bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ultrasensitive optical thermometer based on abnormal thermal quenching Stark transitions operating beyond 1500 nm
Authors: Xiang Guotao , Yang Menglin , Xia Qing , Jiang Sha , Wang Yongjie , Zhou Xianju , Li Li , Ma Li , Wang Xiaojun , Zhang Jiahua
Published: June 2021

Light with wavelength longer than 1500 nm has great potential to afford deep bio‐tissue penetration due to its extremely weak photon scattering and undetectable autofluorescence in vivo. Here, in order to satisfy the requirements for thermometry during the tumor hyperthermia process, an ultrasensitive optical thermometer operating beyond 1500 nm is developed by employing the thermally coupled Stark sublevels of Er3+: 4I13/2 → 4I15/2 transition based on fluorescence intensity ratio (FIR) technology in Yb3+ and Er3+ codoped BaY2O4. Compared with the typical upconversion (UC) material β‐NaYF4: Yb3+/Er3+ and Y2O3: Yb3+/Er3+, BaY2O4: Yb3+/Er3+ shows more intense red Er3+: 4F9/2 → 4I15/2 transition and 1.5 μm near‐infrared (NIR) Er3+: 4I13/2 → 4I15/2 transition induced by its larger phonon energy and higher quenching concentration of Er3+. An equivalent four‐level model is proposed to investigate the temperature characteristics of the NIR emission, from which four Stark transitions are separated from the raw spectra, named α, β, γ, and δ respectively. Then, the NIR thermal sensing performance have been developed by utilizing the FIR of Iβ to Iα and Iγ to Iα. More importantly, an ultra‐high sensitivity for optical thermometry has been obtained through the combination of transition β and γ, especially in the physiological temperature region. Furthermore, the detection depth of NIR light in bio‐tissues is assessed by an ex vivo test, demonstrating that the maximal detection depth of NIR emission can reach to 8 mm without any influence on optical thermometry. These findings indicate that Yb3+ and Er3+ codoped BaY2O4 is a remarkable contender for optical thermometry in deep tissue with ultra‐high sensitivity.
NiFe‐NiFe2O4/rGO composites: Controlled preparation and superior lithium storage properties
Authors: Chen Huaiyang , Shen Xiaoping , Xu Keqiang , Chen Yao , Yuan Aihua , Ji Zhenyuan , Wang Zhitao , Zhu Guoxing
Published: June 2021

Binary transition‐metal oxides with spinel structure have great potential as advanced anode materials for lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs). Herein, NiFe‐NiFe2O4/ reduced graphene oxide (rGO) composites are obtained via a facile cyanometallic framework precursor strategy to improve the lithium storage performance of NiFe2O4. In the composites, NiFe‐NiFe2O4 nanoparticles with adjustable mass ratios of NiFe2O4 to NiFe alloy are homogeneously deposited on rGO sheets. As anode material for LIBs, the optimized NiFe‐NiFe2O4/rGO composite displays remarkably enhanced lithium storage performance with an initial specific capacity as high as 1362 mAh g−1 at 0.1 A g−1 and a decent capacity retention of ca. 80% after 130 cycles. Besides, the composite delivers a reversible capacity of 550 mAh g−1 at 1 A g−1 after 300 cycles. During the charge–discharge cycles, the aggregation of the NiFe‐NiFe2O4 nanoparticles and the structural collapse of the electrode can be well alleviated by rGO sheets. Moreover, the conductivity of the electrode can be significantly improved by the well‐conductive NiFe alloy and rGO sheets. All these contribute to the improved lithium storage performance of NiFe‐NiFe2O4/rGO composites.
Histone succinylation and its function on the nucleosome
Authors: Liu Jiayi , Shangguan Yu , Tang Donge , Dai Yong
Published: June 2021

Protein post‐translational modifications (PTMs) of histones are ubiquitous regulatory mechanisms involved in many biological processes, including replication, transcription, DNA damage repair and ontogenesis. Recently, many short‐chain acylation histone modifications have been identified by mass spectrometry (MS). Lysine succinylation (Ksuc or Ksucc) is a newly identified histone PTM that changes the chemical environment of histones and is similar to other acylation modifications; lysine succinylation appears to accumulate at transcriptional start sites and to correlate with gene expression. Although numerous studies are ongoing, there is a lack of reviews on the Ksuc of histones. Here, we review lysine succinylation sites on histones, including the chemical characteristics and the mechanism by which lysine succinylation influences nucleosomal structure, chromatin dynamics and several diseases and then discuss lysine succinylation regulation to identify theoretical and experimental proof of Ksuc on histones and in diseases to inspire further research into histone lysine succinylation as a target of disease treatment in the future.
General descriptions of the dermis structure of a juvenile whale sharkRhincodon typusfrom theGulfofCalifornia
Authors: Becerril‐García Edgar E. , Pancaldi Francesca , Cruz‐Villacorta Ariel A. , Rivera‐Camacho Alma R. , Aguilar‐Cruz Carlos A. , Whitehead Darren A. , González‐Armas Rogelio , Arellano‐Martínez Marcial , Galván‐Magaña Felipe
Published: June 2021

