bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
‘The bloody fingers … bear witness’: Sign Language and the Mute Detective in Susan Hopley and The Trail of the Serpent
Authors: Cline Emily
Published: February 2024

In her examination of signing characters in works of Charles Dickens and Wilkie Collins, Jennifer Esmail highlights deaf characters’ absence in Victorian fiction. Mutism is more common, for example, in the character of Mary Elizabeth Braddon's working-class, fingerspelling Detective Peters (70, 10n24). Even so, sign language – seen as ‘primitive’ and ‘lacking [in] intellectual […] rigor’ – was rarely represented (Esmail 3). Dickens, Collins and Braddon, proto-detective novelists themselves, were preceded by Catherine Crowe, whose 1841 novel Susan Hopley features Julie le Moine, a female, cross-dressing sleuth whose mutism does not prevent her from testifying using ‘signs’ and ‘the finger alphabet’ (III.100, 125). Julie's undercover work not only crosses class, gender, and genre boundaries, but her non-verbal evidence challenges women's exclusion from ‘“masculine” systems of representation’ symbolised by legal parlance (Irigaray 85). When detective fiction pits the private eye against traditional jurisprudential structures, the courtroom becomes a space where classed and gendered hierarchies inform testimonial evidence, reinforcing exclusionary principles that disenfranchise the ‘Other’. The sign language, fingerspelling and lip-reading of Julie le Moine, Joseph Peters and Richard Marsh's Judith Lee expose ableist and sexist barriers that seek to expunge the detectives from the legal record by excluding them from public speech.
The Effect of Social Isolation Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Mental Health of Geriatric Patients in Outpatient Clinic in Illinois: An Exploratory Pilot Study
Authors: Vennam Lakshmi Praneetha , Kandra Kalyan C. , Ma Alice , Fifer Amber S. , Prakash Vivek , Harville II Cedric
Published: February 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic contributed to a severe burden on the physical and mental health of people around the globe. It contributed to fear, uncertainty, stress, isolation, and loneliness amongst the geriatric population. These feelings were often higher in people with mental health disorders. Having a prior history of psychiatric disorders can be a risk factor for increased psychological distress after going through any disaster-related traumatic experience. The present exploratory pilot study aimed to understand the adverse effects of social isolation due to the pandemic on geriatric patients’ mental health and awareness of the available resources provided by both government and private agencies, to cope with stress. The study included a questionnaire that was administered to 50 geriatric patients. Descriptive statistics were conducted using Microsoft Excel. The results showed that 56% of the participants reported that their mental health was affected due to the social isolation from the pandemic. Statistical significance (p<0.05) was observed amongst the participants who reported feeling socially isolated and lonely during the pandemic. Worsening of mood, anxiety, sleep disturbances, loss of interest, appetite changes, weight issues, and concentration difficulties were statistically significant. Statistical significance was also observed for symptom worsening compared to the pre-pandemic period and for the awareness of lack of resources. About 60% of participants reported that they were not aware of the resources to cope with stress during the pandemic. The study findings suggest that the mental health of geriatric patients was adversely affected by the social isolation from the COVID-19 pandemic. It is important to focus on the physical and mental health of vulnerable populations, such as geriatric patients, and to carefully monitor them during difficult times including pandemics and other emergency situations.
One-step stromal vascular fraction therapy in osteoarthritis with tropoelastin-enhanced autologous stromal vascular fraction gel
Authors: Yang Junjun , Wang Xin , Zeng XueBao , Wang Rong , Ma Yanming , Fu Zhenlan , Wan Zu , Wang Zhi , Yang Liu , Chen Guangxing , Gong Xiaoyuan
Published: February 2024

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a debilitating degenerative joint disease, leading to significant pain and disability. Despite advancements, current regenerative therapies, such as mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), face challenges in clinical efficacy and ethical considerations. This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic potential of stromal vascular fraction gel (SVF-gel) in comparison to available treatments like hyaluronic acid (HA) and adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) and to assess the enhancement of this potential by incorporating tropoelastin (TE).

Methods: We conducted a comparative laboratory study, establishing an indirect co-culture system using a Transwell assay to test the effects of HA, ADSCs, SVF-gel, and TE-SVF-gel on osteoarthritic articular chondrocytes (OACs). Chondrogenic and hypertrophic markers were assessed after a 72-hour co-culture. SVF-gel was harvested from rat subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue, with its mechanical properties characterized. Cell viability was specifically analyzed for SVF-gel and TE-SVF-gel. The in vivo therapeutic effectiveness was further investigated in a rat model of OA, examining MSCs tracking, effects on cartilage matrix synthesis, osteophyte formation, and muscle weight changes.

