bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Photoreceptors, visual pigments and intraretinal variability in spectral sensitivity in two species of smelts (Pisces, Osmeridae)
Authors: Kondrashev Sergei L.
Published: June 2022

The main goal of this study was to clarify whether the spectral properties of retinal photoreceptors reflect the features of behaviour of closely related fish species cohabiting shallow marine and fresh waters. The spectral sensitivity of photoreceptors was compared between two smelt species, Hypomesus japonicus and Japanese smelt Hypomesus nipponensis. The spectral absorption of the visual pigments was measured using microspectrophotometry. In H. japonicus, a mostly marine species, all photoreceptors contained visual pigments based on retinal and were distributed differently in specific retinal areas. The absorbance maxima (λmax) of rods and long‐wave‐sensitive members of double cones throughout the retina amounted to 507 and 573 nm, respectively, but the λmax value of the short‐wave‐sensitive members of double cones and single cones in the temporal hemiretina showed a significant blue shift compared to the nasal hemiretina: 485 vs. 516 nm and 375 vs. 412 nm, respectively, thus enhancing the short‐wave sensitivity of the temporal hemiretina. In H. nipponensis, an euryhaline species, the estimated λmax value of both rods and cones significantly varied between the groups caught in different localities (sea, river or estuary) because of the presence of rhodopsin/porphyropsin mixtures. The long‐wavelength shift in rod and cone photoreceptors was observed because of changes in the chromophore complement in closely related but ecologically different species dwelling in freshened bodies of water. Considering the data available in the literature, several putative common opsin genes have been suggested for species under study.
Effect of using vacutainers with cartoon characters on the pain and fear levels of preschoolers during bloodletting
Authors: Canbulat Şahiner Nejla , Türkmen Ayşe S , Şahin Dilara
Published: June 2022

Aim

Our study aims to analyse the effect of using a vacutainer with cartoon characters on preschoolers' pain and fear levels during the bloodletting process.

Methods

The experimental, randomised controlled clinical trial was conducted with 102 children aged 3–6 years, randomised into control and experimental groups. The bloodletting routine was applied to the control group. The vacutainer of each child in the experimental group was covered with the illustration of their chosen cartoon character and blood was drawn with it. The fear and pain levels during the bloodletting procedure were examined in both groups.

Results

Pain and fear levels were significantly lower in the experimental group than in the experimental group (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Our research highlighted that using a cartoon character sticker with a vacutainer can reduce preschoolers' pain and fear during bloodletting.
Focused cardiac ultrasound examination in the emergency and critical care horse: Training for non‐specialist veterinarians and evaluation of proficiency
Authors: Eberhardt Christina , Schwarzwald Colin C.
Published: June 2022

Background

Focused cardiac ultrasound examination (FoCUS) is rapidly emerging for point‐of‐care cardiac assessment using hand‐carried ultrasound (HCU) devices. A specific FoCUS protocol for horses and adequate training guidelines currently are not available.

Hypothesis

To gain knowledge about the training necessary to become proficient in performing FoCUS using a HCU device.

Animals

Three healthy Warmblood horses were used for practical training of veterinarians and veterinary students in equine focused cardiac ultrasound (eFoCUS).

Methods

Prospective educational study. An eFoCUS protocol and 1‐day training course were developed. Pre‐ and post‐course written tests were administered to participants to evaluate proficiency in knowledge of echocardiography and echocardiographic pathology. A post‐course practical examination involved performing eFoCUS and storage of representative images. Images were evaluated using an image quality score and compared between participants with some practical experience and participants with no practical experience.

Results

Participants' knowledge of echocardiography increased significantly. Recognition of echocardiographic pathology pre‐course ranged from 40% to 90% (mean score, 65.7%) and post‐course from 85% to 100% (mean score, 92%). Eighteen of 21 participants were proficient in performing eFoCUS with a median image quality score of 79% (range, 42%‐95%). Image quality did not differ between participants with some practical experience compared to participants with no experience.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Veterinarians and veterinary students independent of previous experience can become proficient in performing eFoCUS after completion of a 1‐day training course.
Simplifying the drug provocation test in non‐immediate hypersensitivity reactions to amoxicillin in children: The experience of a tertiary care allergy unit
Authors: Liccioli Giulia , Giovannini Mattia , Caubet Jean‐Christoph , Barni Simona , Sarti Lucrezia , Parronchi Paola , Capone Manuela , Tomei Leonardo , Mori Francesca
Published: June 2022

Background

Mild non‐immediate reactions (NIR) to beta‐lactams (βLs) are the most common manifestation of adverse drug reactions in children, and the drug provocation test (DPT) remains the gold standard for diagnosis. However, there are still controversies about the protocol that should be used, especially regarding the administration of doses and the DPT length.

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate a pediatric population with a history of mild NIR to amoxicillin (AMX) or to amoxicillin‐clavulanic acid (AMX/CL) who underwent a diagnostic workup including a DPT with the culprit drug, to understand if a graded DPT or, instead, a single full dose could be the most appropriate way of administration in clinical practice.

Methods

The data of children were retrospectively analyzed for a 5‐year period, with demographic and clinical characteristics collected. We reported the allergy workup and the results of the DPT performed with the administration of incremental doses and a prolonged DPT at home for a total of 5 days.