The aim of this study is to provide preliminary observations on the microanatomy ofRhincodon typusskin using histology and electron microscopy analyses. Skin biopsies were obtained from a deceased juvenile male shark (548 cm total length) stranded in La Paz, Mexico, during February 2018. The results of this study evidenced the basic structure of the dermal denticles in the epidermis of the trunk of the shark, as well as the composition of the connective tissue in the hypodermis. Histological images of the hypodermis showed a high concentration of collagen fibres, formed by a large number of fine and wavy fibres of compact shape and little intercellular substance.
Low skeletal muscle mass is associated with liver fibrosis in individuals with type 2 diabetes and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Kuchay Mohammad Shafi , Choudhary Narendra Singh , Gagneja Sakshi , Mathew Anu , Bano Tarannum , Kaur Parjeet , Bahadur Bajarang , Singh Manish Kumar , Gill Harmandeep Kaur , Wasir Jasjeet Singh , Sud Randhir , Mishra Sunil Kumar
Published: June 2021

Background and Aim

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) and low skeletal muscle mass (SMM) are associated with increased risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, data regarding the association between low SMM and NAFLD‐related liver fibrosis in individuals with T2D are scarce. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the association between low SMM and liver fibrosis in individuals with T2D and NAFLD.

Methods

Controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) of ≥ 248 dB/m was taken as cutoff suggesting NAFLD. Clinically relevant liver fibrosis and advanced liver fibrosis were defined as liver stiffness measurement (LSM) by transient elastography (TE) of ≥ 8.0 and ≥ 9.6 kPa, respectively. SMM was measured using dual energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Low SMM was defined as appendicular SMM index of < 7.0 kg/m2 for men and < 5.4 kg/m2 for women.

Results

Of the 487 consecutive patients with T2D, 366 (75.1%) had NAFLD. Among individuals with NAFLD, 118 (32.2%) and 64 (17.5%) had clinically relevant liver fibrosis and advanced liver fibrosis, respectively. Low SMM was diagnosed in 78 (21.3%) individuals with NAFLD. Patients with low SMM were older (56.1 vs 52.8 years) and had longer duration of diabetes (10.3 vs 8.1 years). Low SMM was an independent risk factor associated with clinically relevant liver fibrosis (P = 0.002) and advanced liver fibrosis (P ≤ 0.0001). Associations between low SMM and clinically relevant‐ and advanced liver fibrosis were maintained even after sequential adjustment for confounding variables through the multivariate regression analysis.

Conclusions

Low SMM is independently associated with liver fibrosis in individuals with T2D and NAFLD.
Creating multi‐scale nested MRIO tables for linking localized impacts to global consumption drivers
Authors: Fry Jacob , Geschke Arne , Langdon Sarah , Lenzen Manfred , Li Mengyu , Malik Arunima , Sun Ya‐Yen , Wiedmann Thomas
Published: June 2021

Industrial Ecology Virtual Laboratories (IELabs) enable the construction of national‐to‐local‐scale multi‐regional input–output (MRIO) models. These IELabs have been proven to be especially important for analyzing research questions that warrant sub‐national spatial detail. The field of industrial ecology has clearly progressed from the time of national‐only input–output tables. Here, we present a newly developed tool called NLab—“nested IELab”—that nests sub‐national MRIO tables within global country‐scale MRIOs. This capability allows for the investigation of interactions between sub‐national production and consumption systems, with global systems interlinked via international trade. We provide a technical and mathematical roadmap for construction of nested input–output tables in the NLab, and demonstrate this capability through a real‐world assessment of the Western Australian wine industry. Our results suggest that nested MRIO tables provide an added layer of detail at a regional level, when undertaking consumption‐based footprint assessments, leading to improved assessment of quantification of regional impacts. The NLab presented in this work provides tools for analysis of complex trade linkages between industries at various scales, which has the further potential to open avenues for policy‐makers to analyze the implications of local decisions at a global level, and vice versa.
Phenotypic and genomic diversification with isolation by environment along elevational gradients in a neotropical treefrog
Authors: Medina Ricardo , Wogan Guinevere O. U. , Bi Ke , Termignoni‐García Flavia , Bernal Manuel Hernando , Jaramillo‐Correa Juan P. , Wang Ian J. , Vázquez‐Domínguez Ella
Published: June 2021

Understanding how geographic and environmental heterogeneity drive local patterns of genetic variation is a major goal of ecological genomics and a key question in evolutionary biology. The tropical Andes and inter‐Andean valleys are shaped by markedly heterogeneous landscapes, where species experience strong selective processes. We examined genome‐wide SNP data together with behavioural and ecological traits (mating calls and body size) known to contribute to genetic isolation in anurans in the banana tree‐dwelling frog, Boana platanera, distributed across an environmental gradient in Central Colombia (northern South America). Here, we analysed the relationships between environmentally (temperature and precipitation) associated genetic and phenotypic differentiation and the potential drivers of isolation by environment along an elevation gradient. We identified candidate SNPs associated with temperature and body size, which follow a clinal pattern of genome‐wide differentiation tightly coupled with phenotypic variation: as elevation increases, B. platanera exhibits larger body size and longer call duration with more pulses but lower pulse rate and frequency. Thus, the environmental landscape has rendered a scenario where isolation by environment and candidate loci show concordance with phenotypic divergence in this tropical frog along an elevation gradient in the Colombian Andes. Our study sets the basis for evaluating the role of temperature in the genetic structure and local adaptation in tropical treefrogs and its putative effect on life cycle (embryos, tadpoles, adults) along elevation gradients.
A sliver of the past: The decimation of the genetic diversity of the Mexican wolf
Authors: Taron Ulrike H. , Salado Isabel , Escobar‐Rodríguez Mariana , Westbury Michael V. , Butschkau Susanne , Paijmans Johanna L. A. , vonHoldt Bridgett M. , Hofreiter Michael , Leonard Jennifer A.
Published: June 2021

