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Let Kn denote a complete graph on n vertices and Sk denote a complete bipartite graph K1,k. A Bowtie Bl is a graph formed by the union of two cycles Cn and Cm intersecting at a common vertex. A decomposition of a graph G is a collection of edge-disjoint subgraphs H, such that every edge of G belongs to exactly one H. Given non-isomorphic subgraphs H1 and H2 of G, a (H1,H2) — multi-decomposition of G is the decomposition of G into a copies of H1 and b copies of H2, such that aH1 ⊕ bH2 = G, for some integers a,b ≥ 0. In this paper, the multi-decomposition of Kn into Sk and Bl has been investigated and obtained a necessary and sufficient condition when k = l = 6. It is proved that for a given positive integer n, Kn can be decomposed into a copies of S6 and b copies of B6 for some pair of non-negative integers (a,b) if and only if 6(a + b) = n 2, for all n ≥ 9. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For a set of connected graphs, a spanning subgraph H of G is called a -factor if each component of H is isomorphic to a member of . In this paper, some sufficient conditions with regard to tight toughness, isolated toughness and binding number bounds to guarantee the existence of the { K 1 , j : 1 ≤ j ≤ 2 k } -factor and { P 2 , P 5 } -factor for any graph are obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An imbalance in estrogen signaling is a critical event in breast tumorigenesis. The majority of breast cancers (BCs) are hormone-sensitive; they majorly express the estrogen receptor (ER+) and are activated by 17β-estradiol (E2). The steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) mediates the rate-limiting step in steroid biosynthesis. The dysregulation of the epigenetic machinery, modulating E2 levels, is a primary occurrence for promoting breast tumorigenesis. StAR expression, concomitant with E2 synthesis, was reported to be aberrantly high in human and mouse hormone-dependent BC cells compared with their non-cancerous counterparts. However, the mechanism of action of StAR remains poorly understood. We discovered StAR as an acetylated protein and have identified a number of lysine (K) residues that are putatively acetylated in malignant and non-malignant breast cells, using LC-MS/MS (liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry), suggesting they differently influence E2 synthesis in mammary tissue. The treatment of hormone-sensitive MCF7 cells with a variety of histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACIs), at therapeutically and clinically relevant doses, identified a few additional StAR acetylated lysine residues. Among a total of fourteen StAR acetylomes undergoing acetylation and deacetylation, K111 and K253 were frequently recognized either endogenously or in response to HDACIs. Site-directed mutagenesis studies of these two StAR acetylomes, pertaining to K111Q and K253Q acetylation mimetic states, resulted in increases in E2 levels in ER+ MCF7 and triple negative MB-231 BC cells, compared with their values seen with human StAR. Conversely, these cells carrying K111R and K253R deacetylation mutants diminished E2 biosynthesis. These findings provide novel and mechanistic insights into intra-tumoral E2 regulation by elucidating the functional importance of this uncovered StAR post-translational modification (PTM), involving acetylation and deacetylation events, underscoring the potential of StAR as a therapeutic target for hormone-sensitive BC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alzheimer disease, the leading cause of dementia, and polycystic ovary syndrome, one of the most prevalent female endocrine disorders, appear to be unrelated conditions. However, studies show that both disease entities have common risk factors, and the amount of certain protein marker of neurodegeneration is increased in PCOS. Reports on the pathomechanism of both diseases point to the possibility of common denominators linking them. Dysregulation of the kynurenine pathway, insulin resistance, and impairment of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, which are correlated with amyloid-beta aggregation are these common areas. This article discusses the relationship between Alzheimer disease and polycystic ovary syndrome, with a particular focus on the role of disorders of tryptophan metabolism in both conditions. Based on a review of the available literature, we concluded that systemic changes occurring in PCOS influence the increased risk of neurodegeneration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A given graph H is called realizable by a graph G if G [ N (v) ] ≅ H for every vertex v of G. The Trahtenbrot-Zykov problem says that which graphs are realizable? We consider a problem somewhat opposite in a more general setting. Let F be a family of graphs: to characterize all graphs G such that G - N [ v ] ∈ F for every vertex v of G. Let T m be the set of all trees of size m ≥ 0 for a fixed nonnegative integer m, P = { P t : t > 0 } and S = { K 1 , t : t ≥ 0 } . We show that for a connected graph G with its complement G ¯ being connected, G - N [ v ] ∈ T m for each v ∈ V (G) if and only if one of the following holds: G - N [ v ] ≅ K 1 , m for each v ∈ V (G) , or G - N [ v ] ≅ P m + 1 for each v ∈ V (G) . Indeed, the graphs with later two properties are characterized by the same authors very recently (Graphs G in which G - N [ v ] has a prescribed property for each vertex v, Discrete Appl. Math., In press.). In addition, we characterize all graphs G such that G - N [ v ] ∈ S for each v ∈ V (G) and all graphs G such that G - N [ v ] ∈ P for each v ∈ V (G) . This solves an open problem raised by Yu and Wu (Graphs in which G - N [ v ] is a cycle for each vertex v, Discrete Math. 344 (2021) 112519). Finally, a number of conjectures are proposed for the perspective of the problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Newborn screening (NBS) reduces the risk of mortality in congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), mainly due to the salt‐wasting form of 21‐hydroxylase deficiency. There is limited knowledge regarding the results of NBS in non‐CAH primary adrenal insufficiency (non‐CAH PAI). Patients and Methods: Clinical and NBS for CAH data of neonates who were diagnosed