bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fe‐Ni sulfides in Tagish Lake: Implications for nebular and parent body conditions of formation
Authors: Holt Miranda C. , Herd Christopher D. K.
Published: April 2022

This study examined nine pristine samples representing seven lithologies of the ungrouped C2 carbonaceous chondrite Tagish Lake from the University of Alberta Meteorite Collection using scanning electron microscope and electron probe microanalyzer analyses to characterize the sulfide mineralogy, textures, and compositions present. Four distinct sulfide morphologies were identified including pyrrhotite containing exsolved pentlandite, unexsolved pyrrhotite, and unexsolved pentlandite, and a unique “bull’s‐eye” sulfide morphology. The at% Fe/Ni of the pyrrhotite grains within these samples decreases with increasing degree of alteration and roughly places them in the alteration order of TL11v chip1 < TL4 < TL11v chip2 < TL5b ≤ TL10a < TL 11h < TL1 < TL11i. The at% Fe/Ni of low Ni (<1 wt% Ni) pyrrhotite indicates that the overall degree of alteration of Tagish Lake lies between that of CM1/2 and CI chondrites. Comparison of the composition of the sulfides to established Fe‐Ni‐S phase diagrams at different temperatures indicates two separate generations of sulfide formation. They are (1) high‐temperature formation of exsolved pyrrhotite–pentlandite and much of the unexsolved pentlandite at ~500–600 °C, likely by cooling of a monosulfide solid solution melt during chondrule formation; and (2) low‐temperature formation of unexsolved pyrrhotite, some unexsolved pentlandite, pyrrhotite containing flame‐like pentlandite bodies, and bull’s‐eye sulfides at ~25–100 °C, likely formed during aqueous alteration events on the Tagish Lake parent body.
Relational Reasoning: A Foundation for Higher Cognition Based on Abstraction
Authors: Kalra Priya B. , Richland Lindsey E.
Published: April 2022

This article provides an introduction to the special issue on relational reasoning. It first provides a definition of relational reasoning, and provides a conceptual framework for relational reasoning research as follows: The ability to represent concepts abstractly is critical for relational reasoning. Relational reasoning in turn provides a foundation for higher cognitive abilities such as language, and analogical reasoning. Understanding relational concepts is also crucial for STEM education. Experience, including formal education, may enhance relational reasoning ability, which in turn may facilitate future learning, forming a positive feedback loop. Creative problem‐solving or reasoning can also be defined in terms of abstraction or semantic distance, providing an important link between relational reasoning and creativity. Each of the articles in the special issue is briefly discussed and framed within these concepts.
Can sprouting reduce phytate and improve the nutritional composition and nutrient bioaccessibility in cereals and legumes?
Authors: Elliott Hannah , Woods Patrick , Green Brian D. , Nugent Anne P.
Published: April 2022

Sprouting is a traditional processing method which has been used for centuries to improve the nutritional value of cereals and legumes. There has been growing interest in sprouted products in recent years due to a high demand for more natural and healthy foods. Phytate is the primary storage form of phosphorus in plants. It is long recognised to affect human health as it forms insoluble complexes with minerals such as iron and zinc in cereals and legumes, thereby preventing their absorption in the body. Sprouting activates the enzyme phytase, which degrades phytate, thereby improving mineral bioaccessibility and bioavailability. The extent of phytate reduction varies depending on the sprouting conditions, cereal/legume species, cultivar and native phytase activity. Sprouting has been associated with increased iron, zinc and calcium bioaccessibility in many studies, but this appears to differ in cereals and legumes, which possibly is due to the presence of other ‘antinutrients’. Protein digestibility also appears to be positively correlated with phytate reduction albeit less than for minerals. It is not possible to accurately predict the influence of sprouting on nutrient bioavailability because so few studies have been conducted. Further research is required to determine whether the commercial production of sprouted cereals and legumes can increase the nutritional value and health benefits of commercial end products.
Effect of personality traits on the association between clinically assessed malocclusion and the psychosocial impact of dental aesthetics
Authors: Trinajstic Zrinski Magda , Pavlic Andrej , Katic Visnja , Spalj Stjepan
Published: April 2022

Objective

We aimed to assess whether personality traits affect the relationship between malocclusion and the psychosocial impact of dental aesthetics and whether they act as its mediators or moderators.

Settings and sample population

The cross‐sectional study included 252 participants with permanent dentition (62% female) aged 12‐39 years.

Materials and Methods

The Big Five Inventory, the Psychosocial Impact of Dental Aesthetics Questionnaire and the Index of Complexity, Outcome and Need were used. Moderation and mediation were tested by hierarchical stepwise multiple linear regression.

Results

Malocclusion was the most significant predictor of dental self‐confidence (DSC), aesthetic concern (AC), social impact (SI) and psychological impact (PI), accounting for 12%‐28% of respective variability (P < .05). Adult age, male sex and higher neuroticism and agreeableness were additional predictors of higher DSC (P < .05). Adolescent age was a predictor of higher AC, SI and PI, and female sex of higher AC and PI (P < .05). Mediation by personality traits was not proven, however, openness, agreeableness and neuroticism were moderators. A tendency of decrease in AC was associated with an increase in malocclusion complexity in adolescents lower in openness and decrease in SI in adolescents with lower agreeableness. There was also a tendency of higher increase of AC associated with an increase of malocclusion degree in adults higher in neuroticism.

