bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Progressive Dilation Dense Residual Fusion Network for Single-Image Deraining
Authors: GAO Tao , Kong Xiaolin , Chen Ting , Zhang Jing
Published: April 2023

Abstract: Deraining is very important for many applications in computer vision, and it is a challenging problem due to its ill-posed nature, especially for single image deraining. In order to remove rain streaks more thoroughly, as well as retain more details, a progressive dilation dense residual fusion network (PDDRFN) is proposed. More precisely, the PDDRFN is designed in a cascade manner with multiple fusion blocks. The fusion block consists of a dilation dense residual block (DDRB) and a dense residual feature fusion block (DRFFB), where DDRB is created for feature extraction and DRFFB is mainly designed for feature fusion operation. Meanwhile, detail compensation memory mechanism (DCMM) is leveraged between each of two cascade modules to retain more background details. Extensive experiments on synthetic benchmark datasets and real-world rainy images demonstrate that the proposed method can achieve better results compared with previous state-of-the-art methods, in terms of rain streaks removal and background details preservation. Furthermore, PDDRFN also shows its superiority in image denoising task.
Simultaneous determination of polarization states and mode coefficients of fiber LP modes with four-channel off-axis holography
Authors: Han Zhigang , Li Junbo , Liu Siliang , Li Fangxin , Yang Zhenying , Wang Qi , Rui Jiuduo , Shen Hua , Zhu Rihong
Published: April 2023

Four-channel off-axis holography is proposed to simultaneously understand the polarization states and the mode coefficients of LP modes in few-mode fiber. Far-field off-axis holograms in the four-polarization directions of the fiber laser were acquired at the same moment through a four-channel holographic device. The weights, the relative phase differences and the polarization parameters of the vector fiber laser mode can be solved simultaneously. The simulated and experimental mode analysis of the laser output by 1060-XP fiber with 6 LP modes at 632.8nm are conducted, which shows that the similarity of the total intensity distribution of the laser before and after mode analysis is above 0.97. The mode polarization states, the mode weights and the relative phase differences of the few-mode laser can be determined simultaneously in a single shot by the four-channel off-axis holography.
Insulin secretion deficits in a Prader-Willi syndrome β-cell model are associated with a concerted downregulation of multiple endoplasmic reticulum chaperones
Authors: Koppes Erik A. , Johnson Marie A. , Moresco James J. , Luppi Patrizia , Lewis Dale W. , Stolz Donna B. , Diedrich Jolene K. , Yates John R. , Wek Ronald C. , Watkins Simon C. , Gollin Susanne M. , Park Hyun Jung , Drain Peter , Nicholls Robert D.
Published: April 2023

Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a multisystem disorder with neurobehavioral, metabolic, and hormonal phenotypes, caused by loss of expression of a paternally-expressed imprinted gene cluster. Prior evidence from a PWS mouse model identified abnormal pancreatic islet development with retention of aged insulin and deficient insulin secretion. To determine the collective roles of PWS genes in β-cell biology, we used genome-editing to generate isogenic, clonal INS-1 insulinoma lines having 3.16 Mb deletions of the silent, maternal- (control) and active, paternal-allele (PWS). PWS β-cells demonstrated a significant cell autonomous reduction in basal and glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. Further, proteomic analyses revealed reduced levels of cellular and secreted hormones, including all insulin peptides and amylin, concomitant with reduction of at least ten endoplasmic reticulum (ER) chaperones, including GRP78 and GRP94. Critically, differentially expressed genes identified by whole transcriptome studies included reductions in levels of mRNAs encoding these secreted peptides and the group of ER chaperones. In contrast to the dosage compensation previously seen for ER chaperones inGrp78orGrp94gene knockouts or knockdown, compensation is precluded by the stress-independent deficiency of ER chaperones in PWS β-cells. Consistent with reduced ER chaperones levels, PWS INS-1 β-cells are more sensitive to ER stress, leading to earlier activation of all three arms of the unfolded protein response. Combined, the findings suggest that a chronic shortage of ER chaperones in PWS β-cells leads to a deficiency of protein folding and/or delay in ER transit of insulin and other cargo. In summary, our results illuminate the pathophysiological basis of pancreatic β-cell hormone deficits in PWS, with evolutionary implications for the multigenic PWS-domain, and indicate that PWS-imprinted genes coordinate concerted regulation of ER chaperone biosynthesis and β-cell secretory pathway function.
Mutations in NAKED-ENDOSPERM IDD genes reveal functional interactions with SCARECROW during leaf patterning in C4 grasses
Authors: Hughes Thomas E. , Sedelnikova Olga , Thomas Mimi , Langdale Jane A.
Published: April 2023

