bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The major urinary protein gene cluster knockout mouse as a novel model for translational metabolism research
Authors: Greve Sarah , Kuhn Gisela A. , Saenz-de-Juano Mara D. , Ghosh Adhideb , von Meyenn Ferdinand , Giller Katrin
Published: August 2022

Scientific evidence suggests that not only murine scent communication is regulated by major urinary proteins, but that their expression may also vary in response to metabolism via a yet unknown mechanism. Major urinary proteins are expressed mainly in the liver, showing a sexually dimorphic pattern with substantially higher expression in males. Here, we investigate the metabolic implications of a major urinary protein knockout in twelve-week-old male and female C57BL/6N mice during ad libitum feeding. Despite both sexes of major urinary protein knockout mice displayed numerically increased body weight and visceral adipose tissue proportions compared to sex-matched wildtype mice, the main genotype-specific metabolic differences were observed exclusively in males. Male major urinary protein knockout mice exhibited plasma and hepatic lipid accumulation accompanied by a hepatic transcriptome indicating an activation of lipogenesis. These findings match the higher major urinary protein expression in male compared to female wildtype mice, suggesting a more distinct reduction in energy requirements in male compared to female major urinary protein knockout mice. The observed sex-specific anabolic phenotype confirms a role of major urinary protein in metabolism and, since major urinary proteins are not expressed in humans, suggests the major urinary protein knockout mouse as a potential alternative model for translational metabolism research which needs to be further elucidated.
Prevalence of HPV-DNA and E6 mRNA in lung cancer of HIV-infected patients
Authors: Sirera Guillem , Videla Sebastián , Saludes Verónica , Castellà Eva , Sanz Carolina , Ariza Aurelio , Clotet Bonaventura , Martró Elisa
Published: August 2022

HIV-infected individuals could be at a greater risk for developing lung cancer than the general population due to the higher prevalence in the former of human papillomavirus (HPV) in the oral cavity and higher smoking rates. Our aim was to assess HPV prevalence and E6 viral oncogene transcription in lung cancer samples from HIV-infected individuals. This was a single-center, retrospective study of a cohort of HIV-1-infected patients diagnosed with and treated for lung cancer. Pathological lung samples archived as smears or formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded blocks were subjected to HPV genotyping, detection of human p16 protein and assessment for HPV E6 mRNA expression.Lung cancer samples from 41 patients were studied, including squamous cell carcinoma (32%), adenocarcinoma (34%), non-small cell cancer (27%), and small cell cancer (7%). HPV DNA was detected in 23 out of 41 (56%, 95% CI 41–70%) of samples and high-risk (HR)-HPV types were detected in 16 out of 41 (39%, 95% CI 26–54%), HPV-16 being the most prevalent [13/16 (81.3%, 95% CI 57.0–93%]. In samples with sufficient material left: expression of p16 was detected in 3 out of 10 (30%) of HR-HPV DNA-positive tumors and in 3 out of 7 (43%) of the negative ones; and E6 mRNA was detected in 2 out of 10 (20%) of HPV-16-positive samples (squamous lung cancers). These two patients had a background of a previous HPV-related neoplasia and smoking. HR-HPV DNA detection was prevalent in lung cancers in HIV-infected patients. However, viral oncogene expression was limited to patients with previous HPV-related cancers.
Increased aerosol concentrations in the High Arctic attributable to changing atmospheric transport patterns
Authors: Pernov Jakob Boyd , Beddows David , Thomas Daniel Charles , Dall´Osto Manuel , Harrison Roy M. , Schmale Julia , Skov Henrik , Massling Andreas
Published: August 2022

The Arctic environment has changed profoundly in recent decades. Aerosol particles are involved in numerous feedback mechanisms in the Arctic, e.g., aerosol-cloud/radiation interactions, which have important climatic implications. To understand changes in different Arctic aerosol types and number concentrations, we have performed a trend analysis of particle number size distributions, their properties, and their associated air mass history at Villum Research Station, northeastern Greenland, from 2010 to 2018. We found that, during spring, the total/ultrafine mode number concentration and the time air masses spent over the open ocean is significantly increasing, which can be ascribed to transport patterns changing to more frequent arrival from the ice-free Greenland Sea. We found that, during summer, the total/ultrafine mode number concentration, the occurrence of the Nucleation cluster (i.e. newly formed particles from gas to particle conversion), and the time air masses spent over the open ocean is significantly increasing. This can also be attributed to changing transport patterns, here with air masses arriving more frequently from Baffin Bay. Finally, we found that, during autumn, the ultrafine number concentration and the occurrence of the Pristine cluster (i.e. clean, natural Arctic background conditions) is significantly increasing, which is likely due to increasing amounts of accumulated precipitation along the trajectory path and decreasing time air masses spent above the mixed layer, respectively. Our results demonstrate that changing circulation and precipitation patterns are the factors predominantly affecting the trends in aerosol particle number concentrations and the occurrence of different aerosol types in northeastern Greenland.
2D semiconductors for specific electronic applications: from device to system
Authors: Huang Xiaohe , Liu Chunsen , Zhou Peng
Published: August 2022

