bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Presolar grain dynamics: Creating nucleosynthetic variations through a combination of drag and viscous evolution
Authors: Hutchison Mark A , Bodénan Jean-David , Mayer Lucio , Schönbächler Maria
Published: March 2022

Meteoritic studies of Solar system objects show evidence of nucleosynthetic heterogeneities that are inherited from small presolar grains ($\lt 10\,\, \mu {\mathrm{m}}$) formed in stellar environments external to our own. The initial distribution and subsequent evolution of these grains are currently unconstrained. Using 3D, gas-dust simulations, we find that isotopic variations on the order of those observed in the Solar system can be generated and maintained by drag and viscosity. Small grains are dragged radially outwards without size/density sorting by viscous expansion and backreaction, enriching the outer disc with presolar grains. Meanwhile large aggregates composed primarily of silicates drift radially inwards due to drag, further enriching the relative portion of presolar grains in the outer disc and diluting the inner disc. The late accumulation of enriched aggregates outside Jupiter could explain some of the isotopic variations observed in Solar system bodies, such as the enrichment of supernovae derived material in carbonaceous chondrites. We also see evidence for isotopic variations in the inner disc that may hold implications for enstatite and ordinary chondrites that formed closer to the Sun. Initial heterogeneities in the presolar grain distribution that are not continuously reinforced are dispersed by diffusion, radial surface flows, and/or planetary interactions over the entire lifetime of the disc. For younger, more massive discs we expect turbulent diffusion to be even more homogenizing, suggesting that dust evolution played a more central role in forming the isotopic anomalies in the Solar system than originally thought.
Core overshoot constrained by the absence of a solar convective core and some solar-like stars
Authors: Zhang Qian-Sheng , Christensen-Dalsgaard Jørgen , Li Yan
Published: March 2022

Convective-core overshoot mixing is a significant uncertainty in stellar evolution. Because numerical simulations and turbulent convection models predict exponentially decreasing radial rms turbulent velocity, a popular treatment for overshoot mixing is to apply a diffusion process with an exponentially decreasing diffusion coefficient. It is important to investigate the parameters of the diffusion coefficient because they determine the efficiency of the mixing in the overshoot region. In this paper, we have investigated the effects of the core overshoot mixing on the properties of the core in solar models. We have constrained the parameters of the overshoot model by using helioseismic inferences and the observation of the solar 8B neutrino flux. For solar-mass stars, the core overshoot mixing helps to prolong the lifetime of the convective core developed at the zero-age main sequence. If the strength of the mixing is sufficiently high, then the convective core in a solar model could survive until the present solar age, leading to large deviations of the sound speed and density profiles compared with the helioseismic inferences. The 8B neutrino flux also favours a radiative solar core. These observations provide a constraint on the parameters of the exponential diffusion model of the convective overshoot mixing. A limited asteroseismic investigation of 13 Kepler low-mass stars with 1.0 < M/M⊙ < 1.5 shows a mass-dependent range of the overshoot parameter. The overshoot mixing processes for different elements are analysed in detail. It is found that the exponential diffusion overshoot model leads to different effective overshoot mixing lengths for elements with different nuclear equilibrium time-scales.
Viral Burden and Clearance in Asymptomatic COVID-19 Patients
Authors: Gunatilaka Avanka B , Marco Nicholas , Read Graham H , Sweeney Maggie , Regan Greg , Tsang Cynthia , Abdulrahman Lobna , Ampabathina Swetha , Spindler Archie , Lu Sarah S , Schink Elena , Gatti Richard , Ingersoll Christina , Telesca Donatello , Weidhaas Joanne B
Published: March 2022

Background

Containing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been difficult, due to both the large number of asymptomatic infected individuals and the long duration of infection. Managing these challenges requires understanding of the differences between asymptomatic vs symptomatic patients and those with a longer duration of infectivity.

Methods

Individuals from Los Angeles were tested for COVID-19, and a group positive for COVID-19 chose to have follow-up testing. Associations between symptoms and demographic factors, viral burden measured by cycle threshold (CT) value, and duration of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) positivity were analyzed.

Results

Eighteen point eight percent of patients were positive for COVID-19. Asymptomatic COVID-19-positive patients were significantly younger than symptomatic patients (2.6 years; P < .001). There were no differences in average CT between asymptomatic and symptomatic patients. The estimated median duration of COVID-19 PCR positivity was 23 days. Being asymptomatic throughout the course of infection was the only factor associated with a shorter course of COVID-19 PCR positivity (21 vs 28 days; P = .002).

