bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fractionation and Upgrade of Endocarp Lignin to Carbon- Silicon Nanocomposites as an Anode Material In Lithium-Ion Batteries
Authors: Vin-Nnajiofor Makua C. , Lino Wenqi , Debolt Seth , Cheng Yang-Tse , Shi Jian
Published: June 2022

Highlights

Deep eutectic solvent (DES) pretreatment of endocarp biomass led to higher overall glucose yield and lignin extraction.

High performance anode materials were synthesized using Si nanoparticles and DES or alkaline extracted lignin.

The core-shell structure formed during pyrolysis contributes to the enhanced electrochemical performance.

Abstract.A holistic use of lignocellulosic biomass by converting lignin to high-value products and cellulose and hemicelluloses to biofuel will greatly enhance the economic viability of a biorefinery. In this study, a three-dimensional, interconnected carbon/silicon composite was synthesized from silicon nanoparticles (Si NPs) with either deep eutectic solvent (DES) or alkaline pretreatment-extracted lignin from endocarp biomass. The endocarp lignin derived composite electrodes exhibited superior electrochemical performance in a half-coin cell lithium-ion battery setup. DES lignin derived C/Si NPs composite reached a discharging capacity of 1563 mAh g-1; while alkaline lignin derived C/Si NPs composite reaching a discharging capacity of 1605 mAh g-1 at a current density of 0.72 A g-1. Despite the comparable electrochemical performance, DES pretreatment led to a higher overall sugar yield from the liquid streams after pretreatment and enzymatic hydrolysis. This study demonstrates the utilization of endocarp lignin in electrochemical energy storage applications. Keywords: Anode, Lignin, Lithium-ion battery, Silicon nanoparticles.
Improvement of the focusability of petawatt laser pulses after nonlinear
post-compression
Authors: Martyanov Mikhail , Mironov Sergey , Starodubtsev Mikhail , Soloviev Alexander , Kochetkov Anton , Ginzburg Vladislav , Shaikin Andrey , Khazanov Efim
Published: June 2022

The nonlinear nature of laser pulse post-compression inevitably leads to wavefront distortions. These distortions are nonstationary, i.e., they vary during the pulse, which significantly complicates the use of adaptive optics. We propose four approaches to compensation of wavefront distortions by means of standard adaptive mirrors, three of which can be implemented experimentally. Numerical simulations show that these approaches allow achieving a focal spot intensity close to the case of a perfectly flat wavefront.
Smart grating coupled whispering-gallery-mode microcavity on tip of multicore optical fiber with response enhancement
Authors: Hou Feiyang , Zhan Yuxin , Feng Shengfei , Ye Jiasheng , Wang Xinke , Sun Wenfeng , Zhang Yan
Published: June 2022

The potential of whispering-gallery-modes (WGMs) microcavities in sensing applications has been being released continuously with improvements from various aspects. Introducing smart materials and structures into the WGMs microcavities based sensing systems are an effective approach to promote their applications in real world. Here, we propose a smart grating as the coupling setup to a WGMs microcavity of polystyrene microsphere to enhance the responses to chemical and thermal stimulations. The changes of the coupling distance due to the deformation of the smart grating induce additional increments to the intrinsic wavelength shifts of the WGMs of the microcavity, which is proved to be the mechanism of the response enhancements. We use two-photon lithography based “lab on fiber” technology to realize the device and the demonstration of the response enhancements. Our results may be of great significance to the design of the WGMs microcavity based chemical and temperature sensors.
Complex and phase screen methods for studying arbitrary genuine Schell-model partially coherent pulses in nonlinear media
Authors: Wang Xiaohan , Tang Jiahui , Wang Yinghe , Liu Xin , Liang Chunhao , Zhao Lina , Hoenders Bernhard J. , Cai Yangjian , Ma Pujuan
Published: June 2022

Partially coherent pulses, especially those with non-Gaussian correlated functions, have rarely been explored in nonlinear media because of the demanding procedure of the widely used coherent-mode representation method. This study develops temporal analogues of the complex screen and phase screen methods, which were recently introduced for the spatial counterpart of a partially coherent beam. These methods were employed to study the beam propagation properties of partially coherent pulses, and the obtained results show that they both are highly precise, convenient, and powerful. We believe that these protocols can effectively provide useful insight into the behavior of many coherence-related phenomena in nonlinear media.
Secure OFDM-PON using three-dimensional selective probabilistic shaping and chaos
Authors: Luo Yufeng , Zhang Chongfu , Liang Xinshuai , Peng Jie , Liu Bo , Qiu Kun
Published: June 2022

