bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploration of glassy state in Prussian blue analogues
Authors: Ma Nattapol , Ohtani Ryo , Le Hung M. , Sørensen Søren S. , Ishikawa Ryuta , Kawata Satoshi , Bureekaew Sareeya , Kosasang Soracha , Kawazoe Yoshiyuki , Ohara Koji , Smedskjaer Morten M. , Horike Satoshi
Published: July 2022

Prussian blue analogues (PBAs) are archetypes of microporous coordination polymers/metal–organic frameworks whose versatile composition allows for diverse functionalities. However, developments in PBAs have centred solely on their crystalline state, and the glassy state of PBAs has not been explored. Here we describe the preparation of the glassy state of PBAs via a mechanically induced crystal-to-glass transformation and explore their properties. The preservation of short-range metal–ligand–metal connectivity is confirmed, enabling the framework-based functionality and semiconductivity in the glass. The transformation also generates unconventional CN−vacancies, followed by the reduction of metal sites. This leads to significant porosity enhancement in recrystallised PBA, enabled by further accessibility of isolated micropores. Finally, mechanical stability under stress for successful vitrification is correlated to defect contents and interstitial water. Our results demonstrate how mechanochemistry provides opportunities to explore glassy states of molecular framework materials in which the stable liquid state is absent.
Trypsin is a coordinate regulator of N and P nutrients in marine phytoplankton
Authors: You Yanchun , Sun Xueqiong , Ma Minglei , He Jiamin , Li Ling , Porto Felipe Wendt , Lin Senjie
Published: July 2022

Trypsin is best known as a digestive enzyme in animals, but remains unexplored in phytoplankton, the major primary producers in the ocean. Here we report the prevalence of trypsin genes in global ocean phytoplankton and significant influences of environmental nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) on their expression. UsingCRISPR/Cas9mediated-knockout and overexpression analyses, we further reveal that a trypsin inPhaeodactylum tricornutum(PtTryp2) functions to repress N acquisition, but its expression decreases under N-deficiency to promote N acquisition. On the contrary,PtTryp2promotes phosphate uptake per se, and its expression increases under P-deficiency to further reinforce P acquisition. Furthermore,PtTryp2knockout led to amplitude magnification of the nitrate and phosphate uptake ‘seesaw’, whereasPtTryp2overexpression dampened it, linkingPtTryp2to stabilizing N:P stoichiometry. Our data demonstrate thatPtTryp2is a coordinate regulator of N:P stoichiometric homeostasis. The study opens a window for deciphering how phytoplankton adapt to nutrient-variable marine environments.
Whole-genome sequence analysis reveals selection signatures for important economic traits in Xiang pigs
Authors: Wang Xiying , Ran Xueqin , Niu Xi , Huang Shihui , Li Sheng , Wang Jiafu
Published: July 2022

Xiang pig (XP) is one of the best-known indigenous pig breeds in China, which is characterized by its small body size, strong disease resistance, high adaptability, favorite meat quality, small litter sizes, and early sexual maturity. However, the genomic evidence that links these unique traits of XP is still poorly understood. To identify the genomic signatures of selection in XP, we performed whole-genome resequencing on 25 unrelated individual XPs. We obtained 876.70 Gb of raw data from the genomic libraries. The LD analysis showed that the lowest level of linkage disequilibrium was observed in Xiang pig. Comparative genomic analysis between XPs and other breeds including Tibetan, Meishan, Duroc and Landrace revealed 3062, 1228, 907 and 1519 selected regions, respectively. The genes identified in selected regions of XPs were associated with growth and development processes (IGF1R, PROP1, TBX19, STAC3, RLF, SELENOM, MSTN), immunity and disease resistance (ZCCHC2, SERPINB2, ADGRE5, CYP7B1, STAT6, IL2, CD80, RHBDD3, PIK3IP1), environmental adaptation (NR2E1, SERPINB8, SERPINB10, SLC26A7, MYO1A, SDR9C7, UVSSA, EXPH5, VEGFC, PDE1A), reproduction (CCNB2, TRPM6, EYA3, CYP7B1, LIMK2, RSPO1, ADAM32, SPAG16), meat quality traits (DECR1, EWSR1), and early sexual maturity (TAC3). Through the absolute allele frequency difference (ΔAF) analysis, we explored two population-specific missense mutations occurred in NR6A1 and LTBP2 genes, which well explained that the vertebrae numbers of Xiang pigs were less than that of the European pig breeds. Our results indicated that Xiang pigs were less affected by artificial selection than the European and Meishan pig breeds. The selected candidate genes were mainly involved in growth and development, disease resistance, reproduction, meat quality, and early sexual maturity. This study provided a list of functional candidate genes, as well as a number of genetic variants, which would provide insight into the molecular basis for the unique traits of Xiang pig.
An ALE meta-analytic review of musical expertise
Authors: Criscuolo Antonio , Pando-Naude Victor , Bonetti Leonardo , Vuust Peter , Brattico Elvira
Published: July 2022

