bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Temporal and regulatory dynamics of the inner ear transcriptome during development in mice
Authors: Cao Rui , Takechi Masaki , Wang Xiuwan , Furutera Toshiko , Nojiri Taro , Koyabu Daisuke , Li Jun
Published: December 2022

The inner ear controls hearing and balance, while the temporal molecular signatures and transcriptional regulatory dynamics underlying its development are still unclear. In this study, we investigated time-series transcriptome in the mouse inner ear from embryonic day 11.5 (E11.5) to postnatal day 7 (P7) using bulk RNA-Seq. A total of 10,822 differentially expressed genes were identified between pairwise stages. We identified nine significant temporal expression profiles using time-series expression analysis. The constantly down-regulated profiles throughout the development are related to DNA activity and neurosensory development, while the constantly upregulated profiles are related to collagen and extracellular matrix. Further co-expression network analysis revealed that several hub genes, such as Pnoc, Cd9, and Krt27, are related to the neurosensory development, cell adhesion, and keratinization. We uncovered three important transcription regulatory paths during mice inner ear development. Transcription factors related to Hippo/TGFβ signaling induced decreased expressions of genes related to the neurosensory and inner ear development, while a series of INF genes activated the expressions of genes in immunoregulation. In addition to deepening our understanding of the temporal and regulatory mechanisms of inner ear development, our transcriptomic data could fuel future multi-species comparative studies and elucidate the evolutionary trajectory of auditory development.
Optimization of accelerated aqueous ethanol extraction to obtain a polyphenol-rich crude extract from rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum L.) peel as natural antioxidant
Authors: Klongdee Supakchon , Klinkesorn Utai
Published: December 2022

An accelerated solvent extraction method was used to recover polyphenol-rich crude extract from rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum L.) peel, a waste product from the canning industry. The influence of extraction parameters including temperature, extraction time and ethanol concentration on extraction yield, total phenolic content, total anthocyanin content, and ABTS antioxidant activity was investigated. A Box-Behnken design and response surface methodology were used to optimize the extraction process. Optimal conditions were obtained at temperature, extraction time, and ethanol concentration of 60 °C, 34 min, and 54 vol%, respectively. These optimum conditions gave 333.01 ± 5.84 mg gallic acid/g, 318.28 ± 5.56 mg cyanidin-3-O-glucoside/g, and 3.05 ± 0.04 mmol Trolox/mg for total phenolic content, total anthocyanins content, and ABTS activity, respectively with extraction yield of 28.68 ± 1.48 wt%. Important active compounds found in the extract were geraniin, ellagic acid, shikimic acid and corilagin. Crude extract concentrations of 50–500 mg/kg retarded linoleic acid oxidation but efficacy was lower than synthetic antioxidants at 200 mg/kg. The current findings indicated that accelerated aqueous ethanol extraction was an effective method for the recovery of a crude extract rich in polyphenols from rambutan peel with the potential to be used as a natural antioxidant.
Optimal spatial allocation of enzymes as an investment problem
Authors: Giunta Giovanni , Tostevin Filipe , Tănase-Nicola Sorin , Gerland Ulrich
Published: December 2022

Cells face various allocation problems demanding decisions on how to distribute their finite resources. They decide which enzymes to produce at what quantity, but also where to position them. Here we focus on the spatial allocation problem of arranging enzymes such as to maximize the total reaction flux produced by them in a system with given geometry and boundary conditions. We derive an optimal allocation principle demanding that the available enzymes are distributed such that the marginal flux returns at each occupied position are equal. This ‘homogeneous marginal returns’ (HMR) criterion corresponds to a portfolio optimization of investments that globally feed back onto all payoffs. The HMR criterion allows us to analytically understand and characterize a localization-delocalization transition in the optimal enzyme distribution. Our analysis reveals the generality of the transition, and produces a practical test for the optimality of enzyme clustering by comparing the reaction flux to the influx of substrate. Based on these results, we devise an additive construction scheme, which builds up optimal enzyme arrangements systematically rather than by trial and error. Taken together, we identify a common principle in allocation problems from biology and economics, which also serves as a design principle for synthetic biomolecular systems.
The Intersection of Biomaterials, Tissue Engineering, and Immuno-oncology
Authors: Clevenger Abigail J. , VandenHeuvel Sabrina N. , Raghavan Shreya
Published: December 2022

The tumor microenvironment encompasses complex interactions between diverse cell types including those of the immune system. Tumor–immune interactions occur in all phases of cancer, where the immune system can either eliminate or reach an equilibrium with cancer. These processes eventually lead to overt malignant growth because of active tumor-based immune suppression. The design of efficient immunotherapies depends on deepening our understanding of these complex immune mechanisms. Not only do advanced biomaterials and tissue engineering strategies re-engineer tumor immune microenvironments, they also provide valuable test-beds to refine the development of novel therapeutics. This chapter highlights nuances and challenges posed when engineering the tumor immune microenvironment, and the goals of various types of immunotherapy. In this context, the chapter examines advances in 3D biomaterials and tissue engineering strategies used to expand our understanding of tumor–immune interactions, and how engineered platforms are being applied toward immunotherapy development.
Identification of a novel cytochrome P450 17A1 enzyme and its molecular engineering
Authors: Chen Kexin , Liu Chao , Zhang Xian , Xu Zhenghong , Shao Minglong , Yang Taowei , Rao Zhiming
Published: December 2022

