bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An outbreak of Burkholderia cepacia bloodstream infections in a tertiary-care facility in northern India detected by a healthcare-associated infection surveillance network
Authors: Fomda Bashir , Velayudhan Anoop , Siromany Valan A. , Bashir Gulnaz , Nazir Shaista , Ali Aamir , Katoch Omika , Karoung Alphina , Gunjiyal Jacinta , Wani Nayeem , Roy Indranil , VanderEnde Daniel , Gupta Neil , Sharma Aditya , Malpiedi Paul , Walia Kamini , Mathur Purva
Published: June 2022

Objective:

The burden of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) is higher in low- and middle-income countries, but HAIs are often missed because surveillance is not conducted. Here, we describe the identification of and response to a cluster of Burkholderia cepacia complex (BCC) bloodstream infections (BSIs) associated with high mortality in a surgical ICU (SICU) that joined an HAI surveillance network.

Setting:

A 780-bed, tertiary-level, public teaching hospital in northern India.

Methods:

After detecting a cluster of BCC in the SICU, cases were identified by reviewing laboratory registers and automated identification and susceptibility testing outputs. Sociodemographic details, clinical records, and potential exposure histories were collected, and a self-appraisal of infection prevention and control (IPC) practices using assessment tools from the World Health Organization and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was conducted. Training and feedback were provided to hospital staff. Environmental samples were collected from high-touch surfaces, intravenous medications, saline, and mouthwash.

Results:

Between October 2017 and October 2018, 183 BCC BSI cases were identified. Case records were available for 121 case patients. Of these 121 cases, 91 (75%) were male, the median age was 35 years, and 57 (47%) died. IPC scores were low in the areas of technical guidelines, human resources, and monitoring and evaluation. Of the 30 environmental samples, 4 grew BCC. A single source of the outbreak was not identified.

Conclusions:

Implementing standardized HAI surveillance in a low-resource setting detected an ongoing Burkholderia cepacia outbreak. The outbreak investigation and use of a multimodal approach reduced incident cases and informed changes in IPC practices.
Long-term impact of hypothyroidism during gestation and lactation on the mammary gland
Authors: Arboccó Fiorella Campo Verde , Persia Fabio A. , Zyla Leila , Bernal Nicolás , Sasso Verónica C. , Santiano Flavia , Gomez Silvina , Bruna Flavia , Pistone-Creydt Virginia , Lopez-Fontana Constanza , Jahn Graciela A. , Hapon María Belén , Carón Ruben W.
Published: June 2022

The functional differentiation of the mammary gland (MG) is fundamental for the prevention of mammary pathologies. This process occurs throughout pregnancy and lactation, making these stages key events for the study of pathologies associated with development and differentiation. Many studies have investigated the link between mammary pathologies and thyroid diseases, but most have ignored the role of thyroid hormone (TH) in the functional differentiation of the MG. In this work, we show the long-term impact of hypothyroidism in an animal model whose lactogenic differentiation occurred at low TH levels. We evaluated the ability of the MG to respond to hormonal control and regulate cell cycle progression. We found that a deficit in TH throughout pregnancy and lactation induces a long-term decrease in Rb phosphorylation, increases p53, p21, Cyclin D1 and Ki67 expression, reduces progesterone receptor expression, and induces nonmalignant lesions in mammary tissue. This paper shows the importance of TH level control during mammary differentiation and its long-term impact on mammary function.
ARID1B, a molecular suppressor of erythropoiesis, is essential for the prevention of Monge’s disease
Authors: Azad Priti , Caldwell Andrew B. , Ramachandran Srinivasan , Spann Nathanael J. , Akbari Ali , Villafuerte Francisco C. , Bermudez Daniela , Zhao Helen , Poulsen Orit , Zhou Dan , Bafna Vineet , Subramaniam Shankar , Haddad Gabriel G.
Published: June 2022

At high altitude Andean region, hypoxia-induced excessive erythrocytosis (EE) is the defining feature of Monge’s disease or chronic mountain sickness (CMS). At the same altitude, resides a population that has developed adaptive mechanism(s) to constrain this hypoxic response (non-CMS). In this study, we utilized an in vitro induced pluripotent stem cell model system to study both populations using genomic and molecular approaches. Our whole genome analysis of the two groups identified differential SNPs between the CMS and non-CMS subjects in the ARID1B region. Under hypoxia, the expression levels of ARID1B significantly increased in the non-CMS cells but decreased in the CMS cells. At the molecular level, ARID1B knockdown (KD) in non-CMS cells increased the levels of the transcriptional regulator GATA1 by 3-fold and RBC levels by 100-fold under hypoxia. ARID1B KD in non-CMS cells led to increased proliferation and EPO sensitivity by lowering p53 levels and decreasing apoptosis through GATA1 mediation. Interestingly, under hypoxia ARID1B showed an epigenetic role, altering the chromatin states of erythroid genes. Indeed, combined Real-time PCR and ATAC-Seq results showed that ARID1B modulates the expression of GATA1 and p53 and chromatin accessibility at GATA1/p53 target genes. We conclude that ARID1B is a novel erythroid regulator under hypoxia that controls various aspects of erythropoiesis in high-altitude dwellers.
Ethnic inequalities in routes to diagnosis of cancer: a population-based UK cohort study
Authors: Martins Tanimola , Abel Gary , Ukoumunne Obioha C. , Mounce Luke T. A. , Price Sarah , Lyratzopoulos Georgios , Chinegwundoh Frank , Hamilton William
Published: June 2022

Background

UK Asian and Black ethnic groups have poorer outcomes for some cancers and are less likely to report a positive care experience than their White counterparts. This study investigated ethnic differences in the route to diagnosis (RTD) to identify areas in patients' cancer journeys where inequalities lie, and targeted intervention might have optimum impact.