Through long-term training, music experts acquire complex and specialized sensorimotor skills, which are paralleled by continuous neuro-anatomical and -functional adaptations. The underlying neuroplasticity mechanisms have been extensively explored in decades of research in music, cognitive, and translational neuroscience. However, the absence of a comprehensive review and quantitative meta-analysis prevents the plethora of variegated findings to ultimately converge into a unified picture of the neuroanatomy of musical expertise. Here, we performed a comprehensive neuroimaging meta-analysis of publications investigating neuro-anatomical and -functional differences between musicians (M) and non-musicians (NM). Eighty-four studies were included in the qualitative synthesis. From these, 58 publications were included in coordinate-based meta-analyses using the anatomic/activation likelihood estimation (ALE) method. This comprehensive approach delivers a coherent cortico-subcortical network encompassing sensorimotor and limbic regions bilaterally. Particularly, M exhibited higher volume/activity in auditory, sensorimotor, interoceptive, and limbic brain areas and lower volume/activity in parietal areas as opposed to NM. Notably, we reveal topographical (dis-)similarities between the identified functional and anatomical networks and characterize their link to various cognitive functions by means of meta-analytic connectivity modelling. Overall, we effectively synthesized decades of research in the field and provide a consistent and controversies-free picture of the neuroanatomy of musical expertise.
Genome-wide profiling of histone H3K4me3 and H3K27me3 modifications in individual blastocysts by CUT&Tag without a solid support (NON-TiE-UP CUT&Tag)
Authors: Susami Kazuki , Ikeda Shuntaro , Hoshino Yoichiro , Honda Shinnosuke , Minami Naojiro
Published: July 2022

Individual analysis of the epigenome of preimplantation embryos is useful for characterizing each embryo and for investigating the effects of environmental factors on their epigenome. However, it is difficult to analyze genome-wide epigenetic modifications, especially histone modifications, in a large number of single embryos due to the small number of cells and the complexity of the analysis methods. To solve this problem, we further modified the CUT&Tag method, which can analyze histone modifications in a small number of cells, such that the embryo is handled as a cell mass in the reaction solutions in the absence of the solid-phase magnetic beads that are used for antibody and enzyme reactions in the conventional method (NON-TiE-UP CUT&Tag; NTU-CAT). By using bovine blastocysts as a model, we showed that genome-wide profiles of representative histone modifications, H3K4me3 and H3K27me3, could be obtained by NTU-CAT that are in overall agreement with the conventional chromatin immunoprecipitation-sequencing (ChIP-seq) method, even from single embryos. However, this new approach has limitations that require attention, including false positive and negative peaks and lower resolution for broad modifications. Despite these limitations, we consider NTU-CAT a promising replacement for ChIP-seq with the great advantage of being able to analyze individual embryos.
PclR is a transcriptional activator of the gene that encodes the pneumococcal collagen-like protein PclA
Authors: Moreno-Blanco Ana , Solano-Collado Virtu , Ortuno-Camuñas Alejandro , Espinosa Manuel , Ruiz-Cruz Sofía , Bravo Alicia
Published: July 2022

The Gram-positive bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae is a major human pathogen that shows high levels of genetic variability. The pneumococcal R6 genome harbours several gene clusters that are not present in all strains of the species. One of these clusters contains two divergent genes, pclA, which encodes a putative surface-exposed protein that contains large regions of collagen-like repeats, and spr1404 (here named pclR). PclA was shown to mediate pneumococcal adherence to host cells in vitro. In this work, we demonstrate that PclR (494 amino acids) is a transcriptional activator. It stimulates transcription of the pclA gene by binding to a specific DNA site upstream of the core promoter. In addition, we show that PclR has common features with the MgaSpn transcriptional regulator (493 amino acids), which is also encoded by the R6 genome. These proteins have high sequence similarity (60.3%), share the same organization of predicted functional domains, and generate multimeric complexes on linear double-stranded DNAs. However, on the PpclA promoter region, MgaSpn binds to a site different from the one recognized by PclR. Our results indicate that PclR and MgaSpn have similar DNA-binding properties but different DNA-binding specificities, pointing to a different regulatory role of both proteins.
Electrochemical investigation of carbon paper/ZnO nanocomposite electrodes for capacitive anion capturing
Authors: Chalangar Ebrahim , Björk Emma M. , Pettersson Håkan
Published: July 2022

In this work, we demonstrate an effective anion capturing in an aqueous medium using a highly porous carbon paper decorated with ZnO nanorods. A sol–gel technique was first employed to form a thin and compact seed layer of ZnO nanoparticles on the dense network of carbon fibers in the carbon paper. Subsequently, ZnO nanorods were successfully grown on the pre-seeded carbon papers using inexpensive chemical bath deposition. The prepared porous electrodes were electrochemically investigated for improved charge storage and stability under long-term operational conditions. The results show effective capacitive deionization with a maximum areal capacitance of 2 mF/cm2, an energy consumption of 50 kJ per mole of chlorine ions, and an excellent long-term stability of the fabricated C-ZnO electrodes. The experimental results are supported by COMSOL simulations. Besides the demonstrated capacitive desalination application, our results can directly be used to realize suitable electrodes for energy storage in supercapacitors.
Trends in national and county-level Hispanic mortality in the United States, 2011–2020
Authors: Sarraju Ashish , Ngo Summer , Ashland Melanie , Scheinker David , Rodriguez Fatima
Published: July 2022

