bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spectrum of Inherited Bleeding Disorder with Special Reference to von Willebrand Disease in Eastern India
Authors: Ahmad Nehal , Das Subhajit , Shukla Jyoti , Hassan Mohammad Jaseem
Published: June 2022

Background The objective of this study is to study the prevalence, clinical spectrum, and hematological profile of inherited bleeding disorder with special reference to von Willebrand disease in eastern India.

Materials and Methods This prospective study was done in a tertiary care center in the eastern part of India over 2 years. Detailed history and clinical findings were noted in a proforma. Laboratory analysis included prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, bleeding time, and fibrinogen assay along with tests related to specific factor assay.

Results One hundred and five patients were diagnosed as suffering with the inherited bleeding disorder out of a total of 1,204 patients. The age of patients ranged from 13 days to 35 years. The most common presenting clinical feature was prolonged bleeding after cut (76.19%). Out of 105 patients, 97 patients (92.38%) had coagulation defect, 5 patients (4.76%) had von Willebrand disease (vWD), and 3 patients (2.85%) had platelet defect. Most common coagulation defect was hemophilia A (84 cases), followed by hemophilia B (8 cases). Other rare congenital factor deficiencies were seen in five cases (5.15%). Only platelet defect was Glanzmann's thrombasthenia (GT). The age of vWD patients ranged from 4.5 years to 24 years. Forty percent patients with vWD disease were type 1 followed by 40% of type 2N and 20% of type 3 vWD.

Conclusion vWD was not so common in eastern India. vWD was present only in 4.76% cases in this study. The most common coagulation defect was hemophilia A (86.59%) in our study. GT was present in only 2.85% cases.
Practising organometallic chemistry in nineteenth century Australia: David Orme Masson and diethyl magnesium
Authors: Rae Ian D.
Published: June 2022

By the late 1880s, the existence of alkyl derivatives of metals such as zinc and mercury was well established but diethyl magnesium had been poorly characterised and obtaining proof of its existence was a reasonable aim for chemists. Professor David Orme Masson and his student, Norman Wilsmore, at the university in the British colonial capital, Melbourne, accepted the challenge despite their distance from northern hemisphere centres of chemical research. The ‘tyranny of distance’ was tempered by their access to chemical journals and textbooks and by Masson’s connections at the ‘centre’, notably with William Ramsay. Wilsmore repeated the earlier experiments and also used methods that had been successful with other metals, but was unable to prepare diethyl magnesium. Masson rationalised this failure on the basis of the element’s position in the periodic classification of the elements that Mendeleev and Lothar Meyer had published, and on magnesium’s position on the atomic volume curve of Meyer, and concluded that diethyl magnesium could not exist. The weakness of these arguments was revealed when, near-coincidentally with Masson’s and Wilsmore’s publication of the results of their experiments, Philippe Löhr, working in Meyer’s laboratory, published successful syntheses of several alkyl magnesium derivatives by methods that had been unsuccessful in Wilsmore’s hands. Masson’s heuristic use of Meyer’s curve was unusual, and a notable feature of his approach to chemistry.
Proteo-genetic analysis reveals clear hierarchy of ESX-1 secretion in
Mycobacterium marinum
Authors: Cronin Rachel M. , Ferrell Micah J. , Cahir Clare W. , Champion Matthew M. , Champion Patricia A.
Published: June 2022

The ESX-1 (ESAT-6-system-1) system and the protein substrates it transports are essential for mycobacterial pathogenesis. The precise ways that ESX-1 substrates contribute to virulence remains unknown. Several known ESX-1 substrates are also required for the secretion of other proteins. We used a proteo-genetic approach to construct high-resolution dependency relationships for the roles of individual ESX-1 substrates in secretion and virulence in
Mycobacterium marinum,
a pathogen of humans and animals. Characterizing a collection of
M. marinum
strains with in-frame deletions in each of the known ESX-1 substrate genes and the corresponding complementation strains, we demonstrate that ESX-1 substrates are differentially required for ESX-1 activity and for virulence. Using isobaric-tagged proteomics, we quantified the degree of requirement of each substrate on protein secretion. We conclusively defined distinct contributions of ESX-1 substrates in protein secretion. Our data reveal a hierarchy of ESX-1 substrate secretion, which supports a model for the composition of the extracytoplasmic ESX-1 secretory machinery. Overall, our proteo-genetic analysis demonstrates discrete roles for ESX-1 substrates in ESX-1 function and secretion in
M. marinum.
Biotropic liquid crystal phase transformations in cellulose-producing bacterial communities
Authors: Repula Andrii , Abraham Eldho , Cherpak Vladyslav , Smalyukh Ivan I.
Published: June 2022