Results

Three hundred fifty‐four patients were included. Overall, 23/354 (6.5%) DPTs were positive: 11/23 patients showed a reaction after 2–8 h after the last dose on the 1st or 2nd day (1 reacted 30 min after the last dose), 1/23 reacted with urticaria 30 min after the first dose, 11/23 reacted at home on the 5th day of the DPT.

Conclusion

This paper indirectly suggests that a single therapeutic dose administered on the 1st day of a DPT could be safe in the diagnostic workup of mild NIR to AMX/CL. Moreover, this could be less time‐consuming as patients would spend less time in the hospital, also considering the public health restrictions imposed during the COVID‐19 pandemic.
Elderly abuse, affecting factors and evaluation of life satisfaction: a cross‐sectional study
Authors: Yılmaz Muammer , Durmaz Adem , Arıkan İnci
Published: June 2022

Background

The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of abuse and its effect on life satisfaction in older adults living in our region.

Method

This research is a cross‐sectional study. The participants of the study were an elderly population who applied to one ‘family health centre’. The study was completed with the participation of 332 people. The study was carried out between June and July 2021. A questionnaire form, Geriatric Mistreatment Scale (GMS), Hwalek–Sengstock Elder Abuse Screening Test (H‐S/EAST), and Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) were used in the study.

Results

According to the GMS, 16.0% of the participants experience abuse. Psychological abuse (6.92%) was the highest according to the GMS sub‐dimensions. This was followed by physical abuse (6.6%), neglect (1.8%), economic abuse (1.5%), and sexual abuse (1.5%). According to H‐S/EAST, 22.9% of participants experience abuse. The perpetrators of abuse are mostly spouses, children and relatives of the elderly. There is a negative correlation between the H‐S/EAST score and the SWLS score. Uneducated elderly people are exposed to abuse more than primary education graduates. Compared to the elderly living in a nuclear family, more abuse is seen in extended families and those living alone.

Conclusion

The fact that the houses in which the elderly live are not physically suitable increases the risk of abuse. Identifying and trying to minimise local risk factors for elder abuse can help reduce the prevalence of abuse. We hope that these data will be a guide for future intervention studies.
Site mediates performance in a coral‐seeding trial
Authors: Randall Carly J. , Giuliano Christine , Allen Katie , Bickel Aric , Miller Margaret , Negri Andrew P.
Published: June 2022

Coral seeding is a promising intervention being tested and applied in global reef‐restoration efforts. However, high mortality of newly settled corals, particularly in degraded environments, is one of several hurdles to overcome to up‐scale this technique. Incorporating design features that mitigate drivers of mortality could increase coral‐seeding effectiveness. Here we tested five ceramic seeding‐device designs that incorporated various features intended to act as coral microrefugia. Devices seeded with Acropora tenuis spat were deployed to three sites on a shallow mid‐shelf reef on the central Great Barrier Reef (GBR), and survival was assessed after 219 days. Average yield (device‐level survival) was moderate across the device designs (22%) and all devices performed comparably. However, there was a nearly threefold increase in survival at one site compared with the other, similar sites less than 100 m away. Assessment of the benthic community around each device suggested that the sites hosted similar communities, although multivariate analyses identified a weak but significant positive relationship between survival and the first principal component (only 17% of variance), characterized by higher cover of sponges and epilithic algal communities. These results suggest that within‐reef scale variations (10s of meters) in environmental conditions, or variations in community constituents not investigated here (e.g. grazing fishes, mobile invertebrates), may impact the success of coral seeding. Further investigations into the drivers of coral survival at fine spatial scales, particularly abiotic conditions, are required to guide the placement of coral‐seeding devices and to predict their effectiveness.
Nonlinear Modal Regression for Dependent Data with Application for Predicting Covid-19
Authors: Ullah Aman , Wang Tao , Yao Weixin
Published: June 2022

In this paper, under the stationary α-mixing dependent samples, we develop a novel nonlinear modal regression for time series sequences and establish the consistency and asymptotic property of the proposed nonlinear modal estimator with a shrinking bandwidth h under certain regularity conditions. The asymptotic distribution is shown to be identical to the one derived from the independent observations, whereas the convergence rate (nh3 in which n is the sample size) is slower than that in the nonlinear mean regression. We numerically estimate the proposed nonlinear modal regression model by the use of a modified modal expectation–maximization (MEM) algorithm in conjunction with Taylor expansion. Monte Carlo simulations are presented to demonstrate the good finite sample (prediction) performance of the newly proposed model. We also construct a specified nonlinear modal regression to match the available daily new cases and new deaths data of the COVID-19 outbreak at the state/region level in the United States, and provide forward predictions up to 130 days ahead (from 24 August 2020 to 31 December 2020). In comparison to the traditional nonlinear regressions, the suggested model can fit the COVID-19 data better and produce more precise predictions. The prediction results indicate that there are systematic differences in spreading distributions among states/regions. For most western and eastern states, they have many serious COVID-19 burdens compared to Midwest. We hope that the built nonlinear modal regression can help policymakers to implement fast actions to curb the spread of the infection, avoid overburdening the health system and understand the development of COVID-19 from some points.
Unearthing underground predators: The head morphology of larvae of the moth lacewing genus Ithone Newman (Neuroptera: Ithonidae) and its functional and phylogenetic implications
Authors: Li Di , Friedrich Frank , Jandausch Kenny , Pohl Hans , Liu Xingyue , Beutel Rolf G.
Published: June 2022

