bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Factors Influencing Hospitals’ Disaster Preparedness in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alruwaili Abdullah Saleh , Islam Md Shahidul , Usher Kim
Published: February 2023

Objective:

The study aimed to identify the factors that influence the disaster preparedness of hospitals and validate an evaluation framework to assess hospital disaster preparedness (HDP) capability in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia.

Methods:

A cross-sectional survey of all hospitals (n = 72) in the Eastern Region of Saudi Arabia was conducted. A factor analysis method was used to identify common factors and validate the evaluation framework to assess HDP capacity.

Results:

Sixty-three (63) hospitals responded to the survey. A 3-factor structure was identified as key predicators of HDP capacity. The first factor was the most highly weighted factor, which included education and training (0.849), monitoring and assessing HDP (0.723), disaster planning (0.721), and command and control (0.713). The second factor included surge capacity (0.708), triage system (0.844), post-disaster recovery (0.809), and communication (0.678). The third factor represented safety and security (0.638) as well as logistics, equipment, and supplies (0.766).

Conclusion:

The identified 3-factor structure provides an innovative approach to assist the operationalization of the concept of HDP capacity building and service improvement, as well as serve as a groundwork to further develop instrument for assessing HDP in future studies.
Predicting extinctions with species distribution models
Authors: Zurell Damaris , Fritz Susanne A. , Rönnfeldt Anna , Steinbauer Manuel J.
Published: February 2023

Predictions of species-level extinction risk from climate change are mostly based on species distribution models (SDMs). Reviewing the literature, we summarise why the translation of SDM results to extinction risk is conceptually and methodologically challenged and why critical SDM assumptions are unlikely to be met under climate change. Published SDM-derived extinction estimates are based on a positive relationship between range size decline and extinction risk, which empirically is not well understood. Importantly, the classification criteria used by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species were not meant for this purpose and are often misused. Future predictive studies would profit considerably from a better understanding of the extinction risk–range decline relationship, particularly regarding the persistence and non-random distribution of the few last individuals in dwindling populations. Nevertheless, in the face of the ongoing climate and biodiversity crises, there is a high demand for predictions of future extinction risks. Despite prevailing challenges, we agree that SDMs currently provide the most accessible method to assess climate-related extinction risk across multiple species. We summarise current good practice in how SDMs can serve to classify species into IUCN extinction risk categories and predict whether a species is likely to become threatened under future climate. However, the uncertainties associated with translating predicted range declines into quantitative extinction risk need to be adequately communicated and extinction predictions should only be attempted with carefully conducted SDMs that openly communicate the limitations and uncertainty.
A thin film sensor for the measurement of unsteady pressure
Authors: Minniti R. J. , Sullivan C. J. , Mueller T. J.
Published: February 2023

Reliable measurements of unsteady pressure on the surface of thin aerodynamic bodies in low subsonic, unsteady flows were made using small piezoelectric transducers. The hand-made transducers, calibrated against a B&K microphone for use in experiments, were used in two sets of low speed experiments. The first set involved a stationary aerofoil encountering a rotating, periodic gust as would be present in a rotor-stator interaction. The second set involved an instrumented propeller operating behind a stationary cyclic distortion as would be present behind stators or guide vanes. In both sets of experiments, reliable measurements of the small unsteady pressures on the body surfaces were made despite difficult experimental environments.
A 2D Navier-Stokes method for unsteady compressible flow calculations on moving meshes
Authors: Gaitonde A. L. , Jones D. P. , Fiddes S. P.
Published: February 2023

A moving mesh method for the computation of compressible viscous flow past deforming and moving aerofoils is described. It is based on a well established time-marching finite-volume scheme, which has been widely used for steady compressible flows. An implicit real-time discretisation is used and the equations are integrated via a dual-time scheme. This involves the introduction of derivatives of a fictitious pseudo time. The solution at each real-time step involves seeking solutions which are steady-state solutions in pseudo time. This approach decouples the stability and accuracy limitations of the scheme and permits large real-time steps to be chosen. Also well-proven convergence acceleration techniques developed for steady flows such as local-time stepping, residual averaging and multigrid may be used in the pseudo-time stepping scheme without compromising real-time accuracy. A sequence of body-conforming grids and corresponding grid speeds is required, where the inner and outer boundaries of the grid move independently. The required grids and speeds are found using a transfinite interpolation technique. Applications of the method to external compressible flows are shown, including results from a parallel version of the computer program.
Studies into hail ingestion of turbofan engines using a rotating fan and spinner assembly
Authors: Pant H. , Render P. M.
Published: February 2023

Simulated hailstones were made to impact on the rotating spinner and fan assembly of a Williams FJ44 engine. The mass distribution of ice behind the fan was determined by use of a suction tube technique. Suction was added to ensure that the tube did not affect the flow through the fan assembly. The strong air flow behind the fan meant that the ice caught by the tube melted and evaporated. This made it difficult to accurately determine the mass distribution of ice. As a result, the simulated hailstones were made from a water-salt solution so that the weight of salt residue could be measured after the water had evaporated, and hence the amount of ice caught was determined. A parametric study into the hail ingestion characteristics of the fan assembly was carried out. The parameters studied included the radial position of the impact point, the rotational speed of the fan and the position of the splitter between the core engine and bypass duct. The results showed that the impact position had a major effect on the overall ice distribution, which was determined by the combination of blade geometry at the impact point and the rotational speed. The splitter position was shown to have a significant effect on the amount of ice passing into the bypass duct.
A cell-vertex upwind scheme for two-dimensional supersonic Euler flows
Authors: Allen C. B. , Fiddes S. P.
Published: February 2023

