bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sexual Dysfunction in Women After Traumatic Pelvic Fracture Negatively Affects Quality of Life and Mental Health
Authors: Gambrah Helen A. , Hagedorn Judith C. , Dmochowski Roger R. , Johnsen Niels V.
Published: October 2022

Background

While the impact of female sexual dysfunction (FSD) on mental health and overall health-related quality of life (HrQOL) has been previously documented, no prior work has evaluated this relationship in women following traumatic pelvic injuries.

Aim

This study aims to understand the relationship of FSD with HrQOL and depression in women with a history of traumatic pelvic fracture.

Methods

Data were collected with an electronic survey that included queries regarding mental and sexual health. Inverse probability weighting and multivariate regression models were utilized to assess the relationships between sexual dysfunction, depression and HrQOL.

Outcomes

Study outcome measures included the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) to evaluate sexual functioning, the 8-item patient health questionnaire (PHQ-8) to assess depression symptoms, and the visual analog scale (VAS) component of the EuroQol 5 Dimensions Questionnaire (EQ-5D) to determine self-reported HrQOL.

Results

Women reporting FSD had significantly higher PHQ-8 scores with a median PHQ-8 score of 6 (IQR 2, 11) relative to those without FSD who had a median score of 2 (IQR 0, 2) (P < .001). On multivariate linear regression, presence of FSD was significantly associated with higher PHQ-8 scores (β = 4.91, 95% CI 2.8–7.0, P < .001). FSFI score, time from injury, and age were all independently associated with improved HrQOL, with FSFI having the largest effect size (β = 0.62, 95% CI 0.30–0.95, P < .001).

Clinical Implications

These results underscore importance of addressing not just sexual health, but also mental health in female pelvic fracture survivors in the post-injury setting.

Strengths and Limitations

This study is one of the first to examine women with traumatic pelvic fractures who did not sustain concomitant urinary tract injuries. Study limitations include low response rate and the inherent limitations of a cross-sectional study design.

Conclusion

Patients with persistent, unaddressed FSD after pelvic fracture are at unique risk for experiencing depression and reporting worse health-related quality of life due to complex biopsychosocial mechanisms.
Solo and Partnered Sexual Behavior Among an International Sample of Adults with Spina Bifida
Authors: Hensel Devon J. , Misseri Rosalia , Wiener John S. , Roth Joshua D. , Whittam Benjamin M. , Cain Mark P. , Szymanski Konrad M.
Published: October 2022

Background

Spina bifida (SB) may differentially impact adults’ participation in solo and partnered sexual behaviors, but little research investigates this topic.

Aim

Describe solo and partnered sexual behaviors among an international sample of adult men and women with SB.

Main Outcome Measures

Ever participated (no/yes) and recent participation (>1 year ago/within last year) in solo masturbation, cuddled with a partner, held hands with a partner, kissed a partner, touched a partner's genital, had genitals touched by a partner, gave a partner oral sex, received oral sex from a partner, vaginal sex, anal sex, and sex toy use.

Methods

Data were drawn from a larger cross-sectional, internet-based survey assessing the sexual behaviors of an international sample of men and women with SB. We used logistic regression to examine the impact of background (gender, age, independent living, and relationship status) and health (shunt status, ambulation, and genital sensation) factors on each outcome.

Results

The sample consisted of 345 respondents aged 18–73 years from 26 nations. Very few (<3%) had no lifetime experience with any solo or partnered behaviors; 25.0% reported participating in all behaviors at some point in their lives. The median number of past year sexual behaviors (of 16 total) was 7. Lifetime and recent participation were associated with demographic and health factors.

Clinical Implications

Despite impairment, adults with spina bifida do participate in solo and partnered sexual behaviors. Medical personnel who work with this population should include discussions about sexuality as part of routine care.

Strengths & Limitations

Although this research measured solo and partnered sexual behavior in large international sample of adults with spina bifida, it is limited by its cross-sectional retrospective design and non-clinical convenience sample.

Conclusion

Despite disability, many adults with SB participate in solo and partnered sexual behavior. Medical and psychosocial supports are needed to help adults in this population enjoy sexuality in a healthy and safe manner.
Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Associations Between Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms and Hypersexual Behaviors Among Individuals Who have Gambled in Their Lifetimes
Authors: Rosansky Joseph A. , Borgogna Nicholas C. , Kraus Shane W. , Grubbs Joshua B.
Published: October 2022

Background

Exposure to traumatic experiences represent one factor that may contribute to the development of hypersexual behaviors.

Aim

We investigated the associations between posttraumatic stress symptoms and hypersexual behaviors by analyzing survey data from 2 samples.

Method

The first sample consisted of n = 585 college students, and the second consisted of n = 786 adults recruited via Amazon's Mechanical Turk (MTurk), n = 337 of whom completed a 6-month follow-up survey. We conducted 3 hierarchical regression analyses adjusting for age, gender, sexual orientation, impulsivity, drug use, alcohol use, and gambling.

Outcomes

The primary outcomes for this investigation were associations between posttraumatic stress symptoms, measured using the PTSD Checklist for DSM-IV and DSM-5 (PCL-C and PCL-5), and hypersexual behaviors, measured using the Hypersexual Behavior Inventory (HBI).

