bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
RETRACTED: Adoption of blockchain + Internet of Things in demand forecasting of farm supply chain
Authors: Wang Hao , Liu Tao , Yu Zhongyang
Published: November 2022

It aims to improve the application efficiency of modern science and technology in farm operation, enhance the prediction effect of machine learning and blockchain technology on farm supply and demand issues, and help enterprise managers to better manage and operate enterprise projects. First, the agricultural super business model under the blockchain + Internet of Things (IoT) is analysed, and the farm management system of the IoT + blockchain is constructed. Then, the demand forecasting model of agricultural products is established. Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average model (ARIMA) and Support Vector Machine (SVM) models are used to predict demand. Finally, the characteristics of the two models in prediction are discussed. The results show that the ARIMA model can reach 99.2% in the application efficiency evaluation of farm operation. Moreover, in the case of proper selection of model indicators, the prediction result is close to the actual value, the prediction error fluctuation is small, and the maximum error value is 0.4318. The local error of SVM model in predicting the demand of farm supply chain is slightly larger, and the maximum error value is 8.5430. By comparing the error results of the two models, the prediction accuracy of ARIMA model is higher than that of SVM model. The ARIMA model designed in this work can provide effective product demand prediction for farm operation and provide a strong technical reference for farm operation. The research not only provides technical support for machine learning and blockchain technology to predict farm supply and demand, but also contributes to the integrated management and sustainable development of enterprises.
A re‐examination of the mechanism of whiting events: A new role for diatoms in Fayetteville Green Lake (New York, USA)
Authors: Stanton Chloe , Barnes Ben Davis , Kump Lee R. , Cosmidis Julie
Published: November 2022

Whiting events—the episodic precipitation of fine‐grained suspended calcium carbonates in the water column—have been documented across a variety of marine and lacustrine environments. Whitings likely are a major source of carbonate muds, a constituent of limestones, and important archives for geochemical proxies of Earth history. While several biological and physical mechanisms have been proposed to explain the onset of these precipitation events, no consensus has been reached thus far. Fayetteville Green Lake (New York, USA) is a meromictic lake that experiences annual whitings. Materials suspended in the water column collected through the whiting season were characterized using scanning electron microscopy and scanning transmission X‐ray microscopy. Whitings in Fayetteville Green Lake are initiated in the spring within the top few meters of the water column, by precipitation of fine amorphous calcium carbonate (ACC) phases nucleating on microbial cells, as well as on abundant extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) frequently associated with centric diatoms. Whiting particles found in the summer consist of 5–7 μm calcite grains forming aggregates with diatoms and EPS. Simple calculations demonstrate that calcite particles continuously grow over several days, then sink quickly through the water column. In the late summer, partial calcium carbonate dissolution is observed deeper in the water column. Settling whiting particles, however, reach the bottom of the lake, where they form a major constituent of the sediment, along with diatom frustules. The role of diatoms and associated EPS acting as nucleation surfaces for calcium carbonates is described for the first time here as a potential mechanism participating in whitings at Fayetteville Green Lake. This mechanism may have been largely overlooked in other whiting events in modern and ancient environments.
Loop optimization of Trichoderma reesei endoglucanases for balancing the activity–stability trade‐off through cross‐strategy between machine learning and the B‐factor analysis
Authors: Gao Le , Guo Qi , Xu Ruinan , Dong Haofan , Zhou Chichun , Yu Zhuohang , Zhang Zhaokun , Wang Lixian , Chen Xiaoyi , Wu Xin
Published: November 2022

Trichoderma reesei endoglucanases (EGs) have limited industrial applications due to its low thermostability and activity. Here, we aimed to improve the thermostability of EGs from T. reesei without reducing its activity counteracting the activity–stability trade‐off. A cross‐strategy combination of machine learning and B‐factor analysis was used to predict beneficial amino acid substitution in EG loop optimization. Experimental validation showed single‐site mutated EG concomitantly improved enzymatic activity and thermal properties by 17.21%–18.06% and 49.85%–62.90%, respectively, compared with wild‐type EGs. Furthermore, the mechanism explained mutant variants had lower root mean square deviation values and a more stable overall structure than the wild type. According to this study, EGs loop optimization is crucial for balancing the activity–stability trade‐off, which may provide new insights into how loop region function interacts with enzymatic characteristics. Moreover, the cross‐strategy between machine learning and B‐factor analysis improved superior enzyme activity–stability performance, which integrated structure‐dependent and sequence‐dependent information.
Iontophoresis in dermal delivery: A review of applications in dermato‐cosmetic and aesthetic sciences
Authors: Liatsopoulou Aikaterini , Varvaresou Athanasia , Mellou Fotini , Protopapa Evangelia
Published: November 2022

Objective

Iontophoresis is defined as the use of electric current to drive molecules across cell membranes through an electrolyte solution. In therapeutic context, it is used to facilitate the administration of bioactive substances, either systemically or locally. The technique presents various advantages and that is why it has been successfully used by a plethora of medical sciences. The constantly developing field of dermato‐cosmetic science has also taken advantage of the possibilities offered by iontophoresis, aiming to enhance the delivery of the applied active ingredients and, thus, induce the desired cosmetic effects.