Leaves comprise a number of different cell-types that are patterned in the context of either the epidermal or inner cell layers. In grass leaves, two distinct anatomies develop in the inner leaf tissues depending on whether the leaf carries out C3 or C4 photosynthesis. In both cases a series of parallel veins develops that extends from the leaf base to the tip but in ancestral C3 species veins are separated by a greater number of intervening mesophyll cells than in derived C4 species. We have previously demonstrated that the GRAS transcription factor SCARECROW (SCR) regulates the number of photosynthetic mesophyll cells that form between veins in the leaves of the C4 species maize, whereas it regulates the formation of stomata in the epidermal leaf layer in the C3 species rice. Here we show that SCR is required for inner leaf patterning in the C4 species Setaria viridis but in this species the presumed ancestral stomatal patterning role is also retained. Through a comparative mutant analysis between maize, setaria and rice we further demonstrate that loss of NAKED-ENDOSPERM (NKD) INDETERMINATE DOMAIN (IDD) protein function exacerbates loss of function scr phenotypes in the inner leaf tissues of maize and setaria but not rice. Specifically, in both setaria and maize, scr;nkd mutants exhibit an increased proportion of fused veins with no intervening mesophyll cells. Thus, combined action of SCR and NKD may control how many mesophyll cells are specified between veins in the leaves of C4 but not C3 grasses. Together our results provide insight into the evolution of cell patterning in grass leaves and demonstrate a novel patterning role for IDD genes in C4 leaves.
A frame-shift mutation in COMTD1 is associated with impaired pheomelanin pigmentation in chicken
Authors: Bi Huijuan , Tranell Jonas , Harper Dawn C. , Lin Weifeng , Li Jingyi , Hellström Anders R. , Larsson Mårten , Rubin Carl-Johan , Wang Chao , Sayyab Shumaila , Kerje Susanne , Bed’hom Bertrand , Gourichon David , Ito Shosuke , Wakamatsu Kazumasa , Tixier-Boichard Michèle , Marks Michael S. , Globisch Daniel , Andersson Leif
Published: April 2023

The biochemical pathway regulating the synthesis of yellow/red pheomelanin is less well characterized than the synthesis of black/brown eumelanin. Inhibitor of gold (IG phenotype) is a plumage colour variant in chicken that provides an opportunity to further explore this pathway since the recessive allele (IG) at this locus is associated with a defect in the production of pheomelanin.IG/IGhomozygotes display a marked dilution of red pheomelanin pigmentation, whilst black pigmentation (eumelanin) is only slightly affected. Here we show that a 2-base pair insertion (frame-shift mutation) in the 5thexon of theCatechol-O-methyltransferase containing domain 1gene (COMTD1), expected to cause a complete or partial loss-of-function of the COMTD1 enzyme, shows complete concordance with the IG phenotype within and across breeds. We show that the COMTD1 protein is localized to mitochondria in pigment cells. Knockout ofComtd1in a mouse melanocytic cell line results in a reduction in pheomelanin metabolites and significant alterations in metabolites of glutamate/glutathione, riboflavin, and the tricarboxylic acid cycle. Furthermore,COMTD1overexpression enhanced cellular proliferation following chemical-induced transfection, a potential inducer of oxidative stress. These observations suggest that COMTD1 plays a protective role for melanocytes against oxidative stress and that this supports their ability to produce pheomelanin.
Persistence of the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 in Australia: The impact of fluctuating social distancing
Authors: Chang Sheryl L. , Nguyen Quang Dang , Martiniuk Alexandra , Sintchenko Vitali , Sorrell Tania C. , Prokopenko Mikhail
Published: April 2023

We modelled emergence and spread of the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 in Australia between December 2021 and June 2022. This pandemic stage exhibited a diverse epidemiological profile with emergence of co-circulating sub-lineages of Omicron, further complicated by differences in social distancing behaviour which varied over time. Our study delineated distinct phases of the Omicron-associated pandemic stage, and retrospectively quantified the adoption of social distancing measures, fluctuating over different time periods in response to the observable incidence dynamics. We also modelled the corresponding disease burden, in terms of hospitalisations, intensive care unit occupancy, and mortality. Supported by good agreement between simulated and actual health data, our study revealed that the nonlinear dynamics observed in the daily incidence and disease burden were determined not only by introduction of sub-lineages of Omicron, but also by the fluctuating adoption of social distancing measures. Our high-resolution model can be used in design and evaluation of public health interventions during future crises.
Antenatal and perinatal service delivery associations with breastfeeding outcomes in Nepal: Analysis of the 2016 Nepal Demographic and Health Survey
Authors: Hollow Breanna Louise , Bulsara Max K. , Pant Prakash Dev , Wallace Hilary Jane
Published: April 2023

Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) breastfeeding guidelines of the World Health Organization (WHO) have been promoted in Nepal since the early 1990s. This study investigated whether antenatal and perinatal service delivery in Nepal are associated with early initiation of breastfeeding and age-appropriate feeding practice (exclusive breastfeeding to six months; introduction of complementary foods at six months with continued breastfeeding to two years). Data from the 2016 Nepal Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) were analysed using multivariable logistic regression. The unit of analysis was an interviewed woman and her last-born child aged 0–23 months. We examined number of antenatal visits, place and type of delivery, infant-mother skin-to-skin contact post-delivery, and breastfeeding observation and counselling by a healthcare provider within two days post-delivery. Of 1938 mother-infant dyads, 1073 (55.4%) commenced breastfeeding within one hour of delivery and 1665 (85.9%) were engaged in age-appropriate feeding. Breastfeeding within one hour of delivery was associated with infants delivered vaginally (aOR: 4.76, 95% CI: 2.96–7.65), infant-mother skin-to-skin contact post-delivery (aOR:2.10, 95% CI: 1.63–2.72) and observation of breastfeeding by a healthcare provider within two days post-delivery (aOR: 1.58, 95% CI: 1.20–2.08). Age-appropriate feeding was lowest amongst mothers with infants aged 4–5 months (40.8%) compared to those with infants aged 0–1 month (aOR: 0.158, 95% CI: 0.083–0.302). Antenatal and perinatal service delivery were not significantly associated with age-appropriate feeding. Further promotion of infant-mother skin-to-skin contact post-delivery (including after caesarean delivery) and observation of early breastfeeding may increase the rate of breastfeeding within one hour of delivery. Promotion of exclusive breastfeeding in antenatal and perinatal services and additional postnatal support should be considered to increase exclusive breastfeeding of infants to six months. These improvements may be achieved through enhanced implementation of the Baby Friendly Hospitals Initiative and effective training and sufficient practice for skilled birth attendants.
A comparative ‘omics’ approach for prediction of candidate Strongyloides stercoralis diagnostic coproantigens
Authors: Marlais Tegwen , Bickford-Smith Jack , Talavera-López Carlos , Le Hai , Chowdhury Fatima , Miles Michael A.
Published: April 2023

