bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Metasurface-loaded printed monopole antenna: tailoring impedance for wideband radiation
Authors: Qu Bingyue , Yan Sen , Wang Jiafu , Pang Yongqiang , Zhang Anxue , Xu Zhuo
Published: April 2022

In this paper, we propose a method of designing a wideband printed monopole antenna (PMA) by loading metasurface on its back. The metasurface-loaded PMA prototype is a double-sided structure, with the printed monopole on the front side and the metasurface etched on the back side, respectively. Driven by the printed monopole structure in the near-field zone, the metasurface can behave inductively or capacitively. By adjusting the geometrical parameters, the impedance of the metasurface can be tailored so as to compensate the mismatched impedance of the original printed monopole in a wide band, leading to a wideband omnidirectional radiation. To verify this method, a light-weight PMA is designed, fabricated and measured. Analyses of the impedance and the surface current distributions are employed in the design process. The height of the proposed PMA is 20.0 mm, about 16% of the wavelength corresponding to the lowest operating frequency. Both the simulated and measured results show that the antenna can achieve highly efficient omnidirectional radiation in 2.50–4.75 GHz and the relative bandwidth achieves up to 62%. This work provides an effective alternative of designing wideband PMA, and may find wide applications in modern wireless communications.
Nanoscale pattern formation on silicon surfaces bombarded with a krypton ion beam: experiments and simulations
Authors: Seo J , Pearson D A , Bradley R M , Kim J-S
Published: April 2022

The nanoscale patterns produced by bombardment of the (100) surface of silicon with a 2 keV Kr ion beam are investigated both experimentally and theoretically. In our experiments, we find that the patterns observed at high ion fluences depend sensitively on the angle of incidence Θ. For Θ values between 74° and 85°, we observe five decidedly different kinds of morphologies, including triangular nanostructures traversed by parallel-mode ripples, long parallel ridges decorated by short-wavelength ripples, and a remarkable mesh-like morphology. In contrast, only parallel-mode ripples are present for low ion fluences except for Θ = 85°. Our simulations show that triangular nanostructures that closely resemble those in our experiments emerge if a linearly dispersive term and a conserved Kuramoto–Sivashinsky nonlinearity are appended to the usual equation of motion. We find ridges traversed by ripples, on the other hand, in simulations of the Harrison–Pearson–Bradley equation (Harrison et al 2017 Phys. Rev. E 96 032804). For Θ = 85°, the solid surface is apparently stable and simulations of an anisotropic Edwards–Wilkinson equation yield surfaces similar to those seen in our experiments. Explaining the other two kinds of patterns we find in our experiments remains a challenge for future theoretical work.
Three-dimensional translation vibration measurement system based on linear array sensor and composite fringe pattern
Authors: Zhong Jianfeng , Liu Dongming , Wu Shengyuan , Li Siyu , Zhong Shuncong , Liang Wei
Published: April 2022

The vibration signal of a structure gives crucial information to understand its condition. A novel three-dimensional (3D) vibration measurement system is proposed, based on a linear array sensor (LAS) and a composite fringe pattern (CFP), for monitoring a rigid structure with translation displacement along each direction. The CFP is composed of three sinusoidal fringe sets. Two parallel sinusoidal fringe sets on both sides of the CFP and an inclined one in the middle. The displacement along the imaging optical axis could be obtained from the center distance variation of the parallel fringe sets in the recorded CFP. Meanwhile, the vertical displacement could be acquired from the variation of the center distance ratio of the fringe sets. The horizontal displacement could be obtained by locating the symmetric center of the parallel fringe intensity. A peak locating algorithm was created to realize sub-pixel displacement measurement without an increase in the amount of computation. Simulation results verify the feasibility, effectiveness and robustness of the proposed algorithms. The measurement performance of the proposed system was also verified by comparison experiments, whose results demonstrated that the proposed system is capable of recovering structural 3D displacements. Therefore, the proposed vibration monitoring system could be recommended for real engineering applications in the 3D translation vibration monitoring of rigid structures.
Ligand-mediated CsPbBr
x
I3−

x
/SiO2 quantum dots for red, stable and low-threshold amplify spontaneous emission
Authors: Hu Jian , Zhang Sijian , Huang Shuo , Zhang Junxi , Lyu Mei , Lu Hongbo , Zhu Jun
Published: April 2022

The red-emitting perovskite material has received widespread attention as a long-wavelength optical gain media. But the easy phase change in the air limits its practical application. Herein, red CsPbBr
x
I3−x
/SiO2 quantum dots (QDs) are prepared by a ligand-mediated hot injection method in which 3-aminopropyl-triethoxysilane (APTES) is used instead of the usual oleylamine (OAm) ligand. Through the hydrolysis of amino groups, a thin silicon layer is formed on the QD surface, improving the stability and without causing the aggregation of QDs. We find that the ratio of I/Br and the size of QDs can be tuned by adjusting the APTES amount. Moreover, this ligand-mediated synthesis effectively passivates the surface defects, so the photoluminescence quantum yield is remarkably improved, and the carrier lifetime is prolonged. The amplified spontaneous emission is achieved under 532 nm nanosecond laser excitation. Compared with the original CsPbBrI2-OAm QD films, the threshold of CsPbBr
x
I3−x
/SiO2 QD films is reduced from 403.5 to 98.7 μJ cm−2, and the radiation stability is significantly enhanced. Therefore, this material shows great potential in the random laser field.
Deterioration of ion beam neutralization caused by reflection of electrostatic solitary waves within pulsed ion beam
Authors: Lan Chaohui , Chen Qiming , Liu Jianli , Zhao Liangchao , E Peng
Published: April 2022