Methods

We analysed data of 243,825 patients with 10 cancers (2006–2016) from the RTD project linked to primary care data. Crude and adjusted proportions of patients diagnosed via six routes (emergency, elective GP referral, two-week wait (2WW), screen-detected, hospital, and Other routes) were calculated by ethnicity. Adjusted odds ratios (including two-way interactions between cancer and age, sex, IMD, and ethnicity) determined cancer-specific differences in RTD by ethnicity.

Results

Across the 10 cancers studied, most patients were diagnosed via 2WW (36.4%), elective GP referral (23.2%), emergency (18.2%), hospital routes (10.3%), and screening (8.61%). Patients of Other ethnic group had the highest proportion of diagnosis via the emergency route, followed by White patients. Asian and Black group were more likely to be GP-referred, with the Black and Mixed groups also more likely to follow the 2WW route. However, there were notable cancer-specific differences in the RTD by ethnicity.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that, where inequalities exist, the adverse cancer outcomes among Asian and Black patients are unlikely to be arising solely from a poorer diagnostic process.
Nisin probiotic prevents inflammatory bone loss while promoting reparative proliferation and a healthy microbiome
Authors: Gao Li , Kuraji Ryutaro , Zhang Martin Jinye , Martinez April , Radaic Allan , Kamarajan Pachiyappan , Le Charles , Zhan Ling , Ye Changchang , Rangé Hélène , Sailani M. Reza , Kapila Yvonne L.
Published: June 2022

Dysbiosis of the oral microbiome mediates chronic periodontal disease. Realignment of microbial dysbiosis towards health may prevent disease. Treatment with antibiotics and probiotics can modulate the microbial, immunological, and clinical landscape of periodontal disease with some success. Antibacterial peptides or bacteriocins, such as nisin, and a nisin-producing probiotic,Lactococcus lactis, have not been examined in this context, yet warrant examination because of their biomedical benefits in eradicating biofilms and pathogenic bacteria, modulating immune mechanisms, and their safety profile in humans. This study’s goal was to examine the potential for nisin and a nisin-producing probiotic to abrogate periodontal bone loss, the host inflammatory response, and changes in oral microbiome composition in a polymicrobial mouse model of periodontal disease. Nisin and a nisin-producingLactococcus lactisprobiotic significantly decreased the levels of several periodontal pathogens, alveolar bone loss, and the oral and systemic inflammatory host response. Surprisingly, nisin and/or the nisin-producingL. lactisprobiotic enhanced the population of fibroblasts and osteoblasts despite the polymicrobial infection. Nisin mediated human periodontal ligament cell proliferation dose-dependently by increasing the proliferation marker, Ki-67. Nisin and probiotic treatment significantly shifted the oral microbiome towards the healthy control state; health was associated withProteobacteria, whereas 3 retroviruses were associated with disease. Disease-associated microbial species were correlated with IL-6 levels. Nisin or nisin-producing probiotic’s ability to shift the oral microbiome towards health, mitigate periodontal destruction and the host immune response, and promote a novel proliferative phenotype in reparative connective tissue cells, addresses key aspects of the pathogenesis of periodontal disease and reveals a new biomedical application for nisin in treatment of periodontitis and reparative medicine.
Evolutionary game study on the governance and development of online car-hailing based on blockchain technology
Authors: Wan Xiaoyu , Liu Jia , Zhao Siqi
Published: June 2022

Changes in the online car-hailing industry have brought new challenges to government governance. Effectively enhancing governance efficiency has become the focus of academic research. Based on the technical governance perspective, this paper introduces the consortium blockchain to construct an evolutionary game model between the online car-hailing platform and the government under blockchain technology. By solving the replicated dynamic equations and the Jacobian matrix, the influences of the change in initial conditions and decision parameters on the evolutionary stability results are revealed, and numerical experiments are carried out by using the Python programming language. This paper claims that the system presents three evolutionary stable results and a periodic stochastic state when the key parameters are located in different thresholds. The additional cost of the platform’s negative regulation and the government’s punishment intensity have a positive effect on the evolution of the system to the ideal state (active regulation, active governance). Platform technology R&D cost and government innovation input have a negative effect on the evolution of the system to the ideal state. Therefore, using blockchain to increase the additional cost of the platform’s negative regulation, appropriately increasing the government’s punishment intensity, reasonably controlling the government’s innovation input to the platform, and reducing the technology R&D cost of the platform will help the system evolve into an ideal state. This paper provides useful references to implement effective governance and the innovative and healthy development of the online car-hailing industry.
Network pharmacology and experimental verification based research into the effect and mechanism of Aucklandiae Radix–Amomi Fructus against gastric cancer
Authors: Song Siyuan , Zhou Jiayu , Li Ye , Liu Jiatong , Li Jingzhan , Shu Peng
Published: June 2022

