bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Infrared imaging of polydimethylsiloxane-doped upconversion particle composites
Authors: Wu Mingming , Ye An , Guo Jiahao , Li Xiaolin , Wan Jinyin , Zhang Chao , Niu Yueping , Gong Shangqing
Published: January 2023

Short-wave infrared imaging is playing an increasingly important role in present scientific research. However, the high experimental cost limits its application. Based on the upconversion fluorescence effect, we prepared a low-cost composite film for short-wave infrared imaging using upconversion particles and polydimethylsiloxane. The imaging quality and stability of the prepared composite films are examined using an infrared laser. The fluorescence density fluctuation of the composite films at 100 is only 1.2%, and the maximum value of the fluorescence power percentage error caused by the inhomogeneity is only 4.5%. Due to the affordable and easy accessibility, a typical optical laboratory can prepare and use the aforementioned technique in experiments in a short time.
Experimental and numerical analysis of shear-driven droplet coalescence on surfaces with various wettabilities
Authors: Yeganehdoust Firoozeh , Hanson Jack , Johnson Zachary , Jadidi Mehdi , Moghtadernejad Sara
Published: January 2023

The goal of this study is to explore and analyze the concurrent shear-driven droplet shedding and coalescence under the effect of various parameters, such as droplet size and distance, as well as airflow velocity and surface wettability. To investigate and capture different aspects of droplet dynamics, both experimental modeling and numerical modeling are conducted. The volume of fluid coupled with the large-eddy simulation turbulent model in conjunction with the dynamic contact angle is implemented to model droplet shedding on different surface wettabilities. Analysis revealed a great match between the numerical and experimental outcomes. It is shown that in addition to surface wettability and airflow speed, droplet sizes, and the distance between them are crucial factors in controlling droplet dynamics during the shedding and coalescence. It is illustrated that on the aluminum (hydrophilic) surface, the second droplet (the one further from the airflow inlet) tends to move toward the first droplet (the one closer to the airflow inlet) more significantly when the distance between droplets is larger as well as the cases where the first droplet is also the larger one. It is revealed that if the first droplet is larger, after coalescence the resulting droplet will break up into smaller droplets known as satellites. On the superhydrophobic surfaces, on the other hand, droplets behaved differently, which is mainly related to initial droplet shape and dynamic contact angles. For the cases of the larger distance between the droplets, the first droplet is lifted off from the surface after a few milliseconds, and consequently, the second droplet is not prone to move toward the first one. When the first droplet is larger between the two, the second droplet tends to move toward the first one in contrast to the case where the first droplet is the smaller one. To better interpret the droplet dynamics, and the effect of different parameters on their behavior, further details on aerodynamic forces including the drag and lift forces before and after the coalescence are presented in this work.
Tubulin isotype regulation maintains asymmetric requirement for α-tubulin over β-tubulin
Authors: Wethekam Linnea C. , Moore Jeffrey K.
Published: January 2023

How cells regulate α- and β-tubulin to meet the demand for αβ-heterodimers and avoid consequences of monomer imbalance is not understood. We investigate the role of gene copy number and how shifting expression of α- or β-tubulin genes impacts tubulin proteostasis and microtubule function in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We find that α-tubulin gene copy number is important for maintaining excess α-tubulin protein compared to β-tubulin protein. Excess α-tubulin prevents accumulation of super-stoichiometric β-tubulin, which leads to loss of microtubules, formation of non-microtubule assemblies of tubulin, and disrupts cell proliferation. In contrast, sub-stoichiometric β-tubulin or overexpression of α-tubulin has minor effects. We provide evidence that yeast cells equilibrate α-tubulin protein concentration when α-tubulin isotype expression is increased. We propose an asymmetric relationship between α- and β-tubulins, in which α-tubulins are maintained in excess to supply αβ-heterodimers and limit the accumulation of β-tubulin monomers.
Nuclear-enriched protein phosphatase 4 ensures outer kinetochore assembly prior to nuclear dissolution
Authors: Rocha Helder , Simões Patrícia A. , Budrewicz Jacqueline , Lara-Gonzalez Pablo , Carvalho Ana Xavier , Dumont Julien , Desai Arshad , Gassmann Reto
Published: January 2023

A landmark event in the transition from interphase to mitosis in metazoans is nuclear envelope breakdown (NEBD). Important mitotic events occur prior to NEBD, including condensation of replicated chromosomes and assembly of kinetochores to rapidly engage spindle microtubules. Here, we show that nuclear-enriched protein phosphatase 4 (PP4) ensures robust assembly of the microtubule-coupling outer kinetochore prior to NEBD. In the absence of PP4, chromosomes exhibit extended monopolar orientation after NEBD and subsequently mis-segregate. A secondary consequence of diminished outer kinetochore assembly is defective sister chromatid resolution. After NEBD, a cytoplasmic activity compensates for PP4 loss, leading to outer kinetochore assembly and recovery of chromosomes from monopolar orientation to significant bi-orientation. The Ndc80-Ska microtubule-binding module of the outer kinetochore is required for this recovery. PP4 associates with the inner kinetochore protein CENP-C; however, disrupting the PP4–CENP-C interaction does not perturb chromosome segregation. These results establish that PP4-dependent outer kinetochore assembly prior to NEBD is critical for timely and proper engagement of chromosomes with spindle microtubules.
Gain measurements on VCSEL material using segmented contact technique
Authors: Hentschel C , Allford C P , Gillgrass S-J , Travers-Nabialek J , Forrest R , Baker J , Meiklejohn J , Powell D , Meredith W , Haji M , Davies J I , Shutts S , Smowton P M
Published: January 2023

