bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A branch‐and‐price approach to the multitasking scheduling with batch control on parallel machines
Authors: Gao Jinsheng , Zhu Xiaomin , Zhang Runtong
Published: January 2022

This paper addresses multitasking scheduling with batch control on parallel machines. The specific scenario can be found in the maintenance activities of skilled workers. The objective is to minimize the total weighted completion time. In the problem, each machine needs to be allocated at least to one batch of jobs. On each machine, the processing of a primary job may be interrupted by the waiting jobs of the same machine, which can be described as the multitasking scheduling. The existing algorithms and mathematical formulations of such a scheduling problem are not suitable for the problem. An exact branch‐and‐price algorithm with heuristic pricing strategy is devised. To fast find the minimized reduced cost of the pricing problem, an artificial bee colony algorithm is developed. Specifically, it is aimed at obtaining a partitioning schedule with a minimized reduced cost, which involves the allocation of batches and the multitasking scheduling of jobs. A weak enumeration operator is proposed to cope with the batch allocation. The computational results demonstrate that the branch‐and‐price algorithm with heuristic pricing strategy outperforms general‐purpose pure CPLEX solver by orders of magnitude.
Enhanced nuclear localization of YAP1‐2 contributes to EGF‐induced EMT in NSCLC
Authors: Guo Qiang , Quan Mei‐Yu , Xu Le , Cai Yaxin , Cai Jue‐Ting , Li Xue , Feng Guifeng , Chen Aiping , Yang Weiwei , Dhlamini Qhaweni , Jiang Tian‐Fang , Shen Chengguo , Chen Chengshui , Zhang Jin‐San
Published: January 2022

YAP1, a key mediator of the Hippo pathway, plays an important role in tumorigenesis. Alternative splicing of human YAP1 mRNA results in two major isoforms: YAP1‐1, which contains a single WW domain, and YAP1‐2, which contains two WW domains, respectively. We here investigated the functions and the underlying regulatory mechanisms of the two YAP1 isoforms in the context of EGF‐induced epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) in non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Human NSCLC cell lines express both YAP1‐1 and YAP1‐2 isoforms—although when compared to YAP1‐1, YAP1‐2 mRNA levels are higher while its protein expression levels are lower. EGF treatment significantly promoted YAP1 expression as well as EMT process in NSCLCs, whereas EGF‐induced EMT phenotype was significantly alleviated upon YAP1 knockdown. Under normal culture condition, YAP1‐1 stable expression cells exhibited a stronger migration ability than YAP1‐2 expressing cells. However, upon EGF treatment, YAP1‐2 stable cells showed more robust migration than YAP1‐1 expressing cells. The protein stability and nuclear localization of YAP1‐2 were preferentially enhanced with EGF treatment. Moreover, EGF‐induced EMT and YAP1‐2 activity were suppressed by inhibitor of AKT. Our results suggest that YAP1‐2 is the main isoform that is functionally relevant in promoting EGF‐induced EMT and ultimately NSCLC progression.
Development and characterization of edible films made with Indian jujube fruit puree and pectin
Authors: Neog Biswajyoti , Das Jitul K. , Vijayakumar Akhila , Badwaik Laxmikant S.
Published: January 2022

Indian jujube (Ziziphus mauritiana Lamk) fruit also known as “Ber” has been a useful fruit in India from age‐old days. It contains antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, and antibacterial properties, additionally they are rich in vitamin C, thiamine, riboflavin, etc. The jujube puree was used for developing edible films along with varying concentrations of pectin (1, 2, 3, 4, and 5%). The edible films on characterization show that a rise in pectin concentration helps to improve the tensile strength of the film from 54.55 to 472.32 kPa. But the stability or water tolerance of the films were negatively affected by a rise in pectin concentration. The solubility of films was increased to 83.32% from 76.77%. Properties like color, water activity, and water vapor permeability were less affected with the addition of pectin. The work leads to the successful development of jujube puree—pectin‐based edible film that can create a positive influence on film mechanical and barrier properties. The properties of these edible films can be further improved with the administration of suitable cross‐linking agents or bioactive compounds.

Practical Applications

Indian jujube is a seasonal fruit and generally available for a very short duration mostly from January to April and mostly consumed as raw. The pulp and peel of this fruit are rich in different bioactive compounds. As the fruit is highly perishable major fraction of the total yield gets wasted every year. It is not yet commercially explored to make value‐added products. The development of edible films from these fruit purees helps to introduce novel colors and flavors to the edible film research. The film composition used in the study can also be adapted for coating perishable fruits by spraying, which helps to add barriers to its spoilage. It can also help to increase the nutrition and quality of the product for which the film is used. The study helped to understand the potential of jujube fruit as a novel edible packaging material and opened new opportunities to utilize the indigenous varieties of seasonal fruits that are not celebrated in the market.
Motivated semantic control: Exploring the effects of extrinsic reward and self‐reference on semantic retrieval in semantic aphasia
Authors: Souter Nicholas E. , Stampacchia Sara , Hallam Glyn , Thompson Hannah , Smallwood Jonathan , Jefferies Elizabeth
Published: January 2022

