bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On the Vaporization Rate and Flame Shape of Nonspherical Droplets
Authors: Palmore John
Published: February 2022

Motivated by the study of spray combustion, this work addresses the combustion of nonspherical droplets. The combustion of spray is usually understood through the theory of droplet combustion, and improving this latter theory is the narrow aim of this work. This work uses perturbation theory to derive a novel model for the vaporization of nonspherical droplets. Compared to previous efforts in this area, the work uses a physics-based approach by incorporating ideas from the asymptotic analysis of Taylor and Acrivos (1964, “On the Deformation and Drag of a Falling Viscous Drop at Low Reynolds Number,” J. Fluid Mech. 18(3), pp. 466–476). The perturbation strategy expands the droplet shape using spherical harmonics, and the theory characterizes the shape of the droplet via the Weber number. The introduction of this parameter is key as it is a parameter that can be easily measured in experiments, and thus it can be used to connect the theoretical results with application. The perturbation analysis is performed based around the classical solution of spherical droplet combustion in quiescent flow. The theory indicates that the effect of droplet deformation can be accounted for by a correction to the droplet combustion rate that is a simple polynomial function of the droplet Weber number. Results are compared to existing literature, and it confirms the established trend that deformed droplets vaporize faster than spherical droplets. Analysis of the flame shape reveals that the flame remains nearly spherical; however, the mean flame standoff changes with droplet shape. The extension of the theory to high Reynolds number conditions is briefly discussed.
A Comparison Between Hardness-Scaling and Ball-Indentation Techniques on Predicting Stress/Strain Distribution and Failure Behavior of Resistance Spot Welded Advanced High Strength Steel
Authors: Zhang Shiping , Ghatei-Kalashami Ali , Midawi Abdelbaset R. H. , Zhou Norman Y.
Published: February 2022

To accurately model the resistance spot welding (RSW) joint in finite element analysis (FEA), the constitutive behavior of materials in various weld regions such as heat-affected zone (HAZ) should be measured. Due to the sharp temperature gradient through RSW specimens, microstructural and corresponding mechanical properties of weld regions are different. Additionally, the size of RSW is small; hence, it is challenging to directly measure the stress–strain curve of materials. In this regard, hardness-scaling and ball-indentation techniques are among the popular methods to in-directly measure the stress–strain curve of these materials. However, the effectiveness of these two techniques on predicting the stress/strain distribution and failure behavior of resistance spot welded advanced high strength steels (AHSS) is not clear. In the present work, the stress–strain curves obtained through hardness-scaling and ball-indentation techniques have been compared. The stress/strain distribution and failure behavior of the resistance spot welded AHSS specimen have been simulated by the stress–strain data obtained using the two methods. The simulation results have been compared with experimental analysis. The results showed that both methods can accurately predict the failure location. With the comparison of FEA results with experiment analysis, it was shown that the ball-indentation method provides slightly better predictions of failure behavior compared to the hardness-scaling method. However, the harness scaling method is a simple and convenient technique, which can be implemented as a qualitative analysis for the failure behavior of RSW joints.
Characterization and Finite Element Modeling for Thermoset Resin of Carbon Fiber Prepregs During Curing
Authors: Feng Yuncong , Zheng Weike , Zhao Zizhao , Liang Biao , Ye Haitao , Ge Qi , Zhang Xiangyi , Zhang Weizhao
Published: February 2022

In this study, an epoxy resin, YZ-05, designed specifically for carbon fiber reinforced polymer prepregs, was characterized and modeled. A degassing method for the highly viscous YZ-05 was established for specimen preparation. To numerically model the behavior of YZ-05 in curing, several components, including the heat transfer, curing kinetics, and viscoelastic constitutive law ones, were developed, and the corresponding material properties to be input were tested. As YZ-05 shows severe creep at high temperature under mechanical loading, the combination of digital image correlation (DIC) and thermography technique was utilized to obtain its thermal expansion and chemical shrinkage. In the aspects of viscoelastic behavior, stress relaxation tests were performed based on time–temperature superposition principle with a numerical method to calculate shift factors. After development and input identification, these modeling components for YZ-05 resin were integrated and the modeling results were validated using experiments, where bending of resin beams was induced during curing.
Design and Experimental Verification of a Parallel Hip Exoskeleton System for Full-Gait-Cycle Rehabilitation
Authors: Wang Xiangyang , Guo Sheng , Qu Bojian , Song Majun , Wang Peiyi , Liu Du-Xin
Published: February 2022

Rehabilitation with exoskeletons after hip joint replacement is a tendency to achieve efficient recovery of people to rebuild their human motor functions. However, the kinematic mismatch between the kinematic and biological hip is a problem in most existing exoskeletons that can cause additional stress in the hip. To avoid secondary damage, the misalignment between the mechanical and biological hip joint of an exoskeleton must be compensated. This paper introduces a novel hip exoskeleton system based on parallel structure. The exoskeleton can inherently address the kinematic mismatch by introducing additional kinematic redundancy, while requiring no additional kinematic components and volumes. To achieve bidirectional full-gait-cycle walking assistance, a remote actuation system is designed for power delivery, and a control scheme is proposed to reject disturbances caused by gait dynamics during walking exercises. Human testing was carried out to evaluate the performance of the system. The results show that the exoskeleton has good human–machine kinematic compatibility and can achieve promising force tracking in the presence of gait dynamics.
Prediction of Short-Term Photovoltaic Power Via Self-Attention-Based Deep Learning Approach
Authors: Li Jie , Niu Huimeng , Meng Fanxi , Li Runran
Published: February 2022

