bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Detecting and validating influential organisms for rice growth: An ecological network approach
Authors: Ushio Masayuki , Saito Hiroki , Tojo Motoaki , Nagano Atsushi J.
Published: August 2023

How to achieve sustainable food production while reducing environmental impacts is a major concern in agricultural science, and advanced breeding techniques are promising for achieving such goals. However, rice is usually grown under field conditions and influenced by surrounding ecological community members. How ecological communities influence the rice performance in the field has been underexplored despite the potential of ecological communities to establish an environment-friendly agricultural system. In the present study, we demonstrate an ecological-network-based approach to detect potentially influential, previously overlooked organisms for rice (
Oryza sativa
). First, we established small experimental rice plots, and measured rice growth and monitored ecological community dynamics intensively and extensively using quantitative environmental DNA metabarcoding in 2017 in Japan. We detected more than 1000 species (including microbes and macrobes such as insects) in the rice plots, and nonlinear time series analysis detected 52 potentially influential organisms with lower-level taxonomic information. The results of the time series analysis were validated under field conditions in 2019 by field manipulation experiments. In 2019, we focused on two species,
Globisporangium nunn
and
Chironomus kiiensis
, whose abundance was manipulated in artificial rice plots. The responses of rice, namely, the growth rate and gene expression patterns, were measured before and after the manipulation. We confirmed that, especially in the
G. nunn
-added treatment, rice growth rate and gene expression pattern were changed. In the present study, we demonstrated that intensive monitoring of an agricultural system and the application of nonlinear time series analysis were helpful to identify influential organisms under field conditions. Although the effects of the manipulations were relatively small, the research framework presented here has future potential to harness the ecological complexity and utilize it in agriculture. Our proof-of-concept study would be an important basis for the further development of field-basis system management.
Approach-avoidance reinforcement learning as a translational and computational model of anxiety-related avoidance
Authors: Yamamori Yumeya , Robinson Oliver J , Roiser Jonathan P
Published: August 2023

Although avoidance is a prevalent feature of anxiety-related psychopathology, differences in existing measures of avoidance between humans and non-human animals impede progress in its theoretical understanding and treatment. To address this, we developed a novel translational measure of anxiety-related avoidance in the form of an approach-avoidance reinforcement learning task, by adapting a paradigm from the non-human animal literature to study the same cognitive processes in human participants. We used computational modelling to probe the putative cognitive mechanisms underlying approach-avoidance behaviour in this task and investigated how they relate to subjective task-induced anxiety. In a large online study, participants (n = 372) who experienced greater task-induced anxiety avoided choices associated with punishment, even when this resulted in lower overall reward. Computational modelling revealed that this effect was explained by greater individual sensitivities to punishment relative to rewards. We replicated these findings in an independent sample (n = 627) and we also found fair-to-excellent reliability of measures of task performance in a sub-sample retested one week later (n = 57). Our findings demonstrate the potential of approach-avoidance reinforcement learning tasks as translational and computational models of anxiety-related avoidance. Future studies should assess the predictive validity of this approach in clinical samples and experimental manipulations of anxiety.
DGRPool: A web tool leveraging harmonized Drosophila Genetic Reference Panel phenotyping data for the study of complex traits
Authors: Gardeux Vincent , Bevers Roel P.J. , David Fabrice P.A. , Rosschaert Emily , Rochepeau Romain , Deplancke Bart
Published: August 2023

Genome-wide association studies have advanced our understanding of complex traits, but studying how a GWAS variant can affect a specific trait in the human population remains challenging due to environmental variability.
Drosophila melanogaster
is in this regard an excellent model organism for studying the relationship between genetic and phenotypic variation due to its simple handling, standardized growth conditions, low cost, and short lifespan. The
Drosophila
Genetic Reference Panel (DGRP) in particular has been a valuable tool for studying complex traits, but proper harmonization and indexing of DGRP phenotyping data is necessary to fully capitalize on this resource. To address this, we created a web tool called
DGRPool
(
dgrpool.epfl.ch
), which aggregates phenotyping data of 935 phenotypes across 125 DGRP studies in a common environment. DGRPool enables users to download data and run various tools such as genome-wide association analyses (GWAS) and Phenome-WAS analyses. As a proof-of-concept, DGRPool was used to study the longevity phenotype and uncovered both established and unexpected correlations with other phenotypes such as locomotor activity, sleep duration, and oxidative stress resistance. DGRPool has the potential to facilitate new genetic and molecular insights of complex traits in
Drosophila
and serve as a valuable, interactive tool for the scientific community.
ROM1 is redundant to PRPH2 as a molecular building block of photoreceptor disc rims
Authors: Lewis Tylor R. , Makia Mustafa S. , Castillo Carson M. , Hao Ying , Al-Ubaidi Muayyad R. , Skiba Nikolai P. , Conley Shannon M. , Arshavsky Vadim Y. , Naash Muna I.
Published: August 2023