Recent insights show that increased motivation can benefit executive control, but this effect has not been explored in relation to semantic cognition. Patients with deficits of controlled semantic retrieval in the context of semantic aphasia (SA) after stroke may benefit from this approach since ‘semantic control’ is considered an executive process. Deficits in this domain are partially distinct from the domain‐general deficits of cognitive control. We assessed the effect of both extrinsic and intrinsic motivation in healthy controls and SA patients. Experiment 1 manipulated extrinsic reward using high or low levels of points for correct responses during a semantic association task. Experiment 2 manipulated the intrinsic value of items using self‐reference, allocating pictures of items to the participant (‘self’) or researcher (‘other’) in a shopping game before participants retrieved their semantic associations. These experiments revealed that patients, but not controls, showed better performance when given an extrinsic reward, consistent with the view that increased external motivation may help ameliorate patients’ semantic control deficits. However, while self‐reference was associated with better episodic memory, there was no effect on semantic retrieval. We conclude that semantic control deficits can be reduced when extrinsic rewards are anticipated; this enhanced motivational state is expected to support proactive control, for example, through the maintenance of task representations. It may be possible to harness this modulatory impact of reward to combat the control demands of semantic tasks in SA patients.
Morphological and molecular studies of a rare mucoralean species causing flower rot in Hylocereus polyrhizus
Authors: Ruangwong On‐Uma , Kunasakdakul Kaewalin , Wonglom Prisana , Dy Kim Sreang , Sunpapao Anurag
Published: January 2022

The order Mucorales typically includes fast‐growing saprotrophic and plant pathogenic fungi. Flower rot of red‐fleshed dragon fruit (Hylocereus polyrhizus) caused by Mucor‐like fungi was observed in a field in Phatthalung province, southern Thailand. Agglomeration of sporangiophores and sporangia on the wet rotten tissues of the red‐fleshed dragon fruit flower was detected. Fungal isolates obtained from symptomatic tissues were cultured on potato dextrose agar for macroscopic and microscopic observations. Based on the growth rate and morphology of sporangia and sporangiospores, the fungus was identified as Gilbertella persicaria, which was further confirmed using phylogenetic analyses of the internal transcribed spacer and nuclear large subunit ribosomal DNA sequences. Pathogenicity tests revealed that the fungal isolate G. persicaria caused flower rot, similar to that observed in the field. This study is the first report of flower rot disease in H. polyrhizus caused by G. persicaria in Thailand.
Epidemiology of heart disease in English Bull Terriers and echocardiographic characteristics of mitral valve abnormalities
Authors: Chompoosan C. , Schrøder A. S. , Höllmer M. , Bach M. B. T. , Møgelvang R. , Willesen J. L. , Langhorn R. , Koch J.
Published: January 2022

Objectives

To present the prevalence and distribution of heart disease as well as echocardiographic findings in English Bull Terriers.

Materials and Methods

One hundred and one English Bull Terriers were retrospectively included to evaluate the prevalence and distribution of heart disease. Secondly, a retrospective study on mitral valve abnormalities was performed on three groups: a control group (n=120, 19 breeds) used to establish reference intervals for mean transmitral gradient; a healthy English Bull Terriers group (n=25) and an English Bull Terriers group with mitral valve abnormalities (n= 18). Healthy English Bull Terriers for which mitral inflow parameters were not obtainable and English Bull Terriers with other types of heart disease were excluded.

Results

The prevalence of heart disease in English Bull Terriers was 65% (66/101), with mitral valve abnormalities (47%, 47/101) and aortic stenosis (29%, 29/101) being most common. The cut‐off value for normal mean transmitral gradient was 3.5 mmHg in the control group. The mean transmitral gradient for healthy English Bull Terriers was higher than for other dog breeds. Healthy English Bull Terriers had a smaller mitral valve area and mitral annulus diameter compared with dogs with a similar body surface area. A high heart rate, smaller mitral valve area, mitral regurgitation, and volume overload are associated with increased mean transmitral gradient in English Bull Terriers with mitral valve abnormalities.

Clinical Significance

We suggest that mitral valve area, mitral annulus diameter and mean transmitral gradient measurements should be included in the echocardiographic protocol for English Bull Terriers.
Biological characteristics and whole-genome analysis of the potential probiotic, Lactobacillus reuteri S5
Authors: Shi Shuiqin , Dong J. , Cheng X. , Hu J. , Liu Y. , He G. , Zhang J. , Yu H. , Jia L. , Zhou D.
Published: January 2022

Lactic acid bacteria are micro-organisms used for probiotic purposes and form major parts of human and mammalian intestinal microbiota, exerting important health-promoting effects on the host. Here, we evaluated Lactobacillus reuteri strain S5 isolated from the intestines of healthy white feather broilers. Lactobacillus reuteri S5 grew best after 20 h of incubation in MRS medium. Lactic acid production was 1·42 mmol l−1 at 24 h, which was well tolerated. Activities of T-AOC, GSH-Px and T-SOD in the cell-free fermentation supernatant of L. reuteri S5 were higher than those in the bacteria, and the strain showed good hydrophobicity in vitro. The dominant carbon and nitrogen sources of L. reuteri S5 were glucose and soybean meal. A high-quality complete genome map of L. reuteri S5 was obtained using a Pacbio nanopore third-generation sequencing platform. The results showed that L. reuteri S5 possesses a complete primary metabolic pathway, encoding the main functional enzymes of the glycolysis pathway and pentose phosphate pathway. The genome contains genes encoding antioxidants and conferring tolerance to inorganic salt ions, acids and bile salts. This study shows that L. reuteri S5 is a probiotic strain with excellent probiotic characteristics and has great potential for the development of feed additives to promote animal health.
Implementing the Becoming Breastfeeding Friendly initiative in Scotland
Authors: McFadden Alison , Kendall Sally , Eida Tamsyn
Published: January 2022