with non‐CAH PAI between January and December 2022 were examined. Results: Patients (n = 6, 4 females) were presented with severe hyperpigmentation (n = 6), hypoglycemia (n = 4), hyponatremia (n = 3), hyperkalemia (n = 1), respiratory distress syndrome (n = 1) between 3rd hour to 2 months of life. All had normal NBS results. The median first‐tier 17‐hydroxyprogesterone (17OHP) concentration in NBS for CAH was 0.14 ng/mL (range; 0.05−0.85). Molecular studies revealed biallelic mutations in the MC2R (n = 4; 3 homozygous, 1 compound heterozygous), MRAP (n = 1) and STAR (n = 1) genes. Glucocorticoid with or without mineralocorticoid replacement was initiated once the diagnosis of non‐CAH PAI was established. Conclusion: Neonates with non‐CAH PAI have always normal NBS due to persistently low 17OHP, even when these newborn infants are severely symptomatic for adrenal insufficiency. Clinicians should be alert for signs of adrenal insufficiency in neonates, even if the patient has a 'normal' screening for CAH, so as not to delay diagnosis and treatment. This fact should be kept in mind particularly in countries where these conditions are more common than elsewhere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation has developed two methods of working with lowliteracy students. One is testing for accommodations for GED testing. The other is integrating the STAR literacy program for adult readers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Let G and H be two graphs, each one of them being a path, a cycle or a star. In this paper, we determine the b-chromatic number of every subdivision-vertex neighbourhood corona G ⊡ H or G ⊡ Kn, where Kn is the complete graph of order n. It is also established for those graphs Kn ⊡ G having m-degree not greater than n + 2. All the proofs are accompanied by illustrative examples.

This study examines and forecasts job satisfaction of Indonesian workers from 2000 to 2022 using the happiness index and its influencing factors. The Smooth Transition Autoregressive (STAR) method is employed to analyze the non-linear relationship between the happiness index and worker welfare, performance, and motivation, which are measured by per capita consumption, GDP per capita, and labor force participation. The inflation rate serves as the transition variable. The findings reveal positive effects of worker welfare and performance and a negative effect of work motivation on the happiness index. A significant threshold effect is also observed, which varies with the inflation rate. The study predicts an increase in the happiness index from 2023 to 2026, indicating improved job satisfaction post-COVID-19. This study contributes to the literature by employing a novel method and providing empirical evidence from Indonesia, a developing country with a large and diverse workforce, before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The study acknowledges some limitations and implications for future research, such as the use of aggregate data, the linear assumption, and the lack of control variables. The paper underscores the need for policymakers and practitioners to enhance worker welfare and performance and to mitigate the negative impact of work motivation. It also highlights the need for workers and society to elevate the happiness index as a measure of job satisfaction and well-being and to address the economic and social challenges and opportunities that affect workers’ quality of life.

The results of new photometric observations of the chromospherically active star ET Dra, performed using telescopes of the Zvenigorod INASAN Observatory, the Russian-Cuban Observatory in the territory of the Republic of Cuba (Havana), and the Terskol INASAN Observatory (a total of 8 sets of observations) with the addition of archival observations of the Kamogata Wide-field Survey. Variations in the shape of the light curve caused by the rotational modulation of a star with spots on the surface, as well as studies of the long-term variability of the star's brightness, were investigated based on the data acquired in 2018–2023. Characteristic changes in the ET Dra light curve were noted including a decrease of the stellar brightness in the filter, its cyclic variations, and subsequent brightness increase. The shape of the phase curve and the duration of the extended minimum of brightness vary. During the HJD 245 9670–245 9715 interval, the amplitude of the star's brightness variability reached a maximum value of more than 0.4m, as it was in 1990. The surface temperature inhomogeneities maps were calculated and estimates of the spottedness parameter S of the object were performed for each of the 8 sets of observations. Maximum value of parameter S was 32.2‒33.5%. Based on the constructed power spectra, the values of possible cycles of long-term activity of the star were obtained as 570 and 1160d (1.56 and 3.18 years, respectively). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Let G be a graph. Let f: V (G) → {0,1, 2, ..., k -- 1} be ai function where k ... N and k > 1. For each edge uv, assign the label f (uv) = f(u)+f (v) ~∣. f is called ktotal mean cordial labeling of G if |tmf (i) -- tmf (j)| ≤ 1, for all i, j ... {0, 1, . . ., k -- 1}, where tmf (x) denotes the total number of vertices and edges labelled with x, x ... {0,1,2, ..., k -- 1}. A graph with admit a k-total mean cordial labeling is called k-total mean cordial graph. