bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ASF1 activation PI3K/AKT pathway regulates sexual and asexual development in filamentous ascomycete
Authors: Wang Shi , Liu Xiaoman , Xiong Chenlin , Gao Susu , Xu Wenmeng , Zhao Lili , Song Chunyan , Li Zhuang , Zhang Xiuguo
Published: October 2021

Sexual and asexual reproduction is ubiquitous in eukaryotes. PI3K/AKT signaling pathway can modulate sexual reproduction in mammals. However, this signaling pathway modulating sexual and asexual reproduction in fungi is scarcely understood. SeASF1, a SeH4 chaperone, could manipulate sexual and asexual reproduction of Stemphylium eturmiunum. SeDJ-1, screened from SeΔasf1 transcriptome, was confirmed to regulate sexual and asexual development by RNAi, of which the mechanism was demonstrated by detecting transcriptional levels and protein interactions of SeASF1, SeH4 and SeDJ-1 by qRT-PCR, and Y2H, Co-IP and Pull-down, respectively. SeASF1 coupling SeH4 bound SeDJ-1 to arouse the sexual and asexual activity. In S. eturmiunum genome, SeDJ-1 was upstream while SeGSK3 was downstream in PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Moreover, SeDJ-1 interacted with SePI3K or SeGSK3 in vivo and in vitro. Significantly, SeDJ-1 or SePI3K could effectively stimulate sexual activity alone, but SePI3K could recover the sexual development of SiSeDJ-1. Meanwhile, SeDJ-1-M6 was a critical segment for interaction of SeDJ-1 with SePI3K. SeDJ-1-M6 played a critical role in irritating sexual reproduction in SiSePI3K, which further uncovered the regulated mechanism of SeDJ-1. Summarily, SeASF1 coupling SeH4 motivates SeDJ-1 to arouse SePI3K involved in sexual reproduction. Thus, SeASF1 can activate PI3K/AKT signaling pathway to regulate sexual and asexual development in filamentous ascomycete.
Genetic Diversity of Bundibugyo Ebolavirus from Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo
Authors: Omara Isaac Emmanuel , Kiwuwa-Muyingo Sylvia , Balinandi Stephen , Nyakarahuka Luke , Kiconco Jocelyn , Kayiwa John Timothy , Mboowa Gerald , Jjingo Daudi , Lutwama Julius J.
Published: October 2021

Background

The Ebolavirus is one of the deadliest viral pathogens which was first discovered in the year 1976 during two consecutive outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Sudan. Six known strains have been documented. TheBundibugyo Ebolavirusin particular first emerged in the year 2007 in Uganda. This outbreak was constituted with 116 human cases and 39 laboratory confirmed deaths. After 5 years, it re-emerged and caused an epidemic for the first time in the Democratic Republic of Congo in the year 2012 as reported by the WHO. Here, 36 human cases with 13 laboratory confirmed deaths were registered. Despite several research studies conducted in the past, there is still scarcity of knowledge available on the genetic diversity ofBundibugyo Ebolavirus. We undertook a research project to provide insights into the unique variants ofBundibugyo Ebolavirusthat circulated in the two epidemics that occurred in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo

Materials and Methods

The Bioinformatics approaches used were; Quality Control, Reference Mapping, Variant Calling, Annotation, Multiple Sequence Alignment and Phylogenetic analysis to identify genomic variants as well determine the genetic relatedness between the two epidemics. Overall, we used 41 viral sequences that were retrieved from the publicly available sequence database, which is the National Center for Biotechnology and Information Gen-bank database.

Results

Our analysis identified 14,362 unique genomic variants from the two epidemics. The Uganda isolates had 5,740 unique variants, 75 of which had high impacts on the genomes. These were 51 frameshift, 15 stop gained, 5 stop lost, 2 missense, 1 synonymous and 1 stop lost and splice region. Their effects mainly occurred within the L-gene region at reference positions 17705, 11952, 11930 and 11027. For the DRC genomes, 8,622 variant sites were identified. The variants had a modifier effect on the genome occurring at reference positions, 213, 266 and 439. Examples are C213T, A266G and C439T. Phylogenetic reconstruction identified two separate and unique clusters from the two epidemics.

Conclusion

Our analysis provided further insights into the genetic diversity ofBundibugyo Ebolavirusfrom the two epidemics. TheBundibugyo Ebolavirusstrain was genetically diverse with multiple variants. Phylogenetic reconstruction identified two unique variants. This signified an independent spillover event from a natural reservoir, rather a continuation from the ancestral outbreak that initiated the resurgence in DRC in the year 2012. Therefore, the two epidemics were not genetically related.
Deeper insight into FAC corrosion mechanism
Authors: Liu Yingwei , Wang Zhe , Liu Chuang , Ma Jingming
Published: October 2021

Purpose

This study aims to reveal the differential concentration corrosion (DCC) mechanism, which has been ignored by researchers for a long time.

Design/methodology/approach

The ionic conductive layer near the pipe wall was extracted and discretized. In the case of DCC, the equations of corrosion potential after polarization in units are derived according to Kirchhoff’s Law. By solving these equations, the corrosion potential and current on situation of DCC are calculated.