Biological functionality is often enabled by a fascinating variety of physical phenomena that emerge from orientational order of building blocks, a defining property of nematic liquid crystals that is also pervasive in nature. Out-of-equilibrium, “living” analogs of these technological materials are found in biological embodiments ranging from myelin sheath of neurons to extracellular matrices of bacterial biofilms and cuticles of beetles. However, physical underpinnings behind manifestations of orientational order in biological systems often remain unexplored. For example, while nematiclike birefringent domains of biofilms are found in many bacterial systems, the physics behind their formation is rarely known. Here, using cellulose-synthesizingAcetobacter xylinumbacteria, we reveal how biological activity leads to orientational ordering in fluid and gel analogs of these soft matter systems, both in water and on solid agar, with a topological defect found between the domains. Furthermore, the nutrient feeding direction plays a role like that of rubbing of confining surfaces in conventional liquid crystals, turning polydomain organization within the biofilms into a birefringent monocrystal-like order of both the extracellular matrix and the rod-like bacteria within it. We probe evolution of scalar orientational order parameters of cellulose nanofibers and bacteria associated with fluid-gel and isotropic-nematic transformations, showing how highly ordered active nematic fluids and gels evolve with time during biological-activity-driven, disorder-order transformation. With fluid and soft-gel nematics observed in a certain range of biological activity, this mesophase-exhibiting system is dubbed “biotropic,” analogously to thermotropic nematics that exhibit solely orientational order within a temperature range, promising technological and fundamental-science applications.
A cartographic view on mood prominence and force in Mandarin
Authors: Jheng Wei-Cherng Sam
Published: June 2022

This work investigates the division of labor between mood and illocutionary force in syntax by examining three modal construals encoded by the speaker-oriented adverbzuìhǎo‘best’ (deontic, epistemic and evidential) in Mandarin, and accounts for a cluster of syntactic and pragmatic properties it is associated with. Very much in line with Tsai’s (2015a,2015band2015d) modal system in Mandarin, it is observed that each type ofzuìhǎocan co-occur with its matching modal auxiliary in the fashion ofCinque’s (1999)‘location-in-Spec’ hypothesis and encodes a certain type of illocutionary force. One persistent question is howzuìhǎosubstantiates illocutionary force in syntax, while its designated position is not situated in the licensing domain of ForceP. As far as the left periphery is concerned, this work argues for a conspiracy between syntax, semantics and pragmatics to ensure the success in activating the Bidirectional Agree relation between speech act, force and mood. We argue for a speech act layer (Sa*P) externally merging to CP (Speas and Tenny, 2003), whose head values the uninterpretable speech act feature [uSa] on Force0via the Bidirectional Agree to trigger its interface with the utterance content (CP). Meanwhile, followingKempchinsky’s (2009)idea, it is further argued in this work that Force0hosts the uninterpretable feature [uW] which has to be checked and valued by the modal construals ofzuìhǎoto determine the irrealis-realis mood. An immediate implication is that ForceP serves as a gateway to not only mood but also speech act at the interface. Several issues involved in dealing withzuìhǎoare discussed.
On the emergence of a nonhuman bound pronoun in Tsou and its implications
Authors: Chang Henry Y.
Published: June 2022

This paper investigates the extension of a third person human bound pronoun to cover a nonhuman function and its implications for the grammar of pronouns in the Formosan language Tsou. It is found that (i) the newly derived bound pronoun can encode not only a place or an animal but also a time; (ii) it can refer to either a singular or a plural; (iii) the semantic extension is restricted to the invisible singular set of bound pronouns; (v) it surfaces as a suffix rather than an enclitic; (vi) it triggers either ergative or possessive agreement. These findings have far-reaching implications. On the one hand, they enrich the already sophisticated system of pronouns of Tsou. On the other hand, they differentiate Tsou from other Formosan languages with bound pronouns and identify Tsou as a language like Archaic Chinese/French instead of English/Swedish.
Concurrent predictors of spelling accuracy in secondary education in a semi-consistent orthography
Authors: Salas Naymé
Published: June 2022

Spelling is a complex skill that requires mobilizing various levels of linguistic and orthographic representation. While there is substantial evidence of the impact of phonological skills in its development, less is known about the explanatory value of non-phonological (e.g., morphological, orthographic) strategies in conventional spelling scores. This study assessed the unique impact of non-phonological spelling strategies after accounting for a large set of linguistic and cognitive predictors, as well as contextual variables (e.g., SES) in a language with a semi-consistent orthography: Catalan. Participants were 328 eighth-grade students from low-income households. Results showed that non-phonological spelling skills explained a substantial proportion of the variance in conventional spelling, over and above the rest of predictor variables, including phonographic skills, with the final model explaining more than 80% of the variance. Theoretical and educational implications are discussed.
The effect of porosity on the mechanical properties of Ti–8Nb–8Zr–8Cu alloy
Authors: Demirtas Huseyin
Published: June 2022

The present study investigated the mechanical performance of Ti–8Nb–8Zr–8Cu (at.-%) alloys containing different porosity levels. Metallographic examination and phase analysis of samples was performed by scanning electron microscope (SEM), optical microscopy (OM), energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements. The mechanical properties were detected by uniaxial compression test, micro and macro hardness measurements. The wear behaviour was determined by a dry wear test on the bulk sample. The ultimate compressive strength decreased from 1077.30 to 344.65 MPa with 50% porosity and the modulus of elasticity from 15.6 to 9.5 GPa. These values show that it may be suitable for bone replacement considering the stress shield effect.
Layer-by-layer analysis: Tribological behaviour of Ni60A coating on copper substrate prepared by plasma cladding
Authors: Zhang Chao , Wang Ruidong , Hu Rong , Zhang Yuwen , Wu Wenhe , Lu Xionggang
Published: June 2022