The neutralization of an ion beam pulse directly by electron injection excites the two-stream instability of neutralizing electrons and gives rise to an electrostatic solitary wave (ESW) in the long time limit. The ESW propagates stably and reflects back and forth in the potential well of the ion beam pulse. Through a two-dimensional particle-in-cell code, we numerically simulated the whole neutralization process of the ion beam pulse as well as the excitation and propagation of the ESW. It is found that the reflections of the ESW at the edges of the ion beam pulse cause a lot of neutralizing electrons to be thrown out, forming escaping electrons released in a pulsed manner. Each reflection of the ESW accelerates the reduction of the neutralization degree and brings a small disturbance to the ESW. The accumulative effect of multiple reflections results in rapid collapse of the ESW at the end. The reflections of the ESW at the head and tail of the beam pulse cause the ion beam to lose more neutralizing electrons than the slow attenuation of the ESW inside the ion beam.
3D particle simulations of positive air–methane streamers for combustion
Authors: Bouwman Dennis , Teunissen Jannis , Ebert Ute
Published: April 2022

Streamer discharges can be used as a primary source of reactive species for plasma-assisted combustion. In this research we investigate positive streamers in a stoichiometric air–methane mixture at 1 bar and 300 K with a three-dimensional particle-in-cell model for the electrons. We first discuss suitable electron scattering cross sections and an extension of the photoionization mechanism to air–methane mixtures. We discuss that the addition of 9.5% methane leaves electron transport and reaction coefficients essentially unchanged, but it largely suppresses photoionization and shortens the photon mean free path. This leads to (1) accelerated streamer branching, (2) higher electric field enhancement at the streamer head, (3) lower internal electric fields, and (4) higher electron densities in the streamer channel. We also calculate the time-integrated energy density deposited during the evolution of positive streamers in background electric fields of 12.5 and 20 kV cm−1. We find typical values of the deposited energy density in the range of 0.5–2.5 kJ m−3 within the ionized interior of streamers with a length of 5 mm; this value is rather independent of the electric fields applied here. Finally we find that the energy deposited in the inelastic electron scattering processes mainly produces reactive nitrogen species: N2 triplet states and N, but also O and H radicals. The production of H2 and O2 singlet states also occurs albeit less pronounced. Our calculation of the primary production of reactive species can for example be used in global chemistry models.
Plebański-Demiański solutions with dynamical torsion and nonmetricity fields
Authors: Bahamonde Sebastian , Gigante Valcarcel Jorge , Järv Laur
Published: April 2022

We construct Plebański-Demiański stationary and axisymmetric solutions with two expanding and double principal null directions in the framework of Metric-Affine gauge theory of gravity. Starting from the new improved form of the metric with vanishing cosmological constant recently achieved by Podolský and Vrátný, we extend this form in the presence of a cosmological constant and derive the conditions under which the physical sources of the torsion and nonmetricity tensors provide dynamical contributions preserving it in Weyl-Cartan geometry. The resulting black hole configurations are characterised by the mass, orbital angular momentum, acceleration, NUT parameter, cosmological constant and electromagnetic charges of the Riemannian sector of the theory, as well as by the spin and dilation charges of the torsion and nonmetricity fields. The former is subject to a constraint representing a decoupling limit with the parameters responsible of axial symmetry, beyond which the geometry of the space-time is expected to be corrected.
Improving the teleportation of quantum Fisher information under non-Markovian environment
Authors: Li Yan-Ling , Zeng Yi-Bo , Yao Lin , Xiao Xing
Published: April 2022

Quantum teleportation is designed to send an unknown quantum state between two parties. In the perspective of remote quantum metrology, one may be interested in teleporting the information that is encoded by physical parameters synthesized by quantum Fisher information (QFI). However, the teleported QFI is often destroyed by the unavoidable interaction between the system and the environment. Here, we propose two schemes to improve the teleportation of QFI in the non-Markovian environment. One is to control the quantum system through the operations of weak measurement (WM) and corresponding quantum measurement reversal (QMR). The other is to modify the quantum system based on the monitoring result of the environment (i.e., environment-assisted measurement, EAM). It is found that, in the non-Markovian environment, these two schemes can improve the teleportation of QFI. By selecting the appropriate strengths of WM and QMR, the environment noise can be completely eliminated and the initial QFI is perfectly teleported. A comprehensive comparison shows that the second scheme not only has a higher probability of success than the first one, but also has a significant improvement of the teleported QFI.
Transport and confinement in bilayer chiral borophene
Authors: Albuhairan Hassan Y , Abdullah H M , Schwingenschlögl U
Published: April 2022