The endangered Mexican wolf (Canis lupus baileyi) is known to carry exceedingly low levels of genetic diversity. This could be (i) the result of long‐term evolutionary patterns as they exist at the southernmost limit of the species distribution at a relatively reduced effective size, or (ii) due to rapid population decline caused by human persecution over the last century. If the former, purifying selection is expected to have minimized the impact of inbreeding. If the latter, rapid and recent declines in genetic diversity may have resulted in severe fitness consequences. To differentiate these hypotheses, we conducted comparative whole‐genome analyses of five historical Mexican wolves (1907–1917) and 18 contemporary Mexican and grey wolves from North America and Eurasia. Based on whole‐genome data, historical and modern Mexican wolves together form a discrete unit. Moreover, we found that modern Mexican wolves have reduced genetic diversity and increased inbreeding relative to the historical population, which was widespread across the southwestern United States and not restricted to Mexico as previously assumed. Finally, although Mexican wolves have evolved in sympatry with coyotes (C. latrans), we observed lower introgression between historical Mexican wolves and coyotes than with modern Mexican wolves, despite similarities in body size. Taken together, our data show that recent population declines probably caused the reduced level of genetic diversity, but not the observed differentiation of the Mexican wolves from other North American wolves.
Rhythmic Processes in Schoenberg's Pierrot lunaire
Authors: Muniz John
Published: June 2021

Analysts have given renewed attention to rhythm in Schoenberg's atonal music; simultaneously, scholars of rhythm and metre have given increasing consideration to listeners’ changing perceptions of metrical structure in real time, as well as the cognition of metrical ambiguity. The present article joins these two threads of research, applying analytical techniques developed by Christopher Hasty (1997) to Pierrot lunaire. Hasty's approach suits Pierrot because it allows for evanescence and vagueness in the perception of rhythmic and metric qualities. The article describes several types of processes of rhythmic change in Pierrot: contraction and expansion of projective functions, hypermetrical formation and dispersion and metrical promotion and demotion. The resulting analytical model and typology can serve as a point of departure for analysing works in various corpora in addition to those of the Second Viennese School.
Egg enrichment with vitamin D: The Sunshine Eggs projects
Authors: Clark Adam , Kuznesof Sharron , Davies Sarah , Waller Anthony , Ritchie Avril , Wilson Simon , Harbord Lance , Hill Tom
Published: June 2021

Vitamin D deficiency is a significant public health issue in the UK with almost one in five adults having poor vitamin D status and most people failing to meet the Reference Nutrient Intake of 10 µg/day. There is an urgent need to address poor population vitamin D status through the development of food‐based strategies. Eggs can be enriched with vitamin D through manipulating vitamin D content in hens’ feed. The Sunshine Eggs project was launched in 2015 through Innovate UK funding and brought together Noble Foods Ltd, DSM Nutritional Products Ltd and Newcastle University. The research demonstrated that feeding flocks of commercial hens up to 75 µg of 25‐D/kg (25‐hydroxyvitamin D3 via Rovimix® Hy‐D®) of feed for 6 weeks improved egg total vitamin D content by 40%. These results informed the reformulation of the UK’s leading free‐range egg brand ‘Happy Egg’ in October 2018, offering vitamin D–enriched eggs to the consumer. This article outlines the aims of a second Innovate UK‐funded Sunshine Eggs 2 project, which seeks to maximise the commercial potential of vitamin D–enriched eggs through several objectives. These relate to understanding (1) how storage/cooking methods affect egg vitamin D content; (2) whether enriched egg consumption improves vitamin D status in a human intervention trial; (3) consumer attitudes towards enriched eggs; and (4) market research to identify commercial opportunities for enriched eggs. The project seeks to drive fundamental impact across academic, commercial and public health nutrition sectors, in helping to offer viable vitamin D–enriched foods for UK consumers.
Ne2, a typical CC–NBS–LRR‐type gene, is responsible for hybrid necrosis in wheat
Authors: Si Yaoqi , Zheng Shusong , Niu Jianqing , Tian Shuiquan , Gu Mengjun , Lu Qiao , He Yilin , Zhang Juan , Shi Xiaoli , Li Yiwen , Ling Hong‐Qing
Published: June 2021

Hybrid necrosis, caused by complementary genes Ne1 and Ne2, is a serious barrier for combining desirable traits from different genotypes of wheat, affecting the full utilisation of heterosis. To date, both Ne1 and Ne2 are still not isolated although they were documented decades ago.

We report here the map‐based cloning and functional characterisation of Ne2, encoding a coiled coil–nucleotide‐binding site–leucine‐rich repeat (CC–NBS–LRR) protein. Homozygous frameshift mutations generated using the CRISPR/Cas9 approach confirmed the Ne2‐inducing hybrid necrosis in wheat. Upregulated expression of Ne2 induced by Ne1 and excess hydrogen peroxide accumulation are associated with the necrosis formation.

Genetic analyses of a Ne2 allele (Ne2m) and leaf rust resistance gene LrLC10/Lr13 revealed that they might be the same gene. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the frequency of the Ne2 allele was much lower in landraces (2.00%) compared with that in modern cultivars (13.62%), suggesting that Ne2 allele has been partially applied in wheat genetic improvement.

