bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparing the efficacy of three methods of permethrin application in pediculosis capitis: A randomized clinical trial
Authors: Ghalandari Nasibeh , Edalatkhah Tatafi Aida , Mohammadnezhad Ghader , Nasimi Maryam , Esmaily Hadi
Published: May 2023

Background

Pediculosis capitis, also known as head lice, is a common problem that affects individuals of different socio‐economic backgrounds. Permethrin is generally considered the first‐line treatment option for head lice.

Aims

The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare the therapeutic effects of three different methods of permethrin treatment for head lice.

Method

A parallel, randomized clinical trial was conducted on 157 patients with head lice. The participants underwent eye examination and dry combing by a trained professional. The subjects were randomly divided into three groups and treated with one of the three methods of permethrin application: permethrin shampoo for 10 min, permethrin shampoo for 1 h, or permethrin cream for 10 min on a weekly basis for 3 weeks.

Results

Of the 157 participants, 154 completed the study. The group treated with permethrin shampoo for 1 h had the shortest average time for eradication of lice at 1.226 ± 0.422 weeks, which was significantly lower than the other two groups. Additionally, the 1‐h permethrin shampoo group had the lowest time for scalp itching of 2.15 ± 0.632 weeks, which was significantly lower than the other two groups. Moreover, the rate of lice eradication in the first week was significantly higher in the 1‐h permethrin shampoo group.

Conclusion

The results of this study suggest that the use of 1% permethrin shampoo for 1 h is more effective in eradicating head lice within the first week of treatment and in relieving scalp itching during the second week.
Clinical efficacy of a combination treatment of traditional Chinese medicine for scalp seborrheic dermatitis
Authors: Zhang Fan , Li Yuan‐hong , Ren Wei , Li Shu‐run , Chen Yan‐chao
Published: May 2023

Objective

To evaluate the clinical efficacy of a combination treatment of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in scalp seborrheic dermatitis (SSD) of differing severity.

Methods

Our study included patients with typical SSD who visited the Medical Research Center for Hair and Skin at our hospital. Symptoms were evaluated using a “16‐point scale” developed at the center. Patients who had mild SSD were treated with Pi Fu Kang Xi Ye (PFKXY), those with moderate SSD were treated with PFKXY combined with Run Zao Zhi Yang Jiao Nang (RZZYJN), and those with severe dermatitis were treated with PFKXY and RZZYJN along with garlicin enteric‐coated tablets. Patients were asked to revisit 4 weeks later to evaluate the efficacy.

Results

Symptom scores of all patients decreased by (5.48 ± 2.51) after treatment as compared with before treatment, and the results of t‐test and correlation test were significant (p < 0.01). The scores of patients with mild, moderate and severe SSD decreased by 3.14 ± 1.83, 4.90 ± 1.77, and 8.05 ± 2.21, respectively, after treatment as compared with before treatment. Among them, the changes in scores of patients with moderate dermatitis before and after treatment were significant in the t‐test and correlation test (p < 0.01).

Conclusion

In this study, the combination treatment of TCM showed significant efficacy in the treatment of mild, moderate, and severe SSD, and the efficacy was stable, especially for patients with moderate SSD.
The pivotal role of Bifida Ferment Lysate on reinforcing the skin barrier function and maintaining homeostasis of skin defenses in vitro
Authors: Wang Rui , Yan Shiyu , Ma Xue , Zhao Jinfeng , Han Yuqing , Pan Yao , Zhao Hua
Published: May 2023

Background

The semiactive or inactive probiotics or their extracts used in dermatology have interesting properties to ameliorate signs of irritated skin and enhance the skin barrier. Bifidobacterium, as the most common probiotics, which has been found to be effective in reducing acne and improving the skin barrier function of atopic dermatitis. Bifida Ferment Lysate (BFL) can be obtained from Bifidobacterium by fermentation and extraction.

Purpose

In this study, we investigated the effect of a topically used BFL on the skin using in vitro evaluation methods.

Results

The results showed that upregulation of skin physical barrier gene (FLG, LOR, IVL, TGM1, and AQP3) and antimicrobial peptide gene (CAMP and hBD‐2) in HaCaT cells by BFL might be responsible for skin barrier resistance. In addition, BFL had strong antioxidant properties representing a dose‐dependent increasing of the scavenging capacity of DPPH, ABTS, hydroxyl, and superoxide radicals. BFL treatment also fundamentally inhibited the intracellular ROS and MDA production and improved the activities of antioxidant enzymes (CAT and GSH‐Px) in H2O2‐stimulated HaCaT cells. As a good immunomodulatory factor, BFL efficiently decreased the secretion of IL‐8 and TNF‐α cytokines, and COX‐2 mRNA expression in LPS‐induced THP‐1 macrophages.

Conclusion

BFL can strengthen the skin barrier function and stimulate skin barrier resistance, to reinforce the skin against oxidative stress and inflammatory stimuli.
Rural‐urban differences in access to care among children and adolescents in the United States
Authors: Crouch Elizabeth , Hung Peiyin , Benavidez Gabriel , Giannouchos Theo , Brown Monique J.
Published: May 2023

Purpose

Rural children and adolescents face disproportionate challenges in access to health care services than their urban counterparts. Yet, recent evidence on disparities in access to health care between rural and urban children and adolescents has been limited. This study examines the associations of residence location with receipt of preventive care, foregone medical care, and continuity of insurance coverage among US children and adolescents.