An implicit cell-vertex upwind method is presented for the solution of the two-dimensional Euler equations for supersonic flows. It is based on the two-point difference scheme introduced by S.F. Wornom, but contains many significant developments. Particular attention is given to the implementation of boundary conditions, to ensure that no “numerical” boundary conditions are required, and “image” cells are avoided, making the scheme ideal for use in conjunction with a multiblock approach. Examples are given for quasi-one-dimensional nozzle flows, and in two dimensions, oblique shock reflection, a shock interaction problem, and a supersonic intake problem. The accuracy and efficiency of the scheme is demonstrated, along with its ease of use.
Airline safety — some lessons from Australia
Authors: Braithwaite G. R. , Caves R. E.
Published: February 2023

Since 1993, research at Loughborough University has included examining the commercial air safety record of Australia in an attempt to rise to the challenge posed by Professor James Reason: “Should we not be studying what makes organisations relatively safe rather than focusing upon their moments of unsafety? Would it not be a good idea to try and find out what makes them good and whether or not these ingredients could be bottled and handed on?”.

The objective is not to prove Australia to be the safest place to fly, nor its airlines the safest in the world. It is simply to examine what sort of defences are in place that may be strengthened or emulated.
A high order boundary element formulation for potential incompressible aerodynamics
Authors: Gennaretti M. , Calcagno G. , Zamboni A. , Morino L.
Published: February 2023

A high order boundary element formulation is presented and applied to the solution of potential, incompressible flows around non-lifting and lifting configurations. The high order numerical algorithm is based on a bicubic interpolation of both geometry and quantities over each element of discretisation of the boundary. Numerical validation of the formulation is performed by studying the aerodynamic solution around fuselages and wings, and making comparisons with existing numerical results.
Withholding Bad News in the Face of Credit Default Swap Trading: Evidence from Stock Price Crash Risk
Authors: Liu Jinyu , Ng Jeffrey , Tang Dragon Yongjun , Zhong Rui
Published: February 2023

Credit default swaps (CDSs) are a major financial innovation related to debt contracting. Because CDS markets facilitate bad news being incorporated into equity prices via cross-market information spillover, CDS availability may curb firms’ information hoarding. We find that CDS trading on a firm’s debt reduces the future stock price crash risk. This effect is stronger in active CDS markets, when the main lenders are CDS market dealers with securities trading subsidiaries, or when managers have more motivation to hoard information. Our findings suggest that debt market financial innovations curtail the negative equity market effects of firms withholding bad news.
Convective Self‐Compression of Cratons and the Stabilization of Old Lithosphere
Authors: Paul Jyotirmoy , Conrad Clinton P. , Becker Thorsten W. , Ghosh Attreyee
Published: February 2023

Despite being exposed to convective stresses for much of the Earth's history, cratonic roots appear capable of resisting mantle shearing. This tectonic stability can be attributed to the neutral density and higher strength of cratons. However, the excess thickness of cratons and their higher viscosity amplify coupling to underlying mantle flow, which could be destabilizing. To investigate the stresses that a convecting mantle exerts on cratons that are both strong and thick, we developed instantaneous global spherical numerical models that incorporate present‐day geoemetry of cratons within active mantle flow. Our results show that mantle flow is diverted downward beneath thick and viscous cratonic roots, giving rise to a ring of elevated and inwardly‐convergent tractions along a craton's periphery. These tractions induce regional compressive stress regimes within cratonic interiors. Such compression could serve to stabilize older continental lithosphere against mantle shearing, thus adding an additional factor that promotes cratonic longevity.
Long‐Term Trends in the Upper Atmosphere Using the Incoherent Scatter Radar Observations Over Arecibo
Authors: Selvaraj D. , Sulzer Michael P. , Zhang Shun‐Rong , Brum Christiano G. M.
Published: February 2023

Upper atmospheric long‐term trends have been characterized through the analysis of the ionospheric ion temperature (Ti). Previous studies used Ti observations from various incoherent scatter radar (ISR) facilities located at different latitudes. In this paper, we analyze Arecibo Observatory's (AO) ISR (18°20’N, 66°45’W) data sets from 1985 to 2019 to detect Ti long‐term trends as a function of altitude from ∼140 to ∼677 km. We empirically modeled the responses of Ti to the known forcings of solar activity, geomagnetic activity, and the annual and semi‐annual oscillations. The Ti trend is determined through least squares fitting to the residuals of the Ti, which were estimated by removing the empirically modeled Ti from the observed Ti. Since the ions and neutrals are closely coupled, our results indicate that the upper atmosphere/ionosphere over Arecibo has been cooling over the 35 years studied. Above 350 km, a latitudinal dependency is seen by comparison of all ISR estimated Ti trends, which agrees with the earlier reported results. These observed cooling trends exceed the magnitude expected by the modeling studies from increased greenhouse gas (GHG) concentrations. These excess coolings are as high as −1.2 K/year below 320 km altitude, where an increase in GHG dominates. Nighttime cooling trends in the altitude of ∼320–400 km might be caused by the increasing GHG concentrations and magnetic field variations since the trends of AO‐ISR match with the Whole Atmosphere Community Climate Model eXtension simulations.
Scaling of Turbulence and Microphysics in a Convection–Cloud Chamber of Varying Height
Authors: Thomas Subin , Yang Fan , Ovchinnikov Mikhail , Cantrell Will , Shaw Raymond A.
Published: February 2023