To investigate the mechanism of the Aucklandiae Radix–Amomi Fructus (AR–AF) herb pair in treating gastric cancer (GC) by using network pharmacology and experimental verification. Using the traditional Chinese medicine system pharmacology database and analysis platform (TCMSP), the major active components and their corresponding targets were estimated and screened out. Using Cytoscape 3.7.2 software, a visual network was established using the active components of AR–AF and the targets of GC. Based on STRING online database, the protein interaction network of vital targets was built and analyzed. With the Database for Annotation, Visualization, and Integrated Discovery (DAVID) server, the gene ontology (GO) biological processes and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) signaling pathways of the target enrichment were performed. AutoDock Vina was used to perform molecular docking and calculate the binding affinity. The mRNA and protein expression levels of the hub targets were analyzed by the Oncomine, GEPIA, HPA databases and TIMER online tool, and the predicted targets were verified by qRT–PCR in vitro. Eremanthin, cynaropicrin, and aceteugenol were identified as vital active compounds, and AKT1, MAPK3, IL6, MAPK1, as well as EGFR were considered as the major targets. These targets exerted therapeutic effects on GC by regulating the cAMP signaling pathway, and PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. Molecular docking revealed that these active compounds and targets showed good binding interactions. The validation in different databases showed that most of the results were consistent with this paper. The experimental results confirmed that eremanthin could inhibit the proliferation of AGS by reducing the mRNA expression of hub targets. As predicted by network pharmacology and validated by the experimental results, AR–AF exerts antitumor effects through multiple components, targets, and pathways, thereby providing novel ideas and clues for the development of preparations and the treatment of GC.
A web-survey assessed attitudes toward evidence-based practice among psychotherapists in Austria
Authors: Nussbaumer-Streit B. , Jesser A. , Humer E. , Barke A. , Doering B. K. , Haid B. , Schimböck W. , Reisinger A. , Gasser M. , Eichberger-Heckmann H. , Stippl P. , Gartlehner G. , Pieh C. , Probst T.
Published: June 2022

Evidence-based practice (EBP) means integrating the best available scientific evidence with clinical experience and patient values. Although perceived as important by many psychotherapists, there still seems to be reluctance to use empirically supported therapies in clinical practice. We aimed to assess the attitudes of psychotherapists in Austria toward EBP in psychotherapy as well as factors influencing the implementation of EBP. We conducted an online survey. To investigate attitudes toward EBP, we used two subscales (“Limitations” and “Balance”) of a translated and validated short version of the Evidence-Based Practice Attitude Scale-36 (EBPAS-36). Participants provided perceived barriers and facilitators as answers to open-ended questions. We analyzed the responses mainly using descriptive statistics. Open answers were analyzed using a thematic analysis. In total, 238 psychotherapists completed our survey (mean age 51.0 years, standard deviation [SD] = 9.9, 76.9% female). Psychotherapists scored on average 2.62 (SD = 0.89) on the reversed EBPAS-36 subscale “Limitations,” indicating that the majority do not perceive EBP as limiting their practice as psychotherapists. They scored 1.43 (SD = 0.69) on the reversed EBPAS-36 subscale “Balance,” indicating that psychotherapists on average put a higher value on the art of psychotherapy than on evidence-based approaches. Organizational factors such as lack of time and access to research studies as well as negative attitudes toward research and a lack of skills and knowledge kept respondents from implementing EBP. Our study highlights that EBP is still not very popular within the psychotherapy community in Austria. The academization of psychotherapy training might change this in the future.
Identifying spatiotemporal patterns of COVID-19 transmissions and the drivers of the patterns in Toronto: a Bayesian hierarchical spatiotemporal modelling
Authors: Nazia Nushrat , Law Jane , Butt Zahid Ahmad
Published: June 2022

Spatiotemporal patterns and trends of COVID-19 at a local spatial scale using Bayesian approaches are hardly observed in literature. Also, studies rarely use satellite-derived long time-series data on the environment to predict COVID-19 risk at a spatial scale. In this study, we modelled the COVID-19 pandemic risk using a Bayesian hierarchical spatiotemporal model that incorporates satellite-derived remote sensing data on land surface temperature (LST) from January 2020 to October 2021 (89 weeks) and several socioeconomic covariates of the 140 neighbourhoods in Toronto. The spatial patterns of risk were heterogeneous in space with multiple high-risk neighbourhoods in Western and Southern Toronto. Higher risk was observed during Spring 2021. The spatiotemporal risk patterns identified 60% of neighbourhoods had a stable, 37% had an increasing, and 2% had a decreasing trend over the study period. LST was positively, and higher education was negatively associated with the COVID-19 incidence. We believe the use of Bayesian spatial modelling and the remote sensing technologies in this study provided a strong versatility and strengthened our analysis in identifying the spatial risk of COVID-19. The findings would help in prevention planning, and the framework of this study may be replicated in other highly transmissible infectious diseases.
Enhanced human T cell expansion with inverse opal hydrogels
Authors: Santos Fabião , Valderas-Gutiérrez Julia , Pérez del Río Eduardo , Castellote-Borrell Miquel , Rodriguez Xavier Rodriguez , Veciana Jaume , Ratera Imma , Guasch Judith
Published: June 2022

Lymph node-inspired 3D hydrogels with precisely defined porosity were produced, which improve the state-of-the-art T cell proliferation, a procedure that is especially important for novel cellular immunotherapies.
d–sp orbital hybridization: a strategy for activity improvement of transition metal catalysts
Authors: Chen Hui , Wu Qiannan , Wang Yanfei , Zhao Qinfeng , Ai Xuan , Shen Yucheng , Zou Xiaoxin
Published: June 2022

This article highlights the recent progress of d–sp hybridization catalysts, and emphasizes d–sp orbital hybridization as a unique strategy to regulate the electronic structures and catalytic performances of transition metals.
Access to 3,3′-disubstituted peroxyoxindole derivatives and α-peroxyamides via azaoxyallyl cation-guided addition of hydroperoxides
Authors: Bera Tishyasoumya , Singh Bandana , Jana Manoranjan , Saha Jaideep
Published: June 2022

