bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Linkages between Energy Prices and Energy Stocks in China: A Study Based on Wavelet Analysis
Authors: Zhao Tianyu , He Yongda , Bai Martin , Shao Shuai 
Published: May 2023

Abstract

This study constructs a comprehensive energy price index and applies the Morlet continuous wavelet transform to investigate the relationship between energy prices and energy industry stock markets. It also tests the multi-scale linear and nonlinear causality using multi-resolution decomposition. The empirical findings indicate that: (1) energy prices and stock market volatilities demonstrate a stable negative correlation in the medium- and long-term frequency domain, and the fluctuation of energy stock prices precedes that of energy prices since 2018. (2) Energy prices and stock markets exhibit bidirectional causality. The short- and medium-term driving effects of energy stocks and energy prices are more pronounced than the overall change in stock markets over a period of 16 months. The linkage between energy prices and stock markets is primarily influenced by the stock market leading and driving energy price changes, indicating a common long-term trend. (3) In the long run, fluctuations in Chinese stock markets will lead to a reverse change in energy prices, providing policy management in the energy industry with an effective reference. However, the unstable short-term characteristics and lag of energy price changes suggest that the impact of energy prices on stock market investment has less reference value.
Super-promoters: Cooperativity between juxtaposed promoters
Authors: Wiechens Elina , Vigliotti Flavia , Riege Konstantin , Bömmel Alena van , Schwab Katjana , Görlich Ivonne , Bens Martin , Schwarz Robert , Sahm Arne , Groth Marco , Loewer Alexander , Hoffmann Steve , Fischer Martin 
Published: May 2023

Abstract

The coordination of transcription through enhancers and promoters is a fundamental process that has a central role in development and disease 1–3. Convergent transcription, i.e., the collision of sense and antisense transcription, is ubiquitous in mammalian genomes 4–8 and believed to diminish RNA expression 9,10. Recently, antisense transcription downstream of promoters was found to be surprisingly prevalent 11–13. However, functional characteristics of promoters with convergent transcription are unknown. Here, we show that convergent transcription marks an unexpectedly cooperative promoter constellation we call super-promoters. By assessing transcriptional dynamic systems, we identified strongly cooperative constituent promoters that are connected through a distinct chromatin structure. Within these super-promoter constellations transcription factors can regulate both constituting promoters by binding to only one of them. Super-promoters comprise about a fourth of all active transcript starts and initiate 5’-overlapping antisense RNAs, an RNA class previously believed to be rare 4. Visualization of nascent RNA molecules provides evidence for convergent co-transcription at these loci. Our results demonstrate that super-promoters substantially expand the cis-regulatory repertoire and reveal limitations of the standing model of transcription interference. Together, our study revises the promoter architecture of many genes and calls for adjusting the promoter concept.
Clonal heterogeneity in ER+ breast cancer reveals the proteasome and PKC as potential therapeutic targets
Authors: Wiemann Stefan , Beumers Lukas , Vlachavas Efstathios , Borgoni Simone , Schwarzmüller Luisa , Penso-Dolfin Luca , Michels Birgitta , Sofyali Emre , Burmester Sara , Heiss Daniela , Wilhelm Heike , Yarden Yosef , Helm Dominic , Will Rainer , Goncalves Angela 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Intratumoral heterogeneity drastically impacts the success or failure of anti-cancer therapies. Here, we investigated the evolution and mechanistic heterogeneity in clonal populations of cell models for estrogen receptor positive breast cancer. To this end, we established barcoded models of luminal breast cancer and rendered them resistant to commonly applied first line endocrine therapies. By deconvoluting complex resistant cell pools and characterizing replicates of individual clones we observed inter- (between cell lines) and intra-tumor (between different clones from the same cell line) heterogeneity. Molecular characterization at RNA and phospho-proteomic levels revealed private clonal activation of the unfolded protein response and respective sensitivity to inhibition of the proteasome, and shared sensitivities for repression of protein kinase C. Our in vitro findings mirror the tumor-heterogeneity that is observed in breast cancer patients thus highlighting the urgent need to uncover heterogeneity at an individual patient level and to adjust therapies accordingly.
Food niche overlap between two stingless bee species along a spatio-temporal gradient: implications for keeping and conservation
Authors: López-Roblero Estefhanía , Guzmán-Díaz Miguel Ángel , Sánchez Daniel , Grajales-Conesa Julieta 
Published: May 2023

