bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Current knowledge on epidemiology and evolution of novel porcine circovirus 4
Authors: Wang Dongliang , Mai Jinhui , Yang Yi , Xiao Chao-Ting , Wang Naidong
Published: May 2022

Porcine circovirus type 4 (PCV4) is a newly emerging virus, with both PCV4 genomic DNA and specific antibodies detected in swine herds in several provinces in China and South Korea. Although the virus was first identified in 2019 in Hunan, China, retrospective research suggests that serum samples collected as early as 2008 were positive for PCV4 antibody. Infections with only PCV4 or co-infections with other pathogens have been associated with several clinical manifestations, but its pathogenesis remains to be determined. The purpose of this review was the following: (1) to characterize PCV4 epidemiology by assessing evolutionary dynamics and genetic diversity of PCV4 strains circulating in swine herds; (2) to reconstruct a computerized 3D model to analyze PCV4 Cap properties; (3) and to summarize the current evidence of PCV4-associated clinical-pathological manifestations. The origin of PCV4 is apparently distinct from other PCV, based on analysis of phylogenetic trees. Of note, PCV4 shares an ancient common ancestor with mink circoviruses. Furthermore, the amino acid residue at position 27 of the PCV4 Cap is a key benchmark to distinguish PCV4a (27S) from PCV4b (27 N), based on PCV4 strains currently available, and variation of this residue may alter Cap antigenicity. In addition, the capsid surface of PCV4 has characteristics of increased polar residues, compared to PCV2, which raises the possibility that PCV4 may target negatively charged host receptors to promote virus infection. Further studies are required, including virus isolation and culture, and more detailed characterization of molecular epidemiology and genetic diversity of PCV4 in swine herds.
A case study addressing trauma needs during COVID-19 remote learning from an ecological systems theory framework
Authors: Mahmud Sharmeen
Published: May 2022

Mental health conditions related to trauma among American children are a concern, particularly because of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Children, as students, carry the trauma they encounter with them into the classroom. Students impacted by trauma learn differently due to effects on the brain that relate to several impairments, causing them to perform poorly in school. However, teachers may not always understand this issue. This case study shows how certain dynamics within the EST layers impacted one school during the pandemic. The purpose of this study was to examine how teachers at the school experienced a trauma-informed online PD and SEL program intended to improve student outcomes, teacher perceptions, and teacher–student relationships. The six participants included teachers in a K-8 low-income, minority population charter school. The assessment tools used were the Teacher–Student Relationship Scale, Teacher Perception Scale, and Student Outcomes Survey. The teachers’ outlook on SEL improved, particularly online. This improvement helped the teachers implement community circles and SEL infused with mindfulness in their online classrooms, which may have helped them maintain their relationships with the students and may have helped the students with academic and stress outcomes. During unprecedented times, the maintenance, rather than the deterioration, of student outcomes and teacher–student relationships is an accomplishment and an area that necessitates further research.
High room temperature mobility in Al2O3/SrTiO3 heterostructures
Authors: Gao K. H. , Ma X. R. , Li Q. L. , Zhang X. H. , Xu J. P. , Sun Y. , Yu G.
Published: May 2022

Al2O3/SrTiO3 heterostructures have attracted wide attention because of high electron mobility at cryogenic temperatures. But very low room temperature mobility (typically less than 12 cm2V−1s−1) limits its potential application. Here, the Al2O3/SrTiO3 heterostructures are successfully prepared by the low-cost magnetron sputtering. We observed that room temperature mobility is gradually enhanced on increasing electron concentration, and a maximum of 41.1 cm2V−1s−1 is obtained. This can be attributed to the high electron concentration due to the longitudinal optical phonon scattering. Our findings not only offer a route to improve room temperature mobility of the SrTiO3-based heterostructures but also provide a new experimental method for fabricating Al2O3/SrTiO3 heterostructures.
Prognostic Effect of Lymph Node Metastases and Mesenteric Deposits in Neuroendocrine Tumors of the Small Bowel
Authors: Grillo Federica , Albertelli Manuela , Malandrino Pasqualino , Dotto Andrea , Pizza Genoveffa , Cittadini Giuseppe , Colao Annamaria , Faggiano Antongiulio
Published: May 2022

Well-differentiated, low-grade neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are the most frequent tumor types of the small bowel. Despite their generally indolent growth patterns and grade, these tumors tend to metastasize; indeed, at presentation, approximately 50% show nodal metastases and 30% of patients have distant metastases, even though they potentially show long survival. Little is available in the literature concerning the optimal nodal yield in small-bowel resections, and the clinical significance of nodal metastases and lymph node ratio (LNR) at this site is still debated. The aim of this review, through a systematic literature search, is to explore and analyze data regarding nodal status, adequacy of lymphadenectomy, and LNR on the prognosis of small bowel NETs using defined end points (progression-free survival, recurrence-free survival, and overall survival). Some surgical series have demonstrated that extended regional mesenteric lymphadenectomy, together with primary tumor resection, is associated with improved patient survival, and LNR is proving a prognostically important parameter. The new feature of mesenteric tumor deposits (MTDs; neoplastic deposits found in the mesenteric perivisceral adipose tissue that are not LN associated) seems to be a better prognostic predictor in small-bowel NETs compared to nodal metastases, and this feature is explored and critiqued in this review. In particular, increasing number of tumor deposits is correlated with increased risk of disease-specific death, and MTDs seem to correlate with peritoneal carcinomatosis.
Association of the SLC47A1 Gene Variant With Responses to Metformin Monotherapy in Drug-naive Patients With Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Kim Hamin , Bae Suhyun , Yoon Ha Young , Yee Jeong , Gwak Hye Sun
Published: May 2022

Context

Although metformin is the first-line treatment for type 2 diabetes, the blood sugar–lowering effect of metformin varies among populations. SLC47A1 plays an important role in metformin pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics.