Photovoltaic (PV) is characterized by random and intermittent. As increasing popularity of PV, it makes PV power prediction increasingly significant for efficiency and stability of the power grid. At present, prediction models of PV power based on deep learning show superior performance, but they ignore the interdependent mechanism of prediction error along the input characteristics of the neural network. This paper proposed a self-attention mechanism (SAM)-based hybrid one-dimensional convolutional neural network (1DCNN) and long short-term memory (LSTM) combined method (named 1DCNN-LSTM-SAM). In the proposed model, SAM redistributes the neural weights in 1DCNN-LSTM, and then 1DCNN-LSTM further extracts the space-time information of effective PV power. The polysilicon PV arrays data in Australia are employed to test and verify the proposed model and other five competition models. The results show that the application of SAM to 1DCNN-LSTM improves the ability to capture the global dependence between inputs and outputs in the learning process and the long-distance dependence of its sequence. In addition, mean absolute percentage error of the 1DCNN-LSTM-SAM under sunny day, partially cloudy day, and cloudy day weather types has increased by 24.2%, 14.4%, and 18.3%, respectively, compared with the best model among the five models. Furthermore, the weight distribution mechanism of self-attention to the back end of LSTM was analyzed quantitatively and the superiority of SAM was verified.
Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Base Insulation on the Productivity of a Packed Bed Solar Air Heater
Authors: Verma Sunirmit , Das Ranjan
Published: February 2022

Effect of bottom surface thermal energy loss for a packed bed solar air heater is investigated using both one-dimensional transient and steady-state models. While the former is solved numerically, closed-form solution is obtained for the latter. The effect of variation in base insulation thickness on the system output is studied. For a given bottom insulation thickness, the dependence of its effectiveness on various thermo-geometric parameters is also analyzed. It is observed that a collector with an uninsulated base loses about 60% of the available incident solar energy. In comparison, when the base insulation is as thick as the base wall, i.e., 50 mm here, the base loss fraction drops to nearly 6%, thus highlighting the importance of base insulation. Further, it is seen that the efficiency of a particular base insulation thickness lessens with larger length and width of collector, and rises with a larger mass flowrate of air flowing through it. This work presents a mathematical tool to calculate appropriate insulation thermal resistance to be applied at the base of packed bed solar air heaters that yields the best possible thermal performance alongside minimum insulation cost.
The quantum totalitarian property and exact symmetries
Authors: Marletto Chiara , Vedral Vlatko
Published: February 2022

We point out that symmetries mandating the conservation of additive quantities, e.g., those induced by the energy and momentum conservation laws, hold in quantum physics not just “on average,” as is sometimes claimed, but exactly in each branch of a quantum state, expressed in the basis where the conserved observable is sharp. We note that for conservation laws to hold exactly for quantum systems in this sense (not just on average), it is necessary to assume the so-called totalitarian property of quantum theory, namely, that any system capable of coupling to a quantum system must itself be quantized, including the measuring apparatus. Hence, if conservation laws are to hold exactly in quantum theory, the idea of a “classical measuring apparatus” (i.e., not subject to the branching structure) is untenable. We also point out that any other principle having a well-defined formulation within classical physics, such as the Equivalence Principle, is also to be extended to the quantum domain in exactly the same way, i.e., branch by branch.
Considerations for the Use of Consumer-Grade Wearables and Smartphones in Population Surveillance of Physical Activity
Authors: Strain Tessa , Wijndaele Katrien , Pearce Matthew , Brage Søren
Published: February 2022

As smartphone and wearable device ownership increase, interest in their utility to monitor physical activity has risen concurrently. Numerous examples of the application of wearables in clinical and epidemiological research settings already exist. However, whether these devices are all suitable for physical activity surveillance is open for debate. In this commentary, we respond to a commentary by Mair et al. (2021) and discuss four key issues specifically relevant to surveillance that we believe need to be tackled before consumer wearables can be considered for this measurement purpose: representative sampling, representative wear time, validity and reliability, and compatibility between devices. A recurring theme is how to deal with systematic biases by demographic groups. We suggest some potential solutions to the issues of concern such as providing individuals with standardized devices, considering summary metrics of physical activity less prone to wear time biases, and the development of a framework to harmonize estimates between device types and their inbuilt algorithms. We encourage collaborative efforts from researchers and consumer wearable manufacturers in this area. In the meantime, we caution against the use of consumer wearable device data for inference of population-level activity without the consideration of these issues.
Getting a Grip on Strength Measurement in Children (6–13 Y): Impact of Typical Error of Measurement
Authors: Buck Rob , Lambert Michael Ian
Published: February 2022

Purpose: To identify the smallest change in handgrip strength (HGS) in children that can be considered of practical significance. Method: A total of 290 male and female children, aged 6–13 years, performed a HGS testing protocol 3 times within a 7-day period. The typical error of measurement (TE), coefficient of variation, and smallest worthwhile change (SWC) were calculated for each sex and age group (grade). Results: The TE for the combined group of grade 1 to 7 children was 1.3 kg. Changes in HGS associated with a small change were 1.3 kg, making it difficult for the HGS test to detect these changes. The TE was less than the medium (3.3 kg) and large (5.3 kg) changes in HGS for all the grades and sexes, making changes of these magnitudes more interpretable as they exceed the “noise” (TE) of the measurement. Conclusion: Changes in HGS greater than the TE and SWC can be considered real changes of practical significance. This provides researchers with an extra level of analysis when trying to determine the practical relevance of the observed changes.
Overcoming Gender Barriers in Sports—An Opportunity of Adventure/High Risk Sports?
Authors: Frühauf Anika , Pahlke Christiane , Kopp Martin
Published: February 2022