To further clarify the characteristics of plasma-cladded Ni60A coating on copper, the microstructure and wear behavior were analyzed layer by layer. Along the depth direction, the coating can be divided into three regions according to the difference of microstructure: upper, middle and bottom. The phase composition in different regions was the same (including γ-(Cu, Fe, Ni), Cr23C6, CrB and Ni3Si), and there was no obvious difference in the volume fraction of strengthening phases (Cr23C6 and CrB). Due to the stronger load-bearing capacity of larger-size strengthening phases, the wear resistance of middle region was slightly higher than that of upper region. However, the high copper content in bottom region led to a decrease in hardness and resistance to plastic shear, which significantly reduced the wear resistance (2.3 times lower than upper region). Chemical composition had a greater impact on the wear resistance than size and distribution uniformity of strengthening phases.
Improvement and change in rural Tanzania
Authors: Coulson Andrew
Published: June 2022

The reviewed book is a collection of studies of rural villages in Tanzania over periods of 20 years or more. Many of the villages changed dramatically in that period, and many of the villagers were able to improve their lives. However, the ways that assets in rural areas are treated in both Household Budget Surveys and GDP figures does not fully reflect these changes, leading, all too easily, to underestimations of the potentials for improvement in villages such as these in rural Africa.
Perceptions of Prescription Opioid use among Rural Farming and Ranching Communities: Preliminary Implications for Outreach and Treatment
Authors: Ramsay-Seaner Kristine , Letcher Amber , Hoffman Meagan Scott , Anderson Emily , Heckmann Charlotte
Published: June 2022

Background: In 2017, 45% of rural adults reported being directly impacted by the opioid epidemic. While research on the experiences of those using prescription opioids in rural communities is increasing, less is known about a unique sub-population who may have high rates of exposure: rural agricultural workers. The purpose of this study was to explore the prevalence and perceptions related to prescription opioids among rural producers and farmworkers. Methods: A questionnaire was mailed in spring 2019 and spring 2020 to rural residents living in one of two agricultural-based states in the Upper Midwest. Individuals were eligible to participate if any member of their family was involved in the agricultural industry. A total of 1116 questionnaires were returned for a 27.9% response rate. Results: Participants were 68.1 years old on average. The majority identified as white, male, and married. Prescription opioid use was found in 8.2% of households currently, and 15.7% in the past year. There were no gender differences in prevalence of use, but women and older individuals reported significantly more perceived risk than men and younger individuals. Nearly half used alternative pain management, and received most information about prescription opioids from the radio (65.5%) and newsletters (13.5%). Conclusions. Despite their elevated age and working in an occupation at high risk of injury and chronic pain, study participants reported few opioid prescriptions and moderate use of alternative pain management. Perceived risk of prescription opioids may explain low prevalence. Outreach efforts that increase access to healthcare services and alternative pain management treatments for agricultural workers may mitigate the experience of chronic pain that can interfere with their overall quality of life.
Tracking the nematicity in cuprate superconductors: a resistivity study under uniaxial pressure
Authors: Xie Tao , Liu Zhaoyu , Gu Yanhong , Gong Dongliang , Mao Huican , Liu Jing , Hu Cheng , Ma Xiaoyan , Yao Yuan , Zhao Lin , Zhou Xingjiang , Schneeloch John , Gu Genda , Danilkin Sergey , Yang Yi-feng , Luo Huiqian , Li Shiliang
Published: June 2022

Overshadowing the superconducting dome in hole-doped cuprates, the pseudogap state is still one of the mysteries that no consensus can be achieved. It has been suggested that the rotational symmetry is broken in this state and may result in a nematic phase transition, whose temperature seems to coincide with the onset temperature of the pseudogap state

T

∗

around optimal doping level, raising the question whether the pseudogap results from the establishment of the nematic order. Here we report results of resistivity measurements under uniaxial pressure on several hole-doped cuprates, where the normalized slope of the elastoresistivity ζ can be obtained as illustrated in iron-based superconductors. The temperature dependence of ζ along particular lattice axis exhibits kink feature at T

k
and shows Curie–Weiss-like behavior above it, which may suggest a spontaneous nematic transition. While T

k
seems to be the same as

T

∗

around the optimal doping and in the overdoped region, they become very different in underdoped La

2
−
x

Sr
x
CuO4. Our results suggest that the nematic order, if indeed existing, is an electronic phase within the pseudogap state.
Automatic compact camera module solder joint inspection method based on machine vision
Authors: Peng Yanhua , Yan Yipu , Chen Guoyu , Feng Biao
Published: June 2022