The shrinking of transistors has hit a wall of material degradation and the specialized electronic applications for complex scenarios have raised challenges in heterostructures integration. Intriguingly, two-dimensional (2D) materials have excellent performance even at monolayer. The rich band structures and the lattice-mismatch-free heterostructures can further develop specific mechanisms to meet the demands of various electronic systems. Here we review the progress of 2D semiconductors to develop specific electronic applications from devices to systems. Focusing on the ultra-thin high-performance nanosheets for transistor channels, we consider channel optimization, contact characteristics, dielectric integration. Then we examined 2D semiconductors for specific electronic functions including computing, memory and sense. Finally, we discuss the specific applications of functionalized arrays aiming at problems that are difficult to solve with bulk materials, like the fusion of memory and computation and the all-in-one system.
Vaccine co-display of CSP and Pfs230 on liposomes targeting two Plasmodium falciparum differentiation stages
Authors: Huang Wei-Chiao , Mabrouk Moustafa T. , Zhou Luwen , Baba Minami , Tachibana Mayumi , Torii Motomi , Takashima Eizo , Locke Emily , Plieskatt Jordan , King C. Richter , Coelho Camila H. , Duffy Patrick E. , Long Carole , Tsuboi Takafumi , Miura Kazutoyo , Wu Yimin , Ishino Tomoko , Lovell Jonathan F.
Published: August 2022

A vaccine targeting multiple stages of thePlasmodium falciparumparasite life cycle is desirable. The sporozoite surface Circumsporozoite Protein (CSP) is the target of leading anti-infectiveP. falciparumpre-erythrocytic vaccines. Pfs230, a sexual-stageP. falciparumsurface protein, is currently in trials as the basis for a transmission-blocking vaccine, which inhibits parasite development in the mosquito vector. Here, recombinant full-length CSP and a Pfs230 fragment (Pfs230D1+) are co-displayed on immunogenic liposomes to induce immunity against both infection and transmission. Liposomes contain cobalt-porphyrin phospholipid (CoPoP), monophosphoryl lipid A and QS-21, and rapidly bind His-tagged CSP and Pfs230D1+ upon admixture to form bivalent particles that maintain reactivity with conformational monoclonal antibodies. Use of multicolor fluorophore-labeled antigens reveals liposome binding upon admixture, stability in serum and enhanced uptake in murine macrophages in vitro. Bivalent liposomes induce humoral and cellular responses against both CSP and Pfs230D1+. Vaccine-induced antibodies reduce parasite numbers in mosquito midguts in a standard membrane feeding assay. Mice immunized with liposome-displayed antigens or that passively receive antibodies from immunized rabbits have reduced parasite liver burden following challenge with transgenic sporozoites expressingP. falciparumCSP.
Eco-friendly pectin polymer film-based triboelectric nanogenerator for energy scavenging
Authors: Patnam Harishkumarreddy , Graham Sontyana Adonijah , Manchi Punnarao , Vasant Paranjape Mandar , Yu Jae Su
Published: August 2022

The triboelectric nanogenerator based on the polyimide and micro-architected pectin polymer film with eco-friendly nature and biodegradability (i.e., PP-TENG) was developed. The PP-TENG with superior performance demonstrated its capability in practical applications.
Converting cytochrome c into a DyP-like metalloenzyme
Authors: Omura Issei , Ishimori Koichiro , Uchida Takeshi
Published: August 2022

Dye-decolorizing peroxidase (DyP), which can degrade anthraquinone dyes using H2O2, is an attractive prospect for potential biotechnological applications for environmental purification.
Nanotechnology from lab to industry – a look at current trends
Authors: Rambaran Theresa , Schirhagl Romana
Published: August 2022

Nanotechnology holds great promise and is hyped by many as the next industrial evolution.
Naphthoquinone-based imidazolyl esters as blue-light-sensitive Type I photoinitiators
Authors: Hammoud Fatima , Pavlou Aristea , Petropoulos Alexandros , Graff Bernadette , Siskos Michael G. , Hijazi Akram , Morlet-Savary Fabrice , Dumur Frédéric , Lalevée Jacques
Published: August 2022

In this work, a series of Type I photoinitiators (PIs), based on the naphthoquinone scaffold, were designed and synthesized for the first time in order to induce photopolymerization under visible light.
Clinical Utility of the Ratio of Sound Pressure Level to Subglottal Pressure in Patients Surgically Treated for Phonotraumatic Vocal Fold Lesions
Authors: Toles Laura E. , Seidman Ariana Y. , Hillman Robert E. , Mehta Daryush D.
Published: August 2022

Purpose:

This study aimed to determine whether a simplified, and potentially more stable, acoustic–aerodynamic voice outcome ratio (ratio of sound pressure level [SPL] to subglottal pressure) is comparable to a traditional vocal efficiency measure (ratio of acoustic power to the product of average subglottal pressure and average phonatory airflow) in terms of the ability to detect change in vocal function following surgical removal of bilateral phonotraumatic lesions.

Method:

Pre- and postoperative acoustic and aerodynamic measures were analyzed retrospectively from 75 female patients who underwent surgical removal of bilateral phonotraumatic lesions. A 2 × 2 repeated-measures analysis of variance was conducted for each of three acoustic–aerodynamic voice outcome ratios—traditional vocal efficiency, an SPL-based ratio with both airflow and subglottal pressure, and a simplified SPL-based ratio with subglottal pressure only—to investigate the main effects of treatment stage (pre- and postsurgery), loudness condition (comfortable and loud), and their interaction. Post hoc paired samples
t
tests were conducted for statistically significant interactions. The within-subject variability of the measures was assessed using the coefficient of variation.

