bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A double-layer Huygens’ metasurface with complete phase coverage and its dual-polarized meta-lens antenna application
Authors: Zhou Jianhe , Xiong Yingxiang , Peng Qichang , Bin Zhiyan , Xue Chunhua
Published: September 2023

A novel double-layer Huygens’ unit with dual-polarized response and complete phase coverage has been proposed for highly efficient meta-lens antenna application. The designed unit is a symmetric structure in which the double-layer metallic patterns not only act as the electric dipoles but also induce the magnetic dipoles. The balance between the initial electric dipole and the induced magnetic dipole makes the impedance of the metasurface match with that of free space, thus allowing efficient transmission of electromagnetic waves. Moreover, full transmission phase shift and near-unit transmission amplitude can be achieved simultaneously by change the structural parameters of the unit. Utilizing such electromagnetic properties, a dual-polarized meta-lens consisting of 35 × 35 units with size of 161 × 161 mm2 is designed, fabricated and measured. The results exhibit its good radiation performance. The maximum gain at a frequency of 28 GHz reaches 30.8 dBi, with an aperture efficiency of 42.3%. The 3-dB gain bandwidth reaches 12.5%, covering the frequency range of 26.7–30.2 GHz. The simple structure of the designed dual-polarized metasurface, high gain and high antenna efficiency make it an important antenna engineering role.
Xylem K+ loading modulates K+ and Cs+ absorption and distribution in Arabidopsis under K+-limited conditions
Authors: Kanno Satomi , Martin Ludovic , Vallier Natacha , Chiarenza Serge , Nobori Tatsuya , Furukawa Jun , Nussaume Laurent , Vavasseur Alain , Leonhardt Nathalie
Published: September 2023

Potassium (K+) is an essential macronutrient for plant growth. The transcriptional regulation of K+ transporter genes is one of the key mechanisms by which plants respond to K+ deficiency. Among the HAK/KUP/KT transporter family, HAK5, a high-affinity K+ transporter, is essential for root K+ uptake under low external K+ conditions. HAK5 expression in the root is highly induced by low external K+ concentration. While the molecular mechanisms of HAK5 regulation have been extensively studied, it remains unclear how plants sense and coordinates K+ uptake and translocation in response to changing environmental conditions. Using skor mutants, which have a defect in root-to-shoot K+ translocation, we have been able to determine how the internal K+ status affects the expression of HAK5. In skor mutant roots, under K+ deficiency, HAK5 expression was lower than in wild-type although the K+ concentration in roots was not significantly different. These results reveal that HAK5 is not only regulated by external K+ conditions but it is also regulated by internal K+ levels, which is in agreement with recent findings. Additionally, HAK5 plays a major role in the uptake of Cs+ in roots. Therefore, studying Cs+ in roots and having more detailed information about its uptake and translocation in the plant would be valuable. Radioactive tracing experiments revealed not only a reduction in the uptake of 137Cs+ and 42K+in skor mutants compared to wild-type but also a different distribution of 137Cs+ and 42K+ in tissues. In order to gain insight into the translocation, accumulation, and repartitioning of both K+ and Cs+ in plants, long-term treatment and split root experiments were conducted with the stable isotopes 133Cs+ and 85Rb+. Finally, our findings show that the K+ distribution in plant tissues regulates root uptake of K+ and Cs+ similarly, depending on HAK5; however, the translocation and accumulation of the two elements are different.
Comparison of two Phaeodactylum tricornutum ecotypes under nitrogen starvation and resupply reveals distinct lipid accumulation strategies but a common degradation process
Authors: Murison Victor , Hérault Josiane , Côme Martine , Guinio Sabrina , Lebon Alexis , Chamot Christophe , Bénard Magalie , Galas Ludovic , Schoefs Benoît , Marchand Justine , Bardor Muriel , Ulmann Lionel
Published: September 2023

Introduction

Phaeodactylum tricornutum is a model species frequently used to study lipid metabolism in diatoms. When exposed to a nutrient limitation or starvation, diatoms are known to accumulate neutral lipids in cytoplasmic lipid droplets (LDs). Those lipids are produced partly de novo and partly from the recycle of plastid membrane lipids. Under a nitrogen resupply, the accumulated lipids are catabolized, a phenomenon about which only a few data are available. Various strains of P. tricornutum have been isolated around the world that may differ in lipid accumulation patterns.

Methods

To get further information on this topic, two genetically distant ecotypes of P. tricornutum (Pt1 and Pt4) have been cultivated under nitrogen deprivation during 11 days followed by a resupply period of 3 days. The importance of cytoplasmic LDs relative to the plastid was assessed by a combination of confocal laser scanning microscopy and cell volume estimation using bright field microscopy pictures.