Because of the contradiction between the production requirements of compact camera modules (CCMs) to achieve high efficiency and quality and the low efficiency and poor accuracy of traditional solder joint inspection methods, an automatic inspection method of CCM solder joint based on machine vision is proposed. After optimizing the imaging parameters according to the CCM inspection process, the region of interest is dynamically identified based on feature matching and image enhancement methods to remove background interference. On this basis, an improved adaptive particle swarm optimization is used to optimize the kernel extreme learning machine to automatically classify the solder joint defects. Experimental results showed that with its low latency, high precision and robustness, the CCM surface solder joint defect detection and classification method based on machine vision can effectively solve the problem of low efficiency and high cost of the current CCM solder joint defect detection technology.
Laser powder bed fusion of diatom frustule inspired bionic NiTi lattice structures: compressive behavior and shape memory effect
Authors: Sun Jianfeng , Gu Dongdong , Lin Kaijie , Yuan Luhao , Yang Jiankai , Chen Wei
Published: June 2022

This work aimed to propose a feasible lattice structure to fully exploit the advantages of NiTi shape memory alloy, providing more options for the development of functional components such as micro-vibration isolators and smart actuators in the aerospace field. Inspired from the Campylodiscus diatom frustule, the novel NiTi-based truss lattice structures were designed and fabricated by laser powder bed fusion. Four lattice structures with different ratios of traditional sharp angle (TSA) number to bionic arc angle (BAA) number (ξ
TSA/BAA) were designed and the effect of the ξ
TSA/BAA on the compressive behaviors and shape memory effect (SME) was experimentally investigated and the failure mechanism was revealed using finite element (FE) simulation. Results showed that all components possessed a nearly dense microstructure (>98%) and high dimensional accuracy (size error < 2.5%). As the ratio of the number of TSA to BAA decreased, the maximum first peak force decreased by 31.5%, and the elastic modulus Eϵ

=0.2% decreased from 1.81 GPa to 1.19 GPa. And the failure modes changed from layer-by-layer failure to shear failure. The simulation results were in agreement with the experimental results and revealed that the ξ
TSA/BAA affected the compressive behaviors by controlling the stress value and distribution of components. Results of SME tests showed that the introduction of BAA design can improve the recovery performance, and the ξ
0/6 component exhibited the largest recoverable ratio and the lowest accumulated residual strain.
Design of novel 3D auxetic structures based on S-shaped unit-cells
Authors: Khadem-Reza Laleh , Etemadi Ehsan , Abbaslou Mohammad , Hu Hong
Published: June 2022

In this study, four novel three-dimensional (3D) warp and woof structures with negative Poisson’s ratio (NPR) were designed and assembled using the interlocking assembly method. The designed structures, including S-shaped auxetic unit-cells (UCs), exhibited NPR properties in two perpendicular planes. Because of the lower stress concentration of S-shaped than conventional re-entrant UCs, this UC was suggested for use in energy absorber structures. Furthermore, the mechanical behavior of the designed structures under quasi-static loading was simulated using the finite element method. In addition, two designed structures were fabricated using fused deposition modeling 3D printing technology and subjected to quasi-static compressive loading. The results of FE simulation and experimental work were verified and good agreement was found between them. Stress–strain diagrams, values of energy absorption (W), specific energy absorption (W
s), and NPRs in two perpendicular planes were evaluated. The results showed that four designed auxetic structures had NPR in two perpendicular directions. In addition, stress concentration contours of the structures were investigated using FE simulation. Finally, considering the results of energy absorption and stress concentration for designed structures, the proposed structure to be utilized for energy-absorbing systems was introduced.
Attenuation coefficient for layer-by-layer assessment of the intestinal wall in acute ischemia according to optical coherence tomography
Authors: Kiseleva Elena B , Ryabkov Maxim G , Moiseev Alexander A , Sizov Mikhail A , Bederina Evgeniya L , Korzhimanova Yulia V , Gelikonov Grigory V , Gelikonov Valentin M , Gladkova Natalia D
Published: June 2022

Small laboratory animals (rats) are suitable objects for modelling acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI) and monitoring changes in the structural tissue and intramural blood flow using optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography methods. Combined with evaluation of blood circulation the prevalence of a necrotic tissue is a key factor in assessing intestine viability during surgery and determining the resection margins. While the assessment of the blood vessels network is commonly performed visually by surgeons, the assessment of the necrosis within individual layers is quite challenging due to small thickness of each intestine layer in small objects. The study demonstrates that the construction of colour-coded maps of the tissue attenuation coefficient estimated from the OCT data, allows quick layer-by-layer evaluation of the intestine wall. Such maps in the AMI model make it possible to track changes separately in the serous-muscular, submucosa and mucosa layers of the intestine wall in vivo and to carry out a differential diagnosis between the inflammation and necrosis in these layers. Colour-coded mapping may be useful in other medical applications where layer-by-layer assessment of structural tissue changes is required in a small range of depths.
Topographic and widespread auditory modulation of the somatosensory cortex: potential for bimodal sound and body stimulation for pain treatment
Authors: Gloeckner Cory D , Nocon Jian C , Lim Hubert H
Published: June 2022

