bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nonsinusoidal in situ electric field caused by magnetic deactivator device for EAS labels—assessment of field strength inside a detailed anatomical hand model
Authors: Schneeweiss Pia , Hirtl Rene , Schmid Gernot
Published: February 2023

In order to evaluate the localised magnetic field (MF) exposure of the cashier’s hand due to a particular demagnetization device (deactivator) for single-use labels of an acoustomagnetic (AM) electronic article surveillance (EAS) system, comprehensive measurements of the MF near the surface of the deactivator, and numerical computations of the induced electric field strength E
i, were performed in high-resolution anatomical hand models of different postures and positions with respect to the deactivator. The measurement results for magnetic induction B were assessed with respect to the action levels (AL) for limb exposure, and the computational results for E
i were evaluated with respect to the exposure limit values (ELV) for health effects according to European Union (EU) directive 2013/35/EU. For the ELV-based assessment, a maximum of the 2 × 2 × 2 mm3 averaged E
i (maxE
i,avg) and the respective 99.9th, 99.5th, and 99.0th percentiles were used. As the MF impulse emitted by the deactivator for demagnetization of the AM-EAS labels was highly nonsinusoidal, measurement results were assessed based on the weighted peak method in the time domain (WPM-TD). A newly developed scaling technique was proposed to also apply the WPM-TD to the assessment of the (nonsinusoidal) E
i regarding the ELV. It was used to calculate the resulting WPM-TD-based exposure index (EI) from frequency domain computations. The assessment regarding the AL for limbs yielded peak values of magnetic induction of up to 97 mT (measured with a 3 cm2 MF probe on top of the deactivator surface) corresponding to an EI of 443%. However, this was considered an overestimation of the actual exposure in terms of E
i as the AL were intentionally defined conservatively. A WPM-TD-based assessment of E
i finally led to the worst case EI of up to 135%, 93%, 78%, and 72% when using the maxE
i,avg, 99.9th, 99.5th, and 99.0th percentiles, respectively.
Low-power vibrothermography detection technique for surface cracks on composite sucker rod
Authors: Liu Pengqian , Xu Changhang , Zhang Yubin , Qin Yi , Xu Yinsheng , Xie Jing , Song Gangbing
Published: February 2023

Composite sucker rods are becoming increasingly popular in oil fields owing to their light weight and corrosion resistance. However, various defects may appear in the manufacturing and service of sucker rods. Unfortunately, research on defect detection is still insufficient for composite sucker rods. This study explores a surface crack detection technique for composite sucker rods based on low-power vibrothermography (LVT). First, an improved low-power piezoceramic actuator with a curved bottom is designed for rod-like structure. Second, the entire processes of LVT-based surface crack detection, including excitation signal generation, mechanical wave propagation, and heat generation at defects, are simulated and analyzed using the finite element method. The heat generation mechanism and characteristic at cracks are revealed by coupled thermo-electro-mechanical analysis. The superiority of the improved actuator is reflected by comparison with the conventional actuator. In addition, the simulation investigates the optimal excitation signal amplitude and circumferential angle between the actuator and the crack. Finally, a series of LVT detection experiments were conducted on a composite sucker rod with surface cracks, which not only proved the effectiveness of the LVT, but also validated the conclusions of the numerical simulations. The maximum temperature rise at the crack is 5.54 °C by using the improved actuator. Numerical simulation and experimental results demonstrate that the surface cracks of the composite sucker rod can be effectively detected using LVT with an improved piezoceramic actuator. This study provides a new direction for extending vibrothermography to the non-destructive testing of composite rod-like structures.
Ferromagnetism and skyrmions in the Hofstadter–Fermi–Hubbard model
Authors: Palm F A , Kurttutan M , Bohrdt A , Schollwöck U , Grusdt F
Published: February 2023

Strongly interacting fermionic systems host a variety of interesting quantum many-body states with exotic excitations. For instance, the interplay of strong interactions and the Pauli exclusion principle can lead to Stoner ferromagnetism, but the fate of this state remains unclear when kinetic terms are added. While in many lattice models the fermions’ dispersion results in delocalization and destabilization of the ferromagnet, flat bands can restore strong interaction effects and ferromagnetic correlations. To reveal this interplay, here we propose to study the Hofstadter–Fermi–Hubbard model using ultracold atoms. We demonstrate, by performing large-scale density-matrix renormalization group simulations, that this model exhibits a lattice analog of the quantum Hall (QH) ferromagnet at magnetic filling factor ν = 1. We reveal the nature of the low energy spin-singlet states around ν ≈ 1 and find that they host quasi-particles and quasi-holes exhibiting spin-spin correlations reminiscent of skyrmions. Finally, we predict the breakdown of flat-band ferromagnetism at large fields. Our work paves the way towards experimental studies of lattice QH ferromagnetism, including prospects to study many-body states of interacting skyrmions and explore the relation to high-

T

c

superconductivity.
Higgsless simulations of cosmological phase transitions
and gravitational waves
Authors: Jinno Ryusuke , Konstandin Thomas , Rubira Henrique , Stomberg Isak
Published: February 2023

