bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Experiment and Numerical Simulation Study of Low-Nitrogen Combustion Technology Inside Small Gas Boiler
Authors: Sun Kai , Liu Xiangyun , Ao Tingyu , Liu Liangde , Liang Zhu
Published: June 2023

This paper studies different experimental conditions for a 25t/h industrial boiler fueled with nature gas. In the meanwhile, numerical simulation is carried out using the commercial software of fluent. The different excess air coefficients of 1.05, 1.1, 1.15, 1.2, and 1.25 are studied. The different flue gas circulation rates of 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% are studied compared with that rate of 0. The results show that the maximum temperature of the furnace and NOx emission concentration at the outlet increase first and then decrease with increasing excess air coefficient when flue gas circulation rate is 0, and the peak value of temperature and NOx emission concentration reaches 2071.93 K and 65.21 mg/m3 when excess air coefficient is 1.15, respectively. With increasing flue gas circulation rate, the average temperature of the furnace and the concentration of NOx at the outlet decreased, and the concentration of NOx decreased from 65.21 mg/m3 to 25 mg/m3. The higher the flue gas circulation, the smaller the high-temperature area of the furnace and the lower concentration of O2. However, excessively higher flue gas circulation rate and excess air coefficient can lead to incomplete combustion and lower coefficient. Hence, for optimizing the combustion conditions, the excess air coefficient and the flue gas circulation rate should be within an appropriate range.
A Simple Analytical Model to Predict the Freeze Plug Opening Time in Molten Salt Reactors
Authors: Ilham Muhammad , Okawa Tomio
Published: June 2023

The Freeze plug is an important passive safety system used in molten salt reactor (MSR). It enables automatic drainage of the liquid fuel from the core to the storage tanks in an emergency to stop the nuclear fission chain reaction without any operator's action or electric power supply. The opening time, that is the time taken for the freeze plug to open, is therefore of considerable importance to ensure passive safety of MSR. In our previous studies, systematic numerical simulations were carried out to understand how the fundamental design parameters such as the tube diameter and wall thickness of the freeze plug affected the opening time. In this work, a simple analytical model was developed for rough estimation of the opening time. It was shown that the opening time calculated by the present simple model was in fairly good agreement with that by the full simulation using the mass, momentum, and energy conservation equations for the salt and the heat conduction equation within the wall material. The present simple model was hence shown to be useful particularly for the schematic design of the improved MSR freeze plugs.
Transfer and Retention Effects of a Motor Program in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders
Authors: Bo Jin , Shen Bo , Pang YanLi , Zhang Mingting , Xiang Yuan , Dong Liangshan , Song Yu , Lasutschinkow Patricia , Dillahunt Alina , Li Dan
Published: June 2023

The current study examined the acquisition, retention, and transfer effects of a motor program. Children with autism spectrum disorder participated in a 9-week program that targeted 13 fundamental motor skills based upon the Test of Gross Motor Development-3. Assessments were conducted before and after the program, as well as at 2-month follow-up. Significant improvements were found on not only the trained fundamental motor skills (acquisition) but also the untrained tasks on balance (transfer). The follow-up tests revealed continuous improvement on the trained locomotor skills (retention), as well as the untrained skills on balance (retention + transfer). These findings highlight the importance of continuous support and long-term participation on motor practices.
Mediolateral Postural Control Mechanisms and Proprioception Improve With Kicking Sports Training During Adolescence
Authors: Blanchet Mariève , Prince François
Published: June 2023

Sensorimotor stimulation during the sensitive period is crucial for proper brain development. Kicking sports (KS) training stimulates these sensorimotor functions. The purpose of this study was to investigate if incorporating specific sensorimotor stimulation in mediolateral axis and proprioceptive inputs during KS training will improve the specific sensorimotor performance in adolescents. We assessed stability limits in 13 KS practitioners and 20 control participants. Starting from an upright position, subjects were asked to lean as far as possible (forward, backward, rightward, and leftward). Three sensory conditions were tested: (1) eyes open, (2) eyes closed, and (3) eyes closed while standing on a foam mat. We analyzed the maximal center of pressure excursion and the root means square of the center of pressure displacements. Results showed that KS group had smaller root means square and larger maximal center of pressure excursions than those of control participants in mediolateral axis in all sensory conditions. Furthermore, the results also revealed a significant smaller root means square excursion in KS group under foam mat condition compared to control group ML axis. This study provides evidence that KS training improved the lateral balance control and proprioceptive integration.
Laser
2
: A two-domain photon-phonon laser
Authors: Wang Ning , Wen He , Alvarado Zacarias Juan Carlos , Antonio-Lopez Jose Enrique , Zhang Yuanhang , Cruz Delgado Daniel , Sillard Pierre , Schülzgen Axel , Saleh Bahaa E. A. , Amezcua-Correa Rodrigo , Li Guifang
Published: June 2023

