bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ion energy distribution and non-linear ion dynamics in BP-HiPIMS and ACBP-HiPIMS discharge
Authors: Han Mingyue , Luo Yang , Li Liuhe , Li Hua , Xu Ye , Luo Sida
Published: January 2022

Investigating the ion dynamics in the emerging bipolar pulse high power impulse magnetron sputtering (BP-HiPIMS) discharge is necessary and important for broadening its industrial applications. Recently, an optimized plasma source operating the BP-HiPIMS with an auxiliary anode and a solenoidal coil is proposed to enhance the plasma flux and energy, named as ACBP-HiPIMS (‘A’-anode, ‘C’-coil). In the present work, the temporal evolutions of the ion velocity distribution functions (IVDF) in BP-HiPIMS and ACBP-HiPIMS discharges are measured using a retarding field energy analyser (RFEA). For the BP-HiPIMS discharge, operated at various positive pulse voltages U
+, the temporal evolutions of IVDFs illustrate that there are two high-energy peaks, E
1 and E
2, which are both lower than the applied U
+. The ratio of the mean ion energy E
i,mean to the applied U
+ is around 0.55–0.6 at various U
+. In ACBP-HiPIMS discharge, the IVDF evolution shows three distinguishable stages which has the similar evolution trend with the floating potential V
f on the RFEA frontplate: (i) the stable stage with two high-energy peaks (E
2 and E
3 with energy respectively lower and higher than the applied U
+ amplitude) when the floating potential V
f is close to the applied positive pulse voltage; (ii) the transition stage with low-energy populations when the V
f drops by ∼20 V within ∼10 μs; and (iii) the oscillation stage with alternating E
2 and E
3 populations and ever-present E
1 population when the V
f slightly decreases until to the end of positive pulse. The comparison of IVDFs in BP-HiPIMS and ACBP-HiPIMS suggests that both the mean ion energy and high-energy ion flux have been effectively improved in ACBP-HiPIMS discharge. The formation of floating potential drop is explored using the Langmuir probe which may be attributed to the establishment of anode double layer structure. The acceleration of ion at the double layer boundary is analysed using a theoretical model, in this way to clarify the oscillation in IVDF evolutions in ACBP-HiPIMS discharge.
Atom manufacturing of photocatalyst towards solar CO2 reduction
Authors: Wang Zhonghao , Shi Rui , Lu Siyu , Zhang Kan , Zhang Tierui
Published: January 2022

Photocatalytic CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) is believed to be a promising remedy to simultaneously lessen CO2 emission and obtain high value-added products, but suffers from the thwarted activity of photocatalyst and poor selectivity of product. Over the past decade, aided by the significant advances in nanotechnology, the atom manufacturing of photocatalyst, including vacancies, dopants, single-atom catalysts, strains, have emerged as efficient approaches to precisely mediate the reaction intermediates and processes, which push forward in the rapid development of highly efficient and selective photocatalytic CO2RR. In this review, we summarize the recent developments in highly efficient and/or selective photocatalysts toward CO2RR with the special focus on various atom manufacturing. The mechanisms of these atom manufacturing from active sites creation, light absorbability, and electronic structure modulation are comprehensively and scientifically discussed. In addition, we attempt to establish the structure–activity relationship between active sites and photocatalytic CO2RR capability by integrating theoretical simulations and experimental results, which will be helpful for insights into mechanism pathways of CO2RR over defective photocatalysts. Finally, the remaining challenges and prospects in this field to improve the photocatalytic CO2RR performances are proposed, which can shed some light on designing more potential photocatalysts through atomic regulations toward CO2 conversion.
3D intra-cellular wave dynamics in a phononic plate with ultra-wide bandgap: attenuation, resonance and mode conversion
Authors: Hedayatrasa Saeid , Kersemans Mathias
Published: January 2022

The intra-cellular wave dynamics of a water jetted phononic plate are experimentally investigated by means of high-resolution three-dimensional (3D) scanning laser Doppler vibrometry. The study is focused on the vibrational behavior around the ultra-wide bandgap of the plate (with a relative bandgap width of 0.89), as the critical frequency range of its phononic functionality. Broadband vibrational excitations are applied using a piezoelectric transducer and both in-plane and out-of-plane operational deflection shapes of the unit-cells are analyzed with respect to mode shapes calculated by finite element (FE) simulation. Attenuation and resonance of both symmetric and antisymmetric wave modes are validated, and it is shown that despite the absence of in-plane wave energy actuation, the symmetric modes are effectively excited in the phononic lattice, due to mode conversion from co-existing antisymmetric modes. Supported by FE modal analysis, this mode conversion observation is explained by the slight through-the-thickness asymmetry introduced during manufacturing of the phononic plate which leads to coupling of modes with different symmetry. The results confirm the potential of such detailed 3D inspection of phononic crystals (and in general acoustic metamaterials) in gaining full insight about their intracellular dynamics, which can also illuminate discrepancies with respect to idealized numerical models that might be due to manufacturing imperfections.
Electromagneto-mechanical model of high temperature superconductor insert magnets in ultra high magnetic fields
Authors: Trillaud Frederic , Berrospe-Juarez Edgar , Zermeño Víctor M R , Grilli Francesco
Published: January 2022