Hispanic populations generally experience more adverse socioeconomic conditions yet demonstrate lower mortality compared with Non-Hispanic White (NHW) populations in the US. This finding of a mortality advantage is well-described as the “Hispanic paradox.” The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has disproportionately affected Hispanic populations. To quantify these effects, we evaluated US national and county-level trends in Hispanic versus NHW mortality from 2011 through 2020. We found that a previously steady Hispanic mortality advantage significantly decreased in 2020, potentially driven by COVID-19-attributable Hispanic mortality. Nearly 16% of US counties experienced a reversal of their pre-pandemic Hispanic mortality advantage such that their Hispanic mortality exceeded NHW mortality in 2020. An additional 50% experienced a decrease in a pre-pandemic Hispanic mortality advantage. Our work provides a quantitative understanding of the disproportionate burden of the pandemic on Hispanic health and the Hispanic paradox and provides a renewed impetus to tackle the factors driving these concerning disparities.
Experimental study of unconventional modified filling energy absorption and control mechanism in high energy storage rock masses
Authors: Lai Xing-ping , Zhang Shuai , Shan Peng-fei , Cui Feng , Yang Yan-bin , Bai Rui
Published: July 2022

Aiming at the problems that it is difficult to predict rock burst accurately in engineering practice and the implementation parameters of rock burst prevention measures depend on some empirical formulas, in order to study the advantages and disadvantages of different in-situ modification mechanisms deeply, determine the applicable conditions of unusual in-situ modification measures, and provide a theoretical basis for forming adaptive in-situ modification control schemes. Two kinds of modified control methods using the same foundation involve engineering scale and indoor scale. With the help of scale transformation, the whole failure process analysis test of bearing rock samples was carried out. The results show that various modification measures can effectively control the properties, and realize "hard-rock softening or soft-rock hardening" by changing the physical and mechanical parameters of the target rock sample. Compared with the control group, the automatic parameters of rocks deteriorated significantly under different modification measures. The evolution law of carrying energy is similar. However, there are obvious diversity between various modification measures in plastic stage and post-peaking phase stage, which provides favorable conditions for rock burst prevention. Based on this, an adaptive modification control system was constructed. At the same time, filling materials is considered to increase the energy of post-peaking phase (non newtonian fluid: energy-absorbing materials), and further slow down the intensity of released energy within post-peaking phase stage. Because rock burst is characterized by rapid release of energy, non newtonian fluid has a good absorption effect on high-speed impact force. Therefore, in the design test, the effect of non newtonian fluid is realized by applying a high loading rate, and the evaluation of energy absorption effect of bearing rock samples filled with non newtonian fluid in borehole is considered.
Difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) and AMXT 1501 inhibit capsule biosynthesis in pneumococci
Authors: Ayoola Moses B. , Shack Leslie A. , Lee Jung Hwa , Lim Juhyeon , Eoh Hyungjin , Swiatlo Edwin , Phanstiel Otto , Nanduri Bindu
Published: July 2022

Polyamines are small cationic molecules that have been linked to various cellular processes including replication, translation, stress response and recently, capsule regulation in Streptococcus pneumoniae (Spn, pneumococcus). Pneumococcal-associated diseases such as pneumonia, meningitis, and sepsis are some of the leading causes of death worldwide and capsule remains the principal virulence factor of this versatile pathogen. α-Difluoromethyl-ornithine (DFMO) is an irreversible inhibitor of the polyamine biosynthesis pathway catalyzed by ornithine decarboxylase and has a long history in modulating cell growth, polyamine levels, and disease outcomes in eukaryotic systems. Recent evidence shows that DFMO can also target arginine decarboxylation. Interestingly, DFMO-treated cells often escape polyamine depletion via increased polyamine uptake from extracellular sources. Here, we examined the potential capsule-crippling ability of DFMO and the possible synergistic effects of the polyamine transport inhibitor, AMXT 1501, on pneumococci. We characterized the changes in pneumococcal metabolites in response to DFMO and AMXT 1501, and also measured the impact of DFMO on amino acid decarboxylase activities. Our findings show that DFMO inhibited pneumococcal polyamine and capsule biosynthesis as well as decarboxylase activities, albeit, at a high concentration. AMXT 1501 at physiologically relevant concentration could inhibit both polyamine and capsule biosynthesis, however, in a serotype-dependent manner. In summary, this study demonstrates the utility of targeting polyamine biosynthesis and transport for pneumococcal capsule inhibition. Since targeting capsule biosynthesis is a promising way for the eradication of the diverse and pathogenic pneumococcal strains, future work will identify small molecules similar to DFMO/AMXT 1501, which act in a serotype-independent manner.
Risk trajectories of complications in over one thousand newly diagnosed individuals with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Höskuldsdóttir Gudrun , Franzén Stefan , Eeg-Olofsson Katarina , Eliasson Björn
Published: July 2022

