bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
GIFT—An R package to access the Global Inventory of Floras and Traits
Authors: Denelle Pierre , Weigelt Patrick , Kreft Holger
Published: September 2023

Advancing knowledge of biodiversity requires global open‐access databases. Having large‐scale information on plant distributions, functional traits and evolutionary history will enable the scientific community to improve its understanding of the patterns and drivers of plant diversity on a global scale.

The Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT) is a global database of regional plant checklists that has proven successful in documenting biogeographical patterns of plants. Since the release of the first version of GIFT, the database kept on expanding. We introduce GIFT version 3.0, which contains 5169 plant checklists referring to 3400 regions worldwide. These checklists include a total of 371,148 land plant species, mostly vascular plants, of which 354,848 have accepted species names, and species‐level data for 109 functional traits. This new version of GIFT relies on new resources for taxonomic name standardization, is matched to a new plant phylogeny, comes with a new trait aggregation workflow and includes additional environmental variables.

We also present the GIFT R‐package, which contains all necessary functions to retrieve distributional, functional, phylogenetic, and environmental data from the GIFT database. The package comes with a dedicated website, https://biogeomacro.github.io/GIFT/, which includes three vignettes to guide users in retrieving data from GIFT.

The recent development of GIFT and its associated R‐package provide ecologists with access to one of the largest plant databases. This will foster research into regional to global patterns of plant diversity and their underlying mechanisms. The ability to retrieve and cite data from any previous and current instance of the GIFT database will ensure the reproducibility of studies that utilise it.
A Sabaic inscription from Wādī al‐Jawf during the Era of Yadaʿʾil Bayyin, son of Yaṯaʿʾamar, King of Sabaʾ
Authors: Al‐Hajj Mohammed Ali
Published: September 2023

This is an analytical study of a new Sabaic inscription probably coming from the town of Naššān in Wādī al‐Jawf in northern Yemen. The text of this inscription, which is of a construction/dedicatory and a legal nature at the same time, bans the violation of the properties of Yaqdumʾil son of Ṯawrān, by the people of Ḫawlān and their vassals who had attacked that man's properties by cutting his trees and scattering his crops. The inscription is dated by the name of the Sabaean king Yadaʿʾil Bayyin son of Yaṯaʿʾamar, who reigned about the end of the fifth and the beginning of the fourth century 
BC. What distinguishes the inscription is that it contains new historical and linguistic material. Along with other Sabaic inscriptions found in the region, the text refers to the extent of settlement of Sabaean families from Mārib, Ṣirwāḥ, and Ḫawlān in the cities of al‐Jawf, specifically in Naššān and Našq, to control the roads of incense.
Application of real‐time PCR–based multicolor melting curve with automatic analysis system in pregestational and prenatal thalassemia diagnoses
Authors: Tang Xue‐Wei , Jiang Fan , Li Jian , Lin Xiao‐Mei , Zhou Jian‐Ying , Wan Jun‐Hui , Zuo Lian‐Dong , Qu Yan‐Xia , Li Fa‐Tao , Chen Gui‐Lan , Li Dong‐Zhi
Published: September 2023

Background

To evaluate the value of the real‐time PCR–based multicolor melting curve analysis (MMCA) with an automatic analysis system used in a mass thalassemia screening and prenatal diagnosis program.

Methods

A total of 18,912 peripheral blood samples from 9456 couples and 1150 prenatal samples were detected by MMCA assay. All prenatal samples were also tested by a conventional method. Samples with unknown melting peaks, unusual peak height ratios between a wild allele and a mutant allele, or a discordant phenotype‐genotype match were further studied by using multiplex ligation–dependent probe amplification (MLPA) or Sanger sequencing. All MMCA results were automatically analyzed and manually checked. The consistency between MMCA assay and conventional methods among prenatal samples was investigated.

Results

Except for initiation codon (T > G) (HBB:c.2T > G), all genotypes of thalassemia inside the scope of conventional methods were detected by MMCA assay. Additionally, 27 carriers with 10 rare HBB variants, 13 with α fusion gene, 1 with a rare deletion in α globin gene, and 1 with rare HBA variant were detected by using MMCA assay.

Conclusion

MMCA can be an alternative approach used in routine thalassemia carrier screening and prenatal diagnosis for its high throughput, sufficient stability, low cost, and easy operation.
Performing control
Authors: Neale Timothy
Published: September 2023

During an unprecedented crisis of bushfires, the staff of emergency management control centers in southeast Australia pause to perform rites with their political leaders. They reenact decisions that have already been made and generate divinations of fiery futures that are unlikely to occur. Their work, like that of others in large centralized technical infrastructures, is made possible by ritualized structures and practices that constitute a double bind. Emergency managers know their performances of control over open systems will inevitably fail to command the world's hazardous surprises. Yet they must maintain these performances, even though they create impossible expectations and forestall self‐critique or desired transformations. Attending to this situation, these sites, and their inhabitants reveals persistent attachments to systems of control in our late‐industrial age and changing climate.
What's Talent Got to Do with It? The Collective Labourer and the Rise of Barcelona's Digital Economy
Authors: Charnock Greig , Ribera‐Fumaz Ramon
Published: September 2023