Conclusion

In adolescents, openness and agreeableness moderate the relationship between malocclusion and AC and SI, respectively. Neuroticism is a moderator of the association between malocclusion and AC in adults.
Hypoxia‐induced factor 1α promotes osteotomy‐induced regional acceleratory phenomenon via DC‐STAMP mediated membrane fusion
Authors: Tang Yi , Li Xinzhao , Cai Yun , Bie Miaomiao , Tian Yuanye , Shao Qi , Kang Feiwu
Published: April 2022

Objectives

The mechanisms of regional acceleratory phenomenon (RAP) induced by orthognathic osteotomy are unclear. It was not known if locally hypoxic microenvironment changes were involved in this phenomenon.

Methods

Hypoxia‐induced factor‐1α knockout mice harboring Cathepsin K (CTSK) Cre were used to investigate the effect of hypoxia‐driven osteoclasts on alveolar bone remodeling. RAW264.7 cells were induced by CoCl2 to observe the effects of dendritic cell‐specific transmembrane protein (DC‐STAMP) on the fusion and differentiation of osteoclasts.

Results

We found mandibular osteotomy of C57 mice induced active alveolar osteoclasts and increased hypoxia‐induced factor‐1α (HIF‐1α) positive staining areas. Alveolar bone density of the 10‐week‐old HIF‐1α conditional knockout (CKO) mouse was increased at 10 and 14 days after bilateral mandibular osteotomy. Moreover, decreased numbers of osteoclasts and matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP‐9)‐positive cells were observed on the surface of bone resorption lacunae in the CKO group. HIF‐1α could increase the expression level of DC‐STAMP to enhance osteoclastogenesis and cell fusion in active RAW264.7 cells.

Conclusion

Our data considered hypoxia‐driven osteoclasts resorption to be an adaptive mechanism to permit alveolar bone loss after bilateral mandibular osteotomy of mice.
Medial Buttress Plate and Allograft Bone‐Assisted Cannulated Screw Fixation for Unstable Femoral Neck Fracture with Posteromedial Comminution: A Retrospective Controlled Study
Authors: Huang Zhe‐yuan , Su Yu‐hui , Huang Zhi‐ping , Wang Yi‐bei , Du Gui‐cheng , Huang Yan‐peng , Chen Gang , Xu Chun , Zhu Qing‐an
Published: April 2022

Objective

To investigate the outcomes of open reduction and internal fixation combined with medial buttress plate (MBP) and allograft bone‐assisted cannulated screw (CS) fixation for patients with unstable femoral neck fracture with comminuted posteromedial cortex.

Methods

In a retrospective study of patients operated on for unstable femoral neck fractures with comminuted posteromedial cortex from March 2016 to August 2020, the clinical and radiographic outcomes of 48 patients treated with CS + MBP were compared with the outcomes of 54 patients treated with CS only. All patients in the CS + MBP group were fixed by three CS and MBP (one‐third tubular plates or reconstructive plates) with bone allografts. The surgery‐related outcomes and complications were evaluated, including operative time, blood loss, union time, femoral head necrosis, femoral neck shortening, and other complications after the operation. The Harris score was evaluated at 12 months after the operation.

Results

All patients were followed up for 12–40 months. The average age of patients in the CS‐only group (54 cases, 22 females) and CS + MBP group (48 cases, 20 females) was 48.46 ± 7.26 and 48.73 ± 6.38 years, respectively. More intraoperative blood loss was observed in the CS + MBP group than that of patients in CS‐only group (153.45 ± 64.27 vs 21.86 ± 18.19 ml, t = 4.058, P = 0.015). The average operative time for patients in the CS + MBP group (75.35 ± 27.67 min) was almost double than that of patients in the CS‐only group (36.87 ± 15.39 min) (t = 2.455, P < 0.001). The Garden alignment index of patients treated by CS + MBP from type I to type IV was 79%, 19%, 2%, and 0%, respectively. On the contrary, they were 31%, 43%, 24% and 2% for those in the CS‐only group, respectively. The average healing times for the CS‐only and CS + MBP groups were 4.34 ± 1.46 and 3.65 ± 1.85 months (t = 1.650, P = 0.102), respectively. Femoral neck shortening was better in the CS + MBP group (1.40 ± 1.73 mm, 9/19) than that in the CS‐only group (4.33 ± 3.32 mm, 24/44). Significantly higher hip function was found in the CS + MBP group (85.60 ± 4.36 vs 82.47 ± 6.33, t = 1.899, P = 0.06). There was no statistical difference between femoral head necrosis (4% vs 11%, χ2 = 1.695, P = 0.193) and nonunion (6% vs 9%, χ2 = 0.318, P = 0.719).