Moth lacewings (Ithonidae) are a rare group of Neuroptera with an unusual subterranean larval life‐style. We examined external and internal head structures of an older‐instar larva of Ithone Newman with a broad spectrum of techniques. Larval autapomorphies, likely correlated with the subterranean habits, are the compact and shovel‐shaped head, unusually massive mandibular‐maxillary stylets, and a C‐shaped postcephalic body. Other cephalic autapomorphies are the massive X‐shaped tentorium, incurved antennae, and a strongly developed M. verticopharyngalis. The visual organs are distinctly simplified but a single functional stemma on each side of head is retained despite of the subterranean habits. In contrast to previous studies, a well‐developed gular sclerite is present in Ithonidae, possibly a secondary acquisition. A cephalic gland complex and poison channel are present, with an unexpected additional lateral accessory gland and an additional lateral channel. The poison glands and dual channels very clearly indicate that the larvae are predators, contradicting the phytophagous habits formerly postulated. Compared with soil‐inhabiting scarabaeoid beetle larvae, striking differences of head structures are due to different feeding habits and phylogenetic constraints. Morphological similarities like a C‐shaped postcephalic body and strongly developed legs suitable for burrowing in soil are evolutionary parallels associated with the subterranean life‐style in the two non‐related groups. Bayesian phylogenetic analysis was carried out with an updated morphological matrix. The results were compared with a phylogeny based on anchored hybrid enrichment data. The evolutionary transformations of selected characters were evaluated using phylogenies estimated from both datasets.
LIKE EARLY STARVATION 1 alters the glucan structures at the starch granule surface and thereby influences the action of both starch‐synthesizing and starch‐degrading enzymes
Authors: Singh Aakanksha , Compart Julia , AL‐Rawi Shadha Abduljaleel , Mahto Harendra , Ahmad Abubakar Musa , Fettke Joerg
Published: June 2022

For starch metabolism to take place correctly, various enzymes and proteins acting on the starch granule surface are crucial. Recently, two non‐catalytic starch‐binding proteins, pivotal for normal starch turnover in Arabidopsis leaves, namely, EARLY STARVATION 1 (ESV1) and its homolog LIKE EARLY STARVATION 1 (LESV), have been identified. Both share nearly 38% sequence homology. As ESV1 has been found to influence glucan phosphorylation via two starch‐related dikinases, α‐glucan, water dikinase (GWD) and phosphoglucan, water dikinase (PWD), through modulating the surface glucan structures of the starch granules and thus affecting starch degradation, we assess the impact of its homolog LESV on starch metabolism. Thus, the 65‐kDa recombinant protein LESV and the 50‐kDa ESV1 were analyzed regarding their influence on the action of GWD and PWD on the surface of the starch granules. We included starches from various sources and additionally assessed the effect of these non‐enzymatic proteins on other starch‐related enzymes, such as starch synthases (SSI and SSIII), starch phosphorylases (PHS1), isoamylase and β‐amylase. The data obtained indicate that starch phosphorylation, hydrolyses and synthesis were affected by LESV and ESV1. Furthermore, incubation with LESV and ESV1 together exerted an additive effect on starch phosphorylation. In addition, a stable alteration of the glucan structures at the starch granule surface following treatment with LESV and ESV1 was observed. Here, we discuss all the observed changes that point to modifications in the glucan structures at the surface of the native starch granules and present a model to explain the existing processes.
DIREITO E DESENVOLVIMENTO: CORRUPÇÃO ADMINISTRATIVA E AÇÃO CIVIL POR IMPROBIDADE ADMINISTRATIVA
Authors: Remedio José Antonio , Remedio Davi Pereira
Published: June 2022

A presente pesquisa tem por objeto analisar a relação existente entre o desenvolvimento brasileiro e a prática da corrupção administrativa. Um dos fatores que prejudicam a concretização do desenvolvimento em seu sentido amplo é a corrupção administrativa. A busca da implementação do desenvolvimento, tomado como crescimento econômico, geração de riquezas e qualidade de vida do homem, é uma constante nos Estados modernos. A corrupção administrativa, envolvendo valores estratosféricos, acarreta sensíveis prejuízos ao desenvolvimento nacional e à implementação dos direitos individuais e sociais. Os valores desviados por meio da corrução administrativa solapam a credibilidade das instituições públicas e impedem o pleno exercício das funções estatais, inclusive no tocante à prestação de serviços públicos. O Direito é um dos instrumentos utilizados para a consecução do pleno desenvolvimento nacional. O trabalho analisa a influência da corrupção administrativa no desenvolvimento do país, e em que medida a ação civil por improbidade administrativa atua como meio jurídico para sua prevenção e combate. Em síntese, tem-se que a ação civil por improbidade administrativa constitui efetivo instrumento de combate à improbidade administrativa, com reflexos positivos ao desenvolvimento nacional e à implementação dos direitos individuais e coletivos previstos constitucionalmente. Quanto à metodologia, utilizou-se a base lógica indutiva, por meio de pesquisa legal, doutrinária e jurisprudencial.
Refundação do Estado Desenvolvimentista: Dilemas entre desindustrialização e o setor saúde
Authors: Junior Dorival Fagundes Cotrim , Cabral Lucas Manoel da Silva , Resque João Daniel Daibes , Asensi Felipe Dutra
Published: June 2022