Second-generation high-temperature superconducting (2G HTS) tapes are considered to be the main candidates for the development of future ultra-high DC magnetic field magnets. In such applications, the usability of the HTS magnets can be strongly impaired by large screening currents developed in the flat strip of the tapes. These currents lead to the generation of a screening current-induced field (SCIF) that can deteriorate the performance by affecting the stability and the homogeneity of the magnetic field. Besides the SCIF, there is also the likely mechanical degradation of the tapes under the action of large Lorentz forces. The mechanical degradation and the presence of large screening currents intertwine to affect the reliable operation of 2G HTS magnets. To study the combined issues, an electromagneto-mechanical model based on tensile mechanical characterization of short samples was built to simulate the coupled electromagnetic and mechanical behaviors of insert magnets made of 2G HTS tapes under very high magnetic field. The coupling is carried out by considering the dependence of the n index and the critical current density

J

c

on the local relative deformation in addition to the magnetic flux density. The case study is the Little Big Coil (LBC, version 3) which broke the world record of the strongest continuous magnetic field achieved to this date. An analysis of the electromagneto-mechanical behavior of the LBC is conducted on the basis of information extracted from the literature to show that the proposed model can assess the current magnitude at which the insert magnet quenched. Additionally, it is shown that the model can also provide some insights on the impact of the mechanical degradation of the tape on the SCIF hysteresis loop. The studies are conducted on the original LBC and on versions that include additional modifications such as harnessing and co-winding with rigid metallic tapes. These modifications are employed to limit the mechanical degradation of the HTS insert magnet under ultra-high magnetic field. They are expected to deliver an extra safety margin to 2G HTS insert magnets.
Efficiency increasing of the bidirectional teleportation protocol via weak and reversal measurements
Authors: Seida C , El Allati A , Metwally N , Hassouni Y
Published: January 2022

In this suggested version of the bidirectional teleportation protocol, it is assumed that the used quantum channel passes through an amplitude damping channel. Therefore, some of its quantum correlations (entanglement) are lost and, consequently, its efficiency to implement this protocol decreases. The weak and the reversal measurements are used to recover the losses of these correlations, where the negativity, as a measure of entanglement is improved. In this context, we discussed the effect of the noisy strength on the fidelities of the bidirectional teleported states between the users. It is shown that, by applying the weak and the reversal measurements (WRM) on the initial quantum channel between the users, the fidelities of the teleported states are improved. Moreover, we showed that, the upper bounds of the teleported states depend on the initial states of the triggers and the strengths of WRM. It is worth noting that the WRM improves the quantum correlations of the shared channel and, hence, the fidelity of the teleported state if the initial fidelity of the teleported state is larger than 0.5.
Charge radii of potassium isotopes in the RMF (BCS)* approach *
Authors: An Rong , Zhang Shi-Sheng , Geng Li-Sheng , Zhang Feng-Shou
Published: January 2022

We apply the recently proposed RMF (BCS)* ansatz to study the charge radii of the potassium isotopic chain up to 52K. It is shown that the experimental data can be reproduced rather well, qualitatively similar to the Fayans nuclear density functional theory, but with a slightly better description of the odd–even staggerings (OES). Nonetheless, both methods fail for 50K and to a lesser extent for 48,52K. It is shown that if these nuclei are deformed with a

, then one can obtain results consistent with experiments for both charge radii and spin-parities. We argue that beyond-mean-field studies are needed to properly describe the charge radii of these three nuclei, particularly for 50K.
Strength-frequency curve for micromagnetic neurostimulation through excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) on rat hippocampal neurons and numerical modeling of magnetic microcoil (μcoil)
Authors: Saha Renata , Faramarzi Sadegh , Bloom Robert P , Benally Onri J , Wu Kai , di Girolamo Arturo , Tonini Denis , Keirstead Susan A , Low Walter C , Netoff Theoden I , Wang Jian-Ping
Published: January 2022

Objective. The objective of this study was to measure the effect of micromagnetic stimulation (μMS) on hippocampal neurons, by using single microcoil (μcoil) prototype, magnetic pen (MagPen). MagPen will be used to stimulate the CA3 region magnetically and excitatory post synaptic potential (EPSP) response measurements will be made from the CA1 region. The threshold for micromagnetic neurostimulation as a function of stimulation frequency of the current driving the µcoil will be demonstrated. Finally, the optimal stimulation frequency of the current driving the μcoil to minimize power will be estimated. Approach. A biocompatible, watertight, non-corrosive prototype, MagPen was built, and customized such that it is easy to adjust the orientation of the μcoil and its distance over the hippocampal tissue in an in vitro recording setting. Finite element modeling of the μcoil design was performed to estimate the spatial profiles of the magnetic flux density (in T) and the induced electric fields (in V m−1). The induced electric field profiles generated at different values of current applied to the µcoil can elicit a neuronal response, which was validated by numerical modeling. The modeling settings for the μcoil were replicated in experiments on rat hippocampal neurons. Main results. The preferred orientation of MagPen over the Schaffer Collateral fibers was demonstrated such that they elicit a neuron response. The recorded EPSPs from CA1 region due to μMS at CA3 region were validated by applying tetrodotoxin (TTX). Application of TTX to the hippocampal slice blocked the EPSPs from μMS while after prolonged TTX washout, a partial recovery of the EPSP from μMS was observed. Finally, it was interpreted through numerical analysis that increasing frequency of the current driving the μcoil, led to a decrease in the current amplitude threshold for micromagnetic neurostimulation. Significance. This work reports that micromagnetic neurostimulation can be used to evoke population EPSP responses in the CA1 region of the hippocampus. It demonstrates the strength-frequency curve for µMS and its unique features related to orientation dependence of the µcoils, spatial selectivity and stimulation threshold related to distance dependence. Finally, the challenges related to µMS experiments were studied including ways to overcome them.
The working process of the device for combined massage of the udder of heifers
Authors: Zimnyakov V M , Kurochkin A A , Frolov D I , Kukharev O N
Published: January 2022

