bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigation of singlet‐oxygen‐responsive genes in the cyanobacterium SynechocystisPCC 6803
Authors: Patyi Gábor , Hódi Barbara , Mallick Ivy , Maróti Gergely , Kós Péter B. , Vass Imre
Published: August 2024

Singlet oxygen (1O2) is an important reactive oxygen species whose formation by the type‐II, light‐dependent, photodynamic reaction is inevitable during photosynthetic processes. In the last decades, the recognition that 1O2 is not only a damaging agent, but can also affect gene expression and participates in signal transduction pathways has received increasing attention. However, contrary to several other taxa, 1O2‐responsive genes have not been identified in the important cyanobacterial model organism Synechocystis PCC 6803. By using global transcript analysis we have identified a large set of Synechocystis genes, whose transcript levels were either enhanced or repressed in the presence of 1O2. Characteristic 1O2 responses were observed in several light‐inducible genes of Synechocystis, especially in the hli (or scp) family encoding HLIP/SCP proteins involved in photoprotection. Other important 1O2‐induced genes include components of the Photosystem II repair machinery (psbA2 and ftsH2, ftsH3), iron homeostasis genes isiA and idiA, the group 2 sigma factor sigD, some components of the transcriptomes induced by salt‐, hyperosmotic and cold‐stress, as well as several genes of unknown function. The most pronounced 1O2‐induced upregulation was observed for the hliB and the co‐transcribed lilA genes, whose deletion induced enhanced sensitivity against 1O2‐mediated light damage. A bioreporter Synechocystis strain was created by fusing the hliB promoter to the bacterial luciferase (lux), which showed its utility for continuous monitoring of 1O2 concentrations inside the cell.
Comparative transcriptome database for Camellia sinensis reveals genes related to the cold sensitivity and albino mechanism of ‘Anji Baicha’
Authors: Zheng Xinghai , Ali Zahin Mohd , Lim Peng Ken , Mutwil Marek , Wang Yuefei
Published: August 2024

Tea, a globally popular beverage, contains various beneficial secondary metabolites. Tea plants (Camellia sinensis) exhibit diverse genetic traits across cultivars, impacting yield, adaptability, morphology, and secondary metabolite composition. Many tea cultivars have been the subject of much research interest, which have led to the accumulation of publicly available RNA‐seq data. As such, it has become possible to systematically summarize the characteristics of different cultivars at the transcriptomic level, identify functional genes, and infer gene functions through co‐expression analysis. Here, the transcriptomes of 9 tea cultivars were assembled, and comparative analysis was conducted on the coding sequences of 13 cultivars. To give access to this data, we present TeaNekT (https://teanekt.sbs.ntu.edu.sg/), a web resource that facilitates the prediction of gene functions of various tea cultivars. We used TeaNekT to perform a cross‐cultivar comparison of co‐expressed gene clusters and tissue‐specific gene expression. We observed that ‘Anji Baicha’ possesses the highest number of cultivar‐specific genes and the second‐highest number of expanded genes. These genes in ‘Anji Baicha’ tend to be enriched in functions associated with cold stress response, chloroplast thylakoid structure, and nitrogen metabolism. Notably, we identified three significantly expanded homologous genes in ‘Anji Baicha’ encoding the ICE1, SIZ1, and MAPKK2, which are closely associated with the cold sensitivity of ‘Anji Baicha’. Additionally, one significantly expanded homologous gene in ‘Anji Baicha’ encoding regulatory factor RIQ may play a crucial role in the abnormal chloroplast structure and absence of thylakoid membranes in ‘Anji Baicha’.
Electrophysiological correlates of why humans deviate from rational decision‐making: A registered replication study
Authors: Rodrigues Johannes , Weiß Martin , Hein Grit , Hewig Johannes
Published: August 2024

In contrast to rational choice theory predicting humans to optimize expected utilities of choices, humans deviate from rational behavior in decision‐making paradigms. Hewig et al. (2011) explored affective correlates of decision‐making in the ultimatum game (UG) and the dictator game (DG). They found that feedback‐related negativity (FRN), subjective valence ratings, and autonomic nervous system activity predicted rejection of monetary offers. This registered replication aimed to validate and extend these findings. Although behavioral patterns and results of subjective ratings closely matched the original study, not all psychophysiological effects were successfully replicated. Firstly, we could not replicate the reported effects of autonomic nervous system activity. Secondly, a quadratic instead of the originally proposed linear relation between the offer and the FRN emerged, possibly driven by the offer evaluation in economic games and the rewarding anticipation of successful punishment for low offers. Thirdly, P3 amplitudes mirrored the quadratic offer response pattern, generally peaking for the lowest offer. In contrast to the original study, P3 responses were larger in the UG compared with the DG. Finally, our findings indicate that participant‐related higher midfrontal theta activation predicted lower acceptance behavior in the UG, with a systematic dampening effect for fairer offers. This highlights cognitive control as a crucial mechanism in economic decision‐making to overcome behavioral defaults. Overall, our results conceptually support the original conclusion that decision‐making in economic games is non‐rational and dependent on the objective situation as well as emotional and neural markers, though not precisely as suggested by Hewig et al. (2011).
Empirical tests of trait–function relationships are crucial for advancing trait‐based restoration: a response to Merchant et al. (2023)
Authors: Funk Jennifer L. , Eviner Valerie T. , Garbowski Magda , Valliere Justin M.
Published: August 2024

