bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dynamic precision surveying of railway tunnels based on MLS with robust constraints of track control network
Authors: Dong Cuijun , Mao Qingzhou , Kou Donghua , Dai Yongbo , Xiong Yonggang , Zhu Xubo , Li Xialiang
Published: April 2022

The inertial navigation system (INS)/odometer integrated dead reckoning (DR) is usually used for the positioning and orientation of mobile LiDAR system in the precision surveying of railway tunnels. However, due to the accumulation of pose errors and the creaky method of joint surveying of track control points, it is difficult to achieve the millimeter level absolute accuracy of point clouds relative to the track control network under dynamic conditions, especially when there are gross errors of some control points coordinates. This paper puts forward an algorithm to optimize accuracy of INS/odometer integrated DR with robust constraints of track control network. The errors of DR are divided into two types, which affect the relative accuracy and the absolute accuracy respectively; The concept of virtual mileage coordinate system is proposed, in this coordinate system, the influence of gyro bias error on position is modeled as a circular distribution and estimated indirectly by using the high-precision relative spatial relationship of control points; An absolute accuracy optimization method with constraints by sequence match between positions of surveying equipment and track control points is proposed, and the gross errors of control point coordinates are detected and processed based on reduced weight iteration method. The experimental results of North China high speed railway tunnel show that when the distance interval of control points of correction is 120 m, the root mean square (RMS) error of coordinates in X, Y and Z directions are 0.003, 0.003 and 0.005 m respectively. When the distance interval of control points of correction is 420 m, the RMS in X, Y and Z directions are 0.029, 0.030 and 0.010 m respectively. When there are gross errors of some control point coordinates and the distance interval of control points of correction is 120 m, the RMS of coordinates in X, Y and Z directions are 0.005, 0.006 and 0.006 m respectively, and the gross errors of 4 cm in one direction of the three-dimensional control point coordinates can be detected. The experimental results verified the high accuracy of the algorithm and its robustness to the gross errors of control point coordinates.
Bacteria cellulose framework-supported solid composite polymer electrolytes for ambient-temperature lithium metal batteries
Authors: Yuan Boheng , Cong Zhi , Cheng Zhi , Li Lei , Xia Linan , Yan Jieda , Shen Fei , Zhao Bin , Han Xiaogang
Published: April 2022

Composite polymer electrolyte (CPE) films with high room temperature ionic conductivity are urgently needed for the practical application of high-safety solid-state batteries (SSBs). Here, a flexible polymer-polymer CPE thin film reinforced by a three-dimensional (3D) bacterial cellulose (BC) framework derived from natural BC hydrogel was prepared via the in situ photo-polymerization method. The BC film was utilized as the supporting matrix to ensure high flexibility and mechanical strength. The BC–CPE attained a high room temperature ionic conductivity of 1.3 × 10−4 S cm−1. The Li∣BC–CPE∣Li symmetric cell manifested stable cycles of more than 1200 h. The LCO∣BC–CPE∣Li full cell attained an initial discharge specific capacity of 128.7 mAh g−1 with 82.6% discharge capacity retention after 150 cycles at 0.2 C under room temperature. The proposed polymer-polymer CPE configuration represents a promising route for manufacturing environmental SSBs, especially since cellulose biomaterials are abundant in nature.
Structural characterizations on the degradation of 2D organic–inorganic hybrid perovskites and its enlightenment to improved stability
Authors: Zha Yanfang , Wang Yun , Sheng Yuhang , Wu Shuyi , Zhang Jinlei , Ma Kewei , Yang Lun , Liu Cihui , Di Yunsong , Gan Zhixing
Published: April 2022

Despite the demonstrated high-efficiency of solar cells and light-emitting devices based on two-dimensional (2D) perovskites, intrinsic stability of the 2D perovskites is yet far from satisfactory. In this work, we find the 2D (BA)2PbI4 perovskite crystals rapidly degrade in the ambient conditions and the photoluminescence (PL) nearly completely quenches in 6 d. Moreover, the PL shoulder band due to defects and absorption band of PbI2 gradually rise during degradation, suggesting the precipitation of PbI2. Besides, rod structures are observed in the degraded crystals, which are attributed to the formation of one-dimensional (1D) (BA)3PbI5 perovskites. And the degradation can be largely retarded by decreasing the humidity during storage. Therefore, a chemical reaction for the degradation of (BA)2PbI4 is proposed, revealing the interactions between water molecules and undercoordinated defects are very critical for understanding the degradation. Enlightened by these findings, dimethyl itaconate (DI) treatment is developed to passivate the defects and block the intrusion of moisture to improve the stability of the (BA)2PbI4. After storage in the ambient environment for 16 d, the DI treated (BA)2PbI4 only shows a slight surface degradation without formation of any nanorod-like structures, and the PL intensity retains about 70%. Therefore, our systematic study provides a comprehensive understanding on the degradation dynamics of 2D perovskites, which will promote future development of intrinsically stable 2D perovskites.
Current density at failure of twinned silver nanowires
Authors: Waliullah Mohammad , Bernal Rodrigo A
Published: April 2022