The design and development of an azaoxyallyl cation templated strategy for rapid access to novel peroxide derivatives such as 3,3′-disubstituted peroxyoxindoles and α-peroxyamides.
A leather-based electrolyte for all-in-one configured flexible supercapacitors
Authors: Zhang Kang , Zhang Xueyan , Zou Binghua , Zhu Jingyu , Zhu Jing , Li Sheng , Zhang Weina , Wu Jiansheng , Huo Fengwei
Published: June 2022

Leather based gel electrolytes were prepared from the top down method, and integrated flexible supercapacitors were developed by this method.
A tin porphyrin axially-coordinated two-dimensional covalent organic polymer for efficient hydrogen evolution
Authors: Wang Qi , Wang Aijian , Dou Yuqin , Shen Xiaoliang , Sudi M. Shire , Zhao Long , Zhu Weihua , Li Longhua
Published: June 2022

The prepared tin porphyrin axially-coordinated 2D covalent organic polymer exhibits excellent HER activity due to its unique structural properties, ranking among the best records reported recently.
Delamination of MoS2/SiO2 interfaces under nanoindentation
Authors: Ke Jin , Ying Penghua , Du Yao , Zou Bo , Sun Huarui , Zhang Jin
Published: June 2022

The MoS2/SiO2 and graphene/SiO2 systems under indentation are found to possess very different mechanical responses and failure modes.
The ligand field in low-crystallinity metal–organic frameworks investigated by soft X-ray core-level absorption spectroscopy
Authors: Yamagami Kohei , Yoshino Haruka , Yamagishi Hirona , Setoyama Hiroyuki , Tanaka Arata , Ohtani Ryo , Ohba Masaaki , Wadati Hiroki
Published: June 2022

Soft X-ray absorption study for low-crystallinity metal organic frameworks to investigate the ligand field.
Microplastics interact with SARS-CoV-2 and facilitate host cell infection
Authors: Zhang Guofang , Cao Guoli , Luo Rong-Hua , Song Qingle , Zeng Yanqiao , Liu Ke , Qu Jing , Lin Xian , Liu Feng-Liang , Wang Guocheng , Li Hongchang , Li Liang , Zheng Yong-Tang , Boraschi Diana , Wu Lidong , Chang Yan-Zhong , Li Yang
Published: June 2022

SARS-CoV-2 binds to microplastics which facilitates viral host infection with enhanced inflammatory responses.
Deep learning assisted detection of toxic heavy metal ions based on visual fluorescence responses from a carbon nanoparticle array
Authors: Mandal Saptarshi , Paul Dipanjyoti , Saha Sriparna , Das Prolay
Published: June 2022

A carbon nanoparticle-based visual fluorescent array sensing–artificial intelligence (deep learning) integrated platform for remote detection of toxic heavy metal ions.
Effects of fucoidans and alginates from Sargassum graminifolium on allergic symptoms and intestinal microbiota in mice with OVA-induced food allergy
Authors: Huang Lan , Zeng Qianhui , Zhang Yudie , Yin Qing , Zhu Xunxian , Zhang Peixi , Wang Cuifang , Liu Jieqing
Published: June 2022

Fucoidans and alginates extracted from Sargassum graminifolium showed significant activities of anti-food allergy and regulating intestinal microbiota, and the relationship between intestinal microbiota and anti-food allergies effects was close.
Photoswitching studies of new photochromic ionic liquids studied in real time by in situ irradiation
Authors: Orellana-Maldonado Italo , Aspée Alexis , Barrias Pablo , Santana Paula A. , Tirapegui Cristian
Published: June 2022

In situ irradiation allowed us to study in detail the photostationary state of new photoswitchable bicationic azobenzenes.
Mapping transition state structures for thiophosphinoyl group transfer between oxyanionic nucleophiles in water and aqueous ethanol solvents
Authors: Kalu Georgina I. , Ubochi Collins I. , Onyido Ikenna
Published: June 2022

Thiophosphinoyl transfer between oxyanionic nucleophiles is associative in ethanol and concerted in water, with loose concerted TS in water-ethanol solvents.
A Ni-MOF based luminescent sensor for selective and rapid sensing of Fe(ii) and Fe(iii) ions
Authors: Asiwal Ekta P. , Shelar Divyesh S. , Gujja Chaturvedi S. , Manjare Sudesh T. , Pawar Suresh D.
Published: June 2022

In this work, a bis(N,N-trimellitoyl)-4,4′-oxydianiline linker was synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic techniques. The molecular structure and luminescence intensity of the Ni-MOF treated with different metal ions were investigated.
Hierarchically porous single catalyst Ru/HPW/UiO-66 with synergistic acid/metal sites for one-pot catalytic synthesis of γ-valerolactone
Authors: Xu Feng , Liu Chao , Li Jia-Xin , Zhan Cai-Zhen , Xun Qi-Ning , Zhang Wen-Shen , Xing Wen-Fang , Chang Gang-Gang
Published: June 2022

γ-Valerolactone (GVL) is an important lignocellulosic platform molecule with huge potential for various industrial and chemical applications, which is usually produced using levulinic acid (LA) or its esters as raw materials.
TCT-mediated click chemistry for the synthesis of nitrogen-containing functionalities: conversion of carboxylic acids to carbamides, carbamates, carbamothioates, amides and amines
Authors: Ahmed Riyaz , Gupta Ria , Akhter Zaheen , Kumar Mukesh , Singh Parvinder Pal
Published: June 2022

Here, we report a s-trichlorotriazine mediated one-pot general method for the conversion of carboxylic acids into ubiquitous functionalities such as carbamides, carbamates, carbamothioates, amides, and amines.
Hot carrier dynamics of BiTeI with large Rashba spin splitting
Authors: Deng Hongze , Zhang Chenhui , Liang Weizheng , Zhang Xi-Xiang , Luo Sheng-Nian
Published: June 2022

