bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Heat Transfer Enhancement Due to Cold Cap Motion from Bubbling in a Waste Glass Melter
Authors: Guillen Donna P. , Abboud Alexander W.
Published: August 2023

In this study, a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model was developed to model the motion of a solid cold cap in a waste glass melter. Forced convection bubblers at the base of the melter release air into the molten glass, which forms large bubbles that travel upward to the cold cap and augment heat transfer from the glass to the cold cap. The CFD model employs the Navier–Stokes equations to solve for the fluctuating flowfield using a rigid body motion dynamic fluid body interaction module. This allows for movement of the floating body in response to the bubbling forces calculated at each time-step. The heat flux delivered to the cold cap by the convective bubbling is studied as a function of the normalized bubbling rate. Results for the moving cold cap are compared with the computed heat flux trends for a stationary cold cap. The heat flux delivered to the cold cap from the molten glass is 25% higher for the case with the moving cold cap as opposed to a stationary cold cap.
Development of Thermal Energy Storage Material From Blends of Jatropha Biodiesel and Paraffin Wax for Augmenting Freshwater Generation Capacity in a Solar Desalination System
Authors: Suraparaju Subbarama Kousik , Natarajan Sendhil Kumar
Published: August 2023

Enhancing nocturnal productivity holds promise for boosting the effectiveness of solar desalination setups. Current research concentrates on an innovative strategy: the integration of paraffin wax and Jatropha biodiesel as a composite energy storage material (CESM) to amplify distilled water output during nighttime. The composite material, comprising Jatropha biodiesel and paraffin wax in a 1:1 ratio by weight, is meticulously examined for its impact on productivity, juxtaposed against a conventional solar still (CSS). Results reveal a substantial improvement in thermal conductivity with CESM, exhibiting a noteworthy 20.37%% surge compared to pure paraffin wax. Furthermore, a solar still with biodiesel and phase change material (SSBDPCM) is pitted against a CSS, with continuous monitoring of water and absorber temperatures alongside distillate production. The findings illustrate that SSBDPCM achieves a 16% upsurge in water temperature and a 10% elevation in absorber temperature compared to CSS. Impressively, SSBDPCM achieves a staggering 63% increase in distillate production, yielding 3.6 l/m2 and 3.4 l/m2, in sharp contrast to CSS, which only manages 2.2 l/m2 and 2.1 l/m2 over a two-day test period. Furthermore, a comprehensive cost analysis showcases the economic superiority of SSBDPCM over CSS. SSBDPCM demonstrates a compelling 29.2% reduction in cost per liter and a significant 25.9% decrease in the payback period in comparison to CSS. These compelling outcomes underscore the substantial potential of the SSBDPCM approach in delivering heightened efficiency and cost-effectiveness, paving the way for a promising advancement in solar stills.
Physics-based scintillations for outdoor sound auralization
Authors: Bresciani Andrea P. C. , Maillard Julien , de Santana Leandro D.
Published: August 2023

The sound propagating in a turbulent atmosphere fluctuates in amplitude and phase. This phenomenon, known as acoustic scintillation, is caused by random fluctuations in the acoustic refractive index of the air induced by atmospheric turbulence. Auralization techniques should consider this phenomenon to increase the realism of the synthetic sound. This paper proposes a physics-based formulation to model sequences of log-amplitude and phase fluctuations of a sound propagating in a turbulent atmosphere. This method applies to slanted and vertical propagation of the sound, which is useful for simulating elevated noise sources such as aircraft, drones, and wind turbines. The theoretical framework is based on the spatial correlation functions for the log-amplitude and phase fluctuations for spherical waves, the von Kármán spectrum, and similarity theories to model atmospheric turbulence. Two applications with audio files are presented to demonstrate the applicability of this method to tonal and broadband noise.
Aeroacoustic radiation of low Reynolds number rotors in interaction with beams
Authors: Gojon Romain , Parisot-Dupuis Hélène , Mellot Bertrand , Jardin Thierry
Published: August 2023

The radiation characteristics of rotor-beam interaction noise are studied experimentally for low Reynolds number small-scale rotors in interaction with beams of different shapes, sizes, and downstream positions. The number of blades ranges from two to four. For the two-bladed rotor, the presence of the beam has no effect on the mean aerodynamic performance. Moreover, the blade passing frequency (BPF) and the high frequency broadband noise (BBN) appear not to be affected by the presence of the beam. On the contrary, the magnitude of the 2×BPF–25×BPF harmonics increases up to 30 dB compared to the case without beam, with an envelope consisting of two humps: one centered around 5×BPF and another around 20×BPF–25×BPF. For the first hump, a dipole-like pattern with minimal amplitude aligned with the beam can be observed, whereas another dipole-like pattern is observed for the higher frequency hump, but with a minimal amplitude over all the rotor disk plane. Compared to the two-bladed rotor, the presence of the beam has an effect on the mean aerodynamic performance of the three- and four-bladed rotors, increasing both the torque and the thrust at iso-rotational speed. This change leads to a change in the directivity of the BPF tone that decreases at a latitude angle of θ=0° and increases at a latitude angle of θ=40°. Moreover, the same two competing humps are observed on the BPF harmonics envelope. Interestingly, the frequency range over which an amplification of the harmonic magnitude is observed seems not to be influenced by the number of blades. Finally, the magnitude of the low frequency hump increases with the beam diameter, the rotational speed, and the number of blades but decreases with the rotor-beam distance. That of the high frequency hump increases also with the rotational speed and the number of blades, but not anymore with the beam diameter, and reaches a maximum value when the rotor-beam distance is at an intermediate distance of L = 25 mm. This hump is also influenced, to a lesser extent, by the shape of the beam. The two different evolutions permit us to conclude that the noise generation mechanisms leading to the two humps must be different. Scaling laws of the acoustical energy are derived for all those parameters. As already done for previous experiments without beam, all of the results are made available as an open database, at https://dataverse.isae-supaero.fr/.
Cohesive granular columns collapsing: Numerics questioning failure, cohesion, and friction
Authors: Staron Lydie , Duchemin Laurent , Lagrée Pierre-Yves
Published: August 2023