Este artigo, construído a partir de uma metodologia histórico-estruturalista, apresenta os fatores que levaram ao processo de desindustrialização nacional, a partir de 1985, com ênfase no neoliberalismo. Em seguida, realiza uma reflexão sobre a necessidade de reindustrialização do país, explicitada pela pandemia de COVID-19, em especial no setor de saúde (com afetações na área de ciência, tecnologia e inovação) e que se materializa na falta de sustentabilidade soberana na produção de bens utilizados no combate à pandemia, como máscaras, respiradores, medicamentos e testes. Por estes fatores torna-se necessário, com base em toda a discussão fático-empírica, bem como a partir da mobilização da filosofia política republicana, operar a refundação do estado desenvolvimentista sob a orientação de quatro grandes direitos: direito à vida, ao bem estar, ao desenvolvimento e à soberania.
Tristes tropicalizações: austeridade fiscal e sua constitucionalização no Brasil
Authors: Duran Camila Villard , Ratton Sanchez Badin Michelle
Published: June 2022

Desde 2015, políticas de austeridade fiscal e suas regras jurídicas têm sido concebidas e implementadas no Brasil. Esse modelo de gestão, que visa reduzir gastos públicos, não é em si uma novidade na história do país, mas sim a forma e o conteúdo com que foram consagrados na Emenda Constitucional no 95. Neste artigo, descrevemos, primeiramente, as condições que favoreceram a institucionalização dessa ideia econômica. Na sequência, analisamos as particularidades da Emenda, que revelam um processo de tropicalização da austeridade. Entendemos que a tropicalização tende a colocar em risco a democracia constitucional brasileira e a causar prejuízo, notadamente, às políticas sociais. O artigo está dividido em duas seções, para além da introdução e da conclusão. A primeira delas procura descrever o contexto brasileiro da reemergência do discurso de austeridade e a influência de ideias internacionais, via difusão e alinhamento institucional da tecnocracia brasileira com a do Fundo Monetário Internacional. Também exploramos a literatura correspondente no campo da sociologia das profissões. A segunda seção aponta como esse processo legitimador favoreceu a constitucionalização das medidas de consolidação fiscal no Brasil. Analisamos os risco da forma e do conteúdo da Emenda, a partir dos efeitos contraditórios desse grau de adensamento jurídico num país com elevado grau de desigualdade.
Le Droit à l’Environnement Dans Une Perspective Neomoderne
Authors: Tupiassu Lise , Gros-Desormeaux Jean-Raphaël
Published: June 2022

En même temps qu’il s’inscrit dans une logique de développement, l’environnement est quotidiennement la cible de nombreux actes susceptibles de le fragiliser, spécialement dans un contexte de capitalisme néolibéral. La crise écologique marque de nouveaux rapports entre les sociétés et la nature, avec la reconnaissance de l’environnement en tant qu’élément essentiel à l’existence de l’espèce humaine, et, ignorant les frontières et la souveraineté des États dans le contexte de mondialisation, devient un droit de l’homme, s’incluant progressivement dans les divers ordres normatifs dans une tendance homogénéisatrice. Dans cette perspective, l’objet de cette étude se penche sur l’analyse de ce mouvement juridique de diffusion normative du droit à l’environnement, essayant de comprendre comment ce phénomène s’est déroulé. Utilisant une méthodologie d’analyse de divers ordres juridiques basée sur la théorie de la circularité normative, on essaie de produire l’observation des effets et des influences réciproques trans et supranationaux sur la progression du degré de protection de l’environnement par le Droit. On conclut que ce mouvement juridique de diffusion normative du droit à l’environnement se manifeste de façon complexe et comprend un échange entre les divers ordres juridiques nationaux et internationaux, par le biais d’une dynamique non linéaire d´évolution qui va de l’internationalisation à la constitutionnalisation et réciproquement. Cependant, impliquant des réponses dans le cadre des politiques publiques néomodernes influencées par le scénario néolibéral, le droit à l’environnement rencontre des difficultés à se rendre effectif, au moment où le monde entier doit relever le challenge des objectifs du développement durable.
Cinco faces da opressão
Authors: Young Iris Marion
Published: June 2022

Cinco faces da opressão
O espaço e o tempo do valor
Authors: Harvey David
Published: June 2022

O artigo discute a lei do valor em Karl Marx como valor em movimento, que se faz valer no espaço e no tempo. Entende-se que o movimento não pode ocorrer no vácuo, sendo necessário abandonar a visão do valor que se move sem estar ancorado em nenhum lugar e passar a enxergá-lo criando geografias de cidades e redes de transportes; formando paisagens agrícolas para a produção de alimentos e matérias-primas; englobando fluxos de pessoas, bens e informações; determinando configurações territoriais de valores fundiários e habilidades de trabalho; organizando espaços de trabalho, estruturas de governo e administração. Conclui-se que há três grandes concepções de tempo e espaço: absoluto, relativo e relacional, as quais são abarcadas simultaneamente no interior da lógica do capital.Palavras-chave: Marx. Capital. Valor. Tempo. Espaço.
Novel Tube Design for Superheater Heat Exchanger Enabled Via Additive Manufacturing
Authors: Singh Vanshika , Babu S. S. , Kirka M. M. , Kulkarni Anand
Published: June 2022