In this paper, a novel three-dimensional selective probabilistic shaping (3D-SPS) and chaos-based multi-stage encryption scheme is proposed for physical layer security enhancement and transmission performance improvement in orthogonal frequency division multiplexing-based passive optical network (OFDM-PON). On the basis of inherent randomness of symbol sub-sequences with low granularity, the SPS algorithm is performed on the employed cubic constellation within each sub-sequence. Consequently, the probability distribution of inner points significantly increases after the constellation region exchange according to various rules. The generated compressed shaping information (CSI) is encrypted and used as the synchronization head for transmission. Furthermore, 3D scrambling is performed while maintaining the shaping effect. The encrypted signals of 35.3 Gb/s are successfully transmitted over a 25-km standard single-mode fiber (SSMF) and a back-to-back (BTB) system. The results show that by selecting the appropriate system parameter, the proposed scheme can provide about 2.4 dB modulation gain on the received optical power at a bit error rate (BER) of 10‒3 compared with a conventional quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) signal under the same bit rate, and 0.9 dB shaping gain is brought due to the SPS. The encryption method possesses a relatively low computational complexity and sufficient key space of 10120 is introduced to resist exhaustive attack.
Generation of finite energy Airyprime beams by Airy transformation
Authors: Zang Xiang , Dan Wensong , Wang Fei , Zhou Yimin , Xu Yiqing , Zhou Guoquan
Published: June 2022

In this paper, the lone generation of a new kind of beam named finite energy Airyprime (FEA) beam through the Airy transformation of the coherent superposition of four different elegant Hermite-Gaussian modes is reported for the first time. Analytical expressions of the centroid, the r.m.s beam width, the divergence angle, and the beam propagation factor of the FEA beam are derived in the output plane of Airy transformation, respectively. The effects of the Airy control parameters on the intensity distribution, the centroid, the r.m.s beam width, and the beam propagation factor are examined in detail through numerical examples. Unlike the Airy beam, the FEA beam upon free space propagation will be associated with an additional Airy mode, and the beam pattern of the FEA beams propagating in free space will evolve into a solid beam spot with two tails along two transverse directions, as well as the the intensity of main lobe of the FEA beam decays much slowly during free space propagation. Further, an experiment setup is established to generate the FEA beam via Airy transformation of four mixed elegant Hermite-Gaussian modes. The propagation characteristics such as the intensity distribution, the r.m.s beam width and the beam propagation factor are measured. The experimental results agree well with the theoretical predictions. Our study affords an effective and novel approach to generate the FEA beam, and is beneficial to expand the potential application of the FEA beam.
Ultra-low sampling resolution technique for heterodyne phase-OTDR based distributed acoustic sensing
Authors: Yu Fei-Hong , Liu Shuaiqi , Shao Liyang , Xu Weijie , Xiao Dongrui , Zhao Fang , Hu Jie , Lin Weihao , Wang Guoqing , Wang Weizhi , Wang Feng , Liu Huanhuan , Shum Perry Ping
Published: June 2022

Phase-sensitive optical time-domain reflectometry (Φ-OTDR) based on heterodyne detection is widely used for its simple structure and high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). However, the large amount of raw data of Φ-OTDR places a heavy burden on the storage device and also limits the transferability of the data. In this Letter, we propose an ultra-low sampling resolution technique to solve the data storage problem in heterodyne Φ-OTDR. Experimental results show that the optical phase variations induced by external vibrations can be successfully demodulated from the 1-bit-resolution raw data, and a vibration SNR of 58.03 dB is achieved. In addition, this work also reveals that a data acquisition device with extremely low sampling resolution is sufficient for heterodyne Φ-OTDR, signifying that the cost of the system can be further decreased.
Far-field lithography through saturated resonance energy transfer
Authors: Liaros Nikolaos
Published: June 2022

A method based on resonance energy transfer in a donor–acceptor pair is proposed for writing three-dimensional features in the far field. The saturation of the energy transfer between the donor–acceptor pair induces a nonlinear intensity response in the radical population. This optical nonlinearity can enable three-dimensional nanofabrication without requiring the use of the ultrafast excitation that is compulsory for non-resonant multiphoton excitation. Addition of a second, spatially shaped beam can enable nanopatterning far below the diffraction limit.
Structural optimization of integrated non-volatile photonic memory towards high storage density and low energy consumption
Authors: Gao Chen , Shen Jiabin , Chen Xiaozhang , Cheng Zengguang , Zhou Peng
Published: June 2022

Photonic memory provides optics the opportunity for upgrading data storage hardware and shows great promise in future computing hardware due to its innate superiority in speed, power consumption and bandwidth. Chalcogenide phase-change materials (PCMs) such as Ge2Sb2Te5 (GST) are one of the most promising non-volatile storage materials and have been used for on-chip photonic integration circuits (PIC). Here, we explore the transmission contrast and the thermal distribution produced by different spatial structures of GST cells in photonic memory including geometric shapes, vertical positions and array distributions. We design the geometric shape of GST cells in photonic memory that matches the optical field distribution profile, causing a more than 20% increase in transmission contrast. We then set the vertical position of GST cells embedded in waveguides where the GST cell is overlapping most with the waveguide propagation mode, increasing the transmission contrast by more than 50%. Engineering the surrounding cladding layer is also an effective method to improve the transmission contrast (>10%). Beyond that, selecting a suitable size of the gap can obtain a better balance between the storage capacity and the thermal management in uniform GST arrays while the non-uniform array can further improve the thermal uniformity. Our studies indicate that spatial distribution optimization of light storage media is necessary to develop low-energy-consumption on-chip PIC.
Differential methods for assessing sensitivity in biological models
Authors: Mester Rachel , Landeros Alfonso , Rackauckas Chris , Lange Kenneth
Published: June 2022