Visual signal transduction takes place within a stack of flattened membranous “discs” enclosed within the light-sensitive photoreceptor outer segment. The highly curved rims of these discs, formed in the process of disc enclosure, are fortified by large hetero-oligomeric complexes of two homologous tetraspanin proteins, PRPH2 (a.k.a. peripherin-2 or rds) and ROM1. While mutations in PRPH2 affect the formation of disc rims, the role of ROM1 remains poorly understood. In this study, we found that the knockout of ROM1 causes a compensatory increase in the disc content of PRPH2. Despite this increase, discs of ROM1 knockout mice displayed a delay in disc enclosure associated with a large diameter and lack of incisures in mature discs. Strikingly, further increasing the level of PRPH2 rescued these morphological defects. We next showed that disc rims are still formed in a knockin mouse in which the tetraspanin body of PRPH2 was replaced with that of ROM1. Together, these results demonstrate that, despite its contribution to the formation of disc rims, ROM1 can be replaced by an excess of PRPH2 for timely enclosure of newly forming discs and establishing normal outer segment structure.
Improved inference of population histories by integrating genomic and epigenomic data
Authors: Sellinger Thibaut , Johannes Frank , Tellier Aurélien
Published: August 2023

With the availability of high quality full genome polymorphism (SNPs) data, it becomes feasible to study the past demographic and selective history of populations in exquisite detail. However, such inferences still suffer from a lack of statistical resolution for recent, e.g. bottlenecks, events, and/or for populations with small nucleotide diversity. Additional heritable (epi)genetic markers, such as indels, transposable elements, microsatellites or cytosine methylation, may provide further, yet untapped, information on the recent past population history. We extend the Sequential Markovian Coalescent (SMC) framework to jointly use SNPs and other hyper-mutable markers. We are able to 1) improve the accuracy of demographic inference in recent times, 2) uncover past demographic events hidden to SNP-based inference methods, and 3) infer the hyper-mutable marker mutation rates under a finite site model. As a proof of principle, we focus on demo-graphic inference in
A. thaliana
using DNA methylation diversity data from 10 European natural accessions. We demonstrate that segregat-ing Single Methylated Polymorphisms (SMPs) satisfy the modelling assumptions of the SMC framework, while Differentially Methylated Regions (DMRs) are not suitable as their length exceeds that of the genomic distance between two recombination events. Combining SNPs and SMPs while accounting for site- and region-level epimutation processes, we provide new estimates of the glacial age bottleneck and post glacial population expansion of the European
A. thaliana
population. Our SMC framework readily accounts for a wide range of heritable genomic markers, thus paving the way for next generation inference of evolutionary history by combining information from several genetic and epigenetic markers.
Longitudinal Changes in Value-based Learning in Middle Childhood: Distinct Contributions of Hippocampus and Striatum
Authors: Falck Johannes , Zhang Lei , Raffington Laurel , Mohn Johannes J. , Triesch Jochen , Heim Christine , Shing Yee Lee
Published: August 2023

The hippocampal-dependent memory system and striatal-dependent memory system modulate reinforcement learning depending on feedback timing in adults, but their contributions during development remain unclear. In a 2-year longitudinal study, 6-to-7-year-old children performed a reinforcement learning task in which they received feedback immediately or with a short delay following their response. Children’s learning was found to be sensitive to feedback timing modulations in their reaction time and inverse temperature parameter, which quantifies value-guided decision-making. They showed longitudinal improvements towards more optimal value-based learning, and their hippocampal volume showed protracted maturation. Better delayed model-derived learning covaried with larger hippocampal volume longitudinally, in line with the adult literature. In contrast, a larger striatal volume in children was associated with both better immediate and delayed model-derived learning longitudinally. These findings show, for the first time, an early hippocampal contribution to the dynamic development of reinforcement learning in middle childhood, with neurally less differentiated and more cooperative memory systems than in adults.
Mechanically stimulated osteocytes maintain tumor dormancy in bone metastasis of non-small cell lung cancer by releasing small extracellular vesicles
Authors: Xie Jing , Xu Yafei , Liu Xuhua , Long Li , Chen Ji , Shao Yan , Cai Zhiqing , Zhang Zhimin , Zhou Ruixin , Leng Jiarong , Bai Xiaochun , Song Qiancheng
Published: August 2023

Although preclinical and clinical studies have shown that exercise can inhibit bone metastasis progression, the mechanism remains poorly understood. Here, we found that non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells adjacent to bone tissue had a much lower proliferative capacity than the surrounding tumor cells. Subsequently, it was demonstrated that osteocytes, sensing mechanical stimulation generated by exercise, inhibit NSCLC cell proliferation and sustain the dormancy thereof by releasing small extracellular vesicles with tumor suppressor micro RNAs, such as miR-99b-3p. Furthermore, mechanical loading of the tibia inhibited the bone metastasis progression of NSCLC. Notably, bone metastasis progression of NSCLC was inhibited by moderate exercise, and combinations with zoledronic acid had additive effects. Moreover, exercise preconditioning effectively suppressed bone metastasis progression. This study significantly advances the understanding of the mechanism underlying exercise-afforded protection against bone metastasis progression.
NanoPDLIM2 enhanced efficacy of PD-1 blockade and chemotherapy in mouse lung cancers
Authors: Sun Fan , Yan Pengrong , Xiao Yadong , Zhang Hongqiao , Shapiro Steven D. , Xiao Gutian , Qu Zhaoxia
Published: August 2023