Superheater tubes are critical boiler components that operate at relatively higher temperatures and pressure. Amongst the primary concerns for these tubes is the deposition of ash particles on the tube surface, leading to the reduced thickness of the tube due to material corrosion, consequently causing early creep failure of the component. In this research, a novel tube design has been proposed which resembles a teardrop or ogive shape to reduce the drag and concurrently improve the creep life of the superheater tubes. To administer the practicality of novel tubes, metal additive manufacturing (AM), for instance, laser-powder bed fusion (L-PBF), has been proposed. These unconventional designs were assessed and compared with the baseline circular tube design for mechanical design requirements (hoop stress and creep life) and the particle and flue gas flow characteristics around the differently shaped tubes. A thermomechanical finite element (FE) analysis was performed for hoop stress calculations. This study also emphasizes on effect of circumferential thermal variation on hoop stress distribution in tubes. Therefore, a detailed two-dimensional (2D) thermal simulation has been performed to report the circumferential thermal variation on the tube. A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis coupled with particle tracing was performed for gas flow visualization and particle tracing around the proposed shapes and baseline circular-shaped tube design. The Schlieren optic setup was built and leveraged for qualitative validation of the proposed design. The complete design methodology established in the paper shows teardrop-shaped tubes better in terms of drag and creep life in contrast to the circular-shaped tube.
The impact of head-related impulse response delay treatment strategy on psychoacoustic cue reconstruction errors from virtual loudspeaker arrays
Authors: Neal Matthew T. , Zahorik Pavel
Published: June 2022

Known errors exist in loudspeaker array processing techniques, often degrading source localization and timbre. The goal of the present study was to use virtual loudspeaker arrays to investigate how treatment of the interaural time delay (ITD) cue from each loudspeaker impacts these errors. Virtual loudspeaker arrays rendered over headphones using head-related impulse responses (HRIRs) allow flexible control of array size. Here, three HRIR delay treatment strategies were evaluated using minimum-phase loudspeaker HRIRs: reapplying the original HRIR delays, applying the relative ITD to the contralateral ear, or separately applying the HRIR delays prior to virtual array processing. Seven array sizes were simulated, and panning techniques were used to estimate HRIRs from 3000 directions using higher-order Ambisonics, vector-base amplitude panning, and the closest loudspeaker technique. Compared to a traditional, physical array, the prior HRIR delay treatment strategy produced similar errors with a 95% reduction in the required array size. When compared to direct spherical harmonic (SH) fitting of head-related transfer functions (HRTFs), the prior delays strategy reduced errors in reconstruction accuracy of timbral and directional psychoacoustic cues. This result suggests that delay optimization can greatly reduce the number of virtual loudspeakers required for accurate rendering of acoustic scenes without SH-based HRTF representation.
The Muscle Typology of Elite and World-Class Swimmers
Authors: Bellinger Phillip , Lievens Eline , Kennedy Ben , Rice Hal , Derave Wim , Minahan Clare
Published: June 2022

Purpose: To examine whether the muscle typology of elite and world-class swimmers could discriminate between their best distance event, swimming stroke style, or performance level. Methodology: The muscle carnosine content of 43 male (860 [76] FINA [Fédération Internationale de Natation] points) and 30 female (881 [63] FINA points) swimmers was measured in the soleus and gastrocnemius by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy and expressed as a carnosine aggregate Z score (CAZ score) to estimate muscle typology. A higher CAZ score is associated with a higher estimated proportion of type II fibers. Swimmers were categorized by their best stroke, distance category (sprinters, 50–100 m; middle distance, 200–400 m; or long distance, 800 m–open water), and performance level (world-class, world top 10, or elite and world top 100 swimmers outside of the world top 10). Results: There was no significant difference in the CAZ score of sprint- (−0.08 [0.55]), middle- (−0.17 [0.70]), or long-distance swimmers (−0.30 [0.75], P = .693). World-class sprint swimmers (all strokes included) had a significantly higher CAZ score (0.37 [0.70]) when compared to elite sprint swimmers (−0.25 [0.61], P = .024, d = 0.94). Breaststroke swimmers (0.69 [0.73]) had a significantly higher CAZ score compared to freestyle (−0.24 [0.54], P < .001, d = 1.46), backstroke (−0.16 [0.47], P = .006, d = 1.42), and butterfly swimmers (−0.39 [0.53], P < .001, d = 1.70). Furthermore, within the cohort of breaststroke swimmers, there was a significant positive correlation between FINA points and CAZ score (r = .728, P = .011); however, this association was not evident in other strokes. Conclusion: While there was no clear association between muscle typology and event distance specialization, world-class sprint swimmers possess a greater estimated proportion of type II fibers compared to elite sprint swimmers, as well as breaststroke swimmers compared to freestyle, backstroke, and butterfly swimmers.
Precise CRISPR-Cas–mediated gene repair with minimal off-target and unintended on-target mutations in human hematopoietic stem cells
Authors: Tran Ngoc Tung , Danner Eric , Li Xun , Graf Robin , Lebedin Mikhail , de la Rosa Kathrin , Kühn Ralf , Rajewsky Klaus , Chu Van Trung
Published: June 2022