Simulations of the failure of cohesive granular steps with varying intensities of the contact adhesive force are presented. The simulations are compared with experimental and numerical studies of wet shear flows [Badetti et al., J. Rheol. 62, 1175–1196 (2018) and Khamseh et al., Phys. Rev. E 92, 022201 (2015)], computing the apparent friction coefficient. We observe consistent behaviors. We reproduce the dependence between the macroscopic cohesion and the contact adhesion [Rumpf, Chem. Ing. Tech. 42, 538–540 (1970) and Richefeu et al., Phys. Rev. E 73(5), 051304 (2006)] observed experimentally for sticky polymer-coated grains, as well as the range of friction explored [Gans et al., Phys. Rev. E 101, 032904 (2020)]. Focusing on the interface between moving and static materials, and assuming a linear failure, we infer the orientation of the failure plane with the horizontal. We disclose a nonmonotonous evolution with the intensity of the contact adhesion. Assuming an ideal Coulomb material allows for proposing an interpretation to this nonmonotonous behavior. Although the systems are past incipient failure, we consider an edge of material at equilibrium, for which the failure angle is related to the internal frictional properties of the material. In this framework, the nonmonotonous evolution of the failure orientation may hint at a cohesion-induced weakening mechanism, by which stronger contact adhesion involve weaker friction.
Efficacy of Yoga for COVID-19 Stress Prophylaxis
Authors: Mitra Sudeep , Mitra Mousumi , Nandi Purna , Pandey Madhumita , Chakrabarty Mousumi , Saha Mantu , Nandi Dilip Kumar
Published: August 2023

Background: The global COVID-19 lockdown restricted daily routines due to the psychological fear of infection, which imposed an unknown universal threat on female college students, affecting physiological health and well-being. However, scant information concerning the efficacy of yogic practice on female college students during the stressful COVID-19 pandemic situation is available. Methods: In a randomized controlled trial (n = 74, age = 21.65 [4.05] y), a study was conducted with a well-conceptualized yogic module for 5 days/week for 3 months (40 min daily in the morning) among yogic volunteers. Pre–post analysis of anthropometric, physiological, and biochemical indices in pandemic-stressed female college students was done for the control and yoga groups. Results: After 3 months of yogic practice, significant reduction (P < .05) in heart rate (d = 0.64, meandiff = 5.43), systolic blood pressure (d = 0.59, meandiff = 5.32), cortisol (d = 0.59, meandiff = 6.354), and triglycerides (P < .01, d = 0.45, meandiff = 13.95) was observed. After yogic follow-up significant improvement (P < .01) in high-frequency (d = 0.56, meandiff = −7.3), total power (d = 0.46, meandiff = −1150) and time domain parameters of heart rate variability led to ameliorate the stress index. Superoxide dismutase (P < .01, d = 0.78, meandiff = 0.69), catalase (P < .05, d = 0.48, meandiff = −7.37), glutathione (P < .001, d = 0.83, meandiff = −4.15), high-density lipoprotein (P < .05, d = 0.48, meandiff = −11.07), and dopamine (P < .001, d = 0.97, meandiff = −135.4) values along with inflammatory markers (P < .001) significantly improved among yogic volunteers after regular practice. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that a 3-month well-conceptualized yogic intervention during COVID-19 may be considered as a prophylactic tool to improve female college students’ universal psychophysiological health by ameliorating autonomic functions, cardiometabolic risk factors, and immune metabolisms in an economical and environment-friendly manner.
Structural basis of telomeric nucleosome recognition by shelterin factor TRF1
Authors: Hu Hongmiao , van Roon Anne-Marie M. , Ghanim George E. , Ahsan Bilal , Oluwole Abraham O. , Peak-Chew Sew-Yeu , Robinson Carol V. , Nguyen Thi Hoang Duong
Published: August 2023

Shelterin and nucleosomes are the key players that organize mammalian chromosome ends into the protective telomere caps. However, how they interact with each other at telomeres remains unknown. We report cryo–electron microscopy structures of a human telomeric nucleosome both unbound and bound to the shelterin factor TRF1. Our structures reveal that TRF1 binds unwrapped nucleosomal DNA ends by engaging both the nucleosomal DNA and the histone octamer. Unexpectedly, TRF1 binding shifts the register of the nucleosomal DNA by 1 bp. We discovered that phosphorylation of the TRF1 C terminus and a noncanomical DNA binding surface on TRF1 are critical for its association with telomeric nucleosomes. These insights into shelterin-chromatin interactions have crucial implications for understanding telomeric chromatin organization and other roles of shelterin at telomeres including replication and transcription.
Ultrafast anisotropic dynamics of hyperbolic nanolight pulse propagation
Authors: Zhang Xin , Yan Qizhi , Ma Weiliang , Zhang Tianning , Yang Xiaosheng , Zhang Xinliang , Li Peining
Published: August 2023