Progesterone-17α-hydroxylase (CYP17A) could transform progesterone to 17α-hydroxyprogesterone (17-HP).
Efficient furan-bridged dibenzofulvene-triphenylamine hole transporting materials for perovskite solar cells
Authors: Wu Nan , Zhang Xianfu , Liu Xuepeng , Wang Ying , Han Mingyuan , Ghadari Rahim , Wu Yahan , Ding Yong , Cai Molang , Dai Songyuan
Published: December 2022

The perovskite solar cells employing cost-effective FF-OMeTPA exhibit a PCE of 21.82%, which is higher than the PCE of solar cells employing conventional spiro-OMeTAD.
Introduction to molecular assembly of organic electronics
Authors: DeLongchamp Dean M. , Diao Ying
Published: December 2022

Dean M. DeLongchamp and Ying Diao introduce the Molecular Systems Design & Engineering themed issue on molecular assembly of organic electronics.
Calcium/strontium chloride impregnated zeolite A and X granules as optimized ammonia sorbents
Authors: Cao Zhejian , Cai Xiaoping , Feltrin Ana Carolina , Feng Peizhong , Kaiser Andreas , Akhtar Farid
Published: December 2022

Zeolite–alkaline earth metal halide composites demonstrate a combination of physisorption and chemisorption as an ammonia sorbent, with a stable structure in the form of granules.
A holistic comparison of flavor signature and chemical profile in different harvesting periods of Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat. based on metabolomics combined with bioinformatics and molecular docking strategy
Authors: Yang Mengxin , Tian Xi , Zhang Miaoting , Wei Jinhuan , Niu Yukun , Hou Jiali , Jin Yiran , Du Yingfeng
Published: December 2022

This paper analyzed the differences between the two harvesting periods (Taiju and Duoju) on the ingredients and pharmacological activity in Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat.
Pharmacological and phytochemical biodiversity of Corchorus olitorius
Authors: Abdel-Razek Marwa A. M. , Abdelwahab Miada F. , Abdelmohsen Usama Ramadan , Hamed Ashraf N. E.
Published: December 2022

Corchorus olitorius L. is a nutritious green leafy vegetable that is eaten as a viscous soup in African and Middle Eastern cultures.
Halohydrin dehalogenase-catalysed synthesis of enantiopure fluorinated building blocks: bottlenecks found and explained by applying a reaction engineering approach
Authors: Milčić Nevena , Sudar Martina , Dokli Irena , Majerić Elenkov Maja , Findrik Blažević Zvjezdana
Published: December 2022

Biocatalytic modification of fluorinated styrene oxide derivatives: improvement of reaction outcome in terms of reaction yield, selectivity and product optical purity by employing reaction engineering approach.
Multiscale modelling potentialities for solid oxide fuel cell performance and degradation analysis
Authors: Bosio Barbara , Bianchi Fiammetta Rita
Published: December 2022

Based on a multiscale approach, the in-home built Fortran code SIMFC allows for high-temperature fuel cell simulation from material intrinsic properties to system overall operation.
Phase junction crystalline carbon nitride nanosheets modified with CdS nanoparticles for photocatalytic CO2reduction
Authors: Chen Gongjie , Wei Fen , Zhou Ziruo , Su Bo , Yang Can , Lu Xue Feng , Wang Sibo , Wang Xinchen
Published: December 2022

PTI–melon molecular junctions anchored with CdS nanoparticles enable efficient CO2photoreduction, affording a high AQE of 10.8% at 420 nm.
Lignin-derived electrode materials for supercapacitor applications: progress and perspectives
Authors: Tong Yao , Yang Junyu , Li Jiajun , Cong Ziyang , Wei Li , Liu Miaomiao , Zhai Shangru , Wang Kai , An Qingda
Published: December 2022

Lignin is one of the most abundant natural polymers and is affordable, has high carbon content and abundant active functional groups. It has been utilized as electrode materials in electrical double-layer supercapacitors and pseudo-supercapacitors.
Report on the 25th meeting of the ECCR 30th Sep-2nd October 2022
Authors: Fernández-Alfonso Marisol
Published: December 2022

The 25th meeting of the European Council for Cardiovascular Research (ECCR) was onsite in Villa Fiorita, Treviso Italy. More than 70 participants, including trainees, early career researchers and established investigators from several European countries (Austria, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Lebanon, The Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, UK) and the USA met face-to-face to enjoy three days of outstanding research presentations. The meeting covered several topics of cardiovascular research: from vascular, cardiac, and metabolic aspects to Covid-19, and from basic to clinical research.
Islam nusantara: tracing the traces of KH sholeh darat thought in pesantren literature
Authors: Abdullah Muhammad
Published: December 2022