We employ a four-band continuum model to study the transport and confinement in an n-p-n junction in bilayer chiral borophene for both the identical- and opposite-chirality configurations. We demonstrate the existence of topological states in a domain wall between domains of opposite-chirality bilayer chiral borophene with reversed layer stacking. An interlayer bias modifies the conductance of the identical-chirality configuration but not that of the opposite-chirality configuration, and it induces a layer localization of the bound and topological states. Our findings suggest paths toward utilization of the layer degree of freedom in bilayer chiral borophene in future electronic devices.
A novel fault current limiter topology design based on liquid metal current limiter
Authors: LI Jinjin , DUAN Xiongying , XIE Weiying , HUANG Zhihui , LIAO Minfu , WANG Dequan , HAN Xiaotao
Published: April 2022

The liquid metal current limiter (LMCL) is regarded as a viable solution for reducing the fault current in a power grid. But demonstrating the liquid metal arc plasma self-pinching process of the resistive wall, and reducing the erosion of the LMCL are challenging, not only theoretically, but also practically. In this work, a novel LMCL is designed with a resistive wall that can be connected to the current-limiting circuit inside the cavity. Specifically, a novel fault current limiter (FCL) topology is put forward where the novel LMCL is combined with a fast switch and current-limiting reactor. Further, the liquid metal self-pinch effect is modeled mathematically in three dimensions, and the gas-liquid two-phase dynamic diagrams under different short-circuit currents are obtained by simulation. The simulation results indicate that with the increase of current, the time for the liquid metal-free surface to begin depressing is reduced, and the position of the depression also changes. Different kinds of bubbles formed by the depressions gradually extend, squeeze, and break. With the increase of current, the liquid metal takes less time to break, but breaks still occur at the edge of the channel, forming arc plasma. Finally, relevant experiments are conducted for the novel FCL topology. The arcing process and current transfer process are analyzed in particular. Comparisons of the peak arc voltage, arcing time, current limiting efficiency, and electrode erosion are presented. The results demonstrate that the arc voltage of the novel FCL topology is reduced by more than 4.5 times and the arcing time is reduced by more than 12%. The erosions of the liquid metal and electrodes are reduced. Moreover, the current limiting efficiency of the novel FCL topology is improved by 1%‒5%. This work lays a foundation for the topology and optimal design of the LMCL.
Constructing Hölder maps to Carnot groups
Authors: Wenger Stefan , Young Robert
Published: April 2022

In this paper, we construct Hölder maps to Carnot groups equipped with a Carnot metric, especially the first Heisenberg group

H

\mathbb {H}

. Pansu and Gromov [Carnot-Carathéodory spaces seen from within, Birkhäuser, Basel, 1996] observed that any surface embedded in

H

\mathbb {H}

has Hausdorff dimension at least

3
3

, so there is no

α
\alpha

-Hölder embedding of a surface into

H

\mathbb {H}

when

α
>

2
3

\alpha >\frac {2}{3}

. Züst [Anal. Geom. Metr. Spaces 3 (2015), pp. 73–92] improved this result to show that when

α
>

2
3

\alpha >\frac {2}{3}

, any

α
\alpha

-Hölder map from a simply-connected Riemannian manifold to

H

\mathbb {H}

factors through a metric tree. In the present paper, we show that Züst’s result is sharp by constructing

(

2
3

−
ϵ
)

(\frac {2}{3}-\epsilon )

-Hölder maps from

D
2

D^2

and

D
3

D^3

to

H

\mathbb {H}

that do not factor through a tree. We use these to show that if

0
>
α
>

2
3

0>\alpha > \frac {2}{3}

, then the set of

α
\alpha

-Hölder maps from a compact metric space to

H

\mathbb {H}

is dense in the set of continuous maps and to construct proper degree-1 maps from

R

3

\mathbb {R}^3

to

H

\mathbb {H}

with Hölder exponents arbitrarily close to

2
3

\frac {2}{3}

.
BIODICA: a computational environment for Independent Component Analysis of omics data
Authors: Captier Nicolas , Merlevede Jane , Molkenov Askhat , Ashenova Ainur , Zhubanchaliyev Altynbek , Nazarov Petr V , Barillot Emmanuel , Kairov Ulykbek , Zinovyev Andrei
Published: April 2022

We developed BIODICA, an integrated computational environment for application of independent component analysis (ICA) to bulk and single-cell molecular profiles, interpretation of the results in terms of biological functions and correlation with metadata. The computational core is the novel Python package stabilized-ica which provides interface to several ICA algorithms, a stabilization procedure, meta-analysis and component interpretation tools. BIODICA is equipped with a user-friendly graphical user interface, allowing non-experienced users to perform the ICA-based omics data analysis. The results are provided in interactive ways, thus facilitating communication with biology experts.

Availability and implementation

BIODICA is implemented in Java, Python and JavaScript. The source code is freely available on GitHub under the MIT and the GNU LGPL licenses. BIODICA is supported on all major operating systems. URL: https://sysbio-curie.github.io/biodica-environment/.
AMIGOS III: pseudo-torsion angle visualization and motif-based structure comparison of nucleic acids
Authors: Shine Morgan , Zhang Chengxin , Pyle Anna Marie
Published: April 2022

Motivation

The full description of nucleic acid conformation involves eight torsion angles per nucleotide. To simplify this description, we previously developed a representation of the nucleic acid backbone that assigns each nucleotide a pair of pseudo-torsion angles (eta and theta defined by P and C4ʹ atoms; or etaʹ and thetaʹ defined by P and C1ʹ atoms). A Java program, AMIGOS II, is currently available for calculating eta and theta angles for RNA and for performing motif searches based on eta and theta angles. However, AMIGOS II lacks the ability to parse DNA structures and to calculate etaʹ and thetaʹ angles. It also has little visualization capacity for 3D structure, making it difficult for users to interpret the computational results.