While CRISPR-Cas9 is key for the development of gene therapy, its potential off-target mutations are still a major concern. Here, we establish a “spacer-nick” gene correction approach that combines the Cas9
D10A
nickase with a pair of PAM-out sgRNAs at a distance of 200 to 350 bp. In combination with adeno-associated virus (AAV) serotype 6 template delivery, our approach led to efficient HDR in human hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs including long-term HSCs) and T cells, with minimal NHEJ-mediated on-target mutations. Using spacer-nick, we developed an approach to repair disease-causing mutations occurring in the
HBB
,
ELANE
,
IL7R
, and
PRF1
genes. We achieved gene correction efficiencies of 20 to 50% with minimal NHEJ-mediated on-target mutations. On the basis of in-depth off-target assessment, frequent unintended genetic alterations induced by classical CRISPR-Cas9 were significantly reduced or absent in the HSPCs treated with spacer-nick. Thus, the spacer-nick gene correction approach provides improved safety and suitability for gene therapy.
Stress-Induced Mutagenesis, Gambler Cells, and Stealth Targeting Antibiotic-Induced Evolution
Authors: Pribis John P. , Zhai Yin , Hastings P. J. , Rosenberg Susan M.
Published: June 2022

Mechanisms of evolution and evolution of antibiotic resistance are both fundamental and world health problems. Stress-induced mutagenesis defines mechanisms of mutagenesis upregulated by stress responses, which drive adaptation when cells are maladapted to their environments—when stressed.
Static and Dynamic Testing of a Nonlinear Molecular Spring of Vehicle Suspension
Authors: Nie Gaofa , Lin Yuanling , Miao Xuhong , Tang Yuhang
Published: June 2022

The paper explains a concept of a vehicle molecular spring suspension whose stiffness in middle stage can be as low as 13 N/mm. The design of this suspension spring on the basis of a hydrophobic nanoporous material is introduced. The test methods of determining the static and dynamic mechanical properties of the novel suspension spring are described. The rationality of experimental design and the accuracy of theoretical analysis is proved by the negligible error between experimental results and theoretical analysis. The vibration isolation test results show that the natural frequency of the suspension can be as low as 1.06 Hz.
Influence of Afferentation from the Contralateral Hand during Imitation of Cello Bowing in Musically Untrained Individuals
Authors: Kazennikov O. V. , Talis V. L.
Published: June 2022

We studied hand movement during imitation of cello bowing while the rectilinear movement of the right bowing arm should occur in parallel with the bow orientation along the arm trajectory. Musically untrained individuals moved the bow across the bar that imitated the cello. Motion analysis was used to investigate the influence of a variety of experimental conditions: (1) bow motion on the bar surface, (2) on the left hand lying on the bar, and (3) in the air without touching the bar. It was found that the trajectory of the marker on the index finger at the bow frog differed significantly from the marker trajectory at the bow tip. In all conditions the marker on the index finger moved along a trajectory close to a straight line with an orientation slightly deviating from perpendicular to the bar. The marker trajectory at the bow tip deviated more from the perpendicular direction. Differences in the trajectories of markers at the bow frog and the bow tip depended on the condition of bow movement. The smallest differences were observed when the bow was moved on the left hand. It is suggested that sensation from the contralateral hand was used to create the internal representation of the relative position of the bow and the bar.
Pooled prevalence of blindness in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Markos Merkineh , Kefyalew Biruktayit , Tesfaye Hana Belay
Published: June 2022

Blindness is defined as presenting visual acuity worse than 3/60 in the better eye. Its highest proportion has been conforming to the developing countries such as Ethiopia. So, timely information is crucial to design strategies. However, the study on the magnitude of blindness in Ethiopia was outdated which means it was conducted in 2005–2006. Therefore, this study was proposed to estimate the pooled prevalence of blindness in Ethiopia.

Databases like PubMed, Cochrane library, Google Scholar and references of retrieved articles were used to search for articles. A standard data extraction approach was employed and presented using Preferred Reporting of Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale quality assessment tool was used to evaluate the quality of studies. Analysis held using STATA V.11. The funnel plot and Egger’s regression test were applied to check for the potential sources of bias. Heterogeneity among the studies was tested using I² statistics that have been calculated and compared with the standard. Meta-regression and subgroup analysis were done to identify the potential sources of heterogeneity. Estimation of blindness was carried out using Duval and Twee die’s trim and fill analysis. The pooled prevalence of blindness in Ethiopia is found to be 1.18% (95% CI 0.650% to 1.706%). Blindness is among the main public health difficulties in Ethiopia. So, it demands up-to-date strategies and its implementation, preventive and curative eye care service with affordable and accessible interventions, and evidence-based advocacy. The trial Registration Number is CRD42021268448.
Logic of the Temporal Compartmentalization of the Hepatic Metabolic Cycle
Authors: Zhu Bokai
Published: June 2022