Differential sensitivity analysis is indispensable in fitting parameters, understanding uncertainty, and forecasting the results of both thought and lab experiments. Although there are many methods currently available for performing differential sensitivity analysis of biological models, it can be difficult to determine which method is best suited for a particular model. In this paper, we explain a variety of differential sensitivity methods and assess their value in some typical biological models. First, we explain the mathematical basis for three numerical methods: adjoint sensitivity analysis, complex perturbation sensitivity analysis, and forward mode sensitivity analysis. We then carry out four instructive case studies. (a) The CARRGO model for tumor-immune interaction highlights the additional information that differential sensitivity analysis provides beyond traditional naive sensitivity methods, (b) the deterministic SIR model demonstrates the value of using second-order sensitivity in refining model predictions, (c) the stochastic SIR model shows how differential sensitivity can be attacked in stochastic modeling, and (d) a discrete birth-death-migration model illustrates how the complex perturbation method of differential sensitivity can be generalized to a broader range of biological models. Finally, we compare the speed, accuracy, and ease of use of these methods. We find that forward mode automatic differentiation has the quickest computational time, while the complex perturbation method is the simplest to implement and the most generalizable.
HiCImpute: A Bayesian hierarchical model for identifying structural zeros and enhancing single cell Hi-C data
Authors: Xie Qing , Han Chenggong , Jin Victor , Lin Shili
Published: June 2022

Single cell Hi-C techniques enable one to study cell to cell variability in chromatin interactions. However, single cell Hi-C (scHi-C) data suffer severely from sparsity, that is, the existence of excess zeros due to insufficient sequencing depth. Complicating the matter further is the fact that not all zeros are created equal: some are due to loci truly not interacting because of the underlying biological mechanism (structural zeros); others are indeed due to insufficient sequencing depth (sampling zeros or dropouts), especially for loci that interact infrequently. Differentiating between structural zeros and dropouts is important since correct inference would improve downstream analyses such as clustering and discovery of subtypes. Nevertheless, distinguishing between these two types of zeros has received little attention in the single cell Hi-C literature, where the issue of sparsity has been addressed mainly as a data quality improvement problem. To fill this gap, in this paper, we propose HiCImpute, a Bayesian hierarchical model that goes beyond data quality improvement by also identifying observed zeros that are in fact structural zeros. HiCImpute takes spatial dependencies of scHi-C 2D data structure into account while also borrowing information from similar single cells and bulk data, when such are available. Through an extensive set of analyses of synthetic and real data, we demonstrate the ability of HiCImpute for identifying structural zeros with high sensitivity, and for accurate imputation of dropout values. Downstream analyses using data improved from HiCImpute yielded much more accurate clustering of cell types compared to using observed data or data improved by several comparison methods. Most significantly, HiCImpute-improved data have led to the identification of subtypes within each of the excitatory neuronal cells of L4 and L5 in the prefrontal cortex.
Discrete modeling for integration and analysis of large-scale signaling networks
Authors: Vignet Pierre , Coquet Jean , Auber Sébastien , Boudet Matéo , Siegel Anne , Théret Nathalie
Published: June 2022

Most biological processes are orchestrated by large-scale molecular networks which are described in large-scale model repositories and whose dynamics are extremely complex. An observed phenotype is a state of this system that results from control mechanisms whose identification is key to its understanding. The Biological Pathway Exchange (BioPAX) format is widely used to standardize the biological information relative to regulatory processes. However, few modeling approaches developed so far enable for computing the events that control a phenotype in large-scale networks.

Here we developed an integrated approach to build large-scale dynamic networks from BioPAX knowledge databases in order to analyse trajectories and to identify sets of biological entities that control a phenotype. The Cadbiom approach relies on the guarded transitions formalism, a discrete modeling approach which models a system dynamics by taking into account competition and cooperation events in chains of reactions. The method can be applied to every BioPAX (large-scale) model thanks to a specific package which automatically generates Cadbiom models from BioPAX files.

The Cadbiom framework was applied to the BioPAX version of two resources (PID, KEGG) of the Pathway Commons database and to the Atlas of Cancer Signalling Network (ACSN). As a case-study, it was used to characterize sets of biological entities implicated in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Our results highlight the similarities between the PID and ACSN resources in terms of biological content, and underline the heterogeneity of usage of the BioPAX semantics limiting the fusion of models that require curation. Causality analyses demonstrate the smart complementarity of the databases in terms of combinatorics of controllers that explain a phenotype. From a biological perspective, our results show the specificity of controllers for epithelial and mesenchymal phenotypes that are consistent with the literature and identify a novel signature for intermediate states.
Spatial analysis of genetic clusters and epidemiologic factors related to wild poliovirus type 1 persistence in Afghanistan and Pakistan
Authors: Mendes Amalia , Whiteman Ari , Bullard Kelley , Sharif Salmaan , Khurshid Adnan , Alam Muhammad Masroor , Salman Muhammad , Ford Vanessa , Blair Taisha , Burns Cara C. , Ehrhardt Derek , Jorba Jaume , Hsu Christopher H.
Published: June 2022