Methods

The available literature was examined for evidence‐based reports of safe and successful iontophoresis of pharmaceutical and cosmetic substances, in order to explore different iontophoretic applications in the field of dermato‐cosmetic and dermato‐aesthetic sciences.

Conclusion

Iontophoresis can be safely and successfully used in the treatment of ageing, photoageing, hyperpigmentation, oxidative stress, hair loss, hair removal, acne, acne sequelae and cellulite, providing many possibilities for enhanced treatment results.
Neutrophil‐T cell crosstalk and the control of the host inflammatory response
Authors: Bert Serena , Nadkarni Suchita , Perretti Mauro
Published: November 2022

While fundamental in their innate role in combating infection and responding to injury, neutrophils are emerging as key modulators of adaptive immune responses. Such functions are attained via both soluble and nonsoluble effectors that enable at least two major downstream outcomes: first, to mediate and control acute inflammatory responses and second, to regulate adaptive immunity and ultimately promoting the development and maintenance of immune tolerance either by releasing immuno‐modulatory factors, including cytokines, or by directly interacting with cells of the adaptive immune system. Herein, we review these novel properties of neutrophils and redefine the pathophysiological functions of these fascinating multi‐tasking cells, exploring the different mechanisms through which neutrophils are able to either enhance and orchestrate T cell pro‐inflammatory responses or inhibit T cell activity to maintain immune tolerance.
Distributional robustness and lateral transshipment for disaster relief logistics planning under demand ambiguity
Authors: Wang Duo , Yang Kai , Yang Lixing , Li Shukai
Published: November 2022

This paper considers facility location, inventory pre‐positioning and vehicle routing as strategic and operational decisions corresponding to preparedness and response phases in disaster relief logistics planning. For balancing surpluses and shortages, an effective lateral transshipment strategy is proposed to evenly distribute the relief resources between warehouses after the disaster occurs. To handle ambiguity in the probability distribution of demand, we develop a risk‐averse two‐stage distributionally robust optimization (DRO) model for the disaster relief logistics planning problem, which specifies the worst‐case mean‐conditional value‐at‐risk (CVaR) as a risk measure. For computationally tractability, we transform the robust counterpart into its equivalent linear mixed‐integer programming model under the discrepancy‐based ambiguity set centered at the nominal (empirical) distributions on the observed demand from the historical data. We verify the effectiveness of the proposed DRO model and the value of lateral transshipment strategy by an illustrative small‐scale example. The numerical results show that the proposed DRO model has advantage on avoiding over‐conservative solutions compared to the classic robust optimization model. We also illustrate the applicability of the proposed DRO model by a real‐world case study of hurricanes in the southeastern United States. The computational results demonstrate that the proposed DRO model has superior out‐of‐sample performance and can mitigate the adverse effects of Optimizers' Curse compared with the traditional stochastic programming model.
Genetic patterns of Magnolia in the Lesser Antilles: Stepwise colonisation leading to highly inbred island ‘populations’
Authors: Veltjen Emily , Tamaki Ichiro , Asselman Pieter , Goetghebeur Paul , Samain Marie‐Stéphanie , Larridon Isabel
Published: November 2022

Aim

Islands are ‘nature's laboratories of evolution’. Most island biogeographical studies have focussed on remote volcanic island chains. Here, we challenge island biogeographical patterns using a slowly evolving recent colonist present on five islands in a nonlinear chronosequence island chain.

Location

The Lesser Antilles (Caribbean).

Taxon

Magnolia dodecapetala (Magnoliaceae).

Methods

Genetic diversity was characterised using Sanger sequencing of 21 individuals amplified for 11 DNA markers, plus microsatellite data of 195 individuals genotyped with 19 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. Sanger sequencing data were used to construct a Bayesian phylogenetic hypothesis, while SSR markers were used to run approximate Bayesian computation (ABC) demographic analyses and calculate population statistics.

Results

Both types of molecular data support stepwise colonisation, decoupled from known island ages. The ABC analyses support a north to south migration while the Sanger sequencing data indicate a mixture of island progression rule and stepping stone dispersal. The SSR data show strong genetic structuring per island and significant inbreeding in all populations except in Saint Lucia. The lowest genetic diversity is found in the population from Saint Vincent. A high amount of genetic linkage occurs in a subpopulation from Dominica.

Main Conclusions

Biogeographical patterns in the complex geological setting of the Lesser Antilles are uncovered using a slowly evolving study species. All genetic data support treating each island as distinct Management Units for conservation and call for a re‐evaluation of the species limits. Inbreeding threatens the survival of island populations and the populations of Saint Vincent and Dominica represent conservation priorities.
DNA methylation in clonal duckweed (Lemna minor L.) lineages reflects current and historical environmental exposures
Authors: Van Antro Morgane , Prelovsek Stella , Ivanovic Slavica , Gawehns Fleur , Wagemaker Niels C. A. M. , Mysara Mohamed , Horemans Nele , Vergeer Philippine , Verhoeven Koen J. F.
Published: November 2022