Polariton pulses—transient light-matter hybrid excitations—traveling through anisotropic media can lead to unusual optical phenomena in space and time. However, studying these pulses presents challenges with their anisotropic, ultrafast, and nanoscale field variations. Here, we demonstrate the creation, observation, and control of polariton pulses, with in-plane hyperbolic dispersion, on anisotropic crystal surfaces by using a time-resolved nanoimaging technique and our developed high-dimensional data processing. We capture and analyze movies of distinctive pulse spatiotemporal dynamics, including curved ultraslow energy flow trajectories, anisotropic dissipation, and dynamical misalignment between phase and group velocities. Our approach enables analysis of polariton pulses in the wave vector time domain, demonstrating a time-domain polaritonic topological transition from lenticular to hyperbolic dispersion contours and the ability to study the polariton-induced time-varying optical forces. Our findings promise to facilitate the study of diverse space-time phenomena at extreme scales and drive advances in ultrafast nanoimaging.
Human REM sleep recalibrates neural activity in support of memory formation
Authors: Lendner Janna D. , Niethard Niels , Mander Bryce A. , van Schalkwijk Frank J. , Schuh-Hofer Sigrid , Schmidt Hannah , Knight Robert T. , Born Jan , Walker Matthew P. , Lin Jack J. , Helfrich Randolph F.
Published: August 2023

The proposed mechanisms of sleep-dependent memory consolidation involve the overnight regulation of neural activity at both synaptic and whole-network levels. Now, there is a lack of in vivo data in humans elucidating if, and how, sleep and its varied stages balance neural activity, and if such recalibration benefits memory. We combined electrophysiology with in vivo two-photon calcium imaging in rodents as well as intracranial and scalp electroencephalography (EEG) in humans to reveal a key role for non-oscillatory brain activity during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep to mediate sleep-dependent recalibration of neural population dynamics. The extent of this REM sleep recalibration predicted the success of overnight memory consolidation, expressly the modulation of hippocampal—neocortical activity, favoring remembering rather than forgetting. The findings describe a non-oscillatory mechanism how human REM sleep modulates neural population activity to enhance long-term memory.
PD-1 blockade increases the self-renewal of stem-like CD8 T cells to compensate for their accelerated differentiation into effectors
Authors: Gill Amanda L. , Wang Peter H. , Lee Judong , Hudson William H. , Ando Satomi , Araki Koichi , Hu Yinghong , Wieland Andreas , Im Sejin , Gavora Autumn , Medina Christopher B. , Freeman Gordon J. , Hashimoto Masao , Reiner Steven L. , Ahmed Rafi
Published: August 2023

PD-1
+
TCF-1
+
stem-like CD8 T cells act as critical resource cells for maintaining T cell immunity in chronic viral infections and cancer. In addition, they provide the proliferative burst of effector CD8 T cells after programmed death protein 1 (PD-1)–directed immunotherapy. However, it is not known whether checkpoint blockade diminishes the number of these stem-like progenitor cells as effector cell differentiation increases. To investigate this, we used the mouse model of chronic lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) infection. Treatment of chronically infected mice with either αPD-1 or αPD-L1 antibody not only increased effector cell differentiation from the virus-specific stem-like CD8 T cells but also increased their proliferation so their numbers were maintained. The increased self-renewal of LCMV-specific stem-like CD8 T cells was mTOR dependent. We used microscopy to understand the division of these progenitor cells and found that after PD-1 blockade, an individual dividing cell could give rise to a differentiated TCF-1
−
daughter cell alongside a self-renewing TCF-1
+
sister cell. This asymmetric division helped to preserve the number of stem-like cells. Moreover, we found that the PD-1
+
TCF-1
+
stem-like CD8 T cells retained their transcriptional program and their in vivo functionality in terms of responding to viral infection and to repeat PD-1 blockade. Together, our results demonstrate that PD-1 blockade does not deplete the stem-like population despite increasing effector differentiation. These findings have implications for PD-1–directed immunotherapy in humans.
De novo
circular genome assembly of
Elizabethkingia anophelis
found in the mosquito
Aedes aegypti
from an Australian colony
Authors: Filipović Igor , Rašić Gordana
Published: August 2023

We report the complete circular genome assembly of
Elizabethkingia anophelis
(Flavobacteriales) generated with the ONT and Illumina sequences from a laboratory-reared
Aedes aegypti
mosquito. This genome sequence does not belong to the lineage of known isolates from
Anopheles
mosquitoes, indicating that
E. anophelis
is genomically diverse across mosquito disease vectors.
Complete genomes of mutualistic bacterial co-symbionts “
Candidatus
Sulcia muelleri” and “
Candidatus
Nasuia deltocephalinicola” of the rice green leafhopper
Nephotettix cincticeps
Authors: Moriyama Minoru , Nishide Yudai , Toyoda Atsushi , Itoh Takehiko , Fukatsu Takema
Published: August 2023

The genomes of obligate bacterial co-symbionts of the green rice leafhopper
Nephotettix cincticeps
, which is notorious as an agricultural pest, were determined. The streamlined genomes of “
Candidatus
Sulcia muelleri” and “
Candidatus
Nasuia deltocephalinicola” exhibited complementary metabolic pathways for synthesizing essential nutrients that contribute to host adaptation.
Design and application of a fault diagnosis system for machine tool angle heads based on Boolean matrix filtering and an optimized BP neural network
Authors: Zhang Zeliang , Chen Jian , Gu Yue , He Wanlin , Yao Jianfei
Published: August 2023