Results and discussion

We observed that in addition to a basal population of small LDs (0.005 μm3 to 0.7 μm3) present in both strains all along the experiment, Pt4 cells immediately produced two large LDs (up to 12 μm3 after 11 days) while Pt1 cells progressively produced a higher number of smaller LDs (up to 7 μm3 after 11 days). In this work we showed that, in addition to intracellular available space, lipid accumulation may be limited by the pre-starvation size of the plastid as a source of membrane lipids to be recycled. After resupplying nitrogen and for both ecotypes, a fragmentation of the largest LDs was observed as well as a possible migration of LDs to the vacuoles that would suggest an autophagic degradation. Altogether, our results deepen the understanding of LDs dynamics and open research avenues for a better knowledge of lipid degradation in diatoms.
What does it mean to follow? A critique of the followership literature and a conceptual model of the emergence of downward following
Authors: Bastardoz Nicolas , Adriaensen Sofie
Published: September 2023

What does it mean to follow? In this paper, we systematically review the followership literature for the period 2017–2021. Our review shows that the followership literature suffers from three major issues that limit its validity. The followership field is dominated by a role-based approach equating direct reports with followers; empirical studies fail to study actual following behaviors, and there are no studies of downward following, which we define as any behavior or effort aimed at achieving a shared goal, carried out by an individual in a position of formal power who is influenced by one or more individuals in a position of inferior authority. Our manuscript builds on the process approach to study what it means to follow. We argue that the followership field needs to study actual followership behaviors at the micro “interaction episodes” and rely on quantitative behavioral coding. We then propose a conceptual, multi-level model that details antecedents and boundary conditions of the emergence of downward following. We conclude by discussing the organizational implications of our approach and model.
The subject-environment interplay between runners from different Brazilian macro-regions
Authors: Thuany Mabliny , Bandeira Paulo Felipe Ribeiro , Vieira Douglas , Weiss Katja , Knechtle Beat , Gomes Thayse Natacha
Published: September 2023

Purpose

Our purpose was to investigate the interplay between runners and their environment using a network approach.

Methods

This cross-sectional study sampled Brazilian runners of both sexes, from the five macro-regions of the country. An electronic questionnaire was used to obtain information regarding age, sex, training volume, socio-economic level, place of residence, and running pace. Environmental indicators (public illumination, pavement, sidewalk, and green areas) were collected from available public information. Descriptive statistics were presented in mean (SD), and frequency (%). A network analysis was performed to evaluate the association between individual and environmental characteristics. Statistical analyses were performed in the JASP, considering p < 0.05.

Results

At North and Mid-West regions, public illumination presents the highest values for the expected influence (1.74 and 1.56), while in Northeast and Southeast, sidewalks present the highest values (2.13; 0.91). For betweenness centrality, in North, Northeast, and Mid-West regions, residency in the capital of a state presented a hub. In contrast, pavement, and training volume present higher values in the South and Southeast. Network topologies are different.

Conclusion

Public illumination (North and Mid-West) and sidewalk (Northeast, Southeast) were the most important variables for runners. Continental size countries need specific approaches to improve physical activity levels and health outcomes that consider the cultural, historical, and environmental background.
The association between working memory, teacher-student relationship, and academic performance in primary school children
Authors: Sankalaite Simona , Huizinga Mariëtte , Warreyn Petra , Dewandeleer Jolien , Baeyens Dieter
Published: September 2023

Introduction

Early relationships with teachers play an important role in children’s development and significantly influence students’ cognitive and academic performance. Studies suggest that working memory (WM) is a strong predictor of academic achievement, especially of reading and arithmetic outcomes. The associations between teacher-student relationship (TSR) quality, children’s WM skills and their academic performance have been reported in numerous observational studies. However, the potentially bidirectional and temporal nature of the relationships between these constructs is understudied.

Methods

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships between primary school children’s WM and TSR by applying a cross-lagged design and measuring these constructs at three time points throughout the academic year. More exploratively, this study investigated how WM and TSR bidirectionally relate to children’s academic performance.

Results

The findings of this study revealed a temporal relationship between WM and TSR: between WM-related problems in the classroom at baseline and conflict at 3-month follow-up, and between closeness at 3-month follow-up and WM-related problems in the classroom at 5-month follow-up. Moreover, the findings showed a bidirectional relationship between arithmetic performance and WM-related problematic behaviour.

Discussion

This study highlights that relationships between the teacher and students play an important role in supporting students’ cognitive and academic development. Importantly, this study suggests that children with WM problems may benefit from interventions that focus on improving their relationships with teachers. Additionally, the findings propose that interventions targeting WM may also have positive effects on children’s academic performance.
Effect of coercive measures on treatment outcome in involuntarily admitted patients in Amsterdam
Authors: van der Post L. F. M. , Nusselder K. J. , Peen J. , Nabitz U. , Dekker J. M.
Published: September 2023

Objective

The prevalence of involuntary admissions rose the last forty years in European countries, including the Netherlands. Involuntary admissions result in seclusion, physical restraint and forced medication in approximately 40% of patients. We looked at whether treatment outcomes differ in patients with and without coercive measures.

Methods

Using The Health of the Nation Outcome Scales (HoNOS) to measure treatment outcomes, we studied the files of 786 patients admitted involuntarily to an Amsterdam clinic. We applied Generalised Linear Models to determine whether the use, or not, of coercive measures during treatment was associated with a difference in outcomes.