Findings

DCC can change origin distribution of (nature) potential and current greatly; it will cause polarization. The positions with original lower corrosion potential will produce anodic polarization; meanwhile, the speed of corrosion also increases; the position with original higher corrosion potential will produce cathodic polarization, and the corrosion current is also decreased. Generally speaking, the potential will be homogenized by DCC mechanism.

Originality/value

This model makes an in-depth analysis of the traditional FAC theory, greatly supplements it and enriches the theory.
Tales of challenge and resolution: narratives of women middle managers in the South African public service
Authors: Chinyamurindi Willie Tafadzwa , Chuchu Tinashe , Maziriri Eugine Tafadzwa
Published: October 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the challenges and resolution tactics of women middle managers in the South African public service.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative research approach using semi-structured interviews was used as a data collection technique. Narrative analysis was used with a sample of 20 women middle managers working within the South African public service.

Findings

Narratives of challenges faced by women middle managers in the South African public service included relational issues, with a subtle undermining of women managers, challenges rooted within the socio-cultural milieu – perversely undermining the experience of being a manager and challenges stemming from public service in general such as corruption, in turn, questioning the ability of women managers to handle such. In addressing these challenges, the women middle managers exercised three individual performative actions in response to the identified challenges. These include using direct confrontation, relying on networks for guidance and relying on indirect confrontation.

Research limitations/implications

Sample size challenges feature as a notable limitation including the research being conducted in only one political province of South Africa. Caution should be exercised when seeking to generalise the findings to other contexts.

Practical implications

Understanding the challenges and resolution tactics of women middle managers can be a useful precursor to management development interventions.

Originality/value

The study answers call for more processual career and management development studies that help understand not only challenges but also resolution strategies. This study illustrates both the difficulty of this and ensures opportunity for the advancement of women in management.
About the change of flow factors during the run-in process of lubricated contacts
Authors: Holzer Achill , Schmitz Katharina
Published: October 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to increase the knowledge of the run-in process of lubricated contacts in hydraulical pumps. When performing EHL simulations of tribological contacts, the surface influence needs to be taken into account. This experimental measurement wants to investigate the amount of change of the flow factors in the first hour of run of tribological contacts.

Design/methodology/approach

An experimental test bench is used to run-in several samples. After several minutes of running, samples are removed and the surface structure is captured using a digital microscope. With the measured data, flow factors are calculated.

Findings

The findings were clear that flow factors are highly direction-dependent, especially shear flow factors in radial directions experience almost no change. Overall, influence of the surface structure of up to 30% compared to a flat surface can be registered.

Originality/value

This paper helps to choose application-oriented values for the simulation of tribological contacts.
Influence of the air pressure and oil amount to the temperature of the high-speed bearings lubricated by oil mist
Authors: Stanković Miloš , Kolarević Nenad , Davidovic Nikola , Miloš Marko
Published: October 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to improve the lubrication and remove as much as possible of the heat generated in the bearing assembly, embedded in the jet engine.

Design/methodology/approach

To determine the necessary values of the air pressure and oil amount, an experimental approach is used. For that purpose, a custom made test rig is developed.

Findings

Less amount of oil makes better lubrication conditions, reflected in the smaller temperature of the bearings. Concerning the air pressure, too high and too low air pressure deteriorates the lubrication parameters. An optimum value should be determined experimentally. The influence of oil amount is remarkably bigger than the influence of air pressure.

Originality/value

This experimental investigation provides an easy and fast way to improve the high-speed bearings lubrication parameters.
Do Islamic banks gain from corruption and money laundering (ML)?
Authors: Aish Kinza , Hassan M. Kabir , Zaman Qamar Uz , Ehsan Sadaf , Abbas Khurram , Shah Ijaz Hussain
Published: October 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the impact of corruption and money laundering (ML) on the profitability and stability of Islamic banks.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used the data of 53 conventional and 19 Islamic banks of Pakistan and Malaysia to have comparative insights. The empirical methods include the fixed effect and random effect regression and generalized methods of moment for robust results.

Findings

The results indicate that Islamic banks gain from corruption and ML. Corruption and ML affect bank profitability and stability positively in a less corrupt environment, i.e. Malaysia; however, corruption hurts Islamic banks’ performance, and ML favours Islamic banking profitability and stability in a more corrupt environment, i.e. Pakistan.

Originality/value

The present study pioneers the debate on corruption and ML related to Islamic banking profitability and stability. This study provides important insights to regulators and Shariah advisors to build a real model of Islamic banking.
CONCEPTUALIZING AFRICAN URBAN PERIPHERIES
Authors: Meth Paula , Goodfellow Tom , Todes Alison , Charlton Sarah
Published: October 2021

Recent years have seen a rising interest in peri‐urban spaces, urban frontiers and new suburbanisms, including in African contexts. However, given the scale of urban growth and the extreme diversity of formations emerging on the geographical edges of African city‐regions, a deeper understanding is needed of the drivers of peripheral urbanisms and the lived experiences of urban change in these spaces. Based on a comparative research project in South Africa and Ethiopia, this article draws out the epistemologies of researching African urban peripheries and presents a new conceptual framework. It offers a language for interpreting processes of peripheral development and change, highlighting five distinct but overlapping logics which we term speculative, vanguard, auto‐constructed, transitioning and inherited. Rather than describing bounded peripheral spaces, we argue that these logics can co‐exist, hybridize and bleed into each other in different ways in specific places and at different temporal junctures. Centring our methodological practices of comparative analysis, and privileging the voices of those living in urban peripheries, the article employs critical readings of urban scholarship before exploring how these five logics illuminate the complex processes of urban peripheral evolution and transformation. Formulating these logics helps to fill a lacuna in urban conceptualization with potential relevance beyond African contexts.
The impact of the decomposition process of shallow graves on soil mite abundance
Authors: Rai Jas K. , Pickles Brian J. , Perotti M. Alejandra
Published: October 2021

