bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Undefined xylose media extracted from biorefinery waste for enhanced and eco‐friendly production of cephalosporin C by Acremonium chrysogenumM35
Authors: Kim Sungbong , Kim Hyeong Ryeol , Oh Hyun Ju , Lee Kyu‐Tae , Um Youngsoon , Kim Dong Wook , Seo Sang Woo , Park Chulhwan , Kim Seung Wook
Published: March 2023

Xylose‐rich undefined broth, extracted from the dilute acid pretreatment wastes of barley straw, serves as resourceful media for Acremonium chrysogenum M35 culture and production of cephalosporin C (CPC). Concentrating the extract with proper reprocessing enables to prepare various concentrations of xylose broth (2%–8%). The undefined xylose media were prepared for CPC production from A. chrysogenum M35 by the addition of other nutrients. Cell growth and CPC production were the most effective at 6% xylose and additional 2% glycerol, with maximum CPC production of 9.07 g/L after 6 days, which is higher production than that in defined media prepared with laboratory‐level nutrients and reagents. Investigation of autotrophic and reverse trans‐sulfuration pathways for cysteine synthesis, a limited element of three precursors for CPC synthesis, supports the enhanced CPC production in undefined media. Abundance of xylose ensures a maintained NADPH concentration required for sulfate reduction and synthesis of amino sulfide such as cysteine. Cystathionine‐γ‐lyase activity profiling indicated more efficient biosynthesis in undefined media than in other cultures use glycerol and glucose, and the biosynthesis pathway of CPC production by the cephalosporin gene cluster (i.e. pcbC and cefG genes) was investigated. The process using undefined xylose media was designed, and process simulation program confirmed our results.
Social security coverage for couriers who work through digital platforms in Mexico: A role for a special scheme?
Authors: Carreon‐Rodríguez Víctor G. , Coronado‐García Mauricio F. , Guajardo‐Mendoza Miguel A.
Published: March 2023

The socio‐demographic characteristics of couriers who work through digital platforms in Mexico reveal that more than 85 per cent of these workers have completed full‐time secondary education and 83 per cent of these workers are young (aged 14 to 44). However, only 25 per cent are covered for health services and social security benefits. Against this backdrop, and guided by international experience, we set out a proposal to provide these workers with a tailored package of social security benefits. The proposal would require to categorize couriers who work through digital platforms as “digital workers”, introduce a special scheme for these workers based on voluntary affiliation, and offer a specific portfolio of benefits.
Phase separation of YAP mediated by coiled‐coil domain promotes hepatoblastoma proliferation via activation of transcription
Authors: Mao Siwei , Liu Qianrui , Wu Han , Zhu Jiabei , Xie Yi , Ma Ji , Zhen Ni , Pan Qiuhui
Published: March 2023

Aim and Background

Yes‐associated protein (YAP), a key transcriptional co‐activator associated with cell fate and tumor progression, has been reported to be a powerful driver of hepatoblastoma (HB). In this study, we investigated the mechanism underlying oncogenic role of YAP in HB.

Methods

The expression of YAP in HB tissues was measured through WB and qRT‐PCR. The IHC and IF were performed to determine the distribution of YAP. The phase separation of YAP was proved by living cell imaging and FRAP experiment. The effect of YAP phase separation in HB cells in vitro an in vivo were tested using CCK8, flow cytometry, and xenograft tumors.

Results

YAP was overexpressed and activated in HB. Nuclear YAP formed an active transcriptional site via LLPS to recruit the crucial transcription factor TEAD4. Thus, YAP phase separation facilitated transcription of oncogenic genes and subsequently mediated chemoresistance of HB. Mechanistically, the phase separation ability of YAP depends on the coiled‐coil domain, which is a typical phase separation domain. The electrostatic interactions and hydrophobic interactions within YAP are also vital to YAP phase separation. More importantly, YAP inhibitor verteporfin is potential treatment for HB and combination with cisplatin enhanced therapeutic efficacy.

Conclusions

Highly expressed and active YAP exerts an oncogenic effect in HB via phase separation and provides new insights for the treatment of HB.
Effectiveness of fractional carbon dioxide laser combined with botulinum toxin type A in a rabbit ear model with the underlying mechanism
Authors: Xiong Jianxiang , Li Xing , Xu Guizhen , Wang Yimei , Wen Huicai
Published: March 2023

Background

Hypertrophic scar (HS) is a common disease in plastic and cosmetic surgery, with limited treatment options, and is a challenge for clinicians.

Objectives

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of fractional carbon dioxide (CO2) laser combined with botulinum toxin type A (BTXA) in treating HSs in rabbit ears and to provide new strategies for treating HS.

Methods

Twenty‐four New Zealand white rabbits with induced HSs were randomly divided into one control and three treatment groups. After 4 weeks of modeling, BTXA (2.0 U) was injected into the HS of the BTXA and combination groups, whereas a fractional CO2 laser (combo mode, deep energy: 12.5 mJ; super energy: 90 mJ) was used in the fractional CO2 laser and combination groups. The laser treatments were repeated after 2 weeks. The HSs in the rabbit ears were observed and photographed 5 weeks after the first treatment. The scar thickness in each group was measured and compared, and the scar elevation index (SEI) was determined using hematoxylin and eosin staining. Collagen content and alignment were observed using Masson's trichrome staining. Western blotting and immunohistochemistry were performed to analyze scar‐related protein levels.

