bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reducing Methane Emissions From Lean Burn Natural Gas Engines With Prechamber Ignited Mixing-Controlled Combustion
Authors: Nsaif Osama , Kokjohn Sage , Hessel Randy , Dempsey Adam
Published: January 2024

The oil and gas industry heavily relies on lean burn spark ignited natural gas reciprocating engines. These engines are used in many applications, such as oil and gas exploration, production, processing, compression, transmission, and power generation. These engines produce criteria pollutants, such as nitrogen oxides (NOx) and carbon monoxide (CO), but due to their premixed nature, also produce relatively large amounts of unburned methane (CH4) emissions. These pollutant emissions not only impact air quality, but methane is a very powerful greenhouse gas, with a global warming potential ∼25–84 times higher than that of CO2. Therefore, it is essential to decrease these emissions for the protection of our environment and public health. The primary source of methane emissions in lean burn engines is the crevices and near wall quench layers. Thus, one method to dramatically reduce methane emissions is to alter the combustion process to be nonpremixed, mixing-controlled combustion. High auto-ignition resistance fuels, like natural gas, are not conducive to mixing-controlled combustion due to very long ignition delays. This study investigates using an active prechamber ignition source and a direct injector to achieve mixing-controlled combustion of natural gas with very short ignition delays. In this concept, the active prechamber acts as a reliable ignition source for the direct injected natural gas, which is referred to as prechamber ignited mixing-controlled combustion (PC-MCC). The PC-MCC concept enables a ∼10× reduction in methane emissions, making it a promising technology for reducing the environmental impact of reciprocating engines. In this study, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations have been used to compare two modeling approaches for PC-MCC: a pure Eulerian gaseous injection approach and a gas-parcels injection method. Using the parcel method to model the gas injection enables an engineering approach to study and design the PC-MCC concept in a timely manner with coarser computational grids. This study also investigated the impact of several variables that may contribute to the performance and emissions of the PC-MCC strategy. The parameters that were examined include prechamber passageway characteristics like nozzle diameter, number of nozzles, and the orientation of nozzle orifices. Understanding the effects of each of these parameters will allow PC-MCC with natural gas to be optimized for low methane emissions.
Effect of the Fran CrossFit Workout on Oxygen Uptake Kinetics, Energetics, and Postexercise Muscle Function in Trained CrossFitters
Authors: Rios Manoel , Becker Klaus Magno , Monteiro Ana Sofia , Fonseca Pedro , Pyne David B. , Reis Victor Machado , Moreira-Gonçalves Daniel , Fernandes Ricardo J.
Published: January 2024

Purpose: Fran is one of the most popular CrossFit benchmark workouts used to control CrossFitters’ improvements. Detailed physiological characterization of Fran is needed for a more specific evaluation of CrossFitters’ training performance improvements. The aim of the study was to analyze the oxygen uptake () kinetics and characterize the energy system contributions and the degree of postexercise fatigue of the unbroken Fran. Methods: Twenty trained CrossFitters performed Fran at maximal exertion. and heart-rate kinetics were assessed at baseline and during and post-Fran. Blood lactate and glucose concentrations and muscular fatigue were measured at baseline and in the recovery period. Results: A marked increase in kinetics was observed at the beginning of Fran, remaining elevated until the end (: 49.2 [3.7] mL·kg−1·min−1, amplitude: 35.8 [5.2] mL·kg−1·min−1, time delay: 4.7 [2.5] s and time constant: 23.7 [11.1] s; mean [SD]). Aerobic, anaerobic lactic, and alactic pathways accounted for 62% (4%), 26% (4%), and 12% (2%) of energy contribution. Reduction in muscle function in jumping ability (jump height: 8% [6%], peak force: 6% [4%], and maximum velocity: 4% [2%]) and plank prone test (46% [20%]) was observed in the recovery period. Conclusions: The Fran unbroken workout is a high-intensity effort associated with an elevated metabolic response. This pattern of energy response highlights the primary contribution of aerobic energy metabolism, even during short and very intense CrossFit workouts, and that recovery can take >24 hours due to cumulative fatigue.
Physical Activity and Health of Middle-Aged and Older Japanese Across the COVID-19 Pandemic: Differential Outcomes Highlight a Problematic Life Stage
Authors: Annear Michael , Kidokoro Tetsuhiro , Shimizu Yasuo
Published: January 2024

