bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Oracy and cultural capital: the transformative potential of spoken language
Authors: Knight Rupert
Published: June 2023

The contribution of spoken language to outcomes for education and beyond, including attainment, wellbeing and empowerment is long‐established and has recently become more prominent under the title of oracy, often conceptualised as learning both to and through talk. Part of the renewed interest in oracy is due to its potential for driving social mobility and its role in developing cultural capital. Cultural capital has a high profile in current English education policy due to its association with ‘knowledge‐rich’ curricula and its explicit inclusion in the latest school inspection framework. In comparison with the original characterisation of cultural capital, however, policy‐level cultural capital is narrowly defined. This article draws on the experiences of Oracy Leads from 12 schools to explore the motivations for their focus on oracy and the implicit and potential connections with cultural capital. It critiques reductive conceptualisations of cultural capital and oracy's role, arguing that oracy has a broader contribution to make than communicative competence and access to knowledge. Two forms of transformation are suggested: personal transformation through ‘exploratory’ forms of talk and societal transformation through the cultivation of agency and empowerment. Aiming for these transformations may be a powerful next step for schools which are already oracy‐engaged.
Efficacy and safety of treatment with sofosbuvir/velpatasvir in patients aged 6–18 years with chronic hepatitis C—Results of the PANDAA‐PED study
Authors: Pokorska‐Śpiewak Maria , Talarek Ewa , Aniszewska Małgorzata , Pluta Magdalena , Dobrzeniecka Anna , Marczyńska Magdalena , Indolfi Giuseppe
Published: June 2023

Background and Aims

The aim of this non‐commercial, open‐label, real‐life, non‐randomized clinical trial was to analyse the efficacy and safety of a pangenotypic regimen sofosbuvir/velpatasvir (SOF/VEL) in patients aged 6–18 years with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.

Methods

Fifty patients qualified for the 12‐week treatment were divided into two weight groups: 15 children weighting between 17 and <30 kg received a fixed dose of 200/50 mg of SOF/VEL (tablet) once daily, and 35 patients weighting ≥30 kg were treated with 400/100 mg SOF/VEL. The primary endpoint of the study was efficacy defined as sustained viral response (undetectable HCV RNA using an real‐time polymerase chain reaction method) at 12 weeks posttreatment (SVR12).

Results

Median age of the participants was 10 (IQR 8–12) years, 47 were infected vertically, and 3 patients were previously ineffectively treated with pegylated interferon and ribavirin. Thirty‐seven participants were infected with HCV genotype 1, 10 with HCV genotype 3 and the remaining 3 with genotype 4. There was no case of cirrhosis. SVR12 was 100%. Thirty‐three reported adverse events (AEs) were considered related to the administration of SOF/VEL, all of them were mild or moderate. Children presenting with AEs were older compared to these without AEs: 12 (9.5–13) versus 9 (IQR 8–11) years (p = 0.008).

Conclusions

Results of the PANDAA‐PED study indicated a 100% effectiveness of a 12‐week therapy with SOF/VEL in children aged 6–18 years with chronic HCV infection and its good safety profile, in particular in younger patients.
Effect of the alien octocoral Carijoa riisei on benthic fauna assemblages on natural and artificial substrates
Authors: Galván‐Villa Cristian M. , Tovar‐Hernández María A. , Rodríguez‐Zaragoza Fabián A. , Esqueda‐González María del C. , Sánchez‐Rodríguez Judith , Ríos‐Jara Eduardo
Published: June 2023

Carijoa riisei is an invasive octocoral whose dispersal in the tropics has increased considerably in recent years. This study evaluated the changes in the benthic fauna assemblages associated with C. riisei growing on rocks from a sea port and on the metal of a submerged shipwreck in the bays of Manzanillo, Colima, in the Mexican Central Pacific. Quarterly samples were collected between April 2021 and January 2022, with the presence or absence of C. riisei. The effect of C. riisei on the benthic fauna according to the type of substrate was evaluated with PERMANOVA models. The presence of C. riisei was found to affect taxonomic diversity. In the absence of the octocoral, 209 species were recorded, whereas in its presence, 190 were found. The decline of taxa occurred at the level of families, genera, and species. The interaction of the presence/absence of C. riisei and substrate generated significant changes in the Shannon (1D) and Simpson (2D) diversity indexes. However, the presence of C. riisei coincided with higher abundances of Ophiothela mirabilis, Ericthonius brasiliensis, and Pseudobranchiomma schizogenica. In conclusion, the snowflake coral favors the dominance of some species and reduces the biological diversity of several taxa, mainly mollusks, polychaetes, sipunculids, and anthozoans, generating significant changes in the structure of benthic communities. This study highlights the need to evaluate species composition in areas where the octocoral grows, to determine whether its presence has an ecological impact and whether control measures are required.
Discrete‐time risk sensitive portfolio optimization with proportional transaction costs
Authors: Pitera Marcin , Stettner Łukasz
Published: June 2023

