bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Heating Simulation Analysis of Lubrication System at Low Temperature
Authors: Zhang Tao , Zhou Wei , Zhao Ning , Cui Huasheng , Gao Zepeng
Published: July 2023

In this paper, star-ccm+ software is applied to simulate the thermal melting of engine oil under low-temperature conditions, and corresponding models are established based on the physical parameters of the fuel tank, antifreeze, lubricating oil, and heating pipe. Single-phase multi-working medium simulation and VOF (volume of fluid) multi-flow simulation were used to model and analyze the various characteristics of the lubricating oil from solidified state to liquid state under the specific box and heating pipe structure. The results showed that the simulation results of the VOF multiphase flow model under the proposed lubrication system were basically consistent with that of the single-phase multi-working medium model. The simulation efficiency could be improved by using the single-phase multi-working medium model. The simulation results of heating melting can provide a reference for the subsequent design and optimization of the heating pipeline.
Laser Cutting Thermal Error Prediction Method Based on Multivariate Segmentation
Authors: Lu Chang , Fei Jiyou , Zhao Xing , Shao Xiongfei
Published: July 2023

With the increasing accuracy of manufacturing processing, laser cutting has become one of the best ways to cut thin-walled parts. A multivariate segmented thermal error prediction method is proposed for thermal errors in laser cutting. Based on actual processing data, we analyzed the thermal expansion of the material during the cutting process. Modeling simulation and heat deformation prediction are performed. W18Cr4V material was used as the study object for computational verification. The results show that multiple-segmented regression can achieve data accuracy of more than 90.4%. For the maximum deformation predicted value error rate is less than 10.35%, and the average deformation error rate is less than 10.74%.
Crack propagation life of high-speed aviation gear
Authors: Lu Xiqiang , Lin Tengjiao , Chen Bingkui
Published: July 2023

The most common fault in aviation power transmission systems is the fatigue fracture of gears, which seriously affects the reliability and safety of the structure. The aim of this study is to analyze the crack propagation path (CPP) to predict the crack propagation life (CPL) of gears. The location of crack initiation is determined by statics analysis and building a gear pair model in ANSYS software. A FEM model of the gear pair with a crack is created, the Stress Intensity Factor (SIF) at the crack tip is calculated, and the influence of the initial state of the crack on the SIF is analyzed. FRANC3D is adopted to obtain the CPP and CPL. Based on the obtained results, the impact of gear structure parameters on CPL is discussed. With the reduction of flange thickness, web thickness, and root radius, the CPL gradually decreases.
The influence of electron beam welding technology on mechanical properties of GH4169 welded joints
Authors: Yang Sihui , Liu Zhicheng , Zhang Yong , Long Xiangyun
Published: July 2023

Super-alloy GH4169 and related welded structures were widely used in the aero-engine industry region. Vacuum electron beam welding is one of the most advanced welding technologies, and the influence of the mechanical property caused by the welding technology still needs further research. Firstly, the hardness, microstructure, and tensile properties of the GH4169 electron beam welded joint were tested. After electron beam welding and two-stage aging treatment, the weld zone was strengthened and its hardness is higher than that of the base metal zone. The microstructure characterization results showed that the grain size of the weld and heat-affected zone was larger than that of the base metal. The tensile results show that the static properties of the welded joint are similar to that of the base metal, and the residual height has no obvious effect on the static strength of the welded joint. The high-temperature creep properties of GH4169 electron beam welded joints with residual height were tested. The results show that residual height will lead to a transient fracture of welded joints under relatively safe service conditions. The fatigue performance of GH4169 welded joints with and without residual height was tested respectively. The results show that the fatigue life of the welded joints without residual height was about 10 times longer than that of the welded joints with residual height under the same stress level, and for the welded joint with residual height, the residual height position will become the main fatigue crack source.
Study on sound absorption properties of closed cell aluminum foam with different microporous structures
Authors: Jiang Tairu , Wang Yonghua , Xu Jinkai , Yu Huadong
Published: July 2023

With the rapid development of modern society, environmental pollution is increasingly serious, among which noise pollution has become the world’s three major. At present, the methods to solve the noise problem are becoming more and more diverse. Among them, the use of porous materials for sound absorption and noise reduction is still one of the most important ways. Open-cell aluminum foam has high manufacturing costs and limited application scenarios. Therefore, some scholars have studied low-cost closed-cell aluminum foam, hoping to improve its sound absorption coefficient. Closed-cell aluminum foam is mainly used in sound insulation and has little sound absorption ability. For improving closed-cell aluminum foam sound absorption property, some scholars have researched the influence of mechanical perforation on the acoustic property of aluminum foam, but the sound absorption potential of small holes cannot be played due to the large aperture made during the process. Therefore, this paper designs and processes different aluminum foam sound absorption structures based on high-speed EDM technology and studies the effect of perforation aperture, perforation depth, and perforation rate on sound absorption peak value and sound absorption coefficient in low and middle-frequency bands (250HZ-2000Hz).
Simulation of Corrosion Conduction of Silicate Anti-acid Brick in High Temperature and Particle Abrasion Circumstance
Authors: Zhao Yuhang , Fan Ruicheng , Gao Ying , Dai Jiaxin , Ren Yanjie
Published: July 2023