The laser is one of the greatest inventions in history. Because of its ubiquitous applications and profound societal impact, the concept of the laser has been extended to other physical domains including phonon lasers and atom lasers. Quite often, a laser in one physical domain is pumped by energy in another. However, all lasers demonstrated so far have only lased in one physical domain. We have experimentally demonstrated simultaneous photon and phonon lasing in a two-mode silica fiber ring cavity via forward intermodal stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) mediated by long-lived flexural acoustic waves. This two-domain laser may find potential applications in optical/acoustic tweezers, optomechanical sensing, microwave generation, and quantum information processing. Furthermore, we believe that this demonstration will usher in other multidomain lasers and related applications.
Imaging single CaMKII holoenzymes at work by high-speed atomic force microscopy
Authors: Tsujioka Shotaro , Sumino Ayumi , Nagasawa Yutaro , Sumikama Takashi , Flechsig Holger , Puppulin Leonardo , Tomita Takuya , Baba Yudai , Kakuta Takahiro , Ogoshi Tomoki , Umeda Kenichi , Kodera Noriyuki , Murakoshi Hideji , Shibata Mikihiro
Published: June 2023

Ca
2+
/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) plays a pivotal role in synaptic plasticity. It is a dodecameric serine/threonine kinase that has been highly conserved across metazoans for over a million years. Despite the extensive knowledge of the mechanisms underlying CaMKII activation, its behavior at the molecular level has remained unobserved. In this study, we used high-speed atomic force microscopy to visualize the activity-dependent structural dynamics of rat/hydra/
C. elegans
CaMKII with nanometer resolution. Our imaging results revealed that the dynamic behavior is dependent on CaM binding and subsequent pT286 phosphorylation. Among the species studies, only rat CaMKIIα with pT286/pT305/pT306 exhibited kinase domain oligomerization. Furthermore, we revealed that the sensitivity of CaMKII to PP2A in the three species differs, with rat,
C. elegans
, and hydra being less dephosphorylated in that order. The evolutionarily acquired features of mammalian CaMKIIα-specific structural arrangement and phosphatase tolerance may differentiate neuronal function between mammals and other species.
The FHA domain protein ArnA functions as a global DNA damage response repressor in the hyperthermophilic archaeon
Saccharolobus islandicus
Authors: Jiang Zhichao , Lin Zijia , Gan Qi , Wu Pengju , Zhang Xuemei , Xiao Yuanxi , She Qunxin , Ni Jinfeng , Shen Yulong , Huang Qihong
Published: June 2023

Forkhead-associated (FHA) domain proteins specifically recognize phosphorylated threonine via the FHA domain and are involved in signal transduction in various processes especially DNA damage response (DDR) and cell cycle regulation in eukaryotes. Although FHA domain proteins are found in prokaryotes, archaea, and bacteria, their functions are far less clear as compared to the eukaryotic counterparts, and it has not been studied whether archaeal FHA proteins play a role in DDR. Here, we have characterized an FHA protein from the hyperthermophilic Crenarchaeon
Saccharolobus islandicus
(SisArnA) by genetic, biochemical, and transcriptomic approaches. We find that Δ
SisarnA
exhibits higher resistance to DNA damage agent 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide (NQO). The transcription of
ups
genes, encoding the proteins for pili-mediated cell aggregation and cell survival after DDR, is elevated in Δ
SisarnA
. The interactions of SisArnA with two predicted partners, SisvWA1 (SisArnB) and SisvWA2 (designated as SisArnE), were enhanced by phosphorylation
in vitro
. Δ
SisarnB
displays higher resistance to NQO than the wild type. In addition, the interaction between SisArnA and SisArnB, which is reduced in the NQO-treated cells, is indispensable for DNA binding
in vitro
. These indicate that SisArnA and SisArnB work together to inhibit the expression of
ups
genes
in vivo
. Interestingly, Δ
SisarnE
is more sensitive to NQO than the wild type, and the interaction between SisArnA and SisArnE is strengthened after NQO treatment, suggesting a positive role of SisArnE in DDR. Finally, transcriptomic analysis reveals that SisArnA represses a number of genes, implying that archaea apply the FHA/phospho-peptide recognition module for extensive transcriptional regulation.

IMPORTANCE

Cellular adaption to diverse environmental stresses requires a signal sensor and transducer for cell survival. Protein phosphorylation and its recognition by forkhead-associated (FHA) domain proteins are widely used for signal transduction in eukaryotes. Although FHA proteins exist in archaea and bacteria, investigation of their functions, especially those in DNA damage response (DDR), is limited. Therefore, the evolution and functional conservation of FHA proteins in the three domains of life is still a mystery. Here, we find that an FHA protein from the hyperthermophilic Crenarchaeon
Saccharolobus islandicus
(SisArnA) represses the transcription of pili genes together with its phosphorylated partner SisArnB. SisArnA derepression facilitates DNA exchange and repair in the presence of DNA damage. The fact that more genes including a dozen of those involved in DDR are found to be regulated by SisArnA implies that the FHA/phosphorylation module may serve as an important signal transduction pathway for transcriptional regulation in archaeal DDR.
Optimized quantification of intra-host viral diversity in SARS-CoV-2 and influenza virus sequence data
Authors: Roder A. E. , Johnson K. E. E. , Knoll M. , Khalfan M. , Wang B. , Schultz-Cherry S. , Banakis S. , Kreitman A. , Mederos C. , Youn J.-H. , Mercado R. , Wang W. , Chung M. , Ruchnewitz D. , Samanovic M. I. , Mulligan M. J. , Lässig M. , Luksza M. , Das S. , Gresham D. , Ghedin E.
Published: June 2023