Abstract

It is common practice that local stingless beekeepers in Southern Mexico keep their colonies, from two or more species, in a single place, referred to as meliponary. Little is known, however, if such scheme promotes competition for local resources among managed species. This is particularly relevant since in some cases over several dozens of hives are reared in one meliponary. In this study we examined the plant species visited by two culturally and economically important stingless bee species commonly kept together, Scaptotrigona mexicana and Tetragonisca angustula, in order to know the magnitude of the competition between them. Honey samples from managed colonies located in three meliponaries were collected during a year. Using standard melissopalynological techniques we analyzed them and could identify the plant species the colonies collected food from. Overall 84 pollen types were identified: 34 at the species level, 32 at the genus level and 18 at the family level. Samples of both bee species had high indexes of plant diversity; Compositae, Leguminosae and Euphorbiaceae were the most visited plant families. Niche overlap analysis showed that up to 21% of plant species were common to both bee species, but only in some months of the year. The results of this study show low competition between S. mexicana and T. angustula. With these results we provide Mexican stingless beekeepers with valuable information that supports the continuation of ancient bee management practices.
Deciphering the relationship between meteorological and hydrological drought in Ben Tre province, Vietnam
Authors: Huynh Minh , Kumar Pankaj , Toan Nguyen Van , Nguyen Phan Chi , Ty Tran Van , Lavane Kim , Tam Nguyen Thanh , Downes Nigel K. 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
The low-lying Vietnamese Mekong Delta (VMD) is a key agricultural production landscape increasingly threatened by anthropogenic stresses and climate change. Droughts due to extreme events, climate change and upstream developments affect the delta. This paper explores the relationship between the intensity, duration, and frequency of meteorological droughts and hydrological droughts using a range of indices. We used monthly rainfall and stream flow data for the period 1992–2021 to calculate the stream flow Drought Index (SDI), the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI), and the Reconnaissance Drought Index (RDI) for different time intervals. We found no observed time lag, and a strong correlation coefficient between upstream hydrological and downstream meteorological drought events assessed over long-term scales (i.e.,12-months). This is true for all downstream sites, except Ben Tre City. Meteorological drought events onset lagged 5–6 months, 6-month, and 4-month behind hydrological droughts at mid- and shorter assessment time scales (9-,6-, 3- month). Average correlation coefficient between hydrological indices and SPI and 9–3 month time scales ranged only from moderate to weak. These findings shed light and advance the understanding of the progression of meteorological to hydrological droughts in the VMD. Our results aid the regional understanding of drought onset and the causative mechanism at work, important for both medium and long-term drought forecasting and adaptation planning.
Membrane-induced 2D phase separation of focal adhesion proteins
Authors: Litschel Thomas , Kelley Charlotte , Cheng Xiaohang , Babl Leon , Mizuno Naoko , Case Lindsay , Schwille Petra 
Published: May 2023

Abstract

Focal adhesions form liquid-like assemblies around activated integrin receptors at the plasma membrane. Made up of hundreds of proteins, focal adhesions are dynamic structures which can assemble and disassemble quickly, withstand strong actomyosin-applied forces, and form highly stable complexes. How they achieve these flexible characteristics is not well understood. Here, we use recombinant focal adhesion proteins to reconstitute the core structural machinery in vitro, with the goal of understanding the underlying protein dynamics and interactions. We observe liquid-liquid phase separation of the core focal adhesion proteins talin and vinculin for a spectrum of conditions and in combination with several interaction partners. Intriguingly, we show that binding to PI(4,5)P2-containing membranes triggers phase separation of these proteins on the membrane, which in turn induces the enrichment of integrin in the clusters. We also introduce a novel experimental setup to probe talin-membrane interactions down to the single protein level using optical tweezers. Our results suggest that membrane composition triggers condensate assembly at the membrane, a regulatory mechanism which could widely apply to membrane-localized biomolecular condensates and provide a pathway of how spatial organization of lipids within the membrane can couple into the cytosol.
Using Spectral and Temporal Filters with EEG Signal to Predict the Temporal Lobe Epilepsy Outcome after Antiseizure Medication via Machine Learning
Authors: Shin Youmin , Hwang Sungeun , Lee Seung-Bo , Son Hyoshin , Chu Kon , Jung Ki-Young , Lee Sang Kun , Park Kyung-Il , Kim Young-Gon 
Published: May 2023