Results

We present AMIGOS III, a PyMOL plugin that calculates the pseudo-torsion angles eta, theta, etaʹ and thetaʹ for both DNA and RNA structures and performs motif searching based on these angles. Compared to AMIGOS II, AMIGOS III offers improved pseudo-torsion angle visualization for RNA and faster nucleic acid worm database generation; it also introduces pseudo-torsion angle visualization for DNA and nucleic acid worm visualization. Its integration into PyMOL enables easy preparation of tertiary structure inputs and intuitive visualization of involved structures.

Availability and implementation

https://github.com/pylelab/AMIGOSIII.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Airpart: interpretable statistical models for analyzing allelic imbalance in single-cell datasets
Authors: Mu Wancen , Sarkar Hirak , Srivastava Avi , Choi Kwangbom , Patro Rob , Love Michael I
Published: April 2022

Motivation

Allelic expression analysis aids in detection of cis-regulatory mechanisms of genetic variation, which produce allelic imbalance (AI) in heterozygotes. Measuring AI in bulk data lacking time or spatial resolution has the limitation that cell-type-specific (CTS), spatial- or time-dependent AI signals may be dampened or not detected.

Results

We introduce a statistical method airpart for identifying differential CTS AI from single-cell RNA-sequencing data, or dynamics AI from other spatially or time-resolved datasets. airpart outputs discrete partitions of data, pointing to groups of genes and cells under common mechanisms of cis-genetic regulation. In order to account for low counts in single-cell data, our method uses a Generalized Fused Lasso with Binomial likelihood for partitioning groups of cells by AI signal, and a hierarchical Bayesian model for AI statistical inference. In simulation, airpart accurately detected partitions of cell types by their AI and had lower Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) of allelic ratio estimates than existing methods. In real data, airpart identified differential allelic imbalance patterns across cell states and could be used to define trends of AI signal over spatial or time axes.

Availability and implementation

The airpart package is available as an R/Bioconductor package at https://bioconductor.org/packages/airpart.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Autoimmune connective tissue diseases and aortic valve replacement outcomes: a population-based study
Authors: Gad Mohamed M. , Lichtman Devora , Saad Anas M. , Isogai Toshiaki , Bansal Agam , Abdallah Mouin S. , Roselli Eric , Chatterjee Soumya , Reed Grant W. , Kapadia Samir R. , Menon Venu , Wassif Heba
Published: April 2022

Aims

Patients with autoimmune connective tissue diseases (CTDs) have a high burden of valvular heart disease and are often thought of as high surgical risk patients.

Methods and results

Patients undergoing aortic valve replacement (AVR) were identified in the Nationwide Readmissions Database between January 2012 and December 2018. Patients with a history of systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic sclerosis, mixed C, Sjögren syndrome, polymyositis, and dermatomyositis were included in the CTD cohort. Patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting concomitantly with AVR were excluded. A total of 569 600 hospitalizations were included, of which16 531 (2.9%) had CTD. CTD patients were more likely to be females, with higher rates of heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, and more likely to be insured by Medicare. CTD patients had lower mortality than non-CTD patients [odds ratio (OR) 0.66; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.59–0.74] and stroke [OR 0.87; 95% (CI): 0.79–0.97]. CTD patients undergoing SAVR had lower mortality [OR 0.69; 95% (CI): 0.60–0.80] and stroke [OR 0.86; 95% (CI): 0.75–0.98). CTD patients undergoing TAVR had lower mortality outcomes [OR 0.67; 95% (CI): 0.56–0.80]; however, they had comparable stroke outcomes [OR 0.97; 95% (CI): 0.83–1.13, P = 0.69].

Conclusions

Outcomes for patients with CTD requiring AVR are not inferior to their non-CTD counterparts. A comprehensive heart team selection of patients undergoing AVR approaches should place CTD history under consideration; however, pre-existing CTD should not be prohibitive of AVR interventions.
Progress Toward Digital Transformation in an Evolving Post-Acute Landscape
Authors: Cross Dori A , Adler-Milstein Julia
Published: April 2022

