bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reduced climate adaptation at range edges in North American Arabidopsis lyrata
Authors: Sánchez‐Castro Darío , Perrier Antoine , Willi Yvonne
Published: March 2022

Aim

Species’ range limits, when not caused by dispersal limitation, are the result of constraints to the evolution of the ecological niche such that further range expansion is slow or not possible. An important evolutionary constraint at range edges may be the enhanced action of genetic drift. Here we tested whether a history of small population size and enhanced genetic drift was linked with reduced adaptation at range limits.

Location

Eastern North America.

Time period

2017–2019.

Taxon

Arabidopsis lyrata subsp. lyrata.

Methods

We performed a latitudinal transplant experiment with sites across and beyond the species' distribution of North American Arabidopsis lyrata. Plants originated from the centre and the periphery, and the latter shared a history of range expansion or long‐term isolation and had low genetic diversity. We tested for adaptation by considering climatic variables that had previously been associated with both niche and range limits.

Results

Multiplicative performance of plants was lower the more different the temperature regime between a transplant site and a home site was, supporting climate adaptation. However, populations performed worse only when conditions were warmer at the transplant sites and better when conditions were colder, indicating that despite divergent adaptation to climate, the species seems to prefer living in cooler areas than where it is found currently. Finally, populations with low genetic diversity had a lower performance under a climate similar to that of their home sites, and performance declined more strongly under warmer conditions.

Main conclusions

Our study provides evidence that genetic drift reduces adaptation at species’ range limits, and that populations with a history of genetic drift are especially vulnerable under global warming.
Luxury brand attachment: Predictors, moderators and consequences
Authors: Shimul Anwar Sadat , Phau Ian
Published: March 2022

Although there is ample evidence that consumer attachment varies across luxury and non‐luxury brands, there is a lack of research in understanding the predictors, moderators and consequences of luxury brand attachment (LBA). This paper aims to develop and test a research model for LBA (study 1), examine the moderating influence of self‐consciousness on the relationship between actual/ideal self‐congruence and LBA (study 2) and validate the research model across privately and publicly consumed products (study 3). Data (n = 961) were analysed using Structural Equation Modelling with the IBM SPSS AMOS 25.0. The results show that consumers’ perceived actual and ideal self‐congruence have a significant positive impact on LBA. In addition, LBA results in consumer advocacy. Private (public) self‐consciousness enhances the relationship between actual (ideal) self‐congruence and LBA. However, social anxiety did not influence the relationship between self‐congruence and LBA. Moreover, the relationship between actual self‐congruence and LBA was stronger for privately consumed products. This research would provide luxury managers with an understanding of how consumers develop a bond with luxury brands based on the perceived brand self‐congruence. The LBA model would also help managers segment luxury consumers and identify the segments with low, medium and high attachment. In addition, using the findings of this research, luxury managers can incorporate the relevant aspect of self‐congruence into brand positioning and advertising messages.
Suboptimal COVID‐19 vaccine uptake among hospitalised patients: an opportunity to improve vulnerable, hard‐to‐reach population vaccine rates
Authors: Roberts Matthew B. , Ferguson Catherine , McCartney Erin , Selvanderan Kendra , Badiei Arash , Paradiso Lisa , Wallace Caitlin , Torpy Helena , Zhang Frank , Sim Beatrice , Papanicolas Lito , Ashokan Anushia , Shaw David , Bak Narin
Published: March 2022

Background

COVID‐19 vaccination represents a key preventative part of the Australian public health approach to the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) pandemic. Hospital inpatients are frequently high risk for severe COVID‐19 and death. Anecdotes of high‐risk inpatients being unvaccinated and a lack of electronic medical record (EMR) visibility of COVID‐19 vaccination status prompted the present study as these patients could represent a risk to themselves, staff, other patients and service provision.

Aims

To determine the uptake of COVID‐19 vaccine among inpatients at an adult Australian tertiary public hospital and identify reasons for non‐vaccination.

Methods

A point‐prevalence study of patient‐reported COVID‐19 vaccine status was conducted on 26 October 2021 through an in‐person interview with collection of demographic factors and reasons for non‐vaccination.

Results

Of 368 (68% of inpatients) participants, 280 (76%) reported receiving at least one COVID‐19 vaccine dose. Vaccination status was associated with older age, having received the flu vaccine, being born in Australia and not requiring an English‐language interpreter. The majority (88%) of participants had at least one comorbid risk factor for severe COVID‐19. Of the unvaccinated (n = 88), 67% were willing to be vaccinated with 54% of those indicating vaccination in hospital would be helpful and 42% requesting approval from their doctor.