We report direct measurements of the optical gain on vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) material using a stripe-length method featuring segmented contacts. We utilise the similarity of the in-plane transverse electric (TE) polarised matrix element and that of the VCSEL lasing mode and a simple method to reduce round trip effects. The confinement factor is determined from cold-cavity simulations of the in-plane TE polarised slab waveguide mode and used to convert the measured in-plane modal gain into the vertical-cavity modal gain, as required for the VCSEL structure. This gives a threshold material gain of 1440 ± 140 cm−1 at 30 °C for this structure. A comparison with the threshold material gain values determined from the lasing condition, where internal optical losses due to doping induced absorption is included using parameters taken from the literature, indicates the presence of an additional source of optical loss in the experiment which increases the threshold material gain by ∼450 cm−1. A best fit is obtained by increasing the optical loss in the n-DBR (distributed Bragg reflectors) layers to 40 cm−1, which is consistent with previous work on additional scattering losses due to interface roughening in the n-DBR layers. To further demonstrate the utility of this method for rapid optimisation, the gain-peak wavelength is measured directly, and its temperature dependence is compared to the lasing wavelength.
High-responsivity dual-frequency hot-electron photodetectors with magnetic polaritons beneath metal grating strips
Authors: Hu Xiao-long , Wu Hai-lin , Tang Ling-yun , Zhang Jiang , Liu Wen-jie
Published: January 2023

In this work, near-infrared Au-grating/MoS2/Au hot-electron photodetectors (HEPDs) with magnetic polaritons (MPs) beneath the top Au grating strips are designed and proposed. The MPs are formed by the near-field coupling between the grating and the bottom Au film, which achieves a light absorption greater than 99.5% at 1550 nm for the HEPDs. The simulations show that the absorption wavelength can be tuned independently and widely to cover the whole short wavelength infrared band by adjusting width of the grating strips, and the near-perfect absorption characteristics can be maintained. Then, dual-frequency HEPDs with two different grating strip widths in one cycle of the Au-grating are designed. Without external bias, the theoretical responsivities as high as 11.2 mA W−1 at 1200 nm and 6.2 mA W−1 at 1550 nm are achieved for the HEPDs by a three-step electrical model. In addition, a modulation distance between the two absorption peak positions of the HEPDs could be larger than 1100 nm. This provides a new idea for the realization of high-responsivity near-infrared HEPDs for arbitrary dual-band detection, which has great potential in modern optical communication systems.
Dyakonov surface polaritons in antiferromagnet film
Authors: Hao Shaopeng , Song Haoyuan , Fu Shufang , Wang Xuan-Zhang
Published: January 2023

Dyakonov surface polaritons (DSPs) in a single antiferromagnetic (AF) film are investigated in the parallel geometry where the AF anisotropic axis is parallel to the film and no external magnetic field is applied. The analytical dispersion relation is obtained and four surface modes are found, among which one symmetric mode and an anti-symmetric mode are exist in the AF reststrahlen frequency band, and another symmetric and anti-symmetric modes are situated out the reststrahlen band. The existence of symmetric and anti-symmetric modes is caused by the mirror symmetry and finite thickness of the AF film. A pair of modes in the band have magnetostatic limits but the other pair out the band do not. The dispersion properties, field and energy-flux density distributions of each DSP are numerically calculated based on the FeF2 film for various propagating directions and film thicknesses. It is very interesting that the energy flux of each DSP can seriously deviates from its propagation direction, and the largest walk-off angle can reach 200°. In addition, we briefly discuss dispersion properties of Dyakonov odd and even guided modes, they also are symmetric and antisymmetric and have multiple solutions.
Bias dependent NDR in TiO2/NiO heterojunction diodes
Authors: Athira M , Angappane S
Published: January 2023

TiO2/NiO thin film heterojunction diodes are fabricated using electron beam evaporation and DC sputtering techniques. Three different thicknesses of NiO (58, 82, and 160 nm) are combined with a TiO2 film of about 80 nm thick. The common device configuration is FTO/TiO2/NiO/Au with a 4 mm sq. device area. The thickness dependent diode I-V characteristics were analyzed; with the increase in thickness, the diode knee voltage, series resistance, and ideality factor have reduced. All the devices exhibit a high diode ideality factor, which means the diode currents are not limited by drift, diffusion, or recombination at the space charge region. The high ideality factor points to the presence of interface states, spatial inhomogeneities, or tunneling in the devices. Further, the bias dependent negative differential resistance (NDR) in I-V characteristics and the presence of an anomalous peak in C-V characteristics were analyzed, which claimed the presence of interfacial trap states, defects, or tunneling in the diodes. The Fowler-Nordheim tunnel model was applied to the devices and the field enhancement factors were calculated as −14.3, −9.3, and −9.2 for the diodes in the increasing order of thickness. The tunneling phenomenon was confirmed as trap-assisted indirect tunneling. Also, the temperature dependence of NDR was studied.
On the image method of separable variable problems
Authors: Zhang Yiming , Zhao Zhibin , Jiao Chongqing , Cui Xiang
Published: January 2023