Results

19% of the cohort were secluded in a High Security Room (HSR); 24% were secluded in their own room and/or received forced medication. After adjustment for the influence of diagnosis, disorder severity (initial HoNOS score) and treatment duration, the HSR group had, on average, a HoNOS difference score that was 2.4 points lower than patients without coercive measures (CI −4.0 to −0.8.; p 0.003). In the seclusion in own room group, this score was 2.6 points lower (CI −4.0 to −1.1; p 0.001), corresponding to an effect size of 0.35 and 0.40, respectively.

Conclusion

Seclusion, whether or not in combination with forced medication, was applied to two-fifths of patients. The HoNOS scores of the group without coercion improved by nearly two and a half points more on average than those of the two groups with coercion. A causal relationship between coercion and treatment outcome could neither be confirmed nor excluded on the basis of our results.
Caring load and family caregivers’ burden in China: the mediating effects of social support and social exclusion
Authors: Hu Hongwei , Hu Xinyi , Xu Yang
Published: September 2023

Objective

Caring for older adults with disabilities is a source of stress for family caregivers, and the lack of social support and the pressure of social exclusion might aggravate family caregiver burden. This study aimed to examine the association between caring load and family caregivers’ burden, as well as the mediating effects of social support and social exclusion.

Methods

Data used in this study was derived from the nationally representative database of the aged population in China, and 3,125 households with disabled old adults and their home-bound caregivers were eventually selected for this analysis. Regression methods and mediation analysis methods were employed in this study.

Results

The results indicated that there was a significant positive association between caring load and the caregiver burden, and specifically, social support intensity (rather than social support breadth) and passive social exclusion (rather than active social exclusion) played partial mediating effects. Furthermore, the contributions of mediating effects of social support intensity and passive social exclusion were 13–15 and 27–29%, respectively, and the total contribution of mediating effects was about 35–38%.

Conclusion

Family caregivers’ burden should be paid more attention to in the large population with rapidly aging speed like China, and more guidance services as well as support should be provided to family caregivers. In addition, it is crucial to focus on the community’s social support and social exclusion in public policy innovation.
A GIS-based approach to identifying communities underserved by primary health care services—An Afghanistan case study
Authors: Mohammed Ramesh Nassery , Khawari Abdullah , Shaguy Jerome Aondona , Abouzied Alaa
Published: September 2023

Afghanistan has been in an active state of conflict and war for twenty continuous years. Social services like health and education have been badly affected, facing issues such as service disruption, brain drain, and generalized instability. Health indices that provide proxy indicators for general population wellness, such as maternal health, child mortality, and immunization coverage, show that the health services available to the Afghan population are sub-optimal. Investment in social service and interventions has increased. The World Bank and the United Nations through its agencies (The World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations' Children's Fund (UNICEF) are providing social support through targeted and strategic programs. However, the topographic and environmental realities of Afghanistan, with its broad mountain coverage, propensity toward natural disasters, and latent conflict, has made data and information gathering arduous. Since data is essential for measurement and management, the WHO Health Emergencies (WHE) information management unit at WHO Afghanistan has delivered an innovative form of data analysis, specialized and targeted at providing improved information on communities that are not adequately covered by health services. Deploying a geographical information system (GIS) approach, the WHE team has collated primary and secondary data from a combination of datasets to produce a far-reaching piece of analysis. The analysis of underserved communities in hard to reach, remote locations, provides a live, evidence-based information product. This provides a working tool that is essential to primary health programming and intervention in Afghanistan. The estimates show that approximately 9.5 million individuals in 22,181 villages across 34 provinces are underserved by primary health services. This paper is presented to explain the underpinning methodology.
Prolonged grief during and beyond the pandemic: factors associated with levels of grief in a four time-point longitudinal survey of people bereaved in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Harrop Emily , Medeiros Mirra Renata , Goss Silvia , Longo Mirella , Byrne Anthony , Farnell Damian J. J. , Seddon Kathy , Penny Alison , Machin Linda , Sivell Stephanie , Selman Lucy E.
Published: September 2023

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has been a devastating and enduring mass-bereavement event, with uniquely difficult sets of circumstances experienced by people bereaved at this time. However, little is known about the long-term consequences of these experiences, including the prevalence of Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD) and other conditions in pandemic-bereaved populations.

Methods

A longitudinal survey of people bereaved in the UK between 16 March 2020 and 2 January 2021, with data collected at baseline (n = 711), c. 8 (n = 383), 13 (n = 295), and 25 (n = 185) months post-bereavement. Using measures of Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD) (Traumatic Grief Inventory), grief vulnerability (Adult Attitude to Grief Scale), and social support (Inventory of Social Support), this analysis examines how participant characteristics, characteristics of the deceased and pandemic-related circumstances (e.g., restricted visiting, social isolation, social support) are associated with grief outcomes, with a focus on symptoms of PGD.