Despite strong policy support in Scotland, United Kingdom, key challenges to scaling up promotion, protection and support for breastfeeding remain. These include low breastfeeding rates and socioeconomic and regional inequalities. The Becoming Breastfeeding‐Friendly (BBF) process was implemented to highlight actions that could address these challenges. The Scottish BBF committee employed an iterative process of documentary analysis and evidence reviews supplemented by 18 interviews with key informants. The data were mapped to BBF benchmarks and each gear was scored accordingly. Nineteen draft recommendations addressing policy and practice gaps were prioritised. Ten recommendations were grouped into eight themes, which cross‐cut the BBF gears. The process took place from May 2018 to May 2019. The overall BBF Index score for Scotland was 2.4 indicating a strong scaling‐up environment for breastfeeding. Five gears were assessed as strong gear strength, and the remaining three were judged as moderate gear strength. Three recommendation themes illuminate strengths and areas for development. The theme ‘reinforcing political will’ showed effective leadership, strong policies and significant investment in supporting breastfeeding and highlights actions to sustain this. The theme ‘strengthening and coordinating breastfeeding messages’ revealed a need for coordination between government, health services and the third sector. The theme ‘promoting a supportive return to work environment’ highlighted that, while employment legislation is not devolved to the Scottish government, action could be taken by employers to optimise an enabling environment for breastfeeding. The BBF process identified strengths and triggered actions to enhance breastfeeding promotion, protection and support in Scotland.
IncHI1A plasmids potentially facilitate horizontal flow of antibiotic resistance genes to pathogens in microbial communities of urban residential sewage
Authors: Olesen Asmus K. , Pinilla‐Redondo Rafael , Hansen Mads F. , Russel Jakob , Dechesne Arnaud , Smets Barth F. , Madsen Jonas S. , Nesme Joseph , Sørensen Søren J.
Published: January 2022

Horizontal gene transfer via plasmids is important for the dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes among medically relevant pathogens. Specifically, the transfer of IncHI1A plasmids is believed to facilitate the spread of antibiotic resistance genes, such as carbapenemases, within the clinically important family Enterobacteriaceae. The microbial community of urban wastewater treatment plants has been shown to be highly permissive towards conjugal transfer of IncP1 plasmids. Here, we tracked the transfer of the P1 plasmid pB10 and the clinically relevant HI1A plasmid R27 in the microbial communities present in urban residential sewage entering full‐scale wastewater treatment plants. We found that both plasmids readily transferred to these communities and that strains in the sewage were able to further disseminate them. Furthermore, R27 has a broad potential host range, but a low host divergence. Interestingly, although the majority of R27 transfer events were to members of Enterobacteriaceae, we found a subset of transfer events to other families, even other phyla. This indicates that HI1A plasmids facilitate horizontal gene transfer both within Enterobacteriaceae, but also across families of, in particular, Gammaproteobacteria, such as Moraxellaceae, Pseudomonadaceae and Shewanellaceae. pB10 displayed a similar potential host range to R27. In contrast to R27, pB10 had a high host divergence. By culture enrichment of the transconjugant communities, we show that sewage strains of Enterobacteriaceae and Aeromonadaceae can stably maintain R27 and pB10, respectively. Our results suggest that dissemination in the urban residual water system of HI1A plasmids may result in an accelerated acquisition of antibiotic resistance genes among pathogens.
Coupling of plant and mycorrhizal fungal diversity: its occurrence, relevance, and possible implications under global change
Authors: Fei Songlin , Kivlin Stephanie N. , Domke Grant M. , Jo Insu , LaRue Elizabeth A. , Phillips Richard P.
Published: January 2022

First principles predict that diversity at one trophic level often begets diversity at other levels, suggesting plant and mycorrhizal fungal diversity should be coupled. Local‐scale studies have shown positive coupling between the two, but the association is less consistent when extended to larger spatial and temporal scales. These inconsistencies are likely due to divergent relationships of different mycorrhizal fungal guilds to plant diversity, scale dependency, and a lack of coordinated sampling efforts. Given that mycorrhizal fungi play a central role in plant productivity and nutrient cycling, as well as ecosystem responses to global change, an improved understanding of the coupling between plant and mycorrhizal fungal diversity across scales will reduce uncertainties in predicting the ecosystem consequences of species gains and losses.
Matrilineal empowers wheat pollen with haploid induction potency by triggering postmitosis reactive oxygen species activity
Authors: Sun Guoliang , Geng Shuaifeng , Zhang Hongjie , Jia Meiling , Wang Zhenyu , Deng Zhongyin , Tao Shu , Liao Ruyi , Wang Fang , Kong Xingchen , Fu Mingxue , Liu Shaoshuai , Li Aili , Mao Long
Published: January 2022

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play important roles during anther and pollen development. DNA damage may cause chromosome fragmentation that is considered to underlie chromosome elimination for haploid induction by matrilineal pollen, a key step in MATRILINEAL‐based double haploid breeding technology. But when and how DNA damage occurs is unknown.