Burial of a cadaver results in a slower decomposition rate, due to more stable below‐ground temperatures and restricted access to necrophagous insects. In such circumstances, analysis of the soil mesofauna, with emphasis on mites (Acari) may be more valuable in time‐of‐death estimations. The production of volatile organic compounds of cadaveric decay results in changes, especially in the soil pH, which in turn would affect the abundance and diversity of the associated mites. In general, the effects of decomposition and the consequently altered pH levels on the abundance of mites in shallow graves, as well as the effects of fluctuating above‐ground environmental parameters (temperature, relative humidity, and precipitation) remain unknown. Here, we found that the decay of three pig cadavers buried in shallow graves (<30 cm below) caused a significant increase in the soil pH throughout decomposition, from neutral to alkaline. Cadaver decay attracted an abundance of mites: with 300 mites collected from the three pig cadavers compared to 129 from the control soil samples at the same depth. Mites rapidly became more abundant in cadaver‐associated soils than in control soils after the fresh stage. Increasing soil pH had a positive impact on the abundance of mites in graves and there was a significant interaction between cadaver body temperature and soil pH. Above‐ground fluctuations in temperature, relative humidity, and precipitation were found to have no significant direct effect on mite abundance in grave or control soils.
Factors associated with racing performance and career duration for Victorian‐born Thoroughbreds
Authors: Flash ML , Crabb HK , Hitchens PL , Firestone SM , Stevenson MA , Gilkerson JR
Published: October 2021

The number of horses leaving the Australian Thoroughbred (TB) racing industry each year is of concern to animal welfare advocates, public and regulators. A horse's previous athletic performance is a significant driver of retirement from racing. Racehorse performance can be measured in terms of the total number of starts, duration of racing and prize money earned. This study investigated Australian racing records for the 2005 and 2010 Victorian TB foal crops to identify factors associated with total number of starts, racing career duration, prize money earned and age of last race start‐up to the 10‐year‐old racing season. Racing Australia registered 4,577 TB horses born in Victoria in 2005 (n = 2,506) and 2010 (n = 2,071) that raced in Australia. Horses that started racing at 2‐years of age had fewer race starts in their first racing season but an increased total number of starts, prize money and duration of racing. The median age of last start (LS) was five (Q1 4; Q3 7) years. Horses that had won a race, had a maximum handicap rating of 61 or above and those racing over distances of more than 2,400 m had an increased racing career duration and an age of last race start greater than 6‐years of age. Horses participating in jumps races (n = 63) had the longest careers and older age of LS. These horses were more likely to have had a handicap rating over 80 and were just as likely to start their racing careers as 2‐years‐olds.
Innovation and trade in the presence of credit constraints
Authors: Foellmi Reto , Legge Stefan , Tiemann Alexa
Published: October 2021

This paper examines how trade liberalization affects investment in R&D at the firm level. We provide a model with entrepreneurs that differ in their wealth endowments, causing them to rely on external funds to different extents. In the presence of capital market imperfections, this implies heterogeneous access to external financing such that poor entrepreneurs run smaller firms, are less likely to invest in R&D and are more likely to exit the market. Decreasing trade costs resulting from tariff reductions exacerbate these characteristics. Using firm‐level panel data on seven Latin American countries for 2006 and 2010, we find support for our theoretical predictions. While prior research emphasizes a positive impact of trade liberalization on firms’ productivity‐enhancing activities, we provide novel evidence showing that financial constraints can impair the effect on R&D efforts. These results suggest that imperfect capital markets can prevent welfare gains from trade liberalization to materialize.
Tet2 deficiency in immune cells exacerbates tumor progression by increasing angiogenesis in a lung cancer model
Authors: Nguyen Yen T. M. , Fujisawa Manabu , Nguyen Tran B. , Suehara Yasuhito , Sakamoto Tatsuhiro , Matsuoka Ryota , Abe Yoshiaki , Fukumoto Kota , Hattori Keiichiro , Noguchi Masayuki , Matsubara Daisuke , Chiba Shigeru , Sakata‐Yanagimoto Mamiko
Published: October 2021