Methods

This study used cross‐sectional data from the 2019 to 2020 National Survey of Children's Health, with a final sample size of 44,679 children. Descriptive statistics, bivariate analyses, and multivariable logistic regression models were used to examine the differences in preventive care, foregone care, and continuity of insurance coverage between rural and urban children and adolescents.

Findings

Rural children had lower odds of receiving preventive care (aOR 0.64; 95% CI 0.56‐0.74) and having continuous health insurance coverage (aOR 0.68; 95% CI 0.56‐0.83) compared to urban children. The odds of foregone care were similar between rural and urban children. Children at every federal poverty level (FPL) less than 400% were less likely to receive preventive care, and more likely to forego care than children residing at 400% or above FPL.

Conclusions

Rural disparities in child preventive care and insurance continuity warrant ongoing surveillance and local access to care initiatives, especially for children in low‐income households. Without updated public health surveillance, policymakers and program developers may not be aware of current disparities. School‐based health centers are 1 avenue for meeting the unmet health care needs of rural children.
Structural and functional properties and digital image texture analysis of gelatin, pectin, and carrageenan gels with honey addition
Authors: Varela María S. , Palacio María A. , Navarro Alba S. , Yamul Diego K.
Published: May 2023

Gels combined with honey might generate new possibilities of textures in food development. This work explores the structural and functional properties of gelatin (5 g/100 g), pectin (1 g/100 g), and carrageenan (1 g/100 g) gels with different content of honey (0–50 g/100 g). Honey decreased the transparency of gels and made them more yellow‐greenish; all of them were firm and uniform, especially at the highest honey content. The water holding capacity increased (63.30–97.90 g/100 g) and moisture content, water activity (0.987–0.884) and syneresis (36.03–1.30 g/100 g) decreased with the addition of honey. This ingredient modified mainly the textural parameters of gelatin (Hardness: 0.82–1.35 N) and carrageenan gels (Hardness: 2.46–2.81 N), whereas only the adhesiveness and the liquid like‐behavior were increased in the pectin gels. Honey increased the solid behavior of gelatin gels (G': 54.64–173.37 Pa) but did not modify the rheological parameters of the carrageenan ones. Honey also had a smoothing effect on the microstructure of gels as observed in the scanning electron microscopy micrographs. This effect was also confirmed by the results of the gray level co‐occurrence matrix and fractal model's analysis (fractal dimension: 1.797–1.527; lacunarity: 1.687–0.322). The principal component and cluster analysis classified samples by the hydrocolloid used, except the gelatin gel with the highest content of honey, which was differentiated as a separate group. Honey modified the texture, rheology, and microstructure of gels indicating that it is possible to generate new products to be used in other food matrices as texturizers.
Impact melt rocks from the Late Paleocene Hiawatha impact structure, northwest Greenland
Authors: Hyde William R. , Garde Adam A. , Keulen Nynke , Malkki Sebastian N. , Jaret Steven J. , Waight Tod , Beck Pierre , McDonald Iain , Larsen Nicolaj K.
Published: May 2023

Impact melt rocks formed during hypervelocity impact events are ideal for studying impact structures. Here, we describe impact melt rock samples collected proximal to the 31 km wide 58 Ma Hiawatha impact structure, northwest Greenland, which is completely covered by the Greenland Ice Sheet. The melt rocks contain diagnostic shock indicators (e.g., planar deformation features [PDF] in quartz and shocked zircon) and form three groups based on melt textures and chemistry: (i) hypocrystalline, (ii) glassy, and (iii) carbonate‐based melt rocks. The exposed foreland directly in front of the structure consists of metasedimentary successions and igneous plutons; however, the carbonate‐based impactites indicate a mixed target sequence with a significant carbonate‐rich component. Well‐preserved organic material in some melt rocks indicates that North Greenland at the time of impact was host to abundant organic material, likely a dense high‐latitude temperate forest. Geochemical signatures of platinum‐group elements in selected samples indicate an extraterrestrial component and support previous identification of a highly fractionated iron impactor in glaciofluvial sand. Our results illustrate the possibility to study impact structures hidden beneath a thick ice sheet based on transported samples and this opens a new avenue for identifying other potential impact craters in Greenland and Antarctica.
A circumpolar parasite: Evidence of a cryptic undescribed species of sucking louse, Linognathus sp., collected from Arctic foxes, Vulpes lagopus, in Nunavut (Canada) and Svalbard (Norway)
Authors: Buhler Kayla J. , Snyman Louwtjie P. , Fuglei Eva , Davidson Rebecca , Ptochos Sokratis , Galloway Terry , Jenkins Emily
Published: May 2023

The North has experienced unprecedented rates of warming over the past few decades, impacting the survival and development of insects and the pathogens that they carry. Since 2019, Arctic foxes from Canada (Nunavut) have been observed with fur loss inconsistent with natural shedding of fur. Adult lice were collected from Arctic foxes from Nunavut (n = 1) and Svalbard (n = 2; Norway) and were identified as sucking lice (suborder Anoplura). Using conventional PCR targeting the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene (cox1), lice from Canada and Svalbard were 100% similar (8 pooled samples from Nunavut and 3 pooled samples from Svalbard), indicating that there is potential gene flow between ectoparasites on Scandinavian and North American Arctic fox populations. The cox1 sequences of Arctic fox lice and dog sucking lice (Linognathus setosus) had significant differences (87% identity), suggesting that foxes may harbour a cryptic species that has not previously been recognised. Conventional PCR targeting the gltA gene for Bartonella bacteria amplified DNA from an unknown gammaproteobacteria from two pooled louse samples collected from Svalbard foxes. The amplified sequences were 100% identical to each other but were only 78% like Proteus mirabilis reported in GenBank (CP053614), suggesting that lice on Arctic foxes may carry unique microorganisms that have yet to be described.
A group concept mapping and ethnographic study of intensive care rehabilitation culture
Authors: Wade Clare L. , Robinson Lisa J. , Baker Katherine , Saxton John M. , Wright Stephen E. , Adams Nicola , Scott Jason
Published: May 2023