Following the certification of the World Health Organization Region of Africa as free of serotype 1 wild poliovirus (WPV1) in 2020, Afghanistan and Pakistan represent the last remaining WPV1 reservoirs. As efforts continue in these countries to progress to eradication, there is an opportunity for a deeper understanding of the spatiotemporal characteristics and epidemiological risk factors associated with continual WPV1 circulation in the region. Using poliovirus surveillance data from 2017–2019, we used pairwise comparisons of VP1 nucleotide sequences to illustrate the spatiotemporal WPV1 dispersal to identify key sources and destinations of potentially infected, highly mobile populations. We then predicted the odds of WPV1 detection at the district level using a generalized linear model with structural indicators of health, security, environment, and population demographics. We identified evidence of widespread population mobility based on WPV1 dispersal within and between the countries, and evidence indicating five districts in Afghanistan (Arghandab, Batikot, Bermel, Muhamandara and Nawzad) and four districts in Pakistan (Charsada, Dera Ismail Khan, Killa Abdullah and Khyber) act as cross-border WPV1 circulation reservoirs. We found that the probability of detecting WPV1 in a district increases with each armed conflict event (OR = 1·024, +- 0·008), level of food insecurity (OR = 1·531, +-0·179), and mean degrees Celsius during the months of greatest precipitation (OR = 1·079, +- 0·019). Our results highlight the multidisciplinary complexities contributing to the continued transmission of WPV1 in Afghanistan and Pakistan. We discuss the implications of our results, stressing the value of coordination during this final chapter of the wild polio virus eradication initiative.
Estimating the global demand curve for a leishmaniasis vaccine: A generalisable approach based on global burden of disease estimates
Authors: Mohan Sakshi , Revill Paul , Malvolti Stefano , Malhame Melissa , Sculpher Mark , Kaye Paul M.
Published: June 2022

Background

A pressing need exists to develop vaccines for neglected diseases, including leishmaniasis. However, the development of new vaccines is dependent on their value to two key players–vaccine developers and manufacturers who need to have confidence in the global demand in order to commit to research and production; and governments (or other international funders) who need to signal demand based on the potential public health benefits of the vaccine in their local context, as well as its affordability. A detailed global epidemiological analysis is rarely available before a vaccine enters a market due to lack of resources as well as insufficient global data necessary for such an analysis. Our study seeks to bridge this information gap by providing a generalisable approach to estimating the commercial and public health value of a vaccine in development relying primarily on publicly available Global Burden of Disease (GBD) data. This simplified approach is easily replicable and can be used to guide discussions and investments into vaccines and other health technologies where evidence constraints exist. The approach is demonstrated through the estimation of the demand curve for a future leishmaniasis vaccine.

Methodology/Principal findings

We project the ability to pay over the period 2030–2040 for a vaccine preventing cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis (CL / VL), using an illustrative set of countries which account for most of the global disease burden. First, based on previous work on vaccine demand projections in these countries and CL / VL GBD-reported incidence rates, we project the potential long-term impact of the vaccine on disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) averted as a result of reduced incidence. Then, we apply an economic framework to our estimates to determine vaccine affordability based on the abilities to pay of governments and global funders, leading to estimates of the demand and market size. Based on our estimates, the maximum ability-to-pay of a leishmaniasis vaccine (per course, including delivery costs), given the current estimates of incidence and population at risk, is higher than $5 for 25–30% of the countries considered, with the average value-based maximum price, weighted by quantity demanded, being $5.7–6 [$0.3 - $34.5], and total demand of over 560 million courses.

Conclusion/Significance

Our results demonstrate that both the quantity of vaccines estimated to be required by the countries considered as well as their ability-to-pay could make a vaccine for leishmaniasis commercially attractive to potential manufacturers. The methodology used can be equally applied to other technology developments targeting health in developing countries.
Melioidosis in the remote Katherine region of northern Australia
Authors: Hodgetts Kay , Kleinecke Mariana , Woerle Celeste , Kaestli Mirjam , Budd Richard , Webb Jessica R. , Ward Linda , Mayo Mark , Currie Bart J. , Meumann Ella M.
Published: June 2022

Melioidosis is endemic in the remote Katherine region of northern Australia. In a population with high rates of chronic disease, social inequities, and extreme remoteness, the impact of melioidosis is exacerbated by severe weather events and disproportionately affects First Nations Australians. All culture-confirmed melioidosis cases in the Katherine region of the Australian Top End between 1989–2021 were included in the study, and the clinical features and epidemiology were described. The diversity of Burkholderia pseudomallei strains in the region was investigated using genomic sequencing. From 1989–2021 there were 128 patients with melioidosis in the Katherine region. 96/128 (75%) patients were First Nations Australians, 72/128 (56%) were from a very remote region, 68/128 (53%) had diabetes, 57/128 (44%) had a history of hazardous alcohol consumption, and 11/128 (9%) died from melioidosis. There were 9 melioidosis cases attributable to the flooding of the Katherine River in January 1998; 7/9 flood-associated cases had cutaneous melioidosis, five of whom recalled an inoculating event injury sustained wading through flood waters or cleaning up after the flood. The 126 first-episode clinical B. pseudomallei isolates that underwent genomic sequencing belonged to 107 different sequence types and were highly diverse, reflecting the vast geographic area of the study region. In conclusion, melioidosis in the Katherine region disproportionately affects First Nations Australians with risk factors and is exacerbated by severe weather events. Diabetes management, public health intervention for hazardous alcohol consumption, provision of housing to address homelessness, and patient education on melioidosis prevention in First Nations languages should be prioritised.
Deep learning models for forecasting dengue fever based on climate data in Vietnam
Authors: Nguyen Van-Hau , Tuyet-Hanh Tran Thi , Mulhall James , Minh Hoang Van , Duong Trung Q. , Chien Nguyen Van , Nhung Nguyen Thi Trang , Lan Vu Hoang , Minh Hoang Ba , Cuong Do , Bich Nguyen Ngoc , Quyen Nguyen Huu , Linh Tran Nu Quy , Tho Nguyen Thi , Nghia Ngu Duy , Anh Le Van Quoc , Phan Diep T. M. , Hung Nguyen Quoc Viet , Son Mai Thai
Published: June 2022