High error rates of viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerases lead to diverse intra-host viral populations during infection. Errors made during replication that are not strongly deleterious to the virus can lead to the generation of minority variants. However, accurate detection of minority variants in viral sequence data is complicated by errors introduced during sample preparation and data analysis. We used synthetic RNA controls and simulated data to test seven variant-calling tools across a range of allele frequencies and simulated coverages. We show that choice of variant caller and use of replicate sequencing have the most significant impact on single-nucleotide variant (SNV) discovery and demonstrate how both allele frequency and coverage thresholds impact both false discovery and false-negative rates. When replicates are not available, using a combination of multiple callers with more stringent cutoffs is recommended. We use these parameters to find minority variants in sequencing data from SARS-CoV-2 clinical specimens and provide guidance for studies of intra-host viral diversity using either single replicate data or data from technical replicates. Our study provides a framework for rigorous assessment of technical factors that impact SNV identification in viral samples and establishes heuristics that will inform and improve future studies of intra-host variation, viral diversity, and viral evolution.

IMPORTANCE

When viruses replicate inside a host cell, the virus replication machinery makes mistakes. Over time, these mistakes create mutations that result in a diverse population of viruses inside the host. Mutations that are neither lethal to the virus nor strongly beneficial can lead to minority variants that are minor members of the virus population. However, preparing samples for sequencing can also introduce errors that resemble minority variants, resulting in the inclusion of false-positive data if not filtered correctly. In this study, we aimed to determine the best methods for identification and quantification of these minority variants by testing the performance of seven commonly used variant-calling tools. We used simulated and synthetic data to test their performance against a true set of variants and then used these studies to inform variant identification in data from SARS-CoV-2 clinical specimens. Together, analyses of our data provide extensive guidance for future studies of viral diversity and evolution.
A previously uncharacterized divisome-associated lipoprotein, DalA, is needed for normal cell division in
Rhodobacterales
Authors: Alberge François , Lakey Bryan D. , Schaub Ryan E. , Dohnalkova Alice C. , Lemmer Kimberley C. , Dillard Joseph P. , Noguera Daniel R. , Donohue Timothy J.
Published: June 2023

The bacterial cell envelope is a key subcellular compartment with important roles in antibiotic resistance, nutrient acquisition, and cell morphology. We seek to gain a better understanding of proteins that contribute to the function of the cell envelope in
Alphaproteobacteria
. Using
Rhodobacter sphaeroides
, we show that a previously uncharacterized protein, RSP_1200, is an outer membrane (OM) lipoprotein that non-covalently binds peptidoglycan (PG). Using a fluorescently tagged version of this protein, we find that RSP_1200 undergoes a dynamic repositioning during the cell cycle and is enriched at the septum during cell division. We show that the position of RSP_1200 mirrors the location of FtsZ rings, leading us to propose that RSP_1200 is a newly identified component of the
R. sphaeroides
’ divisome. Additional support for this hypothesis includes the co-precipitation of RSP_1200 with FtsZ, the Pal protein, and several predicted PG L,D-transpeptidases. We also find that a ∆
RSP_1200
mutation leads to defects in cell division, sensitivity to PG-active antibiotics, and results in the formation of OM protrusions at the septum during cell division. Based on these results, we propose to name RSP_1200 DalA (for division-associated lipoprotein A) and postulate that DalA serves as a scaffold to position or modulate the activity of PG transpeptidases that are needed to form envelope invaginations during cell division. We find that DalA homologs are present in members of the
Rhodobacterales
order within
Alphaproteobacteria
. Therefore, we propose that further analysis of this and related proteins will increase our understanding of the macromolecular machinery and proteins that participate in cell division in Gram-negative bacteria.

IMPORTANCE

Multi-protein complexes of the bacterial cell envelope orchestrate key processes like growth, division, biofilm formation, antimicrobial resistance, and production of valuable compounds. The subunits of these protein complexes are well studied in some bacteria, and differences in their composition and function are linked to variations in cell envelope composition, shape, and proliferation. However, some envelope protein complex subunits have no known homologs across the bacterial phylogeny. We find that
Rhodobacter sphaeroides
RSP_1200 is a newly identified lipoprotein (DalA) and that loss of this protein causes defects in cell division and changes the sensitivity to compounds, affecting cell envelope synthesis and function. We find that DalA forms a complex with proteins needed for cell division, binds the cell envelope polymer peptidoglycan, and colocalizes with enzymes involved in the assembly of this macromolecule. The analysis of DalA provides new information on the cell division machinery in this and possibly other
Alphaproteobacteria.
Transcriptional activation of
ompA
in
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
mediated by the XRE family member protein NceR
Authors: Holley Concerta L. , Dhulipala Vijaya , Maurakis Stavaros A. , Greenawalt Ashley Nicole , Read Timothy D. , Cornelissen Cynthia N. , Shafer William M.
Published: June 2023

Increasing antibiotic resistance of
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
, the causative agent of gonorrhea, is a growing global concern that has renewed vaccine development efforts. The gonococcal OmpA protein was previously identified as a vaccine candidate due to its surface exposure, conservation, stable expression, and involvement in host–cell interactions. We previously demonstrated that the transcription of
ompA
can be activated by the MisR/MisS two-component system. Interestingly, earlier work suggested that the availability of free iron also influences
ompA
expression, which we confirmed in this study. In the present study, we found that iron regulation of
ompA
was independent of MisR and searched for additional regulators. A DNA pull-down assay with the
ompA
promoter from gonococcal lysates obtained from bacteria grown in the presence or absence of iron identified an XRE (Xenobiotic Response Element) family member protein encoded by
NGO1982
. We found that an
NGO1982
null mutant of
N. gonorrhoeae
strain FA19 displayed a reduced level of
ompA
expression compared to the wild-type (WT) parent strain. Given this regulation, and the capacity of this XRE-like protein to regulate a gene involved in peptidoglycan biosynthesis (
ltgA
), along with its presence in other
Neisseria
sp., we termed the
NGO1982-
encoded protein as NceR (