Immune cells harboring somatic mutations reportedly infiltrate cancer tissues in patients with solid cancers and accompanying clonal hematopoiesis. Loss‐of‐function TET2 mutations are frequently observed in clonal hematopoiesis in solid cancers. Here, using a mouse lung cancer model, we evaluated the activity of Tet2‐deficient immune cells in tumor tissues. Myeloid‐specific Tet2 deficiency enhanced tumor growth in mice relative to that seen in controls. Single‐cell sequencing analysis of immune cells infiltrating tumors showed relatively high expression of S100a8/S100a9 in Tet2‐deficient myeloid subclusters. In turn, treatment with S100a8/S100a9 promoted Vegfa production by cancer cells, leading to a marked increase in the tumor vasculature in Tet2‐deficient mice relative to controls. Finally, treatment of Tet2‐deficient mice with an antibody against Emmprin, a known S100a8/S100a9 receptor, suppressed tumor growth. These data suggest that immune cells derived from TET2‐mutated clonal hematopoiesis exacerbate lung cancer progression by promoting tumor angiogenesis and may provide a novel therapeutic target for lung cancer patients with TET2‐mutated clonal hematopoiesis.
Safety of direct oral anticoagulants in solid organ transplant recipients: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Zakko Jason , Ganapathi Asvin M. , Whitson Bryan A. , Mokadam Nahush A. , Henn Matthew C. , Lampert Brent , Kahwash Rami , Franco Veronica , Haas Garrie , Emani Sitaramesh , Hasan Ayesha , Vallakati Ajay
Published: October 2021

There is limited evidence comparing direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) and warfarin in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients. We performed a pooled analysis to study the safety and efficacy of DOACs in this patient population. We searched PubMed, Embase, and Scopus databases using the search terms “heart transplant” or “lung transplant” or “liver transplant” or “kidney transplant” or “pancreas transplant” and “direct oral anticoagulant” for literature search. Random effects model with Mantel–Haenszel method was used to pool the outcomes. Pooled analysis included 489 patients, of which 259 patients received DOACs and 230 patients received warfarin. When compared to warfarin, the use of DOACs was associated with decreased risk of composite bleed (RR .49, 95% CI .32–.76, p = .002). There were no differences in rates of major bleeding (RR .55, 95% CI .20–1.49, p = .24) or venous thromboembolism (RR .65, 95% CI .25–1.70, p = .38) between the two groups. Evidence from pooled analysis suggests that DOACs are comparable to warfarin in terms of safety in SOT recipients. Further research is warranted to conclusively determine whether DOACs are safe alternatives to warfarin for anticoagulation in SOT recipients.
Through the eyes of a deacon: lesser clergy, major donors, and institutional property in fifth‐century Rome
Authors: Leyser Conrad
Published: October 2021

This is a study of the cults of two holy deacons at Rome: St Stephen and St Laurence. It is argued that the narratives associated with these saints were a medium for the resolution of two key, overlapping areas of tension: status anxiety within the clerical hierarchy, and relations between clergy and wealthy lay patrons. Controlling the ambitions of lesser clergy on the one hand, and on the other commanding the attention of major donors, absorbed a great deal of the energies of Roman priests and their bishop in this period. These issues converged on the figure of the deacon, understood in its early Christian sense as the helper/patron of the bishop. Defining the role of ‘deacons’ through the medium of saint cult was a necessary condition of the institutional development of the Roman church, and of church property.
Assessing the impacts of biochar‐blended urea on nitrogen use efficiency and soil retention in wheat production
Authors: Shi Wei , Bian Rongjun , Li Lianqing , Lian Wanli , Liu Xiaoyu , Zheng Jufeng , Cheng Kun , Zhang Xuhui , Drosos Marios , Joseph Stephen , Pan Genxing
Published: October 2021

Improving nitrogen (N) use efficiency (NUE) in crop plants is important to reduce the negative impact of excessive N on the environment. Although biochar‐blended fertilizer had been increasingly tested in crop production, the fate of fertilized N in soil and plant had not been elucidated in field conditions. In this study, a novel biochar‐blended urea (BU) was prepared by pelleting maize straw biochar, bentonite, sepiolite, carboxymethylcellulose sodium, and chitosan with urea (commercial urea without biochar [CU]). N fertilization in a winter wheat field was treated with BU and CU at both 265 kg N ha−1 (HL) and 186 kg N ha−1 (LN). Within a treatment plot, a microplot was fertilized with 15N‐labeled urea at a relevant N level. We investigated the influence of fertilizer management on biomass, grain yield, bioaccumulation of nutrient, soil properties, 15N isotopic abundance, and greenhouse gas emissions. Microscopic and spectroscopic analysis showed that micro/nanonetwork of biochar could bind N to form a loss control agglomerated particle, and organo‐mineral coatings on BU may protect N from quick release. Compared with CU, BU significantly increased grain yield by 13% and 38%, and grain N allocation by 19% and 55%, respectively, at HN and LN level. The total recovery of urea 15N in wheat plant (15N based NUE) was 32.8% under CU regardless of N rates but increased to 41.7% (HN rate) and 56.3% (LN rate) under BU. Whereas, the soil proportion (soil residual 15N) was 20.1% and 13.4% under CU but 32.5% and 18.8% under BU, in 0‐20cm topsoil, respectively, at HN and LN rate. Compared with the CU, BU had no effect on CO2 and CH4 emissions but significantly reduced the total N2O emission by 23%–28%. These important findings suggested that BU can be beneficial to uplift plant NUE to reduce reactive N loading but boost crop production.
Cutaneous findings following COVID‐19 vaccination: review of world literature and own experience
Authors: Gambichler T. , Boms S. , Susok L. , Dickel H. , Finis C. , Abu Rached N. , Barras M. , Stücker M. , Kasakovski D.
Published: October 2021

