bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Combined effect of time in target range and variability of systolic blood pressure on cardiovascular outcomes and mortality in patients with hypertension: A prospective cohort study
Authors: Feng Zekun , Li Yanjie , Wang Chi , Tian Lu , Yao Siyu , Wang Miao , Zhao Maoxiang , Lan Lihua , Wu Shouling , Xue Hao
Published: April 2024

Time in target range (TTR) and blood pressure variability (BPV) of systolic blood pressure (SBP) are independent risk factors for major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and all‐cause mortality in hypertensive patients. However, the association of the combination of low TTR and high BPV of SBP with the risk of MACE and all‐cause mortality is unclear. This study sought to investigate the combined effect of the TTR and BPV on the risk of MACE and all‐cause mortality in patients with hypertension. A total of 11 496 hypertensive patients from the Kailuan cohort study were included in our study. All participants were divided into four groups according to their TTR and BPV levels. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to calculate the hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for incident MACE and all‐cause mortality. During a median follow‐up of 5.64 years, 839 MACEs (included 99 cases of myocardial infarction, 591 cases of stroke, and 191 cases of heart failure) and 621 deaths occurred. Compared with the high‐TTR and low‐BPV group, the HRs (95% CI) of MACE and all‐cause mortality were 1.309 (1.025–1.671) and 1.842 (1.373–2.473) for the high‐TTR and high‐BPV group, 1.692 (1.347–2.125) and 1.731 (1.298–2.309) for the low‐TTR & low‐BPV group, 2.132 (1.728–2.629) and 2.247 (1.722–2.932) for the low‐TTR & high‐BPV group. Our study suggests that the combination of low TTR and high BPV of SBP was associated with a higher risk of MACE and all‐cause mortality in patients with hypertension.
MELK aggravates lung adenocarcinoma by regulating EZH2 ubiquitination and H3K27me3 histone methylation of LATS2
Authors: Yu Hui , Xu Xianrong , Zhu Lirong , Chen Shengjie , He Jincheng
Published: April 2024

We tried to elucidate the possible roles of maternal embryonic leucine pull chain kinase (MELK) in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) growth and metastasis. Differentially expressed genes in LUAD samples were analysed by the GEPIA database. Clinical tissue samples and cells were collected for MELK, EZH2 and LATS2 expression determination. Co‐IP assay was used to verify the interaction between EZH2 and MELK; CHX tracking assay and ubiquitination assay detected the degradation of MELK on EZH2 ubiquitination. ChIP assay detected the enrichment of EZH2 and H3K27me3 on the LATS2 promoter region. LUAD cells were selected for in vitro validation, and the tumorigenic ability of LUAD cells was also observed in a transplantation tumour model of LUAD nude mice. MELK and EZH2 were highly expressed in LUAD samples, while LATS2 was lowly expressed. MELK interacted with EZH2 to inhibit its ubiquitination degradation; EZH2 elevated H3K27me3 modification in the LATS2 promoter to lower LATS2 expression. Silencing MELK or EZH2 or overexpressing LATS2 restrained LUAD cell proliferation and invasion, and facilitated their apoptosis. Silencing MELK or EZH2 or overexpressing LATS2 suppressed tumour formation in nude mice. This study demonstrated that MELK aggravated LUAD by upregulating EZH2 and downregulating LATS2.
Swimming ability of Schizothoracinae fishes in Yarlung Zangbo River of China
Authors: Wang Hongtao , Jiang Xutao , Liu Kejia , Pu Xunchi , Wang Yuanming
Published: April 2024

The Yarlung Zangbo River is a river with abundant hydropower resources but fragile biodiversity in China. As an important benchmark for both research and ecological management, there is still a lack of knowledge about the swimming ability of fishes in the Yarlung Zangbo River. The induced flow velocity (Uind), critical swimming speed (Ucrit), and burst swimming speed (Uburst) of five Schizothoracinae species were tested in this study. Relative swimming ability related to body length and body shape was calculated. The results indicated that the average absolute swimming speeds (Uind‐a, Ucrit‐a, and Uburst‐a) of all the experimental fish were 10.20 ± 0.01, 57.58 ± 3.28, and 69.54 ± 2.94 cm/s, respectively, and the corresponding relative Uind, Ucrit, and Uburst related to body length (Uind‐l, Ucrit‐l, Uburst‐l) were 1.15 ± 0.07, 5.04 ± 0.26, and 7.23 ± 0.28 BL/s, respectively. Moreover, relative Uind, Ucrit, and Uburst related to body shape (Uind‐s, Ucrit‐s, and Uburst‐s) were 0.80 ± 0.13, 2.49 ± 0.51, and 4.32 ± 0.57 cm−2/s, respectively. No significantly differences in relative swimming speeds existed among five species. Only Oxygymnocypris stewartii was significantly weaker in Uburst‐s than Schizothorax o'connori. The body shape showed a stronger relationship with swimming speed than the body length did. Schizothoracinae fish in the Yarlung Zangbo River basin are less sensitive to the water flow and performed weaker Ucrit and Uburst compared to those in the Yangtze River basin, indicating that Schizothoracinae fish in the Yarlung Zangbo River may be more susceptible to threats from environmental changes. The paper enriched the research on the swimming ability of Schizothoracinae fishes and provided efficient data for the fish conservation in the Yarlung Zangbo River.
Impact of food residue on recovery of Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella Typhimurium from stainless steel surface
Authors: Jones Sarah L. , Chandran Sahaana , Gibson Kristen E.
Published: April 2024