First-order cosmological phase transitions in the early Universe source sound waves and,
subsequently, a background of stochastic gravitational waves. Currently, predictions of these
gravitational waves rely heavily on simulations of a Higgs field coupled to the plasma of the
early Universe, the former providing the latent heat of the phase transition. Numerically, this
is a rather demanding task since several length scales enter the dynamics. From smallest to
largest, these are the thickness of the Higgs interface separating the different phases, the shell
thickness of the sound waves, and the average bubble size. In this work, we present an approach to
perform Higgsless simulations in three dimensions, producing fully nonlinear results, while at the
same time removing the hierarchically smallest scale from the lattice. This significantly reduces
the complexity of the problem and contributes to making our approach highly efficient. We provide
spectra for the produced gravitational waves for various choices of wall velocity and strength of
the phase transition, as well as introduce a fitting function for the spectral shape.
The TEMPO Survey. I. Predicting Yields of Transiting Exosatellites, Moons, and Planets from a 30 days Survey of Orion with the Roman Space Telescope
Authors: Limbach Mary Anne , Soares-Furtado Melinda , Vanderburg Andrew , Best William M. J. , Cody Ann Marie , D’Onghia Elena , Heller René , Hensley Brandon S. , Kounkel Marina , Kraus Adam , Mann Andrew W. , Robberto Massimo , Rosen Anna L. , Townsend Richard , Vos Johanna M.
Published: February 2023

We present design considerations for the Transiting Exosatellites, Moons, and Planets in Orion (TEMPO) Survey with the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope. This proposed 30 days survey is designed to detect a population of transiting extrasolar satellites, moons, and planets in the Orion Nebula Cluster (ONC). The young (1–3 Myr), densely populated ONC harbors about a thousand bright brown dwarfs (BDs) and free-floating planetary-mass objects (FFPs). TEMPO offers sufficient photometric precision to monitor FFPs with M >1 M
J for transiting satellites. The survey is also capable of detecting FFPs down to sub-Saturn masses via direct imaging, although follow-up confirmation will be challenging. TEMPO yield estimates include 14 (3–22) exomoons/satellites transiting FFPs and 54 (8–100) satellites transiting BDs. Of this population, approximately 50% of companions would be “super-Titans” (Titan to Earth mass). Yield estimates also include approximately 150 exoplanets transiting young Orion stars, of which >50% will orbit mid-to-late M dwarfs. TEMPO would provide the first census demographics of small exosatellites orbiting FFPs and BDs, while simultaneously offering insights into exoplanet evolution at the earliest stages. This detected exosatellite population is likely to be markedly different from the current census of exoplanets with similar masses (e.g., Earth-mass exosatellites that still possess H/He envelopes). Although our yield estimates are highly uncertain, as there are no known exoplanets or exomoons analogous to these satellites, the TEMPO survey would test the prevailing theories of exosatellite formation and evolution, which limit the certainty surrounding detection yields.
Exploration of growth conditions of TaAs Weyl semimetal thin film using pulsed laser deposition
Authors: Li Shien , Lin Zefeng , Hu Wei , Yan Dayu , Chen Fucong , Bai Xinbo , Zhu Beiyi , Yuan Jie , Shi Youguo , Jin Kui , Weng Hongming , Guo Haizhong
Published: February 2023

TaAs, the first experimentally discovered Weyl semimetal material, has attracted a lot of attention due to its high carrier mobility, high anisotropy, nonmagnetic properties and strong interaction with light. These make it an ideal candidate for the study of Weyl fermions and applications in quantum computation, thermoelectric devices, and photodetection. For further basic physics studies and potential applications, large-size and high-quality TaAs films are urgently needed. However, it is difficult to grow As-stoichiometry TaAs films due to the volatilization of As during the growth. To solve this problem, we attempted to grow TaAs films on different substrates using targets with different As stoichiometric ratios via pulsed laser deposition (PLD). In this work, we found that partial As ions of the GaAs substrate are likely to diffuse into the TaAs films during growth, which was preliminarily confirmed by structural characterization, surface topography and composition analysis. As a result, the As content in the TaAs film was improved and the TaAs phase was achieved. Our work presents an effective method for the fabrication of TaAs films using PLD, enabling possible use of the Weyl semimetal film for functional devices.
Pressure-induced structural transition and low-temperature recovery of sodium pentazolate
Authors: Zhao Zitong , Liu Ran , Guo Linlin , Liu Shuang , Sui Minghong , Liu Bo , Yao Zhen , Wang Peng , Liu Bingbing
Published: February 2023

Pentazolate compounds have attracted extensive attention as high energy density materials. The synthesis and recovery of pentazolate compounds is of great importance for their potential applications. Here, we report the synthesis of Pmn21-NaN5 and Pm-Na2N5 through compressing and laser heating pure NaN3 at ∼ 60 GPa. Upon decompression, the pressure-induced structural transition from Pmn21-NaN5 into Cm-NaN5 is observed in the pressure range of 14–23 GPa for the first time. The cyclo-

N
5
−

can be traced down to 4.7 GPa at room temperature and recovered to ambient pressure under low temperature condition (up to 160 K). The Pm-Na2N5 is suggested to decompose into the P4/mmm-NaN2 at 23 GPa, and be stable at ambient conditions. This work provides insight into the high-pressure behaviors of pentazolate compounds and an alternative way to stabilize energetic polynitrogen compounds.
Efficient control of connected and automated vehicles on a two-lane highway with a moving bottleneck
Authors: Liu Huaqing , Jiang Rui
Published: February 2023

