bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dynamic coupling and spin-wave dispersions in a magnetic hybrid system made of an artificial spin-ice structure and an extended NiFe underlayer
Authors: Negrello R. , Montoncello F. , Kaffash M. T. , Jungfleisch M. B. , Gubbiotti G.
Published: September 2022

We present a combined experimental and numerical study of the spin-wave dispersion in a NiFe artificial spin-ice (ASI) system consisting of an array of stadium-shaped nanoislands deposited on the top of a continuous NiFe film with non-magnetic spacer layers of varying thickness. The spin-wave dispersion, measured by wavevector resolved Brillouin light scattering spectroscopy in the Damon–Eshbach configuration, consists of a rich number of modes, with either stationary or propagating character. We find that the lowest frequency mode displays a bandwidth of ∼0.5 GHz, which is independent of the presence of the film underneath. On the contrary, the Brillouin light scattering intensity of some of the detected modes strongly depends on the presence of the extended thin-film underlayer. Micromagnetic simulations unveil the details of the dynamic coupling between the ASI lattice and film underlayer. Interestingly, the ASI lattice facilitates dynamics of the film either specific wavelengths or intensity modulation peculiar to the modes of the ASI elements imprinted in the film. Our results demonstrate that propagating spin waves can be modulated at the nanometer length scale by harnessing the dynamic mode coupling in the vertical, i.e., the out-of-plane direction of suitably designed magnonic structures.
Corrigendum to: Integrative taxonomy increases biodiversity knowledge of Gusana (Platyhelminthes, Tricladida, Geoplanidae) with the description of four new Chilean species
Authors: Almeida Ana Laura , Álvarez-Presas Marta , Bolonhezi Laura , Carbayo Fernando
Published: September 2022

The Chilean land planarian genus Gusana (Platyhelminthes, Tricladida, Geoplaninae) currently comprises three species that were described in the 19th century. Four new species of the genus are described herein, namely G. hualpensis Carbayo, sp. nov., G. lujanae Almeida & Carbayo, sp. nov., G. melipeucensis Almeida & Carbayo, sp. nov. and G. purensis Bolonhezi, Almeida & Carbayo, sp. nov. An integrative taxonomy approach was adopted by combining morphological (anatomy, histology) and molecular (COI and 28S genes) information. Additionally, the monophyletic status of Gusana is investigated and the species are delimited by a recently introduced molecular delimitation method based on pairwise genetic distances. All Gusana species are very similar in attributes such as body shape, dorsal colour pattern and internal organs, namely the pharynx and copulatory apparatus and only differ in the details. Gusana is retrieved as monophyletic and the molecular delimitation method recovered the same species recognised morphologically. A re-diagnosis of the genus and replacement of G. lata into Pseudogeoplana are also proposed. A new role of the penis papilla is also suggested based on the spermatophore found in Gusana lujanae.
Biological parameters and spatial segregation patterns in sharks from the North Aegean Sea, Greece
Authors: Karampetsis Dimitrios , Gubili Chrysoula , Touloumis Konstantinos , Adamidou Angeliki , Triantafillidis Stelios , Evangelopoulos Athanasios , Batjakas Ioannis E. , Kamidis Nikolaos , Koutrakis Emmanouil
Published: September 2022

Context Sharks are frequently caught as bycatch in trawl fisheries in the North Aegean Sea. However, very little information exists on their biology and ecology in the area. Aims Biological parameters and spatial segregation of sharks in relation to size class, sex, depth and geographic location were examined. Methods Morphological characteristics and generalised additive models were used to explore biological traits and aggregating behaviour respectively, by using data from the Mediterranean International Trawl Survey between 2014 and 2021. Key results Overall, 7761 specimens were measured, with Scyliorhinus canicula, Galeus melastomus and Squalus blainville being the most common species. Scyliorhinus canicula was found in shallow coastal waters, whereas the remaining species were detected in deeper waters. Conclusions Females were larger and heavier than males and the weight–length relationships corroborated size differences between sexes in all species, whereas allometric growth did not share the same patterns as those from the Mediterranean Sea. Generalised additive models showed that the distribution of dominant species is bathymetric and geographically dependent. Additionally, the depth and geographic segregation patterns are highly associated with ontogeny and not sex. Implications These findings highlighted the importance of incorporating elasmobranch behavioural characteristics in the poorly developed management regulations in the North Aegean Sea.
Associations between forensic loci and expression levels of neighboring genes may compromise medical privacy
Authors: Bañuelos Mayra M. , Zavaleta Yuómi Jhony A. , Roldan Alennie , Reyes Rochelle-Jan , Guardado Miguel , Chavez Rojas Berenice , Nyein Thet , Rodriguez Vega Ana , Santos Maribel , Huerta-Sanchez Emilia , Rohlfs Rori V.
Published: September 2022