Results

Hypertrophic scars were reduced in all treatment groups compared with the control group. The combination group had lower scar thickness, SEI, and expression of scar‐related proteins in HSs, with an appearance similar to that of normal rabbit ear skin. Furthermore, the fibroblast content and collagen deposition decreased significantly in the combination group (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Fractional CO2 laser combined with BTXA more effectively reduced HSs by inhibiting fibroblast proliferation, decreasing transforming growth factor‐β1 and α‐ smooth muscle actin expression, and causing collagen remodeling.
Deficient chaperone‐mediated autophagy in macrophage aggravates inflammation of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis by targeting Nup85
Authors: Zhang Miao , Tian Si Y , Ma Shuo Y , Zhou Xia , Zheng Xiao H , Li Bo , Guo Guan Y , Yu Jia H , Su Rui , Yang Fang F , Hu Yi N , Ma Gang , Yang Hui , Zheng Lin H , Guo Chang C , Shang Yu L , Wang Jing B , Han Ying
Published: March 2023

Background & Aims

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a more severe subtype of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, can cause cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Macrophages play critical roles in initiating and maintaining NASH‐induced liver inflammation and fibrosis. However, the underlying molecular mechanism of macrophage chaperone‐mediated autophagy (CMA) in NASH remains unclear. We aimed to investigate the effects of macrophage‐specific CMA on liver inflammation and identify a potential therapeutic target for NASH treatment.

Methods

The CMA function of liver macrophages was detected using Western blot, quantitative reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐qPCR) and flow cytometry. By constructing myeloid‐specific CMA deficiency mice, we evaluated the effects of deficient CMA of macrophages on monocyte recruitment, liver injury, steatosis and fibrosis in NASH mice. A label‐free mass spectrometry was utilized to screen the substrates of CMA in macrophages and their mutual interactions. The association between CMA and its substrate was further examined by immunoprecipitation, Western blot and RT‐qPCR.

Results

A typical hallmark in murine NASH models was impaired CMA function in hepatic macrophages. Monocyte‐derived macrophages (MDM) were the dominant macrophage population in NASH, and CMA function was impaired in MDM. CMA dysfunction aggravated liver‐targeted recruitment of monocyte and promoted steatosis and fibrosis. Mechanistically, Nup85 functions as a substrate for CMA and its degradation was inhibited in CMA‐deficient macrophages. Inhibition of Nup85 attenuated the steatosis and monocyte recruitment caused by CMA deficiency in NASH mice.

Conclusions

We proposed that the impaired CMA‐induced Nup85 degradation aggravated monocyte recruitment, promoting liver inflammation and disease progression of NASH.
The global circulation of Marxist perspectives on the national question: Borochovism at the service of the Eritrean cause
Authors: Cohen Leonardo
Published: March 2023

In 1979, a group of activists belonging to the EPLF (the Eritrean People's Liberation Front) came across a materialistic interpretation of the national question, which was penned at the turn of the century by one Dov Ber Borochov (1881–1917), a Russian–Jewish intellectual who was a leading ideologue of Marxist Zionism. Among the fruits of this encounter was a book advocating the Eritrean people's right to self‐determination. Owing to developments in the Soviet Union and Marxist circles in the 1920s, Borochov's works were all but ignored throughout the remainder of the century. How, then, did a Spanish translation of his treatise, Nationalismo y lucha de clases (known in English as The National Question and Class Struggle), find its way into the hands of Eritrean nationalists? Furthermore, against the backdrop of Moscow and Havana's open support for Ethiopia, what attracted these Eritreans to the thought of an obscure Marxist–Zionist intellectual?
Left atrial function evaluation by 2D speckle‐tracking echocardiography in patients with vasovagal syncope
Authors: Tajdini Masih , Hosseinsabet Ali , Tofighi Saeed , Yadangi Somayeh
Published: March 2023

Objectives

Evidence indicates left atrial (LA) involvement in vasovagal syncope (VVS). The LA regulates left ventricular filling during the cardiac cycle. We aimed to assess LA function in patients with VVS by 2D speckle‐tracking echocardiography.

Methods

Sixty‐nine consecutive patients with VVS were recruited. Based on the head‐up tilt test (HUTT) results, the study population was divided into two groups: HUTT+ (n = 45) and HUTT− (n = 24). Fifty‐one consecutive subjects were enrolled as the control group. LA myocardial deformation parameters were measured by 2D speckle‐tracking echocardiography to evaluate LA function.

Results

Maximal, minimal, and pre‐P LA volumes were lower in patients with VVS. Strain and strain rate during reservoir, conduit, and contraction phases in VVS patients with HUTT+ or HUTT− were not statistically significantly different from those in the control group. Additionally, the volumetric parameters of LA function showed no difference in statistical significance between the three study groups.

Conclusions

While LA phasic function was not different between the two groups of VVS patients with HUTT+ or HUTT− and the control group, LA size during the three LA phases was smaller in patients with VVS.
Longitudinal consumption of fruits and vegetables and risk of asthma by 5 years of age
Authors: Metsälä Johanna , Vuorinen Anna‐Leena , Takkinen Hanna‐Mari , Peltonen Essi J. , Ahonen Suvi , Åkerlund Mari , Tapanainen Heli , Mattila Markus , Toppari Jorma , Ilonen Jorma , Veijola Riitta , Haahtela Tari , Knip Mikael , Kaila Minna , Virtanen Suvi M.
Published: March 2023

Background

Fruit and vegetable consumption has been linked to a decreased risk of asthma, but prospective evidence on longitudinal consumption in childhood is scarce. We aimed to investigate the association between fruit and vegetable consumption in childhood and the risk of asthma by the age of 5 years, and to explore the role of processing of fruits and vegetables in the Finnish Type 1 Diabetes Prediction and Prevention Allergy Study.