Silver nanowires have a wide range of potential applications in stretchable and transparent electronics due to their excellent electrical, mechanical, and optical properties. For a successful application in electronic devices, evaluating the electrical reliability of these nanowires is required. We have studied experimentally the behavior of current density at failure for penta-twinned silver nanowires with diameters between 53 and 173 nm, for 93 samples. The current densities at failure are widely scattered, have an average of 9.7 × 107 A cm−2, and a standard deviation of 2.96 × 107 A cm−2. Heat-transfer modeling is employed to explain the results, and Weibull statistics are used to quantify failure probabilities, thus offering guidelines for future designs based on these nanowires. The scatter observed in the measurements is attributed to surface-roughness variations among samples, which lead to local hot spots of high current density. These results quantify the Joule heating electrical reliability of silver nanowires and highlight the importance of heat transfer in increasing it.
What happens next? Non bubbles
Authors: Featonby David , Prolongo Marisa
Published: April 2022

At first sight a bubble of soap solution looks very similar to a spherical drop of the same solution. This experiment explores this further.
Application of an accelerometer in adjusting parameters and detecting characteristics in the pacemaker rate response
Authors: Qiu Hanying , Huang Shizhe , Su Linjie , Chen Haojia , Chen Yaowen
Published: April 2022

Objective. To study the application of an accelerometer in adjusting the parameters, setting the sensor indicated rate (SIR) and detecting characteristics in the pacemaker (PM) rate response. Approach. Three-axis (GT9X Link-type) accelerometers were positioned on the waist and chest in 33 participants implanted with rate responsive PMs while wearing an ambulatory ECG recorder (Holter). During the walking test, by collecting vertical axis (Axis-1) activity intensity counts, Axis-1’ metabolic equivalent of energy (METaxis-1) and its expected heart rate (HRmet-axis1) were calculated by the relevant equations, and on the basis of the HRmet-axis1 as the target heart rate, the SIR was set by programming the rate response slope parameter. During the following daily walking activity, the physical activity parameters and Holter ECG was recorded continuously. After the end of the whole test the analysis on these data recorded was performed retrospectively. Main results. After completing the SIR setting, in 24 participants with complete ventricular pacing the comparison between HRmet-axis1 (92.5 ± 7.8 BPM) and the HRvp-Holter (94.0 ± 10.5 BPM) showed no statistical difference (ΔHR: 1.25 ± 6.69 BPM, P: 0.568) during the last one walking test, and there was also no significant difference (ΔHR: 2.8 ± 7.1 BPM, P: 0.398) between the HRmet-axis1 (90.7 ± 7.1 BPM) and HRvp-Holter (93.4 ± 10.3 BPM) during daily walking activity. In addition, in the data of 108 time intervals selected during the daily walking activities in the abovementioned 24 participants, METaxis-1 and HRvp-Holter correlation analysis showed good correlation and the regression equation was HR = 12.4 × MET

±

43.1 (

P
<
0.0001

). Significance. An accelerometer can play an important role in adjusting parameters, setting the SIR and detecting characteristics in the PM rate response.
Memory propagation in barrier discharge at water interface: suspected Markov states and spatiotemporal memory effects
Authors: Kuthanová Lucia , Hoder Tomáš
Published: April 2022

Barrier discharges are known for strong memory effects which shape their stochastic properties. We study memory propagation in a surface barrier discharge operated at the water interface in atmospheric pressure air using electrical measurements and synchronized intensified CCD imaging. Comprehensive electrical data sets of seemingly chaotic behaviour are evaluated from thousands of subsequent periods recorded with high temporal resolution and large dynamic range. We confirm known memory effects and identify new ones both in between the half-periods as well as between subsequent pulses within one half-period. We find two memoryless states for the first discharges in the positive polarity which are defined by the presence/absence of photoemission-induced collective behaviour. Given the determined probability for entering one of these two suspected Markov states, the system bifurcates and follows one of the two subsequent non-Markovian pathways. The identification of the collective behaviour in these pathways enables us to recognize the spatially resolved property of the system and to determine its probability of occurrence, both solely from the zero-dimensional electrical characterisation.
Magnetized fluid electron model within a two-dimensional hybrid simulation code for electrodeless plasma thrusters
Authors: Zhou J , Domínguez-Vázquez A , Fajardo P , Ahedo E
Published: April 2022

An axisymmetric fluid model for weakly-collisional, magnetized electrons is introduced and coupled to a particle-in-cell model for heavy species to simulate electrodeless plasma thrusters. The numerical treatment of the model is based on a semi-implicit time scheme, and specific algorithms for solving on a magnetic field aligned mesh. Simulation results of the plasma transport are obtained for a virtual electrodeless thruster. The particle and energy fluxes of electrons are discussed. A first phenomenological model is included for the anomalous cross-field electron transport, and a second one for the anomalous parallel-field electron cooling in the plume. The balances of the plasma properties reveal that wall losses are the crucial reason for the poor thrust efficiency of these thrusters. The magnetic thrust inside the source could be negative and largely depending on the location of the magnetic throat, which is found uncoupled from the location of the plasma beam sonic surface. Furthermore, a sensitivity analysis of the results against the simulated plume extension shows that finite plumes imply an incomplete electron expansion, which leads to underestimating the performances.
Topologically customized and surface-mounted meta-devices for Lamb wave manipulation
Authors: Liu Ze , Shan Sheng-Bo , Dong Hao-Wen , Cheng Li
Published: April 2022