We performed comparative studies of wheat pollens from the wild‐type and the CRISPR/Cas9 edited matrilineal mutant (mMTL).

Chemical assays detected a second wave of ROS in mMTL pollen at the three‐nuclei‐stage and subsequently, along with reduced antioxidant enzyme activities. RNA‐seq analysis revealed disturbed expression of genes for fatty acid biosynthesis and ROS homoeostasis. Gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry measurement identified abnormal fatty acid metabolism that may contribute to defective mMTL pollen walls as observed using electron microscopy, consistent with the function of MTL as a phospholipase. Moreover, DNA damage was identified using TdT‐mediated dUTP nick‐end labelling and quantified using comet assays. Velocity patterns showed that ROS increments preceded that of DNA damage over the course of pollen maturation.

Our work hypothesises that mMTL‐triggered later‐stage‐specific ROS causes DNA damage that may contribute to chromosome fragmentation and hence chromosome elimination during haploid induction. These findings may provide more ways to accelerate double haploid‐based plant breeding.
Septal flash correction with His‐Purkinje pacing predicts echocardiographic response in resynchronization therapy
Authors: Pujol‐López Margarida , Jiménez Arjona Rafael , Guasch Eduard , Doltra Adelina , Borràs Roger , Roca Luque Ivo , Castel María Ángeles , Garre Paz , Ferró Elisenda , Niebla Mireia , Carro Esther , Arbelo Elena , Sitges Marta , Tolosana José M. , Mont Lluís
Published: January 2022

Background

His‐Purkinje conduction system pacing (HPCSP) has been proposed as an alternative to Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CRT); however, predictors of echocardiographic response have not been described in this population. Septal flash (SF), a fast contraction and relaxation of the septum, is a marker of intraventricular dyssynchrony.

Methods

The study aimed to analyze whether HPCSP corrects SF in patients with CRT indication, and if correction of SF predicts echocardiographic response. This retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data included 30 patients. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was measured with echocardiography at baseline and at 6‐month follow‐up. Echocardiographic response was defined as increase in five points in LVEF.

Results

HPCSP shortened QRS duration by 48 ± 21 ms and SF was significantly decreased (baseline 3.6 ± 2.2 mm vs. HPCSP 1.5 ± 1.5 mm p < .0001). At 6‐month follow‐up, mean LVEF improvement was 8.6% ± 8.7% and 64% of patients were responders. There was a significant correlation between SF correction and increased LVEF (r = .61, p = .004). A correction of ≥1.5 mm (baseline SF – paced SF) had a sensitivity of 81% and 80% specificity to predict echocardiographic response (area under the curve 0.856, p = .019).

Conclusion

HPCSP improves intraventricular dyssynchrony and results in 64% echocardiographic responders at 6‐month follow‐up. Dyssynchrony improvement with SF correction may predict echocardiographic response at 6‐month follow‐up.
Identification and estimation of threshold matrix‐variate factor models
Authors: Liu Xialu , Chen Elynn Y.
Published: January 2022

Motivated by the growing availability of complex time series observed in real applications, we propose a threshold matrix‐variate factor model, which simultaneously addresses the sample‐wise and time‐wise complexities of a time series. The sample‐wise complexity is characterized by modeling matrix‐variate observations directly, while the time‐wise complexity is modeled by a threshold variable to describe the nonlinearity in time series. The estimators for loading spaces and threshold values are introduced and their asymptotic properties are investigated. Our matrix‐variate models compress data more efficiently than traditional vectorization‐based models. Furthermore, we greatly extend the scope of current research on threshold factor models by removing several restrictive assumptions, including existence of only one threshold, fixed factor dimensions across different regimes, and stationarity within regime. Under the relaxed assumptions, the proposed estimators are consistent even when the numbers of factors are overestimated. Simulated and real examples are presented to illustrate the proposed methods.
Welfare state change as a double movement: Four decades of retrenchment and expansion in compensatory and employment‐oriented policies across 21 high‐income countries
Authors: Ferragina Emanuele
Published: January 2022

We conceptualise and measure welfare state change across 21 high‐income countries as a continuum delineated by a double movement, that is, the combined change of compensatory and employment‐oriented policies. Our double movement framework readapts Polanyi's concept into the context of welfare state change. We analyse this double movement across four decades using Principal Component Analysis and a new indicator that compares spending in 2015 to maximum and minimum spending levels since the 1980. We contribute to the literature in three ways. First, we empirically document an overall change in spending for compensatory and employment‐oriented policies, with the latter becoming more prominent over time. This change is more pronounced in the 1990s and even more so in the 2000s, and partially reduced classic regime differences. The PCAs generate a Cartesian space where each country is positioned across time (the 1980s, the 1990s, the 2000s and the 2010s) and space (within four quadrants, i.e., ‘the strong employment‐oriented space’, ‘the weak employment‐oriented space’, ‘the strong compensatory space’, and ‘the weak compensatory space’). Second, we develop a fivefold taxonomy of welfare state change characterised by: (1) retrenchment in Canada, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, Sweden and the United Kingdom; (2) abridged adaptation in Australia, Belgium, Finland, Norway, Spain and the United States; (3) minor expansionary adaptation in Greece, Italy, Japan, Portugal and Switzerland—where spending levels were low in the 1980; (4) adaptation with an equilibrium between the two movements in New Zealand and (5) strong expansionary adaptation in Austria, Denmark and France. Overall retrenchment and abridging adaptation prevail over expansionary adaptation—this is due to cutbacks of unemployment, family allowances and active labour market programmes not being counterbalanced by the expansion of childcare. Third, we critically interpret these changes, introducing the double movement concept into comparative social policy.
When good trouble sparks agenda change: Disentangling the evolution of the Congressional Black Caucus' positions on police reform
Authors: Peay Periloux C. , Rackey John D.
Published: January 2022