This study evaluated the impact of different food residues on the recovery of Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella Typhimurium from stainless steel surfaces. Food residues tested include lettuce rinsate, blended lettuce, low‐fat milk, and whole milk for Listeria monocytogenes, and powdered infant formula, all‐purpose flour, and whole milk dairy powder for Salmonella Typhimurium. Bacterial suspensions were inoculated on stainless steel surfaces with or without food residues and held for different time periods. Significant differences (P < 0.0001) in Salmonella Typhimurium recovery were observed between the no food residue control and all food residues over 24 hours. For Listeria monocytogenes, minimal variability in recovery was observed among food residue types, with significant differences from the no food residue control (P < 0.05) observed after 24 hours. The study also found that surface sampling can spread Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella Typhimurium on stainless steel surfaces, suggesting that food residue type may affect microbial recovery during environmental monitoring.
The effectiveness of the TRACE online nutrition intervention in improving dietary intake, sleep quality and physical activity levels for Australian adults with food addiction: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Leary Mark , Skinner Janelle A. , Pursey Kirrilly M. , Verdejo‐Garcia Antonio , Collins Rebecca , Collins Clare , Hay Phillipa , Burrows Tracy L.
Published: April 2024

Background

Few interventions for food addiction (FA) report on dietary intake variables. The present study comprised a three‐arm randomised controlled trial in adults with symptoms of FA. The aim was to evaluate dietary intake, sleep and physical activity resulting from a dietitian‐led telehealth intervention at 3 months.

Methods

Adults with ≥3 symptoms of FA and a body mass index > 18.5 kg/m2 were recruited. Dietary intake including energy, nutrients and diet quality were assessed by a validated food frequency questionnaire in addition to sleep quality and physical activity (total min) and compared between groups and over time. Personalised dietary goals set by participants were examined to determine whether improvements in percent energy from core and non‐core foods were reported.

Results

The active intervention group was superior compared to the passive intervention and control groups for improvements in percent energy from core (6.4%/day [95% confidence interval (CI) −0.0 to 12.9], p = 0.049), non‐core foods (−6.4%/day [95% CI −12.9 to 0.0], p = 0.049), sweetened drinks (−1.7%/day [95% CI −2.9 to −0.4], p = 0.013), takeaway foods (−2.3%/day [95% CI −4.5 to −0.1], p = 0.045) and sodium (−478 mg/day [95% CI −765 to −191 mg], p = 0.001).

Conclusions

A dietitian‐led telehealth intervention for Australian adults with FA found significant improvements in dietary intake variables. Setting personalised goals around nutrition and eating behaviours was beneficial for lifestyle change.
The multiracial family as an anomaly: Experiences of monoracism
Authors: Johnson Katherine
Published: April 2024

Objective

Through qualitative in‐depth interviews with interracial parents across the United States, this study explores how multiracial families as a unit experience monoracism via racial surveillance, voyeurism, and dissection.

Background

Despite increasing representations of mixed‐race families in various media, studies find that many people in the United States assume that family members should phenotypically resemble each other and also represent one obvious racial category. Interracial partners and multiracial families experience the paradox of being both the “ideal” family in a post‐racial US society, but also an anomalous family that challenges assumptions about what family is. This study examines two broad research questions: (1) How do interracial parents and their multiracial families experience racism and/or other forms of discrimination? (2) How do families make sense of and respond to these experiences?

Method

This study utilized qualitative in‐depth interviews with 19 sets of interracial parents, or 38 individuals, in the US Black‐White, Asian‐White, and Black‐Asian families are included in the sample.

Results

Interracial parents in this study discussed experiencing racial dissection, surveillance, and voyeurism in their daily lives, which the author identified as mechanisms of monoracism. Monoracism, typically studied as an experience of multiracial people, is a form of oppression that targets those who do not fit into one racial category. However, monoracism also impacts multiracial family units. As a result, multiracial families were often prepared to prove their familial bonds, such as through birth certificates, or altered their behavior in public as a means of “performing” family in more obvious ways.

Conclusion

Through a MultiCrit lens, this study reveals how interracial parents and their children experience monoracism. This study extends previous scholarship by exploring how multiracial families as a unit experience and navigate monoracism in their daily lives.
Notes from the Underground: Seeking the top personality correlates of self‐referencing
Authors: Holtzman Nicholas S. , Klibert Jeffrey J. , Dixon A. Brianna , Dorough Hannah L. , Donnellan M. Brent
Published: April 2024

Objective

Self‐focused language use has been frequently assumed to reflect narcissism; however, research indicates that the association between first‐person singular pronouns (i.e., “I‐talk”) and grandiose narcissism is negligible.

Method

To extend this literature, we progressively identify vulnerable narcissism and rumination as positive correlates of I‐talk in five studies (valid Ns = 211, 475, 1253, 289, 1113).