Lamb waves inside thin-walled structures have received extensive attention due to their great promise in applications such as structural health monitoring. Applications point at the common need for effective conditioning and manipulation of the wave propagation in terms of both frequency content and mode components. In this work, the concept of metamaterials is exploited to construct functional meta-devices (MDs). The MDs are designed to deliver prescribed functionalities after they are surface-mounted onto a structure conveying Lamb waves. To this end, a unified inverse-design scheme based on topology optimization is proposed and applied to achieve multifold functions such as frequency filtering, single-mode transmission and wave filtering at the subwavelength scale. Configuration features of the optimized MDs are extracted to reveal the mechanism governing the generation of broad Bragg scattering bandgaps. Analyses on negative effective mass density and the polarized mode explain the directional locally resonant bandgaps which exhibit strong anisotropic density. A representative MD with a finite number of unit cells is examined through finite element simulations. Temporal signals and their transmission spectra confirm the expected band features. An experiment is carried out to confirm the prescribed wave manipulation functions of the designed MD in terms of achieving selective frequency and wave mode transmission. This work provides a universal approach for topologically customizing MDs for the precise and tactic control of Lamb wave propagation.
Epidemics on evolving networks with varying degrees
Authors: Sanhedrai Hillel , Havlin Shlomo
Published: April 2022

Epidemics on complex networks is a widely investigated topic in the last few years, mainly due to the last pandemic events. Usually, real contact networks are dynamic, hence much effort has been invested in studying epidemics on evolving networks. Here we propose and study a model for evolving networks based on varying degrees, where at each time step a node might get, with probability r, a new degree and new neighbors according to a given degree distribution, instead of its former neighbors. We find analytically, using the generating functions framework, the epidemic threshold and the probability for a macroscopic spread of disease depending on the rewiring rate r. Our analytical results are supported by numerical simulations. We find that the impact of the rewiring rate r has qualitative different trends for networks having different degree distributions. That is, in some structures, such as random regular networks the dynamics enhances the epidemic spreading while in others such as scale free (SF) the dynamics reduces the spreading. In addition, we unveil that the extreme vulnerability of static SF networks, expressed by zero epidemic threshold, vanishes for only fully evolving network, r = 1, while for any partial dynamics, i.e. r < 1, this zero threshold exists. Finally, we find the epidemic threshold also for a general distribution of the recovery time.
Theoretical investigation of structural, topological, mechanical and thermal behavior of SrPtS and BaPtS Heusler alloys
Authors: Shakil Muhammad , Rehman Abdul , Khan Muhammad Isa , Gillani S S A , Zafar Muhammad , Gadhi Muhammad Asghar , Rafique Muhammad , Alrowaili Z A , Mahmoud Zakaria M M , Al-Buriahi M S
Published: April 2022

Topological Insulators (TIs) have become new potential materials because of their super surface conduction and bulk insulation. Their technological importance motivated us to explore the topological nature of SrPtS and BaPtS Heusler alloys using full potential linearized augmented plane wave (FP-LAPW) method as implemented in Wien2k. Structural stability is checked using three different Wyckoff positions and further investigations were carried out to find the dynamic stability with phonon dispersion curves. The electronic band structure of both materials show metallic nature when generalized gradient approximation with Perdew–Burke–Ernzerhof (GGA + PBE) exchange and correlation functional is used but there appears a band gap when spin–orbit coupling (SOC) was implemented. The band inversion strength has also been tested by applying the external pressure. Further, both alloys have been found mechanically stable and ductile in nature by determining the elastic parameters. Thermal and electrical conductances were also determined and discussed. The findings show that these materials being topological insulators are suitable for technological applications.
Alpha particle spectrometry based on the mean grey level and visibility of track etch-pit in CR-39 Nuclear Track Detector
Authors: Al-Sayed A , El Ghazaly M , Ghanim E H , Mohamed Amal , El-Naggar Hala I , Dawood Mahmoud S
Published: April 2022

The CR-39 detector is used in this work to present an exceptional technique for alpha-particle spectrometry. This new approach is based on determining the mean grey level and visibility of the alpha particle track etch-pit. The latter is used to discriminate alpha particles of different energies that produce the same track diameter at the same etching time. CR-39 detectors had been irradiated by alpha particles with energies 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 MeV thereafter are chemically etched in 6.25 M NaOH at 70 °C. At various etching periods, the diameter, the mean grey level, and the visibility of the alpha particle track etch-pit were measured. The findings reveal that for a given alpha particle, the mean grey level rises with the increase of the etching time. Conversely, both the visibility and contrast of alpha particle tracks are deteriorating. The alpha particle track etch-pit of equal diameters results from an alpha particle of different energies having different mean grey levels and visibility. In addition, it is confirmed that the mean grey level and visibility of the alpha particle etch-pit are shown to be correlated with the alpha particle energy at a particular etching time. Finally, the proposed approach is intended to overcome the non-monotonical relationship of diameter to the energy of alpha particle track etch-pit. So, our findings have the potential to broaden the application of CR-39 as an alpha particle spectrometer.
Influence of NiO and La2O3 nanoparticles on the optical, mechanical and electrical properties of PVAc–PMMA blend: a comparative study
Authors: El Sayed Adel M , El-Gamal S
Published: April 2022