Results

A significant regression, R2 = 0.230, R2adjusted = 0.211, F (14,570) = 12.17, P < .001, revealed posttraumatic stress symptoms were associated with hypersexual behaviors in the university student sample (β = 0.154). A significant regression using the MTurk sample, R2 = 0.403, R2adjusted = 0.392, F (14,771) = 37.13, P < .001, confirmed this finding (β = 0.259). In addition, a significant regression, R2 = 0.562, R2adjusted = 0.541, F (15,321) = 27.42, P < .001, indicated that posttraumatic stress symptoms were longitudinally associated with increased hypersexual behaviors (β = .190) after adjusting for all variables, including baseline hypersexuality.

Clinical Translation

Results suggest that individuals experiencing posttraumatic stress symptoms are at increased risk for current and future hypersexual behaviors.

Strengths & Limitations

This investigation involved secondary analyses of adults who had gambled at least once in their lives and findings may not generalize to those who have never gambled. Furthermore, longitudinal findings may be impacted by selection bias (42% completion rate) and may not generalize to follow up periods longer than 6-months.

Conclusion

This study provides support for the hypothesis that posttraumatic stress symptoms are associated with increased hypersexual behavior, and further research is indicated to explore the etiology and directionality of this relationship.
Hybrid Blood Purification in the Treatment of Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome Following a Wasp Attack
Authors: Liu Rongzhi , Zhan Zhipeng , Ran Enrong , Yi Yanxia
Published: October 2022

Severe wasp sting symptoms can progress rapidly, often causing multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) and, in some cases, even death. Early and comprehensive treatment is needed to avoid these outcomes. Here, we report the case of a patient with MODS due to severe wasp stings. The patient received conventional treatment combined with glucocorticoids, plasma exchange, hemoperfusion, and continuous renal replacement therapy and had a successful recovery. MODS is a serious potential complication of wasp stings. Early local wound treatment, antiallergy interventions, antishock therapy, fluid replacement, glucocorticoid administration, and blood purification treatments are required to treat MODS secondary to wasp stings. Our results suggest that a hybrid blood purification method involving plasma exchange combined with hemoperfusion and continuous renal replacement therapy is more clinically effective than the single blood purification method. Early use of high-dose glucocorticoids combined with a hybrid blood purification treatment method had a positive effect in managing our patient and may improve the prognosis of other patients with MODS.
The Growth of Law in Medieval Wales, c.1100-c.1500
Authors: Roberts Sara Elin
Published: October 2022

A ground-breaking study of the lawbooks written in the changing social and political climate of post-conquest Wales.
Late Paleozoic Evolution of the Anadarko Basin: Implications for Laurentian Tectonics and the Assembly of Pangea
Authors: Hobbs Noah. F. , van Wijk Jolante W. , Leary Ryan , Axen Gary J.
Published: October 2022

Interplay between marginal and intraplate late Paleozoic tectonics in southeastern Laurentia is a subject of debate. In southern Laurentia, intraplate deformation has been attributed to combinations of compressive forces from orogenic belts in the west, southwest, and southeast. While left‐lateral transpression is generally an accepted mechanism for formation of uplifts in the Southern Oklahoma Aulacogen (SOA), to date no studies have explained the driving mechanisms of these kinematics. Here, we analyze the Southern Oklahoma Transpressional System (SOTS), a ∼500 km long ∼50 km wide fault zone that extends from the southeastern Laurentian margin into the plate interior along Cambrian lithospheric weaknesses inherited from the SOA. We use a compilation of published studies to present detailed, time‐integrated sedimentary thickness maps of SOTS‐related basins. We combine these maps with a new interpretation of three 2D seismic reflection lines to constrain timing and kinematics of all major late Paleozoic SOTS fault zones. We show that the SOTS kinematics evolved from contraction to left‐lateral strike‐slip during Mississippian‐Pennsylvanian time. Tectonic activity and fault kinematics in the SOTS are explained by a model in which a remnant ocean basin closed diachronously from northeast to southwest along the Southern Appalachian and Ouachita‐Marathon orogens. Left‐lateral transpression during diachronous closure of the Rheic oceanic basin along the Ouachita‐Marathon margin is related to rotation of the stress field due to changes in slab‐pull and eastward drift of Laurentia toward Gondwana. We speculate that the SOTS acted in part as a STEP (subduction‐transfer edge propagator) fault that followed the pre‐existing SOA.
Leveraging Governance Performance to Enhance Climate Resilience
Authors: Rölfer Lena , Abson David J. , Costa María Máñez , Rosendo Sergio , Smith Timothy F. , Celliers Louis
Published: October 2022

Enhancing the resilience of complex social‐ecological systems (SES) to climate change requires transformative changes. Yet, there are knowledge gaps on how best to achieve transformation. In this study, we present an approach for assessing governance performance in SES and identifying leverage points to ultimately enhance climate resilience. The approach combines three different methods including a capital approach framework, fuzzy cognitive mapping, and a leverage points analysis. Using a coastal case‐study in Algoa Bay, South Africa, the performance of governance processes contributing to different forms of capital is assessed. Subsequently, leverage points ‐ where a small shift may lead to transformative changes in the system as a whole ‐ are identified based on measures of centrality and performance. Results suggest that a range of leverage points can improve governance performance and therefore climate resilience in the case‐study. Leverage points include improving (a) support from the provincial government; (b) priority given to climate change in the integrated development plan; (c) frequency of collaborations; (d) participation in the implementation of climate action plans; (e) allocation of funding to climate change actions; (f) the overall level of preparedness in terms of staff with relevant expertise; (g) public awareness and understanding of climate change. The approach can also be used to analyze and model the relations and interactions between capitals. The study advances methodological and theoretical knowledge on the identification of leverage points for enabling transformations toward climate resilience and broader sustainability goals in SES.
Quantifying Radiation Belt Electron Loss Processes at L < 4
Authors: Claudepierre S. G. , Ma Q. , Bortnik J.
Published: October 2022