In this paper, a fault diagnosis method based on Boolean matrix filtering and optimizing backpropagation (BP) neural networks is proposed for angle heads of computer numerical control (CNC) machine tools. The matrix filtering is first carried out with the fault case database and the fault cause symptom Boolean matrix according to the fault types and characteristics of the machine tool angle head. On the basis of the combination of multiple fault causes obtained from the initial filtering, the Euclidean distance method is used to narrow the results of fault cause filtering. The BP neural network model with weight vector is established and optimized to perform an accurate diagnosis. Finally, the fault diagnosis and management system of the angle head of a CNC machine tool, integrating with the Boolean matrix filtering method, Euclidean distance method, and BP neural network model, is developed and implemented with the Python language and QT development framework.
Dihedral lattice gauge theories on a quantum annealer
Authors: Fromm Michael , Philipsen Owe , Winterowd Christopher
Published: August 2023

We study lattice gauge theory with discrete, non-Abelian gauge groups. We extend the formalism of previous studies on D-Wave’s quantum annealer as a computing platform to finite, simply reducible gauge groups. As an example, we use the dihedral group $D_{n}$

D
n

with $n=3,4$
n
=
3
,
4
on a two plaquette ladder for which we provide proof-of-principle calculations of the ground-state and employ the known time evolution formalism with Feynman clock states.
The Development of China’s Digital Economy and its Implications for China-ASEAN Cooperation
Authors: CHEN Bo , CHEN Hui , CHENG Qingjun , LI Yao
Published: August 2023

This article analyses China’s fast developing digital economy and its strategies for bolstering six key technologies: 5G (and 6G), cloud computing, Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, Blockchain and Virtual Reality/Augmented Reality. It explores how these digital technologies are reshaping the traditional industries and expanding the digital industrials. Besides infrastructure development, future China-ASEAN cooperation could give priorities to cooperations in some specific fields between China and some ASEAN developing countries.
Quality-Guaranteed and Cost-Effective Population Health Profiling: A Deep Active Learning Approach
Authors: Chen Long , Wang Jiangtao , Thakuriah Piyushimita (Vonu)
Published: August 2023

Reliability and cost are two primary considerations for profiling population-scale prevalence (
PPP
) of multiple non-communicable diseases (
NCDs
). In this paper, we exploit intra-disease and inter-disease correlation in different traditionally-sensed-areas (
TS-A
) to reduce the number of profiling tasks required without compromising data reliability. Specifically, we propose a novel approach called Compressive Population Health TS-A Selection (

CPH-TS

), which blends the state-of-the-art profile inference, data augmentation and active learning in a unified deep learning framework. It can actively select the minimum number of TS-A regions for profiling task allocation in each profiling cycle, while deducing the missing data on the unprofiled regions with a probabilistic guarantee of reliability. We evaluate our approach on real-world prevalence datasets of London, which shows the effectiveness of
CPH-TS
. In general,
CPH-TS
assigned 11.1-27.3% fewer tasks than baselines, assigning tasks to only 34.7% of the sub-regions while the profiling error was below 5% for 95% of the cycles.
The Seven Rs of Effective Editing
Authors: Yaffe Philip
Published: August 2023

Each "Communication Corner" essay is self-contained; however, they build on each other. For best results, before reading this essay and doing the exercise, go to the first essay "How an Ugly Duckling Became a Swan," then read each succeeding essay.

This essay is based on an article originally published in 2012. Although aimed specifically at journalists, it contains considerable good advice for all expository (non-fiction) writers. Not the least because it twice cites advice from my book
The Gettysburg Approach to Writing & Speaking like a Professional
.

I have edited the original text to direct it away from the fast and furious world of news reporting to adapt its very useful advice to the slower, more reflective pace of most other writers not subservient to daily deadlines. In most cases, my editing has shortened the text.
CH-MAC: Achieving Low-latency Reliable Communication via Coding and Hopping in LPWAN
Authors: Luo Junzhou , Xu Zhuqing , Lin Jingkai , Chen Ciyuan , Xiong Runqun
Published: August 2023

Wireless sensing has emerged as a powerful environmental sensing technology that is vulnerable to the impact of all kinds of ambient noises. LoRa is a novel interference-resilient technology of low-power wide-area networks (LPWAN), which has attracted wide attention from scientific and industrial communities. However, LoRa transmission suffers from serious latency in those complex wireless sensing environments requiring transmission reliability. In this article, we present CH-MAC, the first MAC-layer protocol based on the local corruption nature of packets and the time-varying nature of channels to reduce end-to-end transmission latency in LPWAN with reliable communication requirements. Specifically, CH-MAC employs Luby Transform code to divide and encode the payload into several blocks such that the receiver can retain part of the coded information in the corrupted packets. In addition, CH-MAC utilizes hopping to transmit different blocks of a packet with various channels to avoid sudden noise collision. Moreover, CH-MAC adopts a dynamic packet length adjustment mechanism to mitigate network congestion. Extensive evaluations on a real-world hardware testbed and a simulation platform show that CH-MAC can reduce end-to-end transmission latency by 2.63× with a communication success rate requirement of >95% compared with state-of-the-art methods.
Reintroducing Autochthonous Minor Grapevine Varieties to Improve Wine Quality and Viticulture Sustainability in a Climate Change Scenario
Authors: Frioni Tommaso , Romanini Elia , Pagani Silvia , Del Zozzo Filippo , Lambri Milena , Vercesi Alberto , Gatti Matteo , Poni Stefano , Gabrielli Mario
Published: August 2023