Nano-sized metal oxides are fascinating materials as fillers used for improving the polymeric materials’ performance and expanding their multifunctionality. Two metal oxides; NiO and La2O3 nanoparticles (NP) were prepared and introduced into poly(vinyl acetate)/poly(methyl methacrylate), PVAc/PMMA blend via solution casting route. XRD and HR-TEM analysis confirmed the preparation of a cubic NiO and a hexagonal La2O3 NP with an average crystallite size of 59.85 and 29.13 nm, respectively. Introducing NiO and La2O3 increases the films’ amorphous structure. FTIR analysis confirmed the existence of all blend’ functional groups and hydrogen bond formation. SEM investigation showed that NiO or La2O3 loading affects the blend surface morphology. A UV–vis-NIR study showed that NiO narrowed the direct bandgap of the blend from 4.1 to 3.3 eV, whereas La2O3 reduced it to 3.4 eV. 1.0 wt% NiO significantly improved the various optical constants of the blend. DMA revealed that storage modulus G′ increased with loading of 1 wt% NiO or La2O3 by 79.3% and 51.0%, respectively while G′ decreased with heating. The dielectric behavior of films is analyzed using several dielectric parameters. The maximum σ
ac reported for 1.0 wt% NiO/blend film is 5.8 × 10−6 (S/cm). The AC conduction mechanism is discussed for all films in the temperature and frequency ranges (298−373 K) and (5 Hz−2 MHz). 1.0 wt%/PVAc/PMMA nanocomposite showed enhanced optical and mechanical properties, making it suitable for architectural, flexible display screens, and photovoltaic cell devices. Moreover, loading NiO and La2O3 improved the dielectric properties of the blend to be used in the semiconductor industry, besides energy storage devices and supercapacitors.
The effect of rare-earth element (Gd, Nd, La) doping of NiO films on UV photodetector
Authors: Haunsbhavi Kumar , Kumar K Deva Arun , Ubaidullah Mohd , Shaikh Shoyebmohamad F , Venkatesh R , Alagarasan Devarajan , Murahari Prashantha , Angadi Basavaraj
Published: April 2022

The semiconductor-based UV photodetectors are the most essential devices in the field of space observations, military, DNA sequencing, analysis of protein, medical imaging, checking of atmospheric pollution, optical communications radiation, etc. With such a wide range of possible applications, the nanostructured pristine and rare-earth (RE) doped NiO ((NiO: Gd(1%), NiO:Nd(1%), NiO:La(1%)) thin films were prepared and investigated for their suitability as UV photodetectors. The films were prepared by nebulized spray pyrolysis (NSP) at a substrate temperature of 450 °C. The x-ray diffraction studies confirm the cubic single phase with the polycrystalline nature of the prepared films. The spectroscopic studies such as absorbance and photoluminescence confirm that increase in the optical bandgap and 391 nm PL emission is attributed to the near band edge emission of the NiO. The x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy reveals the presence of nickel and the doped elements with their oxidation states. The UV photodetector performance of the prepared NiO films was carried out under the irradiation of 365 nm light. The NiO:Gd exhibits the best responsivity (0.353 AW−1), external quantum efficiency (120%), detectivity (1.72 × 1010 Jones) and rise time (2.0 s), and fall time (2.2 s). Importantly, strategies such as limited doping (1 at.%) and larger ionic radii of Gd incorporation into the host NiO cause a moderate increase in the lattice distortion and inhibit the recombination rate instead of behaving as a recombination center. In addition, the conduction band (CB) electrons are trapped by a greater number of oxygen vacancies residing at the Gd3+ 4f state and cause a good separation of charge carriers. Overall, these modifications enhance the mean lifetime of electrons, consequently reducing the recombination rate and enhancing the photoresponse.
Stability conditions for the Horndeski scalar field gravity model
Authors: Gomes C. , Bertolami O.
Published: April 2022

We constrain the viable models of Horndeski gravity, written in its equivalent Generalised Galileon version, by resorting to the Witten positive energy theorem. We find that the free function G
3(ϕ,X) in the Lagrangian is constrained to be a function solely of the scalar field, G
3(ϕ), and relations among the free functions are found. Other criterion for stability are also analysed, such as the attractiveness of gravity, and the Dolgov-Kawasacki instability. Some applications for cosmology are discussed.
Dosage optimisation of magnetically retrievable zinc ferrite nanoparticles for photodegradation of methylene blue
Authors: Pius Minu , Joseph Santhi Ani
Published: April 2022

In this paper, we report the studies on photocatalytic activity of the zinc ferrite nanoparticles for the degradation of methylene blue dye. The study reveals that an optimum minimum dosage of 1g/L can give a degradation efficiency of 89% within 90 minutes of its exposure to the sunlight. Zinc ferrite nanoparticles were synthesised using co-precipitation method in stoichiometric ratio. Structural, magnetic and optical characterisation were done using XRD, FTIR, VSM and UV-VIS-IR analysis which confirmed the crystalline, magnetic and visible light active nature of the sample. Feasibility for magnetic retrieval of the photocatalyst was studied after photodegradation of dye and then analysed using XRD which confirmed the phase purity of the sample even after retrieval.
Study of the utility of Fe2O3-Au nanocomposite in photodynamic therapy
Authors: Rajan Divya , Francis Frincy , Thomas Daniya , Ramankutty Meenakshi , Joseph Santhi Ani
Published: April 2022