Objective. There has been growing interest in understanding multisensory integration in the cortex through activation of multiple sensory and motor pathways to treat brain disorders, such as tinnitus or essential tremors. For tinnitus, previous studies show that combined sound and body stimulation can modulate the auditory pathway and lead to significant improvements in tinnitus symptoms. Considering that tinnitus is a type of chronic auditory pain, bimodal stimulation could potentially alter activity in the somatosensory pathway relevant for treating chronic pain. As an initial step towards that goal, we mapped and characterized neuromodulation effects in the somatosensory cortex (SC) in response to sound and/or electrical stimulation of the body.Approach.We first mapped the topographic organization of activity across the SC of ketamine-anesthetized guinea pigs through electrical stimulation of different body locations using subcutaneous needle electrodes or with broadband acoustic stimulation. We then characterized how neural activity in different parts of the SC could be facilitated or suppressed with bimodal stimulation.Main results. The topography in the SC of guinea pigs in response to electrical stimulation of the body aligns consistently to that shown in previous rodent studies. Interestingly, auditory broadband noise stimulation primarily excited SC areas that typically respond to stimulation of lower body locations. Although there was only a small subset of SC locations that were excited by acoustic stimulation alone, all SC recording sites could be altered (facilitated or suppressed) with bimodal stimulation. Furthermore, specific regions of the SC could be modulated by stimulating an appropriate body region combined with broadband noise.Significance. These findings show that bimodal stimulation can excite or modulate firing across a widespread yet targeted population of SC neurons. This approach may provide a non-invasive method for altering or disrupting abnormal firing patterns within certain parts of the SC for chronic pain treatment.
Depth resolved pencil beam radiography using AI — a proof of principle study
Authors: Häggström I. , Carter L.M. , Fuchs T.J. , Kesner A.L.
Published: June 2022

Aims: clinical radiographic imaging is seated upon the
principle of differential keV photon transmission through an
object. At clinical x-ray energies the scattering of photons causes
signal noise and is utilized solely for transmission
measurements. However, scatter — particularly Compton scatter, is
characterizable. In this work we hypothesized that modern radiation
sources and detectors paired with deep learning techniques can use
scattered photon information constructively to resolve superimposed
attenuators in planar x-ray imaging. Methods: we simulated a
monoenergetic x-ray imaging system consisting of a pencil beam x-ray
source directed at an imaging target positioned in front of a high
spatial- and energy-resolution detector array. The setup maximizes
information capture of transmitted photons by measuring off-axis
scatter location and energy. The signal was analyzed by a
convolutional neural network, and a description of scattering
material along the axis of the beam was derived. The system was
virtually designed/tested using Monte Carlo processing of simple
phantoms consisting of 10 pseudo-randomly stacked air/bone/water
materials, and the network was trained by solving a classification
problem. RESULTS: from our simulations we were able to resolve
traversed material depth information to a high degree, within our
simple imaging task. The average accuracy of the material
identification along the beam was 0.91 ± 0.01, with slightly
higher accuracy towards the entrance/exit peripheral surfaces of the
object. The average sensitivity and specificity was 0.91 and 0.95,
respectively. Conclusions: our work provides proof of principle that
deep learning techniques can be used to analyze scattered photon
patterns which can constructively contribute to the information
content in radiography, here used to infer depth information in a
traditional 2D planar setup. This principle, and our results,
demonstrate that there is information in Compton scattered photons,
and this may provide a basis for further development. The work was
limited by simple testing scenarios and without yet integrating
complexities or optimizations. The ability to scale performance to
the clinic remains unexplored and requires further study.
Diesel passenger vehicle shares influenced COVID-19 changes in urban nitrogen dioxide pollution
Authors: Kerr Gaige Hunter , Goldberg Daniel L , Emma Knowland K , Keller Christoph A , Oladini Dolly , Kheirbek Iyad , Mahoney Lucy , Lu Zifeng , Anenberg Susan C
Published: June 2022

Diesel-powered vehicles emit several times more nitrogen oxides than comparable gasoline-powered vehicles, leading to ambient nitrogen dioxide (NO2) pollution and adverse health impacts. The COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing changes in emissions provide a natural experiment to test whether NO2 reductions have been starker in regions of Europe with larger diesel passenger vehicle shares. Here we use a semi-empirical approach that combines in-situ NO2 observations from urban areas and an atmospheric composition model within a machine learning algorithm to estimate business-as-usual NO2 during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. These estimates account for the moderating influences of meteorology, chemistry, and traffic. Comparing the observed NO2 concentrations against business-as-usual estimates indicates that diesel passenger vehicle shares played a major role in the magnitude of NO2 reductions. European cities with the five largest shares of diesel passenger vehicles experienced NO2 reductions

∼

2.5

times larger than cities with the five smallest diesel shares. Extending our methods to a cohort of non-European cities reveals that NO2 reductions in these cities were generally smaller than reductions in European cities, which was expected given their small diesel shares. We identify potential factors such as the deterioration of engine controls associated with older diesel vehicles to explain spread in the relationship between cities’ shares of diesel vehicles and changes in NO2 during the pandemic. Our results provide a glimpse of potential NO2 reductions that could accompany future deliberate efforts to phase out or remove passenger vehicles from cities.
Encapsulating chalcogens as the rate accelerator into MoS2 with expanded interlayer spacing to boost the capacity and cyclic stability of Li–S batteries
Authors: Lakshmi K C Seetha , Vedhanarayanan Balaraman , Shen Hsin-Hui , Lin Tsung-Wu
Published: June 2022

