bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment of phytosanitary practices on the environment: Case study potato of Loukkos (North-West Morocco)
Authors: Abbou Mohamed , Chabbi Mohamed , Benicha Mohamed
Published: July 2022

Loukkos perimeter is among the most important irrigated agricultural areas in Morocco. It covers horticulture and market garden production, including potato. This crop is characterized by the intensive use of pesticides that could lead to health and ecological risks, via the food chain and contamination of natural resources, including groundwater. This study aims to assess the use of pesticides in potato cultivation and their impacts on the environment and human health. Here, pesticide use was characterized by the number of treatments (NT), quantity of active substances indicator (QASI) and the treatment frequency indicator (TFI), through field surveys carried out on 50 Loukkos potato producers. The results showed that farmers use heavy pesticide treatments, mainly against late blight. We determined NT = 19 treatments, total TFI = 28.10 and QASI = 14.86 kg/ha. These values reflect a massive use of pesticides on this crop, which could therefore constitute a challenge and a major constraint for the development of sustainable agriculture in this zone, due to their negative environmental and health effects. It is, therefore, necessary to react quickly to make changes in phytosanitary practices with the aim to monitoring pesticide use via the agro-environmental indicators to reduce health and environmental impact of intensive pesticide use.
Non-thermal plasma synthesis of supported Cu-Mn-Ce mixed oxides catalyst towards highly improved catalytic performance for volatile organic compounds oxidation
Authors: Ye Chen , Fang Tingwei , Long Xinyi , Wang Hui , Chen Shao , Zhou Jie
Published: July 2022

Compared with that of the transition metal mixed oxides pellet catalyst, the catalytic activity of the supported mixed oxides catalyst was significantly reduced, which was limited in practical industrial applications. In this work, supported Cu-Mn-Ce mixed oxides catalysts were prepared by non-thermal plasma. Catalyst characterization result demonstrated that plasma treatment could promote the proportion of oxygen vacancy and enhance the adsorption of VOCs on the surface of catalyst. Meanwhile, plasma treatment process exerted a slight influence on the pore structure and morphological property of the catalyst. Consequently, CMC/SiO2–P exhibited much higher catalytic activity than CMC/SiO2 prepared by the incipient wetness impregnation method. The 15%CMC/SiO2–P catalyst even exhibited a high catalytic activity comparable to that of the supported noble-metal catalyst for the oxidation of the inert hexane. This work provided a novel method for the preparation of the supported transition metal mixed oxides catalyst.
Spectral control of nonclassical light pulses using an integrated thin-film lithium niobate modulator
Authors: Zhu Di , Chen Changchen , Yu Mengjie , Shao Linbo , Hu Yaowen , Xin C. J. , Yeh Matthew , Ghosh Soumya , He Lingyan , Reimer Christian , Sinclair Neil , Wong Franco , Zhang Mian , Lončar Marko
Published: July 2022

Manipulating the frequency and bandwidth of nonclassical light is essential for implementing frequency-encoded/multiplexed quantum computation, communication, and networking protocols, and for bridging spectral mismatch among various quantum systems. However, quantum spectral control requires a strong nonlinearity mediated by light, microwave, or acoustics, which is challenging to realize with high efficiency, low noise, and on an integrated chip. Here, we demonstrate both frequency shifting and bandwidth compression of heralded single-photon pulses using an integrated thin-film lithium niobate (TFLN) phase modulator. We achieve record-high electro-optic frequency shearing of telecom single photons over terahertz range (± 641 GHz or ± 5.2 nm), enabling high visibility quantum interference between frequency-nondegenerate photon pairs. We further operate the modulator as a time lens and demonstrate over eighteen-fold (6.55 nm to 0.35 nm) bandwidth compression of single photons. Our results showcase the viability and promise of on-chip quantum spectral control for scalable photonic quantum information processing.
Impacts of Metabolic Disorders on short- and long-term mortality after coronary artery surgery in the elderly
Authors: Fan Yuhong , Liu Jingjing , Jin Lei , Liu Zhonghe , Han Lixiang , Wang Yue , Zhang Yangyang , Shen Peiming , Li Zhi
Published: July 2022

Background: Elderly patients undergoing cardiac operation often suffer various metabolic comorbidities, such as diabetes mellitus (DM) and obesity. The metabolic disorders in these individuals are widely considered to be possible predisposing factors for unfavourable prognosis. This retrospective study is aimed to determine the association of metabolic diseases with the mortality of elderly patients after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and to identify the protective or risk factors related to their short- and long-term survival.Methods: Totally 684 patients aged 75 years or above undergoing isolated CABG were evaluated retrospectively. There were two groups depending on the body mass index (BMI): an overweight and obesity group (n=354) and a normal weight and lean group (n=330). Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed to adjust baseline clinical characteristics, which reduced confounding bias. The short-term postoperative mortality was tested via lo­gistic regression. Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses were done to compute the overall survival in each group and to identify relevant variables associated with all-cause mortality, respectively.Results: The prevalence rates of metabolic comorbidities in the total cohort were: diabetes mellitus (32.5%), overweight or obesity (51.8%) and hypertension (72.8%). The 30-day postoperative mortality was 5.1% and the long-term mortality was 15.25% at a median 46.2-month follow-up (1.0-178.6 months). The 30-day postoperative mortality was relevant to DM, diseased coronary arteries, New York Heart Association class, intra-aortic balloon pump and emergency surgery. The long-term mortality was negatively associated with overweight and obesity. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression recognized DM as an adverse factor related with 30-day postoperative mortality whether before or after PSM. The long-term mortality was not significantly relevant with DM (HR=0.753, 95%CI 0.402-1.411). Overweight or obesity was not the risk factor of 30-day postoperative mortality (OR=1.284, 95%CI 0.426-3.868), but was the protective factor of long-term survival (HR=0.512, 95%CI 0.279-0.939). Conclusions: The “obesity paradox” exists regarding the prognosis of individuals aged ≥75, which is presented as lower long-term mortality no matter from all cause or cardio-cerebrovascular cause in patients with BMI>24. Trial registration: ChiCTR2200061869 (05/07/2022)
A soft supernumerary hand for rehabilitation in sub-acute stroke: a pilot study
Authors: Trompetto Carlo , Catalano Manuel G. , Farina Alessandro , Grioli Giorgio , Mori Laura , Ciullo Andrea , Pittaluga Matteo , Rossero Martina , Puce Luca , Bicchi Antonio
Published: July 2022