Human infection with the intestinal nematode Strongyloides stercoralis is persistent unless effectively treated, and potentially fatal in immunosuppressed individuals. Epidemiological data are lacking, partially due to inadequate diagnosis. A rapid antigen detection test is a priority for population surveillance, validating cure after treatment, and for screening prior to immunosuppression. We used a targeted analysis of open access ‘omics’ data sets and used online predictors to identify S. stercoralis proteins that are predicted to be present in infected stool, Strongyloides-specific, and antigenic. Transcriptomic data from gut and non-gut dwelling life cycle stages of S. stercoralis revealed 328 proteins that are differentially expressed. Strongyloides ratti proteomic data for excreted and secreted (E/S) proteins were matched to S. stercoralis, giving 1,057 orthologues. Five parasitism-associated protein families (SCP/TAPS, prolyl oligopeptidase, transthyretin-like, aspartic peptidase, acetylcholinesterase) were compared phylogenetically between S. stercoralis and outgroups, and proteins with least homology to the outgroups were selected. Proteins that overlapped between the transcriptomic and proteomic datasets were analysed by multiple sequence alignment, epitope prediction and 3D structure modelling to reveal S. stercoralis candidate peptide/protein coproantigens. We describe 22 candidates from seven genes, across all five protein families for further investigation as potential S. stercoralis diagnostic coproantigens, identified using open access data and freely-available protein analysis tools. This powerful approach can be applied to many parasitic infections with ‘omic’ data to accelerate development of specific diagnostic assays for laboratory or point-of-care field application.
Burden and resources in caregivers of people with multiple sclerosis: A qualitative study
Authors: Benini Stefano , Pellegrini Erika , Descovich Carlo , Lugaresi Alessandra
Published: April 2023

Background

Caregivers of people with Multiple Sclerosis are required to provide ongoing assistance especially during the advanced stages of the disease. They have to manage interventions and assume responsibilities which significantly impact both their personal quality of life and family’s dynamics.

Objective

A qualitative phenomenological study was carried out to understand the experience of burden in caregivers and their resources to manage it. The study also explores how healthcare services involved in the Multiple Sclerosis Clinical Pathway respond to the needs of well-being of patients and family members.

Methods

17 caregivers were involved in focus groups and in semi-structured individual interviews.

Results

Fatigue is experienced by all respondents and it starts when physical disabilities increase or when people become aware of them. Many caregivers declare that they refer to intrinsic (love towards their relatives, patience and dedication) or extrinsic (family members, hobbies) resources to cope with the burden of assistance. Patient associations and the Multiple Sclerosis Clinical Pathway play a significant role in supporting caregivers.

Conclusions

Fatigue, loneliness, and isolation are experienced by caregivers and strongly affect their quality of life and health status. The study highlights caregivers’ need to reconcile working times with care times, to give more space to self-care and to have moments to share their experiences with someone else. These needs should be at the core of health policies in order to avoid physical and emotional breakdowns which could lead to the rupture of the relational balance on which home care is based.
Sex and estrous cycle affect experience-dependent plasticity in mouse primary visual cortex
Authors: Schecter Rachel W. , Jensen Cambria M. , Gavornik Jeffrey P.
Published: April 2023

Sex hormones can affect cellular physiology and modulate synaptic plasticity, but it is not always clear whether or how sex-dependent differences identified in vitro express themselves as functional dimorphisms in the brain. Historically, most experimental neuroscience has been conducted using only male animals and the literature is largely mute about whether including female mice in will introduce variability due to inherent sex differences or endogenous estrous cycles. Though this is beginning to change following an NIH directive that sex should be included as a factor in vertebrate research, the lack of information raises practical issues around how to design experimental controls and apply existing knowledge to more heterogeneous populations. Various lines of research suggest that visual processing can be affected by sex and estrous cycle stage. For these reasons, we performed a series of in vivo electrophysiological experiments to characterize baseline visual function and experience-dependent plasticity in the primary visual cortex (V1) of male and female mice. We find that sex and estrous stage have no statistically significant effect on baseline acuity measurements, but that both sex and estrous stage have can modulate two mechanistically distinct forms of experience dependent cortical plasticity. We also demonstrate that resulting variability can be largely controlled with appropriate normalizations. These findings suggest that V1 plasticity can be used for mechanistic studies focusing on how sex hormones effect experience dependent plasticity in the mammalian cortex.
Spatio-temporal patterns of human-wildlife conflicts and effectiveness of mitigation in Shuklaphanta National Park, Nepal
Authors: Pant Bindu , Sharma Hari Prasad , Dahal Bhagawan Raj , Regmi Sandeep , Belant Jerrold L.
Published: April 2023