Results

The first study revealed positive correlates of I‐talk suggestive of vulnerable narcissism. The second study showed more directly that vulnerable narcissism was a positive correlate but that this association was attributable to shared variance with neuroticism. The third study, a preregistered effort, replicated and extended the results of the second study. The fourth and fifth studies focused on rumination in a preregistered manner.

Conclusions

All the studies point to a clear distinction: While grandiose narcissism is negligibly related to I‐talk, vulnerable narcissism is positively related to I‐talk; moreover, rumination is a robust predictor of I‐talk. A research synthesis revealed the following constructs significantly capture I‐talk: depression (r = 0.10), neuroticism (r = 0.15), rumination (r = 0.14), and vulnerable narcissism (r = 0.12). The association between I‐talk and neuroticism was partially mediated by rumination, providing a testable candidate mechanism for neuroticism interventions.
Adolescent social learning within supportive friendships: Self‐disclosure and relationship quality from adolescence to adulthood
Authors: Costello Meghan A. , Pettit Corey , Hellwig Amanda F. , Hunt Gabrielle L. , Bailey Natasha A. , Allen Joseph P.
Published: April 2024

This study examines links between self‐disclosure and relationship quality with close friends from adolescence to adulthood. A diverse community sample of adolescents (N = 184) participated in survey and observational measures annually from ages 13 through 29, along with their close friends and romantic partners. Random intercept cross‐lagged panel modeling (RICLPM) was used to parse markers of within‐individual change from age 13 to 18. Long‐term longitudinal path models also investigated cascading associations among self‐disclosure and relationship quality, on aggregate, from adolescence to adulthood. Adolescents who reported a higher‐quality friendship in a given year demonstrated greater‐than‐expected increases in self‐disclosure the following year, and an adolescent demonstrated high self‐disclosure one year reported greater‐than‐expected increases in friendship quality the following year. Higher mean self‐disclosure in adolescence predicted higher mean self‐disclosure in adulthood. Results are interpreted as identifying high‐quality adolescent friendships as key contexts for developing intimacy‐building capacities (i.e. self‐disclosure), which sets the stage for satisfying close relationships in adulthood.
Stability of Assessment Using Creativity‐Related Indices
Authors: Terai Hitoshi , Miwa Kazuhisa , Mizuno Shunsuke
Published: April 2024

The aim of this study is to determine how many raters are required for the design products proposed in this study to obtain stable ratings of creativity over time using the Consensual Assessment Technique (CAT) and to examine the creativity subscales, namely, originality and practicality, and their composite scores in a similar manner. The results revealed that creativity assessment using the CAT was stable over time if the assessment was conducted by about 10 to 15 raters. On the contrary, originality and practicality assessment was found to be stable over time with about three raters. However, when the sum of the originality and practicality scores was used as a composite score, the assessment was found to be unstable. This could be attributed to the negative correlation between the originality and practicality assessments of the products. Further, when the product of the originality and practicality scores or the Euclidean distance within these dimensions was used, stable scores were obtained over time by using about 15 to 20 raters.
Application of a novel deep learning–based 3D videography workflow to bat flight
Authors: Håkansson Jonas , Quinn Brooke L. , Shultz Abigail L. , Swartz Sharon M. , Corcoran Aaron J.
Published: April 2024

Studying the detailed biomechanics of flying animals requires accurate three‐dimensional coordinates for key anatomical landmarks. Traditionally, this relies on manually digitizing animal videos, a labor‐intensive task that scales poorly with increasing framerates and numbers of cameras. Here, we present a workflow that combines deep learning–powered automatic digitization with filtering and correction of mislabeled points using quality metrics from deep learning and 3D reconstruction. We tested our workflow using a particularly challenging scenario: bat flight. First, we documented four bats flying steadily in a 2 m3 wind tunnel test section. Wing kinematic parameters resulting from manually digitizing bats with markers applied to anatomical landmarks were not significantly different from those resulting from applying our workflow to the same bats without markers for five out of six parameters. Second, we compared coordinates from manual digitization against those yielded via our workflow for bats flying freely in a 344 m3 enclosure. Average distance between coordinates from our workflow and those from manual digitization was less than a millimeter larger than the average human‐to‐human coordinate distance. The improved efficiency of our workflow has the potential to increase the scalability of studies on animal flight biomechanics.
Factors that affect the health of immigrants: Qualitative meta synthesis
Authors: Villar‐Bustos Carmen , Quiroga Sánchez Enedina , Andina‐Díaz Elena
Published: April 2024

Background

Migration has challenged society. Most people who move do so for economic reasons, but others move for more tragic reasons. The proportion of female migrants was slightly higher than that of male migrants, partly due to the longer life expectancy of women and the higher demand for female migrants in care‐related Jobs. The process may affect migrants' health, particularly in countries where healthcare is associated with high economic costs or insurance availability. A global systematic review of qualitative studies with meta‐synthesis was conducted. The results can be used to support health policy and clinical practice.

Objective

To describe how migrants perceive and experience the process of migrating and how it affects their health.

Search strategy

Databases consulted were Medline, PsychInfo, Cuiden, Cinahl, WOS, Scopus, Social Science Database, and Epistemonikos. Thirty‐four articles were selected for final meta‐synthesis.