Adventure/high risk sports (AHRS) were developed in a different social context and are usually not separated by sex which might lead to differences in gender-related experiences. This study qualitatively compared 10 female traditional sport participants (soccer players) with 10 female AHRS participants (trad climbers [TC]) regarding their experience of possible gender-related advantages and disadvantages in their sports. The TC climbed with more male partners. The TC reported to not consider gender as a determining factor in the choice of climbing partner or their trad climbing experience. The TC mentioned more female advantages in their sport participation and reported fewer gender-related barriers than soccer players. Differences might be explained through mixed gender sports participation and the differing demands in TC. Unlike traditional sports, AHRS does not imply defeating an opponent. The challenge in AHRS is set by the participant and the environmental conditions, which seem to be less related to sex and gender.
Liberating a hidden antiferroelectric phase with interfacial electrostatic engineering
Authors: Mundy Julia A. , Grosso Bastien F. , Heikes Colin A. , Ferenc Segedin Dan , Wang Zhe , Shao Yu-Tsun , Dai Cheng , Goodge Berit H. , Meier Quintin N. , Nelson Christopher T. , Prasad Bhagwati , Xue Fei , Ganschow Steffen , Muller David A. , Kourkoutis Lena F. , Chen Long-Qing , Ratcliff William D. , Spaldin Nicola A. , Ramesh Ramamoorthy , Schlom Darrell G.
Published: February 2022

Antiferroelectric materials have seen a resurgence of interest because of proposed applications in a number of energy-efficient technologies. Unfortunately, relatively few families of antiferroelectric materials have been identified, precluding many proposed applications. Here, we propose a design strategy for the construction of antiferroelectric materials using interfacial electrostatic engineering. We begin with a ferroelectric material with one of the highest known bulk polarizations, BiFeO3. By confining thin layers of BiFeO3in a dielectric matrix, we show that a metastable antiferroelectric structure can be induced. Application of an electric field reversibly switches between this new phase and a ferroelectric state. The use of electrostatic confinement provides an untapped pathway for the design of engineered antiferroelectric materials with large and potentially coupled responses.
Seismic tremor reveals active trans-crustal magmatic system beneath Kamchatka volcanoes
Authors: Journeau Cyril , Shapiro Nikolai M. , Seydoux Léonard , Soubestre Jean , Koulakov Ivan Y. , Jakovlev Andrei V. , Abkadyrov Ilyas , Gordeev Evgeny I. , Chebrov Danila V. , Droznin Dmitry V. , Sens-Schönfelder Christoph , Luehr Birger G. , Tong Francis , Farge Gaspard , Jaupart Claude
Published: February 2022

The occurrence and the style of volcanic eruptions are largely controlled by the ways in which magma is stored and transported from the mantle to the surface through the crust. Nevertheless, our understanding of the deep roots of volcano-magmatic systems remains very limited. Here, we use the sources of seismovolcanic tremor to delineate the active part of the magmatic system beneath the Klyuchevskoy Volcanic Group in Kamchatka, Russia. The tremor sources are distributed in a wide spatial region over the whole range of crustal depths connecting different volcanoes of the group. The tremor activity is characterized by rapid vertical and lateral migrations explained by fast pressure transients and dynamic permeability. Our results support the conceptual model of extended and highly dynamic trans-crustal magmatic systems.
Nonprecious transition metal nitrides as efficient oxygen reduction electrocatalysts for alkaline fuel cells
Authors: Zeng Rui , Yang Yao , Feng Xinran , Li Huiqi , Gibbs Lauryn M. , DiSalvo Francis J. , Abruña Héctor D.
Published: February 2022

Hydrogen fuel cells have attracted growing attention for high-performance automotive power but are hindered by the scarcity of platinum (and other precious metals) used to catalyze the sluggish oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). We report on a family of nonprecious transition metal nitrides (TMNs) as ORR electrocatalysts in alkaline medium. The air-exposed nitrides spontaneously form a several-nanometer-thick oxide shell on the conductive nitride core, serving as a highly active catalyst architecture. The most active catalyst, carbon-supported cobalt nitride (Co
3
N/C), exhibited a half-wave potential of 0.862 V and achieved a record-high peak power density among reported nitride cathode catalysts of 700 mW cm
−2
in alkaline membrane electrode assemblies. Operando x-ray absorption spectroscopy studies revealed that Co
3
N/C remains stable below 1.0 V but experiences irreversible oxidation at higher potentials. This work provides a comprehensive analysis of nonprecious TMNs as ORR electrocatalysts and will help inform future design of TMNs for alkaline fuel cells and other energy applications.
Profiling and functional characterization of maternal mRNA translation during mouse maternal-to-zygotic transition
Authors: Zhang Chunxia , Wang Meng , Li Yisi , Zhang Yi
Published: February 2022