A set of 20 short tandem repeats (STRs) is used by the US criminal justice system to identify suspects and to maintain a database of genetic profiles for individuals who have been previously convicted or arrested. Some of these STRs were identified in the 1990s, with a preference for markers in putative gene deserts to avoid forensic profiles revealing protected medical information. We revisit that assumption, investigating whether forensic genetic profiles reveal information about gene-expression variation or potential medical information. We find six significant correlations (false discovery rate = 0.23) between the forensic STRs and the expression levels of neighboring genes in lymphoblastoid cell lines. We explore possible mechanisms for these associations, showing evidence compatible with forensic STRs causing expression variation or being in linkage disequilibrium with a causal locus in three cases and weaker or potentially spurious associations in the other three cases. Together, these results suggest that forensic genetic loci may reveal expression levels and, perhaps, medical information.
Metaphors, political knowledge and the basic income debate in Belgium
Authors: Vandeleene Audrey , Randour François , Dodeigne Jérémy , Heyvaert Pauline , Legein Thomas , Perrez Julien , Reuchamps Min
Published: September 2022

The framing impact of political discourses has long been attested for. Metaphors in particular are known to ease
the understanding of complex concepts and processes. Yet, the question remains to what extent metaphors do work the same on
different recipients? Based on an experimental design, we test a potentially key moderating variable in the study of political
metaphors: political knowledge. Our experiment aims at determining the extent to which the confrontation of individuals to
arguments and metaphors impacts their preferences regarding the implementation of a basic income in Belgium. In particular, we
hypothesize that the marginal effect of metaphors as cognitive shortcuts decreases when political knowledge increases. Our
findings suggest that some metaphorical frames are more successful than others, hereby supporting the idea that the aptness of the
metaphorical frame is a key factor when conducting experiments. We conclude that political knowledge is an important variable when
analyzing the framing effect of metaphors, especially when it goes about very low or very high levels of political knowledge. The
insertion of metaphors in political discourses may easily succeed in rallying individuals behind a given cause, but this would
only work if participants have a lower knowledge of politics.
A fully coupled thermal–microstructural–mechanical finite element process model for directed energy deposition additive manufacturing of Ti–6Al–4V
Authors: Tunay Merve , Baykasoğlu Cengiz , Akyildiz Oncu , Albert C.
Published: September 2022

A fully coupled thermal–microstructural–mechanical finite element modelling framework is developed to investigate the distortion and residual stresses during directed energy deposition (DED) of multi-phase Ti–6Al–4V alloy. The Johnson–Cook constitutive model is used to predict the yield strength of each phase as a function of strain, strain rate and temperature where the flow stress is calculated by a linear mixing rule based on the volumetric phase fractions. A thin-walled rectangular sample is chosen as the reference geometry and the results are compared with experimentally measured in situ thermal history and distortion data, where a reasonable agreement is achieved. The proposed modelling framework with physics-based material constitutive model provides useful information for a better understanding of process–microstructure–property relations in additive manufacturing by DED.
Polarized photoelectrons from converging vector waves
Authors: Hafizi B , Younis D , Gordon D F
Published: September 2022

This paper investigates the spin characteristics of photoelectrons when hydrogen-like ions are centro-symmetrically irradiated with converging vector waves—a non-paraxial form of structured light. For a photon with given total angular momentum and third component thereof, photoelectrons with both helicities are obtained—in contrast to the fixed helicities produced by left- or right-circularly polarized light. The angular distribution of photoelectrons is broadly tunable through the radiation mode numbers, and opposite helicities can be extracted in synchronism.
Understanding the propagation of excitations in quantum spin chains with different kind of interactions
Authors: Ferrón Alejandro , Serra Pablo , Osenda Omar
Published: September 2022

The dynamical behavior of the quantum state of different quantum spin chains, with designed site-dependent interaction strengths, is analyzed when the initial state belongs to the one excitation subspace. Our results show that the inhomogeneous chains transfer single excitations with near-perfect fidelity for two different spin chain Hamiltonians. The first one is the ferromagnetic Heisenberg Hamiltonian with nearest neighbor interactions. The second spin chain has long-range anisotropic interactions, ferromagnetic in one direction and antiferromagnetic in the orthogonal plane. Both designed chains have in common a partially ordered spectrum and well-localized eigenvectors. This physical trait unifies the description of both kinds of systems.
Enhanced terahertz third harmonic generation with high-order guided-mode resonance of graphene plasmonic gratings
Authors: Wang Baoku , Wang Ruoxing , Yan Fei , Liu Jianlong , Liu Jianqiang , Sun Weimin , Li Li
Published: September 2022

We present a unique scheme to efficiently enhance terahertz third harmonic generation (THG). By exploiting the high-order guided-mode resonance of graphene plasmonic grating, the off-plane transverse localized field can be suppressed, which enables the electromagnetic energy to be tightly concentrated and significantly enhanced in the monolayer graphene. Meanwhile, high density of in-plane hot spots can be excited to form a quasi-continuous enhanced-field profile called as hot surface. This can bring about the giant nonlinearity enhancement of terahertz field-graphene interaction, greatly pushing forward the enhanced THG in monolayer graphene to breakout the limitation of various patterned metamaterials. It is anticipated that the graphene plasmonic grating has promising application for nonlinear terahertz spectroscopy, imaging and communication.
A minimal model for massive neutrinos in Newtonian N-body simulations
Authors: Heuschling Pol , Partmann Christian , Fidler Christian
Published: September 2022

