bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Development of a robust, VdNEP gene‐based molecular marker to differentiate between pathotypes of Verticillium dahliae
Authors: Triantafyllopoulou Alexandra , Tzanaki Andriani , Balomenou Olga Iakovina , Jiménez‐Díaz Rafael M. , Tzima Aliki , Paplomatas Epaminondas 
Published: March 2022

AbstractVerticillium dahliae is a soilborne fungus that causes Verticillium wilt disease in a plethora of crops. Based on symptoms that develop on cotton, olive and okra, V. dahliae isolates are categorized into two pathotypes, namely defoliating and nondefoliating, with the former showing increased virulence and causing severe defoliation. Reliable differentiation between V. dahliae pathotypes is crucial for the management of Verticillium wilt in cotton and olive. In the present study, a polymorphism was detected among isolates of defoliating and nondefoliating pathotypes in Southern blots using the VdNEP gene as a probe. The regions flanking this gene were isolated by inverse PCR and sequence differences in the 3′ untranslated region (3′‐UTR) of the VdNEP gene were detected between the two pathotypes. Based on these sequences, primers were designed and assessed to develop a multiplex PCR detection assay. Using this assay, a collection of cotton and olive V. dahliae isolates from Greece and Cyprus was screened, revealing that the defoliating pathotype is present in several regional units of Greece. Thus, this work presents a new, sensitive molecular marker for the differentiation between V. dahliae pathotypes based on the VdNEP gene. Because the 3′‐UTR is involved in the phenotypes displayed by the pathotypes, an expression experiment was conducted under conditions simulating the xylem of a host plant. Expression of the VdNEP gene was elevated at all time points in the defoliating compared to the nondefoliating strain, suggesting a possible involvement of VdNEP expression in the defoliation process.
Lazar on “Moral Sunk Costs” and the “Discount View”
Authors: Steinhoff Uwe 
Published: March 2022

AbstractThere is a question as to how already “sunk” costs enter into proportionality considerations. Lazar proposes the “Discount View,” in which the reasons to secure the goal progressively (with sunk costs) diminish in weight but not below a certain threshold. I argue that even if this happened, this would not solve the problem that motivates Lazar to reject the “Prospective View.” Moreover, the mechanism Lazar proposes to make reasons behave in this way does not exist: There are no rights‐based reasons for pursuing the goal present in his paradigmatic example, only well‐being‐based reasons. This is implied by Lazar’s own description of the case as one of rights‐infringement, which makes his position incoherent. Finally, the four arguments Lazar offers for these reasons’ progressively diminishing in force are inconclusive anyway.
Current global perspectives on silicosis—Convergence of old and newly emergent hazards
Authors: Hoy Ryan F. , Jeebhay Mohamed F. , Cavalin Catherine , Chen Weihong , Cohen Robert A. , Fireman Elizabeth , Go Leonard H. T. , León‐Jiménez Antonio , Menéndez‐Navarro Alfredo , Ribeiro Marcos , Rosental Paul‐André 
Published: March 2022

AbstractSilicosis not a disease of the past. It is an irreversible, fibrotic lung disease specifically caused by exposure to respirable crystalline silica (RCS) dust. Over 20,000 incident cases of silicosis were identified in 2017 and millions of workers continue to be exposed to RCS. Identified case numbers are however a substantial underestimation due to deficiencies in reporting systems and occupational respiratory health surveillance programmes in many countries. Insecure workers, immigrants and workers in small businesses are at particular risk of more intense RCS exposure. Much of the focus of research and prevention activities has been on the mining sector. Hazardous RCS exposure however occurs in a wide range of occupational setting which receive less attention, in particular the construction industry. Recent outbreaks of silicosis associated with the fabrication of domestic kitchen benchtops from high‐silica content artificial stone have been particularly notable because of the young age of affected workers, short duration of RCS exposure and often rapid disease progression. Developments in nanotechnology and hydraulic fracking provide further examples of how rapid changes in technology and industrial processes require governments to maintain constant vigilance to identify and control potential sources of RCS exposure. Despite countries around the world dealing with similar issues related to RCS exposure, there is an absence of sustained global public health response including lack of consensus of an occupational exposure limit that would provide protection to workers. Although there are complex challenges, global elimination of silicosis must remain the goal.
A Kernel-Expanded Stochastic Neural Network
Authors: Sun Yan , Liang Faming 
Published: March 2022