A novel multifunctional nanofluid composite of Iron oxide/Gold (Fe2O3-Au) was prepared using simple wet chemical method by reducing Chloroauric acid using trisodium citrate in the presence of Fe2O3 stock solution. The optical and morphological characterization confirmed the formation of hybrid structure of Iron Oxide with Gold nanoparticles. In-vitro cytoprotective studies of the sample was carried out in L929 cells. The study showed an increase up to 15% in the cell viability by the co-administration of 25 μL of Fe2O3-Au nanofluid in the L929 cells, which suffered significant reduction in cell viability due to laser irradiation. Thus, the sample is found to possess potential application in Photodynamic therapy.
Plasma biomarkers and genetics in the diagnosis and prediction of Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Stevenson-Hoare Joshua , Heslegrave Amanda , Leonenko Ganna , Fathalla Dina , Bellou Eftychia , Luckcuck Lauren , Marshall Rachel , Sims Rebecca , Morgan Bryan Paul , Hardy John , de Strooper Bart , Williams Julie , Zetterberg Henrik , Escott-Price Valentina
Published: April 2022

Plasma biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease-related pathologies have undergone rapid developments during the past few years, and there are now well-validated blood tests for amyloid and tau pathology, as well as neurodegeneration and astrocytic activation. To define Alzheimer’s disease with biomarkers rather than clinical assessment, we assessed prediction of research-diagnosed disease status using these biomarkers and tested genetic variants associated with the biomarkers that may reflect more accurately the risk of biochemically defined Alzheimer’s disease instead of the risk of dementia.

In a cohort of Alzheimer’s disease cases [n = 1439, mean age 68 years (standard deviation = 8.2)] and screened controls [n = 508, mean age 82 years (standard deviation = 6.8)], we measured plasma concentrations of the 40 and 42 amino acid-long amyloid-β (Aβ) fragments (Aβ40 and Aβ42, respectively), tau phosphorylated at amino acid 181 (P-tau181), neurofilament light (NfL) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) using state-of-the-art Single molecule array (Simoa) technology. We tested the relationships between the biomarkers and Alzheimer’s disease genetic risk, age at onset and disease duration. We also conducted a genome-wide association study for association of disease risk genes with these biomarkers.

The prediction accuracy of Alzheimer’s disease clinical diagnosis by the combination of all biomarkers, APOE and polygenic risk score reached area under receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) = 0.81, with the most significant contributors being ε4, Aβ40 or Aβ42, GFAP and NfL. All biomarkers were significantly associated with age in cases and controls (P < 4.3 × 10−5). Concentrations of the Aβ-related biomarkers in plasma were significantly lower in cases compared with controls, whereas other biomarker levels were significantly higher in cases.

In the case-control genome-wide analyses, APOE-ε4 was associated with all biomarkers (P = 0.011−4.78 × 10−8), except NfL. No novel genome-wide significant single nucleotide polymorphisms were found in the case-control design; however, in a case-only analysis, we found two independent genome-wide significant associations between the Aβ42/Aβ40 ratio and WWOX and COPG2 genes.

Disease prediction modelling by the combination of all biomarkers indicates that the variance attributed to P-tau181 is mostly captured by APOE-ε4, whereas Aβ40, Aβ42, GFAP and NfL biomarkers explain additional variation over and above APOE. We identified novel plausible genome wide-significant genes associated with Aβ42/Aβ40 ratio in a sample which is 50 times smaller than current genome-wide association studies in Alzheimer’s disease.
Immune Response to LinB13, a Lutzomyia Intermedia Salivary Protein Correlates With Disease Severity in Tegumentary Leishmaniasis
Authors: Carvalho Augusto M , Viana Sayonara M , Andrade Bruno B , Oliveira Fabiano , Valenzuela Jesus G , Carvalho Edgar M , de Oliveira Camila I
Published: April 2022

Background

We have previously shown that seropositivity to rLinB-13, a salivary protein from Lutzomyia intermedia, predicted sand fly exposure and was associated with increased risk of developing cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL).

Methods

Here, we investigated the cellular immune response to saliva from Lu. intermedia, using rLinB-13 as a surrogate antigen in naturally exposed individuals presenting positive serology to LinB-13. We also investigated the response to rLinB-13 in leishmaniasis patients, displaying active ulcers and positive PCR for Leishmania braziliensis.

Results

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) stimulated in vitro with rLinB-13 secreted elevated levels of interleukin-10 (IL-10), IL-4, IL-1β, IL-1α, IL-6, and chemokines (CCL3, CCL4, CCL5, and CXCL5). CL and disseminated leishmaniasis (DL) patients displayed a significantly higher immunoglobulin G (IgG) response to rLinB-13 compared with healthy subjects, and anti–rLinB-13 IgG was positively correlated with the number of lesions in DL patients. Positive serology to rLinB-13 was also associated with chemotherapy failure. PBMCs from DL patients stimulated with rLINB-13 secreted significantly higher levels of IL-10 and IL-1β compared with CL individuals.

Conclusions

In this study, we observed an association between humoral and cellular immune response to the sand fly salivary protein rLinB-13 and disease severity in tegumentary leishmaniasis. This study brings evidence that immunity to rLinB-13 influences disease outcome in L. braziliensis infection and results indicate that positive serology to rLinB-13 IgG can be used as a marker of DL, an emerging and severe form of disease caused by L. braziliensis.
Pretreatment prediction of tumour spread through air spaces in clinical stage I non-small-cell lung cancer
Authors: Ding Yun , Chen Yiyong , Wen Hui , Li Jiuzhen , Chen Jinzhan , Xu Meilin , Geng Hua , You Lisheng , Pan Xiaojie , Sun Daqiang
Published: April 2022

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to construct a nomogram prediction model for tumour spread through air spaces (STAS) in clinical stage I non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and discuss its potential application value.