The simulation and corrosion conduction of anti-acid brick in high temperature and particle abrasion circumstances were tested with scanning electron microscopic, mechanical compression, and X-ray diffraction. The results showed the strength degradation rates of the Anti-acid brick were 7.0% and 17.8% in different high-temperature and acid corrosion conditions. The high-temperature water vapor in the environment permeated into the brick after eroding the crystal structure of the brick surface. The structural strength of the silicate anti-corrosion bricks would be reduced under the continuous impact of solid particles. The corrosive products dissolved in the slurry solution and ran off the matrix. With the constant corrosion of the hydrochloric acid solution, the corrosion formed large holes in the interior of the depression area, which aggravated the strength reduction of the brick material.
3D track reconstruction of low-energy electrons in the MIGDAL low pressure optical time projection chamber
Authors: Tilly E. , Handley M.
Published: July 2023

We demonstrate three-dimensional track reconstruction of
electrons in a low pressure (50 Torr) optical TPC consisting of two
glass GEMs with an ITO strip readout in CF4 and CF4/Ar
mixtures. The reconstructed tracks show a variety of event
topologies, including short tracks from photoelectrons induced by
 55Fe 5.9 keV X-rays and long tracks from gamma ray
interactions and beta decays. Algorithms for event identification
and track ridge detection are discussed as well as multiple methods
for integrating information from the camera image and ITO waveforms
with the goal of full 3D reconstruction of the track.
Exact results of dynamical structure factor of Lieb–Liniger model
Authors: Li Run-Tian , Cheng Song , Chen Yang-Yang , Guan Xi-Wen
Published: July 2023

The dynamical structure factor (DSF) represents a measure of dynamical density–density correlations in a quantum many-body system. Due to the complexity of many-body correlations and quantum fluctuations in a system of an infinitely large Hilbert space, such kind of dynamical correlations often impose a big theoretical challenge. For one-dimensional (1D) quantum many-body systems, qualitative predictions of dynamical response functions are usually carried out by using the Tomonaga–
Luttinger liquid (TLL) theory. In this scenario, a precise evaluation of the DSF for a 1D quantum system with arbitrary interaction strength remains a formidable task. In this paper, we use the form factor approach based on algebraic Bethe ansatz theory to calculate precisely the DSF of Lieb–Liniger model with an arbitrary interaction strength at a large scale of particle number. We find that the DSF for a system as large as 2000 particles enables us to depict precisely its line-shape from which the power-law singularity with corresponding exponents in the vicinities of spectral thresholds naturally emerge. It should be noted that, the advantage of our algorithm promises an access to the threshold behavior of dynamical correlation functions, further confirming the validity of nonlinear TLL theory besides Kitanine et al (2012 J. Stat. Mech. P09001). Finally we discuss a comparison of results with the results from the ABACUS method by J-S Caux (2009 J. Math. Phys.
50 095214) as well as from the strongly coupling expansion by Brand and Cherny (2005 Phys. Rev. A 72 033619).
Modified saddle-point method applied to direct ionization of noble gas atoms
Authors: Jašarević A S , Hasović E , Milošević D B
Published: July 2023

When exposed to strong laser fields, atoms or molecules can absorb more photons from the laser field than is necessary for ionization. This process is called above-threshold ionization (ATI). In analyzing this process, the strong-field approximation (SFA) turns out to be a very useful theoretical tool. In the SFA the differential ionization rate, which is an observable quantity, can be expressed as an integral over the ionization time and can be calculated by numerical integration (NI) or using the saddle-point method (SPM). When we use the Slater orbitals to describe the ground-state wave function of the valence electron, the results obtained using the SPM and NI do not agree. We find the reasons for this disagreement and introduce a modified SPM that leads to excellent agreement between the SPM and NI results for various strong laser fields.
Occurrence of whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) in the Kwatisore Waters within the Cenderawasih Bay National Park as a basis for carrying capacity estimations and assessments for ecotourism suitability
Authors: Maruanaya Y , Sumaryono
Published: July 2023

Kwatisore waters in the Cenderawasih Bay National Park area is one of the whale sharks’ habitats in Indonesia. As shark sightings seem to occur daily there is the opportunity for ecotourism development in the area. This study aims to quantify the occurrence of whale sharks at Kwatisore, and estimate the carrying capacity of the area, together with its suitability for ecotourism based on whale shark aggregations. Primary data collection on the appearance of whale sharks was carried out every day through a census technique on 7 designated areas (Apr to Aug, 2022). Every whale shark that appears on the surface of the water is photographed and identified by an ID number based on the I3Sv2.0 and its sex determined. During the census period, 709 whale sharks’ sightings were recorded mostly in the morning. There were 15 individuals in total, all males with a total length ranging from 3-7 m. The carrying capacity of the area for whale shark ecotourism in Kwatisore waters is a maximum of 252 people per day who are allowed to interact with whale sharks, while the tourism suitability index is included in the very appropriate category for whale shark tourism.
Application of Sargassum sp extract on juvenile sandfish nursery
Authors: Tomatala P , Beruatwarin R J , Haryadi D , Arianto D , Pattiwael S , Damayanto M Z
Published: July 2023