This paper investigates the traffic flow of connected and automated vehicles (CAVs) inducing by a moving bottleneck on a two-lane highway. A heuristic rules-based algorithm (HRA) has been used to control the traffic flow upstream of the moving bottleneck. In the HRA, some CAVs in the control zone are mapped onto the neighboring lane as virtual ones. To improve the driving comfort, the command acceleration caused by virtual vehicle is restricted. Comparing with the benchmark in which the CAVs change lane as soon as the lane changing condition is met, the HRA significantly improves the traffic flow: the overtaking throughput as well as the outflow rate increases, the travel delay and the fuel consumption decrease, the comfort level could also be improved.
Peaking and hollowness of low-Z impurity profiles: an interplay between ITG and TEM induced turbulent transport
Authors: Palade D.I.
Published: February 2023

The transport of low-Z impurities in fusion plasmas is dominated, in many regimes of interest, by ion temperature gradient (ITG) and trapped electron mode (TEM) turbulence. We use a statistical test-particle approach to analyze the effects of these drift instabilities on the transport coefficients. It is found that the convection of

E

×

B

motion by the polarization drift drives an outward radial pinch via ITG and an inward pinch via TEM turbulence. Opposite radial pinches are driven by turbulent motion along magnetic field-lines. The interplay between these effects can explain the co-existence of peaked and hollow impurity density profiles observed in tokamak plasmas. The theoretical framework is validated through comparison with experimental data on the transport of Boron impurities.
Freeze–thaw hydrogel fabrication method: basic principles, synthesis parameters, properties, and biomedical applications
Authors: Waresindo William Xaveriano , Luthfianti Halida Rahmi , Priyanto Aan , Hapidin Dian Ahmad , Edikresnha Dhewa , Aimon Akfiny Hasdi , Suciati Tri , Khairurrijal Khairurrijal
Published: February 2023

Hydrogel is being broadly studied due to their tremendous properties, such as swelling behavior and biocompatibility. Numerous review articles have discussed hydrogel polymer types, hydrogel synthesis methods, hydrogel properties, and hydrogel applications. Hydrogel can be synthesized by physical and chemical cross-linking methods. One type of the physical cross-linking method is freeze-thaw (F–T), which works based on the crystallization process of the precursor solution to form a physical cross-link. To date, there has been no review paper which discusses the F–T technique specifically and comprehensively. Most of the previous review articles that exposed the hydrogel synthesis method usually mentioned the F–T process as a small part of the physical cross-linking method. This review attempts to discuss the F–T hydrogel specifically and comprehensively. In more detail, this review covers the basic principles of hydrogel formation in an F–T way, the parameters that influence hydrogel formation, the properties of the hydrogel, and its application in the biomedical field.
Effects of normalizing temperature on microstructure and high-temperature properties of 2.25Cr-1Mo-0.25V bainitic steel
Authors: Zhang Libing , Luo Deng , Li Yanmei , Zhang Jimou , Song Minghui , Xu Chen
Published: February 2023

In 2.2Cr-1Mo-0.25V bainitic steels, the effect of the initial microstructure on carbide precipitation has not yet been elucidated. Therefore, in this work, the effect of normalizing temperature on the microstructure evolution and corresponding high-temperature strength change of bainitic steels was investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) using extra-thick hydrogenation reactor steel as the assessed material, and the precipitation strengthening mechanism was discussed. When the normalizing temperature increased from 900 °C to 990 °C, the high-temperature yield strength increased from 451 to 475 MPa and the average absorbed Charpy impact energy at −30 °C decreased from 93 to 41 J. Therefore, the optimal normalizing temperature was 960 °C. The volume fraction of MC carbides with almost no change in average diameter increased from 0.21% to 0.44%, and the dispersed strengthening of carbide was significantly enhanced. The increase in normalizing temperature increased the solid solution of alloying elements within the bainite matrix, which increased the precipitation of MC carbides during the tempering process. In addition, the lamellar M-A constituents in the initial microstructure decomposed to form MC carbides.
Turnover in male dominance offsets the positive effect of polygyny on within-group relatedness
Authors: Dyble Mark , Clutton-Brock Tim H
Published: February 2023

Evidence of an association between cooperative breeding systems and average coefficients of relatedness between group members in vertebrates have led to increased interest in the social and ecological factors affecting average kinship within groups. Previous studies have suggested that polygynous mating systems and high degrees of male reproductive skew increase average relatedness because they increase the proportion of offspring born in each group that are paternal siblings. Although this may be the case in semelparous organisms, in many multiparous polygynous animals, intense competition between males shortens the breeding tenure of males and leads to their frequent replacement by competitors which reduces paternal relatedness and average kinship between members of multigenerational groups. Here, we explore the interaction between male reproductive skew and the frequency of turnover in breeding males and its effects on within-group relatedness. Our theoretical model shows that increases in rates of dominance turnover in polygynous systems can offset the positive effect of male skew on relatedness between group members within seasons, showing that polygynous mating systems will not necessarily lead to significant increases in average relatedness, especially in species where there is extensive overlap between generations among group members.
Testing the local mate competition rule in a quasi-gregarious parasitoid with facultative superparasitism
Authors: Liu Peng-Cheng , Wang Zi-Yin , Qi Mei , Hu Hao-Yuan
Published: February 2023