There is growing evidence that not only the novel coronavirus disease (COVID‐19) but also the COVID‐19 vaccines can cause a variety of skin reactions. In this review article, we provide a brief overview on cutaneous findings that have been observed since the emerging mass COVID‐19 vaccination campaigns all over the world. Unspecific injection‐site reactions very early occurring after the vaccination are most frequent. Type I hypersensitivity reactions (e.g. urticaria, angio‐oedema and anaphylaxis) likely due to allergy to ingredients may rarely occur but can be severe. Type IV hypersensitivity reactions may be observed, including delayed large local skin lesions (“COVID arm”), inflammatory reactions in dermal filler or previous radiation sites or even old BCG scars, and more commonly morbilliform and erythema multiforme‐like rashes. Autoimmune‐mediated skin findings after COVID‐19 vaccination include leucocytoclastic vasculitis, lupus erythematosus and immune thrombocytopenia. Functional angiopathies (chilblain‐like lesions, erythromelalgia) may also be observed. Pityriasis rosea‐like rashes and reactivation of herpes zoster have also been reported after COVID‐19 vaccination. In conclusion, there are numerous cutaneous reaction patterns that may occur following COVID‐19 vaccination, whereby many of these skin findings are of immunological/autoimmunological nature. Importantly, molecular mimicry exists between SARS‐CoV‐2 (e.g. the spike‐protein sequences used to design the vaccines) and human components and may thus explain some COVID‐19 pathologies as well as adverse skin reactions to COVID‐19 vaccinations.
The penalty of stress ‐ Epichaperomes negatively reshaping the brain in neurodegenerative disorders
Authors: Ginsberg Stephen D. , Joshi Suhasini , Sharma Sahil , Guzman Gianny , Wang Tai , Arancio Ottavio , Chiosis Gabriela
Published: October 2021

Adaptation to acute and chronic stress and/or persistent stressors is a subject of wide interest in central nervous system disorders. In this context, stress is an effector of change in organismal homeostasis and the response is generated when the brain perceives a potential threat. Herein, we discuss a nuanced and granular view whereby a wide variety of genotoxic and environmental stressors, including aging, genetic risk factors, environmental exposures, and age‐ and lifestyle‐related changes, act as direct insults to cellular, as opposed to organismal, homeostasis. These two concepts of how stressors impact the central nervous system are not mutually exclusive. We discuss how maladaptive stressor‐induced changes in protein connectivity through epichaperomes, disease‐associated pathologic scaffolds composed of tightly bound chaperones, co‐chaperones, and other factors, impact intracellular protein functionality altering phenotypes, that in turn disrupt and remodel brain networks ranging from intercellular to brain connectome levels. We provide an evidence‐based view on how these maladaptive changes ranging from stressor to phenotype provide unique precision medicine opportunities for diagnostic and therapeutic development, especially in the context of neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer's disease where treatment options are currently limited.

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Prevalence of missing nutrition label and ingredients list information on e‐shops of major chain supermarkets in Hong Kong
Authors: Chio Amy I. , Davies Tazman , Wu Jason H. Y. , Louie Jimmy Chun Yu
Published: October 2021

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, online food purchases have increased. Nutrition labels and ingredients lists are important to assist individuals in making healthy food choices, but their provision is not mandatory for online stores in Hong Kong. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of missing nutrition labels and ingredients list information on the e‐shops of major chain supermarkets in Hong Kong. Data from the e‐shops of four major chain supermarkets were collected using a bespoke web scraper program, which extracted the product page link, product name, brand, package size, ingredient list in text and product image links of every edible product available. A total of 22 365 products which were required by law to carry a food label on their packaging were included in the analysis. Prevalence of missing nutrition label or ingredients list on the respective product page was determined. Pearson's χ2 tests were used to test for differences in the prevalence between retailers. A two‐tailed p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Two e‐shops provided nutrition labels and ingredients list for none or only a negligible number of products. Overall, the prevalence of missing information was higher for nutrition labels than for ingredients lists (80.5% vs. 70.2%; p < 0.001). Provision of information varied greatly between stores and food categories. We found a high prevalence of missing nutrition labels and ingredients lists on e‐shops of major supermarkets in Hong Kong. Regulations on nutrition labelling should be extended to cover pre‐packaged food and beverages sold online.
Rht24b, an ancient variation of TaGA2ox‐A9, reduces plant height without yield penalty in wheat
Authors: Tian Xiuling , Xia Xianchun , Xu Dengan , Liu Yongqiang , Xie Li , Hassan Muhammad Adeel , Song Jie , Li Faji , Wang Desen , Zhang Yong , Hao Yuanfeng , Li Genying , Chu Chengcai , He Zhonghu , Cao Shuanghe
Published: October 2021

Rht‐B1b and Rht‐D1b, the ‘Green Revolution’ (GR) genes, greatly improved yield potential of wheat under nitrogen fertilizer application, but reduced coleoptile length, seedling vigor and grain weight. Thus, mining alternative reduced plant height genes without adverse effects is urgently needed.

We isolated the causal gene of Rht24 through map‐based cloning and characterized its function using transgenic, physiobiochemical and transcriptome assays. We confirmed genetic effects of the dwarfing allele Rht24b with an association analysis and also traced its origin and distribution.