Conclusion

For unstable femoral neck fractures with comminuted posteromedial cortex, additional MBP combined with bone allografts showed better reduction quality and neck length control than CS fixation only, with longer operative time and more blood loss.
Arthroscopic Intra‐Articular Repair of the Torn Subscapularis Tendon with Single Anterior Portal, Single Suture Anchor, and X‐Shaped Fixation Technique
Authors: Xiong Yi‐Lin , Liu Wei‐Jie , Su Chao , Kuang Shi‐Da , Li Yu‐Sheng , Wu Yu‐Mei , Gao Shu‐Guang
Published: April 2022

Subscapular tendon plays an important role in shoulder joint function. With the advance of magnetic resonance imaging technology and the popularization of arthroscopic shoulder surgery, subscapularis tears have been increasingly detected. However, reduction and fixation of subscapular tendon tears appears to be technically challenging. This study aims to describe an arthroscopic intra‐articular X‐shaped fixation technique: a procedure of subscapularis tendon repair performed with the aid of a suture passer using only a single anterior portal and a single suture anchor. By incorporating the advantages of a single anterior working portal for anchor placement and tear repair, this technique provides an easier way to use suture lasso and make knots in a limited working space, and the whole procedure is minimally invasive with a short learning curve. This technique has been applied in patients with subscapularis tears involving no intraoperative or postoperative complications. Our technology offers a valuable new treatment option for subscapularis tears.
R gene triplication confers European fodder turnip with improved clubroot resistance
Authors: Yang Zhiquan , Jiang Yingfen , Gong Jianfang , Li Qian , Dun Bicheng , Liu Dongxu , Yin Feifan , Yuan Lei , Zhou Xueqing , Wang Huiying , Wang Jing , Zhan Zongxiang , Shah Nadil , Nwafor Chinedu Charles , Zhou Yuanwei , Chen Peng , Zhu Li , Li Shisheng , Wang Bingrui , Xiang Jun , Zhou Yongming , Li Zaiyun , Piao Zhongyun , Yang Qingyong , Zhang Chunyu
Published: April 2022

Clubroot is one of the most important diseases for many important cruciferous vegetables and oilseed crops worldwide. Different clubroot resistance (CR) loci have been identified from only limited species in Brassica, making it difficult to compare and utilize these loci. European fodder turnip ECD04 is considered one of the most valuable resources for CR breeding. To explore the genetic and evolutionary basis of CR in ECD04, we sequenced the genome of ECD04 using de novo assembly and identified 978 candidate R genes. Subsequently, the 28 published CR loci were physically mapped to 15 loci in the ECD04 genome, including 62 candidate CR genes. Among them, two CR genes, CRA3.7.1 and CRA8.2.4, were functionally validated. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that CRA3.7.1 and CRA8.2.4 originated from a common ancestor before the whole‐genome triplication (WGT) event. In clubroot susceptible Brassica species, CR‐gene homologues were affected by transposable element (TE) insertion, resulting in the loss of CR function. It can be concluded that the current functional CR genes in Brassica rapa and non‐functional CR genes in other Brassica species were derived from a common ancestral gene before WGT. Finally, a hypothesis for CR gene evolution is proposed for further discussion.
Hippocampal calcification and its effects on cognitive function and symptoms in dementia
Authors: Takagi Shunsuke , Yamashiro Katsumi , Sugihara Genichi , Matsuura Masato , Takahashi Hidehiko
Published: April 2022

Background

Hippocampal calcification (HC), highly prevalent in older people, has not attracted attention until recently. Despite its potential effects on cognition and behaviour, and its possible impact on the diagnosis and severity of dementia, it has not been investigated. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of HC and its influence on cognition and behavioural symptoms in patients with dementia.

Methods

Data from consecutive patients who visited a medical centre for dementia, for the first time between April 2016 and September 2018, were extracted and analysed. These data included the patients' demographics, the presence of HC and hippocampal thickness as measured on computed tomography, the diagnosis of dementia and its type, cognitive function measured using the Mini‐Mental State Examination and the Clock Drawing Test, and the chief complaints or symptoms prompting the visit.

Results

A high incidence of HC (85/267 patients) was observed. There was no significant difference in the ages of patients with and without HC. Patients with HC had higher cognitive function than those without HC at their first visit. This result was contrary to our expectations as it was not explained by the chief complaints recorded at the first visit.

Conclusions

Our study showed a high prevalence of HC in older patients with dementia. Patients with HC had better cognitive function than did those without HC during their first hospital visit. This study suggests that HC may not affect the cognitive functions related to dementia. However, further research is needed to evaluate the long‐term consequences of dementia with HC.
What effect does development aid have on productivity in recipient countries?
Authors: Groß Elena , Nowak‐Lehmann Danzinger Felicitas
Published: April 2022

Development aid does not always positively impact economic growth. Instead, aid may decrease total factor productivity (TFP) and discourage the recipient country's own effort to grow. This study contributes to research on macroeconomic aid transmission channels by using panel data from 51 recipient countries over a 36‐year period and applying panel time‐series techniques. The main aim is to study the aid–productivity relation by analyzing the impact of different forms of aid (grants; loans; and bilateral, multilateral, and sector‐related aid) on productivity while accounting for institutional factors and economic policy. The analysis controls for endogeneity and autocorrelation to ensure consistent and efficient estimates. To examine possible vicious circles often attributed to aid, we run quantile regressions to determine the role of aid across productivity quantiles. We find evidence that aid reduced TFP through grants and bilateral aid from 1972 to 1999 and in all quantiles of the TFP distribution from 1972 to 2009. We also find differences in the impact of sector‐related aid, where aid is harmful in more productive countries.
Bayesian Analysis of Social Influence
Authors: Koskinen Johan , Daraganova Galina
Published: April 2022