We present a novel method for including the impact of massive neutrinos in cold dark matter N-body simulations. Our approach is compatible with widely employed Newtonian N-body codes and relies on only three simple modifications. First, we use commonly employed backscaling initial conditions, based on the cold dark matter plus baryon power spectrum instead of the total matter power spectrum. Second, the accurate Hubble rate is employed in both the backscaling and the evolution of particles in the N-body code. Finally, we shift the final particle positions in a post-processing step to account for the integrated effect of neutrinos on the particles in the simulation. However, we show that the first two modifications already capture most of the relevant neutrino physics for a large range of observationally interesting redshifts and scales. The output of the simulations are the cold dark matter and baryon distributions and can be analysed using standard methods. All modifications are simple to implement and do not generate any computational overhead. By implementing our methods in the N-body codes gadget-4 and gevolution, we show that any state-of-the-art Newtonian N-body code can be utilised out of the box. Our method is also compatible with higher order Lagrangian perturbation theory initial conditions and accurate for masses up to at least ∑ mν
= 0.3 eV. Being formulated in relativistic gauge theory, in addition to including the impact of massive neutrinos, our method further includes relativistic corrections relevant on the large scales for free.
Measuring the inflaton coupling in the CMB
Authors: Drewes Marco
Published: September 2022

We study the perspectives to extract information about the microphysical parameters that governed the reheating process after cosmic inflation from CMB data. We identify conditions under which the inflaton coupling to other fields can be constrained for a given model of inflation without having to specify the details of the particle physics theory within which this model is realised. This is possible when the effective potential during reheating is approximately parabolic, and when the coupling constants are smaller than an upper bound that is determined by the ratios between the inflaton mass and the Planck mass or the scale of inflation. We consider scalar, Yukawa, and axion-like interactions and estimate that these conditions can be fulfilled if the inflaton coupling is comparable to the electron Yukawa coupling or smaller, and if the inflaton mass is larger than 105GeV. Constraining the order of magnitude of the coupling constant requires measuring the scalar-to-tensor ratio at the level of 10-3, which is possible with future CMB observatories. Such a measurement would provide an important clue to understand how a given model of inflation may be embedded into a more fundamental theory of nature.
Advancing the JUNGFRAU detector toward low-energy X-ray applications
Authors: Hinger V. , al Haddad A. , Barten R. , Bergamaschi A. , Brückner M. , Carulla M. , Chiriotti-Alvarez S. , Dinapoli R. , Ebner S. , Fröjdh E. , Greiffenberg D. , Hasanaj S. , King T. , Kozlowski P. , Lopez-Cuenca C. , Mezza D. , Moustakas K. , Mozzanica A. , Ozerov D. , Ruder C. , Schmitt B. , Schnorr K.A. , Thattil D. , Zhang J.
Published: September 2022

The charge-integrating hybrid silicon pixel detector JUNGFRAU has found widespread use at free-electron laser and synchrotron facilities. The detector was designed for use with hard X-rays; yet, because of its low noise, high dynamic range, position resolution, and scalable size, JUNGFRAU is of high interest for soft X-ray applications. We discuss improvements of the readout chip and alterations of the entrance window at the back of the sensor that facilitate low-energy X-ray detection. The first use case of the improved system at a low-energy beamline demonstrates single photon sensitivity down to 800 eV. At lower energies, the readout noise of the hybrid detector hinders the resolution of single photons. We propose to couple the JUNGFRAU readout chip with charge-multiplying low-gain avalanche diode (LGAD) sensors to resolve X-ray photons with a minimum energy of 250 eV.
Background in the CMS drift tubes: measurements with LHC collision data and implications for detector longevity at HL-LHC
Authors: Borgonovi L.
Published: September 2022

Drift Tubes (DT) are installed in the barrel region of the CMS muon spectrometer. They are used for offline tracking of muons and provide standalone trigger capabilities. Though an upgrade of the DT system electronics is foreseen for the High Luminosity LHC (HL-LHC), the present DT chambers will not be replaced, hence they will be called to operate enduring integrated doses far beyond what they were initially designed for. Together with accelerated aging studies, accurate measurements of the background-induced hit rates and currents observed over Run-2 are critical to assess the longevity of the DT chambers and to make projections of the expected performance of the system throughout HL-LHC. This report presents the state of the art of the studies on the background affecting the DT system, and connects them to results from longevity studies performed at the CERN high-intensity gamma irradiation facility (GIF++). Moreover, it describes all measures that have been put in place, by the end of Run-2 and over LS2, to mitigate aging and, where possible, reduce background level, with the aim of maximizing the performance of the DT muon detector throughout HL-LHC.
Feasibility study of perovskite film dosimeter for radiotherapy quality assurance
Authors: Yang S.W. , Han M.J. , Lee D.H. , Park S.K.
Published: September 2022