The convection–cloud chamber enables measurement of aerosol and cloud microphysics, as well as their interactions, within a turbulent environment under steady‐state conditions. Increasing the size of a convection–cloud chamber, while holding the imposed temperature difference constant, leads to increased Rayleigh, Reynolds and Nusselt numbers. Large–eddy simulation coupled with a bin microphysics model allows the influence of increased velocity, time, and spatial scales on cloud microphysical properties to be explored. Simulations of a convection–cloud chamber, with fixed aspect ratio and increasing heights of H = 1, 2, 4, and (for dry conditions only) 8 m are performed. The key findings are: Velocity fluctuations scale as H1/3, consistent with the Deardorff expression for convective velocity, and implying that the turbulence correlation time scales as H2/3. Temperature and other scalar fluctuations scale as H−3/7. Droplet size distributions from chambers of different sizes can be matched by adjusting the total aerosol injection rate as the horizontal cross‐sectional area (i.e., as H2 for constant aspect ratio). Injection of aerosols at a point versus distributed throughout the volume makes no difference for polluted conditions, but can lead to cloud droplet size distribution broadening in clean conditions. Cloud droplet growth by collision and coalescence leads to a broader right tail of the distribution compared to condensation growth alone, and this tail increases in magnitude and extent monotonically as the increase of chamber height. These results also have implications for scaling within turbulent, cloudy mixed‐layers in the atmosphere, such as fog layers.
Perovskite-based color camera inspired by human visual cells
Authors: Liu Yujin , Ji Zhong , Cen Guobiao , Sun Hengchao , Wang Haibao , Zhao Chuanxi , Wang Zhong Lin , Mai Wenjie
Published: February 2023

There are two primary types of photoreceptor cells in the human eye: cone cells and rod cells that enable color vision and night vision, respectively. Herein, inspired by the function of human visual cells, we develop a high-resolution perovskite-based color camera using a set of narrowband red, green, blue, and broadband white perovskite photodetectors as imaging sensors. The narrowband red, green, and blue perovskite photodetectors with color perceptions mimic long-, medium-, and short-wavelength cones cells to achieve color imaging ability. Also, the broadband white perovskite photodetector with better detectivity mimics rod cells to improve weak-light imaging ability. Our perovskite-based camera, combined with predesigned pattern illumination and image reconstruction technology, is demonstrated with high-resolution color images (up to 256 × 256 pixels) in diffuse mode. This is far beyond previously reported advanced perovskite array image sensors that only work in monochrome transmission mode. This work shows a new approach to bio-inspired cameras and their great potential to strongly mimic the ability of the natural eye.
The gut microbiome and early-life growth in a population with high prevalence of stunting
Authors: Robertson Ruairi C. , Edens Thaddeus J. , Carr Lynnea , Mutasa Kuda , Gough Ethan K. , Evans Ceri , Geum Hyun Min , Baharmand Iman , Gill Sandeep K. , Ntozini Robert , Smith Laura E. , Chasekwa Bernard , Majo Florence D. , Tavengwa Naume V. , Mutasa Batsirai , Francis Freddy , Tome Joice , Stoltzfus Rebecca J. , Humphrey Jean H. , Prendergast Andrew J. , Manges Amee R.
Published: February 2023

Stunting affects one-in-five children globally and is associated with greater infectious morbidity, mortality and neurodevelopmental deficits. Recent evidence suggests that the early-life gut microbiome affects child growth through immune, metabolic and endocrine pathways. Using whole metagenomic sequencing, we map the assembly of the gut microbiome in 335 children from rural Zimbabwe from 1–18 months of age who were enrolled in the Sanitation, Hygiene, Infant Nutrition Efficacy Trial (SHINE; NCT01824940), a randomized trial of improved water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) and infant and young child feeding (IYCF). Here, we show that the early-life gut microbiome undergoes programmed assembly that is unresponsive to the randomized interventions intended to improve linear growth. However, maternal HIV infection is associated with over-diversification and over-maturity of the early-life gut microbiome in their uninfected children, in addition to reduced abundance of Bifidobacterium species. Using machine learning models (XGBoost), we show that taxonomic microbiome features are poorly predictive of child growth, however functional metagenomic features, particularly B-vitamin and nucleotide biosynthesis pathways, moderately predict both attained linear and ponderal growth and growth velocity. New approaches targeting the gut microbiome in early childhood may complement efforts to combat child undernutrition.
Nanoscale three-dimensional fabrication based on mechanically guided assembly
Authors: Ahn Junseong , Ha Ji-Hwan , Jeong Yongrok , Jung Young , Choi Jungrak , Gu Jimin , Hwang Soon Hyoung , Kang Mingu , Ko Jiwoo , Cho Seokjoo , Han Hyeonseok , Kang Kyungnam , Park Jaeho , Jeon Sohee , Jeong Jun-Ho , Park Inkyu
Published: February 2023