The article discusses the concept of a unified approach to the development of pneumomechanical massage devices and milking machines. The practical implementation of this approach is considered. An improved pneumomechanical massage device is proposed. The main function is assigned to reduced pressure (vacuum) when performing technological operations of udder massage. The mechanical component of the device fulfils auxiliary function. The presence of an independent element in the suggested structural scheme of the device for the combined massage of heifers’ udders is substantiated. The change of pressure is fulfilled by a principle of counter-phase in a massage bell. This technical solution allows to increase efficiency of unloading cycle and to provide full restoration of blood circulation in the udder of an animal. The analysis of working process of the massage devices is carried out. An analysis of pressure changes in massage devices was made, a diagram of pressure changes in a massage bell and in a massage element of the device is drawn. The proposed design will eliminate the disadvantages of the device for pneumatic massage of the udder of heifers. The device allows regulation of pneumatic massage parameters for massage bell and massage element in limits of 20-25 and 40-48 kPa respectively.
Theoretical justification of the optimal parameters of the copying crop lifter of the combine harvester header
Authors: Kukhmazov K Z , Yashin A V , Petrova E V
Published: January 2022

The article describes the efficient copying crop lifter of a combine header, which allows to significantly reduce grain losses during harvesting lodged crops. The article deals with mounting, adjustment of the proposed copying crop lifter and a method of experimental research to substantiate the optimal design and operating parameters of this device. The results of field experiment based on the method of a multifactorial experiment proved that the smallest grain losses are provided at the combine speed υ = 1.5 … 1.9 m/s, the thickness of the retainer plate h = 2.8 … 3.1 mm and the length base of the copying crop lifter l = 405 … 450 mm.
The main directions for ensuring the environmental component of the region’s economic security
Authors: Stolyarova O A , Shatova A V , Reshetkina Yu V , Ulanova O I , Sologub N N
Published: January 2022

In modern conditions the issue of ensuring the economic security of the region and the country as a whole is relevant, as the political, economic and socio-cultural development of the Russian Federation, its stability, independence and ability to constantly renew itself depend on it. The well-being and prosperity of the country and its subjects depend on the applied management tools and methods. In order to ensure the economic security of the Russian Federation, it is necessary to provide its constituent entities with the opportunity to manage labour, financial, natural, material and other resources at the regional level. The timely management of these resources will make it possible to form a set of economic, technical, legal and environmental measures that contribute to the development of the region. The article considers the last element, connected with providing the ecological component of the region’s economic security. Environmental security is one of the main components of economic security as it reflects the state of the environment and expenditures related to it, namely expenditures of air protection, wastewater collection and purification, land protection and reclamation, etc. One of the main priority directions of the sustainable development strategy of the country is rational use of natural resources and environmental protection, creation of a healthy environment for people, conditions for their cultural, moral and spiritual improvement. Ecologization of the economy should include the system of measures aimed to coordinate the actions of industrial and economic activity in the existing natural-resource conditions which will provide the economic security of the region. The article proposes the directions for providing the ecological component of the region’s economic security.
Single disc coulter with gauge wheel for pneumatic seed drill
Authors: Shumaev V V , Ovtov V A , Kalabushev A N , Papchev M A
Published: January 2022

The production of competitive, ecological agricultural products by agricultural producers in modern conditions is impossible without the modern equipment that provides a combination of technological operations in sowing and fertilizing. As a result of an analytical review of modern coulter designs used in modern seed devices for sowing, planting seeds of grain crops and granules of mineral fertilizers during their application, it was found that the most efficient single disc coulters with press wheels used as gauge-wheels, which ensure high-quality grain crops sowing. The design of the coulter with a gauge wheel of the pneumatic seeder has been developed and its design parameters have been determined. The conducted laboratory field tests of a pneumatic seeder equipped with experimental coulters with a gauge wheel made it possible to determine its optimal design parameters: coulter disc diameter 0.4 m, diameter and width of the copying wheel - 0.27 m and 0.04 m, taking into account the standard deviation of the distribution of seeds at the depth of planting.
Biodiversity of melliferous plants of the Surkhandarya region and assessment of their use
Authors: Atamuratova N T , Mukhamatzanova R , Latypova E A , Nevitov M N
Published: January 2022