Results: Cell viability assays revealed that TE-SVF-gel maintained higher cell survival rates than SVF-gel. In comparison to the control, HA, and ADSCs groups, SVF-gel and TE-SVF-gel significantly upregulated the expression of chondrogenic markers COL 2, SOX-9, and ACAN and downregulated the hypertrophic marker COL 10 in OACs. The TE-SVF-gel showed further improved expression of chondrogenic markers and a greater decrease in COL 10 expression compared to SVF-gel alone. Notably, the TE-SVF-gel treated group in the in vivo OA model exhibited the most MSCs on the synovial surface, superior cartilage matrix synthesis, increased COL 2 expression, and better muscle weight recovery, despite the presence of fewer stem cells than other treatments.

Discussion: The findings suggest that SVF-gel, particularly when combined with TE, provides a more effective regenerative treatment for OA by enhancing the therapeutic potential of MSCs. This combination could represent an innovative strategy that overcomes limitations of current therapies, offering a new avenue for patient treatment. Further research is warranted to explore the long-term benefits and potential clinical applications of this combined approach.
Combining photodynamic therapy and cascade chemotherapy for enhanced tumor cytotoxicity: the role of CTT2P@B nanoparticles
Authors: Wang Rongyi , Li Hongsen , Han Lu , Han Boao , Bao Yiting , Fan Hongwei , Sun Chaoyue , Qian Ruijie , Ma Liying , Zhang Jiajing
Published: February 2024

The mitochondria act as the main producers of reactive oxygen species (ROS) within cells. Elevated levels of ROS can activate the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway, leading to cell apoptosis. In this study, we devised a molecular prodrug named CTT2P, demonstrating notable efficacy in facilitating mitochondrial apoptosis. To develop nanomedicine, we enveloped CTT2P within bovine serum albumin (BSA), resulting in the formulation known as CTT2P@B. The molecular prodrug CTT2P is achieved by covalently conjugating mitochondrial targeting triphenylphosphine (PPh3), photosensitizer TPPOH2, ROS-sensitive thioketal (TK), and chemotherapeutic drug camptothecin (CPT). The prodrug, which is chemically bonded, prevents the escape of drugs while they circulate throughout the body, guaranteeing the coordinated dispersion of both medications inside the organism. Additionally, the concurrent integration of targeted photodynamic therapy and cascade chemotherapy synergistically enhances the therapeutic efficacy of pharmaceutical agents. Experimental results indicated that the covalently attached prodrug significantly mitigated CPT cytotoxicity under dark conditions. In contrast, TPPOH2, CTT2, CTT2P, and CTT2P@B nanoparticles exhibited increasing tumor cell-killing effects and suppressed tumor growth when exposed to light at 660 nm with an intensity of 280 mW cm−2. Consequently, this laser-triggered, mitochondria-targeted, combined photodynamic therapy and chemotherapy nano drug delivery system, adept at efficiently promoting mitochondrial apoptosis, presents a promising and innovative approach to cancer treatment.
The intracellular growth of the vacuolar pathogen Legionella pneumophila is dependent on the acyl chain composition of host membranes
Authors: Wilkins Ashley A. , Schwarz Benjamin , Torres-Escobar Ascencion , Castore Reneau , Landry Layne , Latimer Brian , Bohrnsen Eric , Bosio Catharine M. , Dragoi Ana-Maria , Ivanov Stanimir S.
Published: February 2024

Legionella pneumophila is an accidental human bacterial pathogen that infects and replicates within alveolar macrophages causing a severe atypical pneumonia known as Legionnaires’ disease. As a prototypical vacuolar pathogen L. pneumophila establishes a unique endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-derived organelle within which bacterial replication takes place. Bacteria-derived proteins are deposited in the host cytosol and in the lumen of the pathogen-occupied vacuole via a type IVb (T4bSS) and a type II (T2SS) secretion system respectively. These secretion system effector proteins manipulate multiple host functions to facilitate intracellular survival of the bacteria. Subversion of host membrane glycerophospholipids (GPLs) by the internalized bacteria via distinct mechanisms feature prominently in trafficking and biogenesis of the Legionella-containing vacuole (LCV). Conventional GPLs composed of a glycerol backbone linked to a polar headgroup and esterified with two fatty acids constitute the bulk of membrane lipids in eukaryotic cells. The acyl chain composition of GPLs dictates phase separation of the lipid bilayer and therefore determines the physiochemical properties of biological membranes - such as membrane disorder, fluidity and permeability. In mammalian cells, fatty acids esterified in membrane GPLs are sourced endogenously from de novo synthesis or via internalization from the exogenous pool of lipids present in serum and other interstitial fluids. Here, we exploited the preferential utilization of exogenous fatty acids for GPL synthesis by macrophages to reprogram the acyl chain composition of host membranes and investigated its impact on LCV homeostasis and L. pneumophila intracellular replication. Using saturated fatty acids as well as cis- and trans- isomers of monounsaturated fatty acids we discovered that under conditions promoting lipid packing and membrane rigidification L. pneumophila intracellular replication was significantly reduced. Palmitoleic acid – a C16:1 monounsaturated fatty acid – that promotes membrane disorder when enriched in GPLs significantly increased bacterial replication within human and murine macrophages but not in axenic growth assays. Lipidome analysis of infected macrophages showed that treatment with exogenous palmitoleic acid resulted in membrane acyl chain reprogramming in a manner that promotes membrane disorder and live-cell imaging revealed that the consequences of increasing membrane disorder impinge on several LCV homeostasis parameters. Collectively, we provide experimental evidence that L. pneumophila replication within its intracellular niche is a function of the lipid bilayer disorder and hydrophobic thickness.
Pulmonary vein capture is a predictor for long-term success of stand-alone pulmonary vein isolation with cryoballoon ablation in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation
Authors: Babak Alexey , Kauffman Christine Bienvenue , Lynady Cynthia , McClellan Reginald , Venkatachalam Kalpathi , Kusumoto Fred
Published: February 2024