Conclusions

Vaccine uptake in our cohort is suboptimal. Existing public health programmes have failed to reach this high‐risk, vulnerable population. Changes to the national vaccination strategy to include a parallel inhospital programme for all hospital encounters and target culturally and linguistically diverse individuals might improve uptake among this high‐risk, hard‐to‐reach group of patients.
CTLA4Ig/VISTAIg combination therapy selectively induces CD4+ T cell‐mediated immune tolerance by targeting the SOCS1 signaling pathway in porcine islet xenotransplantation
Authors: Wang Dan , Bai Xue , Wang Bin , Yi Qiying , Yu Weihua , Zhang Xinying , Tian Ruoyuan , Zhang Xiao , Li Caihua , Chen Yi , Liu Yang , Cheng Yao , He Sirong
Published: March 2022

T cell inhibitory receptors can regulate the proliferation or function of T cells by binding to their ligands and present a unique opportunity to manage destructive immune responses during porcine islet xenotransplantation. We applied ex vivo porcine islet xenotransplantation and in vitro mixed lymphocyte‐islet reaction models to assess immune checkpoint receptor expression profiles in recipient T cells, investigated whether CTLA4 or VISTA immunoglobulin (Ig) combination therapy alone could suppress porcine islet xenograft rejection and further analyzed its potential immune tolerance mechanism. Recipient T cells expressed moderate to high levels of CTLA4, PD‐1, TIGIT and VISTA, and the frequency of CTLA4+CD4+, TIGIT+CD4+, VISTA+CD4+ and VISTA+CD8+ T cells was positively correlated with porcine islet xenograft survival time in xenotransplant recipients. Combined treatment with CTLA4Ig and VISTAIg selectively inhibited recipient CD4+ T cell hyper‐responsiveness and proinflammatory cytokine production and significantly delayed xenograft rejection. SOCS1 deficiency in CD4+ T cells stimulated by xenogeneic islets facilitated hyper‐responsiveness and abolished the suppressive effect of combination therapy on recipient T cell‐mediated porcine islet damage in vivo and in vitro. Further mechanistic studies revealed that combined treatment significantly induced SOCS1 expression and inhibited the Jak‐STAT signalling pathway in wild‐type recipient CD4+ T cells stimulated by xenogeneic islets, whereas SOCS1 deficiency resulted in Jak‐STAT signalling pathway activation in recipient CD4+ T cells. We demonstrated a major role for CTLA4 and VISTA as key targets in CD4+ T cell hyper‐responsiveness and porcine islet xenograft rejection. The selective inhibition of CD4+ T cell immunity by CTLA4Ig/VISTAIg is based on SOCS1‐dependent signalling.
When do workers support executive aggrandizement? Lessons from the recent Turkish experience
Authors: Apaydin Fulya , Öngel Ferit Serkan , Schmid Jonas W. , Ülker Erol
Published: March 2022

Following the 2017 constitutional referendum under the Adalet ve Kalkinma Partisi (Justice and Development Party‐AKP) rule in Turkey, the reforms granted judicial and legislative powers to the head of the executive under a presidential system. Initial observations reveal that some blue‐collar workers who are members of a historically progressive union have also supported these reforms. This is surprising because the union leadership has publicly opposed these changes. What explains this discrepancy? Why did some of these workers support reforms in favour of a powerful executive? Based on a sample from a major metalworking union, this paper finds that partisan identity moderates support for AKP's push for challenging the separation of powers. Although we find that higher amount of debt may reduce worker support for stronger executive, this is conditional on the metal workers' pre‐existing partisan commitments. Under these circumstances, highly indebted partisan workers do not diverge from the party line. These results also raise further questions for students of labour and regime change elsewhere in the developing world.
Quietly bearing the brunt of austerity in school: A qualitative study into children's experiences of food insecurity in Ghana
Authors: Mohammed Abdul‐Rahim
Published: March 2022

The dominant food security literature that reports on children's experiences of food insecurity rely on adult/parent proxies. Nevertheless, studies have shown that adult narrations of children's experiences might not always accurately reflect children's experiences. Furthermore, other studies have also shown that in many cases, children are the best reporters of their experiences. Against this background, this paper sets out to explore, from school children's own perspectives, their lived experiences of food insecurity in school under the Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP). This research is important because the latest round of austerity programmes in Ghana has compelled the service providers of the GSFP to resort to several coping strategies (such as rationing services, compromising the quality and quantity of meals served, and occasionally skipping service delivery) which can have significant effects on children's nutrition. Findings from group discussions and one‐on‐one semi‐structured interviews with 21 primary school children aged 8 to 15 highlight school children's experiences of food insecurity. By exploring children's experiences of food insecurity in school, this paper presents evidence that shows that research about children's experiences can and should be based on children's accounts and not adult proxies.
Settler Colonialism, Decolonization, and Climate Change
Authors: Reibold Kerstin
Published: March 2022

The article proposes that climate change makes enduring colonial injustices and structures visible. It focuses on the imposition and dominance of colonial concepts of land and self‐determination on Indigenous peoples in settler states. It argues that if the dominance of these colonial frameworks remains unaddressed, the progressing climate change will worsen other colonial injustices, too. Specifically, Indigenous self‐determination capabilities will be increasingly undermined, and Indigenous peoples will experience the loss of what they understand as relevant land from within their own ontologies of land. The article holds that even if settler states strive to repair colonial injustices, these efforts will be unsuccessful if climate change occurs and decolonization is pursued within the framework of a settler colonial ontology of land. Therefore, the article suggests, decolonization of the ontologies of land and concepts of self‐determination is a precondition for a just response to climate change.
Strategies for repeat ablation for atrial fibrillation: A multicentre comparison of nonpulmonary vein versus pulmonary vein target ablation
Authors: Mol Daniel , Mulder Mark J. , Veenstra Rob , Allaart Cornelis P. , Hof Irene E. , Kemme Michiel J. B. , Khan Muchtiar , Kimman Geert‐Jan P. , Mairuhu Gideon , de Ruiter Gijsbert S. , Tahapary Giovanni J. M. , de Groot Joris R. , de Jong Jonas S. S. G.
Published: March 2022

Introduction

Approximately 18% of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) undergo a repeat ablation within 12 months after their index ablation. Despite the high prevalence, comparative studies on nonpulmonary vein (PV) target strategies in repeat AF ablation are scarce. Here, we describe 12 months efficacy of non‐PV and PV target ablations as a repeat ablation strategy.

