bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Electron transfer at electrode interfaces via a straightforward quasiclassical fermionic mapping approach
Authors: Jung Kenneth A. , Kelly Joseph , Markland Thomas E.
Published: July 2023

Electron transfer at electrode interfaces to molecules in solution or at the electrode surface plays a vital role in numerous technological processes. However, treating these processes requires a unified and accurate treatment of the fermionic states of the electrode and their coupling to the molecule being oxidized or reduced in the electrochemical processes and, in turn, the way the molecular energy levels are modulated by the bosonic nuclear modes of the molecule and solvent. Here we present a physically transparent quasiclassical scheme to treat these electrochemical electron transfer processes in the presence of molecular vibrations by using an appropriately chosen mapping of the fermionic variables. We demonstrate that this approach, which is exact in the limit of non-interacting fermions in the absence of coupling to vibrations, is able to accurately capture the electron transfer dynamics from the electrode even when the process is coupled to vibrational motions in the regimes of weak coupling. This approach, thus, provides a scalable strategy to explicitly treat electron transfer from electrode interfaces in condensed-phase molecular systems.
A unified framework for machine learning collective variables for enhanced sampling simulations: mlcolvar
Authors: Bonati Luigi , Trizio Enrico , Rizzi Andrea , Parrinello Michele
Published: July 2023

Identifying a reduced set of collective variables is critical for understanding atomistic simulations and accelerating them through enhanced sampling techniques. Recently, several methods have been proposed to learn these variables directly from atomistic data. Depending on the type of data available, the learning process can be framed as dimensionality reduction, classification of metastable states, or identification of slow modes. Here, we present mlcolvar, a Python library that simplifies the construction of these variables and their use in the context of enhanced sampling through a contributed interface to the PLUMED software. The library is organized modularly to facilitate the extension and cross-contamination of these methodologies. In this spirit, we developed a general multi-task learning framework in which multiple objective functions and data from different simulations can be combined to improve the collective variables. The library’s versatility is demonstrated through simple examples that are prototypical of realistic scenarios.
One-way propagation of topologically non-conventional bulk transverse elastic waves in infinite and finite superlattices: Application to low-loss acoustic wave devices
Authors: Deymier Pierre A. , Runge Keith
Published: July 2023

Static superlattices that do not break time-reversal symmetry can support robust topologically protected elastic waves with non-zero amplitude in the forward propagating direction but zero amplitude in the opposite direction. We form a prototypical acoustic wave device by sandwiching a finite superlattice that supports one-way propagating waves between input and detector layers. Compared to conventional elastic waves, topologically protected waves provide a significant benefit for reducing the return loss of the prototypical device. Superlattices supporting topologically protected acoustic waves provide attractive and disruptive solutions for designing the next-generation of low-loss acoustic wave devices for telecommunication or sensing.
Fabrication parameters affecting the structural color of colloidal films: A combined numerical investigation
Authors: Yato Yoshika , Tatsumi Rei , Tsuji Yoshiko
Published: July 2023

Colloidal assembly formed by drying of suspensions is expected to be applied to optical materials using their structural color resulting from the microstructure. We combine two numerical simulation techniques to investigate how the fabrication conditions of the self-assembled colloidal films affect their structural color. We first perform Langevin dynamics simulations to form colloidal films with various microstructures depending on the several fabrication parameters and then perform the finite-difference time-domain simulations of electromagnetic field analysis to calculate the structural color intensity of the obtained microstructures. To improve the structural color intensity, we show that the surface tension of the solvent should be sufficiently large so that capillary interactions exceed the interparticle adhesion by van der Waals force and furthermore that under this condition the smaller drying rate is favorable. This study suggests a guideline to design the fabrication process of colloidal films generating structural color.
Development of colorimetric probe for the selective detection of HgII
Authors: Das Koushik , Pandey Mrityunjay , Chakraborty Shampa , Sen Saumik , Halder Sandipan
Published: July 2023

A selective sensing technique for HgII ions has been developed utilizing an amino acid based probe. The design, synthesis and efficacy of the chemosensor have been described. The probe (SALTYR) was successfully synthesized from a naturally occurring amino acid after sequential functional group modifications. Recognition studies were performed against a wide variety of metal cations and anions including real water samples. All the analyses were carried out utilizing UV–vis and fluorescence techniques with micromolar concentrations of the probe in HEPES buffer. The selectivity of the probe was found to be very specific for HgII with quenching of the fluorescence in a turn-off mechanism. The detection limit of the probe SALTYR was calculated and found to be 5.9 × 10−6 M. Quantum chemical calculations demonstrated the stability of the HgII complex in the context of binding energy. Furthermore, the change of the pattern of emission spectra has been rationalized with a logic gate model.
Hybridisation rates, population structure, and dispersal of sambar deer (Cervus unicolor) and rusa deer (Cervus timorensis) in south-eastern Australia
Authors: Hill Erin , Murphy Nicholas , Li-Williams Scarlett , Davies Christopher , Forsyth David , Comte Sebastien , Rollins Lee Ann , Hogan Fiona , Wedrowicz Faye , Crittle Troy , Thomas Elaine , Woodford Luke , Pacioni Carlo
Published: July 2023