This article explains the recent rise to prominence of Barcelona's digital economy, and, specifically, the role played by the city's “talent”. After developing a Marxian approach, we show how Barcelona's success rests upon a good supply of low‐cost, appropriately skilled labour fit for insertion into labour processes that can generally not be described as innovative or of high‐knowledge, high‐skill intensity. There is, in fact, a dearth of highly skilled labour‐power in the city, and inflows of foreign labour and outflows of freshly trained “talent” from the city's bootcamps are only swelling the ranks of a lower‐paid, moderately skilled knowledge workforce—many of whom work in low‐quality jobs. Finally, we show how leading startups in the digital economy are contributing to the expansion of “non‐standard” forms of precarious work. We conclude by highlighting the limits to the development and realisation of human productive subjectivity or talent under capital today, even in a widely hyped technopole such as Barcelona.
Bluetongue disease in sheep in New South Wales – April 2023
Authors: Kirkland PD , Finlaison DS , Biddle A , Parsons M , Austin H , Boland S , Roach G , McKinnon R , Braddon E , Britton S
Published: September 2023

In 2016, bluetongue virus (BTV), serotype 16 (BTV‐16), was detected in New South Wales (NSW) in sentinel cattle for the first time. Over the next 6 years, BTV‐16 has been detected regularly and over an increasing area of the BTV zone in NSW. In April 2023, disease was reported in sheep on two farms on the Northern Tablelands of NSW. The consistent clinical signs included reduced exercise tolerance, facial swelling, serous nasal discharges with encrustation of the nasal plane, subcutaneous oedema of the neck and brisket and variable congestion of the coronary band. Affected sheep were mainly mature ewes and rams, with an estimated morbidity of 20% over a period of 6–8 weeks. Although there were several unexpected deaths, no veterinary examination was sought. Predominantly BTV‐16 RNA was detected in sick sheep, with an incidence of infection of approximately 40% in a cross section of one flock. These events represent the first confirmation of disease due to bluetongue virus in NSW. As these cases occurred in a region with a high density of sheep, if there is ongoing transmission of BTV‐16 during subsequent summers, further disease might be expected.
Do You Speak Finance? Design and Business Value
Authors: Knowles Jonathan
Published: September 2023

Demonstrating that “good design is good business” requires design professionals to be familiar with the language and concepts of business. This article equips design professionals with two frameworks: first, how to think about the true economic resources on which a company depends; and second, how to express the contribution of design to the current and future performance of the business.

A framework for expressing the financial impact of design.
A Review of Data‐Driven Discovery for Dynamic Systems
Authors: North Joshua S. , Wikle Christopher K. , Schliep Erin M.
Published: September 2023

Many real‐world scientific processes are governed by complex non‐linear dynamic systems that can be represented by differential equations. Recently, there has been an increased interest in learning, or discovering, the forms of the equations driving these complex non‐linear dynamic systems using data‐driven approaches. In this paper, we review the current literature on data‐driven discovery for dynamic systems. We provide a categorisation to the different approaches for data‐driven discovery and a unified mathematical framework to show the relationship between the approaches. Importantly, we discuss the role of statistics in the data‐driven discovery field, describe a possible approach by which the problem can be cast in a statistical framework and provide avenues for future work.
Tubuloside A, a phenylethanoid glycoside, alleviates diclofenac induced hepato‐nephro oxidative injury via Nrf2/HO‐1
Authors: Tureyen Ali , Demirel Hasan Huseyin , Demirkapi Ezgi Nur , Eryavuz Azra Mila , Ince Sinan
Published: September 2023

The most prominent adverse effects of nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as diclofenac (DF) are hepato‐renal damage. Natural antioxidants can be preferred as an alternative and/or combination to improve this damage. This present study was conducted to evaluate the protective effect of Tubuloside A (TA) against diclofenac (DF)‐induced hepato‐renal damage. TA (1 mg/kg, ip) was administered to male Sprague–Dawley rats for 5 days, and DF (50 mg/kg, ip) was administered on Days 4 and 5. Plasma aspartate amino transferase, alanine amino transferase, alkaline phosphatase, blood urea nitrogen and creatinine were measured to evaluate liver and kidney functions. Additionally, oxidative stress parameters (malondialdehyde, glutathione, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and 8‐oxo‐7,8‐dihydro‐2′‐deoxyguanosine) in blood, liver, and kidney tissues, changes in mRNA expression of genes involved in the Nrf2/HO‐1 signalling pathway (Nrf2, HO‐1, NQO‐1, IL‐6, iNOS, Cox‐2, TNF‐α, IL1‐β and NFκB) and apoptotic process (Bcl‐2, Cas‐3 and Bax) in liver and kidney tissues were determined. Additionally, tissue sections were evaluated histopathologically. Biochemical, histopathological, and molecular results demonstrated the hepato‐renal toxic effects of DF, and TA treatment protected the liver and kidney from DF‐induced damage. This provides an explanation for the hepato‐nephro damage caused by DF and offers new ideas and drug targets together with TA for the prevention and treatment of DF injury.
Formation of diamond and lonsdaleite in ureilites by impact shock processing of graphite
Authors: Rout S. S. , Storz J. , Davydok A. , Bischoff A. , John T. , Krywka C. , Ritter M.
Published: September 2023