N
eisseria

c
ell
e
nvelope
r
egulator). Critically, results from DNA-binding studies indicated that NceR regulates
ompA
through a direct mechanism. Thus,
ompA
expression is subject to both iron-dependent (NceR) and -independent (MisR/MisS) pathways. Hence, levels of the vaccine antigen candidate OmpA in circulating gonococcal strains could be influenced by transcriptional regulatory systems and the availability of iron.

IMPORTANCE

Herein, we report that the gene encoding a conserved gonococcal surface-exposed vaccine candidate (OmpA) is activated by a heretofore undescribed XRE family transcription factor, which we term NceR. We report that NceR regulation of
ompA
expression in
N. gonorrhoeae
is mediated by an iron-dependent mechanism, while the previously described MisR regulatory system is iron-independent. Our study highlights the importance of defining the complexity of coordinated genetic and physiologic systems that regulate genes encoding vaccine candidates to better understand their availability during infection.
Development of the
Shigella flexneri
2a, 3a, 6, and
S. sonnei
artificial Invaplex (Invaplex
AR
) vaccines
Authors: Turbyfill K. Ross , Clarkson Kristen A. , Oaks Edwin V. , Zurawski Daniel V. , Vortherms Anthony R. , Kaminski Robert W.
Published: June 2023

The
Shigella
artificial invasin complex (Invaplex
AR
) vaccine is a subunit approach that effectively induces robust immunogenicity directed to serotype-specific lipopolysaccharide and the broadly conserved IpaB and IpaC proteins. One advantage of the vaccine approach is the ability to adjust the constituents to address suboptimal immunogenicity and to change the
Shigella
serotype targeted by the vaccine. As the vaccine moves through the product development pipeline, substantial modifications have been made to address manufacturing feasibility, acceptability to regulatory authorities, and developing immunogenic and effective products for an expanded list of
Shigella
serotypes. Modifications of the recombinant clones used to express affinity tag-free proteins using well-established purification methods, changes to detergents utilized in the assembly process, and
in vitro
and
in vivo
evaluation of different Invaplex formulations have led to the establishment of a scalable, reproducible manufacturing process and enhanced immunogenicity of Invaplex products designed to protect against four of the most predominant
Shigella
serotypes responsible for global morbidity and mortality. These adjustments and improvements provide the pathway for the manufacture and clinical testing of a multivalent Invaplex vaccine.

IMPORTANCE

Shigella
species are a major global health concern that cause severe diarrhea and dysentery in children and travelers to endemic areas of the world. Despite significant advancements in access to clean water, the increases in antimicrobial resistance and the risk of post-infection sequelae, including cognitive and physical stunting in children, highlight the urgent need for an efficacious vaccine. One promising vaccine approach, artificial Invaplex, delivers key antigens recognized by the immune system during infection, which results in increased resistance to re-infection. The work presented here describes novel modifications to a previously described vaccine approach resulting in improved methods for manufacturing and regulatory approvals, expansion of the breadth of coverage to all major
Shigella
serotypes, and an increase in the potency of artificial Invaplex.
New Evidence of the Independent Precambrian Tectonic History of the Faddey Terrane of the Central Taimyr Accretionary Belt
Authors: Matushkin N. Yu. , Metelkin D. V. , Vernikovsky V. A. , Proskurnin V. F. , Abashev V. V. , Larionov A. N. , Petrushkov B. S.
Published: June 2023

New geostructural, petro-geochemical, U–Pb geochronological and paleomagnetic data for sills of metagabbro-dolerites of the Severobyrranga and Yasnenskiy complex specify the paleotectonic position of the Faddey terrane of the Central Taimyr accretionary belt. The structural position of the sills in the rocks of the Oktyabr and Zhdanov formations is indicative of their intrusion before deformations caused by the accretion of the Central Taimyr belt. The U–Th–Pb age of crystallization for the metagabbro-dolerites has been established as 1357 ± 9 Ma. The primary paleomagnetic record reflecting the time of intrusion has not been preserved, but two metachronous components have been identified. The first one corresponds to crust formation processes at ca. 840 Ma due to collision, probably of continent – island arc type involving the cratonic block that included the Faddey and Mamont-Shrenk terranes. These collisional events took place several hundreds of kilometers from the Siberian margin. The second component corresponds to thermal events on the Paleozoic-Mesozoic boundary and reflects the strike-slip deformation in the Kara orogen.
Embedding nurse home visiting in universal healthcare: 6-year follow-up of a randomised trial
Authors: Price Anna , Bryson Hannah , Mensah Fiona K , Kenny Bridget , Wang Xiaofang , Orsini Francesca , Gold Lisa , Kemp Lynn , Bruce Tracey , Dakin Penny , Noble Kristy , Makama Maureen , Goldfeld Sharon
Published: June 2023

Objective

Nurse home visiting (NHV) is designed to redress child and maternal health inequities. Of the previous trials to investigate NHV benefits beyond preschool, none were designed for populations with universal healthcare. To address this evidence gap, we investigated whether the Australian ‘right@home’ NHV programme improved child and maternal outcomes when children turned 6 and started school.