KH. Shaleh Darat is a cleric figure who has a big share in the spread of Islam on the North Coast of Java, especially in Semarang and its surroundings. His father, KH Umar, was a prominent scholar whom Prince Diponegoro trusted in the Javanese war against the Dutch in the north coast of Java. After receiving religious knowledge from his father, little Pious began to wander, studying from one scholar to another. KH Syahid Waturaja was recorded (studying fiqh books, such as Fath al-Qarib, Fath Al Mu'in, Minhaj al-Qawim, and Syarb al-Khatib. Kartini was amazed by Al-Fatihah's interpretation in Javanese so that Kartini understood. R.A. Kartini urged her uncle to meet KH Sholeh Darat. After meeting, to the kiai, Kartini asked that the Al Quran be translated. At the call of the da'wah and Kartini's request, KH Sholeh Darat translated it using Arabic Pegon. The book is recorded as the world's first translation of the Quran in Javanese. The first book of interpretation in Javanese Arabic Pegon is named Faidhur Rohman. Faithur Rahman's tafsir book is a Javanese interpretation, written the world's first pegon. Together with the manuscript Syarah Al Hikam KH Sholeh Darat Al Faithur Rahman kept by the takmir of the Sholeh Darat Mosque, Dadapsari, Semarang. What is interesting about Faithur Rahman is his translation in the letter Al Fatihah which explains how the belief system and tarekat (the straight path) in Islam. In conclusion, Islam Nusantara is an Islamic worldview and Islamic performance that is have balancing about aqidah and syariah, and haqiqat then tarekat. Actually, the ease of learning Islam is what gives a wind of harmony in religion and moderation in the attitude.
AOP
Authors: Duchmann Rainer
Published: December 2022

Im Wald des deutschen Abkürzungsfimmels (Aküfi) könnte AOP
vielleicht „Alles in Ordnung/Prima“ heißen.
Zumindest im medizinischen Kontext ist mit AOP jedoch das „Ambulante
Operieren“ nach § 115b Abs. 1a SGB V gemeint. Und damit der Katalog
ambulanter Leistungen (darunter endoskopische Leistungen) und der damit verbundenen
Rahmenbedingungen. Hiermit scheint derzeit jedoch nicht „Alles in
Ordnung/Prima“ zu sein, sondern viel Handlungsbedarf zu bestehen,
mit wichtigen Zeitmarken bereits zum 1.1.2023 und zum 1.1.2024.
Willkommen in Deutschland
Authors: Herlach Stephanie , Hundt Nicole
Published: December 2022

Die internationale Anwerbung von Pflegekräften gewinnt zunehmend an
Bedeutung, um dem hiesigen Pflegekräftemangel entgegenzuwirken. Dabei
ist nicht nur fundiertes Hintergrundwissen über den Ablauf des
Anerkennungsverfahrens, sondern auch die personelle und organisatorische
Betreuung bedeutend.
Prähospitale Analgesie mit Opioiden durch nichtärztliches Personal
Authors: Beres Yannick
Published: December 2022

Im Artikel wird auf die intranasale Gabe von Fentanyl in einem alpinmedizinischen Setting eingegangen. Die Vorteile der intranasalen Gabe, die leichte Anwendbarkeit und die empfohlene Dosierung werden dabei hervorgehoben.
Endoskopisches Komplikationsmanagment nach bariatrischen Operationen mit dem Fokus auf die aktuellen endoskopischen Therapien
Authors: Belle Sebastian , Kouladouros Konstantinos , Kähler Georg
Published: December 2022

Komplikationen nach bariatrischer Chirurgie sind selten. Die meisten Komplikationen lassen sich endoskopisch oder mithilfe der Endoskopie therapieren. Das Seltene stellt jedoch im
klinischen Alltag eine Herausforderung dar. Damit die Komplikationen bestmöglich versorgt werden und der Schaden für den einzelnen Patienten möglichst gering ist, bedarf es eines
Komplikationsmanagements. Der Artikel gibt eine Übersicht über wesentliche Komplikationen und gängige endoskopische Therapieoptionen, mit dem Fokus auf aktuelle publizierte
Therapiestrategien der letzten 5 Jahre. Der Artikel soll als Basis dienen für die Etablierung eines eigenen Komplikationsmanagements in den jeweiligen Kliniken.
A Novel Use of Bar Code Medication Administration Data to Assess Nurse Staffing and Workload
Authors: Knox Melissa K. , Mehta Paras D. , Dorsey Lynette E. , Yang Christine , Petersen Laura A.
Published: December 2022

Objective The aim of the study is to introduce an innovative use of bar code medication administration (BCMA) data, medication pass analysis, that allows for the examination of nurse staffing and workload using data generated during regular nursing workflow.

Methods Using 1 year (October 1, 2014–September 30, 2015) of BCMA data for 11 acute care units in one Veterans Affairs Medical Center, we determined the peak time for scheduled medications and included medications scheduled for and administered within 2 hours of that time in analyses. We established for each staff member their daily peak-time medication pass characteristics (number of patients, number of peak-time scheduled medications, duration, start time), generated unit-level descriptive statistics, examined staffing trends, and estimated linear mixed-effects models of duration and start time.

Results As the most frequent (39.7%) scheduled medication time, 9:00 was the peak-time medication pass; 98.3% of patients (87.3% of patient-days) had a 9:00 medication. Use of nursing roles and number of patients per staff varied across units and over time. Number of patients, number of medications, and unit-level factors explained significant variability in registered nurse (RN) medication pass duration (conditional R2
 = 0.237; marginal R2
 = 0.199; intraclass correlation = 0.05). On average, an RN and a licensed practical nurse (LPN) with four patients, each with six medications, would be expected to take 70 and 74 minutes, respectively, to complete the medication pass. On a unit with median 10 patients per LPN, the median duration (127 minutes) represents untimely medication administration on more than half of staff days. With each additional patient assigned to a nurse, average start time was earlier by 4.2 minutes for RNs and 1.4 minutes for LPNs.