Context Introduced populations of sambar deer (Cervus unicolor) and rusa deer (Cervus timorensis) are present across south-eastern Australia and are subject to local population control to alleviate their negative impacts. For management to be effective, identification of dispersal capability and management units is necessary. These species also readily hybridise, so additional investigation of hybridisation rates across their distributions is necessary to understand the interactions between the two species. Aims Measure the hybridisation rate of sambar and rusa deer, assess broad-scale population structure present within both species and identify distinct management units for future population control, and measure the likely dispersal capability of both species. Methods In total, 198 sambar deer, 189 rusa deer, and three suspected hybrid samples were collected across Victoria and New South Wales (NSW). After sequencing and filtering, 14 099 polymorphic single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers were retained for analysis. Hybridisation rates were assessed before the data were split by species to identify population structure, diversity indices, and dispersal distances. Key results Across the entire dataset, 17 hybrids were detected. Broad-scale population structure was evident in sambar deer, but not among the sites where rusa deer were sampled. Analysis of dispersal ability showed that a majority of deer movement occurred within 20 km in both species, suggesting limited dispersal. Conclusions Distinct management units of sambar deer can be identified from the dataset, allowing independent population control. Although broad-scale population structure was not evident in the rusa deer populations, dispersal limits identified suggest that rusa deer sites sampled in this study could be managed separately. Sambar × rusa deer hybrids are present in both Victoria and NSW and can be difficult to detect on the basis of morphology alone. Implications Genetic analysis can identify broad-scale management units necessary for population control, and estimates of dispersal capability can assist in delineating management units where broad-scale population structure may not be apparent. The negative impacts associated with hybridisation require further investigation to determine whether removal of hybrids should be considered a priority management aim.
The ubiquitin-protein ligase MIEL1 localizes to peroxisomes to promote seedling oleosin degradation and lipid droplet mobilization
Authors: Traver Melissa S. , Bartel Bonnie
Published: July 2023

Lipid droplets are organelles conserved across eukaryotes that store and release neutral lipids to regulate energy homeostasis. In oilseed plants, fats stored in seed lipid droplets provide fixed carbon for seedling growth before photosynthesis begins. As fatty acids released from lipid droplet triacylglycerol are catabolized in peroxisomes, lipid droplet coat proteins are ubiquitinated, extracted, and degraded. In
Arabidopsis
seeds, the predominant lipid droplet coat protein is OLEOSIN1 (OLE1). To identify genes modulating lipid droplet dynamics, we mutagenized a line expressing mNeonGreen-tagged OLE1 expressed from the OLE1 promoter and isolated mutants with delayed oleosin degradation. From this screen, we identified four
miel1
mutant alleles. MIEL1 (MYB30-interacting E3 ligase 1) targets specific MYB transcription factors for degradation during hormone and pathogen responses [D. Marino
et al
.,
Nat. Commun.
4
, 1476 (2013); H. G. Lee and P. J. Seo,
Nat. Commun.
7
, 12525 (2016)] but had not been implicated in lipid droplet dynamics.
OLE1
transcript levels were unchanged in
miel1
mutants, indicating that MIEL1 modulates oleosin levels posttranscriptionally. When overexpressed, fluorescently tagged MIEL1 reduced oleosin levels, causing very large lipid droplets. Unexpectedly, fluorescently tagged MIEL1 localized to peroxisomes. Our data suggest that MIEL1 ubiquitinates peroxisome-proximal seed oleosins, targeting them for degradation during seedling lipid mobilization. The human MIEL1 homolog (PIRH2; p53-induced protein with a RING-H2 domain) targets p53 and other proteins for degradation and promotes tumorigenesis [A. Daks
et al
.,
Cells
11
, 1515 (2022)]. When expressed in
Arabidopsis
, human PIRH2 also localized to peroxisomes, hinting at a previously unexplored role for PIRH2 in lipid catabolism and peroxisome biology in mammals.
Grammaticalization in progress
Authors: Lee Kiri , Cho Young-mee Yu
Published: July 2023

Korean and Japanese are typical classifier languages that classify a noun based on the semantic type of its
referent with a counter word when plurality is involved. Their plural marking appears to be optional when the noun denotes general
plurality, but obligatory when a noun is marked by the semantic feature, [+specific] (Ioni, Ko
& Wexler, 2004). In this study, we characterize the so-called ‘optional’ plurality in Korean and Japanese as the
manifestation of the grammaticalization. Drawing on actual data, we demonstrate that the plural suffix is increasingly used as a
neutral plural marker. The grammaticalization is more prevalent when the nouns are higher in the Animacy Hierarchy (e.g., Comrie, 1989), although there are differences in acceptability between Korean and
Japanese. We attribute the differences to the language-specific uses of the plural suffix, namely, Japanese associative reading
and Korean event-plural reading (Song, 1997).
The syntax of reconstruction in English and Chinese
Authors: Law Paul
Published: July 2023