In this work, we have demonstrated the successful incorporation of selenium (Se)/tellurium (Te) into the covalently functionalized MoS2 (B-M) nanosheets as a host using a facile solvothermal method. The chalcogen-loaded composites (Se/Te@B-M-C) are characterized by various spectroscopic and microscopic analyses. These experiments prove that the amorphous Se/Te additive is homogeneously distributed over the MoS2 nanosheets with an expanded interlayer distance of ∼10 Å. The fabricated Li–S batteries composed of the Se/Te@B-M-C cathodes exhibit superior electrochemical performances when compared to that of the pristine chalcogens and bare host. The improved charge storage characteristics of these hybrids are attributed to the uniform distribution of chalcogens as the rate accelerators and the formation of a protective solid-electrolyte interphase layer over composites. The present study demonstrates that the structurally-engineered MoS2-based composites with evenly distributed amorphous Se (or Te) chalcogens as accelerators are potential candidates for next-generation high-performance lithium–sulfur batteries with high capacity and excellent cycle stability.
A method to improve the performance of all-inorganic halide perovskite CsPbBr3 memory
Authors: Yin Yali , Yao Zhenyang , Xia Yu , Chen Haitao
Published: June 2022

All-inorganic perovskite has been generally used in memristor due to its outstanding characteristics such as superior optical performance, superior stability, tunable and highly effective photoluminescence. We have proved the use of all-inorganic halide perovskite as a medium in memristor. In this paper, the memristor with construction of Au/CsPbBr3/FTO, Au/CsPbBr3/ZnO/FTO and Au/ZnO/CsPbBr3/FTO were manufactured by one-step spin-coating approach to observe representative bipolar resistance switching behaviors in different construction of resistance random access memory devices. Results show that the memristor based on ZnO/CsPbBr3 heterojunction having excellent resistance switching effect with low resetting, setting voltages and and high environmental stability. Moreover, a model of filaments through the CsPbBr3 layer was raised to interpret the resistive switching effect.
Implementation and evaluation of an EHR-integrated mobile dispense tracking technology in a large academic tertiary hospital
Authors: Bhakta Sunny B , Deyhim Niaz , Zafar Niha , Abbasi Ghalib A
Published: June 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of implementing an electronic health record (EHR)–integrated mobile dispense tracking solution.

Methods

This quasi-experimental study was conducted at Houston Methodist Hospital. The study timeframe consisted of 1-year pre- and postimplementation phases, with a 1-month washout period. The medication tracking function was implemented in a multiphase approach. The primary endpoint was the weekly redispense rate due to missing medication or delay in delivery. The secondary endpoints were total redispenses due to missing medication or delay in delivery per 1,000 medication messages and per 1,000 inpatient discharges and dispense tracking scanning compliance post implementation.

Results

Analyses demonstrated a sustained decrease in redispenses from 3.24% to 2.70% (95% CI, 0.10-0.60; P = 0.006). The study also demonstrated a statistically significant decrease in redispenses per 1,000 medication messages from 190 to 127 (95% CI, –27.21 to –4.23, P = 0.008). Analysis of redispenses per 1,000 patient discharges showed a nonsignificant reduction after implementation from 216 to 194 (95% CI, 54.63 to –77.71; P = 0.730). The department achieved 90.7% dispense tracking compliance.

Conclusion

EHR-integrated mobile dispense tracking technology effectively reduced the redispense rate and total redispenses normalized to medication messages for missing medication and delay in delivery. Interprofessional collaboration and effective change management strategies are essential to the successful implementation of medication dispense tracking technology.
White matter connections of high-level visual areas predict cytoarchitecture better than category-selectivity in childhood, but not adulthood
Authors: Kubota Emily , Grotheer Mareike , Finzi Dawn , Natu Vaidehi S , Gomez Jesse , Grill-Spector Kalanit
Published: June 2022

Ventral temporal cortex (VTC) consists of high-level visual regions that are arranged in consistent anatomical locations across individuals. This consistency has led to several hypotheses about the factors that constrain the functional organization of VTC. A prevailing theory is that white matter connections influence the organization of VTC, however, the nature of this constraint is unclear. Here, we test 2 hypotheses: (1) white matter tracts are specific for each category or (2) white matter tracts are specific to cytoarchitectonic areas of VTC. To test these hypotheses, we used diffusion magnetic resonance imaging to identify white matter tracts and functional magnetic resonance imaging to identify category-selective regions in VTC in children and adults. We find that in childhood, white matter connections are linked to cytoarchitecture rather than category-selectivity. In adulthood, however, white matter connections are linked to both cytoarchitecture and category-selectivity. These results suggest a rethinking of the view that category-selective regions in VTC have category-specific white matter connections early in development. Instead, these findings suggest that the neural hardware underlying the processing of categorical stimuli may be more domain-general than previously thought, particularly in childhood.
Developing student codesigned immersive virtual reality simulations for teaching of challenging concepts in molecular and cellular biology
Authors: Reen F Jerry , Jump Owen , McEvoy Grace , McSharry Brian P , Morgan John , Murphy David , O'Leary Niall , O'Mahony Billy , Scallan Martina , Walsh Christine , Supple Briony
Published: June 2022