Although the increased risk of complications of type 2 diabetes (T2D) is well known, there is still little information about the long-term development of comorbidities in relation to risk factors. The purpose of the present study was to describe the risk trajectories of T2D complications over time in an observational cohort of newly diagnosed T2D patients, as well as to evaluate the effect of common risk factors on the development of comorbidities. This national cohort study investigated individuals with T2D in the Swedish National Diabetes Register regarding prevalence of comorbidities at the time of diagnosis, and the incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD), chronic kidney disease (CKD) and heart failure in the entire patient cohort and stratified by HbA1c levels and age at baseline. Multivariable Cox regressions were used to evaluate risk factors predicting outcomes. We included 100,878 individuals newly diagnosed with T2D between 1998 and 2012 in the study, with mean 5.5 years follow-up (max 17 years). The mean age at diagnosis was 62.6 ± SD12.5 years and 42.7% of the patients were women. Prevalent CVD was reported for 17.5% at baseline. Although the prevalence of comorbidities was generally low for individuals 50 years or younger at diagnosis, the cumulative incidence of the investigated comorbidities increased over time. Newly diagnosed CVD was the most common comorbidity. Women were shown to have a lower risk of developing comorbid conditions than men. When following the risk trajectory of comorbidities over a period of up to 15 years in individuals with type 2 diabetes, we found that all comorbidities gradually increased over time. There was no distinct time point when onset suddenly increased.
A pressure compensation method for lattice Boltzmann simulation of particle-laden flows in periodic geometries
Authors: Jiang Maoqiang , Liu Zhaohui
Published: July 2022

A simple and efficient boundary treatment is proposed for periodic boundary conditions in a lattice Boltzmann method for simulating fully developed, pressure driven particle-laden flows in a complex geometry. The pressure driven effect is implemented by a simple pressure compensation method (PCM) using the pressure difference between the inlet and outlet boundaries. It eliminates the exchange of nonequilibrium distribution functions between inlet and outlet boundary nodes. It also eliminates the nonphysical oscillations of particle trajectory produced by a nonequilibrium extrapolation method when particles cross the periodic boundary. Simulation results show that the present PCM is equivalent to the body force method (BFM) for flow in a periodic straight channel with a uniform cross section. However, the BFM would significantly underestimate the fluid velocity for a flow and, hence, cannot accurately predict the particle trajectory in a periodic complex channel with a nonuniform cross section, especially at high Reynolds numbers.
Conditioned structure functions in turbulent hydrogen/air flames
Authors: Sabelnikov Vladimir A. , Lipatnikov Andrei N. , Nikitin Nikolay V. , Hernández-Pérez Francisco E. , Im Hong G.
Published: July 2022

Direct numerical simulation data obtained from two turbulent, lean hydrogen–air flames propagating in a box are analyzed to explore the influence of combustion-induced thermal expansion on turbulence in unburned gas. For this purpose, Helmholtz–Hodge decomposition is applied to the computed velocity fields. Subsequently, the second-order structure functions conditioned to unburned reactants are sampled from divergence-free solenoidal velocity field or irrotational potential velocity field, yielded by the decomposition. Results show that thermal expansion significantly affects the conditioned potential structure functions not only inside the mean flame brushes but also upstream of them. Upstream of the flames, first, transverse structure functions for transverse potential velocities grow with distance r between sampling points more slowly when compared to the counterpart structure functions sampled from the entire or solenoidal velocity field. Second, the former growth rate depends substantially on the distance from the flame-brush leading edge, even at small r. Third, potential root mean square (rms) velocities increase with the decrease in distance from the flame-brush leading edge and are comparable with solenoidal rms velocities near the leading edge. Fourth, although the conditioned axial and transverse potential rms velocities are always close to one another, thus implying isotropy of the potential velocity field in unburned reactants, the potential structure functions exhibit a high degree of anisotropy. Fifth, thermal expansion effects are substantial even for the solenoidal structure functions and even upstream of a highly turbulent flame. These findings call for development of advanced models of turbulence in flames, which allow for the discussed thermal expansion effects.
Numerical analysis of ligament instability and breakup in shear flow
Authors: Yanaoka Hideki , Nakayama Kosuke
Published: July 2022

In this study, we perform a numerical analysis of the instability of a ligament in a shear flow and investigate the effects of air–liquid shear on the growth rate of the ligament interface, breakup time, and droplet diameter formed by the breakup. The ligament is stretched in the flow direction by the shearing of airflow. Furthermore, as the influence of the shear flow increases, the ligament becomes deformed into a liquid sheet, and a perforation forms at the center of the liquid sheet. The liquid sheet breaks up due to the growth of the perforation and contracts under the influence of surface tension, forming two ligaments with diameters smaller than that of the original ligament. The shearing of the airflow causes the original ligament to elongate, and the cross section of the ligament becomes elliptical, which increases instability. As a result, the growth rate of the ligament exceeds the theoretical value and increases with increasing the wavenumber of the initial disturbance. Therefore, the diameter of the formed droplets in the shear flow decreases due to the increase in the wavenumber that governs the breakup of the ligament, and as the growth rate increases, the breakup time for the ligament decreases. As the velocity difference of the shear flow increases, constrictions of the ligament form earlier and the diameter of the satellite droplet increases. As the diameter of the satellite droplet increases and that of the main droplet decreases, the dispersion of the droplet diameter decreases, making the diameter uniform.
Simplified method for wetting on curved boundaries in conservative phase-field lattice-Boltzmann simulation of two-phase flows with large density ratios
Authors: Huang Jun-Jie , Zhang Liangqi
Published: July 2022