Background

Dengue fever (DF) represents a significant health burden in Vietnam, which is forecast to worsen under climate change. The development of an early-warning system for DF has been selected as a prioritised health adaptation measure to climate change in Vietnam.

Objective

This study aimed to develop an accurate DF prediction model in Vietnam using a wide range of meteorological factors as inputs to inform public health responses for outbreak prevention in the context of future climate change.

Methods

Convolutional neural network (CNN), Transformer, long short-term memory (LSTM), and attention-enhanced LSTM (LSTM-ATT) models were compared with traditional machine learning models on weather-based DF forecasting. Models were developed using lagged DF incidence and meteorological variables (measures of temperature, humidity, rainfall, evaporation, and sunshine hours) as inputs for 20 provinces throughout Vietnam. Data from 1997–2013 were used to train models, which were then evaluated using data from 2014–2016 by Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) and Mean Absolute Error (MAE).

Results and discussion

LSTM-ATT displayed the highest performance, scoring average places of 1.60 for RMSE-based ranking and 1.95 for MAE-based ranking. Notably, it was able to forecast DF incidence better than LSTM in 13 or 14 out of 20 provinces for MAE or RMSE, respectively. Moreover, LSTM-ATT was able to accurately predict DF incidence and outbreak months up to 3 months ahead, though performance dropped slightly compared to short-term forecasts. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time deep learning methods have been employed for the prediction of both long- and short-term DF incidence and outbreaks in Vietnam using unique, rich meteorological features.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates the usefulness of deep learning models for meteorological factor-based DF forecasting. LSTM-ATT should be further explored for mitigation strategies against DF and other climate-sensitive diseases in the coming years.
CView: A network based tool for enhanced alignment visualization
Authors: Linheiro Raquel , Sabatino Stephen , Lobo Diana , Archer John
Published: June 2022

To date basic visualization of sequence alignments have largely focused on displaying per-site columns of nucleotide, or amino acid, residues along with associated frequency summarizations. The persistence of this tendency to the recent tools designed for viewing mapped read data indicates that such a perspective not only provides a reliable visualization of per-site alterations, but also offers implicit reassurance to the end-user in relation to data accessibility. However, the initial insight gained is limited, something that is especially true when viewing alignments consisting of many sequences representing differing factors such as location, date and subtype. A basic alignment viewer can have potential to increase initial insight through visual enhancement, whilst not delving into the realms of complex sequence analysis. We present CView, a visualizer that expands on the per-site representation of residues through the incorporation of a dynamic network that is based on the summarization of diversity present across different regions of the alignment. Within the network, nodes are based on the clustering of sequence fragments that span windows placed consecutively along the alignment. Edges are placed between nodes of neighbouring windows where they share sequence identification(s), i.e. different regions of the same sequence(s). Thus, if a node is selected on the network, then the relationship that sequences passing through that node have to other regions of diversity within the alignment can be observed through path tracing. In addition to augmenting visual insight, CView provides export features including variant summarization, per-site residue and kmer frequencies, consensus sequence, alignment dissection as well as clustering; each useful across a range of research areas. The software has been designed to be user friendly, intuitive and interactive. It is open source and an executable jar, source code, quick start, usage tutorial and test data are available (under the GNU General Public License) from https://sourceforge.net/projects/cview/.
Barriers and facilitators in the delivery of a proportionate universal parenting program model (E-SEE Steps) in community family services
Authors: Berry Vashti , Mitchell Siobhan B. , Blower Sarah , Whittaker Karen , Wilkinson Kath , McGilloway Sinead , Mason-Jones Amanda , Carr Rachel Margaret , Bywater Tracey
Published: June 2022

Background

A proportionate universal (PU) approach to early years’ service provision has been advocated to improve children’s health and development and to reduce health inequality, by ensuring that services provide timely and high-quality parenting support commensurate with need. Process-oriented research is critical to examine the factors that contribute to, or hinder, the effective delivery/implementation of such a model in community-based family services. This study aimed to assess the delivery, acceptability and feasibility of a new PU parenting intervention model (called E-SEE Steps), using the Incredible Years® (IY) parent program, when delivered by trained health/family service staff in three “steps”—one universal step (the IY Babies Book), and two targeted steps (group-based IY Infant and Toddler programs).