Results

At baseline, 628 (88.6%) of participants were female, with a mean age of 49.5 (SD 12.9). 311 (43.8%) deaths were from confirmed/suspected COVID-19. Sample demographics were relatively stable across time points. 34.6% of participants met the cut-off for indicated PGD at c. 13 months bereaved and 28.6% at final follow-up. Social isolation and loneliness in early bereavement and lack of social support over time strongly contributed to higher levels of prolonged grief symptoms, while feeling well supported by healthcare professionals following the death was associated with reduced levels of prolonged grief symptoms. Characteristics of the deceased most strongly associated with lower levels of prolonged grief symptoms, were a more distant relationship (e.g., death of a grandparent), an expected death and death occurring in a care-home. Participant characteristics associated with higher levels of prolonged grief symptoms included low level of formal education and existence of medical conditions.

Conclusion

Results suggest higher than expected levels of PGD compared with pre-pandemic times, with important implications for bereavement policy, provision and practice now (e.g., strengthening of social and specialist support) and in preparedness for future pandemics and mass-bereavement events (e.g., guidance on infection control measures and rapid support responses).
The impact of the synergistic effect of SO2 and PM2.5/PM10 on obstructive lung disease in subtropical Taiwan
Authors: Chen Te-Yu , Chen Szu-Chia , Wang Chih-Wen , Tu Hung-Pin , Chen Pei-Shih , Hu Stephen Chu-Sung , Li Chiu-Hui , Wu Da-Wei , Hung Chih-Hsing , Kuo Chao-Hung
Published: September 2023

Background

Chronic Obstructive lung diseases (COPD) are complex conditions influenced by various environmental, lifestyle, and genetic factors. Ambient air pollution has been identified as a potential risk factor, causing 4.2 million deaths worldwide in 2016, accounting for 25% of all COPD-related deaths and 26% of all respiratory infection-related deaths. This study aims to evaluate the associations among chronic lung diseases, air pollution, and meteorological factors.

Methods

This cross-sectional study obtained data from the Taiwan Biobank and Taiwan Air Quality Monitoring Database. We defined obstructive lung disease as patients with FEV1/FVC < 70%. Descriptive analysis between spirometry groups was performed using one-way ANOVA and the chi-square or Fisher’s exact test. A generalized additive model (GAM) was used to evaluate the relationship between SO2 and PM2.5/PM10 through equations and splines fitting.

Results

A total of 2,635 participants were enrolled. Regarding environmental factors, higher temperature, higher relative humidity, and lower rainfall were risk factors for obstructive lung disease. SO2 was positively correlated with PM10 and PM2.5, with correlation coefficients of 0.53 (p < 0.0001) and 0.52 (p < 0.0001), respectively. Additionally, SO2 modified the relative risk of obstructive impairment for both PM10 [β coefficient (β) = 0.01, p = 0.0052] and PM2.5 (β = 0.01, p = 0.0155). Further analysis per standard deviation (per SD) increase revealed that SO2 also modified the relationship for both PM10 (β = 0.11, p = 0.0052) and PM2.5 (β = 0.09, p = 0.0155). Our GAM analysis showed a quadratic pattern for SO2 (per SD) and PM10 (per SD) in model 1, and a quadratic pattern for SO2 (per SD) in model 2. Moreover, our findings confirmed synergistic effects among temperature, SO2 and PM2.5/PM10, as demonstrated by the significant associations of bivariate (SO2 vs. PM10, SO2 vs. PM2.5) thin-plate smoothing splines in models 1 and 2 with obstructive impairment (p < 0.0001).

Conclusion

Our study showed high temperature, humidity, and low rainfall increased the risk of obstructive lung disease. Synergistic effects were observed among temperature, SO2, and PM2.5/PM10. The impact of air pollutants on obstructive lung disease should consider these interactions.
Nomophobia in university students during COVID-19 outbreak: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Navas-Echazarreta Noelia , Juárez-Vela Raúl , Subirón-Valera Ana Belén , Rodríguez-Roca Beatriz , Antón-Solanas Isabel , Fernández-Rodrigo María Teresa , de Viñaspre-Hernandez Regina Ruiz , Sabater Antonio Martínez , Echániz-Serrano Emmanuel , Saus-Ortega Carles , Santolalla-Arnedo Iván , Satústegui-Dordá Pedro José
Published: September 2023

Introduction

Currently, access to the Internet through smartphones has led to their functions going beyond purely communicative ones, allowing the management of massive, instantaneous, and easily accessible information. This research analyzed the differences in smartphone use and the prevalence of nomophobia, mainly according to gender and university degree of Health Sciences students at the University of Zaragoza during the COVID-19 confinement in Spain.

Methods

A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out on a sample of 318 first and second-grade students, who completed an online questionnaire sent to their institutional email, which included sociodemographic questions, other questions about smartphone use, and the Nomophobia Questionnaire (NMP-Q) scale.

Results

Compared to men (n = 58), women (n = 260) were more likely to use their smartphones more intensively daily, as were occupational therapy students compared to the other degree programs studied. The prevalence of nomophobia was moderate, being around the risk of suffering from it. No significant differences in scores for nomophobia among students were found according to gender, university degree, or population nucleus for the nomophobia scores of the students.