Digitization has been a central pillar of structural investments to promote organizational capacity for transformation, and yet skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) and other post-acute providers have been excluded and/or delayed in benefitting from the past decade of substantial public and private-sector investment in information technology (IT). These settings have limited internal capacity and resources to invest in digital capabilities on their own, propagating a limited infrastructure that may only further sideline SNFs and their role in an ever-evolving health care landscape that needs to be focused on age-friendly, high-value care. Meaningful progress will require continuous refinement of supportive policy, financial investment, and scalable organizational best practices specific to the SNF context. In this essay, we lay out an action agenda to move from age-agnostic to age-friendly digital transformation. Key to the value proposition of these efforts is a focus on interoperability—the seamless exchange of electronic health information across settings that is critical for care coordination and for providers to have the information they need to make safe and appropriate care decisions. Interoperability is not synonymous with digital transformation, but a foundational building block for its potential. We characterize the current state of digitization in SNFs in the context of key health IT policy advancements over the past decade, identifying ongoing and emergent policy work where the digitization needs of SNFs and other post-acute settings can be better addressed. We also discuss accompanying implementation considerations and strategies for optimally translating policy efforts into impactful practice change across an ever-evolving post-acute landscape. Acting on these insights at the policy and practice level provides cautious optimism that nursing home care—and care for older adults across the care continuum—may benefit more equitably from the promise of future digitization.
Genetic architecture of RNA editing regulation in Alzheimer’s disease across diverse ancestral populations
Authors: Gardner Olivia K , Van Booven Derek , Wang Lily , Gu Tianjie , Hofmann Natalia K , Whitehead Patrice L , Nuytemans Karen , Hamilton-Nelson Kara L , Adams Larry D , Starks Takiyah D , Cuccaro Michael L , Martin Eden R , Vance Jeffery M , Bush William S , Byrd Goldie S , Haines Jonathan L , Beecham Gary W , Pericak-Vance Margaret A , Griswold Anthony J
Published: April 2022

Most Alzheimer’s disease (AD)-associated genetic variants do not change protein coding sequence and thus likely exert their effects through regulatory mechanisms. RNA editing, the post-transcriptional modification of RNA bases, is a regulatory feature that is altered in AD patients that differs across ancestral backgrounds. Editing QTLs (edQTLs) are DNA variants that influence the level of RNA editing at a specific site. To study the relationship of DNA variants genome-wide, and particularly in AD-associated loci, with RNA editing, we performed edQTL analyses in self-reported individuals of African American (AF) or White (EU) race with corresponding global genetic ancestry averaging 82.2% African ancestry (AF) and 96.8% European global ancestry (EU) in the two groups, respectively. We used whole-genome genotyping array and RNA sequencing data from peripheral blood of 216 AD cases and 212 age-matched, cognitively intact controls. We identified 2144 edQTLs in AF and 3579 in EU, of which 1236 were found in both groups. Among these, edQTLs in linkage disequilibrium (r2 > 0.5) with AD-associated genetic variants in the SORL1, SPI1 and HLA-DRB1 loci were associated with sites that were differentially edited between AD cases and controls. While there is some shared RNA editing regulatory architecture, most edQTLs had distinct effects on the rate of RNA editing in different ancestral populations suggesting a complex architecture of RNA editing regulation. Altered RNA editing may be one possible mechanism for the functional effect of AD-associated variants and may contribute to observed differences in the genetic etiology of AD between ancestries.
mRNA Vaccine Effectiveness Against Coronavirus Disease 2019 Hospitalization Among Solid Organ Transplant Recipients
Authors: Kwon Jennie H , Tenforde Mark W , Gaglani Manjusha , Talbot H Keipp , Ginde Adit A , McNeal Tresa , Ghamande Shekhar , Douin David J , Casey Jonathan D , Mohr Nicholas M , Zepeski Anne , Shapiro Nathan I , Gibbs Kevin W , Files D Clark , Hager David N , Shehu Arber , Prekker Matthew E , Caspers Sean D , Exline Matthew C , Botros Mena , Gong Michelle N , Li Alex , Mohamed Amira , Johnson Nicholas J , Srinivasan Vasisht , Steingrub Jay S , Peltan Ithan D , Brown Samuel M , Martin Emily T , Khan Akram , Hough Catherine L , Busse Laurence W , Duggal Abhijit , Wilson Jennifer G , Perez Cynthia , Chang Steven Y , Mallow Christopher , Rovinski Randal , Babcock Hilary M , Lauring Adam S , Felley Laura , Halasa Natasha , Chappell James D , Grijalva Carlos G , Rice Todd W , Womack Kelsey N , Lindsell Christopher J , Hart Kimberly W , Baughman Adrienne , Olson Samantha M , Schrag Stephanie , Kobayashi Miwako , Verani Jennifer R , Patel Manish M , Self Wesley H
Published: April 2022

Background

The study objective was to evaluate 2- and 3-dose coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) mRNA vaccine effectiveness (VE) in preventing COVID-19 hospitalization among adult solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients.

Methods

We conducted a 21-site case-control analysis of 10 425 adults hospitalized in March to December 2021. Cases were hospitalized with COVID-19; controls were hospitalized for an alternative diagnosis (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2-negative). Participants were classified as follows: SOT recipient (n = 440), other immunocompromising condition (n = 1684), or immunocompetent (n = 8301). The VE against COVID-19-associated hospitalization was calculated as 1-adjusted odds ratio of prior vaccination among cases compared with controls.

Results

Among SOT recipients, VE was 29% (95% confidence interval [CI], −19% to 58%) for 2 doses and 77% (95% CI, 48% to 90%) for 3 doses. Among patients with other immunocompromising conditions, VE was 72% (95% CI, 64% to 79%) for 2 doses and 92% (95% CI, 85% to 95%) for 3 doses. Among immunocompetent patients, VE was 88% (95% CI, 87% to 90%) for 2 doses and 96% (95% CI, 83% to 99%) for 3 doses.