A detailed study of the species composition, nectar productivity and honey productivity of the wild-growing melliferous flora of the Surkhandarya region of Uzbekistan has been carried out. It was found that the majority of melliferous species grow in the adyr zone - 231 species and in mountainous areas - 280 species. The melliferous plants of the studied region are secondary melliferous plants, thus providing additional takings and contributing to the development of bee colonies. New melliferous plant species with a high sugar content in nectar (from 1.4 to 243 mg in 100 flowers) have been identified. Species of the genus Onosma were found to be highly nectariferous. The average amount of nectar secreted by 100 flowers of plants of this genus ranges from 100 to 243 mg.
Agroecological potential of winter soft wheat varieties for Middle Volga region conditions
Authors: Gryazeva V I , Kasynkina M , Kudin S M , Sigov N I
Published: January 2022

Ecological plasticity and stability in productivity of seven varieties of winter soft wheat were studied in 2020-2021. As a result of the study it was found that on average for 2 years the most productive varieties were Grom, Surava and Biryuza with yields of 60.5, 48.5 and 46.5 dt/ha, respectively. Moisture and protein content in all the varieties studied were within the optimum limits. The environment index showed that growing conditions were worse in 2021 (Ij = -12.8) than in 2020 (Ij = 12.9). The varieties Grom, Biryuza and Krastal were the most plastic (bi - 1.3; 1.53; 1.41, respectively). These varieties should be cultivated according to intensive technology. The yields of these varieties on improved growing conditions are high. The value of the linear regression coefficient for the variety Povolzhskaya Niva is practically zero (bi = 0.01). This variety does not respond to changes in growing conditions. In varieties Skipetr, Doneko and Surava the linear regression coefficient approached 1. These varieties respond to improved growing conditions. The calculation of the ecological plasticity index showed that the varieties Grom, Surava and Biryuza are also ecologically plastic. The Povolzhskaya Niva and Doneco varieties were found to be the most stable. Their standard deviation (σd2) was 0.004. In the other varieties it was between 0.01 and 0.8. The most unstable variety was Krastal. The standard deviation (σd2) was 1.1.
Meat performance and metabolism of broiler ducklings on diets with different protein levels
Authors: Pogosyan D G , Tyurdenev R N , Varlamova E N , Zueva E A
Published: January 2022

When feeding broiler ducklings of the Agidel 343 breed, the most optimal raw protein level in the pre-start (0-10 days old), start (11-21 days old) mixed fodder of the first phase of fattening can be considered 22 and 21% and the second phase 21% (22-49 days old). It was found that at the end of fattening with increasing the protein level in mixed fodder of the second phase from 17 to 19 and 21%: increase in live weight of young ducklings by 4.5-8.8%; decrease in feed expenses per 1 kg of live weight gain of ducklings by 4.4-9.5%; increase in preservation of young animals by 5.3%; stimulation of protein and carbohydrate exchange in ducklings body by increasing total protein content in blood serum by 3.1-9.2% and glucose by 5.5-8.5%; improvement in nitrogen exchange by increasing total nitrogen absorbed in body by 6.8-18.7%; increasing slaughter yield from 68 to 68.5-69.8%, increasing muscle yield from 46.7 to 47.5-49.1% and edible body parts from 55.7 to 56.2-58.0%; increasing European fattening efficiency from 233 to 277 and 300 units and increasing economic efficiency by increasing the profitability of duck meat production from 29.2 to 39.1-41.4%.
Agroeconomic efficiency of chemical ameliorants new forms for potato cultivation
Authors: Akanova N I , Kozlova A V , Fedotova L S
Published: January 2022

Applying granulated AgroMag to the soil in doses of 100-200 kg/ha annually and foliar treatment with AgroMag AktiMax during the growing season in combination with NPK-fertilizers with a predominance of potassium (N:P:K = 1:1-1.3:1.3-1.5) provides a significant increase in potato yields, a decrease in tuber morbidity common scab, improving the quality of products and increasing the fertility of acidic sod-podzolic soils.
Development of a biscuit semi-finished diabetic purpose recipe
Authors: Marinina E A , Volkova E M , Levchuk O A , Sadigova M K , Galiullin A A
Published: January 2022

The current research deals with the possibility of using flour from the efficient variety of light grain rye in the recipe for a biscuit semi-finished product, which makes it possible to obtain products with good consumer properties, and replacing sugar with powder from sugar beet roots and the introduction of corn starch makes it possible to recommend it for diabetic nutrition. In prototypes, a mixture of light grain rye and corn starch flour in various ratios of 90:10 and 50:50. Flour from light grain rye has good foaming properties, reduces the sugar content of products to 38%, therefore, the calorie content increases the nutritional value of products.
Problems of state regulation of peasant (farmer) households
Authors: Chuvorkina T N , Kadykova O F , Alenin P G , Porfiriev D N
Published: January 2022