Conclusion Medication pass analysis of BCMA data can provide health systems a means for assessing variations in staffing, workload, and nursing practice using data generated during routine patient care activities.
Understanding the spectrum during the tearing mode locking by rotating RMP in J-TEXT
Authors: Li Da , Li Mao , Ding Yonghua , Wang Nengchao , Rao Bo , He Ying , Mao Feiyue , Shen Chengshuo , Jia Ruo , Zhou Song , Ren Zhengkang , Zhao Chuanxu , Bala Abba Alhaji , Chen Zhipeng , Chen Zhongyong , Yang Zhoujun , Yi Lin , Yu Kexun ,   J-TEXT Team
Published: December 2022

The rotating resonant magnetic perturbation (RMP) could lock the tearing mode (TM) and prevent disruption. It is found that the TM instantaneous frequency oscillates during TM locking on the RMP. In this work, the TM frequency oscillation was derived analytically based on the toroidal torque balance, which was verified experimentally. It is found that two peaks with higher frequency (2fTM0-fRMP) and lower frequency (fRMP) occurred in the spectrum when the window width of FFT was shorter than the TM frequency oscillating period. Those two peaks were explained analytically based on the description of TM instantaneous frequency. The independence of the temporal information and the spatial information of the TM was explained analytically and verified by the spatial structure analysis of each peaks. This work is important for mode structure identification and provides a scheme for mode coupling control.
Direct numerical simulation of compressible turbulence accelerated by graphics processing unit: An open-access database of high-resolution direct numerical simulation
Authors: Dang Guanlin , Liu Shiwei , Guo Tongbiao , Duan Junyi , Li Xinliang
Published: December 2022

In the author’s previous work, we introduced an open-source accelerated computational fluid dynamics code for scientific computations using a graphics processing unit system (OpenCFD-SCU). This code offers significantly improved computation speed and can be applied to challenging direct numerical simulation (DNS) problems. This paper presents several high-resolution cases using OpenCFD-SCU: (1) a 24° compression ramp at Mach 2.9, where the length of the ramp is 200 mm and the mesh number is 7.68 × 109; (2) a 34° compression ramp at Mach 6 with a mesh number of 9.3 × 109; (3) a cold-wall flat plate at Mach 10 with a friction Reynolds number of 1550 and mesh number of 4.5 × 109; (4) a blunt cone with a 1 mm head radius and 0° attack angle at Mach 10, where the mesh number is 24 × 109; and (5) a lifting-body model at Mach 6 with a mesh number of 11.1 × 109. Compared with DNS studies of compressible wall-bound turbulent flow under similar conditions, these cases have larger computational domains, finer resolutions, or higher Reynolds numbers, demonstrating the simulation capability of OpenCFD-SCU and broadening the scope of DNS applications. We have conducted preliminary analyses of these cases and have established an open-access database to store these data. The source code of OpenCFD-SCU can be accessed at http://developer.hpccube.com/codes/danggl/opencfd-scu.git; this website also contains detailed database descriptions and data acquisition methods.
Prior brain endurance training improves endurance exercise performance
Authors: Dallaway Neil , Lucas Sam , Marks Joseph , Ring Christopher
Published: December 2022

Mental fatigue (MF) impairs endurance exercise performance. Brain endurance training (BET) describes the systematic repetition of mentally‐fatiguing cognitive tasks designed to build resilience to MF and improve endurance performance. Evidence to date shows that mental training during physical training can benefit post‐training exercise performance, however, this concurrent BET approach may not be practical for all settings. Therefore, the current study evaluated the effects of mental training before physical training (prior BET) on exercise performance. A randomised control trial design: pre‐test, training (BET, control), post‐test. During the pre‐test and post‐test sessions, participants performed a 5‐min rhythmic handgrip task requiring the generation of as much force as possible, a 20‐min 2‐back working memory task, and another 5‐min rhythmic handgrip task. Participants were randomly assigned to a BET (n = 12) or control group (n = 12). Both groups completed the same submaximal rhythmic handgrip training for five weeks (four sessions per week). The BET group also completed 20‐min cognitive training (2‐back working memory task, incongruent colour‐word Stroop task) before each submaximal exercise training session. Endurance performance improved more (p < 0.05) following BET (24%) than physical training alone (12%). Compared to the control group, the BET group showed higher prefrontal oxygenation during the post‐test exercise tasks (p < 0.05). Both groups were characterised by the same exertion, motivation, heart rate, and heart rate variability. Mental training before physical training improves endurance performance greater than physical training alone. The benefits of prior BET may be explained, at least in part, by improved prefrontal oxygenation.
Superscattering of underwater sound via deep learning approach
Authors: Miao Wenjie , Linghu Zhiang , Du Qiujiao , Peng Pai , Liu Fengming
Published: December 2022

We design a multilayer cylindrical structure to realize superscattering of underwater sound. Because of the near degeneracy of resonances in multiple channels of the structure, the scattering contributions from these resonances can overlap to break the single-channel limit of subwavelength objects. However, tuning the design parameters to achieve the target response is an optimization process which is tedious and time-consuming. Here, we demonstrate that a well-trained tandem neural network can deal with this problem efficiently, which can not only forwardly predict the scattering spectra of the multilayer structure with high precision, but also inversely design the required structural parameters efficiently.
Evaluation of data-driven respiratory gating for subcentimeter lesions using digital PET/CT system and three-axis motion phantom
Authors: Fukai Shohei , Daisaki Hiromitsu , Shimada Naoki , Ishiyama Mitsutomi , Umeda Takuro , Yamashita Kosuke , Miyaji Noriaki , Takiguchi Tomohiro , Kawakami Hideyuki , Terauchi Takashi
Published: December 2022