Discussion

The present study extends the existing literature on nomophobia by providing results of interest in terms of gender and the exceptional healthcare context of COVID-19. The results suggest that despite intense daily smartphone use young people did not reach severe nomophobia figures. This fact underlines the need for appropriate and healthy technology education. Understanding the characteristics of the populations that use the smartphone the most may help to analyze nomophobia rates and the massive use of the device.
Menstrual tampons and vaginal pessaries: regulation of intravaginal medical devices by the US FDA
Authors: Pollard Colin M.
Published: September 2023

Catamenial products like menstrual tampons for managing menses and vaginal pessaries for managing urinary incontinence and uterine prolapse are products that can be inserted and removed from the vagina repeatedly over a woman's lifetime. In the United States (US), these products are considered to be medical devices and are regulated by the Center for Devices & Radiological Health (CDRH) of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). As such, they are subject to both premarket and postmarket regulatory controls. Both tampons and pessaries have a long history of safe and effective use, and FDA applies a risk-based approach to both premarket entry as well as continued postmarket regulatory controls. Practicing clinicians are often the initial source of ideas for medical device improvements. This article is intended to help such clinicians to understand the regulatory challenges faced by development teams who seek to introduce these kinds of products to the US market. It explains FDA's risk-based classification of medical devices and the 510(k) premarket notification as the primary regulatory mechanism for market entry. It also highlights key FDA guidance documents and encourages early engagement with FDA when appropriate.
A history of asthma may be associated with grandparents’ exposures to stress and cigarette smoking
Authors: Golding Jean , Tunstall Holly , Gregory Steve , Granell Raquel , Dodd James W. , Iles-Caven Yasmin , Watkins Sarah , Suderman Matthew
Published: September 2023

Introduction: Within human epidemiological studies, associations have been demonstrated between grandparental exposures during childhood and grandchildren’s outcomes. A few studies have assessed whether asthma has ancestral associations with exposure to cigarette smoking, but results have been mixed so far.

Material and methods: In this study we used four generations: (F0 great-grandparents, F1 grandparents, F2 parents, F3 study children) of the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) to determine whether there is evidence of associations between asthma in generations F2 or F3 and exposures to severe trauma in childhood and/or active cigarette smoking during the adolescence of grandmothers and grandfathers in generations F0 and F1 respectively, or of a history of a F0 or F1 grandmother smoking during pregnancy.

Results: We have shown that: a) stress exemplified by the death of a F1 grandparent’s parent during the grandparents’ childhood was associated with increased risk of asthma in generation F3, especially if the grandparent involved was the paternal grandmother; b) if the grandparents of generations F0 or F1 smoked during adolescence (i.e. < 17 years), their grandchildren in generations F2 and F3 were more likely to have a history of asthma; c) paternal F1 grandmother’s smoking in pregnancy was associated with her F3 grandchild’s asthma at age 7; d) There were differences between the results for the grandsons and granddaughters of the paternal grandmother with exposure to smoking in adolescence and with smoking in pregnancy. e) The addition of all of the individual exposure variables to the different analyses often provided a considerable increase in goodness of fit compared with only adding demographic factors associated with asthma at P < 0.10 such as social class; this was particularly true when all four exposure variables were combined in one model, suggesting possible synergistic effects between them.

Discussion: We have shown associations between all four types of exposure to the grandparents to be associated with asthma in the grandchildren, such that the results both depended on whether the male or female line was involved, and the sex of the grandchildren. It was notable that the paternal grandmother was particularly involved in many of the associations. We emphasize that these are exploratory analyses, that asthma diagnostic criteria likely changed over time and may not be consistent between generations, and that the results should be tested in other cohorts.
Structural characterization and adjuvant action of Paulownia tomentosa flower polysaccharide on the immune responses to classical swine fever vaccine in mice
Authors: Chen Xiaolan , Yu Yaming , Zheng Yi , Jia Jiping , Jin Junjie , Sun Hongxiang , Jiang Chunmao , Yang Haifeng
Published: September 2023

Paulownia tomentosa flower polysaccharide (PTFP) from dried cultured P. tomentosa flowers, is widely known for its immunomodulatory activities. Here, PTFP was extracted from Paulownia tomentosa flower using hot water extraction, followed by ethanol precipitation methods. Structural characterization of PTFP was revealed by scanning electron microscope, high-performance anion-exchange chromatography, gel chromatography, ultraviolet and infrared spectral. Meanwhile, adjuvant action of PTFT on the immune responses to classical swine fever vaccine in mice was evaluated to further proclaim the immune regulatory effect of PTFP. The results showed that PTFP was a type of heteropolysaccharide with a dense, rough surface and high molecular weight (667.02 kDa), mainly composed of glucose (30.93%), rhamnose (29.99%), galactose (15.66%), arabinose (6.95%), mannose (5.52%), and xylose (4.80%). The results of gel chromatography suggested that the molecular configuration of PTFP may be a spherical structure. The infrared spectrum results confirmed that the functional groups and chemical bond of PTFP contained -OH, O-H, C-H, C=O, C-O, etc. Moreover, PTFP exhibited obvious immune enhancement effect by improving concanavalin A (ConA), lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and CSFV E2-stimulated splenocyte growth and natural killer cell activity in CSFV-immunized mice. Similarly, the titers of CSFV E2-specific IgG, IgG1, IgG2a, and IgG2b antibodies and IFN-γ and IL-10 levels in CSFV-immunized mice were distinctly increased by PTFP treatment. Overall, PTFP was a macromolecular heteropolysaccharide primarily containing glucose and rhamnose, and possessed the auxiliary effect of immune enhancement on the immune responses to classical swine fever vaccine.
A unique case of AH-dominant type nodular pulmonary amyloidosis presenting as a spontaneous pneumothorax: a case report and review of the literature
Authors: Skopelidou Valeria , Hurník Pavel , Tulinský Lubomír , Židlík Vladimir , Lenz Jiří , Delongová Patricie , Hornychová Helena , Flodr Patrik , Jelínek Tomáš , Muroňová Ludmila , Holub Dušan , Džubák Petr , Hajdúch Marián
Published: September 2023