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and their combination with other therapies such as chemotherapy, fail in most cancer patients. We previously identified the PDZ-LIM domain-containing protein 2 (PDLIM2) as a
bona fide
tumor suppressor that is repressed in lung cancer to drive cancer and its chemo- and immunotherapy resistance, suggesting a new target for lung cancer therapy improvement.Human clinical samples and data were used to investigate
PDLIM2
genetic and epigenetic changes in lung cancer. Using an endogenous mouse lung cancer model faithfully recapitulating refractory human lung cancer and a clinically feasible nano-delivery system, we investigated the therapeutic efficacy, action mechanism, and safety of systemically administrated
Pdlim2
expression plasmids encapsulated in nanoparticles (nanoPDLIM2) and its combination with PD-1 antibody and chemotherapeutic drugs.
PDLIM2
repression in human lung cancer involves both genetic deletion and promoter methylation. NanoPDLIM2 showed low toxicity, high tumor specificity, antitumor activity, and greatly improved the efficacy of anti-PD-1 and chemotherapeutic drugs, with complete tumor remission in 60% of mice and substantial tumor reduction in the remaining mice by the combination of three therapies. Mechanistically, nanoPDLIM2 increased major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I) expression, suppressed multi-drug resistance 1 (MDR1) induction, nuclear Rela and stat 3, and survival genes (Bcl-xl and cycline D1) in tumor cells; meanwhile it enhanced lymphocyte tumor infiltration and activation, thus turning the cold tumors hot and sensitive to ICIs and rendering them vulnerable to chemotherapeutic drugs.These studies established a clinically applicable PDLIM2-based combination therapy with significantly improved efficacy for lung cancer and possibly other cold cancers.
High-resolution kinetics of herbivore-induced plant volatile transfer reveal tightly clocked responses in neighboring plants
Authors: Waterman Jamie M. , Wang Lei , Cofer Tristan M. , Erb Matthias
Published: August 2023

Volatiles emitted by herbivore-attacked plants (senders) can enhance defenses in neighboring plants (receivers), with important consequences for community dynamics. However, the temporal dynamics of this phenomenon remain poorly studied. Using a custom-built, high-throughput proton transfer reaction time-of-flight mass spectrometry (PTR-ToF-MS) system, we explored temporal patterns of volatile transfer and responses between herbivore-attacked and undamaged maize plants. We found that continuous exposure to natural blends of herbivore-induced volatiles results in distinct temporal response patterns in neighboring plants, characterized by an induced terpene burst at the onset of the second day of exposure. This delayed burst is not explained by terpene accumulation during the night, but coincides with delayed jasmonate accumulation in receiver plants. The delayed burst occurs independent of day:night light transitions and cannot be fully explained by sender volatile dynamics. Instead, it is the result of a clocked stress memory from volatile exposure during the first day and secondary exposure to bioactive volatiles on the second day. Our study reveals that prolonged exposure to natural blends of stress-induced volatiles results in a response that integrates priming and direct induction into a distinct and predictable temporal response pattern, with potentially important consequences for plant-herbivore dynamics and tritrophic interactions. This work also contributes to answering the long-standing question of whether stress volatiles predominantly induce or prime plant defenses in neighboring plants.
Aberrant cortical activity, functional connectivity, and neural assembly architecture after photothrombotic stroke in mice
Authors: Bandet Mischa V. , Winship Ian R.
Published: August 2023

Despite substantial recent progress in mapping the trajectory of network plasticity resulting from focal ischemic stroke, there is mixed evidence for changes in neuronal excitability and activity within the peri-infarct cortex of mice. Most of these data have been acquired from anesthetized animals, acute tissue slices, or immunoassays on extracted tissue, and thus may not reflect cortical activity dynamics in the intact cortex of an awake animal. Here,
in vivo
two- photon calcium imaging in awake, behaving mice was used to longitudinally track cortical activity, network functional connectivity, and neural assembly architecture for 2 months following photothrombotic stroke targeting the forelimb somatosensory cortex. This model is associated with sensorimotor recovery over the weeks following stroke, allowing us to relate network changes to behavior. Our data revealed spatially restricted but long-lasting alterations in somatosensory neural networks. Specifically, we demonstrate significant and long-lasting disruptions in neural assembly architecture concurrent with a deficit in functional connectivity between individual neurons. Reductions in neuronal spiking in peri-infarct cortex were transient but predictive of impairment in skilled locomotion measured in the tapered beam task. Notably, altered neural networks were highly localized, with assembly architecture and neural connectivity relatively unaltered a distance outside the peri-infarct cortex, even in regions demonstrated to be the site of functional remapping of the forelimb somatosensory representation in anaesthetized preparations. Thus, using longitudinal two photon microscopy in awake animals, these data show a complex spatiotemporal relationship between peri-infarct neuronal network function and behavioral recovery that is more nuanced than functional remapping in response to strong sensory stimulation under anesthesia.
LRRC23 truncation impairs radial spoke 3 head assembly and sperm motility underlying male infertility
Authors: Hwang Jae Yeon , Chai Pengxin , Nawaz Shoaib , Choi Jungmin , Lopez-Giraldez Francesc , Hussain Shabir , Bilguvar Kaya , Mane Shrikant , Lifton Richard P. , Ahmad Wasim , Zhang Kai , Chung Jean-Ju
Published: August 2023