Trait‐based restoration strategies are gaining significant attention in the scientific community. A recent article in Restoration Ecology by Merchant et al. outlined four reasons why traits are underused in restoration practice. In their response to the paper, Gornish et al. highlighted examples of how practitioners do, in fact, use traits in restoration and made recommendations for researchers to better engage with practitioners to leverage existing knowledge. Here, we clarify a preeminent challenge for either perspective: that we continue to lack the empirical data needed to develop and apply the effective trait‐based tools envisioned by many researchers. Long‐term, spatially replicated studies designed to address context‐dependency are needed to address critical knowledge gaps. Co‐developing projects with practitioners not only fosters more realistic and relatable study designs but also increases the likelihood of adopting new methods, enabling long‐term research that advances theory while improving local outcomes through more accurate trait‐based predictions.
Effects of prescribed fire on planted oak growth and survival in restored savannas
Authors: Earl Allison G. , Towey J. Brian , Meiners Scott J.
Published: August 2024

Most oak savannas in the Midwestern United States have been lost to agriculture and habitat degradation. Because of their rarity and high plant and animal diversity, savannas are often a target for restoration, which frequently relies on the direct planting of oak seedlings to establish the necessary canopy. Returning fire to the system is critical to the herbaceous component, but with planted seedlings, managers risk damaging or killing trees if burning is introduced too soon. We studied the growth and physiological responses of three oak species (Quercus alba, Quercus macrocarpa, and Quercus velutina) to prescribed fire to determine impacts on planted trees. This study utilized two restored oak savanna units that were planted in 1995 and 1998, each with burned and unburned areas. We tracked trees ranging from 0.9 to 29.8 cm in diameter at breast height (DBH) to determine the size threshold above which top kill is unlikely and documented differences in leaf structure and extension growth between the burned and unburned areas. There was no mortality observed. Moreover, no trees larger than 4 cm DBH were top killed by the fire. Fire responses in leaf mass per unit area and chlorophyll content were small and inconsistent across species. However, all oak species grew more in burned areas than trees in adjacent unburned areas. Therefore, the addition of low‐intensity prescribed fire to an oak savanna planting may increase the growth rate of planted trees with minimal risk of mortality once trees have reached sufficient size.
Asymptotic profiles of positive steady states in a reaction–diffusion benthic–drift model
Authors: Qu Anqi , Wang Jinfeng
Published: August 2024

In this paper, we investigate a reaction–diffusion–advection benthic–drift model, where the population is divided into two interacting groups: individuals dispersing in the drift zone and individuals living in the benthic zone. For different growth types of the benthic population, we present asymptotic profiles of positive steady states in three cases: (i) large advection; (ii) small diffusion of the drift population; and (iii) large diffusion of the drift population. We prove that in case (i) both the benthic and drift individuals concentrate only at the downstream end; in case (ii), both benthic and drift population reside inhomogeneously in , stay away from the upstream end , and concentrate only at the downstream ; and in case (iii), the drift species distributes evenly on the entire habitat and the benthic species distributes inhomogeneously throughout the habitat. The result supplements the dynamical behaviors of benthic–drift models developed in earlier works and is also of its own interest.
Iron deficiency‐related symptoms in non‐anemic whole blood donors
Authors: Karregat J. , Meulenbeld A. , Abubakar J. , Quee F. A. , van den Hurk K.
Published: August 2024

Introduction

Whole blood donors are at increased risk for iron deficiency (ID). ID anemia is associated with several symptoms, such as fatigue, cognitive dysfunction, pica, and restless leg syndrome (RLS). However, it is unclear if these symptoms also occur when a donor has developed ID without anemia. This study aims to determine whether non‐anemic ID (NAID) is associated with the occurrence of ID‐related symptoms.

Study Designs and Methods

We combined data from three studies in whole blood donors (i.e., Donor Insight‐III, FIND'EM, and FORTE) to create a substantial sample size (N = 12,143). The self‐reported occurrence and severity of ID‐related symptoms, such as physical and mental health, fatigue, cognitive functioning, pica, and RLS, was measured using validated questionnaires. Associations were studied using logistic regression modeling with ID‐related symptoms derived from the questionnaires as the dependent variable and ferritin level group (0–15 μg/L, 15–30 μg/L, and >30 μg/L) as explanatory variable.

Results

After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 9829 donors were eligible for analysis. In the models corrected for age, body mass index, Hb level, and cohort, only fatigue was shown to be associated with ferritin levels in men, showing lower odds (OR 1.41, 95% CI 1.11–1.79) for fatigue with higher ferritin levels.

Conclusion

In these studies, NAID was only associated with self‐reported fatigue in male donors. Although selection bias may have led to underestimated associations, ferritin measurements in donors should be primarily considered as a measure to prevent anemia, rather than to prevent or mitigate NAID‐related symptoms.
Use of group A thawed plasma in emergency transfusions at a pediatric quaternary care center
Authors: Jacquot Cyril , Jones Tahirah , Bahar Burak , Cabacar Julia , Webb Jennifer , Mo Yunchuan Delores , Tavares da Souza Antoine , Delaney Meghan
Published: August 2024

Background

Balanced plasma/red blood cell transfusions have shown survival benefit in emergency scenarios. To improve plasma availability, we implemented 5‐day group A thawed plasma at our pediatric hospital in February 2021.