Rht24 encodes a gibberellin (GA) 2‐oxidase, TaGA2ox‐A9. Rht24b conferred higher expression of TaGA2ox‐A9 in stems, leading to a reduction of bioactive GA in stems but an elevation in leaves at the jointing stage. Strikingly, Rht24b reduced plant height, but had no yield penalty; it significantly increased nitrogen use efficiency, photosynthetic rate and the expression of related genes. Evolutionary analysis demonstrated that Rht24b first appeared in wild emmer and was detected in more than half of wild emmer and wheat accessions, suggesting that it underwent both natural and artificial selection.

These findings uncover an important genetic resource for wheat breeding and also provide clues for dissecting the regulatory mechanisms underlying GA‐mediated morphogenesis and yield formation.
Changes in blood glucose level after renal transplantation in pediatrics: A study of risk factors of new‐onset diabetes after transplantation
Authors: Callisaya Calani Reyna Ester , Barajas Valencia Victor Manuel , Franco Alvarez Isidro , Márquez González Horacio
Published: October 2021

Background

New‐onset diabetes after transplantation refers to the development of diabetes after solid organ transplantation without a history of diabetes and is related to poor graft function and lower survival rate. In the kidney transplant population, NODAT occurs in 24% of adults and 9% of children. The real incidence and risk factors in the pediatric population is unknown, which we aimed to determine in this study.

Methods

A retrospective study was conducted in patients who underwent kidney transplantation in the Pediatric Nephrology Service of the “Federico Gómez” Children's Hospital of Mexico.

Results

The study included 127 children divided into groups 1 and 2 (without [n = 110 patients, 86.5%] and with NODAT [n = 17 patients, 13.4%], respectively), with median ages of 14 years (interquartile range [IQR], 9–16 years) and 15 years (IQR, 13–16 years; p = .3), respectively. Cox proportional hazards analysis revealed an association between changes from baseline to 24‐h postoperative blood glucose level as a risk factor of the development of NODAT. This implies that each unit increase in blood glucose level in the first hours after transplantation also increases the risk of developing diabetes (95% confidence interval, 1.011–1.021; p = <.001).

Conclusions

Post‐kidney transplant patients require immediate follow‐up, and attention should be paid to changes in blood glucose level in the first 24 h after transplantation, as any alteration may be an early sign of development of NODAT, especially in patients with a family history of diabetes mellitus.
The “Inherent Vices” of Policy Design: Uncertainty, Maliciousness, and Noncompliance
Authors: Howlett Michael , Leong Ching
Published: October 2021

Policy designs must not only “work” in the sense of accomplishing their goals but must also work in their intended fashion. Most research to date has focused on the former topic and dwells on the technical aspects of how various tools and instruments could be utilized to achieve the aims and goals of policymakers. This branch of research tends to underemphasize the difficulties inherent to policy making including policy contexts that are often highly uncertain, policymakers who fall short of an idealized version of high capacity, well‐intentioned decisionmakers grappling with relevant public problems, and policy‐takers who fail to comply with government wishes. These “inherent vices” of policy making are factors which contribute to policy volatility or the risk of policy failure. The paper stresses the need for improved risk management and mitigation strategies in policy formulation and policy designs to take these risks into account. It sets out and develops an approach borrowed from product failure management (in manufacturing) and portfolio management (in finance) to help better assess and manage these risks.
Gender gap and access to finance: A cross‐country analysis
Authors: Chundakkadan Radeef , Sasidharan Subash
Published: October 2021

Using a rich firm‐level data set pertaining to 80 countries, this paper investigates the relationship between institutional gender equality and financial constraints on female‐led firms. We employ a broad index of gender inequality as well as alternate measures in terms of economic, educational, and political inequality. We observe that institutional gender equality benefits female entrepreneurs’ access to finance. In addition, in a gender‐equal environment, we observe that female‐owned and female‐managed firms are less likely to be discouraged from applying for formal finance. We find these effects are more pronounced in the case of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and young firms. Further, our results suggest that economic, educational, and political gender equality is vital to improving women enterprises’ access to external finance.
Cost‐effectiveness and budget impact of whole blood pathogen reduction in Ghana
Authors: Russell W. Alton , Owusu‐Ofori Shirley , Owusu‐Ofori Alex , Micah Eileen , Norman Betty , Custer Brian
Published: October 2021

Background

Despite the promise of pathogen reduction for reducing transfusion‐associated adverse events in sub‐Saharan Africa, no health‐economic assessment is publicly available.

Study Design and Methods

We developed a mathematical risk reduction model to estimate the impact of nationwide whole blood pathogen reduction in Ghana on the incidence of six infectious and one non‐infectious transfusion‐associated adverse events. We estimated the lifetime direct healthcare costs and disability‐adjusted life years lost for each adverse event. For HIV, HCV, and HBV, we simulated disease progression using Markov models, accounting for the likelihood and timing of clinical detection and treatment. We performed probabilistic and univariate sensitivity analysis.