Methods

Child's food consumption was assessed by 3‐day food records completed at the age of 3 and 6 months, and 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 years, and asthma and allergies by a validated modified version of the ISAAC questionnaire at the age of 5 years. Consumption of processed and unprocessed fruits and vegetables was calculated. Joint models with a current value association structure for longitudinal and time‐to‐event data were used for statistical analyses.

Results

Of the 3053 children, 184 (6%) developed asthma by the age of 5 years. The risk of asthma was not associated with the consumption of all fruits and vegetables together (HR 1.00, 95%CI 0.99–1.01 per consumption of 1 g/MJ, adjusted for energy and other covariates), or with most subgroups. Weak inverse associations were seen between all leafy vegetables and asthma (HR = 0.87, 0.77–0.99), and unprocessed vegetables and nonatopic asthma (HR = 0.90, 95% CI 0.81–0.98).

Conclusion

Total consumption of fruits and vegetables in childhood was not associated with the development of asthma by the age of 5 years. Weak inverse associations found for vegetables need to be confirmed or rejected in future studies.
Parents who experience psychosis: A qualitative exploration
Authors: Harries Claire I. , Smith Debbie M. , Gregg Lynsey , Allott Rory , Wittkowski Anja
Published: March 2023

Objectives

Psychosis can present parents with complex parenting challenges and significant adverse outcomes for parents and their children have been reported. However, remarkably little is known about how parenting is experienced by these parents. Therefore, this qualitative study aimed to understand the lived experiences of parents with psychosis, including how parenting support was experienced.

Design and Methods

Using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA), eight biological parents (five mothers and three fathers) with psychosis were recruited and interviewed from early intervention in psychosis services in the Northwest of England.

Results

Three superordinate themes and seven subordinate themes were identified. Theme 1 ‘Living with the Struggle: Painfully Disconnected’ captured a persistent parenting struggle that distanced parents from their children and support due to all‐consuming experiences of psychosis, fear and risk‐focused service support. Theme 2 ‘Desired and Vulnerable Position: Comfortably Connected’ captured parental experiences of symptom relief through connection with their children, alongside parental need to be integrated with the systems around them. Theme 3 ‘Exposed: Parenting Under a Spotlight’ represented parental experiences of inescapable observation and judgement from the systems around them.

Conclusions

Novel insights into the role of misaligned parent and service priorities in parental perceptions of powerlessness, shame and disconnection from their children, valued parenting identities, and system supports are presented. Systemic interventions that target stigma, provide system‐wide psychoeducation and promote person‐centred, compassionate and meaningful connections between parents and the systems they live within are needed to promote better parenting outcomes.
Nucleotide‐binding leucine‐rich repeat network underlies nonhost resistance of pepper against the Irish potato famine pathogen Phytophthora infestans
Authors: Oh Soohyun , Kim Sejun , Park Hyo‐Jeong , Kim Myung‐Shin , Seo Min‐Ki , Wu Chih‐Hang , Lee Hyun‐Ah , Kim Hyun‐Soon , Kamoun Sophien , Choi Doil
Published: March 2023

Nonhost resistance (NHR) is a robust plant immune response against non‐adapted pathogens. A number of nucleotide‐binding leucine‐rich repeat (NLR) proteins that recognize non‐adapted pathogens have been identified, although the underlying molecular mechanisms driving robustness of NHR are still unknown. Here, we screened 57 effectors of the potato late blight pathogen Phytophthora infestans in nonhost pepper (Capsicum annuum) to identify avirulence effector candidates. Selected effectors were tested against 436 genome‐wide cloned pepper NLRs, and we identified multiple functional NLRs that recognize P. infestans effectors and confer disease resistance in the Nicotiana benthamiana as a surrogate system. The identified NLRs were homologous to known NLRs derived from wild potatoes that recognize P. infestans effectors such as Avr2, Avrblb1, Avrblb2, and Avrvnt1. The identified CaRpi‐blb2 is a homologue of Rpi‐blb2, recognizes Avrblb2 family effectors, exhibits feature of lineage‐specifically evolved gene in microsynteny and phylogenetic analyses, and requires pepper‐specific NRC (NLR required for cell death)‐type helper NLR for proper function. Moreover, CaRpi‐blb2–mediated hypersensitive response and blight resistance were more tolerant to suppression by the PITG_15 278 than those mediated by Rpi‐blb2. Combined results indicate that pepper has stacked multiple NLRs recognizing effectors of non‐adapted P. infestans, and these NLRs could be more tolerant to pathogen‐mediated immune suppression than NLRs derived from the host plants. Our study suggests that NLRs derived from nonhost plants have potential as untapped resources to develop crops with durable resistance against fast‐evolving pathogens by stacking the network of nonhost NLRs into susceptible host plants.
Altered resting‐state functional connectivity in the prefrontal cortex is related to the development of dyscalculia in patients with Turner syndrome
Authors: Li Tian , Cheng Dazhi , Chen Chuansheng , Gong Gaolang , Lv Jing , Zhou Xinlin
Published: March 2023

Aim

Patients with Turner syndrome have a high rate of developmental dyscalculia, but the underlying neurocognitive mechanisms are not well‐understood. Some studies have implicated visuospatial impairments in patients with Turner syndrome, but others have focused on poor procedural skills in patients with Turner syndrome. This study used brain imaging data to test these two alternative views.