Conclusions

We found important differences and similarities between asymptomatic and symptomatic COVID-19-positive patients, the most meaningful being a similar level of virus as measured by PCR, but a shorter duration of PCR positivity for asymptomatic patients. These findings suggest that asymptomatic patients may have more efficient clearance of virus, which may be relevant for management and screening.
Declaration of common standards for the preregistration of animal research—speeding up the scientific progress
Authors: Heinl Céline , Scholman-Végh Anna M D , Mellor David , Schönfelder Gilbert , Strech Daniel , Chamuleau Steven , Bert Bettina
Published: March 2022

Preregistration of studies is a recognized tool in clinical research to improve the quality and reporting of all gained results. In preclinical research, preregistration could boost the translation of published results into clinical breakthroughs. When studies rely on animal testing or form the basis of clinical trials, maximizing the validity and reliability of research outcomes becomes in addition an ethical obligation. Nevertheless, the implementation of preregistration in animal research is still slow. However, research institutions, funders, and publishers start valuing preregistration, and thereby level the way for its broader acceptance in the future. A total of 3 public registries, the OSF registry, preclinicaltrials.eu, and animalstudyregistry.org already encourage the preregistration of research involving animals. Here, they jointly declare common standards to make preregistration a valuable tool for better science. Registries should meet the following criteria: public accessibility, transparency in their financial sources, tracking of changes, and warranty and sustainability of data. Furthermore, registration templates should cover a minimum set of mandatory information and studies have to be uniquely identifiable. Finally, preregistered studies should be linked to any published outcome. To ensure that preregistration becomes a powerful instrument, publishers, funders, and institutions should refer to registries that fulfill these minimum standards.
Mistletoe viscin: a hygro- and mechano-responsive cellulose-based adhesive for diverse material applications
Authors: Horbelt Nils , Fratzl Peter , Harrington Matthew J
Published: March 2022

Mistletoe viscin is a natural cellulosic adhesive consisting of hierarchically organized cellulose microfibrils (CMFs) surrounded by a humidity-responsive matrix that enables mechanical drawing into stiff and sticky fibers. Here, we explored the processability and adhesive capacity of viscin and demonstrated its potential as a source material for various material applications, as well as a source for bioinspired design. Specifically, we revealed that viscin fibers exhibit humidity-activated self-adhesive properties that enable “contact welding” into complex 2D and 3D architectures under ambient conditions. We additionally discovered that viscin can be processed into stiff and transparent free-standing films via biaxial stretching in the hydrated state, followed by drying, whereby CMFs align along local stress fields. Furthermore, we determined that viscin adheres strongly to both synthetic materials (metals, plastics, and glass) and biological tissues, such as skin and cartilage. In particular, skin adhesion makes viscin a compelling candidate as a wound sealant, as we further demonstrate. These findings highlight the enormous potential of this hygro- and mechano-responsive fiber-reinforced adhesive for bioinspired and biomedical applications.
Vibration sorting of small droplets on hydrophilic surface by asymmetric contact-line friction
Authors: Lee Yaerim , Amberg Gustav , Shiomi Junichiro
Published: March 2022

Droplet spreading and transport phenomenon is ubiquitous and has been studied by engineered surfaces with a variety of topographic features. To obtain a directional bias in dynamic wetting, hydrophobic surfaces with a geometrical asymmetry are generally used, attributing the directionality to one-sided pinning. Although the pinning may be useful for directional wetting, it usually limits the droplet mobility, especially for small volumes and over wettable surfaces. Here, we demonstrate a pinning-less approach to rapidly transport millimeter sized droplets on a partially wetting surface. Placing droplets on an asymmetrically structured surfaces with micron-scale roughness and applying symmetric horizontal vibration, they travel rapidly in one direction without pinning. The key, here, is to generate capillary-driven rapid contact-line motion within the time-scale of period of vibration. At the right regime where a friction factor local at the contact line dominates the rapid capillary motion, the asymmetric surface geometry can induce smooth and continuous contact-line movement back and forth at different speed, realizing directional motion of droplets even with small volumes over the wettable surface. We found that the translational speed is selective and strongly dependent on the droplet volume, oscillation frequency, and surface pattern properties, and thus droplets with a specific volume can be efficiently sorted out.
Sensitive, smartphone-based SARS-CoV-2 detection from clinical saline gargle samples
Authors: Breshears Lane E , Nguyen Brandon T , Akarapipad Patarajarin , Sosnowski Katelyn , Kaarj Kattika , Quirk Grace , Uhrlaub Jennifer L , Nikolich-Žugich Janko , Worobey Michael , Yoon Jeong-Yeol
Published: March 2022

Saliva specimens have drawn interest for diagnosing respiratory viral infections due to their ease of collection and decreased risk to healthcare providers. However, rapid and sensitive immunoassays have not yet been satisfactorily demonstrated for such specimens due to their viscosity and low viral loads. Using paper microfluidic chips and a smartphone-based fluorescence microscope, we developed a highly sensitive, low-cost immunofluorescence particulometric SARS-CoV-2 assay from clinical saline gargle samples. We demonstrated the limit of detection of 10 ag/μL. With easy-to-collect saline gargle samples, our clinical sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 100%, 86%, and 93%, respectively, for n = 27 human subjects with n = 13 RT-qPCR positives.
Do Wall Street Landlords Undermine Renters’ Welfare?
Authors: Gurun Umit G , Wu Jiabin , Xiao Steven Chong , Xiao Serena Wenjing
Published: March 2022

We examine the recent rise of institutional investment in the single-family home rental market and its implications for renters’ welfare. Using institutional mergers to identify local exogenous variation in institutional landlords’ scale and market share, we show that rents increase in neighborhoods where both merging firms owned properties (i.e., overlapped neighborhoods) relative to other nonoverlapped neighborhoods. Meanwhile, the crime rate also significantly decreases in overlapped neighborhoods after mergers. Our findings suggest that while institutional landlords leverage their market power to extract greater surplus from renters, they also improve the quality of rental services by enhancing neighborhood safety.