One of the major challenges that global warming poses to viticulture is the maintenance of adequate acidity at maturity in white grapes for sparkling winemaking. This issue arises from three main occurrences: (i) with higher temperatures, degradation of malic acid is significantly enhanced; (ii) with a general advancement in grapevine phenology, grape maturity may occur under suboptimal climatic conditions; and (iii) harvesting grapes at “traditional” dates results in overripe fruits for sparkling destinations. In this biennial work, we compared the fruit and must composition of a local, widely grown white grape variety in the Colli Piacentini area (cv. Ortrugo, ORT) with those of a minor autochthonous variety, namely, Barbesino (BRB). Furthermore, we compared the composition, aromatic, and sensory profiles of wines obtained from ORT and BRB grapes picked on the same date and, in addition, of a second Barbesino wine from late harvest (BRB-LH). ORT and BRB had a similar sugar accumulation dynamic, whereas BRB exhibited a delayed loss of titratable acidity. In more details, BRB had lower malic acid degradation rates when malate concentration was <9 g/L. As a result, with comparable yield and total soluble solid content (TSS) (∼20°Brix), BRB had a higher berry titratable acidity and malic acid concentration at harvest than ORT. BRB wines showed the highest titratable acidity (TA), while ORT had the lowest TA and a higher pH, and as expected, BRB-LH had the highest pH and a lower TA than BRB although still higher than those of ORT wine. The aroma profiles of wines were mainly characterized by fermentative aromas, including esters, fatty acids, higher alcohols, and C6 compounds, and BRB-LH wines showed the highest concentration of higher alcohols, while the fermentative esters were higher in ORT wines. Panelists considered BRB significantly fresher and with bigger aroma intensity than ORT, confirming that the higher acidity detected in BRB musts is well preserved in final wines. Our work demonstrates that local minor varieties can be reconsidered in light of the new climate change-related issues impairing viticulture sustainability today. In particular, currently neglected cultivars could help preserve must acidity as compared to traditional varieties having early ripening, maintaining the links with terroir and local traditions at the same time.
Subsequent Device Usage and Caregiver Attitudes to Do-It-Yourself Real-Time Continuous Glucose Monitoring (DIY-rtCGM) among Children with Type 1 Diabetes 3 Months after Participation in a Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Zhou Yongwen , Elbalshy Mona M. , Styles Sara E. , Crocket Hamish , Jefferies Craig , Wiltshire Esko , de Bock Martin I. , Wheeler Benjamin J.
Published: August 2023

Aim. To assess children’s subsequent device usage and caregiver attitudes to do-it-yourself real-time continuous glucose monitoring (DIY-rtCGM) at least 3 months after completing a randomized controlled trial (RCT). Methods. A brief online questionnaire or telephone call was used to collect the subsequent device usage and caregivers’ attitudes from a total of 55 families at least 3 months after their completion of an RCT investigating DIY-rtCGM adapted from their preexisting intermittently scanned glucose sensors plus education on using DIY-rtCGM system. To be eligible for the RCT, children had to be aged 2–13 years, have type 1 diabetes ≥6 months, and be rtCGM naïve. Data collected investigated current CGM use post-RCT and attitudes/user experiences to DIY-rtCGM in the months since RCT study support ended. Results. Overall, responses from 81.8% (45/55) of caregivers were received. Mean age of children was 9.0 ± 2.7 years, and 31 (68.9%) children used insulin pumps. After 3 months, 44.4% (20/45) of responding caregivers reported ongoing DIY-rtCGM use, and of these, only 13 used DIY-rtCGM as the primary glucose monitoring method 100% of time. Of the 25 (55.6%) families who ceased DIY-rtCGM, 40% (10/25) had transitioned to commercial rtCGM. More than half of families (60%, 12/20) who continued DIY-rtCGM use had a very or extremely positive attitude toward the technology and 75% (15/20) of these families planned to continue DIY-rtCGM use. However, signal loss and sensor inaccuracy remained the major reasons among all responders both for decreased DIY-rtCGM wear time and eventual cessation. Burden of use primarily related to technical errors that could not be solved, and alarms, both of which were reported to contribute to discontinuation. Conclusions. This study highlights that, among families voluntarily using DIY-rtCGM at least 3 months following support from a trial, more than half have ceased using DIY-rtCGM, with 40% of those discontinuing switching to commercial rtCGM. While overall perceptions of DIY-rtCGM remain largely positive, burdens of use are high and contribute to discontinuation.
The Effect of Professional Autonomy and Nursing Work Environment on Nurses’ Patient Safety Activities: A Perspective on Magnet Hospitals
Authors: Yuk Songyi , Yu Soyoung
Published: August 2023