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper studies three edge-removing games on graphs. In each game, there are two players and a simple graph G at the beginning. The players take turns removing at least one edge of a certain type from the current graph. The one who cannot move loses the game, and the other one, who plays the last move, wins. This paper gives results for these games on some interesting classes of graphs by either computing their Grundy numbers or proposing winning strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For many years, research in the field of steroid synthesis has aimed to understand the regulation of the rate-limiting step of steroid synthesis, i.e. the transport of cholesterol from the outer to the inner mitochondrial membrane, and identify the protein involved in the conversion of cholesterol into pregnenolone. The extraordinary work by B Clark, J Wells, S R King, and D M Stocco eventually identified this protein and named it steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR). The group's finding was also one of the milestones in understanding the mechanism of nonvesicular lipid transport between organelles. A notable feature of StAR is its high degree of phosphorylation. In fact, StAR phosphorylation in the acute phase is required for full steroid biosynthesis. As a contribution to this subject, our work has led to the characterization of StAR as a substrate of kinases and phosphatases and as an integral part of a mitochondrion-associated multiprotein complex, essential for StAR function and cholesterol binding and mitochondrial transport to yield maximum steroid production. Results allow us to postulate the existence of a specific cellular microenvironment where StAR protein synthesis and activation, along with steroid synthesis and secretion, are performed in a compartmentalized manner, at the site of hormone receptor stimulation, and involving the compartmentalized formation of the steroid molecule-synthesizing complex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Lipoid congenital adrenal hyperplasia (LCAH) is caused by mutations in STAR. A systematic review of phenotype–genotype correlation and data on testicular histology in LCAH patients is unavailable. We aim to describe our experience and provide phenotype–genotype correlation. Design, Patients and Measurements: Retrospective review of three genetically proven LCAH patients from our centre and per‐patient data analysis from a systematic review of 292 probands. The phenotypic subgroups of 46,XY were Group A (typical female genitalia), Group B (atypical genitalia) and Group C (typical male genitalia). Results: We report three new LCAH probands from India, all diagnosed post‐infancy with preserved gonadal function and one novel variant. The systematic review reports 46,XY to 46,XX LCAH ratio of 1.1 (155:140). Patients with 46,XY LCAH in Group A were diagnosed in infancy (116/117) and had higher mineralocorticoid involvement than Group C (96.4% vs. 75%, p = 0.035), whereas Group C had preserved gonadal function. Hyperplastic adrenals are noted in ~60% of LCAH diagnosed with primary adrenal insufficiency in infancy. There was no report of gonadal germ cell cancer and rare reports of germ cell neoplasia in situ in adolescents, especially with intraabdominal gonads. Two‐thirds of LCAH probands were East‐Asian and 11/16 regional recurrent variants were from East Asia. There was minimal overlap between variants in Groups A (n = 55), B (n = 9) and C (n = 8). All nonsense and frameshift and most of the splice‐site variants and deletion/insertions were present in Group A. Conclusions: We report three new cases of LCAH from India. We propose a phenotype‐derived genotypic classification of reported STAR variants in 46,XY LCAH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective The Staged Approach for Rehabilitation Classification for the Shoulder (STAR-Shoulder) has been proposed as a model to guide management and improve outcomes for patients with shoulder pain; however, the effect of its utilization on patient outcomes has not been established. Therefore, the primary purpose of this study was to determine whether patient outcomes were improved if care was matched to the STAR-Shoulder system compared with unmatched care. Methods Collected and reviewed demographic, examination, and intervention data for all patients receiving physical therapist treatment for shoulder pain during a 1-year period within a single health care system. Outcome variables included the numeric pain rating scale, the Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire (QuickDASH), and the number of visits. Clinical records from patients receiving care at the discretion of the therapist were systematically audited to determine whether care provided was considered matched or unmatched. Results A total of 692 patient records were examined. The interrater reliability of classifying care as matched or unmatched was substantial (κ = 0.6; 95% CI = 0.4 to 0.9), with 82% agreement. Changes in patient outcome scores were significantly better for those patients whose care matched the STAR-Shoulder system for pain changes (mean difference = −1.2; 95% CI = 0.8 to 1.6; effect size [ d ] = 0.5) and QuickDASH score (mean difference = 12.7; 95% CI = 9.9 to 15.5; d  = 0.7). No difference was noted for number of visits. Conclusion The STAR-Shoulder system appears to be a meaningful way to classify patients and guide intervention to improve patient outcomes. Impact Application of the STAR-Shoulder system to help align physical therapist interventions more closely with tissue irritability and physical impairments appears to improve patient outcomes. These findings support this model as a promising approach to advance evidence-based practice for shoulder pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Left ventricle (LV) regional myocardial displacement due to cardiac motion was assessed using cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) cine images to establish region‐specific margins for cardiac radioablation treatments. Methods: CMR breath‐hold cine images and LV myocardial tissue contour points were analyzed for 200 subjects, including controls (n = 50) and heart failure (HF) patients with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF, n = 50), mid‐range ejection fraction (HFmrEF, n = 50), and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF, n = 50). Contour points were divided into segments according to the 17‐segment model. For each patient, contour point displacements were determined for the long‐axis (all 17 segments) and short‐axis (segments 1–12) directions. Mean overall, tangential (longitudinal or circumferential), and normal (radial) displacements were calculated for the 17 segments and for each segment level. Results: The greatest overall motion was observed in the control group—long axis: 4.5 ± 1.2 mm (segment 13 [apical anterior] epicardium) to 13.8 ± 3.0 mm (segment 6 [basal anterolateral] endocardium), short axis: 4.3 ± 0.8 mm (segment 9 [mid inferoseptal] epicardium) to 11.5 ± 2.3 mm (segment 1 [basal anterior] endocardium). HF patients exhibited lesser