Results:

Although exhibiting an expected main effect of loudness (higher values in the loud condition), the traditional vocal efficiency ratio did not exhibit a main effect of treatment. For both SPL-based ratios, there were significant main effects of treatment stage (higher values postoperatively) and loudness condition (lower values in the loud condition). Within-subject, postoperative changes in the two SPL-based ratios moderately correlated with one another. The simplified ratio of SPL to subglottal pressure (without airflow) exhibited the least within-subject variability relative to the other two acoustic–aerodynamic ratios.

Conclusions:

These findings indicate that SPL-based acoustic–aerodynamic voice outcome ratios increase significantly following the surgical removal of phonotraumatic vocal fold lesions. The simplified ratio of SPL to subglottal pressure exhibits the least variability and can be easily obtained without requiring the measurement of airflow.
What Predicts Oral Narrative Competence Among African American Children? Exploring the Role of Linguistic and Cognitive Skills
Authors: Gardner-Neblett Nicole
Published: August 2022

Purpose:

Oral narrative, or storytelling, skills may constitute a linguistic strength for African American children, with implications for academic and social well-being. Despite this possibility, few studies have examined individual differences in oral narrative skill among African American children. To address this gap in the literature, this study examined how children's linguistic and cognitive skills predicted their competence in structuring oral stories, both on average and for children with different levels of narrative skill.

Method:

Fictional oral narratives were elicited from a sample of 144 typically developing African American children, aged 4–8 years, using a wordless picture book as the stimulus. The effects of children's vocabulary, complex syntax, and nonverbal cognitive skills on macrostructural performance were assessed using linear regression to test average effects and simultaneous quantile regression to test effects across different levels of narrative skill.

Results:

Children's competence in using complex syntax and nonverbal cognition, but not vocabulary, was predictive of narrative production, on average and as a function of narrative skill. Syntactic complexity appeared increasingly more relevant as children's narrative skill increased, whereas nonverbal cognition emerged as the most important for children at the lower to moderate ends of the narrative skill distribution.

Conclusions:

Both linguistic and cognitive skills help explain individual differences in African American children's macrostructural competence. Promoting children's development of complex syntax and nonverbal reasoning may provide potential mechanisms for supporting oral narrative skill development.
Functional requirements of a mobile‐based application for stroke self‐management: A Delphi study
Authors: Tadayon Hamidreza , Masoud Seyed Ali , Nabovati Ehsan , Akbari Hossein , Farzandipour Mehrdad , Babaei Masoud
Published: August 2022

This study aimed to determine the functional requirements of a self‐management mobile application for stroke survivors. For extracting the initial functional requirements, a literature review as well as interviews with 17 patients and caregivers were done. The results were analyzed using the content analysis method. The initial extracted requirements were then provided to the specialists by the Delphi technique to determine the final functional requirements. Content validity ratio (CVR) and content validity index (CVI) were calculated according to the Lawshe model. Criteria for item approval included CVR > 0.49 and CVI > 0.79. Finally, the approved items were turned into a five‐point Likert scale questionnaire and were then provided to 53 experts and items with a mean score higher than 3.75 were approved. Functional requirements including creating a user account, educational material, support services, providing reminders and alerts for drugs administration and physician appointments, and rehabilitation exercises (to improve balance, upper and lower extremities rehabilitation, and activities of daily living (ADLs)) were approved. Most of the approved functional requirements were related to rehabilitation exercises for improving upper limb motor function. The experts did not approve the requirements for using splints and slings or the recommendation to take some medications.
A two‐level hybrid control strategy to augment transient stability and tracking accuracy of hybrid microgrid coupled with industrial loads
Authors: Sarker Subrata K. , Fahim Shahriar Rahman , Datta Dristi , Muyeen S. M. , Badal Faisal R. , Das Sajal K. , Sheikh Md. Rafiqul Islam
Published: August 2022

The hybrid microgrid (HMG) is an arrangement for empowering the society by using the renewable energy sources (RESs) connected with common DC bus terminal. The effective operation of the HMG relies on the transient response of the DC bus as well as the stability of the system state that may change due to the stochastic behavior of RESs and industrial loads. This work is motivated to develop a two‐level decentralized control strategy consisting of a non‐linear and linear control scheme to augment the transient stability and tracking performance of an HMG. Firstly, a non‐linear partial feedback linearization control framework combined with a PI regulator (PFLC‐PI) is designed for the transient stability enhancement of the common bus. Secondly, a linear unified controller (UC) is developed to guarantee the constant load voltages over the industrial loads through the control of the load‐side inverter. The UC effectiveness is measured by varying the load parameters associated with single‐ and three‐phase load networks. The obtained results are then compared with the existing controllers to guarantee the augmented performance of proposed two‐level controller. Additionally, an external parametric uncertainty is intentionally added to the single‐phase load network dynamics and studied to ensure the robustness of the controller.
Improving dielectric properties of composites thin films with polylactic acid and PZT microparticles induced by interfacial polarization
Authors: Bouiri El Mahdi , Farhan Rida , Chakhchaoui Nabil , Oumghar Khadija , Denktas Cenk , Eddiai Adil , Meddad Mounir , Mazroui M'Hammed , Cherkaoui Omar , El Hachemi Omari Lhaj
Published: August 2022