Amyloidosis is a rare metabolic disorder primarily brought on by misfolding of an autologous protein, which causes its local or systemic deposition in an aberrant fibrillar form. It is quite rare for pulmonary tissue to be impacted by amyloidosis; of the three forms it can take when involving pulmonary tissue, nodular pulmonary amyloidosis is the most uncommon. Nodular pulmonary amyloidosis rarely induces clinical symptoms, and most often, it is discovered accidentally during an autopsy or via imaging techniques. Only one case of nodular pulmonary amyloidosis, which manifested as a spontaneous pneumothorax, was found in the literature. In terms of more precise subtyping, nodular amyloidosis is typically AL or mixed AL/AH type. No publications on AH-dominant type of nodular amyloidosis were found in the literature. We present a case of an 81 years-old male with nodular pulmonary AH-dominant type amyloidosis who presented with spontaneous pneumothorax. For a deeper understanding of the subject, this study also provides a review of the literature on cases with nodular pulmonary amyloidosis in relation to precise amyloid fibril subtyping. Since it is often a difficult process, accurate amyloid type identification is rarely accomplished. However, this information is very helpful for identifying the underlying disease process (if any) and outlining the subsequent diagnostic and treatment steps. Even so, it is crucial to be aware of this unit and make sure it is taken into consideration when making a differential diagnosis of pulmonary lesions.
Quantum Mechanics Is Compatible with Counterfactual Definiteness
Authors: Kujala Janne V. , Dzhafarov Ehtibar N.
Published: September 2023

Counterfactual definiteness (CFD) means that if some property is measured in some context, then the outcome of the measurement would have been the same had this property been measured in a different context. A context includes all other measurements made together with the one in question, and the spatiotemporal relations among them. The proviso for CFD is non-disturbance: any physical influence of the contexts on the property being measured is excluded by the laws of nature, so that no one measuring this property has a way of ascertaining its context. It is usually claimed that in quantum mechanics CFD does not hold, because if one assigns the same value to a property in all contexts it is measured in, one runs into a logical contradiction, or at least contravenes quantum theory and experimental evidence. We show that this claim is not substantiated if one takes into account that only one of the possible contexts can be a factual context, all other contexts being counterfactual. With this in mind, any system of random variables can be viewed as satisfying CFD. The concept of CFD is closely related to but distinct from that of noncontextuality, and it is the latter property that may or may not hold for a system, in particular being contravened by some quantum systems.
Experimental Comparison of Robust Control Algorithms for Torque Ripple Reduction in Multiphase Induction Generators
Authors: Bouyahia Omar , Yazidi Amine , Betin Franck
Published: September 2023

This paper introduces robust nonlinear controller strategies for multiphase induction machines, aiming to enhance operational reliability under healthy and faulty conditions, including stator phase and converter leg openings. Due to the induction machine’s inherent nonlinearities and parameter variations, a robust control is required. The study evaluates the effectiveness of the sliding mode control with linear feedback and switched gains, the fuzzy proportional integral control, and their combined application in both healthy and faulty modes. The experimental assessment involves a symmetrical six-phase induction machine in generation mode, with comparisons with a classic proportional integral controller for inner current loop regulations. Experimental results show that the fuzzy proportional integral controller presents the best performance by minimizing torque ripples during both healthy and faulty operations.
A Review of Biomass Thermal Analysis, Kinetics and Product Distribution for Combustion Modeling: From the Micro to Macro Perspective
Authors: Silva João , Teixeira Senhorinha , Teixeira José
Published: September 2023

Driven by its accessibility, extensive availability, and growing environmental consciousness, solid biomass has emerged as a viable alternative to enhance the diversity of renewable energy sources for electricity generation. To understand the phenomena involved in solid biomass conversion, it is necessary not only to understand the stages of the biomass combustion process but also to understand specifically the kinetics of the reaction and the release of the volatiles. The present work presents an overview of the existing literature on several topics related to the biomass combustion process, its characterization, as well as strategies to develop simple and effective models to describe biomass conversion with a view to the future development of numerical simulation models. Since the focus of most of the investigations is the development of a numerical model, a summary and identification of the different model assumptions and problems involved in thermal analysis experiments are presented. This literature review establishes the significance and credibility of the research, providing the main concepts and assumptions with a critique on their validity. Hence, this work provides specific contributions from a multi-scale perspective which can further be extended to provide insights into the design and optimization of biomass combustion technologies, such as boilers and furnaces.
Advances in Hydrogen-Powered Trains: A Brief Report
Authors: Nqodi Andile , Mosetlhe Thapelo C. , Yusuff Adedayo A.
Published: September 2023