motion, with the smallest overall displacements observed in the HFrEF group—long axis: 4.3 ± 1.7 mm (segment 13 [apical anterior] epicardium) to 10.6 ± 3.4 mm (segment 6 [basal anterolateral] endocardium), short axis: 3.9 ± 1.3 mm (segment 8 [mid anteroseptal] epicardium) to 7.4 ± 2.8 mm (segment 1 [basal anterior] endocardium). Conclusions: This analysis provides an estimate of epicardial and endocardial displacement for the 17 segments of the LV for patients with normal and impaired LV function. This reference data can be used to establish treatment planning margin guidelines for cardiac radioablation. Smaller margins may be used for patients with higher degree of impaired heart function, depending on the LV segment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Depression is a common emotional disorder. Previous studies have suggested that depression is associated with the central nervous system. Recent studies have suggested that reduced testosterone level is the core inducement of depression. Testis is the vital organ for the synthesis of testosterone. How does testis mediate depression is still unknown. We adopted a classical depression model of mouse caused through chronic mild stress (CMS). The metabolomics liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry was adopted to analyse the influence of CMS on testis metabolism. Then we confirmed the possible abnormal metabolism of the testis in depression mice by pathway analysis and molecular biological technique. Compared with control mice, 16 differential metabolites were found in CMS mice by multivariate statistical analysis. In comparison with control mice, CMS mice showed higher levels for campesterol, ribitol, citric acid, platelet activating factor, guanosine, cytosine and xanthine and lower levels for docosahexaenoic acid, hippuric acid, creatine, testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone, progesterone, l -carnitine, acetyl carnitine and propionyl carnitine. The pathway analysis indicated that these differential metabolites are associated with steroid hormone synthesis, purine metabolism and phenylalanine metabolism. In addition, we also first discovered that testicular morphology in depression mice was damaged and steroid hormone synthetases (including steroidogenic acute regulatory protein and P450 cholesterol side chain cleavage) were inhibited. These findings may be helpful to parse molecular mechanisms of pathophysiology of depression. It also pointed out the direction to search for potential therapy schedules for male depression and provide novel insights into exploring the pathogenesis of male depression. [Display omitted] • Testis metabolic profiling of depression mice model. • Testicular morphology of depression mice was damaged. • Steroid hormone synthetases were inhibited in depression mice model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A graph G is a common multiple of two graphs H1 and H2 if there exists a decomposition of G into edge-disjoint copies of H1 and also a decomposition of G into edge-disjoint copies of H2. If G is a common multiple of H1 and H2, and G has q edges, then we call G a (q, H1, H2) graph. Our paper deals with the following question: Given two graphs H1 and H2, for which values of q does there exist a (q, H1, H2) graph? when H1 is either a path or a star with 3 or 4 edges and H2 is a crown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the development of the Scientific, Transparent and Applicable Rankings tool for clinical practice guidelines(STAR), the publication of evaluation and ranking for scientificity, transparency and applicability of Chinese guidelines and consensus published in the medical journals in 2021and 2022, as well as the publication of the STAR evaluation and ranking for some specialities, the STAR evaluation and ranking has received widespread attention in the medical community. In order to further enhance its scientificity and transparency, Methodology and Technology Specialization Committee of the STAR Working Group presents this article to introduce sample identification and speciality assignment in the evaluation and ranking process.

In-band full duplex (IBFD) communication systems have attracted much interest due to their ability to double the spectrum efficiency by simultaneously transmitting and receiving (STAR) over the same bandwidth. Modern communication technologies have to adapt to be able to meet the ongoing high demand capacity over existing radio channels. This paper proposes a system-level approach based on physical symmetry to improve the electromagnetic performance of a 3-port circulator. A system-level design consisting of two matched circulators connected in a differential configuration is proposed to cancel out residual RF scattering and leakage that causes self-interference in a STAR front-end. The method is validated using a custom designed microwave circulator based on microstrip technology, which forms a building block that operates in the 3–8 GHz band with 20 dB isolation. The proposed RF front-end operates within an extended band of 3–8 GHz while simultaneously exhibiting improvement in isolation by about 10 dB (isolation $30\pm 4$ dB) between the transmitter and the receiver ports of the STAR system.

This paper addresses the challenge of self-interference in in-band full-duplex radios, which can double the operational bandwidth and wireless channel capacity in 5G New Radio’s sub-6 GHz spectrum. To achieve high isolation between simultaneously transmitted and received signals, the study explores envelope neural networks for self-interference cancellation. These networks model non-linear artifacts arising from both the transmit power amplifier and the receiver’s low-noise amplifier. Trained model parameters are subsequently applied in real-time via a neural network-based digital signal processor to mitigate self-interference. A real-time prototype operating at 2.4 GHz, featuring direct-RF sampling at 4.096 GS/s and a 20 dBm transmit power through an external PA, was implemented using an AMD-Xilinx ZCU-111 RF-SoC. The system demonstrates digital self-interference cancellation exceeding 30 dB in real-time over a 32 MHz passband bandwidth, utilizing a novel augmented envelope neural network realized as a systolic array architecture.