Abstract

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder in which transient alteration of brain. Predicting outcomes in epilepsy is essential since the prediction could provide feedback that can foster improvement in the outcomes. This study aimed to investigate whether applying spectral and temporal filters to resting-state electroencephalogram (EEG) signals could improve the prediction of patients' outcomes after antiseizure medication for temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). We collected EEG data from a total of 46 patients (seizure-free (SF, n = 22) or nonseizure-free (NSF, n = 24)) with TLE and reviewed their clinical data retrospectively. We dissected spectral and temporal ranges with various time-domain features (Hjorth parameters, statistical parameters, energy, and zero-crossing rate) and compared their performance by applying optimal frequency only, optimal duration only, and both. For all time-domain features, optimal frequency and time strategy (OFTS) showed the highest performance in distinguishing SF patients from NSF patients (0.759 ± 0.148 AUC). In addition, the best performance using statistical parameters as a feature vector was a frequency band of 39–41 Hz at a window length of 210s, with an AUC of 0.748. By identifying the optimal parameters, we improved the prediction model’s performance. These parameters can function as standard parameters for outcome prediction using resting-state EEG signals.
Seagrass loss decreases abundance, diversity and composition of macrobenthic infauna in a Caribbean Bay
Authors: Kanhai Attish , Juman Rahanna 
Published: May 2023

Abstract

Seagrass meadows form extremely complex ecosystems in the coastal zone that are highly productive and sustain an abundant faunal community. This study compared the macrobenthic infaunal communities in William’s Bay, Trinidad before and after a lush seagrass meadows dominated by Thalassia testudinum (Banks ex König) was extirpated. In 2007, T. testudinum leaf aerial productivity was 1.5 ± 0.58 gm2 d− 1 and total biomass was 191 ± 55.9 gm− 2, but by 2016 the bed had collapsed with zero productivity and biomass. To assess the macrobenthic infauna, five replicate cores were taken at six stations in 2007 and in 2016. Species richness, abundance and biomass all decreased from 2007 to 2016 coinciding with the loss of the seagrass meadows. This is likely due to fewer microhabitats and protection from predators provided by seagrass cover. Relative abundance of the main species groups remained unchanged; polychaetes accounted for 48% of the species in 2007 and 2016, amphipods accounted for 17% in both years, decapods for 12% and 15% in 2007 and 2016 respectively, non-segmented worms for 11% (2007) and 6% (2016), molluscs for 2% (2007) and 13% (2016), echinoderms for less than 1% and another 1% a small miscellaneous group. Specific composition within these groups differed; in 2007, carnivorous polychaete families Lumbrineridae, Nereididae and Orbiniidae dominated, while in 2016 deposit feeding polychaete families such as Opheliidae, Paraonidae, Capitellidae and Spionidae were more abundant. Epifaunal amphipoda dominated across both periods compared to infaunal tube-dwellers. This study demonstrated a shift in the main feeding guilds of polychaete communities while vegetated from carnivorous polychaetes to deposit feeding polychaetes upon disappearance of the seagrass meadows.
Green Synthesis of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Using Aloe Vera Leaves Extract and Evaluation of ALE- ZnO/Regenerated Cellulose Films Antibacterial, Antioxidant Properties
Authors: Wu Cuiling , Zhang Ting , Ji Binghan , Chou Yajie , Du Xueyan 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
The use of plant extract to synthesize zinc oxide nanoparticles has been considered one of the most environmentally friendly approaches. The present study focused on the greenly synthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles (ALE-ZnO NPs) using Aloe Vera Leaf Extract as the reducing and stabilizing agent. Further, the antibacterial regenerated cellulose film (ALE-ZnO/RCF) by incorporating ALE-ZnO NPs was successfully prepared via the immersion phase- conversion method.The structure and morphology of ALE-ZnO NPs and ALE-ZnO/RCF were characterized by UV–vis, FTIR, XRD, SEM, and EDS measurements. Theantibacterial and antifungal properties of ALE-ZnO/RCF that render them suitable for biomedical and food packaging applications were evaluated by the inhibition zone method. The results indicated the effective synthesis of the pure crystal form of ZnO NPs with irregularshapes and average crystallite sizes of about 26 nm. SEM and EDS images showed ALE-ZnO NPs were well dispersed and stabilizedin the cellulose matrix. In addition, the ALE-ZnO/RCF displayed growth antibacterial, antifungal activity with increasing ALE-ZnO NPs contents, and the best antimicrobial behavior with approximately 25 mm inhibition zones, achieved by ALE-ZnO10/RCF. Meanwhile, the prepared ALE-ZnO/RCF also exhibited promising antioxidant activity against DPPH (2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) free radicals scavenger. This study recommends the potential use of green ALE-ZnO/RCF in industries like food, pharmaceutical, agriculture, and cosmetics.
Assessing the Economic Implications of Step-Down Outpatient Management for Fever and Neutropenia Episodes in Pediatric Cancer Patients: A Cost Minimization Analysis
Authors: Avilés-Robles Martha , Reyes-Lopez Alfonso 
Published: May 2023