Authors have furnished an Internet Appendix, which is available on the Oxford University Press Web site next to the link to the final published paper online.
Dissemination, Publication, and Impact of Finance Research: When Novelty Meets Conventionality
Authors: Dai Rui , Donohue Lawrence , Drechsler Qingyi (Freda) , Jiang Wei
Published: March 2022

Using numeric and textual data extracted from over 50,000 finance articles in Social Science Research Network (SSRN) during 2001–19, we examine the relationship between measured qualities and a paper’s readership, eventual outlet, and impact. Conventionality (semantic similarity with existent research) helps boost readership and publication prospects. However, novelty in the forms of emerging topics and databases are associated with better publishing outcomes. Studies that do not easily map into established finance subfields or that introduce nonfinance elements face a higher hurdle. Finally, papers whose research questions span multiple fields are a hard sell, but those building on prior knowledge from multiple fields are valued.
Development of an Electronic Medical Tool to Facilitate Allocation of Limited Resources in Times of Crisis
Authors: Griffin Ian , Vieira Yvette L. , Donohue-Ryan Mary Ann , Paris Glen A. , Moriarty Daniel , Peleg Natalie A. , Chen Steve D.
Published: March 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic has made decisions about resource allocation and reallocation real possibilities even in high-resource settings. In April 2020, in preparation for such an eventuality, Atlantic Health System began to develop a real-time instrument built into the EMR to assist with such decisions. The instrument calculated the modified Sequential Organ Failure Assessment for all patients admitted, in real time, to assist triage teams make decisions if crisis standards of care were declared. A pilot assessment of the instrument was performed using retrospective data by nine members of the triage teams, who were asked to identify the six patients at highest risk of reallocation. Agreement about which patients were at highest risk of resource reallocation was good, but not perfect. All raters agreed on five of the six patients, but only seven of nine agreed on the final patient. Among the six consensus selections for reallocation, five died prior to hospital discharge. All patients at highest risk of reallocation had a predicted life expectancy of less than 1 year. In conclusion, the instrument was easy to use, and the concordance among raters was good but not perfect. Predicted life expectance was a major determinant of the triage score.
The Use of Feticidal Agents Before Dilation and Evacuation or Induction of Labor for Later Abortion
Authors: Nandi Preetha , Schultz Abby , Roncari Danielle
Published: March 2022

Abortion is a common medical procedure in the United States that is frequently the target of political and legal restrictions. These restrictions can negatively impact care and interfere with the patient-provider relationship. In this paper, we aim to review the historic context in which feticidal agents became more utilized in later abortion; describe current practices and protocols of using feticidal agents use for later abortion by dilation and evacuation and induction of labor; evaluate patient and provider perspectives on feticidal agent use; and propose areas of further ethical and research inquiry to characterize the use of these agents in later abortion procedures.
Development of RehaBot—A Conversational Agent for Promoting Rewarding Activities in Users With Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Rabinowitz Amanda R. , Collier George , Vaccaro Monica , Wingfield Roberto
Published: March 2022

Objective:

In this article, we describe the development and preliminary testing of RehaBot—a chatbot that users communicate with via text messaging designed to augment behavioral activation (BA) treatment of reducing depression and increasing participation in individuals with moderate to severe traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Setting:

Outpatient brain injury rehabilitation facility.

Participants:

Outpatient brain injury clinicians and individuals with moderate to severe TBI.

Design:

Focus groups, software demonstration trials, and single-case experiments with an A-B-A design.

Main Measures:

System Usability Scale (SUS) and self-reported completed target activities.

Results:

Focus group feedback guided the development of a flexible system to be used in conjunction with face-to-face therapy, designed to provide reminders, encouragement, and supportive feedback. Two of 3 participants completed all 6 RehaBot tasks independently. One completed 4 tasks independently and a fifth with assistance. Average SUS score in demonstration trials was 76.77 (SD = 21.19). In 4 single-case experiments, participants completed their highest proportion of planned activities in the RehaBot phase and the lowest proportion of planned activities in the reversal phase. They all interacted with RehaBot daily, exchanging an average of 225 messages over the 1-week period, and average SUS score was 95 (SD = 4.74). Their open-ended feedback revealed that participants found RehaBot enjoyable and easy to use. They felt it was a helpful memory aid and promoted better adherence to planned activities by providing accountability and positive reinforcement.

Conclusions:

This article presents a chatbot development process heavily involving consumer input, which may serve as a model for future development efforts. Our findings provide preliminary evidence suggesting that RehaBot is usable and may promote better adherence to planned target activities. However, future research is needed to establish usability and efficacy of RehaBot and to explore applications of chatbots to other domains of TBI rehabilitation.
Workplace Factors Associated With Return to Work After Mild-to-Moderate Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Fure Silje Christine Reistad , Howe Emilie Isager , Andelic Nada , Brunborg Cathrine , Olsen Alexander , Rike Per-Ola , Spjelkavik Øystein , Enehaug Heidi , Røe Cecilie , Løvstad Marianne
Published: March 2022

Objective:

Sociodemographic and injury-related predictors for return to work (RTW) after mild-to-moderate traumatic brain injury (TBI) have been extensively explored. However, there is a knowledge gap regarding work-related predictors of RTW. The main aim of this study was to explore work-related predictors of work participation 6 and 12 months after mild-to-moderate TBI.