We present a comprehensive analysis of the processes that lead to quasilinear pitch‐angle‐scattering loss of electrons from the L < 4 region of the Earth's inner magnetosphere during geomagnetically quiet times. We consider scattering via Coulomb collisions, hiss waves, lightning‐generated whistler (LGW) waves, waves from ground‐based very‐low‐frequency (VLF) transmitters, and electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) waves. The amplitude, frequency, and wave normal angle spectra of these waves are parameterized with empirical wave models, which are then used to compute pitch‐angle diffusion coefficients. From these coefficients, we estimate the decay timescales, or lifetimes, of 30 keV to 4 MeV electrons and compare the results with timescales obtained from in‐situ observations. We demonstrate good quantitative agreement between the two over most of the L and energy range under investigation. Our analysis suggests that the electron decay timescales are very sensitive to the choice of plasmaspheric density model. At L < 2, where our theoretical lifetimes do not agree well with the observations, we show that including Coulomb energy drag (ionization energy loss) in our calculations significantly improves the quantitative agreement with the observed decay timescales. We also use an accurate model of the geomagnetic field to provide an estimate of the effect that the drift‐loss cone has on the theoretically calculated electron lifetimes, which are usually obtained using an axisymmetric dipole field.
Phase‐Resolved Modeling of Wave Interference and Its Effects on Nearshore Circulation in a Large Ebb Shoal‐Beach System
Authors: Zhang Yu , Shi Fengyan , Kirby James T. , Feng Xi
Published: October 2022

A time‐domain Boussinesq model was applied to modeling wave interference and its effects on nearshore circulation in San Francisco Bar and the adjacent Ocean Beach, CA. The model predicted the wave interference phenomena caused by the ebb shoal, with interference scales consistent with the radar observation and are persistent with nodal lines unchanged with time. Nearshore circulation predicted by the model shows small‐scale flow structures tied with the wave modulation patterns. However, the small‐scale modulation in the wave field seems not to generate alongshore variation in wave setup at similar scales. Therefore, in a large‐scale view, the alongshore currents predicted by the Boussinesq model still keep the general features shown in a wave‐averaged model, such as the flow divergence caused by the pressure gradient force associated with the alongshore variation of wave setup. The further analysis based on idealized short crest waves on a plane beach suggests that the alongshore pressure gradient is mainly balanced by the gradient of radiation stresses in the antinodal region, while by the flow advection in the nodal region. The rip current behavior is forced locally near breakers, rather than by gradients in wave setup close to shore. The time‐domain Boussinesq model predicted the spatial variability of wave‐induced processes. The alongshore‐varying wave breakers caused by wave interference are the source of the vorticity generation, inducing energetic vortex eddies nearshore.
Partially‐Saturated Brines Within Basal Ice or Sediments Can Explain the Bright Basal Reflections in the South Polar Layered Deposits
Authors: Stillman D. E. , Pettinelli E. , Lauro S. E. , Mattei E. , Caprarelli G. , Cosciotti B. , Primm K. M. , Orosei R.
Published: October 2022

Strong radar reflections have been previously mapped at the base of the Martian South Polar Layered Deposits. Here, we analyze laboratory measurements of dry and briny samples to determine the cause of this radar return. We find that liquid vein networks consisting of brines at the grain boundaries of ice crystals can greatly enhance the electrical conductivity, thereby causing strong radar reflections. A brine concentration of 2.7–6.0 vol% in ice is sufficient to match the electrical properties of the basal reflection as observed by Mars Advanced Radar for Subsurface and Ionospheric Sounding (MARSIS). When brine is mixed with sediments, the brine‐ice mixture in the pores must be 2–5 times more concentrated in salt, increasing the brine concentration to 6.3–29 vol%. Our best fit of the median observed MARSIS value suggests a salt‐bulk sample concentration of ∼6 wt%. Thus, salt enhancement mechanisms on the order of a magnitude greater than the Phoenix landing site are needed. To form brine, the basal reflector must reach a temperature greater than the eutectic temperature of calcium perchlorate of 197.3 ± 0.2 K, which may be possible if more complex thermal modeling is assumed. Colder metastable brines are possible, but stability over millions of years remains unclear. Conversely, gray hematite with a concentration of 33.2–59.0 vol% possess electrical properties that could cause the observed radar returns, but require concentrations 2–3 times larger than anywhere currently detected. We also argue that brines mixed with high‐surface‐area sediments, or dry red hematite, jarosite, and ilmenite cannot create the observed radar returns at low temperatures.
Signaling pathways and therapeutic interventions in gastric cancer
Authors: Lei Zi-Ning , Teng Qiu-Xu , Tian Qin , Chen Wei , Xie Yuhao , Wu Kaiming , Zeng Qianlin , Zeng Leli , Pan Yihang , Chen Zhe-Sheng , He Yulong
Published: October 2022