The Black Caucus’ position on crime and community policing has been a constant juxtaposition between advocating for the health and safety of Black communities while decrying the ever‐toxic relationship with the American policing and carceral systems. This is evident in the organization's overwhelming support for the infamous 1994 Crime Bill—a largely punitive bill that has since been directly linked to the over‐policing and incarceration of Black Americans. Recently, however, the organization has adopted a policy stance that reflects a commitment to reforming the American policing system. This article traces the organization's evolution from support for prevention‐based, punitive policies to comprehensive police reform in the period since the passage of the 1994 Crime Bill. We find this transformation has been one that is both responsive to exogenous shocks—high profile killings of unarmed Black Americans and the resulting protests—as well as an endogenous change—organizational turnover and ideological drift within the organization. These factors create active and latent processes that worked on the Congressional Black Caucus’ behaviors and preferences.
Assessment of bacterial growth in leukoreduced cold‐stored whole blood supports overnight hold at room temperature prior to filtration: A pilot study
Authors: Ramirez‐Arcos Sandra , Kou Yuntong , Kumaran Dilini , Culibrk Brankica , Stewart Tamiko , Schubert Peter , McTaggart Ken
Published: January 2022

Background and Objectives

Whole blood (WB) transfusion has regained attention to treat trauma patients. We reported no significant changes in in vitro quality through 21 days of cold storage for leukoreduced WB (LCWB) when time to filtration was extended from 8 to 24 h from collection. This study evaluated the impact of extended WB‐hold at room temperature (RT) prior to leukoreduction on proliferation of transfusion‐relevant bacteria.

Materials and Methods

WB units were spiked with suspensions of Klebsiella pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes, Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes prepared in saline solution (SS) or trypticase soy broth (TSB) to a concentration of ~0.2 CFU/ml (N = 6). Spiked units were held at RT for 18–24 h before leukoreduction and cold‐stored for 21 days. Bacterial growth was determined on days 2, 7, 14 and 21. In vitro quality of WB inoculated with unspiked diluents was assessed.

Results

K. pneumoniae and S. pyogenes proliferated in WB prior to leukoreduction reaching concentrations ≤102 CFU/ml. These bacteria, however, did not proliferate during the subsequent cold storage. S. aureus did not survive in WB while L. monocytogenes reached a concentration of ~102 CFU/ml by day 21. LCWB in vitro quality was not affected by SS or TSB.

Conclusion

Extended WB‐hold prior to leukoreduction allowed proliferation of bacteria able to resist immune clearance, although they did not grow to clinically significant levels. While L. monocytogenes proliferated in LCWB, clinically relevant concentrations were not reached by day 21. These data suggest that transfusing LCWB may not pose a significant bacterial contamination safety risk to transfusion patients.
Health‐promoting behaviors among American and Lebanese nursing students
Authors: Davis Beena , Badr Lina K. , Doumit Rita
Published: January 2022

Background

Although there are well‐known benefits of maintaining a healthy lifestyle, few nursing students practice health‐promoting behaviors (HPBs).

Aims

The aim of this study was to compare the HPBs of undergraduate nursing students from two different cultures—the United States of America (U.S.), a high‐income country, and Lebanon, a low‐income country.

Methods

A cross‐sectional, descriptive study included 320 undergraduate nursing students, of which 200 were from the U.S. and 120 were from Lebanon.

Results

The results indicated significant differences between the groups in their HPBs, as measured by the total Health‐Promoting Lifestyle Profile‐II score of t(318) = 6.66, p = .001, and its subscales of health responsibility, t(318) = 5.06, p = .001; physical activity, t(318) = 6.29, p = .001; interpersonal relations, t(318) = 4.24, p = .001; nutrition, t(318) = 3.54, p = .001; spiritual growth, t (318) = 3.05, p = .002; and stress management, t(318) = 3, p = .003.