Environmentally induced DNA methylation variants may mediate gene expression responses to environmental changes. If such induced variants are transgenerationally stable, there is potential for expression responses to persist over multiple generations. Our current knowledge in plants, however, is almost exclusively based on studies conducted in sexually reproducing species where the majority of DNA methylation changes are subject to resetting in germlines, limiting the potential for transgenerational epigenetics stress memory. Asexual reproduction circumvents germlines, and may therefore be more conducive to long‐term inheritance of epigenetic marks. Taking advantage of the rapid clonal reproduction of the common duckweed Lemna minor, we hypothesize that long‐term, transgenerational stress memory from exposure to high temperature can be detected in DNA methylation profiles. Using a reduced representation bisulphite sequencing approach (epiGBS), we show that temperature stress induces DNA hypermethylation at many CG and CHG cytosine contexts but not CHH. Additionally, differential methylation in CHG context that was observed was still detected in a subset of cytosines, even after 3–12 generations of culturing in a common environment. This demonstrates a memory effect of stress reflected in the methylome and that persists over multiple clonal generations. Structural annotation revealed that this memory effect in CHG methylation was enriched in transposable elements. The observed epigenetic stress memory is probably caused by stable transgenerational persistence of temperature‐induced DNA methylation variants across clonal generations. To the extent that such epigenetic memory has functional consequences for gene expression and phenotypes, this result suggests potential for long‐term modulation of stress responses in asexual plants.
Oral Candida and psoriasis: Is there association? A systematic review and trial sequential analysis
Authors: Patini Romeo , Gioco Gioele , Rupe Cosimo , Contaldo Maria , Serpico Rosario , Giuliani Michele , Lajolo Carlo
Published: November 2022

To assess (i) the prevalence of oral colonization by Candida spp. in patients with psoriasis and (ii) the prevalence of oral lesions associated with Candida spp. in patients with psoriasis and identify the risk factors for oral lesions. A systematic review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA criteria. The PROSPERO registration code is CRD42019127178. PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science were used as search engines. Meta‐analyses and trial sequential analyses were performed. Among the 5805 retrieved records, nine articles were included. Among 530 psoriatic patients, 255 patients had an oral Candida spp. colonisation with an odds ratio (OR) = 3.44 (95% CI:2.38–5.00). Among 490 psoriatic patients, 43 patients developed oral Candida spp. lesions with an OR = 5.31 (95% CI:1.04–27.23). Among the patients without the main predisposing factors for infections, psoriatic patients had a higher OR (3.48, 95% CI: 2.0–6.0) for Candida spp. colonization, but not for Candida spp. infection, when compared with healthy controls (p‐value > 0.05). Meta‐analysis showed a higher risk of Candida spp. colonisation in patients with psoriasis. Patients who received immunosuppressive therapies were also at higher risk of developing oral lesions. Further studies are needed to understand these associations.
Cold acclimation threshold induction temperatures of switchgrass ecotypes grown under a long and short photoperiod
Authors: Willick Ian R. , Lowry David B.
Published: November 2022

Plants can cold acclimate to enhance their freezing tolerance by sensing declining temperature and photoperiod cues. However, the factors influencing genotypic variation in the induction of cold acclimation are poorly understood among perennial grasses. We hypothesized that the more northern upland switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) ecotype develops a higher degree of freezing tolerance by initiating cold acclimation at higher temperatures as compared with the coastal and southern lowland ecotypes. First, we determined the optimal method for assessing freezing tolerance and the length of exposure to 8/4°C required to induce the maximum level of freezing tolerance in the most northern upland and most southern lowland genotypes. We characterized the maximum freezing tolerance of eight uplands, three coastal and five lowland genotypes grown for 21 days at 8/4°C and a 10 or 16 h photoperiod. Next, we identified the temperature required to induce cold acclimation by exposing the 16 genotypes for 7 days at 20–6°C constant temperatures under a 10 or 16 h photoperiod. Cold acclimation initiated at temperatures 5 and 7°C higher in upland than in coastal and lowland genotypes. Among upland genotypes the shorter photoperiod induced cold acclimation at a 1°C higher temperature. Genotypes originating from a more northern latitude initiate cold acclimation at higher temperatures and develop higher maximum freezing tolerances. An earlier response to declining temperatures may provide the upland ecotype with additional time to prepare for winter and provide an advantage when plants are subjected to the rapid changes in fall temperature associated with injurious frosts.
Stem notching decreases stem hydraulic conductance but does not influence drought impacts and post‐drought recovery in Scots pine and Norway spruce
Authors: Zlobin Ilya E. , Kartashov Alexander V. , Ivanov Yury V. , Ivanova Alexandra I. , Kuznetsov Vladimir V.
Published: November 2022

The tight connection between the deterioration of xylem function and plant mortality under drought is well recognized. However, a lack of mechanistic understanding of how substantial conductivity loss influences plant performance under drought and during post‐drought recovery hinders our ability to model tree responses to drought stress. We artificially induced a loss of 50% of xylem conducting area in Scots pine and Norway spruce saplings by stem notching and investigated plant performance under drought and during post‐drought recovery. Plant mortality, xylem hydraulic conductivity, leaf water status and stomatal conductance were measured. We observed no preferential mortality of top plant parts (above the notches) compared to basal plant parts (below the notches), and no consistent trend in hydraulic conductivity loss was observed between top and basal parts of dying plants. Stem hydraulic conductivity, water status of the needles and stomatal conductance changed similarly between the top and basal parts during drought and post‐drought recovery, which indicated the substantial hydraulic overcapacity of the stems. The recovery of stomatal conductance demonstrated prominent hysteresis due to non‐hydraulic stomatal limitations. The results obtained are highly important for modelling the influence of plant hydraulic impairment on plant performance under drought and during post‐drought recovery.
Alone or together: The role of gender and social context prior to Aha‐experiences
Authors: Skaar Øystein O. , Reber Rolf
Published: November 2022