The growing demand for complex three-dimensional (3D) micro-/nanostructures has inspired the development of the corresponding manufacturing techniques. Among these techniques, 3D fabrication based on mechanically guided assembly offers the advantages of broad material compatibility, high designability, and structural reversibility under strain but is not applicable for nanoscale device printing because of the bottleneck at nanofabrication and design technique. Herein, a configuration-designable nanoscale 3D fabrication is suggested through a robust nanotransfer methodology and design of substrate’s mechanical characteristics. Covalent bonding–based two-dimensional nanotransfer allowing for nanostructure printing on elastomer substrates is used to address fabrication problems, while the feasibility of configuration design through the modulation of substrate’s mechanical characteristics is examined using analytical calculations and numerical simulations, allowing printing of various 3D nanostructures. The printed nanostructures exhibit strain-independent electrical properties and are therefore used to fabricate stretchable H2 and NO2 sensors with high performances stable under external strains of 30%.
Ultra-wideband-responsive photon conversion through co-sensitization in lanthanide nanocrystals
Authors: Jiang Zhao , He Liangrui , Yang Zhiwen , Qiu Huibin , Chen Xiaoyuan , Yu Xujiang , Li Wanwan
Published: February 2023

Distinctive upconversion or downshifting of lanthanide nanocrystals holds promise for biomedical and photonic applications. However, either process requires high-energy lasers at discrete wavelengths for excitation. Here we demonstrate that co-sensitization can break this limitation with ultrawide excitation bands. We achieve co-sensitization by employing Nd3+ and Ho3+ as the co-sensitizers with complementary absorptions from the ultraviolet to infrared region. Symmetric penta-layer core-shell nanostructure enables tunable fluorescence in the visible and the second near-infrared window when incorporating different activators (Er3+, Ho3+, Pr3+, and Tm3+). Transient spectra confirm the directional energy transfer from sensitizers to activators through the bridge of Yb3+. We validate the features of the nanocrystals for low-powered white light-emitting diode-mediated whole-body angiography of mice with a signal-to-noise ratio of 12.3 and excitation-regulated encryption. This co-sensitization strategy paves a new way in lanthanide nanocrystals for multidirectional photon conversion manipulation and excitation-bandwidth-regulated fluorescence applications.
Playing “hide and seek” with the Mediterranean monk seal: a citizen science dataset reveals its distribution from molecular traces (eDNA)
Authors: Valsecchi Elena , Tavecchia Giacomo , Boldrocchi Ginevra , Coppola Emanuele , Ramella Denise , Conte Livia , Blasi Monica , Bruno Antonia , Galli Paolo
Published: February 2023

Animal conservation relies on assessing the distribution and habitat use of species, but for endangered/elusive animals this can prove difficult. The Monk Seal, Monachus monachus, is one of the world's most endangered species of pinniped, and the only one endemic to the Mediterranean Sea. During recent decades, direct observations have been few and scattered, making it difficult to determine its distribution away from the Aegean Sea (core distribution area of the post-decline relict population). This study relies on environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis to detect the presence of the Monk Seal in 135 samples collected in 120 locations of the central/western Mediterranean Sea, spanning about 1500 km longitudinally and 1000 km latitudinally. A recently described species-specific qPCR assay was used on marine-water samples, mostly collected during 2021 by a Citizen Science (CS) project. Positive detections occurred throughout the longitudinal range, including the westernmost surveyed area (Balearic archipelago). The distribution of the positive detections indicated six “hotspots”, mostly overlapping with historical Monk Seal sites, suggesting that habitat-specific characteristics play a fundamental role. We applied single-season occupancy models to correct for detection probability and to assess the importance of site-specific characteristics. The distance from small islets and protected (or access-restricted) areas was correlated negatively with the detection probability. This novel molecular approach, applied here for the first time in an extensive CS study, proved its potential as a tool for monitoring the distribution of this endangered/elusive species.
Developmental exposure to domoic acid targets reticulospinal neurons and leads to aberrant myelination in the spinal cord
Authors: Panlilio Jennifer M. , Hammar Katherine M. , Aluru Neelakanteswar , Hahn Mark E.
Published: February 2023

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) produce neurotoxins that affect human health. Developmental exposure of zebrafish embryos to the HAB toxin domoic acid (DomA) causes myelin defects, loss of reticulospinal neurons, and behavioral deficits. However, it is unclear whether DomA primarily targets myelin sheaths, leading to the loss of reticulospinal neurons, or reticulospinal neurons, causing myelin defects. Here, we show that while exposure to DomA at 2 dpf did not reduce the number of oligodendrocyte precursors prior to myelination, it led to fewer myelinating oligodendrocytes that produced shorter myelin sheaths and aberrantly wrapped neuron cell bodies. DomA-exposed larvae lacked Mauthner neurons prior to the onset of myelination, suggesting that axonal loss is not secondary to myelin defects. The loss of the axonal targets may have led oligodendrocytes to inappropriately myelinate neuronal cell bodies. Consistent with this, GANT61, a GLI1/2 inhibitor that reduces oligodendrocyte number, caused a reduction in aberrantly myelinated neuron cell bodies in DomA-exposed fish. Together, these results suggest that DomA initially alters reticulospinal neurons and the loss of axons causes aberrant myelination of nearby cell bodies. The identification of initial targets and perturbed cellular processes provides a mechanistic understanding of how DomA alters neurodevelopment, leading to structural and behavioral phenotypes.
Interpretable patent recommendation with knowledge graph and deep learning
Authors: Chen Han , Deng Weiwei
Published: February 2023