Inclusion criteria

All qualitative primary studies were included that describe the experiences or perceptions of migrants and refugees over 18 years that talk about their migration process and the impact on their health; written in English or Spanish between 2016 and 2021. Articles referring to second generations and those dealing with pathologies that pre‐date the migration process were excluded.

Data extraction and synthesis

The COREQ and JBI templates were used as quality criteria. Studies mostly used a phenomenological methodology and in‐depth interviews, both individual and group, were used for data collection and narrative synthesis.

Main results

Uncertainty emerges as a main category. Three other interrelated themes have a direct impact on migrants' health: Language, Social Networks and Work. There are several conditions in each of these that have a positive or negative impact on health. The gender condition appears in both work and social networks, positively and negatively.

Discussion and conclusions

Health would be improved by having a stable job, which would facilitate access to health resources. Social networks and language are facilitators of access to a better job, but not the only condition. From a gender perspective, social networks can become a source of health problems, especially for women. The process of migration places women in a position of vulnerability due to the difficulties of reconciling family and work life. Job insecurity, workload, loss of family life or social isolation increase hopelessness and anxiety, leading to health problems.

Public or patient contribution:

As an academic review study, no patient contribution was required, and this study serves as a theoretical framework for more in‐depth research that will work with migrant populations. As a public contribution, this work provides evidence of the need to improve access to health for some populations, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set for 2030.
Disentangling Leviathan on its home turf: Authority foundations, policy instruments, and the making of security
Authors: Kruck Andreas , Weiss Moritz
Published: April 2024

Making security has been Leviathan's home turf and its prime responsibility. Yet, while security states in advanced democracies share this uniform purpose, there is vast variation in how they legitimize and how they make security policies. First, the political authority of elected policy‐makers is sometimes superseded by the epistemic authority of experts. Second, states make security, in some instances, by drawing on their own capacities, whereas in other fields they rely on rules to manage non‐state actors. Based on this variation in authority foundations and policy instruments, we disentangle Leviathan into different types of (i) positive, (ii) managing, (iii) technocratic, and (iv) regulatory security states. Our typology helps better understand contemporary security policy‐making; it advances regulatory governance theory by conceptualizing the relationship between expertise and rules in a complex and contested issue area; and it provides insights into the “new economic security state” and the domestic underpinnings of weaponized interdependence.
Structural adverse childhood experiences associated with suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, and repetitive nonsuicidal self‐injury among racially and ethnically minoritized youth
Authors: Jewett Patricia I. , Taliaferro Lindsay A. , Borowsky Iris W. , Mathiason Michelle A. , Areba Eunice M.
Published: April 2024

Introduction

High rates of suicidal ideation (SI), suicide attempts (SA), and repetitive nonsuicidal self‐injury (NSSI) among some ethnoracially minoritized United States youth populations may be related to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) with structural roots.

Methods

Using the 2013–2019 Minnesota Student Surveys, we assessed associations of student‐reported structural ACEs (parental incarceration, housing instability, food insecurity, and foster care involvement) with SI, SA, and repetitive NSSI within the past 12 months using multilevel logistic regression stratified by ethnoracial group (American Indian/Alaskan Native [AIAN], Hmong, other Asian, Black Latino, other Latino, Somali, other Black/African American [AA], Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander [NHPI], and multiracial), and adjusted for sex, grade, ACEs experienced within one's household, mental health treatment, and perceived safety.

Results

Structural ACEs were strongly associated with increasing SI, SA, and NSSI. At ≥2 structural ACEs, repetitive NSSI rates ranged from 7% to 29% (female), 8% to 20% (male); SA rates ranged from 13% to 35% (female), 10% to 22% (male); and SI rates ranged from 31% to 50% (female), 20% to 32% (male). Black Latino, NHPI, AIAN, and Black/AA students most often reported structural ACE exposures.

Conclusion

Reducing structural ACEs may reduce SI, SA, and repetitive NSSI among ethnoracially minoritized youth populations. Disaggregating diverse youth groups revealed variations in these outcomes that remain hidden when subpopulations are aggregated.
Use of platelet rich plasma for skin rejuvenation
Authors: Phoebe Lam Kar Wai , Lee Kar Wai Alvin , Chan Lisa Kwin Wah , Hung Lee Cheuk , Wu Raymond , Wong Sky , Wan Jovian , Yi Kyu‐Ho
Published: April 2024

Objective

Platelet‐rich plasma (PRP) is recognized as a safe and effective therapy for regenerative skin healing and rejuvenation, utilizing autologous blood enriched with various growth factors. This review aims to assess the efficacy of PRP treatments for skin rejuvenation.

Methods

Keywords such as “platelet‐rich plasma,” “rejuvenation,” “skin aging,” and “wrinkles” were queried on Ovid, PubMed, and MEDLINE to identify pertinent studies on PRP treatment for skin rejuvenation.

Results

Analysis revealed that PRP treatment led to significant enhancements in multiple facial parameters after one to three sessions. Improvements were noted in skin pore size, texture, wrinkle reduction, pigmented spots, collagen density, hyaluronic acid levels, and protection against ultraviolet damage. Combining PRP with hyaluronic acid demonstrated a synergistic effect, particularly enhancing skin elasticity in patients with lower body mass index and firmness in individuals aged 50s and 60s. Incorporating both physical and biometric data for assessment proved superior to relying solely on physical observations for evaluating subtle skin quality and structural changes.