Molecular biology theory represents a critical scaffold, which underpins multiple disciplines within life sciences education. However, it is well-documented that undergraduate students can struggle to achieve deeper understanding of key concepts and/or their application. One challenging, contributory aspect is the “invisible” nature of molecular biology processes compounded by critical 3D spatial orientations of the principal components and their interactions. Molecular theory specifically requires students to construct accurate, mental spatial models to develop their understanding. However, much of the traditional teaching and examination of such theory is limited to 2D representations. Technology-enhanced, complementary teaching and examination approaches, which engage students with spatial aspects of theoretical concepts, offer an exciting opportunity to support student learning in this area. In this study, we have explored the integration of an immersive virtual reality simulation based on a challenging molecular biology concept within an existing module taught at University College Cork. A mixed methods approach, grounded in learning theory, was undertaken to assess the student user and learning experience. The consensus response from students was one of enhanced learning, understanding, engagement, and motivation. Student partnership in the process of simulation design and integration was key to delivering the fully integrated experience.
The Spruce Budworm Genome: Reconstructing the Evolutionary History of Antifreeze Proteins
Authors: Béliveau Catherine , Gagné Patrick , Picq Sandrine , Vernygora Oksana , Keeling Christopher I , Pinkney Kristine , Doucet Daniel , Wen Fayuan , Spencer Johnston J , Maaroufi Halim , Boyle Brian , Laroche Jérôme , Dewar Ken , Juretic Nikoleta , Blackburn Gwylim , Nisole Audrey , Brunet Bryan , Brandão Marcelo , Lumley Lisa , Duan Jun , Quan Guoxing , Lucarotti Christopher J , Roe Amanda D , Sperling Felix A H , Levesque Roger C , Cusson Michel
Published: June 2022

Insects have developed various adaptations to survive harsh winter conditions. Among freeze-intolerant species, some produce “antifreeze proteins” (AFPs) that bind to nascent ice crystals and inhibit further ice growth. Such is the case of the spruce budworm, Choristoneura fumiferana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), a destructive North American conifer pest that can withstand temperatures below −30°C. Despite the potential importance of AFPs in the adaptive diversification of Choristoneura, genomic tools to explore their origins have until now been limited. Here, we present a chromosome-scale genome assembly for C. fumiferana, which we used to conduct comparative genomic analyses aimed at reconstructing the evolutionary history of tortricid AFPs. The budworm genome features 16 genes homologous to previously reported C. fumiferana AFPs (CfAFPs), 15 of which map to a single region on chromosome 18. Fourteen of these were also detected in five congeneric species, indicating Choristoneura AFP diversification occurred before the speciation event that led to C. fumiferana. Although budworm AFPs were previously considered unique to the genus Choristoneura, a search for homologs targeting recently sequenced tortricid genomes identified seven CfAFP-like genes in the distantly related Notocelia uddmanniana. High structural similarity between Notocelia and Choristoneura AFPs suggests a common origin, despite the absence of homologs in three related tortricids. Interestingly, one Notocelia AFP formed the C-terminus of a “zonadhesin-like” protein, possibly representing the ancestral condition from which tortricid AFPs evolved. Future work should clarify the evolutionary path of AFPs between Notocelia and Choristoneura and assess the role of the “zonadhesin-like” protein as precursor of tortricid AFPs.
Exploring the efficiency of primary health care provision in rural and sparsely populated areas: a case study from Mongolia
Authors: Guillon Marlène , Mathonnat Jacky , Narantuya Bayarmagnai , Dorjmyagmar Batbayar , Enkhtsetseg Enkhbold
Published: June 2022

Mongolia is facing serious challenges in the health sector and the macro-economic sphere that have important implications for health financing and the completion of universal health coverage. In this context, improving the efficiency of primary health care facilities is a critical issue. We study the efficiency of Soum Health Centres (SHCs) that provide primary care in rural Mongolia. Based on activity and resources data collected for all SHCs of Mongolia in 2017 and 2018 we estimate bias-adjusted efficiency scores. A double bootstrap truncated regression procedure is then used to study the factors associated with SHCs’ efficiency. On average, SHCs could potentially engage in the same activity while reducing overall resource use by ∼23%. A comparatively higher population density and dependency ratio in the districts where they are located tend to favour SHCs’ efficiency. Conversely, the higher the poverty rate in the soum, the lower the efficiency. We find a positive association between SHCs’ efficiency and the proportion of doctors in the health workforce. The human resources allocation process and the capitation formula currently used to pay SHCs should be adjusted based on the size and socioeconomic/demographic characteristics of the population living in the catchment area of SHCs.
Co-silencing of ABA receptors (SlRCAR) reveals interactions between ABA and ethylene signaling during tomato fruit ripening
Authors: Zou Jian , Li Ning , Hu Nan , Tang Ning , Cao Haohao , Liu Yudong , Chen Jing , Jian Wei , Gao Yanqiang , Yang Jun , Li Zhengguo
Published: June 2022