Gastric cancer (GC) ranks fifth in global cancer diagnosis and fourth in cancer-related death. Despite tremendous progress in diagnosis and therapeutic strategies and significant improvements in patient survival, the low malignancy stage is relatively asymptomatic and many GC cases are diagnosed at advanced stages, which leads to unsatisfactory prognosis and high recurrence rates. With the recent advances in genome analysis, biomarkers have been identified that have clinical importance for GC diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis. Modern molecular classifications have uncovered the vital roles that signaling pathways, including EGFR/HER2, p53, PI3K, immune checkpoint pathways, and cell adhesion signaling molecules, play in GC tumorigenesis, progression, metastasis, and therapeutic responsiveness. These biomarkers and molecular classifications open the way for more precise diagnoses and treatments for GC patients. Nevertheless, the relative significance, temporal activation, interaction with GC risk factors, and crosstalk between these signaling pathways in GC are not well understood. Here, we review the regulatory roles of signaling pathways in GC potential biomarkers, and therapeutic targets with an emphasis on recent discoveries. Current therapies, including signaling-based and immunotherapies exploited in the past decade, and the development of treatment for GC, particularly the challenges in developing precision medications, are discussed. These advances provide a direction for the integration of clinical, molecular, and genomic profiles to improve GC diagnosis and treatments.
Mortality by ribosomal sequencing (MoRS) provides a window into taxon-specific cell lysis
Authors: Zhong Kevin Xu , Wirth Jennifer F , Chan Amy M , Suttle Curtis A
Published: October 2022

Microbes are by far the dominant biomass in the world’s oceans and drive biogeochemical cycles that are critical to life on Earth. The composition of marine microbial communities is highly dynamic, spatially and temporally, with consequent effects on their functional roles. In part, these changes in composition result from viral lysis, which is taxon-specific and estimated to account for about half of marine microbial mortality. Here, we show that extracellular ribosomal RNA (rRNAext) is produced by viral lysis, and that specific lysed populations can be identified by sequencing rRNAext recovered from seawater samples. In ten seawater samples collected at five depths between the surface and 265 m during and following a phytoplankton bloom, lysis was detected in about 15% of 16,946 prokaryotic taxa, identified from amplicon sequence variants (ASVs), with lysis occurring in up to 34% of taxa within a water sample. The ratio of rRNAext to cellular rRNA (rRNAcell) was used as an index of taxon-specific lysis, and revealed that higher relative lysis was most commonly associated with copiotrophic bacteria that were in relatively low abundance, such as those in the genera Escherichia and Shigella spp., as well as members of the Bacteriodetes; whereas, relatively low lysis was more common in taxa that are often relatively abundant, such as members of the Pelagibacterales (i.e., SAR11 clade), cyanobacteria in the genus Synechococcus, and members of the phylum Thaumarchaeota (synonym, Nitrososphaerota) that comprised about 13–15% of the 16 S rRNA gene sequences below 30 m. These results provide an explanation for the long-standing conundrum of why highly productive bacteria that are readily isolated from seawater are often in very low abundance. The ability to estimate taxon-specific cell lysis will help explore the distribution and abundance of microbial populations in nature.
CircRNF144B/miR-342-3p/FBXL11 axis reduced autophagy and promoted the progression of ovarian cancer by increasing the ubiquitination of Beclin-1
Authors: Song Wenting , Zeng Zhirui , Zhang Yilei , Li Haili , Cheng Huimin , Wang Jun , Wu Fengrui
Published: October 2022

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) can regulate autophagy and ovarian cancer (OC) progression. However, autophagy-associated circRNAs involved in OC progression are largely unknown. Bioinformatics, RNA sequencing, and qRT-PCR were conducted to detect circRNF144B expression in OC as well as its relationship with patient prognosis. Functional experiments were used to determine the effects of circRNF144B on the proliferation, mobility and autophagy of OC. Double luciferase reporter assays, immunoprecipitation, and ubiquitination detection were performed to determine the molecular mechanisms of circRNF144B in autophagy and OC progression. CircRNF144B was elevated in OC tissues with low autophagy levels, and associated with poor prognosis. CircRNF144B promoted the malignant biological properties of OC cells, and inhibited the autophagy. Mechanistically, circRNF144B acts as a sponge for miR-342-3p and inhibits miR-342-3p-induced degradation of lysine demethylase 2 A (FBXL11) mRNA, leading to elevated FBXL11 protein levels. Elevated FBXL11 promoted the ubiquitination and degradation of Beclin-1, thus inhibiting autophagy. In conclusion, CircRNF144B increased FBXL11 level by sponging miR-342-3p, whereas elevated FBXL11 promoted the ubiquitination and protein degradation of Beclin-1, thus suppressing autophagy flux and promoting OC progression. Thus, circRNF144B may be an effective target for OC therapy.
HIF-α activation by the prolyl hydroxylase inhibitor roxadustat suppresses chemoresistant glioblastoma growth by inducing ferroptosis
Authors: Su Xiaodong , Xie Yuan , Zhang Junwen , Li Mingxin , Zhang Qing , Jin Guishan , Liu Fusheng
Published: October 2022