We present a time-resolved ultrafast optical spectroscopy study on BiTeI, a noncentrosymmetric semiconductor with large spin–orbit splitting.
Correction: Ethanolic gasoline, a lignocellulosic advanced biofuel
Authors: Howard Mícheál Séamus , Issayev Gani , Naser Nimal , Sarathy S. Mani , Farooq Aamir , Dooley Stephen
Published: June 2022

Correction for ‘Ethanolic gasoline, a lignocellulosic advanced biofuel’ by Mícheál Séamus Howard et al., Sustainable Energy Fuels, 2019, 3, 409–421, https://doi.org/10.1039/C8SE00378E.
The resistive nature of decomposing interfaces of solid electrolytes with alkali metal electrodes
Authors: Wang Juefan , Panchal Abhishek A. , Sai Gautam Gopalakrishnan , Canepa Pieremanuele
Published: June 2022

A crucial ingredient in lithium (Li) and sodium (Na)-ion batteries (LIBs and NIBs) is the electrolyte.
Supported Cu3 clusters on graphitic carbon nitride as an efficient catalyst for CO electroreduction to propene
Authors: Sun Yuting , Wang Shuang , Jia Jingjing , Liu Yuejie , Cai Qinghai , Zhao Jingxiang
Published: June 2022

Cu3@g-C3N4 can act as a promising electrocatalyst for CO reduction to CH4 and C3H6 with high efficiency and a low kinetic barrier for C–C coupling via a one-step concerted mechanism.
Ab initio high-throughput screening of transition metal double chalcogenide monolayers as highly efficient bifunctional catalysts for photochemical and photoelectrochemical water splitting
Authors: Liu Linlin , Jiang Bowen , Sun Dan , Liu Hanyu , Xie Yu
Published: June 2022

Developing efficient bifunctional photocatalysts that can directly split water into hydrogen and oxygen driven by sunlight has attracted great attention because photocatalytic water splitting is a promising clean technology to harvest solar energy.
Correction: Instability of Ga-substituted Li7La3Zr2O12 toward metallic Li
Authors: Tsai Chih-Long , Thuy Tran Ngoc Thanh , Schierholz Roland , Liu Zigeng , Windmüller Anna , Lin Che-an , Xu Qi , Lu Xin , Yu Shicheng , Tempel Hermann , Kungl Hans , Lin Shih-kang , Eichel Rüdiger-A.
Published: June 2022

Correction for ‘Instability of Ga-substituted Li7La3Zr2O12 toward metallic Li’ by Chih-Long Tsai et al., J. Mater. Chem. A, 2022, 10, 10998–11009, https://doi.org/10.1039/D1TA10215J.
Molecular basis of Tick Born encephalitis virus NS5 mediated subversion of apico-basal cell polarity signalling
Authors: Javorsky Airah , Humbert Patrick O. , Kvansakul Marc
Published: June 2022

The Scribble (Scrib) protein is a conserved cell polarity regulator with anti-tumorigenic properties. Viruses like the Tick-born encephalitis virus (TBEV) target Scribble to establish a cellular environment supporting viral replication, which is ultimately associated with poor prognosis upon infection. The TBEV NS5 protein has been reported to harbour both an internal as well as a C-terminal PDZ binding motif (PBM), however only the internal PBM was shown to be an interactor with Scribble, with the interaction being mediated via the Scribble PDZ4 domain to antagonize host interferon responses. We examined the NS5 PBM motif interactions with all Scribble PDZ domains using isothermal titration calorimetry, which revealed that the proposed internal PBM did not interact with any Scribble PDZ domains. Instead, the C-terminal PBM of NS5 interacted with Scrib PDZ3. We then established the structural basis of these interactions by determining crystal structures of Scrib PDZ3 bound to the NS5 C-terminal PBM. Our findings provide a structural basis for Scribble PDZ domain and TBEV NS5 interactions and provide a platform to dissect the pathogenesis of TBEV and the role of cell polarity signalling using structure guided approaches.
Inhibition of basal and glucagon-induced hepatic glucose production by 991 and other pharmacological AMPK activators
Authors: Johanns Manuel , Corbet Cyril , Jacobs Roxane , Drappier Melissa , Bommer Guido T. , Herinckx Gaëtan , Vertommen Didier , Tajeddine Nicolas , Young David , Messens Joris , Feron Olivier , Steinberg Gregory R. , Hue Louis , Rider Mark H.
Published: June 2022

Pharmacological AMPK activation represents an attractive approach for the treatment of type 2 diabetes (T2D). AMPK activation increases skeletal muscle glucose uptake, but there is controversy as to whether AMPK activation also inhibits hepatic glucose production (HGP) and pharmacological AMPK activators can have off-target effects that contribute to their anti-diabetic properties. The main aim was to investigate the effects of 991 and other direct AMPK activators on HGP and determine whether the observed effects were AMPK-dependent. In incubated hepatocytes, 991 substantially decreased gluconeogenesis from lactate, pyruvate and glycerol, but not from other substrates. Hepatocytes from AMPKβ1−/− mice had substantially reduced liver AMPK activity, yet the inhibition of glucose production by 991 persisted. Also, the glucose-lowering effect of 991 was still seen in AMPKβ1−/− mice subjected to an intraperitoneal pyruvate tolerance test. The AMPK-independent mechanism by which 991 treatment decreased gluconeogenesis could be explained by inhibition of mitochondrial pyruvate uptake and inhibition of mitochondrial sn-glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase-2. However, 991 and new-generation direct small-molecule AMPK activators antagonized glucagon-induced gluconeogenesis in an AMPK-dependent manner. Our studies support the notion that direct pharmacological activation of hepatic AMPK as well as inhibition of pyruvate uptake could be an option for the treatment of T2D-linked hyperglycemia.
Chinese remainder theorem‐based construction of optimal no‐hit‐zone frequency sequence set with wide gap
Authors: Liu Haiyun , Chen Wendong , Yang Yunxiu , Liu Xing
Published: June 2022