Our findings open opportunities of thoroughly investigating the molecular mechanism of hybrid necrosis, selecting Lr13 and simultaneously avoiding hybrid necrosis in wheat breeding through marker‐assisted selection.
A large‐scale genomic association analysis identifies a fragment in Dt11 chromosome conferring cotton Verticillium wilt resistance
Authors: Zhang Yan , Chen Bin , Sun Zhengwen , Liu Zhengwen , Cui Yanru , Ke Huifeng , Wang Zhicheng , Wu Liqiang , Zhang Guiyin , Wang Guoning , Li Zhikun , Yang Jun , Wu Jinhua , Shi Rongkang , Liu Song , Wang Xingfen , Ma Zhiying
Published: June 2021

Verticillium wilt (VW) is a destructive disease that results in great losses in cotton yield and quality. Identifying genetic variation that enhances crop disease resistance is a primary objective in plant breeding. Here we reported a GWAS of cotton VW resistance in a natural‐variation population, challenged by different pathogenicity stains and different environments, and found 382 SNPs significantly associated with VW resistance. The associated signal repeatedly peaked in chromosome Dt11 (68 798 494‐69 212 808) containing 13 core elite alleles undescribed previously. The core SNPs can make the disease reaction type from susceptible to tolerant or resistant in accessions with alternate genotype compared to reference genotype. Of the genes associated with the Dt11 signal, 25 genes differentially expressed upon Verticillium dahliae stress, with 21 genes verified in VW resistance via gene knockdown and/or overexpression experiments. We firstly discovered that a gene cluster of L‐type lectin‐domain containing receptor kinase (GhLecRKs‐V.9) played an important role in VW resistance. These results proved that the associated Dt11 region was a major genetic locus responsible for VW resistance. The frequency of the core elite alleles (FEA) in modern varieties was significantly higher than the early/middle varieties (12.55% vs 4.29%), indicating that the FEA increased during artificial selection breeding. The current developmental resistant cultivars, JND23 and JND24, had fixed these core elite alleles during breeding without yield penalty. These findings unprecedentedly provided genomic variations and promising alleles for promoting cotton VW resistance improvement.
Circadian clock protein BMAL1 regulates melanogenesis through MITF in melanoma cells
Authors: Sarkar Soumyadeep , Porter Kenneth I. , Dakup Panshak P. , Gajula Rajendra P. , Koritala Bala S. C. , Hylton Ryan , Kemp Michael G. , Wakamatsu Kazumasa , Gaddameedhi Shobhan
Published: June 2021

Solar ultraviolet B radiation (UVB) is one of the leading causes of various skin conditions, including photoaging, sunburn erythema, and melanoma. As a protective response, the skin has inbuilt defense mechanisms, including DNA repair, cell cycle, apoptosis, and melanin synthesis. Though DNA repair, cell cycle, and apoptosis are clock controlled, the circadian mechanisms associated with melanin synthesis are not well understood. Using human melanocytes and melanoma cells under synchronized clock conditions, we observed that the microphthalmia‐associated transcription factor (MITF), a rate‐limiting protein in melanin synthesis, is expressed rhythmically with 24‐hr periodicity in the presence of circadian clock protein, BMAL1. Furthermore, we demonstrated that BMAL1 binds to the promoter region of MITF and transcriptionally regulates its expression, which positively influences melanin synthesis. Finally, we report that an increase in melanin levels due to BMAL1 overexpression protects human melanoma cells from UVB. In conclusion, our studies provide novel insights into the mechanistic role of the circadian clock in melanin synthesis and protection against UVB‐mediated DNA damage and genomic instability.
Spectroscopic Analysis of Apoferritin Associates with the Water‐Soluble Porphyrins
Authors: Sakae Hiroki
Published: June 2021

The association behavior of apoferritin species with the anionic porphyrins, 5,10,15,20‐tetrakis(4‐sulfonatophenyl)porphyrin (H2TPPS4−) and its zinc(II) complex (ZnTPPS4−), which are water‐soluble even in acidic solutions, was investigated for the first time through UV–Vis absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy in order to evaluate a potential ability of apoferritin as a stimuli‐responsive molecular capsule. The absorption maximum wavelengths of both porphyrins were redshifted and the fluorescence intensity decreased, indicating the effective association between apoferritin species and the porphyrins, although it depended on the pH adjustment procedure. At pH 2, the ZnTPPS4− associated with apoferritin subunits without demetallating and protonating, while the free base porphyrin formed the J‐aggregate of the diprotonated species (H4TPPS2−)n, with extremely low fluorescence. As the concentration of apoferritin subunits increased, the H2TPPS4−‐subunits associates were formed accompanied by recovering the fluorescence. The association stoichiometries of 1 or 2 subunits/porphyrin obtained under neutral and acidic conditions. The significantly large association constant of ZnTPPS4− as compared with that of H2TPPS4− indicated that the coordination to the zinc(II) center strongly contributes to the association in addition to the electrostatic interaction between apoferritin subunits and the porphyrin under acidic conditions.
Submerged cage aquaculture of marine fish: A review of the biological challenges and opportunities
Authors: Sievers Michael , Korsøen Øyvind , Warren‐Myers Fletcher , Oppedal Frode , Macaulay Georgia , Folkedal Ole , Dempster Tim
Published: June 2021