Background

The mechanisms of AF development and progression are still not completely understood. Despite the relative efficacy of ablation, the risk of AF recurrence is substantial, particularly in patients with persistent AF (perAF). At present we do not have any reliable intra-procedural electrophysiologic predictors of long-term success of AF ablation other than pulmonary vein isolation. We evaluated selected intraprocedural pulmonary vein characteristics that may be helpful in future guidance of persistent AF ablation.

Methods

390 consecutive procedures using cryoballoon for initial AF ablation were divided by clinical presentation (paroxysmal or persistent AF), and by pulmonary vein (PV) response to pacing after completion of ablation (discrete electrogram elicited with pacing—“PV capture” or not—“Control”). Patients were followed (median 20 months) for recurrent atrial arrhythmias as the primary end point of the study.

Results

PV capture was identified in 20.3% and 17.1% and patients with paroxysmal and persistent AF respectively (ns). In patients with persistent AF presence of PV capture was associated with significantly better outcomes compared to patients without PV capture (p < 0.001). In the group “persistent AF and PV capture”, an initial strategy of PV isolation and reisolation of the PVs (without additional lesions) for patients with recurrent atrial arrhythmias resulted in 20/23 (87%) patients in sinus rhythm off antiarrhythmic medications at study completion. In patients with paroxysmal AF, PV capture was not associated with outcome benefits. Speciﬁc electrophysiologic characteristics of PV (PV capture cycle length: PVCCL) did not have an impact on AF recurrence, although 25% shortening of PVCCL was observed after 60 s periods of pacing at short cycle lengths. No background demographic patient characteristic differences were identiﬁed between patients with vs. without PV capture.

Conclusion

The presence of PV capture was associated with better outcomes in patients with persistent AF. PV capture may identify those patients with persistent AF in whom cryoballoon PV isolation alone is sufficient as an initial ablation procedure and as the primary ablation strategy for recurrent AF.
Up-regulated expression of two-pore domain K+ channels, KCNK1 and KCNK2, is involved in the proliferation and migration of pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells in pulmonary arterial hypertension
Authors: Shima Natsumi , Yamamura Aya , Fujiwara Moe , Amano Taiki , Matsumoto Kazuyuki , Sekine Taiga , Okano Haruka , Kondo Rubii , Suzuki Yoshiaki , Yamamura Hisao
Published: February 2024

Background

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a severe and rare disease in the cardiopulmonary system. Its pathogenesis involves vascular remodeling of the pulmonary artery, which results in progressive increases in pulmonary arterial pressure. Chronically increased pulmonary arterial pressure causes right ventricular hypertrophy and subsequent right heart failure. Pulmonary vascular remodeling is attributed to the excessive proliferation and migration of pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs), which are induced by enhanced Ca2+ signaling following the up-/down-regulation of ion channel expression.

Objectives

In the present study, the functional expression of two-pore domain potassium KCNK channels was investigated in PASMCs from idiopathic PAH (IPAH) patients and experimental pulmonary hypertensive (PH) animals.

Results

In IPAH-PASMCs, the expression of KCNK1/TWIK1 and KCNK2/TREK1 channels was up-regulated, whereas that of KCNK3/TASK1 and KCNK6/TWIK2 channels was down-regulated. The similar up-regulated expression of KCNK1 and KCNK2 channels was observed in the pulmonary arterial smooth muscles of monocrotaline-induced PH rats, Sugen 5416/hypoxia-induced PH rats, and hypoxia-induced PH mice. The facilitated proliferation of IPAH-PASMCs was suppressed by the KCNK channel blockers, quinine and tetrapentylammonium. The migration of IPAH-PASMCs was also suppressed by these channel blockers. Furthermore, increases in the proliferation and migration were inhibited by the siRNA knockdown of KCNK1 or KCNK2 channels. The siRNA knockdown also caused membrane depolarization and subsequent decrease in cytosolic [Ca2+]. The phosphorylated level of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) was elevated in IPAH-PASMCs compared to normal-PASMCs. The increased phosphorylation was significantly reduced by the siRNA knockdown of KCNK1 or KCNK2 channels.