Background

Early physical activity and physical rehabilitation are advocated in the critical care unit for patients recovering from critical illness. Despite this, there are still many factors associated with implementation of early physical rehabilitation into routine critical care and practice. One such factor that has been consistently identified is unit culture, yet there is little understanding of how or why the culture of a critical care unit impacts on implementation of early rehabilitation.

Aim

To develop a detailed understanding of the cultural barriers and enablers to the promotion and implementation of physical activity and early mobilization in National Health Service (NHS) critical care units in the United Kingdom (UK).

Study Design

A mixed‐methods, two‐phase study incorporating online group concept mapping (GCM) and ethnography. GCM will be conducted to provide a multistakeholder co‐authored conceptual framework of rehabilitation culture. Ethnographic observations and interviews will be conducted of culture and behaviours in relation to the implementation and promotion of early physical activity and rehabilitation in two NHS critical care units in the North East of England.

Results

The results of the Group Concept Mapping and ethnographic observations and interviews will be triangulated to develop a contextual framework of rehabilitation culture in critical care.

Relevance to Clinical Practice

This study will provide a detailed understanding of barriers and facilitators in relation to providing a positive rehabilitation culture in the critical care unit.
Arabidopsis thalianaB‐GATA factors repress starch synthesis and gravitropic growth responses
Authors: Sala Jan , Mosesso Niccolò , Isono Erika , Schwechheimer Claus
Published: May 2023

Plants perceive the direction of gravity during skotomorphogenic growth, and of gravity and light during photomorphogenic growth. Gravity perception occurs through the sedimentation of starch granules in shoot endodermal and root columella cells. In this study, we demonstrate that the Arabidopsis thaliana GATA factors GNC (GATA, NITRATE‐INDUCIBLE, CARBON METABOLISM‐INVOLVED) and GNL/CGA1 (GNC‐LIKE/CYTOKININ‐RESPONSIVE GATA1) repress starch granule growth and amyloplast differentiation in endodermal cells.

In our comprehensive study, we analysed gravitropic responses in the shoot, root and hypocotyl. We performed an RNA‐seq analysis, used advanced microscopy techniques to examine starch granule size, number and morphology and quantified transitory starch degradation patterns. Using transmission electron microscopy, we examined amyloplast development.

Our results indicate that the altered gravitropic responses in hypocotyls, shoots and roots of gnc gnl mutants and GNL overexpressors are due to the differential accumulation of starch granules observed in the GATA genotypes. At the whole‐plant level, GNC and GNL play a more complex role in starch synthesis, degradation and starch granule initiation.

Our findings suggest that the light‐regulated GNC and GNL help balance phototropic and gravitropic growth responses after the transition from skotomorphogenesis to photomorphogenesis by repressing the growth of starch granules.
Resource availability and plant age drive defense against herbivory in salt marshes
Authors: Wittyngham Serina S. , Carey Joanna , Johnson David Samuel
Published: May 2023

The resource‐availability hypothesis (RAH) and the intraspecific RAH (RAHintra), posit that resources, (i.e. nutrients) control plant antiherbivore defenses. Both hypotheses predict that in low‐resource environments, plant growth is slow, and constitutive defense is high. In high‐resource environments, however, the RAH predicts that plant growth is fast, and constitutive defense is low, whereas the RAHintra predicts that increased resources attract more herbivores, and this intensified grazing pressure leads to high constitutive defense. Salt marshes are nutrient‐limited ecosystems threatened by eutrophication and chronic herbivory, yet we know little about how these stressors shape saltmarsh plant antiherbivore defenses, which influence trophic interactions and ecosystem resilience. We manipulated resource availability via nutrient addition and herbivory via the marsh periwinkle Littoraria irrorata, on the saltmarsh foundation species Spartina alterniflora, in mesocosms. Because plant age can also influence trait variation, we measured traits in both original and clonally‐grown new stems. Feeding assays then evaluated how treatments and plant age affected subsequent Littoraria consumption of Spartina. Nutrient addition stimulated growth, while decreasing defensive traits (e.g. fiber and silica content), following the RAH. Herbivory enhanced belowground production and increased stem diameter, yet did not induce defensive traits, contrary to our expectations. Herbivory plus nutrients increased Spartina biomass and reduced phenolics, a defensive trait, further supporting the RAH. Regardless of treatment, clonally‐grown new stems had greater variation in measured traits. Despite altered traits, however, treatments and plant age did not affect Littoraria consumption. Our results support the RAH and part of the RAHintra and suggest: 1) nutrient availability is a primary driver of plant trait change and 2) plant age controls the magnitude of trait variation in Spartina. Further, our findings indicate that eutrophic conditions may not always increase top‒down control by herbivores, and in some instances can enhance saltmarsh resilience against sea‐level rise via stimulated Spartina biomass production.
Grazer host density mediates the ability of parasites to protect foundational plants from overgrazing
Authors: Morton Joseph P. , Huff Samantha A. , Wellman Emory H. , Silliman Brian R.
Published: May 2023