Conclusion

This study underscores the efficacy of PRP monotherapy for skin rejuvenation and emphasizes the necessity of standardizing PRP preparation protocols in future investigations. Heightened awareness and advancements in technology have contributed to the emergence of higher‐quality, less biased studies supporting PRP as a reliable and safe therapeutic option for skin rejuvenation.
How do we leverage data through replication and warehousing to meet blood collection and transfusion service needs
Authors: Juskewitch Justin E. , Briggs Lynne , Khan Jenna , Mathias Patrick C. , Coyle Terri S. , Courson Vicki L. , Hansen James T. , Madde Nageswar , O'Leary Mandy F. , Tsang Hamilton C. ,   the AABB Information Systems Committee
Published: April 2024

Background

With the widespread adoption of Blood Establishment Computer Systems and other Blood Collection and Transfusion Service (BCTS) clinical information systems (CIS), electronic blood donor, product, and patient data are now routinely required for clinical, regulatory, operational, and quality needs. That data are often not readily accessible for such secondary use within CIS databases, particularly for applications with significant data availability requirements such as machine learning and artificial intelligence. Data replication provides one avenue by which CIS data can be made more readily available.

Study Design and Methods

Members of the AABB's Information Systems Committee along with institutional information technology colleagues provided a multi‐institutional viewpoint on data replication through the lens of BCTS specific use cases. Case studies of informatics offerings leveraging such technologies were also elicited.

Results

Six distinct use cases describe the potential role of data replication including the creation of data warehouses for frontline laboratory staff. Specific BCTS examples for each use case are presented to highlight the value of data replication, including visualization of critical inventory (O red blood cells, HLA‐compatible platelets) and utilization analytics for patient blood management. Two case studies describe the approach to implement such technologies to (1) optimize staffing via laboratory workload reporting and (2) improve access to blood via antigen‐negative blood product location services.

Discussion

Data replication and warehousing can empower BCTS analytic offerings not otherwise natively available through one's CIS to improve patient care and laboratory operations.
Prediction and Analysis of Transient Turbine Tip Clearance Using Long Short-Term Memory Neural Network
Authors: Yang Yue , Mao Junkui , Chen Pingting , Guo Naxian , Wang Feilong
Published: April 2024

The transient turbine tip clearance (δ) throughout the engine process is crucial to modern high-performance aero engines. However, there is still a lack of efficient and accurate transient prediction models of tip clearances with active thermal control (ATC) system, especially for the tip clearances of the complex turbine structures with various parameters. This study develops a transient prediction model for the tradeoff between computational efficiency and accuracy, which includes an offline dataset generation process and an online δ prediction process. The offline dataset is first generated using an in-house finite element analysis code, which is validated against a transient tip clearance experiment, and data splicing and sensitivity analysis are applied to enrich the sample features and reduce the input parameters' dimensionality. Then, the long short-term memory neural network (LSTM) is employed to learn the transient tip clearances' timing information. The time consumption for the transient prediction model is significantly shorter than that for the tip clearance calculation method by three orders, and the maximum relative error is as low as 3.59%. In addition, the transient characteristics, including the overshoot value (σ) and the response time (ts), are investigated with different jet Reynolds numbers (Rec) and temperatures (Tfc) of ATC cooling flow. The ts decreases with larger Rec and smaller Tfc due to a more significant cooling effect. However, the σ increases with the increase of Rec and Tfc due to the different sensitivity of cooling parameters. This study provides a reference for the transient tip clearance prediction and the adjustments in the cooling strategies.
Folding Auxetic Polygonal Kirigami Tubes
Authors: Walker Martin G.
Published: April 2024

Tubular auxetic structures have wide-ranging applications including medical stents, collapsible energy absorbers, and novel fasteners. To accelerate the development in these areas, and open up new application directions, an expanded range of design and construction methods for auxetic tubes is required. In this study, we propose a new method to construct polygonal cross-sectional auxetic tubes using the principles of origami and kirigami. These tubes exhibit useful global auxetic behavior under axial extension, despite the individual polygon faces not being auxetic themselves. In general, a flat kirigami sheet cannot be simply folded into a polygonal tube since this creates kinematic incompatibilities along the polygon edges. We resolve this issue by replacing the edge folds with an origami mechanism consisting of a pair of triangular facets. This approach eliminates the incompatibilities at the edges while maintaining a connection between faces. The proposed edge connection also introduces additional control parameters for the tube kinematics: for example, introducing a kinematic limit on tube extension and enabling non-uniform behavior along the length of the tube. The rich kinematic behavior possible with polygonal cross-sectional kirigami tubes has potential applications ranging from soft robotics to energy-dissipating devices.
Optimization of Electrode Manufacturing Processes From the Perspective of Mechanical Properties
Authors: Li Binqi , Song Jinyang , Zhou Jianhua , Chen Jiaying , Li Jianping , Chen Jiang , Wang Lubing , Wu Kai
Published: April 2024