Translational regulation plays an important role in gene expression and function. Although the transcriptional dynamics of mouse preimplantation embryos have been well characterized, the global mRNA translation landscape and the master regulators of zygotic genome activation (ZGA) remain unknown. Here, by developing and applying a low-input ribosome profiling (LiRibo-seq) technique, we profiled the mRNA translation landscape in mouse preimplantation embryos and revealed the translational dynamics during mouse preimplantation development. We identified a marked translational transition from MII oocytes to zygotes and demonstrated that active translation of maternal mRNAs is essential for maternal-to-zygotic transition (MZT). We further showed that two maternal factors, Smarcd2 and Cyclin T2, whose translation is activated in zygotes, are required for chromatin reprogramming and ZGA, respectively. Our study thus not only filled in a knowledge gap on translational regulation during mammalian preimplantation development but also revealed insights into the critical function of maternal mRNA translation in MZT.
Aspirin activates resolution pathways to reprogram T cell and macrophage responses in colitis-associated colorectal cancer
Authors: De Matteis Roberta , Flak Magdalena B. , Gonzalez-Nunez Maria , Austin-Williams Shani , Palmas Francesco , Colas Romain A. , Dalli Jesmond
Published: February 2022

Inflammation is linked with carcinogenesis in many types of cancer including colorectal cancer (CRC). Aspirin is recommended for the prevention of CRC, although the mechanism(s) mediating its immunomodulatory actions remain incompletely understood. Here, we demonstrate that aspirin increased concentrations of the immune-regulatory aspirin-triggered specialized proresolving mediators (AT-SPMs), including AT-lipoxin A
4
and AT-resolvin D1, in colonic tissues during inflammation-associated CRC (I-CRC). Aspirin also down-regulated the expression of the checkpoint protein programmed cell death protein-1 in macrophages and CD8
+
T cells from the colonic mucosa. Inhibition of AT-SPM biosynthesis or knockout of the AT-SPM receptor
Alx/Fpr2
reversed the immunomodulatory actions of aspirin on macrophages and CD8
+
T cells and abrogated its protective effects during I-CRC. Furthermore, treatment of mice with AT-SPM recapitulated the immune-directed actions of aspirin during I-CRC. Together, these findings elucidate a central role for AT-SPM in mediating the immune-directed actions of aspirin in regulating I-CRC progression.
Impact and habitability scenarios for early Mars revisited based on a 4.45-Ga shocked zircon in regolith breccia
Authors: Cox Morgan A. , Cavosie Aaron J. , Orr Kenneth J. , Daly Luke , Martin Laure , Lagain Anthony , Benedix Gretchen K. , Bland Phil A.
Published: February 2022

After formation of a primordial crust, early impacts influenced when habitable conditions may have occurred on Mars. Martian meteorite Northwest Africa (NWA) 7034 is a regolith breccia that contains remnants of the earliest Martian crust. The paucity of shock deformation in NWA 7034 was previously cited as recording a decline in giant impacts by 4.48 billion years and evidence for habitable Mars by 4.2 billion years ago. We present new evidence of high-pressure shock effects in a 4.45–billion year–old zircon from the matrix of NWA 7034. The zircon contains {112} shock twins formed in the central uplift of a complex impact structure after 4.45 billion years and records impact pressures of 20 to 30 gigapascals. The zircon represents the highest shock level reported in NWA 7034 and paired rocks and provides direct physical evidence of large impacts, some potentially life-affecting, that persisted on Mars after 4.48 billion years.
Dexamethasone sensitizes to ferroptosis by glucocorticoid receptor–induced dipeptidase-1 expression and glutathione depletion
Authors: von Mässenhausen Anne , Zamora Gonzalez Nadia , Maremonti Francesca , Belavgeni Alexia , Tonnus Wulf , Meyer Claudia , Beer Kristina , Hannani Monica T. , Lau Arthur , Peitzsch Mirko , Hoppenz Paul , Locke Sophie , Chavakis Triantafyllos , Kramann Rafael , Muruve Daniel A. , Hugo Christian , Bornstein Stefan R. , Linkermann Andreas
Published: February 2022

Dexamethasone is widely used as an immunosuppressive therapy and recently as COVID-19 treatment. Here, we demonstrate that dexamethasone sensitizes to ferroptosis, a form of iron-catalyzed necrosis, previously suggested to contribute to diseases such as acute kidney injury, myocardial infarction, and stroke, all of which are triggered by glutathione (GSH) depletion. GSH levels were significantly decreased by dexamethasone. Mechanistically, we identified that dexamethasone up-regulated the GSH metabolism regulating protein dipeptidase-1 (DPEP1) in a glucocorticoid receptor (GR)–dependent manner. DPEP1 knockdown reversed the phenotype of dexamethasone-induced ferroptosis sensitization. Ferroptosis inhibitors, the DPEP1 inhibitor cilastatin, or genetic
DPEP1
inactivation reversed the dexamethasone-induced increase in tubular necrosis in freshly isolated renal tubules. Our data indicate that dexamethasone sensitizes to ferroptosis by a GR-mediated increase in DPEP1 expression and GSH depletion. Together, we identified a previously unknown mechanism of glucocorticoid-mediated sensitization to ferroptosis bearing clinical and therapeutic implications.
Computing foaming flows across scales: From breaking waves to microfluidics
Authors: Karnakov Petr , Litvinov Sergey , Koumoutsakos Petros
Published: February 2022