Setting:

Data were collected at baseline 8 to 12 weeks after injury, and 3, 6, and 12 months after baseline, at a specialized TBI rehabilitation outpatient clinic at Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.

Participants:

Eligible patients had suffered a mild-to-moderate TBI 8 to 12 weeks previously, were employed 50% or more at time of injury, were between 18 and 60 years of age, and sick listed 50% or more at time of inclusion due to symptoms of TBI (based on the Rivermead Post-Concussion Symptoms Questionnaire). In total, 116 patients were included in a randomized controlled trial, of whom 113 were included in the 1-year analysis.

Design:

Patients were originally included in a randomized controlled trial. There were no between-group differences in RTW after 1 year. Thus, the participants were evaluated as one cohort in this study.

Main Measures:

The primary outcome measure was work participation 1 year after study inclusion. Work-related predictors were chosen on the basis of previous research and expert opinion and entered into a multivariable linear regression model. The model controlled for sociodemographic and injury-related factors.

Results:

The best-fitting model explained 25% of variation in work participation at 1 year. Significant predictors were predictability, quantitative demands and rewards (recognition) at the workplace, private or public employment, symptom burden at baseline, and sex.

Conclusion:

In this study, several work-related predictors outperformed some of the established sociodemographic and injury-related predictors of RTW after TBI, thus stressing the need for further focus and research on amendable predictors of RTW after mild-to-moderate TBI.
Variation in Usual Source of Care in Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Other Pacific Islander Adult Medicaid Beneficiaries
Authors: Nguyen Kevin H. , Oh Eunhae G. , Trivedi Amal N.
Published: March 2022

Background:

Disparities in access to care between non-Hispanic White and Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) patients are often attributed to higher uninsurance rates among AANHPI patients. Less is known about variation among individuals with Medicaid health insurance coverage and among AANHPI subgroups.

Objective:

The objective of this study was to examine differences in access to care between White and AANHPI adult Medicaid beneficiaries, both in the aggregate and disaggregated into 9 ethnic subgroups (Asian Indian, Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, Other Asian, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander).

Research Design:

Nationwide Adult Medicaid Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems data (2014–2015), a cross-sectional survey representative of all Medicaid beneficiaries.

Subjects:

A total of 126,728 White and 10,089 AANHPI Medicaid beneficiaries were included.

Measures:

The study outcomes were: (1) having a usual source of care; and (2) reporting a health center or clinic as the usual site of care. Multivariable linear probability models assessed the relationship between race/ethnic subgroup and our outcomes, adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics and health status.

Results:

Compared with White beneficiaries, Korean beneficiaries were significantly less likely to report having a usual source of care [difference=−8.9 percentage points (PP), P=0.01], and Chinese (difference=8.4 PP, P=0.001), Native Hawaiian (difference=25.8 PP, P<0.001), and Pacific Islander (difference=22.2 PP, P=0.001) beneficiaries were significantly more likely to report a health center or clinic as their usual site of care.

Conclusions:

Despite similar health insurance coverage, significant differences in access to care remain between White and AANHPI Medicaid beneficiaries. Disaggregated AANHPI data may reveal important variation in access to care and inform more targeted public policies.
Familial Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis With Heterozygous STX11 and Homozygous UNC13D Mutations Diagnosed in the Neonatal Period
Authors: Bahadir Aysenur , Kader Şebnem , Çebi Alper Han , Erduran Erol , Mutlu Mehmet , Aslan Yakup
Published: March 2022

Patients with primary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis may present with different mutations and phenotypic findings. It is usually presented as case reports because of its rare occurrence. Here, we discuss a case diagnosed with familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis 3, that presented in the neonatal period and was detected to have homozygous UNC13D and heterozygous STX11 mutations.
On the origin of TSAR: morphology, diversity and phylogeny of Telonemia
Authors: Tikhonenkov Denis V. , Jamy Mahwash , Borodina Anastasia S. , Belyaev Artem O. , Zagumyonnyi Dmitry G. , Prokina Kristina I. , Mylnikov Alexander P. , Burki Fabien , Karpov Sergey A.
Published: March 2022