In frequency‐hopping (FH) communication systems, frequency‐hopping sequences (FHSs) determine systems' performance. For the quasi‐synchronous FH communication systems, no‐hit‐zone (NHZ) frequency sequences are good at preventing multi‐path interferences. If the two neighbouring frequency components of an FHS have enough gap, the FH communication system's anti‐interference ability will be significantly improved. Here, a Chinese remainder theorem‐based construction of optimal NHZ‐FHS sets with wide gap is proposed.
A single‐beam full‐space scanning leaky‐wave antenna with high‐efficiency based on spoof surface plasmon polaritons
Authors: Jiang Huan , Cao Xiangyu , Jidi Liaori , Yang Huanhuan , Gao Jun
Published: June 2022

A single‐beam full‐space scanning leaky‐wave antenna with high‐efficiency based on spoof surface plasmon polaritons (SSPPs) is presented in this paper. An array of circular patches is placed periodically around the SSPPs waveguide to couple the electromagnetic wave and radiate to the free space. The antenna has been simulated, manufactured and tested, and the results are consistent. The simulated results show that the antenna can keep a high radiation efficiency (the average efficiency can reach 87.4%) while ensuring the excellent characteristic of single‐beam scanning from backfire to endfire (180°) continuously within the operation bandwidth of 6.3–9.1 GHz (for |S11| < −10dB). The simulation results demonstrate that the gain of the antenna can reach 11.0 dBi at backfire and 13.2 dBi at endfire, respectively. The antenna with full‐space scanning capability and high‐efficiency has great application value in wireless communication systems.
Hierarchical voltage balancing method for MMC based on DCSM
Authors: Li Dongye , Ji Zhendong , Zhao Jianfeng , Sun Yichao , Wang Shuzheng , Ni Xijun
Published: June 2022

This paper presents a hierarchical voltage balance control method for a hybrid modular multi‐level converter based on half‐bridge submodule and dual‐capacitor submodule. This voltage balancing method reduces the control complexity of the existing voltage balancing method of the central controller but does not significantly increase the control complexity of the submodule controller. In dual‐capacitor submodule, only some logic operations are added. Furthermore, the proposed method reduces the hardware requirements and communication data between the submodule and central controllers. The reduced hardware requirements refer to the hardware circuits used to implement communication functions. The proposed method is also applicable to multi‐level converter, which only includes half‐bridge submodules, but requires two adjacent half‐bridge submodules to use the same submodule controller. Simulation and experimental results validate the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed hierarchical voltage balance control.
Slow Sex: Ein Ansatz für entschleunigte und achtsame Sinnlichkeit
Authors: Döring Nicola
Published: June 2022

Dieser Praxisbeitrag stellt den Slow-Sex-Ansatz vor. Slow Sex meint einen entschleunigten, entspannten und achtsamen sexuellen Kontakt, der keine besonderen Anstrengungen erfordert: Man muss keine Erregung mitbringen, keine neuen Techniken meistern und keine Orgasmen erreichen. Das klingt vielleicht zunächst etwas langweilig. Slow-Sex-Erfahrene berichten jedoch von ausgesprochen belebenden, beglückenden und verbindenden Begegnungen – und von spirituellen Erfahrungen.
Polycyclic Aromatic N-Heterocycles (PANHs) from Naphthyl and Anthracenyl Amines and Diols
Authors: Ballesteros-Garrido Rafael , Gonzalez-Sanchis Nerea , Perez-Quilez Paula , Bellezza Delia , Flor-Sanchez Anna , Ballesteros Rafael
Published: June 2022

Nitrogen-containing polyaromatic compounds have been prepared in one step by combining diols and anthracenyl or naphthyl amines via acceptorless dehydrogenative condensation with ZnO and Pt/Al2O3 as heterogeneous catalysts.
COL1A1 and FGFR2 Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms Found in Class II and Class III Skeletal Malocclusions in Javanese Population
Authors: Ardani I Gusti Aju Wahju , Budipramana Melisa , Rachmawati Erlina , Nugraha Alexander Patera , Ardana I Kade Karisma Gita , Budhy Theresia Indah , Hassan Rozita , Listyorini Dwi , Sarno Riyanarto
Published: June 2022

Objective The aim of this article is to analyze and compare the presence of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of COL1A1 and FGFR2 in class II and class III Javanese populations.

Materials and Methods Cephalometric radiographs from total 63 patients of class II and III were analyzed. SNP analysis was performed based on both COL1A1 and FGFR2 sequences amplified from total DNA of patients' fresh blood. Principal component analysis was done to calculate the data and find the correlation of the cephalometric indicators influenced by each mutation. t-test and Mann–Whitney analysis were performed to check the significance of differences occurred in each studied parameter (p < 0.05).

Result There were three COL1A1 SNPs found in class II and only two in class III, while three FGFR2 SNPs found in both classes. Class II phenotype seemed to be strongly influenced by Y-axis and mandibular plane angle, while class III by lower gonial angle and mandibular plane angle.