Although polylactic acid (PLA) is widely identified as a biodegradable polymer, its use is limited due to the inherently poor mechanical properties. Therefore, the strengthening of PLA with microscale particles like lead zirconate titanate (PZT) is a promising field of research that has only just begun to be explored. Piezoelectric polymer-PZT films are encouraging materials for modern technological applications in energy harvesting. The PLA/PZT composites were developed using the solvent casting technique. The mechanical characteristics and dielectric properties of the considered films were investigated. X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), Spectroscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) were used, respectively, to examine the influence of these fillers at the molecular level, crystal structure change and micro charges dispersion inside the polymer matrix. Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) was used to examine the stability and thermal degradation of the films. The effect of the content (0.1–1 wt.%) of PZT on these properties has also been studied. The results indicate that the addition of PZT content induces considerable improvement in the β-phase and dielectric constant of microcomposites films compared to that of pure PLA.
Performance of NI-RADS on CECT Alone to Predict Recurrent Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma after Chemoradiotherapy: Added Value of RECIST 1.1.
Authors: Kumar Ishan , Reza Syed O. , Choudhary Sunil , Shukla Ram C. , Mani Nilesh , Verma Ashish
Published: August 2022

Background The Head and Neck Imaging Reporting and Data System (NI-RADS) is a standardized reporting format for the categorization of the degree of suspicion for recurrent head and neck malignancies on positron emission tomography/computed tomography.

Purpose The purpose of our study was to analyze the efficacy of the NI-RADS rating scale and criteria for contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) alone in predicting the local and regional recurrence of malignancies after chemoradiotherapy.

Material and Methods CECT of the patients with head and neck cancers receiving radiotherapy and concurrent chemotherapy as a primary treatment was obtained 3 months after the completion of radiotherapy and NI-RADS scoring was done using components of Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST 1.1) criteria. Their management was guided according to the recommendations based on their NI-RADS score.

Results Thirty patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the neck were included in this study. The positive or negative status of the recurrent disease was based on biopsy results or follow-up protocol as recommended in NI-RADS rating scale. Fifteen patients had path proven recurrence at the primary tumor site. For primary tumor site, disease persistence rates of 4% for NI-RADS 1, 24% for NI-RADS 2, and 80% for NI-RADS 3 scores were seen. Five patients had recurrent lymph nodal disease. For lymph nodal assessment, NI-RADS categories 1, 2, and 3 revealed nodal disease recurrence rates of 5.3, 25, and 66.7%, respectively.

Conclusion CECT alone may be used to assign the NI-RADS rating scale using RECIST 1.1 criteria to predict the presence or absence of recurrent tumor in patients with neck malignancies.
Stent-Graft Migration Post-Endovascular Repair of Thoracic Aorta: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Deshpande Amit Ajit , Pandey Niraj Nirmal , Shaw Manish , Kumar Sanjeev , Jagia Priya , Sharma Sanjiv , Choudhary Shiv
Published: August 2022

Background Migration of the stent-graft post-thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) is not uncommon; however, it is sparsely reported. The objective of this study was to assess the incidence, risk factors, and complications of stent-graft migration post-TEVAR.

Materials and Methods Thirty-one patients who underwent TEVAR were retrospectively analyzed. The demographic, anatomical, and procedure-related factors were assessed. The measurements were done along the greater curvature of aorta around two fixed anatomic landmarks, that is, left common carotid artery or neoinnominate artery (hybrid repair) proximally and celiac artery distally. Aortic elongation and migration at proximal, distal, as well as at overlapping zone were measured. More than 10 mm of migration was considered significant.

Results Significant migration was observed in six (19%) patients. No significant migration was observed in the overlapping zone. The proximal landing zone 3 (odds ratio [OR] 12.78, p 0.01) was a significant risk factor, whereas landing zone 2 was a protective factor against the migration (OR 0.08, p 0.02). The odds for migration were more in segments I/3 and II/3 compared with I/2 and II/2, respectively, as per Modified Arch Landing Areas Nomenclature. A single complication was seen in the migration group which was treated by an overlapping stent graft.

Conclusion The stent-graft migration after TEVAR is not uncommon. Type 3 proximal landing zone was a significant risk factor for migration with an increased risk toward I/3 and II/3. Proximal landing zone 2 as well as adequate overlapping distance in multiple stent grafts can prevent migration.