The paper investigates a range of facts exhibiting reconstruction effects. We consider facts concerning anaphor
binding, variable binding, quantifier scope and binding condition C in A-bar-movement structures (questions, relative clauses and
topicalization) as well as VP fronting in English and Chinese. Our findings provide strong support to the copy theory of movement
and identify some areas that need further refinement.
A call for improved collaboration between faculties of language and translation education
Authors: Nam Won Jun , Chesnut Michael
Published: July 2023

Translator education and language education have remained relatively disconnected and isolated despite the great
value they potentially bring one another, even within academic departments which bring both areas of teaching within their scope.
This action-research study examines an attempt by a translation instructor (TI) and an English language instructor (ELI) to ‘team
teach’ translation, exploring how team teaching creates new opportunities for students’ overall development as translators and
language learners. Working within an understanding of Gile’s sequential model of translation (2009) the TI and ELI adopted separate pedagogical roles, for the most part, based upon their areas of expertise.
However, these roles overlapped in ‘acceptability tests’ and when ‘translator’s creativity’ was called for, and these practices
suggest the greater potential of team teaching to elevate the learning and development of students, creating opportunities for
students to more deeply examine issues of translation and language. Nurturing the creativity of students may be an especially
productive area in which translation education and language education can be productively intertwined. This study is an example of
team teaching within translation classes and, ideally, will contribute to further explorations of how these practices can be
effectively implemented and examined.
Disseminating risk communication
Authors: Ogiermann Eva , Bella Spyridoula
Published: July 2023

This paper investigates advice offered on closure signs displayed on businesses in Greece and the UK during the first lockdown of the Covid-19 pandemic. By scrutinising signs photographed in London and in Athens, as well as speeches delivered by the British and Greek prime ministers at the time of the closures, our analysis shows how business owners pass on government instructions to their customers. The study thus makes an original contribution to research on the effectiveness of risk communication, revealing that while businesses in both countries supported the implementation of containment measures, the Greek signs replicated governmental messages more closely. At the same time, the analysis of advice offered by business owners to their customers in an unprecedented context of a global health crisis provides new insights into research on this speech act.
MAMMALNET – Citizen Science Data Collection from a One Health Perspective
Authors: Smith Graham , Roy David , Stephens Philip , Casaer Jim , Jansen Patrick , Blanco-Aguiar Jose Antonio
Published: July 2023

The ambition of One Health (OH) is to focus on people, animals and the ecosystem equally (Tripartite and UNEP support OHHLEP’s definition of “One Health” (who.int)). This requires adequate data on wildlife. MAMMALNET is a European consortium set up to collect wildlife occurrence data, with the specific aim of improving our understanding and prediction of disease spread.

MAMMALMET encourages citizens and professionals to report mammal sightings on an ad hoc basis (iMammalia app) or through surveys using remote camera traps (MammalWeb or Agouti). This combines data from different sources, increases our understanding of mammal distribution and aids in monitoring the spread of invasive species. MAMMALNET participants can see their records and maintain a list of species sightings. These data are vital to our understanding of the ecosystem and how this may change over time, providing background data for monitoring species.

These data complement and contribute to reinforcing wildlife health reports, such as recording dead wild boar in outbreak areas of African Swine Fever. Such records are followed up for disease sampling to monitor the spread of disease. The data can also be used to predict the distribution and abundance of wild species, provide the denominator data for disease reports and predict the potential for disease spread and control. MAMMALNET is committed to open science since OH requires not only an interdisciplinary approach but practical collaboration and sharing of standardized data.

These outputs can help predict the potential spread and control of zoonotic diseases, such as rabies, with benefits for human health.

Information

© The Authors 2023
One Health in Turkana County, Kenya: Applications and Lessons Learned
Authors: Griffith Evan F. , Kipkemoi Job Ronoh , Nakadio Erenius Lochede , Smith Lindsay J. , Amuguni Janetrix Hellen
Published: July 2023

Pastoralists contribute to social, environmental, and economic well-being in the drylands of Northern Kenya. Pastoralism is also their way of life and how they manage their livelihoods. However, the marginalization of these communities, including the lack of basic infrastructure and services, compounded by the increasing threat of infectious disease and climate change, has led to the loss of livelihoods and poor health. One Health service delivery can improve pastoralists’ health and livelihoods. This case examines the development of the One Health policy in Turkana County, Kenya. The Turkana One Health Strategy (TOHS) is undergoing final approval. We discuss the contributions of the One Health Strategic Plan for the Prevention and Control of Zoonotic Diseases in Kenya, the One Health framework for integrated service delivery, and the Kimormor outreach model to this plan. We also describe recent One Health activities in Turkana and identify the benefits and limitations of each. One Health service delivery improved access to human health, animal health, and administrative services in rural, hard-to-reach areas in Turkana. Empowering communities to lead and take ownership of One Health activities is critical for implementation. One Health service delivery has some limitations, such as being resource and time intensive and being a relatively new concept in healthcare. Turkana County provides a valuable example of how One Health policy turns into practice through multilevel coordination structures, the support of public and private partners, and transdisciplinary research. It can act as a model for implementing One Health activities in Northern Kenya and other countries.