Methods

This study recruited 44 girls with Turner syndrome (mean age,  12.91 years; SD,  2.02), with 13 (29.5%) of them meeting the criterion for developmental dyscalculia, and 14 normally developing girls (mean age,  14.26 years; SD,  2.18) as a comparison group. All participants were given basic mathematical ability tests and an intelligence test and were scanned using magnetic resonance imaging. We compared patients with Turner syndrome who had dyscalculia, patients with Turner syndrome who did not have dyscalculia, and the normal controls in terms of brain structures and resting‐state functional activity.

Results

Compared with normal controls, both groups of patients with Turner syndrome (with or without dyscalculia) showed similarly altered functional connectivity in the occipitoparietal dorsal stream. Importantly, compared with patients with Turner syndrome without dyscalculia and normal controls, patients with Turner syndrome with dyscalculia showed decreased functional connectivity between the prefrontal and the lateral occipital cortex.

Conclusion

We concluded that both groups of patients with Turner syndrome shared visual deficits, and patients with Turner syndrome with dyscalculia had a deficit in frontal cortex–based higher cognitive processing. It is not their visuospatial deficits but rather their deficits in higher cognitive processing that are responsible for the development of dyscalculia in patients with Turner syndrome.
Balancing power: Ambulance personnel's lived experience of older persons' participation in care in the presence of municipal care personnel
Authors: Hjalmarsson Anna , Östlund Gunnel , Asp Margareta , Kerstis Birgitta , Holmberg Mats
Published: March 2023

Background

Patient participation is considered to promote well‐being and is, therefore, central in care contexts. Care‐dependent older persons living at home constitute a vulnerable population with increased ambulance care needs. Care transfers risk challenging participation in care, a challenge that can be accentuated in situations involving acute illness.

Aim

To illuminate meanings of older persons' participation in ambulance care in the presence of municipal care personnel from the perspective of ambulance personnel.

Method

A phenomenological hermeneutical method was used to analyse transcripts of narrative interviews with 11 ambulance personnel.

Results

The ambulance personnel's lived experience of older persons' participation includes passive and active dimensions and involves a balancing act between an exercise of power that impedes participation and equalisation of power that empowers participation. The main theme ‘Balancing dignity in relation to manipulating the body’ included the themes Providing a safe haven and Complying with bodily expressions, which means shouldering responsibility for existential well‐being and being guided by reactions. The main theme ‘Balancing influence in relation to perceived health risks’ included the themes Agreeing on a common perspective, Directing decision‐making mandate, and Sharing responsibility for well‐being, which means shouldering responsibility for health focusing on risks. Influence is conditional and includes performance requirements for both the older person and municipal care personnel.

Conclusion

Care‐dependent older persons' participation in care from the perspective of ambulance personnel means recognising passive and active dimensions involving human dignity, the ability to influence care, and optimising care efforts through collaboration. This study provides a deepened understanding of the balancing of power involved in ambulance care determining participation, where power is equalised or exercised depending on personal engagement, health risks, and available care options. The knowledge provided holds the potential to improve ambulance care to benefit older persons in critical life situations.
Peritoneal dialysis and acute kidney injury in acute brain injury patients
Authors: Ramírez‐Guerrero Gonzalo , Husain‐Syed Faeq , Ponce Daniela , Torres‐Cifuentes Vicente , Ronco Claudio
Published: March 2023

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a heterogeneous syndrome with multiple etiologies. It occurs frequently in the neurocritical intensive care unit and is associated with greater morbidity and mortality. In this scenario, AKI alters the kidney–brain axis, exposing patients who receive habitual dialytic management to greater injury. Various therapies have been designed to mitigate this risk. Priority has been placed by KDIGO guidelines on the use of continuous over intermittent acute kidney replacement therapies (AKRT). On this background, continuous therapies have a pathophysiological rationale in patients with acute brain injury. A low‐efficiency therapy such as PD and CRRT could achieve optimal clearance control and potentially reduce the risk of secondary brain injury. Therefore, this work will review the evidence on peritoneal dialysis as a continuous AKRT in neurocritical patients, describing its benefits and risks so it may be considered as an option when deciding among available therapeutic options.
Mud‐rich low‐density turbidites in structurally‐controlled intraslope mini‐basin: The influence of flow containment on depositional processes and sedimentation patterns (Szczawa, Oligocene, Polish Outer Carpathians)
Authors: Siwek Piotr , Waśkowska Anna , Wendorff Marek
Published: March 2023