As an important domain of evolutionary ecology, sex allocation theory well explains the evolution of investment into female versus male offspring. Local mate competition (LMC) is a good predictor of sex allocation, where the optimal sex ratio becomes less female-biased and asymptotically approaches 0.5 as the number of foundresses increases. Parasitoid wasps, with haplodiploid sex determination, offer excellent opportunities to test how organisms manipulate their offspring sex ratio in response to environmental variation, and many species have been proved to allocate sex according to predictions under LMC. When hosts are spatially clustered, as in gregarious species, the mating systems of quasi-gregarious parasitoids meet the essential assumptions (female mating before dispersal) of LMC. However, inconsistent with predictions, in the quasi-gregarious species Anastatus disparis (Hymenoptera: Eupelmidae), a strongly female-biased eclosion sex ratio (0.156 ± 0.018 to 0.185 ± 0.016) was observed as the number of females laying eggs in a patch increased. Superparasitism, in which 44.7% of parasitized hosts contained more than one egg but only one adult emerged from each host, was common in A. disparis. However, the egg sex ratio was determined by microsatellites and likely fit the predictions of LMC theory. Male-biased offspring mortality arising from superparasitism during development likely contributes to the shift from the primary sex ratio predicted under LMC to the observed female-biased eclosion sex ratio. Inconsistent with results in gregarious parasitoids, the role of superparasitism in driving sex ratio shifts in quasi-gregarious parasitoids should be incorporated into LMC-based predictions of sex ratios.
DISCO+QR: rooting species trees in the presence of GDL and ILS
Authors: Willson James , Tabatabaee Yasamin , Liu Baqiao , Warnow Tandy
Published: February 2023

Motivation

Genes evolve under processes such as gene duplication and loss (GDL), so that gene family trees are multi-copy, as well as incomplete lineage sorting (ILS); both processes produce gene trees that differ from the species tree. The estimation of species trees from sets of gene family trees is challenging, and the estimation of rooted species trees presents additional analytical challenges. Two of the methods developed for this problem are STRIDE, which roots species trees by considering GDL events, and Quintet Rooting (QR), which roots species trees by considering ILS.

Results

We present DISCO+QR, a new approach to rooting species trees that first uses DISCO to address GDL and then uses QR to perform rooting in the presence of ILS. DISCO+QR operates by taking the input gene family trees and decomposing them into single-copy trees using DISCO and then roots the given species tree using the information in the single-copy gene trees using QR. We show that the relative accuracy of STRIDE and DISCO+QR depend on the properties of the dataset (number of species, genes, rate of gene duplication, degree of ILS and gene tree estimation error), and that each provides advantages over the other under some conditions.

Availability and implementation

DISCO and QR are available in github.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics Advances online.
Patpat: a public proteomics dataset search framework
Authors: Liao Weiheng , Zhang Xuelian
Published: February 2023

As the FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) principles have become widely accepted in the proteomics field, under the guidance of ProteomeXchange and The Human Proteome Organization Proteomics Standards Initiative, proteomics public databases have been providing Application Programming Interfaces for programmatic access. Based on generating logic from proteomics data, we present Patpat, an extensible framework for searching public datasets, merging results from multiple databases to help researchers find their proteins of interest in the vast mass spectrometry. Patpat’s 2D strategy of combining results from multiple databases allows users to provide only protein identifiers to obtain metadata for relevant datasets, improving the ‘Findable’ of proteomics data.

Availability and implementation

The Patpat framework is released under the Apache 2.0 license open source, and the source code is stored on GitHub (https://github.com/henry-leo/Patpat) and is freely available.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Demographic history and species delimitation of threeZamiaspecies (Zamiaceae) in south-eastern Mexico:Z. katzerianais not a product of hybridization
Authors: Gutiérrez-Ortega José Said , Pérez-Farrera Miguel Angel , Lopez Sergio , Vovides Andrew P
Published: February 2023

Speculations on hybridization among wild cycads are abundant, but empirical evidence of hybridization in cycad evolution is almost non-existent and the evolutionary consequences of hybridization in cycads have not been discussed. Previously, Zamia katzeriana was hypothesized to have a hybrid origin between two sympatric species: Z. splendens and Z. loddigesii. In this study, we aimed to reveal whether such a hypothesis is confirmed. Variation in 12 microsatellite loci, 12 morphological traits and environmental niche of ten populations representing the three species was examined. Gene flow and scenarios of demographic history were tested. Ecological niche models were reconstructed to examine present and past niche availability of the two putative parental species. Correlations between genetic, morphological, environmental and geographical distances were tested. We found that Z. katzeriana diverged from Z. splendens without experiencing admixture with its sympatric congeners. However, gene flow between Z. splendens and Z. loddigesii has occurred in one locality. The niches of the two latter species have overlapped since the Last Glacial Maximum, when admixture probably occurred. However, the admixed populations do not resemble Z. katzeriana. These results confirm that Z. katzeriana did not originate from hybridization between Z. splendens and Z. loddigesii.
The seed coat in the evolutionary context of Bromelioideae (Bromeliaceae): morphoanatomical diversity and ontogeny in the core and tankless lineages
Authors: de Carvalho Jordano D Tavares , Leme Elton M C , Mariath Jorge E de Araujo
Published: February 2023