Conclusion

Collectively, these findings indicate that the up-regulated expression of KCNK1 and KCNK2 channels facilitates the proliferation and migration of PASMCs via enhanced Ca2+ signaling and JNK signaling pathway, which is associated with vascular remodeling in PAH.
Monitoring coronary blood flow by laser speckle contrast imaging after myocardial ischaemia reperfusion injury in adult and aged mice
Authors: El-Awaisi Juma , Kavanagh Dean P. J. , Kalia Neena
Published: February 2024

Introduction

Investigating coronary microvascular perfusion responses after myocardial infarction (MI) would aid in the development of flow preserving therapies. Laser speckle contrast imaging (LSCI) is a powerful tool used for real-time, non-contact, full-field imaging of blood flow in various tissues/organs. However, its use in the beating heart has been limited due to motion artifacts.

Methods

In this paper, we report the novel use of LSCI, combined with custom speckle analysis software (SpAn), to visualise and quantitate changes in ventricular perfusion in adult and aged mice undergoing ischaemia-reperfusion (IR) injury. The therapeutic benefit of inhibiting the actions of the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-36 (IL-36) was also investigated using an IL-36 receptor antagonist (IL-36Ra).

Results

Imaging from uncovered and covered regions of the left ventricle demonstrated that whilst part of the LSCI flux signal was derived from beating motion, a significant contributor to the flux signal came from ventricular microcirculatory blood flow. We show that a biphasic flux profile corresponding to diastolic and systolic phases of the cardiac cycle can be detected without mathematically processing the total flux data to denoise motion artifacts. Furthermore, perfusion responses to ischaemia and postischaemia were strong, reproducible and could easily be detected without the need to subtract motion-related flux signals. LSCI also identified significantly poorer ventricular perfusion in injured aged mice following IR injury which markedly improved with IL-36Ra.

Discussion

We therefore propose that LSCI of the heart is possible despite motion artifacts and may facilitate future investigations into the role of the coronary microcirculation in cardiovascular diseases and development of novel therapies.
Hardware acceleration of DNA pattern matching using analog resistive CAMs
Authors: Bazzi Jinane , Sweidan Jana , Fouda Mohammed E. , Kanj Rouwaida , Eltawil Ahmed M.
Published: February 2024

DNA pattern matching is essential for many widely used bioinformatics applications. Disease diagnosis is one of these applications since analyzing changes in DNA sequences can increase our understanding of possible genetic diseases. The remarkable growth in the size of DNA datasets has resulted in challenges in discovering DNA patterns efficiently in terms of run time and power consumption. In this paper, we propose an efficient pipelined hardware accelerator that determines the chance of the occurrence of repeat-expansion diseases using DNA pattern matching. The proposed design parallelizes the DNA pattern matching task using associative memory realized with analog content-addressable memory and implements an algorithm that returns the maximum number of consecutive occurrences of a specific pattern within a DNA sequence. We fully implement all the required hardware circuits with PTM 45-nm technology, and we evaluate the proposed architecture on a practical human DNA dataset. The results show that our design is energy-efficient and accelerates the DNA pattern matching task by more than 100× compared to the approaches described in the literature.
Natural source electromagnetic survey for geothermal application in industrial area with strong electromagnetic noise
Authors: Guo Rongwen , Xue Peng , Liu Jianxin , Wang Yongfei , Tian Shengqi , Li Jianjian , Xue Wei
Published: February 2024

The magnetotelluric (MT) method is a widely used geophysical technique for deep structure exploration. However, rapid industrial development has resulted in significant anthropogenic interference for practical applications of this method in recent years. To carry out MT survey in regions with strong electromagnetic (EM) noise, we develop a strategy, in which part of MT sites are set for night time period and a newly proposed automatic clustering method based on MT signal patterns is applied to process measured data from Yingde area in Guangdong. The MT sites are employed in night time to avoid human activity and measure the quiet time MT signal to make sure that we can capture portion of MT signal. Based on cosine similarity, we can use clustering algorithms to separate the signals from the noise. The application of this strategy for geothermal exploration in Yingde area in Guangdong, indicates the validity of our proposed strategy for real geothermal detection.
Grazing led to an increase in the root: shoot ratio and a shallow root system in an alpine meadow of the Tibetan plateau
Authors: Wang Duobin , Ding Wenqiang
Published: February 2024

Grazing is a main land use of natural grasslands in the world, which has both positive and negative impact on plant community structure and ecosystem functioning. However, the effects of long-term grazing management on the plant–soil system, in particular above- and belowground community characteristics, are still not well understood in alpine meadow community. In this study, we investigated the vegetation, roots, and soil properties under three management types (16 years of fencing since 2004-2020, moderate grazing and heavy grazing managements) in an alpine meadow on the Tibetan Plateau. The results showed that, compared with moderate grazing meadows, long-term fencing increased plant community cover, above- and belowground biomass, proportion of grass and litter but reduced forbs and soil bulk density, which caused the increases in soil organic carbon, total nitrogen and water content and the decreases in soil pH. However, heavy grazing led to opposite changes in proportion of grass, community biomass and soil physicochemical properties. The maximum of species richness and plant density appeared in moderate grazing meadows, supporting the intermediate disturbance hypothesis, and it can maintain above- and belowground biomass and soil physicochemical properties at medium level. Grazing increased the root: shoot ratio and caused root system shallow, which is consistent with the optimal partitioning hypothesis. Overall, our study suggested that moderate grazing is a more reasonable grazing management for sustainable development in alpine meadows of Tibetan Plateau, fencing could be an effective management strategy for vegetation restoration as well as for nutrient sequestration in degraded grasslands, but long-term fencing dose not benefit for biodiversity maintenance.
Repertoire of food acquisition behaviors in Western Palearctic shorebirds (Aves, Charadriiformes)
Authors: Baguette Michel , Le Floch Glenn , Hannier Lyse , Kirchhoff Florence , Schtickzelle Nicolas , Stevens Virginie M. , Bels Vincent
Published: February 2024