Objective

We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the association between SLC47A1 rs2289669 (G > A) and the metformin response in drug-naive patients with type 2 diabetes.

Methods

Studies published until January 27, 2022, were retrieved from Cochrane CENTRAL, Embase, PubMed, and Web of Science. Two reviewers independently screened titles, abstracts, and full-text articles. Studies conducted in newly diagnosed or drug-naive patients with type 2 diabetes who received metformin monotherapy were included. A total of 6 studies involving 953 patients were included in this meta-analysis. We extracted the study characteristics and changes in glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels before and after treatment according to the SLC47A1 rs2289669 genotype. Changes in HbA1c levels were analyzed using mean differences (MDs) and 95% CIs. SLC47A1 rs2289669 was associated with changes in HbA1c levels (A carrier vs GG; MD = −0.55; 95% CI, −0.91 to − 0.20; I² = 63%). The sensitivity analysis yielded similar results to the main analysis (MD range, −0.64 to −0.37). When comparing all 3 genotypes, there were significant differences in HbA1c level changes between AA vs GG and GA vs GG, but not in GA vs AA.

Conclusion

This meta-analysis showed that SLC47A1 rs2289669 is associated with the glycemic response to metformin in drug-naive patients with type 2 diabetes.
MKLP2 functions in early mitosis to ensure proper chromosome congression
Authors: Schrock Morgan S. , Scarberry Luke , Stromberg Benjamin R. , Sears Claire , Torres Adrian E. , Tallman David , Krupinski Lucas , Chakravarti Arnab , Summers Matthew K.
Published: May 2022

Mitotic kinesin-like protein 2 (MKLP2; also known as KIF20A) is a motor protein with a well-established function in promoting cytokinesis. However, our results with siRNAs targeting MKLP2 and small-molecule inhibitors of MKLP2 (MKLP2i) suggest that it also has a function earlier in mitosis, prior to anaphase. In this study, we provide direct evidence that MKLP2 facilitates chromosome congression in prometaphase. We employed live imaging to observe HeLa cells with fluorescently tagged histones treated with MKLP2i and discovered a pronounced chromosome congression defect. We show that MKLP2 facilitates error correction, as inhibited cells have a significant increase in unstable, syntelic kinetochore–microtubule attachments. We find that the aberrant attachments are accompanied by elevated Aurora kinase (A and B) activity and phosphorylation of the downstream target HEC1 (also known as NDC80) at Ser55. Finally, we show that MKLP2 inhibition results in aneuploidy, confirming that MKLP2 safeguards cells against chromosomal instability.

This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
Design-Based Research in Empirical Microeconomics
Authors: Card David
Published: May 2022

I briefly review the emergence of “ design-based” research methods in labor economics in the 1980s and early 1990s. These methods were seen as a partial solution to the problems of credible inference identified by Ashenfelter (1974), Leamer (1978), Hendry (1980), and others. Designed-based studies typically use a simplified one-equation model of the outcome of interest—in contrast to model-based studies that specify a data generating process for all factors determining the outcome. I discuss some of the strengths and weaknesses of the design-based approach and the value of such research in the field. (JEL C20, J01, J24, J31, J38, J51, J53)
Analysis of Typical Schemes for Committing Economic Crimes in the Credit and Financial Sector
Authors: Gadzhiev N. , Konovalenko Sergey , Kiseleva Olga Vladimirovna , Skripkina Olga Viktorovna
Published: May 2022

In the article, the authors conducted a thorough analysis of typical schemes of off enses in the credit and fi nancial sphere, applied in practice in modern conditions in the Russian Federation. Th e purpose of the scientifi c article was to classify such schemes of committing crimes, as well as methods of their detection from the standpoint of fi nancial control.
Regulatory and Legal Regulation of the Activities of Management Companies of Mutual Investment Funds
Authors: Glazkova G. , Martynkina Yu.
Published: May 2022

In this article, the features of the regulatory legal regulation of the activities of management companies of mutual investment funds are identifi ed, the content of the requirements imposed by state bodies on management companies is considered in detail, measures for further development and improvement of risk-oriented control in relation to management companies of mutual investment funds are proposed.
Formation of Students' Logical Universal Educational Actions in the Process of Teaching Chemistry As a Planned Result of the Federal State Educational Standard of General Education
Authors: Zakabluk O. , Volkova S.
Published: May 2022