Patients with glioblastoma (GBM) have poor prognosis and limited treatment options, largely due to therapy resistance upon the induction of apoptosis. Ferroptosis emerges as a potential antineoplastic strategy to bypass apoptosis resistance in traditional therapeutics. Hypoxia is a fundamental hallmark of GBM and hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) is the main regulator of hypoxia response, however, the role of HIF has not been sufficiently explored in GBM. Herein, we first discovered that amplifying HIF signals by the prolyl hydroxylase (PHD) inhibitor roxadustat significantly suppressed GBM cell growth in vitro and in vivo, especially when the cells were resistant to temozolomide (TMZ). The accumulation of lipid peroxidation and cellular iron in GBM cells following roxadustat treatment indicated that the cells underwent ferroptosis, which was also supported by morphological changes in mitochondrial ultrastructure and immunogenic signals release. Moreover, in vivo studies further confirmed the ferroptosis induction and verified that roxadustat significantly prolonged survival of the mice harboring chemoresistant GBM without visible organ toxicity. Finally, we proved that the ferroptosis induction by roxadustat is HIF-α independent, especially activation of HIF-2α upregulating lipid regulatory genes was revealed to be mainly responsible for the enhanced lipid peroxidation. Altogether, our study provided novel evidence that amplifying HIF signals induced ferroptosis in chemoresistant GBM cells and suppressed the tumor growth in vivo, highlighting that ferroptosis induction by targeting HIF-α might provide new approaches to improve GBM treatment.
Assembly-induced spin transfer and distance-dependent spin coupling in atomically precise AgCu nanoclusters
Authors: Xia Nan , Xing Jianpei , Peng Di , Ji Shiyu , Zha Jun , Yan Nan , Su Yan , Jiang Xue , Zeng Zhi , Zhao Jijun , Wu Zhikun
Published: October 2022

Nanoparticle assembly paves the way for unanticipated properties and applications from the nanoscale to the macroscopic world. However, the study of such material systems is greatly inhibited due to the obscure compositions and structures of nanoparticles (especially the surface structures). The assembly of atomically precise nanoparticles is challenging, and such an assembly of nanoparticles with metal core sizes strictly larger than 1 nm has not been achieved yet. Here, we introduced an on-site synthesis-and-assembly strategy, and successfully obtained a straight-chain assembly structure consisting of Ag77Cu22(CHT)48 (CHT: cyclohexanethiolate) nanoparticles with two nanoparticles separated by one S atom, as revealed by mass spectrometry and single crystal X-ray crystallography. Although Ag77Cu22(CHT)48 bears one unpaired shell-closing electron, the magnetic moment is found to be mainly localized at the S linker with magnetic isotropy, and the sulfur radicals were experimentally verified and found to be unstable after disassembly, demonstrating assembly-induced spin transfer. Besides, spin nanoparticles are found to couple and lose their paramagnetism at sufficiently short inter-nanoparticle distance, namely, the spin coupling depends on the inter-nanoparticle distance. However, it is not found that the spin coupling leads to the nanoparticle growth.
Trends in non-COVID-19 hospitalizations prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic period, United States, 2017–2021
Authors: Cassell Kelsie , Zipfel Casey M. , Bansal Shweta , Weinberger Daniel M.
Published: October 2022

COVID-19 pandemic-related shifts in healthcare utilization, in combination with trends in non-COVID-19 disease transmission and non-pharmaceutical intervention use, had clear impacts on rates of hospitalization for infectious and chronic diseases. Using a U.S. national healthcare billing database, we estimated the monthly incidence rate ratio of hospitalizations between March 2020 and June 2021 according to 19 ICD-10 diagnostic chapters and 189 subchapters. The majority of primary diagnoses for hospitalization showed an immediate decline in incidence during March 2020. Hospitalizations for reproductive neoplasms, hypertension, and diabetes returned to pre-pandemic levels during late 2020 and early 2021, while others, like those for infectious respiratory disease, did not return to pre-pandemic levels during this period. Our assessment of subchapter-level primary hospitalization codes offers insight into trends among less frequent causes of hospitalization during the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S.
Nanoconfinement facilitates reactions of carbon dioxide in supercritical water
Authors: Stolte Nore , Hou Rui , Pan Ding
Published: October 2022

The reactions of CO2 in water under extreme pressure-temperature conditions are of great importance to the carbon storage and transport below Earth’s surface, which substantially affect the carbon budget in the atmosphere. Previous studies focus on the CO2(aq) solutions in the bulk phase, but underground aqueous solutions are often confined to the nanoscale, and nanoconfinement and solid-liquid interfaces may substantially affect chemical speciation and reaction mechanisms, which are poorly known on the molecular scale. Here, we apply extensive ab initio molecular dynamics simulations to study aqueous carbon solutions nanoconfined by graphene and stishovite (SiO2) at 10 GPa and 1000 ~ 1400 K. We find that CO2(aq) reacts more in nanoconfinement than in bulk. The stishovite-water interface makes the solutions more acidic, which shifts the chemical equilibria, and the interface chemistry also significantly affects the reaction mechanisms. Our findings suggest that CO2(aq) in deep Earth is more active than previously thought, and confining CO2 and water in nanopores may enhance the efficiency of mineral carbonation.
RaVÆn: unsupervised change detection of extreme events using ML on-board satellites
Authors: Růžička Vít , Vaughan Anna , De Martini Daniele , Fulton James , Salvatelli Valentina , Bridges Chris , Mateo-Garcia Gonzalo , Zantedeschi Valentina
Published: October 2022

Applications such as disaster management enormously benefit from rapid availability of satellite observations. Traditionally, data analysis is performed on the ground after being transferred—downlinked—to a ground station. Constraints on the downlink capabilities, both in terms of data volume and timing, therefore heavily affect the response delay of any downstream application. In this paper, we introduce RaVÆn, a lightweight, unsupervised approach for change detection in satellite data based on Variational Auto-Encoders (VAEs), with the specific purpose of on-board deployment. RaVÆn pre-processes the sampled data directly on the satellite and flags changed areas to prioritise for downlink, shortening the response time. We verified the efficacy of our system on a dataset—which we release alongside this publication—composed of time series containing a catastrophic event, demonstrating that RaVÆn outperforms pixel-wise baselines. Finally, we tested our approach on resource-limited hardware for assessing computational and memory limitations, simulating deployment on real hardware.
Development of chitosan-based biodegradable films enriched with thyme essential oil and additives for potential applications in packaging of fresh collard greens
Authors: Zehra Aiman , Wani Sajad Mohd , Jan Nusrat , Bhat Tashooq Ahmad , Rather Sajad A. , Malik A. R. , Hussain Syed Zameer
Published: October 2022