In stroke patients, task-specific training has been shown to accelerate functional recovery of the upper limb. It is based on repetitive and intensive goal-directed motor tasks, including grasping and releasing objects. In the subacute phase of stroke, several patients do not have active finger extension. Although many of them retain the ability to voluntarily activate finger flexors, spasticity often appears in these muscles. In these patients, the incapability of voluntarily activate finger extensors and the concern to worsen spasticity through the voluntary activation of finger flexors limit the applicability of task-specific training. Twenty-seven sub-acute patients, in whom task-specific training cannot be applied due to weakness of finger extensors, were screened for applicability of a novel technique using a supernumerary aesthetically and functionally anthropomorphic, soft robotic hand (SoftHand-X). Four patients were able to use the residual movement of their paretic hands to drive the robotic hand and undergo a task-specific training. All 4 subjects presented a remarkable recovery of upper limb function. No worsening of spasticity was observed in the immediacy of the therapy, nor in a 1-year follow up. Based on this small-scale pilot, we observe that the proposed SoftHand-X-based rehabilitation technique for task-specific training in sub-acute stroke patients is feasible and does not present adverse effects of developing severe spasticity. The results indicate ways of modifying the protocol to enlarge inclusion criteria and vouch for a larger scale experimental evaluation.
Clinical outcomes of colon endoscopic submucosal dissection for colonic neoplasms: A single center experience in South Taiwan
Authors: Ko Chen Yu , Yao Chih-Chien , Li Yu-Chi , Lu Lung-Sheng , Chou Yeh-Pin , Hu Ming-Luen , Chiu Yi-Chun , Chuah Seng-Kee , Tai Wei-Chen
Published: July 2022

The endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is an advanced procedure for removal of colorectal lesions with highly suspicion of limited submucosal invasion or cannot be optimally removed by snare-based techniques. To analyze the clinical outcomes of colonic ESD, we retrospectively enrolled 230 patients with 244 colonic neoplasms, who received ESD procedure from April 2012 to October 2020 at Kaohsiung Chang Gung memorial hospital. The average age was 64 years old with mean follow-up times 22.59 months. 34 lesions were loss of follow-up. Most lesions were lateral spreading tumor with non-granular type. The average ESD time was 51.9 minutes. 9 cases had procedure-related complications, including 2 intra-procedure perforations and 7 delayed bleeding without procedure-related mortality. 241 lesions (98.8%) achieved En-bloc resection while 207 lesions (84.8%) achieved R0 resection. Most lesion was tubulo-(villous) adenoma. Malignancy included 35 adenocarcinoma and 5 NET. No local recurrence was developed during follow-up. Multivariate analysis for long ESD time revealed significance in size ≥ 10 cm2 and endoscopist experience < 3 years. Pre-ESD EUS revealed good prediction in discrimination of mucosal (Sensitivity: 0.90) and submucosal lesion (Specificity: 0.67).
Spatiotemporal Analysis of Groundwater Resources Sustainability in South Asia and China using GLDAS Datasets
Authors: Ali Zulfiqar , Hamed Mohammed Magdy , Nashwan Mohamed Salem , Shahid Shamsuddin
Published: July 2022

Increasing water consumption and climate change are putting countries all over the world at risk of running out of water supply. The provision of groundwater helped reduce global food scarcity, but overexploitation resulted in the depletion of groundwater resources in many regions worldwide. In this study, the concept of reliability, resiliency and vulnerability has been applied to determine the spatial distribution of sustainability in groundwater resources over the intensive groundwater irrigated region of South Asia and China. The satellite-based Global Land Data Assimilation System (GLDAS) data of groundwater storage for 2003‒2020 were acquired and used for this reason. The findings showed a decrease in groundwater storage in Northern China, Western India, and Eastern Pakistan, with the highest declination rate in western India by -50 to -200 mm per decade. The groundwater reliability, resiliency and vulnerability were noticed to decrease in some regions of the study area, with the highest decrease in west India by -0.2 to -0.3 per decade. This caused a decrease in groundwater sustainability in the area at a rate of -0.1 to -0.3 per decade. The reduction in groundwater sustainability in western India may be due to intensive groundwater abstraction in those regions.
Seed priming with selenium nanoparticle and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria improve seedling development of foxtail millet (Setaria italica) under salinity stress
Authors: Nasibi Fatemeh , Aminian Fatemeh , Mohammadinejad Ghasem , Hassanshahian Mehdi
Published: July 2022