Ethical Approval No IECPG-227/24.06.2020
Lymph-derived chemokines direct early neutrophil infiltration in the lymph nodes uponStaphylococcus aureusskin infection
Authors: Xue Jingna , Lin Yujia , Oo Darellynn , Zhang Jianbo , Zardynezhad Ava , de Jesus Flavia Neto , Stephens Matthew , de Almeida Luiz G. N. , Young Daniel , Dufour Antoine , Liao Shan
Published: August 2022

A large number of neutrophils infiltrate the lymph node (LN) within 4 h afterStaphylococcus aureusskin infection (4 h postinfection [hpi]) and prevent systemicS. aureusdissemination. It is not clear how infection in the skin can remotely and effectively recruit neutrophils to the LN. Here, we found that lymphatic vessel occlusion substantially reduced neutrophil recruitment to the LN. Lymphatic vessels effectively transported bacteria and proinflammatory chemokines (i.e., Chemokine [C-X-C motif] motif 1 [CXCL1] and CXCL2) to the LN. However, in the absence of lymph flow,S. aureusalone in the LN was insufficient to recruit neutrophils to the LN at 4 hpi. Instead, lymph flow facilitated the earliest neutrophil recruitment to the LN by delivering chemokines (i.e., CXCL1, CXCL2) from the site of infection. Lymphatic dysfunction is often found during inflammation. During oxazolone (OX)-induced skin inflammation, CXCL1/2 in the LN was reduced after infection. The interrupted LN conduits further disrupted the flow of lymph and impeded its communication with high endothelial venules (HEVs), resulting in impaired neutrophil migration. The impaired neutrophil interaction with bacteria contributed to persistent infection in the LN. Our studies showed that both the flow of lymph from lymphatic vessels to the LN and the distribution of lymph in the LN are critical to ensure optimal neutrophil migration and timely innate immune protection inS. aureusinfection.
CFI-402257, a TTK inhibitor, effectively suppresses hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Chan Cerise Yuen-Ki , Chiu David Kung-Chun , Yuen Vincent Wai-Hin , Law Cheuk-Ting , Wong Bowie Po-Yee , Thu Kelsie Lynn , Cescon David Ward , Soria-Bretones Isabel , Cheu Jacinth Wing-Sum , Lee Derek , Tse Aki Pui-Wah , Zhang Misty Shuo , Tan Kel Vin , Ng Irene Oi-Lin , Khong Pek-Lan , Yau Thomas Chung-Cheung , Bray Mark Robert , Mak Tak Wah , Wong Carmen Chak-Lui
Published: August 2022

Deregulation of cell cycle is a typical feature of cancer cells. Normal cells rely on the strictly coordinated spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) to maintain the genome integrity and survive. However, cancer cells could bypass this checkpoint mechanism. In this study, we showed the clinical relevance of threonine tyrosine kinase (TTK) protein kinase, a central regulator of the SAC, in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and its potential as therapeutic target. Here, we reported that a newly developed, orally active small molecule inhibitor targeting TTK (CFI-402257) effectively suppressed HCC growth and induced highly aneuploid HCC cells, DNA damage, and micronuclei formation. We identified that CFI-402257 also induced cytosolic DNA, senescence-like response, and activated DDX41-STING cytosolic DNA sensing pathway to produce senescence-associated secretory phenotypes (SASPs) in HCC cells. These SASPs subsequently led to recruitment of different subsets of immune cells (natural killer cells, CD4
+
T cells, and CD8
+
T cells) for tumor clearance. Our mass cytometry data illustrated the dynamic changes in the tumor-infiltrating immune populations after treatment with CFI-402257. Further, CFI-402257 improved survival in HCC-bearing mice treated with anti-PD-1, suggesting the possibility of combination treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors in HCC patients. In summary, our study characterized CFI-402257 as a potential therapeutic for HCC, both used as a single agent and in combination therapy.
Geographic microtargeting of social assistance with high-resolution poverty maps
Authors: Smythe Isabella S. , Blumenstock Joshua E.
Published: August 2022

Hundreds of millions of poor families receive some form of targeted social assistance. Many of these antipoverty programs involve some degree of geographic targeting, where aid is prioritized to the poorest regions of the country. However, policy makers in many low-resource settings lack the disaggregated poverty data required to make effective geographic targeting decisions. Using several independent datasets from Nigeria, this paper shows that high-resolution poverty maps, constructed by applying machine learning algorithms to satellite imagery and other nontraditional geospatial data, can improve the targeting of government cash transfers to poor families. Specifically, we find that geographic targeting relying on machine learning–based poverty maps can reduce errors of exclusion and inclusion relative to geographic targeting based on recent nationally representative survey data. This result holds for antipoverty programs that target both the poor and the extreme poor and for initiatives of varying sizes. We also find no evidence that machine learning–based maps increase targeting disparities by demographic groups, such as gender or religion. Based in part on these findings, the Government of Nigeria used this approach to geographically target emergency cash transfers in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mechanistic details of CRISPR-associated transposon recruitment and integration revealed by cryo-EM
Authors: Park Jung-Un , Tsai Amy Wei-Lun , Chen Tiffany H. , Peters Joseph E. , Kellogg Elizabeth H.
Published: August 2022