Crashing ocean waves, cappuccino froths, and microfluidic bubble crystals are examples of foamy flows. Foamy flows are critical in numerous natural and industrial processes and remain notoriously difficult to compute as they involve coupled, multiscale physical processes. Computations need to resolve the interactions of the bubbles separated by stable thin liquid films. We present the multilayer volume-of-fluid method (Multi-VOF) that advances the state of the art in simulation capabilities of foamy flows. The method introduces a scheme to handle multiple bubbles that do not coalesce. Multi-VOF is verified and validated with experimental results and complemented with open-source software. We demonstrate capturing of crystalline structures of bubbles in realistic microfluidics devices and foamy flows involving tens of thousands of bubbles in a waterfall. The present technique extends the classical volume-of-fluid methodology and allows for large-scale predictive simulations of flows with multiple interfaces.
An off-the-shelf bioadhesive patch for sutureless repair of gastrointestinal defects
Authors: Wu Jingjing , Yuk Hyunwoo , Sarrafian Tiffany L. , Guo Chuan Fei , Griffiths Leigh G. , Nabzdyk Christoph S. , Zhao Xuanhe
Published: February 2022

Surgical sealing and repair of injured and resected gastrointestinal (GI) organs are critical requirements for successful treatment and tissue healing. Despite being the standard of care, hand-sewn closure of GI defects using sutures faces limitations and challenges. In this work, we introduce an off-the-shelf bioadhesive GI patch capable of atraumatic, rapid, robust, and sutureless repair of GI defects. The GI patch integrates a nonadhesive top layer and a dry, bioadhesive bottom layer, resulting in a thin, flexible, transparent, and ready-to-use patch with tissue-matching mechanical properties. The rapid, robust, and sutureless sealing capability of the GI patch is systematically characterized using ex vivo porcine GI organ models. In vitro and in vivo rat models are used to evaluate the biocompatibility and degradability of the GI patch in comparison to commercially available tissue adhesives (Coseal and Histoacryl). To validate the GI patch’s efficacy, we demonstrate successful sutureless in vivo sealing and healing of GI defects in rat colon, stomach, and small intestine as well as in porcine colon injury models. The proposed GI patch provides a promising alternative to suture for repair of GI defects and offers potential clinical opportunities for the repair of other organs.
Jingchuvirales
: a New Taxonomical Framework for a Rapidly Expanding Order of Unusual Monjiviricete Viruses Broadly Distributed among Arthropod Subphyla
Authors: Di Paola Nicholas , Dheilly Nolwenn M. , Junglen Sandra , Paraskevopoulou Sofia , Postler Thomas S. , Shi Mang , Kuhn Jens H.
Published: February 2022

Technical advances in metagenomics and metatranscriptomics have dramatically accelerated virus discovery in recent years. “Chuviruses” were first described in 2015 as obscure negative-sense RNA viruses of diverse arthropods. Although chuviruses first appeared to be members of the negarnaviricot order
Mononegavirales
in phylogenetic analyses using RNA-directed RNA polymerase sequences, further characterization revealed unusual gene orders in genomes that are nonsegmented, segmented, and/or possibly circular.
Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium Isolates from Wild Birds in the United States Represent Distinct Lineages Defined by Bird Type
Authors: Fu Yezhi , M’ikanatha Nkuchia M. , Lorch Jeffrey M. , Blehert David S. , Berlowski-Zier Brenda , Whitehouse Chris A. , Li Shaoting , Deng Xiangyu , Smith Jared C. , Shariat Nikki W. , Nawrocki Erin M. , Dudley Edward G.
Published: February 2022

Within-host evolution of
S.
Typhimurium may lead to pathovars adapted to specific hosts.
Characterization of Pyridomycin B Reveals the Formation of Functional Groups in Antimycobacterial Pyridomycin
Authors: Huang Tingting , Zhou Zihua , Wei Maolong , Chen Lin , Xiao Zhihong , Deng Zixin , Lin Shuangjun
Published: February 2022

Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the world’s leading causes of death by infection. Recently, pyridomycin, the antituberculous natural product from
Streptomyces
has garnered considerable attention for being determined as a target inhibitor of InhA enoyl reductase of
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
.
Spermidine Regulates Mitochondrial Function by Enhancing eIF5A Hypusination and Contributes to Reactive Oxygen Species Production and Ganoderic Acid Biosynthesis in Ganoderma lucidum
Authors: Han Xiaofei , Shangguan Jiaolei , Wang Zi , Li Yu , Fan Junpei , Ren Ang , Zhao Mingwen
Published: February 2022

Spermidine is necessary for organism survival and is involved in the regulation of various biological processes. However, the specific mechanisms underlying the various physiological functions of spermidine are poorly understood, especially in microorganisms.
Phloroglucinol Promotes Fucoxanthin Synthesis by Activating the
cis
-Zeatin and Brassinolide Pathways in Thalassiosira pseudonana
Authors: Liu Yan , Li Yixuan , Zhao Hejing , Zhu Bilu , Xu Jilin , Xu Feng , Liu Shixia , Li Xiaohui , Zhou Chengxu
Published: February 2022

Here, we demonstrate that phloroglucinol, a growth promoter in higher plants, also increases growth and fucoxanthin synthesis in the microalga
Thalassiosira pseudonana
and therefore may have substantial practical application for industrial fucoxanthin production. Phloroglucinol treatment also induced the synthesis of
cis
-zeatin and brassinolide in
T. pseudonana
, and the
cis
-zeatin and brassinolide signaling pathways were implicated in the phloroglucinol-driven increases in
T. pseudonana
growth and fucoxanthin synthesis.
Mechanism of Cooperative Degradation of Gum Arabic Arabinogalactan Protein by Bifidobacterium longum Surface Enzymes
Authors: Sasaki Yuki , Komeno Masahiro , Ishiwata Akihiro , Horigome Ayako , Odamaki Toshitaka , Xiao Jin-Zhong , Tanaka Katsunori , Ito Yukishige , Kitahara Kanefumi , Ashida Hisashi , Fujita Kiyotaka
Published: February 2022