Abstract

Background
The management of febrile neutropenia (FN) in pediatric cancer patients has traditionally been conducted in a hospital setting. However, recent evidence has indicated that outpatient management of FN can be equally effective compared to inpatient care. Based on this evidence, we conducted a cost-minimization analysis (CMA) specifically focused on pediatric cancer patients in Mexico
Methods
The CMA was performed from a societal perspective using patient-level data derived from a previous noninferiority clinical trial that compared outpatient treatment to inpatient treatment for FN in children with cancer. Direct and indirect costs were collected prospectively. The costs were adjusted for inflation and converted to US dollars, with values standardized to August 2022 costs. Statistical analysis using bootstrap methods was employed to obtain robust estimations for decision-making within the Mexican public health care system.
Results
A total of 117 FN episodes were analyzed, with 60 in the outpatient group and 57 in the inpatient group; however, complete cost data were available for only 115 FN episodes. The analysis revealed an average savings of $1,087 per FN event managed on an outpatient basis, representing a significant reduction of 92% compared to inpatient treatment. Length of hospital stay and inpatient consultations emerged as the primary cost drivers within the inpatient care group
Conclusion
This CMA demonstrates that the step-down outpatient management approach is not only cost-effective but also cost-saving when compared to inpatient management of FN in pediatric cancer patients. The mean difference observed between the treatment groups provides support for decision-making within the public health care system, as outpatient management of FN allows for substantial cost savings without compromising patient health.
Direct hybridization facilitates the simultaneous identification and introgression of QTL for adult plant resistance to the Ug99 stem rust lineage from tetraploid Khorasan wheat to common wheat
Authors: Fraser Max , Conley Emily , Kosgey Zennah , Degete Ashenafi Gemechu , Rouse Matthew , Anderson James 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
The Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici (Pgt) Ug99 race group presents a major challenge to global wheat production. Satisfying current and future demands hinges on the discovery of new sources of resistance. It is imperative that the durability and diversity of Ug99 resistance is improved by identifying and deploying novel resistance genes. Progenitor species and wild relatives of common wheat (Triticum aestivum) have proven to be rich sources of genetic diversity. The Khorasan wheat (Triticum turgidum ssp. turanicum) accession CItr 11390 displays adult plant resistance (APR) to Ug99 races. 121 BC1F5-derived recombinant inbred lines were developed from a cross between CItr 11390 and MN07098-6 to map and introgress resistance loci from CItr 11390. The population was evaluated in Kenya and Ethiopia in 2019 and 2020. Two APR QTL from CItr 11390 were detected in multiple environments. QSr.umn-2A is believed to be the APR gene Sr63 on chromosome 2AL. QSr.umn-6BL was identified on 6BL upstream from Sr11. The distance from Sr11 and lack of APR QTL reported on 6BL suggest QSr.umn-6BL is a novel locus. Additional QTL were mapped to chromosomes 1AS, 3AL, 3BL, 5AL, and 6BS in single environments. The population segregates for TKTTF seedling resistance conferred by Sr7a and a novel locus, QSr.umn-5A.1. The population consists of the first hexaploid wheat lines to pyramid Sr7a, Sr57/Lr34/Yr18, Sr63, and QSr.umn-6BL. This study is the first report of Pgt resistance QTL from Khorasan wheat, and it demonstrates the feasibility of simultaneously identifying and transferring resistance QTL from tetraploid to hexaploid wheat.