Patent transfer is a common practice for companies to obtain competitive advantages. However, they encounter the difficulty of selecting suitable patents because the number of patents is increasingly large. Many patent recommendation methods have been proposed to ease the difficulty, but they ignore patent quality and cannot explain why certain patents are recommended. Patent quality and recommendation explanations affect companies’ decision-making in the patent transfer context. Failing to consider them in the recommendation process leads to less effective recommendation results. To fill these gaps, this paper proposes an interpretable patent recommendation method based on knowledge graph and deep learning. The proposed method organizes heterogeneous patent information as a knowledge graph. Then it extracts connectivity and quality features from the knowledge graph for pairs of patents and companies. The former features indicate the relevance of the pairs while the latter features reflect the quality of the patents. Based on the features, we design an interpretable recommendation model by combining a deep neural network with a relevance propagation technique. We conduct experiments with real-world data to evaluate the proposed method. Recommendation lists with varying lengths show that the average precision, recall, and mean average precision of the proposed method are 0.596, 0.636, and 0.584, which improve corresponding performance of best baselines by 7.28%, 18.35%, and 8.60%, respectively. Besides, our method interprets recommendation results by identifying important features leading to the results.
Changes in physio-biochemical parameters and expression of metallothioneins in Avena sativa L. in response to drought
Authors: Konieczna Wiktoria , Warchoł Marzena , Mierek-Adamska Agnieszka , Skrzypek Edyta , Waligórski Piotr , Piernik Agnieszka , Dąbrowska Grażyna B.
Published: February 2023

Drought is one of the major threats to food security. Among several mechanisms involved in plant stress tolerance, one protein family—the plant metallothioneins (MTs)—shows great promise for enhancing drought resistance. Plant metallothioneins in oat (Avena sativaL.) have not yet been deeply analysed, and the literature lacks a comprehensive study of the whole family of plant MTs in response to drought. In this study, we showed that the number and nature ofcis-elements linked with stress response in promoters ofAsMTs1–3differed depending on the MT type. Drought stress in oat plants caused an increase in the expression ofAsMT2andAsMT3and a decrease in the expression ofAsMT1compared to well-watered plants. Moreover, the low values of relative water content, water use efficiency, net photosynthesis (PN), transpiration (E), stomatal conductance (gs), chlorophylla, and carotenoid were accompanied by high levels of electrolyte leakage, internal CO2concentration (Ci) and abscisic acid content, and high activity of antioxidants enzymes in plants under drought stress. The present study puts forward the idea thatAsMTsare crucial for oat response to drought stress not only by regulating antioxidant activity but also by changing the plant water regime and photosynthesis. Our results support the hypothesis that structural differences among types of plant MTs reflect their diversified physiological roles.
A 10-year microbiological study of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains revealed the circulation of populations resistant to both carbapenems and quaternary ammonium compounds
Authors: Pottier Marine , Gravey François , Castagnet Sophie , Auzou Michel , Langlois Bénédicte , Guérin François , Giard Jean-Christophe , Léon Albertine , Le Hello Simon
Published: February 2023

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the leading causes of healthcare-associated infections. For this study, the susceptibility profiles to antipseudomonal antibiotics and a quaternary ammonium compound, didecyldimethylammonium chloride (DDAC), widely used as a disinfectant, were established for 180 selected human and environmental hospital strains isolated between 2011 and 2020. Furthermore, a genomic study determined resistome and clonal putative relatedness for 77 of them. During the ten-year study period, it was estimated that 9.5% of patients’ strains were resistant to carbapenems, 11.9% were multidrug-resistant (MDR), and 0.7% were extensively drug-resistant (XDR). Decreased susceptibility (DS) to DDAC was observed for 28.0% of strains, a phenotype significantly associated with MDR/XDR profiles and from hospital environmental samples (p < 0.0001). According to genomic analyses, the P. aeruginosa population unsusceptible to carbapenems and/or to DDAC was diverse but mainly belonged to top ten high-risk clones described worldwide by del Barrio-Tofiño et al. The carbapenem resistance appeared mainly due to the production of the VIM-2 carbapenemase (39.3%) and DS to DDAC mediated by MexAB-OprM pump efflux overexpression. This study highlights the diversity of MDR/XDR populations of P. aeruginosa which are unsusceptible to compounds that are widely used in medicine and hospital disinfection and are probably distributed in hospitals worldwide.
Magnetization dynamics at finite temperature in CoFeB–MgO based MTJs
Authors: Sampan-A-Pai Sutee , Phoomatna Rattaphon , Boonruesi Worawut , Meo Andrea , Chureemart Jessada , Evans Richard F. L. , Chantrell Roy W. , Chureemart Phanwadee
Published: February 2023

The discovery of magnetization switching via spin transfer torque (STT) in PMA-based MTJs has led to the development of next-generation magnetic memory technology with high operating speed, low power consumption and high scalability. In this work, we theoretically investigate the influence of finite size and temperature on the mechanism of magnetization switching in CoFeB–MgO based MTJ to get better understanding of STT-MRAM fundamentals and design. An atomistic model coupled with simultaneous solution of the spin accumulation is employed. The results reveal that the incoherent switching process in MTJ strongly depends on the system size and temperature. At 0 K, the coherent switching mode can only be observed in MTJs with the diameter less than 20 nm. However, at any finite temperature, incoherent magnetization switching is thermally excited. Furthermore, increasing temperature results in decreasing switching time of the magnetization. We conclude that temperature dependent properties and thermally driven reversal are important considerations for the design and development of advanced MRAM systems.
Caldendrin represses neurite regeneration and growth in dorsal root ganglion neurons
Authors: Lopez Josue A. , Yamamoto Annamarie , Vecchi Joseph T. , Hagen Jussara , Lee Kyungmoo , Sonka Milan , Hansen Marlan R. , Lee Amy
Published: February 2023