Within the framework of the article, methodological features of the formation of logical universal educational actions based on the logic of selection and structuring of the content of the section "Organic Chemistry" are considered. Particular attention is paid to the procedure for entering topics. The dynamics of the level of formation of logical universal educational actions among students is demonstrated. Conclusions are drawn about the peculiarities of the formation of logical universal educational actions, taking into account the age of students and the type of educational institution.
Talking About Performance or Paying for It? A Field Experiment on Performance Reviews and Incentives
Authors: Manthei Kathrin , Sliwka Dirk , Vogelsang Timo
Published: May 2022

We investigate the causal effect of performance pay and conversations about performance in 224 stores of a retail chain implementing a field experiment with a 2x2 factorial design. In the performance pay treatments, managers receive a bonus, which is a simple linear function of the profits achieved above a threshold value. In the performance review treatments, managers have to report their activities undertaken to increase profits in regular meetings. We find that whereas performance pay did not yield significant profit increases, performance review conversations increased profits by about 7%. However, when additionally receiving performance pay, the positive effect of performance reviews vanished. We provide evidence from surveys and meeting protocols that performance pay changes the nature of conversations, leading to a stronger self-reliance of store managers, which undermines the value of the performance reviews.

This paper was accepted by Yan Chen, behavioral economics and decision analysis.

Funding: Funding from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) under Germany’s Excellence Strategy [Grant EXC 2126/1 390838866] is gratefully acknowledged.

Supplemental Material: Data and the online appendices are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2022.4431 .
The effectiveness of leucocyte-poor platelet-rich plasma injections on symptomatic early osteoarthritis of the knee: the PEAK randomized controlled trial
Authors: Lewis Emma , Merghani Khalid , Robertson Iain , Mulford Jonathon , Prentice Ben , Mathew Ronnie , Van Winden Peter , Ogden Kathryn
Published: May 2022

Aims

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) intra-articular injections may provide a simple and minimally invasive treatment for early-stage knee osteoarthritis (OA). This has led to an increase in its adoption as a treatment for knee OA, although there is uncertainty about its efficacy and benefit. We hypothesized that patients with early-stage symptomatic knee OA who receive multiple PRP injections will have better clinical outcomes than those receiving single PRP or placebo injections.

Methods

A double-blinded, randomized placebo-controlled trial was performed with three groups receiving either placebo injections (Normal Saline), one PRP injection followed by two placebo injections, or three PRP injections. Each injection was given one week apart. Outcomes were prospectively collected prior to intervention and then at six weeks, three months, six months, and 12 months post-intervention. Primary outcome measures were Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) and EuroQol five-dimension five-level index (EQ-5D-5L). Secondary outcomes included visual analogue scale for pain and patient subjective assessment of the injections.

Results

A total of 102 patients were recruited. The follow-up period was 12 months, at intervals of six weeks, 12 weeks, six months, and 12 months. KOOS-Total significantly improved in all groups at these time intervals compared to pre-injection. There was an improvement in EQ-5D-5L index scores in saline and single injection groups, but not in the multiple injection group. Comparison of treatment groups showed no additional beneficial effect of single or multiple PRP injections above that displayed in the saline injection group. Subjective patient satisfaction and recommendation of treatment received demonstrated a similar pattern in all the groups. There was no indication of superiority of either single or multiple PRP injections compared to saline injections.

Conclusion

There is no evidence that single or multiple PRP had any additional beneficial effect compared to saline injection up to 12 months, follow-up after treatment of early stage symptomatic OA of the knee. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2022;104-B(6):663–671.
Surgical fixation of rib fractures improves 30-day survival after significant chest injury
Authors: Craxford Simon , Marson Ben A. , Nightingale Jessica , Forward Daren P. , Taylor Andrew , Ollivere Ben
Published: May 2022

Aims

The last decade has seen a marked increase in surgical rib fracture fixation (SRF). The evidence to support this comes largely from retrospective cohorts, and adjusting for the effect of other injuries sustained at the same time is challenging. This study aims to assess the impact of SRF after blunt chest trauma using national prospective registry data, while controlling for other comorbidities and injuries.

Methods

A ten-year extract from the Trauma Audit and Research Network formed the study sample. Patients who underwent SRF were compared with those who received supportive care alone. The analysis was performed first for the entire eligible cohort, and then for patients with a serious (thoracic Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) ≥ 3) or minor (thoracic AIS < 3) chest injury without significant polytrauma. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify predictors of mortality. Kaplan-Meier estimators and multivariable Cox regression were performed to adjust for the effects of concomitant injuries and other comorbidities. Outcomes assessed were 30-day mortality, length of stay (LoS), and need for tracheostomy.

Results

A total of 86,838 cases were analyzed. The rate of SRF was 1.2%. SRF significantly reduced risk of mortality (odds ratio (OR) 0.27 (95 confidence interval (CI) 0.128 to 0.273); p < 0.001) and need for tracheostomy (OR 0.22 (95% CI 0.191 to 0.319); p < 0.001) after adjustment for other covariables across the whole cohort. SRF remained protective in patients with a serious chest injury (hazard ratio (HR) 0.24 (95% CI 0.13 to 0.45); p < 0.001). The benefit in more minor chest injury was less clear. Mean LoS for patients who survived was longer in the SRF group (24.29 days (SD 26.54) vs 16.60 days (SD 26.35); p < 0.001).