AbstractThe deep neural network suffers from many fundamental issues in machine learning. For example, it often gets trapped into a local minimum in training, and its prediction uncertainty is hard to be assessed. To address these issues, we propose the so-called kernel-expanded stochastic neural network (K-StoNet) model, which incorporates support vector regression as the first hidden layer and reformulates the neural network as a latent variable model. The former maps the input vector into an infinite dimensional feature space via a radial basis function kernel, ensuring the absence of local minima on its training loss surface. The latter breaks the high-dimensional non-convex neural network training problem into a series of low-dimensional convex optimization problems, and enables its prediction uncertainty easily assessed. The K-StoNet can be easily trained using the imputation-regularized optimization algorithm. Compared to traditional deep neural networks, K-StoNet possesses a theoretical guarantee to asymptotically converge to the global optimum and enables the prediction uncertainty easily assessed. The performances of the new model in training, prediction and uncertainty quantification are illustrated by simulated and real data examples.
Exploring the spatial disparity of home‐dwelling time patterns in the USA during the COVID‐19 pandemic via Bayesian inference
Authors: Huang Xiao , Xu Yang , Liu Rui , Wang Siqin , Wang Sicheng , Zhang Mengxi , Kang Yuhao , Zhang Zhe , Gao Song , Zhao Bo , Li Zhenlong 
Published: March 2022

AbstractIn this study, we aim to reveal hidden patterns and confounders associated with policy implementation and adherence by investigating the home‐dwelling stages from a data‐driven perspective via Bayesian inference with weakly informative priors and by examining how home‐dwelling stages in the USA varied geographically, using fine‐grained, spatial‐explicit home‐dwelling time records from a multi‐scale perspective. At the U.S. national level, two changepoints are identified, with the former corresponding to March 22, 2020 (9 days after the White House declared the National Emergency on March 13) and the latter corresponding to May 17, 2020. Inspections at U.S. state and county level reveal notable spatial disparity in home‐dwelling stage‐related variables. A pilot study in the Atlanta Metropolitan area at the Census Tract level reveals that the self‐quarantine duration and increase in home‐dwelling time are strongly correlated with the median household income, echoing existing efforts that document the economic inequity exposed by the U.S. stay‐at‐home orders. To our best knowledge, our work marks a pioneering effort to explore multi‐scale home‐dwelling patterns in the USA from a purely data‐driven perspective and in a statistically robust manner.
Seroprevalence of SARS‐CoV‐2 among high‐density communities and hyper‐endemicity of COVID‐19 in Vietnam
Authors: Hoang Van Thuan , Pham Thi Dung , Nguyen Quoc Tien , Nguyen Duy Cuong , Nguyen Duc Thanh , Nguyen Thanh Binh , Tran Thi Khanh Thu , Phan Trong Lan , Vo Phan Le Nguyen , Dao Thi Loi , Fenollar Florence , Gautret Philippe 
Published: March 2022

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the magnitude of active and recovering COVID‐19 patients among at‐risk communities and to identify the factors associated with positive serology.MethodsFour hundred and eighty‐three close contacts of COVID‐19 patients residing in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, during the fourth wave of the COVID‐19 epidemic (September and October 2021) were included. Five weeks after exposure to a COVID‐19 patient, they underwent a serology test using the BIOSYNEX COVID‐19 BSS kit.ResultsThe median age of participants was 37 years. A total of 34.6% individuals presented at least one clinical symptom between the time of contact with the COVID‐19 patient and inclusion in study. A total of 1.7% unvaccinated individuals tested positive for SARS‐CoV‐2 using real‐time PCR, and 9.5% had evidence of recent infection (positive PCR and/or IgM). A further 26.7% unvaccinated individuals presented evidence of a past infection (positive IgG only). Socio‐demographic characteristics, vaccination status and clinical symptoms were not associated with a positive IgM test.ConclusionThis is the first serosurvey conducted during the fourth wave of the epidemic in Vietnam. It revealed a seropositivity rate higher than in previous studies and confirmed the hyperendemicity of SARS‐CoV‐2. Testing using rapid serological tests proved to be a reliable, easy‐to‐use method and enabled a rapid estimation of the burden of COVID‐19.
Facile synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles for the effective photodegradation of malachite green dye in aqueous solution
Authors: Meena Parmeshwar Lal , Poswal Krishna , Surela Ajay Kumar 
Published: March 2022

AbstractZinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles were synthesized using a simple co‐precipitation method and applied for effective photodegradation of malachite green (MG) dye in an aqueous solution. The synthesized ZnO nanoparticles were characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) spectroscopic techniques. XRD pattern is confirmed the formation of crystalline ZnO nanoparticles with hexagonal wurtzite structure while the FESEM image validates the preparation of disc‐like spherical nanostructures agglomerated with the size of 30–50 nm. The nanostructures exhibited a strong UV absorption band at 370 nm, and the bandgap energy calculated from the Tauc plot is 3.12 eV. The prepared ZnO nanoparticles exhibited 92.07% photodegradation efficiency against the MG dye in 2 h of UV light irradiation at pH 8. The experimental data has followed the pseudo‐first‐order kinetic model, and the rate constant value obtained is 20.433 × 10−3 min−1. Thus, the synthesized ZnO nanoparticles degraded MG dye effectively and can be utilized for environmental remediation purposes.
Optimization of pharmaceutical wastewater treatment by electrocoagulation and dual coagulation
Authors: P Rajagopal , K Chithra , S Ajith , Prasad Shiva V. 
Published: March 2022

AbstractThe present study compares the treatment of pharmaceutical industry wastewater (PIWW) by coagulation‐flocculation (C‐F) and electrocoagulation (EC) techniques using response surface methodology (RSM). EC was performed with waste food‐grade Aluminium (Al) foil as a sacrificial anode. In C‐F, to minimize chemical usage, dual coagulants Aloe vera (organic) and ferric chloride (chemical) were used. Optimization using RSM for C‐F showed chemical oxygen demand (COD) reduction of 60.25 ± 0.28% at optimum operating conditions with R2 = 0.964 and adj‐R2 = 0.928, whereas EC resulted in COD reduction of 78.23 ± 0.38% and energy consumption 1.498 ± 0.0076kWh/m3 with R2 = 0.978 and adj‐R2 = 0.956. The result showed that the use of food‐grade waste Al foil as anode electrode (in EC) and the use of dual coagulant (in C‐F) can reduce COD from industrial effluent efficiently contributing to less hazardous sludge generation.
Injection of Xanthan Gum and Guar Gum Through Carbonate Rocks Evaluated by Two-Phase Core Flooding
Authors: Freire Filho Marcelo E. N. , Moreno Rosangela B. Z. L. 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Polymer flooding is widely applied to enhance oil recovery in sandstone reservoirs. However, applications in carbonate formations are challenged by the possible high adsorption of anionic polymers such as polyacrylamides and xanthan gum. Non-ionic biopolymers such as guar gum could be used to minimize retention. Many investigations using guar flooding have been conducted, but none targeted carbonate reservoirs. This work compares oil recovery improvement, water production delay, mobility control, injectivity, and polymer utilization in carbonate core flooding at reservoir conditions (salinity of 30,905 ppm and 60 °C) with xanthan (700 ppm) and guar (2500 ppm) solutions. A rheological study was performed to select target polymer concentration and solution viscosity. Indiana limestone and light mineral oil (viscosity of 6.55 ± 0.05 mPa · s at 60 °C) were used to represent the reservoir rock and oil. Guar flooding led to faster oil recovery, water production delay, and better injectivity than xanthan flooding, although the polymer utilization factor was higher. The ultimate oil recovery increased by 12.7 ± 7.0% and 9.0 ± 6.1% over waterflooding after guar and xanthan injections. The inferior performance of xanthan gum can be attributed to higher retention, especially close to the core inlet (residual resistance factor of 28 ± 4), and lower in-situ viscosity. The results suggest that guar may be a promising candidate for polymer flooding in carbonate reservoirs at moderate temperatures and salinities. In contrast, xanthan applications in these reservoirs must be carefully evaluated due to its high retention potential.
Tectonics of the Basement of the Kara-Bogaz Arch (Turan Plate)
Authors: Popkov V. I. , Popkov I. V. 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