Shorebirds are iconic examples of food resource partitioning through use of contrasted morphological structures to acquire food. Differences in beak lengths and shapes allow species catching their food at various sediment depths. Contrasted leg lengths allow species foraging at distinct water depths. Despite these morphological differences, shorebirds use a small number of stereotyped behaviors for food acquisition. We classify these behaviors by analyzing video sequences of ca. two dozen species of Western Palearctic shorebirds, during migration or wintering. We suggest disassembling food acquisition in three successive stages: foraging, feeding, and swallowing. The foraging stage regroups the locomotion behaviors associated to food detection, and the behaviors used during food capture. The feeding stage encompasses the handling behaviors used to kill or stun the prey and to extract its edible parts, and the behaviors used to transport the prey from the distal part of the beak to the bird’s pharynx. In the swallowing stage, the edible parts of the prey enter the pharynx. We show that three of these behaviors (locomotion, capture and transport) are made up of stereotypical, mutually exclusive components, and can be considered as performances. Each of our study species use one or maximum two components of these three performances. Overall, our study provides insights on interspecific variation in shorebird food acquisition behaviors that we put in a phylogenetic perspective. We confirm the long-standing hypothesis that pecking is the plesiomorphic behavior of food capture, and we show that those locomotion and transport behaviors associated with pecking differ from those associated with derived capture behaviors, leading to a syndrome of food acquisition behaviors in shorebirds.
The human factor H protein family – an update
Authors: Sándor Noémi , Schneider Andrea E. , Matola Alexandra T. , Barbai Veronika H. , Bencze Dániel , Hammad Hani Hashim , Papp Alexandra , Kövesdi Dorottya , Uzonyi Barbara , Józsi Mihály
Published: February 2024

Complement is an ancient and complex network of the immune system and, as such, it plays vital physiological roles, but it is also involved in numerous pathological processes. The proper regulation of the complement system is important to allow its sufficient and targeted activity without deleterious side-effects. Factor H is a major complement regulator, and together with its splice variant factor H-like protein 1 and the five human factor H-related (FHR) proteins, they have been linked to various diseases. The role of factor H in inhibiting complement activation is well studied, but the function of the FHRs is less characterized. Current evidence supports the main role of the FHRs as enhancers of complement activation and opsonization, i.e., counter-balancing the inhibitory effect of factor H. FHRs emerge as soluble pattern recognition molecules and positive regulators of the complement system. In addition, factor H and some of the FHR proteins were shown to modulate the activity of immune cells, a non-canonical function outside the complement cascade. Recent efforts have intensified to study factor H and the FHRs and develop new tools for the distinction, quantification and functional characterization of members of this protein family. Here, we provide an update and overview on the versatile roles of factor H family proteins, what we know about their biological functions in healthy conditions and in diseases.
An in vitro model to study immune activation, epithelial disruption and stromal remodelling in inflammatory bowel disease and fistulising Crohn’s disease
Authors: Mobbs Claire L. , Darling Nicole J. , Przyborski Stefan
Published: February 2024

At present, preclinical models of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are insufficient, limiting translation between research and new therapeutics. This is especially true for fistulising Crohn’s disease (CD), as the severe lack of relevant models hinders research progression. To address this, we present in vitro human IBD mucosal models that recapitulate multiple pathological hallmarks of IBD simultaneously in one model system - immune cell infiltration, stromal remodelling and epithelial disruption. Stimulation of models induces epithelial aberrations common in IBD tissue including altered morphology, microvilli abnormalities, claudin gene expression changes and increased permeability. Inflammatory biomarkers are also significantly increased including cytokines and chemokines integral to IBD pathogenesis. Evidence of extracellular matrix remodelling, including upregulated matrix-metalloproteinases and altered basement membrane components, suggests the models simulate pathological stromal remodelling events that closely resemble fistulising CD. Importantly, MMP-9 is the most abundant MMP and mimics the unique localisation observed in IBD tissue. The inflamed models were subsequently used to elucidate the involvement of TNF-α and IFN- γ in intestinal stromal remodelling, in which TNF-α but not IFN- γ induced MMP upregulation, specifically of MMP-3 and MMP-9. Collectively, our results demonstrate the potential of the IBD models for use in preclinical research in IBD, particularly for fistulising CD.
Numerical simulation of bichromatic wave propagation based on the paddle- and modified mass source wave-maker methods
Authors: Zhang Zhou-Hao , Zhang Hong-Sheng , Zheng Peng-Bo , Chen Min-Yi
Published: February 2024