In this paper we consider a discrete‐time risk sensitive portfolio optimization over a long time horizon with proportional transaction costs. We show that within the log‐return i.i.d. framework the solution to a suitable Bellman equation exists under minimal assumptions and can be used to characterize the optimal strategies for both risk‐averse and risk‐seeking cases. Moreover, using numerical examples, we show how a Bellman equation analysis can be used to construct or refine optimal trading strategies in the presence of transaction costs.
The Meteoritical Bulletin, No. 111
Authors: Gattacceca Jérôme , McCubbin Francis M. , Grossman Jeffrey N. , Schrader Devin L. , Chabot Nancy L. , D'Orazio Massimo , Goodrich Cyrena , Greshake Ansgar , Gross Juliane , Joy Katherine Helen , Komatsu Mutsumi , Miao Bingkui
Published: June 2023

Meteoritical Bulletin 111 contains the 3094 meteorites approved by the Nomenclature Committee of the Meteoritical Society in 2022. It includes 11 falls (Antonin, Botohilitano, Cranfield, Golden, Great Salt Lake, Longde, Msied, Ponggo, Qiquanhu, Tiglit, Traspena), with 2533 ordinary chondrites, 165 HED, 123 carbonaceous chondrites (including 4 ungrouped), 82 lunar meteorites, 28 Rumuruti chondrites, 27 iron meteorites, 23 ureilites, 22 mesosiderites, 22 Martian meteorites, 21 primitive achondrites (one ungrouped), 17 ungrouped achondrites, 13 pallasites, 7 enstatite achondrites, 6 enstatite chondrites, and 5 angrites. Of the meteorites classified in 2022, 1787 were from Antarctica, 1078 from Africa, 180 from South America, 34 from Asia, 6 from North America, 4 from Europe, and 1 from Oceania.
Barriers to chimpanzee gene flow at the south‐east edge of their distribution
Authors: Bonnin Noémie , Piel Alex K. , Brown Richard P. , Li Yingying , Connell Andrew Jesse , Avitto Alexa N. , Boubli Jean P. , Chitayat Adrienne , Giles Jasmin , Gundlapally Madhurima S. , Lipende Iddi , Lonsdorf Elizabeth V. , Mjungu Deus , Mwacha Dismas , Pintea Lilian , Pusey Anne E. , Raphael Jane , Wich Serge A. , Wilson Michael L. , Wroblewski Emily E. , Hahn Beatrice H. , Stewart Fiona A.
Published: June 2023

Populations on the edge of a species' distribution may represent an important source of adaptive diversity, yet these populations tend to be more fragmented and are more likely to be geographically isolated. Lack of genetic exchanges between such populations, due to barriers to animal movement, can not only compromise adaptive potential but also lead to the fixation of deleterious alleles. The south‐eastern edge of chimpanzee distribution is particularly fragmented, and conflicting hypotheses have been proposed about population connectivity and viability. To address this uncertainty, we generated both mitochondrial and MiSeq‐based microsatellite genotypes for 290 individuals ranging across western Tanzania. While shared mitochondrial haplotypes confirmed historical gene flow, our microsatellite analyses revealed two distinct clusters, suggesting two populations currently isolated from one another. However, we found evidence of high levels of gene flow maintained within each of these clusters, one of which covers an 18,000 km2 ecosystem. Landscape genetic analyses confirmed the presence of barriers to gene flow with rivers and bare habitats highly restricting chimpanzee movement. Our study demonstrates how advances in sequencing technologies, combined with the development of landscape genetics approaches, can resolve ambiguities in the genetic history of critical populations and better inform conservation efforts of endangered species.
The sublingual microcirculation and frailty index in chronic kidney disease patients
Authors: Homes Ryan A. P. , Giddens Fiona , Francis Ross S. , Hubbard Ruth E. , Gordon Emily H. , Midwinter Mark J.
Published: June 2023

Objective

To examine the relationship between sublingual microcirculatory measures and frailty index in those attending a kidney transplant assessment clinic.

Methods

Patients recruited had their sublingual microcirculation taken using sidestream dark field videomicroscopy (MicroScan, Micro Vision Medical, Amsterdam, the Netherlands) and their frailty index score using a validated short form via interview.

Results

A total of 44 patients were recruited with two being excluded due to microcirculatory image quality scores exceeding 10. The frailty index score indicated significant correlations with total vessel density (p < .0001, r = −.56), microvascular flow index (p = .004, r = −.43), portion of perfused vessels (p = .0004, r = −.52), heterogeneity index (p = .015, r = .32), and perfused vessel density (p < .0001, r = −.66). No correlation was shown between the frailty index and age (p = .08, r = .27).

Conclusions

There is a relationship between the frailty index and microcirculatory health in those attending a kidney transplant assessment clinic, that is not confounded by age. These findings suggest that the impaired microcirculation may be an underlying cause of frailty.
Flagella‐mediated cytosolic motility of Salmonella enterica Paratyphi A aids in evasion of xenophagy but does not impact egress from host cells
Authors: Scharte Felix , Franzkoch Rico , Hensel Michael
Published: June 2023