This study demonstrates the effectiveness of sedimentological–statistical multivariate analysis of one‐dimensional‐section in the unravelling depositional processes and sedimentation patterns recorded in a contained and partially ponded succession. Turbidite deposition of a 100 m thick mud‐rich Oligocene‐age sequence at Szczawa, the Polish Outer Carpathians, was primarily controlled by topographic confinement and magnitude of incoming flows. Only the largest turbidite flows were subjected to the true flow ponding, while in smaller volume flows the silty/sandy part behaved as unconfined flow and only muddy suspension cloud developed a ponded character. True ponding of low‐density turbidity currents is interpreted for sandstones that show sedimentary structures attesting to flow reflections and combined‐flow processes, and are associated with abnormally thick co‐genetic mudstones, which in turn results in low sandstone‐to‐mudstone ratio, irrespective of turbidite bed thickness. These features testify to pronounced interaction of flows with confining topography. Tractional structures associated with a considerable proportion of fines, namely banded structure and heterolithic bedding, are interpreted as produced during transitional (turbulent to laminar) flow phase in the condition of mud‐rich turbidite flow confinement. These structures are also considered here as indicators of proximity to source area and location on the slope. The co‐occurrence of banded sandstones, hybrid event megabeds and an olistostrome resulted from flows‐trapping, confined basin geometry, which precluded downslope propagation and further transformation of large‐volume flows. Therefore, a structurally‐controlled contained intraslope mini‐basin is proposed here as the most likely depositional setting. This work provides robust field and statistical evidence for ponding processes of low‐density turbidity currents in a structurally‐controlled mini‐basin. The results of this study are consistent with experimental data and recent field studies on ponded turbidites. Therefore, the Szczawa succession may serve as a new reference example of containment processes of low‐density turbidity currents and represents a valuable depositional model for intraslope turbidite succession.
Adenovirus infection diagnosed by metagenomic next‐generation sequencing after haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: A multicenter study in China
Authors: Wu Qiong , Wu Yanjun , Zhao Ye , Zhang Yanming , Cao Junjie , Wu Depei , Zhou Juying , Chen Feng
Published: March 2023

Objective

This study aims to observe and analyze the clinical characteristics and prognosis of adenovirus (ADV) infection diagnosed by metagenomic next‐generation sequencing (mNGS) after haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (Haplo‐HSCT), which was performed following Beijing Protocol.

Methods

The clinical data of patients who developed ADV infection diagnosed by mNGS after Haplo‐HSCT between January 2019 and March 2021, recorded in three transplantation centers, were retrospectively analyzed. Potential risk factors for infection and the clinical manifestations of ADV involvement in different end‐organs were also studied. Additionally, the patient prognosis regarding the available treatment was observed.

Results

A total of seven patients were diagnosed with ADV infection by the mNGS technique after Haplo‐HSCT of 976 patients enrolled. The risk factors for infection included antithymocyte globulin steroid‐refractory graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD) history, CD25 monoclonal antibody or ruxolitinib treatment history and <300 cells/μL of CD3+ T cells count in peripheral blood. The clinical manifestations of ADV infection included encephalitis, hepatitis, cystitis, and pneumonia. Six patients were treated with cidofovir (CDV) and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg), and one with CDV, ribavirin, IVIg, thymosin Alpha‐1 for injection and low‐dose donor lymphocyte infusion. One case showed negative ADV DNA results with improved conditions; however, the patient died of the relapse of the primary disease in the later stage. The remaining six died of ADV infection.

Conclusion

mNGS can provide screening for ADV and information on ADV subtypes, helpful to understand tissue tropism. This technique could be useful in diagnosing patients at high risk for ADV infection. ADV infection can involve multiple organs, has difficulty in early diagnosis, and has a poor prognosis. Currently, effective treatments are inadequate.

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Optimization and modelling of volatile fatty acid generation in a leachate bed reactor for utilization in microbial fuel cells
Authors: Gurjar Rishi , Behera Manaswini
Published: March 2023

Volatile fatty acid (VFA)‐rich leachate generated from acidogenesis of kitchen waste in a leach bed reactor (LBR) was utilized in an earthen microbial fuel cell (EMFC) to generate electricity. Effects of organic loading rate (OLR, 5–10 g VS/L·day) and pH (5–7) on LBR enumerated optimized parameters of OLR (10 g VS/L·day) and pH (5.74) to obtain total VFA (TVFA) of 7.7 ± 0.3 g/L in the leachate, with maximum contribution from acetic acid. Leachate obtained from the LBR was fed to the EMFC with varying OLR (2–7 kg COD/m3·day). The highest power density of 0.76 W/m3 (at OLR 7 kg COD/m3·day) was obtained with higher VFA content in the leachate. A neural network based on the Levenberg–Marquard function effectively predicted chemical oxygen demand and TVFA removal. This study establishes LBR as a techno‐economic method to obtain useful substrate for EMFC. Furthermore, the response modelling of EMFC demonstrates the potential of utilizing machine learning in biological treatment.
Bioremediation of phenol, sulfate sodium, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by Rhodococcus sp. first time isolated and molecular characterized from aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems
Authors: Hosseini Shiva , Azadi Davood , Absalan Abdorrahim
Published: March 2023

Environmental pollutions are the most significant problem worldwide. Rhodococcus sp. has a high potential for the production of secondary metabolites and degradation activity. This study aims to screen and characterize biodegradable Rhodococcus from Iranian ecosystems. The Rhodococcus isolates were recovered from 90 environmental samples and identified using conventional and molecular methods. The growth rate in the presence of pollutants and chromatography (high‐performance liquid chromatography [HPLC]) was used to determine their biodegradation capability. A total of 13 Rhodococcus isolates were characterized from the cultured samples (14.5%) that belonged to seven species. The prevalent species were R. erythropolis (4 isolates; 30.8%), R. atherivorans (3 isolates; 23%), R. ruber (2 isolates; 15.4), and R. zopfii, R. phenolicus, R. equi and R. rhodochrous 1 isolate each. The result showed that these isolates could degrade and consume phenol, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) and sulfate sodium. Our results showed that the Rhodococcus species have significant potential for bioremediation of diverse types of pollutants. Therefore, more studies are recommended for the biodegradation activity of Rhodococcus.
Holonomy of complex projective structures on surfaces with prescribed branch data
Authors: Le Fils Thomas
Published: March 2023