A second-order numerical wave-maker is realized by combining the paddle wave-maker theory proposed by Schäffer for physical experiments with the Fluent software. The numerical results from the paddle wave-maker method are compared with the results from the modified mass source wave-maker method, the theoretical solutions, and the physical experimental data. The numerical model based on the paddle wave-maker method is verified, and the applicable scopes of the two wave-maker methods are discussed. The paddle wave-maker method is not suitable for bichromatic wave combinations that include shallow-water waves. However, within their common applicable range, the numerical results from the paddle wave-maker method are better than those from the modified mass source wave-maker method, at least for the grid divisions adopted in this study. The effects of the incident wave parameters on the nonlinear wave-wave interaction are also analyzed.
Comprehensive design and analysis of a 300L steel fuel tank for heavy off-road vehicles: numerical and experimental insights
Authors: Verma Aditya , Shankar Ravi , Malik Shaik Ameer , Veera Siva Reddy B. , Chandrasekhara Sastry C. , Shaik Nizmi , Salunkhe Sachin , Cep Robert , Abouel Nasr Emad
Published: February 2024

Introduction: This study presents a comprehensive design and analysis of a 300L steel fuel tank intended for heavy off-road vehicles. The design process integrates numerical simulations and experimental investigations to optimize the tank's performance and durability under various operating conditions.

Methods: The design methodology involves CAD model optimization, numerical analysis setup, and experimental validation. CAD model optimization simplifies the tank geometry while retaining structural integrity. Numerical analysis setup includes defining boundary conditions, meshing strategies, and simulation parameters. Experimental validation entails testing the tank under dynamic loading conditions to assess its structural response.

Results: Numerical simulations reveal insights into stress distribution, deformation behavior, and fluid dynamics within the tank. Experimental tests confirm the numerical predictions and provide valuable data for model validation. Key results include stress concentrations in critical areas, deformation patterns under different loading conditions, and fluid flow characteristics.

Discussion: The integrated approach combining numerical simulations and experimental tests offers a comprehensive understanding of the fuel tank's behavior. Findings highlight areas for design improvement, such as reinforcement of stress-prone regions and optimization of fluid flow dynamics. The study contributes to enhancing the performance, reliability, and safety of fuel tanks for heavy off-road vehicles.
Identifying a list of Salmonella serotypes of concern to target for reducing risk of salmonellosis
Authors: Katz Tatum S. , Harhay Dayna M. , Schmidt John W. , Wheeler Tommy L.
Published: February 2024

There is an increasing awareness in the field of Salmonella epidemiology that focusing control efforts on those serotypes which cause severe human health outcomes, as opposed to broadly targeting all Salmonella, will likely lead to the greatest advances in decreasing the incidence of salmonellosis. Yet, little guidance exists to support validated, scientific selection of target serotypes. The goal of this perspective is to develop an approach to identifying serotypes of greater concern and present a case study using meat- and poultry-attributed outbreaks to examine challenges in developing a standardized framework for defining target serotypes.
Nutrient structure dynamics and microbial communities at the water–sediment interface in an extremely acidic lake in northern Patagonia
Authors: Cuevas Mayra , Francisco Issotta , Díaz-González Fernando , Diaz Mónica , Quatrini Raquel , Beamud Guadalupe , Pedrozo Fernando , Temporetti Pedro
Published: February 2024

Lake Caviahue (37° 50 ‘S and 71° 06’ W; Patagonia, Argentina) is an extreme case of a glacial, naturally acidic, aquatic environment (pH ~ 3). Knowledge of the bacterial communities in the water column of this lake, is incipient, with a basal quantification of the bacterioplankton abundance distribution in the North and South Basins of Lake Caviahue, and the described the presence of sulfur and iron oxidizing bacteria in the lake sediments. The role that bacterioplankton plays in nutrient utilization and recycling in this environment, especially in the phosphorus cycle, has not been studied. In this work, we explore this aspect in further depth by assessing the diversity of pelagic, littoral and sediment bacteria, using state of the art molecular methods and identifying the differences and commonalties in the composition of the cognate communities. Also, we investigate the interactions between the sediments of Lake Caviahue and the microbial communities present in both sediments, pore water and the water column, to comprehend the ecological relationships driving nutrient structure and fluxes, with a special focus on carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus. Two major environmental patterns were observed: (a) one distinguishing the surface water samples due to temperature, Fe2+, and electrical conductivity, and (b) another distinguishing winter and summer samples due to the high pH and increasing concentrations of N-NH4+, DOC and SO42−, from autumn and spring samples with high soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) and iron concentrations. The largest bacterial abundance was found in autumn, alongside higher levels of dissolved phosphorus, iron forms, and increased conductivity. The highest values of bacterial biomass were found in the bottom strata of the lake, which is also where the greatest diversity in microbial communities was found. The experiments using continuous flow column microcosms showed that microbial growth over time, in both the test and control columns, was accompanied by a decrease in the concentration of dissolved nutrients (SRP and N-NH4+), providing proof that sediment microorganisms are active and contribute significantly to nutrient utilization/mobilization.
Detecting and identifying pathogens and antagonistic bacteria associated with Ginkgo biloba leaf spot disease
Authors: Shen Huoyun , Li Xiyang , Li Zilong
Published: February 2024