Salmonella enterica is a common foodborne, facultative intracellular enteropathogen. Typhoidal serovars like Paratyphi A (SPA) are human restricted and cause severe systemic diseases, while many serovars like Typhimurium (STM) have a broad host range, and usually lead to self‐limiting gastroenteritis. There are key differences between typhoidal and non‐typhoidal Salmonella in pathogenesis, but underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. Transcriptomes and phenotypes in epithelial cells revealed induction of motility, flagella and chemotaxis genes for SPA but not STM. SPA exhibited cytosolic motility mediated by flagella. In this study, we applied single‐cell microscopy to analyze triggers and cellular consequences of cytosolic motility. Live‐cell imaging (LCI) revealed that SPA invades host cells in a highly cooperative manner. Extensive membrane ruffling at invasion sites led to increased membrane damage in nascent Salmonella‐containing vacuole, and subsequent cytosolic release. After release into the cytosol, motile bacteria showed the same velocity as under culture conditions in media. Reduced capture of SPA by autophagosomal membranes was observed by LCI and electron microscopy. Prior work showed that SPA does not use flagella‐mediated motility for cell exit via the intercellular spread. However, cytosolic motile SPA was invasion‐primed if released from host cells. Our results reveal flagella‐mediated cytosolic motility as a possible xenophagy evasion mechanism that could drive disease progression and contributes to the dissemination of systemic infection.
Cultivating a new ecosystem in English language teaching: A focus on researchers in a textbook development project
Authors: Shu Dingfang , Yang Shanshan , Sato Masatoshi
Published: June 2023

In addressing the widening research–practice gap in the field of second language (L2) education, an increasing emphasis has been placed on a bidirectional and mutually beneficial relationship between L2 researchers and practitioners. Through the lens of an ecosystems model, this qualitative study explored how seven researchers at a research center in China, who collaborated with practitioners and other stakeholders in developing English textbooks, impacted the local English language teaching (ELT) ecosystem and built a bridge between research and practice. Data sources included semistructured interviews, written reflections, and official documents, in an effort to provide a holistic perspective of researchers’ experiences and changes in the textbook project. Results showed that with researchers’ engagement, which was influenced by other participants at distinct levels of the ecosystem, a healthy ecosystem emerged as a result of the project. The engagement of the researchers with other participants contributed to value co‐creation in the local ELT ecosystem, which was facilitated by the research center. The evolving new ecosystem is characterized by rich, multidirectional, and reciprocal energy flows among the stakeholders with differing roles. In particular, active agents, government support, dialogue platforms, and collaborative mindsets played important roles in facilitating researchers’ engagement in the ecosystem.
Comparative acetylomic analysis reveals differentially acetylated proteins regulating fungal metabolism in hypovirus‐infected chestnut blight fungus
Authors: Li Ru , Chen Fengyue , Li Shuangcai , Yuan Luying , Zhao Lijiu , Tian Shigen , Chen Baoshan
Published: June 2023

Cryphonectria parasitica, the chestnut blight fungus, and hypoviruses are excellent models for examining fungal pathogenesis and virus–host interactions. Increasing evidence suggests that lysine acetylation plays a regulatory role in cell processes and signalling. To understand protein regulation in C. parasitica by hypoviruses at the level of posttranslational modification, a label‐free comparative acetylome analysis was performed in the fungus with or without Cryphonectria hypovirus 1 (CHV1) infection. Using enrichment of acetyl‐peptides with a specific anti‐acetyl‐lysine antibody, followed by high accuracy liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry analysis, 638 lysine acetylation sites were identified on 616 peptides, corresponding to 325 unique proteins. Further analysis revealed that 80 of 325 proteins were differentially acetylated between C. parasitica strain EP155 and EP155/CHV1‐EP713, with 43 and 37 characterized as up‐ and down‐regulated, respectively. Moreover, 75 and 65 distinct acetylated proteins were found in EP155 and EP155/CHV1‐EP713, respectively. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that the differentially acetylated proteins were involved in various biological processes and were particularly enriched in metabolic processes. Differences in acetylation in C. parasitica citrate synthase, a key enzyme in the tricarboxylic acid cycle, were further validated by immunoprecipitation and western blotting. Site‐specific mutagenesis and biochemical studies demonstrated that the acetylation of lysine‐55 plays a vital role in the regulation of the enzymatic activity of C. parasitica citrate synthase in vitro and in vivo. These findings provide a valuable resource for the functional analysis of lysine acetylation in C. parasitica, as well as improving our understanding of fungal protein regulation by hypoviruses from a protein acetylation perspective.
Change in prefilter pressure as a key determinant in the decision to return blood in continuous renal replacement therapy: An observational study
Authors: Mateos‐Dávila Almudena , Betbesé Roig Antonio Jorge , Santos Rodríguez José Alberto , Guix‐Comellas Eva Maria
Published: June 2023

Background

During continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT), circuit coagulation is an important event that can result in suboptimal outcomes. Nurses must remain alert throughout the treatment and observe machine pressures. Transmembrane pressure (TMP) is commonly used for monitoring but it is sometimes too late to return blood to the patient.

Aim

To compare the capacity of prefilter pressure (FP) versus TMP to predict the risk of circuit coagulation in adult patients with acute renal failure on CRRT.

Study Design

An observational, longitudinal, prospective study. This study was carried out in a tertiary referral hospital over 2 years. Data collected included the following variables: TMP, filter or FP, effluent pressure, venous and arterial pressure, filtration fraction, and ultrafiltration constant of each circuit. Means and their trends over time were collected, for both diffusive and convective therapy and for two membrane types.