The network influence model is a model for binary outcome variables that accounts for dependencies between outcomes for units that are relationally tied. The basic influence model was previously extended to afford a suite of new dependence assumptions and because of its relation to traditional Markov random field models it is often referred to as the auto logistic actor-attribute model (ALAAM). We extend on current approaches for fitting ALAAMs by presenting a comprehensive Bayesian inference scheme that supports testing of dependencies across subsets of data and the presence of missing data. We illustrate different aspects of the procedures through three empirical examples: masculinity attitudes in an all-male Australian school class, educational progression in Swedish schools, and unemployment among adults in a community sample in Australia.
Bayesian Context Trees: Modelling and Exact Inference for Discrete Time Series
Authors: Kontoyiannis Ioannis , Mertzanis Lambros , Panotopoulou Athina , Papageorgiou Ioannis , Skoularidou Maria
Published: April 2022

We develop a new Bayesian modelling framework for the class of higher-order, variable-memory Markov chains, and introduce an associated collection of methodological tools for exact inference with discrete time series. We show that a version of the context tree weighting alg-orithm can compute the prior predictive likelihood exa-ctly (averaged over both models and parameters), and two related algorithms are introduced, which identify the a posteriori most likely models and compute their exact posterior probabilities. All three algorithms are deterministic and have linear-time complexity. A family of variable-dimension Markov chain Monte Carlo samplers is also provided, facilitating further exploration of the posterior. The performance of the proposed methods in model selection, Markov order estimation and prediction is illustrated through simulation experiments and real-world applications with data from finance, genetics, neuroscience and animal communication. The associated algorithms are implemented in the R package BCT.
Dimensional comparisons: Much is known about the effects, less about the processes
Authors: Wolff Fabian
Published: April 2022

Dimensional comparisons are comparisons between different domains. They are well known in educational psychology. Here, they explain the seemingly paradoxical finding that students' math and verbal self‐concepts of ability usually show correlations close to zero, although students' math and verbal achievements show strong positive correlations. This finding can be explained by the fact that students overemphasize potential differences between their math and verbal achievements when they form their self‐concepts. However, dimensional comparisons also take place and affect self‐evaluations outside the educational context, and the number of studies examining dimensional comparisons in different contexts has significantly increased during the last few years. This paper provides an up‐to‐date overview of findings on dimensional comparisons. It presents findings from studies that have examined effects of dimensional comparisons (as most studies dealing with dimensional comparisons have done so far), as well as studies that have focused on an understanding of the psychological processes involved in dimensional comparison (which relatively few studies have done so far). It is hoped that this paper will help broaden awareness of dimensional comparisons and stimulate further research on this type of comparison, especially in disciplines other than educational psychology.
Mapping and Enforcement of Minimally Restrictive Manufacturability Constraints in Mechanical Design
Authors: Patterson Albert E. , Allison James T.
Published: April 2022

Traditional design-for-manufacturability (DFM) strategies focus on efficiency and design simplification and tend to be too restrictive for optimization-based design methods; recent advances in manufacturing technologies have opened up many new and exciting design options, but it is necessary to have a wide design space in order to take advantage of these benefits. A simple but effective approach for restricting the design space to designs that are guaranteed to be manufacturable is needed. However, this should leave intact as much of the design space as possible. Work has been done in this area for some specific domains, but a general method for accomplishing this has not yet been refined. This article presents an exploration of this problem and a developed framework for mapping practical manufacturing knowledge into mathematical manufacturability constraints in mechanical design problem formulations. The steps for completing this mapping and the enforcing of the constraints are discussed and demonstrated. Three case studies (a milled heat exchanger fin, a 3-D printed topologically optimized beam, and a pulley requiring a hybrid additive–subtractive process for production) were completed to demonstrate the concepts; these included problem formulation, generation and enforcement of the manufacturability constraints, and fabrication of the resulting designs with and without explicit manufacturability constraints.
MTPS Analytical Temperature and Heat Flux Solution With Thermal Contact Resistance
Authors: Emanual Michael , Brown Brandon C. , Ackermann Sarah L. G. , Bateman Robert
Published: April 2022

An exact transient analytical solution of the temperature fields and heat fluxes for the modified transient plane source (MTPS) method is presented. The MTPS sensor is made of a thin disk with a heater/sensor and a heated guard ring on its surface, providing a one-dimensional heat flow to a semi-infinite sample in contact with its surface. The MTPS sensor measures the thermal effusivity of the sample. Two different solutions are derived, one is in the form of an infinite series with no thermal resistance, and the other is in integral form and includes thermal resistance between the MTPS sensor surface and the measured sample. The theoretical model is supplemented by experimental results.
Optimization of Inert Gas Feeding Strategy in a Fixed-Bed Reactor for Efficient Water Splitting Via Solar-Driven Thermal Reduction of Nonstoichiometric CeO2
Authors: Yang Song , Wang Bo , Lund Peter D. , Wang Jun
Published: April 2022

In this study, a solar-driven reduction process of nonstoichiometric cerium oxide in a fixed bed is optimized for efficient water splitting via metal-oxide-based redox cycling. Nitrogen is used as sweeping gas to scavenge oxygen from the beds during the reduction process. A transient lumped heat transfer model is developed for the simulation of the process. Parametric analysis and genetic algorithm are used to find the optimal N2 flow rate and establish a novel N2 feeding strategy with variable flow to maximize the thermal efficiency for water splitting. An efficiency close to 13% is estimated without solid-phase heat recovery, which is more than twice that of the best present experimental systems (∼5%). The results are regarded preliminary as a thermodynamic analysis.
Heat Transfer and Pressure Drop in a Double-Pass Solar Air Heater With Arc-Shaped Artificial Roughness
Authors: Kalpana  , Varshney L. , Subudhi Sudhakar
Published: April 2022