Conclusions

Effectiveness of COVID-19 mRNA vaccines was lower for SOT recipients than immunocompetent adults and those with other immunocompromising conditions. Among SOT recipients, vaccination with 3 doses of an mRNA vaccine led to substantially greater protection than 2 doses.
Curating Vraca Memorial Park: Activism, Counter-Memory, and Counter-Politics
Authors: Cole Lydia C
Published: April 2022

In 2005, officials designated Vraca Memorial Park in Sarajevo, Bosnia–Herzegovina, as a national monument. However, official disputes over responsibility for curating stalled progress on the site's restoration. In response, activists initiated two campaigns to save and restore Vraca: “Let's Save and Restore Vraca Memorial Park” and a campaign to restore the vandalized monument Ženi borac (woman fighter). Challenging the slide toward ruination, activist curators produced the site as a lively space of politics. Contributing to international political sociology scholarship on memory and its curation, the article develops the concept of activist curatorship through sustained engagement with activist practices of clearing, cleaning, and re-curating at the site between 2005 and 2020. Activist curation is an evolving and open-ended counter-memorial practice engaged by variously situated curators, both ordinary people and museum professionals. At Vraca, activist curating is held together through an alternative mnemonic community that mobilizes the legacy of anti-fascism, while curation is central to how activist interventions endure. Activist curators create space for political commentary on the past and open space for alternative forms of political community to proliferate, those which reach beyond the fragmentation of political, social, and memorial life in post-Dayton Bosnia–Herzegovina.
CRISPR Knockouts of pmela and pmelb Engineered a Golden Tilapia by Regulating Relative Pigment Cell Abundance
Authors: Wang Chenxu , Xu Jia , Kocher Thomas D , Li Minghui , Wang Deshou
Published: April 2022

Premelanosome protein (pmel) is a key gene for melanogenesis. Mutations in this gene are responsible for white plumage in chicken, but its role in pigmentation of fish remains to be demonstrated. In this study, we found that most fishes have 2 pmel genes arising from the teleost-specific whole-genome duplication. Both pmela and pmelb were expressed at high levels in the eyes and skin of Nile tilapia. We mutated both genes in tilapia using CRISPR/Cas9. Homozygous mutation of pmela resulted in yellowish body color with weak vertical bars and a hypopigmented retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) due to significantly reduced number and size of melanophores. In contrast, we observed an increased number and size of xanthophores in mutants compared to wild-type fish. Homozygous mutation of pmelb resulted in a similar, but milder phenotype than pmela−/− mutants. Double mutation of pmela and pmelb resulted in loss of additional melanophores compared to the pmela−/− mutants, and also an increase in the number and size of xanthophores, producing a golden body color. The RPE pigmentation of pmela−/−;pmelb−/− was similar to pmela−/− mutants, with much less pigmentation than pmelb−/− mutants and wild-type fish. Taken together, our results indicate that, although both pmel genes are important for the formation of body color in tilapia, pmela plays a more important role than pmelb. To our knowledge, this is the first report on mutation of pmelb or both pmela;pmelb in fish. Studies on these mutants suggest new strategies for breeding golden tilapia, and also provide a new model for studies of pmel function in vertebrates.
The genetic architecture of flowering time changes in pea from wild to crop
Authors: Williams Owen , Vander Schoor Jacqueline K , Butler Jakob B , Ridge Stephen , Sussmilch Frances C , Hecht Valerie F G , Weller James L
Published: April 2022

Change in phenology has been an important component in crop evolution, and selection for earlier flowering through a reduction in environmental sensitivity has helped broaden adaptation in many species. Natural variation for flowering in domesticated pea (Pisum sativum L.) has been noted and studied for decades, but there has been no clear account of change relative to its wild progenitor. Here we examined the genetic control of differences in flowering time between wild P. sativum ssp. humile and a typical late-flowering photoperiodic P. s. sativum accession in a recombinant inbred population under long and short photoperiods. Our results confirm the importance of the major photoperiod sensitivity locus Hr/PsELF3a and identify two other loci on chromosomes 1 (DTF1) and 3 (DTF3) that contribute to earlier flowering in the domesticated line under both photoperiods. The domesticated allele at a fourth locus on chromosome 6 (DTF6) delays flowering under long days only. Map positions, inheritance patterns, and expression analyses in near-isogenic comparisons imply that DTF1, DTF3, and DTF6 represent gain-of-function alleles of the florigen/antiflorigen genes FTa3, FTa1, and TFL1c/LF, respectively. This echoes similar variation in chickpea and lentil, and suggests a conserved route to reduced photoperiod sensitivity and early phenology in temperate pulses.
Fructan oligosaccharide priming alters apoplastic sugar dynamics and improves resistance againstBotrytis cinereain chicory
Authors: Versluys Maxime , Toksoy Öner Ebru , Van den Ende Wim
Published: April 2022