Results

A total of 151 circuits (24 polysulfone and 127 acrylonitrile) were analysed, from 71 patients (n = 22 [34%] women; mean age, 66.5 [36–84] years). Of the total treatments, 80 were diffusive, and the rest were convective or mixed. In the diffusive circuits, a progressive rise in FP was observed without an increase in TMP and with an increasing trend in effluent pressure. Circuit lifespan was between 2 and 90 h. In 11% (n = 17) of the cases, the blood could not be returned to the patient.

Conclusion

These findings allowed the creation of graphs that indicate the appropriate point to return blood to the patient. FP was a major determinant in this decision; in most cases, TMP was not a reliable parameter. Our findings are applicable to convective, diffusive, and mixed treatments as well as both types of membranes used in this acute setting.

Relevance to Clinical Practice

This study provides two clear reference graphs showing risk scales for the assessment of circuit pressures in CRRT. The graphs proposed here can be used to evaluate any machine on the market and the two types of membranes used in this acute setting. Both convective and diffusive circuits can be assessed, allowing safer evaluation in patients who change treatment.
Diagnostic methods to measure spastic segment and guide tailored myotomy length in type 3 achalasia
Authors: Low Eric E. , Hasan Aws , Fehmi Syed Abbas , Chang Michael A. , Kwong Wilson , Krinsky Mary L. , Anand Gobind , Greytak Madeline , Kaizer Alexander , Yadlapati Rena
Published: June 2023

Background

Myotomy length in type 3 achalasia is generally tailored based on segment of spasticity on high‐resolution manometry (HRM). Potential of length of tertiary contractions on barium esophagram (BE) or length of thickened circular muscle on endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) to guide tailored myotomy is less understood. This study aimed to assess agreement between spastic segments lengths on HRM, BE, and EUS among patients with type 3 achalasia.

Methods

This retrospective study included adults with type 3 achalasia on HRM between November 2019 and August 2022 who underwent evaluation with EUS and/or BE. Spastic segments were defined as HRM—distance between proximal borders of lower esophageal sphincter and high‐pressure area (isobaric contour ≥70 mmHg); EUS—length of thickened circular muscle (≥1.2 mm) from proximal border of esophagogastric junction (EGJ) to the transition to a non‐thickened circular muscle; BE—distance between EGJ to proximal border of tertiary contractions. Pairwise comparisons assessed for correlation (Pearson's) and intraclass correlation classification (ICC) agreement.

Key Results

Twenty‐six patients were included: mean age 66.9 years (SD 13.8), 15 (57.7%) male. Spastic segments were positively correlated on HRM and BE with good agreement (ICC 0.751, [95% CI 0.51, 0.88]). Spastic segments were negatively correlated with poor agreement on HRM and EUS (ICC −0.04, [−0.45, 0.39]) as well as BE and EUS (ICC −0.03, [−0.47, 0.42]).

Conclusions & Inferences

Length of spastic segment was positively correlated on HRM and BE while negatively correlated when compared to EUS, supporting the common use of HRM and highlighting the uncertain role for EUS in tailoring myotomy length for type 3 achalasia.
Fermentation‐mediated growth, signaling, and defense in plants
Authors: Jardine Kolby J. , McDowell Nate
Published: June 2023

While traditionally considered important mainly in hypoxic roots during flooding, upregulation of fermentation pathways in plants has recently been described as an evolutionarily conserved drought survival strategy, with acetate signaling mediating reprograming of transcription and cellular carbon and energy metabolism from roots to leaves. The amount of acetate produced directly correlates with survival through potential mechanisms including defense gene activation, biosynthesis of primary and secondary metabolites, and aerobic respiration. Here, we review root ethanolic fermentation responses to hypoxia during saturated soil conditions and summarize studies highlighting acetate fermentation under aerobic conditions coupled with respiration during growth and drought responses. Recent work is discussed demonstrating long‐distance transport of acetate via the transpiration stream as a respiratory substrate. While maintenance and growth respiration are often modeled separately in terrestrial models, here we propose the concept of ‘Defense Respiration’ fueled by acetate fermentation in which upregulation of acetate fermentation contributes acetate substrate for alternative energy production via aerobic respiration, biosynthesis of primary and secondary metabolites, and the acetylation of proteins involved in defense gene regulation. Finally, we highlight new frontiers in leaf‐atmosphere emission measurements as a potential way to study acetate fermentation responses of individual leaves, branches, ecosystems, and regions.
Beyond knockouts: fine‐tuning regulation of gene expression in plants with CRISPR‐Cas‐based promoter editing
Authors: Tang Xu , Zhang Yong
Published: June 2023

The CRISPR‐Cas‐based genome editing field in plants is expanding rapidly. Editing plant promoters to obtain cis‐regulatory alleles with altered expression levels or patterns of target genes is a highly promising topic. However, primarily used CRISPR‐Cas9 has significant limitations when editing noncoding sequences like promoters, which have unique structures and regulatory mechanisms, including A‐T richness, repetitive redundancy, difficulty in identifying key regulatory regions, and a higher frequency of DNA structure, epigenetic modification, and protein binding accessibility issues. Researchers urgently require efficient and feasible editing tools and strategies to address these obstacles, enhance promoter editing efficiency, increase diversity in promoter polymorphism, and, most importantly, enable ‘non‐silent’ editing events that achieve precise target gene expression regulation. This article provides insights into the key challenges and references for implementing promoter editing‐based research in plants.
A paler shade of green: engineering cellular chlorophyll content to enhance photosynthesis in crowded environments
Authors: Cutolo Edoardo Andrea , Guardini Zeno , Dall'Osto Luca , Bassi Roberto
Published: June 2023