The image method is a classical analysis method for mathematical physics problems but restricted by domain geometry and boundary conditions. In this paper, the scope of the image method is investigated and extended to separable variable problems. The general description of the image method is established and the image source distribution is determined for separable variable problems. The image source distribution function is proved to be the out of domain part of the eigenfunction series of the source distribution function. This continuation from the source distribution function to the image source distribution function is also given as the inner product with the eigenfunction series of the Dirac delta function. Three numerical examples with complex boundary conditions or geometry domains are prepared to verify the generality and effectiveness of the conclusion.
Dynamical analysis of higher-order localized waves for a three-component coupled nonlinear Schrödinger equation
Authors: Song N , Zhang Y F , Shang H J , Ma W X
Published: January 2023

This paper examines the three-component coupled nonlinear Schrödinger equation, which has various applications in deep ocean, nonlinear optics, Bose–Einstein (BE) condensates, and more. On the basis of seed solutions and a Lax pair, the Nth-order iterative expressions for the solutions are derived by using the generalized Darboux transformation. The evolution plots of dark-bright-rogue wave or breather-rogue wave are then obtained via numerical simulation. Particularly, a novel rogue wave propagation trajectory is found in the second and third order localized wave solutions. Moreover, by increasing the value of the free parameter α and β, the nonlinear waves merge with each other distinctly. The results further reveal the abundant dynamical patterns of localized waves in the three-component coupled system.
Kerr black holes with synchronised Proca hair: lensing, shadows and EHT constraints
Authors: Sengo Ivo , Cunha Pedro V.P. , Herdeiro Carlos A.R. , Radu Eugen
Published: January 2023

We investigate the gravitational lensing by spinning Proca stars and the shadows and lensing by Kerr black holes (BHs) with synchronised Proca hair, discussing both theoretical aspects and observational constraints from the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) M87* and Sgr A* data. On the theoretical side, this family of BHs interpolates between Kerr-like solutions — exhibiting a similar optical appearance to that of Kerr BHs — to very non-Kerr like solutions, exhibiting exotic features such as cuspy shadows, egg-like shadows and ghost shadows. We interpret these features in terms of the structure of the fundamental photon orbits, for which different branches exist, containing both stable and unstable orbits, with some of the latter not being shadow related. On the observational side, we show that current EHT constraints are compatible with all such BHs that could form from the growth of the superradiant instability of Kerr BHs. Unexpectedly, given the (roughly) 10% error bars in the EHT data — and in contrast to their scalar cousin model —, some of the BHs with up to 40% of their energy in their Proca hair are compatible with the current data. We estimate the necessary resolution of future observations to better constrain this model.
Interface engineering in two-dimensional heterostructures towards novel emitters
Authors: Li Hua , Ling Jinyang , Lin Jiamin , Lu Xin , Xu Weigao
Published: January 2023

Two-dimensional (2D) semiconductors have captured broad interest as light emitters, due to their unique excitonic effects. These layer-blocks can be integrated through van der Waals assembly, i.e., fabricating homo- or heterojunctions, which show novel emission properties caused by interface engineering. In this review, we will first give an overview of the basic strategies that have been employed in interface engineering, including changing components, adjusting interlayer gap, and tuning twist angle. By modifying the interfacial factors, novel emission properties of emerging excitons are unveiled and discussed. Generally, well-tailored interfacial energy transfer and charge transfer within a 2D heterostructure cause static modulation of the brightness of intralayer excitons. As a special case, dynamically correlated dual-color emission in weakly-coupled bilayers will be introduced, which originates from intermittent interlayer charge transfer. For homobilayers and type Ⅱ heterobilayers, interlayer excitons with electrons and holes residing in neighboring layers are another important topic in this review. Moreover, the overlap of two crystal lattices forms moiré patterns with a relatively large period, taking effect on intralayer and interlayer excitons. Particularly, theoretical and experimental progresses on spatially modulated moiré excitons with ultra-sharp linewidth and quantum emission properties will be highlighted. Moiré quantum emitter provides uniform and integratable arrays of single photon emitters that are previously inaccessible, which is essential in quantum many-body simulation and quantum information processing. Benefiting from the optically addressable spin and valley indices, 2D heterostructures have become an indispensable platform for investigating exciton physics, designing and integrating novel concept emitters.
Emotion recognition using spatial-temporal EEG features through convolutional graph attention network
Authors: Li Zhongjie , Zhang Gaoyan , Wang Longbiao , Wei Jianguo , Dang Jianwu
Published: January 2023