Telonemia is a poorly known major phylum of flagellated eukaryotes with a unique combination of morphological traits. Phylogenomics recently revealed the phylogenetic position of telonemids as sister to SAR, one of the largest groups of eukaryotes, comprising Stramenopiles, Alveolata and Rhizaria. Due to this key evolutionary position, investigations of telonemids are of critical importance for elucidating the origin and diversification of an astounding diversity of eukaryotic forms and life strategies. To date, however, only two species have been morphologically characterized from Telonemia, which do not represent this genetically very diverse group. In this study, we established cultures for six new telonemid strains, including the description of five new species and a new genus. We used these cultures to update the phylogeny of Telonemia and provide a detailed morphological and ultrastructural investigation. Our data elucidate the origin of TSAR from flagellates with complex morphology and reconstruction of the ancestral structure of stramenopiles, alveolates and rhizarians, and their main synapomorphic characters. Since telonemids are a common component of aquatic environments, the features of their feeding, behaviour and ecological preferences observed in clonal cultures and the results of global metabarcoding analysis contribute to a deeper understanding of organization of microbial food webs.
Visualization of sympathetic neural innervation in human white adipose tissue
Authors: Perdikari Aliki , Cacciottolo Tessa , Henning Elana , Mendes de Oliveira Edson , Keogh Julia M. , Farooqi I. Sadaf
Published: March 2022

Obesity, defined as an excess of adipose tissue that adversely affects health, is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. However, to date, understanding the structure and function of human adipose tissue has been limited by the inability to visualize cellular components due to the innate structure of adipocytes, which are characterized by large lipid droplets. Combining the iDISCO and the CUBIC protocols for whole tissue staining and optical clearing, we developed a protocol to enable immunostaining and clearing of human subcutaneous white adipose tissue (WAT) obtained from individuals with severe obesity. We were able to perform immunolabelling of sympathetic nerve terminals in whole WAT and subsequent optical clearing by eliminating lipids to render the opaque tissue completely transparent. We then used light sheet confocal microscopy to visualize sympathetic innervation of human WAT from obese individuals in a three-dimensional manner. We demonstrate the visualization of sympathetic nerve terminals in human WAT. This protocol can be modified to visualize other structures such as blood vessels involved in the development, maintenance and function of human adipose tissue in health and disease.
The HEV Ventilator: at the interface between particle physics and biomedical engineering
Authors: Buytaert Jan , Collins Paula , Abed Abud Adam , Allport Phil , Pazos Álvarez Antonio , Akiba Kazuyoshi , de Aguiar Francisco Oscar Augusto , Bay Aurelio , Bernard Florian , Baron Sophie , Bertella Claudia , Brunner Josef X. , Bowcock Themis , Buytaert-De Jode Martine , Byczynski Wiktor , De Carvalho Ricardo , Coco Victor , Collins Ruth , Dikic Nikola , Dousse Nicolas , Dowd Bruce , Dreimanis Kārlis , Dumps Raphael , Durante Paolo , Fadel Walid , Farry Stephen , Fernàndez Prieto Antonio , Fernàndez Tèllez Arturo , Flynn Gordon , Franco Lima Vinicius , Frei Raymond , Gallas Torreira Abraham , García Chàvez Tonatiuh , Gazis Evangelos , Guida Roberto , Hennessy Karol , Henriques Andre , Hutchcroft David , Ilic Stefan , Ivanovs Artūrs , Jevtic Aleksandar , Jimenez Dominguez Emigdio , Joram Christian , Kapusniak Kacper , Lemos Cid Edgar , Lindner Jana , Lindner Rolf , Ivàn Martínez Hernàndez M. , Meboldt Mirko , Milovanovic Marko , Mico Sylvain , Morant Johan , Morel Michel , Männel Georg , Murray Dónal , Nasteva Irina , Neufeld Niko , Neuhold Igor , Pardo-Sobrino López Francisco , Pèrez Trigo Eliseo , Pichel Jallas Gonzalo , Pilorz Edyta , Piquilloud Lise , Pons Xavier , Reiner David , Règules Medel Hector David , Rodríguez Ramírez Saul , Rodíguez Cahuantzi Mario , Roosens Carl , Rostalski Philipp , Sanders Freek , Saucet Eric , Schmid Daners Marianne , Schmidt Burkhard , Schoettker Patrick , Schwemmer Rainer , Schindler Heinrich , Sharma Archana , Sivakumaran Derick , Sigaud Christophe , Spitas Vasilios , Steffen Nicola , Svihra Peter , Tejeda Muñoz Guillermo , Tachatos Nikolaos , Tsolakis Efstratios , van Leemput Jan , Vignaux Laurence , Vasey Francois , Woonton Hamish , Wyllie Ken
Published: March 2022

A high-quality, low-cost ventilator, dubbed HEV, has been developed by the particle physics community working together with biomedical engineers and physicians around the world. The HEV design is suitable for use both in and out of hospital intensive care units, provides a variety of modes and is capable of supporting spontaneous breathing and supplying oxygen-enriched air. An external air supply can be combined with the unit for use in situations where compressed air is not readily available. HEV supports remote training and post market surveillance via a Web interface and data logging to complement standard touch screen operation, making it suitable for a wide range of geographical deployment. The HEV design places emphasis on the ventilation performance, especially the quality and accuracy of the pressure curves, reactivity of the trigger, measurement of delivered volume and control of oxygen mixing, delivering a global performance which will be applicable to ventilator needs beyond the COVID-19 pandemic. This article describes the conceptual design and presents the prototype units together with a performance evaluation.
Predator or provider? How wild animals respond to mixed messages from humans
Authors: Goumas Madeleine , Boogert Neeltje J. , Kelley Laura A. , Holding Thomas
Published: March 2022