The mammalian liver must cope with various metabolic and physiological changes that normally recur every day and result primarily from rest-activity and fasting-feeding cycles. In this article, I present evidence supporting a temporal compartmentalization of rhythmic hepatic metabolic processes into four main clusters: regulation of energy homeostasis, maintenance of information integrity, immune response, and genetic information flow. I further review literatures and discuss how both the circadian and the newly discovered 12-h ultradian clock work together to regulate these four temporally separated processes in mouse liver, which, interestingly, is largely uncoupled from the liver zonation regulation.
Data Analysis in Green Industrial Processes with Modified Chemical Efficiency and Environmental Impact: Smart Urea Production and CO2 Removal
Authors: Khandaghi Fatemeh , Abdollahi Shahoo
Published: June 2022

Agriculture can benefit from urea fertilizer because it contains a lot of nitrogen at a reasonable cost. Urea fertilizer can be stored easily and does not pose a fire hazard over time. Due to its acidifying properties, urea fertilizer is an ideal fertilizer for many plants. Input and feed of the urea unit are taken from the output of the ammonia unit (CO2 and NH3). Hence, in this study, two methods of CO2 recovery from combustion gases and CO2 recycling in ammonia units will be used to increase urea production to realize low-carbon and industrial systems (including green agriculture). CO2 recovery also reduces environmental pollution, which is a very important factor in sustainable cities and societies. The results showed that CO reduction increases the overall efficiency compared to the data reported in the world for the same process, which is due to the reduction of CO input to methanize. Collecting information around the globe for constructing the same green system considering various conditions in each environment makes complicated situations in terms of how to design the process and the observed outcomes. However, we could find a new smart design to build the green system in our case study where it is completely acceptable compared to the same systems’ outputs. The obtained results indicate that the temperature of the shift reactor can be brought closer to 365°C without reducing the selectivity of the catalysts, which in turn would increase the CO conversion rate, the CO2 output, and the overall efficiency of the unit. Finally, it is shown that the rate of CO escape from shift reactors is decreased.
Terahertz Spectral Characteristics of Konjac Gum Determined via Microfluidic Technology
Authors: Jiang Huimin , Li Qingjun , Shen Yan , Zhou Hangyu , Li Yuchai , Su Bo , Zhang Cunlin
Published: June 2022

Terahertz radiation enables nondestructive testing of biological samples, but is challenged by its high absorption in aqueous samples, so microfluidic technology is introduced to reduce the absorption. In this study, we designed a special temperature control device and an electric field device for a microfluidic chip to examine the terahertz spectral characteristics of konjac gum at different temperatures, concentrations, and electric field exposure time using the terahertz time domain spectroscopy system. Results demonstrate that higher concentrations of konjac gum lead to higher transmission intensity of terahertz radiation and a lower absorption of the radiation. Higher temperatures of the konjac gum lead to lower terahertz transmittance, and longer exposure time in the electric field leads to a lower transmittance of terahertz radiation and its higher absorption by the konjac gum. At the same time, we explain this phenomenon from the perspective of micromolecules. This study provides technical guidance for the detection of konjac gum by terahertz technology.
Asiaticoside Suppresses Gastric Cancer Progression and Induces Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress through the miR-635/HMGA1 Axis
Authors: Zhang Chao , Ji Xiaolin , Chen Zhenguang , Yao Zhichao
Published: June 2022

Objective. Gastric cancer is a prevalent malignant tumor with high morbidity and poor prognosis. Asiaticoside (AC) has antitumor effects, while its role in gastric cancer is elusive. Thus, this study investigated the effect of AC on gastric cancer progression. Methods. Cell viability and migration were determined using the CCK-8 and Transwell migration assay. Endoplasmic reticulum stress was detected through measuring the expressions of GRP78, Chop, and hnRNPA1 by Western blot. The luciferase assay confirmed the relationship between miR-635 and High Mobility Group AT-Hook 1 (HMGA1). The effect of AC on tumor growth was evaluated by establishing a xenograft tumor. The survival rate of mice was analyzed by Kaplan-Meier analysis. Results. AC suppressed gastric cancer cell viability and restrained cell migration. AC inhibited the expressions of the cell proliferation marker PCNA and EMT-related marker N-cadherin and increased E-cadherin expression. AC elevated the levels of GRP78 and Chop and suppressed the level of hnRNPA1. In addition, AC restrained gastric cancer proliferation and migration ability and induced endoplasmic reticulum stress by upregulating miR-635 expression. Furthermore, HMGA1 was proven to be a target of miR-635. AC constrained gastric cancer cell proliferation and migration and promoted endoplasmic reticulum stress by regulating HMGA1. Moreover, AC suppressed in vivo tumor growth and improved the survival time of mice. Additionally, AC elevated the expressions of miR-635, E-cadherin, GRP78, and Chop and inhibited Ki-67, HMGA1, N-cadherin, and hnRNPA1 expressions in tumor tissues of mice. Conclusion. AC suppressed gastric cancer progression and induced endoplasmic reticulum stress via the miR-635/HMGA1 axis, providing a valuable drug against gastric cancer.
A Type-2 Fuzzy Logic Approach for Forecasting of Effluent Quality Parameters of Wastewater Treatment
Authors: Bhattacharjee Samyabrata , Alattas Khalid A. , El-Sousy Fayez F. M. , Mohammadzadeh Ardashir , Asad Jihad H. , Mobayen Saleh , Alshaikh Noorhan
Published: June 2022