Introduction: COVID-19 caused major disruptions across the super-aged nation of Japan, yet few studies explored temporal changes among middle-aged and older cohorts from baseline to the height of community transmission. Changes in physical activity and sedentary behavior during global pandemics may alter patterns of morbidity and mortality among susceptible aging populations. Objectives: This study investigated patterns of physical activity, sitting behavior, and health among representative samples of middle-aged and older adults in Tokyo before and during the pandemic. Methods: Repeated online surveys were conducted with quota samples of 800 Tokyo residents in 2019 and 2021 using validated Japanese-language measures, including the short form-International Physical Activity Questionnaire and the Basic Ecological Health Scale-6. Statistical analyses included comparative evaluations of activity parameters by age cohort, gender, and selected covariates. Statistical tests included the Kruskal–Wallis test, Mann–Whitney U test, chi-square test for Independence and Hierarchical Regression. Results: Over 34% of respondents were inactive at each data collection point, and 72% reported negative impacts of COVID-19 on their physical activities. Older adults showed no significant changes in their activity and sitting behavior and reported better health compared with those in middle age across the pandemic. Middle-aged males reported a significant decline in total activity of 33% across the pandemic period (U = 16,958, z = −2.64, p = .008, r = .13). Middle-aged females reported the lowest levels of physical activity, and health, and showed a 29% increase in sitting behavior across the pandemic (U = 16,925, z = −2.68, p = .007, r = .13). Subjective health status was consistently associated with higher overall activity and walking before and during the pandemic. Conclusion: Differential outcomes were identified between age and gender regarding health, physical activity, walking, and sitting across the pandemic with significantly worse impacts reported among middle-aged samples. Implications: These results have implications for healthy transitions to later life and the design of postpandemic interventions to address activity opportunities in Japan.
The Interruption of Rehabilitation Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction due to COVID-19 Restrictions: Association With Return-to-Sport Testing
Authors: Suits William H. , Roe Olivia N. , Snyder Corey M. , Voss Luke J.
Published: January 2024

Context: Among many unanticipated changes, access to rehabilitation was disrupted during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is unclear how the timing of late-stage rehabilitation following anterior cruciate ligament with surgical reconstruction (ACLR) during the initial months of the pandemic affected outcomes. The purpose of this study was to compare physical performance outcome measures in patients following ACLR prior to and following COVID-19-related restrictions. Design: Retrospective cohort study. Methods: Data from patients who underwent return-to-sport testing following ACLR were analyzed based on date. December 2018 through March of 2020 (n = 66) was defined as the baseline period, and June through October 2020 (n = 27) was defined as the surveillance period. Outcome measures included single leg hop, triple hop, single leg vertical jump, and the lower-extremity functional test (LEFT). Linear mixed models were used to compare outcome measures before and after the onset of pandemic-related restrictions, clustered by sex and sport. A 1-way analysis of variance was performed to analyze the association between the number of virtual rehabilitation visits and outcome measures for subjects in the surveillance period. Results: Subjects in the surveillance period performed significantly worse in the LEFT (+7.88 s; 95% confidence interval, 1.11 to 14.66; P = .02) and single leg vertical jump on the unaffected side (−4.32 cm; 95% confidence interval, −7.44 to −1.19, P < .01), and performed better with single leg vertical jump symmetry (+6.3%; 95% confidence interval, 1.0% to 11.5%; P = .02). There were no other statistically significant differences. There was no significant association between having virtual rehabilitation visits and any of the performance outcomes. Conclusions: There was a decline in physical performance outcome measures in patients following ACLR who did not attend regular in-person physical therapy sessions in the late-stage rehabilitation due to COVID-19-related restrictions. Other factors during this unique time period, such as access to training facilities or psychosocial stressors, may have also influenced outcomes.
Validation and Calibration for Embedding Rating of Perceived Exertion Into High-Intensity Interval Exercise in Adolescents: A Lab-Based Study
Authors: Liu Yong , Williams Craig A. , Weston Kathryn L. , Duncombe Stephanie L. , Malik Adam A. , Barker Alan R.
Published: January 2024

Purpose: Rating of perceived exertion (RPE) is a convenient and cost-effective tool that can be used to monitor high-intensity interval exercise (HIIE). However, no methodological study has demonstrated the validity of RPE in this context. Therefore, the aim of this study was to validate and calibrate RPE for monitoring HIIE in adolescents. Methods: RPE, heart rate (HR), and oxygen uptake () data were retrospectively extracted from 3 lab-based crossover studies, with a pooled sample size of 45 adolescents, performing either cycling-based or running-based HIIE sessions. Within-participant correlations were calculated for RPE-HR and RPE-, and receiver operator characteristic curve analysis was used to establish RPE cut points. Results: The results showed that RPE-HR demonstrated acceptable criterion validity (r = .53–.74, P < .01), while RPE- had poor validity (r = .40–.48, P < .01), except for HIIE at 100% peak power (r = .59, P < .01). RPE cut points of 4 and 5 were established in corresponding to based thresholds. Conclusion: RPE has some utility in evaluating intensity during lab-based running or cycling HIIE in adolescents. Future studies should expand the validation and calibration of RPE for prescribing and monitoring HIIE in children and adolescents in field-based contexts.
Increased mutations in lipopolysaccharide biosynthetic genes cause time-dependent development of phage resistance in
Salmonella
Authors: Yu Jing , Zhang Haoyu , Ju Zijing , Huang Jiaqi , Lin Cong , Wu Jie , Wu Yingting , Sun Shuhong , Wang Hongning , Hao Guijuan , Zhang Anyun
Published: January 2024