The current legislation regulating the activities of peasant (farmer) households in the Russian Federation is contradictory. Analysis of legal sources on the problem under study allowed to identify the shortcomings of the legislation associated with the duality of the legal status of peasant (farmer) households. The analyzed system of legal support for peasant (farmer) households activities on the federal level. As a result of the analysis of state legal acts, regulating relations associated with the activities of peasant (farmer) households identified the main areas of improvement legal framework for this sphere of legislation.
Russian agritourism: ways of development and generating income
Authors: Mironkina A Yu , Kharitonov S S , Podkovyrov I Yu , Zueva V Yu , Streltsova V A
Published: January 2022

The subject of the research is agrarian tourism. The object of the current research is the farms of Russia. Methods of systemic and comparative analysis were used. As a result of scientific research, the following result was obtained. The preconditions for the development of agritourism in Western Europe are considered. Experience analyzed development of agricultural tourism in the regions of Russia: Kaliningrad region, Krasnodar Territory, Altai Republic, Altai Territory, Leningrad region, Kaluga region, Yaroslavl region. Agritourism considered as a way to generate income. The main advantages of Russian agritourism include: low competition, low threshold for entering the market, minimal risks, the ability to expand business, growing demand, the ability to engage in agribusiness in any region of Russia. The analysis showed that the experience of European countries and some regions of Russia indicates that the transition of farmers from the traditional area of agricultural production to a new area of tourist services occurs in a difficult economic period and, accordingly, the period of a pandemic is a powerful impetus for the active development of Russian agritourism.
Comparative biochemical analysis of biotech cotton variety Porloq-4
Authors: Mamatkulova Sh Kh , Kamburova V S , Latypova E A , Mamatkulova G F , Boryaev G.I.
Published: January 2022

Currently, the number of biotech plant varieties used in agriculture is increasing, which raises its efficiency. However, according to international requirements related to the development and application of biotechnology in science and production, the safety of the release of biotechnological varieties is considered. One of the key parameters for assessing the safety of genetically modified varieties is the assessment of significant equivalence, i.e. comparative biochemical assessment of genetically modified organisms (GMO). In this regard, the article provides information about the comparative assessment of key biochemical parameters for the Porloq-4 cotton variety, created by RNA interference of the phytochrome A1 gene. The research results have shown that the biotech cotton variety Porloq-4 is an equivalent analogue in terms of essential characteristics.
Photoinduced dynamic tailoring of near-field coupled terahertz metasurfaces and its effect on Coulomb parameters
Authors: Kumar Deepak , Gupta Manoj , Srivastava Yogesh Kumar , Devi Koijam Monika , Kumar Ranjan , Roy Chowdhury Dibakar
Published: January 2022

In modern-day photonic integrated circuits, near-field Coulomb interaction plays an important role in device performance. In fact, harvesting the Coulomb effect intelligently can immensely help to realize advanced photonic devices on micro and nano length scales. In this context, electrically coupled terahertz metasurfaces are investigated for weak and strong near-field coupling regimes under the influence of variable photoexcitation. Our study demonstrates active tuning of metasurface resonances at relatively low pump powers (up to 10 mW (pump fluence of 12.7µJ cm−2) and 20 mW (pump fluence of 25.4µJ cm−2) for strong and weak near-field coupling regimes, respectively). We attribute photoinduced modifications of substrate electronic properties along with modifications of near-field interactions to be responsible for the resonance modulations. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the Coulomb effect parameter can be dynamically tunable with variable pump power. Our study reveals that the change in Coulomb parameter is more pronounced for the weak near-field coupling regime (more than six times enhancement in Coulomb parameter) in comparison to the strong near-field coupling regime. In addition, the optical switching of the fundamental resonance is validated utilizing numerically simulated patterns of surface current and electric field. We envisage that such active modulation of Coulomb effects in near-field coupled metasurfaces can lead to the realization of dynamically tunable terahertz metaphotonic devices.
Moderators of the Effects of mySmartSkin, a Web-Based Intervention to Promote Skin Self-examination and Sun Protection Among Individuals Diagnosed With Melanoma
Authors: Manne Sharon , Heckman Carolyn J , Kashy Deborah , Ritterband Lee , Thorndike Frances , Lozada Carolina , Coups Elliot J
Published: January 2022

Background

Identifying the characteristics of persons who benefit more from behavioral interventions can help health care providers decide which individuals should be offered particular interventions because this is the subgroup of persons who are more likely to derive greater benefit from the intervention and refine the underlying constructs of the model guiding the intervention.

Purpose

This study evaluated possible demographic, medical, knowledge and attitudinal, and psychosocial variables that may moderate the impact of an online intervention, called mySmartSkin (MSS), on engagement in skin self-examination (SSE) and sun protection behaviors among melanoma survivors.

Methods

Participants completed a baseline survey and were then randomized to the MSS condition or usual care. Follow-up surveys were completed by participants at 8-, 24-, and 48-week postrandomization.

Results

A greater impact of MSS on SSE was illustrated among participants with more phenotypic skin cancer risk factors and participants reporting lower baseline self-efficacy in conducting SSE. A more favorable response of MSS on sun protection behaviors was shown when initial knowledge about abnormal lesions and sun protection barriers were high. Greater use of MSS and more favorable evaluations of it were also associated with higher intervention response.