Introduction. The application of data-driven respiratory gating (DDG) for subcentimeter lesions with respiratory movement remains poorly understood. Hence, this study aimed to clarify DDG application for subcentimeter lesions and the ability of digital Positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) system combined with DDG to detect these lesions under three-axis respiration. Methods. Discovery MI PET/CT system and National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) body phantom with Micro Hollow Sphere (4, 5, 6, 8, 10, and 13 mm) were used. The NEMA phantom was filled with 18F-FDG solutions of 42.4 and 5.3 kBq/ml for each hot sphere and background region. The 3.6 s cycles of three-axis respiratory motion were reproduced using the motion platform UniTraQ. The PET data acquisition was performed in stationary and respiratory-moving states. The data were reconstructed in three PET groups: stationary (NM-PET), no gating with respiratory movement (NG-PET), and DDG gating with respiratory movement (DDG-PET) groups. For image quality, percent contrast (QH); maximum, peak, and mean standardized uptake value (SUV); background region; and detectability index (DI) were evaluated in each PET group. Visual assessment was also conducted. Results. The groups with respiratory movement had deteriorated QH and SUVs compared with NM-PET. Compared with NG-PET, DDG-PET has significantly improved QH and SUVs in spheres above 6 mm. The background region showed no significant difference between groups. The SUVmax, SUVpeak, and QH values of 8 mm sphere were highest in NM-PET, followed by DDG-PET and NG-PET. In visual assessment, the spheres above 6 mm were detected in all PET groups. DDG application did not detect new lesions, but it increased DI and visual score. Conclusions. The application of principal component analysis (PCA)-based DDG algorithm improves both image quality and quantitative SUVs in subcentimeter lesions measuring above 6 mm. Although DDG application cannot detect new subcentimeter lesions, it increases the visual indices.
High-dimensional SO(4)-symmetric Rydberg manifolds for quantum simulation
Authors: Kruckenhauser Andreas , van Bijnen Rick , Zache Torsten V , Di Liberto Marco , Zoller Peter
Published: December 2022

We develop a toolbox for manipulating arrays of Rydberg atoms prepared in high-dimensional hydrogen-like manifolds in the regime of linear Stark and Zeeman effect. We exploit the SO(4) symmetry to characterize the action of static electric and magnetic fields as well as microwave and optical fields on the well-structured manifolds of states with principal quantum number n. This enables us to construct generalized large-spin Heisenberg models for which we develop state-preparation and readout schemes. Due to the available large internal Hilbert space, these models provide a natural framework for the quantum simulation of quantum field theories, which we illustrate for the case of the sine-Gordon and massive Schwinger models. Moreover, these high-dimensional manifolds also offer the opportunity to perform quantum information processing operations for qudit-based quantum computing, which we exemplify with an entangling gate and a state-transfer protocol for the states in the neighborhood of the circular Rydberg level.
The effect of post-metal annealing on DC and RF performance of AlGaN/GaN HEMT
Authors: Cankaya Akoglu Busra , Yilmaz Dogan , Salkim Gurur , Ozbay Ekmel
Published: December 2022

The effects of gate post-metal annealing (PMA) on the DC and RF characteristics of AlGaN/GaN high-electron-mobility transistors (HEMTs) were investigated. The unannealed and post gate-metal annealed AlGaN/GaN HEMTs were fully fabricated using NANOTAM’s 0.5 μm gate length technology. PMA was performed at 450 °C for 10 min in nitrogen ambient for one of the wafers. The main focus was the effect of PMA on the electrical performance of HEMTs, including gate resistivity, transconductance, small-signal gain, output power (Pout), and threshold voltage (Vth) shift. It is achieved that HEMT with PMA has a gain of 18.5 dB, while HEMT without PMA shows a small-signal gain of 21.8 dB, as the PMA process increases the gate resistance (Rg) and decreases the transconductance (gm). The large-signal performance of the sample with PMA is better than the one without PMA, having an increase of 1.4 W/mm in Po
ut from 20.9 W to 24.4 W. The transistor with PMA also demonstrates a reliable gate performance and stable Vth, and the wafer exhibits better uniformity.
Fungi as parasites of plants
Authors: Money Nicholas P.
Published: December 2022

Parasitic fungi that grow on plants have reshaped the biosphere and caused the deaths of millions of people since the beginning of agriculture. Dutch elm disease and chestnut blight are examples of fungal pandemics that resulted in widespread ecological changes in the 20th century. Crop failures caused by fungi have caused starvation, economic collapse, social conflict, warfare, and mass emigration. As the human population swells, scientists are engaged in a global effort to understand and combat fungal diseases of cereals and other vital crops. ‘Fungi as parasites of plants’ considers different types of parasitic fungi, including rusts and smuts, and their control with fungicides.
Application of the Plan-Do-Study-Act method to optimize the ordering and administration of dexmedetomidine for sleep hygiene in the intensive care unit
Authors: Jamil Rita , Goins Taylor , Partlow Karen , Barger Kendall , Mihalek Andrew D
Published: December 2022

Purpose

To describe the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) methodology utilized by a multidisciplinary team to address the discordance between ordering and administration of dexmedetomidine for sleep hygiene in the intensive care unit (ICU).