Aim. This study aimed to identify the effects of nurses’ professional autonomy and work environment on patient safety in general hospitals. By understanding this relationship, we sought to identify practical measures to improve patient safety in the healthcare context. Background. Professional autonomy and nursing work environments have positive effects on job performance, job satisfaction, and patient outcomes. Methods. Data were collected from 200 nurses working in general hospitals, using a cross-sectional survey design. The survey was conducted in 2021 using self-report questionnaires that included the Nursing Work Environment Scale and items on professional autonomy and patient safety activities. Results. The total professional autonomy score was 162.06 (range: 60–240). The mean scores of nursing work environment and nurses’ patient safety activities were 2.55 out of 4 and 4.22 out of 5, respectively. Multiple regression analysis revealed that professional autonomy (β = 0.234 and

p
=
0.001

) and nursing work environment (β = 0.138 and

p
<
0.05

) were identified as variables that had significant effects on patient safety activities. Among the independent variables, professional autonomy had the greatest influence on patient safety. Conclusion. The findings confirm the need to improve and find ways to enhance nurses’ professional autonomy and nursing work environment. Implications for Nursing Management. The findings confirm the need to improve and find ways to enhance nurses’ professional autonomy and the nursing work environment. Based on these findings, medical institutions and nursing managers should continue to make efforts to improve the nursing work environment to enhance patient safety, especially system improvements, expand nurse autonomy within medical institutions, strengthen hospital management support to evaluate its effectiveness, and further improve government-level policies and systems.
Assessing Variability and Trends of Rainfall and Temperature for the District of Musanze in Rwanda
Authors: Twahirwa Anthony , Oludhe Christopher , Omondi Philip , Rwanyiziri Gaspard , Sebaziga Ndakize Joseph
Published: August 2023

Variability in rainfall and temperature results in different impacts on agricultural practices. Assessesment of variability and trend of rainfall and temperature for the district of Musanze in Rwanda was conducted using six meteorological stations for a period of 37 years, ranging from 1981 to 2018, and data were obtained from Rwanda Meteorology Agency. Musanze district is located in highland areas of Rwanda, understanding the variability and trend in rainfall and temperature is paramount to increase the uptake of climate information and support strategic orientation. The Mann–Kendall nonparametric test and modified Mann–Kendall were used to assess the trend in rainfall and temperature, whereas Sen’s slope estimator was used to assess the magnitude of change. The results from both methods showed much similarity and consistency. The assessment of variability and trend in rainfall and temperature in Musanza district indicated that increasing temperature and decreasing rainfall trends gave an indication of changes in variability and trend in rainfall and temperature. The annual pattern revealed a substantial downward tendency of −25.7% for Nyange, the only station with constant decreasing trend over all seasons, DJF, −61.4%, SON, −12.2%, JJA, −40.3%, and MAM, −4.35. Temperature analysis for both maximum and minimum indicated increasing trend which was signal for constant warming up in the area. The results from coefficient of variation indicated a high disparity in rainfall variation from June to August which ranged between 51 and 74%, and other seasons changes were moderate.
Dietary Effects of Lipid and Protein Levels on Growth, Feed Utilization, Lipid Metabolism, and Antioxidant Capacity of Triploid Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)
Authors: Chen Yun-Feng , Cao Kai-Lin , Huang Hong-Fei , Li Xiao-Qin , Leng Xiang-Jun
Published: August 2023

This study investigated the dietary effects of lipid and protein levels on growth performance, feed utilization, body composition, lipid metabolism, and antioxidant capacity of triploid rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss. A 3 × 2 two-factor design was conducted with three crude lipid levels of 4%, 9%, and 14% (L4, L9, and L14) and two crude protein levels of 44%, 49% (P44, P49). Therefore, a total of six diets were prepared as P44/L4, P44/L9, P44/L14, P49/L4, P49/L9, and P49/L14. Triploid rainbow trout (initial body weight 65.0 ± 0.1 g) were fed one of the six diets for 80 days. The results showed that weight gain (WG), protein retention (PR), and protein efficiency rate (PER) significantly increased with increasing the dietary lipid level at the same crude protein level, while feed conversion ratio (FCR) and hepatosomatic index significantly decreased (

P
<
0.05

). At the same lipid level, there was no difference in WG, FCR, PR, PER between 44% and 49% crude protein group (

P
>
0.05

). The P49/L14 group had the highest WG (374.6%) and lowest FCR (1.25), while P44/L14 group had the highest PER (1.80) and PR (25.06%) with similar WG and FCR to P49/L14 group. The crude lipid contents in whole fish were significantly higher in the L14 group than those in the L4 and L9 groups (

P
<
0.05

). Muscle n-3 PUFAs, n-6 PUFAs, and PUFAs levels were positively correlated with dietary lipid level, while n-6 PUFAs was negatively correlated with dietary protein level. Dietary protein, dietary lipid, and their interaction significantly affected hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) content, aspartate aminotransferase, lipase (LPS), and fatty acid synthase (FAS) activities (

P
<
0.05

). In both P44 and P49 groups, LPS and FAS activities increased with increasing the dietary lipid level. MDA content significantly decreased in the P44 group and increased in the P49 group with increasing the dietary lipid level (

P
<
0.05

). As dietary protein level increased, serum total cholesterol level increased, while hepatic phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase activity decreased. With increasing the dietary lipid level, total superoxide dismutase, catalase, total nitric oxide synthase, and fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase activities showed an increasing trend, while the opposite was true for alanine aminotransferase activity. In conclusion, based on growth performance and feed utilization, dietary protein level of 44% and dietary lipid level of 14% (measured value, 43.71% and 13.62%) were suggested for young triploid rainbow trout.
Nigella sativa Oil Improves Motor Skill Learning of Albino Mice: In Vivo and In Silico Investigations
Authors: Hossain Md. Siam , Seddique Abu Baker , Sharmin Suraiya , Rashid Md. Mamun Or , Islam Arifin , Hossain Md. Monir
Published: August 2023