An experimental and theoretical study has been performed to analyze the heat transfer and pressure drop performance of a double-pass solar air heater having arc-shaped roughness. The investigations are performed for the Reynolds number ranging from 3000 to 12,000, relative roughness pitch (p/e) ranging from 8 to 12, relative roughness height (e/d) of 0.0433, and the angle of attack (α/90) of 0.3333. The investigation has covered different performance parameters such as Nusselt number, friction factor, and thermal performance factor of rough and smooth double-pass solar air heater. A significant enhancement is observed in the heat transfer coefficient by the authors and the theoretical and experimental data are found in good agreement. The correlations for Nusselt number and friction factor are obtained for the range of parameters investigated. The maximum improvement in the Nusselt number for the rough double-pass solar air heater is obtained as 1.7 times that of the smooth double-pass solar air heater for Reynolds number of 11,283 with a relative roughness pitch of 8 and relative roughness height of 0.0433. The corresponding thermal performance factor of 1.4 is obtained for this case.
Numerical Investigation of Equivalence Ratio Effects on a Converted Diesel Engine Using Natural Gas
Authors: Aktas Fatih
Published: April 2022

In this study, a diesel tractor engine is numerically modeled to run entirely on natural gas by installing a natural gas fuel injector on the intake manifold and assembling a spark plug in lieu of a diesel injector. In the numerical study, the methane chemical kinetic mechanism representing natural gas, Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) k–e turbulence, and the G-equation combustion model were used. The spark-ignition time was assumed to be 719.5 crank angle degree (CAD), which was the start of the diesel injection time. Analysis was carried out at 2300 revolutions per minute (rpm), at a high compression ratio of 17.5:1, at a fixed spark-ignition time, and at eight different equivalence ratios under full load. The equivalence ratio was changed by keeping the air mass constant and reducing the mass of the fuel. The effects of the obtained equivalence ratio on engine performance, combustion characteristics, and emission values were investigated. The results revealed that natural gas could be used up to Φ = 0.60 without affecting performance, increasing emissions, or exceeding the knock limit compared with the diesel cycle. In addition, it was observed that ultralow (below 10 particulate per million (ppm)) emission values could be obtained by further reducing the equivalence ratio, providing a uniform thermal field.
Michelson interferometry with a diode laser
Authors: Aljalal Abdulaziz M.
Published: April 2022

A typical Fabry–Pérot diode laser is used to study the relationship between the laser spectrum and the interference signal obtained from a Michelson interferometer. The interference signal is measured over a range of path length differences of a few centimeters, and the laser spectrum is obtained with a spectrometer of a high resolution of 0.005 nm. Contrary to the laser datasheet, the laser is found to have several longitudinal modes even at high injection currents well above the threshold current. A simple model based on treating the laser's longitudinal modes as pure sinusoidal waves is derived and successfully used in modeling the complex and repetitive interference signal. The spectral spacing and the laser cavity length can be found from the interference signal without the need to use a spectrometer, provided that the interference signal is measured over a long enough range of path length differences.
Resource Letter MDS-1: Mobile devices and sensors for physics teaching
Authors: Monteiro Martín , Martí Arturo C.
Published: April 2022

This Resource Letter provides a guide to the literature on teaching experimental physics using sensors in tablets, smartphones, and some specialized devices. After a general discussion of hardware (sensors) and software (apps), we present resources for experiments using mobile-device sensors in many areas of physics education: mechanics, oscillations and waves, optics, electromagnetism, matter, modern physics, and astronomy.
Simultaneous negative reflection and refraction and reverse-incident right-angle collimation of sound in a solid-fluid phononic crystal
Authors: Jin Yuqi , Walker Ezekiel , Choi Tae-Youl , Neogi Arup , Krokhin Arkadii
Published: April 2022

The square lattice phononic crystal (PnC) has been used extensively to demonstrate metamaterial effects. Here, positive and negative refraction and reflection are observed simultaneously due to the presence of Umklapp scattering of sound at the surface of PnC and square-like equifrequency contours (EFCs). It is found that a shift in the EFC of the third transmission band away from the center of the Brillouin zone results in an effectively inverted EFC. The overlap of the EFC of the second and third band produce quasimomentum-matching conditions that lead to multi-refringence phenomena from a single incident beam without the introduction of defects into the lattice. Additionally, the coupling of a near-normal incident wave to a propagating almost perpendicular Bloch mode is shown to lead to strong right-angle redirection and collimation of the incident acoustic beam. Each effect is demonstrated both numerically and experimentally for scattering of ultrasound at a 10-period PnC slab in water environment.
Trade-Off Between Maximal Power Output and Fatigue Resistance of the Knee Extensors for Older Men
Authors: Akagi Ryota , Nomura Yuta , Kawashima Chiho , Ito Mari , Oba Kosuke , Tsuchiya Yuma , Power Geoffrey A. , Hirata Kosuke
Published: April 2022

This study investigated associations of fatigue resistance determined by an exercise-induced decrease in neuromuscular power with prefatigue neuromuscular strength and power of the knee extensors in 31 older men (65–88 years). A fatigue task consisted of 50 consecutive maximal effort isotonic knee extensions (resistance: 20% of prefatigue isometric maximal voluntary contraction torque) over a 70° range of motion. The average of the peak power values calculated from the 46th to 50th contractions during the fatigue task was normalized to the prefatigue peak power value, which was defined as neuromuscular fatigue resistance. Neuromuscular fatigue resistance was negatively associated with prefatigue maximal power output (r = −.530) but not with prefatigue maximal voluntary contraction torque (r = −.252). This result highlights a trade-off between prefatigue maximal power output and neuromuscular fatigue resistance, implying that an improvement in maximal power output might have a negative impact on neuromuscular fatigue resistance.
Multitask Versus Multicomponent Training on Cognitive and Motor Functions in Persons With Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Randomized Trial
Authors: Bilgin Betul Fatma , Iyigun Gozde
Published: April 2022