The majority of rail vehicles worldwide use diesel as a primary fuel source. Diesel engine carbon emissions harm the environment and human health. Although railway electrification can reduce emissions, it is not always the most economical option, especially on routes with low vehicle demand. As a result, interest in hydrogen-powered trains as a way to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions has steadily grown in recent years. In this paper, we discuss advancements made in hydrogen-powered freight and commuter trains, as well as the technology used in some aspects of hydrogen-powered vehicles. It was observed that hydrogen-powered trains are already in use in Europe and Asia, unlike most developing countries in Africa. Commuter trains have received most of the research and development (R&D) attention, but interest in hydrogen-powered freight trains has recently picked up momentum. Despite the availability and use of gray and blue hydrogen, green hydrogen is still the preferred fuel for decarbonizing the rail transport sector.
Calculation Method for Traffic Load-Induced Permanent Deformation in Soils under Flexible Pavements
Authors: Vamos Mate Janos , Szendefy Janos
Published: September 2023

Rutting is one of the most common types of distress in flexible pavement structures. There are two fundamental methods of designing pavement structures: conventional empirical methods and analytical approaches. Many analytical and empirical design procedures assume that rutting is mostly of asphalt origin and can be reduced by limiting the vertical deformation or stress at the top of the subgrade, but they do not quantify the rutting depth itself. Mechanistic–empirical models to predict the permanent deformations of unbound pavement layers have been well investigated and are rather common in North America; however, they are not widely utilized in the rest of the world. To date, there is no generally accepted, widely recognized, and documented procedure for calculating permanent deformations and thus for determining the rutting depth in flexible pavement courses originating from the unbound granular layers. This paper presents a layered calculation method with which the deformation of soil layers (base, subbase, and subgrade courses) under flexible pavements due to repeated traffic load can be determined. In the first step, the cyclic strain amplitude is calculated using a nonlinear material model that is based on particle size distribution parameters (d50 and CU) and dependent on the mean normal stress, relative density, and actual strain level. In the second step, the HCA (High Cycle Accumulation) model is used to calculate the residual settlement of each sublayer as a function of the number of cycles. It is shown that the developed model is suitable for describing different types of subgrades and pavement cross-sections. It is also demonstrated with finite element calculations that the developed model describes both the elastic and plastic strains sufficiently accurately. The developed model can predict the settlement and rutting of pavement structures with sufficient accuracy based on easily available particle size distribution parameters without the need for complex laboratory and finite element tests.
Small Organic Compounds Mimicking the Effector Domain of Myristoylated Alanine-Rich C-Kinase Substrate Stimulate Female-Specific Neurite Outgrowth
Authors: Tschang Monica , Kumar Suneel , Young Wise , Schachner Melitta , Theis Thomas
Published: September 2023

Myristoylated alanine-rich C-kinase substrate (MARCKS) is a critical member of a signaling cascade that influences disease-relevant neural functions such as neural growth and plasticity. The effector domain (ED) of MARCKS interacts with the extracellular glycan polysialic acid (PSA) through the cell membrane to stimulate neurite outgrowth in cell culture. We have shown that a synthetic ED peptide improves functional recovery after spinal cord injury in female but not male mice. However, peptides themselves are unstable in therapeutic applications, so we investigated more pharmacologically relevant small organic compounds that mimic the ED peptide to maximize therapeutic potential. Using competition ELISAs, we screened small organic compound libraries to identify molecules that structurally and functionally mimic the ED peptide of MARCKS. Since we had shown sex-specific effects of MARCKS on spinal cord injury recovery, we assayed neuronal viability as well as neurite outgrowth from cultured cerebellar granule cells of female and male mice separately. We found that epigallocatechin, amiodarone, sertraline, tegaserod, and nonyloxytryptamine bind to a monoclonal antibody against the ED peptide, and compounds stimulate neurite outgrowth in cultured cerebellar granule cells of female mice only. Therefore, a search for compounds that act in males appears warranted.
PLK1 Regulates MicroRNA Biogenesis through Drosha Phosphorylation
Authors: Fletcher Claire Emily , Taylor Molly Ann , Bevan Charlotte Lynne
Published: September 2023