Understanding how bacteria evolve resistance to phages has implications for phage-based therapies and microbial evolution. In this study, the susceptibility of 335
Salmonella
isolates to the wide host range
Salmonella
phage BPSELC-1 was tested. Potentially significant gene sets that could confer resistance were identified using bioinformatics approaches based on phage susceptibility phenotypes; more than 90 potential antiphage defense gene sets, including those involved in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) biosynthesis, DNA replication, secretion systems, and respiratory chain, were found. The evolutionary dynamics of
Salmonella
resistance to phage were assessed through laboratory evolution experiments, which showed that phage-resistant mutants rapidly developed and exhibited genetic heterogeneity. Most representative
Salmonella
hosts (58.1% of 62) rapidly developed phage resistance within 24 h. All phage-resistant mutant clones exhibited genetic heterogeneity and observed mutations in LPS-related genes (
rfaJ
and
rfaK
) as well as other genes such as cellular respiration, transport, and cell replication-related genes. The study also identified potential trade-offs, indicating that bacteria tend to escape fitness trade-offs through multi-site mutations, all tested mutants increased sensitivity to polymyxin B, but this does not always affect their relative fitness or biofilm-forming capacity. Furthermore, complementing the
rfaJ
mutant gene could partially restore the phage sensitivity of phage-resistant mutants. These results provide insight into the phage resistance mechanisms of
Salmonella
and the complexity of bacterial evolution resulting from phage predation, which can inform future strategies for phage-based therapies and microbial evolution.
Natural transformation-specific DprA coordinate DNA double-strand break repair pathways in heavily irradiated
D. radiodurans
Authors: Sharma Dhirendra Kumar , Soni Ishu , Misra Hari S. , Rajpurohit Yogendra Singh
Published: January 2024

Deinococcus radiodurans
exhibits remarkable survival under extreme conditions, including ionizing radiation, desiccation, and various DNA-damaging agents. It employs unique repair mechanisms, such as single-strand annealing (SSA) and extended synthesis-dependent strand annealing (ESDSA), to efficiently restore damaged genome. In this study, we investigate the role of the natural transformation-specific protein DprA in DNA repair pathways following acute gamma radiation exposure. Our findings demonstrate that the absence of DprA leads to rapid repair of gamma radiation-induced DNA double-strand breaks primarily occur through SSA repair pathway. Additionally, our findings suggest that the DprA protein may hinder both the SSA and ESDSA repair pathways, albeit in distinct manners. Overall, our results highlight the crucial function of DprA in the selection between SSA and ESDSA pathways for DNA repair in heavily irradiated
D. radiodurans
.

IMPORTANCE

Deinococcus radiodurans
exhibits an extraordinary ability to endure and thrive in extreme environments, including exposure to radiation, desiccation, and damaging chemicals, as well as intense UV radiation. The bacterium has evolved highly efficient repair mechanisms capable of rapidly mending hundreds of DNA fragments in its genome. Our research indicates that natural transformation (NT)-specific
dprA
genes play a pivotal role in regulating DNA repair in response to radiation. Remarkably, we found that DprA is instrumental in selecting DNA double-strand break repair pathways, a novel function that has not been reported before. This unique regulatory mechanism highlights the indispensable role of DprA beyond its native function in NT and underscores its ubiquitous presence across various bacterial species, regardless of their NT proficiency. These findings shed new light on the resilience and adaptability of
Deinococcus radiodurans
, opening avenues for further exploration into its exceptional survival strategies.
The critical roles of propanethiol oxidoreductase and sulfide-quinone oxidoreductase in the propanethiol catabolism pathway in
Pseudomonas putida
S-1
Authors: Qiao Pei , Ning Lixiao , Chen Jinhui , Tang Yuhang , Zhao Rui , Chen Guoqing , Ye Qun , Zhou Tong , Chen Jianmeng , Zhong Weihong
Published: January 2024

Propanethiol (PT) is a hazardous pollutant that poses risks to both the environment and human well-being.
Pseudomonas putida
S-1 has been identified as a microorganism capable of utilizing PT as its sole carbon source. However, the metabolic pathway responsible for PT degradation in
P. putida
S-1 has remained poorly understood, impeding its optimization and practical application. In this study, we investigated the catabolic network involved in PT desulfurization with
P. putida
S-1 and identified key gene modules crucial to this process. Notably, propanethiol oxidoreductase (PTO) catalyzes the initial degradation of PT, a pivotal step for
P. putida
S-1’s survival on PT. PTO facilitates the oxidation of PT, resulting H
2
S, H
2
O
2
, and propionaldehyde (PA). Catalase-peroxidase catalyzes the conversion of H
2
O
2
to oxygen and water, while PA undergoes gradual conversion to Succinyl-CoA, which is subsequently utilized in the tricarboxylic acid cycle. H
2
S is digested in a comprehensive desulfurization network where sulfide-quinone oxidoreductase (SQOR) predominantly converts it to sulfane sulfur. The transcriptome analysis suggests that sulfur can be finally converted to sulfite or sulfate and exported out of the cell. The PT degradation capacity of
P. putida
S-1 was enhanced by increasing the transcription level of PTO and SQOR genes
in vivo
.