Radial spokes (RS) are T-shaped multiprotein complexes on the axonemal microtubules. Repeated RS1, RS2, and RS3 couple the central pair to modulate ciliary and flagellar motility. Despite the cell type specificity of RS3 substructures, their molecular components remain largely unknown. Here, we report that a leucine-rich repeat-containing protein, LRRC23, is an RS3 head component essential for its head assembly and flagellar motility in mammalian spermatozoa. From infertile male patients with defective sperm motility, we identified a splice site variant of
LRRC23
. A mutant mouse model mimicking this variant produces a truncated LRRC23 at the C-terminus that fails to localize to the sperm tail, causing male infertility due to defective sperm motility. LRRC23 was previously proposed to be an ortholog of the RS stalk protein RSP15. However, we found that purified recombinant LRRC23 interacts with an RS head protein RSPH9, which is abolished by the C-terminal truncation. Our comparative sequence analyses also showed that LRRC34, not LRRC23, is the RSP15 ortholog. Cryo-electron tomography clearly revealed that the absence of the RS3 head and the sperm-specific RS2-RS3 bridge structure in LRRC23 mutant spermatozoa. Our study provides new insights into the structure and function of RS3 in mammalian spermatozoa and the molecular pathogenicity of LRRC23 underlying reduced sperm motility in infertile human males.
Ab initio prediction of specific phospholipid complexes and membrane association of HIV-1 MPER antibodies by multi-scale simulations
Authors: Maillie Colleen , Golden Jay , Wilson Ian A. , Ward Andrew B. , Mravic Marco
Published: August 2023

A potent class of HIV-1 broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) targets the envelope glycoprotein’s membrane proximal exposed region (MPER) through a proposed mechanism where hypervariable loops embed into lipid bilayers and engage headgroup moieties alongside the epitope. We address the feasibility and determinant molecular features of this mechanism using integrative modeling. All-atom simulations of 4E10, PGZL1, 10E8 and LN01 docked onto HIV-like membranes consistently form phospholipid complexes at key complementarity-determining region loop sites, solidifying that stable and specific lipid interactions anchor bnAbs to membrane surfaces. Ancillary protein-lipid contacts reveal surprising contributions from antibody framework regions. Coarse-grained simulations effectively capture antibodies embedding into membranes. Simulations estimating protein-membrane interaction strength for PGZL1 variants along an inferred maturation pathway show bilayer affinity is evolved and correlates with neutralization potency. The modeling platform developed here uncovers insights into lipid participation in antibodies’ recognition of membrane proteins and highlights antibody features to prioritize in vaccine design.
Handling Equipment Allocation Optimization of Railroad-highway Combined Transportation: Bi-Objective Model and MEACO Algorithm
Authors: Zhang Qi , Ye Yuan , Zhang Li , Yang Hao
Published: August 2023

Coordinating connection between railroad and highway in multimodal transportation is very complex and important. It is concerned with the time and cost consuming of containers, the operation efficiency, and resources allocation of railroad and highway. This paper studies the equipment allocation optimization in railway container center station. It establishes a bi-objective optimization model to solve the problem. The two objectives of the model are getting the minimum daily comprehensive costs of equipments, and getting the minimum dwelling time of railway container flatcars on loading and unloading line. Allocating more equipment will reduce the dwelling time obviously. But there are some risks of idle equipment and high costs, too. These are two irreconcilable objectives. The MEACO algorithm is used to solve this problem making Chongqing container center station as an example. The model is verified by actual data. The results suggest the optimal allocation of the handling equipments and are in accordance with the fact of the station.
Two Stroke High Efficient Gate Operated Magnetic Engine: Basis for Modeling Approach
Authors: Gattani Manoj , Sahoo Pradeepta K , Diwan Parag
Published: August 2023

The present report focuses on the fundamentals of modeling of a permanent magnet based gate operated repulsive magnetic piston engine further referred to as GOPI engine, applicable to electrical and mechanical power generation in large-scale system. In GOPI engine, the motion of the piston is controlled with help of a gate made up of magnetic shield material. The working of the engine depends upon magnetic and mechanical material properties of the gate like thickness of the gate, type of the shield material, distance of the gate from magnets, the pole strength of magnets and mechanism used to operate the gate. In GOPI engine the removal of complete mechanism of fuel burning process of the traditional engine gives a number of advantages like low frictional losses, reduced manufacturing cost, maintenance cost and compactness.
Robust Stabilization for Non-linear Application of Cyber physical Systems
Authors: Tahir A. , Pervaiz M.
Published: August 2023

The stabilization of unstable non-linear compositions is an important and complex phenomenon across the worldwide. The purpose of this research is to model a robust control design for the stabilization of non-linear, unstable, and under actuated applications of Cyber Physical Systems (CPS) using the High Performance Sliding Mode Control (HPSMC) methodology, which has a negligible control errors (chattering) phenomenon. This study focuses on the designing of feedback controllers by means of HPSMC for two applications of CPS i.e., inverted pendulum system and mass spring damper system, both representing non-linear structures. The SMC procedure is based on saturated approximation of the control laws in order to obtain balanced and controlled behavior at, 1) minimum stabilizing time, and 2) unstable equilibrium points while producing negligible chattering occurrences. This technique provides a robust platform for the non-linear, unstable, and under actuated applications of CPS. The systems’ narrations, control objectives, and implementation results of robust feedback controllers are drawn attention to evaluate the reduced control error performance.
The Matters of the Continuity in Architecture
Authors: Kim Myungshig
Published: August 2023