Like many top consumers, parasites can regulate feeding of their prey via trait‐mediated means. If parasites modify the feeding behavior of ecologically important grazers, they may have cascading effects on the structure and functioning of whole plant communities. The extent to which parasites can influence plant communities in this way is largely dependent on the strength of their behavioral alteration, their prevalence in host grazers, and the density of those hosts. Recent experiments and comparative surveys in southeastern USA salt marshes revealed that common larval trematode parasites suppress the per capita grazing impacts of the marsh periwinkle Littoraria irrorata, generating a trophic cascade that protects foundational marsh plants from drought‐associated overgrazing. Here, we conducted a field manipulation wherein we modified grazer host density while holding infection prevalence constant at an ecologically relevant level (20%) to determine whether the indirect, facilitative effects of parasites on marsh plants varied with the density of grazers. We found that parasites had significant positive impacts on marsh net primary productivity at moderate densities of snails (≥50 snails/0.5 m2), but that the positive effects of parasites were negligible at lower densities. Our results confirm the findings of previous studies that parasites can protect marsh plants from overgrazing at sufficiently high prevalence, but show that their ability to do so depends on host density.
A child with CARD14‐associated papulosquamous eruption (CAPE) successfully treated with ustekinumab
Authors: Nogueira Miguel , Reis Joel , Abreu Maria , Coelho André , Reis Cláudia F. , Machado Susana
Published: May 2023

CARD14‐associated papulosquamous eruption (CAPE) is a rare inflammatory skin eruption that can have features of psoriasis, pityriasis rubra pilaris, and erythroderma. This skin condition is known for its resistance to topical or conventional systemic therapies. Successful treatment of CAPE with anti‐IL‐12/IL‐23 and IL‐17 inhibitors has been reported. We present a case of a 2‐year‐old girl with CAPE who was successfully treated with ustekinumab.
Assessing habitat enhancement by living shoreline restoration: exploring potential caveats of nekton community metrics
Authors: de Barros Matheus S. F. , Rodriguez Alexandra R. , Bland Aaron , Baker Ronald
Published: May 2023

Living shorelines (LS) are a nature‐based restoration technique that aims to stabilize shorelines while enhancing multiple ecosystem services. In particular, LS are frequently promoted as beneficial for enhancing essential coastal habitats for fish and mobile crustaceans (nekton). In this study, we aimed to assess the effects of LS on nekton habitat across eight LS restoration sites in coastal Alabama, U.S.A., by applying widely‐used community metrics. Nekton abundance, species richness, evenness, and diversity tended to be higher in LS and adjacent unrestored control sites than along nearby hardened shorelines. Community metrics showed no clear effect of LS compared to their adjacent controls, with substantial among‐site variation masking any restoration effect. While this may suggest an ecological equivalence between restored and control sites, there are other possible interpretations; that a lack of difference reflects sampling the same populations at nearby control and restored sites, that differences do exist but sampling effort was insufficient to detect them, or that community metrics may be too insensitive for comparing the effects of various restoration approaches on nekton habitat quality. Further exploration of individual‐based metrics such as growth and condition of key species is warranted, as these may be more sensitive for assessing restoration outcomes and guiding future project designs.
Characterization and development of a plastid genome base editor, ptpTALECD
Authors: Nakazato Issei , Okuno Miki , Itoh Takehiko , Tsutsumi Nobuhiro , Arimura Shin‐ichi
Published: May 2023

The modification of photosynthesis‐related genes in plastid genomes may improve crop yields. Recently, we reported that a plastid‐targeting base editor named ptpTALECD, in which a cytidine deaminase DddA functions as the catalytic domain, can homoplasmically substitute a targeted C to T in plastid genomes of Arabidopsis thaliana. However, some target Cs were not substituted. In addition, although ptpTALECD could substitute Cs on the 3′ side of T and A, it was unclear whether it could also substitute Cs on the 3′ side of G and C. In this study, we identified the preferential positions of the substituted Cs in ptpTALECD‐targeting sequences in the Arabidopsis plastid genome. We also found that ptpTALECD could substitute Cs on the 3′ side of all four bases in plastid genomes of Arabidopsis. More recently, a base editor containing an improved version of DddA (DddA11) was reported to substitute Cs more efficiently, and to substitute Cs on the 3′ side of more varieties of bases in human mitochondrial genomes than a base editor containing DddA. Here, we also show that ptpTALECD_v2, in which a modified version of DddA11 functions as the catalytic domain, more frequently substituted Cs than ptpTALECD in the Arabidopsis plastid genome. We also found that ptpTALECD_v2 tended to substitute Cs at more positions than ptpTALECD. Our results reveal that ptpTALECD can cause a greater variety of codon changes and amino acid substitutions than previously thought, and that ptpTALECD and ptpTALECD_v2 are useful tools for the targeted base editing of plastid genomes.
Protein interactome of 3′,5′‐cAMP reveals its role in regulating the actin cytoskeleton
Authors: Figueroa Nicolás E. , Franz Peter , Luzarowski Marcin , Martinez‐Seidel Federico , Moreno Juan C. , Childs Dorothee , Ziemblicka Aleksandra , Sampathkumar Arun , Andersen Tonni Grube , Tsiavaliaris Georgios , Chodasiewicz Monika , Skirycz Aleksandra
Published: May 2023