Human-wildlife interactions occur where human and wildlife coexist and share common resources including food or shelter. Increasing wildlife populations within protected areas also can increase interactions with humans living adjacent to these areas, resulting in conflicts including human casualty, livestock depredation, crop damage, and property loss. We analyzed six years human-wildlife conflict data from 2016–2021 in the buffer zone of Shuklaphanta National Park and conducted questionnaire survey to investigate factors influencing human-wildlife conflicts. Nineteen people were attacked by wildlife, primarily wild boar (Sus scrofa). Ninety-two livestock were killed by leopard (Panthera pardus), and among these most were sheep or goats killed near ShNP during summer. Crops were most frequently damaged by Asian elephants (Elephas maximus), followed by wild boar. Greatest economic losses were from damage to rice, followed by sugarcane and wheat. Asian elephant was the only reported species to cause structural damage to property (e.g., homes). Majority of respondents (83%) considered that the mitigation techniques that are currently in practice are effective to reduce the conflicts. However, the effectiveness of the mitigation techniques are the species specific, we recommend use of more efficacious deterrents (e.g., electric fencing) for large herbivores and mesh wire fencing with partially buried in the ground. Effective collaboration among different tiers of government, non-governmental organizations, civil societies and affected communities are important to share the best practices and continue to apply innovative methods for impactful mitigation of human-wildlife conflicts in the region.
Effect of climate change-induced water-deficit stress on long-term rice yield
Authors: Chen Hungyen , Wu Yi-Chien , Cheng Chia-Chi , Teng Chih-Yung
Published: April 2023

The water requirements of crops should be investigated to improve the efficiency of water use in irrigated agriculture. The main objective of the study was to assess the effects of water deficit stress on rice yields throughout the major cropping seasons. We analyzed rice yield data from field experiments in Taiwan over the period 1925–2019 to evaluate the effects of water-deficit stress on the yield of 12 rice cultivars. Weather data, including air temperatures, humidity, wind speed, sunshine duration, and rainfall were used to compute the temporal trends of reference evapotranspiration and crop water status (CWS) during rice growth stages. A negative CWS value indicates that the crop is water deficient, and a smaller value represents a lower water level (greater water-deficit stress) in crop growth. The CWS on rice growth under the initial, crop development, reproductive, and maturity stages declined by 96.9, 58.9, 24.7, and 198.6 mm in the cool cropping season and declined by 63.7, 18.1, 8.6, and 3.8 mm in the warm cropping season during the 95 years. The decreasing trends in the CWSs were used to represent the increases in water-deficit stress. The total yield change related to water-deficit stress on the cultivars from 1925–1944, 1945–1983, and 1996–2019 under the initial, crop development, reproductive, and maturity stages are -56.1 to 37.0, -77.5 to -12.3, 11.2 to 19.8, and -146.4 to 39.1 kg ha-1 in the cool cropping season and -16.5 to 8.2, -12.9 to 8.1, -2.3 to 9.0, and -9.3 to 8.0 in the warm cropping season, respectively. Our results suggest that CWS may be a determining factor for rice to thrive during the developmental stage, but not the reproductive stage. In addition, the effect of water-deficit stress has increasingly affected the growth of rice in recent years.
Inferring the age and environmental characteristics of fossil sites using citizen science
Authors: Djokic Tara , Frese Michael , Woods Adam , Dettmann Mary , Flemons Paul , Brink Frank , McCurry Matthew R.
Published: April 2023

Not all fossil sites preserve microfossils that can be extracted using acid digestion, which may leave knowledge gaps regarding a site’s age or environmental characteristics. Here we report on a citizen science approach that was developed to identify microfossils in situ on the surface of sedimentary rocks. Samples were collected from McGraths Flat, a recently discovered Miocene rainforest lake deposit located in central New South Wales, Australia. Composed entirely of iron-oxyhydroxide, McGraths Flat rocks cannot be processed using typical microfossil extraction protocols e.g., acid digestion. Instead, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to automatically acquire 25,200 high-resolution images from the surface of three McGraths Flat samples, covering a total area of 1.85 cm2. The images were published on the citizen science portal DigiVol, through which 271 citizen scientists helped to identify 300 pollen and spores. The microfossil information gained in this study is biostratigraphically relevant and can be used to constrain the environmental characteristics of McGraths Flat. Our findings suggest that automated image acquisition coupled with an evaluation by citizen scientists is an effective method of determining the age and environmental characteristics of fossiliferous rocks that cannot be investigated using traditional methods such as acid digestion.
4’-Fluorouridine mitigates lethal infection with pandemic human and highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses
Authors: Lieber Carolin M. , Aggarwal Megha , Yoon Jeong-Joong , Cox Robert M. , Kang Hae-Ji , Sourimant Julien , Toots Mart , Johnson Scott K. , Jones Cheryl A. , Sticher Zachary M. , Kolykhalov Alexander A. , Saindane Manohar T. , Tompkins Stephen M. , Planz Oliver , Painter George R. , Natchus Michael G. , Sakamoto Kaori , Plemper Richard K.
Published: April 2023