In natural ecosystems, plants compete for space, nutrients and light. The optically dense canopies limit the penetration of photosynthetically active radiation and light often becomes a growth‐limiting factor for the understory. The reduced availability of photons in the lower leaf layers is also a major constraint for yield potential in canopies of crop monocultures. Traditionally, crop breeding has selected traits related to plant architecture and nutrient assimilation rather than light use efficiency. Leaf optical density is primarily determined by tissue morphology and by the foliar concentration of photosynthetic pigments (chlorophylls and carotenoids). Most pigment molecules are bound to light‐harvesting antenna proteins in the chloroplast thylakoid membranes, where they serve photon capture and excitation energy transfer toward reaction centers of photosystems. Engineering the abundance and composition of antenna proteins has been suggested as a strategy to improve light distribution within canopies and reduce the gap between theoretical and field productivity. Since the assembly of the photosynthetic antennas relies on several coordinated biological processes, many genetic targets are available for modulating cellular chlorophyll levels. In this review, we outline the rationale behind the advantages of developing pale green phenotypes and describe possible approaches toward engineering light‐harvesting systems.
Management of oral herpes simplex virus infections: The problem of resistance. A narrative review
Authors: Piperi Evangelia , Papadopoulou Erofili , Georgaki Maria , Dovrat Sara , Bar Illan Mor , Nikitakis Nikolaos G. , Yarom Noam
Published: June 2023

Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) type 1 (HSV‐1) and type 2 (HSV‐2) are among the most common human viral pathogens, affecting several billion people worldwide. Although in healthy patients clinical signs and symptoms of HSV infection are usually mild and self‐limiting, HSV‐infections in immunocompromised patients are frequently more aggressive, persistent, and even life‐threatening. Acyclovir and its derivatives are the gold standard antiviral drugs for the prevention and treatment of HSV infections. Although the development of acyclovir resistance is a rather uncommon condition, it may be associated with serious complications, especially in immunocompromised patients. In this review, we aim to address the problem of drug resistant HSV infection and discuss the available alternative therapeutic interventions. All relative studies concerning alternative treatment modalities of acyclovir resistant HSV infection published in PubMed between 1989 to 2022 were reviewed. Long‐term treatment and prophylaxis with antiviral agents predisposes to drug resistance, especially in immunocompromised patients. Cidofovir and foscarnet could serve as alternative treatments in these cases. Although rare, acyclovir resistance may be associated with severe complications. Hopefully, in the future, novel antiviral drugs and vaccines will be available in order to avoid the existing drug resistance.
Optimal return shipping insurance policy with consumers' anticipated regret
Authors: Li Yiming , Li Gang , Pan Xiajun Amy
Published: June 2023

We study return shipping insurance (RSI) policies prevalent on platforms such as JD.com and Taobao.com. Retailers on those platforms can purchase and provide RSI for consumers (RRSI) or offer an option for consumers to buy RSI themselves (CRSI). With either RSI, consumers will be partially compensated by an insurer for their shipping fees associated with product returns. As the consumers' uncertainty about product fit is realized only after purchase, their decisions whether to purchase CRSI may lead to postpurchase regret. Considering these anticipated regret behaviors, we investigate the optimal RSI policy for a monopolistic online retailer and an insurer. We show that the retailer offers RRSI only if the retailer's return handling cost is relatively low and consumers' return shipping cost is in an intermediate range; otherwise, the consumers' strong propensity for uninsured regret may stimulate them to purchase CRSI. Under the optimal RRSI policy, the retailer always charges a higher product price than under no RSI, and surprisingly the consumer demand could expand. In contrast, under the optimal CRSI policy, the retailer always sets a lower product price, but resulting in consumer demand shrinkage. Counterintuitively, CRSI may become a “win‐win‐win” policy for the retailer, insurer, and consumers.
COVID‐19 associated oral and oropharyngeal microbiome: Systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Ganesan Sukirth M. , Peter Tabitha K. , Withanage Miyuraj H. H. , Boksa Frank , Zeng Erliang , Martinez April , Dabdoub Shareef M. , Dhingra Kunaal , Hernandez‐Kapila Yvonne
Published: June 2023

Three years into the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic, there are still growing concerns with

the emergence of different variants,

unknown long‐ and short‐term effects of the virus, and

potential biological mechanisms underlying etiopathogenesis and increased risk for morbidity and mortality.