Surface‐based cages are the dominant production technology for the marine finfish aquaculture industry. However, issues such as extreme weather events, poor environmental conditions, interactions with parasites, and conflicts with other coastal users are problematic for surface‐based aquaculture. Submerged cages may reduce many of these problems and commercial interest in their use has increased. However, a broad synthesis of research into the effects of submerged culture on fish is lacking. Here, we review the current status of submerged fish farming worldwide, outline the biological challenges that fish with fundamentally different buoyancy control physiologies face in submerged culture, and discuss production benefits and problems that might arise from submerged fish farming. Our findings suggest that fish with closed swim bladders, and fish without swim bladders, may be well‐suited to submerged culture. However, for fish with open swim bladders, such as salmonids, submergence is more complex as they require access to surface air to refill their swim bladders and maintain buoyancy. Growth and welfare of open swim bladder fish can be compromised by submergence for long periods due to complications with buoyancy regulation, but the recent addition of underwater air domes to submerged cages can alleviate this issue. Despite this advance, a greater understanding of how to couple advantageous environmental conditions with submerged culture to improve fish growth and welfare over the commercial production cycle is required if submerged cages are to become a viable alternative to surface‐based cage aquaculture.
Reconstruction of an extreme flood hydrograph and morphodynamics of a meander bend in a high‐peak discharge variability river (Powder River, USA)
Authors: Ghinassi Massimiliano , Moody John
Published: June 2021

Understanding of morphodynamic processes associated with large‐scale floods has recently improved following significant advances of modern technologies. Nevertheless, a clear link between flood discharge and in‐channel sedimentation processes remains to be resolved. The hydrological and geomorphological data available for the meandering Powder River (Montana, USA) since 1977 makes it a perfect laboratory to investigate connections between flood discharge and point‐bar sedimentation processes. This study focuses on a point‐bar that accreted laterally ca 70 m during a 50‐year recurrence flood, which lasted about 14 days in May 1978. In September 2018, a trench ca 2 m deep and 70 m long was excavated through the axial point‐bar deposits, and the 1978 flood deposits were delineated based on georeferenced pre‐flood and post‐flood cross‐section surveys. Sedimentological data show that point‐bar deposits accumulated at the early and late flood stages, when the flow was confined to the channel, and have similarities with classical facies models in terms of palaeocurrent patterns and vertical grain‐size trend. However, during high‐stage flood conditions, when the flow overtopped the bar, cross‐cutting of the bar and armouring were typical processes. Integration of sedimentological and palaeo‐hydrological data highlight that the relation between channel cross‐sectional area and flood discharge play a key role in preserving bar deposits. The integrated approach adopted here provides a basis for advancing palaeoflood hydrology beyond the stage of estimating peak discharges to the next stage of estimating palaeoflood hydrographs.
Characteristics and outcomes among lung transplant patients with respiratory syncytial virus infection
Authors: Mahan Luke D. , Points April , Mohanka Manish R. , Bollineni Srinivas , Joerns John , Kaza Vaidehi , La Hoz Ricardo M. , Gao Ang , Zhang Song , Torres Fernando , Banga Amit
Published: June 2021

Background

To describe characteristics and outcomes among lung transplantation (LT) patients with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection and elucidate the predictors of 1‐year survival after RSV infection.

Methods

This was a retrospective chart review study among LT patients with RSV infection between 2013 and 2018 (90 episodes among 87 patients; mean age 56.3 ± 13.1 years, M:F 52:35). A contemporaneous control group consisting of LT patients without RSV infection (n = 183) was included. One‐year survival after the RSV infection was the primary endpoint.

Results

Median time from LT to RSV infection was 30 (1‐155) months. Before RSV infection, the median decline in forced vital capacity (FVC) was 9.7 cc (−17.8 to 83 cc) or 0.29% (−1.4% to 4.6%) per month, while the forced expiratory volume (FEV1) decline was 7.5 cc (−8.8 to 58 cc) or 0.3% (−0.57% to 4.3%) per month with no statistically significant change after RSV infection. One‐year survival among patients with RSV infection was 86.2% (75/87). Pre‐infection diagnosis of chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD; adjusted HR: 4.29, 1.08‐17.0; P = .038) and FVC or FEV1 decline >10% during 6 months post infection (adjusted HR: 35.1, 3.26‐377.1; P = .003) were independently associated with worse survival. On propensity score matched analysis, RSV infection was not associated with worse post‐transplant survival (HR with 95% CI: 0.79, 0.47‐1.34; P = .38).

Conclusions

A majority of LT patients in the current cohort did not experience an alteration in the trajectory of FVC or FEV1 decline after developing RSV infection, and their post‐transplant survival was not adversely impacted. Established CLAD at the time of RSV infection and post infection >10% decline in FVC or FEV1 are independently associated with worse survival after RSV infection.
Non‐functional GoFLA19s are responsible for the male sterility caused by hybrid breakdown in cotton (Gossypium spp.)
Authors: Zhang Meng , Wei Hengling , Liu Ji , Bian Yingjie , Ma Qiang , Mao Guangzhi , Wang Hantao , Wu Aimin , Zhang Jingjing , Chen Pengyun , Ma Liang , Fu Xiaokang , Yu Shuxun
Published: June 2021