There exists a possibility of integrating an architectural space (building interior) and an urban open space (urban interior) as a single concept of interiority. Architecture is to connect the former with the latter. It can be understood as articulation formed by the rapports and the resonances between different and heterogeneous entities of spaces, and formed in the times from the past to the present to the future. It is a concrete revelation about the form of space as a physical connection which connects inside with outside, and about the shape of time as a nonphysical connection which connects our contemporary dwelling-world with the past and the future. Thus, architecture has a twofold form that contains the continuity of holding spatial and temporal aspects. This paper explores, through the review of selective literatures, the continuities of form between the spaces and between the times. The first site investigated is our perception and experience. Architecture can be understood in two features of: the continuity of the matter-forms perceived by the senses and the continuity of the spatial forms experienced by the sequential movements. The second site explored is the continuity of space that building rooms are connected to urban rooms. The third site dealt with is the continuity in the shape of time. Architecture implies the continued form imprinted by the course of history or its discontinuity. Theoretically discussing the matters of the continuity, the paper clarifies the continuity of form to be a significant design method in the field of architecture.
Examining How Management Research Learns from Research in the Physical Sciences
Authors: Ahamat Amiruddin
Published: August 2023

This paper examined the views in which how management research can learn from the research in physical sciences. The discussions evolved on the understanding of scientific knowledge science in the area of sciences and relation to the study in management research. Management research might not be scientific as in physical sciences such as physics, chemistry or astronomy because the former are inter-related with human behavior and whereas the latter investigates physical objects (non-living objects). The following discussion explored the distinction between management and physical science researches. Synthesizing this discussion, it is depicted that the concept of science has been differently interpreted by various physical sciences are schools of thoughts. It is recommended here that one of the ways to progress management inquiry or research, is to challenge the traditional methodologies and to use scientific approach in observing, measuring, analyzing, and concluding management phenomena. Hence, this reflects from learning of the physical science research.
Acerca de las causas de la encarnación del Verbo, en la Postilla Super Psalmos de Santo Tomás de Aquino
Authors:   ,   Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. Facultad de Teología, Vera Malhue Francisco Javier
Published: August 2023

La cuestión de fondo de esta investigación es una puesta en valor de un área del desarrollo teológico de Tomás que parece un poco desconocido, si se le compara con sus obras filosóficas, o con las obras de teología sistemática. Este trabajo busca presentar elementos de reflexión teológicos orgánicos, que presentan a Tomás como un autor capaz no sólo de ofrecer síntesis claras y sistemáticas, sino también como un teólogo que concibe el ejercicio de la teología como un acto creyente que es capaz de relacionar elementos de revelación positiva con reflexión sistemática, teniendo como regla la autoridad primera y fundante de la Escritura, en el contexto eclesial de la exégesis patrística y medieval que anteceden al autor. El objetivo de la presente indagación es realizar una lectura del Comentario en clave cristológica-antropológica, buscando poner de manifiesto que la doctrina cristológica de Tomás posee una clara fundamentación escriturística y económico salvífica, con una expresión propiamente antropológica, desde la luz del misterio encarnado, donde el misterio de Dios y de la humanidad se comprende conjuntamente a la luz de la bondad divina. Para esto, en particular se abordarán tres elementos de desarrollo sistemático de Tomás en el tratamiento del Comentario a los Salmos: La Generación y misión del Verbo; y desde un ámbito soteriológico-antropológico, el deseo de la Encarnación del Verbo.
Population Dynamics and Exploitation Level of Stolothrissa tanganicae Regan, 1917 and Limnothrissa miodon (Boulenger, 1906), Two Clupeid Fish Species of Commercial Interest of Burundian Waters Northeast of Lake Tanganyika
Authors: Charles Niyonkuru , Remy Ntakirutimana , Gaspard Ntakimazi
Published: August 2023

Aims: Show exploitation level and propose rational management measures of the two clupeid-fish species of commercial interest, Stolothrissa tanganicae and Limnothrissa miodon

Study Design:  Modeling the demography of clupeid fishes of Lake Tanganyika.

Place and Duration of Study: Two stations (Kajaga and Nyamugari) situated in the northern part of Lake Tanganyika on the Burundian coast from December 2019 to April 2020.

Methodology: Monthly fish sampling was done with local fishermen Demographic parameters were determined according to the Von Bertalanffy growth model using size frequency distributions based on total length. Excel 2013 and FAO-ICLARM. Stock Assessment Tools (FiSAT II version 1.2.2 software).

Results: The values of the growth parameters obtained for each of the two species are close at the level of the two stations. For S. tanganicae, we have L∞= 135 mm and 118 m and K=0.94 yr-1 and 0.99 yr-1 respectively at Kajaga and Nyamugari. For L. miodon, we have L∞= 148 mm and 132 m and K=1.04 yr-1 and 0.92 yr-1 respectively at Kajaga and Nyamugari. The Ø' values obtained are high and vary from 4.14 to 4.58 depending on the species and the stations: For S. tanganicae, higher Ø' was recorded at Kajaga (Ø'= 4.23). In L. miodon, it was observed at Nyamugari (Ø’=4.58). M oscillate around 1 (M varies from 1.08 to 1.17 year-1) for the two species at two stations. F is high everywhere and varies from 3.03 to 6.49 yr-1 depending on the species and the stations. Both species are overexploited : 0.73<E<0.86, so E is close to 1. Small-sized individuals dominate catches: minimum sizes are between 24 and 30  and 42 and 54 mm  respectively in L. miodon and in S. tanganicae.