We characterize the representations of the fundamental group of a closed surface to that arise as the holonomy of a branched complex projective structure with fixed branch divisor. In particular, we compute the holonomies of the spherical metrics with prescribed integral conical angles and the holonomies of affine structures with fixed conical angles on closed surfaces.
Extrapolation errors of force transducer curve fitting equations
Authors: Hegazy Riham , Mohammad Gouda , Mohamed Magdy Ibrahim
Published: March 2023

Calibration laboratories often face the challenge of the impossibility to perform full capacity range calibration of their force transducers, particularly below 10 % of the force transducer’s capacity. Sometimes these laboratories use curve fitting extrapolation to estimate and predict force transducer behavior within uncalibrated capacity ranges. This work deals with the study of extrapolation errors in force transducers to know and estimate prediction accuracies when using extrapolation for force transducer calibration in ranges below 10 % and between 50 % and 100 % of the transducer’s capacity. The results of this study showed that the magnitude of the extrapolation error is very close to the magnitude of the reproducibility error within calibrated capacity ranges in the laboratory.
Stiffness Modeling and Deformation Analysis of Parallel Manipulators Based on the Principal Axes Decomposition of Compliance Matrices
Authors: Zhang Shuangshuang , Zhang Linsong
Published: March 2023

This paper presents a general equivalent approach to solve the stiffness modeling or load-deformation problem of non-redundant parallel mechanisms. Based on the principal axes decomposition of structure compliance matrices, an equivalent six-degrees-of-freedom (6-DOFs) serial mechanism is established to approximate the load-deformation behavior of each flexible link in the mechanism. Hence, each limb of the parallel mechanism can be equivalent to a serial redundant rigid body mechanism with passive elastic joints, and the load-deformation problem can be transformed to the equilibrium configuration calculation of the equivalent mechanism. The main advantage of the proposed method is that the robotic kinematics and statics, rather than the elastic mechanics, can be directly adopted to solve the equilibrium configuration of the parallel mechanism under external load. Besides, a closed form solution of the corresponding deformation can be obtained, which can be solved by the gradient-based searching algorithm. Therefore, the final deformation will no longer be linear to the external load, which makes this method more accurate and more suitable for the deformation prediction and compensation in real industrial working conditions. In order to verify the effectiveness and correctness of this method, a 3PRRU parallel manipulator will be introduced as an example, to compare the load-deformation results with the finite element analysis (FEA) simulation and matrix calculation methods, so the nonlinearity feature can be shown in an intuitive manner.
Strategy for the Adaptation to Stressful Conditions of the Novel Isolated Conditional Piezophilic Strain Halomonas titanicae ANRCS81
Authors: Li Jiakang , Xiao Xiang , Zhou Meng , Zhang Yu
Published: March 2023

Microbial growth and metabolic responses to environmental changes are core aspects of adaptation strategies developed during evolution. In particular, high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) is the most common but least examined environmental factor driving microbial adaptation in the deep sea.
Comparative Evaluation of Current Biochemical-, Sequencing-, and Proteomic-Based Identification Methods for the Streptococcus bovis Group
Authors: Putnam Nicole E. , Youn Jung-Ho , Wallace Meghan A. , Luethy Paul M. , Burnham Carey-Ann D. , Butler-Wu Susan , Dekker John P. , Lau Anna F.
Published: March 2023

The
Streptococcus bovis
group (previously group D streptococci) consists of seven distinct species and subspecies. Definitive identification within the group is important, as certain organisms have been associated with gastrointestinal carcinoma, bacteremia, infective endocarditis, meningitis, biliary tract disease, and carcinoma, among others.
Social Media Reflection Assignment: a Simple Classroom Intervention To Help Students Examine Scientific Claims in Social Media
Authors: Brown Judy J.
Published: March 2023

Social media has the power to spread information faster than any other news source. The science community has experienced this firsthand during recent years, unfortunately to its detriment.
16S Amplicon Metabarcoding of the Nest Materials of Native Australian Stingless Bees
Authors: Tarlinton Boyd , Massaro Flavia Carmelina , Hauxwell Caroline
Published: March 2023

We present 16S amplicon data derived from the nest materials of three species of Australian stingless bees (Meliponini). This data set reveals the diversity of bacteria associated with these materials. It will serve as a valuable baseline for further study of the nest microbiome and comparison with the stingless bee microbiota.
Oxidative Stress Contributes to Bacterial Airborne Loss of Viability
Authors: Oswin Henry P. , Haddrell Allen E. , Hughes Cordelia , Otero-Fernandez Mara , Thomas Richard J. , Reid Jonathan P.
Published: March 2023