Hybrid breakdown (HB) functions as a common reproductive barrier and reduces hybrid fitness in many species, including cotton. However, the related genes and the underlying genetic mechanisms of HB in cotton remain unknown. Here, we found that the photosensitive genetic male sterile line CCRI9106 was a hybrid progeny of Gossypium hirsutum and Gossypium barbadense and probably a product of HB. Fine mapping with F2s (CCRI9106 × G. hirsutum/G. barbadense lines) identified a pair of male sterility genes GoFLA19s (encoding fasciclin‐like arabinogalactan family protein) located on chromosomes A12 and D12. Crucial variations occurring in the fasciclin‐like domain and the arabinogalactan protein domain were predicted to cause the non‐functionalization of GbFLA19‐D and GhFLA19‐A. CRISPR/Cas9‐mediated knockout assay confirmed the effects of GhFLA19s on male sterility. Sequence alignment analyses showed that variations in GbFLA19‐D and GhFLA19‐A likely occurred after the formation of allotetraploid cotton species. GoFLA19s are specifically expressed in anthers and contribute to tapetal development, exine assembly, intine formation, and pollen grain maturation. RNA‐sequencing and quantitative reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction analyses illustrated that genes related to these biological processes were significantly downregulated in the mutant. Our research on male sterility genes, GoFLA19s, improves the understanding of the molecular characteristics and evolutionary significance of HB in interspecific hybrid breeding.
Conserved and non‐conserved triggers of 24‐nucleotide reproductive phasiRNAs in eudicots
Authors: Pokhrel Suresh , Huang Kun , Meyers Blake C.
Published: June 2021

Small RNAs play important roles in plant growth and development by modulating expression of genes and transposons. In many flowering plant species, male reproductive organs, the anthers, produce abundant phased small interfering RNAs (phasiRNAs). Two classes of reproductive phasiRNAs are generally known, mostly from monocots: (i) pre‐meiotic 21‐nucleotide (nt) phasiRNAs triggered by miR2118 and (ii) meiotic 24‐nt phasiRNAs triggered by miR2275. Here, we describe conserved and non‐conserved triggers of 24‐nt phasiRNAs in several eudicots. We found that the abundant 24‐nt phasiRNAs in the basal eudicot columbine (Aquilegia coerulea) are produced by the canonical trigger miR2275, as well as by other non‐canonical triggers, miR482/2118 and miR14051. These triggering microRNAs (miRNAs) are localized in microspore mother cells and tapetal cells of meiotic and post‐meiotic stage anthers. Furthermore, we identified a lineage‐specific trigger (miR11308) of 24‐nt phasiRNAs and an expanded number of 24‐PHAS loci in wild strawberry (Fragaria vesca). We validated the presence of the miR2275‐derived 24‐nt phasiRNA pathway in rose (Rosa chinensis). Finally, we evaluated all eudicots that have been validated for the presence of 24‐nt phasiRNAs as possible model systems in which to study the biogenesis and function of 24‐nt phasiRNAs. We conclude that columbine (Aquilegia coerulea) would be a strong model because of its extensive number of 24‐PHAS loci and its diversity of trigger miRNAs.
Process and procedural adjustments to improve CD34+ collection efficiency of hematopoietic progenitor cell collections in sickle cell disease
Authors: Avecilla Scott T. , Boulad Farid , Yazdanbakhsh Karina , Sadelain Michel , Shi Patricia A.
Published: June 2021

Background

Adequate CD34+ collection efficiency (CE) is critical to achieve target CD34+ cell doses in hematopoietic progenitor cell (HPC) collections. Autologous HPC collection in sickle cell disease (SCD) is associated with unstable collection interfaces and low CD34+ CEs. We hypothesized that variables specific to SCD, activation of blood cells and elevated viscosity, might contribute to these issues and made adjustments to the collection process and procedure to address our hypothesis.

Study design and methods

In two patients with SCD undergoing autologous HPC collection on our clinical trial (NCT02193191), we therefore implemented adjustments to the process and procedure in the following areas: proximity of RBC exchange to HPC collection, the type of anticoagulation, and the packing factor setting.

Results

There was no collection interface instability. Our CD34+ CE1s were high at 70% and 51%, and granulocyte CE, platelet CE, and product granulocyte % were remarkably low. Product hematocrits were not as high as previously reported to be required to obtain adequate CEs. Interestingly, one HPC product showed a hemoglobin S (HbS) of 91% at the same time that the peripheral blood (PB) showed a HbS of 22%.

Discussion

Adjustments to the HPC collection process and procedure were associated with adequate CD34+ CEs and low granulocyte and platelet contamination in HPC products from SCD patients. Given the discrepancy in the percentage of sickle RBCs in the product versus the PB, we hypothesize that CD34+ cells and RBCs may aggregate. Our interventions and hypothesis should be further investigated in larger studies.
In vivo operating lengths of the gastrocnemius muscle during gait in children who idiopathically toe‐walk
Authors: Harkness‐Armstrong Carla , Maganaris Constantinos , Walton Roger , Wright David M. , Bass Alfie , Baltzopoulos Vasilios , O'Brien Thomas D.
Published: June 2021

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?

What are the in vivo operating lengths of the gastrocnemius muscle in children who idiopathically toe‐walk?

What is the main finding and its importance?

Children who idiopathically toe‐walk operate at more plantarflexed positions but at longer fascicle lengths than typically developing children during gait. However, these ranges utilised during gait correspond to where children who idiopathically toe‐walk are optimally strong. This should be considered when prescribing clinical treatments to restore typical gait.