IMPORTANCE

This work investigated the PT catabolism pathway in
Pseudomonas putida
S-1, a microorganism capable of utilizing PT as the sole carbon source. Critical genes that control the initiation of PT degradation were identified and characterized, such as
pto
and
sqor
. By increasing the transcription level of
pto
and
sqor
genes
in vivo
, we have successfully enhanced the PT degradation efficiency and growth rate of
P. putida
S-1. This work does not only reveal a unique PT degradation pathway but also highlights the potential of enhancing the microbial desulfurization process in the bioremediation of thiol-contaminated environment.
Control of asparagine homeostasis in
Bacillus subtilis
: identification of promiscuous amino acid importers and exporters
Authors: Meißner Janek , Königshof Manuel , Wrede Katrin , Warneke Robert , Mardoukhi Mohammad Saba Yousef , Commichau Fabian M. , Stülke Jörg
Published: January 2024

The Gram-positive model bacterium
B. subtilis
is able to import all proteinogenic amino acids from the environment as well as to synthesize them. However, the players involved in the acquisition of asparagine have not yet been identified for this bacterium. In this work, we used
d
-asparagine as a toxic analog of
l
-asparagine to identify asparagine transporters. This revealed that
d
- but not
l
-asparagine is taken up by the malate/lactate antiporter MleN. Specific strains that are sensitive to the presence of
l
-asparagine due to the lack of the second messenger cyclic di-AMP or due to the intracellular accumulation of this amino acid were used to isolate and characterize suppressor mutants that were resistant to the presence of otherwise growth-inhibiting concentrations of
l
-asparagine. These screens identified the broad-spectrum amino acid importers AimA and BcaP as responsible for the acquisition of
l
-asparagine. The amino acid exporter AzlCD allows detoxification of
l
-asparagine in addition to 4-azaleucine and histidine. This work supports the idea that amino acids are often transported by promiscuous importers and exporters. However, our work also shows that even stereo-enantiomeric amino acids do not necessarily use the same transport systems.

IMPORTANCE

Transport of amino acid is a poorly studied function in many bacteria, including the model organism
Bacillus subtilis
. The identification of transporters is hampered by the redundancy of transport systems for most amino acids as well as by the poor specificity of the transporters. Here, we apply several strategies to use the growth-inhibitive effect of many amino acids under defined conditions to isolate suppressor mutants that exhibit either reduced uptake or enhanced export of asparagine, resulting in the identification of uptake and export systems for
l
-asparagine. The approaches used here may be useful for the identification of transporters for other amino acids both in
B. subtilis
and in other bacteria.
An HTLV-1 envelope mRNA vaccine is immunogenic and protective in New Zealand rabbits
Authors: Tu Joshua J. , King Emily , Maksimova Victoria , Smith Susan , Macias Ramon , Cheng Xiaogang , Vegesna Tanmayee , Yu Lianbo , Ratner Lee , Green Patrick L. , Niewiesk Stefan , Richner Justin M. , Panfil Amanda R.
Published: January 2024

mRNA vaccine technology has proven to be a viable approach for effectively triggering immune responses that protect against or limit viral infections and disease. In our study, we synthesized a codon optimized human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) envelope (Env) mRNA that can be delivered in a lipid nanoparticle (LNP) vaccine approach. The HTLV-1 Env mRNA-LNP produced protective immune responses against viral challenge in a preclinical rabbit model. HTLV-1 is primarily transmitted through direct cell-to-cell contact, and the protection offered by mRNA vaccines in our rabbit model could have significant implications for optimizing the development of other viral vaccine candidates. This is particularly important in addressing the challenge of enhancing protection against infections that rely on cell-to-cell transmission.
Biological characterization and genomic analysis of a novel methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
phage, SauPS-28
Authors: Zhao Peisong , Zhao Wenli , Zhai Xin , He Yulin , Shu Wei , Qiao Guanhua
Published: January 2024

Staphylococcus aureus,
a representative gram-positive bacterium, is a common infectious pathogen widely present in the natural environment. The increasing application of antibiotics is witnessing an increment in the number of clinically resistant strains (such as methicillin-resistant
S. aureus
[MRSA]), which has posed a great challenge to antimicrobial therapy. In this study, a novel MRSA phage, SauPS-28, was isolated from the lake water of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. This phage has an incubation period of approximately 30 min, a lysis period of approximately 40 min, and a burst size of approximately 25 PFU/cell. The isolated phage exhibited good biological stability at a pH range of 6.0–9.0 and temperature range of 4°C–37°C. In addition, the identification of an elongated tail using transmission electron microscopy confirmed that SauPS-28 belongs to the long-tailed phage family. Whole-genome sequencing analysis revealed that SauPS-28 has a 43,286-bp-long genome with 31.03% G + C content. Moreover, SauPS-28 exhibited 95.69% sequence identity with ECel-2020k, while the query coverage was only 66%, which is a newly discovered phage. Whole-genome functional annotation results revealed that SauPS-28 had 68 open reading frames (ORFs). Of these, 30 ORFs are unknown proteins. The results suggest that SauPS-28 could be a lysogenic phage strain. This study thus provides preliminary data to conduct further in-depth analysis of the mechanism of phage–host interaction and provides a reference value for phage therapy.