The airborne transport of bacteria has a wide range of impacts, from disease transmission to cloud formation. By understanding the factors that influence the airborne stability of bacteria, we can better understand these processes.
Recombinase-Aided Amplification Assay for Rapid Detection of Hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae (hvKp) and Characterization of the hvKp Pathotype
Authors: Yan Chao , Zhou Yao , Du Shuheng , Du Bing , Zhao Hanqing , Feng Yanling , Xue Guanhua , Cui Jinghua , Gan Lin , Feng Junxia , Fan Zheng , Fu Tongtong , Xu Ziying , Zhang Qun , Zhang Rui , Cui Xiaohu , Tian Ziyan , Chen Yujie , Zhang Ting , Huang Lei , Yuan Jing
Published: March 2023

Klebsiella pneumoniae
is the most common opportunistic bacterial species and a major threat to public health. Since the 1990s, hvKp has received increasing attention from public health officials and infectious disease specialists.
The Evolution and Transmission Dynamics of Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis in an Isolated High-Plateau Population of Tibet, China
Authors: Jiang Qi , Liu Hai-Can , Liu Qing-Yun , Phelan Jody E. , Tao Feng-Xi , Zhao Xiu-Qin , Wang Jian , Glynn Judith R. , Takiff Howard E. , Clark Taane G. , Wan Kang-Lin , Gao Qian
Published: March 2023

Emerging isoniazid resistance in the 1970s allowed
M. tuberculosis
strains to spread and form into large multidrug-resistant tuberculosis clusters in the isolated plateau of Tibet, China. The epidemic was driven by the high risk of transmission as well as the potential of acquiring further drug resistance from isoniazid-resistant strains.
Climate control on the relationship between erosion rate and fluvial topography
Authors: Marder Eyal , Gallen Sean F.
Published: March 2023

Conceptual and theoretical models for landscape evolution suggest that fluvial topography is sensitive to climate. However, it remains challenging to demonstrate a compelling link between fluvial topography and climate in natural landscapes. One possible reason is that many studies compare erosion rates to climate data, although theoretical studies show that, at steady state, climate is encoded in the relationship between erosion rate and topography rather than erosion rate alone. We use an existing global compilation of 10Be basin-averaged erosion rates to isolate the climate signal in topography as a function of erosion rate for morphologically steady-state, fluvially dominated basins underlain by crystalline bedrock. Our results show that the relationship between erosion rate (a proxy for rock uplift rate) and the normalized river channel steepness index (a proxy for fluvial relief) becomes increasingly nonlinear with increasing mean annual precipitation and decreasing aridity. This result indicates that erosional efficiency increases in wetter and more humid climates, lowering fluvial relief for a given erosion rate. When interpreted in the context of detachment-limited bedrock incision models that account for incision thresholds and stochastic flood distributions, this systematic pattern can be explained by a decrease in discharge variability in wetter and more humid landscapes, assuming incision thresholds are important on a global scale.
Sick leave due to COVID-19 during the first pandemic wave in France, 2020
Authors: Smith David R M , Jijón Sofía , Oodally Ajmal , Shirreff George , Aït Bouziad Karim , Ante-Testard Pearl Anne , Bastard Jonathan , Bouziri Hanifa , Daouda Oumou Salama , Duchemin Tom , Godon-Rensonnet Anne-Sophie , Henriot Paul , Houri Yasmine , Neynaud Hélène , Perozziello Anne , Thonon Frédérique , Crépey Pascal , Dab William , Jean Kévin , Temime Laura
Published: March 2023

Objectives

To quantify the burden of COVID-19-related sick leave during the first pandemic wave in France, accounting for sick leaves due to symptomatic COVID-19 (‘symptomatic sick leaves’) and those due to close contact with COVID-19 cases (‘contact sick leaves’).

Methods

We combined data from a national demographic database, an occupational health survey, a social behaviour survey and a dynamic SARS-CoV-2 transmission model. Sick leave incidence from 1 March 2020 to 31 May 2020 was estimated by summing daily probabilities of symptomatic and contact sick leaves, stratified by age and administrative region.

Results

There were an estimated 1.70M COVID-19-related sick leaves among France’s 40M working-age adults during the first pandemic wave, including 0.42M due to COVID-19 symptoms and 1.28M due to COVID-19 contacts. There was great geographical variation, with peak daily sick leave incidence ranging from 230 in Corse (Corsica) to 33 000 in Île-de-France (the greater Paris region), and greatest overall burden in regions of north-eastern France. Regional sick leave burden was generally proportional to local COVID-19 prevalence, but age-adjusted employment rates and contact behaviours also contributed. For instance, 37% of symptomatic infections occurred in Île-de-France, but 45% of sick leaves. Middle-aged workers bore disproportionately high sick leave burden, owing predominantly to greater incidence of contact sick leaves.

Conclusions

France was heavily impacted by sick leave during the first pandemic wave, with COVID-19 contacts accounting for approximately three-quarters of COVID-19-related sick leaves. In the absence of representative sick leave registry data, local demography, employment patterns, epidemiological trends and contact behaviours can be synthesised to quantify sick leave burden and, in turn, predict economic consequences of infectious disease epidemics.
Phase transition and stiffer core fluid in neutron stars: effects on stellar configurations, dynamical stability, and tidal deformability
Authors: Arbañil José D. V. , Rodrigues Lucas S. , Lenzi César H.
Published: March 2023

In this work, we investigate the influence of the phase transition and a stiffer fluid in neutron stars’ cores on the static equilibrium configuration, dynamical stability, and tidal deformability. For this aim, it is taken into account that the fluid in the core and the envelope follow the relativistic polytropic equation of state. We find that the phase transition and a stiffer fluid in the core will reflect in the total mass, radius, speed of sound, core radius, radial stability with a slow and rapid conversion at the interface, and tidal deformability. We also investigate the dimensionless tidal deformability $$\varLambda _1$$