The ripening of fleshy fruits is highly dependent on the regulation of endogenous hormones, including ethylene, abscisic acid (ABA) and other phytohormones. However, the regulatory mechanism of ABA signaling and its interaction with ethylene signaling in fruit ripening are still unclear. In this study, multi-gene interference (RNAi) was applied to silence the ABA receptor genes in tomato for screening the specific receptors that mediate ABA signaling during fruit ripening. The results indicated that the ABA receptors, including SlRCAR9, SlRCAR12, SlRCAR11, and SlRCAR13, participate in the regulation of tomato fruit ripening. Comparative analysis showed that SlRCAR11 and SlRCAR13 play more important roles in mediating ABA signaling during tomato fruit ripening. Co-silencing of the four genes encoding these receptors could weaken the ethylene biosynthesis and signaling pathway at the early stage of tomato fruit ripening, leading to delayed fruit ripening. Meanwhile, co-silencing enhanced fruit firmness, and altered the shelf-life and susceptibility to Botrytis cinerea of the transgenic fruits. Furthermore, blocking ABA signaling did not affect the ability of ethylene to induce fruit ripening, whereas the block may inhibit the effectiveness of ABA in promoting fruit ripening. These results suggested that ABA signaling may be located upstream of ethylene signaling in regulating fruit ripening. Our findings provide a new insight into the complex regulatory network of phytohormones in regulating fruit ripening in tomato.
Reproductive Steroid Hormone Patterns in Baleen of Two Pregnant Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaeangliae)
Authors: Lowe Carley L , Hunt Kathleen E , Neilson Janet L , Gabriele Christine M , Teerlink Suzie S , Buck C Loren
Published: June 2022

Understanding reproductive physiology in mysticetes has been slowed by the lack of repeated samples from individuals. Analysis of humpback whale baleen enables retrospective hormone analysis within individuals dating back 3–5 years before death. Using this method, we investigated differences in four steroid hormones involved in reproduction and mating during confirmed pregnant and non-pregnant periods in two female humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) with known reproductive histories based on sightings and necropsy data. Cortisol, corticosterone, testosterone, and estradiol concentrations were determined via enzyme immunoassay using subsamples of each baleen plate at 2 cm intervals. There were no significant differences in cortisol or corticosterone during pregnancy when compared to non-pregnancy (inter-calving interval), but there were significant differences between the two whales in average glucocorticoid concentrations, with the younger whale showing higher values overall. For testosterone, levels for the younger female peaked at parturition in one pregnancy, but also had spikes during non-pregnancy. The older female had three large spikes in testosterone, one of which was associated with parturition. Estradiol had large fluctuations in both whales but had generally lower concentrations during non-pregnancy than during pregnancy. There were peaks in estradiol before each pregnancy, possibly coinciding with ovulation, and peaks coinciding with the month of parturition. Both estradiol and testosterone could be useful for determining ovulation or impending birth. Using baleen to investigate retrospective steroid hormone profiles can be used for elucidating long-term patterns of physiological change during gestation.

Lay summary

Case studies of two pregnant humpback whales whose hormones were analyzed in baleen may illuminate when humpback whales ovulate, gestate, and give birth. These physiological metrics could assist in accurate population growth assessments and conservation of the species. This study shows that baleen hormone analysis can be a useful tool for understanding whale reproductive physiology.
Maternal satisfaction on delivery care services and associated factors at public hospitals in eastern Ethiopia
Authors: Kidane Addisalem , Getachew Tamirat , Mesfin Firehiwot , Eyeberu Addis , Dheresa Merga
Published: June 2022

Background

Maternal healthcare services satisfaction has been widely recognized as a critical indicator of quality in healthcare systems. Thus this study aimed to assess maternal satisfaction with delivery care services.

Methods

An institutional-based cross-sectional study design was utilized among 400 randomly selected postnatal mothers from 1 to 30 February 2018. The data were entered into EpiData version 4.2.0 and computed using SPSS version 20. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were done using binary logistic regression to identify associations of factors.

Results

A total of 400 participants were included, with a response rate of 98.8%. The overall delivery services satisfaction level of mothers was 80% (95% confidence interval [CI] 75.8 to 84.0). Delivery through caesarean section (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 2.85 [95% CI 1.21 to 6.72]), privacy assured (AOR 3.73 [95% CI 1.79 to 7.75]), duration of labour (AOR 3.03 [95% CI 1.50 to 6.14]), waiting time (AOR 4.31 [95% CI 2.24 to 8.29]) and foetal outcome (AOR 4.33 [95% CI 1.94 to 9.66]) were associated with satisfaction with delivery care services.

Conclusion

The study revealed that four-fifths of mothers were satisfied with the delivery care services provided in public hospitals. Much effort is needed from hospital administrators and health professionals to improve delivery services satisfaction by minimizing waiting time, maintaining privacy and securing waiting areas.