Linking Evidence to Action

The significant differences in HPBs of nursing students from two different countries indicated that cultural factors may influence students’ healthy lifestyle. Therefore, nursing education should consider exploring strategies that promote student participation in health‐promoting activities.
DOES AN INKLING BELONG IN SCIENCE AND RELIGION? HUMAN CONSCIOUSNESS, EPISTEMOLOGY AND THE IMAGINATION
Authors: Lorrimar Victoria
Published: January 2022

How do we come toknowthings, and how are such epistemological questions treated in the field of science and religion? Recent critiques of science and religion methodology argue for an anti‐essentialist approach to science and religion that acknowledges their different epistemic territories and promotes interdisciplinarity. This article operates in such a vein, considering the contributions of Owen Barfield, member of the Inklings, an Oxford literary group, to the study of human consciousness, epistemology and metaphysics, and apologetics, all topics with particular relevance to science and religion. Barfield's understanding of the evolution of human consciousness as revealed by the history of language has scientific import, and may be developed by more intentional cross‐disciplinary collaborations between psychological and cognitive scientists and humanities scholars. His approach to mythopoesis and the imagination resists scientific reductionism, and can inform epistemological dialogue between science and religion, as well as contemporary apologetics.
Evaluating behavioral economic interventions for promoting cancer screening uptake and adherence in targeted populations: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Wang Mian , Yang Hua-Lu , Liu Xian-Liang , Mo Bei-Rong , Kynoch Kathryn , Ramis Mary-Anne
Published: January 2022

Objective:

The objective of this review is to determine the effectiveness of behavioral economic interventions for promoting uptake of and adherence to cancer screening recommended by guidelines.

Introduction:

Cancer screening has been found to help reduce incidence of and mortality from advanced cancer. However, adherence to recommended cancer screening services is low in asymptomatic adults with average risk, possibly due to systematic decision biases. The findings of this review will demonstrate whether interventions informed by behavioral economic insights can help improve uptake of and adherence to cancer screening.

Inclusion criteria:

This review will consider experimental, quasi-experimental, and analytical observational studies that i) evaluate the effects of behavioral economic interventions in adults eligible for guideline-recommended cancer screening; and ii) report the number/percentage of individuals who used screening services; number/percentage of individuals who completed screening recommended by guidelines; participant self-reported intentions, choice, and satisfaction regarding the use of screening services; detection rates of early-stage cancers; use of early intervention for cancers; and cancer-related mortality.

Methods:

A systematic literature search will be performed by one reviewer. After removing duplicates, two reviewers will independently screen and appraise eligible studies according to the JBI methodology for systematic reviews of effectiveness. Five databases will be searched: CINAHL, the Cochrane Library, PsyclNFO, PubMed, and Web of Science. Sources of gray literature and registered clinical trials will also be searched for potential studies. There will be no limits on publication date or language. Data synthesis will be conducted using meta-analysis and narrative synthesis where appropriate.

Systematic review registration number:

PROSPERO CRD42021258370
The LRRC family of BK channel regulatory subunits: potential roles in health and disease
Authors: Gonzalez‐Perez Vivian , Zhou Yu , Ciorba Matthew A. , Lingle Christopher J.
Published: January 2022

Large conductance K+ channels, termed BK channels, regulate a variety of cellular and physiological functions. Although universally activated by changes in voltage or [Ca2+]i, the threshold for BK channel activation varies among loci of expression, often arising from cell‐specific regulatory subunits including a family of leucine rich repeat‐containing (LRRC) γ subunits (LRRC26, LRRC52, LRRC55 and LRRC38). The ‘founding’ member of this family, LRRC26, was originally identified as a tumour suppressor in various cancers. An LRRC26 knockout (KO) mouse model recently revealed that LRRC26 is also highly expressed in secretory epithelial cells and partners with BK channels in the salivary gland and colonic goblet cells to promote sustained K+ fluxes likely essential for normal secretory function. To accomplish this, LRRC26 negatively shifts the range of BK channel activation such that channels contribute to K+ flux near typical epithelial cell resting conditions. In colon, the absence of LRRC26 increases vulnerability to colitis. LRRC26‐containing BK channels are also likely important regulators of epithelial function in other loci, including airways, female reproductive tract and mammary gland. Based on an LRRC52 KO mouse model, LRRC52 regulation of large conductance K+ channels plays a role both in sperm function and in cochlear inner hair cells. Although our understanding of LRRC‐containing BK channels remains rudimentary, KO mouse models may help define other organs in which LRRC‐containing channels support normal function. A key topic for future work concerns identification of endogenous mechanisms, whether post‐translational or via gene regulation, that may impact LRRC‐dependent pathologies.

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Modeling and Simulation of the Engraving Process in Different Life Stages of Small Caliber Guns
Authors: Dhouibi Mohamed , Ousji Hamza , Atoui Oussama , Nassri Rachid , Pirlot Marc
Published: January 2022

Effects of erosion phenomenon on the performance of a given gun barrel have been analyzed throughout numerical and experimental studies. Mainly, qualitative observations were performed. Theoretical relations between the evolution of the inner barrel profile and the provided interior ballistics are limited. This article focuses on the development of a numerical model to predict the engraving resistance evolution in terms of the inner barrel profile in the different weapon's life stages. Four test barrels “12.7 × 99 mm NATO” with different chamber volumes were considered. First, a Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM) with a contact scanning probe was used to measure the inner dimension of the guns. Second, piezoelectric sensors with a special Doppler radar were considered to measure the (i) pressure and (ii) the bullet velocity in the test weapons. Finally, based on the obtained experimental results, a finite element (FE) analysis using the commercial software LS-DYNA was developed and validated. The obtained numerical results were used as insights to quantify the relationship between the engraving resistance and the chamber volume of small caliber guns.
Failure Criteria for Brittle Notched Specimens
Authors: Kwon Y. W. , Diaz-Colon C. , Defisher S.
Published: January 2022