Λ
1

and $$\varLambda _2$$

Λ
2

for a binary neutron stars system with chirp mass equal to GW170817. Finally, we contrast our results with observational data to show the role that phase transition and a stiffer core fluid could play in the study of neutron stars.
General solutions of Einstein gravity at $$D\rightarrow 2$$
Authors: Mao Qi-Yuan , Lü H.
Published: March 2023

Einstein gravity at $$D\rightarrow 2$$

D
→
2

limit can be obtained from the Kaluza–Klein procedure by taking the dimensions of the internal space to zero while keeping only the breathing mode. The resulting scalar–tensor theory can be further reduced to JT gravity or the Liouville CFT at the large central charge limit, bridging the two important 2d models. We construct the general solutions of the theory, including black holes and wormholes for both positive and negative cosmological constants. We obtain the on-shell action of the nearly AdS$$_2$$

2

and show that for suitable boundary slices, the Schwarzian action governs the leading-order dynamics at the finite boundary cutoff in later time. For positive cosmological constant, we find that the scalar is well defined on the 2-sphere.
Effect of inhomogeneous distribution of critical-current density on AC susceptibility in superconducting film
Authors: Zhao Yufeng , Ma Ping , Shi Jinheng
Published: March 2023

In this paper, the AC susceptibility in superconducting film is studied by the extended exponential critical state model, in which the critical-current density is assumed to be inhomogeneous distributed, namely, space gradient dependent. The results show that it should be noted that existence of the gradient parameter produces a quantitative effect on the form of the dependence of AC susceptibility. The magnetization properties caused by the gradient parameter are also highly nonlinear, which should be useful for the design of thin superconducting film devices.
Thermal stability and decomposition mechanisms of hexatetracarbon: Tight-binding molecular dynamics and density functional theory study
Authors: Bauetdinov Yusupbek , Grekova Anastasiya , Sangwan Renu
Published: March 2023

In this work, we carry out molecular dynamics and ab initio modeling to determine the thermal decomposition channels and thermal stability of the recently proposed 2D carbon allotrope, hexatetracarbon (HTC). To take into account the role of edges in the initialization of decay, we considered finite size cluster models of HTC passivated by hydrogen. Four models were selected for the study: [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. Molecular dynamics and hyperdynamics was carried out using the NTBM non-orthogonal tight-binding model. For ab initio calculations, we used the electron density functional theory with the B3LYP three-parameter hybrid functional and the 6-311G[Formula: see text] electronic basis set. Prismane [Formula: see text] demonstrated the highest stability due to the high energy barrier of 1.5 eV preserving its decomposition. Larger clusters possessed lower barriers in the 0.65–0.9 eV range. We concluded that the HTC edges are unstable at room temperatures. However, the destruction of some interlayer bonds can result in strain relaxation and increase of stability. We believe that HTC could exist at room temperatures in the form of nanosized quantum dots that appeared from bilayer graphene under high pressure.
Ab initio study of structural properties and inter-wall distances of double-walled BN nanotubes
Authors: Minaie Babak , Movlarooy Tayebeh
Published: March 2023

The structural, stability, and electronic properties and optimized inter-wall distances of double-walled boron nitride nanotubes (DWBNNTs) are investigated based on density functional theory (DFT) with the SIESTA code. The computations are done on the zigzag ([Formula: see text],0)@([Formula: see text],0) DWBNNTs with chirality of ([Formula: see text], 7 and [Formula: see text]–18) and the armchair ([Formula: see text] with chirality of ([Formula: see text], 6 and [Formula: see text]–15). The calculated binding and formation energies revealed that the armchair and the zigzag DWBNNTs with chirality differences of ([Formula: see text] and 9) ([Formula: see text]), ([Formula: see text]) and inter-layer spacing of about 4.22Å and 3.62Å are the best favorable nanotubes, respectively. Analyzing the electronic structures revealed that all considered armchair and zigzag BNNTs are semiconductors. Furthermore, it is concluded that with increasing diameters of the tubes and the spaces between walls, the value of the band gap rises, and the change process is almost constant at larger distances between the walls. Also, compared to single-walled nanotubes, DWBNNTs have a narrower bandgap. Future empirical investigations can definitely benefit from the implications of this research.
Interpolation Results for Arrays with Length and MaxDiff
Authors: Ghilardi Silvio , Gianola Alessandro , Kapur Deepak , Naso Chiara
Published: March 2023

In this article, we enrich McCarthy’s theory of extensional arrays with a length and a maxdiff operation. As is well-known, some diff operation (i.e., some kind of difference function showing where two unequal arrays differ) is needed to keep interpolants quantifier free in array theories. Our maxdiff operation returns the max index where two arrays differ; thus, it has a univocally determined semantics.

The length function is a natural complement of such a maxdiff operation and is needed to handle real arrays. Obtaining interpolation results for such a rich theory is a surprisingly hard task. We get such results via a thorough semantic analysis of the models of the theory and of their amalgamation and strong amalgamation properties. The results are modular with respect to the index theory; we show how to convert them into concrete interpolation algorithms via a hierarchical approach realizing a polynomial reduction to interpolation in linear arithmetics endowed with free function symbols.