In the present study, chitosan (CH) based biodegradable films were developed enriched with thyme essential oil (TEO) incorporated with different additives including zinc oxide (ZnO), polyethylene glycol (PEG), nano clay (NC), and calcium chloride (CaCl2) and characterize the postharvest quality of ‘collard greens’ during refrigerated storage. The results indicated that the incorporation of ZnO/PEG/NC/CaCl2 in CH-based films significantly decreased water vapor transmission rate, increased tensile strength, and were water soluble and biodegradable in nature. Moreover, CH-TEO based films incorporated with ZnO/PEG/NC/CaCl2 were significantly effective in reducing physiological weight loss, retained total soluble solids, titratable acidity, and preserved chlorophyll contents as well as showed lesser a* values, suppressed microbial growth, and preserving appearance/sensory quality of collard greens for 24 days than LDPE and other biodegradable films. Our results suggest that CH-based films enriched with TEO and additives such as ZnO/CaCl2/NC/PEG are an ecological, environmental friendly, and effective alternative approach to retain shelf life of collard greens during refrigerated storage.
Quantum tunnelling in the context of SARS-CoV-2 infection
Authors: Adams Betony , Sinayskiy Ilya , van Grondelle Rienk , Petruccione Francesco
Published: October 2022

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has added new urgency to the study of viral mechanisms of infection. But while vaccines offer a measure of protection against this specific outbreak, a new era of pandemics has been predicted. In addition to this, COVID-19 has drawn attention to post-viral syndromes and the healthcare burden they entail. It seems integral that knowledge of viral mechanisms is increased through as wide a research field as possible. To this end we propose that quantum biology might offer essential new insights into the problem, especially with regards to the important first step of virus-host invasion. Research in quantum biology often centres around energy or charge transfer. While this is predominantly in the context of photosynthesis there has also been some suggestion that cellular receptors such as olfactory or neural receptors might employ vibration assisted electron tunnelling to augment the lock-and-key mechanism. Quantum tunnelling has also been observed in enzyme function. Enzymes are implicated in the invasion of host cells by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Receptors such as olfactory receptors also appear to be disrupted by COVID-19. Building on these observations we investigate the evidence that quantum tunnelling might be important in the context of infection with SARS-CoV-2. We illustrate this with a simple model relating the vibronic mode of, for example, a viral spike protein to the likelihood of charge transfer in an idealised receptor. Our results show a distinct parameter regime in which the vibronic mode of the spike protein enhances electron transfer. With this in mind, novel therapeutics to prevent SARS-CoV-2 transmission could potentially be identified by their vibrational spectra.
Rapid and reliable triple-emissive detection of 2,6-dichloro-4-nitroaniline as a pesticide based on a high-nuclear Cd(ii)–Sm(iii) nanocluster
Authors: Leng Xilong , Yang Xiaoping , Ma Yanan , Wang Chengri , Li Hao , Zhang Zhen , Yang Keqin , Schipper Desmond
Published: October 2022

A 56-metal Cd(ii)–Sm(iii) nanocluster (molecular sizes: 4.5 × 2.7 × 2.7 nm) was constructed for the rapid and reliable triple-emissive detection of 2,6-dichloro-4-nitroaniline (DCN) as a pesticide.
An automated system for interrogating the evolution of microbial endosymbiosis
Authors: Huang Can , Guo Fengguang , Wang Han , Olivares Jasmine , Dalton, III James , Belyanina Olga , Wattam Alice R. , Cucinell Clark A. , Dickerman Allan W. , Qin Qing-Ming , Han Arum , de Figueiredo Paul
Published: October 2022

Using an automated microfluidic SEER platform, we rapidly evolved laboratory naïve E. coli strain DH5α to possess enhanced capability to survive within host cells, and identified the critical role of gene CpxR in such microbial endosymbiosis.
A new visual and stable fluorescent Cu-MOF as a dual-function sensor for glyphosate and Cr2O72−
Authors: Li Junyan , Zhu Mingchang , Zhang Ying , Gao Enjun , Wu Shuangyan
Published: October 2022

A new visual and stable Cu-MOF as a dual-function sensor with high sensitivity for the detection of glyphosate and Cr2O72−.
Achieving short ignition delay and high specific impulse with cyanoborohydride-based hypergolic ionic liquids
Authors: Pialat Amélie , Kitos Alexandros A. , Witkowski Tomasz G. , Cook Cyril , Wang Shiliang , Hu Anguang , Murugesu Muralee
Published: October 2022

A new family of HILs, based on substituted 1H-1,2,4-triazol-4-ium, pyrrolidinium, ammonium and pyridinium cations and a cyanoborohydride anion, is introduced, with higher heats of formation, heats of combustion and specific impulse compared to dimethylhydrazine.
In silicoinvestigation of the selectivity mechanism of A1AR and A2AAR antagonism
Authors: Li Weixia , Hu Baichun , Liu Haihan , Luan Jiasi , Chen Lu , Wang Shizun , Fan Liye , Wang Jian
Published: October 2022