Results

Adding whole blood pathogen reduction to Ghana's blood safety portfolio would avert an estimated 19,898 (11,948–27,353) adverse events and 38,491 (16,444–67,118) disability‐adjusted life years annually, primarily by averting sepsis (49%) and malaria (31%) infections. One year of pathogen reduction would cost an estimated $8,037,191 ($6,381,946–$9,880,760) and eliminate $8,656,389 ($4,462,614–$13,469,448) in direct healthcare spending on transfusion‐associated adverse events. We estimate a 58% probability that the addition of pathogen reduction would reduce overall direct healthcare spending. Findings were most sensitive to uncertainty in the probability that a bacterially contaminated blood donation causes sepsis.

Conclusion

Whole blood pathogen reduction would substantially reduce the burden of known transfusion‐associated adverse events in Ghana and may reduce overall healthcare spending. Additional benefits not captured by this analysis may include averting secondary transmission of infectious diseases, reducing non‐medical costs, and averting new or re‐emerging transfusion‐transmitted infections.
Investigation of Structurally and Aerodynamically Mistuned Oscillating Cascade Using Fully Coupled Method
Authors: Phan H. M. , He L.
Published: October 2021

There seems to be a lack of clear and systematic understanding of physical behavior and mechanisms of mistuned blade rows, particularly in the context of the aerodynamic mistuning versus the structural (frequency) mistuning. A high-fidelity fully coupled method is desirable to investigate the vibration characteristics of aeroelasticity problems with strong fluid–structure interaction effects, as well as blade mistuning effects. In this work, the direct nonlinear time-domain fully coupled method is adopted to investigate the dynamics mechanism of a mistuned oscillating cascade. The main objectives are two-folds, first to elucidate the basic vibration characteristics of a mistuned blade row, and second to examine the aeroelastic effects of mistuning. Three conditions of interest are considered: (a) the structural mistuning only, (b) the aerodynamic mistuning only, and (c) a combination of the two. The present results show that first a mistuned configuration tends to vibrate with the same frequency and a predominantly constant interblade phase angle. Vibration amplitudes of the blades vary significantly with a strong mode localization effect for the structural mistuning. For the concurrent structural-aerodynamic mistuning, the localization is stronger than in the standalone structural mistuning case. Second, a monotonic increase of the aeroelastic stability with the structural mistuning magnitude is observed. On the other hand, the aerodynamically mistuned cascade shows a stabilizing effect with a small amount of mistuning but exhibits a destabilizing effect with a large mistuning. Furthermore, these results indicate a quite remarkable interplay between the structural and the aerodynamic mistuning. At a condition where the tuned cascade is still stable, an aero-mistuning induced unstable behavior is observed. An introduction of a large magnitude of frequency mistuning which would be stabilizing for a tuned cascade, is instead shown to have a destabilizing effect for the present combined aero-structural mistuning case.
Physics Doesn't Bite—A Simple Experiment for Introducing Biomechanical Operational Principles of the Temporomandibular Joint
Authors: Dziob Daniel , Młynarczyk Marcin , Rok Tomasz , Tatoń Grzegorz , Lisowski Bartosz
Published: October 2021

Biophysics is rarely mentioned as one of the most useful parts of dental and medical students' curricula. However, with the growing complexity of tools and methods used in diagnostics and therapy, the knowledge of their physical foundations becomes important and helps with choosing the optimal solutions for both, a patient and a doctor. The aim of the proposed activity is to develop students' intuition about simple physical models that help with understanding fundamental properties of temporomandibular joint (TMJ). A simple device, which allows for bite force measurement, is proposed. It is based on beam bending and a strain gauge Wheatstone bridge circuit mounted on two connected arms: the stiff one and the more elastic one. Linear regression is the only mathematical concept needed for understanding the physical background of the proposed activity. During the proposed activity—measuring of bite force for incisors, premolars, and molars—students are confronted with basic concepts, such as lever, torque, electrical circuit, calibration curve. By utilizing a simple idea, instead of a commercially available device, students can understand where the data come from. Proposed system delivers physiologically reasonable results.
GANTL: Towards Practical and Real-Time Topology Optimization with Conditional GANs and Transfer Learning
Authors: Behzadi Mohammad Mahdi , Ilies Horea T.
Published: October 2021

Many machine learning methods have been recently developed to circumvent the high computational cost of the gradient-based topology optimization. These methods typically require extensive and costly datasets for training, have a difficult time generalizing to unseen boundary and loading conditions and to new domains, and do not take into consideration topological constraints of the predictions, which produces predictions with inconsistent topologies. We present a deep learning method based on generative adversarial networks for generative design exploration. The proposed method combines the generative power of conditional GANs with the knowledge transfer capabilities of transfer learning methods to predict optimal topologies for unseen boundary conditions. We also show that the knowledge transfer capabilities embedded in the design of the proposed algorithm significantly reduces the size of the training dataset compared to the traditional deep learning neural or adversarial networks. Moreover, we formulate a topological loss function based on the bottleneck distance obtained from the persistent diagram of the structures and demonstrate a significant improvement in the topological connectivity of the predicted structures. We use numerous examples to explore the efficiency and accuracy of the proposed approach for both seen and unseen boundary conditions in 2D.
Development of Technical Creativity Featuring Modified TRIZ-AM Inventive Principle to Support Additive Manufacturing
Authors: Mazlan Siti Nur Humaira , Abdul Kadir Aini Zuhra , Deja Mariusz , Zieliński Dawid , Alkahari Mohd Rizal
Published: October 2021