Carbohydrates such as fructans can be involved in priming or defence stimulation, and hence potentially provide new strategies for crop protection against biotic stress. Chicory (Cichorium intybus) is a model plant for fructan research and is a crop with many known health benefits. Using the chicory–Botrytis cinerea pathosystem, we tested the effectiveness of fructan-induced immunity, focussing on different plant and microbial fructans. Sugar dynamics were followed after priming and subsequent pathogen infection. Our results indicated that many higher plants might detect extracellular levan oligosaccharides (LOS) of microbial origin, while chicory also detects extracellular small inulin-type fructooligosaccharides (FOS) of endogenous origin, thus differing from the findings of previous fructan priming studies. No clear positive effects were observed for inulin or mixed-type fructans. An elicitor-specific burst of reactive oxygen species was observed for sulfated LOS, while FOS and LOS both behaved as genuine priming agents. In addition, a direct antifungal effect was observed for sulfated LOS. Intriguingly, LOS priming led to a temporary increase in apoplastic sugar concentrations, mainly glucose, which could trigger downstream responses. Total sugar and starch contents in total extracts of LOS-primed leaves were higher after leaf detachment, indicating they could maintain their metabolic activity. Our results indicate the importance of balancing intra- and extracellular sugar levels (osmotic balance) in the context of ‘sweet immunity’ pathways.
Phenological optimization of late reproductive phase for raising wheat yield potential in irrigated mega-environments
Authors: Hu Pengcheng , Chapman Scott C , Sukumaran Sivakumar , Reynolds Matthew , Zheng Bangyou
Published: April 2022

Increasing grain number through fine-tuning duration of the late reproductive phase (LRP; terminal spikelet to anthesis) without altering anthesis time has been proposed as a genetic strategy to increase yield potential (YP) of wheat. Here we conducted a modelling analysis to evaluate the potential of fine-tuning LRP in raising YP in irrigated mega-environments. Using the known optimal anthesis and sowing date of current elite benchmark genotypes, we applied a gene-based phenology model for long-term simulations of phenological stages and yield-related variables of all potential germplasm with the same duration to anthesis as the benchmark genotypes. These diverse genotypes had the same duration to anthesis but varying LRP duration. Lengthening LRP increased YP and harvest index by increasing grain number to some extent and an excessively long LRP reduced YP due to reduced time for canopy construction for high biomass production of pre-anthesis phase. The current elite genotypes could have their LRP extended for higher YP in most sites. Genotypes with a ratio of the duration of LRP to pre-anthesis phase of about 0.42 ensured high yields (≥95% of YP) with their optimal sowing and anthesis dates. Optimization of intermediate growth stages could be further evaluated in breeding programmes to improve YP.
Effects of high temperature and nitrogen availability on the growth and composition of the marine diatomChaetoceros pseudocurvisetus
Authors: Flanjak Lana , Vrana Ivna , Cvitešić Kušan Ana , Godrijan Jelena , Novak Tihana , Penezić Abra , Gašparović Blaženka
Published: April 2022

The assimilation of inorganic nutrients by phytoplankton strongly depends on environmental conditions such as the availability of nitrogen and temperature, especially warming. The acclimation or adaptation of different species to such changes remains poorly understood. Here, we used a multimethod approach to study the viability and physiological and biochemical responses of the marine diatom Chaetoceros pseudocurvisetus to different temperatures (15, 25, and 30 °C) and different N:P ratios. Nitrogen limitation had a greater effect than high temperature on cell growth and reproduction, leading to a marked elongation of setae, decreased phosphorus assimilation, increased lipid accumulation, and decreased protein synthesis. The elongation of setae observed under these conditions may serve to increase the surface area available for the uptake of inorganic and/or organic nitrogen. In contrast, high temperatures (30 °C) had a stronger effect than nitrogen deficiency on cell death, nitrogen assimilation, chlorophyll a accumulation, the cessation of setae formation, and cell lipid remodelling. Significant changes in thylakoid lipids were observed in cells maintained at 30 °C, with increased levels of digalactosyldiacylglycerol and sulfoquinovosyldiacylglycerol. These changes may be explained by the role of galactolipids in thylakoid membrane stabilization during heat stress.
Down-regulation of PvSAMS impairs S-adenosyl-L-methionine and lignin biosynthesis, and improves cell wall digestibility in switchgrass
Authors: Li Yu , Xiong Wangdan , He Feng , Qi Tianxiong , Sun Zhen , Liu Yuchen , Bai Shiqie , Wang Honglun , Wu Zhenying , Fu Chunxiang
Published: April 2022

S-adenosyl- l-methionine (SAM) is the methyl donor involved in the biosynthesis of guaiacyl (G) and syringyl (S) lignins in vascular plants. SAM is synthesized from methionine through the catalysis of the enzyme S-adenosylmethionine synthase (SAMS). However, the detailed function of SAMS in lignin biosynthesis has not been widely investigated in plants, particularly in monocot species. In this study, we identified PvSAMS genes from switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.), an important dual-purpose fodder and biofuel crop, and generated numerous transgenic switchgrass lines through PvSAMS RNA interference technology. Down-regulation of PvSAMS reduced the contents of SAM, G-lignins, and S-lignins in the transgenic switchgrass. The methionine and glucoside derivatives of caffeoyl alcohol were found to accumulate in the transgenic plants. Moreover, down-regulation of PvSAMS in switchgrass resulted in brownish stems associated with reduced lignin content and improved cell wall digestibility. Furthermore, transcriptomic analysis revealed that most sulfur deficiency-responsive genes were differentially expressed in the transgenic switchgrass, leading to a significant increase in total sulfur content; thus implying an important role of SAMS in the methionine cycle, lignin biosynthesis, and sulfur assimilation. Taken together, our results suggest that SAMS is a valuable target in lignin manipulation, and that manipulation of PvSAMS can simultaneously regulate the biosynthesis of SAM and methylated monolignols in switchgrass.
Effect of AGN on the morphological properties of their host galaxies in the local Universe
Authors: Getachew-Woreta Tilahun , Pović Mirjana , Masegosa Josefa , Perea Jaime , Beyoro-Amado Zeleke , Márquez Isabel
Published: April 2022