The Kara-Bogaz geoblock is interpreted by many researchers as a structure underlain by the Precambrian sialic crust, incorporated in the young (epi-Hercynian) Turan Plate. The paper presents the results of a detailed study of the material composition of igneous and metamorphic rocks making up the basement of the Kara-Bogaz Arch and recovered by deep boreholes. To subdivide and correlate the sections, we employed data of geophysical borehole surveys, including all types of logging. Microscopic examination of rocks was also performed to determine their composition, genesis, and degree of postsedimentation alterations. Data on absolute ages of rocks and paleontological data were also employed. The results of the work of our predecessors have been studied and critically analyzed. It is established that there are no direct indications of the continental crust older than Paleozoic in the basement of the Near-Kara-Bogaz region. The metamorphic units of the Kara-Bogaz Arch are represented by primary sedimentary and volcanosedimentary deposits that were altered at the stage of regional greenschist metamorphism. These rocks are intruded by granitoid bodies corresponding to the final stages of Hercynian tectogenesis. In parts spatially close to intrusions, the degree of secondary alterations in metamorphic rocks increases due to the thermal effect. Amphibolites of the Kara-Bogaz Arch are metamorphosed igneous rocks, which are closely associated with primary terrigenous deposits and have undergone subsequent metamorphosis (greenschist facies regional metamorphism). Gneisses of the discussed region refer to the marginal facies of granitoid plutons that formed as a result of metasomatic reworking of the host strata (protomagmatic gneissic banding). We think that the Kara-Bogaz Arch is a Hercynian megaanticlinorium of the young platform, and this does not exclude the possibility of fragments of more ancient crust in the structure of this arch. The sedimentary–metamorphic and volcanosedimentary rocks making it up and intruded by multiple granitoid bodies are units of the active margin.
Manual Compression versus Suture-Mediated Closure Device Technique for VA-ECMO Decannulation
Authors: Scherer Clemens , Stremmel Christopher , Lüsebrink Enzo , Stocker Thomas J. , Stark Konstantin , Schönegger Carmen , Kellnar Antonia , Kleeberger Jan , Hanuna Maja , Petzold Tobias , Peterss Sven , Braun Daniel , Hausleiter Jörg , Hagl Christian , Massberg Steffen , Orban Martin 
Published: March 2022

Background. The impact of devices for vessel closure on the safety and efficacy of cannula removal in VA-ECMO patients is unknown. Methods. We retrospectively analyzed 180 consecutive patients weaned from VA-ECMO after cardiac arrest or cardiogenic shock from January 2012 to June 2020. In the first period (historical technique group), from January 2012 to December 2018, primary decannulation strategy was manual compression. In the second period (current technique group), from January 2019 to June 2020, decannulation was performed either by a conventional approach with manual compression or by a suture-mediated closure device technique. Results. A femoral compression system was necessary in 71% of patients in the historical group compared to 39% in the current technique group (

p

< 0.01). Vascular surgery was performed in 12% in the historical cohort and 2% in the current technique cohort, which indicated a clear trend, albeit it did not reach significance (

p

= 0.07). Conclusion. We illustrated that a suture-mediated closure device technique for VA-ECMO decannulation was feasible, safe, and may have reduced the need of surgical interventions compared to manual compression alone.
M6A RNA Methylation Regulates Histone Ubiquitination to Support Cancer Growth and Progression
Authors: Yadav Pooja , Subbarayalu Panneerdoss , Medina Daisy , Nirzhor Saif , Timilsina Santosh , Rajamanickam Subapriya , Eedunuri Vijay K. , Gupta Yogesh , Zheng Siyuan , Abdelfattah Nourhan , Huang Yufei , Vadlamudi Ratna , Hromas Robert , Meltzer Paul , Houghton Peter , Chen Yidong , Rao Manjeet K. 
Published: March 2022