Background

Leaf spot disease severely impacts Ginkgo biloba (G. biloba) yield and quality. While microbial agents offer effective and non-toxic biological control for plant diseases, research on controlling leaf spot disease in G. biloba is notably scarce.

Methods

The pathogenic fungi were isolated and purified from diseased and healthy leaves of G. biloba, Subsequent examinations included morphological observations and molecular identification via PCR techniques. A phylogenetic tree was constructed to facilitate the analysis of these pathogenic fungi, and Koch’s postulates were subsequently employed to reaffirm their pathogenic nature. The antagonistic experiment was employed to select biocontrol bacteria, and subsequently, the isolated biocontrol bacteria and pathogenic fungi were inoculated onto healthy leaves to assess the inhibitory effects of the biocontrol bacteria.

Results

Two pathologies responsible for the leaf spot disease on G. biloba were identified as Botryosphaeria dothidea and Neofusicoccum parvum via the analysis of phylogenetic tree and the application of Koch’s Postulates. Additionally, we isolated two strains of biocontrol bacteria, namely Bacillus velezensis and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens. Their average inhibitory zones were measured at 4.78 cm and 3.46 cm, respectively. The inhibition zone of B. velezensis against N. parvum was 4 cm. B. velezensis showed a stronger inhibitory effect compared to B. amyloliquefaciens on the development of lesions caused by B. dothidea via leaf culture experiment.

Conclusion

This research reports, for the first time, the presence of B. dothidea as a pathogenic fungus affecting G. biloba. Moreover, the biocontrol bacteria, B. velezensis and B. amyloliquefaciens, exhibited the capability to effectively inhibit the growth and reproduction of B. dothidea, indicating their promising potential as environmentally friendly biocontrol resources.
Saccharomyces cerevisiae derived postbiotic alters gut microbiome metabolism in the human distal colon resulting in immunomodulatory potential in vitro
Authors: Duysburgh Cindy , Miclotte Lisa , Green Justin B. , Watts Kevin T. , Sardi Maria I. , Chakrabarti Anirikh , Khafipour Ehsan , Marzorati Massimo
Published: February 2024

The yeast-based postbiotic EpiCor is a well-studied formulation, consisting of a complex mixture of bioactive molecules. In clinical studies, EpiCor postbiotic has been shown to reduce intestinal symptoms in a constipated population and support mucosal defense in healthy subjects. Anti-inflammatory potential and butyrogenic properties have been reportedin vitro, suggesting a possible link between EpiCor’s gut modulatory activity and immunomodulation. The current study used a standardizedin vitrogut model, the Simulator of the Human Intestinal Microbial Ecosystem (SHIME®), to obtain a deeper understanding on host-microbiome interactions and potential microbiome modulation following repeated EpiCor administration. It was observed that EpiCor induced a functional shift in carbohydrate fermentation patterns in the proximal colon environment. Epicor promoted an increased abundance ofBifidobacteriumin both the proximal and distal colon, affecting overall microbial community structure. Co-occurrence network analysis at the phylum level provided additional evidence of changes in the functional properties of microbial community promoted by EpiCor, increasing positive associations between Actinobacteria with microbes belonging to the Firmicutes phylum. These results, together with a significant increase in butyrate production provide additional support of EpiCor benefits to gut health. Investigation of host-microbiome interactions confirmed the immunomodulatory potential of the applied test product. Specific microbial alterations were observed in the distal colon, with metabotyping indicating that specific metabolic pathways, such as bile acid and tryptophan metabolism, were affected following EpiCor supplementation. These results, especially considering many effects were seen distally, further strengthen the position of EpiCor as a postbiotic with health promoting functionality in the gut, which could be further assessedin vivo.
Identification of the KIF18A alpha-4 helix as a therapeutic target for chromosomally unstable tumor cells
Authors: Schutt Katherine L. , Queen Katelyn A. , Fisher Kira , Budington Olivia , Mao Weifeng , Liu Wei , Gu Xiaohui , Xiao Yisong , Aswad Fred , Joseph James , Stumpff Jason
Published: February 2024

Background: The mitotic kinesin, KIF18A, is required for proliferation of cancer cells that exhibit chromosome instability (CIN), implicating it as a promising target for treatment of a subset of aggressive tumor types. Determining regions of the KIF18A protein to target for inhibition will be important for the design and optimization of effective small molecule inhibitors.

Methods: In this study, we used cultured cell models to investigate the effects of mutating S284 within the alpha-4 helix of KIF18A, which was previously identified as a phosphorylated residue.