The morphological classification of active galaxies may be affected by the presence of active galactic nuclei (AGNs). In this paper, we provide the most detailed analysis on how different AGN contributions, from 5 per cent to 75 per cent, to the total optical light may affect six commonly used morphological parameters and the final classification of AGN host galaxies at z ∼ 0. We used a local sample of > 2000 visually classified non-active galaxies, to quantify how the contribution of a bright nuclear point source of different intensity could affect morphological parameters such as: asymmetry, Abraham concentration index, Gini, M20 moment of light, smoothness, and Conselice-Bershady concentration index. We found that most of the morphological parameters are affected by AGN contributions above 25 per cent, with late-type galaxies being more affected than early-types. We found that Gini, Abraham concentration index, and asymmetry are the most stable parameters even for AGN contributions above 25 per cent, in comparison to Conselice-Bershady concentration index and M20 moment of light. Smoothness parameter shall be avoided when classifying AGN host galaxies, or at least it shall be used simultaneously in combination with several other parameters.
Developmental Functioning Outcomes in Infants With Cystic Fibrosis: A 24- to 36-Month Follow-Up Study
Authors: Tekerlek Haluk , Yardımcı-Lokmanoğlu Bilge Nur , Inal-Ince Deniz , Özçelik Uğur , Mutlu Akmer
Published: April 2022

Objective

This study aimed to examine early motor repertoire using Prechtl General Movement Assessment (GMA) and later developmental functioning of infants with cystic fibrosis (CF).

Methods

Early motor repetoire was evaluated using Prechtl GMA, and developmental functioning was assessed using Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development–Third Edition (Bayley-III) in infants with CF and their peers who were neurotypical, as the control group.

Results

Twelve infants with CF clinically stable and 12 infants who were neurotypical, with respective median post-term ages of 14 and 13 weeks, were assessed using GMA. At 24 to 36 months, the Bayley-III was applied to the CF group (median post-term age = 27.5 months) and the control group (median post-term age = 27.0 months). Fidgety movements were absent in 5 infants with CF, whereas all infants who were neurotypical had normal fidgety movements. The Motor Optimality Score was significantly lower in the CF group (median = 18.5) compared with the control group (median = 26). The CF group had significantly lower composite scores in the Bayley-III cognition, language, and motor domains compared with the control group.

Conclusion

Cognitive, language, and motor development was delayed in infants with CF. Developmental functioning of infants with CF should be assessed as early as possible and monitored, and age-specific early intervention programs should be considered when necessary.

Impact

Infants with CF may have motor, cognitive, and language developmental delays compared with peers who are neurotypical during early childhood, and hospitalization was negatively correlated with motor development at 24 to 36 months of age. This study highlights the importance of early assessment of developmental functioning and age-specific, early intervention programs when necessary in infants with CF.

Lay Summary

It is important to assess developmental functioning as early as possible in infants with CF and to consider age-specific early intervention programs when necessary.
The global burden of sudden infant death syndrome from 1990 to 2019: a systematic analysis from the Global Burden of Disease study 2019
Authors: Park S , Han J H , Hwang J , Yon D K , Lee S W , Kim J H , Koyanagi A , Jacob L , Oh H , Kostev K , Dragioti E , Radua J , Eun H S , Shin J I , Smith L
Published: April 2022

Background

Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) still remains one of the leading causes of infant death worldwide, especially in high-income countries. To date, however, there is no detailed information on the global health burden of SIDS.

Aims

To characterize the global disease burden of SIDS and its trends from 1990 to 2019 and to compare the burden of SIDS according to the socio-demographic index (SDI).

Design

Systematic analysis based on the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2019 data.

Methods

Epidemiological data of 204 countries from 1990 to 2019 were collected via various methods including civil registration and vital statistics in the original GBD study. Estimates for mortality and disease burden of SIDS were modeled. Crude mortality and mortality rates per 100 000 population were analyzed. Disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) and DALY rates were also assessed.

Results

In 2019, mortality rate of SIDS accounted for 20.98 [95% Uncertainty Interval, 9.15–46.16] globally, which was a 51% decrease from 1990. SIDS was most prevalent in Western sub-Saharan Africa, High-income North America and Oceania in 2019. The burden of SIDS was higher in males than females consistently from 1990 to 2019. Higher SDI and income level was associated with lower burden of SIDS; furthermore, countries with higher SDI and income had greater decreases in SIDS burden from 1990 to 2019.

Conclusions

The burden of SIDS has decreased drastically from 1990 to 2019. However, the improvements have occurred disproportionately between regions and SDI levels. Focused preventive efforts in under-resourced populations are needed.