The origin of diamond in ureilites has been frequently debated. We investigated carbon phase assemblages (CPAs) in five ureilitic samples of the brecciated asteroid 2008 TC3, found within the Almahata Sitta (AHS) strewn field, by transmission electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, synchrotron X‐ray diffraction, and cathodoluminescence. Samples MS‐MU 006, MS‐187, and MS‐170, are of low to moderate shock degree (U‐S2 and U‐S3), and samples MS‐MU 027 (U‐S4) and MS‐MU 045 (U‐S5) have a higher shock degree. In MS‐MU 006 and MS‐187, we did not find any diamond grains. MS‐170 contains disordered and distorted graphite with diamond grains up to 12 μm in size and containing inclusions of Fe,Ni‐metal, FeS, Fe‐phosphide, and Cr,Fe‐oxide. These diamond grains formed under relatively low (5–15 GPa) shock pressures through a catalytic process in the presence of a Fe,Ni,Cr,S,P‐rich melt. The highly shocked and fine‐grained ureilites MS‐MU 027 and MS‐MU 045 have three different types of CPAs, namely a nanopolycrystalline assemblage of diamond and defect‐rich diamond/lonsdaleite, disordered and distorted graphite, and polycrystalline diamond with abundant Fe‐rich mineral inclusions. The CPAs that have only diamond and planar defect‐rich diamond (e.g., MS‐MU 027) most likely formed through martensitic transformation of graphite to diamond and lonsdaleite at >15 GPa and >2000 K. The assemblage of diamond, defect‐rich diamond, and disordered and distorted graphite (e.g., MS‐MU 045) formed by martensitic transformation of graphite to diamond and lonsdaleite, followed by back‐transformation to disordered graphite. We did not find any conclusive evidence to support the formation of diamond grains under high static pressure.
ER body‐resident myrosinases and tryptophan specialized metabolism modulate root microbiota assembly
Authors: Basak Arpan Kumar , Piasecka Anna , Hucklenbroich Jana , Türksoy Gözde Merve , Guan Rui , Zhang Pengfan , Getzke Felix , Garrido‐Oter Ruben , Hacquard Stephane , Strzałka Kazimierz , Bednarek Paweł , Yamada Kenji , Nakano Ryohei Thomas
Published: September 2023

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) bodies are ER‐derived structures that contain a large amount of PYK10 myrosinase, which hydrolyzes tryptophan (Trp)‐derived indole glucosinolates (IGs). Given the well‐described role of IGs in root–microbe interactions, we hypothesized that ER bodies in roots are important for interaction with soil‐borne microbes at the root–soil interface.

We used mutants impaired in ER bodies (nai1), ER body‐resident myrosinases (pyk10bglu21), IG biosynthesis (myb34/51/122), and Trp specialized metabolism (cyp79b2b3) to profile their root microbiota community in natural soil, evaluate the impact of axenically collected root exudates on soil or synthetic microbial communities, and test their response to fungal endophytes in a mono‐association setup.

Tested mutants exhibited altered bacterial and fungal communities in rhizoplane and endosphere, respectively. Natural soils and bacterial synthetic communities treated with mutant root exudates exhibited distinctive microbial profiles from those treated with wild‐type (WT) exudates. Most tested endophytes severely restricted the growth of cyp79b2b3, a part of which also impaired the growth of pyk10bglu21.

Our results suggest that root ER bodies and their resident myrosinases modulate the profile of root‐secreted metabolites and thereby influence root–microbiota interactions.
Peripheral limitations for performance: Muscle capillarization
Authors: Hellsten Ylva , Gliemann Lasse
Published: September 2023

Sufficient delivery of oxygen and metabolic substrates, together with removal of waste products, are key elements of muscle performance. Capillaries are the primary site for this exchange in skeletal muscle and the degree of muscle capillarization affects diffusion conditions by influencing mean transit time, capillary surface area and diffusion distance. Muscle capillarization may thus represent a limiting factor for performance. Exercise training increases the number of capillaries per muscle fiber by about 10%–20% within a few weeks in untrained subjects, whereas capillary growth progresses more slowly in well‐trained endurance athletes. Studies show that capillaries are tortuous, situated along and across the length of the fibers with an arrangement related to muscle fascicles. Although direct data is lacking, it is possible that years of training not only enhances capillary density but also optimizes the positioning of capillaries, to further improve the diffusion conditions. Muscle capillarization has been shown to increase oxygen extraction during exercise in humans, but direct evidence for a causal link between increased muscle capillarization and performance is scarce. This review covers current knowledge on the implications of muscle capillarization for oxygen and glucose uptake as well as performance. A brief overview of the process of capillary growth and of physical factors, inherent to exercise, which promote angiogenesis, provides the foundation for a discussion on how different training modalities may influence muscle capillary growth. Finally, we identify three areas for future research on the role of capillarization for exercise performance.
Epigenetics and transgenerational inheritance
Authors: Moelling Karin
Published: September 2023