Objective. Constructing an efficient human emotion recognition model based on electroencephalogram (EEG) signals is significant for realizing emotional brain–computer interaction and improving machine intelligence. Approach. In this paper, we present a spatial-temporal feature fused convolutional graph attention network (STFCGAT) model based on multi-channel EEG signals for human emotion recognition. First, we combined the single-channel differential entropy (DE) feature with the cross-channel functional connectivity (FC) feature to extract both the temporal variation and spatial topological information of EEG. After that, a novel convolutional graph attention network was used to fuse the DE and FC features and further extract higher-level graph structural information with sufficient expressive power for emotion recognition. Furthermore, we introduced a multi-headed attention mechanism in graph neural networks to improve the generalization ability of the model. Main results. We evaluated the emotion recognition performance of our proposed model on the public SEED and DEAP datasets, which achieved a classification accuracy of 99.11% ± 0.83% and 94.83% ± 3.41% in the subject-dependent and subject-independent experiments on the SEED dataset, and achieved an accuracy of 91.19% ± 1.24% and 92.03% ± 4.57% for discrimination of arousal and valence in subject-independent experiments on DEAP dataset. Notably, our model achieved state-of-the-art performance on cross-subject emotion recognition tasks for both datasets. In addition, we gained insight into the proposed frame through both the ablation experiments and the analysis of spatial patterns of FC and DE features. Significance. All these results prove the effectiveness of the STFCGAT architecture for emotion recognition and also indicate that there are significant differences in the spatial-temporal characteristics of the brain under different emotional states.
Harmonic Voltage Amplitude Calculation and Fundamental Amplitude Correction Based on Synchronized SVPWM of Two-level VSI under Low Switching Frequency
Authors: Hu Yueqiang , Jiang Fengguang
Published: January 2023

The switching frequency of two-level VSI is usually limited to a very low level for high-power drives to minimize the switching losses. For the synchronized SVPWM under low switching frequency, there will be a relative deviation of fundamental amplitude between the output voltage and the reference voltage. To solve this problem, in this paper, a method to calculate the amplitude of output phase voltage harmonics under synchronized SVPWM is proposed, and an online fundamental amplitude correction method is proposed based on this calculation result.
Flexible piezoelectric nanocomposites based on PVDF-HFP/PLA blend doped PZT
Authors: Oumghar K , Chakhchaoui N , Eddiai A , Cherkaoui O , Mazroui M
Published: January 2023

In the present work, we studied the effect of adding PZT nanoparticles to PVDF-HFP/PLA matrix on piezoelectric properties of blend-based nanocomposites. Polyvinylidene fluoride hexafluoro-propylene /Polylactic acid /Lead titanate zirconate (PVdF-HFP/PLA/PZT) films nanocomposites were prepared by solvent casting technique using different percentages of PZT Nano fillers. The different samples were characterized by Polarized optical microscope (POM), Fourier transformed infrared (FTIR) and Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA).

POM images indicate uniform distribution of PZT Nano fillers in the PVdF-HFP/PLA matrix. FTIR analysis reveals the appearance of β-phase in nanocomposites and the enhancement of their piezoelectric properties. These electroactive nanocomposites thin films are a potential candidate for the piezoelectric Nano generators, energy storage devices and energy harvesting applications.
Investigation of conductive printed thermoplastic polyurethane nanofibers to detect the clogging of air filters
Authors: Mohamadi Parian , Mohsenzadeh Elham , Cochrane Cedric , Koncar Vladan
Published: January 2023

Recently, air pollution attracted many worries because of its high number of deaths per year. To solve the problem, the industries are trying to fabricate the giant air filtration system for public areas. However, the clogging of air filters should be detected in real-time to change or clean them. E-textile is a very fascinating field, which is often used in medical, safety, military and clogging detection applications. These components are integrated into soft textile materials according to their usage requirements. One of the most attractive textile structures is the nanofibers due to their advantageous properties such as porosity, lightweight, and high surface area. To have conductive nanofiber-based membrane sensors, two in situ electrical conductivity principles using conductive particles and surface conductivity, such as immersion and printing methods are recommended. In this research, the thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) nanofibers’ membranes are produced using an electrospinning system and the carbon ink was printed on the surface of nanofibers to apply in textile sensors applications. SEM images showed the uniform structure of the nanofibers and the porosity of the system even after printing. The electromechanical properties of printed membranes demonstrated the change of electrical resistance under stretch. Conclusively, these conductive membranes could be employed as strain sensors to detect the small changes in the output airflow indicated the possible clogging of air filters.
Smart apparel design for urinary incontinence detection
Authors: Coulombe A , Guérineau J , Mezghani N
Published: January 2023

A wide range of wearable devices are now used to help people with various health conditions. While approximately 10% of the Canadian population is affected by some form of urinary incontinence, there is a significant need for devices addressing this condition. This paper presents an ongoing research project for the design and development of an underwear fitted with urinary detection capacities. The paper focuses on the testing and comparison of three different solutions identified from scientific literature for detecting urinary leakage, namely by measuring conductivity, temperature, and humidity. These three detection modules have been integrated into a single prototype to ensure that they are tested under the same conditions. Our results point out that conductivity and humidity measurements appear to be viable for urine leakage detection in an absorbent pad, whereas temperature measurement has proven to be unsuccessful due to the rapid drop of the solution temperature and the time required for the liquid to reach the sensor. The temperature method is hence excluded from the next development stages. Finally, further tests on participants are still required to evaluate how body fluids other than urine might impact conductivity and humidity measurements.
Simulation techniques for smart textile predictive design
Authors: Knowles Caitlin G. , Ju Beomjun , Sennik Busra , Mills Amanda C. , Jur Jesse S.
Published: January 2023