Terminal galactose residues of the side chain of gum arabic arabinogalactan protein (AGP) are mainly substituted by α1,3/α1,4-linked Ara
f
and β1,6-linked α-
l
-Rha
p
-(1→4)-β-
d
-Glc
p
A residues. This study found a multidomain BlArafE with GH43_22 and GH43_34 catalytic domains showing cooperative action for degrading α1,3/α1,4-linked Ara
f
of the side chain of gum arabic AGP.
Characterization of GefA, a GGEEF Domain-Containing Protein That Modulates Vibrio parahaemolyticus Motility, Biofilm Formation, and Virulence
Authors: Zhong Xiaojun , Lu Zhong , Wang Fei , Yao Ning , Shi Mengting , Yang Menghua
Published: February 2022

The c-di-GMP metabolic enzymes constitute one of the largest clusters of potential orthologues in
Vibrio parahaemolyticus
. However, the specific roles that these individual c-di-GMP metabolic enzymes play are largely unknown.
Genetic Foundations of Direct Ammonia Oxidation (Dirammox) to N
2
and MocR-Like Transcriptional Regulator DnfR in Alcaligenes faecalis Strain JQ135
Authors: Xu Si-Qiong , Qian Xin-Xin , Jiang Yin-Hu , Qin Ya-Ling , Zhang Fu-Yin , Zhang Kai-Yun , Hong Qing , He Jian , Miao Li-Li , Liu Zhi-Pei , Li De-Feng , Liu Shuang-Jiang , Qiu Ji-Guo
Published: February 2022

Microbial ammonia oxidation is a key and rate-limiting step of the nitrogen cycle. Three previously known ammonia oxidation pathways (i.e., nitrification, anaerobic ammonia oxidation [Anammox], and complete ammonia oxidation [Comammox]) are mediated by autotrophic microbes.
The Transcription Factor CpcR Determines Cell Fate by Modulating the Initiation of Sporulation in Bacillus thuringiensis
Authors: Hou Shuo , Zhang Ruibin , Lereclus Didier , Peng Qi , Zhang Jie , Slamti Leyla , Song Fuping
Published: February 2022

Formation of spores is a paradigm for study of cell differentiation in prokaryotes. Sporulation initiation is governed by a gradual increase in the level and activity of the master regulator Spo0A.
SARS-CoV-2 Infection and Lung Regeneration
Authors: Zhao Fuxiaonan , Ma Qingwen , Yue Qing , Chen Huaiyong
Published: February 2022

The lung is the primary site of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-induced immunopathology whereby the virus enters the host cells by binding to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). Sophisticated regeneration and repair programs exist in the lungs to replenish injured cell populations.
High-Titer Self-Propagating Capsidless Chikungunya Virus Generated in Vero Cells as a Strategy for Alphavirus Vaccine Development
Authors: Zhang Ya-Nan , Zhang Zhe-Rui , Li Na , Pei Xin-Ru , Li Xiao-Dan , Deng Cheng-Lin , Ye Han-Qing , Zhang Bo
Published: February 2022

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is one of important emerging alphaviruses. Currently, there are no licensed vaccines against CHIKV infection.
p53 Ubiquitination Comediated by HUWE1 and TRAF6 Contributes to White Spot Syndrome Virus Infection in Crustacean
Authors: Gong Yi , Kong Tongtong , Aweya Jude Juventus , Ma Hongyu , Zhang Yueling , Li Shengkang
Published: February 2022

p53, which is a well-known tumor suppressor that has been widely studied in higher animals, has been reported to be tightly controlled at low levels by ubiquitin-dependent proteasomal degradation. However, recent p53 ubiquitination-relevant research mainly involved an individual E3 ubiquitin ligase, but not whether there exist other mechanisms that need to be explored.
Functional Analysis of the Expanded Phosphodiesterase Gene Family in Toxoplasma gondii Tachyzoites
Authors: Moss William J. , Patterson Caitlyn E. , Jochmans Alexander K. , Brown Kevin M.
Published: February 2022

Apicomplexan parasites require motility to actively infect host cells and cause disease. Cyclic nucleotide signaling governs apicomplexan motility, but it is unclear how cyclic nucleotide levels are maintained in these parasites.
Quantifying Neutralizing Antibodies in Patients with COVID-19 by a Two-Variable Generalized Additive Model
Authors: Liu Kuan-Ting , Gong Yu-Nong , Huang Chung-Guei , Huang Peng-Nien , Yu Kar-Yee , Lee Hou-Chen , Lee Sun-Che , Chiang Huan-Jung , Kung Yu-An , Lin Yueh-Te , Hsiao Mei-Jen , Huang Po-Wei , Huang Sheng-Yu , Wu Hsin-Tai , Wu Chih-Ching , Kuo Rei-Lin , Chen Kuan-Fu , Hung Chuan-Tien , Oguntuyo Kasopefoluwa Y. , Stevens Christian S. , Kowdle Shreyas , Chiu Hsin-Ping , Lee Benhur , Chen Guang-Wu , Shih Shin-Ru
Published: February 2022