Identification of protein interactors is ideally suited for the functional characterization of small molecules. 3′,5′‐cAMP is an evolutionary ancient signaling metabolite largely uncharacterized in plants. To tap into the physiological roles of 3′,5′‐cAMP, we used a chemo‐proteomics approach, thermal proteome profiling (TPP), for the unbiased identification of 3′,5′‐cAMP protein targets. TPP measures shifts in the protein thermal stability upon ligand binding. Comprehensive proteomics analysis yielded a list of 51 proteins significantly altered in their thermal stability upon incubation with 3′,5′‐cAMP. The list contained metabolic enzymes, ribosomal subunits, translation initiation factors, and proteins associated with the regulation of plant growth such as CELL DIVISION CYCLE 48. To functionally validate obtained results, we focused on the role of 3′,5′‐cAMP in regulating the actin cytoskeleton suggested by the presence of actin among the 51 identified proteins. 3′,5′‐cAMP supplementation affected actin organization by inducing actin‐bundling. Consistent with these results, the increase in 3′,5′‐cAMP levels, obtained either by feeding or by chemical modulation of 3′,5′‐cAMP metabolism, was sufficient to partially rescue the short hypocotyl phenotype of the actin2 actin7 mutant, severely compromised in actin level. The observed rescue was specific to 3′,5′‐cAMP, as demonstrated using a positional isomer 2′,3′‐cAMP, and true for the nanomolar 3′,5′‐cAMP concentrations reported for plant cells. In vitro characterization of the 3′,5′‐cAMP–actin pairing argues against a direct interaction between actin and 3′,5′‐cAMP. Alternative mechanisms by which 3′,5′‐cAMP would affect actin dynamics, such as by interfering with calcium signaling, are discussed. In summary, our work provides a specific resource, 3′,5′‐cAMP interactome, as well as functional insight into 3′,5′‐cAMP‐mediated regulation in plants.
Isotopically non‐stationary 13C metabolic flux analysis of two closely related fast‐growing cyanobacteria, Synechococcus elongatusPCC 11801 and 11802
Authors: Jaiswal Damini , Nenwani Minal , Wangikar Pramod P.
Published: May 2023

Synechococcus elongatus PCC 11801 and 11802 are closely related cyanobacterial strains that are fast‐growing and tolerant to high light and temperature. These strains hold significant promise as chassis for photosynthetic production of chemicals from carbon dioxide. A detailed quantitative understanding of the central carbon pathways would be a reference for future metabolic engineering studies with these strains. We conducted isotopic non‐stationary 13C metabolic flux analysis to quantitively assess the metabolic potential of these two strains. This study highlights key similarities and differences in the central carbon flux distribution between these and other model/non‐model strains. The two strains demonstrated a higher Calvin–Benson–Bassham (CBB) cycle flux coupled with negligible flux through the oxidative pentose phosphate pathway and the photorespiratory pathway and lower anaplerosis fluxes under photoautotrophic conditions. Interestingly, PCC 11802 shows the highest CBB cycle and pyruvate kinase flux values among those reported in cyanobacteria. The unique tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle diversion in PCC 11801 makes it ideal for the large‐scale production of TCA cycle‐derived chemicals. Additionally, dynamic labeling transients were measured for intermediates of amino acid, nucleotide, and nucleotide sugar metabolism. Overall, this study provides the first detailed metabolic flux maps of S. elongatus PCC 11801 and 11802, which may aid metabolic engineering efforts in these strains.
Evaluation of the Rio de Janeiro State Flood Warning System: A Case Study for the Hydrographic Region of the Médio Paraíba do Sul (RJ), Brazil
Authors: De Pontes Lídia Luisa Mota , França José Ricardo De Almeida , De Carvalho Lino Augusto Sander
Published: May 2023

This work is a case study for the Hydrographic Region of the Médio Paraíba do Sul located in the State of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), which has natural disasters, such as floods, as the most recurrent. Due to the social, economic and environmental impacts that these disasters cause, this research aim to analyze the history of alerts issued by the Flood Warning System (FWS) and to assess its efficiency. Through the retro-analysis of Alert Trigger Events (ATE) that occurred in the monitored rivers, investigations were also carried out in the hydrological and meteorological scope. The results identified that  the Attention stage belonging to the operational protocol significantly reduces the efficiency of the FWS about sending alerts, causing high false alarm rate. Regarding the influence that variation in the type of data transmission has on the Operational Protocol in RH-III, it is considered that the time interval between data transmission and their availability on the State Environmental Institute (SEI) erver generates a false alarm, however the FWS is still efficient. Barra Mansa River is the only one that has flood events, which raises questions about the representativeness of the other stations spread across RH-III. In addition, 60% of alerts issued for RH-III were related to episodes of Cold Fronts and South Atlantic Convergence Zones. These information helps improve the description of the flood events in the region. Rainfall Anomaly Index (RAI) identified periods that the rainfall rate was below the climatological average, indicating a drier  environment, but with alerts issued.
A Nonlinear Repeated Impact Model of Auxetic Honeycomb Structures Considering Geometric Nonlinearity and Tensile/Compressive Deformation
Authors: Liu Yunfei , Qin Zhaoye , Chu Fulei
Published: May 2023