This study aims to compare the effects of multitask (MTT; multiple tasks performed simultaneously) and multicomponent training (MCT; various types of exercise performed sequentially) on processing speed, cognitive functions, gait speed, and balance functions in persons with mild cognitive impairment. Forty-two persons with mild cognitive impairment were randomly allocated to MTT (n = 21) or MCT (n = 21). Outcome measures included processing speed, cognitive functions (attention and executive functions), single-task gait speed, dual-task gait speed (DTGS-Arithmetic and DTGS-Verbal), and balance functions. Processing speed (except inhibition), cognitive functions, gait speed, and balance functions improved in the MTT and MCT groups following training, with no significant differences between the groups in processing speed or cognitive functions. The MCT group improved more on single-task gait speed (F = 15.097; p = .000; r = .270) and DTGS (DTGS-Arithmetic; F = 10.594; p = .002; r = .214), while the MTT group improved more on balance functions (F = 4.366; p = .043; r = .101). MTT and MCT strategies can be used to improve cognitive and physical outcomes in persons with mild cognitive impairment.
Effect of Compression Therapy in the Treatment of Tibial Stress Syndrome in Military Service Members
Authors: Peterson Matthew N. , Kocher Benjamin K. , Heileson Jeffery L. , Sanders Marion V.
Published: April 2022

Context: Tibial stress syndrome (TSS) is an overuse injury of the lower extremities. There is a high incidence rate of TSS among military recruits. Compression therapy is used to treat a wide array of musculoskeletal injuries. The purpose of this study was to investigate the use of compression therapy as a treatment for TSS in military service members. Design: A parallel randomized study design was utilized. Methods: Military members diagnosed with TSS were assigned to either a relative rest group or compression garment group. Both groups started the study with 2 weeks of lower extremity rest followed by a graduated running program during the next 6 weeks. The compression garment group additionally wore a shin splints compression wrap during the waking hours of the first 2 weeks and during activity only for the next 6 weeks. Feelings of pain, TSS symptoms, and the ability to run 2 miles pain free were assessed at baseline, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks into the study. Results: Feelings of pain and TSS symptoms decreased during the 8-week study in both groups (P < .05), but these changes were not significantly different between groups (P > .05). The proportion of participants who were able to run 2 miles pain free was significantly different (P < .05) between the 2 groups at the 8-week time point with the compression garment group having a significantly increased ability to complete the run without pain. Conclusions: Although perceptions of pain at rest were not different between groups, the functional ability of running 2 miles pain free was significantly improved in the compression garment group. These findings suggest that there is a moderate benefit to using compression therapy as an adjunct treatment for TSS, promoting a return to training for military service members.
ESCRT-mediated membrane repair protects tumor-derived cells against T cell attack
Authors: Ritter Alex T. , Shtengel Gleb , Xu C. Shan , Weigel Aubrey , Hoffman David P. , Freeman Melanie , Iyer Nirmala , Alivodej Nensi , Ackerman David , Voskoboinik Ilia , Trapani Joseph , Hess Harald F. , Mellman Ira
Published: April 2022

Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) and natural killer cells kill virus-infected and tumor cells through the polarized release of perforin and granzymes. Perforin is a pore-forming toxin that creates a lesion in the plasma membrane of the target cell through which granzymes enter the cytosol and initiate apoptosis. Endosomal sorting complexes required for transport (ESCRT) proteins are involved in the repair of small membrane wounds. We found that ESCRT proteins were precisely recruited in target cells to sites of CTL engagement immediately after perforin release. Inhibition of ESCRT machinery in cancer-derived cells enhanced their susceptibility to CTL-mediated killing. Thus, repair of perforin pores by ESCRT machinery limits granzyme entry into the cytosol, potentially enabling target cells to resist cytolytic attack.
Controlling Ni redox states by dynamic ligand exchange for electroreductive Csp3–Csp2 coupling
Authors: Hamby Taylor B. , LaLama Matthew J. , Sevov Christo S.
Published: April 2022

Cross-electrophile coupling (XEC) reactions of aryl and alkyl electrophiles are appealing but limited to specific substrate classes. Here, we report electroreductive XEC of previously incompatible electrophiles including tertiary alkyl bromides, aryl chlorides, and aryl/vinyl triflates. Reactions rely on the merger of an electrochemically active complex that selectively reacts with alkyl bromides through 1e
–
processes and an electrochemically inactive Ni
0
(phosphine) complex that selectively reacts with aryl electrophiles through 2e
–
processes. Accessing Ni
0
(phosphine) intermediates is critical to the strategy but is often challenging. We uncover a previously unknown pathway for electrochemically generating these key complexes at mild potentials through a choreographed series of ligand-exchange reactions. The mild methodology is applied to the alkylation of a range of substrates including natural products and pharmaceuticals.
Aid keeps researchers afloat in war-torn Ukraine
Authors: Stone Richard
Published: April 2022