METHODS

A total of 380 patients with clinical stage I NSCLC in Tianjin Chest Hospital were collected as the training cohort and 285 patients in Fujian Provincial Hospital were collected as the validation cohort. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to determine independent factors for STAS in the training cohort. Based on the results of the multivariable analysis, the nomogram prediction model of STAS was constructed by R software.

RESULTS

The incidence of STAS in the training cohort was 39.2%. STAS was associated with worse overall survival and recurrence-free survival (P < 0.01). Univariable analysis showed that maximum tumour diameter, consolidation-to-tumour ratio, spiculation, vacuole and carcinoembryonic antigen were associated with STAS (P < 0.05). Multivariable analysis showed that maximum tumour diameter, consolidation-to-tumour ratio, spiculation sign and vacuole were independent risk factors for STAS (P < 0.05). Based on this, the nomogram prediction model of STAS in clinical stage I NSCLC was constructed and internally validated by bootstrap. The Hosmer–Lemeshow test showed a χ2 value of 7.218 (P = 0.513). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve and C-index were 0.724 (95% confidence interval: 0.673–0.775). The external validation conducted on the validation cohort produced an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.759 (95% confidence interval: 0.703–0.816).

CONCLUSIONS

The constructed nomogram prediction model of STAS in clinical stage I NSCLC has good calibration and can potentially be applied to guide treatment selection.
The Effect of Physical Limitations on Depressive Symptoms Over the Life Course: Is Optimism a Protective Buffer?
Authors: Choi Shinae L , Namkung Eun Ha , Carr Deborah
Published: April 2022

Objectives

We examined the extent to which optimism buffers the effects of physical limitations on depressive symptoms across 4 mid- and later-life age groups (ages 40–49, 50–64, 65–74, 75 and older at baseline). Analyses are motivated by stress theories, which propose that the protective effects of coping resources are evidenced only at high levels of stress. We further explore whether these purportedly protective effects diminish with age, as health-related stressor(s) intensify and become irreversible.

Methods

We use data from 2 waves (2004–2006 and 2013–2014) of the Health and Retirement Study (HRS, n = 4,515) and Midlife in the United States (MIDUS, n = 2,138). We estimate ordinary least squares regression models with 3-way interaction terms to examine prospectively the benefits of optimism as a coping resource for persons with physical limitations across 4 age groups. Physical limitations are assessed with a composite measure encompassing mobility and activity of daily living limitations.

Results

In HRS and MIDUS, persons with 3+ limitations reported significantly more depressive symptoms than persons with 0–2 limitations, yet these disparities diminished at higher levels of optimism. Buffering effects of optimism vary by age. For midlife and young-old persons with 3+ limitations, optimism is strongly and inversely related to depressive symptoms at follow-up. Comparable protective effects are not evident among the oldest sample members.

Discussion

Stress and coping models should consider more fully factors that limit older adults’ capacity to deploy purportedly protective personal resources. Investments in structural or institutional supports may be more effective than interventions to enhance positive thinking.
Support Now to Care Later: Intergenerational Support Exchanges and Older Parents’ Care Receipt and Expectations
Authors: Bui Cindy N , Kim Kyungmin , Fingerman Karen L
Published: April 2022

Objectives

Older parents’ previous support exchanges with adult children could influence which child currently provides care or which child they expect to provide care in the future. Distinguishing between support and care, we investigated how different types of past support exchanges with children were associated with care receipt and expectations from the parent’s perspective.

Methods

Older parents (N = 190; Mage = 79.98) reported on exchanges of tangible and nontangible support, and provision of childcare support with each of their adult children (N = 709; Mage = 52.69) in two waves of the Family Exchanges Study (2008 and 2013). Multilevel, within-family, logistic regression models were estimated to examine how past patterns of support exchanges were associated with which child the older parent receives or expects to receive care from.

Results

Parents with functional limitations at Wave 2 were more likely to receive care from children whom they received more tangible support from at the prior wave. Parents without current limitations more likely named children whom they previously provided childcare support to and received more tangible support from as their expected future caregiver.

Discussion

This study distinguished different types of support to examine unique pathways to received and expected care within families. Taking the older parent’s perspective, these findings endorse previous studies that emphasize continuity in the transition from receiving tangible support to receiving and expecting care from adult children. The findings also suggest the importance of older parents’ childcare support given to adult children, highlighting reciprocity in intergenerational care exchanges.
The 2020 Belarusian presidential election and conspiracy theories in the Russo-Ukrainian conflict
Authors: Gentile Michael , Kragh Martin
Published: April 2022

This article contributes to the growing literature on how authoritarian regimes deploy disinformation and conspiracy theories to achieve foreign policy goals. While the effectiveness of these measures is disputed, our study—which is based on a rarely occurring natural experiment—makes an empirical contribution in this direction. Based on the analysis of survey materials collected in Mariupol, Ukraine, around the time of the tumultuous events surrounding the Belarusian presidential election of 2020, we show that, given the right conditions, a critical juncture event in one country can rapidly influence existing patterns of relevant conspiracy belief in a neighbouring one. The right conditions, in this case, include a massive disinformation campaign channelled through (pro-)Russian media, against the backdrop of conspiracy theories already in circulation in Ukraine. The implication of this finding is that the disinformation weapon becomes far more effective when it manages to offer a straightforward explanation (a conspiracy theory) of a critical juncture event that is otherwise complex and multilayered, and that adequate psychological defence mechanisms are needed to mitigate and counter this effect.
O-glycosylation of the extracellular domain of pollen class I formins modulates their plasma membrane mobility
Authors: Lara-Mondragón Cecilia M , Dorchak Alexandria , MacAlister Cora A
Published: April 2022