This study aims to improve the impact protection performance of composite structures by combining a honeycomb core with negative Poisson’s ratio and graphene platelets reinforced (GPR) face sheets. The paper investigates the nonlinear repeated low-velocity impact responses of auxetic honeycomb composite plates, taking into account loading-unloading-reloading processes. Effective material properties of the auxetic honeycomb core and GPR face sheets are obtained by using the proposed modified Gibson function and Halpin–Tsai model. Then, taking into account geometric nonlinearity, the nonlinear equations of motion for the system were derived by Hamilton's principle. Afterward, the time-varying contact force between the composite plate and a spherical impactor is defined by the modified nonlinear Hertz contact theory. The Galerkin method and variable-step Runge–Kutta algorithm are selected to obtain nonlinear impact responses. The proposed methods are verified by finite element simulation and experiment. Finally, the study evaluates the effects of key parameters on the nonlinear repeated low-velocity impact responses.
Feature Extraction Based on Self-Supervised Learning for Remaining Useful Life Prediction
Authors: Yu Zhenjun , Lei Ningbo , Mo Yu , Xu Xin , Li Xiu , Huang Biqing
Published: May 2023

The prediction of the remaining useful life (RUL) is of great significance to ensure the safe operation of industrial equipment and to reduce the cost of regular preventive maintenance. However, the complex operating conditions and various fault modes make it difficult to extract features containing more degradation information with existing prediction methods. We propose a self-supervised learning method based on variational automatic encoder (VAE) to extract features of data’s operating conditions and fault modes. Then the clustering algorithm is applied to the extracted features to divide data from different failure modes into different categories and reduce the impact of complex working conditions and fault modes on the estimation accuracy. In order to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method, we conduct experiments with different network structures on the C-MAPSS dataset, and the results verified that our method can effectively improve the feature extraction capability of the model. In addition, the experimental results further demonstrate the superiority and necessity of using hidden features for clustering rather than raw data.
Evaluation of Contrived Wear Methodology in End Milling of Inconel 718
Authors: Potthoff Nils , Agarwal Ankit , Wöste Florian , Wiederkehr Petra , Mears Laine
Published: May 2023

Tool wear plays a decisive role in achieving the required surface quality and dimensional accuracy during the machining of Inconel 718-based products. The highly stochastic phenomenon of tool wear, particularly in later stages, results in difficulty in predicting the failure point of the tool. The present research work aims to study this late-stage wear of the tool by generating consistent wear conditions and thereby decoupling the late-stage wear from the wear history. To do so, a multi-axis grinding operation is employed to create artificial tool wear that replicates the topology of natural wear occurring in the process. In order to evaluate the imitating ability of the proposed methodology, microscopic images in different wear states of naturally and contrived worn tools were analyzed. The methodology was validated by comparing the resulting process forces measured during end milling with the natural and contrived worn tool for different path strategies. Finally, a qualitative finite element (FE) analysis was conducted, and specific force coefficients for worn tool segments were determined through simulation.
Code Verification for the SENSEI CFD Code
Authors: Xue Weicheng , Wang Hongyu , Roy Christopher J.
Published: May 2023

This work performs systematic studies for code verification for turbulence modeling in our research CFD code SENSEI. Turbulence modeling verification cases including cross term sinusoidal manufactured solutions and a few exact solutions are used to justify the proper Spalart–Allmaras and Menter’s SST turbulence modeling implementation of the SENSEI CFD code. The observed order of accuracy matches fairly well with the formal order for both the 2D/3D steady-state and 2D unsteady flows when using the cross term sinusoidal manufactured solutions. This work concludes that it is important to keep the spatial discretization error in a similar order of magnitude as the temporal error in order to avoid erroneous analysis when performing combined spatial and temporal order analysis. Since explicit time marching scheme typically requires smaller time-step size compared to implicit time marching schemes due to stability constraints, multiple implicit schemes such as the singly diagonally implicit Runge–Kutta multistage scheme and three point backward scheme are used in our work to mitigate the stability constraints.
Plasma enhanced atomic layer deposition of manganese nitride thin film from manganese amidinate and ammonia plasma
Authors: Chen Sen , Ren Jiaxuan , Yang Douhao , Sang Lijun , Liu Bowen , Chen Qiang , Liu Zhongwei
Published: May 2023

Manganese nitride films have been successfully fabricated by the technique of plasma enhanced atomic layer deposition (PEALD). The process employed bis(N,N'-di-tert-butylacetamidinate)manganese [Mn(amd)2] as manganese precursor and ammonia plasma as a coreactant. With a typical PEALD process cycle of 5 s Mn(amd)2 pulse, 10 s Ar purge pulse, 10 s NH3 plasma exposure, 10 s Ar purge pulse, 80 °C deposition temperature, and 60 W input power, the deposited film is continuous and smooth with a growth rate is 0.037 nm/cycle. Based on x-ray diffraction measurement, the film is determined to be η-Mn3N2 crystal structure. The primary deposition mechanism has been investigated by in situ optical emission spectroscopy and quartz crystal microbalance. The deposited manganese nitride film shows an excellent barrier performance against copper diffusion at insulator/copper interface.
XPS investigation of monoatomic and cluster argon sputtering of zirconium dioxide
Authors: Burrell Michael C. , Gillman Edward
Published: May 2023

The surfaces of zirconium dioxide and yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) have been analyzed using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy after ion sputtering with monoatomic Ar+ or an argon gas cluster ion beam (GCIB). The O/Z ratio and new components in the Zr 3d lines show reduction to lower oxidation states when sputtered with monoatomic Ar+, but significantly less damage is observed when GCIB sputtering is used. The damaged surface layer caused by Ar+ sputtering can be removed by subsequent GCIB sputtering. However, the depth resolution observed in depth profiles of thin YSZ films was significantly better when Ar+ sputtering is used. Differences in the Sn content in the oxidized Zr-4 specimen were also observed when comparing Ar+ and GCIB sputtering, suggesting preferential sputtering.
Free expansion of a Gaussian wavepacket using operator manipulations
Authors: Orjuela Alessandro M. , Freericks J. K.
Published: May 2023