In this study, we developed a film-type perovskite dosimeter that can be used as a radiotherapy quality assurance (QA) dosimeter while replacing the existing semiconductor dosimeter. Dosimeter performance was evaluated by reproducibility, linearity, dose rate dependence, and percentage depth dose (PDD). In terms of reproducibility, the relative standard deviation (RSD) at 6 MV and 15 MV energy were 1.058% and 1.003%, respectively. As a result of linearity, a coefficient of determination of 0.9999 was presented at 6 MV and 15 MV energies. In terms of dose rate dependence evaluation, the RSD was 1.242% and 0.628% at 6 MV and 15 MV energies, respectively. As for PDD measurement, the result of matching the Dmax point was obtained. Our analysis confirms that the perovskite film dosimeter made of CsPbBr3 was suitable for use as a QA dosimeter in radiotherapy.
A high-resolution X-ray microscope system for performance evaluation of scintillator plates
Authors: Yamamoto Seiichi , Yoshino Masao , Kamada Kei , Yajima Ryuga , Yoshikawa Akira , Sagisaka Mayu , Kataoka Jun
Published: September 2022

In the development of new scintillators for X-ray imaging, a high-resolution and highly efficient system is required to evaluate the performance of the scintillator plates. For this purpose, we developed a high-resolution X-ray microscope system. The developed compact X-ray microscope system is based on a magnifying unit and a cooled charge-coupled device (CCD) camera, combined with a small industrial X-ray irradiation system. Using this system, we carried out imaging of three scintillator plates and evaluated their spatial resolution. Each scintillator plates was set in front of the lens of the objective, X-rays were irradiated to the scintillator plates, and transmission images of masks were acquired. The measured spatial resolution of the scintillator plates varied from 16 μm to 30 μm, depending on the type of scintillator plate. The focus size of the X-ray tube had an almost negligible effect on the spatial resolution of the images for the evaluated scintillator plates.
Phase transitions as a manifestation of spontaneous unitarity violation
Authors: van Wezel Jasper
Published: September 2022

Spontaneous symmetry breaking is well understood under equilibrium conditions as a consequence of the singularity of the thermodynamic limit. How a single global orientation of the order parameter dynamically emerges from an initially symmetric state during a phase transition, however, is not captured by this paradigm. Here, we present a series of symmetry arguments suggesting that singling out a global choice for the ordered state is in fact forbidden under unitary time evolution, even in the presence of an environment and infinitesimal symmetry breaking perturbations. We thus argue that the observation of phase transitions in our everyday world presents a manifestation of the unitarity of quantum dynamics itself being spontaneously broken. We argue that this agrees with the observation that Schrödinger’s time dependent equation is rendered unstable for macroscopic objects owing to the same singular thermodynamic limit that affects equilibrium configurations.
Phytochemical screening and antioxidants in vitro bioaccessibility of Coccinia grandis: an underutilized wild edible plant in Sri Lanka
Authors: Peduruhewa P S , Jayathunage K G L R , Liyanage R
Published: September 2022

Coccinia grandis (L.) J. Voigt is an underutilized wild edible plant in Sri Lanka that consists of a number of medicinal and nutritional values. Underutilized wild edibles have multiple positive health effects for humans, attributed to their bioactive compounds including minerals, antioxidants and phytochemicals. Even though these plant extracts are enriched with a number of bioactive compounds, the bioaccessibility as well as, the bioavailability of those compounds significantly depend on the structure and the form in which they are introduced into the human body. Therefore, crude extract of C. grandis was subjected to evaluate their phytochemicals, antioxidant activity and antioxidant in vitro bioaccessibility fraction of digested samples were calculated. Organic solvents namely, ethanol, hexane and chloroform were used to extract the samples and qualitative in vitro phytochemical screening was conducted to screen for the presence or absence of the phytochemicals. Results indicate that alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, tannins, phenols, quinone, terpenoids and steroids are the available phytochemicals in every organic extract of C. grandis. Evaluation of antioxidant activity was done by two different assays such as DPPH and ABTS. In the hexane extract it was detected relatively high antioxidant activity as 0.008 mg/mL (IC50) in DPPH assay and 561.94 mg TEAC/ g in ABTS assay. Antioxidant bioaccessibility was also tested through an in vitro digestion model and a 42% bioavailability rate was indicated against the corresponding antioxidant activity in un-digested ethanol extract of C. grandis. Based on the presence of various phytochemicals and is a natural source of antioxidants, this species can be used to improve the human diet, especially for low-income people.
A Study on Natural Clay and Moringa Oleifera for Sustainability of Landfill Liners
Authors: Pavithra M P , Ramesh R L , Rani Sandya
Published: September 2022

This project aims to characterize the municipal solid waste leachate, using column study method to evaluate the concentrations of constituents present in landfill leachate. The leachate sample were tested for several physical and chemical parameters. The initial results demonstrated that the characterizations of leachate found to be highest range of contamination. Hence compacted clay liner is used in this treatment. Moringa Oleifera is added with compacted natural clay to retain the constituents in the liner. Compacted natural clay liner shows the removal efficiency of TDS, Sodium and Potassium is 88.44%, 90.6% and 68.46% respectively. Moringa Oleifera with Compacted natural clay liner shows the removal efficiency of TDS, Sodium and Potassium is 90.2%, 98.75% and 81.2% respectively. Result shows Moringa Oleifera with Compacted clay liner has been an effective for the removal of constitutes present in landfill leachate.
A Case study of Urban Heat Island and Air Pollution Mechanism in Bengaluru Metropolitan city
Authors: Mohan Kumar T M , Suhas K B , Siddegowda
Published: September 2022