In this investigation, we have studied and designed a type-2 fuzzy logic controller (IT2FLC) for the wastewater treatment plant at Haldia, India. To avoid modeling complex physical, chemical, and biological treatment processes of wastewater, this present work represents an ensemble of fuzzy models as surrogates for the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). Using measured influent water quality data, each fuzzy model predicts water quality after the process of water treatment parameters. The pH, biological oxygen demand (BOD), total suspended particles (TSS), chemical oxygen demand (COD), and temperature are taken into account as input variables. Finally, the sensitivity of the IT2FLC model is evaluated by several statistical parameters like RMSE, MAE, MAPE, and most importantly

R

2

value. For the current model, the values of the three parameters are almost 0, whereas the value of the

R

2

is almost close to 1, which signifies that the IT2FLC model is accurate and more efficient in predicting response compared to other conventional methods reported in various literatures.
Thermal-Structural Analysis of the Support Structure for a Modular Space Deployable Antenna
Authors: Jin Lu , Zhang Feiyang , Tian Dake , Wang Qinghe , Cao Quanyu
Published: June 2022

A modular space deployable antenna has the advantages of extensibility, adaptability, and versatility, which is an ideal structure to meet the development trend of large aperture, high precision, and light weight for the deployable antenna in the future. To date, there are few reports on the temperature response of a modular deployable antenna in the thermal alternating environment in orbit. The aim of this study is at investigating the influence of a modular deployable antenna support structure on the surface accuracy and stability under the space thermal alternating environment. For this purpose, the thermal-structure analysis of the deployable antenna support structure was carried out by ANSYS APDL finite-element software. Using the transient temperature field obtained by thermal analysis as the boundary condition, the coupling law of stress development and thermal deformation of the support chord and cable caused by the antenna structure constraint position and other parameters is analyzed. In a uniform thermal field, the thermal stress of cables in the central module of the structure is the highest and that of the chord components in the same-circle modules is essentially the same. The thermally stress of the upper chords increases progressively toward the outer module, whereas that of cables decreases in the same direction. The thermal deformation at the upper-layer centroid of the structure can reach about 15 mm, so the influence on the accuracy of the antenna cannot be ignored. When the splicing vertical rod of adjacent modules in the outermost of the support structure is taken as the constraint connecting with the extension arm, the thermal deformation of the structure is minimum. The heat-insulating composite coating should be adopted on the surface of the antenna structure to reduce the thermal deformation and improve the adaptability. The thermal-structural analysis model proposed in this study could accurately estimate the behaviour of thermal deformation for the modular space deployable antenna, but the further coupling condition of the nonuniform temperature field could still be conducted. The results can provide a reference for the basic theory and engineering application of thermal-structural analysis for extralarge-aperture modular deployable antennas in the future.
Comparative Study on the Plastic Zone of Circular Hole Surrounding Rock in Anisotropic In Situ Stress Conditions
Authors: Zhou Pei , Wu Peng
Published: June 2022

Anisotropic in situ ground stress is an objective stress state of rock mass that should be taken into account when calculating the plastic zone of the circular hole surrounding rock. The point stress method and approximate plastic condition method for calculating plastic zone are derived, and the finite element numerical calculation is carried out. Different analytical and finite element approaches are employed for calculation based on the representative parameters. The outcomes of the calculations are thoroughly examined. There are four shapes of plastic zone, among which the butterfly plastic zone can be obtained only by approximate plastic condition method and finite element method. The distribution of plastic zone calculated by using the point stress method and the Ruppneyt formula is identical, with only small deviations. The modified Fenner formula should not be used to calculate the plastic zone under in situ stress anisotropy since it would result in an underestimation of the maximum plastic radius. The detailed calculation and results comparison of this paper can provide a reference for more comprehensive and reasonable evaluation of the surrounding rock plastic zone.
Nested Copula Model for Overall Seismic Vulnerability Analysis of Multispan Bridges
Authors: Ma Ming , Wang Xiaoguang , Liu Naidong , Song Shuai , Wang Shuai
Published: June 2022

Piers and bearings influence each other in earthquakes, and the failure of any component will affect the whole function of bridges. Thus, it is critical to consider the correlations between multiple components in the seismic vulnerability analysis of the overall bridge system. In this paper, a method of overall seismic vulnerability analysis with nested copula model was proposed to model the correlations between multiple components. The components were combined according to their types to construct the hierarchical structure of the system. The correlation of components was modeled with copula functions, and the nested copula model of the system was eventually developed. Maximum likelihood estimation and goodness-of-fit test were used to select and optimize the copula functions. The overall seismic vulnerability of the multispan bridge system was established using the nested copula model. A four-span continuous rigid frame bridge was used to illustrate the application of the proposed method. The results show that the nested copula model accurately simulated the correlations between multiple components, which would eliminate the overestimation or underestimation by the first-order boundary method.