Wild animals encounter humans on a regular basis, but humans vary widely in their behaviour: whereas many people ignore wild animals, some people present a threat, while others encourage animals' presence through feeding. Humans thus send mixed messages to which animals must respond appropriately to be successful. Some species appear to circumvent this problem by discriminating among and/or socially learning about humans, but it is not clear whether such learning strategies are actually beneficial in most cases. Using an individual-based model, we consider how learning rate, individual recognition (IR) of humans, and social learning (SL) affect wild animals' ability to reach an optimal avoidance strategy when foraging in areas frequented by humans. We show that ‘true’ IR of humans could be costly. We also find that a fast learning rate, while useful when human populations are homogeneous or highly dangerous, can cause unwarranted avoidance in other scenarios if animals generalize. SL reduces this problem by allowing conspecifics to observe benign interactions with humans. SL and a fast learning rate also improve the viability of IR. These results provide an insight into how wild animals may be affected by, and how they may cope with, contrasting human behaviour.
Anti-inflammatory effect of cabbage (Brassica
oleracea L var. capitata) fermented with a
mixed culture of Lactobacillus acidophilus and
Lactiplantibacillus plantarum
Authors: Park Se-Eun , Choi Jun Hui , Kim Ki-Man
Published: March 2022

In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammation effect of cabbage
(Brassica oleracea L var. capitata)
fermented with a mixed culture of lactic acid bacteria (FCMC) and elucidated the
underlying mechanism. The mixed culture included Lactobacillus
plantarum and L. acidophilus. The cell viability
of RAW264.7 macrophages were confirmed by MTT assay, and the results revealed no
toxicity following treatment with FCMC at concentrations of up to 1,000
μg/mL. The anti-inflammatory effect of FCMC was
evaluated by stimulating RAW264.7 macrophages with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to
induce the production of inflammation-related factors, which were measured by an
nitric oxide (NO) assay, enzyme-linked immunosorbent, and Western blot. FCMC
dose-dependently inhibited the production of NO, PGE2, and the
pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and
TNF-α in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages without
any cytotoxicity. FCMC also reduced the protein expression levels of iNOS and
COX-2 and inhibited the nuclear translocation of NF-κB
and degradation of IκB in the LPS-stimulated cells.
These results collectively suggest that FCMC may suppress the inflammatory
reaction in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages by regulating the
NF-κB signaling pathway and function as an
anti-inflammatory material.
Quality characteristics of dried onion and garlic slices according
to thermal and nonthermal treatment methods
Authors: Choi Ji-Young , Kim Jiyoon , Kim Jungsoo , Jeong Saeul , Gwak Da-Hyeon , Kang Seok , Han So-Jin , Kim Hyun-Joong , Moon Kwang-Deog
Published: March 2022

In the present study, the application of suitable thermal and nonthermal
pretreatment methods was explored to develop a dried products comprising onion
and garlic slices. Pretreatment was performed via blanching for 30 sec, steaming
for 1 min, dipping in warm water (45°C) for 30 min, and dipping in cold
water (8°C) for 1 hr. Furthermore, physicochemical and microbiological
analyses were performed in conjunction with sensory evaluations. The group
subjected to pretreatment via cold-water dipping exhibited the lowest moisture
content and water activity with a negligible redness, yellowness, and browning
index. Furthermore, the results of sensory evaluation revealed that this group
exhibited relatively high color and overall acceptability. The group subjected
to pretreatment via blanching presented severe browning and shape distortion.
The samples in the group subjected to pretreatment via cold-water dipping did
not exhibit a significant difference in pH; furthermore, the number of
microorganisms during storage was lower than that in the control group. It was
concluded that the hot-air drying of onion and garlic slices after cold-water
dipping resulted in an increase in drying efficiency and the suppression of
browning, without inducing major component changes. The facile technique
demonstrated in the present study is expected to be fast and cost-effective,
thereby facilitating practical application in farms.
Cas9-Mediated Knockout of Ndrg2 Enhances the Regenerative Potential of Dendritic Cells for Wound Healing
Authors: Henn Dominic , Zhao Dehua , Chen Kellen , Trotsyuk Artem , Bonham Clark Andrew , Fischer Katharina S. , Kehl Tim , Fehlmann Tobias , Sivaraj Dharshan , Greco Autumn H. , Moortgat Illouz Sylvia E. , Padmanabhan Jagannath , Barrera Janos A. , Kneser Ulrich , Lenhof Hans-Peter , Januszyk Michael , Levi Benjamin , Keller Andreas , Longaker Michael T. , Qi Lei S. , Gurtner Geoffrey C.
Published: March 2022