Seed morphology could provide significant characters for understanding the diversification of some clades in Bromeliaceae subfamily Bromelioideae, but little is known about the anatomical diversity and ontogeny of the seed coat in this diverse subfamily. We analysed the morphoanatomy of the seed coat for 48 species from 25 genera of the major lineages of Bromelioideae, from which we selected four species for ontogenetic analysis. Standard techniques for light microscopy were adapted for the anatomical study of seeds. Thirty-three variable characters were described and compared. Flattened or angular usually exappendiculate, tegmic-endotestal seeds, with secondarily thickened endotesta and undulate or costate tegmen, are common characteristics of the tankless lineages. Long oblongoid–obovoid, appendaged or exappendiculate, exclusively tegmic and mucilaginous seeds are common to core Bromelioideae. Anatomical features of the exotegmen and testa and the number of parenchyma layers in the raphe were more variable and especially useful in delimiting genera and some species. The ontogenetic analysis was essential to propose the primary morphological homology hypotheses for the seed coat characters. Seed coat morphoanatomical features offer a promising source of phylogenetically informative characters for integrative and character evolution approaches for Bromelioideae and possibly other subfamilies of Bromeliaceae.
Prospective Cohort Study of Cryptosporidium Infection and Shedding in Infants and Their Households
Authors: Korpe Poonum , Ni Zhanmo , Kabir Mamun , Alam Masud , Ferdous Tahsin , Ara Rifat , Munday Rebecca M , Haque Rashidul , Duggal Priya
Published: February 2023

Background

Cryptosporidium spp. are responsible for significant diarrheal morbidity and mortality in under-5 children. There is no vaccine; thus, a focus on prevention is paramount. Prior studies suggest that person-to-person spread may be an important pathway for transmission to young children. Here we describe a longitudinal cohort study of 100 families with infants to determine rates of cryptosporidiosis within households during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Methods

Families living in Mirpur, Bangladesh, with 1 infant aged 6–8 months were enrolled and followed with weekly illness survey and stool testing for Cryptosporidium for 8 months.

Results

From December 2020 to August 2021, 100 families were enrolled. Forty-four percent of index children and 35% of siblings had at least 1 Cryptosporidium infection. Shedding of Cryptosporidium occurred for a mean (standard deviation) of 19 (8.3) days in index infants, 16.1 (11.6) days in children 1–5 years, and 16.2 (12.8) days in adults. A longer duration of Cryptosporidium shedding was associated with growth faltering in infants. There was a spike in Cryptosporidium cases in May 2021, which coincided with a spike in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) cases in the region.

Conclusions

In this intensive, longitudinal study of Cryptosporidium infection in families we found high rates of cryptosporidiosis in infants and children, and prolonged parasite shedding, especially among malnourished children. These data support that transmission within the household is an important route of exposure for young infants and that treatment of nondiarrheal infection to interrupt person-to-person transmission within the home may be essential for preventing cryptosporidiosis in infants.
Guidance on the Use of Convalescent Plasma to Treat Immunocompromised Patients With Coronavirus Disease 2019
Authors: Bloch Evan M , Focosi Daniele , Shoham Shmuel , Senefeld Jonathon , Tobian Aaron A R , Baden Lindsey R , Tiberghien Pierre , Sullivan David J , Cohn Claudia , Dioverti Veronica , Henderson Jeffrey P , So-Osman Cynthia , Juskewitch Justin E , Razonable Raymund R , Franchini Massimo , Goel Ruchika , Grossman Brenda J , Casadevall Arturo , Joyner Michael J , Avery Robin K , Pirofski Liise-anne , Gebo Kelly A
Published: February 2023

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) convalescent plasma (CCP) is a safe and effective treatment for COVID-19 in immunocompromised (IC) patients. IC patients have a higher risk of persistent infection, severe disease, and death from COVID-19. Despite the continued clinical use of CCP to treat IC patients, the optimal dose, frequency/schedule, and duration of CCP treatment has yet to be determined, and related best practices guidelines are lacking. A group of individuals with expertise spanning infectious diseases, virology and transfusion medicine was assembled to render an expert opinion statement pertaining to the use of CCP for IC patients. For optimal effect, CCP should be recently and locally collected to match circulating variant. CCP should be considered for the treatment of IC patients with acute and protracted COVID-19; dosage depends on clinical setting (acute vs protracted COVID-19). CCP containing high-titer severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) antibodies, retains activity against circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants, which have otherwise rendered monoclonal antibodies ineffective.
Evaluation of Face Validity and Acceptability of the Care Partner Hospital Assessment Tool
Authors: Fields Beth , Carbery Madelyn , Schulz Richard , Rodakowski Juleen , Terhorst Lauren , Still Catherine
Published: February 2023

Background and Objectives

Care partners of hospitalized older adults report their caregiving needs are not being addressed. The Care Partner Hospital Assessment Tool (CHAT) is a feasible and appropriate tool for practitioners’ use with care partners in the hospital setting. This article explores the face validity and acceptability of the CHAT among care partners of hospitalized older adults.