Methods

A screening survey identified pregnant women experiencing adversity from antenatal clinics across two states (Victoria, Tasmania). 722 were randomised: 363 to the right@home programme (25 visits promoting parenting and home learning environment) and 359 to usual care. Child measures at 6 years (first school year): Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), Social Skills Improvement System (SSIS), Childhood Executive Functioning Inventory (CHEXI) (maternal/teacher-reported); general health and paediatric quality of life (maternal-reported) and reading/school adaptation items (teacher-reported). Maternal measures: Personal Well-being Index (PWI), Depression Anxiety Stress Scales, warm/hostile parenting, Child-Parent Relationship Scale (CPRS), emotional abuse and health/efficacy items. Following best-practice methods for managing missing data, outcomes were compared between groups (intention-to-treat) using regression models adjusted for stratification factors, baseline variables and clustering (nurse/site level).

Results

Mothers reported on 338 (47%) children, and teachers on 327 (45%). Patterns of group differences favoured the programme arm, with small benefits (effect sizes ranging 0.15–0.26) evident for SDQ, SSIS, CHEXI, PWI, warm parenting and CPRS.

Conclusions

Four years after completing the right@home programme, benefits were evident across home and school contexts. Embedding NHV in universal healthcare systems from pregnancy can offer long-term benefits for families experiencing adversity.

Trial registration number

ISRCTN89962120.
MetastaticHER2lacrimal/salivary gland duct adenocarcinoma
Authors: Mansi Ruaa Abdullah , Morris Bríd , Fulcher Tim , McDermott John H.
Published: June 2023

In this report, we present a case of a patient with a 30-year history of orbital asymmetry who presented with metastatic human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) positive lacrimal/salivary gland ductal adenocarcinoma. The patient was treated with chemoradiotherapy and trastuzumab. Tumours of lacrimal gland origin are rare, and unfortunately can frequently present in late stage. There are no current guidelines on the optimal treatment of metastatic lacrimal gland tumours, in particular those withHER2amplified malignancy. This case highlights a unique presentation of a rare disease, and the potential for targeted therapy.
Lateral semicircular canal dilatation in a patient with congenital hearing loss due to α-tectorin mutation: microanatomical considerations
Authors: Goulioumis Anastasios , Athanasopoulos Michalis , Kalogerakou Kleanthi , Gyftopoulos Kostis
Published: June 2023

The tectorial membrane is crucial in the physiology of the auditory neuroepithelium. Mutations in one of its functional molecules, α-tectorin, lead to autosomal dominant and recessive congenital mid-frequency, non-syndromic hearing loss.

Typically, α-tectorin mutations are not accompanied by any morphological abnormalities of the labyrinth. For the first time, we present a case of a toddler boy with congenital hearing loss due toTECTAgene mutation and concomitant bilateral dilation of the lateral semicircular canals.

The expression of glycoproteins, like α-tectorin, varies between the distinct labyrinth acellular membranes. Various mutations in theTECTAgene may affect additional glycoproteins that share a high percentage of sequence similarity at the amino acid level with α-tectorin. The mutated glycoproteins differ in the hydration level of their side chains of glycosaminoglycans. Hydration level could affect the mass of the ampullary cupula of the lateral semicircular canal leading to its dilation during embryogenesis.
Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy
Authors: Wu Pensée , Green Marcus , Myers Jenny E
Published: June 2023

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) are one of the most commonly occurring complications of pregnancy and include chronic hypertension, gestational hypertension, and pre-eclampsia. New developments in early pregnancy screening to identify women at high risk for pre-eclampsia combined with targeted aspirin prophylaxis could greatly reduce the number of affected pregnancies. Furthermore, recent advances in the diagnosis of pre-eclampsia, such as placental growth factor based testing, have been shown to improve the identification of those pregnancies at highest risk of severe complications. Evidence from trials has refined the target blood pressure and timing of delivery to manage chronic hypertension and pre-eclampsia with non-severe features, respectively. Importantly, a wealth of epidemiological data now links HDP to future cardiovascular disease and diabetes decades after an affected pregnancy. This review discusses the current guidelines and research data on the prevention, diagnosis, management, and postnatal follow-up of HDP. It also discusses the gap in knowledge regarding the long term risks for cardiovascular disease following HDP and illustrates the importance of improving adherence to postnatal guidelines to monitor hypertension and the need for more research focused on primary prevention of future cardiovascular disease in women identified as being at high risk because of HDP.
Risk of death by suicide following self-harm presentations to healthcare: development and validation of a multivariable clinical prediction rule (OxSATS)
Authors: Fazel Seena , Vazquez-Montes Maria D L A , Molero Yasmina , Runeson Bo , D’Onofrio Brian M , Larsson Henrik , Lichtenstein Paul , Walker Jane , Sharpe Michael , Fanshawe Thomas R
Published: June 2023

Background

Assessment of suicide risk in individuals who have self-harmed is common in emergency departments, but is often based on tools developed for other purposes.

Objective

We developed and validated a predictive model for suicide following self-harm.