Conclusion

SRF reduces mortality after significant chest trauma associated with both major and minor polytrauma. The rate of fixation in the UK is low and potentially underused as a treatment for severe chest wall injury. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2022;104-B(6):729–735.
Comparing Perspectives Between Different Agency Structures and Support Models
Authors: Johnson Katherine E. , Bailey Caitlin E. , Weiss Nancy R. , Eidelman Steven M.
Published: May 2022

The roles and responsibilities of direct support professionals (DSPs) are evolving. This qualitative study explores how DSPs perceive their role and explores those perceptions across DSPs working in traditional, intermediate, and innovative agencies, as defined for the study. Examining 440 DSP survey responses and interviews with 24 DSPs, we found that DSPs working in more individualized settings tended to have expanded role functions (focused on promoting self-determination and community engagement). DSPs working in more traditional settings tended to have more care-focused role functions (concentrated on activities of daily living, medication administration, and health and safety). The role perception of DSPs at intermediate agencies and role conflict due to competing responsibilities demonstrate a need to systemically transform future service delivery.
Moving target imaging of a dual-channel ISAL with binary phase shift keying signals and large squint angles
Authors: Cui Anjing , Li Daojng , Wu Jiang , Zhou Kai , Gao Jinghan , Qiao Ming , Wu Shumei , Wang Yefei , Yao Yuan
Published: May 2022

A dual-channel inverse synthetic aperture ladar imaging experimental system based on wide-pulse binary phase coded signals and its moving target imaging are introduced. The analysis, simulation, and experimental data processing results of binary phase coded signal Doppler compensation and pulse compression are included. The method of motion phase error estimation based on interferometric processing and the imaging method with small computation in the case of large squint angles are proposed, and the simulation results are presented. The effectiveness of the imaging method is verified by experimental data processing. Doppler frequency curves are estimated based on time-frequency analysis of echo signals, and the coarse compensation of motion phase error is realized. According to the interferometric phase and coherence coefficient of dual-channel echo signals’ time-frequency analysis, the coherence of the dual-channel echo signals is checked, and along-track interferometry can be applied to the precise compensation. The stable interferometric phase and increased coherence coefficient of actual dual-channel data imaging results indicate the effectiveness of the motion phase error compensation method proposed. Considering characteristics of inverse synthetic aperture ladar (ISAL) imaging, after dividing echo signals into multiple sub-apertures, range-Doppler algorithm and sub-aperture stitching are adopted, the stitched image is corrected geometrically through Stolt transformation, and the computation is reduced.
Stealth in quantum illumination with a probabilistic mixed strategy
Authors: Zhang ShengLi
Published: May 2022

Quantum illumination and quantum entanglement provide an efficient method for detecting low-reflectivity targets in bright thermal-noise environments. Until now, almost all studies on quantum illumination assume that a target has only two mutually exclusive choices of being present and absent. In this study, we investigate the performance of quantum illumination when a target adopts a probabilistic mixed strategy. Remarkably, we show that the probabilistic mixed strategy can help the target hide its presence. This conclusion holds for asymptotic quantum illumination with joint measurement and practical quantum illumination with mode-by-mode local measurement. We also verify our result for Gaussian quantum illumination with a two-mode squeezed vacuum state and non-Gaussian quantum illumination with the NOON state. The mixed strategy is successful because of the large amount of resources consumed in target detection. This work is the next step toward better understanding of the stealth technique in future quantum illumination.
Selection criteria of image reconstruction algorithms for terahertz short-range imaging applications
Authors: Barket Ali Raza , Hu Weidong , Wang Bing , Shahzad Waseem , Malik Jabir Shabbir
Published: May 2022

Terahertz (THz) imaging has been regarded as cutting-edge technology in a wide range of applications due to its ability to penetrate through opaque materials, non-invasive nature, and its increased bandwidth capacity. Recently, THz imaging has been extensively researched in security, driver assistance technology, non-destructive testing, and medical applications. The objective of this review is to summarize the selection criteria for current state-of-the-art THz image reconstruction algorithms developed for short-range imaging applications over the last two decades. Moreover, we summarize the selected algorithms’ performance and their implementation process. This study provides an in-depth understanding of the fundamentals of image reconstruction algorithms related to THz short-range imaging and future aspects of algorithm processing and selection.
Anisotropic third-harmonic generation of exfoliated As2S3 thin flakes
Authors: Tripathi Ravi P. N. , Yang Xiaodong , Gao Jie
Published: May 2022