A dipole magnet generating 20 T and beyond will require high-temperature superconductors such as Bi2Sr2CaCu2O 8 − x and REBa2Cu3O 7 − x (RE = rare earth, rebco). Symmetric tape round (star®) wires based on rebco tapes are emerging as a potential conductor for such a magnet, demonstrating a whole-conductor current density of 580 A mm−2 at 20 T, 4.2 K, and at a bend radius of 15 mm. There are, however, few magnet developments using star® wires. Here we report a subscale canted cos θ dipole magnet as an initial experiment for two purposes: to evaluate the conductor performance in a magnet configuration and to start developing the magnet technology, leveraging the small bend radius afforded by star® wires. The magnet was wound with two star® wires, electrically in parallel and without transposition. We tested the magnet at 77 and 4.2 K. The magnet reached a peak current of 8.9 kA, 78% of the short-sample prediction at 4.2 K, and a whole-conductor current density of 1500 A mm−2. The experiment demonstrated a minimum viable concept for dipole magnet applications using star® wires. The results also allowed us to identify further development needs for star® conductors and associated magnet technology to enable high-field rebco magnets.

We develop a structural theory for Krasner Hv-modules over a Krasner Hv-ring R and introduce the derived functors TxtRn and txtRn, and formulate a number of properties. The conditions we obtained allow us to apply results to sheaves and complexes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Let (G, w) be a weighted graph with the adjacency matrix A. The group inverse of (G, w), denoted by (G # , w #) is the weighted graph with the weight w # (v i v j) of an edge v i v j in G # is defined as the ijth entry of A # , the group inverse of A. We study the group inverse of singular weighted trees. It is shown that if (T, w) is a singular weighted tree, then (T # , w #) is again a weighted tree if and only if (T, w) is a star tree, which in turn holds if and only if (T # , w #) is graph isomorphic to (T, w). A new class T w of weighted trees is introduced and studied here. It is shown that the group inverse of the adjacency matrix of a positively weighted tree in T w is signature similar to a non-negative matrix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Let G be a graph and let f: V (G) ! f0; 1; 2;; k 1g be a function where k 2 N and k > 1. For each edge uv, assign a label f (uv) = l f(u)+f(v) 2 m and f is called a k-total mean cordial labeling of G if jtmf (i) tmf (j)j 1 for all i; j 2 f0; 1;; k 1g, where tmf (x) denotes the total number of vertices and edges la-belled with x, x 2 f0; 1; 2;; k 1g. A graph with admit a k-total mean cordial labeling is called k-total mean cordial graph. In this paper we investigate the 4-total mean cordial labeling behavior of some graphs which are obtained from stars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A family of sets is called a star if there exists an element (a center) in each of its sets. Given a graph G and an integer r ⩾ 1 , let I r (G) be the family of independent sets of size r of G. A star S of I r (G) is maximum if no star of I r (G) is bigger than S. In 2011, Hurlbert and Kamat conjectured that in trees there exists a maximum star of I r (G) that is centered at a leaf for any r , and they also showed that this conjecture is true for r ⩽ 4. In 2021, Estrugo and Pastine proposed the following problem: Find which leaves are the centers of the maximum stars in caterpillars. In this contribution, we consider the problem on the maximum star of I r (G) for a connected graph G with at least one leaf. Firstly, we show that in unicyclic graphs with at least one leaf there exists a maximum star of I r (G) that is centered at a leaf for r ⩽ 4 , and there exists a counterexample in which the maximum star of I r (G) is not centered at a leaf for r ⩾ 5. Secondly, we show that in connected graphs having at least one leaf and at least two cycles, there exist two counterexamples in which the maximum stars of I r (G) are not centered at leaves for r ⩾ 3. Finally, we determine the centers of the maximum stars of I r (G) for three types of caterpillars, which partially solves the problem proposed by Estrugo and Pastine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main goal of this work is to put a simple model of the spectral energy distribution of binary stars called WW Cha. This model is built up on the extracted data from various telescopes and archives for the target WW Cha stars and then analyzing them using a python environment. The result of the fitting proposes that there are two protoplanetary disks around the WW Cha star, with different physical properties for each disk, such as the size of the inner disk being 10 AU, while the size of the outer disk being 300 AU. The shape of the outer disk is a flaring disk not a flat disk according to the value of the power law for the surface density (1.5). The emission in the disk is caused by small amorphous olivine grains ranging in size from 0.1 to 3000 micrometers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study introduces an innovative approach aimed at enhancing the accuracy of attitude