Methods

We used data from Swedish population-based registers. A cohort of 53 172 individuals aged 10+ years, with healthcare episodes of self-harm, was split into development (37 523 individuals, of whom 391 died from suicide within 12 months) and validation (15 649 individuals, 178 suicides within 12 months) samples. We fitted a multivariable accelerated failure time model for the association between risk factors and time to suicide. The final model contains 11 factors: age, sex, and variables related to substance misuse, mental health and treatment, and history of self-harm. Transparent reporting of a multivariable prediction model for individual prognosis or diagnosis guidelines were followed for the design and reporting of this work.

Findings

An 11-item risk model to predict suicide was developed using sociodemographic and clinical risk factors, and showed good discrimination (c-index 0.77, 95% CI 0.75 to 0.78) and calibration in external validation. For risk of suicide within 12 months, using a 1% cut-off, sensitivity was 82% (75% to 87%) and specificity was 54% (53% to 55%). A web-based risk calculator is available (Oxford Suicide Assessment Tool for Self-harm or OxSATS).

Conclusions

OxSATS accurately predicts 12-month risk of suicide. Further validations and linkage to effective interventions are required to examine clinical utility.

Clinical implications

Using a clinical prediction score may assist clinical decision-making and resource allocation.
Adductor canal block techniques do not lead to involvement of sciatic nerve branches: a radiological cadaveric study
Authors: Smulders Pascal SH , ten Hoope Werner , Baumann Holger M , Hermanides Jeroen , Hemke Robert , Beenen Ludo F M , Oostra Roelof-Jan , Marhofer Peter , Lirk Philipp , Hollmann Markus W
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Low and high volume mid-thigh (ie, distal femoral triangle) and distal adductor canal block approaches are frequently applied for knee surgical procedures. Although these techniques aim to contain the injectate within the adductor canal, spillage into the popliteal fossa has been reported. While in theory this could improve analgesia, it might also result in motor blockade due to coverage of motor branches of the sciatic nerve. This radiological cadaveric study, therefore, investigated the incidence of coverage of sciatic nerve divisions after various adductor canal block techniques.

Methods

Eighteen fresh, unfrozen and unembalmed human cadavers were randomized to receive ultrasound-guided distal femoral triangle or distal adductor canal injections, with 2 mL or 30 mL injectate volume, on both sides (36 blocks in total). The injectate was a 1:10 dilution of contrast medium in local anesthetic. Injectate spread was assessed using whole-body CT with reconstructions in axial, sagittal and coronal planes.

Results

No coverage of the sciatic nerve or its main divisions was found. The contrast mixture spread to the popliteal fossa in three of 36 nerve blocks. Contrast reached the saphenous nerve after all injections, whereas the femoral nerve was always spared.

Conclusions

Adductor canal block techniques are unlikely, even when using larger volumes, to block the sciatic nerve, or its main branches. Furthermore, injectate reached the popliteal fossa in a small minority of cases, yet if a clinical analgesic effect is achieved by this mechanism is still unknown.
Effect of ionized calcium level on short-term prognosis in severe multiple trauma patients: a clinical study
Authors: Imamoto Toshiro , Sawano Makoto
Published: June 2023

Background

Hypocalcemia has been reported as an independent predictor of trauma mortality. We investigated the relationship between temporal variations in blood ionized calcium concentration (iCa) and prognosis in severe trauma patients who underwent massive transfusion protocol (MTP).

Methods

This single-center, retrospective, observational study investigated 117 severe trauma patients treated with MTP in the Department of Emergency Medicine and Critical Care, Saitama Medical Center, Saitama Medical University, between March 2013 and March 2019. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed, assigning pH-corrected initial and minimum blood ionized calcium concentration within 24 hours of admission (iCa_min), age, initial systolic blood pressure and Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score, and incidence of Ca supplementation as independent variables and 28-day mortality as dependent variable.

Results

The logistic regression analysis identified iCa_min (adjusted OR 0.03, 95% CI 0.002 to 0.4), age (adjusted OR 1.05, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.09), and GCS score (adjusted OR 0.84, 95% CI 0.74 to 0.94) as significant independent predictors of 28-day mortality. The receiver operating characteristic analysis identified optimal cut-off value of iCa_min for predicting 28-day mortality as 0.95 mmoL/L (area under the curve 0.74).

Conclusion

In the management of patients with traumatic hemorrhagic shock, aggressive correction of the iCa to maintain 0.95 mmol/L or higher within 24 hours of admission may improve short-term outcomes.

Level of evidence

Therapeutic/care management, level III.
Tailoring hydrogen adsorption and desorption properties of Li-doped SV (single vacancy) monolayer h-BN systems using ab initio calculations
Authors: Fatima Kaneez , Rafique Muhammad , Soomro Amir Mahmood , Kumar Mahesh
Published: June 2023