The industrialization in urban areas includes the economical increment, growth of GDPA, youth empowerment. The effects of industrialisation results in air pollution, sewage disposal, decline in green cover percentage. Urbanization or growth of city and Industrialization are embedded with one to another, without improving of Industrial sector, the growth of country cannot progress, but rapid industrialization and urbanization of metropolitan is cities of our country leads to generate huge environmental problems. This paper aims to determine and explore the relation with industrialization with Urban Heat Island (UHI). UHI is a phenomenon of accumulation of more temperature than rural areas. The metropolitan cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmadabad, Kolkata, Bengaluru etc. These are the cities grown rapidly in present scenario. The mechanism of UHI, implications of it is in these metropolitan cities are overview of this research work. It includes collection, analysis of data related to UHI. Finally, it reveals the effect of UHI in different metropolitan cities. Increase in solid waste generation, air quality alteration, loss of aquatic life, air pollution, rise of skin diseases, asthma, respiratory problem etc. The objective of this paper is to understand the mechanism of the UHI process and its implications in different metropolitan cities by analyzing with parameter like raise in city temperature, thermal discomfort, pollution level, uneven rainfall, and increase in flood level.
Numerical analysis of compressive deformation for random closed-cell Al foam model
Authors: Xia Yinzheng , Shi Jianchao , Mu Yongliang
Published: September 2022

Most cellular solids presented random structure, while practically periodic models were often used in structure-property relations and numerical models. The finite element method was used to create a 2D random model that replicated the deformation characteristics of cellular models. The influences of porosity and strain rate on the deformation characteristic, energy dissipation mechanisms were investigated. The Poisson’s ratio evolution during compression was also studied. The simulated load-displacement curves were found to be consistent with experimental results, both containing elastic stage, plateau stage, hardening stage and densification stage. The yield load and plateau load were insensitive to the strain rate. In addition, it was also found that the generation and propagation of multiple random shear bands were responsible for the load-displacement characteristic. At the cell/membrane level, four failure modes and corresponding energy dissipation mechanisms were revealed. Moreover, the Poisson’s ratio decreased first and then increased with strain, which right manifested the compressibility of 2D foam in the initial stage and the densification in the end of compression. Meanwhile, the change of the Poisson’s ratio with porosity didn’t follow monotone function relation.
EnrichIntersect: an R package for custom set enrichment analysis and interactive visualization of intersecting sets
Authors: Zhao Zhi , Zucknick Manuela , Aittokallio Tero
Published: September 2022

Enrichment analysis has been widely used to study whether predefined sets of genes or other molecular features are over-represented in a ranked list associated with a disease or other phenotype. However, computational tools that perform enrichment analysis and visualization are usually limited to predefined sets available from public databases. To make such analyses more flexible, we introduce an R package, EnrichIntersect, which enables enrichment analyses among any ranked features and user-defined custom sets. For interactive visualization of multiple covariates, such as genes or other features, which are associated with multiple phenotypes and multiple sample groups, such as drug responses in various cancer types, EnrichIntersect illustrates all associations at a glance, hence explicitly indicating intersecting covariates between multiple phenotypic variables and between multiple sample groups.

Availability and implementation

The EnrichIntersect R package is available at https://CRAN.R-project.org/package=EnrichIntersect via an open-source MIT license. A package installation process is described on CRAN at https://cran.r-project.org/. A user-manual description of features and function calls can be found from the vignette of our package on CRAN.
ChemBioPort: an online portal to navigate the structure, function and chemical inhibition of the human proteome
Authors: Liu Lihua , Rovers Evianne , Schapira Matthieu
Published: September 2022

Chemical probes are important tools to investigate the function of proteins, evaluate their potential as therapeutic targets and provide chemical starting points for drug discovery. As a result, a growing federation of scientists aims to generate chemical probes for all human druggable proteins. A diverse array of data typically guides target selection and chemical probe discovery: information on protein function can help prioritize targets, domain architecture can provide insight on druggability, structural data enables molecular design and existing chemical ligands can serve as foundation or inspiration for chemical probe development. But these heterogenous data types are dispersed across a variety of public repositories that are difficult to cross-reference by non-experts. We developed ChemBioPort, an online resource that allows users to combine queries related to the ontology, domain architecture or name of human proteins to produce downloadable tables that integrate information on function, disease association, essentiality, tissue enrichment, domain architecture, structure and chemical ligands of proteins. Users can convert these tables into dendrograms reflecting sequence similarity, onto which they can graphically project all data types, linked via a mouse-click to their original repositories or published articles. This interface will support the growing community of chemical biologists, chemists, cell and structural biologists on their perilous journey from genes to medicines.