Methods

A multicentre retrospective, descriptive study was conducted with data of 280 patients who underwent repeat AF ablation. The ablation strategy for repeat ablation was at the operators' discretion. Non‐PV target ablation (n = 140) included PV reisolation, posterior wall isolation, mitral line, roofline, and/or complex fractionated atrial electrogram ablation. PV target ablation (n = 140), included reisolation and/or wide atrium circumferential ablation. Patients' demographics and rhythm outcomes during 12 months follow‐up were analyzed.

Results

At 12 months, more atrial tachyarrhythmias were observed in the non‐PV target group (48.6%) compared to the PV target group (29.3%, p = .001). Similarly, a significantly higher AF and atrial tachycardia (AT) recurrence rate was observed after non‐PV target ablation compared to PV target ablation (36.4% vs. 22.1% and 22.9% vs. 10.7%). After adjustment, a significantly higher risk of AT recurrence remained in the non‐PV target group. Both groups significantly de‐escalated antiarrhythmic drug use; de‐escalation was more profound after PV target ablation. Patients with isolated PVs during non‐PV target ablation had a significantly higher risk for AF recurrence than those with reconnected PVs.

Conclusion

Compared to PV target ablation, non‐PV target repeat ablation did not improve outcomes after 12 months and was independently associated with an increased risk for AT recurrences.
Efficacy of autogenous tooth roots for a combined vertical and horizontal alveolar ridge augmentation and staged implant placement. A prospective controlled clinical study
Authors: Schwarz Frank , Obreja Karina , Mayer Stephanie , Ramanauskaite Ausra , Sader Robert , Parvini Puria
Published: March 2022

Objectives

To assess and compare the efficacy and safety of autogenous tooth roots (TRs) and autogenous bone blocks (ABs) for combined vertical and horizontal alveolar ridge augmentation and two‐stage implant placement.

Materials and Methods

A total of 28 patients in need of implant therapy and vertical ridge augmentation were allocated to parallel groups receiving either healthy autogenous tooth roots (e.g., retained wisdom teeth) (n = 14,n = 15 defects) or cortical autogenous bone blocks harvested from the retromolar area (n = 14,n = 17 defects). After 26 weeks of submerged healing, the clinical reduction in ridge height (RH) deficiency was defined as the primary outcome.

Results

Both surgical procedures were associated with a similar mean reduction in RH deficiency values, amounting to 4.48 ± 2.42 mm (median: 4.25; 95% CI: 3.08–5.88) in the TR group and 4.46 ± 3.31 mm (median: 3.00; 95% CI: 2.54–6.38) in the AB group (p = .60, Mann–WhitneyU‐test). In all patients investigated, the reduction in RH deficiency values allowed for an adequate implant placement at the respective sites. The frequency of complications (e.g., soft tissue dehiscences) was low (TR:n = 4; AB:n = 0).

Conclusions

Up to staged‐implant placement, both TR and AB grafts appeared to be associated with comparable efficacy and safety for combined vertical and horizontal alveolar ridge augmentation.
A Money‐Financed Fiscal Stimulus: Redistribution and Social Welfare
Authors: PUNZO CHIARA , ROSSI LORENZA
Published: March 2022

We analyze the redistribution channel of a money‐financed fiscal stimulus (MFFS) versus debt‐financed fiscal stimulus (DFFS) in a Borrower–Saver framework. The redistribution channel is larger when we consider an MFFS and borrowers are the main beneficiaries. A liquidity trap scenario amplifies the differences between an MFFS and a DFFS. The redistribution channel makes an MFFS effective at having an expansionary effect in the medium run, despite the adverse scenario. We show, however, that an MFFS increases the consumption gap between the two agents by redistributing income from savers to borrowers. Thus, an MFFS results detrimental for welfare when the welfare function is approximated around the efficient steady state.
Cortical reorganization of the glutamate synapse in the activity‐based anorexia rat model: Impact on cognition
Authors: Mottarlini Francesca , Targa Giorgia , Bottan Giorgia , Tarenzi Benedetta , Fumagalli Fabio , Caffino Lucia
Published: March 2022

Patients suffering from anorexia nervosa (AN) display altered neural activity, morphological, and functional connectivity in the fronto‐striatal circuit. In addition, hypoglutamatergic transmission and aberrant excitability of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) observed in AN patients might underpin cognitive deficits that fuel the vicious cycle of dieting behavior. To provide a molecular mechanism, we employed the activity‐based anorexia (ABA) rat model, which combines the two hallmarks of AN (i.e., caloric restriction and intense physical exercise), to evaluate structural remodeling together with alterations in the glutamatergic signaling in the mPFC and their impact on temporal memory, as measured by the temporal order object recognition (TOOR) test. Our data indicate that the combination of caloric restriction and intense physical exercise altered the homeostasis of the glutamate synapse and reduced spine density in the mPFC. These events, paralleled by an impairment in recency discrimination in the TOOR test, are associated with the ABA endophenotype. Of note, after a 7‐day recovery period, body weight was recovered and the mPFC structure normalized but ABA rats still exhibited reduced post‐synaptic stability of AMPA and NMDA glutamate receptors associated with cognitive dysfunction. Taken together, these data suggest that the combination of reduced food intake and hyperactivity affects the homeostasis of the excitatory synapse in the mPFC contributing to maintain the aberrant behaviors observed in AN patients. Our findings, by identifying novel potential targets of AN, may contribute to more effectively direct the therapeutic interventions to ameliorate, at least, the cognitive effects of this psychopathology.