Research Design and Methods

A qualitative descriptive study was used to identify common themes among care partners’ responses from semistructured interviews. The CHAT was administered to care partners of older adults admitted to a medical–surgical unit in an academic medical center in Madison, WI, from October 2021 to January 2022. A semistructured, follow-up interview was completed by the same care partners after discharge. Interviews were transcribed and coded for themes to capture overall impressions of the CHAT. Care partners addressed the usefulness, comfort, content, and complexity of the CHAT.

Results

Twelve care partners participated in the study. Care partners reported that the CHAT was easy to understand and complete, was judged to be useful to both the care partner and older adult, and helped identify care partner needs. Care partners suggested ways to improve the tool including administration, additional content areas to include, and modes of delivery.

Discussion and Implications

The results establish the face validity of the CHAT and support the acceptability of the tool for use with care partners of hospitalized older adults.
Positive Aging and Death or Dying: A Scoping Review
Authors: Otto Robin Brown , Fields Noelle L , Bennett Michael , Anderson Keith A
Published: February 2023

Background and Objectives

This scoping review aims to examine the extent and the manner in which research that utilizes successful, active, productive, and healthy aging framework(s) includes death or dying.

Research Design and Methods

An examination of peer-reviewed academic journal articles was conducted following Joanna Briggs Institute’s methodological standards for scoping reviews and conforming to Arskey and O’Malley’s 5-stage framework. The initial search resulted in 1,759 articles for review, and following the rigorous screening, 35 studies were included for the final review. A qualitative thematic analysis was used to identify how research utilizes the concepts of death and dying in the context of 4 positive aging models.

Results

The core themes identified include (a) the absence of death and dying dimensions in positive aging models; (b) older adults’ outlooks on death and dying while aging well; (c) religious and spiritual dimensions of aging well; (d) negative consequences of positive aging models without death and dying dimensions; and (e) the future of death and dying in positive aging models.

Discussion and Implications

The review delivers a critique by researchers on the noticeable absence of death and dying processes within the framework of successful, active, productive, and healthy aging models. These findings represent a rich opportunity for future research on these concepts.
Friendships and Emotional Well-Being in the Context of Race and Age
Authors: Ng Yee To , Fingerman Karen L , Birditt Kira S
Published: February 2023

Background and Objectives

Research suggests that friendships are associated with better emotional outcomes. Still, little is known about the implications of daily friend encounters on emotional well-being in the context of race and age. Guided by the integrative conceptual framework for friendship research, this study considers racism and cultural beliefs associated with racial groups and different social and emotional goals associated with age and investigates whether the frequency of friend encounters and the link between friend encounters and emotional well-being in everyday life would vary by race and age.

Research Design and Methods

Black (n = 80; Mage = 53.62) and White American adults (n = 89, Mage = 52.01) from the Stress and Well-being in Everyday Life study provided background and social network information, followed by ecological momentary assessment surveys in which they reported their social encounters and mood every 3 hours for 4 consecutive days.

Results

Multilevel linear models revealed no significant differences by race or age in the frequency of friend encounters. At times when individuals were with friends, their positive mood was elevated compared to when they were not (within-person association). Yet, this association was observed only among White adults and among Black individuals who were aged 41 or younger.

Discussion and Implications

This work contributes to the conceptual framework for friendship research by considering how individuals’ race and age are linked to friendship patterns. Findings highlight the importance of everyday contact with friends for enhancing momentary emotional well-being, particularly among White individuals and younger Black adults.
Pornography and religiosity: prediction and process
Authors: Wright Paul J , Tokunaga Robert , Perry Samuel L , Rains Stephen
Published: February 2023

Sexual behavior and religious practice are fundamental social dynamics of longstanding interest to communication scholars. Drawing insights from the Reinforcing Spirals Model (RSM) and Sexual Script Acquisition, Activation, Application Model (3AM), this study examined whether (a) religiosity operated primarily as a predictor of later pornography consumption, which in turn predicted heightened sexual permissiveness, or (b) earlier pornography consumption predicted lower religiosity, which in turn predicted increased sexual permissiveness. Analyses of four subsamples from nationally representative three-wave panel data yielded some evidence for both pathways, but support for the latter pathway was more robust. These findings underscore the potential influence of media on attitudes through changes in ostensibly more stable characteristics such as religiosity, in addition to the direct attitudinal effects typically theorized in communication research. They also suggest several areas where the explanatory and predictive power of the RSM and/or 3AM might be enhanced through increased clarity, nuance, and scope.
Integrating an algorithmic and health systems thinking approach to improve the uptake of government antenatal nutrition services in Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh (India), 2018 to 2021
Authors: Sethi Vani , Mishra Archana , Ahirwar K S , Singh A P , Pawar Sameer , Awasthy Pushpa , Tiwari Ankita , Saini Avi , Patel Narendra , Kumar Abhishek , Choedan Tashi , Shekhar Mansi , Joe William
Published: February 2023