The role of the microbiome in human physiology and the initiation and progression of several oral and systemic diseases have been actively studied in the past decade. With the proof of viral transmission, carriage, and a potential role in etiopathogenesis, saliva and the oral environment have been a focus of COVID‐19 research beyond diagnostic purposes. The oral environment hosts diverse microbial communities and contributes to human oral and systemic health. Several investigations have identified disruptions in the oral microbiome in COVID‐19 patients. However, all these studies are cross‐sectional in nature and present heterogeneity in study design, techniques, and analysis. Therefore, in this undertaking, we (a) systematically reviewed the current literature associating COVID‐19 with changes in the microbiome; (b) performed a re‐analysis of publicly available data as a means to standardize the analysis, and (c) reported alterations in the microbial characteristics in COVID‐19 patients compared to negative controls. Overall, we identified that COVID‐19 is associated with oral microbial dysbiosis with significant reduction in diversity. However, alterations in specific bacterial members differed across the study. Re‐analysis from our pipeline shed light on Neisseria as the potential key microbial member associated with COVID‐19.
Gill disorders in fish: Lessons from poxvirus infections
Authors: Zawisza Maria , Chadzinska Magdalena , Steinhagen Dieter , Rakus Krzysztof , Adamek Mikołaj
Published: June 2023

Gill disorders are responsible for substantial losses in the aquaculture industry. This is because gills are delicate and anatomically complex tissues, responsible for maintaining homeostasis in fish by being involved in many important physiological processes. Pathogens that infect gills, together with chemical irritants can modify the function of this organ and seriously affect fish health often leading to mass mortality. Since many fish pathogens affect not only gills, but also other organs, the impact of gill disorders alone on disruption of fish homeostasis is difficult to determine. There are, however, fish poxviruses that have a high affinity for the gills: carp edema virus (CEV), salmon gill poxvirus (SGPV) and Plecoglossus altivelis poxvirus (PaPV). These poxviruses could therefore help in defining the principal characteristics of gill disorders. Thus, the present study reviews the effects of gill disorders caused by CEV, SGPV and PaPV on fish health. CEV and SGPV infect fish species that are very important for global aquaculture: common carp (Cyprinus carpio) and Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), and induce gill pathology that has a very negative impact on respiratory and osmoregulatory functions, nitrogenous waste excretion and energy metabolism. Furthermore, we highlight that a disruption of these metabolic processes increases stress response and results in immunosuppression, exposing fish to secondary infections. Finally, this review emphasises the importance of maintaining gill health for fish in order to perform well in aquaculture settings as well as underlining that gill health should be focused on in fish farming.
Large‐scale field studies inform adaptive management of California wetland restoration
Authors: Beheshti Kathryn M. , Schroeter Stephen C. , Deza Andres A. , Reed Daniel C. , Smith Rachel S. , Page Henry M.
Published: June 2023

Salt marsh vegetation provides the structure that supports key wetland functions and the success of wetland restoration efforts depend on the establishment of vegetation, which can take decades. Field experiments aimed at identifying the factors that limit the colonization rate of marsh vegetation can be useful for guiding restoration efforts. We used field experiments and additional measurements to determine the causes for persistently low vegetation cover in a restored salt marsh in southern California. First, we characterized the soil properties of the marsh and found that high salinity and low soil moisture increased with elevation and improved with vegetation. Using this information, we conducted two field experiments—one in the high marsh and the other in the mid marsh to determine the effectiveness of different remedial actions (e.g. irrigation, soil decompaction, soil amendments, and planting and seeding different species) on increasing vegetation cover; the mid marsh experiment evaluated planting and seeding only. In the high marsh, plantings increased cover, and irrigation in combination with soil decompaction facilitated natural plant establishment. In the mid marsh, increases in vegetation cover varied by species planted. In both experiments, the marsh dominant (Salicornia pacifica) naturally recruited, increasing cover whereas seeding did not increase cover. In general, the magnitude and pace of vegetation growth was greater in the mid marsh relative to the high marsh that received less tidal inundation. Collectively, our results show how information gained from experiments conducted during wetland restoration can inform the processes underlying the establishment of vegetation.
The 1990s party realignment of U.S. presidential elections: Geographic sorting of counties by blue or red
Authors: Aistrup Joseph A. , Mahato Binita , Morris John C.
Published: June 2023

Introduction

This paper addresses the issue of partisan polarization in the U.S. in presidential voting at the county level. The literature on the growing partisan sorting and/or polarization is extensive, and controversies are pervasive. This paper focuses on the timing and sequence of changes in partisan vote shares at the county level from 1952 through the 2020 election.

Methods

We apply confirmatory factor analysis to identify the structures of partisan competition in counties from 1952 to 2020, and multiscale geographically weighted regression (MGWR) to uncover the social processes that influence the growing partisan polarization in the U.S.

Results

We find that the growing partisan segregation coincides with the beginning of a secular change in the structure of partisan competition at the presidential level among counties that has intensified over the past quarter century. Polarization, segregation of partisans in communities, and a rise in sectionalism are the predominant characteristics of this new alignment.

Conclusion

This study confirms a secular realignment in the structure of party competition among counties in presidential elections starting in 1996 and solidifying in 2008 when Obama is elected. The segregation of counties by dark shades of red or blue is the unique fingerprint of this new alignment that we call the "Geographic Sort" alignment.
Acute Chagas disease associated with ingestion of contaminated food in Brazilian western Amazon
Authors: de Sousa Débora Raysa Teixeira , de Oliveira Guerra Jorge Augusto , Ortiz Jessica Vanina , do Nascimento Couceiro Katia , da Silva e Silva Monica Regina Hosanahh , Jorge Brandão Alba Regina , Guevara Elsa , Arcanjo Ana Ruth Lima , de Oliveira Júnior Edival Ferreira , Smith‐Doria Susan , Mwangi Victor Irungu , Morais Rômulo Freire , Silva George Allan Villarouco , Molina Israel , Silveira Henrique , Ferreira João Marcos Bemfica Barbosa , Guerra Maria das Graças Vale Barbosa
Published: June 2023

Objective

To describe clinical, epidemiological and management information on cases of acute Chagas disease (ACD) by oral transmission in the state of Amazonas in western Amazon.