A simplified method is proposed to implement a wetting boundary condition on curved surfaces within the conservative phase-field lattice-Boltzmann (LB) simulation framework. It combines the idea of Huang et al. [“An alternative method to implement contact angle boundary condition and its application in hybrid lattice-Boltzmann finite-difference simulations of two-phase flows with immersed surfaces,” Eur. Phys. J. E 41, 17 (2018)] to find the order parameter on the other side of the wall with the conservative Allen–Cahn equation (CACE) for interface evolution solved by the LB equations. It inherits the advantage of the original method using the Cahn–Hilliard equation to avoid complicated interpolations under different geometries. By using the CACE, the boundary condition for the chemical potential is circumvented (making it more simplified), and the overshooting of the order parameter is also greatly suppressed, enabling it to simulate two-phase flows with solid objects of various shapes and wettabilities at large density and viscosity ratios. Several two-dimensional, axisymmetric, and three-dimensional problems, including some previously studied by experiments, were simulated and the capability of the proposed method is demonstrated through its good agreement with theoretical predictions and/or experimental observations.
Direct numerical simulation of shock-wave/boundary layer interaction controlled with convergent–divergent riblets
Authors: Guo Tongbiao , Fang Jian , Zhang Ji , Li Xinliang
Published: July 2022

In this paper, a section of convergent–divergent (C–D) riblets is applied upstream of a compression ramp in a supersonic turbulent boundary layer in a Mach 2.9 flow with a Reynolds number of Reθ=2240. Direct numerical simulations are undertaken to examine the impact of C–D riblets on the shock wave/boundary layer interaction and the feasibility of using them to mitigate flow separation. Over the riblet section, a large-scale secondary roll mode is produced by C–D riblets with the downwelling motion occurring around the diverging region and upwelling motion near the converging region. This consequently leads to a spanwise heterogeneity in mean quantities and turbulent structures over the riblet section and also in the interaction zone. Compared with the baseline case, the area of the separation zone for the riblet case experiences a dramatic local reduction of 92% in the diverging region, owing to the downwelling motion that injects the high-momentum fluid toward the wall and the near-wall spanwise velocity that transports the low-momentum fluid away. The enhanced upwelling motion around the converging region induced by C–D riblets, on the one hand, contributes to the decrease of the near-wall momentum and subsequently the increase of the local separation area. On the other hand, the upwelling motion effectively reduces the incoming Mach number upstream of the compression corner. This appears to reduce the strength of the separation shock, leading to a more gradual compression of the incoming flow that helps ease the enlargement of the separation area nearby. Overall, the area of the mean flow separation is reduced by 56%, indicating an effective flow separation control by the C–D riblets.
High frequency Rayleigh scattering measurements of density fluctuations in high-pressure premixed combustion
Authors: Park Han June , Bae Sangeun , Do Hyungrok , Hwang Wontae
Published: July 2022

Measuring physical flow properties, such as density and temperature, at high frequency in high temperature and pressure environments is very challenging. Rapid fluctuations of these properties often have an impact on combustion efficiency and stability. We hereby attempt to measure density fluctuations in high-pressure premixed combustion using high temporal resolution laser Rayleigh scattering. The Rayleigh scattering intensity was assessed by counting individual photons due to the low signal to noise ratio. The measurement system was first verified at various air pressures without combustion. Combustion experiments were then conducted at four different pressures, from 1 to 7 bar. The density fluctuations increased with pressure, but the dominant fluctuation frequency decreased. Proper orthogonal decomposition analysis of high-speed schlieren images of the flame front was used to verify the results.
Development and validation of the electronic screening index of frailty
Authors: Serra-Prat Mateu , Lavado Àngel , Cabré Mateu , Burdoy Emili , Palomera Elisabet , Papiol Mònica , Parera Joan Marc
Published: July 2022

Background

primary care screening for frailty status is recommended in clinical guidelines, but is impeded by doctor and nurse workloads and the lack of valid, easy-to-use and time-saving screening tools.

Aim

to develop and validate a new electronic tool (the electronic screening index of frailty, e-SIF) using routinely available electronic health data to automatically and massively identify frailty status in the population aged ≥65 years.

Methods

the e-SIF was developed in three steps: selection of clinical conditions; establishment of ICD-10 codes, criteria and algorithms for their definition; and electronic tool design and data extraction, transformation and load processes. The validation phase included an observational cohort study with retrospective data collection from computerised primary care medical records. The study population included inhabitants aged ≥65 years corresponding to three primary care centres (n = 9,315). Evaluated was the relationship between baseline e-SIF categories and mortality, institutionalisation, hospitalisation and health resource consumption after 2 years.

Results

according to the e-SIF, which includes 42 clinical conditions, frailty prevalence increases with age and is slightly greater in women. The 2-year adjusted hazard ratios for pre-frail, frail and very frail subjects, respectively, were as follows: 2.23 (95% CI: 1.74–2.85), 3.34 (2.44–4.56) and 6.49 (4.30–9.78) for mortality; 2.80 (2.39–3.27), 5.53 (4.59–6.65) and 9.14 (7.06–11.8) for hospitalisation; and 1.02 (0.70–1.49), 1.93 (1.21–3.08) and 2.69 (1.34–5.40) for institutionalisation.