Prior research indicates that boys show more interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) than girls do. Given that Aha‐experiences yield positive affect and increase interest, the question arises whether there are gender differences in Aha‐experiences that could help explain the gender differences in interest. Derived from social role theory, we hypothesized that men report having Aha‐experiences alone, whereas women report having Aha‐experiences together with others. In a retrospective survey study comprising three independent samples (N = 899), we conducted chi‐square analyses to explore the relationship of gender, social context (alone; not alone), domain, and situational interest. Across all participants, we found that men were more probably alone and women more probably together with others when they had an Aha‐experience. More fine‐grained analyses revealed that the effect was especially pronounced when the Aha‐experience increased situational interest within STEM or the personal domain. The study suggests that social context played a different role in the occurrence of Aha‐experiences in men and women. We discuss the implications of our findings for STEM instruction at school.
Aerodynamic and Aeroelastic Effects of Inlet Guide Vane Mistuning in a Transonic Compressor
Authors: Franke Daniel , Foret Jonas , Klausmann Fabian , Schiffer Heinz-Peter , Giersch Thomas , Becker Bernd
Published: November 2022

This study applies aerodynamic mistuning using different pattern with circumferentially varying stagger angles of the inlet guide vanes. The experimental investigation is carried out at the Transonic Compressor Darmstadt, using a 1.5-stage modern front stage compressor with a BLISK rotor and variable inlet guide vanes as well as extensive instrumentation, both for aerodynamics and aeromechanics. The investigations indicate benefits with respect to NSV and influences on performance as well as steady and unsteady aerodynamics within the compressor stage, e.g. circumferentially varying operating conditions. Thus, the rotor encounters different loading conditions during one revolution, preventing the formation of coherent aerodynamic waves, able to excite and aeroelastically lock with the rotor. The circumferential variation in aerodynamics throughout the compressor stage is determined, both at steady-state and transient operating conditions. Ultimately, the goal is to derive a comprehensive understanding of underlying phenomena and aeroelastic effects, to derive feasible countermeasures for blade vibration.
Simulation of a Safe Start-Up Maneuver for a Brayton Heat Pump
Authors: Oehler Johannes , Tran A. Phong , Stathopoulos Panagiotis
Published: November 2022

With about 50% of the final energy used as heat in Europe, reducing fossil fuel consumption in this sector is crucial to achieve significant greenhouse gas emission reduction. Heat pumps using renewable electricity can potentially cover the heat demand below 500 °C.

The DLR’s prototype CoBra (Cottbus Brayton cycle heat pump) aims at demonstrating the feasibility of a turbomachine driven closed-loop Brayton cycle heat pump with a thermal output of 200 kW and a heat sink temperature of up to 350 °C. In order to achieve safe operation, transient operation of the heat pump, such as start-up, must be analyzed. Temperature gradients must be kept below a limit, defined mostly by thermal stresses in the heat exchangers. At the same time, compressor surge and resonant frequencies of rotating components must be avoided during transient maneuvers of the system.

In the current work, the heat pump prototype has been modeled with Modelica based on the component geometries and with the use of compressor and turbine maps obtained from 3D CFD simulations. For the start-up of the prototype, a suitable control strategy is developed and analyzed in order to minimize operational risks. Control parameters are compressor shaft speed, secondary mass flows and the turbine bypass.

It is shown that a turbine bypass is necessary to avoid compressor surge during start-up. The conflicting requirements of crossing natural frequencies quickly while ensuring tolerable temperature gradients in the heat exchangers can be met. The results also show that pressure rise delay through volume dynamics is in the order of seconds. Slow transient effects in the evolution of fluid and heat exchanger temperatures arise from the thermal inertia of the heat exchangers.
Numerical Investigation on Regenerative Heat-Driven Cryocoolers for Zero Boil-Off Storage of Liquid Hydrogen
Authors: Luo Jing , Chen Yanyan , Zhang Limin , Sankar Vigneshwaran , Prabhudharwadkar Deoras , Saxena Saumitra , Lacoste Deanna , Roberts William , Luo Ercang
Published: November 2022