Smart textiles must combine both textile and electronic systems into one product. This presents challenges as each industry has their own design and evaluation standards that are not compatible with one another. As such, smart textile designers tend to rely heavily on the production and iteration of physical prototypes to create a product that meets the specified design criteria. One emerging tool in the apparel industry that has potential to shorten the prototyping cycle is 3D CAD for textiles, also known as 3D garment simulation. While typically used for apparel design and e-commerce, this work presents two case studies that demonstrate how 3D garment simulation can be used as a tool for predictive design of smart textile products. In particular, how strain-dependent properties such as resistance and contact pressure can be predicted and how designs can be optimized to achieve certain performance metrics.
Manufacturing of near-net-shape composite parts using Tailored Fiber Placement preforms
Authors: Bélanger Marie-Claude , Forcier Patricia , Bujold Alain , Pesant Simon , Pagé Serge
Published: January 2023

This paper demonstrates the feasibility of manufacturing a light and low cost near-net-shape vertebra from Tailored Fiber Placement (TFP) preforms. The TFP preforms were produced flat and sewn together at the ends by a classic sewing process. Low pressure Vacuum Assisted Resin Transfer Molding (VARTM) was used for the consolidation and impregnation of the preforms. The molding strategy was oriented towards the use of silicone conformers to ensure a compaction that well fits the preform despite its imperfections. The resulting part required a light finishing. The mass was reduced by 40% and the manufacturing cost by 76% compared to the original part.
Study and characterization of Moroccan wool fibers for the development of non-woven products
Authors: Aazou Nabil , Nadi Ayoub , Cherkaoui Omar , Gmouh Said
Published: January 2023

Wool fibers have been used as textile raw materials for clothing and home textiles for many years. Recently, it has also been increasingly used in technical textile applications. However, man-made fibers dominate the market and minimize the importance of wool in the textile industry. On the other hand, the great future opportunity for wool is the growing interest of consumers in natural, renewable and sustainable materials. In addition, in the past few decades, wool production has improved significantly in terms of yield and quality.

In this study we have characterized and applied different analysis on the physical and chemical properties of raw Moroccan wool using various instruments such as FTIR and OFDA, etc., and several test methods according international standards like grease rate, alkali content, acid content, Solubility in alkali and Tensile strength, etc. The aim of our study is to determine the potential use of wool for elaboration of nonwoven textile for a technical use and determine their end-use applications.
Silica-Xerogel Coated Cotton as Multifunctional Textile: Development and Characterization
Authors: Assal M. , El Wazna M. , Oumghar K. , El Bouchti M. , El Bouari A. , Cherkaoui O.
Published: January 2023

Silica xerogel has attracted increasingly more attention in the field of thermal insulation as its extraordinary properties such as thermal conductivity, fire resistance, hydrophobicity and low density. This work focuses on the development of new insulating material, based on the xerogel as charge for cotton fabric. The composite was developed using vacuum molding process. The microstructure has been determined in each materials using SEM observations, and have a good hydrophobicity which the contact angle is 125°. The results obtained from this study can be useful to develop new low cost, sustainable, light product, insulation and environmentally friendly materials.
On asymptotic base loci of relative anti-canonical divisors of algebraic fiber spaces
Authors: Ejiri Sho , Iwai Masataka , Matsumura Shin-ichi
Published: January 2023

In this paper, we study the relative anti-canonical divisor

−

K

X

/

Y

-K_{X/Y}

of an algebraic fiber space

ϕ
:
X
→
Y

\phi \colon X\to Y

, and we reveal relations among positivity conditions of

−

K

X

/

Y

-K_{X/Y}

, certain flatness of direct image sheaves, and variants of the base loci including the stable (augmented, restricted) base loci and upper level sets of Lelong numbers. This paper contains three main results: The first result says that all the above base loci are located in the horizontal direction unless they are empty. The second result is an algebraic proof for Campana–Cao–Matsumura’s equality on Hacon–McKernan’s question, whose original proof depends on analytics methods. The third result proves that algebraic fiber spaces with semi-ample relative anti-canonical divisor actually have a product structure via the base change by an appropriate finite étale cover of

Y
Y

. Our proof is based on algebraic as well as analytic methods for positivity of direct image sheaves.
Incidence of Childbirth, Pregnancy, Spontaneous Abortion, and Induced Abortion Among Women With Human Immunodeficiency Virus in a Nationwide Matched Cohort Study
Authors: Paulsen Fie W , Tetens Malte M , Vollmond Cecilie V , Gerstoft Jan , Kronborg Gitte , Johansen Isik S , Larsen Carsten S , Wiese Lothar , Dalager-Pedersen Michael , Lunding Suzanne , Nielsen Lars N , Weis Nina , Obel Niels , Omland Lars H , Lebech Anne-Mette
Published: January 2023

Background

Reproductive health in women with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (WWH) has improved in recent decades. We aimed to investigate incidences of childbirth, pregnancy, spontaneous abortion, and induced abortion among WWH in a nationwide, population-based, matched cohort study.