As the fundamental part of battery production, the electrode manufacturing processes have a key impact on the mechanical and electrochemical properties of batteries. A comprehensive study is designed in this paper to reveal the manufacturing effect from the perspective of mechanical properties. Initially, the electrode samples are prepared after different manufacturing processes, i.e., slurry mixing, coating, drying, calendering, slitting, punching, cutting, assembling, electrolyte filling, and formation. The effects of these processes on the mechanical response and morphology of electrodes are investigated. The calendering process significantly enhances the strength of both the anode and cathode while providing a more uniform distribution of particles on the electrode. Besides, according to literature studies, the slurry mixing process has a critical impact on electrode deformation and failure. Hence, the effects of compaction density ρc and binder content Bc are further discussed to improve the slurry mixing and calendering processes. The active layer will debond from the current collector during the cathode failure process as ρc and Bc decrease. This study provides valuable suggestions for optimizing the mechanical response of electrodes under key electrode processes.
Concentrated Solar Power Techno-Economic Analysis in Humid Subtropical South America: The Uruguayan Case
Authors: Ghazarian Agustín , Galione Pedro , Curto Pedro
Published: April 2024

This study assesses the feasibility of installing concentrated solar power plants in subtropical South America, particularly in Uruguay, by numerical simulations. Parabolic trough and solar power tower technologies are examined. A comprehensive literature analysis is conducted in order to evaluate initial investment, operation, and maintenance costs. Simulation models are validated in order to ensure results accuracy. The study is focused on the optimization of solar fields and storage sizes for five locations. The target set is to minimize the levelized cost of energy. In addition, energy losses and efficiencies are compared between parabolic trough and solar power tower technologies. Salto region in Uruguay is identified as the most suitable location for concentrated solar power projects. Optimized plants yield solar multiples of 3 or higher for solar power tower and around 4 for parabolic trough, with storage sizes ranging from 12 to 15 h, depending on the location. In Salto, the levelized cost of energy ranges from 148 to 175 USD/MW h for 110 MW solar power tower and from 169 to 220 USD/MW h for 55 MW parabolic trough plants, considering different investment cost scenarios. Levelized cost of energy is comparable for other locations, with a slight increase of approximately 10% for the least favorable location, Rocha. This work shows that while not yet competitive with photovoltaic or wind technologies, concentrated solar power plants show promise against fossil-fueled power plants and are expected to decrease further in cost.
Design and Experiment of an Ankle Rehabilitation Robot After Fracture Surgery
Authors: Ni Monan , Liu Jialin , Sun Zhenhui , Sun Tao
Published: April 2024

In order to address the problem of functional rehabilitation after ankle fracture surgery, this paper presented a novel ankle fracture rehabilitation robot. The robot adopted R-3RRS-P hybrid structure, which was simple in structure and had two working modes: rehabilitation training and motion axis switching. Compared with the existing ankle rehabilitation robot, the proposed robot could simulate more realistic kinematics of the ankle joint complex. Additionally, different body types of patients could be adapted. The kinematic and static models were established in detail using geometric method and screw theory. The coverage of the healthy ankle motion ability was formulated as an optimization problem to improve the robot's performance. Multi-objective optimal design was carried out to determine the dimensional parameters. The interference-free working space was calculated by numerical method. A prototype of the proposed robot was developed, and a series of experiments were performed to evaluate the function and feasibility of the proposed robot.
Effectiveness of a Preschool Motor Skill Intervention on Body Mass Index and Movement Behavior: 6-, 18-, and 30-Month Findings From a Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Olesen Line Grønholt , Grøntved Anders , Brønd Jan Christian , Hestbæk Lise , Kristensen Peter Lund
Published: April 2024

Purpose: To study the effectiveness of a preschool staff-delivered motor skills intervention on body composition and physical activity over a 2.5-year time frame. Methods: In this pragmatic parallel cluster randomized controlled trial (16 preschools), outcome data were collected after 6 (body composition only), 18, and 30 months of intervention. The main physical activity outcomes were accelerometer behavior measures summarizing the total percentage of child daily movement (walk, run, cycle, and standing that included minor movements) and preschool movement during preschool attendance. To estimate between-group mean differences in outcomes, mixed-linear regression analyses including baseline value of the selected outcome and a treatment × time interaction term as a fixed effect were applied. In addition, the baseline preschool and child were included as a random effect. Results: For body mass index, a total of 437 children (90%) had at least one valid baseline and one follow-up assessment. The corresponding numbers for preschool movement and daily movement were 163 (55%) and 146 (49%), respectively. No significant between-group mean difference was identified for body mass index, waist-to-height ratio, or any physical activity outcomes. Conclusion: Overall, this preschool motor skills intervention had no effect on either child anthropometry or physical activity, consistent with previous studies.
An overview of
Parafrankia
(Nod+/Fix+) and
Pseudofrankia
(Nod+/Fix−) interactions through genome mining and experimental modeling in co-culture and co-inoculation of
Elaeagnus angustifolia
Authors: Gtari Maher , Beauchemin Nicholas J. , Sarker Indrani , Sen Arnab , Ghodhbane-Gtari Faten , Tisa Louis S.
Published: April 2024