Much research has been carried out in agriculture and physiology to minimize the adverse effects of salinity on crops. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of selenium nanoparticles and plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPRs) pretreatment on increasing the resistance of foxtail millet to salinity stress. Experimental treatments consisted of selenium nanoparticles at a concentration of 1 mg L-1, Bacillus cereus and Pseudomonas fluorescens and three different levels of saline solution with concentrations of 0, 100 and 200mM sodium chloride. In this study, foxmillet seeds were primming with solutions of selenium nanoparticles, a variety of bacteria and a mixture of both, and then the pretreated seeds were planted in pots and after two weeks were affected by salinity stress. After 10 days of salinity stress, plants were harvested for analysis. The results of measuring the growth, biochemical and physiological parameters of this study showed that soaking millet seeds in a solution of selenium nanoparticles can increase the plant's ability to cope with salinity stress by increasing photosynthetic pigments, compatible solutes, reducing oxidative stress, protecting the cell membrane and reducing sodium uptake, and it has more effects in the presence of PGPRs bacteria (such as Bacillus cereus and Pseudomonas fluorescens). Therefore, it is suggested that these two biostimulators be used together for greater effects. In addition, since most of the positive functions of these bacteria were not affected by salinity stress, so this type of bacteria can be used with selenium in saline soils.
Naïve, uninformed and sexually abused: circumstances surrounding adolescent pregnancies in Malawi
Authors: Chamdimba Elita , Kabiru Caroline W. , Ushie Boniface Ayanbekongshie , Munthali Alister , Thakwalakwa Chrissie , Ajayi Anthony Idowu
Published: July 2022

Background: Pregnancy and childbearing in adolescence could negatively affect girls’ health and socio-economic wellbeing across the life course. Previous studies on drivers of adolescent pregnancy in Africa have not fully considered the perspectives of parents/guardians vis-à-vis pregnant and parenting adolescents. Our study addresses this gap by examining pregnant and parenting adolescents’ and parents/guardians’ narratives about factors associated with early and unintended pregnancy.Methodology: The explorative study draws on qualitative data collected as part of a mixed-methods cross-sectional survey on the lived experiences of pregnant and parenting adolescents. Data were collected between March and May 2021 in Blantyre, Malawi, using semi-structured interview guides. We interviewed 18 pregnant and parenting adolescent girls, 10 parenting adolescent boys, and 16 parents/guardians of pregnant and parenting adolescents. Recorded interviews were transcribed verbatim into the English language by bilingual transcribers. We used the inductive-thematic analytical approach to summarize the data. Findings: The data revealed several interconnected and structural reasons for adolescents’ vulnerability to early and unintended pregnancy. These include adolescents’ limited knowledge and access to contraceptives, poverty, sexual violence, school dropout, COVID-19 school closures, and being young and naively engaging in unprotected sex. While some parents agreed that poverty and school dropout or COVID-19 related school closure could lead to early pregnancies, most considered stubbornness, failure to adhere to abstinence advice and peer influence as responsible for adolescent pregnancies.Conclusion Our findings contribute to the evidence on the continued vulnerability of girls to unintended pregnancy. It highlights how parents and adolescents hold different views on reasons for early and unintended pregnancy, and document how divergent views between girls and their parents contribute to the lack of progress in reducing adolescent childbearing. Based on these findings, preventing unplanned pregnancies will require altering community attitudes about young people’s use of contraceptives and engaging parents, education sector, civil society organizations and community and religious leaders to develop comprehensive sexuality education programme to empower in- and out-of school adolescents.
Proposing an ITC vandalized Threshold Voltage Divergence Model for short channel Omega Gate MOSFET using a partial 3-D Environment
Authors: Swami Yashu
Published: July 2022

We present an interface-trapped-charge (ITC) vandalized threshold voltage (VTH) divergence model for omega-gate (Ω-G) MOSFETs using a partial 3-D scaling equation. To account the impact, the model comprises the equivalent number of gates, gate dielectric and silicon film thickness, channel limitations. The impacts of analogous oxide charges on the flat-band voltage are also examined for short-channel-free operation. A thin gate oxide is essential to prevent VTH value divergence caused by the ITC charges. The ITC vandalized device with a thick silicon sheet is altered with wee VTH value variations caused by trapped charges but rapidly increases in the thin silicon sheet device. We can reduce the VTH value by changing the value of oxide-to-gate underlap coverage factor (OUCF). Large underlap coverage factor value is desirable for positive trapped charges and small value for negative trapped charges. A damaged device with negative trapped charges performs better in short-channel conditions than one with positive trapped charges. Due to its 3-D nature, the proposed model may be efficiently used to investigate the VTH behavior and the device operating characteristics of omega-gate (Ω-G) MOSFET. It may also be competently used in device memory cell applications. Hence, the proposed model provides a deep understanding of device physics along with its computational ability, effectiveness and simplicity.
Topochemical Synthesis of Iridium Oxide Nanoribbons with Monoclinic Phase for Highly Efficient Electrocatalytic Oxygen Evolution
Authors: Liao Fan , Yin Kui , Shao Qi , Zhu Wenxiang , Ji Yujin , Fan Zhenglong , Li Youyong , Zhong Jun , Kang Zhenhui , shao mingwang
Published: July 2022