Conclusions

the e-SIF shows good agreement with mortality, institutionalisation, hospitalisation and health resource consumption, indicating satisfactory validity. More studies in larger populations are needed to corroborate our findings.
Development of Harmonized COVID-19 Occupational Questionnaires
Authors: Schlünssen Vivi , du Prel Jean Baptist , van Tongeren Martie , Godderis Lode , Turner Michelle C , McElvenny Damien
Published: July 2022

Harmonized tools and approaches for data collection can help to detect similarities and differences within and between countries and support the development, implementation, and assessment of effective and consistent preventive strategies. We developed open source occupational questionnaires on COVID-19 within COVID-19 working groups in the OMEGA-NET COST action (Network on the Coordination and Harmonisation of European Occupational Cohorts, omeganetcohorts.eu), and the EU funded EPHOR project (Exposome project for health and occupational research, ephor-project.eu). We defined domains to be included in order to cover key working life aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Where possible, we selected questionnaire items and instruments from existing questionnaire resources. Both a general occupational COVID-19 questionnaire and a specific occupational COVID-19 questionnaire are available. The general occupational COVID-19 questionnaire covers key working life aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the domains: COVID-19 diagnosis and prevention, Health and demographics, Use of personal protective equipment and face covering, Health effects, Work-related effects (e.g. change in work schedule and work–life balance), Financial effects, Work-based risk factors (e.g. physical distancing, contact with COVID-19-infected persons), Psychosocial risk factors, Lifestyle risk factors, and Personal evaluation of the impact of COVID-19. For each domain, additional questions are available. The specific occupational COVID-19 questionnaire focusses on occupational risk factors and mitigating factors for SARS-CoV2 infection and COVID-19 disease and includes questions about the type of job, amount of home working, social distancing, human contact (colleagues, patients, and members of the public), commuting, and use of personal protective equipment and face coverings. The strength of this initiative is the broad working life approach to various important issues related to SARS-CoV-2 infection, COVID-19 disease, and potentially future pandemics. It requires further work to validate the questionnaires, and we welcome collaboration with researchers willing to do this. A limitation is the moderate number of questions for each of the domains in the general questionnaire. Only few questions on general core information like ethnicity, demographics, lifestyle factors, and general health status are included, but the OMEGA-NET questionnaires can be integrated in existing questionnaires about sociodemographic and health-related aspects. The questionnaires are freely accessible from the OMEGA-NET and the EPHOR homepages.
Detection of ochratoxin A by fluorescence sensing based on mesoporous materials
Authors: Wu Jinhai , Zhao Jiamei , Liu Mingzhu , Zhao Zunquan , Qiu Yu , Li Hanle , Wu Jin , Bai Jialei
Published: July 2022

We developed a new ochratoxin A (OTA) aptamer biosensor to promptly detect OTA in food. Mesoporous silica nanoparticles were used as carriers, and aptamers were used as recognition probes and gating molecules. The fluorescent dye rhodamine 6G was loaded into mesoporous silica, and through electrostatic contact, the OTA aptamer was adsorbed on amino-modified mesoporous silica. The fluorescent dye released from the mesopore in the presence of OTA because of the conformational change induced in the aptamer by the target. The amount of ochratoxin was determined by measuring the fluorescence intensity. Our findings revealed a positive relationship between the fluorescence intensity and OTA concentration, with a limit of detection of 0.28 ng mL−1, and the detection range was 0.05–200 ng mL−1. The recovery rate was 80.7%–110.8% in real samples. The proposed approach is suitable for the quantification of other toxins.
Quantitative morphokinetic parameters identify novel dynamics of oocyte meiotic maturation and cumulus expansion
Authors: Suebthawinkul Chanakarn , Babayev Elnur , Zhou Luhan Tracy , Lee Hoi Chang , Duncan Francesca E
Published: July 2022

Meiotic maturation and cumulus expansion are essential for the generation of a developmentally competent gamete, and both processes can be recapitulated in vitro. We used a closed time-lapse incubator (EmbryoScope+™) to establish morphokinetic parameters of meiotic progression and cumulus expansion in mice and correlated these outcomes with egg ploidy. The average time to germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD), time to first polar body extrusion (PBE), and duration of meiosis I were 0.91 ± 0.01, 8.82 ± 0.06, and 7.93 ± 0.06 h, respectively. The overall rate of cumulus layer expansion was 0.091 ± 0.002 μm/min, and the velocity of expansion peaked during the first 8 h of in vitro maturation (IVM) and then slowed. IVM of oocytes exposed to Nocodazole, a microtubule disrupting agent, and cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) to 4-methylumbelliferone, a hyaluronan synthesis inhibitor, resulted in a dose-dependent perturbation of morphokinetics, thereby validating the system. The incidence of euploidy following IVM was >90% for both denuded oocytes and intact COCs. No differences were observed between euploid and aneuploid eggs with respect to time to GVBD (0.90 ± 0.22 vs. 0.97 ± 0.19 h), time to PBE (8.89 ± 0.98 vs. 9.10 ± 1.42 h), duration of meiosis I (8.01 ± 0.91 vs. 8.13 ± 1.38 h), and overall rate and kinetics of cumulus expansion (0.089 ± 0.02 vs 0.088 ± 0.03 μm/min) (P > 0.05). These morphokinetic parameters provide novel quantitative and non-invasive metrics for the evaluation of meiotic maturation and cumulus expansion and will enable screening compounds that modulate these processes.
Comparing life history traits and tolerance to changing environments of two oyster species (Ostrea edulis and Crassostrea gigas) through Dynamic Energy Budget theory
Authors: Stechele Brecht , Maar Marie , Wijsman Jeroen , Van der Zande Dimitry , Degraer Steven , Bossier Peter , Nevejan Nancy
Published: July 2022