IMPORTANCE

In recent years, drug-resistant bacterial infections have become increasingly serious. As a kind of virus with the ability to infect and lyse drug-resistant bacteria, phage is expected to be a new therapeutic method. In this study, we isolated and purified a new methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
bacteriophage SauPS-28, studied a series of biological characteristics of the bacteriophage, analyzed the genome and structural proteome data of the bacteriophage, and provided reference data for further study of the interaction mechanism between bacteriophage and host bacteria and promoted new antibacterial strategies.
Effect of nasal carriage of
Bacillus
species on COVID-19 severity: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Fowora Muinah A. , Aiyedogbon Adenike , Omolopo Ibilola , Tajudeen Ahmed O. , Olanlege Abdul-Lateef , Abioye Adefunke , Akintunde Grace B. , Salako Babatunde L.
Published: January 2024

Intranasal sprays containing
Bacillus
species are being researched for treating viral respiratory tract infections. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between the nasal carriage of
Bacillus
and COVID-19 severity. This was a cross-sectional study that collected nasopharyngeal samples from adults 18 years and above visiting two COVID-19 testing centers in Lagos, Nigeria, between September 2020 and September 2021.
Bacillus
species were cultured from the samples and confirmed using 16 s rRNA gene sequencing. The dependent variable was COVID-19 status classified as negative, asymptomatic, mild, or severe. The independent variable was the nasal carriage of
Bacillus
species. Multinomial regression analysis was done to determine the association between nasal carriage of
Bacillus
and COVID-19 severity after adjusting for age, sex, and co-morbidity status. A total of 388 participants were included in the study with mean (standard deviation) age of 40.05 (13.563) years. Sixty-one percent of the participants were male, 100 (25.8%) had severe COVID-19, 130 (33.5%) had pre-existing comorbidity, and 76 (19.6%) had
Bacillus
cultured from their nasopharyngeal specimen.
Bacillus
species presence was significantly associated with higher odds of severe COVID-19 compared to having a negative COVID-19 status (AOR = 3.347, 95% CI: 1.359, 8.243). However, the presence of
Bacillus
species was significantly associated with lower odds of severe COVID-19 compared to having a mild COVID-19 status. The study suggests that nasal carriage of
Bacillus
species is associated with the clinical course of COVID-19 and supports the exploration of
Bacillus
species in the management of viral respiratory tract infections.

IMPORTANCE

With the introduction of intranasal spray containing
Bacillus
species for the treatment of viral respiratory tract infections, such as COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus, identifying the association between the nasal carriage of
Bacillus
species and COVID-19 susceptibility and severity will help further substantiate the investigation of these bacteria for COVID-19 prevention and treatment. This study evaluated the association between the carriage of
Bacillus
species in the nasopharyngeal tract and COVID-19 severity and found that the presence of
Bacillus
species in the nasopharynx may significantly impact the clinical course of COVID-19.
Exercise prescription variables predict reductions in pain intensity in adults with chronic low back pain: secondary analysis of a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Neason Christopher , Miller Clint T , Tagliaferri Scott D , Belavy Daniel L , Main Luana C , Ford Jon J , Hahne Andrew J , Bowe Steven J , Owen Patrick J
Published: January 2024

Objectives

The relationship between exercise training variables and clinical outcomes in low back pain (LBP) is unclear. The current study aimed to explore the relationship between exercise training parameters and pain intensity in individuals with chronic LBP.

Methods

This study is a secondary analysis of a previously reported randomised controlled trial comparing the effects of general strength and conditioning to motor control exercises and manual therapy. This secondary analysis includes adults with chronic LBP (n=20) randomised to the general strength and conditioning programme only. Primary outcomes of this analysis were exercise training parameters (time under tension, rating of perceived exertion (RPE), session duration, session-RPE and training frequency) and pain intensity (0–100 mm visual analogue acale) measured every 2 weeks from baseline to 6 months follow-up. Linear mixed models with random effects (participants) and allowance for heterogeneity of variance (study date) were used to determine the association between pain intensity and training parameters over time.

Results

Mean (95% CI) pain intensity decreased over time from baseline to 6 months follow-up by 10.7 (2.8 to 18.7) points (p=0.008). Over the 6-month intervention, lower pain intensity was associated with higher RPE (β (95% CI) −27.168 (−44.265 to –10.071), p=0.002), greater time under tension (−0.029 (–0.056 to –0.001), p=0.040) and shorter session duration (1.938 (0.011 to 3.865), p=0.049).

Conclusion

During 6 months of general strength and conditioning, lower pain intensity was associated with higher participant-reported training intensity, greater volume and shorter session duration. To ensure positive outcomes to exercise training, these variables should be monitored on a short-term basis.

Trial registration number

ACTRN12615001270505.
The deterministic pattern matching based on the parameterized quantum circuit
Authors: Liu Lu , Wu Xing-Yu , Xu Chu-Yao , Zhang Lu-Fan , Wang Chuan
Published: January 2024

Grover quantum algorithm is an unstructured search algorithm that can run on a quantum computer with the complexity of O$\sqrt{N}$

N

, and is one of the typical algorithms of quantum computing. Recently, it has served as a routine for pattern-matching tasks. However, the original Grover search algorithm is probabilistic, which is not negligible for problems involving determinism. Besides that, efficient data loading is also a key challenge for the practical applications of the Grover algorithm. Here in this work, we propose a modified pattern-matching scheme with Long’s quantum search algorithm, in which the quantum circuit structure search algorithm requires fewer multi-qubit quantum gates, and can obtain the desired results deterministically. Then, the comparison of the performance of our scheme and the previous algorithms is presented through numerical simulations, indicating our algorithm is feasible with current quantum technologies which is friendly to noisy intermediate-scale quantum (NISQ) devices.
Theoretical Estimates of Physical Aspects Involved in the Power Stroke Hypothesis for Ribosome Translocation
Authors: González-García José Santiago
Published: January 2024