In 2018, the Government of Madhya Pradesh initiated the feasibility testing of integrating an algorithmic approach (assess, give, counsel, treat) to strengthen antenatal nutrition services in routine government-funded programmes coupled with a health system thinking approach to strengthen the health service delivery platform. Implementation phases included (1) an evidence review and stakeholder consultations (April 2018) and (2) a health systems strengthening preparedness phase (May–December 2018), including pilot testing in Vidisha district (January–December 2019) covering ∼54 100 pregnant women with 237 antenatal contact points through 241 government auxiliary nurse midwives/staff nurses. During 2020–21, feasibility testing was expanded to an additional 7 districts. We used programme registers of the Auxiliary Nurse Midwives Registers (2019–21) and National Family Health Survey data for 2016 and 2021 to show changes in the Vidisha district and 7 expansion districts. We compare the performance of Vidisha district with Ashok Nagar district, where no such intervention occurred. Comparing 2016 and 2021 data, the Vidisha district showed improvements in receipt of antenatal care in the first trimester (29 to 85%) and in four antenatal visits (17 to 54%). Using the difference-in-difference approach, a 42% net increase in first-trimester antenatal check-ups in Vidisha as compared to Ashok Nagar is observed. There was also an improvement in the maternal nutrition budget of the state from USD 8.5 million to USD 17.8 million during this period. The Vidisha initiative offers several lessons in time-effective workflow to deliver all constituents of nutrition services at various antenatal contact points through and via routine government health systems. Continued execution of the algorithm for screening, with longitudinal data on the management of all nutrition risks, will be critical to show its long-term impact on maternal morbidities and birth outcomes.
Parental perspectives on the quality of life of children with cochlear implants in Armenia
Authors: Danielian Marie , Danielian Arman , Harutunyan Lilit , Ishiyama Akira , Akaragian Salpy
Published: February 2023

Objectives

The aim of this project is to assess the quality of life (QOL) of children living with cochlear implants (CIs) in Armenia using the ‘Children with Cochlear Implants: Parental Perspectives’ (CCIPP) questionnaire.

Design

A group of children received CIs after an international medical mission trip. Parents of 39 children who received CIs (30 male and 9 female, age range between 1 and 7 years, mean 6.31 years post-implantation, and mean age at time of implantation 2.92 years old) completed the CCIPP questionnaire. The questionnaire had 107 items, which were scored using a 5-point Likert scale.

Results

General functioning, communication, and support of the child domains (mean 4.13, 4.01, and 4.00, respectively) achieved the highest ratings. Effects of implantation (mean 2.97) and education (mean 3.24) received less positive ratings. Communication, general functioning, social relationship, and well-being and happiness had the most positive correlations with other domains (P < 0.05). Significant but weak correlations were observed between communication and age of implantation (rs = −0.352, P < 0.05), general functioning and number of spoken languages (rs = 0.372, P < 0.05), and supporting the child and number of spoken languages (rs = 0.376, P < 0.05).

Conclusion

The parents positively rated most domains indicating that the QOL of the child at ≥3 years post-implantation is improved and that parents view the implant as having a positive impact on their child’s life. Future studies should investigate and implement solutions to enhance parents’ satisfaction with education and effects of implantation domains by improving resource allocation to schools and providing better preoperative counseling to parents, respectively. Importantly, this project demonstrates that an international medical aid trip model can be an effective means of providing cochlear implantation to resource-limited countries.
The drifting subpulse and nulling of PSR B0820 + 02 observed with FAST
Authors: Zhi Qijun , Xu Xin , Shang Lunhua , Bai Juntao , Dang Shijun , Lu Jiguang , Dai Shi , Zhao Rushuang , Wen Zhigang , Qiao Guojun , Dong Aijun
Published: February 2023

PSR B0820 + 02 is known to exhibit the subpulse drifting phenomenon, which carries vital information about the pulsar radiation process. In this work, we studied the subpulse drifting of PSR B0820 + 02 at a central frequency of 1250 MHz using the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope (FAST). Thanks to the superior sensitivity of FAST, we found that PSR B0820 + 02 shows four distinct subpulse drifting modes (A, B, C, and D), the last three of which have not been reported before. The drifting periodicities of these four modes are found to be 4.3P1, 6.4P1, 8.2P1, and 10.3P1 (P1 is the pulse period), respectively. No null pulse is found in our FAST observation. By comparing the energy distribution of single pulses of all four modes, we found that mode A has the highest energy and mode D has the lowest energy. Finally, we interpreted the drift modes in terms of the carousel model, and showed that if B0820 + 02’s different drift modes are due to aliasing effects, the carousel rotation period of P4 lies in the range 29P1–33P1. The new subpulse drifting phenomena of PSR B0820 + 02 reported here provide a unique opportunity for understanding the mechanism and radiation geometry of pulsar radio radiation.
The tRNA identity landscape for aminoacylation and beyond
Authors: Giegé Richard , Eriani Gilbert
Published: February 2023