This study uses density functional theory (DFT) technique to examine the hydrogen molecules (H2) storage on Li-decorated h-BN monolayer. The results of DFT have proven that Li-doped h-BN system can hold up to 9H2 with the adsorption energy lying in between −0.31 eV and −0.24 eV/H2 at ambient condition. However, the calculated average adsorption energy for 9H2 is −0.240 eV/H2 with hydrogen storage capacity of 5.96 wt.%, which is according to the United States Department of Energy. Partial density of state was computed for each configuration to provide additional justifications for the H2 storage on Li-doped h-BN monolayer. The hybridization shows a significant interaction between H2 and Li atom, and most of their hybrid peaks were observed in the energy range from −7.5 to −1 eV. Moreover, the H2 desorption simulations achieved via the ab initio molecular dynamics. The computed desorption temperature TD is 306 °K, which is a suitable operating temperature. Hence, our research demonstrates that Li-doped h-BN is a thermally stable and viable hydrogen storage material for hydrogen storage systems.
Pharmacological Effects of Ginseng: Multiple Constituents and Multiple Actions on Humans
Authors: Zhou Guolin , Wang Chong-Zhi , Mohammadi Somayeh , Sawadogo Wamtinga R. , Ma Qinge , Yuan Chun-Su
Published: June 2023

Ginseng is a very commonly used natural product in the world, and its two main species are Asian ginseng and American ginseng. Ginseng is an adaptogenic botanical that reportedly protects the body against stress, stabilizes physiological processes, and restores homeostasis. Previously, different animal models and contemporary research methodologies have been used to reveal ginseng’s biomedical activities in different body systems and the linked mechanisms of actions. However, human clinical observation data on ginseng effects have attracted more attention from the general public and medical community. In this paper, after an introduction of the phytochemistry of ginseng species, we review positive ginseng clinical studies, mainly conducted in developed countries, performed over the past 20 years. The reported effects of ginseng are presented in several sections, and conditions impacted by ginseng include diabetes; cardiovascular disorders; cognition, memory, and mood; the common cold and flu; cancer fatigue and well-being; quality of life and social functioning, etc. Administration of ginseng demonstrated a good safety record in humans. Although encouraging beneficial effects obtained from clinical data, using the study treatment regimen, the reported ginseng effects in general only ranged from mild to moderate. Nonetheless, these beneficial effects of ginseng could be a valuable add-on therapy for patients receiving standard drug treatments. Additionally, as a dietary supplement, ginseng possesses an important role in maintaining and promoting human health. We believe that the quality of future ginseng trials should be improved, particularly by providing detailed herbal phytochemistry and quality control information. With solid effectiveness data obtained from a well-designed, carefully executed ginseng clinical trial, this meritoriously herbal medicine will be widely used by consumers and patients.
Radial power-like potentials: From the Bohr–Sommerfeld S-state energies to the exact ones
Authors: del Valle J. C. , Turbiner A. V.
Published: June 2023

Following our previous study of the Bohr–Sommerfeld (BS) quantization condition for one-dimensional case [J. C. del Valle and A. V. Turbiner, Int. J. Mod. Phys. A 36, 2150221 (2021)], we extend it to [Formula: see text]-dimensional power-like radial potentials. The BS quantization condition for [Formula: see text]-states of the [Formula: see text]-dimensional radial Schrödinger equation is proposed. Based on numerical results obtained for the spectra of power-like potentials, [Formula: see text] with [Formula: see text], the correctness of the proposed BS quantization condition is established for various dimensions [Formula: see text]. It is demonstrated that by introducing the WKB correction [Formula: see text] into the right-hand side of the BS quantization condition leads to the so-called exact WKB quantization condition, which reproduces the exact energies, while [Formula: see text] remains always very small. For [Formula: see text] (any integer [Formula: see text]) and for [Formula: see text] (at [Formula: see text]) the WKB correction [Formula: see text]: for [Formula: see text] states the BS spectra coincides with the exact ones. Concrete calculations for physically important cases of linear, cubic, quartic and sextic oscillators, as well as Coulomb and logarithmic potentials in dimensions [Formula: see text] are presented. Radial quartic anharmonic oscillator is considered briefly.
Computational predictions of silver nitrate AgNO3 using HSE03: An ab initio investigation
Authors: Tse Geoffrey
Published: June 2023

A [Formula: see text] and 765[Formula: see text]eV (sufficient to converge the results) have been used to explore the electronic, optical, mechanical, and vibrational properties using ab initio code CASTEP with hybrid functionals. A wide indirect F–Z bandgap energy of 3.77[Formula: see text]eV has been reported. Our partial density of states plot further shows the valence band is made of O 2p and Ag 4d electron orbitals, while Ag S orbitals and N O 2p states contribute to the conduction band bottom (CBM), among the upper conduction band consisting of Ag 4p, O 2[Formula: see text] and N 2p electron orbitals. In our optical data, a high absorption coefficient of [Formula: see text] cm[Formula: see text] has been found, and a relatively low 20% reflectivity simply indicates a high absorption of the material. Although our mechanical data cannot determine the material ductility/brittleness with the B/G ratio, we can report a Poisson’s ratio value of −2.04 in this work. On the other hand, the phonon dispersion and the density of the phonon state plot report may indicate the mechanical instability of the system. The negative Poisson’s ratio (NPR) we provide may hint at the possibility of using AgNO3 as a promising anode in a group I/II elements (Mg, K, Na)-ion battery.
Numerical solution of Al2O3–H2O with shape effects and unsteady flow over a solid rotating disk
Authors: Rahman Muhammad , Turkyilmazoglu Mustafa , Bilal Muhammad
Published: June 2023