Children who idiopathically toe‐walk (ITW) habitually operate at greater plantarflexion angles than typically developing (TD) children, which might result in shorter, sub‐optimal gastrocnemius fascicle lengths. However, currently no experimental evidence exists to substantiate this notion. Five children who ITW and 14 TD children completed a gait analysis, whilst gastrocnemius fascicle behaviour was simultaneously quantified using ultrasound. The moment–angle (hip, knee and ankle) and moment–length (gastrocnemius) relationships were determined from isometric maximum voluntary contractions (MVC) on an isokinetic dynamometer combined with ultrasound. During gait, children who ITW operated at more plantarflexed angles (Δ = 20°; P = 0.013) and longer muscle fascicle lengths (Δ = 12 mm; P = 0.008) than TD children. During MVC, no differences in the peak moment of any joint were found. However, peak plantarflexor moment occurred at significantly more plantarflexed angles (−16 vs. 1°; P = 0.010) and at longer muscle fascicle lengths (44 vs. 37 mm; P = 0.001) in children who ITW than TD children. Observed alterations in the moment–angle and moment–length relationships of children who ITW coincided with the ranges used during gait. Therefore, the gastrocnemius muscle in children who ITW operates close to the peak of the force–length relationship, similarly to TD children. Thus, this study indicates that idiopathic toe‐walking is truly an ankle joint pathology, and children who ITW present with substantial alterations in the gastrocnemius muscle functional properties, which appear well adapted to the characteristic demands of equinus gait. These findings should be considered when prescribing clinical treatments to restore typical gait.
Functional reserve and sex differences during exercise to exhaustion revealed by post‐exercise ischaemia and repeated supramaximal exercise
Authors: Martin‐Rincon Marcos , Gelabert‐Rebato Miriam , Perez‐Valera Mario , Galvan‐Alvarez Victor , Morales‐Alamo David , Dorado Cecilia , Boushel Robert , Hallen Jostein , Calbet Jose A. L.
Published: June 2021

Key points

Females have lower fatigability than males during single limb isometric and dynamic contractions, but whether sex‐differences exist during high‐intensity whole‐body exercise remains unknown.

This study shows that males and females respond similarly to repeated supramaximal whole‐body exercise, and that at task failure a large functional reserve remains in both sexes.

Using post‐exercise ischaemia with repeated exercise, we have shown that this functional reserve depends on the glycolytic component of substrate‐level phosphorylation and is almost identical in both sexes.

Metaboreflex activation during post‐exercise ischaemia and the O2 debt per kg of active lean mass are also similar in males and females after supramaximal exercise.

Females have a greater capacity to extract oxygen during repeated supramaximal exercise and reach lower , experiencing a larger drop in brain oxygenation than males, without apparent negative repercussion on performance.

Females had no faster recovery of performance after accounting for sex differences in lean mass.

The purpose of this study was to ascertain what mechanisms explain sex differences at task failure and to determine whether males and females have a functional reserve at exhaustion. Exercise performance, cardiorespiratory variables, oxygen deficit, and brain and muscle oxygenation were determined in 18 males and 18 females (21–36 years old) in two sessions consisting of three bouts of constant‐power exercise at 120% of until exhaustion interspaced by 20 s recovery periods. In one of the two sessions, the circulation of both legs was occluded instantaneously (300 mmHg) during the recovery periods. Females had a higher muscle O2 extraction during fatiguing supramaximal exercise than males. Metaboreflex activation, and lean mass‐adjusted O2 deficit and debt were similar in males and females. Compared to males, females reached lower and brain oxygenation during supramaximal exercise, without apparent negative consequences on performance. After the occlusions, males and females were able to restart exercising at 120% of , revealing a similar functional reserve, which depends on glycolytic component of substrate‐level phosphorylation and its rate of utilization. After ischaemia, muscle O2 extraction was increased, and muscle was similarly reduced in males and females. The physiological response to repeated supramaximal exercise to exhaustion is remarkably similar in males and females when differences in lean mass are considered. Both sexes fatigue with a large functional reserve, which depends on the glycolytic energy supply, yet females have higher oxygen extraction capacity, but reduced and brain oxygenation.
Boiler and Pressure Vessel Safety
Authors: Fehring Thomas H. , Reynolds Terry S.
Published: June 2021

A variety of factors prompted Leavitt, Thurston, Sweet, Worthington, and the other founders of ASME to promote the creation of a new professional engineering society in 1880: need for a forum to discuss technical problems and share views, desire to promote mechanical engineering as a profession, a means of guiding the next generation. One of the primary factors that prompted the formation of ASME, however, was a desire to establishment of codes and standards relevant to the field. Not surprisingly, codes and standards were topics that occupied considerable attention in the early volumes of the Transactions of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.
Significant Engineers in America’s Rise to Industrial Prominence
Authors: Fehring Thomas H. , Reynolds Terry S.
Published: June 2021

This chapter is entirely biographical, focusing on engineers active in the period in which the United States was transformed from a minor industrial power to the world’s leading industrial power, i.e., in the century between 1840 and 1940. The bulk of the biographical sketches in this chapter were written by Fritz Hirschfeld. They were commissioned by ASME as part of the commemoration of the Society’s 100th anniversary and appeared in Mechanical Engineering between November 1979 and March 1981.
Aviation and Aerospace
Authors: Fehring Thomas H. , Reynolds Terry S.
Published: June 2021

Aviation and aerospace technology includes the engineering, science, and economic developments required to fly in the Earth’s atmosphere (aeronautics/aviation) and surrounding space (astronautics/ aerospace). Aeronautics and astronautics are combined in aerospace engineering.
Frequencies of a Flexible Circular Plate Attached to the Surface of a Light Elastic Half-Space
Authors: Bycroft G. N.
Published: June 2021