To predict the response of the European flat oyster (Ostrea edulis) and Pacific cupped oyster (Crassostrea gigas/Magallana gigas) populations to environmental changes, it is key to understand their life history traits. The Dynamic Energy Budget (DEB) theory is a mechanistic framework that enables the quantification of the bioenergetics of development, growth and reproduction from fertilization to death across different life stages. This study estimates the DEB parameters for the European flat oyster, based on a comprehensive dataset, while DEB parameters for the Pacific cupped oyster were extracted from the literature. The DEB parameters for both species were validated using growth rates from laboratory experiments at several constant temperatures and food levels as well as with collected aquaculture data from the Limfjorden, Denmark, and the German Bight. DEB parameters and the Arrhenius temperature parameters were compared to get insight in the life history traits of both species. It is expected that increasing water temperatures due to climate change will be beneficial for both species. Lower assimilation rates and high energy allocation to soma explain O. edulis’ slow growth and low reproductive output. Crassostrea gigas’ high assimilation rate, low investment in soma and extremely low reserve mobility explains the species’ fast growth, high tolerance to starvation and high reproductive output. Hence, the reproductive strategies of both species are considerably different. Flat oysters are especially susceptible to unfavourable environmental conditions during the brooding period, while Pacific oysters’ large investment in reproduction make it well adapted to highly diverse environments. Based on the life history traits, aquaculture and restoration of O. edulis should be executed in environments with suitable and stable conditions.
Development of the Multidimensional Inventory of Deaf Acculturative Stress
Authors: Aldalur Aileen , Pick Lawrence H
Published: July 2022

Deaf adults may experience acculturative stress as they navigate within and between the Hearing and Deaf communities. However, no measure has been developed to assess levels of deaf acculturative stress. This study aimed to develop the Multidimensional Inventory of Deaf Acculturative Stress (MIDAS). The MIDAS was developed through a sequential and iterative scale development procedure and then tested on a sample of 104 deaf adults across the United States (age range = 18–79; 74% female). Principal component analyses were run for item refinement and selection. The final analyses yielded four factors for Stress from the Hearing Community, three factors for Stress from the Deaf Community, and two factors for Intersectionality. Construct validity was demonstrated through correlations in the expected directions with measures of Hearing and Deaf acculturation identity and ethnic/racial identity. The utility of the MIDAS is discussed with regard to future research.
Perspectives of D/HH-Students on Mainstream Higher Education: A Qualitative Study
Authors: van den Heuij Kirsten M L , Neijenhuis Karin , Coene Martine
Published: July 2022

Social, contextual, and technological changes affected the educational context for students who are deaf or hard of hearing (D/HH) in higher education in many countries. Although, several barriers to academic success already have been identified, the perspectives of D/HH-students on inclusion, educational facilities, and support are important to overcome them. This interview-based qualitative study describes the perspectives of 32 D/HH-students in mainstream higher education in The Netherlands. Within the dichotomy of environmental factors and personal factors, data have been analysed. Students experienced social acceptance by others with typical hearing, although participating in social events sometimes caused feelings of loneliness or separation. Access arrangements and adjustments in educational programs were necessary to cope with the experienced fatigue, participate during lectures or increase speech intelligibility of the lecturer. Especially poor classroom acoustics and limited intelligibility of speech hampered students during lectures. Students expressed their dissatisfaction about the way access arrangements and adjustments were arranged, yet at the same time, they do not know what the requested help should look like. A co-created policy in which D/HH-students, student support officers, and institutional policy makers are involved, would support D/HH-students in mainstream higher education in The Netherlands and abroad in their needs.
Social determinants of health and catheter ablation after an incident diagnosis of atrial fibrillation: a Danish nationwide cohort study
Authors: Vinter Nicklas , Calvert Peter , Kronborg Mads Brix , Cosedis-Nielsen Jens , Gupta Dhiraj , Ding Wern Yew , Trinquart Ludovic , Johnsen Søren Paaske , Frost Lars , Lip Gregory Y H
Published: July 2022

Aims

To examine (i) the sex-specific associations between three social determinants of health (SDOH) and use of ablation after incident atrial fibrillation (AF), and (ii) the temporal trends in these associations.