Aiming at the zero boil-off demand of liquid hydrogen storage tank, this paper uses SAGE software to design and simulate 300 W @ 20 K regenerative heat-driven cryocoolers, verifying the principle feasibility of duplex free-piston Stirling cryocooler and thermoacoustic heat-driven pulse tube cryocooler for the zero boil-off storage of liquid hydrogen. The results show that under the design conditions of mean pressure of 5 MPa, the operating frequency of 50 Hz, the heating temperature of 500°C, and ambient temperature of 30°C, the exergy efficiency of the duplex free-piston Stirling cryocooler can reach 19.4%, while the exergy efficiency of the thermoacoustic heat-driven pulse tube cryocooler is 14.3%. However, because a fixed-parameter harmonic oscillator is used to couple the engine and the cryocooler in the duplex free-piston Stirling cryocooler, it is difficult to achieve multi-condition matching, which makes it very sensitive to changes in operating parameters such as mean pressure and heating temperature. In contrast, the thermoacoustic heat-driven pulse tube cryocooler is completely free of moving parts and has excellent adaptability to the operating conditions. Therefore, the thermoacoustic heat-driven pulse tube cryocooler may be a promising solution in the application field of zero boil-off storage of liquid hydrogen.
Low Reduced Frequency Theory of Airfoils Vibrating in Complex Modes
Authors: Corral Roque , Blando Yago , Pitarch Aitor
Published: November 2022

This paper extends a previous study on the unsteady aerodynamics of vibrating airfoils in the low reduced frequency regime to the case of complex modes, where the phase of the different points of the same airfoil is not constant. A complex mode-shape can be expressed as the combination of two rigid body modes shifted 90 degrees. Therefore, the stability of such modes is more complex to predict than that of the so-called real modes. The aerodynamic work-per-cycle has been deconstructed into its fundamental components, and its dependence on the reduced frequency described. The three distinct contributions to the work-per-cycle of a complex mode have been analysed theoretically and numerically. Firstly, the mean pressure yields a constant contribution to the work-per-cycle that is independent of the inter-blade phase angle and the reduced frequency. This term scales with the aerodynamic loading of the airfoil and is null for non-lifting airfoils. Secondly, the contribution of the two fundamental modes, whose mean value is proportional to the reduced frequency . Finally, the cross works of a fundamental mode over the displacements of the other. The low reduced frequency theory predicts that this term is independent of the frequency and symmetric with the inter-blade phase angle. The latter has been confirmed using linearised Navier-Stokes simulations, but the former has a constant term, as predicted by the theory, plus a small variation with the frequency that has been associated with acoustic resonances.
Erratum: (Description of all active life stages (except male) of the Pimeliaphilus lindquisti sp. nov. (Acari: Prostigmata: Pterygosomatidae) with review of host specificity and world distribution of the genus)
Authors: Khadem-Safdarkhani Hamid , Hajiqanbar Hamidreza , Mehrabadi Mohammad
Published: November 2022

N/A
Experimental acoustic modal analysis of a tenor saxophone
Authors: Lucchetta D. E. , Schiaroli L. , Battista G. , Martarelli M. , Castellini P.
Published: November 2022

This paper presents an application of the Experimental Acoustic Modal Analysis (AMA) on a vintage 10 M Conn tenor saxophone. This technique originates from the traditional Modal Analysis which is commonly adopted to determine the dynamic behaviour of solid structures. The methodology is based on the measurement of Frequency Response Functions (FRFs) as a ratio of the acoustic pressure, measured by means of a set of microphones positioned along the saxophone body, and the volume velocity produced by an acoustic source and measured at the instrument input. The microphones are housed on the stripped saxophone keys by means of tailored three-dimensional printed adapters. The AMA makes use of the FRFs to extract modal parameters, such as resonance frequencies, loss factors, and mode shapes. These parameters pertain to the cavity modes of the saxophone passive resonator. The analysis has been performed for three different notes (B♭, B, and C) and for two registers of the instrument in order to show the potential of the technique. Moreover, the influence of the mouthpiece volume on the cavity modes has been shown. The information obtained by AMA can find useful application in the validation of analytical or numerical models of this kind of musical instruments.
Early snowmelt and polar jet dynamics co-influence recent extreme Siberian fire seasons
Authors: Scholten Rebecca C. , Coumou Dim , Luo Fei , Veraverbeke Sander
Published: November 2022

The summers of 2019, 2020, and 2021 experienced unprecedented fire activity in northeastern Siberia, driven by record high spring and summer temperatures. Many of these fires burned in permafrost peatlands within the Arctic Circle. We show that early snowmelt together with an anomalous Arctic front jet over northeastern Siberia promoted unusually warm and dry surface conditions, followed by anomalously high lightning and fire activity. Since 1966, spring snowmelt has started 1.7 days earlier each decade. Moreover, Arctic front jet occurrences in summer have more than tripled in frequency over the last 40 years. These interconnected climatological drivers promote extreme fire activity in eastern Siberia, including a northward shift of fires, which may accelerate the degradation of carbon-rich permafrost peatlands.
The control of carpel determinacy pathway leads to sex determination
in cucurbits
Authors: Zhang Siqi , Tan Feng-Quan , Chung Ching-Hui , Slavkovic Filip , Devani Ravi Sureshbhai , Troadec Christelle , Marcel Fabien , Morin Halima , Camps Céline , Gomez Roldan Maria Victoria , Benhamed Moussa , Dogimont Catherine , Boualem Adnane , Bendahmane Abdelhafid
Published: November 2022