Treatment of lymphedema in patients with advanced cancer receiving palliative care: A single center experience
Authors: Shimbo keisuke , Kawamoto Haruka , Koshima Isao 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Purpose
Lymphedema can develop during the progression of neoplastic diseases and is a devastating complication in patients with cancer receiving palliative care. This study aimed to investigate the course of treatment for lymphedema in patients receiving palliative care to assess post-treatment outcomes.
Methods
This single-center, retrospective cohort study reviewed the maintained database of patients with lymphedema who presented to our department between January 2015 and December 2022. A combination of skin care, compression therapy, and lymphaticovenular anastomosis was used to treat lymphedema in patients with cancer receiving palliative care. The upper or lower extremity lymphedema indices, calculated based on five upper or four lower extremity circumferences and body mass index, were compared at the first and last visits.
Results
Of the 202 patients with lymphedema, 38 patients with 45 limbs (upper extremities: 11 patients, 12 limbs; lower extremities: 27 patients, 33 limbs) were included in the analysis. There were no significant changes in edema based on the upper or lower extremity lymphedema indices in the upper (p = 0.931) or lower extremities (p = 0.767) between the first and last visits. No pain relief was observed after the treatment. In the treatment differences, the rate of change in edema was − 3.6 ± 10.8% for the compression garment and + 5.7 ± 11.5% for the lymphaticovenular anastomosis, showing no significant difference (p = 0.157).
Conclusion
All treatments had limited therapeutic effects, such as reduced edema and pain relief, and there were no significant differences between them.
Water Potability Prediction Using Machine Learning
Authors: Patel Samir , Shah Khushi , Vaghela Sakshi , Aglodiya Mohmmadali , Bhattad Rashmi 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Water is a crucial and indispensable resource for sustaining human life, and maintaining its quality is of utmost importance for the well-being of individuals. When drinking water becomes contaminated, it poses severe health risks, including diseases like diarrhea, cholera, and various other waterborne ailments. As a result, ensuring safe and clean water becomes crucial to promote public health. Recent findings indicate that a significant number of approximately 3,575,000 people lose their lives each year due to water-related illnesses. Therefore, accurate prediction of water potability has the potential to substantially reduce the incidence of such diseases. Notably, machine learning algorithms have emerged as powerful tools for effectively predicting water quality, enabling timely and precise monitoring of water resources. This research focuses on multiple algorithms to forecast water potability based on the physicochemical properties of water samples obtained from the Drinking Water dataset available on Kaggle. This dataset comprises nine distinct parameters, namely pH, hardness, solids, chloramines, sulfates, trihalomethanes, organic carbon, conductivity, and turbidity. By employing various algorithms, such as Random Forest, Logistic Regression, SVM, XGBoost and KNN, we aim to determine the potability of drinking water. Notably, the XGBoost algorithm demonstrates superior performance compared to traditional ML models, achieving an impressive accuracy of 99.5%, precision of 0.99, sensitivity of 0.99, specificity of 1.0, and F1 score of 0.99. Additionally, the Random Forest algorithm also performs well, yielding an accuracy of 74%. Consequently, this research holds significant promise in providing reliable water quality data to researchers, water management personnel, and policymakers, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of water potability monitoring.