Experimental evidences demonstrated that Nigella sativa oil (NSO) can restore neuronal integrities and processes by increasing the neuronal density, decreasing apoptosis, preventing inflammatory processes, and improving the neurogenic cells in the hippocampus. This refurbishment enhances the learning process and memory. The antioxidant defense mechanism of NSO slows down the process of neurodegeneration and motor deficit. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of NSO on motor skill learning using the single pellet reaching task method on Swiss albino mice, followed by in silico studies. Mice (total of 16) were randomly divided into the control group and treatment group (n = 8). The treatment group received 1 ml/kg b.w. NSO orally once daily for 7 days, and a control group received 1 ml/kg normal saline instead of NSO in a similar manner. The average success rate due to ingestion of NSO in the treatment group mice increased significantly (P < 0.05) compared to controlled mice. Molecular docking analysis revealed that thymoquinone, carvacrol, thymohydroquinone, p‐cymene, and t‐anethole have binding affinities for the α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazolepropionic acid receptor (AMPA‐R) that ranges from (‐5.1 to ‐6.2) kcal/mol, which is comparable to the reference ligand glutamic acid binding affinity with AMPA‐R (‐6.6 kcal/mol). Thymoquinone and carvacrol formed hydrogen bonds with AMPA receptor at TYR61, SER142, and SER143 residues, comparable to the binding affinity of glutamic acid. ADMET analysis reported that all the compounds have higher bioavailability (>90%) and can cross the BBB easily (logBB> 0.3). Based on our experimental data and in silico report, we concluded that the enhanced motor skill learning effects of NSO are due to presence of potent antioxidants—thymoquinone and carvacrol—which might serve as AMPA receptor agonists. These phytoconstituents may play role in synaptic strengthening and promote experience‐dependent motor skill learning.
Analytical Study on Limiting Value of Shape Factor of Vertically Loaded Anchors in Saturated Soft Clay
Authors: Xing Guoqi , Cao Yupeng , Zhang Baoliang , Li Jian , Li Dapeng
Published: August 2023

The limiting values of shape factors are an important parameter for vertically loaded anchors (VLAs) at the deep-embedded depth, which influence the ultimate embedded depth and the maximum load-bearing capacity. The limiting values of load-bearing coefficients of VLAs which have different aspect ratios and different areas of fluke are obtained using the finite-element method. Furthermore, based on the expression of shape factors, the limiting values of shape factors of VLAs with different aspect ratios and different areas of a fluke are calculated. The influence of the aspect ratios and areas of fluke of VLAs on the shape factors is investigated. In addition, the effect of the shape factors of VLAs on the ultimate embedded depth and the maximum load-bearing capacity at the ultimate embedded depth is also studied. The results show that when the area of a fluke of VLAs is the same, decreasing the aspect ratio of a fluke can decrease the limiting value of shape factors; when the length of the fluke is constant, the area of the fluke has little influence on the limiting values of shape factors of VLAs. When the area of the fluke of VLAs is the same, the normalized ultimate embedded depth increases almost linearly with increasing the limiting value of shape factors and the maximum load-bearing capacity increases with increasing the limiting value of shape factors. The results can contribute to the design of the shape of a fluke of VLAs in soft clay.
SGN-B6A: A New Vedotin Antibody–Drug Conjugate Directed to Integrin Beta-6 for Multiple Carcinoma Indications
Authors: Lyon Robert P. , Jonas Mechthild , Frantz Christopher , Trueblood Esther S. , Yumul Roma , Westendorf Lori , Hale Christopher J. , Stilwell Jackie L. , Yeddula Narayana , Snead Katie M. , Kumar Vineet , Patilea-Vrana Gabriela I. , Klussman Kerry , Ryan Maureen C.
Published: August 2023

Integrin beta-6, a component of the heterodimeric adhesion receptor alpha-v/beta-6, is overexpressed in numerous solid tumors. Its expression has been shown by multiple investigators to be a negative prognostic indicator in diverse cancers including colorectal, non–small cell lung, gastric, and cervical. We developed SGN-B6A as an antibody–drug conjugate (ADC) directed to integrin beta-6 to deliver the clinically validated payload monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE) to cancer cells. The antibody component of SGN-B6A is specific for integrin beta-6 and does not bind other alpha-v family members. In preclinical studies, this ADC has demonstrated activity in vivo in models derived from non–small cell lung, pancreatic, pharyngeal, and bladder carcinomas spanning a range of antigen expression levels. In nonclinical toxicology studies in cynomolgus monkeys, doses of up to 5 mg/kg weekly for four doses or 6 mg/kg every 3 weeks for two doses were tolerated. Hematologic toxicities typical of MMAE ADCs were dose limiting, and no significant target-mediated toxicity was observed. A phase I first-in-human study is in progress to evaluate the safety and antitumor activity of SGN-B6A in a variety of solid tumors known to express integrin beta-6 (NCT04389632).
Supplementary Figure 3 from Multicellular Complex Tumor Spheroid Response to DNA Repair Inhibitors in Combination with DNA-damaging Drugs
Authors: Dexheimer Thomas S. , Coussens Nathan P. , Silvers Thomas , Wright John , Morris Joel , Doroshow James H. , Teicher Beverly A.
Published: August 2023

Figure S3. Heat maps of Bliss synergy scores across the combination dose-response matrices for all twenty-six cell lines grown as multicellular complex spheroids exposed to each DNA damaging agent (A, TMZ; B, topotecan; C, trabectedin) in combination with the ATM inhibitor, AZD1390.
FIGURE 5 from Multicellular Complex Tumor Spheroid Response to DNA Repair Inhibitors in Combination with DNA-damaging Drugs
Authors: Dexheimer Thomas S. , Coussens Nathan P. , Silvers Thomas , Wright John , Morris Joel , Doroshow James H. , Teicher Beverly A.
Published: August 2023