Information

© The Authors 2023
Control of high-harmonic generation from periodic asymmetric lattices
Authors: Shao Tian-Jiao , Zhang Qiu-Lan , Song Ya-Dong , Zou Huan-Qing
Published: July 2023

Periodic asymmetric lattices, viewed from one side to the other, have different spatial potential energies. This difference affects the electronic structure of valence electrons. Our work shows that pronounced even harmonic signals are observed from periodic asymmetric lattices driven by a multi-cycle pulse field. The phases of the odd and even harmonics driven by parallel and anti-parallel laser polarization directions are compared and show different dependences on laser polarization direction. Moreover, it is found that each burst in the synthesized attosecond pulse trains in a periodic asymmetric lattice shows the same carrier-envelope phase. We also show that the even-order harmonic efficiency in periodic asymmetric lattices can be enhanced (reduced) by using a multi-cycle driving laser in the presence of a weak terahertz pulse field.
Rolling bearing variable condition fault diagnosis method based on manifold embedding adaptive graph label propagation
Authors: Zhao Shubiao , Wang Guangbin , Chen Weiqiu , Zhong Zhixian , Zeng Dong , Li Can , Chen Jinhua
Published: July 2023

Domain adaptation has shown good performance in fault diagnosis of bearing transferable working conditions. However, most of the existing cross-domain diagnosis models are carried out in linear space, which are subject to strong linear constraints and ignore the manifold correlation information between samples, which greatly limits the learning ability of the diagnosis model. Therefore, we propose a manifold embedding adaptive graph label propagation fault diagnosis method for rolling bearings under variable working conditions. The purpose is to reduce the cross-condition domain offset and mine the neglected nonlinear manifold information in the linear space to improve the adaptive ability of the diagnosis model. First, a similarity graph is constructed on the source domain of the known fault type and the target domain of the unknown information, and the cross-domain propagation of the label information is performed on the graph. Then, in this process, the clustering domain adaptation is performed simultaneously, the accuracy of label propagation is improved by reducing the cross-domain offset, and the graph is updated according to the new sample distribution. Finally, according to the known graph and target domain labels, the regression residuals of linear labels are introduced to relax the strong linear constraints in the original space, so that the linear label space approximates the manifold label space and obtains more accurate fault identification results. Experiments show that the new method, as an unsupervised domain adaptive method in transfer learning, has better fault recognition ability than similar transfer learning methods on Paderborn university datasets and own test rig datasets, and the convergence performance of the algorithm is excellent. The highest fault recognition accuracy can reach 100%.
On-shaft ball bearings monitoring by using an inertial measurement unit (IMU) under stationary conditions
Authors: Chiementin Xavier , Leroux Solen , Chevallier Eddy
Published: July 2023

Vibrational analysis is one of the usual methods to monitor rotational machines that uses sensors fixed on the frame. Although effective, this method can be expansive and uneasy to use particularly at slow speeds (<60 rpm). This paper offers to evaluate the capabilities of a 6-axes low-cost inertial measurement unit which is positioned on the shaft to detect and diagnose bearing defects. This study is based on experimental data allowing to (i) choose the most relevant axis for better defect detection, (ii) to compare statistical indexes using usual vibratory analysis for a speed range from 5 to 400 rpm and for five defect severities, (iii) to compute the defect severity from a shocks local study.
Study on the microscopic wear mechanism of nanoparticles sliding stainless steel
Authors: Sun Jingting , Yuan Zewei , Zheng Peng , Tang Meiling , Wang Ying , Sun Xiaohan , He Yan
Published: July 2023

In order to reveal the nanoscale friction behavior and wear mechanism of 304 stainless steel during nano particles sliding, this study investigated the effects of sliding velocity and depth on the surface morphology, temperature, mechanical forces, coefficient of friction and sub-surface damage (SSD) of stainless steel by employing molecular dynamics simulations. The results demonstrate that the atoms symmetrically stack on both sides of the sliding grooves during the sliding process. Sliding friction, friction coefficient, defective atoms, phase changing degree and the length of dislocation line increases as the indentation depth of the abrasives, while sliding velocity had little impact on them. Temperature in sliding area and the squeezing effect distinctly increases with the indentation depth the abrasives, which leads more serious damage on the surface of workpiece. The damage layer with a sliding depth of 20 Å can reach about 57.2 Å at a sliding velocity of 100 m s−1, and it has a maximum value of 41.1 Å at a sliding distance of 50 Å. However, increasing sliding velocity can decline the surface SSD layer, which was at a sliding depth of 20 Å. The microscopic atoms evolution presented in the study uncovers the nano-sliding wear mechanism of stainless steel.
Review: using rolled-up tubes for strain-tuning the optical properties of quantum emitters
Authors: Gomes Gabriel , Gomes Marcos L F , Covre da Silva Saimon F , Garcia Ailton , Rastelli Armando , Couto Odilon D D , Malachias Angelo , Deneke Christoph
Published: July 2023