Adenosine A1receptor (A1AR) and adenosine A2Areceptor (A2AAR) are AR isoforms that share high homology but play many different roles in terms of regulating arteriolar pressure and urine flow as well as relieving neurodegenerative disorders.
BF3·OEt2-catalyzed synthesis of 2,2′-spirobi-2H-1-benzopyrans from 2H-chromenes
Authors: Mudulkar Sairam , Kolla Sai Teja , Sridhar Balasubramanian , Bhimapaka China Raju
Published: October 2022

A new approach was developed for the construction of 2,2′-spirobi-2H-1-benzopyrancarboxylates by reacting ethyl 2-(chloromethyl)-2-hydroxy-2H-chromene-3-carboxylates with salicylaldehydes through the formation of C–C and C–O bonds in one pot.
Enhanced vapor sorption in block and random copolymer brushes
Authors: Glišić Ivona , Ritsema van Eck Guido C. , Smook Leon A. , de Beer Sissi
Published: October 2022

Copolymer brushes in gaseous environments absorb and adsorb vapors of favorable solvents.
Joint HAP deployment and resource allocation for HAP‐UAV‐terrestrial integrated networks
Authors: Ji Ang , Guo Xu , Zhang Rongqing , Wu Jianjun , Cheng Xiang
Published: October 2022

While the terrestrial base stations (TBSs) in the fifth‐generation (5G) network provide high throughput for the conventional terrestrial users (TUs), it is still challenging for the network to support massive TUs and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) simultaneously due to the complicated air–ground channel and severe interference. In this paper, the deployment of a high‐altitude platform (HAP) as a supplement for the terrestrial networks, in which the HAP and TBSs serve TUs and UAVs simultaneously in a joint manner, is studied. The novel network has two challenges. First, the deployment of the HAP, which is a new degree of freedom, should be optimized considering the terrestrial network. Second, the channel of the joint HAP and TBS network that serves multiple TUs and UAVs concurrently is complicated, and the resource allocation of the network should be designed. To tackle the above two challenges, a joint resource allocation and HAP deployment problem are formulated, and a gradient‐and‐matching‐based algorithm is proposed to solve it efficiently. Simulation results show that the HAP and the proposed algorithm enhance the sum‐rate of the network by over 30%, and the average data rate of both the TUs and the UAVs can be effectively improved.
PCformer: A parallel convolutional transformer network for 360° depth estimation
Authors: Xu Chao , Yang Huamin , Han Cheng , Zhang Chao
Published: October 2022

360° depth estimation has been extensively studied because 360° images provide a full field of view of the surrounding environment as well as a detailed description of the entire scene. However, most well‐studied convolutional neural networks (CNNs) for 360° depth estimation can extract local features well, but fail to capture rich global features from the panorama due to a fixed receptive field in CNNs. PCformer, a parallel convolutional transformer network that combines the benefits of CNNs and transformers, is proposed for 360° depth estimation. The transformer has the nature to model long‐range dependency and extract global features. With PCformer, both global dependency and local spatial features can be efficiently captured. To fully incorporate global and local features, a dual attention fusion module is designed. Besides, a distortion‐weighted loss function is designed to reduce the distortion in panoramas. Extensive experiments demonstrate that the proposed method achieves competitive results against the state‐of‐the‐art methods on three benchmark datasets. Additional experiments also demonstrate that the proposed model has benefits in terms of model complexity and generalisation capability.
Fast two‐vector‐based model‐free predictive current control of permanent magnet synchronous motor
Authors: Zhang Xiao , Tao Ran , Dou Zhaoyu , Qiu Shuo , Liu Jia , Liu Yi
Published: October 2022

Finite control set model predictive control (FCS‐MPC) is becoming an important control method in the high‐performance control of permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) because of its simple concept, easy implementation, and strong performance. However, the traditional FCS‐MPC uses only one basic voltage vector in the whole control cycle, so its steady‐state control performance is poor. In addition, FCS‐MPC relies significantly on machine parameter correctness. The performance is significantly degraded if the controller parameters do not match the real machine parameters. This study proposed a PMSM fast two‐vector model‐free predictive control approach to address the abovementioned issues. The process employs no motor parameters and relies only on the system's inputs and outputs. In addition, this method combines the fast vector selection with the two‐vector control method, which simplifies the computational effort while improving the steady‐state control accuracy at the same time. MATLAB/Simulink built the control system model, the simulation and experimental studies were carried out. The simulation and experimental results confirm the effectiveness of this method.
Solid confirmation of the broad DIB around 864.8 nm using stacked Gaia–RVS spectra
Authors: Zhao H. , Schultheis M. , Zwitter T. , Bailer-Jones C. A. L. , Panuzzo P. , Sartoretti P. , Seabroke G. M. , Recio-Blanco A. , de Laverny P. , Kordopatis G. , Creevey O. L. , Dharmawardena T. E. , Frémat Y. , Sordo R. , Drimmel R. , Marshall D. J. , Palicio P. A. , Contursi G. , Álvarez M. A. , Baker S. , Benson K. , Cropper M. , Dolding C. , Huckle H. E. , Smith M. , Marchal O. , Ordenovic C. , Pailler F. , Slezak I.
Published: October 2022

Context. Studies of the correlation between different diffuse interstellar bands (DIBs) are important for exploring their origins. However, the Gaia–RVS spectral window between 846 and 870 nm contains few DIBs, the strong DIB at 862 nm being the only convincingly confirmed one.