Caldendrin is a Ca2+ binding protein that interacts with multiple effectors, such as the Cav1 L-type Ca2+ channel, which play a prominent role in regulating the outgrowth of dendrites and axons (i.e., neurites) during development and in response to injury. Here, we investigated the role of caldendrin in Cav1-dependent pathways that impinge upon neurite growth in dorsal root ganglion neurons (DRGNs). By immunofluorescence, caldendrin was localized in medium- and large- diameter DRGNs. Compared to DRGNs cultured from WT mice, DRGNs of caldendrin knockout (KO) mice exhibited enhanced neurite regeneration and outgrowth. Strong depolarization, which normally represses neurite growth through activation of Cav1 channels, had no effect on neurite growth in DRGN cultures from female caldendrin KO mice. Remarkably, DRGNs from caldendrin KO males were no different from those of WT males in terms of depolarization-dependent neurite growth repression. We conclude that caldendrin opposes neurite regeneration and growth, and this involves coupling of Cav1 channels to growth-inhibitory pathways in DRGNs of females but not males.
Environmental variables and machine learning models to predict cetacean abundance in the Central-eastern Mediterranean Sea
Authors: Maglietta Rosalia , Saccotelli Leonardo , Fanizza Carmelo , Telesca Vito , Dimauro Giovanni , Causio Salvatore , Lecci Rita , Federico Ivan , Coppini Giovanni , Cipriano Giulia , Carlucci Roberto
Published: February 2023

Although the Mediterranean Sea is a crucial hotspot in marine biodiversity, it has been threatened by numerous anthropogenic pressures. As flagship species, Cetaceans are exposed to those anthropogenic impacts and global changes. Assessing their conservation status becomes strategic to set effective management plans. The aim of this paper is to understand the habitat requirements of cetaceans, exploiting the advantages of a machine-learning framework. To this end, 28 physical and biogeochemical variables were identified as environmental predictors related to the abundance of three odontocete species in the Northern Ionian Sea (Central-eastern Mediterranean Sea). In fact, habitat models were built using sighting data collected for striped dolphins Stenella coeruleoalba, common bottlenose dolphins Tursiops truncatus, and Risso’s dolphins Grampus griseus between July 2009 and October 2021. Random Forest was a suitable machine learning algorithm for the cetacean abundance estimation. Nitrate, phytoplankton carbon biomass, temperature, and salinity were the most common influential predictors, followed by latitude, 3D-chlorophyll and density. The habitat models proposed here were validated using sighting data acquired during 2022 in the study area, confirming the good performance of the strategy. This study provides valuable information to support management decisions and conservation measures in the EU marine spatial planning context.
Cell quantification in digital contrast microscopy images with convolutional neural networks algorithm
Authors: Ferreira E. K. G. D. , Lara D. S. D. , Silveira G. F.
Published: February 2023

High Content Screening (HCS) combines high throughput techniques with the ability to generate cellular images of biological systems. The objective of this work is to evaluate the performance of predictive models using CNN to identify the number of cells present in digital contrast microscopy images obtained by HCS. One way to evaluate the algorithm was through the Mean Squared Error metric. The MSE was 4,335.99 in the A549 cell line, 25,295.23 in the Huh7 and 36,897.03 in the 3T3. After obtaining these values, different parameters of the models were changed to verify how they behave. By reducing the number of images, the MSE increased considerably, with the A549 cell line changing to 49,973.52, Huh7 to 79,473.88 and 3T3 to 52,977.05. Correlation analyzes were performed for the different models. In lineage A549, the best model showed a positive correlation with R = 0.953. In Huh7, the best correlation of the model was R = 0.821, it was also a positive correlation. In 3T3, the models showed no correlation, with the best model having R = 0.100. The models performed well in quantifying the number of cells, and the number and quality of the images interfered with this predictive ability.
Engineered kirigami design of PVDF-Pt core–shell nanofiber network for flexible transparent electrode
Authors: Park Heesung , Si Hyeokjun , Gu Junseo , Lee Donghyun , Park Donghyuck , Lee Young-In , Kim Kwanlae
Published: February 2023

Nanofiber networks comprising polymer-metal core–shell structures exhibit several advantages, such as high uniformities and considerable flexibilities. Additionally, the flexibility of the nanofiber network may be further enhanced by engineering the network topology. Therefore, in this study, the topologies of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)-Pt core–shell nanofiber (CS NF) networks were engineered, and their performances as flexible transparent electrodes were comprehensively evaluated. Three distinct topologies of nanofiber networks were induced using circular, square, and rectangular electrode collectors. A highly uniform nanofiber network was obtained using the square electrode collector, which generated a high density of nanofiber junctions (nodes). Consequently, this nanofiber network exhibited the smallest sheet resistance $$\left({R}_{\mathrm{s}}\right)$$

R
s

and lowest optical transmittance $$\left(T\right)$$

T

among the three CS NF networks. In contrast, nanofiber bundles were frequently formed in the randomly aligned CS NF network prepared using the circular electrode collector, reducing the node density. As a result, it simultaneously exhibited a very small $${R}_{\mathrm{s}}$$

R
s

and high $$T$$
T
, generating the largest percolation figure of merit $$\left(\Pi =330.5\right)$$