Chronic wounds impose a significant healthcare burden to a broad patient population. Cell based therapies, while having shown benefits for the treatment of chronic wounds, have not achieved widespread adoption into clinical practice. Here, we developed a novel CRISPR/Cas9 approach to precisely edit dendritic cells (DCs) to enhance their therapeutic potential for healing chronic wounds. Using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) of tolerogenic DCs, we discover N-myc downregulated gene 2 (Ndrg2), which marks a specific population of DC progenitors, as a promising target for CRISPR knockout (KO). Ndrg2-KO alters the transcriptomic profile of DCs and preserves an immature cell state with a strong, pro-angiogenic and regenerative capacity. We then incorporated our CRISPR-based cell engineering within a hydrogel technology for in vivo cell delivery and developed a highly effective translational approach for DC based immunotherapy that accelerated healing of full-thickness wounds in both non-diabetic and diabetic mouse models. These findings could open the door to future clinical trials using safe gene editing in DCs for treating various types of chronic wounds.
A pathogenicity locus of Streptococcus gallolyticus subspecies gallolyticus
Authors: Taylor John Culver , Kumar Ritesh , Xu Juan , Xu Yi
Published: March 2022

Streptococcus gallolyticus subspecies gallolyticus (Sgg) is known to be strongly associated with colorectal cancer (CRC). Recent functional studies further demonstrated that Sgg actively stimulates CRC cell proliferation and promotes the development of colon tumors. However, the Sgg factors important for the pro-proliferative and pro-tumor activities of Sgg remain unclear. Here, we identified a chromosomal locus in Sgg strain TX20005. Deletion of this locus significantly reduced Sgg adherence to CRC cells and abrogated the ability of Sgg to stimulate CRC cell proliferation. Thus, we designate this locus as the Sggpathogenicity-associated region (SPAR). More importantly, we found that SPAR is important for Sgg pathogenicity in vivo. In a gut colonization model, mice exposed to the SPAR deletion mutant showed significantly reduced Sgg load in the colonic tissues and fecal materials, suggesting that SPAR contributes to the colonization capacity of Sgg. In a mouse model of CRC, deletion of SPAR abolished the ability of Sgg to promote the development of colon tumors growth. Taken together, these results highlight SPAR as a critical pathogenicity determinant of Sgg.
Aftiphilin regulation of myosin light chain kinase activity promotes actin dynamics and intestinal epithelial barrier function
Authors: Man Law Ivy Ka , Fang Kai , Pothoulakis Charalabos , Rankin Carl Robert
Published: March 2022

The expression levels of aftiphilin (AFTPH) are significantly lower in inflamed colonic tissues from patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and mice with experimental colitis. During colonic inflammation, the selective permeability of the colonic epithelium is compromised largely due to dysregulation of proteins associated with either the tight junction (TJ) complex and actin-myosin contraction rings. Here, we hypothesized that inflammation-associated reduction in AFTPH levels might cause an increase in the selective permeability of the colonic epithelium. In this study, we measured the transepithelial electric resistance (TEER), sodium (Na+) ion flux and dextran permeability in polarized colonic epithelial cells after manipulation of AFTPH. Silencing of AFTPH reduced TEER, increased Na+ ion flow and dextran permeability. Examination of mRNA and protein levels of multiple TJ proteins and Na+ ion transporters suggested that AFTPH deficiency did not significantly change expression of most of these transmembrane proteins. While the gross structure of the TJs in AFTPH gene-silenced cells appeared normal, elevated levels of junctional Occludin were observed. Most notably we observed that AFTPH co-localized with myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) and attenuated cellular MLCK activity as observed by phospho-myosin light chain 2 (pMLC2) western blots. Importantly, inhibition of MLCK activity reversed the reduction of TEER in AFTPH-deficient monolayers. Lastly, examination on transmission electron microcopy on microvilli and immunofluorescent microscopy on actin filament arrangement showed that AFTPH deficiency also affected filament arrangement in colonic epithelial cells. Taken together, these results suggest that AFTPH regulates intestinal epithelial permeability and actin polymerization in colonic epithelium through interfering MLCK/MLC interactions.
KIF24 controls the clustering of supernumerary centrosomes in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cells
Authors: Mashima Yu , Nohira Hayato , Sugihara Hiroki , Dynlacht Brian David , Kobayashi Tetsuo , Itoh Hiroshi
Published: March 2022

Clustering of supernumerary centrosomes, potentially leading to cell survival and chromosomal instability, is frequently observed in cancers. However, the molecular mechanisms by which centrosome clustering is controlled in cancer cells remain largely unknown. A centrosomal kinesin, KIF24, was previously shown to restrain the assembly of primary cilia in mammalian cells. Here, we revealed that KIF24 depletion suppresses multipolar spindle formation by clustering centrosomes in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cells harboring supernumerary centrosomes. KIF24 depletion also induced hyperproliferation and improved the mitotic progression in PDAC cells. On the other hand, disruption of primary cilia failed to affect the proliferation and spindle formation in KIF24-depleted cells. These results represent a novel role of KIF24 in suppressing centrosome clustering independent of primary ciliation in centrosome-amplified PDAC cells.
The X-ray crystallography phase problem solved thanks to AlphaFold and RoseTTAFold models: a case-study report
Authors: Barbarin-Bocahu Irène , Graille Marc
Published: March 2022