The design for additive manufacturing (DFAM) processing was introduced to fully utilize the design freedom provided by additive manufacturing (AM). Consequently, appropriate design methodologies have become essential for this technology. Recently, many studies have identified the importance of DFAM method utilization to produce AM parts, and theory of inventive problem-solving (TRIZ) is a strategy used to formalize design methodologies. TRIZ is a problem-solving tool developed to assist designers to find innovative and creative solutions. However, the pathway for synergizing TRIZ and DFAM is not clearly explained with respect to AM capabilities and complexities. This is mainly because most methods continue to involve use of the classical TRIZ principle, which was developed early in 1946, 40 years before AM technologies were introduced in the mid-1980s. Therefore, to tackle this issue, this study aims to enhance the 40 principles of classical TRIZ to accommodate AM design principles. A modified TRIZ-AM principle has been developed to define the pathway to AM solutions. TRIZ-AM cards are tools that assist designers to select inventive principles in the early phases of product design and development. The case study illustrates that even inexperienced AM users can creatively design innovative AM parts.
Machine Learning for Diagnosis of Event Synchronization Faults in Discrete Manufacturing Systems
Authors: Cohen Joseph , Jiang Baoyang , Ni Jun
Published: October 2021

Common in discrete manufacturing, timed event systems often have strict synchronization requirements for healthy operation. Discrete event system methods have been used as mathematical tools to detect known faults, but do not scale well for problems with extensive variability in the normal class. A hybridized discrete event and data-driven method is suggested to supplement fault diagnosis in the case where failure patterns are not known in advance. A unique fault diagnosis framework consisting of signal data from programmable logic controllers, a Timed Petri Net of the normal process behavior, and machine learning algorithms is presented to improve fault diagnosis of timed event systems. Various supervised and unsupervised machine learning algorithms are explored as the methodology is implemented in a case study in semiconductor manufacturing. State-of-the-art classifiers such as artificial neural networks, support vector machines, and random forests are implemented and compared for handling multi-fault diagnosis using programmable logic controller signal data. For unsupervised learning, classifiers based on principal component analysis utilizing major and minor principal components are compared for anomaly detection. The rule-based random forest and extreme random forest classifiers achieve excellent performance with a precision and recall score of 0.96 for multi-fault classification. Additionally, the unsupervised learning approach yields anomaly detection rates of 98% with false alarms under 3% with a training set 99% smaller than the supervised learning classifiers. These results obtained on a real use case are promising to enable prognostic tools in industrial automation systems in the future.
Experimental Study of Gas–Liquid Pressurization Performance and Critical Gas Volume Fractions of a Multiphase Pump
Authors: Chang Liang , Xu Qiang , Yang Chenyu , Su Xiaobin , Zhang Xuemei , Guo Liejin
Published: October 2021

Gas entrainment may cause pressurization deterioration and even failure of pumps under conditions of high inlet gas volume fraction (GVF). When the inlet GVF increases to a critical value, an obvious deterioration performance of pump occurs. Air–water pressurization performance and inlet critical GVFs of a centrifugal multiphase pump are investigated experimentally under different inlet pressures and gas–liquid flow rates. To determine the first and second critical GVFs, a new method is proposed by computing the local extreme points of the second derivative of performance curves. New prediction correlations for two critical GVFs are established with relative errors lower than ±10% and ±8%. Boundaries of three different flow patterns and the transition flow rates are determined and presented by critical GVFs on the flow pattern diagram. Moreover, boundaries of maximum pressurization are determined by performance curve clusters and a power function correlation of gas–liquid flow rates when reaching the maximum pressurization is established. With the increase of inlet pressure from 1 MPa to 5 MPa, two-phase pressurization performance is significantly increased; occurrences of pressurization deterioration are obviously delayed with the first and second critical GVFs increasing by maximums of 8.2% and 7.1%.
Proposed Alternative Rules for Establishing Pressure-Temperature Rating of Aluminum Alloy Flanges
Authors: Cheta Ayman
Published: October 2021

Pressure-temperature ratings for aluminum alloy flanges made from ASTM B247 3003-H112 and 6061-T6 materials are covered in ASME B31.3 Appendix L since 1995. They were previously included in ANSI B16.5 between 1960 and 1968, and in ANSI B16.31 Non-ferrous Alloy Flanges from 1968 and until it was withdrawn in 1981.

In 2018, Xu and Rana [PVP 2018-84076] used a modified version of the rules for establishing the pressure-temperature rating from ASME B16.5 Steel Flanges to re-assess the pressure-temperature rating of aluminum alloy currently listed in ASME B31.3 Appendix L. Based on their work, they recommended raising the pressure-temperature ratings for Classes 150, 300 and 600, as well as expanding rating to cover Classes 900 and 1500.

In this paper, the author will revisit this topic, explain the background of why ANSI B16.31 was withdrawn and the drawbacks of higher pressure-temperature rating of aluminum alloy flanges. The author will also explain the concept of “ceiling pressure” used in B16 standards to cap the maximum pressure rating for flanges and valves, and significant difference in the modulus of elasticity between Carbon Steel and Aluminum alloys, and its impact on flange rigidity and leak tightness, and will propose alternative rules for establishing the pressure-temperature ratings for aluminum alloy flanges.