Male and female unisexual flowers evolved from hermaphroditic ancestors, and control of flower sex is useful for plant breeding. We isolated a female-to-male sex transition mutant in melon and identified the causal gene as the carpel identity gene
CRABS CLAW (CRC)
. We show that the master regulator of sex determination in cucurbits, the transcription factor
WIP1
whose expression orchestrates male flower development, recruits the corepressor TOPLESS to the
CRC
promoter to suppress its expression through histone deacetylation. Impairing TOPLESS-WIP1 physical interaction leads to
CRC
expression, carpel determination, and consequently the expression of the stamina inhibitor, the aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid synthase 7 (
CmACS7
), leading to female flower development. Our findings suggest that sex genes evolved to interfere with flower meristematic function, leading to unisexual flower development.
Why do neurons die?
Authors: Guttenplan Kevin
Published: November 2022

Astrocytes emerge as key mediators of neurodegeneration
Enhanced Fusobacterium nucleatum Genetics Using Host DNA Methyltransferases To Bypass Restriction-Modification Systems
Authors: Umaña Ariana , Nguyen Tam T. D. , Sanders Blake E. , Williams Kevin J. , Wozniak Bryce , Slade Daniel J.
Published: November 2022

Fusobacterium nucleatum
is an oral opportunistic pathogen associated with diseases that include cancer and preterm birth. Our understanding of how this bacterium modulates human disease has been hindered by a lack of genetic systems.
Structural Basis for Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus Antibody Specificity
Authors: Leuthold Mila M. , Kilic Turgay , Devant Jessica M. , Landeta Oscar , Parra Francisco , Dalton Kevin P. , Hansman Grant S.
Published: November 2022

Isolated RHDV antibodies have been used for decades to distinguish between antigenic variants, monitor temporal capsid evolution, and examine neutralizing capacities. In this study, we provided the structural basis for an RHDV GI.2 specific diagnostic antibody (2D9) binding and reveal that a small number of amino acid substitutions at the binding site could differentiate between RHDV GI.2 and GI.1b.
Draft Genome Sequence of Enterobacter mori AYS9, a Potential Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacterium
Authors: Fadiji Ayomide Emmanuel , Ayangbenro Ayansina Segun , Akanmu Akinlolu Olalekan , Babalola Olubukola Oluranti
Published: November 2022

Here, we report the draft genome sequence of
Enterobacter mori
AYS9, a rhizobacterium isolated from the rhizosphere of sorghum plants in South Africa. The genome sequence comprised 4,852,175 bp and exhibited a GC content of 55.5% and 4,567 genes, with 4,453 coding sequences, 3 rRNAs, 64 tRNAs, and 1 CRISPR.
Activities of Eravacycline, Tedizolid, Norvancomycin, Nemonoxacin, Ceftaroline, and Comparators against 1,871
Staphylococcus
and 1,068
Enterococcus
Species Isolates from China: Updated Report of the CHINET Study 2019
Authors: Ding Li , Yang Yang , Zheng Changhe , Sun Gang , Han Renru , Guo Yan , Yin Dandan , Wu Shi , Zhu Demei , Hu Fupin , Xu Yingchun , Zhang Xiaojiang , Zhang Zhaoxia , Ji Ping , Kang Mei , He Chao , Wang Chuanqing , He Leiyan , Xu Yuanhong , Huang Ying , Chen Zhongju , Sun Ziyong , Ni Yuxing , Sun Jingyong , Chu Yunzhuo , Tian Sufei , Hu Zhidong , Li Jin , Yu Yunsong , Lin Jie , Shan Bin , Du Yan , Guo Sufang , Wang Yanyan , Wei Lianhua , Wang Xin , Zhang Hong , Wang Chun , Hu Yunjian , Ai Xiaoman , Zhuo Chao , Su Danhong , Wang Ruizhong , Fang Hua , Yu Bixia , Gong Ping , Song Miao , Guo Dawen , Zhao Jinying , Liu Wen’en , Li Yanming , Jin Yan , Wang Yueling , Weng Kaizhen , Zhang Yirong , Xu Xuesong , Yan Chao , Huang Xiangning , Yu Hua , Li Yi , Wang Shanmei , Zhang Lixia , Ma Juan , Zhou Shuping , Ke Jiangwei , Zhu Lei , Meng Jinhua , Shen Han , Zhou Wanqing , Li Gang , Jia Wei , Wu Jinsong , Lu Yuemei , Li Jihong , Liu Jiangshan , Liao Longfeng , Gu Hongqin , Jiang Lin , He Wen , Xue Shunhong , Feng Jiao , Dou Rui , Yue Chunlei , Guo Ruyi , Jin Yan , Ma Xiaobo , Zheng Yanping , Hu Fangfang , Chen Yunsheng , Meng Qing
Published: November 2022

Antimicrobial resistance has become a severe threat to global public health. According to statistics, nearly 700,000 people die from bacterial infections worldwide (J.
Confidence, consent and chaperones for pubertal staging examinations: a national survey
Authors: Moon Rebecca Jane , Davies Justin Huw
Published: November 2022

Objective

General Medical Council (GMC) guidance describes an intimate examination as one that may be embarrassing for the patient, for example, breast or genitalia examination. Documentation of consent and use of a trained impartial observer (chaperone) is recommended. Pubertal staging is often necessitated for assessment of growth and puberty. We assessed current practice of pubertal staging by paediatricians and paediatric endocrinology nurse specialists (PENS) in the UK.

Methods

An electronic survey was distributed to paediatricians (consultants and trainees) and PENS across the UK. The survey enquired about training received, confidence in and typical practice for pubertal staging examinations.