Polo-Like Kinase 1 (PLK1), a key mediator of cell-cycle progression, is associated with poor prognosis and is a therapeutic target in a number of malignancies. Putative phosphorylation sites for PLK1 have been identified on Drosha, the main catalytic component of the microprocessor responsible for miR biogenesis. Several kinases, including GSK3β, p70 S6 kinase, ABL, PAK5, p38 MAPK, CSNK1A1 and ANKRD52-PPP6C, have been shown to phosphorylate components of the miR biogenesis machinery, altering their activity and/or localisation, and therefore the biogenesis of distinct miR subsets. We hypothesised that PLK1 regulates miR biogenesis through Drosha phosphorylation. In vitro kinase assays confirmed PLK1 phosphorylation of Drosha at S300 and/or S302. PLK1 inhibition reduced serine-phosphorylated levels of Drosha and its RNA-dependent association with DGCR8. In contrast, a “phospho-mimic” Drosha mutant showed increased association with DGCR8. PLK1 phosphorylation of Drosha alters Drosha Microprocessor complex subcellular localisation, since PLK1 inhibition increased cytosolic protein levels of both DGCR8 and Drosha, whilst nuclear levels were decreased. Importantly, the above effects are independent of PLK1’s cell cycle-regulatory role, since altered Drosha:DGCR8 localisation upon PLK1 inhibition occurred prior to significant accumulation of cells in M-phase, and PLK1-regulated miRs were not increased in M-phase-arrested cells. Small RNA sequencing and qPCR validation were used to assess downstream consequences of PLK1 activity on miR biogenesis, identifying a set of ten miRs (miR-1248, miR-1306-5p, miR-2277-5p, miR-29c-5p, miR-93-3p, miR-152-3p, miR-509-3-5p, miR-511-5p, miR-891a-5p and miR-892a) whose expression levels were statistically significantly downregulated by two pharmacological PLK1 kinase domain inhibitors, RO-5203280 and GSK461364. Opposingly, increased levels of these miRs were observed upon transfection of wild-type or constitutively active PLK1. Importantly, pre-miR levels were reduced upon PLK1 inhibition, and pri-miR levels decreased upon PLK1 activation, and hence, PLK1 Drosha phosphorylation regulates MiR biogenesis at the level of pri-miR-to-pre-miR processing. In combination with prior studies, this work identifies Drosha S300 and S302 as major integration points for signalling by several kinases, whose relative activities will determine the relative biogenesis efficiency of different miR subsets. Identified kinase-regulated miRs have potential for use as kinase inhibitor response-predictive biomarkers, in cancer and other diseases.
Novel Material Optimization Strategies for Developing Upgraded Abdominal Meshes
Authors: Najm Alfred , Niculescu Adelina-Gabriela , Rădulescu Marius , Gaspar Bogdan Severus , Grumezescu Alexandru Mihai , Beuran Mircea
Published: September 2023

Over 20 million hernias are operated on globally per year, with most interventions requiring mesh reinforcement. A wide range of such medical devices are currently available on the market, most fabricated from synthetic polymers. Yet, searching for an ideal mesh is an ongoing process, with continuous efforts directed toward developing upgraded implants by modifying existing products or creating innovative systems from scratch. In this regard, this review presents the most frequently employed polymers for mesh fabrication, outlining the market available products and their relevant characteristics, further focusing on the state-of-the-art mesh approaches. Specifically, we mainly discuss recent studies concerning coating application, nanomaterials addition, stem cell seeding, and 3D printing of custom mesh designs.
Stereomeric Lipopeptides from a Single Non-Ribosomal Peptide Synthetase as an Additional Source of Structural and Functional Diversification in Pseudomonas Lipopeptide Biosynthesis
Authors: Muangkaew Penthip , De Roo Vic , Zhou Lu , Girard Léa , Cesa-Luna Catherine , Höfte Monica , De Mot René , Madder Annemieke , Geudens Niels , Martins José C.
Published: September 2023

In Pseudomonas lipopeptides, the D-configuration of amino acids is generated by dedicated, dual-function epimerization/condensation (E/C) domains. The increasing attention to stereochemistry in lipopeptide structure elucidation efforts has revealed multiple examples where epimerization does not occur, even though an E/C-type domain is present. While the origin of the idle epimerization in those E/C-domains remains elusive, epimerization activity has so far shown a binary profile: it is either ‘on’ (active) or ‘off’ (inactive). Here, we report the unprecedented observation of an E/C-domain that acts ‘on and off’, giving rise to the production of two diastereoisomeric lipopeptides by a single non-ribosomal peptide synthetase system. Using dereplication based on solid-phase peptide synthesis and NMR fingerprinting, we first show that the two cyclic lipopeptides produced by Pseudomonas entomophila COR5 correspond to entolysin A and B originally described for P. entomophila L48. Next, we prove that both are diastereoisomeric homologues differing only in the configuration of a single amino acid. This configurational variability is maintained in multiple Pseudomonas strains and typically occurs in a 3:2 ratio. Bioinformatic analysis reveals a possible correlation with the composition of the flanking sequence of the N-terminal secondary histidine motif characteristic for dual-function E/C-type domains. In permeabilization assays, using propidium iodide entolysin B has a higher antifungal activity compared to entolysin A against Botrytis cinerea and Pyricularia oryzae spores. The fact that configurational homologues are produced by the same NRPS system in a Pseudomonas strain adds a new level of structural and functional diversification to those already known from substrate flexibility during the recruitment of the amino acids and fatty acids and underscores the importance of complete stereochemical elucidation of non-ribosomal lipopeptide structures.