CRISPR-associated transposons (CASTs) are Tn7-like elements that are capable of RNA-guided DNA integration. Although structural data are known for nearly all core transposition components, the transposase component, TnsB, remains uncharacterized. Using cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structure determination, we reveal the conformation of TnsB during transposon integration for the type V-K CAST system from
Scytonema hofmanni
(ShCAST). Our structure of TnsB is a tetramer, revealing strong mechanistic relationships with the overall architecture of RNaseH transposases/integrases in general, and in particular the MuA transposase from bacteriophage Mu. However, key structural differences in the C-terminal domains indicate that TnsB’s tetrameric architecture is stabilized by a different set of protein–protein interactions compared with MuA. We describe the base-specific interactions along the TnsB binding site, which explain how different CAST elements can function on cognate mobile elements independent of one another. We observe that melting of the 5′ nontransferred strand of the transposon end is a structural feature stabilized by TnsB and furthermore is crucial for donor–DNA integration. Although not observed in the TnsB strand-transfer complex, the C-terminal end of TnsB serves a crucial role in transposase recruitment to the target site. The C-terminal end of TnsB adopts a short, structured 15-residue “hook” that decorates TnsC filaments. Unlike full-length TnsB, C-terminal fragments do not appear to stimulate filament disassembly using two different assays, suggesting that additional interactions between TnsB and TnsC are required for redistributing TnsC to appropriate targets. The structural information presented here will help guide future work in modifying these important systems as programmable gene integration tools.
Structural insight and characterization of human Twinkle helicase in mitochondrial disease
Authors: Riccio Amanda A. , Bouvette Jonathan , Perera Lalith , Longley Matthew J. , Krahn Juno M. , Williams Jason G. , Dutcher Robert , Borgnia Mario J. , Copeland William C.
Published: August 2022

Twinkle is the mammalian helicase vital for replication and integrity of mitochondrial DNA. Over 90 Twinkle helicase disease variants have been linked to progressive external ophthalmoplegia and ataxia neuropathies among other mitochondrial diseases. Despite the biological and clinical importance, Twinkle represents the only remaining component of the human minimal mitochondrial replisome that has yet to be structurally characterized. Here, we present 3-dimensional structures of human Twinkle W315L. Employing cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), we characterize the oligomeric assemblies of human full-length Twinkle W315L, define its multimeric interface, and map clinical variants associated with Twinkle in inherited mitochondrial disease. Cryo-EM, crosslinking-mass spectrometry, and molecular dynamics simulations provide insight into the dynamic movement and molecular consequences of the W315L clinical variant. Collectively, this ensemble of structures outlines a framework for studying Twinkle function in mitochondrial DNA replication and associated disease states.
Water–solid contact electrification causes hydrogen peroxide production from hydroxyl radical recombination in sprayed microdroplets
Authors: Chen Bolei , Xia Yu , He Rongxiang , Sang Hongqian , Zhang Wenchang , Li Juan , Chen Lufeng , Wang Pu , Guo Shishang , Yin Yongguang , Hu Ligang , Song Maoyong , Liang Yong , Wang Yawei , Jiang Guibin , Zare Richard N.
Published: August 2022

Contact electrification between water and a solid surface is crucial for physicochemical processes at water–solid interfaces. However, the nature of the involved processes remains poorly understood, especially in the initial stage of the interface formation. Here we report that H2O2is spontaneously produced from the hydroxyl groups on the solid surface when contact occurred. The density of hydroxyl groups affects the H2O2yield. The participation of hydroxyl groups in H2O2generation is confirmed by mass spectrometric detection of18O in the product of the reaction between 4-carboxyphenylboronic acid and18O–labeled H2O2resulting from18O2plasma treatment of the surface. We propose a model for H2O2generation based on recombination of the hydroxyl radicals produced from the surface hydroxyl groups in the water–solid contact process. Our observations show that the spontaneous generation of H2O2is universal on the surfaces of soil and atmospheric fine particles in a humid environment.
Processes of radicalization, violent extremism and terrorism (Procesos de radicalización, extremismo violento y terrorismo)
Authors: Moyano Manuel , Kruglanski Arie W. , Trujillo Humberto M.
Published: August 2022

One of the major challenges facing humanity is understanding the psychosocial mechanisms that underlie radicalization in order to effectively deal with its shift towards violent extremism and terrorism. From a scientific standpoint, there have been major theoretical-conceptual and technical-methodological advances which have led to the development of a significant corpus of evidence-based knowledge on these topics. Nowadays, the challenge posed by coping with radicalization into violent extremism is shifting the priority to preventive approaches geared at improving professional practice and proactive decision-making. This monograph takes stock of the current state of the issue and contains four empirical studies grounded in social psychology in an effort to shed light on some current lines of research and their potential applications in the field of security.
A novel methodological study for monitoring proton beam spot using back-streaming secondary neutrons from the high-power target
Authors: Yang X.Y. , Jing H.T. , Tian B.B. , Ou L. , Sun Y.K. , Gao X.L.
Published: August 2022

The power of the proton beam of a high-power spallation
neutron source generally ranges from 100 kW to several MW. The
distribution of the power density of the beam on the target is
critical for the stable operation of the high-power spallation
target. This study proposes a beam monitoring method that involves
restoring the image of a high-power proton beam spot on a target
based on the principle of pinhole imaging by using the
back-streaming of secondary neutrons from the spallation
target. Fast and indirect imaging of the beam spot can be achieved
at a distance of tens of meters from the target. The proposed method
of beam monitoring can flexibly adjust the size of the pinhole and
the measurement distance to control the intensity of flux of the
secondary neutrons according to the demands of the detection system,
which is far from the high-radiation target area. The results of
simulations showed that the proposed method can be used to restore
the beam spot of the incident proton by using the point response
function and images of the secondary neutrons. Based on the target
and the Back-n beamline in the CSNS, the effectiveness of this
method has also been confirmed by means of Monte Carlo simulation.
Dynamic mechanical response of ABS polymer at elevated strain rates and temperatures
Authors: Sharma Sudhanshu , Chandra Sagar , Chavan Vivek M , Nayak Arun K
Published: August 2022

Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) is an extensively used material for various applications from automobile to toys. The material is known to have good machinability along with toughness and thermal-stability. The present investigation is aimed at understanding the effect of high strain rate loading (>1000 /s) on the dynamic response of ABS for potential benefits in energy absorption in mechanical and structural applications. Considering this, uniaxial compression tests on ABS polymer have been performed at different high strain rates (1000 /s – 4000 /s) and temperatures (250C – 1100C) using split Hopkinson Bar (SHB) test setup. The results indicate that the material shows a linear relationship between the true stress and the true strain up to its yield point. High plastic deformation is observed at higher strain rates along with higher levels of stress. However, as the strain rate is increased, there is more evidence of collapse ultimately leading to the failure of the specimens. The material is not much sensitive to strain rate. These high strain rate data may be useful for safety and structural integrity assessment of structures subjected to dynamic loading.
Influence of alloying elements on the coarsening coefficients of M23C6 and M2B precipitates in a 10% Cr Belgorod steel
Authors: Chouksey Yogendra , Yadav Surya D.
Published: August 2022

A 10% Cr steel designed by ‘Belgorod State University’, has been considered in the present work in order to study the effect of alloying elements on the coarsening characteristics of precipitates. The stepped equilibrium diagram was constructed through the CALPHAD approach, employing the ThermoCalc software. The precipitates observed at the temperature of interest, i.e., 650 °C, were M23C6 (M=Cr, Fe), Laves phase, M2B, NbC and TiN. Amongst all the precipitates, M23C6 has the maximum phase fraction, i.e., 0.022. The magnitude of the coarsening coefficients for all the precipitates other than Laves phase, were observed to be of the order of 10-29 m3/s. In case of Laves phase, it was of the order of 10-31 m3/s. The variation of the coarsening coefficients of M23C6 and M2B, with respect to weight percent of alloying elements has been also investigated. It was observed that, with the increase in the weight percent of Co, Nb and W; the coarsening coefficients of M23C6 and M2B decrease. However, with the increase in weight percent of the V, the coarsening coefficients of M23C6 decrease and M2B increase.
Influence of Lubrication on the Friction and Wear Characteristics of Low Carbon Steel under Sliding Reciprocation Conditions
Authors: Vellanki Chandrahaas , Choudhury Soumyarup , Kumar Shubham , Vimson George , Paul Gayatri
Published: August 2022

Lubrication plays a crucial role in minimizing the losses associated with wear by decreasing the mating surface friction. In this regard, the present study focusses on the wear and friction characteristics of mating steel surfaces under the influence of different lubricants. Steel, being the second most important structural material has innumerable applications in various industries. The main objective of this work is to investigate the tribological properties of mating steel surfaces under linear reciprocation in the presence of different lubricants. This paper is based on the study and analysis of a low carbon steel specimen subjected to tests under dry and lubricated conditions to study the behaviour of the tribo-elements and surface which may significantly affect the tribological performance of the surface in contact. The low carbon steel specimens are case hardened by pack carburizing to improve the hardness of the steel surface. The effect of parameters such as applied load, sliding distance, case hardening and lubricant have been studied to investigate the effect on the friction characteristics. Post tribology worn surface characterization has been carried out the estimate the wear rate and mechanism of wear.
Simulation studies on the comparison of different superalloys used in gas turbine blades
Authors: Subbarao Rayapati , Mahato Nityanando
Published: August 2022

Impingement of gases at high temperature and pressure leads to the development of stresses and deformation in gas turbine blades. Other important characteristics are also getting changed, prompting more problems in gas turbine engines, as they are used in both power generation and transportation. In this work, failure aspects in blades is studied by performing structural analysis, considering superalloys that are used in the industry. Software packages like Solidworks and Ansys are used for modelling, meshing and solving, in order to identify the target variables like total deformation, von Mises stress, strain energy and fatigue. Geomtery of the turbine blade is modelled and after meshing, boundary conditions like pressure, force and rotational speed are enforced. Results are analysed after carrying out the static structural analysis in Ansys work bench. For the superalloy materials chosen, contours and plots are made for all the configurations. Validation of deformation from the present work is done with experiments done earlier, which is in good agreement. Total deformation is more at the tip of the blade. At the root of the blade, the stresses are found to be more. Presence of strain energy is more near the root. Fatigue life contours showed similarity in all the cases. The blade failure region is identified for all the materials under consideration and the trends are compared for different input temperatures. Thus the current work is helpful in recognizing appropriate superalloy to be used in the present day gas turbines and supports the use of GTD 111 as gas turbine blade material.
Effect of Sc and Zr on Precipitation Behaviour of Wrought Al- Bronze
Authors: Haque Mohammad Salman , Khan Sakib Al Razi , Kaiser Mohammad Salim
Published: August 2022