The addition of sleep hygiene as an indication for the use of dexmedetomidine at University of Virginia (UVA) Health led to discordance between the medication orders in the electronic medical record and the subsequent administration of dexmedetomidine. A multidisciplinary team implemented interventions that included modifying the order panel, streamlining the institutional formulary, developing institutional practice guidelines, and providing education to healthcare team members. After completion of the first PDSA cycle, the mean number of discordant order elements decreased to 1.96 out of 5 possible order elements from an initial 2.5 out of 5 elements before the interventions, meeting the aim to reduce the mean to less than 2. There was a significant decrease in the discordance in the duration of infusion (discordant for 14 of 30 orders before the interventions vs 1 of 28 orders after the interventions, P = 0.0002) but a significant increase in the discordance in the titration dose (discordant for 13 of 30 orders before the interventions vs 24 of 28 orders after the interventions, P < 0.0001). Other discordant order elements including the starting dose, maximum rate, and titration interval time decreased in frequency after the interventions, although the differences were not statistically significant. The interventions made during the first PDSA cycle are anticipated to lead to an estimated cost savings of up to $180,000 per year within the UVA Health system.

Conclusion

The multidisciplinary team utilizing a PDSA method to modify the order panel, streamline the institutional formulary, develop institutional practice guidelines, and provide education to healthcare team members was effective at reducing overall discordance between order intent and administration of dexmedetomidine for sleep hygiene in the ICU.
Giant coronary artery aneurysm of the left main treated with a covered stent: a case report
Authors: Holvoet Wouter , van den Buijs Deborah , Bogaerts Eline , Willems Endry , Ameloot Koen , Dens Jo
Published: December 2022

Background

Coronary artery aneurysms (CAAs) of the left main represent a small subset of coronary artery disease and are associated with cardiovascular death. Because of its rare entity, large data are lacking and therefore treatment guidelines are missing.

Case summary

We describe a case of a 56-year-old female with a past medical history of spontaneous dissection of the distal descending left artery (LAD) 6 years before. She presented to our hospital with a non-ST elevation myocardial infarction and a coronary angiogram showed a giant saccular aneurysm of the shaft of the left main coronary artery (LMCA). Given the risk of rupture and distal embolization, the heart team decided to go for a percutaneous approach. Based on a pre-interventional 3D reconstructed CT scan and guided by intravascular ultrasound, the aneurysm was successfully excluded with a 5 mm papyrus-covered stent. At 3-month and 1-year follow-up, the patient is still asymptomatic and repeat angiographies showed full exclusion of the aneurysm and the absence of restenosis in the covered stent.

Discussion

We describe the successful percutaneous IVUS-guided treatment of a giant LMCA shaft coronary aneurysm with a papyrus-covered stent with an excellent 1-year angiographic follow-up showing no residual filling of the aneurysm and no stent restenosis.
International Law and the Regulation of Autonomous Military Capabilities
Authors: George Jain Abhimanyu
Published: December 2022

There is a dissonance between principled consensus and operational dissensus in the emerging regulatory framework for autonomous military capabilities (AMCs). This framework is based on the application of international humanitarian law (IHL) and the maintenance of human control and responsibility, but it remains unclear whether and how IHL might apply to AMCs and how human control and responsibility can be maintained. The emergence of a regulatory framework in the face of this dissonance raises questions about how alternative regulatory possibilities have been excluded and how the possibility of regulation has been assumed. This article explores the mechanics of this exclusion and assumption. It sheds light on the conditions of possibilities and trajectories of development of the regulatory regime for AMCs, and also provides insights into international regulatory frameworks more broadly, especially in relation to new technologies. Using the example of the everywhere-forever war on terror, this article points to the role of a failure of politics and a consequently amorphous and expanding ideal of security in excluding the possibility of prohibition or restrictive regulation of the military promise of AMCs. The article then turns to four discursive strategies that sustain the assumption that AMCs are amenable to regulation. Through conflation, different types of AMCs are subsumed within an imaginary that is more easily accommodated within the regulatory consensus. Deferral creates a façade of consensus while shifting contentious issues to the national sphere. Normalization operates to de-emphasize the novelty of AMCs, while valorization pulls in the opposite direction by exaggerating the virtues of AMCs.
Rethinking Veridicality: Motor Response, Empirical Evidence, and Dance Appreciation
Authors: Heckman Ian
Published: December 2022

Recent debates in the philosophy of dance have focused on the relationship between motor response and dance appreciation. Some philosophers argue that motor responses to dances are an important part of dance appreciation. Proponents of such a claim are often backed with support from cognitive science. But it has not remained uncontroversial. Despite its controversy, the concept of motor response remains under-analyzed. As a result, assumptions about the idea and purpose of motor response get borrowed from cognitive science. I argue that one such assumption, that motor response is supposed to be veridical, runs us into several problems. It runs us into something of a paradox, where it is claimed that motor responses happen as part of our general perception of movement. However, few people experience such responses. Furthermore, it seems that the motor responses that are appropriate for a dance might not be the ones the dancer is feeling. As a result, we should prefer an account of motor response that emphasizes its flexibility and its ability to change and adapt to the movement we see.
Firms’ innovation and university cooperation. New evidence from a survey of Italian firms
Authors: Bragoli Daniela , Cortelezzi Flavia , Rigon Massimiliano
Published: December 2022