Methods and results

We conducted a nationwide cohort study of patients with an incident hospital diagnosis of AF between 2005 and 2018. SDOH at the time of AF diagnosis included three levels of educational attainment, tertile groups of family income, and whether the patient was living alone. Outcome was catheter ablation for AF. We used cause-specific proportional hazard models to estimate hazard ratios (HR) with 95% CI and adjusted for age. To examine temporal trends, we included an interaction term between the exposure and calendar years. Among 122 276 men, those with lower education [HR 0.49 (95%CI 0.45–0.53)] and 0.72 (0.68–0.77) for lower and medium vs. higher], lower income [HR 0.31 (0.27–0.34) and 0.56 (0.52–0.60) for lower and medium vs. higher], and who lived alone [HR 0.60 (0.55–0.64)] were less likely to receive AF ablation. Among 98 476 women, those with lower education [HR 0.45 (0.40–0.50) and 0.83 (0.75–0.91) for lower and medium vs. higher], lower income [HR 0.34 (0.28–0.40) and 0.51 (0.46–0.58) for lower and medium vs. higher], and who lived alone [HR 0.67 (0.61–0.74)] were less likely to receive AF ablation. We found no evidence of temporal trends in the associations.

Conclusion

In the Danish universal healthcare system, patients with AF who had lower educational attainment, lower family income, or were living alone were less likely to undergo AF ablation.
Effect of temperature on microbial reductive dehalogenation of chlorinated ethenes: a review
Authors: Bin Hudari Mohammad Sufian , Richnow Hans , Vogt Carsten , Nijenhuis Ivonne
Published: July 2022

Temperature is a key factor affecting microbial activity and ecology. An increase in temperature generally increases rates of microbial processes up to a certain threshold, above which rates decline rapidly. In the subsurface, temperature of groundwater is usually stable and related to the annual average temperature at the surface. However, anthropogenic activities related to the use of the subsurface, e.g. for thermal heat management, foremost heat storage, will affect the temperature of groundwater locally. This minireview intends to summarize the current knowledge on reductive dehalogenation activities of the chlorinated ethenes, common urban groundwater contaminants, at different temperatures. This includes an overview of activity and dehalogenation extent at different temperatures in laboratory isolates and enrichment cultures, the effect of shifts in temperature in micro- and mesocosm studies as well as observed biotransformation at different natural and induced temperatures at contaminated field sites. Furthermore, we address indirect effects on biotransformation, e.g. changes in fermentation, methanogenesis, and sulfate reduction as competing or synergetic microbial processes. Finally, we address the current gaps in knowledge regarding bioremediation of chlorinated ethenes, microbial community shifts, and bottlenecks for active combination with thermal energy storage, and necessities for bioaugmentation and/or natural repopulations after exposure to high temperature.
The contribution of DNA repair pathways to genome editing and evolution in filamentous pathogens
Authors: Huang Jun , Cook David E
Published: July 2022

DNA double-strand breaks require repair or risk corrupting the language of life. To ensure genome integrity and viability, multiple DNA double-strand break repair pathways function in eukaryotes. Two such repair pathways, canonical non-homologous end joining and homologous recombination, have been extensively studied, while other pathways such as microhomology-mediated end joint and single-strand annealing, once thought to serve as back-ups, now appear to play a fundamental role in DNA repair. Here, we review the molecular details and hierarchy of these four DNA repair pathways, and where possible, a comparison for what is known between animal and fungal models. We address the factors contributing to break repair pathway choice, and aim to explore our understanding and knowledge gaps regarding mechanisms and regulation in filamentous pathogens. We additionally discuss how DNA double-strand break repair pathways influence genome engineering results, including unexpected mutation outcomes. Finally, we review the concept of biased genome evolution in filamentous pathogens, and provide a model, termed Biased Variation, that links DNA double-strand break repair pathways with properties of genome evolution. Despite our extensive knowledge for this universal process, there remain many unanswered questions, for which the answers may improve genome engineering and our understanding of genome evolution.
Integrating Technology Adoption Models Into Implementation Science Methodologies: A Mixed-Methods Preimplementation Study
Authors: Gallant Natasha L , Hadjistavropoulos Thomas , Stopyn Rhonda J N , Feere Emma K
Published: July 2022

Background and Objectives

Sustainable implementation of patient-oriented technologies in health care settings is challenging. Preimplementation studies guided by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) can provide opportunities to address barriers and leverage facilitators that can maximize the likelihood of successful implementation. When looking to implement patient-oriented technologies, preimplementation studies may also benefit from guidance from a conceptual framework specific to technology adoption such as the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology. This study was, therefore, aimed at identifying determinants for the successful implementation of a patient-oriented technology (i.e., automated pain behavior monitoring [APBM] system) within a health care setting (i.e., long-term care [LTC] facility).

Research Design and Methods

Using a mixed-methods study design, 164 LTC nurses completed a set of questionnaires and 68 LTC staff participated in individual interviews involving their perceptions of an APBM system in LTC environments. Quantitative data were analyzed using a series of mediation analyses and narrative responses were examined using directed content analysis.

Results

Performance expectancy and effort expectancy partially and fully mediated the influence of implementation, readiness for organizational change, and technology readiness constructs on behavioral intentions to use the APBM system in LTC environments. Findings from the qualitative portion of this study provide guidance for the development of an intervention that is grounded in the CFIR.

Discussion and Implications

Based on our results, we offer recommendations for the implementation of patient-oriented technologies in health care settings.