Metastable metallene oxides with ribbon morphology possess promising applications, however, are largely restricted by their limited synthesis method. Here a new metallene oxide, monoclinic phase iridium oxide nanoribbon (IrO2NR), with the space group of C2/m is successfully obtained, which is totally different from that of the stable tetragonal phase (P42/mnm). The molten-alkali mechanochemical method provides a unique platform to achieve this layered nanoribbon structure via the topochemical conversion evolving from the monoclinic phase K0.25IrO2 (I2/m (12) precursor. The formation mechanism of IrO2NR is clearly illuminated with its further conversion to IrO2 nanosheet with trigonal phase. When applied in the acidic oxygen evolution reaction (OER), the intrinsic catalytic activity of IrO2NR is much higher than that of the tetragonal phase IrO2 due to the low d band center of Ir in such a new monoclinic phase structure as confirmed by density functional theory calculation.
Heat and Mass Transfer Analysis in MHD Peristaltic Flow of Newtonian and Non-Newtonian Fluids bounded with Porous Tilted Channel
Authors: Hussain F.
Published: July 2022

This work investigates the dynamics of peristaltic blood flow on a non-Newtonian Jeffery fluid in the presence of a magnetic environment by taking a porous medium. The channel is considered to be convective and porous which is inclined at a certain angle to the horizontal in order to understand the behavior of blood flow in a biological system. Moreover, velocity slip, concentration slip, and convective boundary conditions are taken into account. The mathematical development of the governing equations gives a velocity, temperature, and concentration solution under the assumption of long wavelength and low Reynolds number. The technique of perturbation is used on the non-linear equations of velocity and temperature to find their analytical solutions while the exact solution is obtained for the equation of concentration. A numerical software named Wolfram MATHEMATICA is used to find the analytical solution and graphical framework of velocity, temperature, and concentration profiles. A comparison of Newtonian and Jeffery fluid is established graphically to find the behavior of various physical parameters used in the analysis. Results show that the porous medium parameter enhanced the velocity and temperature profiles, and diminished the concentration profile. Moreover, the Hartman number slows down the velocity of the fluid.
Determinants of municipal-level household food waste
Authors: Lin Yi-Chen , Deng Wen-Shuenn
Published: July 2022

Using time series data on municipal-level household food scrap drawn from a city-wide food scrap recycling program from 2007m1 to 2018m8, we proxy the household food wastage rate (FWR) by the edible-to-inedible food scrap ratio and then apply both linear and semiparametric varying-coefficient cointegration tests to examine the municipal-level long-run relationship between socioeconomic factors and household FWR. The linear model shows that food price, old-age population share, and average household size are positively related to FWR, whereas working-age population share is negatively related to FWR. Consistent with the environmental Kuznets curve hypothesis, the varying-coefficient model further reveals that the direct relationship between income and FWR is inverted-U shaped. Moreover, income alters the relationship between socioeconomic factors and FWR. The FWR-increasing effect of population aging (food price) likely aggravates (diminishes) with economic growth. With these in mind, for policymakers trying to reduce food waste, the steady increases in food price and old-age share pose challenges, whereas the declining trend in average household size brings relief. Given the results, one way to reduce food waste is subsidizing both the design of smart packaging and the development of semi-prepared convenience food with flexible portion sizes and portion sizes suitable for older adults.JEL code: J22, Q11, Q13
C-type lectin-like receptor (CLEC)-2, the ligand of podoplanin, induces morphological changes in podocytes
Authors: Tanaka Keiko , Tanaka Masafumi , Watanabe Nobuo , Ito Masatoshi , Pastan Ira , Koizumi Masahiro , Matsusaka Taiji
Published: July 2022

Podoplanin (PDPN) is intensely expressed on the podocyte membrane in an evolutionally conserved manner. CLEC-2, the endogenous ligand of PDPN, is highly expressed in platelets and also exists in a soluble form in plasma. Normally, podocytes are sequestered from CLEC-2, but when the glomerular barrier is injured, podocytes gain access to CLEC-2. We tested the effects of CLEC-2 in podocytes in vitro and in vivo. Cultured podocytes treated with Fc-CLEC-2 demonstrated that CLEC-2 induced the dephosphorylation of moesin, which we found to be the major ERM in cultured podocytes. Podocytes treated with Fc-CLEC-2 also showed the dissociation of F-actin filaments from PDPN, F-actin degradation, detachment, and round morphology. Next, we perfused normal mouse kidney in vivo with FLAG-CLEC-2. CLEC-2 induced dephosphorylation of ezrin and widening of the foot processes of podocytes. Platelets were detected by immunostaining for CD41 in the urine of mice with podocyte injury, indicating that podocytes can encounter platelets when glomeruli are injured. Collectively, these observations suggest that when platelets leak through the injured glomeruli, CLEC-2 from the platelets acts on PDPN in podocytes and induces morphological change and detachment, which may further aggravate podocyte injury. Thus, PDPN on podocytes may work as a leaked-platelet sensor.
Reconstruction of Cropland Spatial Pattern in Karst Area During Jiaqing Period of Qing Dynasty: A Case Study of Guizhou, Southwest China
Authors: Yang Liuying , Zhao Cuiwei , Jiao Shulin , Li Shuang , Wang Lei , Li Yinjiu
Published: July 2022