Rolled-up tubes based on released III–V heterostructures have been extensively studied and established as optical resonators in the last two decades. In this review, we discuss how light emitters (quantum wells and quantum dots) are influenced by the inherently asymmetric strain state of these tubes. Therefore, we briefly review whispering gallery mode resonators built from rolled-up III–V heterostructures. The curvature and its influence over the diameter of the rolled-up micro- and nanotubes are discussed, with emphasis on the different possible strain states that can be produced. Experimental techniques that access structural parameters are essential to obtain a complete and correct image of the strain state for the emitters inside the tube wall. In order to unambiguously extract such strain state, we discuss x-ray diffraction results in these systems, providing a much clearer scenario compared to a sole tube diameter analysis, which provides only a first indication of the lattice relaxation in a given tube. Further, the influence of the overall strain lattice state on the band structure is examined via numerical calculations. Finally, experimental results for the wavelength shift of emissions due to the tube strain state are presented and compared with theoretical calculations available in literature, showing that the possibility to use rolled-up tubes to permanently strain engineer the optical properties of build-in emitters is a consistent method to induce the appearance of electronic states unachievable by direct growth methods.
Validation of GBS plasma turbulence simulation of the TJ-K stellarator
Authors: Coelho A J , Loizu J , Ricci P , Ramisch M , Köhn-Seemann A , Birkenmeier G , Rahbarnia K
Published: July 2023

We present a validation of a three-dimensional, two-fluid simulation of plasma turbulence in the TJ-K stellarator, a low temperature plasma experiment ideally suited for turbulence measurements. The simulation is carried out by the GBS code, recently adapted to simulate 3D magnetic fields. The comparison shows that GBS retrieves the main turbulence properties observed in the device, namely the fact that transport is dominated by fluctuations with low poloidal mode number. The poloidal dependence of the radial E × B turbulent flux is compared on a poloidal plane with elliptical flux surfaces, where a very good agreement between experiment and simulation is observed, and on another with triangular flux surfaces, which shows a poorer comparison. The fluctuation levels in both cases are underestimated in the simulations. The equilibrium density profile is well retrieved by the simulation, while the electron temperature and the electrostatic potential profiles, which are very sensitive to the strength and localization of the sources, do not agree well with the experimental measurements.
Facial naevus count in the identification of patients at higher risk of melanoma
Authors: Giuffrida Roberta , Zanin Poletto Gustavo , Guarneri Fabrizio , Conforti Claudio , Guarneri Claudio , Hofmann-Wellenhof Rainer , Zalaudek Iris
Published: July 2023

A high total body naevus count (TBNC) is a major risk factor for melanoma. The aim of our study was to investigate the correlation between the number of facial naevi and TBNC, and how the patient variables could influence this association. Our findings suggest that facial naevus count is a fast, easy and economical tool to identify individuals with a high TBNC and may be useful as screening method for physicians in all medical fields.
Low mortality rate after emergency laparotomy in Australia is a reflection of its national surgical mortality audit influencing futile surgery
Authors: Pule Lettie M , Kopunic Helena , Aitken R James
Published: July 2023

Background

Australia’s unique national surgical mortality audit has had a long-term focus on the avoidance of futile surgery. The 30-day mortality rate after emergency laparotomy in Australia is lower than in other countries. Early death (within 72 h) after emergency laparotomy may reflect futile surgery. This paper considers whether Australia’s national mortality audit is the reason for its lower mortality rate after emergency laparotomy.

Methods

Data were extracted from the Australia and New Zealand Emergency Laparotomy Audit—Quality Improvement (ANZELA-QI) from 2018 to 2022. The time elapsed from emergency laparotomy to death was determined for each patient. The cumulative daily mortality rate was calculated for the first 30 days and expressed as a proportion of all emergency laparotomies, and 30-day and in-hospital mortality. Mortality data were compared with those in the only three similar overseas studies. The mortality rate after emergency laparotomy for patients who required but did not undergo surgery was calculated for each hospital. The proportion of patients with high-risk characteristics was compared with that in the National Emergency Laparotomy Audit (NELA).

Results

Compared with overseas studies, there was a lower early (within 72 h) mortality rate in ANZELA-QI. Although the lower mortality rate in ANZELA-QI persisted to 30 days, there was a relative increase after 14 days that likely reflected known poor compliance with care standards. Australian patients had fewer high-risk characteristics than those in NELA.

Conclusion

The present findings support the hypothesis that the lower mortality rate after emergency laparotomy in Australia is likely a consequence of its national mortality audit and the avoidance of futile surgery.
The pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis: a series of unfortunate events
Authors: van Noort Johannes M , Baker David , Kipp Markus , Amor Sandra
Published: July 2023

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is characterized by the chronic inflammatory destruction of myelinated axons in the central nervous system. Several ideas have been put forward to clarify the roles of the peripheral immune system and neurodegenerative events in such destruction. Yet, none of the resulting models appears to be consistent with all the experimental evidence. They also do not answer the question of why MS is exclusively seen in humans, how Epstein-Barr virus contributes to its development but does not immediately trigger it, and why optic neuritis is such a frequent early manifestation in MS.