In plant cells, linkage between the cytoskeleton, plasma membrane, and cell wall is crucial for maintaining cell shape. In highly polarized pollen tubes, this coordination is especially important to allow rapid tip growth and successful fertilization. Class I formins contain cytoplasmic actin-nucleating formin homology domains as well as a proline-rich extracellular domain and are candidate coordination factors. Here, using Arabidopsis, we investigated the functional significance of the extracellular domain of two pollen-expressed class I formins: AtFH3, which does not have a polar localization, and AtFH5, which is limited to the growing tip region. We show that the extracellular domain of both is necessary for their function, and identify distinct O-glycans attached to these sequences, AtFH5 being hydroxyproline-arabinosylated and AtFH3 carrying arabinogalactan chains. Loss of hydroxyproline arabinosylation altered the plasma membrane localization of AtFH5 and disrupted actin cytoskeleton organization. Moreover, we show that O-glycans differentially affect lateral mobility in the plasma membrane. Together, our results support a model of protein sub-functionalization in which AtFH5 and AtFH3, restricted to specific plasma membrane domains by their extracellular domains and the glycans attached to them, organize distinct subarrays of actin during pollen tube elongation.
Molecular and physiological responses to desiccation indicate the abscisic acid pathway is conserved in the peat moss, Sphagnum
Authors: Nibau Candida , van de Koot Willem , Spiliotis Dominic , Williams Kevin , Kramaric Tina , Beckmann Manfred , Mur Luis , Hiwatashi Yuji , Doonan John H
Published: April 2022

Mosses of the genus Sphagnum are the main components of peatlands, a major carbon-storing ecosystem. Changes in precipitation patterns are predicted to affect water relations in this ecosystem, but the effect of desiccation on the physiological and molecular processes in Sphagnum is still largely unexplored. Here we show that different Sphagnum species have differential physiological and molecular responses to desiccation but, surprisingly, this is not directly correlated with their position in relation to the water table. In addition, the expression of drought responsive genes is increased upon water withdrawal in all species. This increase in gene expression is accompanied by an increase in abscisic acid (ABA), supporting a role for ABA during desiccation responses in Sphagnum. Not only do ABA levels increase upon desiccation, but Sphagnum plants pre-treated with ABA display increased tolerance to desiccation, suggesting that ABA levels play a functional role in the response. In addition, many of the ABA signalling components are present in Sphagnum and we demonstrate, by complementation in Physcomitrium patens, that Sphagnum ABI3 is functionally conserved. The data presented here, therefore, support a conserved role for ABA in desiccation responses in Sphagnum.
Characteristics of Pregnant Women With Syphilis and Factors Associated With Congenital Syphilis at a Chicago Hospital
Authors: Thornton Corinne , Chaisson Lelia H , Bleasdale Susan C
Published: April 2022

Background

Congenital syphilis incidence has more than tripled in recent years, in parallel with the resurgence of syphilis among reproductive-aged women. An understanding of risk factors associated with maternal syphilis infection can guide prevention of congenital syphilis through prenatal diagnosis and treatment. We aimed to describe factors associated with maternal syphilis and congenital syphilis at a public medical center in Chicago, Illinois.

Methods

Maternal syphilis diagnoses were identified using a database for local health department reporting. Medical records were reviewed for infant congenital syphilis diagnoses, sociodemographic information, medical history, and other behavioral factors. Maternal characteristics associated with congenital syphilis were assessed using logistic regression.

Results

Of 106 maternal syphilis diagnoses between 2014 and 2018, 76 (72%) had a known pregnancy outcome; of these, 8 (11%) delivered an infant with congenital syphilis. Women with psychiatric illness and noninjection substance use each had a >5-fold increased odds of having an infant with congenital syphilis. Cases with congenital syphilis were more likely to have late or scant prenatal care and initiated treatment nearly 3 months later in pregnancy. None were human immunodeficiency virus positive or reported incarceration, intravenous substance use, sex work, or having sex with men who have sex with men.

Conclusions

Maternal psychiatric illness and substance use may have complicated prenatal care and delayed syphilis treatment, describing a population in need of public health intervention. Women experiencing such barriers to care may benefit from closer follow-up after a prenatal syphilis diagnosis to prevent congenital transmission.
NADP+ supply adjusts the synthesis of photosystem I in Arabidopsis chloroplasts
Authors: Ji Daili , Li Qiuxin , Guo Yinjie , An Wenjing , Manavski Nikolay , Meurer Jörg , Chi Wei
Published: April 2022