Methods

Manual and electronic medical records of patients diagnosed with ACD at the Fundação de Medicina Tropical Doutor Heitor Vieira Dourado (FMT‐HVD) were included.

Results

There were 147 cases of acute CD registered from 10 outbreaks that occurred in the state of Amazonas between 2004 and 2022. The transmission pathway was through oral route, with probable contaminated palm fruit juice (açaí and/or papatuá), and involved people from the same family, friends or neighbours. Of 147 identified cases, 87 (59%) were males; cases were aged 10 months to 82 years. The most common symptom was the febrile syndrome (123/147; 91.8%); cardiac alterations were present in 33/100 (33%), (2/147; 1.4%) had severe ACD with meningoencephalitis, and 12 (8.2%) were asymptomatic. Most cases were diagnosed through thick blood smear (132/147; 89.8%), a few (14/147; 9.5%) were diagnosed by serology and (1/147; 0.7%) by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and blood culture. In all these outbreaks, 74.1% of the patients were analysed by PCR, and Trypanosoma cruzi TcIV was detected in all of them. No deaths were recorded. The incidence of these foci coincided with the fruit harvest period in the state of Amazonas.

Conclusion

The occurrence of ACD outbreaks in the Amazon affected individuals of both sexes, young adults, living in rural and peri‐urban areas and related to the consumption of regional foods. Early diagnosis is an important factor in surveillance. There was a low frequency of cardiac alterations. Continuous follow‐up of most patients was not carried out due to difficulty in getting to specialised centres; therefore, little is known about post‐treatment.
Newcastle disease virus LaSota strain induces apoptosis and activates the TNFα/NF‐κB pathway in canine mammary carcinoma cells
Authors: Wang Jiahui , Li Mengqing , Li Meng
Published: June 2023

Spontaneous canine mammary carcinomas (CMCs) have been widely considered a good research model for human breast cancers, which brings much attention to CMCs. In recent years, the oncolytic effect of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) on cancer cells has been widely studied, but its effect on CMCs is still unclear. This study aims to investigate the oncolytic effect of NDV LaSota strain on canine mammary carcinoma cell line (CMT‐U27) in vivo and in vitro. The in vitro cytotoxicity and immunocytochemistry experiments showed that NDV selectively replicated in CMT‐U27 cells, and inhibited cell proliferation and migration but not in MDCK cells. KEGG analysis of transcriptome sequencing indicated the importance of the TNFα and NF‐κB signalling pathways in the anti‐tumour effect of NDV. Subsequently, the significantly increased expression of TNFα, p65, phospho‐p65, caspase‐8, caspase‐3 and cleaved‐PARP proteins in the NDV group suggested that NDV induced CMT‐U27 cells apoptosis by activating the caspase‐8/caspase‐3 pathway and the TNFα/NF‐κB signalling pathway. Nude mice tumour‐bearing experiments showed that NDV could significantly decrease the growth rate of CMC in vivo. In conclusion, our study demonstrates the effective oncolytic effects of NDV on CMT‐U27 cells in vivo and in vitro, and suggests NDV as a promising candidate for oncolytic therapy.
Exploring Fashion Geometric Pattern Design Process Using a Semiotic Method
Authors: Cui Can , Shaari Nazlina
Published: June 2023

In recent years, the rapid growth of the economy and increasing degree of globalization have led to a continuous increase in demand for cross-cultural design. To meet this demand, the academic community and the fashion industry have continuously analyzed and developed methods for providing cross-cultural fashion pattern design. This study explores a symbol-based fashion pattern design method. Several commonly used geometric patterns in fashion pattern design were selected as research objects, and a method of symbolizing patterns in fashion pattern design was proposed to suit cross-cultural design. When redesigning fashion geometric patterns, typical patterns are symbolized. The results showed that the processed samples exhibited good adaptability for design applications. Therefore, this study indicates that the symbolic method can be applied to fashion pattern design, and this design method can be further systematized to achieve cross-cultural fashion design.
Fatigue Strength Evaluation of Cu–Ni–Si Alloy Strips
Authors: Mita Natsuhiro , Omiya Masaki , Watanabe Shingo , Ishizaka Norio
Published: June 2023

This study investigates the mean stress effect on the fatigue strength and the mean stress effect criterion that best represents this effect in Cu–Ni–Si alloy strips using a new test method. Since the cyclic bending fatigue test based on the fatigue test standard for Japan Copper and Brass Association for understanding the fatigue characteristics of Cu–Ni–Si alloy strips needs many test times, a new test method to conduct effectively was examined and developed, and after confirming its validity, the mean stress effect criterion was identified using this method. The effect of surface electroplating on fatigue properties was also investigated. As a result, it was confirmed that the mean stress effect criterion on the fatigue strength of Cu–Si–Ni alloy strips was represented well by the elliptic line. The effect of surface electrolytic plating on fatigue properties was found to be strongly influenced by surface roughness rather than Young’s modulus or hardness of the constituent plating.
A Novel Method for the Determination of Blade Vibration Stress Considering the Change in Blade Tip Timing Sensing Position
Authors: Zhang Xiaojie , Wang Yanrong , Hu Dianyin , Wang Rongqiao
Published: June 2023