Recently, new failure criteria were proposed for brittle materials to predict their failure loads regardless of the shapes of a notch or a crack in the material. This paper is to further evaluate the failure criteria for different shapes of notches and different materials. A circular hole, elliptical hole, or crack-like slit with a different angle with respect to the loading direction were considered. Double circular holes were also studied. The materials studied were an isotropic material such as polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) as well as laminated carbon fiber composites. Both cross-ply and quasi-isotropic layup orientations were examined. The lamination theory was used for the composite materials so that they can be modeled as an anisotropic and homogeneous material. The test results were compared to the theoretical predictions using the finite element analysis with two-dimensional plane stress models. Both theoretical failure stresses agreed well with the experimental data for the materials and notch geometries studied herein.
Computational Design for Digitally Fabricated 3D Inductive Power Transfer Coils
Authors: Xu Jun , Doubrovski E. (Zjenja) L. , Geraedts Jo M. P. , Song Yu (Wolf)
Published: January 2022

The geometric shapes and the relative position of coils influence the performance of a three-dimensional (3D) inductive power transfer system. In this paper, we propose a coil design method for specifying the positions and the 3D shapes of a pair of coils to transmit the desired power. Given region of interests (ROIs) for designing the transmitter and the receiver coils on two surfaces, the transmitter coil is generated around the center of its ROI. The center of the receiver coil is estimated as a random seed position in the corresponding 3D surface. At this position, we use the heatmap method with electromagnetic constraints to iteratively extend the coil until the desired power can be transferred via the set of coils. In each step, the shape of the extension, i.e., a new turn of the receiver coil, is found as a spiral curve based on the convex hulls of the 2D projected adjacent turns along their normal direction. Then, the optimal position of the receiver coil is found by maximizing the efficiency of the system. In the next step, the position and the shape of the transmitter coil are optimized based on the fixed receiver coil using the same method. This optimization process iterates until an optimum is reached. Simulations and experiments with digitally fabricated prototypes were conducted and the effectiveness of the proposed 3D coil design method was verified.
Coronary Artery Stenting Affects Wall Shear Stress Topological Skeleton
Authors: Chiastra Claudio , Mazzi Valentina , Lodi Rizzini Maurizio , Calò Karol , Corti Anna , Acquasanta Alessandro , De Nisco Giuseppe , Belliggiano Davide , Cerrato Enrico , Gallo Diego , Morbiducci Umberto
Published: January 2022

Despite the important advancements in the stent technology for the treatment of diseased coronary arteries, major complications still affect the postoperative long-term outcome. The stent-induced flow disturbances, and especially the altered wall shear stress (WSS) profile at the strut level, play an important role in the pathophysiological mechanisms leading to stent thrombosis (ST) and in-stent restenosis (ISR). In this context, the analysis of the WSS topological skeleton is gaining more and more interest by extending the current understanding of the association between local hemodynamics and vascular diseases. This study aims to analyze the impact that a deployed coronary stent has on the WSS topological skeleton. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations were performed in three stented human coronary artery geometries reconstructed from clinical images. The selected cases presented stents with different designs (i.e., two contemporary drug-eluting stents and one bioresorbable scaffold) and included regions with stent malapposition or overlapping. A recently proposed Eulerian-based approach was applied to analyze the WSS topological skeleton features. The results highlighted that the presence of single or multiple stents within a coronary artery markedly impacts the WSS topological skeleton. In particular, repetitive patterns of WSS divergence were observed at the luminal surface, highlighting a WSS contraction action exerted proximal to the stent struts and a WSS expansion action distal to the stent struts. This WSS action pattern was independent from the stent design. In conclusion, these findings could contribute to a deeper understanding of the hemodynamics-driven processes underlying ST and ISR.
Periodic Motion and Frequency Energy Plots of Dynamical Systems Coupled With Piecewise Nonlinear Energy Sink
Authors: Al-Shudeifat Mohammad A. , Saeed Adnan S.
Published: January 2022

The frequency-energy plots (FEPs) of two-degree-of-freedom linear structures attached to a piecewise nonlinear energy sink (PNES) are generated here and thoroughly investigated. This study provides the FEP analysis of such systems for further understanding to nonlinear targeted energy transfer (TET) by the PNES. The attached PNES to the considered linear dynamical systems incorporates a symmetrical clearance zone of zero stiffness content where the boundaries of the zone are coupled with the linear structure by linear stiffness elements. In addition, linear viscous damping is selected to be continuous during the PNES mass oscillation. The underlying nonlinear dynamical behavior of the considered structure-PNES systems is investigated by generating the fundamental backbone curves of the FEP and the bifurcated subharmonic resonance branches using numerical continuation methods. Accordingly, interesting dynamical behavior of the nonlinear normal modes (NNMs) of the structure-PNES system on different backbones and subharmonic resonance branches has been observed. In addition, the imposed wavelet transform frequency spectra on the FEPs have revealed that the TET takes place in multiple resonance captures where it is dominated by the nonlinear action of the PNES.
Modeling of Supercritical CO2 Shell-and-Tube Heat Exchangers Under Extreme Conditions. Part I: Correlation Development
Authors: Krishna Akshay Bharadwaj , Jin Kaiyuan , Ayyaswamy Portonovo S. , Catton Ivan , Fisher Timothy S.
Published: January 2022