The power stroke mechanism for ribosome translocation is evaluated through calculations of basic aspects of the mechanics, hydrodynamics, and elasticity involved in such a process. The results show that reported power stroke magnitudes would generate several physical problems for ribosome translocation: unwanted or disproportionate displacements of the ribosome and mRNA, destabilizing competing forces and high tension on the mRNA in the ribosome tunnel. All these issues can be related to the ribosome losing its correct reading frame during mRNA translation. To improve ribosome translocation models, the suggestion is to change the focus from tRNA–mRNA forced displacement to ribosome motion along the mRNA. Also, to consider that the mRNA is essentially different from cytoskeleton fibers and that the ribosome does not work alone during mRNA translation.
Federated Learning-based Information Leakage Risk Detection for Secure Medical Internet of Things
Authors: Wang Tingting , Tang Tao , Cai Zhen , Fang Kai , Tian Jinyu , Li Jianqing , Wang Wei , Xia Feng
Published: January 2024

The Medical Internet of Things (MIoT) requires extreme information and communication security, particularly for remote consultation systems. MIoT’s integration of physical and computational components creates a seamless network of medical devices providing high-quality care via continuous monitoring and treatment. However, traditional security methods such as cryptography cannot prevent privacy compromise and information leakage caused by security breaches. To solve this issue, this paper proposes a novel Federated Learning Intrusion Detection System (FLIDS). FLIDS combines Generative Adversarial Network (GAN) and Federated Learning (FL) to detect cyber attacks like Denial of Service (DoS), data modification, and data injection using machine learning. FLIDS shows exceptional performance with over 99% detection accuracy and 1% False Positive Rate (FPR). It saves bandwidth by transmitting 3.8 times fewer bytes compared to central data collection. These results prove FLIDS’ effectiveness in detecting and mitigating security threats in Medical Cyber-Physical Systems (MCPS). The paper recommends scaling up FLIDS to use computing resources from multiple mobile devices for better intrusion detection accuracy and efficiency while reducing the burden on individual devices in MIoT.
DashReStreamer: Framework for Creation of Impaired Video Clips under Realistic Network Conditions
Authors: Hodžić Kerim , Cosovic Mirsad , Mrdovic Sasa , Quinlan Jason J. , Raca Darijo
Published: January 2024

The continuous rise of multimedia entertainment has led to an increased demand for delivering outstanding user experience of multimedia content. However, modeling user-perceived Quality of Experience (QoE) is a challenging task, resulting in efforts for better understanding and measurement of user-perceived QoE. To evaluate user QoE, subjective quality assessment, where people watch and grade videos, and objective quality assessment in which videos are graded using one or many objective metrics are conducted. While there is a plethora of video databases available for subjective and objective video quality assessment, these videos are artificially infused with various temporal and spatial impairments. Videos being assessed are artificially distorted with startup delay, bitrate changes, and stalls due to rebuffering events. To conduct a more credible quality assessment, a reproduction of original user experiences while watching different types of streams on different types and quality of networks is needed. To aid current efforts in bridging the gap between the mapping of objective video QoE metrics to user experience, we developed DashReStreamer, an open source framework for re-creating adaptively streamed video in real networks. The framework takes inputs in the form of video logs captured by the client in a non-regulated setting, along with an .mpd file or a YouTube URL. The ultimate result is a video sequence that encompasses all the data extracted from the video log. DashReStreamer also calculates popular video quality metrics like PSNR, SSIM, MS-SSIM, and VMAF. Finally, DashReStreamer allows creating impaired video sequences from the popular streaming platform YouTube. As a demonstration of framework usage, we created a database of 332 realistic video clips, based on video logs collected from real mobile and wireless networks. Every video clip is supplemented with bandwidth trace and video logs used in its creation and also with objective metrics calculation reports. In addition to dataset, we performed subjective evaluation of video content, assessing its effect on overall user QoE. We believe that this dataset and framework will allow the research community to better understand the impacts of video QoE dynamics.
Fabric Pressure Sensors for Fine-Grained Interaction Detection in Plush Toys
Authors: Kiaghadi Ali , Huang Jin , Zohreh Homayounfar Seyedeh , Andrew Trisha , Ganesan Deepak
Published: January 2024

Recent advances in fabric-based sensors have made it possible to densely instrument plush toys without altering their aesthetic or tactile appeal, unlike traditional sensors whose rigid components can negatively impact the interactive experience. This innovation opens a new realm of interaction possibilities, allowing for the detection of nuanced gestures and movements that are crucial for understanding behavior, enhancing engagement, and potentially monitoring cognitive functions in therapeutic contexts.
Optimization and Mechanism of SiO2-Based Slurry Components for Atomically Smooth Gallium Nitride Surface Obtained Using Chemical Mechanical Polishing Technique
Authors: Xian Wenhao , Zhang Baoguo , Liu Min , Wu Pengfei , Wang Ye , Liu Shitong , Cui Dexing
Published: January 2024