Epigenetic modifications can alter the function of genes. The epigenetics changes are caused by environmental effects, which lead to chemical modifications of the DNA or the chromatin. The mechanisms involve the influence of small interfering siRNAs on gene silencing. Epigenetic changes normally last only during the life‐time of an individual and are erased in embryos and eggs for a naive progeny. The genomes are reprogrammed and the chemical modifications removed to restart the next generation. However, there are mechanisms that allow the genome to escape from such a clearing effect so that modifications can be transmitted to one or more subsequent generations. In the germline of animal cells small RNAs, including piRNAs, have evolved which guarantee a higher degree of fidelity for transmission of genetic information, guarding especially against the detrimental effect caused by transposon activity. piRNA is essential for transposon silencing for survival of a species and protection of subsequent generations. Inactivation of piRNA results in abundant transposon activity and sperm infertility. The effect in humans has been described but is less distinct. Some stress‐induced epigenetic changes are transitory in mice and can be reversed by a change of environment or lifestyle.

image
Functionalization of All-Oxide Ceramic Matrix Composites Elements Using Three-Dimensional Braiding and Pressure Slip Casting for Composite Processing: Approaches to Reduce the Filter Effect of Dense Reinforcement Textiles
Authors: Jung Fabian , Grigat Niels , Vollbrecht Ben , Gries Thomas
Published: September 2023

A key element for the transition to sustainable energy lies in the transformation of the power plant fleet, which is dominated by fossil fuels, toward sustainable energy production from renewable energy sources. An increase in efficiency and reduction of exhaust gas emissions, especially the minimization of CO2 emissions, is possible through the use of new turbine materials, which can withstand higher temperature levels. Oxide ceramics are well known for their high stability in aggressive environments, low density, high melting point, high stiffness, and great creep resistance, but their brittleness has strongly limited their number of applications. Therefore, the implementation of fiber reinforcement using the three-dimensional (3D) braiding process shows great potential to increase the damage tolerance of ceramic matrix composites (CMC) and consequently the performance of thermal machines significantly. Currently, the impregnation of 3D braids for the reinforcement of ceramic composites poses a challenge due to the high packing density of the textiles. In order to enable a homogeneous impregnation of the fiber structures using highly viscous ceramic slurries, the CMC research group at RWTH Aachen University's Institute of Textile Technology (ITA) is investigating the combination of 3D braiding and pressure slip casting for an economical production of all-oxide CMCs. To increase the impregnation quality of dense textiles, this paper describes approaches to reduce the filter effect of braids. The results of an initial investigation into the functionalization of two-dimensional braided reinforcement structures by using support structures and flow aids are described. The effectiveness of the impregnation ability is assessed by evaluating the residual porosity of generated green compacts via μCT analysis.
Dynamic Characterization of an Adaptive Film-Riding Seal
Authors: Bird Joshua , Keogh Patrick S. , Sangan Carl M. , Bowsher Aaron A. , Crudgington Peter F. , Scobie James A.
Published: September 2023

Shaft seals control the leakage of fluid between areas of high pressure and low pressure around rotating components inside turbomachinery. Static seals are often subject to damaging rubs with the shaft, caused by assembly misalignments and rotordynamic vibrations during operation. Adaptive seals aim to reduce leakage flows whilst minimizing wear. The film riding pressure actuated leaf seal (FRPALS) is one such design which utilizes a large installation clearance and is blown down toward the shaft under pressure. This paper presents a numerical model which can be used in the design and development of adaptive shaft seals, validated by experimental data from the literature. The model uses a modified version of the Reynolds equation to predict the dynamic, frequency-dependent stiffness and damping coefficients of the fluid film. The dynamic coefficients have been solved for different operational clearances and pressure differences to generate coefficient maps. These maps have been incorporated into a blow down model with compliant mechanical leaves to predict the transient translational and angular displacement paths of the FRPALS when subject to an increasing pressure drop. The blow down model has been compared against experimental measurements collected from a specially designed test facility for the characterization of shaft seal performance. Eddy current probes were used to measure the displacement paths of the FRPALS with the experimental values showing that the model can accurately predict the dynamic movement of the seal when subject to a pressure difference.
Leakage and Rotordynamic Force Coefficients of a Labyrinth Seal and a Pocket Damper Seal Operating With Wet Gas
Authors: Torres Jose , San Andrés Luis
Published: September 2023