Study Design and Methods

We maintain thawed group A plasma units (5‐day shelf‐life) ready for immediate issue in the blood bank (since February 2021) and trauma code room (since August 2022). Group A plasma (un‐titered) is issued for patients with unknown blood type during emergencies. We retrospectively reviewed records and laboratory results of recipients to assess safety and identify possible adverse events related to incompatible plasma.

Results

Between February 2021 and December 2023, 173 emergency plasma requests occurred for 161 patients. Ninety‐one occurred with massive transfusion protocol activations. Thirty‐six patients (22.4%) were blood group B or AB, and 23 received incompatible plasma (age 0–21.3 years, weight 0.74–149.8 kg, incompatible plasma dose 4.0–428.4 mL/kg). These patients did not have any differences in survival outcomes or hospital lengths of stay (LOS) compared with compatible plasma recipients, mirroring the adult experience. None experienced adverse events related to group A plasma. No transfusion reactions were reported. No increase in wastage/outdate occurred upon thawed plasma implementation (2020 versus 2021 to 2023, 7.73% [133/1721] vs. 8.58% [497/5792], p = .284).

Conclusions

We implemented 5‐day group A thawed plasma. Units are rapidly available from the blood bank and trauma code room without increased wastage. We did not identify any transfusion‐associated adverse events in pediatric recipients of incompatible group A plasma.
Visitor Experience in Digital Museums: Dimensions, Scale Development, and Validation
Authors: Zhu Lanxin , Costa Feroz De , Yasin Megat Al-Imran Bin
Published: August 2024

Purpose – Providing visitors with excellent experience is a key challenge faced by digital museum development. However, the dimensionality of visitor experience in digital museums is under-explored, and there is a scarcity of survey scales for measuring multiple dimensions of visitor experience in digital museums. This study aimed to explore the dimensionality of visitor experience in digital museums and develop a survey scale for measuring multiple dimensions of visitor experience in digital museums.Design/methodology/approach – This study adopted a mixed method by interviewing 12 digital museum visitors and implemented a questionnaire survey with 982 visitors. The qualitative data was analysed using a thematic analysis technique while the quantitative data was analysed based on exploratory factor (EFA) analysis and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA).Findings – Based on qualitative results, this study developed a new dimension model for visitor experience in digital museums based on interview research that consists of five experience dimensions: technological, social, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral experience. Accordingly, this study also designed a specialized survey scale to measure these five dimensions. The scale’s validity and reliability were verified and purified. This new scale can be used by future survey research on digital museums from a visitor perspective.Originality/value – This is the first study that empirically explored the dimensionality of visitor experience in digital museums. The study also developed a first survey scale specifically for measuring multiple dimensions of visitor experience in digital museums.
Asymptotic behavior of Laplacian eigenvalues of subspace inclusion graphs
Authors: Lew Alan
Published: August 2024

Let be the simplicial complex whose vertices are the nontrivial subspaces of and whose simplices correspond to families of subspaces forming a flag. Let be the ‐dimensional weighted upper Laplacian on . The spectrum of was first studied by Garland, who obtained a lower bound on its nonzero eigenvalues. Here, we focus on the case. We determine the asymptotic behavior of the eigenvalues of as tends to infinity. In particular, we show that for large enough , has exactly distinct eigenvalues, and that every eigenvalue of tends to as goes to infinity. This solves the zero‐dimensional case of a conjecture of Papikian.
The independent and combined effects of aerobic exercise intensity and dose differentially increase post‐exercise cerebral shear stress and blood flow
Authors: Moir M. Erin , Corkery Adam T. , Miller Kathleen B. , Pearson Andrew G. , Loggie Nicole A. , Apfelbeck Avery A. , Howery Anna J. , Barnes Jill N.
Published: August 2024

This research examined the impact of aerobic exercise intensity and dose on acute post‐exercise cerebral shear stress and blood flow. Fourteen young adults (27 ± 5 years of age, eight females) completed a maximal oxygen uptake () treadmill test followed by three randomized study visits: treadmill exercise at 30% of for 30 min, 70% of for 30 min and 70% of for a duration that resulted in caloric expenditure equal to that in the 30% visit (EqEE). A venous blood draw and internal carotid artery (ICA) ultrasound were collected before and immediately following exercise. ICA diameter and blood velocity were determined using automated edge detection software, and blood flow was calculated. Using measures of blood viscosity, shear stress was calculated. Aerobic exercise increased ICA shear stress (time: P = 0.005, condition: P = 0.012) and the increase was greater following exercise at 70% (∆4.1 ± 3.5 dyn/cm2) compared with 30% (∆1.1 ± 1.9 dyn/cm2; P = 0.041). ICA blood flow remained elevated following exercise (time: P = 0.002, condition: P = 0.010) with greater increases after 70% (Δ268 ± 150 mL/min) compared with 30% (∆125 ± 149 mL/min; P = 0.041) or 70% EqEE (∆127 ± 177 mL/min; P = 0.004). Therefore, aerobic exercise resulted in both intensity‐ and dose‐dependent effects on acute post‐exercise ICA blood flow whereby vigorous intensity exercise provoked a larger increase in ICA blood flow compared to light intensity exercise when performed at a higher dose.
Ingesting carbonated water post‐exercise in the heat transiently ameliorates hypotension and enhances mood state
Authors: Kajiki Masanobu , Katagiri Akira , Matsutake Ryoko , Lai Yin‐Feng , Hashimoto Hideki , Nishiyasu Takeshi , Fujii Naoto
Published: August 2024