image
A method of characterising the complex anatomy of vascular occlusions and 3D printing biomimetic analogues
Authors: O'Reilly Muireann , Beatty Rachel , McBride Shauna , Brennan Benjamin , Dockery Peter , Duffy Garry P.
Published: March 2022

Chronic total occlusions (CTOs) occur in approximately 40% of individuals with symptomatic peripheral arterial disease and are indicative of critical limb ischaemia. Currently, few medical devices can effectively treat CTOs long‐term, with amputation often required. This is due to a lack of knowledge of CTO anatomy, making device design and testing difficult. This study is a proof‐of‐concept study, which aimed to develop a workflow for further characterising the complex multi‐material anatomy of CTOs and creating 3D models of CTO components, which may be useful in producing a vascular CTO biomimetic for device testing. Here, we establish such a workflow using samples of atheromatous plaques. We focus on a high‐resolution, non‐destructive microcomputed tomography (μCT) technique which enables visualisation of occlusion anatomy at a greater resolution than computed tomography angiography (CTA), which is the typical modality used for CTO clinical visualisation. Four arteries (n = 2 superficial femoral; n = 2 popliteal) with evidence of atheromatous plaques were cut into 8 cm segments, which were then stained with iodine and scanned at low resolution, with calcified regions rescanned at high resolution. Resulting files were manually segmented to generate 3D models, which were then 3D printed in resin using a stereolithography printer to produce parts suitable for creating a biomimetic. In total, μCT files from three arterial segments (n = 2 high resolution, n = 1 low resolution) were deemed suitably calcified for segmentation, and thus were segmented to produce 3D models. 3D models of the arterial wall, intima and atheromatous calcium deposits from a high‐resolution popliteal artery scan were successfully 3D printed at several scales. While this research is at an early stage, it holds great promise. The workflow for segmentation and 3D printing various components of an atheromatous plaque established here is replicable and uses software and equipment which are accessible to research laboratories in both academia and industry. The ability to print detailed models on a desktop 3D printer is unprecedented and can be improved further, which is promising for future development of biomimetics with multi‐material detail of both soft tissue and calcified components of a vascular occlusion. Indeed, this workflow provides a solid foundation for future studies of CTO anatomy and the creation of true, multi‐material CTO biomimetics. Such biomimetics may enable the development of improved interventional devices, as they would mimic the general in vivo CTO environment. As this method cannot be applied in vivo, we cannot yet produce patient‐specific biomimetics, however, these analogues would still be important in device development, which would improve patient outcomes in critical limb ischaemia.
The utility of hierarchical genetic testing in paediatric liver disease
Authors: Wang Fuchuan , Li Yaqi , Zhao Sen , Chen Zefu , Xu Zhiqiang , Wang Lianlei , Zhang Terry Jianguo , Yan Jianguo , Cao Lili , Wang Pu , Li Aiqin , Zhong Yanwei , Wu Zhihong , Qi Xiaolong , Zhang Min , Wu Nan
Published: March 2022

Background & Aims

Genetic factors underlie a substantial proportion of paediatric liver diseases. Hereditary liver diseases have considerable genetic heterogeneity and variable clinical manifestations, which bring great challenges to clinical and molecular diagnoses. In this study, we investigated a group of paediatric patients with varying degrees of liver dysfunction using a hierarchical genetic testing strategy.

Methods

We first applied a panel encompassing 166 known causal genes of liver disease. We then used exome sequencing (ES) in those patients whose cases remained undiagnosed to identify the genetic aetiology of their symptoms.

Results

In total, we enrolled 131 unrelated paediatric patients with liver disease of Chinese Han ethnicity. We first applied targeted gene sequencing of 166 genes to all patients and yielded a diagnostic rate of 35.9% (47 of 131). Eighty‐four patients who remained undiagnosed after target gene sequencing were subjected to ES. As a result, eight (8/84, 9.5%) of them obtained molecular diagnoses, including four patients suspected of abnormal bilirubin metabolism and four idiopathic cases. Non‐typical genetic findings, including digenic inheritance and dual molecular diagnosis, were also identified. Through a comprehensive assessment of novel candidate variants of uncertain disease association, 11 patients of the remaining undiagnosed patients were able to obtain likely molecular diagnoses.