Karst regions are exceptionally responsive to global change with their harsh natural environment, fragile ecology, and acute human-land conflicts. The reconstruction of the spatial pattern of cropland in karst areas during the historical period is typical for studying human-land relations in karst areas and has important practical significance for the study of climate. The ecological environment changes at regional and global scales, primarily to provide essential data and a theoretical basis for studying the inverse evolution of rock desertification in karst areas. Guizhou province, a typical karst area, was selected as the research area in 1820. Based on the correction of historical population data and cropland data, a reconstruction model of the spatial pattern of cropland in karst areas during the historical period was constructed by selecting factors such as elevation, slope, soil types, organic matter content, climatic productivity potential, distance to river and distance from settlements to reconstruct the spatial pattern distribution of cropland in Guizhou in 1820. The results show that the data on cropland recorded in Guizhou during the Qing dynasty are too low, mainly due to Yin-Ni and the policy of Tu-Di-Mian-Ke. In 1820, the total area of revised cropland in Guizhou was 1,851,792hm2, with the highest proportion of 14.32% in Dating Fu and the lowest in Songtao Ting at 1.6%. Only 30% of the grid in Guizhou has a cropland distribution. It is mainly concentrated in the central part of Qianzhong District (Anshun and Guiyang Fu), the southern part of Qianbei District (Pingyue Fu and southern Zunyi Fu), the western part of Qiandongnan District, the central and eastern parts of the Qiandongbei District. The overall average reclamation rate of land in Guizhou is 10.93%, the highest reclamation intensity in Qianzhong District, with 8.5% of grids ≥ 50%, and the smallest in Qianxinan District, with only 1.65% of grids ≥ 50%. The reconstruction results are more reasonable and can objectively reflect cropland distribution in karst areas during the historical period. The reconstruction model is suitable for karst areas with low productivity levels.
Sound transmission loss of double-walled sandwich cross-ply layered magneto-electro- elastic plates under thermal environment
Authors: Refahati Nima , Jearsiripongkul Thira , Thongchom Chanachai , Saffari Peyman Roodgar , Saffari Pouyan Roodgar , Keawsawasvong Suraparb
Published: July 2022

This study offers a comprehensive investigation into the parameters affecting the sound transmission characteristics of a double-walled sandwich magneto-electro-elastic cross-ply layered plate resting on viscoelastic medium in thermal environment. To this end, the walls of this sandwich structure are modeled based on the assumptions of the first-order shear deformation theory. The governing equations are derived via a coupled set of equations targeting vibration and acoustic aspects of the problem after the application of Hamilton’s principle. The obtained equations are then solved by the implementation of double Fourier series and the second velocity potential, giving an accurate estimation of sound transmission loss under initial magnetic and electric potentials, variations of temperature, ply angle, acoustic cavity depth, incident angle of sound waves, and viscoelastic parameters.
Novel MreB Inhibitors with Antibacterial Activity Against Gram (-) Bacteria
Authors: Sagong Hye Yeon , Rosado-Lugo Jesus D , Bryan Eric J , Ferrer-Gonzalez Edgar , Wang Yiling , Cao Yanlu , Parhi Ajit K , Pilch Daniel S , LaVoie Edmond Joseph
Published: July 2022

MreB is a cytoskeleton protein present in rod-shaped bacteria that is both essential for bacterial cell division and highly conserved. Because most Gram (-) bacteria require MreB for cell division, chromosome segregation, cell wall morphogenesis, and cell polarity, it is an attractive target for antibacterial drug discovery. As MreB modulation is not associated with the activity of antibiotics in clinical use, acquired resistance to MreB inhibitors is also unlikely. Compounds, such as A22 and CBR-4830, are known to disrupt MreB function by inhibition of ATPase activity. However, the toxicity of these compounds has hindered efforts to assess the in vivo efficacy of these MreB inhibitors. The present study further examines the structure-activity of analogs related to CBR-4830 as it relates to relative antibiotic activity and improved drug properties. These data reveal that certain analogs have enhanced antibiotic activity. In addition, we evaluated several representative analogs (9, 10, 14, 26, and 31) for their abilities to target purified E. coli MreB (EcMreB) and inhibit its ATPase activity. Except for 14, all these analogs were more potent than CBR-4830 as inhibitors of the ATPase activity of EcMreB with corresponding IC50 values ranging from 6.3 ± 2.0 to 29.4 ± 8.8 uM.
A de-risking experimental framework defines the physiological interactome of TCR-based therapeutics in human tissues
Authors: Marrer-Berger Estelle , Nicastri Annalisa , Augustin Angelique , Pulko Vesna , Liao Hanqing , Duerner Lydia , Wienzierl Tina , Cabon Lauriane , Lezan Emmanuelle , Klein Christian , Umaña Pablo , Woodhouse Isaac , Bujotzek Alexander , Ternette Nicola
Published: July 2022