The objective was to assess if post‐exercise ingestion of carbonated water in a hot environment ameliorates hypotension, enhances cerebral blood flow and heat loss responses, and positively modulates perceptions and mood states. Twelve healthy, habitually active young adults (five women) performed 60 min of cycling at 45% peak oxygen uptake in a hot climate (35°C). Subsequently, participants consumed 4°C carbonated or non‐carbonated (control) water (150 and 100 mL for males and females regardless of drink type) at 20 and 40 min into post‐exercise periods. Mean arterial pressure decreased post‐exercise at 20 min only (P = 0.032) compared to the pre‐exercise baseline. Both beverages transiently (∼1 min) increased mean arterial pressure and middle cerebral artery mean blood velocity (cerebral blood flow index) regardless of post‐exercise periods (all P ≤ 0.015). Notably, carbonated water ingestion led to greater increases in mean arterial pressure (2.3 ± 2.8 mmHg vs. 6.6 ± 4.4 mmHg, P < 0.001) and middle cerebral artery mean blood velocity (1.6 ± 2.5 cm/s vs. 3.8 ± 4.1 cm/s, P = 0.046) at 20 min post‐exercise period compared to non‐carbonated water ingestion. Both beverages increased mouth exhilaration and reduced sleepiness regardless of post‐exercise periods, but these responses were more pronounced with carbonated water ingestion at 40 min post‐exercise (mouth exhilaration: 3.1 ± 1.4 vs. 4.7 ± 1.7, P = 0.001; sleepiness: −0.7 ± 0.91 vs. −1.9 ± 1.6, P = 0.014). Heat loss responses and other perceptions were similar between the two conditions throughout (all P ≥ 0.054). We show that carbonated water ingestion temporarily ameliorates hypotension and increases the cerebral blood flow index during the early post‐exercise phase in a hot environment, whereas it enhances mouth exhilaration and reduces sleepiness during the late post‐exercise phase.
Regional Integration and Economic Development: Optimal or Messy Networks?
Authors: Genna Gaspare M. , Yang Zining , Abdollahian Mark
Published: August 2024

States join regional integration organizations (RIOs) hoping that membership will boost economic development. Such cooperation should improve the efficiency of economic factors via firm competition, which will promote development. We argue that economic growth is difficult to produce when states form overlapping memberships and join RIOs with economies of similar size and similar levels of development. While joining an RIO may be beneficial, many overlapping memberships tend to involve larger costs through added obligations, leading to low economic performance. Integrating with similarly sized economies is not as beneficial as integrating with larger, relatively wealthier partners. We support our hypotheses using 180 states from 1962-2014. Using social network and time-series analysis, we find that joining multiple RIOs tends to decrease GDP per capita growth. However, the effect is not uniform: the negative effect is stronger in lesser-developed countries and does not hold when RIO membership includes a large economic partner.
Violencia, raíces y transformación: una mirada interdisciplinaria desde las neurociencias, la neuroética y la teología judeo-cristiana
Authors: Jiménez Rodríguez Luis Orlando , Vergara Hoyos José Vicente , Ramírez Ambrosio Oscar Mauricio , Mejía Naranjo Wilson Alfonzo , Cervantes Blanco Jorge Luis , Pabón Sánchez Omar Fredy
Published: August 2024

Este artículo presenta una investigación interdisciplinaria centrada en el fenómeno de la violencia, partiendo de datos científicos recientes que interpreta desde la neuroética y desde una hermenéutica teológica que toma en cuenta la mediación filosófica. De esta manera, describe los múltiples rostros de la violencia, situado en el contexto de nuestra realidad latinoamericana y caribeña. La hipótesis de base consiste en que, si bien somos susceptibles a desarrollar una conducta violenta, tenemos la posibilidad de optar por otro camino no violento. Es claro que en la estructura psicológica humana coexisten aspectos intrínsecos y extrínsecos en una compleja interacción. Entre los primeros aparecen algunas condiciones con una base orgánica; entre las causas extrínsecas están las medioambientales y las relaciones socioculturales. Investigaciones científicas recientes muestran la existencia de una plasticidad epigenética y una neuronal que permiten al ser humano modificar sus patrones de conducta. Al tomar en cuenta que el cerebro es modificable, la neuroética propone una educación moral que integra lo orgánico, lo intelectual, lo afectivo y lo espiritual. Este proceso de educación moral invita a cultivar pensamientos, sentimientos y valores que vayan transformando las conductas personales y socioculturales encarnando el valor de la dignidad del otro. La teología judeo-cristiana contribuye mostrando que Dios aparece en las Escrituras como el gran educador que transforma el corazón para que las fuerzas violentas que pueden habitarlo se sublimen y conviertan en fuerzas de vida. Dios no destruye la violencia, inspira y llama en la libertad a un cambio de estilo de vida. Ante las concepciones religiosas de un Dios violento, el Dios encarnado supera la violencia que engendra violencia por medio de un amor vulnerable que, desde el cuerpo torturado de Jesús, víctima inocente de agresión, nos invita a amar como él ama, instaurando así un espacio creador de vida.
Adaptation of the Low Dissipation Low Dispersion Scheme for Reactive Multicomponent Flows on Unstructured Grids Using Density-Based Solvers
Authors: Lipkowicz Jonathan T. , Gövert Simon , Janus Bertram
Published: August 2024