Π
=
330.5

. Under certain strain directions, the CS NF network with the engineered topology exhibited a significantly enhanced mechanical durability. Finally, a flexible piezoelectric pressure sensor with CS NF network electrodes was fabricated and its sensing performance was excellent.
Sequence dependent UV damage of complete pools of oligonucleotides
Authors: Kufner Corinna L. , Krebs Stefan , Fischaleck Marlis , Philippou-Massier Julia , Blum Helmut , Bucher Dominik B. , Braun Dieter , Zinth Wolfgang , Mast Christof B.
Published: February 2023

Understanding the sequence-dependent DNA damage formation requires probing a complete pool of sequences over a wide dose range of the damage-causing exposure. We used high throughput sequencing to simultaneously obtain the dose dependence and quantum yields for oligonucleotide damages for all possible 4096 DNA sequences with hexamer length. We exposed the DNA to ultraviolet radiation at 266 nm and doses of up to 500 absorbed photons per base. At the dimer level, our results confirm existing literature values of photodamage, whereas we now quantified the susceptibility of sequence motifs to UV irradiation up to previously inaccessible polymer lengths. This revealed the protective effect of the sequence context in preventing the formation of UV-lesions. For example, the rate to form dipyrimidine lesions is strongly reduced by nearby guanine bases. Our results provide a complete picture of the sensitivity of oligonucleotides to UV irradiation and allow us to predict their abundance in high-UV environments.
Spatio-temporal dynamics enhance cellular diversity, neuronal function and further maturation of human cerebral organoids
Authors: Saglam-Metiner Pelin , Devamoglu Utku , Filiz Yagmur , Akbari Soheil , Beceren Goze , Goker Bakiye , Yaldiz Burcu , Yanasik Sena , Biray Avci Cigir , Erdal Esra , Yesil-Celiktas Ozlem
Published: February 2023

The bioengineerined and whole matured human brain organoids stand as highly valuable three-dimensional in vitro brain-mimetic models to recapitulate in vivo brain development, neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative diseases. Various instructive signals affecting multiple biological processes including morphogenesis, developmental stages, cell fate transitions, cell migration, stem cell function and immune responses have been employed for generation of physiologically functional cerebral organoids. However, the current approaches for maturation require improvement for highly harvestable and functional cerebral organoids with reduced batch-to-batch variabilities. Here, we demonstrate two different engineering approaches, the rotating cell culture system (RCCS) microgravity bioreactor and a newly designed microfluidic platform (µ-platform) to improve harvestability, reproducibility and the survival of high-quality cerebral organoids and compare with those of traditional spinner and shaker systems. RCCS and µ-platform organoids have reached ideal sizes, approximately 95% harvestability, prolonged culture time with Ki-67 + /CD31 + /β-catenin+ proliferative, adhesive and endothelial-like cells and exhibited enriched cellular diversity (abundant neural/glial/ endothelial cell population), structural brain morphogenesis, further functional neuronal identities (glutamate secreting glutamatergic, GABAergic and hippocampal neurons) and synaptogenesis (presynaptic-postsynaptic interaction) during whole human brain development. Both organoids expressed CD11b + /IBA1 + microglia and MBP + /OLIG2 + oligodendrocytes at high levels as of day 60. RCCS and µ-platform organoids showing high levels of physiological fidelity a high level of physiological fidelity can serve as functional preclinical models to test new therapeutic regimens for neurological diseases and benefit from multiplexing.
Electrochemical detection of enrofloxacin in meat using bimetallic organic framework-derived NiCo2O4@NiO
Authors: Niu Zijun , Wang Songlei , Luo RuiMing , Wei Peiyuan , Li Kenken , Wang Wenwen , Yang Qi
Published: February 2023

A new aptasensor based on bimetallic organic framework-derived NiCo2O4@NiO has been developed for the determination of enrofloxacin in sheep and pork liver meats.
The preparation of hybrid silicon quantum dots by one-step synthesis for tetracycline detection and antibacterial applications
Authors: Chi Yuting , Sun Wanlin , Zhou Lijia , Pei Shuchen , Zeng Haichun , Cheng Yunying , Chai Shuiqin
Published: February 2023

In this study, we prepared three different silicon quantum dots (SiQDs-1, SiQDs-2 and SiQDs-3) by hydrothermal synthesis with rose Bengal as the reducing agent and triacetoxy(methyl)silane and allyloxytrimethylsilane as silicon sources.
Antifungal activity of designed α-helical antimicrobial peptides
Authors: Xu Ruicheng , Tang Jing , Hadianamrei Roja , Liu Suyu , Lv Songwei , You Rongrong , Pan Fang , Zhang Peng , Wang Nan , Cai Zhiqiang , Zhao Xiubo
Published: February 2023

New antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) were developed with selective antifungal activity and high efficiency in wound healing.
Particle size effect of SiO2-supported ZnO catalysts in propane dehydrogenation
Authors: Shi Xianxian , Chen Si , Li Shang , Yang Yuqi , Guan Qiaoqiao , Ding Jiani , Liu Xinyu , Liu Qin , Xu Wenlong , Lu Junling
Published: February 2023

The mass specific rates and propylene selectivity of ZnO catalysts exhibit a volcano relation with the size of ZnO in the propane dehydrogenation (PDH) reaction.
Sciadonic acid attenuates high-fat diet-induced obesity in mice with alterations in the gut microbiota
Authors: Chen Lin , Jiang Qihong , Jiang Chenkai , Lu Hongling , Hu Wenjun , Yu Shaofang , Li Mingqian , Tan Chin Ping , Feng Yongcai , Xiang Xingwei , Shen Guoxin
Published: February 2023