Blade tip timing (BTT) technology is concerned with the estimation of turbomachinery blade stress. The stress is determined from BTT data by relating the measured tip displacement to the stress via finite element (FE) models based on the sensing position. However, the correlation of BTT data with FE predictions involves a number of uncertainties. One of the main ones is the effective positions detected by sensors may deviate from their nominal position due to the blade deformation, which will yield deceptive calibration factors. To deal with this problem, a novel method based on the amplitude ratio and virtual displacement optimization under the distance constraints of sensors installed in different axial positions is proposed to determine the accuracy calibration factors and sensing positions. It realizes the identification of sensing positions without the information of static deformation, and overcomes the inapplicability of the corrected displacement to bending modes. Both synchronous and asynchronous vibrations of five typical vibration modes are discussed to illustrate the applicability of this method. The results show that this method has better performance than traditional method. The prediction errors of bending modes are reduced from 20 ∼ 30% to 7%, and the maximum error of other modes is reduced from 72% to 23%. In addition, sensitivity analysis is performed to investigate the influence of vibration levels and mode shape inaccuracies. Results demonstrate the great potential of this method in vibration stress determination.
Antimicrobial efficacy of cyclic α- and β-peptides incorporated in polyurethane coatings
Authors: Lu Qin , Regan Daniel P. , Barlow Daniel E. , Fears Kenan P.
Published: June 2023

Microbial growth on surfaces poses health concerns and can accelerate the biodegradation of engineered materials and coatings. Cyclic peptides are promising agents to combat biofouling because they are more resistant to enzymatic degradation than their linear counterparts. They can also be designed to interact with extracellular targets and intracellular targets and/or self-assemble into transmembrane pores. Here, we determine the antimicrobial efficacy of two pore-forming cyclic peptides, α-K3W3 and β-K3W3, against bacterial and fungal liquid cultures and their capacity to inhibit biofilm formation on coated surfaces. These peptides display identical sequences, but the additional methylene group in the peptide backbone of β-amino acids results in a larger diameter and an enhancement in the dipole moment. In liquid cultures, β-K3W3 exhibited lower minimum inhibitory concentration values and greater microbicidal power in reducing the number of colony forming units (CFUs) when exposed to a gram-positive bacterium, Staphylococcus aureus, and two fungal strains, Naganishia albida and Papiliotrema laurentii. To evaluate the efficacy against the formation of fungal biofilms on painted surfaces, cyclic peptides were incorporated into polyester-based thermoplastic polyurethane. The formation of N. albida and P. laurentii microcolonies (105 per inoculation) for cells extracted from coatings containing either peptide could not be detected after a 7-day exposure. Moreover, very few CFUs (∼5) formed after 35 days of repeated depositions of freshly cultured P. laurentii every 7 days. In contrast, the number of CFUs for cells extracted from the coating without cyclic peptides was >8 log CFU.
A novel design of a retarding field electron energy analyzer with a cavity electrode providing extremely high energy resolution
Authors: Honda Kazuhiro , Ito Hiroyuki , Katagiri Souichi , Doi Takashi , Sasaki Masahiro
Published: June 2023

An electron energy analyzer based on the retarding electrostatic field generated by a cavity electrode was prototyped, where the designed energy resolution is smaller than 10 meV at acceleration voltages Vo less than 5 kV and a half angle spread θo less than 20 mrad for the incident electron beams with the scanning voltage range of 3 V. Precise energy resolution, however, has not been recognized experimentally because of the difficulties of equipping such a narrow energy spread electron source. This paper describes the principle of the newly developed energy analyzer and shows the obtained energy spectra from a Schottky emitter ZrO/W(100) with a tip of the curvature radius of 1.5 μm, which could highly reproduce the theoretically expected spectra at various emitter temperatures because of its predominantly thermal emission.
Rapid detection of radiation susceptible regions in electronics
Authors: Stepanoff Sergei P. , Haque Aman , Ren Fan , Pearton Stephen , Wolfe Douglas E.
Published: June 2023

Radiation susceptibility of electronics has always been about probing electrical properties in either transient or time-accumulated phenomena. As the size and complexity of electronic chips or systems increase, detection of the most vulnerable regions becomes more time consuming and challenging. In this study, we hypothesize that localized mechanical stress, if overlapping electrically sensitive regions, can make electronic devices more susceptible to radiation. Accordingly, we develop an indirect technique to map mechanical and electrical hotspots to identify radiation-susceptible regions of the operational amplifier AD844 to ionizing radiation. Mechanical susceptibility is measured using pulsed thermal phase analysis via lock-in thermography and electrical biasing is used to identify electrically relevant regions. A composite score of electrical and mechanical sensitivity was constructed to serve as a metric for ionizing radiation susceptibility. Experimental results, compared against the literature, indicate effectiveness of the new technique in the rapid detection of radiation-vulnerable regions. The findings could be attractive for larger systems, for which traditional analysis would take —two to three orders of magnitude more time to complete. However, the indirect nature of the technique makes the study more approximate and in need for more consistency and validation efforts.