Selective binding of TCR-based therapies that target a single tumour-specific peptide epitope presented by human leukocyte antigens (HLA) is the absolute prerequisite for their therapeutic suitability and patient safety. To date, selectivity assessment has been limited to peptide library screening and predictive computational modeling. We developed the first experimental platform to de novo identify interactomes of TCR-like molecules directly in human tissues using mass spectrometry. As proof of concept, we confirm the target epitope of a novel MAGE-A4-specific TCR-like antibody. We further determine 16 cross-reactive sequences for ESK1, a TCR-like bispecific antibody recognizing WT-1 with known off-target activity, in healthy liver tissue. We observe strong, off-target-induced T cell activation for 8/16 sequences, demonstrating the high specificity of the approach. Off-target sequences define a previously missed amino acid compensation motif that structurally mimics the target peptide groove coordination and allows for peptide interaction with the engager molecule. We establish the importance of the identified off-target activity by demonstrating 3D liver spheroid killing in the presence of ESK1 and healthy donor PBMC. Finally, we utilize our approach to de-risk our novel MAGE-A4 targeting TCR-like bispecific antibody prior to entering now ongoing clinical trials. We conclude that our strategy offers an accurate, scalable route for de-risking TCR-based therapeutics prior to first-in-human clinical application.
Oxygen cost of walking and its relationship with body composition in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Jeng Brenda , Huynh Trinh , Feasel Corey , Motl Robert
Published: July 2022

Background/Objectives: Persons with multiple sclerosis (MS) demonstrate worse walking efficiency, as indicated by elevated oxygen cost of walking (Cw), compared with controls, which can have detrimental consequences on fatigue and physical activity. With the high prevalence of overweight and obesity in MS, body composition may be an additional influencing factor of Cw in MS; however, less is known about this relationship in MS. This study examined the association between Cw and body composition metrics, while considering potential covariates such as disability status, stride length, and cadence, in persons with MS.Subjects/Methods: The sample included 63 persons with MS across a wide distribution of body composition metrics. Cw was assessed using portable, indirect calorimetry, and percent body fat percentage, fat mass, fat-free mass, bone mineral content, and bone mineral density (BMD) were determined from dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Other outcome measures included stride length, cadence, and disability status.Results: Cw had a small-to-moderate associations with percent body fat (rs=–.26), fat mass (rs=–.32), and BMD (rs=–.31). After controlling for age, sex, disability status, stride length, and cadence, the association between Cw and percent body fat (rs=–.34), fat mass (rs=–.38), and BMD (rs=–.35) were stronger. Cw was further significantly associated with shorter step length (rs=–.40), slower cadence (rs=–.38), and higher disability status (rs=.44). Body composition metrics were not related to gait parameters or disability status in our sample of persons with mild-to-moderate MS.Conclusions: The results indicated that higher Cw was associated with lower percent body fat and BMD after taking factors such as disability status into consideration. Researchers may focus on interventions that change body composition, or perhaps gait profiles, as possible approaches for changing Cw and its consequences such as disability status in persons with MS.
Age and Survival After Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement in Patients with Severe Aortic Stenosis: CURRENT AS Registry
Authors: Taniguchi Tomohiko , Morimoto Takeshi , Yamaji Kyohei , Shirai Shinichi , Ando Kenji , Shiomi Hiroki , Takeji Yasuaki , Ohno Nobuhisa , Kanamori Norio , Yamazaki Fumio , Koyama Tadaaki , Kim Kitae , Ehara Natsuhiko , Furukawa Yutaka , Komiya Tatsuhiko , Iwakura Atsushi , Shirotani Manabu , Esaki Jiro , Sakaguchi Genichi , Fujii Kosuke , Nakayama Shogo , Mabuchi Hiroshi , Tsuneyoshi Hiroshi , Eizawa Hiroshi , Shiraga Kotaro , Hanyu Michiya , Nakano Akira , Ishii Katsuhisa , Tamura Nobushige , Higashitani Nobuya , Kouchi Ichiro , Yamada Tomoyuki , Nishizawa Junichiro , Jinnai Toshikazu , Morikami Yuko , Minatoya Kenji , Kimura Takeshi
Published: July 2022

BACKGROUND There is a paucity of data regarding loss in life expectancy after aortic valve replacement (AVR) in patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS).OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to assess the postoperative survival stratified by age and surgical risk, with reference to the life expectancy in the general population.METHODS Among 3815 patients with severe AS enrolled in the CURRENT AS registry, the present study population consisted of 1163 patients who actually underwent surgical AVR as the initial strategy. Patients were divided into 4 groups according to age (<65: N=185, 65-74: N=394, 75-80: N=345, and >80: N=239). The expected survival of the general Japanese population was obtained from the Statistics Bureau of Japan. The surgical risk was estimated using the Society of Thoracic Surgery (STS) score.RESULTS The mean follow-up was 3.9 years. The observed mortality after surgical AVR in patients ≤80 years of age was apparently higher than the expected mortality in the general population, while the mortality in patients >80 years of age was comparable to the expected mortality. The observed mortality in low-risk patients was comparable to the expected mortality across all the age groups, while intermediate-risk patients <75 years of age, and high-risk patients across all age groups had higher mortality compared with the expected mortality. CONCLUSIONS The risk stratification according to age and STS score might be useful to estimate loss in life expectancy after AVR, and these findings have implications for decision making in the choice of surgical or transcatheter AVR.URL: www.umin.ac.jp/ctr/index.htm. Unique identifier: UMIN000012140.
RHDV 3C protein antagonizes type I interferon signaling by cleaving interferon promoter stimulated 1 protein
Authors: Men Yanjuan , Wang Yonghui , Liu Jing , Tian Jiahao , Han Xufeng , Chen Yang , Chen Renjin , Chen Quangang , Hu Ankang
Published: July 2022