Van der Waals (vdW) materials have recently attracted significant interest in the context of orientation-dependent linear and nonlinear optical properties. Recently, arsenic trisulfide (As2S3) or orpiment is identified as a new vdW layered material having anisotropic vibrational and optomechanical responses due to the reduced in-plane crystal symmetry, but its nonlinear optical response is still not well understood yet. Herein, the anisotropic third-harmonic generation (THG) response of mechanically exfoliated As2S3 thin flakes is reported. The polarization-dependent evolution of THG emission from butterfly-shaped pattern to four-lobe pattern is comprehensively explored. Moreover, the third-order nonlinear susceptibility of As2S3 crystal is extracted by analyzing the thickness-dependent THG emission. We anticipate that the discussed results will not only update the existing understanding on the nonlinear light-matter interaction in anisotropic vdW materials, but also promote future applications in integrated photonic circuits, on-chip nonlinear signal processing, and polarization-sensitive optical devices.
Air flowing induced thermo-optic effect for thermal sensitivity reduction in anti-resonant hollow core fibers
Authors: Sun Yizhi , Liang Zhi , Sheng Yulin , Gao Shoufei , Zhang Zhe , Jia Anqing , Wang Yingying , Ding Wei
Published: May 2022

The signal propagation delay through an optical fiber changes with environmental temperature, imposing a fundamental limit on performances in many fiber-optic applications. It has been shown that the thermal coefficient of delay (TCD) in hollow core fibers (HCFs) can be 20 times lower than in standard single-mode fibers (SSMFs). To further reduce TCD over a broad wavelength range at room temperature, so that to enrich fiber-optic applications in time- synchronization scenarios, the thermal expansion effect of silica glass must be compensated for. Exploiting the thermo-optic effect of air inside an anti-resonant hollow core fiber (ARF) can be a feasible solution. Nevertheless, an accurate description of the air flow in the course of temperature variation is highly needed to predict the influence of this effect. This work develops an analytical model for quantitatively calculating this temperature-induced air-flowing effect. Across a range of parameters of core diameter, fiber length, and temperature change rate, the experimentally measured propagation delay changes agree well with our model. The resultant low thermal sensitivity is also validated in non-steady conditions and in a practically usable SSMF-ARF-SSMF chain. Our model indicates that a >40-fold TCD reduction relative to SSMFs can be realized in a 60-m-long, 50-µm-diameter ARF, and further TCD reduction should be possible by properly engineering the gas type and the ambient pressure.
High-power laser diode at 9xx nm with 81.10% efficiency
Authors: Wang Liang , Qu Hongwei , Qi Aiyi , Zhou Xuyan , Zheng Wanhua
Published: May 2022

In this study, a low-resistance, low-loss, continuously gradual composition extreme double asymmetric (CGC-EDAS) epitaxial structure is designed to improve efficiency. The structure and facet reflectivity of the broad area (BA) lasers are optimized to maximize the power conversion efficiency (PCE). In the experiment, the peak PCE of 75.36% is measured at 25°C. At 0°C, a peak PCE of 81.10% is measured and the PCE can still reach 77.84% at an output power of 17.10 W, which, to the best of our knowledge, is the highest value to date for any BA lasers.
Adverse effects following anti–COVID-19 vaccination with mRNA-based BNT162b2 are alleviated by altering the route of administration and correlate with baseline enrichment of T and NK cell genes
Authors: Syenina Ayesa , Gan Esther S. , Toh Justin Z. N. , de Alwis Ruklanthi , Lin Lowell Z. , Tham Christine Y. L. , Yee Jia Xin , Leong Yan Shan , Sam Huizhen , Cheong Charlene , Teh Yii Ean , Wee Ian L. E. , Ng Dorothy H. L. , Chan Kuan Rong , Sim Jean X. Y. , Kalimuddin Shirin , Ong Eugenia Z. , Low Jenny G. , Ooi Eng Eong
Published: May 2022

Ensuring high vaccination and even booster vaccination coverage is critical in preventing severe Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Among the various COVID-19 vaccines currently in use, the mRNA vaccines have shown remarkable effectiveness. However, systemic adverse events (AEs), such as postvaccination fatigue, are prevalent following mRNA vaccination, and the underpinnings of which are not understood. Herein, we found that higher baseline expression of genes related to T and NK cell exhaustion and suppression were positively correlated with the development of moderately severe fatigue after Pfizer-BioNTech BNT162b2 vaccination; increased expression of genes associated with T and NK cell exhaustion and suppression reacted to vaccination were associated with greater levels of innate immune activation at 1 day postvaccination. We further found, in a mouse model, that altering the route of vaccination from intramuscular (i.m.) to subcutaneous (s.c.) could lessen the pro-inflammatory response and correspondingly the extent of systemic AEs; the humoral immune response to BNT162b2 vaccination was not compromised. Instead, it is possible that the s.c. route could improve cytotoxic CD8 T-cell responses to BNT162b2 vaccination. Our findings thus provide a glimpse of the molecular basis of postvaccination fatigue from mRNA vaccination and suggest a readily translatable solution to minimize systemic AEs.
BOSO: A novel feature selection algorithm for linear regression with high-dimensional data
Authors: Valcárcel Luis V. , San José-Enériz Edurne , Cendoya Xabier , Rubio Ángel , Agirre Xabier , Prósper Felipe , Planes Francisco J.
Published: May 2022