Conclusions

Our study presents evidence for the diagnostic utility of sequential genetic testing in a cohort of patients with paediatric liver disease. Our findings expand the understanding of the phenotypic and mutational spectrum underlying this heterogeneous group of diseases.
The drawbacks of advantages
Authors: Koea Jonathan
Published: March 2022

This commentary offers reflection on what is lost when selection interviews move into a virtual space, using Rodriguez et al. to argue that inviting applicants to visit, spend time and “be there” still looks like the best way to consider “fit.”
Testing for Co‐explosive Behaviour in Financial Time Series
Authors: Evripidou Andria C. , Harvey David I. , Leybourne Stephen J. , Sollis Robert
Published: March 2022

This article proposes a test to determine if two price series that each contain an explosive autoregressive regime consistent with the presence of a bubble are related in the sense that a linear combination of them is integrated of order zero. We refer to such a phenomenon as ‘co‐explosive behaviour’, and propose a test based on a stationarity testing framework. The test allows the explosive episode in one series to lead (or lag) that in the other by a number of time periods. We establish the asymptotic properties of the test statistic and propose a wild bootstrap procedure for obtaining critical values that are robust to heteroskedasticity. Simulations show that the proposed test has good finite sample size and power performance. An empirical application to detect whether co‐explosive behaviour exists among a set of precious and non‐ferrous metals is presented.
Quality improvement and patient safety in India—Present and future
Authors: Dave Nandini , Yaddanapudi Sandhya , Jacob Rebecca , Varghese Elsa
Published: March 2022

India is a vast, populous and diverse country, and this reflects in the state of health care as well. The spectrum of healthcare services ranges from world class at one end, to a dearth of resources at the other. In the rural areas especially, there is a shortage of trained medical personnel, equipment, and medications needed to carry out safe surgery. Several initiatives have and are being made by the government, medical societies, hospitals, and nongovernment organizations to bridge this gap and ensure equitable, safe, and timely access to health for all. Training medical personnel and healthcare workers, accreditation of healthcare facilities, guidelines, and checklists, along with documentation and audit of practices will all help in improving services. This narrative review discusses the measures that have been taken, systems that have been established and the challenges involved in ensuring quality and patient safety in India.
A Mechanistic Study of Wettability Alteration of Calcite as an Example of Carbonate Reservoirs Using Molecular Dynamics Simulation
Authors: Liu Yisheng , He Yongming , Liu Yuetian , Jiang Yancong , Zhang Qichen , Sun Zheng , Di Chang
Published: March 2022

It is common sense the wettability alteration in carbonate reservoirs stems from the oil–rock interactions; however, the exact oil component acting as the dominant role remains unclear. This study adopts molecular dynamics technology, takes {101¯4} calcite crystal surface as the mineral surface of carbonate reservoir, uses multiple single-component oils to characterize real crude oil, and conducts research on the wettability alteration of carbonate reservoirs. First, based on the chromatographic analysis results of a certain carbonate reservoir in the Middle East, the simulated oil is divided into polar and nonpolar components. Then, the Materials Studio software and the COMPASS force field were employed to study the natural wettability of the calcite surface, as well as the adsorption characteristic of different oil components and water on the surface of calcite. Results show that the surface of calcite in carbonate reservoirs is indeed water-wet under initial conditions, and the contact angle of calcite surface is equal to 68.47 deg ± 3.6 deg. However, when the crude oil component contains groups of hydroxyl functional group, especially the strongly polar component with multiple hydroxyl functional groups, such as glycerol (GLYC), will cause the originally water-wet calcite surface becomes oil-wet. The main reason for the GLYC component altering the wettability of the calcite surface is hydrogen bonding and Coulomb interaction. Moreover, the results of centroid displacement of nine oil components shown that besides the GLYC component, the rest of the eight components, including the polar component of nitrogen-containing functional groups (Indole), sulfur-containing functional groups (Benzothiophene), as well as five nonpolar components, all migrate away from the calcite surface.
Solar Photovoltaics Integrated With Hydrated Salt-Based Phase Change Material
Authors: Elavarasan Rajvikram Madurai , Singh Preeti , Leoponraj S. , Khanna Sourav , Chandran Mohanraj
Published: March 2022

Maintaining the temperature of the photovoltaic (PV) panel within the described standard helps in achieving higher power conversion efficiency. To regulate the PV temperature, phase change material (PCM)-based cooling techniques have been proposed in several literature. However, most of the studies utilize organic PCMs whose low thermal conductivity confines their potential. Thus, in the proposed work, the rear side of the 20 Wp PV panel is coated with hydrated salt-based PCM and is integrated with an aluminum sheet (PV–PCM–Al) to increase the thermal conductivity of the system. The effect of the PV–PCM–Al panel in enhancing the PV efficiency is realized by comparing it with a standard uncooled PV panel. This concept was experimented under direct sunlight for about a week in Chennai, the southern part of India. To perceive the performance enhancement, thermal images were taken for both the cooled and uncooled PV panels. In addition, open-circuit voltage, short-circuit current, and power output were measured. The experimentation is also backed up by numerical simulations to understand the heat transfer characteristic features of the designed integrated PCM and aluminum cooling system. The experimentation results highlight that a maximum increase of about 7.67% in the PV efficiency was obtained using a cooled PV panel when compared to an uncooled PV panel. A maximum increase of 7.34% in the open-circuit voltage and a maximum drop of 4.6 °C in the PV temperature were obtained.
Heterogeneous Photocatalytic Pilot Plant for Cyanide Decontamination: A Novel Solar Rotary Photoreactor
Authors: Tirado-Muñoz Omar , Tirado-Ballestas Irina , Barbosa Lopez Aida Liliana , Colina-Marquez Jose
Published: March 2022