Here we describe a scenario for the development of MS that unifies existing experimental evidence as well as answers the above questions. We propose that all manifestations of MS are caused by a series of unfortunate events that usually unfold over a longer period of time after a primary EBV infection and involve periodic weakening of the blood–brain barrier, antibody-mediated CNS disturbances, accumulation of the oligodendrocyte stress protein αB-crystallin and self-sustaining inflammatory damage.
The Belsey Mark IV procedure in the era of minimally invasive antireflux surgery
Authors: Ovaere Sander , Depypere Lieven , Van Veer Hans , Moons Johnny , Nafteux Philippe , Coosemans Willy
Published: July 2023

Background

Different surgical techniques exist in the treatment of giant and complex hiatal hernia. The aim of this study was to identify the role of the Belsey Mark IV (BMIV) antireflux procedure in the era of minimally invasive techniques.

Methods

A single-center, retrospective cohort study was conducted. All patients who underwent an elective BMIV procedure aged 18 years or older, during a 15-year period (January 1, 2002 until December 31, 2016), were included. Demographics, pre-, per- and postoperative data were analyzed. Three groups were compared. Group A: BMIV as first procedure—group B: BMIV as a second procedure (first redo intervention)—group C: patients who had two or more previous antireflux interventions.

Results

A total of 216 patients were included for analysis (group A n = 127; group B n = 51; group C n = 38). Median follow-up in groups A, B and C was 28, 48 and 56 months, respectively. Patients in group A were older and had a higher American Society of Anesthesiologists score compared to groups B and C. There was zero mortality in all groups. The severe complication rate of 7.9% in group A was higher compared with the 2.9% in group B and 3.9% in group C. Long-term outcome showed true recurrence, defined as both radiographic recurrence as well as associated symptoms, in 9.5% of cases in group A, 24.5% in group B and 44.7% in group C.

Conclusions

The BMIV procedure is a safe procedure with good results, moreover in the aging and comorbid patient with primary repair of a giant hiatal hernia.
Bio-precipitation of arsenic and antimony in a sulfate-reducing bioreactor treating real acid mine drainage water
Authors: Laroche Elia , Joulian Catherine , Duee Cédric , Casiot Corinne , Héry Marina , Battaglia-Brunet Fabienne
Published: July 2023

Arsenic (As) and antimony (Sb) from mining sites can seep into aquatic ecosystems by acid mine drainage (AMD). Here, the possibility of concomitantly removing As and Sb from acidic waters by precipitation of sulfides induced by sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) was investigated in a fixed-bed column bioreactor. The real AMD water used to feed the bioreactor contained nearly 1 mM As, while the Sb concentrations were increased (0.008 ± 0.006 to 1.01 ± 0.07 mM) to obtain an Sb/As molar ratio = 1. Results showed that the addition of Sb did not affect the efficiency of As bio-precipitation. Sb was removed efficiently (up to 97.9% removal) between the inlet and outlet of the bioreactor, together with As (up to 99.3% removal) in all conditions. Sb was generally removed as it entered the bioreactor. Appreciable sulfate reduction occurred in the bioreactor, which could have been linked to the stable presence of a major SRB operational taxonomic unit affiliated with the Desulfosporosinus genus. The bacterial community included polymer degraders, fermenters, and acetate degraders. Results suggested that sulfate reduction could be a suitable bioremediation process for the simultaneous removal of Sb and As from AMD.
Cell-free transcription-translation system: a dual read-out assay to characterize riboswitch function
Authors: Bains Jasleen Kaur , Qureshi Nusrat Shahin , Ceylan Betül , Wacker Anna , Schwalbe Harald
Published: July 2023

Cell-free protein synthesis assays have become a valuable tool to understand transcriptional and translational processes. Here, we established a fluorescence-based coupled in vitro transcription-translation assay as a read-out system to simultaneously quantify mRNA and protein levels. We utilized the well-established quantification of the expression of shifted green fluorescent protein (sGFP) as a read-out of protein levels. In addition, we determined mRNA quantities using a fluorogenic Mango-(IV) RNA aptamer that becomes fluorescent upon binding to the fluorophore thiazole orange (TO). We utilized a Mango-(IV) RNA aptamer system comprising four subsequent Mango-(IV) RNA aptamer elements with improved sensitivity by building Mango arrays. The design of this reporter assay resulted in a sensitive read-out with a high signal-to-noise ratio, allowing us to monitor transcription and translation time courses in cell-free assays with continuous monitoring of fluorescence changes as well as snapshots of the reaction. Furthermore, we applied this dual read-out assay to investigate the function of thiamine-sensing riboswitches thiM and thiC from Escherichia coli and the adenine-sensing riboswitch ASW from Vibrio vulnificus and pbuE from Bacillus subtilis, which represent transcriptional and translational on- and off-riboswitches, respectively. This approach enabled a microplate-based application, a valuable addition to the toolbox for high-throughput screening of riboswitch function.
Changes in Tobacco Dependence and Association With Onset and Progression of Use by Product Type From Waves 1 to 3 of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study
Authors: Strong David R , Pierce John P , White Martha , Stone Matthew D , Abrams David B , Glasser Allison M , Wackowski Olivia A , Cummings K Michael , Hyland Andrew , Taylor Kristie , Edwards Kathryn C , Silveira Marushka L , Kimmel Heather L , Compton Wilson M , Hull Lynn C , Niaura Raymond
Published: July 2023