determination through the computation of star observation quality. The proposed algorithm stems from the inherent invariance of singular values under attitude transformations, leveraging the concept of assessing error magnitude through the deviation of singular values. Quantization becomes imperative to employ this error magnitude as a weighting factor within the attitude determination process. To fulfill this purpose, this study applies p-value hypothesis testing to calculate quantized error levels. Simulation results validate that the calculated weights derived from the proposed algorithm lead to a discernible enhancement in attitude determination performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Different coatings of the metal implants of STAR prostheses have been used since 1999. In Europe metal implants with a double calcium-phosphate coating (BONIT) on a titanium sprayed surface have been available since 1999. We present a 2–17 year follow-up of a consecutive series from a single center with 474 STAR ankle replacements where the BONIT type of coating has been used. 55 prostheses (12%) have been revised, the majority of them due to fracture of the mobile bearing. 22 prostheses (5%) have been converted to an arthrodesis. Analysis of survival of the specific components showed an estimated 10-year survival rate of the tibia component, talus component and polyethylene mobile bearing of 99%, 98% and 84%, respectively. The corresponding estimated 15-year survival was 98%, 98% and 74%, respectively. This study showed an extraordinary high survival rate of the metal implants. Level III, prospective cohort series. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The magnetospheric model of the HAT-P-11b magnetic field has been constructed based on the available data on the magnetic field of the star HAT-P-11 and its closest exoplanet HAT-P-11b, as well as the information on the stellar wind in this system. It has been shown how the magnitude and orientation of the interplanetary magnetic field control the magnetospheric structure. Each component of the stellar wind's magnetic field creates a specific type of reconnection with the exoplanet's magnetic field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We define a total k-labeling φ of a graph G as a combination of an edge labeling φe:E(G)→{1,2,...,ke} and a vertex labeling φv:V(G)→{0,2,...,2kv}, such that φ(x)=φv(x) if x&#V(G) and φ(x)=φe(x) if x∈E(G), where k= max {ke,2kv}. The total k-labeling φ is called an edge irregular reflexive k-labeling of G if every two different edges has distinct edge weights, where the edge weight is defined as the summation of the edge label itself and its two vertex labels. Thus, the smallest value of k for which the graph G has the edge irregular reflexive k-labeling is called the reflexive edge strength of G. In this paper, we study the edge irregular reflexive labeling of corona product of two paths and corona product of a path with isolated vertices. We determine the reflexive edge strength for these graphs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An imbalance in estrogen signaling is a critical event in breast tumorigenesis. The majority of breast cancers (BCs) are hormone-sensitive; they majorly express the estrogen receptor (ER+) and are activated by 17β-estradiol (E2). The steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) mediates the rate-limiting step in steroid biosynthesis. The dysregulation of the epigenetic machinery, modulating E2 levels, is a primary occurrence for promoting breast tumorigenesis. StAR expression, concomitant with E2 synthesis, was reported to be aberrantly high in human and mouse hormone-dependent BC cells compared with their non-cancerous counterparts. However, the mechanism of action of StAR remains poorly understood. We discovered StAR as an acetylated protein and have identified a number of lysine (K) residues that are putatively acetylated in malignant and non-malignant breast cells, using LC-MS/MS (liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry), suggesting they differently influence E2 synthesis in mammary tissue. The treatment of hormone-sensitive MCF7 cells with a variety of histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACIs), at therapeutically and clinically relevant doses, identified a few additional StAR acetylated lysine residues. Among a total of fourteen StAR acetylomes undergoing acetylation and deacetylation, K111 and K253 were frequently recognized either endogenously or in response to HDACIs. Site-directed mutagenesis studies of these two StAR acetylomes, pertaining to K111Q and K253Q acetylation mimetic states, resulted in increases in E2 levels in ER+ MCF7 and triple negative MB-231 BC cells, compared with their values seen with human StAR. Conversely, these cells carrying K111R and K253R deacetylation mutants diminished E2 biosynthesis. These findings provide novel and mechanistic insights into intra-tumoral E2 regulation by elucidating the functional importance of this uncovered StAR post-translational modification (PTM), involving acetylation and deacetylation events, underscoring the potential of StAR as a therapeutic target for hormone-sensitive BC.