During the gold extraction in opencast mining, many hazardous substances, such as cyanide, are spilled into the water bodies. This study's aim was to develop a novel rotary photocatalytic TiO2-based reactor to remove cyanide from polluted water using a rotary concentrator photoreactor (RCPR). This pilot-scale reactor was tested with synthetic cyanide water at concentrations from 0.05 to 50 ppm, varying the pH and commercial TiO2 load. The optimal conditions from experimental data were 87.4% of cyanide removal and catalyst load of 0.30 g/L at pH 9.5. Further, samples of cyanide water from an opencast gold mine were treated, achieving removal of 68.7% after 240 min. Our value-added is the rotary motion of the set of four glass tubes, achieving satisfactory performance, which is promising for cyanide wastewater treatment with a more compact footprint than a standard compound parabolic collector (CPC) solar photoreactor. Thus, it was possible to reduce mass and heat transfer limitations with a simple design by considering this photoreactor as a photocatalytic process intensifier.
Tribological Behavior of Electrical Connector Coatings Under Reciprocating Motion
Authors: Tyrer Na , Yang Fan , Barber Gary , Pang Bo , Wang Bingxu
Published: March 2022

With the rapid growth in the use of electronics, more studies are focusing on the tribological performance of electrical connectors. The most common electroplating coating materials are tin and copper. One major issue is when fretting corrosion produces metal oxides, which are likely to increase the electrical resistance at the contact interface. This research aims to reduce metal oxidation of electrical connectors by studying the tribological performance of various thicknesses of tin and copper layers with a designated electrical circuit to be used with a reciprocating wear test. This research considers the effect of tin and copper layer thickness, including the lack of a tin layer, on the tribological behavior. Among coatings tested, a thin coating of copper with no tin resulted in the least wear. A thicker coating of copper significantly increased the wear due to the high roughness of the sample with a thick copper coating. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) results indicated that adhesive wear occurred during sliding. Adhered particles led to two-body abrasive wear and when the adhered particles break away three-body abrasive wear is produced.
Designing Hybrid Mechanical Ventilator System Based on Arduino and Raspberry Pi 4
Authors: Malaekah Emad , Al Awam Khaled , Farouk Husham , Abuabid Elamir , Mukhanov Victor V. , Alahmari Abdulwahab , Alshagag Hasan
Published: March 2022

Mechanical ventilators are advanced life-supporting machines in this century. The ventilator needs to be safe, flexible, and easy for competent clinicians to use. Since ventilators supply the patient with gas, they need pneumatic components to be present. First technology ventilators were typically powered by pneumatic energy. Gas pressure is used to power ventilators as well as ventilate patients. Nowadays, ventilators are operated electronically with the useful microprocessor tool. This proposal aims to design a simple portable mechanical ventilator that includes measuring some important physiological variables such as respiratory rate, heart rate, and O2 saturation, which can be utilized in hospital and at home. The proposed system includes Arduino, Raspberry pi4, touch screen, and graphical user interface. This study showed a significant individual performance for measuring some important parameters such as flow rate, tidal volume, and minute ventilation. The accuracy of measuring the flow rate was 72%. The Cohen's kappa (CK) was estimated to be 0.61. The accuracy of calculated the tidal volume was estimated at 83% with 0.80 CK. The accuracy of measuring the O2 saturation was estimated at 99% with 0.99 CK. The advantages of the proposed design are cost-effective, safe, flexible, and easy to use. Also, this system is smart and can control its transactions, so it can be used at home without the need for professional help. The operating parameters can also be set by the user with a simple user interface.
Calculation of the Natural Frequencies of a Fluid-Filled Pipe System With the Coupled Codes dyvro/rohr2: Implementation of an Alternative Coupling Concept
Authors: Neuhaus Thorsten
Published: March 2022

The vibration of a pipe system can be caused by internal excitation, e.g., as a result of pump-induced pressure pulsations or external excitation like earthquake. For the investigation of these phenomena, the knowledge about the natural frequencies of the pipe system is essential. In this context, it is important to consider that the natural frequencies of the coupled system of fluid and structure commonly differ from the natural frequencies of the pure fluid system and of the structural pipe model in which the fluid is only taken into account as added mass. To obtain realistic natural frequencies of a pipe system filled with a fluid, the one-dimensional fluid code dyvro was coupled with the code rohr2stoss that deals with dynamic analysis of complex piping and steel structures. Two code coupling concepts were realized, the integral concept, which is also commonly used in coupling commercial pipe system software, and the alternative local coupling concept, with which the longitudinal deformation of the pipe segments can be captured. Both concepts consider a two-way fluid–structure interaction (FSI). For the integral concept, a verification was performed by comparison with an analytical solution for a simple case with a fluid column connected to a spring–mass system. Additionally, both coupling concepts were validated by comparison with experimental data from literature that revealed strong FSI during a water hammer event. The frequency content of the measured pressure fluctuations could be captured by both coupling concepts.
“I Do What I Like”: 8- to 10-Year-Old Children’s Physical Activity Behavior Is Already Interrelated With Their Automatic Affective Processes
Authors: Limmeroth Julia , Raboldt Michaela
Published: March 2022