Herein, we present a new approach for serological testing for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies using innovative laboratory methods that demonstrate a combination of biology and mathematics. The traditional virus neutralization test is the gold standard method; however, it is time-consuming and poses a risk to medical personnel.
Akkermansia muciniphila Ameliorates Acetaminophen-Induced Liver Injury by Regulating Gut Microbial Composition and Metabolism
Authors: Xia Jiafeng , Lv Longxian , Liu Boqiang , Wang Shuting , Zhang Sitong , Wu Zhengjie , Yang Liya , Bian Xiaoyuan , Wang Qiangqiang , Wang Kaicen , Zhuge Aoxiang , Li Shengjie , Yan Ren , Jiang Huiyong , Xu Kaijin , Li Lanjuan
Published: February 2022

Our work revealed that
A. muciniphila
attenuated APAP-induced liver injury by alleviating oxidative stress and inflammation in the liver, and its hepatoprotective effect was accompanied by activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway and mediated by regulation of the composition and metabolic function of the intestinal microbiota. This finding suggested that the microbial community is a non-negligible impact on drug metabolism and probiotic administration could be a potential therapy for drug-induced liver injury.
The Anticancer Agent 3,3'-Diindolylmethane Inhibits Multispecies Biofilm Formation by Acne-Causing Bacteria and Candida albicans
Authors: Kim Yong-Guy , Lee Jin-Hyung , Park Sunyoung , Lee Jintae
Published: February 2022

Since indoles are widespread in nature (even in human skin), we hypothesized that indole and its derivatives might control biofilm formation of acne-causing bacteria (
Cutibacterium acnes
and
Staphylococcus aureus
) and fungal
Candida albicans
. The present study reports for the first time the antibiofilm and antimicrobial activities of several indoles on
C. acnes
.
Large-Scale Phylogenetic Analysis Reveals a New Genetic Clade among Escherichia coli O26 Strains
Authors: Long Jinzhao , Geng Juna , Xu Yake , Jin Yuefei , Yang Haiyan , Xi Yuanlin , Chen Shuaiyin , Duan Guangcai
Published: February 2022

Shiga toxin-producing
Escherichia coli
(STEC) O26 is the second prevalent STEC serogroup only to O157, which can cause a series of diseases ranging from mild diarrhea to life-threatening hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). The serogroup is highly diverse and multiple clones are characterized, including ST29C1-C3 and ST21C1-C2.
Caesarean delivery of a breech singleton with eight loops of nuchal cord
Authors: Herkelman Carissa , Nicoara Daniel , Thiel Lisa , Florido Judith
Published: February 2022

Nuchal cord accidents comprise a third of stillbirths in the third trimester. These are often due to higher order nuchal cords, with more than three loops. In this report, we discuss a case of a gestation complicated by a nuchal cord with eight loops and severe fetal growth restriction, requiring expedited delivery due to non-reassuring fetal heart tones. Our case demonstrates the value of high-quality ultrasound in detecting complex nuchal cords, as well as highlighting the potentially dynamic and unstable fetal status in an affected gestation. Antenatal knowledge of nuchal cord in the setting of non-reassuring fetal status can help guide patient counselling and assist with identifying possible aetiologies. Finally, our case demonstrates that close monitoring and early intervention can prevent potentially catastrophic outcomes.
Anaesthetic management of large meningioma excision complicated by Takotsubo and posterior reversible encephalopathy
Authors: Santos Sérgio , Castro Mafalda , Raimundo Ana , Ribeiro Ana
Published: February 2022

A 47-year-old woman with a history of a pulsatile headache, photophobia, dizziness and blurred vision was diagnosed with a massive expansive meningioma and proposed for surgical excision. During surgery, the patient began to show progressive haemodynamic instability with extreme hypotension and severe arrhythmia that only responded to epinephrine. With the continuity of haemodynamic instability, ST segment elevation and great amount of blood loss, the surgery was postponed. The follow-up brain CT scan showed evidence of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome and cardiac catheterisation diagnosed as Takotsubo syndrome. The patient remained sedated under aminergic support and was admitted to a cardiac intensive care unit. After clinic stabilisation, the patient underwent two more surgical procedures with special attention paid to monitoring haemodynamic stability, blood loss and cardiac output. After 70 days of admission, the patient was discharged with moderate visual impairment and follow-up consultations in neurosurgery and cardiology.
Serous macular detachments associated with topical travoprost
Authors: Patheja Rajan Singh
Published: February 2022

Here is presented a unique case of bilateral serous macular detachments as a side effect of topical travoprost (0.004%) therapy. Only three other cases in the literature have definitively associated this side effect with other topical prostaglandins. The aetiological and pathophysiological pathways remain to be clearly elucidated but are potentially related to increased choroidal vascular permeability. In this case, the subretinal fluid resolved rapidly and completely after cessation of travoprost drops, showing it to be a reversible pathology similar to prostaglandin-associated cystoid macular oedema. This uncommon association is therefore important to consider in the differential diagnosis of serous macular detachment. Increasing ophthalmic awareness could help to prevent unnecessary investigations in undifferentiated patients without other guiding historical or examination features. This may save time and expense for the patient and health systems.
Eagle syndrome presenting as anterior ischaemic neuropathy: a multidisciplinary approach
Authors: Rodrigues Catarina Oliveira , Loureiro Tomás , Abegão Pinto Luis , Tavares Ferreira Joana
Published: February 2022