Conclusions

Future studies seeking to improve SSE and sun protection among melanoma survivors might benefit from focusing on survivors who report more skin cancer risk factors, lower self-efficacy in conducting SSE, less knowledge about what abnormal skin lesions look like, more perceived barriers to sun protection behaviors, and less worry about recurrence and cancer-related distress.
7 steps to SPAN the gap
Authors: Endicott James
Published: January 2022

With a government eager to boost the UK's standing in global space research, a few key changes could significantly increase academia's influence in the space sector
Molecular barcoding reveals unexpected diversity in eastern North American stitchworts (Caryophyllaceae)
Authors: Schilling Edward E , Floden Aaron J , Weakley Alan S , Winder Charles , Small Randall L
Published: January 2022

Generic delimitation in Caryophyllaceae has been challenging and has been informed most recently by use of molecular phylogenetic data. In this study, analysis of 29 samples from the small segregate Mononeuria using nuclear ITS and plastid rps16 data revealed it to be polyphyletic. The type species, (M. patula) and two other species (M. muscorum and M. paludicola) were shown to belong to the Sabulina clade. The remaining species formed a clade that also included the previously monotypic Geocarpon and was sister to a heterogeneous group that included the Hawaiian Schiedea and three other monotypic genera, Honckenya, Wilhelmsia and Triplateia. Although several nomenclatural options are available, we propose to place the species from this clade into a single genus, Geocarpon, which basically follows the most recent treatment after exclusion of Sabulina spp., but with the necessary new genus placements. New combinations are proposed: Sabulina muscorum; Sabulina paludicola; Geocarpon carolinianum; Geocarpon cumberlandensis; Geocarpon glabrum; Geocarpon groendlandicum; Geocarpon nuttallii and Geocarpon uniflorum. Analysis of the sequence data revealed remarkable variability among populations of Sabulina patula (formerly Mononeuria patula), Sabulina paludicola (formerly Mononeuria paludicola) and Geocarpon groenlandicum (formerly Mononeuria groenlandica), suggesting that cryptic species may be present. The data also suggested that broader sampling of Sabulina and Geocarpon could lead to increased understanding of the timing and origins of occupation of calcareous glades and rock outcrop habitats in eastern North America.
Targeting immunometabolism in host-directed therapies to fungal disease
Authors: Gonçalves Samuel M , Ferreira Anaísa V , Cunha Cristina , Carvalho Agostinho
Published: January 2022

Fungal infections affect over a billion people and are responsible for more than 1.5 million deaths each year. Despite progress in diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, the management of severe fungal infections remains a challenge. Recently, the reprogramming of cellular metabolism has emerged as a central mechanism through which the effector functions of immune cells are supported to promote antifungal activity. An improved understanding of the immunometabolic signatures that orchestrate antifungal immunity, together with the dissection of the mechanisms that underlie heterogeneity in individual immune responses, may therefore unveil new targets amenable to adjunctive host-directed therapies. In this review, we highlight recent advances in the metabolic regulation of host–fungus interactions and antifungal immune responses, and outline targetable pathways and mechanisms with promising therapeutic potential.
Relevant factors of leg strength at hospital discharge in patients hospitalized due to acute decompensated heart failure: multi-institutional prospective observational study
Authors: Nemoto Shinji , Kasahara Yusuke , Izawa Kazuhiro P , Watanabe Satoshi , Yoshizawa Kazuya , Takeichi Naoya , Akao Keigo , Watanabe Sato , Mizukoshi Kei , Suzuki Norio , Ashikaga Kohei , Kida Keisuke , Osada Naohiko , Akashi Yoshihiro J
Published: January 2022

Background

Lower leg strength at hospital discharge is strongly associated with poor prognosis in older patients with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF). Improving leg strength is important in acute-phase cardiac rehabilitation (CR).

Aims

This study aimed to clarify whether a change in leg strength occurs during hospitalization of older ADHF patients receiving CR and whether it affects leg strength at discharge.

Methods and results

We enrolled 247 ADHF patients who underwent CR during hospitalization. They were divided into the non-older patient group (<75 years; n = 142) and older patient group (≥75 years; n = 105). Quadriceps isometric strength (QIS), body mass-corrected QIS (%BM QIS), and change in QIS during hospitalization (QIS ratio) were evaluated in all patients. Physical function in the stable phase was measured by the Performance Measure for Activities of Daily Living-8 (PMADL-8). The QIS value increased during hospitalization in the non-older patient group (30.0 ± 11.1 vs. 31.6 ± 10.9 kgf, P < 0.001) but did not increase in the older patient group (19.1 ± 6.3 vs. 19.5 ± 6.1 kgf, P = 0.275). Multiple regression analysis revealed that PMADL-8 significantly predicted %BM QIS at discharge in the non-older patient group (β = −0.254, P = 0.004), whereas in the older patient group, QIS ratio and PMADL-8 significantly predicted %BM QIS at discharge (β = 0.264, P = 0.008 for QIS ratio and β = −0.307, P = 0.003 for PMADL-8).