Aluminium bronze doped with Sc and Zr were prepared by casting followed by cold-rolling with varied degrees of deformation. Then, the cold-rolled samples were aged for one hour at various temperatures, isochronally up to 500°C and isothermally at 300°C and 350°C up to four hours respectively. To better understand the precipitation behavior of Al-bronze with Sc and Zr additions, microhardness and electrical resistivity of aged alloys were investigated. The formation of copper aluminates precipitate resulted in a significant hardening improvement in aged alloys particularly at 300 °C. The addition of both Sc and Zr improved the thermal stability of the aged alloys by forming Al3Sc and Al3Zr precipitates. Sc, on the other hand, had proven to be more effective at improving aging behaviour of Al-bronze alloy. Electrical resistivity was also observed to increase with increasing aging temperature, then decrease slowly due to the production of fine precipitates and coarsening of this precipitate by over ageing, respectively. The DSC investigation supported the precipitation response by demonstrating the varied peaks of the heating curve at various temperatures. The reflectance spectroscopy study revealed that the addition of Sc and Zr exhibited greater optical response owing to grain refinement. Optical microscopy of cold rolled samples exhibited multiple phases of elongated grain along the rolling direction, and Sc and Zr additions were capable of refining alloy grains by precipitation of primary Al3Sc and Al3Zr particles formed as heterogeneous nuclei during solidification. In the meantime, recrystallization and grain growth development were induced in Al-bronze by ageing at 500°C for an hour. During ageing treatment, the production of secondary Al3Sc and Al3Zr precipitates efficiently inhibited the mobility of dislocation and sub-grain boundaries, preventing the Sc and Zr doped alloys from recrystallization.
CFD Validation and Aerodynamic Behaviour of NREL Phase VI Wind Turbine
Authors: Sihag Sunny , Kumar Manoj , Tiwari Anurag Kumar
Published: August 2022

In the present study, the 3D flow around the rotating wind turbine whose blade’s geometry is tapered and twisted is observed by using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) as a numerical simulation tool. The CFD simulation of the wind turbines is essential for their efficient use and optimization of the solutions. This paper shows the accuracy of numerical simulation of Reynolds Averaged Navier Stokes equations (RANS equations) along with the Shear Stress transport k-ω turbulence model and validation with the experimental data by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. All the simulations in this paper are performed on the sequence S of the test configuration of the experiment conducted at the NASA Ames Wind tunnel facility with the blades rotating at constant RPM and varying inlet wind speeds. The results of this study depict a close agreement with the experimental data. The torque predicted by this method is well in line with the experimental values, and it is also able to predict the stalling regions of the wind turbine. This study captures the pre-stall, stall & deep-stall regions and also the 3-dimensional flow around the wind turbine. The flow separation starts occurring on the wind turbine when the inlet speed is greater than 10 m/s, and it is observed that the turbine goes into the deeps stall region when the wind speed is 18m/s.
Effect of Nanosilica and Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes on the Mechanical and Impact Performance of Unidirectional Kevlar/Epoxy Based Composites
Authors: Sharma Bhumi , Sachithanandam Sunita , Taahir Mohamed , Gaur Piyush , Muthukumar Chandrasekar , Singh Dalbir , Kumar Ravi Ranjan
Published: August 2022

The introduction of numerous nanoparticles into nanotechnology in recent years has opened the door for the incorporation of nanoparticles into polymeric-based composite materials for mechanical improvement. Composite materials are becoming a promising substitute material in the fabrication of numerous components due to their high weight-to-strength ratio and mechanical characteristics such as tensile Strength, flexural Strength, interlaminar shear strength, and impact strength. This research aims to determine the effect of a combined mixture of silica and multiwalled carbon nanotube particles (MWCNT) on the mechanical and impact properties of unidirectional Kevlar (UD)/epoxy composites for use in defence and aerospace applications. The addition of these Nanofillers results in high-performance reinforcement and the formation of hybrid composites with improved properties due to their use. The addition of specific nanomaterials can further enhance these characteristics, dependent on the concentration at which they are introduced into the solution. The most challenging aspects of incorporating nanomaterials into matrix materials are ensuring uniform mixing of the nanomaterials with the matrix material and increasing the viscosity of the matrix material when the nanomaterials are introduced into the matrix. Using different weight percentages, it is possible to determine the optimal ratio of nanofiller for predicting the enhanced mechanical properties of nano-composites. Preparation of the composite with different weight percentages (1 percent and 3 percent) of Nano SiO2 particles mixed with 0.25 percent MWCNT and 6 layers of the UD Kevlar fibre was accomplished using an ultrasonic vibration-assisted hand layup process. Tensile tests, Charpy impact tests, and interlaminar shear strength tests evaluated the material's mechanical properties. Experimental results revealed that tensile strength and impact strength increased by up to 80 percent and 50 percent, respectively, compared to the neat specimens. The ILSS test demonstrates a 271 percent improvement in shear strength at 3 percent and 0.25 MWCNT. The overall results determined that the combination of 3 percent SiO2 and 0.25 percent MWCNT provided the most enhanced mechanical properties while also being the most optimized. This study's findings indicate that applying a nano-silica and MWCNT mixture of Nanofillers to Kevlar fabrics is a promising method for improving a Kevlar-based hybrid composite's mechanical and impact energy absorption laminate.