The free expansion of a Gaussian wavepacket is a problem commonly discussed in undergraduate quantum classes by directly solving the time-dependent Schrödinger equation as a differential equation. In this work, we provide an alternative way to calculate the free expansion by recognizing that the Gaussian wavepacket can be thought of as the ground state of a harmonic oscillator with its frequency adjusted to give the initial width of the Gaussian, and the time evolution, given by the free-particle Hamiltonian, being the same as the application of a time-dependent squeezing operator to the harmonic oscillator ground state. Operator manipulations alone (including the Hadamard lemma and the exponential disentangling identity) then allow us to directly solve the problem. As quantum instruction evolves to include more quantum information science applications, reworking this well-known problem using a squeezing formalism will help students develop intuition for how squeezed states are used in quantum sensing.
Cost-effective measurement of magnetostriction in nanoscale thin films through an optical cantilever displacement method
Authors: Tran David L. , Shirazi Paymon , Panduranga Mohanchandra K. , Carman Gregory P.
Published: May 2023

A cost-effective method for the quantitative characterization of the magnetostrictive effect in thin films is presented. In this method, a sample's magnetostriction is extrapolated from the tip displacement of a thin-film magnetostrictive cantilever. The tip displacement is measured by monitoring the position of a reflected laser beam using two differentially coupled photodiode positioning sensors. In contrast with alternative optical deflection-angle devices designed for educational purposes, the detection limit of our setup resolves submicron-level displacements from nanoscale thin films. The efficacy of the system is demonstrated through measurements using amorphous 200-nm thick Terfenol-D/Si (100) bimorph cantilevers. In these measurements, magnetostriction values of 106 ± 3.5 ppm at ±4300 Oe applied field were attained, where the voltage noise floor was ±0.05 V (a cantilever displacement uncertainty of ±70 nm). In-plane (IP) and out-of-plane (OOP) magnetization curves and crystallographic x-ray diffraction (XRD) were performed to determine the magnetic behavior and confirm the amorphous nature of the films, respectively. The experimental methods and material characterization systems demonstrated here enhance the understanding of complex magnetic phenomena and introduce common measurement techniques to better equip students with the skills for insightful analysis of fundamental magnetic physics.
The relationship between sentence intelligibility, band importance, and signal covariance
Authors: Llanos Fernando , Meemann Kirsten , Smiljanic Rajka , Chandrasekaran Bharath
Published: May 2023

The present study investigates the relationship between sentence intelligibility, band importance, and patterns of spectro-temporal covariation between frequency bands. Sixteen listeners transcribed sentences acoustically degraded to 5, 8, or 15 frequency bands. Half of the sentences retained the frequency bands that captured more signal covariance. The other half retained the bands accounting for less signal covariance. Sentence intelligibility was significantly higher in the high-covariance condition. Critically, this finding was predicted by differences in band importance across reconstructed sentences. These findings provide a mechanistic relationship between the contributions of signal covariance and band importance to sentence intelligibility.
Differences in the whistles of two ecotypes of bottlenose dolphins
from the Gulf of California
Authors: Antichi Simone , Austin Maia , May-Collado Laura J. , Urbán R Jorge , Martínez-Aguilar Sergio , Viloria-Gómora Lorena
Published: May 2023

Intraspecific whistle variation in dolphins has been explained in the context of geographical isolation, soundscape, and social structure. Whistles of two ecotypes of bottlenose dolphins from La Paz Bay, Gulf of California, were analyzed. Both ecotypes showed similar whistle contours. However, they could be identified by contour maximum frequency which was predominantly above 15 kHz for oceanic dolphins and below 15 kHz for coastal dolphins. The different whistle frequencies of the two ecotypes could result from differences in group size and acoustic characteristics of their respective habitats, suggesting potential future passive acoustic monitoring applications.
Association between Antibiotic Exposure and the Risk of Rash in Children with Infectious Mononucleosis: a Multicenter, Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Zhang Rui , Mao Zhen , Xu Chang , Wang Wen , Kwong Joey Sum-wing , Xu Minjie , Song Yi , Lv Tianyi , Teng Zhiyuan , Zhong Ruifeng , Liu Hui , Liu Yang , Wang Qin , Wang Ying , Zhang Yuan , Chen Shuya , Chai Xiuli , He Rui , Zheng Wenyi , Zhang Jiaxing
Published: May 2023

Present evidence suggests that the administration of antibiotics, particularly aminopenicillins, may increase the risk of rash in children with infectious mononucleosis (IM). This retrospective, multicenter cohort study of children with IM was conducted to explore the association between antibiotic exposure in IM children and the risk of rash.
Rapid Detection of DNA and RNA Shrimp Viruses Using CRISPR-Based Diagnostics
Authors: Major Samuel R. , Harke Matthew J. , Cruz-Flores Roberto , Dhar Arun K. , Bodnar Andrea G. , Wanamaker Shelly A.
Published: May 2023