Subsea centrifugal compressors commonly using labyrinth seals (LS) and pocket damper seals (PDS) must withstand the flow of oil in gas mixtures with a liquid volume fraction (LVF) up to 5%. This paper presents experimental results for the leakage and rotordynamic coefficients of a uniform clearance PDS and a similar size LS both supplied with wet gas. The shaft diameter D = 127 mm and the seal axial length L = 48 mm. In the tests, the seals' pressure ratio (inlet/exit) = 2.5, and the shaft speed reaches 5.25 krpm (surface speed = 35 m/s). The LS has a 17% larger radial clearance (Cr,LS = 0.230 mm > Cr,PDS = 0.196 mm) due to a manufacturing error. This paper extends prior work by Torres et al. (2022, “A Stepped Shaft Labyrinth Seal versus a Pocket Damper Seal: Leakage and Dynamic Force Coefficients Under Wet Gas Operation,” ASME J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power, 145(1), p. 011006) for the same two seal types with a stepped clearance configuration that promotes damping. When supplied with a dry gas, the LS leaks more because of its larger clearance. A loss coefficient (cd) is a fraction of the physical clearance that characterizes a seal's effectiveness in reducing leakage. The cd of both seals is nearly identical for operation with pure gas; the small differences are well within the experimental uncertainty. For operation with wet gas, the PDS cd decreases as the LVF increases whereas the LS cd increases, thus indicating the PDS is more effective to restrict wet gas leakage. When operating with pure gas, the direct stiffness (K) and effective damping (Ceff) of both seals are small in magnitude (K < 0.5 MN/m, Ceff < 2 kN-s/m) and often less than the experimental uncertainty. For wet gas operation and with shaft speed = 3 krpm and 5.25 krpm, the PDS produces Ceff < 0 for whirl frequencies below 50 Hz. In contrast, the LS Ceff > 0, although small in magnitude. The experimental results under wet gas operation are similar for operation with LVF equal to 3% and 5%. Unexpected low-frequency broadband motions appear when supplying the PDS with a wet gas. Although small in amplitude (<5 μm), the motions increase in severity as the mixture inlet LVF and shaft speed increase. The motions are entirely absent for tests with the LS. Experiments in which the mixture is drawn from the PDS cavities rule out liquid accumulation as the cause of the observed motions. The current test results serve as a reference for turbomachinery design engineers and aid in the validation of analytical predictive tools.
Stochastic Method for Generating Residential Household Energy Models of Varying Income Level and Climate Zone for Testing Energy Fairness
Authors: Covington Hannah , Woo-Shem Brian , Wang Chenli , Roth Thomas , Nguyen Cuong , Lee Hohyun
Published: September 2023

Recent developments in residential energy management necessitate testing of whether energy technology and policy fairly impact households of various income levels and locations. Considering income level is particularly important because increased utility bills put low-income households at higher risk of economic and health issues. This paper proposes a novel method for generating diverse household energy models of varying income levels and climate zones, which can be used to test the fairness impacts of residential energy developments. Models are stochastically generated using probability distributions based on data from national surveys. Included in the model are constant and time-variable features. Models capture the randomness inherent in the residential sector while still following realistic patterns of each income-climate group regarding building structure, appliance stock, and occupant behavior. Models were validated by comparing when, how, and how much energy is consumed by simulated versus real-life surveyed households. A total of 200 household models were simulated for the validation process, representing four climate zones and five income levels. Simulated energy consumption was plotted against survey data from the same income level, climate zone, and income-climate combination. Through correlation analysis and null hypothesis testing, it was determined that there is no statistically significant difference between simulated and surveyed energy consumption. For all cases considered, the correlation of the data is highly statistically significant. When validating all cases for income-climate classifications and individual climate zones, there was less than a 0.05% chance of uncorrelated data exhibiting such high correlation coefficients (r2), which ranged from 0.862 to 0.998. When validating models of each income level, this chance ranged from less than 0.05% to 0.194% with r2 values ranging from 0.816 to 0.984. A linear trendline was fitted to the data, and a null hypothesis test was performed to check if the slope statistically differed from 1. All cases tested resulted in a P value greater than 0.05 which, for a 95% confidence level, indicates that no significant difference can be determined. Because the plot of simulated versus survey data was very highly correlated and exhibited a slope statistically indistinguishable from 1, simulated household models were determined to represent real-life households with sufficient accuracy.
Obtaining local twitch response with ultrasound-guided dry needling
Authors: Yildizgoren Mustafa Turgut , Bagcier Fatih
Published: September 2023

.
To publish an editorial – the Editor in Chief’s perspective
Authors: Fodor Daniela
Published: September 2023

-
Gut-targeted nanoparticles deliver specifically targeted antimicrobial peptides against
Clostridium perfringens
infections
Authors: Xu Bocheng , Shaoyong Weike , Wang Lin , Yang Chen , Chen Tingjun , Jiang Xiao , Yan Rong , Jiang Zipeng , Zhang Pan , Jin Mingliang , Wang Yizhen
Published: September 2023

Specifically targeted antimicrobial peptides (STAMPs) are novel alternatives to antibiotics, whereas the development of STAMPs for colonic infections is hindered by limited de novo design efficiency and colonic bioavailability. In this study, we report an efficient de novo STAMP design strategy that combines a traversal design, machine learning model, and phage display technology to identify STAMPs against
Clostridium perfringens
. STAMPs could physically damage
C. perfringens
, eliminate biofilms, and self-assemble into nanoparticles to entrap pathogens. Further, a gut-targeted engineering particle vaccine (EPV) was used for STAMPs delivery. In vivo studies showed that both STAMP and EPV@STAMP effectively limited
C. perfringens
infections and then reduced inflammatory response. Notably, EPV@STAMP exhibited stronger protection against colonic infections than STAMPs alone. Moreover, 16
S
ribosomal RNA sequencing showed that both STAMPs and EPV@STAMP facilitated the recovery of disturbed gut microflora. Collectively, our work may accelerate the development of the discovery and delivery of precise antimicrobials.
Alkaline vents recreated in two dimensions to study pH gradients, precipitation morphology, and molecule accumulation
Authors: Weingart Maximilian , Chen Siyu , Donat Clara , Helmbrecht Vanessa , Orsi William D. , Braun Dieter , Alim Karen
Published: September 2023