Fledgling programs aim to sustain lives and work, and stem brain drain
Vancomycin Pharmacokinetics in a Pregnancy Rat Model
Authors: Avedissian Sean N. , Pais Gwendolyn M. , Pham Michelle , Liu Jiajun , Chang Jack , Hlukhenka Khrystyna , Prozialeck Walter , Griffin Brooke , Gulati Anil , Joshi Medha D. , Mu Ying , Scheetz Marc H.
Published: April 2022

Vancomycin usage is often unavoidable in pregnant patients; however, literature suggests vancomycin can cross the placental barrier and reach the fetus. Understanding the mass transit of vancomycin to the fetus is important in pregnancy.
Respiratory Influenza Virus Infection Causes Dynamic Tuft Cell and Innate Lymphoid Cell Changes in the Small Intestine
Authors: Roach Shanley N. , Fiege Jessica K. , Shepherd Frances K. , Wiggen Talia D. , Hunter Ryan C. , Langlois Ryan A.
Published: April 2022

Influenza A virus (IAV) is a respiratory infection in humans that can lead to a wide range of symptoms and disease severity. Respiratory infection can cause systemic inflammation and damage in the intestines.
Structures of the Type IX Secretion/Gliding Motility Motor from across the Phylum
Bacteroidetes
Authors: Hennell James Rory , Deme Justin C. , Hunter Alicia , Berks Ben C. , Lea Susan M.
Published: April 2022

Many bacteria in the
Bacteroidetes
phylum use the type IX secretion system to secrete proteins across their outer membrane. Most of these bacteria can also glide across surfaces using adhesin proteins that are propelled across the cell surface.
HIV-1 Evolutionary Dynamics under Nonsuppressive Antiretroviral Therapy
Authors: Kemp Steven A. , Charles Oscar J. , Derache Anne , Smidt Werner , Martin Darren P. , Iwuji Collins , Adamson John , Govender Katya , de Oliveira Tulio , Dabis Francois , Pillay Deenan , Goldstein Richard A. , Gupta Ravindra K.
Published: April 2022

HIV-1 infections are most commonly initiated with a single founder virus and are characterized by extensive inter- and intraparticipant genetic diversity. However, existing literature on HIV-1 intrahost population dynamics is largely limited to untreated infections, predominantly in subtype B-infected individuals.
Calmodulin Binding Activates
Chromobacterium
CopC Effector to ADP-Riboxanate Host Apoptotic Caspases
Authors: Liu Yaxin , Zeng Huan , Hou Yanjie , Li Zilin , Li Lin , Song Xiaocui , Ding Jingjin , Shao Feng , Xu Yue
Published: April 2022

Programmed cell death is a suicidal defense mechanism for eukaryotes to combat pathogen infection. In the evolutionary arms race with the host, bacteria are endowed with ingenious tactics to block host cell death to facilitate their replication.
Relationship between DNA Methylation Profiles and Active Tuberculosis Development from Latent Infection: a Pilot Study in Nested Case-Control Design
Authors: Du Ying , Gao Xu , Yan Jiaoxia , Zhang Haoran , Cao Xuefang , Feng Boxuan , He Yijun , He Yongpeng , Guo Tonglei , Xin Henan , Gao Lei
Published: April 2022

Approximately a quarter of the world population had been infected with
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
, and about 5 to 10% of these individuals might develop active disease in their lifetimes. As a critical component of the “end TB strategies,” preventive treatment was shown to protect 60 to 90% of high-risk LTBIs from developing active disease.
Exploration of the Antimicrobial Synergy between Selected Natural Substances on Streptococcus mutans to Identify Candidates for the Control of Dental Caries
Authors: Prince Alisha , Roy Soumya , McDonald David
Published: April 2022

The emergence of bacteria resistant to antimicrobial agents has led to a shortage of options when choosing effective treatment agents. Further, some antibiotics used at therapeutic doses can produce undesired side effects.
Virulence and Inoculation Route Influence the Consequences of
Mycoplasma hyorhinis
Infection in Bama Miniature Pigs
Authors: Wang Jia , Hua Lizhong , Gan Yuan , Yuan Ting , Li Long , Yu Yanfei , Xie Qingyun , Olaniran Ademola O. , Chiliza Thamsanqa E. , Shao Guoqing , Feng Zhixin , Pillay Bala , Xiong Qiyan
Published: April 2022

Mycoplasma hyorhinis
is a widespread pathogen in pig farms worldwide. The mechanisms or conditions that lead to the occurrence of disease in
M. hyorhinis
-infected pigs are still unknown. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of differences in the virulence of strain and the inoculation route on the consequences of
M. hyorhinis
infection.
Expression of the Cyanobacterial F
o
F
1
ATP Synthase Regulator AtpΘ Depends on Small DNA-Binding Proteins and Differential mRNA Stability
Authors: Song Kuo , Hagemann Martin , Georg Jens , Maaß Sandra , Becher Dörte , Hess Wolfgang R.
Published: April 2022

F
o
F
1
ATP synthases produce ATP, the universal biological energy source. Under unfavorable conditions, ATP synthases can operate in a futile reverse reaction, pumping protons while ATP is used up.
Prioritising Responses Of Nurses To deteriorating patient Observations (PRONTO): a pragmatic cluster randomised controlled trial evaluating the effectiveness of a facilitation intervention on recognition and response to clinical deterioration
Authors: Bucknall Tracey K , Considine Julie , Harvey Gillian , Graham Ian D , Rycroft-Malone Jo , Mitchell Imogen , Saultry Bridey , Watts Jennifer J , Mohebbi Mohammadreza , Bohingamu Mudiyanselage Shalika , Lotfaliany Mojtaba , Hutchinson Alison
Published: April 2022

Background

Most hospitals use physiological signs to trigger an urgent clinical review. We investigated whether facilitation could improve nurses’ vital sign measurement, interpretation, treatment and escalation of care for deteriorating patients.