Influenza outbreaks are associated with substantial morbidity, mortality and economic burden. Next generation antivirals are needed to treat seasonal infections and prepare against zoonotic spillover of avian influenza viruses with pandemic potential. Having previously identified oral efficacy of the nucleoside analog 4’-Fluorouridine (4’-FlU, EIDD-2749) against SARS-CoV-2 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), we explored activity of the compound against seasonal and highly pathogenic influenza (HPAI) viruses in cell culture, human airway epithelium (HAE) models, and/or two animal models, ferrets and mice, that assess IAV transmission and lethal viral pneumonia, respectively. 4’-FlU inhibited a panel of relevant influenza A and B viruses with nanomolar to sub-micromolar potency in HAE cells.In vitropolymerase assays revealed immediate chain termination of IAV polymerase after 4’-FlU incorporation, in contrast to delayed chain termination of SARS-CoV-2 and RSV polymerase. Once-daily oral treatment of ferrets with 2 mg/kg 4’-FlU initiated 12 hours after infection rapidly stopped virus shedding and prevented transmission to untreated sentinels. Treatment of mice infected with a lethal inoculum of pandemic A/CA/07/2009 (H1N1)pdm09 (pdmCa09) with 4’-FlU alleviated pneumonia. Three doses mediated complete survival when treatment was initiated up to 60 hours after infection, indicating a broad time window for effective intervention. Therapeutic oral 4’-FlU ensured survival of animals infected with HPAI A/VN/12/2003 (H5N1) and of immunocompromised mice infected with pdmCa09. Recoverees were protected against homologous reinfection. This study defines the mechanistic foundation for high sensitivity of influenza viruses to 4’-FlU and supports 4’-FlU as developmental candidate for the treatment of seasonal and pandemic influenza.
Exploring co-creation with agri-food smallholders in Vietnam
Authors: de Koning Jotte I. J. C.
Published: April 2023

The food system in Vietnam is changing whilst the middle class is growing. Agri-food smallholders have the strengths of responding to the changing needs of the middle class by offering freshness, proximity and convenience but they also face increasing competition from larger and international firms. At the same time, issues with food safety are prevalent and a rising concern among consumers. For this study we completed sixteen co-creation workshops between local agri-food smallholders and consumers. The goal of these workshops was to explore the value of participatory processes, non-hierarchical decision making and creativity for smallholder firms in Vietnam through co-creation workshops focused on sustainability. The outcomes show that the workshops can stimulate customer understanding and participatory processes among the smallholder businesses, but creativity in the form of novel ideas less so. The workshops did not result in directly feasible or manageable product and service concepts. The topic of sustainable food opened a dialogue: insights between the firms and customers on this topic were mutually rich. The outcomes suggest that co-creation workshops can create a sense of community and urgency for sustainability. In the future, the challenge for smallholders is to invest in participatory processes with a long-term view on sustainability as well as come to practical design outcomes on the short term.
Transplanting the jocs florals: The floral tradition, translation and the imagining of a multilingual literary sphere in modern Iberia
Authors: Harkema Leslie J.
Published: April 2023

This article approaches the role of translation in Iberian literary modernity not as a question of importation of foreign models from Europe but rather as a question of the circulation of texts and cultural traditions within Iberia. It focuses on translation projects that originated within and among Iberian cultures in the nineteenth century, and that projected themselves outward. This study proposes a genealogy that links the revival and spread of floral games in Catalonia and across Spain beginning in the 1850s to translation practices in the Peninsula in the early twentieth century. After an analysis of the relationship between the spread of the floral games and the perception of their decadence in Catalan literary historiography, the article proposes an alternate understanding of the phenomenon that links the floral tradition to translingual cultural projects. Particular attention is paid to the ‘polyglot edition’ of Catalan poet Joaquim Rubió i Ors’ Lo Gayter del Llobregat (‘The piper of the Llobregat River’) (1888–1902). This publication, like the floral tradition that proliferated alongside it, reflects an effort to create a multilingual literary sphere anchored in the Iberian Peninsula that Spanish and Catalan literary histories have overlooked.
Teacher Educators: A Bibliometric Mapping of an Emerging Research Area
Authors:   Marmara University, Istanbul, Hangul Tugba , Ozmantar Mehmet Fatih ,   Gaziantep University, Gaziantep, Agac Gulay ,   Gaziantep University, Gaziantep
Published: April 2023

There has been increasing research attention on teacher educators in recent years; however, the dynamics of this research area have not been examined through bibliometric analysis of the relevant studies. This study aimed to perform a systematic mapping of the trends in research studies on teacher educators through the bibliometric data obtained from the Web of Science database. The bibliometric analysis led to four substantial findings: (1) research on teacher educators is an emerging field of educational studies that have experienced a progressive increase since the 2000s; (2) scientific publications in this field are produced by a small group of researchers from the USA, Australia, Canada, several European, and few Asian countries through collaborative research networks; (3) research on teacher educators is primarily spread in general teacher education journals; (4) the main topics regarding teacher educator research area are: professional development, professional identity, works, and practices.
Evaluation of the effect of long-term use of glucocorticoids on the risk of developing diabetes mellitus in patients with gout
Authors: Zhelyabina O. V. , Eliseev M. S. , Chikina M. N.
Published: April 2023

BACKGROUND: Patients with gout often take glucocorticoids  (GCs) and are at high risk of developing  type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2).