Database URL: https://chembioport.thesgc.org
What are the Unmet Needs and Most Relevant Treatment Outcomes According to Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease? A Qualitative Patient Preference Study
Authors: Schoefs Elise , Vermeire Séverine , Ferrante Marc , Sabino João , Lambrechts Tessy , Avedano Luisa , Haaf Isabella , De Rocchis Maria Stella , Broggi Andrea , Sajak-Szczerba Magdalena , Saldaña Roberto , Janssens Rosanne , Huys Isabelle
Published: September 2022

Background and Aims

As more therapeutic options with their own characteristics become available for inflammatory bowel disease [IBD], drug development and individual treatment decision-making needs to be tailored towards patients’ preferences and needs. This study aimed to understand patient preferences among IBD patients, and their most important treatment outcomes and unmet needs.

Methods

This qualitative study consisted of [1] a scoping literature review, [2] two focus group discussions [FGDs] with IBD patients [n = 11] using the nominal group technique, and [3] two expert panel discussions.

Results

IBD patients discussed a multitude of unmet needs regarding their symptoms, side-effects, and psychological and social issues for which they would welcome improved outcomes. In particular, IBD patients elaborated on the uncertainties and fears they experienced regarding the possible need for surgery or an ostomy, the effectiveness and onset of action of their medication, and the medication’s long-term effects. Furthermore, participants extensively discussed the mental impact of IBD and their need for more psychological guidance, support, and improved information and communication with healthcare workers regarding their disease and emotional wellbeing. The following five characteristics were identified during the attribute grading as most important: prevent surgery, long-term clinical remission, improved quality of life [QoL], occurrence of urgency and improved labour rate.

Conclusions

This study suggests that IBD drug development and treatment decision-making are needed to improve IBD symptoms and adverse events that significantly impact IBD patients’ QoL. Furthermore, this study underlines patients’ need for a shared decision-making process in which their desired treatment outcomes and uncertainties are explicitly discussed and considered.
Soil Fertilization With Medicinal Plant Processing Wastes Suppresses Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) and Aphis gossypii (Hemiptera: Aphididae) Populations
Authors: Ghasemi Meysam , Poorjavad Nafiseh
Published: September 2022

Organic soil amendments can influence insect pest populations and the damage to plants they cause. In this study, the effects of medicinal plant processing wastes (MPPWs) applied as organic fertilizers on the host preference and performance of Tuta absoluta and Aphis gossypii were investigated on tomato and cucumber plants, respectively. Processing wastes of cumin, rosemary, thyme, artichoke, chamomile, fenugreek, and nettle were applied in four levels of 0, 20, 40, and 80 g dry matter/1kg culture media in pot experiments. Results showed the application of MPPWs, especially 80 g of nettle, reduced the number of T. absoluta eggs (from 0.8 to 0.4 egg/leaf) and their hatching percentage (from 90 to 76%). The highest and lowest number of aphids were observed in control (36 aphids/plant) and treated cucumbers with 80 g of cumin (18 aphids/plant). Also, the lowest intrinsic rate of increase (0.08 d−1) and net reproductive rate (20 offspring) of T. absoluta were observed in tomatoes fertilized with nettle. The highest and lowest net reproductive rate of A. gossypii were obtained on control and treated plants with 80 g of nettle, respectively. Results of damage assessment showed that the percentage of dry weight loss in the aphid-infested plants was reduced by the use of MPPWs, so that lowest weight loss was observed in the treatment with 80 g of nettle. In conclusion, soil amendment using MPPWs could result in lower pest populations and may improve plant tolerance to insect pest stress, thus these by-products could be considered a valuable tool in pest management.
Yeast as a tool for membrane protein production and structure determination
Authors: Carlesso Antonio , Delgado Raquel , Ruiz Isant Oriol , Uwangue Owens , Valli Dylan , Bill Roslyn M , Hedfalk Kristina
Published: September 2022

Membrane proteins are challenging targets to functionally and structurally characterize. An enduring bottleneck in their study is the reliable production of sufficient yields of stable protein. Here, we evaluate all eukaryotic membrane protein production experiments that have supported the deposition of a high-resolution structure. We focused on the most common yeast host systems, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Pichia pastoris. The first high-resolution structure of a membrane protein produced in yeast was described in 1999 and today there are 186 structures of α-helical membrane proteins, representing 101 unique proteins from 37 families. Homologous and heterologous production are equally common in S. cerevisiae, while heterologous production dominates in P. pastoris, especially of human proteins, which represent about one-third of the total. Investigating protein engineering approaches (78 proteins from seven families) demonstrated that the majority contained a polyhistidine tag for purification, typically at the C-terminus of the protein. Codon optimization and truncation of hydrophilic extensions were also common approaches to improve yields. We conclude that yeast remains a useful production host for the study of α-helical membrane proteins.
The Linkage-Disequilibrium and Recombinational Landscape in Daphnia pulex
Authors: Lynch Michael , Ye Zhiqiang , Urban Lina , Maruki Takahiro , Wei Wen
Published: September 2022