Breast cancer (BC) is a heterogeneous condition and comprises molecularly distinct subtypes. An imbalance in the levels of epigenetic histone deacetylases (HDACs), modulating estrogen accumulation, especially 17β-estradiol (E2), promotes breast tumorigenesis. In the present study, analyses of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) pan-cancer normalized RNA-Seq datasets revealed the dysregulation of 16 epigenetic enzymes (among a total of 18 members) in luminal BC subtypes, in comparison to their non-cancerous counterparts. Explicitly, genomic profiling of these epigenetic enzymes displayed increases in HDAC1, 2, 8, 10, 11, and Sirtuins (SIRTs) 6 and 7, and decreases in HDAC4–7, –9, and SIRT1–4 levels, respectively, in TCGA breast tumors. Kaplan–Meier plot analyses showed that these HDACs, with the exception of HDAC2 and SIRT2, were not correlated with the overall survival of BC patients. Additionally, disruption of the epigenetic signaling in TCGA BC subtypes, as assessed using both heatmaps and boxplots, was associated with the genomic expression of factors that are instrumental for cholesterol trafficking/utilization for accelerating estrogen/E2 levels, in which steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (STAR) mediates the rate-limiting step in steroid biosynthesis. TCGA breast samples showed diverse expression patterns of a variety of key steroidogenic markers and hormone receptors, including LIPE, CYP27A1, STAR, STARD3, CYP11A1, CYP19A1, ER, PGR, and ERBB2. Moreover, regulation of STAR-governed steroidogenic machinery was found to be influenced by various transcription factors, i.e., CREB1, CREM, SF1, NR4A1, CEBPB, SREBF1, SREBF2, SP1, FOS, JUN, NR0B1, and YY1. Along these lines, ingenuity pathway analysis (IPA) recognized a number of new targets and downstream effectors influencing BCs. Of note, genomic, epigenomic, transcriptional, and hormonal anomalies observed in human primary breast tumors were qualitatively similar in pertinent BC cell lines. These findings identify the functional correlation between dysregulated epigenetic enzymes and estrogen/E2 accumulation in human breast tumors, providing the molecular insights into more targeted therapeutic approaches involving the inhibition of HDACs for combating this life-threatening disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Policy diffusion is the process in which an innovation is communicated over time through various channels among the members of a social system. It is a special type of communication, in that the messages are concerned with new ideas. Diffusion theory or diffusion of innovations is the theoretical framework utilized in this study to compare successful programs aimed at providing health care for the homeless population. This study examines the Crisis Outreach Response and Engagement (CORE) program in Hawaii and explains how the diffusion innovation theory and programs in other states can be used to develop policies and processes to successfully address the medical and crisis intervention needs of the homeless on O'ahu. The study also includes suggested recommendations and strategies for the CORE program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Ciliary neurotrophic factor is a member of the interleukin‐6 family of cytokines. Ciliary neurotrophic factor drives many cells for their development. However, its effects on Leydig cell development remain unclear. Methods: In the current study, we used three‐dimensional seminiferous tubule culture system to induce the proliferation and differentiation of tubule‐associated stem Leydig cells and primary progenitor Leydig cells culture to address the effects of ciliary neurotrophic factor. Results: We found that ciliary neurotrophic factor stimulated the proliferation of stem Leydig cells but inhibited their development into the Leydig cell lineage. The ciliary neurotrophic factor‐mediated effects can be reversed by signal transducer and activator 3 inhibitor S3I‐201 and phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase inhibitor wortmannin, indicating that ciliary neurotrophic factor acts via signal transducer and activator 3–phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase signaling pathways to increase stem/progenitor Leydig cell proliferation. Ciliary neurotrophic factor at 1 and 10 ng/mL significantly decreased androgen production by progenitor Leydig cells. Microarray analysis of ciliary neurotrophic factor‐treated progenitor Leydig cells showed that ciliary neurotrophic factor blocked steroidogenic pathways by downregulating Scarb1, Star, and Hsd3b1, possibly by downregulating the transcription factor Nr5a1 expression. Conclusion: Ciliary neurotrophic factor stimulates proliferation but blocks the differentiation of stem/progenitor Leydig cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: One of the most common causes of infertility in adult women is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) which has been identified with symptoms such as chronic hyperandrogenism, anovulation, and polycystic ovaries. Adiponectin modulates steroidogenesis and the expression of ovulation-related genes. Herein, we assessed the effect of AdipoRon (adiponectin agonist) in the PCOS model mice. Methods: The PCOS model was induced with letrozole in the adult female mice and the animals received intraperitoneal injection of AdipoRon (5 mg/kg) for 10 days. Expression of CYP11A, CYP17A, and CYP19A genes, StAR protein, and histomorphology of the ovary were evaluated using real-time RT-PCR, western blotting, and histochemistry methods, respectively. Results: Although administration of letrozole caused an increase in the expression of CYP11A, CYP17A, and StAR and a decrease in the CYP19A1 expression, injection of AdipoRon reversed these changes. Moreover, AdipoRon treatment resulted in an improvement of folliculogenesis and a reduction of cysts compared to the letrozole-treated mice. Conclusion: It is likely that AdipoRon has protective effects on the PCOS through modulation of cytochrome P450-related genes and steroidogenesis but needs further study to be sure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this conceptual article, we review experience-centered approaches to the design of personal digital interactive technologies, with a view to exploring how these approaches might be of value in understanding the experience-in-use and the responsible design of today's highly networked, data-rich, and ubiquitous software technologies. Experience-centered design research leans heavily on pragmatist philosophy for its conceptual underpinnings, particularly John Dewey's accounts of aesthetic experience and of inquiry. After reviewing this body of work, we argue that these foundations could be usefully extended to also include Dewey's approach to ethics as an empirical, situated act of moral imagination. In addition, we look to other researchers for perspectives that complement and extend Deweyan experiential pragmatics. In particular, we look to the ways in which Susan Leigh Star's account of socio-technical infrastructures and dialogical approaches to human relations together can provide important insights into the experience-in-use of today's digital infrastructure and can critically highlight issues of boundaries and privacy. We also offer pragmatic and methodological concepts that may be of value to the field of responsible software design and engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Let be a family of graphs. The Turán number of the family ℱ is the maximum number of edges in an n-vertex {H1, ..., Hk}-free graph, denoted by ex(n, ℱ ) or ex(n, {H1,H2, ... Hk}). The blow-up of a graph H is the graph obtained from H by replacing each edge in H by a clique of the same size where the new vertices of the cliques are all different. In this paper we determine the Turán number of the family consisting of a blow-up of a cycle and a blow-up of a star in terms of the Turán number of the family consisting of a cycle, a star and linear forests with k edges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leydig cells, located in the testis interstitial space, are the primary source of testosterone in males. Testosterone plays critical roles in both reproductive and metabolic functions and therefore is essential for male health. Steroidogenesis must be properly regulated since dysregulated hormone production can lead to infertility and metabolic disorders. Leydig cell steroidogenesis relies on the coordinated interaction of various factors, such as hormones and signaling molecules. While luteinizing hormone (LH) is the main regulator of Leydig cell steroidogenesis, other molecules, including growth hormones (GH), prolactin, growth factors (insulin, IGF, FGF, EGF), and osteocalcin, have also been implicated in the stimulation of steroidogenesis. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the mechanisms and signaling pathways employed by LH and other molecules in the stimulation of Leydig cell steroidogenesis, providing valuable insights into the complex regulation of male reproductive and metabolic health.