AIM: Evaluation of the effect of long-term use of low doses of GCs on the risk of developing DM in patients with gout based on the results of a retrospective observation

MATERIALS AND METHODS: 317 out of 444 patients with gout and no DM2 who participated in a prospective study of risk factors for DM2 were included. The sample did not include patients who used GCs during  the observation period to relieve an acute attack of arthritis, regardless of the method of their use (n=88) and who did not complete the study (n=39). The remaining  patients were retrospectively divided  into 2 groups: those who continuously  took prednisolone  at a dose of 5-10 mg/day for ≥180 days and did not use GCs during the observation period. Scheduled visits were carried out at least once every 2 years. During  the 1st visit, patients were prescribed or corrected both urate-lowering and prophylactic  antiinflammatory therapy, including  low doses of GCs. The primary end point was the development of DM2, carbohydrate metabolism indicators (HbA1c  levels, serum glucose levels) were compared at baseline and at the end of the study.

RESULTS: Of 317 patients with gout, 76 patients (24%) were continuously taking prednisolone at a dose of 5-10 mg/day for ≥180 days, 241 patients (76%) did not receive GCs during  the entire follow-up period. The average dose of prednisolone in patients of the main group was 7.9±1.2 mg/day, the duration of treatment was 206.3±20.4 days.

DM2 developed  during  the observation period in 20% of the main group and in 22% of the comparison group (p=0.73). Patients who took GC were older than those who did not take GC (p=0.01), they were more likely to have CHF (p=0.04). There were no significant differences between the groups for the rest of the compared parameters. In patients treated with low doses of GC — a significant increase in the average level of HbA1c  (p=0.002); an increase in the number of patients with glucose levels ≥6.1 mmol/l (p=0.004) by the end of the study relative to the baseline. The initial level of HbA1c  in patients who developed DM2 was expectedly higher, among them smokers were more often detected (p=0.01), they had a higher level of serum UA (p=0.001). The prevalence of other risk factors for DM in those who developed and did not develop DM2 did not differ significantly.

CONCLUSION: Long-term use of low doses of GC in patients with gout does not significantly increase the risk of developing DM2, but may have a negative effect on carbohydrate metabolism.
Features of molecular mechanisms of insulin resistance pathogenesis in various tissues in obesity
Authors: Kuzmenko D. I. , Klimenteva T. K. , Samoilova Iu. G. , Denisov N. S. , Matveeva M. V.
Published: April 2023

Obesity is a chronic pathology, which experts of theWorld Health Organization regard as an epidemic, based on the high rates of annual growth in the proportion of the overweight population in almost all countries of the world. Obesity is the leading cause of tissue insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus. This disease is fraught with serious complications: the onset and aggravation of cardiovascular pathology, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, the appearance of certain types of malignant neoplasms and dysfunctions of the reproductive system. Adipose tissue, skeletal muscle and liver play unique roles in maintaining metabolic homeostasis of the whole organism. These differences are due to the tissue-specificity of the intracellular signaling  pathways of insulin. This review presents the current literature data on the features of the molecular mechanisms responsible for disturbances in the conduction of regulatory insulin signals at the intracellular level in its main target organs in obesity. The data on the nature of disturbances  in interorgan metabolic flows caused by the growth of adipose tissue mass and their participation in the formation of insulin resistance in the liver and muscles are presented. The importance of  further in-depth study of the tissue features of the mechanisms of insulin resistance pathogenesis  for the development of new targeted pharmaceuticals that will serve to improve the complex drug correction of metabolic disorders in patients with type 2 diabetes is discussed.
The course of gout in a patient with Cushing’s disease after successful surgical treatment
Authors: Dzeranova L. K. , Eliseev M. S. , Golounina O. O. , Cheremushkina E. V. , Pigarova E. A. , Melnichenko G. A.
Published: April 2023

Endogenous  hypercortisolism  is a severe endocrine  disease characterized by prolonged  exposure to excessive amounts of glucocorticoid hormones, accompanied by a wide range of symptoms and complications, including immunosuppression. Timely surgical treatment in most cases allows to save the patient’s life, significantly improve its quality. However, restoration of the normal concentration of glucocorticoid  hormones can become a trigger factor in the development or exacerbation of autoimmune and auto-inflammatory diseases. We present a clinical case of atypical gout in a patient with hypercortisolism and a progressive increase in symptoms of the disease after successful surgical treatment for Cushing’s disease and achieving stable remission. The issues of diagnosis and treatment of this group of autoinflammatory diseases are highlighted, the leading clinical and radiological  symptoms are considered, the differential diagnosis  of microcrystalline (metabolic) arthritis is presented. Despite the widespread, the diagnosis and treatment of this group of diseases still cause difficulties for specialists. A competent choice of drug therapy allows to fully control diseases considered in the article, including when they are combined, and thereby improve the quality of life of the patient.
From the editorial office
Authors: Kuznetsov N. S.
Published: April 2023