By revealing the influence of recombinational activity beyond what can be achieved with controlled crosses, measures of linkage disequilibrium (LD) in natural populations provide a powerful means of defining the recombinational landscape within which genes evolve. In one of the most comprehensive studies of this sort ever performed, involving whole-genome analyses on nearly 1,000 individuals of the cyclically parthenogenetic microcrustacean Daphnia pulex, the data suggest a relatively uniform pattern of recombination across the genome. Patterns of LD are quite consistent among populations; average rates of recombination are quite similar for all chromosomes; and although some chromosomal regions have elevated recombination rates, the degree of inflation is not large, and the overall spatial pattern of recombination is close to the random expectation. Contrary to expectations for models in which crossing-over is the primary mechanism of recombination, and consistent with data for other species, the distance-dependent pattern of LD indicates excessively high levels at both short and long distances and unexpectedly low levels of decay at long distances, suggesting significant roles for factors such as nonindependent mutation, population subdivision, and recombination mechanisms unassociated with crossing over. These observations raise issues regarding the classical LD equilibrium model widely applied in population genetics to infer recombination rates across various length scales on chromosomes.
The Pathogenicity and Synergistic Action of Th1 and Th17 Cells in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
Authors: Cao Hui , Diao Jun , Liu Huosheng , Liu Suxian , Liu Jun , Yuan Jianye , Lin Jiang
Published: September 2022

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs), including ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, are characterized by chronic idiopathic inflammation of gastrointestinal tract. Although the pathogenesis of IBD remains unknown, intestinal immune dysfunction has been considered as the core pathogenesis. In the intestinal immune system, T helper 1 (Th1) and Th17 cells are indispensable for intestine homeostasis via preventing pathogenic bacteria invasion, regulating metabolism and functions of intestinal epithelial cells (IECs), and promoting IEC self-renewal. However, during the development of IBD, Th1 and Th17 cells acquire the pathogenicity and change from the maintainer of intestinal homeostasis to the destroyer of intestinal mucosa. Because of coexpressing interferon-γ and interleukin-17A, Th17 cells with pathogenicity are named as pathogenic Th17 cells. In disease states, Th1 cells impair IEC programs by inducing IEC apoptosis, recruiting immune cells, promoting adhesion molecules expression of IECs, and differentiating to epithelial cell adhesion molecule–specific interferon γ–positive Th1 cells. Pathogenic Th17 cells induce IEC injury by triggering IBD susceptibility genes expression of IECs and specifically killing IECs. In addition, Th1 and pathogenic Th17 cells could cooperate to induce colitis. The evidences from IBD patients and animal models demonstrate that synergistic action of Th1 and pathogenic Th17 cells occurs in the diseases development and aggravates the mucosal inflammation. In this review, we focused on Th1 and Th17 cell programs in homeostasis and intestine inflammation and specifically discussed the impact of Th1 and Th17 cell pathogenicity and their synergistic action on the onset and the development of IBD. We hoped to provide some clues for treating IBD.
“It made me feel like I wasn’t alone in the darkness”: exploring dementia care network communication and coordination through a digital health platform
Authors: Linden Anna , Jolliff Anna , Gonzalez Deryk , Loganathar Priya , Elliott Christian , Zuraw Matthew , Werner Nicole E
Published: September 2022

Objective

To explore the use of a shared communication and coordination platform—the CareVirtue journal feature—for care networks of people living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias to inform the design of care network support technologies.

Materials and Methods

In the primary study, care networks comprised the primary caregiver and other caregivers they invited to participate (eg, family members, in-home aides) used CareVirtue, for 60 days followed by a semistructured interview to explore primary caregivers’ perceptions of usefulness. This secondary analysis focused on use of the shared journal feature of CareVirtue, which allowed care networks to communicate through posts that were shared with the network and to which network members could respond. Journal posts were analyzed using a deductive/inductive content analysis to categorize information behavior. We also conducted a thematic analysis of the interviews to identify primary caregivers’ perceptions of the journal’s usefulness.

Results

Care networks used the journal for: (1) information acquisition, (2) information sharing, (3) strategy development, and (4) information feedback. Thematic analysis revealed that caregivers felt the journal was useful at the individual, care network, and relational levels and that journal integration was influenced by care network structure and relationships.

Discussion

Care networks used the journal to document, share, and acquire information; co-create strategies; and provide support. The usefulness of this shared communication and coordination platform included individual and care network level benefits.

Conclusion

These findings point to the importance of caregiver-centered technologies that support both the individual primary caregiver and the care network.
Exposure to plant-oriented microbiome altered jejunal and colonic innate immune response and barrier function more strongly in suckling than in weaned piglets
Authors: Lerch Frederike , Vötterl Julia C , Schwartz-Zimmermann Heidi E , Sassu Elena L , Schwarz Lukas , Renzhammer Rene , Bünger Moritz , Sharma Suchitra , Koger Simone , Sener-Aydemir Arife , Quijada Narciso M , Selberherr Evelyne , Kummer Stefan , Berthiller Franz , U. Metzler-Zebeli Barbara
Published: September 2022