Conclusion Based on this study, we suggest that rs2249492 of COL1A1 and rs2981582 of FGFR2 play important roles in class III, while rs2277632 of COL1A1 and rs2981582 of FGFR2 play important role in class II skeletal malocclusion in Javanese population.
Management of a Patient with Bombay Blood Group and Chronic Liver Disease with Subdural Hematoma
Authors: Chavali Siddharth , Raju Subodh , Kanasani Suresh , Gabbita Abhirama C.
Published: June 2022

The Bombay blood group is an extremely rare entity within the conventional ABO blood grouping system. End-stage liver disease also presents with myriad disorders of coagulation due to impaired synthesis and dysfunction of clotting factors, which predisposes patients to spontaneous and life-threatening episodes of bleeding. We report a patient with Bombay blood group and end-stage liver disease who presented to our hospital with a spontaneous subdural hematoma. Although conventional parameters of coagulation in this patient were abnormal, we were able to safely defer product transfusion because his thromboelastography (TEG) report was within acceptable ranges. In this article, we discuss our strategy for optimization of extremely limited blood resources in this scenario and perioperative strategies for the management of coagulation anomalies in patients with liver dysfunction.
Global well-posedness for pseudo-parabolic p-Laplacian equation with singular potential and logarithmic nonlinearity
Authors: Yuan Wen-Shuo , Ge Bin
Published: June 2022

The main goal of this work is to investigate the initial boundary value problem for a class of pseudo-parabolic p-Laplacian equations with singular potential and logarithmic nonlinearity. First of all, we prove the local existence of weak solutions. Second, we show the existence of the global solution and the weak solution converging to the stationary solution when the time tends to infinity, and we show blow-up phenomena of solutions with the initial energy less than the mountain pass level d by using the potential well method. Finally, we parallelly stretch all the conclusions for the subcritical case to the critical case.
Neutron backscatter edges as a diagnostic of burn propagation
Authors: Crilly A. J. , Appelbe B. D. , Mannion O. M. , Forrest C. J. , Knauer J. P. , Schlossberg D. J. , Hartouni E. P. , Moore A. S. , Chittenden J. P.
Published: June 2022

High gain in hotspot-ignition inertial confinement fusion (ICF) implosions requires the propagation of thermonuclear burn from a central hotspot to the surrounding cold dense fuel. As ICF experiments enter the burning plasma regime, diagnostic signatures of burn propagation must be identified. In previous work [A. J. Crilly et al., Phys. Plasmas 27(1), 012701 (2020)], it has been shown that the spectral shape of the neutron backscatter edges is sensitive to the dense fuel hydrodynamic conditions. The backscatter edges are prominent features in the ICF neutron spectrum produced by the 180° scattering of primary deuterium–tritium fusion neutrons from ions. In this work, synthetic neutron spectra from radiation-hydrodynamics simulations of burning ICF implosions are used to assess the backscatter edge analysis in a propagating burn regime. Significant changes to the edge's spectral shape are observed as the degree of burn increases, and a simplified analysis is developed to infer scatter-averaged fluid velocity and temperature. The backscatter analysis offers direct measurement of the increased dense fuel temperatures that result from burn propagation.
Electron group localization in atoms and molecules
Authors: Silvi Bernard , Alikhani Esmaïl
Published: June 2022

Partitioning atomic and molecular charge densities in non-overlapping chemically significant regions is a challenging problem for quantum chemists. The present method aims to build a tool that enables the determination of “good boundaries” with the help of elementary statistical methods or information theory. This is done by minimizing an objective function with respect to the boundaries of the localization regions, the choice of this function being guided by a clarity requirement. With the sum of the indices of dispersion (ΣD) or the mutual information as the objective function, the method yields partitions in good agreement with the Aufbau rules for Li–Rn atoms and with Lewis’s pairing model for molecules.
Asymmetric chiral and antichiral mechanical metamaterials with tunable Poisson’s ratio
Authors: Fleisch Mathias , Thalhamer Andreas , Meier Gerald , Fuchs Peter Filipp , Pinter Gerald , Schlögl Sandra , Berer Michael
Published: June 2022

Mechanical metamaterials with zero or negative Poisson’s ratio were subject to increasing research interest over the last few years. Their energy absorption capabilities make them suitable for impact and dampening applications, such as personal protection equipment or packaging materials. The variable porosity and unusual mechanical properties also make them applicable in drug delivery systems and wound management. Herein, we present an extension to common auxetic structures, including tetra-chirals and tetra-antichirals. By introducing an asymmetry in the design of their unit cell, Poisson’s ratio can be varied over a broad range. Specimens with a selected amount of asymmetry were additively manufactured with a thermoplastic polyurethane using fused filament fabrication. Compression tests were performed to investigate the influence of the asymmetry on Poisson’s ratio and the compression modulus. Two different numerical models were employed using ABAQUS to describe the mechanical properties of the structures and were verified by the experiments. The numerical models are based on three-point bending test data. Both asymmetric designs show an influence of the asymmetry onto Poisson’s ratio, resulting in variable Poisson’s ratio, porosity, and compression modulus.
Printable ion-gel-gated In2O3 synaptic transistor array for neuro-inspired memory
Authors: Jin Chenxing , Liu Wanrong , Huang Yulong , Xu Yunchao , Nie Yiling , Zhang Gengming , He Pei , Sun Jia , Yang Junliang
Published: June 2022

With the development of neuromorphic electronics, much effort has been devoted to the design and manufacture of synaptic electronic devices with large scale and cost-efficient. In this paper, an In2O3 synaptic transistor array gated by screen-printed ion-gel was demonstrated. Due to the ion-gel/Al2O3 stacked gate dielectric, all devices on the array achieved a large hysteresis window of >1 V, a steep back sweep subthreshold swing of <60 mV/decade, and a nonvolatile memory behavior, showing that the screen-printed ion-gel has satisfactory uniformity in large scale. In addition, short-term to long-term plasticity, paired-pulse facilitation, and spike-rate-dependent plasticity are simulated. Based on the plasticity regulated with the spike frequency, a high-pass filter was realized. Flash memory as a special memory model in the nervous system has been simulated in the array. This study provides a unique platform for designing high-performance, repeatable, and stable artificial synapses for the neuromorphic system.
Near-surface gas discharge effect on a steady bow shock wave position in a supersonic flow past a cylindrically blunted body in the air
Authors: Azarova O. A. , Lapushkina T. A. , Shustrov Yu. A.
Published: June 2022