With the frenetic growth of high-dimensional datasets in different biomedical domains, there is an urgent need to develop predictive methods able to deal with this complexity. Feature selection is a relevant strategy in machine learning to address this challenge. We introduce a novel feature selection algorithm for linear regression called BOSO (Bilevel Optimization Selector Operator). We conducted a benchmark of BOSO with key algorithms in the literature, finding a superior accuracy for feature selection in high-dimensional datasets. Proof-of-concept of BOSO for predicting drug sensitivity in cancer is presented. A detailed analysis is carried out for methotrexate, a well-studied drug targeting cancer metabolism.
Elastic network modeling of cellular networks unveils sensor and effector genes that control information flow
Authors: Acar Omer , Zhang She , Bahar Ivet , Carvunis Anne-Ruxandra
Published: May 2022

The high-level organization of the cell is embedded in indirect relationships that connect distinct cellular processes. Existing computational approaches for detecting indirect relationships between genes typically consist of propagating abstract information through network representations of the cell. However, the selection of genes to serve as the source of propagation is inherently biased by prior knowledge. Here, we sought to derive an unbiased view of the high-level organization of the cell by identifying the genes that propagate and receive information most effectively in the cell, and the indirect relationships between these genes. To this aim, we adapted a perturbation-response scanning strategy initially developed for identifying allosteric interactions within proteins. We deployed this strategy onto an elastic network model of the yeast genetic interaction profile similarity network. This network revealed a superior propensity for information propagation relative to simulated networks with similar topology. Perturbation-response scanning identified the major distributors and receivers of information in the network, named effector and sensor genes, respectively. Effectors formed dense clusters centrally integrated into the network, whereas sensors formed loosely connected antenna-shaped clusters and contained genes with previously characterized involvement in signal transduction. We propose that indirect relationships between effector and sensor clusters represent major paths of information flow between distinct cellular processes. Genetic similarity networks for fission yeast and human displayed similarly strong propensities for information propagation and clusters of effector and sensor genes, suggesting that the global architecture enabling indirect relationships is evolutionarily conserved across species. Our results demonstrate that elastic network modeling of cellular networks constitutes a promising strategy to probe the high-level organization and cooperativity in the cell.
Major sex differences in allele frequencies for X chromosomal variants in both the 1000 Genomes Project and gnomAD
Authors: Wang Zhong , Sun Lei , Paterson Andrew D.
Published: May 2022

An unexpectedly high proportion of SNPs on the X chromosome in the 1000 Genomes Project phase 3 data were identified with significant sex differences in minor allele frequencies (sdMAF). sdMAF persisted for many of these SNPs in the recently released high coverage whole genome sequence of the 1000 Genomes Project that was aligned to GRCh38, and it was consistent between the five super-populations. Among the 245,825 common (MAF>5%) biallelic X-chromosomal SNPs in the phase 3 data presumed to be of high quality, 2,039 have genome-wide significant sdMAF (p-value <5e-8). sdMAF varied by location: non-pseudo-autosomal region (NPR) = 0.83%, pseudo-autosomal regions (PAR1) = 0.29%, PAR2 = 13.1%, and X-transposed region (XTR)/PAR3 = 0.85% of SNPs had sdMAF, and they were clustered at the NPR-PAR boundaries, among others. sdMAF at the NPR-PAR boundaries are biologically expected due to sex-linkage, but have generally been ignored in association studies. For comparison, similar analyses found only 6, 1 and 0 SNPs with significant sdMAF on chromosomes 1, 7 and 22, respectively. Similar sdMAF results for the X chromosome were obtained from the high coverage whole genome sequence data from gnomAD V 3.1.2 for both the non-Finnish European and African/African American samples. Future X chromosome analyses need to take sdMAF into account.
A low-light image enhancement method with brightness balance and detail preservation
Authors: Li Canlin , Zhu Jinjuan , Bi Lihua , Zhang Weizheng , Liu Yan
Published: May 2022

This paper proposes a new method for low-light image enhancement with balancing image brightness and preserving image details, this method can improve the brightness and contrast of low-light images while maintaining image details. Traditional histogram equalization methods often lead to excessive enhancement and loss of details, thereby resulting in an unclear and unnatural appearance. In this method, the image is processed bidirectionally. On the one hand, the image is processed by double histogram equalization with double automatic platform method based on improved cuckoo search (CS) algorithm, where the image histogram is segmented firstly, and the platform limit is selected according to the histogram statistics and improved CS technology. Then, the sub-histograms are clipped by two platforms and carried out the histogram equalization respectively. Finally, an image with balanced brightness and good contrast can be obtained. On the other hand, the main structure of the image is extracted based on the total variation model, and the image mask with all the texture details is made by removing the main structure of the image. Eventually, the final enhanced image is obtained by adding the mask with texture details to the image with balanced brightness and good contrast. Compared with the existing methods, the proposed algorithm significantly enhances the visual effect of the low-light images, based on human subjective evaluation and objective evaluation indices. Experimental results show that the proposed method in this paper is better than the existing methods.
Spontaneous discovery of novel task solutions in children
Authors: Schuck Nicolas W. , Li Amy X. , Wenke Dorit , Ay-Bryson Destina S. , Loewe Anika T. , Gaschler Robert , Shing Yee Lee
Published: May 2022