Abstract

Osteosarcoma is the most common malignancy of the bone, yet the survival for patients with osteosarcoma is virtually unchanged over the past 30 years. This is principally because development of new therapies is hampered by a lack of recurrent mutations that can be targeted in osteosarcoma. Here, we report that epigenetic changes via mRNA methylation holds great promise to better understand the mechanisms of osteosarcoma growth and to develop targeted therapeutics. In patients with osteosarcoma, the RNA demethylase ALKBH5 was amplified and higher expression correlated with copy-number changes. ALKBH5 was critical for promoting osteosarcoma growth and metastasis, yet it was dispensable for normal cell survival. Methyl RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing analysis and functional studies showed that ALKBH5 mediates its protumorigenic function by regulating m6A levels of histone deubiquitinase USP22 and the ubiquitin ligase RNF40. ALKBH5-mediated m6A deficiency in osteosarcoma led to increased expression of USP22 and RNF40 that resulted in inhibition of histone H2A monoubiquitination and induction of key protumorigenic genes, consequently driving unchecked cell-cycle progression, incessant replication, and DNA repair. RNF40, which is historically known to ubiquitinate H2B, inhibited H2A ubiquitination in cancer by interacting with and affecting the stability of DDB1-CUL4–based ubiquitin E3 ligase complex. Taken together, this study directly links increased activity of ALKBH5 with dysregulation of USP22/RNF40 and histone ubiquitination in cancers. More broadly, these results suggest that m6A RNA methylation works in concert with other epigenetic mechanisms to control cancer growth.

Significance:
RNA demethylase ALKBH5 upregulates USP22 and RNF40 to inhibit histone H2A ubiquitination and induces expression of key replication and DNA repair–associated genes, driving osteosarcoma progression.
ARRY-382 in Combination with Pembrolizumab in Patients with Advanced Solid Tumors: Results from a Phase 1b/2 Study
Authors: Johnson Melissa , Dudek Arkadiusz Z. , Sukari Ammar , Call Justin , Kunk Paul R. , Lewis Karl , Gainor Justin F. , Sarantopoulos John , Lee Patrice , Golden Adele , Harney Allison , Rothenberg S. Michael , Zhang Yuanyuan , Goldman Jonathan W. 
Published: March 2022

Abstract

Purpose:
ARRY-382 (PF-07265804) is a selective inhibitor of colony-stimulating factor-1 receptor. We evaluated the safety and preliminary efficacy of ARRY-382 plus pembrolizumab in patients with advanced solid tumors.

Patients and Methods:
This was an open-label, multicenter, Phase 1b/2 study (NCT02880371) performed over September 1, 2016 to October 24, 2019. In the Phase 1b dose-escalation, patients with selected advanced solid tumors received ARRY-382 [starting dose 200 mg once daily (QD) orally] plus pembrolizumab [2 mg/kg intravenously (IV) every 3 weeks (Q3W)]. Phase 2 patients had: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA); programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1)/PD-ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitor-refractory (PD-1/PD-L1 IR) advanced solid tumors; or platinum-resistant ovarian cancer (prOVCA). Patients received ARRY-382 at the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of 300 mg QD plus pembrolizumab 200 mg IV Q3W.

Results:
Primary endpoints of dose-limiting toxicities (DLT; Phase 1b) and objective response rate (Phase 2) were met. In Phase 1b, 19 patients received ARRY-382 200–400 mg. Three patients reported DLTs. The MTD of ARRY-382 (plus pembrolizumab) was 300 mg QD. In Phase 1b, 2 patients (10.5%) had confirmed partial response (PR): 1 with PDA and 1 with ovarian cancer, lasting 29.2 and 3.1 months, respectively. In Phase 2, there were 27, 19, and 11 patients in the PDA, PD-1/PD-L1 IR, and prOVCA cohorts, respectively. One patient (3.7%) with PDA had a PR lasting 2.4 months. The most frequent ARRY-382–related adverse events were increased transaminases (10.5%–83.3%) and increased creatine phosphokinase (18.2%–50.0%).

Conclusions:
Although limited clinical benefit was observed, ARRY-382 plus pembrolizumab was well tolerated.