In this paper, we examine the shape effects of different nanoparticles of an incompressible, unsteady flow of a nanofluid [Formula: see text] with water [Formula: see text] as the base fluid over a rotating disk. Magnetic field results are also added. In this research, four distinct shapes of [Formula: see text] nanoparticles, i.e., sphere, blade, cylinder and brick, have been employed. Every shape is suspended at the same volume. After using the Von Karman transformation, the Navier–Stokes equation, along with the magnetic field effect and the thermal energy equation, is numerically solved by using the bvp4c MATLAB solver. The effects of various parameters on the velocity field and temperature profile are illustrated graphically. This analysis is validated by comparing it to the previously described research. Furthermore, increasing the volume fraction parameter [Formula: see text] causes the radial, tangential, and axial velocities near the disk for the shapes brick, cylinder, and blade to decrease and increase for the shape sphere. The fluid rotating in front of the disk rotates more slowly for small values of the unsteadiness parameter [Formula: see text]. The magnetic field M has a significant influence on the axial flow when the suction parameter values are small, but this impact is limited when the suction parameter values are large.
Ab initio study of metal-decorated carbon and silicon prismanes as the selective CO2 adsorbents
Authors: Salem Mahmoud A. , Jalali Arman , Maleki Fereshteh Gharehbaghi , Kumar Ashish , Kaya Savas , Sangwan Renu
Published: June 2023

In this paper, we conducted comprehensive analysis of the selective adsorption of CO2 by carbon and silicon prismanes along with metal ions. The results of calculations from B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) and M06-2X/6-31G(d,p) levels of theory show that Be[Formula: see text], Mg[Formula: see text], Ca[Formula: see text] and Li[Formula: see text], Na[Formula: see text], K[Formula: see text] ions are bounded strongly enough to prismanes. The Be[Formula: see text] ion binds more strongly to the C8 H8 cubane with binding energy 9.66[Formula: see text]eV compared to Li[Formula: see text], Na[Formula: see text], K[Formula: see text], Mg[Formula: see text] and Ca[Formula: see text] ions having binding energies 1.26, 0.63, 0.51, 4.60 and 3.36[Formula: see text]eV, respectively. Similar results were obtained for larger prismanes C[Formula: see text]H[Formula: see text] and C[Formula: see text]H[Formula: see text]. Instead of binding energy, we determine the adsorption of gases on metal-ion prismane complex along with effect of temperature on different gas adsorption shows that C8H8_Mg[Formula: see text] and C8H8_Be[Formula: see text] are active adsorbents at temperatures above room temperature. It is also observed that in comparison to N2 and CH4, CO2 interacts more strongly with all prismanes decorated with metal ions. These non-covalent interaction plots are used to study the prismane and metal-ion interaction. Comparable study of silicon prismanes with M06 2X/6-31G (d, p) basis set, in terms of binding energy, adsorption of gases on prismane along with temperature effect, also possesses similar selectivity to CO2 molecule with even higher adsorption energies. Thus, beryllium-decorated prismanes can be considered as promising adsorbents of carbon dioxide with good selectivity and high adsorption energy.
Super-biderivations on the planar Galilean conformal superalgebra
Authors: Zuo Ziyan , Sun Jiancai
Published: June 2023

Let [Formula: see text] be the planar Galilean conformal superalgebra. In this paper, we determine all the super-skewsymmetric super-biderivations of [Formula: see text]. We find that every super-skewsymmetric super-biderivation of the planar Galilean conformal superalgebra is inner.
Shell-model-like approach based on covariant density functional theory in 3D lattice space: Evolution of octupole shape in rotating 224Th
Authors: Xu Fangfang , Wang Yiping
Published: June 2023

The evolution of the octupole shape with rotation in pear-shaped nuclei is a topic of broad interest. Based on the cranking covariant density functional theory in 3D lattice space, a shell-model-like approach is implemented to take into account the pairing correlations, and applied for the interleaved positive- and negative-parity bands in [Formula: see text]Th. The experimental [Formula: see text] relations are well reproduced. It is found that the octupole deformation of yrast states in [Formula: see text]Th rises slightly and then declines with increasing spin. After the band crossing, the octupole deformation suddenly disappears, i.e., a sharp transition from an octupole shape to a nearly spherical shape takes place at high spins. This is explained by the evolution of the coupling strength between the proton [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] orbitals with spin.
Adaptive Flexible Controller Frequency Optimization for Reducing Structural Response of a 10 Mw Floating Offshore Wind Turbine
Authors: Zhang Ruixing , An Liqiang , He Lun , Jiang Dexu
Published: June 2023

This study presents the adaptive flexible controller frequency optimization method (AFCFOM) as a means of minimizing dynamic loads and structural response in large-scale floating wind turbines, with the goal of enhancing reliability and reducing the frequency of failures. AFCFOM employs a flexible proportional integral (PI) controller frequency, allowing the wind turbine to autonomously adapt to different wind and wave conditions while minimizing structural response. The AFCFOM framework utilizes Latin hypercube sampling for spatial compression, two Bayesian neural networks (BNN) for training and mapping, and particle swarm optimization (PSO) for controller frequency seeking, along with the extreme response surface method for processing the response dataset. OpenFSAT was used for raw data collection and method effect validation. The simulation results demonstrate that the application of AFCFOM effectively reduces the extreme values and variance of the axial displacement at the blade top of the floating offshore wind turbine blade and enhances the robustness of the floating platform. The study provides an overview of the potential effects of adaptive flexible controller frequency on wind turbines, serving as a reference for future wind turbine control optimization research.