The majority of middle-age children do not meet current physical activity guidelines. There is growing evidence that adults’ physical activity is partially influenced by automatic affective processes, which are derived from affective experiences with physical activity. However, little is known about whether these processes are interrelated with children’s physical activity level. A prospective design was used to examine whether automatic affective processes assessed by an evaluative priming procedure predict physical activity of children. Physical activity of 48 children (8.71 ± 0.71 years; 65% girls) was measured for 1 week with activity trackers. In a linear regression model, automatic affective processes (β = 0.36) significantly predicted physical activity, accounting for 11.02% of variance. These results indicate that physical-activity-related automatic affective processes are associated with children’s physical activity, as has previously been found in adults. This study emphasizes the importance of fostering positive affective experiences associated with physical activity during childhood.
An MKP-MAPK protein phosphorylation cascade controls vascular immunity in plants
Authors: Lin Hui , Wang Muyang , Chen Ying , Nomura Kinya , Hui Shugang , Gui Jinshan , Zhang Xiawei , Wu Yue , Liu Jiyun , Li Qun , Deng Yiwen , Li Laigeng , Yuan Meng , Wang Shiping , He Sheng Yang , He Zuhua
Published: March 2022

Global crop production is greatly reduced by vascular diseases. These diseases include bacterial blight of rice and crucifer black rot caused by
Xanthomonas oryzae
pv.
oryzae
(
Xoo
) and
Xanthomonas campestris
pv.
campestris
(
Xcc
). The molecular mechanisms that activate vascular defense against such pathogens remains underexplored. Here, we show that an
Arabidopsis
MAPK phosphatase 1 (MKP1) mutant has increased host susceptibility to the adapted pathogen
Xcc
and is compromised in nonhost resistance to the rice pathogen
Xoo
. MKP1 regulates MAPK-mediated phosphorylation of the transcription factor MYB4 that negatively regulates vascular lignification through inhibiting lignin biosynthesis. Induction of lignin biosynthesis is, therefore, an important part of vascular-specific immunity. The role of MKP-MAPK-MYB signaling in lignin biosynthesis and vascular resistance to
Xoo
is conserved in rice, indicating that these factors form a tissue-specific defense regulatory network. Our study likely reveals a major vascular immune mechanism that underlies tissue-specific disease resistance against bacterial pathogens in plants.
Coordinated DNA and histone dynamics drive accurate histone H2A.Z exchange
Authors: Poyton Matthew F. , Feng Xinyu A. , Ranjan Anand , Lei Qin , Wang Feng , Zarb Jasmin S. , Louder Robert K. , Park Giho , Jo Myung Hyun , Ye Joseph , Liu Sheng , Ha Taekjip , Wu Carl
Published: March 2022

Nucleosomal histone H2A is exchanged for its variant H2A.Z by the SWR1 chromatin remodeler, but the mechanism and timing of histone exchange remain unclear. Here, we quantify DNA and histone dynamics during histone exchange in real time using a three-color single-molecule FRET assay. We show that SWR1 operates with timed precision to unwrap DNA with large displacement from one face of the nucleosome, remove H2A-H2B from the same face, and rewrap DNA, all within 2.3 s. This productive DNA unwrapping requires full SWR1 activation and differs from unproductive, smaller-scale DNA unwrapping caused by SWR1 binding alone. On an asymmetrically positioned nucleosome, SWR1 intrinsically senses long-linker DNA to preferentially exchange H2A.Z on the distal face as observed in vivo. The displaced H2A-H2B dimer remains briefly associated with the SWR1-nucleosome complex and is dissociated by histone chaperones. These findings reveal how SWR1 coordinates DNA unwrapping with histone dynamics to rapidly and accurately place H2A.Z at physiological sites on chromatin.
KIR
+
CD8
+
T cells suppress pathogenic T cells and are active in autoimmune diseases and COVID-19
Authors: Li Jing , Zaslavsky Maxim , Su Yapeng , Guo Jing , Sikora Michael J. , van Unen Vincent , Christophersen Asbjørn , Chiou Shin-Heng , Chen Liang , Li Jiefu , Ji Xuhuai , Wilhelmy Julie , McSween Alana M. , Palanski Brad A. , Mallajosyula Venkata Vamsee Aditya , Bracey Nathan A. , Dhondalay Gopal Krishna R. , Bhamidipati Kartik , Pai Joy , Kipp Lucas B. , Dunn Jeffrey E. , Hauser Stephen L. , Oksenberg Jorge R. , Satpathy Ansuman T. , Robinson William H. , Dekker Cornelia L. , Steinmetz Lars M. , Khosla Chaitan , Utz Paul J. , Sollid Ludvig M. , Chien Yueh-Hsiu , Heath James R. , Fernandez-Becker Nielsen Q. , Nadeau Kari C. , Saligrama Naresha , Davis Mark M.
Published: March 2022