Children often perform worse than adults on tasks that require focused attention. While this is commonly regarded as a sign of incomplete cognitive development, a broader attentional focus could also endow children with the ability to find novel solutions to a given task. To test this idea, we investigated children’s ability to discover and use novel aspects of the environment that allowed them to improve their decision-making strategy. Participants were given a simple choice task in which the possibility of strategy improvement was neither mentioned by instructions nor encouraged by explicit error feedback. Among 47 children (8—10 years of age) who were instructed to perform the choice task across two experiments, 27.5% showed a full strategy change. This closely matched the proportion of adults who had the same insight (28.2% of n = 39). The amount of erroneous choices, working memory capacity and inhibitory control, in contrast, indicated substantial disadvantages of children in task execution and cognitive control. A task difficulty manipulation did not affect the results. The stark contrast between age-differences in different aspects of cognitive performance might offer a unique opportunity for educators in fostering learning in children.
Lactobacillus plantarum improves LPS-induced Caco2 cell line intestinal barrier damage via cyclic AMP-PKA signaling
Authors: Wei Chen-Xiang , Wu Ju-Hua , Huang Yue-Hong , Wang Xiao-Zhong , Li Jian-Ying
Published: May 2022

Lactobacillus plantarum (LP) has been shown to exhibit protective effects on intestinal barrier function in septic rats, although the regulatory mechanism has not been established. We determined whether LP imparts such protective effects in a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced Caco2 cell monolayer model and whether cAMP-PKA signaling is the underlying mechanism of action. The cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) agonist, forskolin (FSK), and the protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor, HT89, were used to study the protective effect of LP on the destruction of the tight junction (TJ) structure of cells treated with LPS and the corresponding changes in cAMP-PKA signaling. Our experimental results demonstrated that LP promoted the expression of TJ proteins between Caco2 cells after LPS treatment, and increased the electrical barrier detection (TEER) between Caco2 cells. Moreover, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed that the TJ structural integrity of cells treated with LPS + LP was improved compared to cells treated with LPS alone. In addition, our findings were consistent between the FSK and LP intervention group, while HT89 inhibited LP influence. Taken together, our results indicate that LP has an improved protective effect on LPS-induced damage to the monolayer membrane barrier function of Caco2 cells and is regulated by the cAMP-PKA pathway.
Covering, corner-searching and occupying: A three-stage intelligent algorithm for the 2d multishape part packing problem
Authors: Ren He , Zhong Rui
Published: May 2022

The bin packing problem has a wide range of applications in industry. With the upgrade of the task difficulty, the traditional 2d rectangular layout algorithm can no longer meet the needs of modern industry, such as express packing task and exoplanet ore collection task. The express or ore samples come in heterogeneous shapes so they cannot all be treated as rectangular pieces. In this paper, we propose a three-stage method called covering, corner-searching and occupying (C,S&O) to solve the two-dimensional multishape part packing problem. The objective of the packing problem variant is to ensure maximum use of the raw material and minimize the trim loss. The algorithm cannot make use of information about the sequence of future objects that are going to arrive, only knowing the shape and size of the coming one, and the coming part must be packed into the bin immediately after its arrival without buffering or readjusting. The method of C,S&O hybridizes the idea of “gold corners, silver edges and grass belly” in the Chinese game Go and the method of finding picture corners in machine vision. In the first stage, the rectangular bin and the coming part are transformed into matrix representation, and generating the position matrix that indicates possible ways of packing the part into the bin. In the second stage, the suitable layout position of the coming part is obtained using machine vision image processing technology for reference. The third stage is calculating the environment matching degree to determine the current optimal placement orientation. In order to facilitate the display of the simulation results, only three shapes of parts are considered in the simulation, rectangle, circle and triangle. The experimental results show the effectiveness of this method. Consulting the literature, it is found that this paper is the first to propose a layout method for multishape manufacturing parts.
MicroRNAs as potential indicators of the development and progression of uterine leiomyoma
Authors: Kim Myungshin , Kang Dain , Kwon Mi Yeon , Lee Hee Jeong , Kim Min Jeong
Published: May 2022

Recent studies demonstrated a significant role of several microRNAs (miRs) in the development of leiomyoma. Here, we investigated miR expression profiles using microarray and found a significantly higher expression of miRs in leiomyoma than in adjacent myometrium. We also confirmed the upregulation of five selected miRs including miR-181a-5p, 127-3p, 28-3p, 30b-5p and let-7c-5p in cellular proliferation, extracellular matrix turnover, and angiogenesis by RT-qPCR. Interestingly, the miRs showed a higher expression in cases of large leiomyoma or in patients with a history of transfusion due to anemia. We then analyzed the expression of the miR target molecules including Transforming Growth Factor Beta Receptor 2 (TGFBR2) and Insulin-like Growth Factor 2 mRNA Binding Protein 1 (IGF2BP1) via immunohistochemistry. TGFBR2 and IGF2BP1 were positively stained in 81% and 62.5% of leiomyoma tissues but not in adjacent myometrium. Both were more frequently positive in patients with ≥ 6 cm leiomyoma and mass effect. The mean expression levels of miR-181a-5p, 127-3p, 28-3p, 30b-5p and let-7c-5p were higher in cases with TGFBR2 and IGF2BP1 positive leiomyoma. We observed several miRs were overexpressed in leiomyoma tissues, and these results provide insight into the role of miRs in the development and progression of leiomyoma and underscore the need to validate their utility as diagnostic or therapeutic targets.
backbone: An R package to extract network backbones
Authors: Neal Zachary P.
Published: May 2022