With the ongoing progress of mobile communication and new energy technologies, the market interest in high-frequency and high-power semiconductor devices has risen. Gallium nitride (GaN), a wide bandgap semiconductor material, has become a popular area of research in relevant fields. A sufficiently flat material surface can significantly enhance the device’s performance. Therefore, this paper explores the effect of oxidants on the quality of GaN surface during chemical mechanical polishing (CMP). Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was employed to examine the surface morphology of GaN after each CMP experiment. The aim was to evaluate the effect of specific slurry components on GaN surface quality. The results revealed that the introduction of oxidizers, particularly the potent oxidizer potassium persulfate (K2S2O8), was advantageous in reducing the surface roughness Sq and thus, enhancing the surface quality of GaN. The surface roughness (Sq) of GaN was reduced from 7.7 nm to 0.78 nm after the CMP process with the optimal components. AFM tests were conducted on different areas of the GaN surface within a range of 1 μm2, which revealed that clear images of the GaN atomic steps can be obtained, and the Sq can reach as low as 0.26 nm.
Perspective—Prospect of Nano-Enabled Optical Biosensors for Antibiotic Abuse Surveillance as an Early Prevention Tool for Antimicrobial Resistance
Authors: Chaudhary Vishal , Rustagi Sarvesh , Kaushik Ajeet , Bhutani Manisha
Published: January 2024

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) distressing human is driven by pragmatic contagion diagnostics and incessant inadvertent antibiotics abuse (AB). The state-of-the-art AB monitoring involves developing nanomaterials-enabled optical biosensors with prompt and precise detection efficacy. This prospect highlights the diversified optical biosensors, including SPR, SERS, fluorescent and colorimetric biosensors, for efficiently detecting AB abuse. Besides, it elaborates on the fundamentals, challenges, potential alternatives and prospects associated with these optical biosensing strategies for detecting AB as an effective AMR prevention/monitoring strategy. It will serve as a roadmap to future research and development dedicated to nano-enabled-optical biosensors for AMR monitoring through AB detection at community/individual sources.
Alterations in gene expression and microbiome composition upon calcium-sensing receptor deletion in the mouse esophagus
Authors: Abdulnour-Nakhoul Solange M. , Kolls Jay K. , Flemington Erik K. , Ungerleider Nathan A. , Nakhoul Hani N. , Song Kejing , Nakhoul Nazih L.
Published: January 2024

Calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) plays a significant role in maintaining the barrier function of esophageal epithelium. Using RNA sequencing, we show that conditional deletion of CaSR from mouse esophagus causes upregulation of genes involved in DNA replication and cell cycle and downregulation of genes involved in the innate immune response, protein translation, and cellular protein synthesis. Pathway analysis shows disruption of signaling pathways of calcium and actin cytoskeleton. These changes caused inflammation and esophageal dysbiosis.
Morphological, molecular, and functional characterization of mouse glutamatergic myenteric neurons
Authors: Liu Jia , Zhang Shaopeng , Emadi Sharareh , Guo Tiantian , Chen Longtu , Feng Bin
Published: January 2024

We reveal that VGLUT2-positive enteric neurons (EN), although constituting a small fraction of total EN, are homogeneously expressed in the myenteric ganglia, with a slight concentration at the intermediate region between the colon and rectum. Through anatomic, molecular, and functional analyses, we demonstrated that VGLUT2-ENs are activated indirectly by noxious circumferential colorectal stretch via nicotinic cholinergic transmission, suggesting their participation in mechanical visceral nociception.
GSK3β/NF-κB -dependent transcriptional regulation of homeostatic hepatocyte Tnf production
Authors: Grayck Maya R. , McCarthy William C. , Solar Mack , Golden Emma , Balasubramaniyan Natarajan , Zheng Lijun , Sherlock Laura G. , Wright Clyde J.
Published: January 2024

Maintenance of hepatocyte homeostasis plays an important role in controlling the pathogenesis of many diseases. Our findings add to a growing body of literature on tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα)-mediated hepatocyte homeostasis and identify novel molecular mechanisms involved in regulating this response.
Assessment of Angiography‐Based Renal Quantitative Flow Ratio Measurement in Patients with Atherosclerotic Renal Artery Stenosis
Authors: Huang Xiang , Li Xiao-Lan , Zhou Heng , Li Xiao-Mei
Published: January 2024

Background. Quantitative flow ratio (QFR) is an angiography‐based fractional flow reserve measurement without pressure wire or induction of hyperemia. A recent innovation that uses combined geometrical data and hemodynamic boundary conditions to measure QFR from a single angiographic view has shown the potential to measure QFR of the renal artery‐renal QFR (rQFR). Objective. The aim of this pilot study was to assess the feasibility of rQFR measurement and the contribution of rQFR in selecting patients with atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis (ARAS) undergoing revascularization. Methods. This retrospective trial enrolled patients who had ARAS (50‐90%) and hypertension. The enrolled patients were treated by optimal antihypertensive medication or revascularization, respectively, and the therapeutic strategies were based on rFFR measurement and/or clinical feature. Results. A total of 55 patients underwent rQFR measurement. Among the enrolled patients, 18 underwent optimal antihypertensive medication and 37 underwent revascularization, 19 patients in whom rQFR and rFFR were both assessed. During the 180‐day follow‐up, 25 patients saw an improvement in their blood pressure among the 37 patients that underwent revascularization. ROC analysis revealed that rQFR had a high diagnostic accuracy for predicting blood pressure improvement (AUCrQFR = 0.932, 95% CI 0.798‐0.998). The ideal cut‐off value of rQFR for predicting blood pressure improvement after revascularization is ≤0.72 (sensitivity: 72.00%, specificity: 100%). The paired t test and Bland–Altman analyses demonstrated good agreement between rQFR and rFFR (t = 1.887, 95% CI ‐0.021 to 0.001, 95% limits of agreement: ‐0.035 to 0.055, p = 0.075). The Spearman correlation test reveals that there was a significant positive correlation between rQFR and rFFR (r = 0.952, 95% CI 0.874 to 0.982, p < 0.001). Conclusion. The rQFR has the potential to enhance the ability of angiography to detect functionally significant renal artery stenosis during angiography and to produce results that are comparable to invasive hemodynamic assessment.
Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Clematis terniflora Leaf on Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Acute Lung Injury
Authors: Park Ji-Yeong , Kim Min-Jong , Choi Young-Ae , Kim Yeon-Yong , Lee Soyoung , Chung Jae-Min , Kim Sang-Yong , Jeong Gil-Saeng , Kim Sang-Hyun
Published: January 2024