In this article, we investigate whether the cooperation with universities may stimulate the innovative performance of Italian firms. We use a dataset merging information from two different surveys carried out by the Bank of Italy between 2007 and 2010. We derive our results using a two-stage procedure with the aim of ruling out spurious correlations due to the existence of omitted variables. Results show that the cooperation with universities does not affect the likelihood of firms introducing technological innovations. However, when we distinguish between pure technological innovation outcomes (only new products and/or productive processes) and joint innovation outcomes, which involve both organizational and technological changes, we find that only the latter is positively stimulated by the cooperation with universities. These findings are promising since, according to the innovation management literature, joint innovation activities are more successful in transferring new ideas and new business opportunities into market success.
Do children increase the likelihood of homeownership? Evidence from a sample with twins
Authors: Kim Seolah , Ryu Hanbyul
Published: December 2022

Homeownership status has a broad range of positive outcomes that accrue to both individuals and society. Although the determinants of homeownership have been studied in the past, there was little attention to the effect of family size. Using a twin birth as an exogenous change in the number of children, we examine the effect of increasing family size on the likelihood of owning a house. We found that having an additional child after the first birth increases the likelihood of homeownership approximately by 4.3%, but the impact faded out in subsequent births. In addition, family size is more likely to increase homeownership for less educated households and those who had first births at older ages.
The inferior frontal gyrus and familial risk for bipolar disorder
Authors: Qin Kun , Sweeney John A , DelBello Melissa P
Published: December 2022

Bipolar disorder (BD) is a familial disorder with high heritability. Genetic factors have been linked to the pathogenesis of BD. Relatives of probands with BD who are at familial risk can exhibit brain abnormalities prior to illness onset. Given its involvement in prefrontal cognitive control and in frontolimbic circuitry that regulates emotional reactivity, the inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) has been a focus of research in studies of BD-related pathology and BD-risk mechanism. In this review, we discuss multimodal neuroimaging findings of the IFG based on studies comparing at-risk relatives and low-risk controls. Review of these studies in at-risk cases suggests the presence of both risk and resilience markers related to the IFG. At-risk individuals exhibited larger gray matter volume and increased functional activities in IFG compared with low-risk controls, which might result from an adaptive brain compensation to support emotion regulation as an aspect of psychological resilience. Functional connectivity between IFG and downstream limbic or striatal areas was typically decreased in at-risk individuals relative to controls, which could contribute to risk-related problems of cognitive and emotional control. Large-scale and longitudinal investigations on at-risk individuals will further elucidate the role of IFG and other brain regions in relation to familial risk for BD, and together guide identification of at-risk individuals for primary prevention.
The contraction of the definition of beneficiary in Jersey—is it real or imagined?
Authors: Hooper Katie , Lewis Paul
Published: December 2022

Two recent decisions of the Royal Court of Jersey have focused attention on the nature of a beneficiary’s interest under a discretionary trust in Jersey. In Kea Investments Limited v Watson,1 the Court considered whether the interests of a discretionary beneficiary could be distrained upon pursuant to Article 10(11) of the Trusts (Jersey) Law 1984. In Patel & Ors v JTC Trust Company Limited,2 the Master of the Royal Court considered the separate question of whether the Royal Court had the power to impound the interest of a discretionary beneficiary pursuant to Article 46 of the Trusts (Jersey) Law 1984. These decisions provoke thought as to how we must now consider the nature of a discretionary beneficiary’s interest under a Jersey trust. While being separate and distinct decisions, they arguably share a common thread as they demonstrate the Royal Court indirectly adopting a contextual and/or purposive approach when construing the definition of a ‘beneficiary’ in the Trusts (Jersey) Law 1984, in order to meet the justice of the case.
Combinations of bacterial cultures, exogenous enzymes, and yeast-based feed additives and their impact on ruminal microbiome
Authors: Arce-Cordero J A , Bennett S L , Liu T , Ravelo A , Lobo R R , Jeong K C , Faciola A P
Published: December 2022