In many frankia, the ability to nodulate host plants (Nod+) and fix nitrogen (Fix+) is a common strategy. However, some frankia within the
Pseudofrankia
genus lack one or two of these traits. This phenomenon has been consistently observed across various actinorhizal nodule isolates, displaying Nod− and/or Fix− phenotypes. Yet, the mechanisms supporting the colonization and persistence of these inefficient frankia within nodules, both with and without symbiotic strains (Nod+/Fix+), remain unclear. It is also uncertain whether these associations burden or benefit host plants. This study delves into the ecological interactions between
Parafrankia
EUN1f and
Pseudofrankia inefficax
EuI1c, isolated from
Elaeagnus umbellata
nodules. EUN1f (Nod+/Fix+) and EuI1c (Nod+/Fix−) display contrasting symbiotic traits. While the prediction suggests a competitive scenario, the absence of direct interaction evidence implies that the competitive advantage of EUN1f and EuI1c is likely contingent on contextual factors such as substrate availability and the specific nature of stressors in their respective habitats. In co-culture, EUN1f outperforms EuI1c, especially under specific conditions, driven by its nitrogenase activity. Iron-depleted conditions favor EUN1f, emphasizing iron’s role in microbial competition. Both strains benefit from host root exudates in pure culture, but EUN1f dominates in co-culture, enhancing its competitive traits. Nodulation experiments show that host plant preferences align with inoculum strain abundance under nitrogen-depleted conditions, while consistently favoring EUN1f in nitrogen-supplied media. This study unveils competitive dynamics and niche exclusion between EUN1f and EuI1c, suggesting that host plant may penalize less effective strains and even all strains. These findings highlight the complex interplay between strain competition and host selective pressure, warranting further research into the underlying mechanisms shaping plant–microbe–microbe interactions in diverse ecosystems.

IMPORTANCE

While
Pseudofrankia
strains typically lack the common traits of ability to nodulate the host plant (Nod−) and/or fix nitrogen (Fix−), they are still recovered from actinorhizal nodules. The enigmatic question of how and why these unconventional strains establish themselves within nodule tissue, thriving either alongside symbiotic strains (Nod+/Fix+) or independently, while considering potential metabolic costs to the host plant, remains a perplexing puzzle. This study endeavors to unravel the competitive dynamics between
Pseudofrankia
inefficax strain EuI1c (Nod+/Fix−) and
Parafrankia
strain EU1Nf (Nod+/Fix+) through a comprehensive exploration of genomic data and empirical modeling, conducted both in controlled laboratory settings and within the host plant environment.
Integrating genetic and immune factors to uncover pathogenetic mechanisms of viral-associated pulmonary aspergillosis
Authors: Gonçalves Samuel M. , Pereira Inês , Feys Simon , Cunha Cristina , Chamilos Georgios , Hoenigl Martin , Wauters Joost , van de Veerdonk Frank L. , Carvalho Agostinho
Published: April 2024

Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis is a severe fungal infection primarily affecting immunocompromised patients. Individuals with severe viral infections have recently been identified as vulnerable to developing invasive fungal infections. Both influenza-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (IAPA) and COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA) are linked to high mortality rates, emphasizing the urgent need for an improved understanding of disease pathogenesis to unveil new molecular targets with diagnostic and therapeutic potential. The recent establishment of animal models replicating the co-infection context has offered crucial insights into the mechanisms that underlie susceptibility to disease. However, the development and progression of human viral-fungal co-infections exhibit a significant degree of interindividual variability, even among patients with similar clinical conditions. This observation implies a significant role for host genetics, but information regarding the genetic basis for viral-fungal co-infections is currently limited. In this review, we discuss how genetic factors known to affect either antiviral or antifungal immunity could potentially reveal pathogenetic mechanisms that predispose to IAPA or CAPA and influence the overall disease course. These insights are anticipated to foster further research in both pre-clinical models and human patients, aiming to elucidate the complex pathophysiology of viral-associated pulmonary aspergillosis and contributing to the identification of new diagnostic and therapeutic targets to improve the management of these co-infections.
Untargeted, tandem mass spectrometry metaproteome of Columbia River sediments
Authors: Rodríguez-Ramos Josué , Nicora Carrie D. , Purvine Samuel O. , Borton Mikayla A. , McGivern Bridget B. , Hoyt David W. , Lipton Mary S. , Wrighton Kelly C.
Published: April 2024

Rivers are critical ecosystems that impact global biogeochemical cycles. Nonetheless, a mechanistic understanding of river microbial metabolisms and their influences on geochemistry is lacking. Here, we announce metaproteomes of river sediments that are paired with metagenomes and metabolites, enabling an understanding of the microbial underpinnings of river respiration.
Complete genome sequence of
Enterococcus faecalis
phage EF_RCK
Authors: Michelle JiaMin Loh , Karthikeyan Priyadarshini , Kumaresan Ramesh , Millard Andrew , Parimannan Sivachandran , Rajandas Heera
Published: April 2024

A lytic bacteriophage EF_RCK infecting
Enterococcus faecalis
was isolated from a water sample collected in a raw cockle storage container at Taman Ria market, Sungai Petani, Malaysia. The phage has a 57,848-bp double-stranded DNA genome harboring 107 protein-encoding genes and shares 90.9% nucleotide similarity with
Enterococcus
phage EFKL (
Saphexavirus
genus).
Unveiling the hidden viromes across the animal tree of life: insights from a taxonomic classification pipeline applied to invertebrates of 31 metazoan phyla
Authors: Alfonso Pau , Butković Anamarija , Fernández Rosa , Riesgo Ana , Elena Santiago F.
Published: April 2024