Eagle syndrome is a rare entity that occurs when an elongated styloid process compresses the neck vasculonervous structures. A 47-year-old female patient was referred to our glaucoma clinic for a second opinion concerning bilateral visual field progression despite maximal tolerated medical therapy. After aggressive intraocular pressure lowering and resorting to surgical and optimised medical treatment, the visual field kept stable in the right eye but was still showing progression in the left eye. As optic disc was paler in the left eye and after full appreciation of systemic complaints, including left neck, ear and eye pain, a multidisciplinary approach with otorhinolaryngology was prompted. Plain radiographs of the skull showed an elongated styloid process on the left side, compatible with Eagle syndrome. Surgical resection of the styloid process provided definitive relief of the patient’s eye, ear and neck pain. Since this intervention, there was no further deterioration of visual field defect in the left eye.
Reversible radiculomyelitis after ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccination
Authors: Spataro Rossella , Fisco Giacomo , La Bella Vincenzo
Published: February 2022

Adverse events occurring after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination have been reported and are the subject of ongoing research. We present the case of a young woman with fully reversible radiculomyelitis, which happened after the first dose of the ChAdOx1 nCOVID-19 vaccine. A previously healthy woman in her 20s presented with a subacute onset of legs’ weakness and sensory disturbances, urinary dysfunction and cramping pain after receiving the first dose of the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine. A diagnostic workup led to the diagnosis of inflammatory radiculomyelitis. Her clinical status improved, with complete recovery after a few months. The case described a reversible radiculomyelitis associated with the ChAdOx1 nCOVID-19 vaccine. The clinical picture and evolution supported the diagnosis. No other identifiable causes of myelopathy were found. Our patient showed clinically moderate symptoms and signs, showing good recovery. The post-vaccine inflammatory radiculomyelitis is a rare side effect of the anti-COVID-19 vaccination, and it should not discourage the SARS-CoV-2 vaccination programme.
Effective engagement of survivors of harassment and abuse in sport in athlete safeguarding initiatives: a review and a conceptual framework
Authors: Mountjoy Margo , Vertommen Tine , Denhollander Rachael , Kennedy Sheldon , Majoor Renald
Published: February 2022

Sport, as a microcosm of society, is not immune to the abuse of its stakeholders. Attention to abuse in sport has recently become a priority for sport organisations following several high-profile cases of athlete abuse from different sports around the world. Resulting from this increased awareness, many sport organisations have commenced work in the field of athlete safeguarding including the development of policy, educational programmes, reporting pathways, investigation mechanisms and research initiatives. One mechanism adopted by many sport organisations to support their safeguarding efforts is the engagement of survivors of abuse in sport: typically, as guest speakers at conferences or educational events. Unfortunately, many sport organisations do not have the knowledge or trauma-informed expertise to engage survivors safely and effectively; and in doing so, may unintentionally retraumatise the survivor if erroneous methods of engagement are employed. For some survivors, this experience may compound the original harms, and thus it also represents an area of vulnerability for the organising entity. The purpose of this paper is to explore the rationale for partnering with survivors of abuse in sport in safeguarding initiatives and to propose a living conceptual framework to support effective and safe survivor engagement in safeguarding initiatives. We will explore the underpinning scientific background, as well as the ‘why’, and ‘how’ of survivor engagement to inform sport organisations, research scientists, policy-makers, conference organisers, safeguarding officers, sport medicine clinicians and survivors themselves.
Evaluation of a stand-alone mobile mindfulness app in people experiencing infertility: the protocol for an exploratory randomised controlled trial (MoMiFer-RCT)
Authors: Boedt Tessy , Willaert Nele , Lie Fong Sharon , Dancet Eline , Spiessens Carl , Raes Filip , Matthys Christophe , Van der Gucht Katleen
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Infertility and its treatment bring a considerable emotional burden. Increasing evidence demonstrates the effectiveness of smartphone-delivered mindfulness apps for reducing symptoms of emotional distress in both clinical and non-clinical populations. Evidence on this topic in women, men and couples experiencing infertility is currently under-represented. The aim of the MoMiFer study is, therefore, to investigate the efficacy of a stand-alone mobile mindfulness app on symptoms of emotional distress and fertility-related quality of life in people experiencing infertility.

Methods and analysis

This study is an exploratory randomised controlled trial (RCT) with open enrollment. The primary outcomes are symptoms of emotional distress and fertility-related quality of life. Secondary outcomes are mindfulness skills, repetitive negative thinking, self-compassion, user-rated quality of the stand-alone mobile mindfulness app and use of the app. Experience sampling method and standardised self-report questionnaires are combined within a repeated measures design to measure the effects of the stand-alone mobile mindfulness app on the primary and secondary outcomes, apart from the use of the app. The latter will be evaluated through app tracking. People, including women, men and couples, experiencing infertility (n=60) will be randomised to an intervention group receiving the stand-alone mobile mindfulness app for 3 months or a wait-list control group. The app follows the format and content of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction. Data will be collected at baseline, at 1.5 months and 3 months after randomisation. Analysis will be according to intention to treat and based on general linear modelling and multilevel mixed-effects modelling.

Ethics and dissemination

This study received approval from the Medical Ethical Committee of the Leuven University Hospital (Belgium). The findings of this exploratory RCT will be disseminated through presentations at public lectures, scientific institutions and meetings, and through peer-reviewed scientific articles.

Trial registration number

NCT04143828.