Both the fish species adapt well to their environments (the values of Ø' are very high).

Conclusion: Both species of fish adapt well to their environments (the values of Ø' are very high). Given their overexploitation, the existing rational management measures must be strengthened and rigorously applied.
Comparison of In-vitro Activity of Cefixime to Doxycycline and Minocycline Against Gram-Negative Bacteria Isolated from Patients Suffering from Respiratory Tract Infections at a Tertiary Care Centre in Northern India
Authors: Dubey Akanksha , Kar Mitra , Sahu Chinmoy
Published: August 2023

Background: Respiratory tract infections (RTI) form a major part of common ailments encountered by a general physicians hailing from a developing country. Antibiotics are used for treating any infection but inappropriate use of antibiotics lead to development of multidrug resistance (MDR). This study was performed to analyze the comparative in-vitro activity of Cefixime and Tetracyclines by antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST) against the pathogens isolated from respiratory samples.

Materials and Methods: We performed a prospective study in the Bacteriology section of the Department of Microbiology at a teaching hospital in Northern India from Jan 2022 to June 2022. Cefixime, Doxycycline, and Minocycline were tested for susceptibility against 100 Gram-negative bacteria from respiratory samples. The antibiotic susceptibility testing for each of the isolates was performed by the Kirby Bauer Disc Diffusion method, according to the CLSI, 2019 guidelines.

Results: Our study cohort included 100 Gram negative isolates with a majority of them obtained from Endotracheal aspirate samples (43, 43%) followed by Sputum (37, 37%) samples. The most common microorganism tested for susceptibility to this drug was Klebsiella pneumoniae (39, 39%) followed by Escherichia coli (33, 33%). Escherichia coli was identified as the most isolated to all the antibiotics and was 12.12% (4/33, 12.12%) susceptible to all three drugs. On overall analysis activity of Doxycycline was better than Cefixime among inducible Enterobacteriaceae and non-fermenter isolate.    

Conclusion: Doxycycline is a proficient antimicrobial agent for treating an array of Gram-negative bacteria-associated infections showing better in-vitro activity in comparison to Minocycline and other bactericidal agents like Cefixime.
A Interdisciplinaridade entre a Contabilidade e o Direito Tributário: Os CPCs 27 e 31 e a Tributação na Venda de Bens do Ativo Imobilizado
Authors: Andrade Martins Fábio
Published: August 2023

Este artigo objetiva analisar a possibilidade de juridicização da linguagem contábil no Direito Tributário, de forma a investigar a hipótese de haver uma eficaz adaptação do sistema jurídico às necessidades do contexto e do ambiente empresarial por meio da juridicização da linguagem contábil no Direito Tributário, sem a necessidade de uma mudança formal no programa do sistema jurídico, bem como verificar o acerto da argumentação jurídica utilizada como fundamento do julgamento do RE 1.025.986/PE, que tratou da incidência do ICMS sobre a venda de bens do ativo imobilizado antes de completados 12 (doze) meses da sua entrada no estabelecimento. Para tanto, foram utilizadas diversas teorias sobre a interpretação e fundamentação jurídica para a tomada de decisões no Direito Tributário, das quais foi possível constatar a existência de uma abertura semântica e pragmática no Sistema Jurídico, canal este por onde é operacionalizado o diálogo entre sistemas referenciais distintos, como o Contábil e o Econômico, por exemplo. Concluiu-se que a maior abertura da textura dos Princípios Jurídicos possibilita um melhor ajuste do programa do Sistema Jurídico à juridicização dos conceitos dados por outros sistemas, sem a necessidade de alteração dos enunciados jurídicos, o que atribui maior dinamicidade e efetividade ao Direito. Desta forma, deve a entidade econômica observar as disposições tanto da legislação comercial quanto das Normas Brasileiras de Contabilidade para a construção dos sentidos das normas tributárias e descrição correta dos fatos jurídico-tributários sujeitos à incidência tributária. Caso a venda ocorra antes de completados 12 (doze) meses do ingresso do ativo no estabelecimento, este não ostentará o atributo da imobilização necessário a não incidência do imposto. Além disso, deve o ativo ser reclassificado para o Ativo Circulante, tudo conforme dispõe a Lei nº 6.404/76 e NBCs TG 27 e 31. Portanto, constatou-se acertada a argumentação jurídica utilizada na fundamentação do julgamento do RE 1025986/PE, bem como consentânea com a importância que a linguagem contábil empresta para a constituição linguística do fato jurídico-tributário, na medida em que o Tribunal não encontrou óbices à juridicização da linguagem contábil no Sistema Jurídico para a solução da controvérsia suscitada.
Remuneração Embasada em Ações e duas Variáveis Atrativas como Incentivo aos Executivos e Acionistas
Authors: Broietti Cleber , Silva Benedito Alberto da
Published: August 2023