The low dissipation low dispersion (LD2) second-order accurate scheme is effective for scale-resolving simulations in finite volume computational fluid dynamics (CFD) solvers, thanks to its combination of a skew-symmetric split form for convective terms and matrix-valued artificial dissipation fluxes. However, reactive flow simulations face challenges due to steep gradients and varying gas properties. This study replaces the skew-symmetric scheme with the kinetic energy and entropy preserving (KEEP) scheme, utilizing quadratic and cubic split forms for convective terms, enhancing stability. The nonsmooth fluid interfaces in reactive flow simulations necessitate upwind fluxes for reactive scalars to limit total variation (TV), also requiring upwind fluxes for the mixture-dependent internal energy fluxes. Other convective terms use central discretizations from the KEEP scheme, leveraging LD2’s spatial reconstruction to minimize dispersive errors. Numerical assessments show this approach reduces spurious pressure oscillations in single and multicomponent flows. The absolute flux Jacobian for dissipation flux calculation is efficiently computed using an expanded Turkel’s approach for thermally perfect gas mixtures. Partial pressure derivatives are approximated when using the flamelet generated manifolds (FGM) combustion model. The proposed scheme is evaluated through scale-resolving simulations of the Cambridge burner flame SWB1 on an unstructured grid using the density-based solver TRACE, employing both finite rate chemistry (FRC) and FGM combustion models. Comparative analysis with the all-speed SLAU2 scheme shows the superior performance of the proposed scheme in handling turbulent reactive multicomponent flows.
A Dynamic Thickening Strategy for High-Fidelity Computational Fluid Dynamics Analyses of Multi-Regime Combustion
Authors: Ballotti A. , Castellani S. , Andreini A.
Published: August 2024

In this study, a dynamic thickening strategy for dynamic thickened flame model for large eddy simulations (DTFLES) application to multi-regime combustion is proposed. The main idea lies in using the numerical solution of an ordinary differential equation (ODE) as a thickening factor. The equation relates the time derivative of the local thickening factor to its production and destruction rates, which are proportional to the gap between the instantaneous value and optimal target values. The smoothness of the thickening factor in time is ensured by the ODE solution, while in space it is achieved through a mathematical function defined in a continuous flame index space. The equation is numerically integrated with a semi-implicit scheme by making use of the backward Euler formula. The strategy has been implemented in a commercial computational fluid dynamics (CFD) solver and it has been tested by performing Large Eddy Simulations of the hydrogen/air flame produced by the HYLON injector, which has been individuated as an interesting test case for the proposed dynamic strategy. Turbulence-chemistry interactions are recovered by means of a well-assessed subgrid efficiency model. Numerical results are compared with the experimental ones obtained at Institut de Mécanique des Fluides de Toulouse (IMFT).
Optimization of a Hydrogen-Fueled Parametric Strut Injector Using an Automated Workflow Computational Fluid Dynamics Method
Authors: Treleaven Nicholas C. W. , Fournier Guillaume J. J. , Leparoux Julien , Mercier Renaud
Published: August 2024

A strut injector for burning hydrogen has been optimized using an automated workflow system. In order to choose the optimal set of injectors to cover the design space, an optimized design of experiments (DOE) method was used to automatically choose the parameters that best spanned the design space. One hundred candidate designs were chosen, and a script was used to generate a series of stereolithography (STL) files for each design. The STL files were then uploaded to a supercomputer for computational fluid dynamics analysis. For each of the 100 designs, a four step process was followed to generate the required data, and this included an automated mesh generation step, a field initialization step, a mesh adaptation step, and finally an large eddy simulation all within the yales2 numerical framework. In order to reduce the time required for postprocessing and the amount of data required, the simulations relied heavily on an on-the-fly postprocessing methodology, which reduced the complex time-unsteady flow fields to a small number of quantified outputs of interest that measured the suitability of each design such as the pressure drop across the injector and the efficiency of the mixing process. At the conclusion of these simulations, automated scripts translated these outputs into a smaller set of parameters that could be used to compare each design and allow subsequent optimization and surrogate modeling. Several surrogate modeling methods were attempted with mixed results; however, a simple classification methodology quickly identified the parameters of interest.
Graphitic carbon nitride functionalized with NiO nanoaggregates: An X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy investigation
Authors: Scattolin Enrico , Benedet Mattia , Barreca Davide , Rizzi Gian Andrea , Gasparotto Alberto , Maccato Chiara
Published: August 2024