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Draft of clinical guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of differentiated thyroid cancer in adult patients
Authors: Choinzonov E. L. , Reshetov I. V. , Ivanov S. A. , Polyakov A. P. , Kropotov M. A. , Mudunov A. M. , Polkin V. V. , Isaev P. A. , Ilyin A. A. , Beltsevich D. G. , Vanushko V. E. , Rumyantsev P. O. , Melnichenko G. A. , Alymov Yu. V. , Romanov I. S. , Ignatova A. V. , Borodavina E. V. , Krylov V. V. , Shurinov A. Yu. , Severskaya N. V. , Radjabova Z. A. , Kulbakin D. E. , Nevolskikh A. A. , Gevorkov A. R. , Khmelevsky E. V. , Kutukova S. I. , Guz A. O. , Sleptsov I. V. , Chernikov R. A. , Stepanova A. M. , Falaleeva N. A. , Podvyaznikov S. O. , Rubtsova N. A. , Rudyk A. N. , Musin Sh. I. , Gulidov I. A. , Vladimirova L. Yu. , Semiglazova T. Yu. , Aghababyan T. A. , Kostromina E. V.
Published: April 2023

The article presents a draft of clinical recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of differentiated thyroid cancer in adult patients, which provides a modern examination algorithm, discusses the basic principles of laboratory, instrumental diagnostics and treatment approaches.
Geo-History Notes for the Study of Production of the Beach Space in Northeastern, Brazil
Authors: Santos Otávio Augusto Alves
Published: April 2023

The present work aims to present some geohistorical notes about the production of beach space in Northeast Brazil, based on bibliographic research. The Brazilian beach space results from different social practices, some of which emerged through the absorption of behaviors and lifestyles arising from modern westerns. The social appropriation of beaches on the coast of the Northeast took place in the mid-19th century, when local elites turned to the sea, in the context of the incorporation of the so-called "modern maritime practices" (therapeutic baths, vacations, etc.), colonizing an environment previously intended only for “traditional maritime practices” (fishing, defense, and port activity). The transformation and consumption of these spaces were based on the establishment of second homes and infrastructure aimed at the development of tourist activity. In the first part of this article, we characterize the environment and socially on the Northeastern coast, in order to demonstrate the predominance of the beach environment and its social and economic value. Then we seek to discuss the production of beach space in the Northeast, pointing out the geohistorical factors linked to its valorization. Finally, we briefly present the process of production of beach space in a large northeastern city, Recife, highlighting the historical process of appropriation and valorization of its beaches.
Peran Mediasi Electronic Word of Mouth dan Brand Experience pada Pengaruh Social Media Marketing terhadap Brand Equity
Authors: Lesmana Novin , Masnita Yolanda , Kurniawati Kurniawati
Published: April 2023

This study aims to determine the influence of social media marketing (SMM) on brand equity with electronic word of mouth (E-WOM) and brand experience as mediating variables. The importance of implementing social media marketing with electronic word of mouth and brand experience as mediating variables that will help determine the value of brand equity in the company. This research was conducted on a survey of online training users on a digital platform that provides online training. This type of research is explanatory research, using a quantitative approach. This research was conducted on 200 respondents using online training. Samples were obtained through purposive sampling method. The analysis technique used is multiple linear regression. The results of the study found that social media marketing, E-WOM, and brand experience had a positive and significant effect on brand equity. This study also finds that E-WOM and brand experience have a function as a mediator that mediates the relationship of social media marketing to brand equity.Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh social media marketing (SMM) terhadap brand equity dengan electronic word of mouth (E-WOM) dan brand experience sebagai variabel mediasi. Pentingnya penerapan social media marketing dengan electronic word of mouth dan brand experience sebagai variabel mediasi dapat membantu mengetahui nilai brand equity pada perusahaan. Penelitian ini menyurvei pengguna pelatihan online pada digital platform yang menyediakan pelatihan online. Jenis penelitian ini adalah explanatory research, dengan menggunakan pendekatan kuantitatif. Penelitian ini dilakukan pada 200 responden pada pengguna pelatihan online. Sampel diperoleh melalui metode purposive sampling. Teknik analisis yang digunakan adalah regresi linier berganda. Hasil penelitian menemukan bahwa social media marketing, E-WOM, dan brand experience memiliki pengaruh positif dan signifikan terhadap brand equity. Penelitian ini juga menemukan bahwa E-WOM dan brand experience memiliki fungsi sebagai mediator yang memediasi hubungan social media marketing terhadap brand equity.
Simulation of Gas Jet Impingement Cooling in Continuous Heat Treatment Lines with the ANSYS GEKO Turbulence Model*
Authors: Menzler J. E. , Klusmann M. , Wulfmeier M. , Büschgens D. , Pfeifer H.
Published: April 2023

Gas impingement jets are widely applied in industrial cooling processes. In continuous heat treatment lines of steel, aluminium and copper strips, impingement jet nozzle systems are utilised to achieve rapid cooling or heating. The heat transfer depends on the flow but also on the geometric parameters such as nozzle to strip distance and the nozzle shape. The key challenge while designing cooling sections is to determine the performance of those nozzle systems or their Nusselt number respectively.