Methods

In a pragmatic cluster randomised controlled trial, we randomised 36 inpatient wards at four acute hospitals to receive standard clinical practice guideline (CPG) dissemination to ward staff (n=18) or facilitated implementation for 6 months following standard dissemination (n=18). Expert, hospital and ward facilitators tailored facilitation techniques to promote nurses’ CPG adherence. Patient records were audited pre-intervention, 6 and 12 months post-intervention on randomly selected days. Escalation of care as per hospital policy was the primary outcome at 6 and 12 months after implementation. Patients, nurses and assessors were blinded to group assignment. Analysis was by intention-to-treat.

Results

From 10 383 audits, improved escalation as per hospital policy was evident in the intervention group at 6 months (OR 1.47, 95% CI (1.06 to 2.04)) with a complete set of vital sign measurements sustained at 12 months (OR 1.22, 95% CI (1.02 to 1.47)). There were no significant differences in escalation of care as per hospital policy between study groups at 6 or 12 months post-intervention. After adjusting for patient and hospital characteristics, a significant change from T0 in mean length of stay between groups at 12 months favoured the intervention group (−2.18 days, 95% CI (−3.53 to –0.82)).

Conclusion

Multi-level facilitation significantly improved escalation as per hospital policy at 6 months in the intervention group that was not sustained at 12 months. The intervention group had increased vital sign measurement by nurses, as well as shorter lengths of stay for patients at 12 months. Further research is required to understand the dose of facilitation required to impact clinical practice behaviours and patient outcomes.

Trial registration number

ACTRN12616000544471p
Using progression in adapted diabetes complications severity index score to predict erectile dysfunction in men affected by type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Hu Wei Syun , Lin Cheng Li
Published: April 2022

Objective

This study is on the use of the adapted Diabetes Complications Severity Index (aDCSI) for erectile dysfunction (ED) risk stratification in male patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM).

Methods

This is a retrospective study with records obtained from Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Research Database. Adjusted HRs (aHRs) were estimated by multivariate Cox proportional hazards models with 95% confidence intervals (CIs)..

Results

A population of 84 288 eligible male patients with type 2 DM were included. Compared with change in aDCSI score of 0.0–0.5 per year, the aHRs and the corresponding 95% CIs for other changes in aDCSI scores are summarised as follows: 1.10 (0.90 to 1.34) for change in aDCSI score of 0.5–1.0 per year; 4.44 (3.47 to 5.69) for change in aDCSI score of 1.0–2.0 per year; and 10.9 (7.47 to 15.9) for change in aDCSI score of >2.0 per year..

Conclusions

Progression in aDCSI score might be used for ED risk stratification in men affected by type 2 DM.
Exact Affine Counter Automata
Authors: Nakanishi Masaki , Khadiev Kamil , Prusis Krisjanis , Vihrovs Jevgenijs , Yakaryılmaz Abuzer
Published: April 2022

We introduce an affine generalization of counter automata, and analyze their ability as well as affine finite automata. Our contributions are as follows. We show that there is a language that can be recognized by exact realtime affine counter automata but by neither 1-way deterministic pushdown automata nor realtime deterministic [Formula: see text]-counter automata. Then, we show that exact realtime affine counter automata can recognize a family of regular languages with a few states but the states required by realtime deterministic [Formula: see text]-counter automata cannot be bounded. We also show that stateless affine increment-only counter automata can recognize some nonregular languages with one-sided bounded-error. Moreover, we show that a promise problem not solved by two-way quantum finite automata in polynomial time can be solved by Las Vegas affine finite automata. Lastly, we present an affine finite automaton algorithm using a counter cleverly to recognize a language, for which we do not know any bounded-error affine finite automata or two-way quantum finite automata recognizing it.
Quasinormal modes of the Hayward black hole surrounded by quintessence: Scalar, electromagnetic and gravitational perturbations
Authors: Pedraza Omar , López L. A. , Arceo R. , Cabrera-Munguia I.
Published: April 2022

In this paper, we study the quasinormal modes for scalar, electromagnetic, and gravitational axial perturbations in the Hayward regular black hole surrounded by quintessence (HBH-[Formula: see text]). Using the third-order WKB approximation, we can determine the dependence of the quasinormal modes on the parameters of the regular black hole and the parameters on the test fields. We also determine the greybody factor, giving transmission and reflection coefficients of the scattered wave through the effective potentials in the WKB approximation using numerical analysis.
Analysis and Design Optimization of a 2-Path Sigma Delta Modulator
Authors: Barzegar Reyhaneh , Naimi Hossein Miar
Published: April 2022

This paper presents a new design for the optimization of analog to digital sigma delta-coupling noise annotations. The proposed technique increases the level of the signal-to quantization-noise-ratio (SQNR) by improving the zero of the noise transfer function, which leads to an increase in signal to noise. In the new SQNR design, the modulator rises up to 8.5 db. The proposed structure of the first-order dual-channel sigma-delta modulator is also presented.