The design and synthesis of low-cost oxygen evolution reaction (OER) photoelectrocatalysts endowed with high activity and durability is of utmost importance for sustainable energy generation via solar-assisted water splitting. In this regard, and in the framework of our recent activities, we have focused on the electrophoretic deposition of graphitic carbon nitride (gCN) specimens containing dispersed NiO nanoaggregates on carbon cloth substrates. In the present study, the attention is devoted to the x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy characterization of a representative gCN–NiO specimen. In particular, we provide an analysis of C 1s, N 1s, O 1s, and Ni 2p regions, discussing in detail the main spectral features. The obtained results, that provide evidence for a direct electronic interplay between the single material components, may serve as a useful comparison for additional research on analogous materials for energy and environmental applications.
Phased array-based nonlinear wave mixing technique: Application to lack-of-fusion porosity characterization in additively manufactured metals
Authors: Bellotti Aurelio , Kim Jin-Yeon , VanderLaan Donald , Jacobs Laurence
Published: August 2024

The objective of this research is to demonstrate the effectiveness of a phased array-based nonlinear wave mixing technique to characterize internal, localized microscale damage in an additively manufactured (AM) component. By using phased arrays for the generation of the incident waves, it is possible to produce a nonlinear wave mixing scanning technique without the need for immersion or changing coupling conditions. The phased arrays can be configured to generate incident waves in multiple directions that meet the resonance conditions required for nonlinear wave mixing at a variety of internal locations. This allows for the scanning of a specimen without the removal and re-coupling of the source transducers, leading to greater scanning speed and repeatability. To demonstrate the accuracy of this phased array wave mixing approach, measurements of acoustic nonlinearity in an AM component are first made with a bulk wave second harmonic generation through thickness measurement. Next, nonlinear wave mixing measurements are made with single element transducers to confirm the sensitivity of the proposed nonlinear wave mixing approach to lack-of-fusion porosity in AM metals. Finally, phased arrays are used to highlight the effectiveness of the proposed nonlinear wave mixing technique in these same AM components.
Efficient design of complex-valued neural networks with application to the classification of transient acoustic signals
Authors: Paul Vlad S. , Nelson Philip A.
Published: August 2024

A paper by the current authors Paul and Nelson [JASA Express Lett. 3(9), 094802 (2023)] showed how the singular value decomposition (SVD) of the matrix of real weights in a neural network could be used to prune the network during training. The paper presented here shows that a similar approach can be used to reduce the training time and increase the implementation efficiency of complex-valued neural networks. Such networks have potential advantages compared to their real-valued counterparts, especially when the complex representation of the data is important, which is the often case in acoustic signal processing. In comparing the performance of networks having both real and complex elements, it is demonstrated that there are some advantages to the use of complex networks in the cases considered. The paper includes a derivation of the backpropagation algorithm, in matrix form, for training a complex-valued multilayer perceptron with an arbitrary number of layers. The matrix-based analysis enables the application of the SVD to the complex weight matrices in the network. The SVD-based pruning technique is applied to the problem of the classification of transient acoustic signals. It is shown how training times can be reduced, and implementation efficiency increased, while ensuring that such signals can be classified with remarkable accuracy.
Dietary Intake of Branched-Chain Fatty Acids, Metabolic Parameters, High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein Levels, and Anthropometric Features Among Elite and Subelite Soccer Players
Authors: Zhang Rui , Zhang Yuyao , Shao Zhe
Published: August 2024

Background: Several studies have revealed the positive healthy impacts of branched-chain fatty acids (BCFAs). However, most of these studies evaluated the serum BCFAs in humans, or treatment with exogenous BCFAs in animal or in-vitro models and the health impacts of dietary BCFAs have not yet been studied. Due to positive effects of BCFAs in sport, in the current study, we aimed to investigate the association between dietary BCFAs and metabolic and inflammatory parameters among elite and subelite soccer players. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 335 elite and subelite soccer players (196 male), aged between 20 and 45 years old. Soccer players were enrolled from 32 teams under the directive of The Chinese Football Association. Demographic, anthropometric, and dietary assessments were performed and laboratory measurement including serum lipids, glycemic markers, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein was measured. Results: Those with the highest dietary BCFAs consumption had higher appetite (p = .009). Also, high consumption of dietary BCFAs was associated with lower diastolic blood pressure (odds ratio: 0.958; confidence interval: 0.918–0.999; p = .046) and low high-sensitivity C-reactive protein concentrations in the third tertile of dietary BCFAs (odds ratio: 0.431; confidence interval: 0.300–0.618; p < .001). No other association between biochemical variables and dietary BCFAs was found. Conclusion: As shown in the current study, higher dietary BCFAs consumption was associated with lower diastolic blood pressure and inflammation. Due to very limited number of studies, further studies are needed to have a better perspective of these associations and their underlying mechanisms.
Mafic slab melt contributions to Proterozoic massif-type anorthosites
Authors: Keller Duncan S. , Lee Cin-Ty A. , Peck William H. , Monteleone Brian D. , Martin Céline , Vervoort Jeffrey D. , Bolge Louise
Published: August 2024