Invertebrates constitute the majority of animal species on Earth, including most disease-causing agents or vectors, with more diverse viromes when compared to vertebrates. Recent advancements in high-throughput sequencing have significantly expanded our understanding of invertebrate viruses, yet this knowledge remains biased toward a few well-studied animal lineages. In this study, we analyze invertebrate DNA and RNA viromes for 31 phyla using 417 publicly available RNA-Seq data sets from diverse environments in the marine-terrestrial and marine-freshwater gradients. This study aims to (i) estimate virome compositions at the family level for the first time across the animal tree of life, including the first exploration of the virome in several phyla, (ii) quantify the diversity of invertebrate viromes and characterize the structure of invertebrate-virus infection networks, and (iii) investigate host phylum and habitat influence on virome differences. Results showed that a set of few viral families of eukaryotes, comprising
Retroviridae
,
Flaviviridae
, and several families of giant DNA viruses, were ubiquitous and highly abundant. Nevertheless, some differences emerged between phyla, revealing for instance a less diverse virome in Ctenophora compared to the other animal phyla. Compositional analysis of the viromes showed that the host phylum explained over five times more variance in composition than its habitat. Moreover, significant similarities were observed between the viromes of some phylogenetically related phyla, which could highlight the influence of co-evolution in shaping invertebrate viromes.

IMPORTANCE

This study significantly enhances our understanding of the global animal virome by characterizing the viromes of previously unexamined invertebrate lineages from a large number of animal phyla. It showcases the great diversity of viromes within each phylum and investigates the role of habitat shaping animal viral communities. Furthermore, our research identifies dominant virus families in invertebrates and distinguishes phyla with analogous viromes. This study sets the road toward a deeper understanding of the virome across the animal tree of life.
Motility-activating mutations upstream of
flhDC
reduce acid shock survival of
Escherichia coli
Authors: Schumacher Kilian , Braun Djanna , Kleigrewe Karin , Jung Kirsten
Published: April 2024

Many neutralophilic bacterial species try to evade acid stress with an escape strategy, which is reflected in the increased expression of genes coding for flagellar components. Extremely acid-tolerant bacteria, such as
Escherichia coli
, survive the strong acid stress, e.g., in the stomach of vertebrates. Recently, we were able to show that the induction of motility genes in
E. coli
is strictly dependent on the degree of acid stress, i.e., they are induced under mild acid stress but not under severe acid stress. However, it was not known to what extent fine-tuned expression of motility genes is related to fitness and the ability to survive periods of acid shock. In this study, we demonstrate that the expression of FlhDC, the master regulator of flagellation, is inversely correlated with the acid shock survival of
E. coli
. We encountered this phenomenon when analyzing mutants from the Keio collection, in which the expression of
flhDC
was altered by an insertion sequence element. These results suggest a fitness trade-off between acid tolerance and motility.

IMPORTANCE

Escherichia coli
is extremely acid-resistant, which is crucial for survival in the gastrointestinal tract of vertebrates. Recently, we systematically studied the response of
E. coli
to mild and severe acidic conditions using Ribo-Seq and RNA-Seq. We found that motility genes are induced at pH 5.8 but not at pH 4.4, indicating stress-dependent synthesis of flagellar components. In this study, we demonstrate that motility-activating mutations upstream of
flhDC
, encoding the master regulator of flagella genes, reduce the ability of
E. coli
to survive periods of acid shock. Furthermore, we show an inverse correlation between motility and acid survival using a chromosomal isopropyl β-D-thio-galactopyranoside (IPTG)-inducible
flhDC
promoter and by sampling differentially motile subpopulations from swim agar plates. These results reveal a previously undiscovered trade-off between motility and acid tolerance and suggest a differentiation of
E. coli
into motile and acid-tolerant subpopulations, driven by the integration of insertion sequence elements.
Excessive subsidence of oceanic basins caused by recycled oceanic crust in the mantle source: A new perspective on the oceanic topography within Southeast Asia
Authors: Yang Fan , Huang Xiao-Long , Xu Yi-Gang , Zhang Le , He Peng-Li , Yu Yang , Liu Liang
Published: April 2024

Additional subsidence of oceanic basins compared to the half-space cooling prediction is thought to be a dynamic response to the underlying mantle convection induced by slab sinking. Here, we identified a significantly elevated proportion (10%–20%) of recycled oceanic crust (ROC) in the source of mid-ocean-ridge basalts (MORBs) from the South China Sea (SCS), illustrating the ROC accumulation within a confined upper-mantle range, possibly as a result of the long-term surrounding subduction events. The presence of this lithological heterogeneity in the ROC leads to an increase in mantle density by 0.45%–0.90% at most, thereby contributing to the observed excessive subsidence in the SCS basin when compared to other small basins affected by dynamic topography, while open oceans experience subsidence primarily due to thermal cooling. We propose that the ROC-induced density change in the upper mantle is crucial for generating the topographic anomalies in oceanic basins influenced by subducted slabs, alongside dynamic topography caused by mantle flow.