Networks are useful for representing phenomena in a broad range of domains. Although their ability to represent complexity can be a virtue, it is sometimes useful to focus on a simplified network that contains only the most important edges: the backbone. This paper introduces and demonstrates a substantially expanded version of the backbone package for R, which now provides methods for extracting backbones from weighted networks, weighted bipartite projections, and unweighted networks. For each type of network, fully replicable code is presented first for small toy examples, then for complete empirical examples using transportation, political, and social networks. The paper also demonstrates the implications of several issues of statistical inference that arise in backbone extraction. It concludes by briefly reviewing existing applications of backbone extraction using the backbone package, and future directions for research on network backbone extraction.
Citicoline in acute ischemic stroke: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Agarwal Ayush , Vishnu Venugopalan Y. , Sharma Jyoti , Bhatia Rohit , Garg Ajay , Dwivedi Sadanand , Upadhyay Ashish , Goyal Vinay , Singh Mamta Bhushan , Gupta Anu , Rajan Roopa , Srivastava M. V. Padma
Published: May 2022

Introduction

Two pharmacological possibilities exist for an acute ischemic stroke (AIS): recanalization of the occluded artery and neuroprotection from ischaemic injury, the latter’s efficacy being debatable. We sought to determine whether administration of Citicoline immediately after recanalization therapy for AIS would improve clinical and radiological outcome at three months compared to standard treatment alone.

Patients and methods

CAISR was a single centre, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial with blinded endpoint assessment. It was approved by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences Institutional ethics committee and registered at the Clinical Trial Registry of India (CTRI/2018/011900). We recruited participants with AIS undergoing recanalization therapy and randomly assigned them to receive either Citicoline or placebo in 1:1 ratio. Citicoline arm patients received Citicoline 1gm BD intravenously for three days, followed by oral citicoline 1gm BD for 39 days. Placebo arm patients received 100ml intravenous normal saline for three days, followed by multivitamin tablet BD for 39 days. All patients received standard of care.

Outcome

Blinded assessors did the follow-up assessment at six weeks (MRI Brain-stroke volume) and three months (NIHSS 0–2, mRS 0–2 and Barthel index> = 95).

Results

The infarct volume decreased from week 1 to week 6 by 2.6 cm3on placebo versus 4.2 cm3on Citicoline (p-0.483). The OR for achieving NIHSS 0–2, mRS 0–2 and Barthel index> = 95 with Citicoline was found to be 0.96(95%CI 0.39–2.40), 0.92(95%CI 0.40–2.05) and 0.87(95%CI 0.22–2.98) respectively.

Conclusion

CAISR was the first to evaluate the role of Citicoline, when used immediately after recanalization therapy, when the penumbral tissue is the most susceptible either to be protected from injury or become ischemic. We did not find any significant difference between the Citicoline or placebo arms with respect to either our primary or secondary outcomes.
Az oktatás alkalmazkodását szolgáló kormányzás intézményi feltételei öt kelet-európai országban
Authors: Radó Péter
Published: May 2022

Az alábbi tanulmány a CEU Közpolitikai Kutatások Központjában (2020-tól: Demokrácia Intézetében) 2019 és 2021 között zajló kelet-európai összehasonlító kutatás („Future Challenges to Education Systems in Central-Eastern European Context”) az oktatás alkalmazkodásának intézményi feltételeiről szóló összehasonlító elemzés kormányzásra vonatkozó megállapításai és következtetéseit foglalja össze. A kutatás a régió öt országára, Lengyelországra, Magyarországra, Romániára, Szerbiára és Szlovákiára terjedt ki. A tanulmány áttekinti az öt ország oktatáskormányzási rendszereinek strukturális átalakulását és elemzi az iskolaszintű változtatások generálására való képességüket.
Soluções tecnológicas para a formação de professores em Libras na modalidade de Educação a Distância / Technological solutions for teacher training in Libras in the Distance Education modality
Authors: Oliveira Eric Nascimento de , Sousa Geida Maria Cavalcanti de , Silva João Carlos Sedraz
Published: May 2022

O presente estudo teve por objetivo identificar soluções tecnológicas que podem contribuir para a formação de professores em Libras na modalidade de Educação a Distância (EaD). O método da pesquisa foi estruturado na forma de um mapeamento sistemático da literatura, a partir do qual foram selecionados e analisados 13 estudos primários relacionados ao tema, publicados entre 2014 e 2020. Como resultados, identificaram-se os sistemas de gestão de aprendizagem utilizados, bem como os principais recursos e atividades educacionais empregados com o propósito de formação nessa língua. O mapeamento evidenciou que a maioria das soluções apontadas na literatura são ferramentas, tipicamente, adotadas na EaD apenas adaptadas para a formação em Libras, com fragilidades que limitam o aprendizado da língua; isso reforça a necessidade de trabalhos futuros, concentrados no desenvolvimento de novas soluções que atendam os requisitos específicos para a formação nessa língua gesto-visual.