Massif-type anorthosites, enormous and enigmatic plagioclase-rich cumulate intrusions emplaced into Earth’s crust, formed in large numbers only between 1 and 2 billion years ago. Conflicting hypotheses for massif-type anorthosite formation, including melting of upwelling mantle, lower crustal melting, and arc magmatism above subduction zones, have stymied consensus on what parental magmas crystallized the anorthosites and why the rocks are temporally restricted. Using B, O, Nd, and Sr isotope analyses, bulk chemistry, and petrogenetic modeling, we demonstrate that the magmas parental to the Marcy and Morin anorthosites, classic examples from North America’s Grenville orogen, require large input from mafic melts derived from slab-top altered oceanic crust. The anorthosites also record B isotopic signatures corresponding to other slab lithologies such as subducted abyssal serpentinite. We propose that anorthosite massifs formed underneath convergent continental margins wherein a subducted or subducting slab melted extensively and link massif-type anorthosite formation to Earth’s thermal and tectonic evolution.
The nature and validity of implicit bias training for health care providers and trainees: A systematic review
Authors: Hagiwara Nao , Duffy Conor , Cyrus John , Harika Nadia , Watson Ginger S. , Green Tiffany L.
Published: August 2024

The number of health care educational institutions/organizations adopting implicit bias training is growing. Our systematic review of 77 studies (published 1 January 2003 through 21 September 2022) investigated how implicit bias training in health care is designed/delivered and whether gaps in knowledge translation compromised the reliability and validity of the training. The primary training target was race/ethnicity (49.3%); trainings commonly lack specificity on addressing implicit prejudice or stereotyping (67.5%). They involved a combination of hands-on and didactic approaches, lasting an average of 343.15 min, often delivered in a single day (53.2%). Trainings also exhibit translational gaps, diverging from current literature (10 to 67.5%), and lack internal (99.9%), face (93.5%), and external (100%) validity. Implicit bias trainings in health care are characterized by bias in methodological quality and translational gaps, potentially compromising their impacts.
Dual-phase microporous polymer nanofilms by interfacial polymerization for ultrafast molecular separation
Authors: Lee Tae Hoon , Balcik Marcel , Wu Wan-Ni , Pinnau Ingo , Smith Zachary P.
Published: August 2024

Fine-tuning microporosity in polymers with a scalable method has great potential for energy-efficient molecular separations. Here, we report a dual-phase molecular engineering approach to prepare microporous polymer nanofilms through interfacial polymerization. By integrating two micropore-generating units such as a water-soluble Tröger’s base diamine (TBD) and a contorted spirobifluorene (SBF) motif, the resultant TBD-SBF polyamide shows an unprecedentedly high surface area. An ultrathin TBD-SBF membrane (~20 nm) exhibits up to 220 times improved solvent permeance with a moderate molecular weight cutoff (~640 g mol
−1
) compared to the control membrane prepared by conventional chemistry, which outperforms currently reported polymeric membranes. We also highlight the great potential of the SBF-based microporous polyamides for hydrocarbon separations by exploring the isomeric effects of aqueous phase monomers to manipulate microporosity.
Hitchhiker’s Guide to
Borrelia burgdorferi
Authors: Bourgeois Jeffrey S. , Hu Linden T.
Published: August 2024

Don’t Panic. In the nearly 50 years since the discovery of Lyme disease,
Borrelia burgdorferi
has emerged as an unlikely workhorse of microbiology. Interest in studying host-pathogen interactions fueled significant progress in making the fastidious microbe approachable in laboratory settings, including the development of culture methods, animal models, and genetic tools. By developing these systems, insight has been gained into how the microbe is able to survive its enzootic cycle and cause human disease. Here, we discuss the discovery of
B. burgdorferi
and its development as a model organism before diving into the critical lessons we have learned about
B. burgdorferi
biology at pivotal stages of its lifecycle: gene expression changes during the tick blood meal, colonization of a new vertebrate host, and developing a long-lasting infection in that vertebrate until a new tick feeds. Our goal is to highlight the advancements that have facilitated
B. burgdorferi
research and identify gaps in our current understanding of the microbe.
Rapid and sensitive detection of chikungunya virus using one-tube, reverse transcription, semi-nested multi-enzyme isothermal rapid amplification, and lateral flow dipstick assays
Authors: Wu Xinlin , Liu Gaowen , Chang Yingchao , Zheng Mengyuan , Liu Li , Xia Xueshan , Feng Yue
Published: August 2024

Chikungunya fever is an acute infectious disease caused by chikungunya virus (CHIKV), which is transmitted by
Aedes
mosquitoes. Simple, rapid, and sensitive detection of CHIKV is critical for its prevention and spread. To address this issue, we combined one-tube, reverse transcription semi-nested, multi-enzyme isothermal rapid amplification, and lateral flow dipstick strips assay to detect CHIKV RNA. The study used a 318-bp gene fragment of CHIKV NSP4 as the target of the assay. This method of amplification takes 30 min for two-step amplification at 39°C. The dilution of amplification products was added to the LFD strip with results visible to the naked eye after 10 min. The method has a sensitivity of 1 copy/μL for the detection of CHIKV RNA, which is 100-fold higher than the conventional reverse transcription-multi-enzyme isothermal rapid amplification and 10-fold higher than the reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) method. In addition, the method demonstrated good specificity and a better detection rate (85.7%, 18 of 21) than RT-qPCR (80.9%, 17 of 21) in clinically confirmed patient plasma samples. Thus, the rapid CHIKV RNA assay developed in this study will be an important tool for the rapid and accurate screening of patients for chikungunya fever.