Results

235 responses were received. Low confidence in pubertal staging was commonly reported by trainees and consultants without an endocrinology interest.

Most respondents consider pubertal staging to be an intimate examination for male (94.9%) and female (93.1%) patients. Consent to examination is always documented by 38.2% of respondents. 62.0% and 54.8% report always using a chaperone for male and female pubertal staging, respectively. However, many respondents use a parent as the chaperone. Few document the name of the chaperone used. Patient objections and availability of chaperones were commonly perceived barriers to chaperone use.

Conclusion

Most clinicians consider pubertal staging an intimate examination, but documentation of consent and use of formal chaperones is not standard practice. The use of a parent as a chaperone was common but is not recommended by the GMC. Local chaperone policies should address these issues to protect patients and clinicians.
Complete ophthalmoplegia diagnosed as Tolosa-Hunt syndrome on interval MRI
Authors: Bowman Shane , Helming Andrew
Published: November 2022

Tolosa-Hunt syndrome is a rare cause of painful ophthalmoplegia, most commonly presenting with retro-orbital pain and eye motor nerve palsy, most often affecting a single eye. The condition is characterised by an idiopathic process causing granulomatous inflammation to the cavernous sinus affecting, one or multiple cranial nerves that pass therein. The mechanism underlying the inflammation is not well understood, but patients have been observed to respond to steroids during a flare. We present this as a unique case where a multidisciplinary team diagnosed Tolosa-Hunt syndrome despite non-specific MRI findings in the cavernous sinus 1 day following an initially normal MRI.
Effectiveness of an anti-fog polymer coating in protective eyewear: a blinded, randomised controlled cross-over trial with healthcare providers in an emergency department setting
Authors: Keschner Yonatan G , Raja Ali S , Margolin Justin D , Zheng Hui , Olson Kristian R
Published: November 2022

Background

Eye protection is a mandatory component of the personal protective equipment in healthcare settings, especially for suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19 and during aerosolising procedures. Fogging of protective eyewear is a frequent problem experienced by providers. The hydrophilic property of a sulfonated polymer, BiaXam, may be able to decrease fogging through wicking moisture from the lens. In this study, we tested the anti-fogging properties of this polymer when applied to protective eyewear.

Methods

An investigator-initiated prospective, randomised, single-blinded cross-over study was conducted in an emergency department in a large, tertiary care hospital. Participants were blinded and randomised first to either a pair of anti-fog coated or uncoated eyewear, and then to the alternative pair after 2 hours. Study participants completed an identical survey at the end of each 2-hour period.

Results

50 emergency medicine healthcare providers were enrolled and 48 completed the study. Results demonstrated a significant difference in fogging between the coated and uncoated eyewear, as 81% of the participants reported fogging of the uncoated lenses and only 55% of the participants reported fogging in the coated pair (p=0.0029). Participants reported that the uncoated lenses fogged two times as frequently on a 10-point Likert scale (4.5±3.3 vs 2.1±2.5; p<0.0001). Subgroup analysis of participants who wore only a surgical mask demonstrated even more efficacious results with coated eyewear.

Conclusion

Overall, sulfonated polymer-coated eyewear improved provider visualisation, user experience and perceived mitigation of potential medical errors.
Biochar application stabilized the heavy metals in coal mined soil
Authors: Nazeer Myra , Khan Mohammad Jamal , Muhammad Dost , Khan Ahmad
Published: November 2022

The waste of coal mining activities causes accumulation of hazardous elements in soil for plants. Biochar is considered an important soil remediation strategy to stabilize the heavy metals. The aim of this study was to quantify the effect of biochar sources and rate on the heavy metal stabilization in coal-contaminated soil. Biochars of three feedstocks (maize straw (MBC), rice straw (RBC), and sugarcane bagasse (SBC)) with four levels (0%, 0.5%, 1%, and 2%, i.e., 0, 10, 20, and 40 ton ha−1) were applied to two types of soils (naturally contaminated soil (NCS) versus artificially contaminated soil (ACS) spiked with Cd, Cu, Cr, and Pb). Plastic pots were incubated at 30% field capacity for 90 days at 25 °C, and soil pH, electrical conductivity (EC), and heavy metals concentration were measured after 1, 4, 8, and 12 weeks. Among the biochars, RBC showed maximum immobilization of Cd, Pb, Cu, and Cr as compared with MBC and SBC. Similarly, biochar application increased heavy immobilization, being maximum at 2% (40 ton ha−1) rate compared with control. The pH of both soils with biochar addition increased as compared with control. The remediation effect of biochar on heavy metal stabilization was positive over time. The higher rate (40 ton ha−1) of RBC for ACS and MBC for NCS could be used effectively for heavy metal stabilization.
Lie symmetry approach to the time-dependent Karmarkar condition
Authors: Paliathanasis Andronikos , Bogadi Robert S. , Govender Megandhren
Published: November 2022