Aims. Here we attempt to confirm the existence of a broad DIB around 864.8 nm and estimate its characteristics using the stacked Gaia–RVS spectra of a large number of stars. We study the correlations between the two DIBs at 862 nm (λ862) and 864.8 nm (λ864.8), as well as the interstellar extinction.

Methods. We obtained spectra of the interstellar medium (ISM) absorption by subtracting the stellar components using templates constructed from real spectra at high Galactic latitudes with low extinctions. We then stacked the ISM spectra in Galactic coordinates (ℓ,  b) – pixelized by the HEALPix scheme – to measure the DIBs. The stacked spectrum is modeled by the profiles of the two DIBs, Gaussian for λ862 and Lorentzian for λ864.8, and a linear continuum. We report the fitted central depth (CD), central wavelength, equivalent width (EW), and their uncertainties for the two DIBs.

Results. We obtain 8458 stacked spectra in total, of which 1103 (13%) have reliable fitting results after applying numerous conservative filters. This work is the first of its kind to fit and measure λ862 and λ864.8 simultaneously in cool-star spectra. Based on these measurements, we find that the EWs and CDs of λ862 and λ864.8 are well correlated with each other, with Pearson coefficients (rp) of 0.78 and 0.87, respectively. The full width at half maximum (FWHM) of λ864.8 is estimated as 1.62 ± 0.33 nm which compares to 0.55 ± 0.06 nm for λ862. We also measure the vacuum rest-frame wavelength of λ864.8 to be λ0 = 864.53 ± 0.14 nm, smaller than previous estimates.

Conclusions. We find solid confirmation of the existence of the DIB around 864.8 nm based on an exploration of its correlation with λ862 and estimation of its FWHM. The DIB λ864.8 is very broad and shallow. That at λ862 correlates better with E(BP − RP) than λ864.8. The profiles of the two DIBs could strongly overlap with each other, which contributes to the skew of the λ862 profile.
Mixing and diffusion in protoplanetary disc chemistry
Authors: Woitke P. , Arabhavi A. M. , Kamp I. , Thi W.-F.
Published: October 2022

We develop a simple iterative scheme to include vertical turbulent mixing and diffusion in PRODIMO thermo-chemical models for protoplanetary discs. The models are carefully checked for convergence towards the time-independent solution of the reaction-diffusion equations, as, for example, used in exoplanet atmosphere models. A series of five TTauri disc models is presented where we vary the mixing parameter αmix from zero to 10−2 and take into account: (a) the radiative transfer feedback of the opacities of icy grains that are mixed upwards; and (b) the feedback of the changing molecular abundances on the gas temperature structure caused by exothermic reactions, and increased line heating and cooling. We see considerable changes in the molecular and ice concentrations in the disc. The most abundant species (H2, CH4, CO, the neutral atoms in higher layers, and the ices in the midplane) are transported both up and down, and at the locations where these abundant chemicals finally decompose, for example by photo processes, the release of reaction products has important consequences for all the other molecules. This generally creates a more active chemistry, with a richer mixture of ionised, atomic, molecular, and ice species, and new chemical pathways that are not relevant in the unmixed case. We discuss the impact on three spectral observations caused by mixing and find that: (i) icy grains can reach the observable disc surface where they cause ice absorption and emission features at IR to far-IR wavelengths; (ii) mixing increases the concentrations of certain neutral molecules observable by mid-IR spectroscopy, in particular OH, HCN, and C2H2; and (iii) mixing can change the optical appearance of CO in ALMA line images and channel maps, where strong mixing would cause the CO molecules to populate the distant midplane.
Remote Digital Microscopy Improves Hematology Laboratory Workflow by Reducing Peripheral Blood Smear Analysis Turnaround Time
Authors: Katz Ben-Zion , Benisty Dan , Sayegh Yael , Lamm Inna , Avivi Irit
Published: October 2022

Background The demand for morphological diagnosis by peripheral blood smear (PBS) analysis with clearly defined turnaround times (TAT), coupled with a shortage of morphologists and increasing cost containment, is driving digitalization to the forefront of laboratory workflow. Labor-intensive manual PBS review affects weekend workflow with limited staff availability. The impact of remote analysis of PBS on the performance of hematology laboratories has not yet been assessed.

Objectives Following implementation of fully remote digital microscopy within our laboratory, we measured its impact on morphology workflow efficiency, TAT, and hours saved per month.

Methods A retrospective study of the effects of remote PBS analysis on the morphology workflow in a tertiary medical center using the Scopio Labs X100 Full-Field PBS system was conducted. 10,704 PBS samples were analyzed pre-and post -implementation, over a 5-month period. Overall PBS workload, and average TAT of PBS samples over weekends and the first two weekdays were collected and evaluated.

Results Remote weekend viewing resulted in a 15.8% reduction in the overall morphology TAT of the laboratory (p <0.03) over a 5-month period, despite similar overall workload. PBS analysis TAT on Fridays was reduced by 41.4% (p <0. 006), and by 59.1% on the first weekday (p <0.02). The additional hours incurred over the weekend were offset against a reduced need for double weekday shifts resulting in approximately 12.76 work hours saved per month. Internet links to clinically relevant cases are provided.

Conclusion The Scopio Labs Full-Field X100 PBS system with remote analysis capacity significantly reduced PBS TAT and improved the morphology workflow of the hematology laboratory. PBSs with significant clinical findings are now available for remote viewing by on-call clinicians located outside the medical center perimeter. Remote PBS viewing, coupled with the overall monthly cost savings, merit consideration for the implementation of full digitalization for remote PBS review.