Alkaline vents (AVs) are hypothesized to have been a setting for the emergence of life, by creating strong gradients across inorganic membranes within chimney structures. In the past, three-dimensional chimney structures were formed under laboratory conditions; however, no in situ visualization or testing of the gradients was possible. We develop a quasi–two-dimensional microfluidic model of AVs that allows spatiotemporal visualization of mineral precipitation in low-volume experiments. Upon injection of an alkaline fluid into an acidic, iron-rich solution, we observe a diverse set of precipitation morphologies, mainly controlled by flow rate and ion concentration. Using microscope imaging and pH-dependent dyes, we show that finger-like precipitates can facilitate formation and maintenance of microscale pH gradients and accumulation of dispersed particles in confined geometries. Our findings establish a model to investigate the potential of gradients across a semipermeable boundary for early compartmentalization, accumulation, and chemical reactions at the origins of life.
Soluble CD4 and low molecular weight CD4-mimetic compounds sensitize cells to be killed by anti-HIV cytotoxic immunoconjugates
Authors: Pincus Seth H. , Stackhouse Megan , Watt Connie , Ober Kelli , Cole Frances M. , Chen Hung-Ching , Smith III Amos B. , Peters Tami
Published: September 2023

The reservoir of HIV-infected cells that persist in the face of effective anti-retroviral therapy (ART) is the barrier to curing HIV infection. These long-lived CD4+ cells carry a functional provirus that can become activated upon immune stimulation. When ART is stopped, this leads to a rapid rebound in viremia. A variety of approaches are proposed to eliminate these cells, many dependent upon the expression of virus proteins. We are examining the use of cytotoxic immunoconjugates targeting the HIV envelope protein (Env) as a method to eradicate cells producing virus and have demonstrated that soluble CD4 enhances the cytotoxic effect of gp41-targeted immunoconjugates. Mechanisms include increased antigen exposure and greater internalization of the immunoconjugate. Here we have tested different protein forms of CD4 and the small molecule CD4-mimetic BNM-III-170 for their effects on cells expressing cell-surface Env. Effects studied include sensitization to immunoconjugate killing, cell surface antigen expression, viability, and virus secretion. The CD4 proteins and BNM-III-170 produced comparable effects in these Env-expressing cell lines, each sensitizing cells to cytotoxicity by anti-gp41 immunoconjugates. The results provide further evidence that low molecular weight CD4 mimetics produce biologic effects similar to those caused by soluble CD4 itself and suggest additional therapeutic uses for these molecules.

IMPORTANCE

HIV infection can be effectively treated to prevent the development of AIDS, but it cannot be cured. We have attached poisons to anti-HIV antibodies to kill the infected cells that persist even after years of effective antiviral therapy. Here we show that the killing of infected cells can be markedly enhanced by the addition of soluble forms of the HIV receptor CD4 or by mimics of CD4.
Late Cretaceous exhumation of the Little Belt Mountains and regional development of the Helena salient, west-central Montana, USA
Authors: Howlett Caden J. , Jepson Gilby , Carrapa Barbara , DeCelles Peter G. , Constenius Kurt N.
Published: September 2023

The timing of deformation within and adjacent to the Helena salient of west-central Montana is poorly constrained relative to other segments of the Sevier fold-and-thrust belt. This study presents low-temperature thermochronology data from the Little Belt Mountains, a basement-cored Laramide uplift that is juxtaposed with the leading edge of the salient. We analyzed eight samples of Paleoproterozoic basement for apatite fission-track (AFT) and zircon (U-Th)/He (ZHe) thermochronology. Four samples yielded AFT ages ranging from ca. 80 Ma to 73 Ma and associated long, unimodal confined track lengths, indicating rapid cooling and exhumation of Little Belt Mountains basement during the Late Cretaceous. The other four samples are characterized by younger AFT ages (ca. 55 Ma), which suggest a combination of prolonged residence in the apatite partial annealing zone and postexhumation magmatic reheating. In total, 20 new ZHe dates range from ca. 236 Ma to 28 Ma and show a correlation between date and effective uranium. Forward model results for ZHe data are consistent with upper-crustal residence during the Proterozoic followed by Phanerozoic burial and rapid Late Cretaceous cooling. Cross sections across the Little Belt Mountains display the geometry of the Volcano Valley fault zone, an array of down-to-the-south Proterozoic normal faults that profoundly influenced the development of the Cordilleran thrust belt. Our new constraints from the Little Belt Mountains when integrated with published kinematic constraints from the Helena salient reveal significant out-of-sequence deformation in this portion of the thrust belt between ca. 80 Ma and 55 Ma. A kinematic model is proposed that involves Late Cretaceous (ca. 80 Ma) exploitation of rheologically incompetent units at the base of the Belt Supergroup within the Helena Embayment, facilitating early exhumation in the Little Belt Mountains. Our new data and synthesis are consistent with previous interpretations in which an inherited stratigraphic and structural architecture of Proterozoic ancestry was the predominant control on the development of the Helena salient during Cretaceous−early Eocene time.
Inhalation devices and inhaled corticosteroids particle size influence on severe pneumonia in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a nationwide cohort study
Authors: Heerfordt Christian Kjer , Rønn Christian , Harboe Zitta Barrella , Ingebrigtsen Truls Sylvan , Svorre Jordan Alexander , Wilcke Jon Torgny , Bonnesen Barbara , Biering-Sørensen Tor , Sørensen Rikke , Holler Jon Gitz , Itenov Theis Skovsgaard , Johansen Helle Krogh , Sivapalan Pradeesh , Eklöf Josefin , Jensen Jens-Ulrik Stæhr
Published: September 2023