Methods

We included all WWH aged 20–40 years treated at an HIV healthcare center in Denmark from 1995 to 2021 and a matched comparison cohort of women from the general population (WGP). We calculated incidence rates per 1000 person-years and used Poisson regression to calculate adjusted incidence rate ratios (aIRRs) of childbirth, pregnancy, spontaneous abortion, and induced abortion stratified according to calendar periods (1995–2001, 2002–2008, and 2009–2021).

Results

We included 1288 WWH and 12 880 WGP; 46% of WWH were of African origin, compared with 1% of WGP. Compared with WGP, WWH had a decreased incidence of childbirth (aIRR, 0.6 [95% confidence interval, .6–.7]), no difference in the incidence of pregnancy (0.9 [.8–1.0]) or spontaneous abortion (0.9 [.8–1.0]), but an increased incidence of induced abortion (1.9 [1.6–2.1]) from 1995 to 2021. The aIRRs for childbirth, pregnancy, and spontaneous abortion increased from 1995–2000 to 2009–2021, while the aIRR for induced abortion remained increased across all time periods for WWH.

Conclusions

From 1995 to 2008, the incidences of childbirth, pregnancy, and spontaneous abortion were decreased among WWH compared with WGP. From 2009 to 2021, the incidence of childbirth, pregnancy, and spontaneous abortion no longer differed among WWH compared with WGP. The incidence of induced abortions remains increased compared with WGP.
Dynamics of Large Multinationals
Authors: Helpman Elhanan , Niswonger Benjamin
Published: January 2023

Multinational enterprises are very large multi-product firms. To capture salient features of the data, we develop a model of large multinational enterprises, each one producing a continuum of products. These outsized firms compete as oligopolists in domestic and foreign markets, facing competitive pressure from monopolistically competitive single-product firms. The multinational enterprises engage in foreign direct investment (FDI) in order to expand the product scope of their foreign affiliates, and they invest in research and development (R&D) in order to invent new products. We study the dynamic evolution of these enterprises and characterize transition dynamics and steady states. We also characterize the evolution of prices, markups, market shares, and exports relative to subsidiary sales. Furthermore, we study comparative dynamics that result from changes in trade costs, R&D costs, FDI costs, and productivity. Finally, we illustrate the use of our model for an analysis of mergers.
‘Moving On’—investigating inventors’ ethnic origins using supervised learning
Authors: Niggli Matthias
Published: January 2023

Patent data provides rich information about technical inventions, but does not disclose the ethnic origin of inventors. In this article, I use supervised learning techniques to infer this information. To do so, I construct a dataset of 96′777 labeled names and train an artificial recurrent neural network with long short-term memory (LSTM) to predict ethnic origins based on names. The trained network achieves an overall performance of 91.4% across 18 ethnic origins. I use this model to predict and investigate the ethnic origins of 2.68 million inventors and provide novel descriptive evidence regarding their ethnic origin composition over time and across countries and technological fields. The global ethnic origin composition has become more diverse over the last decades, which was mostly due to a relative increase of Asian origin inventors. Furthermore, the prevalence of foreign-origin inventors is especially high in the USA, but has also increased in other high-income economies. This increase was mainly driven by an inflow of non-Western inventors into emerging high-technology fields for the USA, but not for other high-income countries.
Differentiating Reasons for Young Adult E-cigarette Use Using Maximum Difference Choice Models
Authors: Stone Matthew D , Braymiller Jessica L , Strong David R , Cwalina Sam N , Dimofte Claudiu V , Barrington-Trimis Jessica L
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Understanding the reasons young adults use e-cigarettes (ie, vape)—and whether these motivations vary across groups—is essential for informing tobacco regulatory efforts.

Aims and Methods

An online panel of young adults who vape (n = 230; age = 18–30 years) completed a maximum difference discrete choice task for 15 reasons for vaping. Over 9 choice sets, participants were presented a subset of 5 reasons and selected the most and least important. Hierarchical bayesian analysis estimated the relative importance of each reason. Latent class analysis (LCA) identified groups with similarly ranked reasons for use. Multinomial regression evaluated the association between sample characteristics and class membership.

Results

Overall, relaxation had the highest probability of being the most important reason for use (14.8%), followed by harm reduction (13.2%), and flavors (10.3%). LCA identified five distinct classes, based on top reasons for use: 1. cessation (cigarette cessation [20.2%]; n = 80); 2. dependence (relaxation [20.5%] and unable to quit [19.2%]; n = 21); 3. relaxation (relaxation [20.6%]; n = 66); 4. socializing (socializing [22.2%]; n = 27); and 5. variable (boredom [10.5%] and acceptability [10.2%]; n = 36). Participants who were older, smoked cigarettes, or vaped more frequently were more likely to belong to the cessation class while those who were younger or more e-cigarette dependent were more likely to belong to the dependence class.