Methods

An embedded mixed-methods process evaluation within a pragmatic parallel two-arm, assessor blinded, randomized controlled trial was conducted in community services in four local authorities in England. The process evaluation used qualitative data gathered via interviews and focus groups with intervention arm parents who were offered the targeted steps (n = 29), practitioners (n = 50), service managers (n = 7) and IY program mentors (n = 3). This was supplemented by quantitative data collected using group leader pre-training (n = 50) and post-delivery (n = 39) questionnaires, and research notes of service design decisions.

Results

The E-SEE Steps model was acceptable to most parents, particularly when it was accompanied by engagement strategies that supported attendance, such as providing childcare. Practitioners also highlighted the positive development opportunities provided by the IY training and supervision. However, participant views did not support the provision of the IY Babies book as a standalone universal component, and there were barriers to eligible parents—particularly those with low mood—taking up the targeted programs. Service providers struggled to align the PU model with their commissioned service contracts and with their staff capacity to engage appropriate parents, including tackling common barriers to attendance.

Conclusions

Despite general enthusiasm and support for delivering high-quality parenting programs in community services in the England, several barriers exist to successfully delivering IY in a proportionate universal model within current services/systems.
Children’s, parents’ and professional stakeholders’ views on power concerning the regulation of online advertising of unhealthy food to young people in the UK: A qualitative study
Authors: Carters-White Lauren , Hilton Shona , Skivington Kathryn , Chambers Stephanie
Published: June 2022

Examinations of corporate power have demonstrated the practices and activities Unhealthy Commodity Industries (UCIs) employ to exert their power and influence on the public and health policy. The High in Fat Sugar and Salt (HFSS) product industry have exploited the online environment to market their products to young people. Regulating UCIs’ marketing can limit the power of those industries and is argued to be one of the most appropriate policy responses to such marketing. However, there is minimal consideration of how stakeholders view regulation of online advertising of HFSS products to young people. This UK-focused study addressed this through a secondary analysis of focus groups with young people (n = 15), the primary analysis of focus groups with parents (n = 8), and interviews with professional stakeholders (n = 11). The findings indicated that participants’ views on the regulation of online advertising of HFSS products were informed by how professional stakeholders exerted instrumental, structural and discursive power. Participants cited regulation as a means to re-negotiate problematic power dynamics to increase young people’s and parents’ autonomy over young people’s diets, yet concern remained as to the impact regulation may have on individual autonomy. To garner increased public support for such regulatory policies, it may be beneficial for advocates to emphasise the empowering elements of those regulatory policies. Advocacy actors may wish to shift their framing of regulation from one that focuses on restricting industry practices, to one that centres on empowering individuals.
Foliar application of mepiquat chloride and nitrogen improves yield and fiber quality traits of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)
Authors: Abbas Hasnain , Wahid Muhammad Ashfaq , Sattar Abdul , Tung Shahbaz Atta , Saleem Muhammad Farrukh , Irshad Sohail , Alkahtani Jawaher , Elshikh Mohamed Soliman , Cheema Mumtaz , Li Yunzhou
Published: June 2022

Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) is one of the most important cash crops primarily grown for fiber. It is a perennial crop with indeterminate growth pattern. Nitrogen (N) is extremely important for vegetative growth as balanced N-nutrition improves photosynthesis, resulting in better vegetative growth. Excessive N-supply results in more vegetative growth, which increases the incidence of insect pest and diseases’ infestation, pollute surface and ground water, delays maturity and produces low crop yield with poor quality. The use of plant growth regulators (PGRs) is an emerging option to control excessive vegetative growth. The PGRs help in improving plant architecture, boll retention, boll opening, yield and quality by altering growth and physiological processes such as photosynthesis, assimilate partitioning and nutrients dynamic inside the plant body. Mepiquat chloride (1,1-dimethylpiperidinum chloride) is globally used PGR for canopy development and control of excessive vegetative growth in cotton. This study investigated the effect of mepiquat chloride (MC) and N application on yield and yield components of transgenic cotton variety ‘BT-FSH-326’. Two N rates (0, 198 kg ha-1) and five MC rates (0, 30,60, 90 and 120 g ha-1) were included in the study. Results revealed that MC and N application improved boll weight, number of bolls per plant, and seed cotton and lint yields. The highest seed cotton and lint yields (3595 kg ha-1 and 1701 kg ha-1, respectively) were observed under foliar application of 198 kg ha-1 N and 120 g ha-1 MC. Fiber length, fiber strength, micronaire and uniformity were significantly improved with foliar application of MC and N. In conclusion, foliar application of MC and N could be helpful in improving yield and fiber quality of cotton.
NADPH-oxidase 4 gene over-expression in peripheral blood lymphocytes of the schizophrenia patients
Authors: Ershova Elizaveta S. , Shmarina Galina V. , Martynov Andrey V. , Zakharova Natalia V. , Veiko Roman V. , Umriukhin Pavel E. , Kostyuk George P. , Kutsev Sergey I. , Veiko Natalia N. , Kostyuk Svetlana V.
Published: June 2022

Introduction

Increased systemic oxidative stress is common in schizophrenia (SZ) patients. NADPH-oxidase 4 (NOX4) is the cell oxidoreductase, catalyzing the hydrogen peroxide formation. Presumably, NOX4 is the main oxidative stress factor in a number of diseases such as cardiovascular diseases and cancer. We hypothesized that NOX4 may be involved in the oxidative stress development caused by the disease in the schizophrenic patients’ peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL).