Introduction

This study examined trajectories of tobacco dependence (TD) in relationship to changes in tobacco product use, and explored the effects of product-specific adding, switching, or discontinued use on dependence over time.

Aims and Methods

Data were analyzed from the first three waves from the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study, a nationally representative, longitudinal study of adults and youth in the United States. Data included 9556 wave 1 (2013–2014) adult current established tobacco users aged 18 or older who completed all three interviews and had established use at ≥2 assessments. Mutually exclusive groups included: users of cigarettes only, e-cigarettes only, cigars only, hookah only, any smokeless only, cigarette + e-cigarette dual users, and other multiple product users. A validated 16-item scale assessed TD across product users.

Results

People who used e-cigarettes exclusively at wave 1 had small increases in TD through wave 3. Wave 1 multiple product users’ TD decreased across waves. TD for all other wave 1 user groups remained about the same. For wave 1 cigarette only smokers, switching to another product was associated with lower levels of TD than smokers whose use stayed the same. Movement to no established use of any tobacco product was consistently associated with lower TD for all product users.

Conclusions

Except for wave 1 e-cigarette only users (who experienced small increases in TD), TD among U.S. tobacco product users was stable over time, with daily users less likely to vary from baseline.

Implications

The level of TD among most U.S. tobacco users was stable over the first three waves of the PATH Study and trends in levels of TD were predominantly unrelated to changes in patterns of continued product use. Stable levels of TD suggest a population at persistent risk of health impacts from tobacco. Wave 1 e-cigarette users experienced small increases in levels of TD over time, perhaps due to increases in quantity or frequency of their e-cigarette use or increasing efficiency of nicotine delivery over time.
Recent advances in the genetics of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
Authors: Spagnolo Paolo , Lee Joyce S
Published: July 2023

Purpose of review

Genetics contributes substantially to the susceptibility to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Genetic studies in sporadic and familial disease have identified several IPF-associated variants, mainly in telomere-related and surfactant protein genes.

Here, we review the most recent literature on genetics of IPF and discuss how it may contribute to disease pathogenesis.

Recent findings

Recent studies implicate genes involved in telomere maintenance, host defence, cell growth, mammalian target of rapamycin signalling, cell–cell adhesion, regulation of TGF-β signalling and spindle assembly as biological processes involved in the pathogenesis of IPF. Both common and rare genetic variants contribute to the overall risk of IPF; however, while common variants (i.e. polymorphisms) account for most of the heritability of sporadic disease, rare variants (i.e. mutations), mainly in telomere-related genes, are the main contributors to the heritability of familial disease. Genetic factors are likely to also influence disease behaviour and prognosis. Finally, recent data suggest that IPF shares genetic associations – and probably some pathogenetic mechanisms – with other fibrotic lung diseases.

Common and rare genetic variants are associated with susceptibility and prognosis of IPF. However, many of the reported variants fall in noncoding regions of the genome and their relevance to disease pathobiology remains to be elucidated.
Obesity and thyroid cancer risk
Authors: Burrage Lauren C. , McLeod Donald S.A. , Jordan Susan J.
Published: July 2023

Purpose of review

This review explores recent evidence assessing the relationship between obesity and thyroid cancer.

Recent findings

Consistent evidence from observational studies suggests that obesity increases the risk of thyroid cancer. The relationship persists when alternative measures of adiposity are used, but the strength of association may vary according to the timing and duration of obesity and how obesity or other metabolic parameters are defined as exposures. Recent studies have reported an association between obesity and thyroid cancers that are larger or have adverse clinicopathologic features, including those with BRAF mutations, thus providing evidence that the association is relevant for clinically significant thyroid cancers. The underlying mechanism for the association remains uncertain but may be driven by disruption in adipokines and growth-signaling pathways.

Obesity is associated with an increased risk of thyroid cancer, although further research is required to understand the biological mechanisms underpinning this relationship. Reducing the prevalence of obesity is predicted to lessen the future burden of thyroid cancer. However, the presence of obesity does not impact current recommendations for screening or management of thyroid cancer.
A Single Preservation Solution for Static Cold Storage and Hypothermic Oxygenated Perfusion of Marginal Liver Grafts: A Preclinical Study
Authors: Muller Xavier , Rossignol Guillaume , Couillerot Joris , Breton Antoine , Hervieu Valérie , Lesurtel Mickaël , Mohkam Kayvan , Mabrut Jean-Yves
Published: July 2023

Background.