Conclusions

Perceived reasons why young adults vape are highly heterogeneous and dependent on the type of user. Tobacco regulatory efforts targeting distinct types of vapers are needed to minimize the adverse public health impact of vaping without compromising appeal for smoking cessation.

Implications

E-cigarette use remains high among young adults, with flavors, cost, and harm reduction (vs. combustible cigarettes) among the mostly commonly reported reasons for use. Yet, little is known about how relatively important these reasons are to the individual. Leveraging a maximum difference task, young adults’ reasons for use were evaluated on a common interval scale and groups sharing similar reasons identified. Smoking cessation, dependence, relaxation, socialization, and boredom were respectively the most important reasons for use among five classes of vapers. E-cigarette regulatory policies should consider the distinct reasons for use as to not compromise their appeal for smoking cessation.
Work-related injuries and attendance at a Canadian regional emergency department
Authors: McMullin B , Fraser J , Robinson B , French J , Adisesh A
Published: January 2023

Background

Monitoring trends in the burden of illness and injury attributable to work is key in assessing occupational health hazards; however, New Brunswick does not participate in the Canadian National Ambulatory Care Reporting System which itself does not collect details of occupation and industry.

Aims

We set out to determine the proportion of emergency department attendances that were attributable to a work-related cause. We also wanted to evaluate the recording of occupation in the electronic health record system, and to describe the characteristics of patients with a work-related presentation.

Methods

A retrospective observational study over a 1-year period was conducted using an administrative database obtained from Canadian Emergency Department Information System. Descriptive statistics are used to present the analysis of categorical and continuous data.

Results

A total of 49 365 patients were included for analysis. Two per cent of patients presented with a self-reported work-related condition. Health care and social assistance, construction, retail trade and manufacturing were the most common industries reported by patients.

Conclusions

This study found the rate of work-related medical conditions to be substantially less than expected, and that occupation was not captured for any patients presenting to the emergency department with a work-related condition, despite a field being available in the electronic health record registration system. We were able to analyse the industry sectors for work-related presentations. The recording and coding of occupation and industry would significantly benefit occupational epidemiology in emergency medicine as well as potentially improving patient outcomes and health system efficiencies.
Phase II Trials of Iniparib (BSI-201) in Combination with Gemcitabine and Carboplatin in Patients with Recurrent Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Penson Richard T , Ambrosio Allison J , Whalen Christin A , Krasner Carolyn N , Konstantinopoulos Panagiotis A , Bradley Charles , Matulonis Ursula A , Birrer Michael J
Published: January 2023

Background

Iniparib (BSI-201), a novel anticancer agent thought to have poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitory activity and synergy with both gemcitabine and carboplatin (GC) was evaluated in 2 cohorts with GC.

Methods

Parallel multicenter, single-arm, phase II studies using a Simon two-stage design. Eligible patients had a histological diagnosis of epithelial ovarian carcinoma, fallopian tube cancer, or primary peritoneal carcinoma and demonstration of platinum-sensitive (≥6 months [mo]) or -resistant disease (relapse 2-6 mo post-platinum). Carboplatin (AUC 4 IV day 1), gemcitabine (1000 mg/m2 IV days 1 and 8), and iniparib (5.6 mg/kg IV days 1, 4, 8, and 11) were given on a 21-day cycle.

Results

The overall response rate (ORR RECIST 1.0) in platinum sensitive disease was 66% (95% CI, 49-80) with a higher response rate in the 15 pts with germline BRCA mutations (gBRCAmut) (73%). Median PFS was 9.9 (95% CI, 8.2-11.3) months. In the platinum resistant population the ORR was 26% (95% CI, 14-42), however in the 11 pts for whom BRCA mutation was present, the best overall response was PR in 5 (46%). Median PFS was 6.8 months (range, 5.7-7.7 months). Notably, among the 17 CA-125-response-evaluable patients who did not achieve tumor response, 7 (41.2%) patients had a CA125 response, and 93% has clinical benefit (CR + PR + SD). The GCI combination was generally well tolerated despite a high incidence of thrombocytopenia and neutropenia, with no new toxicities.

Conclusions

Given the subsequent lack of efficacy demonstrated for iniparib in breast cancer, these are studies of GC and demonstrate a higher than traditionally appreciated activity in patients with platinum-sensitive and -resistant recurrent ovarian cancer, especially in patients that harbor a BRCA mutation, resetting the benchmark for efficacy in phase II trials. (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifiers: NCT01033292 & NCT01033123).
The transcription factor VviNAC60 regulates senescence- and ripening-related processes in grapevine
Authors: D’Incà Erica , Foresti Chiara , Orduña Luis , Amato Alessandra , Vandelle Elodie , Santiago Antonio , Botton Alessandro , Cazzaniga Stefano , Bertini Edoardo , Pezzotti Mario , Giovannoni James J , Vrebalov Julia T , Matus José Tomás , Tornielli Giovanni Battista , Zenoni Sara
Published: January 2023

Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) is one of the most widely cultivated fruit crops because the winemaking industry has huge economic relevance worldwide. Uncovering the molecular mechanisms controlling the developmental progression of plant organs will prove essential for maintaining high-quality grapes, expressly in the context of climate change, which impairs the ripening process. Through a deep inspection of transcriptomic data, we identified VviNAC60, a member of the NAC transcription factor family, as a putative regulator of grapevine organ maturation. We explored VviNAC60 binding landscapes through DNA affinity purification followed by sequencing and compared bound genes with transcriptomics datasets from grapevine plants stably and transiently overexpressing VviNAC60 to define a set of high-confidence targets. Among these, we identified key molecular markers associated with organ senescence and fruit ripening. Physiological, metabolic, and promoter activation analyses showed that VviNAC60 induces chlorophyll degradation and anthocyanin accumulation through the upregulation of STAY-GREEN PROTEIN 1 (VviSGR1) and VviMYBA1, respectively, with the latter being upregulated through a VviNAC60–VviNAC03 regulatory complex. Despite sharing a closer phylogenetic relationship with senescence-related homologs to the NAC transcription factor AtNAP, VviNAC60 complemented the nonripening(nor) mutant phenotype in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), suggesting a dual role as an orchestrator of both ripening- and senescence-related processes. Our data support VviNAC60 as a regulator of processes initiated in the grapevine vegetative- to mature-phase organ transition and therefore as a potential target for enhancing the environmental resilience of grapevine by fine-tuning the duration of the vegetative phase.
Strigolactones positively regulate Verticillium wilt resistance in cotton via crosstalk with other hormones
Authors: Yi Feifei , Song Aosong , Cheng Kai , Liu Jinlei , Wang Chenxiao , Shao Lili , Wu Shuang , Wang Ping , Zhu Jiaxuan , Liang Zhilin , Chang Ying , Chu Zongyan , Cai Chaowei , Zhang Xuebin , Wang Pei , Chen Aimin , Xu Jin , Burritt David J , Herrera-Estrella Luis , Tran Lam-Son Phan , Li Weiqiang , Cai Yingfan
Published: January 2023

Verticillium wilt caused by Verticillium dahliae is a serious vascular disease in cotton (Gossypium spp.). V. dahliae induces the expression of the CAROTENOID CLEAVAGE DIOXYGENASE 7 (GauCCD7) gene involved in strigolactone (SL) biosynthesis in Gossypium australe, suggesting a role for SLs in Verticillium wilt resistance. We found that the SL analog rac-GR24 enhanced while the SL biosynthesis inhibitor TIS108 decreased cotton resistance to Verticillium wilt. Knock-down of GbCCD7 and GbCCD8b genes in island cotton (Gossypium barbadense) decreased resistance, whereas overexpression of GbCCD8b in upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) increased resistance to Verticillium wilt. Additionally, Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) SL mutants defective in CCD7 and CCD8 putative orthologs were susceptible, whereas both Arabidopsis GbCCD7- and GbCCD8b-overexpressing plants were more resistant to Verticillium wilt than wild-type (WT) plants. Transcriptome analyses showed that several genes related to the jasmonic acid (JA)- and abscisic acid (ABA)-signaling pathways, such as MYELOCYTOMATOSIS 2 (GbMYC2) and ABA-INSENSITIVE 5, respectively, were upregulated in the roots of WT cotton plants in responses to rac-GR24 and V. dahliae infection but downregulated in the roots of both GbCCD7- and GbCCD8b-silenced cotton plants. Furthermore, GbMYC2 suppressed the expression of GbCCD7 and GbCCD8b by binding to their promoters, which might regulate the homeostasis of SLs in cotton through a negative feedback loop. We also found that GbCCD7- and GbCCD8b-silenced cotton plants were impaired in V. dahliae-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation. Taken together, our results suggest that SLs positively regulate cotton resistance to Verticillium wilt through crosstalk with the JA- and ABA-signaling pathways and by inducing ROS accumulation.
The origin and evolution of methanogenesis and Archaea are intertwined
Authors: Mei Ran , Kaneko Masanori , Imachi Hiroyuki , Nobu Masaru K
Published: January 2023

Methanogenesis has been widely accepted as an ancient metabolism, but the precise evolutionary trajectory remains hotly debated. Disparate theories exist regarding its emergence time, ancestral form, and relationship with homologous metabolisms. Here, we report the phylogenies of anabolism-involved proteins responsible for cofactor biosynthesis, providing new evidence for the antiquity of methanogenesis. Revisiting the phylogenies of key catabolism-involved proteins further suggests that the last Archaea common ancestor (LACA) was capable of versatile H2-, CO2-, and methanol-utilizing methanogenesis. Based on phylogenetic analyses of the methyl/alkyl-S-CoM reductase family, we propose that, in contrast to current paradigms, substrate-specific functions emerged through parallel evolution traced back to a nonspecific ancestor, which likely originated from protein-free reactions as predicted from autocatalytic experiments using cofactor F430. After LACA, inheritance/loss/innovation centered around methanogenic lithoautotrophy coincided with ancient lifestyle divergence, which is clearly reflected by genomically predicted physiologies of extant archaea. Thus, methanogenesis is not only a hallmark metabolism of Archaea, but the key to resolve the enigmatic lifestyle that ancestral archaea took and the transition that led to physiologies prominent today.