Background

Inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs) are associated with an increased risk of pneumonia among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The introduction of extrafine particle ICS has aimed to improve the distribution of medicine in the airways by altering deposition within the lungs, potentially affecting efficacy and side effects. It remains unclear if extrafine particle ICS administration alters the risk of pneumonia compared with standard particle size ICS.

Methods

An observational cohort study including all Danish COPD outpatients receiving ICS from 2010 to 2017. The primary outcome was pneumonia hospitalisation in the different ICS particle dosing regimens. The primary analysis was an adjusted Cox proportional hazards model. For sensitivity analysis, a subgroup analysis of patients receiving spray devices was done. Further, we created a propensity score matched cohort, in which we matched for the same covariates as adjusted for in the main analysis.

Results

A total of 35 691 patients were included of whom 1471 received extrafine particle ICS. Among these patients, 4657 were hospitalised due to pneumonia. Patients with COPD receiving extrafine particle ICS had a lower risk of hospitalisation due to pneumonia compared with patients receiving standard particle size ICS in our primary analysis (HR 0.75; 95% CI 0.63 to 0.89; p=0.002), subgroup analysis (HR 0.54; 95% CI 0.45 to 0.65; p<0.0001) and the propensity-matched population (HR 0.72; 95% CI 0.60 to 0.87; p=0.0006).

Interpretation

The use of extrafine particle ICS administration was associated with a lower risk of pneumonia hospitalisation in patients with COPD compared with those who received standard size treatment.
The 3′ terminal region of Zika virus RNA contains a conserved G-quadruplex and is unfolded by human DDX17
Authors: Gemmill Dannielle L. , Nelson Corey R. , Badmalia Maulik D. , Pereira Higor S. , Kerr Liam , Wolfinger Michael T. , Patel Trushar R.
Published: September 2023

Zika virus (ZIKV) infection remains a worldwide concern, and currently no effective treatments or vaccines are available. Novel therapeutics are an avenue of interest that could probe viral RNA-human protein communication to stop viral replication. One specific RNA structure, G-quadruplexes (G4s), possess various roles in viruses and all domains of life, including transcription and translation regulation and genome stability, and serves as nucleation points for RNA liquid-liquid phase separation. Previous G4 studies on ZIKV using a quadruplex forming G-rich sequences Mapper located a potential G-quadruplex sequence in the 3′ terminal region (TR) and was validated structurally using a 25-mer oligo. It is currently unknown if this structure is conserved and maintained in a large ZIKV RNA transcript and its specific roles in viral replication. Using bioinformatic analysis and biochemical assays, we demonstrate that the ZIKV 3′ TR G4 is conserved across all ZIKV isolates and maintains its structure in a 3′ TR full-length transcript. We further established the G4 formation using pyridostatin and the BG4 G4-recognizing antibody binding assays. Our study also demonstrates that the human DEAD-box helicases, DDX3X132-607 and DDX17135-555, bind to the 3′ TR and that DDX17135-555 unfolds the G4 present in the 3′ TR. These findings provide a path forward in potential therapeutic targeting of DDX3X or DDX17’s binding to the 3′ TR G4 region for novel treatments against ZIKV.
FACTORS AFFECTING BRANDS AND COMPETITIVENESS OF TOURISM DESTINATIONS: AN ANALYSIS OF THE MEKONG DELTA
Authors: THANH LONG NGUYEN , KHOA TRAN DANG
Published: September 2023

International travel is one of the fastest-expanding links, connecting countries worldwide and bringing them closer together. Since 1990, many Southeast Asian countries have opened their doors to international integration and have become attractive destinations for international tourists by promoting tourism development, typically Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia. The study of brands and competitiveness for tourism destinations in Vietnam is essential. However, there is no research done yet to study the brands and competitiveness of destinations in Mekong Delta. This research aims to define factors affecting the brand and competitiveness of a tourism destination; its foundation is a synthesis of qualitative and quantitative research methods and it focuses on a case study in the Mekong Delta. Group conversations with specialists were held to conduct qualitative research. Research directly interviewed 650 tourists in Mekong Delta tourist areas and was used to conduct quantitative research. The research will show which specific factors affect the brand and destination competitiveness in the Mekong Delta that other researchers have not shown. The research results show that: (i) brand of a destination is affected by eight factors (tourism infrastructure, natural environment, destination adaptation, culinary culture, safety and security in tourism, hospitality, service costs and local folk music); (ii) competitiveness of a destination is affected by nine factors (tourism infrastructure, natural environment, destination adaptation, culinary culture, safety and security in tourism, human service costs, local folk music and brand). From the results, this research suggests some managerial implications for expanding brands and strengthening the destination competitiveness in the Mekong Delta.
COVID-19, Stock Liquidity, and Abnormal Returns
Authors: Musunuru Praveena , Jawed Mohammad Shameem
Published: September 2023