Weaning often leaves the piglet vulnerable to gut dysfunction. Little is known about the acute response of a gut mucosa primed by a milk-oriented microbiome before weaning to a plant-oriented microbiome (POM) after weaning. We evaluated the epithelial structure, secretory response and permeability in the small and large intestines of piglets receiving a milk-based (i.e., preweaning) or plant-based diet (i.e., postweaning) to POM inocula using intestinal loop perfusion assays (ILPA). The POM were prepared from jejunal and colonic digesta of four 7 week-old weaned (day 28 of life) piglets, having gut-site specific microbial and metabolite composition. Two consecutive ILPA were performed in 16 piglets pre- (days 24 to 27) and 16 piglets postweaning (days 38 to 41) in two replicate batches. Two jejunal and colonic loops per piglet were perfused with Krebs–Henseleit buffer (control) or the respective POM. The outflow fluid was analyzed for antimicrobial secretions. Jejunal and colonic loop tissue were collected after each ILPA for histomorphology and electrophysiology using Ussing chambers. ANOVA was performed using the MIXED procedure in SAS. The POM stimulated the secretory response by increasing mucin in the jejunal and colonic outflow by 99.7% and 54.1%, respectively, and jejunal IgA by 19.2%, whereas colonic lysozyme decreased 25.6% compared to the control (P < 0.05). Fittingly, the POM raised the number of goblet cells by 96.7% in jejunal and 56.9% in colonic loops compared to control loops (P < 0.05). The POM further flattened jejunal villi by 18.3% and reduced crypt depth in jejunal and colonic loops by 53.8% and 9.0% compared to the control (P < 0.05); observations typically made postweaning and indicative for mucosal recognition of ‘foreign’ compounds. The POM altered the jejunal and colonic net ion flux as indicated by 22.7% and 59.2% greater short-circuit current compared to control loops, respectively; the effect being stronger postweaning (P < 0.05). Colonic barrier function improved with age (P < 0.05), whereas POM perfusion compromised the mucosal barrier as suggested by 17.7% and 54.1% greater GT and mucosal-to-serosal flux of fluorescein-isothiocyanate dextran, respectively, compared to the control (P < 0.05). In conclusion, results demonstrated that the preweaning gut epithelium acutely responds to novel compounds in postweaning digesta by upregulating the first line of defense (i.e., mucin and lysozyme secretion) and impairment of the structural integrity.
Power and the International Human Rights Imaginary: A Critique of Practice
Authors: Fletcher Laurel E
Published: September 2022

The international human rights movement is undergoing an internal reckoning. The legitimacy of the human rights project is being questioned within the movement. These internal critiques render more visible and contestable the influence of human rights movement actors in the Global North over the international human rights agenda. Yet these critiques are incomplete. Grounded in decades of experience as an international human rights practitioner, this article uses the concept of the international human rights imaginary to explain why and how the technologies of traditional international human rights practice (practice forms) embed colonizing tendencies to supplant local knowledge and priorities. It argues that the harms of practice forms can be mitigated if international practitioners incorporate a principle of solidarity with local human rights struggles.

The common understandings of what human rights are and how they should be defended are advanced by international nongovernmental organizations based in western Europe and the United States with access to international decision makers, institutions, and funding. These are the actors who exercise power to set the priorities for the international human rights movement. The human rights practice forms commonly used by dominant NGOs are integral to the political economy of the international human rights movement. These dynamics are illustrated through the three quintessential practices of statement advocacy, human rights reporting, and standard setting advocacy. Their study exposes how the imaginary operates in practice. North-based human rights actors need to reimagine human rights to be relevant to a multi-polar, pluralistic, and global—rather than to a merely North-based, western, and international—human rights movement.
Citizenship as a Privilege and the Weakness of International Law: The Consequences for Citizenship Deprivation in Bahrain and the UK
Authors: Almutawa Ahmed , Walker Clive
Published: September 2022

Citizenship serves different interests. It provides security and empowerment for the citizen. For the state, control of citizenship is an attribute of sovereignty which may treat citizenship as a privilege at its behest rather than an individual right claimed in defiance of its interests. This tension is situated within a tripartite relationship also involving international law. However, international law’s insistence on a human right to citizenship is weak and affects the procedural, rather than the substantive, aspects of deprivation. The tension between sovereignty, human rights, and international law will be examined through the lens of citizenship deprivation within counterterrorism. The article will focus on laws and practices in Bahrain and the UK, both states at the forefront of reliance on citizenship deprivation for security purposes. As a result of the weakness of international law, the divergent polities of Bahrain and the UK are both enabled to promote citizenship deprivation.
Research on a model-based burst pressure prediction method for pipelines with corrosion defects
Authors: Zhou Hongming , Li Peiyuan , Wu Longfei
Published: September 2022

The leakage of pipelines will cause serious harm to the human living environment. To meet the safety assessment requirement for pipelines, a pipeline burst pressure prediction method based on a parametric model is proposed. The parameters of the model include defect size, pipeline size and material properties. First, the relationship between the defect size and the burst pressure was studied by finite element analysis, and the parametric model was deduced according to the analysis results. Second, the undetermined coefficients of the model were obtained using the improved genetic algorithm. Last, comparisons of the test burst pressures with those predicted by the proposed model and three standard assessment methods were carried out. The results show that the predicted model is more reliable than the existing pipeline assessment codes.