The breakthrough recently made in protein structure prediction by deep-learning programs such as AlphaFold and RoseTTAFold will certainly revolutionize biology over the coming decades. The scientific community is only starting to appreciate the various applications, benefits and limitations of these protein models. Yet, after the first thrills due to this revolution, it is important to evaluate the impact of the proposed models and their overall quality to avoid the misinterpretation or overinterpretation of these models by biologists. One of the first applications of these models is in solving the `phase problem' encountered in X-ray crystallography in calculating electron-density maps from diffraction data. Indeed, the most frequently used technique to derive electron-density maps is molecular replacement. As this technique relies on knowledge of the structure of a protein that shares strong structural similarity with the studied protein, the availability of high-accuracy models is then definitely critical for successful structure solution. After the collection of a 2.45 Å resolution data set, we struggled for two years in trying to solve the crystal structure of a protein involved in the nonsense-mediated mRNA decay pathway, an mRNA quality-control pathway dedicated to the elimination of eukaryotic mRNAs harboring premature stop codons. We used different methods (isomorphous replacement, anomalous diffraction and molecular replacement) to determine this structure, but all failed until we straightforwardly succeeded thanks to both AlphaFold and RoseTTAFold models. Here, we describe how these new models helped us to solve this structure and conclude that in our case the AlphaFold model largely outcompetes the other models. We also discuss the importance of search-model generation for successful molecular replacement.
Influence of nano-alumina sealing treatment on corrosion resistance of Fe-based amorphous coatings
Authors: Wei Xinlong , Fu Erguang , Ban Aolin , Zhu Wy , Wu Dl , Li N. , Zhang C.
Published: March 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of nano-alumina sealant sealing treatment on corrosion behavior of the Fe-based amorphous coatings deposited on 304 stainless steel plates by atmospheric plasma spraying (APS) with different hydrogen flow rates.

Design/methodology/approach

The surface morphology and microstructure of the unsealed and sealed coatings were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The corrosion resistance of the coatings was investigated by potentiodynamic polarization test and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy experiment in 3.5 Wt.% NaCl solution.

Findings

Results show that a few microcracks and pores exist in the as-sprayed Fe-based amorphous coatings. The pores on the surface of the coatings after sealing treatment have been filled with nano-alumina sealant, which can effectively prevent corrosive medium from entering into coatings. Electrochemical tests results show that the corrosion resistance of the coatings before sealing treatment decreases with the increase of hydrogen flow rate and is significantly improved by sealing treatment.

Originality/value

The effect of nano-alumina sealant sealing treatment on corrosion resistance of APS-sprayed Fe-based amorphous coatings is revealed. The corrosion resistance of the as-sprayed Fe-based amorphous coating can be significantly improved by nano-alumina sealant sealing treatment because of the blocking effect of nano-alumina sealant on corrosive medium, which confirms that the application of nano-alumina sealant sealing treatment is of a practical option to improve corrosion resistance of as-sprayed thermal sprayed coatings.
Multilevel and multisite leadership development from a leadership-as-practice perspective: an integrative literature review
Authors: Lehtonen Salla , Seeck Hannele
Published: March 2022

Purpose

This paper reviews what has been written on leadership development from the leadership-as-practice (L-A-P) perspective, which views leadership as emerging in everyday activities and interactions of a collective in a specific context. This paper aims to deepen the theoretical understanding of how leadership can be learned and developed from the L-A-P perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

An integrative literature review was undertaken to review and synthesise what has been written on the topic in journal articles and scholarly books.

Findings

The importance of the context and the practices that are embedded in it is the most central aspect affecting leadership development from the L-A-P perspective. This places workplace leadership development centre stage, but several papers also showed that leadership programmes have an important role. Not only collective capacity building is emphasised in the papers, but the importance of individual-level leader development is also recognised.

Originality/value

The contribution of this study is twofold: First, it brings the currently fractured information on L-A-P development together to enhance theory building by providing a synthesis of the literature. Second, a conceptual framework is constructed to show how the L-A-P perspective on leadership development can take both leadership development at the collective and individual levels into account, as well as the learning that takes place either inside or outside the workplace. This study’s results and framework show that the development has its own specific purpose and suggested methods in both levels, in both learning sites.
Service modularity in e-learning programs: an analysis from the perceived usefulness perspective
Authors: Sorkun Metehan Feridun , Yurt Oznur , Hsuan Juliana
Published: March 2022

Purpose

This study investigates the effects of service modularity on the perceived usefulness (PU) of e-learning programs through the perceived ease of use (PEoU) and service customization.

Design/methodology/approach

Structural equation modeling was used to test four hypotheses with survey data from 517 undergraduates in Turkey.

Findings

Results show that service modularity affects the PU of e-learning programs through the PEoU. Service customization negatively moderates the effect of service modularity on the PEoU, but positively moderates the effect of the PEoU on the PU of e-learning programs.

Practical implications

This study offers insights that support the decisions of policymakers and higher education institutions on how to design appealing e-learning programs cost-effectively.

Social implications

This study reveals the determinants of the PU of e-learning, which could support the democratization of access to higher education in emerging countries where barriers to higher education are relatively greater than in developed countries.

Originality/value

The concept of service modularity is explored in the e-learning context from the students' perspective. This study shows that the standardized interfaces across course modules increase the PU of e-learning programs by improving the ease of use. It also shows, interestingly, that service customization, enabled by modularity, is not always appreciated by service consumers, because of the potential extra effort demanded in communicating their unique needs to service providers.