The frequencies of free vibration of a thin, flexible, circular plate stuck to the surface of a massless elastic half-space are solved by an application of the Rayleigh-Ritz principle. The approximate fundamental frequency is considered in detail when the plate is clamped, free, or hinged at its periphery. The method of obtaining the higher frequencies, such as those involving nodal diameters, is indicated.
Stress Distribution and Plastic Deformation in Rotating Cylinders of Strain-Hardening Material
Authors: Davis E. A. , Connelly F. M.
Published: June 2021

Equations for the stress distribution in plastic rotating cylinders are developed for both hollow and solid cylinders. It is assumed that the stress-strain relations may depend upon either the maximum shearing stress or the octahedral shearing stress and the corresponding shearing strain. A triaxiality factor proportional to the ratio of the hydrostatic tension to the octahedral shearing stress is introduced. This factor may be useful in evaluating the ductility of metals under combined stress.
A Definition of Stable Inelastic Material
Authors: Drucker D. C.
Published: June 2021

The definitions given previously for work-hardening and perfect plasticity are broadened to cover viscous effects. As before, the system considered is isothermal and includes both the body and the time-dependent set of forces acting upon it. An external agency is supposed to apply an additional set of forces to the already loaded body. It is now postulated that the work done by the external agency on the additional displacements it produces is positive. Some of the restrictions thus imposed on permissible stress-strain relations are explored. Especial attention is paid to simple laws of creep. Uniqueness of solution also is studied.
The Effect of Turbulence on Slider-Bearing Lubrication
Authors: Chou Ye Tsang , Saibel Edward
Published: June 2021

Based on Prandtl’s mixing-length mechanism, the pressure equation for turbulent flow in slider-bearing lubrication is derived. An analytical solution is given and compared with the one for laminar flow. It is found that the turbulent effect increases the pressure and, consequently, the load-carrying capacity. However, the power loss also increases.
Thermal Stresses in Long Cylindrical Shells
Authors: Tsao C. H.
Published: June 2021

Goodier’s results for the longitudinal thermal stresses in long cylindrical shells are improved by the addition of a few terms. For the special case of thin cylindrical shells with uniform but unequal inside and outside temperatures, this improved solution checks exactly with Timoshenko’s solution.
A Theory of Oil Whip
Authors: Hori Yukio
Published: June 2021

Oil whip was investigated theoretically and experimentally. In the paper it is shown that the inherent instability of the rotor in previous theories can be avoided by assuming zero pressure in place of negative pressure in the oil film and that the “inertia effect” in occurrences of oil whip can be understood by distinguishing small vibrations and large vibrations of the rotor. It is also shown that oil whip of higher order and the effect of oil viscosity on amplitude of oil whip give possible causes of some peculiar phenomena.
Displacements and Stresses of a Laterally Loaded Semicircular Plate With Clamped Edges
Authors: Jurney W. H.
Published: June 2021

A solution is obtained for the case of the clamped semicircular plate of constant thickness, subjected to a uniformly distributed normal load. The method employed is superposition of solutions for a circular plate with fixed edges. The technique involved could be extended to study more general types of loading of the clamped semicircular plate. Results are based on the assumption that the Kirchhoff, or small deflection, theory applies.
Determination of the Creep Deflection of a Rivet in Double Shear
Authors: Marin Joseph
Published: June 2021

Structural components of modern aircraft are subjected to elevated temperatures by jet power plants and by skin friction resulting from supersonic speeds. Some of these high-temperature-aircraft structural components are riveted connections. Considerable experimental data are available on the creep of riveted connections used in aircraft [1]. However, a survey of the literature shows a lack of results on the theoretical prediction of creep in riveted connections from the usual creep and creep-rupture data for simple tension. The creep of a riveted joint is dependent on various factors including rivet diameter, rivet lengths, and plate thicknesses. This influence of size means that each particular riveted joint must be tested to obtain the necessary information. A basic approach to the problem is theoretically to predict the creep behavior of riveted joints from creep in simple tension. One of the important parts of the creep deformation of a riveted connection, Fig. 1(a), is the creep of the rivet. This paper deals with an approximate theoretical prediction of the creep deflection in a rivet based upon the creep constants of the material in simple tension.
Viscous Damping in Flexural Vibrations of Bars
Authors: Newman M. K.
Published: June 2021

Energy dissipation in flexural vibrations is considered by introducing into the Timoshenko beam equation viscous-damping terms proportional to the time rate of extensional strain. Two modes of wave transmission arise from the roots of a quartic equation. On the lower mode, a solution is indicated in terms of characteristic functions which represent the damped natural vibrations. For a specified range of values of damping, the amplitudes of natural vibrations are governed by characteristic damping factors which exhibit a maximum in the region of frequencies where wave velocities are dispersed. There can be no frequency cut-offs. In the higher mode of wave motion, the characteristic damping factors exhibit a monotone increase toward short wave-length limits analogous to those obtained in the Bernoulli-Euler-Sezawa equation.
Thermal Stresses in Moderately Thick Elastic Plates
Authors: Gatewood B. E.
Published: June 2021

The three-dimensional stresses in the plate are investigated without using the plane-stress or plane-strain assumptions, the thickness of the plate being limited so that the normal stress in the thickness direction can be taken as a polynomial in the thickness variable. The temperature is taken as a polynomial in the thickness variable but with relatively large, though restricted, gradients with respect to the co-ordinates of the plane of the plate. For the case of the temperature constant in thickness variable, the stresses in the plane of the plate are presented as the plane-stress solution plus correcting terms due to the plate thickness, where the correcting terms involve the product of the temperature gradient and the ratio of the plate thickness to the plate length in the direction of the temperature gradient. In many cases the corrections are small even for moderately thick plates.