The host innate immune response to viral infection often involves the activation of type I interferons (IFNs). Not surprisingly, many viruses have evolved various mechanisms to disable the IFN pathway and evade the antiviral response involving innate immunity. Rabbit hemorrhagic disease (RHD) is caused by RHD virus (RHDV), but whether it can antagonize the production of host IFN to establish infection has not been investigated. In this study, we found that during RHDV infection, the expressions of IFN and the interferon-stimulated gene were not activated. We constructed eukaryotic expression plasmids of all RHDV proteins, and found that RHDV 3C protein inhibited poly(I:C)-induced IFN expressions. Using siRNA to interfere with the expressions of TLR3 and MDA5, we found that the MDA5 signal pathway was used by the 3C protein to inhibit poly(I:C)-induced IFNs expression. This effect was mediated by cleaving the interferon promoter stimulated 1 (IPS-1) protein. Finally, our study showed that IFN was effective against RHDV infection. In summary, our findings showed that RHDV 3C protein was a new interferon antagonist. These results increased our understanding of the escape mechanism from innate immunity mediated by the RHDV 3C protein.
Marked lateral variations in the Moho topography below the Uttarakhand Himalaya (India)
Authors: Mandal Prantik , Prathigadapa Raju , Saha Satish
Published: July 2022

Utilizing broadband waveform data from 52 stations, we model the detailed crustal structure below the Uttrakhand Himalaya through the Common Conversion Point (CCP) staking of radial P- receiver functions and seismic velocity tomography. We detect marked lateral variations in the Moho depths dipping toward the east (i.e. perpendicular to the direction of the Indian plate motion), supporting the idea that deformations in the lower crust have been decoupled from the Upper Mantle below. We also model some double Moho structures across and along the strike of the collisional front, which could be the imprints of the broken Moho boundary resulted from the huge impact of the Himalayan collision. We detect a mid-crustal low-velocity zone between 10 and 20 km depth (10–20% drop in Vp and Vs, and 10–15% increase in Vp/Vs, suggesting the presence of metamorphic/aqueous fluids) associated with the main Himalayan thrust (MHT), which was responsible for generating the 1803 Mw7.6 Uttrakhand, 1991 Mw6.8 Uttarkashi and 1999 Mw6.5 Chamoli earthquakes. A double Moho structure (at 35–60 km depths) is also detected below the main rupture zone of these earthquakes, which might be resulting in the accumulation of large crustal stresses to generate fluid-triggered earthquakes on the MHT.
Three-dimensional analysis of the relationship between mandibular retromolar space and impacted third molars types in non-hyperdivergent adults
Authors: Huang Yumei , Cheng Yunjia , Dan Yang , Tang Yingying , Yang Ya , Xu Jingfeng , Zheng Leilei
Published: July 2022

Background
The anatomical position of the mandibular third molars(M3)is located in the posterior space of the molars, and many two-dimensional studies on them in the previous literature. This study evaluated the relationship between retromolar space(RS) and different impacted classifications of M3 in three‑dimensional(3D) cone‑beam computed tomography(CBCT).
Methods
206 mandibular third molars from 103 patients were included and separately separated into three classifications concurring to four classification criteria which included PG-A/B/C, PG-I/II/III, mesiodistal angle and buccolingual angle. 3D hard tissue models were reconstructed by CBCT digital imaging. RS was measured respectively by utilizing the fitting WALA ridge plane (WP)which was fitted by the least square method and the occlusal plane(OP) as reference planes. The SPSS (version 26) was used to analyze the data.
Results
In all classifications of classification criteria, RS diminished steadily from the crown to the root (p < 0.05), the minimum was at the root tip. From PG-A classification, PG-B classification to PG-C classification and from PG-I classification, PG-II classification to PG-III classification, RS both appeared a diminishing tendency (p < 0.05). As the degree of mesioangula impaction diminished, RS appeared an expanding trend (p < 0.05). RS in classification criteria of buccolingual angle had no statistical difference(p > 0.05).
Conclusions
RS were related to the impacted classifications of M3. With the increment of the impacted degree of M3 ,the retromolar space gradually diminished. In clinic, RS can be evaluated by watching the PG classification and mesial angle of M3.
Size characterization of Plasmonic Nanoparticles with Dark-Field Single Particle Spectrophotometry
Authors: Calvo Rodrigo , Thon Andreas , Saad Asis , Salvador-Matar Antonio , Manso Miguel , Ahumada Óscar , Pini Valerio
Published: July 2022