The problem of the bow shock wave control using a near-surface gas discharge in a supersonic flow past a semi-cylindrical body at Mach number M = 4 in the air is investigated experimentally and numerically. The possibility of controlling the position of a steady bow shock wave and the characteristics of a streamlined body by creating a volumetric plasma region using a surface gas discharge organized on the entire front surface of the body is shown. An increase in the stand-off distance of a steady bow shock is experimentally and numerically obtained, which is the greater, the higher the discharge power and the greater the adiabatic index in the plasma region created by the discharge. A comparison of the numerical and experimental data showed good agreement. It is established that the relative value of the steady bow shock stand-off distance increases linearly in the power range from 1.5 × 105 to 2.4 × 105 W at the discharge current from 430 to 670 A, and the adiabatic index in the plasma region can be estimated as 1.3. It is also found that at higher values of the discharge power, the adiabatic index in the plasma region decreases. The average plasma parameters were expressed as functions of the discharge specific power and the adiabatic index. The mechanism of the gas discharge effect on the bow shock wave is established, and it is shown that the plasma parameters in the region created by the discharge, including the degree of ionization and the degree of nonequilibrium, affect the position of the steady bow shock wave.
Influence of Strouhal number and phase difference on the flow behavior of a synthetic jet array
Authors: Pasa Jangyadatta , Panda Samarendra , Arumuru Venugopal
Published: June 2022

A computational study is presented to characterize the flow behavior of independently controlled multiple synthetic jet actuators (SJA). For fixed geometric configuration and Reynolds number (Re) 300, the influence of Strouhal number (St=0.028–0.172) and phase difference (∅=0°–180°) between the actuators on the evolution, and interaction of the vortices are highlighted. Directivity plots are employed to illustrate the effect of ∅ on the vectoring behavior of a synthetic jet array (SJ array). It has been observed that a high jet vectoring angle (β) is achieved while operating the SJ array at low St. The vectoring angle seems to be independent of ∅ for the low and high St. However, for an intermediate St=0.086, the vectoring angle varies with the ∅. The phase averaged vorticity contour for St=0.028 reveals that the evolution of the anti-clockwise vortex from the leading actuator (SJA1) decides the vectoring of the jet. By contrast, for higher Sts(0.115 and 0.13), the remnant vortices play a significant role in vectoring the jets toward the leading actuator. Based on the cross-stream distribution of time-averaged streamwise velocity, three distinct flow regimes are characterized: near-field, intermediate-field, and far-field. The strength of the jet is quantified by the downstream distribution of the jet momentum flux. Proper evolution of the vortices results in the enhancement of the jet momentum flux. It is recommended to operate the SJ array at an intermediate St (0.086) to vary the jet vectoring angle with phase differences as well as to achieve maximum jet momentum flux.
Enhancement of microwave giant magnetoresistance effect in reflected wave
Authors: Rinkevich Anatoly B. , Perov Dmitry V. , Kuznetsov Evgeny A. , Nemytova Olga V. , Milyaev Mikhail A. , Ustinov Vladimir V.
Published: June 2022

The microwave giant magnetoresistance (μGMR) effect in (CoFe/Cu)/glass structures has been investigated. The measurements were carried out at the frequencies from 26 to 38 GHz in two variants of wave incidence: first, on a metal superlattice and then on a dielectric substrate (variant 1) and vice versa (variant 2). For the substrate of 4 mm in thick at the frequency of 27 GHz, when the substrate thickness equals three-quarters of a wavelength, in variant 2, a sharp increase in μGMR was observed for a reflected wave. In this case, the relative variations of the reflected wave amplitude under the application of a magnetic field reached 44%, whereas, in all other cases, the variations did not exceed 5%–8%. Such a sharp increase in the μGMR effect is associated with both a significant decrease in the reflection coefficient and large magnitude of the magnetoresistance effect in superlattices (CoFe/Cu).
Anomalous and topological Hall effects of ferromagnetic Fe3Sn2 epitaxial films with kagome lattice
Authors: Zhang Dongyao , Hou Zhipeng , Mi Wenbo
Published: June 2022

Fe3Sn2, a ferromagnetic alloy with a kagome lattice, has attracted much attention from research communities owing to its special crystal structure and symmetry, which gives rise to numerous intriguing magneto-electronic properties, including the topological Hall effect, skyrmionic bubbles, Dirac cones, and Weyl points. To study such physical properties, Fe3Sn2 epitaxial films without buffer layers are in urgent need. In this work, we fabricated the Fe3Sn2 epitaxial films without buffer layers using the facing-target magnetron sputtering method, and their magneto-electronic transport properties were investigated systematically. It is found that the sign of the Hall resistivity slope in a high-field region is reversed when the temperature decreases below 100 K, suggesting a temperature-induced transition of charge carriers from electrons to holes. Moreover, a non-negligible topological Hall resistivity subtracted from the anomalous Hall resistivity is depicted, and its value is comparable to that of the Fe3Sn2 single crystals. These results not only offer a clear understanding of ferromagnetic Fe3Sn2 films with the kagome lattice but also provide guidance for fabrication and application of epitaxial Fe3Sn2 films.