In oxygenic photosynthesis, NADP+ acts as the final acceptor of the photosynthetic electron transport chain and receives electrons via the thylakoid membrane complex photosystem I (PSI) to synthesize NAPDH by the enzyme ferredoxin:NADP+ oxidoreductase. The NADP+/NADPH redox couple is essential for cellular metabolism and redox homeostasis. However, how the homeostasis of these two dinucleotides is integrated into chloroplast biogenesis remains largely unknown. Here, we demonstrate the important role of NADP+ supply for the biogenesis of PSI by examining the nad kinase 2 (nadk2) mutant in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), which demonstrates disrupted synthesis of NADP+ from NAD+ in chloroplasts. Although the nadk2 mutant is highly sensitive to light, the reaction center of photosystem II (PSII) is only mildly and likely only secondarily affected compared to the wild-type. Our studies revealed that the primary limitation of photosynthetic electron transport, even at low light intensities, occurs at PSI rather than at PSII in the nadk2 mutant. Remarkably, this primarily impairs the de novo synthesis of the two PSI core subunits PsaA and PsaB, leading to the deficiency of the PSI complex in the nadk2 mutant. This study reveals an unexpected molecular link between NADK activity and mRNA translation of psaA/B in chloroplasts that may mediate a feedback mechanism to adjust de novo biosynthesis of the PSI complex in response to a variable NADPH demand. This adjustment may be important to protect PSI from photoinhibition under conditions that favor acceptor side limitation.
Inhibiting thyroid activation in aged human explants prevents mechanical induced detrimental signalling by mitigating metabolic processes
Authors: Houtman Evelyn , Tuerlings Margo , Suchiman H Eka D , Lakenberg Nico , Cornelis Frederique M F , Mei Hailiang , Broekhuis Demiën , Nelissen Rob G H H , Coutinho de Almeida Rodrigo , Ramos Yolande F M , Lories Rik J , Cruz Luis J , Meulenbelt Ingrid
Published: April 2022

Objectives

To investigate whether the deiodinase inhibitor iopanoic acid (IOP) has chondroprotective properties, a mechanical stress induced model of human aged explants was used to test both repeated dosing and slow release of IOP.

Methods

Human osteochondral explants subjected to injurious mechanical stress (65%MS) were treated with IOP or IOP encapsulated in poly lactic-co-glycolic acid–polyethylene glycol nanoparticles (NP-IOP). Changes to cartilage integrity and signalling were determined by Mankin scoring of histology, sulphated glycosaminoglycan (sGAG) release and expression levels of catabolic, anabolic and hypertrophic markers. Subsequently, on a subgroup of samples, RNA sequencing was performed on 65%MS (n = 14) and 65%MS+IOP (n = 7) treated cartilage to identify IOP’s mode of action.

Results

Damage from injurious mechanical stress was confirmed by increased cartilage surface damage in the Mankin score, increased sGAG release, and consistent upregulation of catabolic markers and downregulation of anabolic markers. IOP and, though less effective, NP-IOP treatment, reduced MMP13 and increased COL2A1 expression. In line with this, IOP and NP-IOP reduced cartilage surface damage induced by 65%MS, while only IOP reduced sGAG release from explants subjected to 65%MS. Lastly, differential expression analysis identified 12 genes in IOP’s mode of action to be mainly involved in reducing metabolic processes (INSIG1, DHCR7, FADS1 and ACAT2) and proliferation and differentiation (CTGF, BMP5 and FOXM1).

Conclusion

Treatment with the deiodinase inhibitor IOP reduced detrimental changes of injurious mechanical stress. In addition, we identified that its mode of action was likely on metabolic processes, cell proliferation and differentiation.
Longitudinal association of infrapatellar fat pad signal intensity alteration with biochemical biomarkers in knee osteoarthritis
Authors: Cen Han , Yan Qingran , Han Weiyu , Meng Tao , Chen Zhongshan , Ruan Guangfeng , Wang Tian , Pan Feng , Chen Di , Kraus Virginia Byers , Hunter David J , Ding Changhai
Published: April 2022

Objective

To explore the longitudinal association of quantitative infrapatellar fat pad (IPFP) signal intensity alteration with OA-related biomarkers.

Methods

Eighteen OA-related biochemical biomarkers of 600 knee OA participants in the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health OA Biomarkers Consortium (FNIH) study were extracted. The quantitative IPFP signal intensity measures were acquired based on magnetic resonance imaging, including mean value [Mean (IPFP)] and standard deviation [sDev (IPFP)] of the whole IPFP signal intensity, median value [Median (H)] and upper quartile value [UQ (H)] of high signal intensity, the ratio of volume of high signal intensity to volume of whole IPFP signal intensity [Percentage (H)] and Clustering factor (H). The linear mixed-effect model was applied to determine the longitudinal associations between IPFP signal intensity alteration and biochemical biomarkers over 2 years.

Results

All IPFP measures except for Clustering factor (H) were positively associated with urine collagenase-cleaved type II collagen neoepitope (uC2C), urine C-terminal cross-linked telopeptide of type II collagen (uCTX-II), urine C-terminal cross-linked telopeptide of type I collagen-α (uCTX-Iα) and urine N-terminal cross-linked telopeptide of type I collagen (uNTX-I). Mean (IPFP), Median (H) and Percentage (H) were positively associated with the nitrated form of an epitope located in the triple helix of type II collagen (Coll2-1 NO2). Mean (IPFP), Median (H) and UQ (H) were positively associated with sCTX-I and uCTX-Iβ. Positive associations between sDev (IPFP), Percentage (H) and serum hyaluronic acid (sHA) were found.

Conclusion

Our results suggest a role of IPFP signal intensity alteration in joint tissue remodelling on a molecular level.