The Pacific white shrimp (
Penaeus vannamei
) is one of the most valuable aquaculture species in the world but has suffered major economic losses from outbreaks of White Spot Syndrome Virus and Taura Syndrome Virus. Rapid detection of these viruses can improve aquaculture practices by enabling more timely action to be taken to combat disease outbreaks.
Lymph-Node-Based CD3
+
CD20
+
Cells Emerge from Membrane Exchange between T Follicular Helper Cells and B Cells and Increase Their Frequency following Simian Immunodeficiency Virus Infection
Authors: Samer Sadia , Chowdhury Ankita , Wiche Salinas Tomas Raul , Estrada Perla M. Del Rio , Reuter Morgan , Tharp Gregory , Bosinger Steven , Cervasi Barbara , Auger James , Gill Kiran , Ablanedo-Terrazas Yuria , Reyes-Teran Gustavo , Estes Jacob D. , Betts Michael R. , Silvestri Guido , Paiardini Mirko
Published: May 2023

The HIV reservoir is largely composed of latently infected memory CD4
+
T cells that persist during antiretroviral therapy and constitute a major barrier toward HIV eradication. In particular, CD4
+
T follicular helper cells have been demonstrated as key targets for viral replication and persistence under ART.
Whole-Genome Sequence of
Myxococcus
Phage Mx9
Authors: Wielgoss Sébastien , Julien Bryan
Published: May 2023

Here, we characterize the genome of
Myxococcus
phage Mx9, a lysogenic, short-tailed phage (genus
Lederbergvirus
) phage infecting the bacterial host
Myxococcus xanthus
, a model for bacterial evolution and development. The 53.5-kb genome has a GC content of 67.5% and contains 98 predicted protein-coding genes, including the previously characterized site-specific integrase gene (
int
).
Draft Genome Sequences of Neofusicoccum parvum Strains Isolated from Mango and Rice-Paper Plant (Tetrapanax papyrifer)
Authors: Ashida Akira , Camagna Maurizio , Sato Ikuo , Chiba Sotaro , Tanaka Aiko , Takemoto Daigo
Published: May 2023

Neofusicoccum parvum
is a polyxenous phytopathogenic fungus that infects important fruits, such as grapes and mangoes. Here, we report the genome sequences of
N. parvum
strains that were isolated from mango in Okinawa, Japan (strain PPO83), and an invasive weed (rice-paper plant [
Tetrapanax papyrifer
]) in Nagoya, Japan (strain NSSI1).
Effects of
Colletotrichum gloeosporioides
and Poplar Secondary Metabolites on the Composition of Poplar Phyllosphere Microbial Communities
Authors: Zhang Linxuan , Meng Fanli , Ge Wei , Ren Yue , Bao Hangbin , Tian Chengming
Published: May 2023

Our findings revealed that the inoculation of
Colletotrichum gloeosporioides
has a greater effect on the fungal community than the bacterial community. In addition, coumarins, organic acids, and flavonoids may have recruitment effects on phyllosphere microorganisms, while indoles may have inhibitory effects on these organisms. These findings may provide the theoretical basis for the prevention and control of poplar anthracnose.
Supplemental Material: Controls on metal fertility of dioritic intrusions in the Laiwu district, North China craton: Insights from whole-rock geochemistry and mineral compositions
Authors: Li Si-Yuan , Li Jian-Wei , et al.
Published: May 2023

Table S1: Major and trace elements geochemistry of whole-rock samples from the Fe-mineralized and barren dioritic intrusions in the Laiwu district. Table S2: Sr-Nd isotopic compositions of whole-rock samples from the Fe-mineralized and barren plutons in the Laiwu district. Table S3: Major and trace element compositions of amphibole from the Fe-mineralized and barren plutons in the Laiwu district. Table S4: U-Pb age data and trace elements of zircon from the Fe-mineralized and barren plutons in the Laiwu district. Table S5: Major and trace elements of apatite from the Fe-mineralized and barren plutons in the Laiwu district. Figure S1: Hand specimens of diorites were collected from the Kuangshan (A), Jiaoyu (B), Jinniushan (C), and Tietonggou plutons (D). Figure S2: CL images of representative zircons from the Kuangshan (A), Jiaoyu (B), Jinniushan (C), and Tietonggou diorite (D). Scale bar is 100 μm. Figure S3: U-Pb Concordia diagrams of zircons from the Kuangshan (A), Jiaoyu (B), Jinniushan (C), and Tietonggou plutons (D). The insets in each diagram are the weighted mean 206Pb/238U age. Figure S4: Selected oxide element Harker’s plots for the Fe-mineralized and barren plutons 20 in the Laiwu district.  
Rhinocladiella mackenzieicerebral phaeohyphomycosis with a definitive outcome
Authors: Aldraihem Moneera , Aldosary Oweida , Almasaud Weam Khalefah , Alqurashi Rewaa Nasser , Abu-Amara Abdulrahman B
Published: May 2023

A right-handed man in his early 60s with hypertension controlled by a single prescription medication presented with left-sided heaviness and intermittent right occipital headache. Initial diagnostic workup was unremarkable. CT revealed an enhancing lesion located in the right parietal lobe, with mild mass effect on the right occipital horn, indicative of a brain abscess. The patient was initially treated with a course of empirical antibiotics, including ceftriaxone, vancomycin, metronidazole and dexamethasone. The neurosurgery team aspirated the abscess the following day and extracted yellow pus that was sampled for bacterial and fungal cultures. These cultures returned positive forRhinocladiella mackenziei, prompting a discontinuation of the empirical antibiotics and initiation of intravenous liposomal amphotericin B for 4 weeks. Intravenous posaconazole was added to the patient’s existing therapy regimen, which was substituted with oral isavuconazole on discharge. The patient continues to take isavuconazole, and follow-up imaging has demonstrated regression of the abscess.