy dietary habits and improve health status.
Multi-Scale Characteristics of Investor Sentiment Transmission Based on Wavelet, Transfer Entropy and Network Analysis
Authors: Han Muye , Zhou Jinsheng
Published: December 2022

Investor sentiment transmission is significantly influential over financial markets. Prior studies do not reach a consensus about the multi-scale transmission patterns of investor sentiment. Our study proposed a composite set of methods based on wavelet, transfer entropy, and network analysis to explore the transmission patterns of investor sentiment among firms. By taking 137 new energy vehicle-related listed firms as an example, the results show three key findings: (1) the transmission of investor sentiment presents more active in the short term and takes place in a local range; (2) the transmission of investor sentiment presents patterns of continuity and growth from short term to long term; and (3) the transmission patterns of investor sentiment will have specific evolutions from short term to long term. Suggestions are offered to investors, managers and policymakers to better monitor the financial market using investor sentiment transmission.
A Retrofit Strategy for Real-Time Monitoring of Building Electrical Circuits Based on the SmartLVGrid Metamodel
Authors: Fernandes Rubens A. , Gomes Raimundo C. S. , Dias Ozenir , Carvalho Celso , Torné Israel G. , Oliveira Jozias P. , Júnior Carlos T. C.
Published: December 2022

The Internet of things (IoT) paradigm promotes the emergence of solutions to enable energy-management strategies. However, these solutions may favor the disposal or replacement of outdated but still necessary systems. Thus, a proposal that advocates the retrofit of pre-existing systems would be an alternative to implement energy monitoring. In this sense, this work presents a strategy for monitoring electrical parameters in real time by using IoT solutions, cloud-resident applications, and retrofitting of legacy building electrical systems. In this implementation, we adapted the SmartLVGrid metamodel to systematize the insertion of remote monitoring resources in low-voltage circuits. For this, we developed embedded platforms for monitoring the circuits of a building electrical panel and application for visualization and data storage in the cloud. With this, remote monitoring of the consumer unit was carried out in relation to energy demand, power factor, and events of variations of electrical parameters in the circuits of the legacy distribution board. We also carried out a case study with the proposed system, identifying events of excess demand in the consumer unit, mitigating the individual contribution of the installation circuits in this process. Therefore, our proposal presents an alternative to enable energy management and maximum use of existing resources.
Progress of Single-Crystal Nickel-Cobalt-Manganese Cathode Research
Authors: Chu Ruixia , Zou Yujian , Zhu Peidong , Tan Shiwei , Qiu Fangyuan , Fu Wenjun , Niu Fu , Huang Wanyou
Published: December 2022

The booming electric vehicle industry continues to place higher requirements on power batteries related to economic-cost, power density and safety. The positive electrode materials play an important role in the energy storage performance of the battery. The nickel-rich NCM (LiNixCoyMnzO2 with x + y + z = 1) materials have received increasing attention due to their high energy density, which can satisfy the demand of commercial-grade power batteries. Prominently, single-crystal nickel-rich electrodes with s unique micron-scale single-crystal structure possess excellent electrochemical and mechanical performance, even when tested at high rates, high cut-off voltages and high temperatures. In this review, we outline in brief the characteristics, problems faced and countermeasures of nickel-rich NCM materials. Then the distinguishing features and main synthesis methods of single-crystal nickel-rich NCM materials are summarized. Some existing issues and modification methods are also discussed in detail, especially the optimization strategies under harsh conditions. Finally, an outlook on the future development of single-crystal nickel-rich materials is provided. This work is expected to provide some reference for research on single-crystal nickel-rich ternary materials with high energy density, high safety levels, long-life, and their contribution to sustainable development.
Pricing Decision Models of the Dual Channel Supply Chain with Service Level and Return
Authors: Zhang Xuelong , Xu Huili , Zhang Chenhui , Xiao Shuang , Zhang Ying
Published: December 2022

The interests of upstream, midstream, downstream companies and consumers in the supply chain are jointly affected by service levels and returns. Improving service levels can increase market demand and improve market position, as well as reduce return rates. But the increase in service level will bring an increase in service cost. How to balance the service cost and return cost through pricing decision, so that the profit of supply chain members can be improved, is the problem studied in this paper. In this paper, we consider the effect of service level of network channel on consumers’ return behavior in the context of manufacturer’s dual-channel supply chain when dual channels provide services at the same time, and discuss the effect of service level and return rate on pricing decision of dual-channel supply chain. It was found that return behavior can stimulate manufacturers to improve service levels and increase overall supply chain profits. The higher the return rate in the network channel, the greater the benefits from improved service levels by the manufacturer and the less detrimental to retailers’ returns. This study enriches the research on pricing decisions in dual-channel supply chains, increases the motivation of merchants to improve service levels, and has some guiding implications for supply chain members to develop price and service strategies.