Combination of DNA-PK inhibitors with trabectedin. A, Top, Mean Bliss matrix scores (n = 546) were calculated from the concentration matrix [(5 concentrations of drug A) × (6 concentrations of drug B) = (30 combination concentrations)] of each combination tested (n = 21) in all complex tumor spheroid models (n = 26). Mean Bliss matrix scores from the combination of the DNA-damaging drug trabectedin with the DNA-PK inhibitor nedisertib are highlighted in blue, whereas all other combinations are shown in light gray. A, Bottom, A mean Bliss score plot (n = 104) calculated from the combination concentration matrix of trabectedin with nedisertib across all complex tumor spheroid models (n = 26). The data are colored as a heat map, where blue indicates synergy, yellow indicates additivity, and red indicates antagonism. B, Concentration–response curves (top, mean ± SD, n = 4 technical replicates) from combinations of trabectedin with nedisertib and corresponding mean Bliss score plots (bottom, n = 4 technical replicates) showing the scores from each combination's concentration matrix and colored as a heat map. Data are shown for complex tumor spheroids grown with the malignant cell lines (from left): ASPS-1 (alveolar soft part sarcoma), HS-SY-2 (synovial sarcoma), and NCI-H211 (SCLC). C, Top, Mean Bliss matrix scores are highlighted from the combination of trabectedin with the DNA-PK inhibitor VX-984 across all complex tumor spheroid models (blue, n = 26), whereas all other combinations are shown in light gray. C, Bottom, A mean Bliss score plot (n = 104) calculated from the combination concentration matrix of trabectedin with VX-984 across all complex tumor spheroid models (n = 26). D, Concentration–response curves (top, mean ± SD, n = 4 technical replicates) from combinations of trabectedin with VX-984 and corresponding mean Bliss score plots (bottom, n = 4 technical replicates) showing the scores from each combination's concentration matrix and colored as a heat map. Data are shown for complex tumor spheroids grown with the malignant cell lines (from left): ASPS-1 (alveolar soft part sarcoma), HS-SY-2 (synovial sarcoma), and NCI-H211 (SCLC).
Data from Multicellular Complex Tumor Spheroid Response to DNA Repair Inhibitors in Combination with DNA-damaging Drugs
Authors: Dexheimer Thomas S. , Coussens Nathan P. , Silvers Thomas , Wright John , Morris Joel , Doroshow James H. , Teicher Beverly A.
Published: August 2023

Multicellular spheroids comprised of malignant cells, endothelial cells, and mesenchymal stem cells served as an in vitro model of human solid tumors to investigate the potentiation of DNA-damaging drugs by pharmacologic modulation of DNA repair pathways. The DNA-damaging drugs, topotecan, trabectedin, and temozolomide were combined with varied inhibitors of DNA damage response enzymes including PARP (olaparib or talazoparib), ATM (ataxia telangiectasia mutated; AZD-1390), ATR (ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3-related protein; berzosertib or elimusertib), and DNA-PK (DNA-dependent protein kinase; nedisertib or VX-984). A range of clinically achievable concentrations were tested up to the clinical Cmax, if known. Mechanistically, the types of DNA damage induced by temozolomide, topotecan, and trabectedin are distinct, which was apparent from the response of spheroids to combinations with various DNA repair inhibitors. Although most combinations resulted in additive cytotoxicity, synergistic activity was observed for temozolomide combined with PARP inhibitors as well as combinations of the ATM inhibitor AZD-1390 with either topotecan or trabectedin. These findings might provide guidance for the selection of anticancer agent combinations worthy of further investigation.
Significance:
Clinical efficacy of DNA-damaging anticancer drugs can be influenced by the DNA damage response in tumor cells. The potentiation of DNA-damaging drugs by pharmacologic modulation of DNA repair pathways was assessed in multicellular tumor spheroids. Although most combinations demonstrated additive cytotoxicity, synergistic cytotoxicity was observed for several drug combinations.
New pattern of nematode spermatogenesis revealed by ultrastructural observation of Anaplectus granulosus (Plectidae, Plectida)
Authors: Yushin Vladimir V. , Claeys Myriam , Bert Wim
Published: August 2023

This paper presents the first comprehensive detailed transmission electron microscope observations of sperm development and structure of a plectid nematode. Sperm development of Anaplectus granulosus resembles that of nematodes of the order Rhabditida, known as the rhabditid pattern of spermatogenesis. It includes formation of complexes of fibrous bodies (FB) with membranous organelles (MO), which appear in spermatocytes; the complexes dissociate in the spermatids. The mature spermatozoa are bipolar cells subdivided into a pseudopod and a main cell body containing a nucleus with nine singlet centrioles, peripheral mitochondria and MOs. However, the development and structure of sperm in A. granulosus deviates remarkably from the common rhabditid pattern by an unusual early transformation of FBs into large amorphous masses in the spermatids; the subsequent formation of a concentric structure of immature spermatozoa with a predominant amorphous mass around the central nucleus and thin peripheral cytoplasm with organelles (MOs and mitochondria); and by the transformation of MO in mature spermatozoa into simple cisterns. Thus, the pattern of spermatogenesis of A. granulosus supports the close relations of Plectida and Rhabditida, but specific peculiarities of the sperm development delineate Plectida from Rhabditida and other orders.