O presente estudo teve como objetivo investigar quais são os determinantes da utilização do plano de remuneração baseado em ações. Deste modo, este artigo procurou preencher a lacuna existente sobre a remuneração variável do executivo e identificar as diversas variáveis impactantes nesse processo que envolve o conflito de agência entre acionistas e executivos. Estudos com essa temática são relevantes, pois o montante pago em ações, em muitos casos, pode reduzir o desembolso de caixa, consequentemente diminuir o custo dessas empresas e o conflito de agência, além disso, essa adoção busca incentivar os executivos a ter mais envolvimento dentro das organizações, pois quanto melhor for o desempenho da empresa, maior também será a remuneração do próprio executivo. A amostra contou com 25 empresas listadas na Bolsa, Brasil, Balcão (B3), no segmento Nível II de governança corporativa, compreendidas no período de 2018 a 2020. As informações coletadas inicialmente foram analisadas a partir da análise descritiva e na sequência foi realizada a correlação de Pearson. Identificou se que a média da remuneração dos executivos das empresas representou 0,31% do Ativo Total, mostrando que o uso da remuneração baseada em ações é mais vantajosa tanto para os executivos como para as empresas, a análise multivariada evidenciou que as variáveis determinantes para a remuneração dos executivos foram: ROA, Q de Tobin, Book Levarage e Ln (Assets), nesse sentido, percebe-se que, quanto maior a relevância da remuneração paga em ações menor os problemas de conflito de agência.
Association Between Antibiotic Prescribing and Time to Diagnosis of Head and Neck Cancer
Authors: Gallogly James A. , Armstrong Austin T. , Brinkmeier Jennifer V. , Salas Joanne , Simpson Matthew C. , Ideker Henry , Walker Ronald J. , Massa Sean T.
Published: August 2023

Importance

Diagnostic delay can negatively affect patient outcomes in head and neck cancer (HNC). Neck mass and other symptoms of undiagnosed HNC may be treated with antibiotics, delaying diagnosis and treatment, despite current clinical practice guidelines.

Objective

To investigate temporal trends, associated factors, and time from symptom onset to antibiotic prescribing before an HNC diagnosis.

Design, Setting, and Participants

A retrospective cohort study was conducted using data obtained from a deidentified electronic health records data set from January 1, 2011, to December 31, 2018. Patients with HNC enrolled in the data set for at least 1 year before diagnosis date determined by either 1 inpatient encounter or first of 2 outpatient encounters within 6 months were included. Data analysis was conducted from May 1 to November 9, 2022.

Exposure

Antibiotic prescription within 3 months before HNC diagnosis date.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary outcome was days from the first documented symptom to HNC diagnosis.

Results

The cohort included 7811 patients with HNC (4151 [53.1%] men, mean [SD] age, 60.2 [15.8] years). At least 1 antibiotic was prescribed for 1219 patients (15.6%) within 3 months before HNC diagnosis. This represented an increase over the 8.9% prescribing rate during the baseline period 12 to 9 months before diagnosis. The rate of antibiotic prescribing within 3 months before diagnosis did not change significantly over time (quarterly percent change, 0.49%; 95% CI, −3.06% to 4.16%). Patients receiving an antibiotic prescription within 3 months of an HNC diagnosis had a 21.1% longer time between symptom onset and HNC diagnoses (adjusted rate ratio [ARR], 1.21; 95% CI, 1.14-1.29). Compared with diagnosis by otolaryngologists, primary care/internal medicine physicians were most likely to prescribe antibiotics for patients who were diagnosed with a presenting symptom (adjusted prevalence ratio, 1.60; 95% CI, 1.27-2.02). In patients presenting with neck mass/swelling, those presenting with other symptoms were more likely to have longer intervals from symptom onset to diagnosis (ARR, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.08-1.59).

Conclusions and Relevance

The findings of this cohort study suggest there is an increased rate of antibiotic prescription in the 3 months before HNC diagnosis, which is associated with an increased time to diagnosis. These findings identify an area for improvement in HNC care and guidelines.
Substrate Stiffness and Particle Properties Influence Cellular Uptake of Nanoparticles and Viruses from the Ventral Side
Authors: Voigt Jonah L. , Timmer Jens , Pennarola Federica , Christian Joel , Meng Ning , Blumberg Johannes W. , Schwarz Ulrich S. , Grimm Dirk , Cavalcanti‐Adam Elisabetta Ada
Published: August 2023

It is a long‐standing challenge to exploit cellular uptake mechanisms to deliver desired cargo into cells, for example, specific drugs or gene editing techniques. This study introduces a bioinspired material approach where nanoparticles are presented at the ventral side of cells adhering to engineered extracellular matrices. The effect of matrix stiffness on cell adhesion and mechanics, as well as on particle internalization by clathrin‐mediated endocytosis (CME), is investigated for varying particle size and surface functionalization. The results presented here show that substrate stiffness affects both cell adhesion and particle internalization, with softer substrates promoting higher levels of particle uptake. However, the activation of the CME pathway, either mechanically by particle size or functionally by receptor binding, regulates the sensitivity of cellular particle uptake to matrix stiffness. Finally, adeno‐associated viruses as the leading platform for therapeutic gene delivery are used as model cargo to showcase the importance of considering multiple components when designing delivery systems. These findings indicate that particle uptake is a multifaceted process that can be improved by the appropriate combination of extracellular environment mechanics and cargo properties.
Large Range Thermochromism in Liquid Crystalline Elastomers Prepared with Intra‐Mesogenic Supramolecular Bonds
Authors: Schlafmann Kyle R. , Alahmed Mohammed S. , Lewis Kristin L. , White Timothy J.
Published: August 2023