This paper examines the relationship between ex-ante stock liquidity and abnormal returns during various phases of COVID-19 led market uncertainties in India. We find that the volume-based liquidity supports stock more significantly during the crisis than in periods of calm. However, contrary to existing empirical evidence, price-based liquidity penalizes stocks during a crisis. Moreover, during periods of calm and recovery, the inverse relationship of liquidity-abnormal return reverses. Further analysis shows that this change of price-based liquidity to abnormal return relationship is more prominent in firms with higher ex-ante liquidity. In contrast, highly illiquid firms appear immune.
Bridge Frequency Identification Using Cross-Power Spectra of Vehicle Vibrations from Multiple Moving Speeds
Authors: Lu Xuzhao , Kim Chul-Woo , Chang Kai-Chun , Han Zhuoran , Sun Limin
Published: September 2023

In recent years, a rapid bridge health monitoring technology has been developed using an instrumental moving vehicle. Using recorded vehicle vibration data, bridge frequencies are identified for bridge health monitoring or finite element model updating. Target bridge frequencies with significant amplitudes in the vehicle’s vibration frequency spectra are expected to be found. However, in the coupled vehicle–bridge interaction (VBI) system, bridge vibration-relevant vehicle dynamics might not be noticeable. The bridge frequency would be difficult to identify because of the potential influence of road roughness. To resolve this difficulty, a novel bridge frequency identification method is proposed to mitigate the negative effects of road roughness. First, theoretical derivations are done to ascertain the VBI system dynamic characteristics considering road surface roughness. Our findings showed that the road roughness-relevant vehicle dynamics are closely related with the traveling speed, whereas the bridge frequency remains approximately constant. Theoretical investigations indicated that cross-power spectra between vehicle dynamics at multiple moving speeds are effective to mitigate the negative effects of road roughness. Presumably, it is feasible to identify the target bridge frequency from the cross-power spectra. Both the dynamic characteristics of the VBI system and the effectiveness of the proposed method for bridge frequency identification were examined using finite element simulations and laboratory experiments. Compared to existing methods, the proposed method is widely applicable to real-world situations and difficulties.
Experimental Study on the Damping Performance of High-Strength Concrete Columns with Different Section Sizes
Authors: Liu Jun , Zheng Shugui , Li Tan , Sun Qingling
Published: September 2023

In this paper, structural columns with cross-section sizes of 100 mm × 100 mm, 75[Formula: see text]mm × 150 mm, and 85 mm × 121 mm are designed based on the same notional size of member. The acceleration signals of each column at axial compression ratio of 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3 were obtained by impact hammering. The corresponding frequency and damping ratio are obtained by half power wideband method. Based on the statistical method, the variation rules of acceleration signal characteristics, frequency characteristics and damping characteristics in different thickness directions under different axial compression ratios were analyzed. The correlation between frequency and damping ratio in different thickness directions with different axial compression ratios is discussed. The results show that under the same axial compression ratio, the damping ratio and frequency tend to decrease with the increase of the thickness in the tapping direction. Under the same thickness, the frequency decreases with the increase of the axial compression ratio. The damping ratio of the column decreases with increasing stress ratio when the thickness in the knocking direction is less than 100 mm. The damping ratio of the column increases with the increasing stress ratio when the thickness in the knocking direction is equal to 100 mm. The damping ratio of the column increases slightly with the increasing stress ratio when the thickness in the knocking direction is greater than 100 mm. By fitting the discrete data, the frequency variation range is 229.65–511.07 Hz, and the range of the damping ratio variation is 0.1–0.5%.
Some remarks on the existence of compact multiply Einstein warped products
Authors: Dumitru Dan
Published: September 2023

The aim of this paper is to study the existence of compact multiply Einstein warped products [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] for every [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]. We prove the following : (a) [Formula: see text] where [Formula: see text] is the Einstein constant of [Formula: see text], (b) [Formula: see text] where [Formula: see text] is the Einstein constant of [Formula: see text] for every [Formula: see text], (c) [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] for every [Formula: see text], (d) [Formula: see text] for equal warping functions.
Accelerating Blockchain Applications on IoT Architecture Models—Solutions and Drawbacks
Authors: Kromes Roland , Verdier François
Published: September 2023

More and more IoT use cases require trustworthy computing from cloud/back-end services, which cannot necessarily provide a fully trusted execution environment, data immutability, and traceability. The integration of IoT with the blockchain technology is one of the most promising solutions to achieve the previously mentioned features in the IoT networks. Researchers are also interested in integration solutions, and several solutions are already present in the scientific literature. However, there are still some uncertainties in establishing a direct and effective interaction between an IoT device and the given blockchain. In this work, we propose the first IoT hardware architecture model designed to accelerate time-consuming operations of IoT-Blockchain. The proposed IoT hardware architecture model is programmed in SystemC-TLM and can provide a significant reduction in execution time, 53% and 18% when running Hyperledger Sawtooth and Ethereum applications, respectively.