Sciadonic acid (SA) could alleviate obesity and its related metabolic disorders. SA altered the gut microbial structure and composition in obese mice. SA ameliorated lipid metabolism disorders by activating the PPARα/SREBP-1C/FAS pathway.
Stereoisomers of octahydrocurcumin, the hydrogenated metabolites of curcumin, display stereoselective activity on the CYP2E1 enzyme in L-02 cells
Authors: Luo Dandan , Lin Yinsi , Chen Jiannan , Huang Xiaoqi , Xie Youliang , Liu Yuhong , Ni Suiqin , Su Ziren , Li Yucui , Zhang Zhenbiao
Published: February 2023

Stereoisomers of octahydrocurcumin, the hydrogenated metabolites of curcumin, display stereo-selective activity on the CYP2E1 enzyme in L-02 cells, which finally induces more effective liver protection effects in acetaminophen-induced L-02 injury.
Solid-state thermal rectification of bilayers by asymmetric elastic modulus
Authors: Lee Junbyeong , Cha Seokjae , Lee Byung Ho , Jan Agha Aamir , Kizhakkekara Rijin , Yang Jaehun , Kim Moon Ki , Baik Seunghyun
Published: February 2023

A high thermal rectification efficiency (33%) is experimentally achieved by designing specimens based on the Frenkel–Kontorova model. The elastic modulus asymmetry is carefully controlled in centimeter-scale bilayered specimens.
Recent trends in emerging strategies for ferroptosis-based cancer therapy
Authors: Yu Hongli , Yan Jianqin , Li Zhipeng , Yang Limian , Ju Fang , Sun Yong
Published: February 2023

Ferroptosis, an iron-dependent mode of regulated cell death, is induced by lipid peroxidation, whose occurrence and execution are primarily controlled by metabolism of iron, lipids, amino acids and glutathione.
Palladium nanoparticle based smart hydrogels for NIR light-triggered photothermal/photodynamic therapy and drug release with wound healing capability
Authors: Yin Xiuzhao , Fan Taojian , Zheng Nannan , Yang Jing , Yan Li , He Shuqing , Ai Fujin , Hu Junqing
Published: February 2023

A postoperative therapeutic nanoplatform of Pd/DOX@hydrogel can efficiently perform near-infrared light triggered photothermal/photodynamic therapy and chemotherapy to kill residual tumor cells, with the potential to accelerate wound healing.
The art of compartment design for synthetic catalysts
Authors: Davis Ashton R. , Liu Chong , Diaconescu Paula L.
Published: February 2023

Compartmentalization of catalysts has potential to become a powerful synthetic tool, however, further work in understanding its fundamental principles is required. Herein, those principles are elucidated through the lens of biomimicry.
Improvement in the healing of bone fractures using a cyclodextrin/Ni-MOF nanofibers network: the development of a novel substrate to increase the surface area with desirable functional properties
Authors: Lin Junfei , Zong Chenyu , Chen Baisen , Wang Teng , Xu Jiacheng , Du Jiashang , Lin Yinghao , Gu Yuming , Zhu Jianwei
Published: February 2023

In this study, we describe a β-cyclodextrins (β-CDs)/Ni-based MOF (β-CDs/Ni-based MOF) network for orthopedic applications.
Flexible human serum albumin nanocapsules to enhance drug delivery and cellular uptake for photodynamic/chemo cancer therapy
Authors: Kang Wen , Shi Yuyuan , Yang Zhenlu , Yin Xindao , Zhao Ying , Weng Lixing , Teng Zhaogang
Published: February 2023

In this study, we synthesized flexible hollow human serum albumin (HHSA), which can enhance drug delivery and cellular uptake, and loaded in photosensitizer Chlorin e6 (Ce6) and chemotherapeutic drug Doxorubicin (DOX) for synergistic cancer therapy.
Hyaluronic acid-coated gold nanoparticles as a controlled drug delivery system for poorly water-soluble drugs
Authors: Kim Hyoung-Mi , Park Jae Hong , Choi You Jin , Oh Jae-Min , Park Junghun
Published: February 2023

One-pot synthesis of gold nanoparticles coated with electron beam-irradiated hyaluronic acid was developed to achieve a pH-dependent sulfasalazine release system with high drug encapsulation efficiency.
On the specific heat capacity of HITEC-salt nanocomposites for concentrated solar power applications
Authors: Parida Dipti Ranjan , Basu Saptarshi
Published: February 2023

The current study highlights the importance of testing the bulk-CP and statistical inference for examining the specific heat capacity of nanoparticle-infused salt composites using DSC and T-history tests.
Real time monitoring of generation and decomposition of degradation products in lithium oxygen batteries during discharge/charge cycles by an online cold trap pre-concentrator-gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy system
Authors: Gao Yanan , Noguchi Hidenori , Uosaki Kohei
Published: February 2023

Most degradation compounds of TEGDME in lithium oxygen batteries were generated during charge and molecules generated during charge were decomposed during discharge.
A highly efficient metal oxide incorporated metal organic framework [Nd2O3-MIL(Fe)-88A] for the electrochemical detection of dichlorvos
Authors: Narayanan Mariyammal , Singh Chauhan Narendra Pal , Perumal Panneerselvam
Published: February 2023

A Nd2O3@MIL(Fe)-88A composite was prepared through a hydrothermal method and used to detect dichlorvos.