tRNAs are key partners in ribosome-dependent protein synthesis. This process is highly dependent on the fidelity of tRNA aminoacylation by aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases and relies primarily on sets of identities within tRNA molecules composed of determinants and antideterminants preventing mischarging by non-cognate synthetases. Such identity sets were discovered in the tRNAs of a few model organisms, and their properties were generalized as universal identity rules. Since then, the panel of identity elements governing the accuracy of tRNA aminoacylation has expanded considerably, but the increasing number of reported functional idiosyncrasies has led to some confusion. In parallel, the description of other processes involving tRNAs, often well beyond aminoacylation, has progressed considerably, greatly expanding their interactome and uncovering multiple novel identities on the same tRNA molecule. This review highlights key findings on the mechanistics and evolution of tRNA and tRNA-like identities. In addition, new methods and their results for searching sets of multiple identities on a single tRNA are discussed. Taken together, this knowledge shows that a comprehensive understanding of the functional role of individual and collective nucleotide identity sets in tRNA molecules is needed for medical, biotechnological and other applications.
Mechanism of strand displacement DNA synthesis by the coordinated activities of human mitochondrial DNA polymerase and SSB
Authors: Plaza-G.A. Ismael , Lemishko Kateryna M , Crespo Rodrigo , Truong Thinh Q , Kaguni Laurie S , Cao-García Francisco J , Ciesielski Grzegorz L , Ibarra Borja
Published: February 2023

Many replicative DNA polymerases couple DNA replication and unwinding activities to perform strand displacement DNA synthesis, a critical ability for DNA metabolism. Strand displacement is tightly regulated by partner proteins, such as single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) binding proteins (SSBs) by a poorly understood mechanism. Here, we use single-molecule optical tweezers and biochemical assays to elucidate the molecular mechanism of strand displacement DNA synthesis by the human mitochondrial DNA polymerase, Polγ, and its modulation by cognate and noncognate SSBs. We show that Polγ exhibits a robust DNA unwinding mechanism, which entails lowering the energy barrier for unwinding of the first base pair of the DNA fork junction, by ∼55%. However, the polymerase cannot prevent the reannealing of the parental strands efficiently, which limits by ∼30-fold its strand displacement activity. We demonstrate that SSBs stimulate the Polγ strand displacement activity through several mechanisms. SSB binding energy to ssDNA additionally increases the destabilization energy at the DNA junction, by ∼25%. Furthermore, SSB interactions with the displaced ssDNA reduce the DNA fork reannealing pressure on Polγ, in turn promoting the productive polymerization state by ∼3-fold. These stimulatory effects are enhanced by species-specific functional interactions and have significant implications in the replication of the human mitochondrial DNA.
LINE-1 retrotransposon expression in cancerous, epithelial and neuronal cells revealed by 5′ single-cell RNA-Seq
Authors: McKerrow Wilson , Kagermazova Larisa , Doudican Nicole , Frazzette Nicholas , Kaparos Efiyenia Ismini , Evans Shane A , Rocha Azucena , Sedivy John M , Neretti Nicola , Carucci John , Boeke Jef D , Fenyö David
Published: February 2023

LINE-1 retrotransposons are sequences capable of copying themselves to new genomic loci via an RNA intermediate. New studies implicate LINE-1 in a range of diseases, especially in the context of aging, but without an accurate understanding of where and when LINE-1 is expressed, a full accounting of its role in health and disease is not possible. We therefore developed a method—5′ scL1seq—that makes use of a widely available library preparation method (10x Genomics 5′ single cell RNA-seq) to measure LINE-1 expression in tens of thousands of single cells. We recapitulated the known pattern of LINE-1 expression in tumors—present in cancer cells, absent from immune cells—and identified hitherto undescribed LINE-1 expression in human epithelial cells and mouse hippocampal neurons. In both cases, we saw a modest increase with age, supporting recent research connecting LINE-1 to age related diseases.
Roles of trans-lesion synthesis (TLS) DNA polymerases in tumorigenesis and cancer therapy
Authors: Anand Jay , Chiou Lilly , Sciandra Carly , Zhang Xingyuan , Hong Jiyong , Wu Di , Zhou Pei , Vaziri Cyrus
Published: February 2023

DNA damage tolerance and mutagenesis are hallmarks and enabling characteristics of neoplastic cells that drive tumorigenesis and allow cancer cells to resist therapy. The ‘Y-family’ trans-lesion synthesis (TLS) DNA polymerases enable cells to replicate damaged genomes, thereby conferring DNA damage tolerance. Moreover, Y-family DNA polymerases are inherently error-prone and cause mutations. Therefore, TLS DNA polymerases are potential mediators of important tumorigenic phenotypes. The skin cancer-propensity syndrome xeroderma pigmentosum-variant (XPV) results from defects in the Y-family DNA Polymerase Pol eta (Polη) and compensatory deployment of alternative inappropriate DNA polymerases. However, the extent to which dysregulated TLS contributes to the underlying etiology of other human cancers is unclear. Here we consider the broad impact of TLS polymerases on tumorigenesis and cancer therapy. We survey the ways in which TLS DNA polymerases are pathologically altered in cancer. We summarize evidence that TLS polymerases shape cancer genomes, and review studies implicating dysregulated TLS as a driver of carcinogenesis. Because many cancer treatment regimens comprise DNA-damaging agents, pharmacological inhibition of TLS is an attractive strategy for sensitizing tumors to genotoxic therapies. Therefore, we discuss the pharmacological tractability of the TLS pathway and summarize recent progress on development of TLS inhibitors for therapeutic purposes.