Materials and methods

The SZ group included 100 patients (68 men and 32 women aged 28 ± 11 years). The control group included 60 volunteers (35 men and 25 women aged 25 ± 12 years). Flow cytometry analysis (FCA) was used for DNA damage markers (8-oxodG, ɣH2AX), pro- and antiapoptotic proteins (BAX1 and BCL2) and the master-regulator of anti-oxidant response NRF2 detection in the lymphocytes of the untreated SZ patients (N = 100) and the healthy control (HC, N = 60). FCA and RT-qPCR were used for NOX4 and RNANOX4 detection in the lymphocytes. RT-qPCR was used for mtDNA quantitation in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Cell-free DNA concentration was determined in blood plasma fluorimetrically.

Results

8-oxodG, NOX4, and BCL2 levels in the PBL in the SZ group were higher than those in the HC group (p < 0.001). ɣH2AX protein level was increased in the subgroup with high 8-oxodG (p<0.02) levels and decreased in the subgroup with low 8-oxodG (p <0.0001) levels. A positive correlation was found between 8-oxodG, ɣH2AX and BAX1 levels in the SZ group (p <10−6). NOX4 level in lymphocytes did not depend on the DNA damage markers values and BAX1 and BCL2 proteins levels. In 15% of PBL of the HC group a small cellular subfraction was found (5–12% of the total lymphocyte pool) with high DNA damage level and elevated BAX1 protein level. The number of such cells was maximal in PBL samples with low NOX4 protein levels.

Conclusion

Significant NOX4 gene expression was found a in SZ patients’ lymphocytes, but the corresponding protein is probably not a cause of the DNA damage.
Potential clinical relevance of cardiac magnetic resonance to diagnose cardiac light chain amyloidosis
Authors: Dohy Zsofia , Szabo Liliana , Pozsonyi Zoltan , Csecs Ibolya , Toth Attila , Suhai Ferenc Imre , Czimbalmos Csilla , Szucs Andrea , Kiss Anna Reka , Becker David , Merkely Bela , Vago Hajnalka
Published: June 2022

Background

While patients with cardiac transthyretin amyloidosis are easily diagnosed with bone scintigraphy, the detection of cardiac light chain (AL) amyloidosis is challenging. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) analyses play an essential role in the differential diagnosis of cardiomyopathies; however, limited data are available from cardiac AL-Amyloidosis. Hence, the purpose of the present study was to analyze the potential role of CMR in the detection of cardiac AL-amyloidosis.

Methods

We included 35 patients with proved cardiac AL-amyloidosis and two control groups constituted by 330 patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and 70 patients with arterial hypertension (HT), who underwent CMR examination. The phenotype and degree of left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy and the amount and pattern of late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) were evaluated. In addition, global and regional LV strain parameters were also analyzed using feature-tracking techniques. Sensitivity and specificity of several CMR parameters were analyzed in diagnosing cardiac AL-amyloidosis.

Results

The sensitivity and specificity of diffuse septal subendocardial LGE in diagnosing cardiac AL-amyloidosis was 88% and 100%, respectively. Likewise, the sensitivity and specificity of septal myocardial nulling prior to blood pool was 71% and 100%, respectively. In addition, a LV end-diastolic septal wall thickness ≥ 15 mm had an optimal diagnostic performance to differentiate cardiac AL-amyloidosis from HT (sensitivity 91%, specificity 89%). On the other hand, a reduced global LV longitudinal strain (< 15%) plus apical sparing (apex-to-base longitudinal strain > 2) had a very low sensitivity (6%) in detecting AL-Amyloidosis, but with very high specificity (100%).

Conclusions

The findings from this study suggest that CMR could have an optimal diagnostic performance in the diagnosis of cardiac AL-amyloidosis. Hence, further larger studies are warranted to validate the findings from this study.
An experimental study of tuned liquid column damper controlled multi-degree of freedom structure subject to harmonic and seismic excitations
Authors: Shah Mati Ullah , Usman Muhammad
Published: June 2022