Hypothermic oxygenated perfusion (HOPE) improves outcomes of marginal liver grafts. However, to date, no preservation solution exists for both static cold storage (SCS) and HOPE.

Methods.

After 30 min of asystolic warm ischemia, porcine livers underwent 6 h of SCS followed by 2 h of HOPE. Liver grafts were either preserved with a single preservation solution (IGL2) designed for SCS and HOPE (IGL2-Machine Perfusion Solution [MPS] group, n = 6) or with the gold-standard University of Wisconsin designed for for SCS and Belzer MPS designed for HOPE (MPS group, n = 5). All liver grafts underwent warm reperfusion with whole autologous blood for 2 h, and surrogate markers of hepatic ischemia–reperfusion injury (IRI) were assessed in the hepatocyte, cholangiocyte, vascular, and immunological compartments.

Results.

After 2 h of warm reperfusion, livers in the IGL2-MPS group showed no significant differences in transaminase release (aspartate aminotransferase: 65.58 versus 104.9 UI/L/100 g liver; P = 0.178), lactate clearance, and histological IRI compared with livers in the MPS group. There were no significant differences in biliary acid composition, bile production, and histological biliary IRI. Mitochondrial and endothelial damage was also not significantly different and resulted in similar hepatic inflammasome activation.

Conclusions.

This preclinical study shows that a novel IGL2 allows for the safe preservation of marginal liver grafts with SCS and HOPE. Hepatic IRI was comparable with the current gold standard of combining 2 different preservation solutions (University of Wisconsin + Belzer MPS). These data pave the way for a phase I first-in-human study and it is a first step toward tailored preservation solutions for machine perfusion of liver grafts.
Request for an Opinion on the standing and retention of Firmicutes as a phylum name
Authors: Pallen Mark J.
Published: July 2023

Oren and Garrity recently published 42 new prokaryotic phylum names, including

Bacillota

, which they describe as a synonym of the effectively published name

Firmacutes

and its orthographic correction

Firmicutes

. However, the name

Firmacutes

was listed as a division in the Approved Lists of Bacterial Names, which suggests that it should be treated as having been validly published. Recent emendations to rules require that a named phylum now requires a named type genus and a phylum name is formed by the addition of the suffix -ota to the stem of the name of the designated type genus. However, there are strong practical arguments for retaining the name

Firmicutes

, notwithstanding the uncertainty over whether the name already has standing. This matter is referred to the Judicial Commission, asking for an opinion on the standing and retention of the name

Firmicutes

.
Ideonella oryzae sp. nov., isolated from soil, and Spirosoma liriopis sp. nov., isolated from fruits of Liriope platyphylla
Authors: Jung Yonghee , Chhetri Geeta , Kim Inhyup , So Yoonseop , Park Sunho , Seo Taegun
Published: July 2023

Gram-negative, aerobic, motile by means of two or more polar or subpolar flagella, rod-shaped strain NS12-5T and Gram-negative, facultatively anaerobic, yellow-coloured, rod-shaped strain RP8T were isolated from rice rhizosphere soil and fermented fruits of Liriope platyphylla in the Republic of Korea, respectively. The result of phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain NS12-5T was most closely related to Ideonella aquatica 4Y11T with 99.79 % sequence similarity. The average nucleotide identity (ANI) and digital DNA–DNA hybridization (dDDH) values between strain NS12-5T and species of the genus

Ideonella

were 75.6–91.7 % and 20.3–43.9 %, respectively. Growth occurred at 15–40 °C and pH 5–11, and NaCl was not needed for growth. The major fatty acids of strain NS12-5T were summed feature 3 (comprising C16 : 1 ω7c and/or C16 : 1 ω6c) and C16 : 0, and the major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and diphosphatidylglycerol. The DNA G+C content of strain NS12-5T was 69.03 mol%. The result of phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain RP8T was most closely related to Spirosoma aureum BT328T with 96.01 % sequence similarity. The ANI and dDDH values between strain RP8T and reference strains of the genus

Spirosoma

were 72.9–76.4 % and 18.6–20.0 %, respectively. Growth occurred at 15–37 °C and pH 5–11, and NaCl was not needed for growth. The major fatty acids of strain RP8T were summed feature 3 (comprising C16 : 1 ω7c and/or C16 : 1 ω6c), C16 : 1 ω5c and iso-C15 : 0. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and diphosphatidylglycerol. The DNA G+C contents of strain RP8T were 54.9 mol%. Based on phenotypic, genomic and phylogenetic results, strains NS12-5T and RP8T represent novel species in the genus

Ideonella

and

Spirosoma

, respectively, and the names Ideonella oryzae sp. nov. and Spirosoma liriopis sp. nov. are proposed. The type strain of I. oryzae sp. nov. is NS12-5T (=KACC 22691T=TBRC 16346T) and the type strain of S. liriopis is RP8T (=KACC 22688T=TBRC 16345T).