Jet cooling sections are challenging to model with computational fluid dynamics or in an experimental set up. Yet, RANS-turbulence models are a cost-effective way to predict Nusselt numbers. In this work the capability of the ANSYS generalized k-omega (GEKO) two-equation turbulence model to determine the local and integral Nusselt number of an impinging air jet is evaluated. The results are contrasted to experimental investigations.
Bioavailability of the tumor necrosis factor alpha/regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES) biosystem inside the gestational sac during the pre-immune stages of embryo development
Authors: Santolaya Jacobo L. , Schweer David S. , Cardenas-Goicoechea Joel , Bukowski Radek , Santolaya-Forgas Joaquin
Published: April 2023

Objectives

In-vivo studies of the bioavailability of major components of the tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) biosystem inside the gestational sac during embryogenesis have not been reported. We sought to determine the concentration of TNFα, soluble (s) TNFα receptors (sTNFR1, sTNFR2), and RANTES in the primate extraembryonic celomic fluid (ECF).

Methods

A validated timed-pregnant baboon animal model (N: 10) for experimental research in pregnancy was used to collect paired maternal blood and ECF samples in ongoing pregnancies. The concentrations (pg/dL) of TNFα, sTNFR1, sTNFR2, and RANTES were then determined by ELISA immunoassays.

Results

All animals delivered at term healthy newborns. The differential concentration of TNFα, sTNFR1, sTNFR2, and RANTES between the maternal plasma and the ECF could be determined with ratios for TNFα (5.4), sTNFR2 (1.85) and RANTES (3.59) that contrasted with that of sTNFR1 (0.07), which favored the gestational sac compartment. No significant correlations were noted between maternal plasma and ECF TNFR1, sTNFR2 and RANTES. There was a trend for a correlation between TNFα in maternal plasma and ECF (R=0.74; p=0.07).

Conclusions

We report the physiological concentrations of TNFα, sTNFR1, sTNFR2, and RANTES in extraembryonic celomic fluid during embryogenesis in primates.
Feasibility of extended ultrasound examination of the fetal brain between 24 and 37 weeks’ gestation in low-risk pregnancies
Authors: Viñals Fernando , Correa Flavia , Escribano David , Hormazábal Lorena , Diaz Linder , Galindo Alberto , Zambrano Belkys , Quiroz Gabriel , Saint-Jean Constanza
Published: April 2023

Objectives

To assess the feasibility of identifying fetal brain structures and anatomic landmarks included in the anterior complex (AC) and posterior complex (PC), as well as the proximal hemisphere (PH).

Methods

This was a prospective observational multicenter study of healthy pregnant women evaluated by ultrasound screening at 24 to 36 + 6 weeks’ gestation. Six physicians performed transabdominal ultrasound, to obtain the planes required to visualize the AC, PC, and PH. Blind analysis by an expert and non-expert operator in fetal neurosonography was used to assess the structures included in each plane view.

Results

In the population studied (n=366), structure detection rates for AC were over 95 %, with an agreement of 96 % when comparing expert and non-expert examiners. Visualization of the corpus callosum crossing the midline was detected in over 97 and 96 % of cases for the AC and PC, respectively, with an agreement of over 96 %. The PH plane, particularly through the posterior access via the mastoid fontanelle, enabled visualization of the proximal anatomical structures in almost 95 % of cases. Detection of the corpus callosum through the AC and PC, both proximal/distal germinal matrix (AC) and proximal Sylvian fissure through the anterior access (PH) in the 24–25 + 6, 26–31 + 6 and 32–36 + 6 weeks’ gestation groups were successful in over 96 % of cases with high level of agreement.

Conclusions

Inclusion of AC, PC, and PH later in pregnancy proves feasible with a high level of agreement between both expert and non-expert operators.
F-box and WD repeat domain containing 7 inhibits the activation of hepatic stellate cells by degrading delta-like ligand 1 to block Notch signaling pathway
Authors: Sun Yufeng , He Lili , Guo Peiran , Li Fenghua , Wang Bo , Zhang Yifan , An Kai , Peng Ming
Published: April 2023

Hepatic fibrosis (HF) is a precursor of liver cirrhosis, and activated hepatic stellate cells are an important driver of fibrosis. F-box and WD repeat domain containing 7 (FBXW7) expression level is down-regulated in HF, but the underlying mechanism is yet to be elucidated. The interaction between FBXW7 and delta-like ligand 1 (DLL1) was predicted. LX-2 cells were subjected to transfection of FBXW7/DLL1 silencing or overexpression plasmid. The expressions of FBXW7 and DLL1 in HF in vitro were measured by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and western blot. The LX-2 cell cycle, viability, proliferation, and ubiquitination were determined by flow cytometry, cell counting kit-8, colony formation, and ubiquitination assays, respectively. FBXW7 overexpression suppressed the cell viability and proliferation, facilitated cell cycle arrest, and down-regulated α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), Collagen I, and DLL1 protein levels, but FBXW7 silencing did the opposite. DLL1 was bound to and ubiquitin-dependently degraded by FBXW7 overexpression. DLL1 overexpression promoted the cell viability and proliferation, accelerated cell cycle, and up-regulated the levels of α-SMA, Collagen I, NOTCH2, NOTCH3, and HES1, but these trends were reversed by FBXW7 overexpression. To sum up, FBXW7 overexpression suppresses the progression of HF in vitro by ubiquitin-dependently degrading DLL1.