In this paper, we investigate the pair difference cordial labeling behaviour of some star related graphs.

Let $ G = (V, E) $ be a simple graph with vertex set $ V $ and edge set $ E $, and let $ f $ be a function $ f:V\mapsto \{0, 1, 2\} $. A vertex $ u $ with $ f(u) = 0 $ is said to be undefended with respect to $ f $ if it is not adjacent to a vertex with positive weight. The function $ f $ is a weak Roman dominating function (WRDF) if each vertex $ u $ with $ f(u) = 0 $ is adjacent to a vertex $ v $ with $ f(v) > 0 $ such that the function $ f_{u}:V\mapsto \{0, 1, 2\} $, defined by $ f_{u}(u) = 1 $, $ f_{u}(v) = f(v)-1 $ and $ f_{u}(w) = f(w) $ if $ w\in V-\{u, v\} $, has no undefended vertex. The weight of $ f $ is $ w(f) = \sum_{v\in V}f(v) $. The weak Roman domination number, denoted $ \gamma_{r}(G) $, is the minimum weight of a WRDF in G. The domination number, denoted $ \gamma(G) $, is the minimum cardinality of a dominating set in $ G $. In this paper, we give some sufficient conditions for a tree to have its weak Roman domination number be equal to its domination number plus 1 ($ \gamma_{r}(T) = \gamma(T)+1 $) by recursion and construction.

ABSTRACT: The ovarian circadian clock plays a regulatory role in the avian ovulation-oviposition cycle. However, little is known regarding the ovarian circadian clock of geese. In this study, we investigated rhythmic changes in clock genes over a 48-h period and identified potential clock-controlled genes involved in progesterone synthesis in goose ovarian preovulatory granulosa cells. The results showed that BMAL1, CRY1, and CRY2, as well as 4 genes (LHR, STAR, CYP11A1, and HSD3B) involved in progesterone synthesis exhibited rhythmic expression patterns in goose ovarian preovulatory granulosa cells over a 48-h period. Knockdown of BMAL1 decreased the progesterone concentration and downregulated STAR mRNA and protein levels in goose ovarian preovulatory granulosa cells. Overexpression of BMAL1 increased the progesterone concentration and upregulated the STAR mRNA level in goose ovarian preovulatory granulosa cells. Moreover, we demonstrated that the BMAL1/CLOCK complex activated the transcription of goose STAR gene by binding to an E-box motif. These results suggest that the circadian clock is involved in the regulation of progesterone synthesis in goose ovarian preovulatory granulosa cells by orchestrating the transcription of steroidogenesis-related genes.

Background: The clinical use of sildenafil citrate (Viagra), a drug used to treat erectile dysfunction, is limited because of its many side effects on tissues. In this context, we aimed to investigate the protective effects of hesperidin, a citrus flavonoid, on hepatic and testicular damage induced by a high dose of sildenafil citrate in male rats. Rats were randomly divided into four groups. The first group was used as the control group. The second group was orally administered sildenafil citrate at a high dose of 75 mg/kg thrice a week. In the third group, hesperidin was administered orally at a dose of 50 mg/kg/day. The fourth group was administered 75 mg/kg sildenafil citrate three times a week with 50 mg/kg hesperidin daily. The experiment lasted for 28 days. Results: In the sildenafil-treated groups, blood indices were altered, liver function tests were deranged, and serum testosterone levels were reduced. In the liver and testicular tissue, sildenafil citrate treatment resulted in significant reductions in catalase and total antioxidant capacity; as well as increased malondialdehyde, reactive oxygen species, and nitrous oxide levels. In addition, sildenafil citrate treatment caused abnormal histopathological patterns in both the liver and the testes. Liver vascular endothelial growth factor and testicular steroidogenic acute regulatory protein gene expression were upregulated. Conclusions: Hesperidin attenuated the harmful effects of intensive sildenafil citrate treatment on liver and testicular functions, alleviated oxidative stress and normalized blood indices. Therefore, hesperidin could be protective against sildenafil citrate-induced oxidative damage that may develop over the long term. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]