IMPORTANCE

This study presents a new one-tube, reverse transcription semi-nested, multi-enzyme isothermal rapid amplification assay combined with lateral flow dipstick strips for the detection of CHIKV. This technique significantly improves sensitivity and outperforms RT-qPCR for the detection of CHIKV, especially in samples with low viral loads. It is also significantly faster than conventional RT-qPCR and does not require special equipment or a standard PCR laboratory. The combination of the isothermal amplification technology developed in this study with point-of-care molecular testing offers the potential for rapid, on-site, low-cost molecular diagnosis of CHIKV.
A large colonial choanoflagellate from Mono Lake harbors live bacteria
Authors: Hake K. H. , West P. T. , McDonald K. , Laundon D. , Reyes-Rivera J. , Garcia De Las Bayonas A. , Feng C. , Burkhardt P. , Richter D. J. , Banfield J. F. , King N.
Published: August 2024

As the closest living relatives of animals, choanoflagellates offer insights into the ancestry of animal cell physiology. Here, we report the isolation and characterization of a colonial choanoflagellate from Mono Lake, California. The choanoflagellate forms large spherical colonies that are an order of magnitude larger than those formed by the closely related choanoflagellate
Salpingoeca rosetta
. In cultures maintained in the laboratory, the lumen of the spherical colony is filled with a branched network of extracellular matrix and colonized by bacteria, including diverse Gammaproteobacteria and Alphaproteobacteria. We propose to erect
Barroeca monosierra
gen. nov., sp. nov. Hake, Burkhardt, Richter, and King to accommodate this extremophile choanoflagellate. The physical association between bacteria and
B. monosierra
in culture presents a new experimental model for investigating interactions among bacteria and eukaryotes. Future work will investigate the nature of these interactions in wild populations and the mechanisms underpinning the colonization of
B. monosierra
spheres by bacteria.

IMPORTANCE

The diversity of organisms that live in the extreme environment of Mono Lake (California, USA) is limited. We sought to investigate whether the closest living relatives of animals, the choanoflagellates, exist in Mono Lake, a hypersaline, alkaline, arsenic-rich environment. We repeatedly isolated members of a new species of choanoflagellate, which we have named
Barroeca monosierra
. Characterization of
B. monosierra
revealed that it forms large spherical colonies containing diverse co-isolated bacteria, providing an opportunity to investigate mechanisms underlying physical associations between eukaryotes and bacteria.
Effectiveness of silver and iodine dressings on wound healing: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Jiang Yan , Zhang Qijian , Wang Hongjuan , Välimäki Maritta , Zhou Qiuhong , Dai Weiwei , Guo Jia
Published: August 2024

Objective

To evaluate the effects of silver and iodine dressings on healing time, healing rate, exudate amount, pain and anti-infective efficacy.

Design

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Data sources

Databases including PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of Science and CINAHL were surveyed up to May 2024.

Eligibility criteria

Randomised controlled trials comparing silver and iodine dressings on wound healing in humans.

Data extraction and synthesis

Evidence certainty was evaluated using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach. Data extraction was done independently by two reviewers, with the risk of bias assessed using the Cochrane tool. Narrative synthesis was performed to evaluate the effects of silver and iodine dressings on healing time, healing rate, pain, exudate amount and anti-infective efficacy. Meta-analysis using Review Manager V.5.4 calculated standardised mean differences for healing time and relative risks for rate to quantify the impacts of the treatments.

Results

17 studies (18 articles) were included. The meta-analysis indicated that silver dressings significantly reduced healing time compared with iodine dressings (SMD=-0.95, 95% CI −1.62 to −0.28, I2=92%, p=0.005, moderate-quality evidence), with no significant difference in enhancing healing rate (RR=1.29, 95% CI 0.90 to 1.85, I2=91%, p=0.16, low-quality evidence). Based on low-quality evidence, for exudate amount (3/17), 66.7% (2/3) of the studies favoured silver dressings over iodine in reducing exudate volume. For pain (7/17), 57.1% (4/7) of the studies reported no significant difference between silver and iodine dressings, while 42.9% (3/7) studies indicated superior pain relief with silver dressings. For anti-infective efficacy (11/13), 54.5% (6/11) of the studies showed equivalence between silver and iodine dressings, while 36.4% (4/11) suggested greater antibacterial efficacy for silver.

Conclusion

Silver dressings, demonstrating a comparable healing rate to iodine dressings, significantly reduce healing time, suggesting their potential as a superior adjunct in wound care.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42020199602.
Assessing the impact and safety of implantable cardioverter defibrillators in treating catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia: a systematic review and meta-analysis protocol
Authors: Dong Zhenyu , Shang Shuai , Mu Yali , Yusup Rukiya , Li Yaodong , Zhou Xianhui , Lu Yanmei , Tang Baopeng
Published: August 2024

Background

While the guidelines acknowledge the anticipated benefits of using an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) in individuals with catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT). However, the potential adverse effects have received less attention.

Methods and analysis

To address this issue comprehensively, we will explore various databases such as the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, EMBASE and PubMed. Our study will include CPVT patients, both with and without ICD implantation. Two researchers will evaluate the eligible studies independently and gather pertinent data. The quality of the studies included will be assessed using either the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale or the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool. Data analysis will be conducted using RevMan.

Ethics and dissemination

Because this research depends exclusively on existing studies, obtaining patient informed consent and ethics approval is unnecessary. The results of this meta-analysis will be shared at conferences or in peer-reviewed journals.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42022370824.