Conclusions

Leg strength was not improved in older ADHF patients during hospitalization even if they received CR, and this affected leg strength at discharge, suggesting that careful skeletal muscle intervention should be provided during hospitalization, and patients need to continue exercise after discharge.
Free-Living Gait Cadence Measured by Wearable Accelerometer: A Promising Alternative to Traditional Measures of Mobility for Assessing Fall Risk
Authors: Urbanek Jacek K , Roth David L , Karas Marta , Wanigatunga Amal A , Mitchell Christine M , Juraschek Stephen P , Cai Yurun , Appel Lawrence J , Schrack Jennifer A
Published: January 2022

Background

Wearable devices have become widespread in research applications, yet evidence on whether they are superior to structured clinic-based assessments is sparse. In this manuscript, we compare traditional, laboratory-based metrics of mobility with a novel accelerometry-based measure of free-living gait cadence for predicting fall rates.

Methods

Using negative binomial regression, we compared traditional in-clinic measures of mobility (6-minute gait cadence, speed, and distance, and 4-m gait speed) with free-living gait cadence from wearable accelerometers in predicting fall rates. Accelerometry data were collected with wrist-worn Actigraphs (GT9X) over 7 days in 432 community-dwelling older adults (aged 77.29 ± 5.46 years, 59.1% men, 80.2% White) participating in the Study to Understand Fall Reduction and Vitamin D in You. Falls were ascertained using monthly calendars, quarterly contacts, and ad hoc telephone reports. Accelerometry-based free-living gait cadence was estimated with the Adaptive Empirical Pattern Transformation algorithm.

Results

Across all participants, free-living cadence was significantly related to fall rates; every 10 steps per minute higher cadence was associated with a 13.2% lower fall rate (p = .036). Clinic-based measures of mobility were not related to falls (p > .05). Among higher-functioning participants (cadence ≥100 steps/minute), every 10 steps per minute higher free-living cadence was associated with a 27.7% lower fall rate (p = .01). In participants with slow baseline gait (gait speed <0.8 m/s), all metrics were significantly associated with fall rates.

Conclusion

Data collected from biosensors in the free-living environment may provide a more sensitive indicator of fall risk than in-clinic tests, especially among higher-functioning older adults who may be more responsive to intervention.

Clinical Trial Registration

NCT02166333
Galactinol synthase 1 improves cucumber performance under cold stress by enhancing assimilate translocation
Authors: Dai Haibo , Zhu Zihui , Wang Zhenguang , Zhang Zhiping , Kong Weiwen , Miao Minmin
Published: January 2022

Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) predominantly translocates raffinose family oligosaccharides (RFOs) in the phloem and accumulates RFOs in leaves. Galactinol synthase (GolS) catalyzes the critical step of RFO biosynthesis, and determining the functional diversity of multiple GolS isoforms in cucumber is of scientific significance. In this study, we found that all four isoforms of CsGolS in the cucumber genome were upregulated by different abiotic stresses. β-Glucuronidase staining and tissue separation experiments suggested that CsGolS1 is expressed in vascular tissues, whereas the other three CsGolSs are located in mesophyll cells. Further investigation indicates that CsGolS1 plays double roles in both assimilate loading and stress response in minor veins, which could increase the RFO concentration in the phloem sap and then improve assimilate transport under adverse conditions. Cold-induced minor vein-specific overexpression of CsGolS1 enhanced the assimilate translocation efficiency and accelerated the growth rates of sink leaves, fruits, and whole plants under cold stress. Finally, our results demonstrate a previously unknown response to adverse environments and provide a potential biotechnological strategy to improve the stress resistance of cucumber.
Targeted creation of new mutants with compact plant architecture using CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing by an optimized genetic transformation procedure in cucurbit plants
Authors: Xin Tongxu , Tian Haojie , Ma Yalin , Wang Shenhao , Yang Li , Li Xutong , Zhang Mengzhuo , Chen Chen , Wang Huaisong , Li Haizhen , Xu Jieting , Huang Sanwen , Yang Xueyong
Published: January 2022

Fruits and vegetables in the Cucurbitaceae family, such as cucumber, melon, watermelon, and squash, contribute greatly to the human diet. The widespread use of genome editing technologies has greatly accelerated gene functional characterization and crop improvement. However, most economically important cucurbit plants, including melon and squash, remain recalcitrant to standard Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation, limiting the effective use of genome editing technology. In this study, we used an “optimal infiltration intensity” strategy to establish an efficient genetic transformation system for melon and squash. We harnessed the power of this method to target homologs of the ERECTA family of receptor kinase genes and created alleles that resulted in a compact plant architecture with shorter internodes in melon, squash, and cucumber. The optimized transformation method presented here enables stable CRISPR/Cas9-mediated mutagenesis and provides a solid foundation for functional gene manipulation in cucurbit crops.
Population-Based Newborn Screening for Germline TP53 Variants: Clinical Benefits, Cost-Effectiveness, and Value of Further Research
Authors: Kunst Natalia , Stout Natasha K , O’Brien Grace , Christensen Kurt D , McMahon Pamela M , Wu Ann Chen , Diller Lisa R , Yeh Jennifer M
Published: January 2022

Background

Identification of children and infants with Li-Fraumeni syndrome prompts tumor surveillance and allows potential early cancer detection. We assessed the clinical benefits and cost-effectiveness of population-wide newborn screening for TP53 variants (TP53-NBS).