A tuned liquid column damper (TLCD) is a passive vibration control device that not only mitigates unwanted structural vibrations but also acts as a water storage facility in a building. These aspects of TLCD make its application specifically suited for building structures. Previously, many experimental works on TLCDs have been conducted considering a single degree of freedom (SDOF) structure. However, the performance of TLCDs to control the response of multi-degree of freedom (MDOF) structure has rarely been studied experimentally. Therefore, this study has investigated the performance of a tuned liquid column damper (TLCD) on a multi-degree of freedom (MDOF) structure using shake table testing. A four-storey steel frame structure equipped with TLCD at the top of the fourth storey has been studied. Experimental normalized frequency response curves for MDOF structure equipped with TLCD have been determined. For this purpose, a series of harmonic loadings including frequencies 0.65 Hz, 1.17 Hz, 1.30 Hz, 1.43 Hz and 1.95 Hz have been applied in addition to historic earthquake loading. Peak and root-mean-square (RMS) accelerations have been discussed in detail for all the applied loadings at each storey level of the structure. For comparison purposes, the percentage reductions in peak and RMS accelerations have been calculated and compared. Also, RMS displacements and inter-storey drifts have been presented for resonant and seismic excitations. Both in time and frequency domains, responses of controlled MDOF structure have been analyzed and compared with uncontrolled structure. Results confirmed that TLCD has improved the MDOF structure responses at harmonic loadings frequencies near resonance and historic earthquake excitations. Furthermore, the improvement in the responses of MDOF structure with TLCD is more prominent at harmonic loadings compared to historic earthquake loading.
On the relationship between Pathogenic Potential and Infective Inoculum
Authors: Smith Daniel F. Q. , Casadevall Arturo
Published: June 2022

Pathogenic Potential (PP) is a mathematical description of an individual microbe, virus, or parasite’s ability to cause disease in a host, given the variables of inoculum, signs of disease, mortality, and in some instances, median survival time of the host. We investigated the relationship between pathogenic potential (PP) and infective inoculum (I) using two pathogenic fungi in the wax moth Galleria mellonella with mortality as the relevant outcome. Our analysis for C. neoformans infection revealed negative exponential relationship between PP and I. Plotting the log(I) versus the Fraction of animals with signs or symptoms (Fs) over median host survival time (T) revealed a linear relationship, with a slope that varied between the different fungi studied and a y-intercept corresponding to the inoculum that produced no signs of disease. The I vs Fs/T slope provided a measure of the pathogenicity of each microbial species, which we call the pathogenicity constant or kPath. The kPath provides a new parameter to quantitatively compare the relative virulence and pathogenicity of microbial species for a given host. In addition, we investigated the PP and Fs/T from values found in preexisting literature. Overall, the relationship between Fs/T and PP versus inoculum varied among microbial species and extrapolation to zero signs of disease allowed the calculation of the lowest pathogenic inoculum (LPI) of a microbe. Microbes tended to fall into two groups: those with positive linear relationships between PP and Fs/T vs I, and those that had a negative exponential PP vs I relationship with a positive logarithmic Fs/T vs I relationship. The microbes with linear relationships tended to be bacteria, whereas the exponential-based relationships tended to be fungi or higher order eukaryotes. Differences in the type and sign of the PP vs I and Fs/T vs I relationships for pathogenic microbes suggest fundamental differences in host-microbe interactions leading to disease.
Comparison of the Level of Collaborative Learning in a Distance Course
Authors: Reyes Cabrera William
Published: June 2022

In this research, collaborative learning was compared in four versions of a distance course, identified as V1, V2, V3, and V4, each designed with various learning strategies. This study aimed to achieve the following objectives: 1) Compare the level of collaborative learning obtained from a distance course over time. 2) Compare the level of collaborative learning obtained in the different versions of a distance course. 3) Identify the elements that influenced collaborative learning over time. 4) Identify if the modifications in the strategies carried out in the distance course impacted the level of collaborative learning. The study design was of the non-experimental evolutionary type, with a trend and group comparison. The instrument was administered at the end of each version of the course. This instrument was named Constructivist On-Line Learning Environment Survey, or COLLES, whose dimensions measure collaborative learning in a virtual learning environment. The results showed that both Interactivity and Relevance dimensions had an upward trend during the duration of the research, while in comparing the versions of the course, V3 had the highest scores in the six dimensions of collaborative learning, in addition to this. The version had a significant impact on Interactivity, Relevance, and Peer Support dimensions. In general, all versions of the course had satisfactory results at the level of collaborative learning. However, it is concluded that, due to its structure and strategies used, V3 is the one that favored collaborative learning the most.
Implications of sperm heat shock protein 70-2 in bull fertility
Authors: Rosyada Zulfi Nur Amrina , Ulum Mokhamad Fakhrul , Tumbelaka Ligaya I. T. A. , Solihin Dedy Duryadi , Purwantara Bambang , Memili Erdogan
Published: June 2022

Heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) is one of the most abundant chaperone proteins. Their function is well documented in facilitating the protein synthesis, translocation, de novo folding, and ordering of multiprotein complexes. HSP70 in bovine consists of four genes: HSP70-1, HSP70-2, HSP70-3, and HSP70-4. HSP70-2 was found to be involved in fertility. Current knowledge implicates HSP70-2 in sperm quality, sperm capacitation, sperm–egg recognition, and fertilization essential for bull reproduction. HSP70-2 is also involved in the biological processes of spermatogenesis, as it protects cells from the effects of apoptosis and oxidative stress. Fertilization success is not only determined by the amount of sperm found in the female reproductive tract but also by the functional ability of the sperm. However, subfertility is more likely to be associated with changes in sperm molecular dynamics not detectable using conventional methods. As such, molecular analyses and omics methods have been developed to monitor crucial aspects of sperm molecular morphology that are important for sperm functions, which are the objectives of this review.