We obtain solutions of the time-dependent Einstein Field Equations which satisfy the Karmarkar condition via the method of Lie symmetries. Spherically symmetric spacetime metrics are used with metric functions set to impose conformal flatness, Weyl-free collapse and shear-free collapse. In particular, a solution was found which satisfies the heat-flux boundary condition of Santos, and a radiating stellar model was then obtained and investigated. Solutions obtained which do not allow for the application of the junction conditions at a boundary surface may lend themselves to cosmological models. This is a first attempt in generating solutions satisfying the Karmarkar condition via the method of Lie symmetries and our example of a radiating model highlights the viability of this method.
A KdV–SIR Equation and Its Analytical Solutions for Solitary Epidemic Waves
Authors: Paxson Wei , Shen Bo-Wen
Published: November 2022

Accurate predictions for the spread and evolution of epidemics have significant societal and economic impacts. The temporal evolution of infected (or dead) persons has been described as an epidemic wave with an isolated peak and tails. Epidemic waves have been simulated and studied using the classical SIR model that describes the evolution of susceptible (S), infected (I), and recovered (R) individuals. To illustrate the fundamental dynamics of an epidemic wave, the dependence of solutions on parameters, and the dependence of predictability horizons on various types of solutions, we propose a Korteweg–de Vries (KdV)–SIR equation and obtain its analytical solutions. Among classical and simplified SIR models, our KdV–SIR equation represents the simplest system that produces a solution with both exponential and oscillatory components. The KdV–SIR model is mathematically identical to the nondissipative Lorenz 1963 model and the KdV equation in a traveling-wave coordinate. As a result, the dynamics of an epidemic wave and its predictability can be understood by applying approaches used in nonlinear dynamics, and by comparing the aforementioned systems. For example, a typical solitary wave solution is a homoclinic orbit that connects a stable and an unstable manifold at the saddle point within the [Formula: see text]–[Formula: see text] space. The KdV–SIR equation additionally produces two other types of solutions, including oscillatory and unbounded solutions. The analysis of two critical points makes it possible to reveal the features of solutions near a turning point. Using analytical solutions and hypothetical observed data, we derive a simple formula for determining predictability horizons, and propose a method for predicting timing for the peak of an epidemic wave.
New age constraints on the break-up of Rodinia and amalgamation of southwestern Gondwana from the Choquequirao Formation in southwestern Peru
Authors: Hodgin Eben Blake , Carlotto Victor , Macdonald Francis A. , Schmitz Mark D. , Crowley James L.
Published: November 2022

The Choquequirao Formation is a >3 km-thick amphibolite-grade succession that outcrops in the Central Andes of southern Peru. To constrain its age and tectonostratigraphic setting, detrital zircon and metamorphic zircon, titanite, and rutile U–Pb isotopic analyses were conducted. Mantle-derived
c.
640 Ma detrital zircons constrain the maximum age of the lower part of the succession and 550–490 Ma metamorphic zircon domains constrain its minimum age. The absence of early Paleozoic detrital zircons suggests that deposition predated early Paleozoic orogenesis in southwestern Gondwana. The close similarity of detrital zircon age spectra to those from sediments deposited on the Arequipa basement suggests that the Choquequirao Formation was deposited on the Arequipa Terrane. Metamorphic titanite dates are highly overdispersed, yet they overlap with
c.
460 Ma peak metamorphism recorded by metamorphic zircon. Pb-loss pathways displayed by metamorphic titanite have a lower intercept that overlaps with
c.
325 Ma metamorphic rutile, which corresponds to Hercynian orogenesis. A poorly constrained upper intercept of
c.
510 Ma may correspond to Pampean and/or early Famatinian orogenesis. We interpret the Cryogenian–Ediacaran Choquequirao Formation as having been deposited during the opening of the Palaeo-Iapetus (Puncoviscana–Clymene) Ocean between eastern Arequipa and southern Kalahari prior to the subsequent collision with southwestern Amazonia during the Pampean Orogeny.
Infrastructural support of users' mediated potential
Authors: Ranade Nupoor , Swarts Jason
Published: November 2022

As one kind of designed communication, technical communication is created for readers we assume use the content for some situated purpose. Understanding users and their situations to be varied, communicators rely on simplified models of both to create usable content. In many cases, this approach works, but in some commercial sectors, companies are recognizing a need to engage with users directly and to include them in the production of communication. Including users in the production of communication may ease the burden of communicating in ways that are sufficiently detailed, accurate, inclusive, localized, and timely, but these ventures also create challenges of collaboration that direct attention to how users are situated in infrastructures that allow them to act as effective readers and collaborators. This article presents a model of users, situating them amid infrastructures that extend their ability to take rhetorical action. The authors explain and demonstrate a heuristic for analyzing infrastructure as an extension of a user's "mediated potential" for rhetorical action.
Building ethical distributed teams through sustained attention to infrastructure
Authors: McMullin Michelle , Banat Hadi Riad , Weech Shelton , Dilger Bradley
Published: November 2022

Building sustainable infrastructure is a core principle of Constructive Distributed Work (CDW), an integrated approach to project management and team building. In this article, we explain the origins of CDW and describe the theory of sustainable infrastructure that underpins our approach to training, supporting, and coordinating work across a diverse and distributed team. We illustrate how mapping strategies can help us make infrastructure more visible, and therefore more available for reflection and iteration, and demonstrate how a participatory approach to developing and sustaining infrastructure helps our team maintain its commitment to more ethical and inclusive research practices.