Methods

We simulated the impact of TP53-NBS using data regarding TP53-associated pediatric cancers and pathogenic or likely pathogenic (P/LP) TP53 variants from Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results; ClinVar and gnomAD; and clinical studies. We simulated an annual US birth cohort under usual care and TP53-NBS and estimated clinical benefits, life-years, and costs associated with usual care and TP53-NBS.

Results

Under usual care, of 4 million newborns, 608 (uncertainty interval [UI] = 581-636) individuals would develop TP53-associated cancers before age 20 years. Under TP53-NBS, 894 individuals would have P/LP TP53 variants detected. These individuals would undergo routine surveillance after detection of P/LP TP53 variants decreasing the number of cancer-related deaths by 7.2% (UI = 4.0%-12.1%) overall via early malignancy detection. Compared with usual care, TP53-NBS had an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $106 009 per life-year gained. Probabilistic analysis estimated a 40% probability that TP53-NBS would be cost-effective given a $100 000 per life-year gained willingness-to-pay threshold. Using this threshold, a value of information analysis found that additional research on the prevalence of TP53 variants among rhabdomyosarcoma cases would resolve most of the decision uncertainty, resulting in an expected benefit of 349 life-years gained (or $36.6 million).

Conclusions

We found that TP53-NBS could be cost-effective; however, our findings suggest that further research is needed to reduce the uncertainty in the potential health outcomes and costs associated with TP53-NBS.
Relative abundance constraints from high-resolution optical transmission spectroscopy of WASP-121b, and a fast model-filtering technique for accelerating retrievals
Authors: Gibson Neale P , Nugroho Stevanus K , Lothringer Joshua , Maguire Cathal , Sing David K
Published: January 2022

High-resolution Doppler-resolved spectroscopy has presented new opportunities for studying the atmospheres of exoplanets. While the ‘classical’ cross-correlation approach has proven to be efficient at finding atmospheric species, it is unable to perform direct atmospheric retrievals. Recent work has shown that retrievals are possible using a direct likelihood evaluation or likelihood ‘mappings’. The unique aspect of high-resolution retrievals is that the data-processing methods required to remove the stellar and telluric lines also distort the underlying exoplanet’s signal and therefore the forward model must be pre-processed to match this filtering. This was the key remaining limitation in our previously published framework. This paper directly addresses this by introducing a simple and fast model-filtering technique that can replicate the processing performed by algorithms such as SysRem and PCA. This enables retrievals to be performed without having to perform expensive injection and pre-processing steps for every model. We show that we can reliably constrain quantitative measures of the atmosphere from transmission spectra including the temperature–pressure profile, relative abundances, planetary velocities, and rotational broadening parameters. Finally, we demonstrate our framework using UVES transmission spectroscopy of WASP-121b. We constrain the temperature–pressure profile and relative abundances of Fe, Cr, and V to be log10(χFe/χCr) = 1.66 ± 0.28, log10(χFe/χV) = 3.78 ± 0.29, and log10(χFe/χMg) = −1.26 ± 0.60. The relative abundances are consistent with solar values, with the exception of Fe/Mg, where the large Mg abundance is probably explained by the escaping atmosphere of WASP-121b that is not accounted for in our atmospheric model.
Neutrino emission from fast radio burst-emitting magnetars
Authors: Qu Yuanhong , Zhang Bing
Published: January 2022

The detection of a bright radio burst (hereafter FRB 200428) in association with a hard X-ray burst from the Galactic magnetar SGR 1935+2154 suggests that magnetars can make fast radio bursts (FRBs). We study possible neutrino emission from FRB-emitting magnetars by developing a general theoretical framework. We consider three different sites for proton acceleration and neutrino emission i.e. within the magnetosphere, in the current sheet region beyond the light cylinder, and in relativistic shocks far away from the magnetosphere. Different cooling processes for protons and pions are considered to calculate the neutrino-emission suppression factor within each scenario. We find that the flux of the neutrino emission decreases with increasing radius from the magnetar due to the decrease of the target photon number density. We calculate the neutrino flux from FRB 200428 and its associated X-ray burst. The flux of the most optimistic case invoking magnetospheric proton acceleration is still ∼4 orders of magnitude below the IceCube sensitivity. We also estimate the diffuse neutrino background from all FRB-emitting magnetars in the universe. The total neutrino flux of magnetars during their FRB-emission phases is a negligible fraction of observed diffuse emission even under the most optimistic magnetospheric scenario for neutrino emission. However, if one assumes that many more X-ray bursts without FRB associations can also produce neutrinos with similar mechanisms, magnetars can contribute up to 10−8 GeV s−1 sr−1 cm−2 diffuse neutrino-background flux in the GeV to multi-TeV range.