For centuries, natural products are regarded as vital medicines for human survival. Clematis terniflora var. mandshurica (Rupr.) Ohwi is an ingredient of the herbal medicine, Wei Ling Xian, which has been used in Chinese medicine to alleviate pain, fever, and inflammation. In particular, C. terniflora leaves have been used to cure various inflammatory diseases, including tonsillitis, cholelithiasis, and conjunctivitis. Based on these properties, this study aimed to scientifically investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of an ethanol extract of leaves of C. terniflora (EELCT) using activated macrophages that play central roles in inflammatory response. In this study, EELCT inhibited the essential inflammatory mediators, such as nitric oxide, cyclooxygenase-2, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin- (IL-) 6, IL-1β, and inducible nitric oxide synthase, by suppressing the nuclear factor-κB and mitogen-activated protein kinase activation in macrophages. Acute lung injury (ALI) is a fatal respiratory disease accompanied by serious inflammation. With high mortality rate, the disease has no effective treatments. Therefore, new therapeutic agents must be developed for ALI. We expected that EELCT can be a promising therapeutic agent for ALI by reducing inflammatory responses and evaluated its action in a lipopolysaccharide- (LPS-) induced ALI model. EELCT alleviated histological changes, immune cell infiltration, inflammatory mediator production, and protein-rich pulmonary edema during ALI. Collectively, our results may explain the traditional usage of C. terniflora in inflammatory diseases and suggest the promising potential of EELCT as therapeutic candidate for ALI.
Low-Molecular-Weight Hydrolysate from Black Goat Extract Had Antioxidative and Anti-Inflammatory Effects in Macrophage Cells via Inhibition of MAPKs and NF-κB Pathways
Authors: Kim Hye-Jin , Kim Kwan-Woo , Lee Jinwook , Lee Sang-Hoon , Lee Sung-Soo , Jang Aera
Published: January 2024

This study evaluated the antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects of a low-molecular-weight hydrolysate derived from black goat extract using alcalase, ProteAX, and trypsin (APT6 < 3 kDa). The APT6 < 3 kDa exhibited high antioxidative activities with estimated contents of 41.24% for antioxidative amino acids and 49.55% for hydrophobic amino acids. APT6 < 3 kDa inhibited nitric oxide and prostaglandin E2 production in RAW 264.7 cells induced by lipopolysaccharide (p<0.05), which was accompanied by the inhibition of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 protein expression. Additionally, APT6 < 3 kDa downregulated the mRNA expression and production of TNF-α and IL-1β (p<0.05). Mechanistically, these anti-inflammatory effects of APT6 < 3 kDa were shown by downregulating the MAPK and NF-κB pathways in a dose-dependent manner. Overall, 43 peptides were isolated from a certain fraction (F5) of APT6 < 3 kDa, demonstrating high antioxidative and anti-inflammatory activities. These results suggest that identified peptides from APT6 < 3 kDa possess natural antioxidants and hold potential as anti-inflammatory agents.
Study on the Safety Thickness of Three Zones against Fault Water Inrush: Case Study and Model Development
Authors: Wang Yongqian , Yang Benshui , Zhang Jun
Published: January 2024

The raising and flowing of groundwater caused by coal mining threaten the stability of mining faces, which cause casualties and machine damage accidents. Among the above accidents, the water inrush disaster caused by the water‐rich water‐conducting fault zone is the largest. Considering the complexity of geological structure and the suddenness of water inrush, reserving a reasonable thickness of waterproof coal pillars in front of the fault tectonic belt can effectively predict and control the occurrence of water inrush. The excellent adaptability of the numerical model to the geological conditions makes it an effective research method for simulating waterproof coal pillars. Based on the analysis of the background of on‐site mining, this paper proposes a three‐zone waterproof coal pillar calculation theory and establishes a numerical model for comparative analysis. The comparison results show that (1) the elastic‐plastic theory and fracture theory can be used to calculate the thickness of the disturbed zone and the water‐resisting zone, and the thickness of the fractured zone is positively correlated with the accuracy of the existing detection technology and equipment. (2) For the numerical model results, the increase of tangential stress is positively correlated with the distance of coal seam mining and the thickness of fault; the large plastic zone of the fault causes a higher increase in pore pressure, which ultimately increases the risk of water inrush. (3) The two results are in good agreement. The theoretical results have a safety margin, indicating that the three‐zone theory is reasonable, which are used to guide the actual mining of the project to ensure the smooth passage of the project through the fault area.