High-temperature supercritical CO2 Brayton cycles are promising possibilities for future stationary power generation and hybrid electric propulsion applications. Heat exchangers are critical components in supercritical CO2 thermal cycles and require accurate correlations and comprehensive performance modeling under extreme temperatures and pressures. In this paper (Part I), new Colburn and friction factor correlations are developed to quantify shell-side heat transfer and friction characteristics of flow within heat exchangers in the shell-and-tube configuration. Using experimental and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) data sets from existing literature, multivariate regression analysis is conducted to achieve correlations that capture the effect of multiple critical geometric parameters. These correlations offer superior accuracy and versatility as compared to previous studies and predict the thermohydraulic performance of about 90% of the existing experimental and CFD data within ±15%. Supplementary thermohydraulic performance data are acquired from CFD simulations with supercritical CO2 as working fluid to validate the developed correlations and demonstrate its capability to be applied to supercrtical CO2 heat exchangers.
Taking Steps Toward Health Equity Through Physical Activity
Authors: Keith NiCole R.
Published: January 2022

Health equity will be achieved when all demographics have a fair opportunity be healthy. This essay describes the possibility of achieving health equity through physical activity. It presents the social ecological model of physical activity and describes how both microenvironmental and macroenvironmental factors influence one’s ability to participate. There is then a description of watershed moments in American history that negatively influenced the ability of certain demographics to be active today. It then describes groups participating in less physical activity when compared to others. Several public health and political science models are then suggested with specific examples of how they have been implemented in the past to improve health or physical activity. The essay ends by describing the need to build the physical activity evidence among vulnerable populations that tend to be underrepresented in research and explains best practices in engaging these populations in investigative work.
Redox-dependent internalization of the purinergic P2Y
6
receptor limits colitis progression
Authors: Nishiyama Kazuhiro , Nishimura Akiyuki , Shimoda Kakeru , Tanaka Tomohiro , Kato Yuri , Shibata Takahiro , Tanaka Hiroshi , Kurose Hitoshi , Azuma Yasu-Taka , Ihara Hideshi , Kumagai Yoshito , Akaike Takaaki , Eaton Philip , Uchida Koji , Nishida Motohiro
Published: January 2022

Cysteine modification of the purinergic receptor P2Y
6
R promotes internalization and degradation and limits colitis progression.
Predicting the mutational drivers of future SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern
Authors: Maher M. Cyrus , Bartha Istvan , Weaver Steven , di Iulio Julia , Ferri Elena , Soriaga Leah , Lempp Florian A. , Hie Brian L. , Bryson Bryan , Berger Bonnie , Robertson David L. , Snell Gyorgy , Corti Davide , Virgin Herbert W. , Kosakovsky Pond Sergei L. , Telenti Amalio
Published: January 2022

SARS-CoV-2 evolution threatens vaccine- and natural infection–derived immunity and the efficacy of therapeutic antibodies. To improve public health preparedness, we sought to predict which existing amino acid mutations in SARS-CoV-2 might contribute to future variants of concern. We tested the predictive value of features comprising epidemiology, evolution, immunology, and neural network–based protein sequence modeling and identified primary biological drivers of SARS-CoV-2 intrapandemic evolution. We found evidence that ACE2-mediated transmissibility and resistance to population-level host immunity has waxed and waned as a primary driver of SARS-CoV-2 evolution over time. We retroactively identified with high accuracy (area under the receiver operator characteristic curve = 0.92 to 0.97) mutations that will spread, at up to 4 months in advance, across different phases of the pandemic. The behavior of the model was consistent with a plausible causal structure where epidemiological covariates combine the effects of diverse and shifting drivers of viral fitness. We applied our model to forecast mutations that will spread in the future and characterize how these mutations affect the binding of therapeutic antibodies. These findings demonstrate that it is possible to forecast the driver mutations that could appear in emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern. We validated this result against Omicron, showing elevated predictive scores for its component mutations before emergence and rapid score increase across daily forecasts during emergence. This modeling approach may be applied to any rapidly evolving pathogens with sufficiently dense genomic surveillance data, such as influenza, and unknown future pandemic viruses.
Coronaviruses Nsp5 Antagonizes Porcine Gasdermin D-Mediated Pyroptosis by Cleaving Pore-Forming p30 Fragment
Authors: Shi Fushan , Lv Qian , Wang Tingjun , Xu Jidong , Xu Wei , Shi Yuhua , Fu Xinyu , Yang Tianming , Yang Yang , Zhuang Lenan , Fang Weihuan , Gu Jinyan , Li Xiaoliang
Published: January 2022

Recently, GSDMD has been reported as a key executioner for pyroptosis. This study first demonstrates the molecular mechanism of pGSDMD-mediated pyroptosis and that the pGSDMD-mediated pyroptosis protects host cells against PEDV infection.
It’s the Economy, Stupid: Applying (Micro)economic Principles to Microbiome Science
Authors: Kashtan Nadav , Bushong Benjamin , Leveau Johan H. J.
Published: January 2022

A key challenge in microbiome science is the scale mismatch problem, which arises when the scale at which microbial communities are sampled, interrogated, and averaged is different from the scale at which individual microorganisms within those communities interact with each other and with their environment (D. W.