In this work, we find that CD8
+
T cells expressing inhibitory killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) are the human equivalent of Ly49
+
CD8
+
regulatory T cells in mice and are increased in the blood and inflamed tissues of patients with a variety of autoimmune diseases. Moreover, these CD8
+
T cells efficiently eliminated pathogenic gliadin-specific CD4
+
T cells from the leukocytes of celiac disease patients in vitro. We also find elevated levels of KIR
+
CD8
+
T cells, but not CD4
+
regulatory T cells, in COVID-19 patients, correlating with disease severity and vasculitis. Selective ablation of Ly49
+
CD8
+
T cells in virus-infected mice led to autoimmunity after infection. Our results indicate that in both species, these regulatory CD8
+
T cells act specifically to suppress pathogenic T cells in autoimmune and infectious diseases.
Characterization of immune responses in fully vaccinated individuals after breakthrough infection with the SARS-CoV-2 delta variant
Authors: Collier Ai-ris Y. , Brown Catherine M. , McMahan Katherine A. , Yu Jingyou , Liu Jinyan , Jacob-Dolan Catherine , Chandrashekar Abishek , Tierney Dylan , Ansel Jessica L. , Rowe Marjorie , Sellers Daniel , Ahmad Kunza , Aguayo Ricardo , Anioke Tochi , Gardner Sarah , Siamatu Mazuba , Bermudez-Rivera Lorraine , Hacker Michele R. , Madoff Lawrence C. , Barouch Dan H.
Published: March 2022

Breakthrough infections with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants have been reported frequently in vaccinated individuals with waning immunity. In particular, a cluster of over 1000 infections with the SARS-CoV-2 delta variant was identified in a predominantly fully vaccinated population in Provincetown, Massachusetts in July 2021. In this study, vaccinated individuals who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 (
n
= 16) demonstrated substantially higher serum antibody responses than vaccinated individuals who tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 (
n
= 23), including 32-fold higher binding antibody titers and 31-fold higher neutralizing antibody titers against the SARS-CoV-2 delta variant. Vaccinated individuals who tested positive also showed higher mucosal antibody responses in nasal secretions and higher spike protein–specific CD8
+
T cell responses in peripheral blood than did vaccinated individuals who tested negative. These data demonstrate that fully vaccinated individuals developed robust anamnestic antibody and T cell responses after infection with the SARS-CoV-2 delta variant. Moreover, these findings suggest that population immunity will likely increase over time by a combination of widespread vaccination and breakthrough infections.
Words Are Essential, but Underexamined, Research Tools for Microbes and Microbiomes
Authors: Szymanski Erika
Published: March 2022

Language constitutes an essential set of scientific construction tools, not only for communicating knowledge, but for conceptualizing the world. Metaphors in particular, as conventions that guide and reproduce analogical reasoning, merit attention that they largely do not receive.
Evidence for pre-Cenozoic extension in the eastern Main Ranges of the southern Canadian Rockies
Authors: Taerum Robert L.
Published: March 2022

The eastern Main Ranges of the southern Canadian Rocky Mountain thrust-and-fold belt include a network of normal faults (the result of apparent extensional episodes) that occur within a contractional orogen. The origin, timing, and nature of these normal faults remain unresolved. A widely accepted explanation proposes that the normal faults developed as a consequence of postcontractional transtension that occurred west of the Rocky Mountain Trench during the Paleogene Period. Detailed field mapping of deformation in the vicinity of several normal faults has provided evidence that the normal fault surfaces and adjacent strata underwent deformation during a contractional episode after the normal faults had formed. Within the study area, located in the upper Kicking Horse region of Yoho National Park, British Columbia, Canada, and within the larger region of the Rocky Mountain belt, the network of normal faults is proposed to have developed as a consequence of rifting that separated pericratonic terranes from North America and produced the Slide Mountain Ocean during the Carboniferous and Permian Periods. Overprinting from more recent tectonic episodes has obscured most of these inferred extensional faults throughout the North American Cordillera. Within the study area, however, the Cretaceous to Paleogene contraction carried the normal faults to their present location over unattenuated continental crust, without significant overprinting. This preservation of the network of normal faults allows for investigation of the relationships among the fault surfaces and the strata adjacent to each fault.
Long-term survival following resection of a solid pseudopapillary tumour of the pancreas with arterial and venous encasement
Authors: Ehemann Joanne , Slater Kellee
Published: March 2022

Solid pseudopapillary neoplasms (SPNs) of the pancreas (also known as Franz tumours) are rare, representing 1%–2% of pancreatic tumours. They are of exocrine gland origin and are more prevalent in women under the age of 30. They are classified as low-grade malignancies and are usually treated with surgery.

We present the case of a young woman who was found to have a pancreatic head lesion obstructing the superior mesenteric vein and encasing the superior mesenteric artery. Diagnosis of SPN was confirmed on histology. Initially deemed unresectable due to vascular encasement, the patient received neoadjuvant chemotherapy to downstage the tumour. This was unsuccessful. Given the patient’s young age and lack of other options, surgery was performed. Instead of vascular resection, the tumour was split and peeled off the superior mesenteric artery giving an R1 resection. The patient has achieved long-term recurrence free survival at 10 years.
Severe thoracic pyomyositis in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Kuo Yu-Ning , Lai Chih-Sheng , Chen Yi-Hsing , Kuo-lung Lai
Published: March 2022

Pyomyositis may mimic deep vein thrombosis and be misdiagnosed in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We report here on patient with SLE with severe thoracic pyomyositis presented with right upper arm swelling and fever. The patient fully recovered after a serial surgical debridement and antibiotic therapy. Pyomyositis, as well as deep vein thrombosis, should be considered during the differential diagnosis of patients with SLE experiencing fever and unilateral limb oedema. CT and identification of causal pathogens are crucial in the diagnosis of pyomyositis. Early effective antibiotic treatment as well as surgical intervention can together bring about a better outcome.