Plasmonic nanoparticles are widely used in multiple scientific and industrial applications. Although many synthesis methods have been reported in the literature throughout the last decade, controlling the size and shape of large populations still remains as a challenge. As size and shape variations have a strong impact in their plasmonic properties, the need to have metrological techniques to accurately characterize their morphological features is peremptory. We present a new optical method referred as Dark-Field Single Particle Spectrophotometry which is able to measure the individual sizes of thousands of particles with nanometric accuracy in just a couple of minutes. Our method also features an easy sample preparation, a straightforward experimental setup inspired on a customized optical microscope, and a measurement protocol simple enough to be carried out by untrained technicians. As a proof of concept, thousands of spherical nanoparticles of different sizes have been measured, and after a direct comparison with metrological gold standard electron microscopy, a discrepancy of 3% has been attested. Although its feasibility has been demonstrated on spherical nanoparticles, the true strengthness of the method is that it can be generalized also to nanoparticles with arbitrary shapes and geometries, thus representing an advantageous alternative to the gold-standard electron microscopy.
Hepatic dysfunction and adverse outcomes after total arch repair of acute type A aortic dissection: Application of the MELD-XI score
Authors: Lin Xinfan , Jiang Debin , Xie Linfeng , Wu Qingsong , He Jian , Chen Liangwan
Published: July 2022

Background
This study was aimed to investigate the incidence and outcomes of patients with postoperative hepatic dysfunction (PHD) after total arch repair of acute type A aortic dissection, and further explore the risk factors for severe adverse outcomes.
Methods
The clinical data of 227 patients with AAAD treated by modified triple-branched stent graft implantation from January 2020 to January 2021 were collected retrospectively. Including preoperative, surgical and postoperative data. Logistics regression was used to determine the independent risk factors of severe adverse outcomes.
Results
In the early stage after operation, a total of 153 patients were complicated with PHD, accounting for 67.4%. The incidence of severe adverse outcomes in patients with PHD was 43.1%. We found that preoperative moderate/severe pericardial effusion [odds ratio (OR): 11.645, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.144, 143.617, P = 0.045], preoperative imaging data suggest the celiac trunk involvement [OR: 6.136, 95% CI 1.019, 36.930, P = 0.048], CPB time > 180min [OR: 4.855, 95% CI 1.218, 15.761, P = 0.034], early postoperative serum albumin [OR: 0.935, 95% CI 0.856, 0.985, P = 0.026] were independent risk factors for severe adverse outcomes in patients with PHD.
Conclusions
PHD was associated with increased early mortality and morbidity. Preoperative moderate/severe pericardial effusion, preoperative celiac trunk involvement, Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time > 180 min and early postoperative serum albumin were identified as independent risk factors for severe adverse outcomes in patients with PHD.
Investigation of optimal gestational weight gain for twin pregnancy in Southwest China: a retrospective study
Authors: Gao Li , Lei Cuirong , Zhou Shuwei , Liao Qianqian , Mei Lingwei , Zhong Qimei , Lan Xia , Chen Ya , Wang Lan
Published: July 2022

There is a lack of data on gestational weight gain (GWG) in twin pregnancies. We divided all the participants into two subgroups: the excellent outcome subgroup and the adverse outcome subgroup. They were also stratified according to prepregnancy body mass index (BMI): underweight (< 18.5 kg/m2), normal weight (18.5–23.9 kg/m2), overweight (24–27.9 kg/m2), and obese (≥ 28 kg/m2). We used 2 methods to confirm the optimal range of GWG. The first method was a statistical-based method (the interquartile range of GWG in the excellent outcome subgroup). The second method was an outcome-based method that compared the incidence of pregnancy complications in the population below or above the optimal GWG and analysed the relationship between weekly GWG and pregnancy complications to justify the rationality of optimal weekly GWG through logistic regression. The optimal GWG calculated in our study was lower than that recommended by the Institute of Medicine (IOM). Except for the obese group, in the other 3 BMI groups, the overall disease incidence within the recommendation was lower than that outside the recommendation. Insufficient weekly GWG increased the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus, premature rupture of membranes, preterm birth and fetal growth restriction. Excessive weekly GWG increased the risk of gestational hypertension and preeclampsia. The association varied with prepregnancy BMI. We provide preliminary Chinese recommendations for optimal GWG (16-21.5 kg for underweight, 15-21.1 kg for normal weight, 13–20 kg for overweight), except for obesity, due to the limited sample size.
A Comprehensive Investigation on Application of Machine Learning for Optimization of Process Parameters of Laser Powder Bed Fusion Processed 316L Stainless Steel
Authors: Eshkabilov Sulaymon , Ara Ismat , Azarmi Fardad
Published: July 2022

Metal 3D printing has gained a lot of attention among industries since it offers a practical solution to problems rising during manufacturing of parts and components with complex geometry. This is an additive technology that eliminated several fabrication steps and at the same time reduces material waste during manufacturing process. However, in all additive manufacturing technologies, the final properties of the parts are determined by the operational process parameters. In this study, several machine learning algorithms were examined to characterize the effects of the printing process parameters on relative density, hardness, yield strength, and tensile strength in manufactured parts. It was possible by using “Big Data” collected from a large number of previously published articles on application of Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) for 3D printing of 316L stainless steel samples. Among different process parameters, laser power, laser energy density, and scanning speed were proven to have the largest effects directly on physical and mechanical properties of LPBF processed parts. Six different classification models and five support vector machine regression-based models were tested to find the most accurate prediction algorithm. To validate the obtained results from the applied machine learning models, a set of 316L specimens were produced using LPBF technology using a random set of process parameters. The physical and mechanical properties of 3D printed samples were tested and compared to the ones those predicted from the optimum models from machine learning analysis. The results were in great agreement, which shows the high accuracy of the developed machine learning algorithms in this study.