Liquid crystalline elastomers (LCEs) that retain the cholesteric phase (CLCEs) are soft, polymeric materials that retain periodic structure and exhibit a selective reflection. While prior studies have examined thermochromism in CLCEs, the association of temperature change and reflection wavelength shift has been limited to 1.4 nm °C−1. Here, CLCEs with intra‐mesogenic supramolecular bonds are prepared to enhance tunability as well triple the rate (e.g., 4.8 nm °C−1). Specifically, these materials incorporate liquid crystalline monomers based on dimerized oxy‐benzoic acid (OBA) derivatives. Increasing the concentration of the OBA comonomers increases the magnitude of red‐shifting thermochromism of the selective reflection. At and above a threshold concentration, the selective reflection in the CLCEs can disappear upon heating, analogous to on‐off “switching.” Further, the introduction of the supramolecular bonds within the CLCE enable mechanical programming and enhanced one‐time tunable thermochromism via a one‐way shape memory process. Accordingly, this research could enable functional use in low temperature sensitive optical elements, fail‐safe thermal indicators for food packaging, and smart window coatings.
Cancer Immunotherapy Using Bioengineered Micro/Nano Structured Hydrogels
Authors: Askari Esfandyar , Shokrollahi Barough Mahdieh , Rahmanian Mehdi , Mojtabavi Nazanin , Sarrami Forooshani Ramin , Seyfoori Amir , Akbari Mohsen
Published: August 2023

Hydrogels, a class of materials with a 3D network structure, are widely used in various applications of therapeutic delivery, particularly cancer therapy. Micro and nanogels as miniaturized structures of the bioengineered hydrogels may provide extensive benefits over the common hydrogels in encapsulation and controlled release of small molecular drugs, macromolecular therapeutics, and even cells. Cancer immunotherapy is rapidly developing, and micro/nanostructured hydrogels have gained wide attention regarding their engineered payload release properties that enhance systemic anticancer immunity. Additionally, they are a great candidate due to their local administration properties with a focus on local immune cell manipulation in favor of active and passive immunotherapies. Although applied locally, such micro/nanostructured can also activate systemic antitumor immune responses by releasing nanovaccines safely and effectively inhibiting tumor metastasis and recurrence. However, such hydrogels are mostly used as locally administered carriers to stimulate the immune cells by releasing tumor lysate, drugs, or nanovaccines. In this review, the latest developments in cancer immunotherapy are summarized using micro/nanostructured hydrogels with a particular emphasis on their function depending on the administration route. Moreover, the potential for clinical translation of these hydrogel‐based cancer immunotherapies is also discussed.
Chiral Ligand‐Induced Inversion and Tuning of Excitonic Optical Activity in Intrinsically Chiral CsPbBr3 Perovskite Nanoplatelets
Authors: Tang Bing , Wang Shixun , Liu Haochen , Mou Nanli , Portniagin Arsenii S. , Chen Peigang , Wu Ye , Gao Xiaoqing , Lei Dangyuan , Rogach Andrey L.
Published: August 2023

Owing to their attractive optical and chiroptical properties, chiral metal halide perovskites have received increasing attention, with potential applications ranging from photonics and optoelectronics to spintronics. Metal halide perovskite nanocrystals with either intrinsic or extrinsic (e.g., chiral ligand‐induced) chirality have been reported recently, and the interplay between these two types of chirality has yet to be addressed. Herein, the inversion and tuning of excitonic optical activity is reported in intrinsically chiral perovskite nanoplatelets, originating from interactions between their structural chirality (due to the spontaneously formed screw dislocations in the crystalline lattice) and the surface enantiomeric (R/S) chiral ligands R/S‐phenylethylammonium bromide. Through post‐preparative exposure of the perovskite nanoplatelets to these R/S ligands of varied contents, either chiral ligand‐induced intrinsic chirality inversion or negative and positive Cotton effects induced by the ligands via electronic coupling between the ligand and the nanoplatelets are identified. These findings deepen understanding of the modulation of excitonic optical activity in chiral perovskites and can guide the rational design and synthesis of novel chiral materials.
Suppresses Dissolution and Enhanced Conductivity in Core–Shell VO2@Ni3N as a High‐Capacitance and Improved Cycling Anode Materials for Supercapacitor
Authors: Zhang Mingxing , Zhang Jiawei , Li Yu , Zhang Nianbo , Chen Minghua
Published: August 2023

Vanadium dioxide, as one of superior pseudocapacitive electrode candidates in supercapacitors, suffers from the detrimental dissolution in aqueous electrolytes and poor intrinsic electronic conductivity. Herein, an ultrathin Ni3N shell is deposited on the VO2 surfaces (VO2@Ni3N) to inhibit the inevitable dissolution during charge/discharge processes. Meanwhile, the Ni3N coating layer also provides sufficient electron transport pathways for the rapid surface faradic reactions of VO2, promoting the electrochemical reaction kinetics. The designed VO2@Ni3N anode exhibits significant energy storage ability, especially at large current density (2058 F g−1 at 1 A g−1, 711 F g−1 at 7 A g−1), and the considerable cycling lifespans (capacitance retention of 91.3% after 5000 cycles). The asymmetric supercapacitor presents an energy density of 41.73 Wh kg−1 at a power density of 1176.7 W kg−1. This study may enlighten the design of advanced pseudocapacitive materials for practical electrochemical energy storage technologies.