Results: Mutations in S284 cause relocalization of KIF18A from the plus-ends of spindle microtubules to the spindle poles. Furthermore, KIF18A S284 mutants display loss of KIF18A function and fail to support proliferation in CIN tumor cells. Interestingly, similar effects on KIF18A localization and function were seen after treatment of CIN cells with KIF18A inhibitory compounds that are predicted to interact with residues within the alpha-4 helix.

Conclusion: These data implicate the KIF18A alpha-4 helix as an effective target for inhibition and demonstrate that small molecules targeting KIF18A selectively limit CIN tumor cell proliferation and result in phenotypically similar effects on mitosis at the single cell level compared to genetic perturbations.
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation regulates effective connectivity patterns of brain networks in the spectrum of preclinical Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Liang Xuhong , Xue Chen , Zheng Darui , Yuan Qianqian , Qi Wenzhang , Ruan Yiming , Chen Shanshan , Song Yu , Wu Huimin , Lu Xiang , Xiao Chaoyong , Chen Jiu
Published: February 2024

Objectives

Subjective cognitive decline (SCD) and amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) are considered as the spectrum of preclinical Alzheimer’s disease (AD), with abnormal brain network connectivity as the main neuroimaging feature. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has been proven to be an effective non-invasive technique for addressing neuropsychiatric disorders. This study aims to explore the potential of targeted rTMS to regulate effective connectivity within the default mode network (DMN) and the executive control network (CEN), thereby improving cognitive function.

Methods

This study included 86 healthy controls (HCs), 72 SCDs, and 86 aMCIs. Among them, 10 SCDs and 11 aMCIs received a 2-week rTMS course of 5-day, once-daily. Cross-sectional analysis with the spectral dynamic causal model (spDCM) was used to analyze the DMN and CEN effective connectivity patterns of the three groups. Afterwards, longitudinal analysis was conducted on the changes in effective connectivity patterns and cognitive function before and after rTMS for SCD and aMCI, and the correlation between them was analyzed.

Results

Cross-sectional analysis showed different effective connectivity patterns in the DMN and CEN among the three groups. Longitudinal analysis showed that the effective connectivity pattern of the SCD had changed, accompanied by improvements in episodic memory. Correlation analysis indicated a negative relationship between effective connectivity from the left angular gyrus (ANG) to the anterior cingulate gyrus and the ANG.R to the right middle frontal gyrus, with visuospatial and executive function, respectively. In patients with aMCI, episodic memory and executive function improved, while the effective connectivity pattern remained unchanged.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates that PCUN-targeted rTMS in SCD regulates the abnormal effective connectivity patterns in DMN and CEN, thereby improving cognition function. Conversely, in aMCI, the mechanism of improvement may differ. Our findings further suggest that rTMS is more effective in preventing or delaying disease progression in the earlier stages of the AD spectrum.

Clinical Trial Registration

http://www.chictr.org.cn, ChiCTR2000034533.
Human-robot planar co-manipulation of extended objects: data-driven models and control from human-human dyads
Authors: Mielke Erich , Townsend Eric , Wingate David , Salmon John L. , Killpack Marc D.
Published: February 2024

Human teams are able to easily perform collaborative manipulation tasks. However, simultaneously manipulating a large extended object for a robot and human is a difficult task due to the inherent ambiguity in the desired motion. Our approach in this paper is to leverage data from human-human dyad experiments to determine motion intent for a physical human-robot co-manipulation task. We do this by showing that the human-human dyad data exhibits distinct torque triggers for a lateral movement. As an alternative intent estimation method, we also develop a deep neural network based on motion data from human-human trials to predict future trajectories based on past object motion. We then show how force and motion data can be used to determine robot control in a human-robot dyad. Finally, we compare human-human dyad performance to the performance of two controllers that we developed for human-robot co-manipulation. We evaluate these controllers in three-degree-of-freedom planar motion where determining if the task involves rotation or translation is ambiguous.
The application of functional imaging in visual field defects: a brief review
Authors: Cheng Wangxinjun , Liu Jingshuang , Jiang Tianqi , Li Moyi
Published: February 2024

Visual field defects (VFDs) represent a prevalent complication stemming from neurological and ophthalmic conditions. A range of factors, including tumors, brain surgery, glaucoma, and other disorders, can induce varying degrees of VFDs, significantly impacting patients’ quality of life. Over recent decades, functional imaging has emerged as a pivotal field, employing imaging technology to illustrate functional changes within tissues and organs. As functional imaging continues to advance, its integration into various clinical aspects of VFDs has substantially enhanced the diagnostic, therapeutic, and management capabilities of healthcare professionals. Notably, prominent imaging techniques such as DTI, OCT, and MRI have garnered widespread adoption, yet they possess unique applications and considerations. This comprehensive review aims to meticulously examine the application and evolution of functional imaging in the context of VFDs. Our objective is to furnish neurologists and ophthalmologists with a systematic and comprehensive comprehension of this critical subject matter.