Our objective was to evaluate the effects of bacteria (Lactobacillus animalis, Propionibacterium freudenreichii, Bacillus lichenformis, Bacillus subtilis, and Enterococcus faecium), enzymes (amylase, hemicellulose, and xylanase), and yeast as additives on the ruminal microbiome. We hypothesized that inclusion of bacteria, enzymes, and yeast would impact butyric bacterial populations. Eight fermenters were arranged in a duplicated 4 × 4 Latin square with the following treatments: 1) control without additives (CTRL); 2) bacterial culture and enzyme blend (EB); 3) bacterial culture and enzyme blend with a live yeast and yeast culture blend (EBY); and 4) double dose of bacterial culture and enzyme blend and the yeast products blend (2X). We conducted four fermentation periods of 10 d each, with the last 3 d for collection of samples. Overall, 64 solid and liquid samples were analyzed by amplification of the V4 region of bacterial 16S rRNA. Data were analyzed with R and SAS. The following orthogonal contrasts were used: 1) ADD—the control compared to all treatments with additives (CTRL vs. EB, EBY, and 2X); 2) YEAST—treatment without yeast compared to those with yeast (EB vs. EBY and 2X); and 3) DOSE—the single dose of enzymes, bacteria, and yeast compared to the doubled dose (EBY vs. 2X). Family Prevotellaceae was more abundant when additives were added (ADD). Additives (ADD) also increased relative abundance of Prevotellaceae Ga6A1 and YAB2003 in solid fraction, and of Prevotellaceae Ga6A1 and two members of Lachnospiracea family in liquid fraction. Yeast (YEAST) decreased relative abundance of Succinivibrionaceae UCG-001 and increased abundance of Ruminococcus and Prevotellaceae UCG-003 in solid fraction. Doubling the dose of enzymes and microbial additives (DOSE) decreased the abundance of Succiniclasticum in solid fraction and Selenomonadaceae in the liquid. Molar proportion of butyrate was highly correlated with abundance of Prevotellaceae Ga6A1 in solid (r = 0.68) and liquid fraction (r = 0.79), and with Unclassified Lachnospiraceae in liquid (r = 0.70). Our results demonstrate that YEAST decreases abundance of succinate synthesizing bacteria, while DOSE decreases abundance of bacteria that metabolize succinate into propionate. Combined bacteria, enzymes, and yeast increase the relative abundance of specific genera primarily within the Prevotellaceae family, which may explain the increase in butyrate molar proportion observed with ADD.
Comparison and Correlation of Corynespora cassiicola Populations from Kiwifruit and Other Hosts Based on Morphology, Phylogeny, and Pathogenicity
Authors: Xu Jing , Gong Guoshu , Cui Yongliang , Zhu Yuhang , Wang Jun , Yao Kaikai , Chen Wen , Wu Cuiping , Yang Rui , Yang Xiaodan , Li Pan , Zhao Henan , Zhong Sen , Luo Yi , Li Yue , Liao Wenfei
Published: December 2022

Corynespora leaf spot, which is caused by Corynespora cassiicola (Berk. & M. A. Curtis) C.T. Wei (C. cassiicola), has been globally reported in many plant species. ‘Hongyang’ was reported as highly sensitive kiwifruit cultivar to C. cassiicola. This cultivar is an important germplasm resource in the Actinidiaceae family and is widely cultivated throughout China. Even though C. cassiicola has been identified as the pathogen associated with kiwifruits in China, the C. cassiicola population from kiwifruit has not been characterized based on morphology, phylogeny, and pathogenicity. In this study, 133 and 48 representative C. cassiicola isolates from kiwifruit and 11 other hosts, respectively, recovered from symptomatic leaves were classified into eight morphological subgroups based on host origins. Using three loci (rDNA ITS, caa5, and act1), a phylogenetic tree showed that C. cassiicola isolates in Sichuan Province were grouped into three clades. All kiwifruit isolates were genetically identical to the rubber isolates from different countries. However, most isolates from other hosts in this study were genetically identical to the cucumber, soybean, and cowpea isolates in China, Brazil, and the United States, and two strawberry isolates clustered with isolates from tomato and other hosts in China, Brazil, and the United States. Furthermore, we confirmed host shift of C. cassiicola among different plant species in this study. Although 51 isolates from kiwifruit and different hosts were pathogenic to kiwifruit, blueberry, cucumber, and soybean, virulence levels of the pathogen were diverse for four hosts. Kiwifruit isolates exhibited host specificity with regards to the original host in degree. In addition, those isolates revealed a correlation between morphology and pathogenicity. The results suggest that C. cassiicola in Sichuan Province were derived from three different phylogenetic lineages. Promotion of the susceptible ‘Hongyang’ cultivar led to the emergence of a regnant C. cassiicola population from kiwifruit. In conclusion, rapid development of the C. cassiicola-sensitive crop in agricultural systems led to the emergence of a regnant C. cassiicola population. In some dominant populations (e.g., the C. cassiicola population from kiwifruit in this study), host origin was found to be a key factor influencing the morphologic, genetic, and pathogenic characterization of C. cassiicola.
Genome Sequence Resources for Verticillium dahliae-Inhibiting Streptomyces spp. Isolated from Agricultural Soil
Authors: LeBlanc Nicholas R. , Salgado-Salazar Catalina
Published: December 2022

Gram-positive Streptomyces bacteria are common in soil, where they can inhibit soilborne plant pathogens by producing antimicrobial secondary metabolites. This study generated genome assemblies of Streptomyces isolates from soil that inhibit the soilborne plant pathogen Verticillium dahliae. Five bacterial isolates were cultured from soil collected from the Salinas Valley region of California. In vitro tests showed that three bacterial isolates inhibited V. dahliae growth when applied at low and high spore concentrations, whereas two isolates only inhibited V. dahliae when applied at high spore concentrations. Generation of hybrid Illumina-Nanopore assemblies showed that isolate genomes ranged from 7.45 to 8.95 Mbs. The contig number per assembly ranged from 1 to 54. All assemblies had 100% completeness values based on a standard set of conserved orthologs found in all bacteria. The number of predicted genes ranged from 6,594 to 8,098. Over 25 putative secondary metabolite biosynthetic clusters were identified in each assembly. Calculation of digital DNA:DNA hybridization and average nucleotide identity values using additional genome assemblies from type specimens of Streptomyces showed that the five isolates are likely novel Streptomyces spp. The results and data generated from this study will provide a basis for future research on the use of Streptomyces for managing common soilborne pathogens such as V. dahliae.

[Formula: see text] The author(s) have dedicated the work to the public domain under the Creative Commons CC0 “No Rights Reserved” license by waiving all of his or her rights to the work worldwide under copyright law, including all related and neighboring rights, to the extent allowed by law, 2023.