Sea cucumbers are a high-value fauna that can be found on Kei Island’s coastal area. Because of overexploitation and poor management, the sea cucumber population on Kei Island has declined dramatically. To solve this problem, the cultivation activities (breeding, nursery and growth out) of sea cucumbers need to be developed immediately. The aim of this study was to utilize the brown algae Sargassum sp to support the production of sandfish seeds in Household-Scale Hatchery. This study took place from April - May 2022 at Tual Teripang Center, Tual. Juveniles of sandfish are used as research objects with measuring between 3 - 15 mm in size and have a stocking density of 800 juveniles per tub. The feed used as treatment was included Sargassum sp extract 300 gr/tub (Treatment A), 400 gr/tub (Treatment B), and 500 gr/tub (Treatment C). Feeding has given every day and water changes was 50 - 60% per day. The calculation of growth and survival rate is the variable that observed in this study. As supporting data, water quality test measures were carried out. Three treatments have different effects on juvenile growth. The best result was obtained in Treatment C. For survival, showed all treatments had same effect on the survival rate of juvenile sandfish. It was concluded that Treatment C was better for the growth of juvenile sandfish than Treatment A and Treatment B.
Impact of Marine Debris to Fishing Operation at Ambon Bay
Authors: Waileruny Welem , Uneputty Prulley A. , Hehanussa Kedswin G , Matruty Dinatonia J. , Sabandar A.M.O , Matrutty Delly DP
Published: July 2023

Marine debris is a serious problem around the world. The entry of garbage into the sea not only threatens the survival of various marine organisms but also disturbs fishing activities, thereby reducing fishermen’s production and income. This study aimed to identify the fishing gear damaged by marine debris during fishing operations and analyze how much the marine debris impacted the production of various fishing units. Data were obtained from 101 fishermen operating at Ambon Bay by observation, interview, and descriptive analysis. Obstacles by the trash during fishing operations are among the trash twisted or attached to fishing gear; trash are twisted at the propeller of the boat and damage the fishing gear. On the fishing line group, the main hurdle is on the vertical hand line, where the trash are entangled at the hook; on the gill net group, the main hurdle is on the bottom gill net, where the trash are twisted to body net; and on the seine group, the main constraint is on the beach seine, where the trash are trapped in the cod end. This condition causes a decline in production, with the biggest impact on the bottom gill net, with a decrease in production of 4.38% from the average production per trip.
Zoo-holoplankton assemblages in the surrounding waters of Kamal Western Part of Seram Island Maluku Indonesia
Authors: Huliselan N V , Tuapattinaja M A , Nikwelebu R R
Published: July 2023

Zoo-holoplankton dynamic between the sites are useful to knowledge with the regard to the characteristic of the areas and in relative to the community structure of zoo-holoplankton.The research conducted in the surrounding waters of Kamal village, the western part of Seram Island, Maluku Province. Zoo-holoplankton organisms collected from six-fixed Research stations consisted of different characteristics, namely stations 1 and 2 are Fish Aggregation Device placement areas, station 3 is the area for setting the lift nets, stations 4 and 6 are in front of the river mouth and station 5 is in the coral reef area. Sampling done every two weeks by using zooplankton net (diameter of 45 cm) sled with a 200 µm meshed. The result showed that the composition of zoo-holoplankton consisted of 37 genera from 8 phylum, 9 classes, and 28 families. There were about 9 genera (Calanus sp, Calocalanus sp, Acartia sp, Centropages sp, Oithona sp, Onceae sp, Corycaeus sp and Copilia sp), which found in all stations and periods. While some genera are only present at certain stations or periods (Eucalanus sp, Labidocera sp, Sapphirina sp, and Evadne sp). The abundance of zoo-holoplankton peaked at station 5 (16,332 ind/m−3) in the third period, while the lowest was at station 1 (809 ind/m−3) in the second period. Similarities indices was high between station 1 and 2 during the whole period (91%, 82% and 78%) and was low between station 1 and 6 (In the first period) and station 3 and 5. We noticed that differences characteristic of sampling areas leading to the abundance and the genera numbers of zoo-holoplankton. .
Plastic pollution in Ambon Bay
Authors: Smeets R , Winkelmann L , Knoester R , Heikoop T. H. , Castro C B C
Published: July 2023

Ambon has problems with plastic pollution, both in the rivers and the bay. Due to faults in the waste system, 60 tons of waste is not collected in Kota Ambon. This waste ends up in illegal landfills, the waste is burned or thrown in the water. The plastic pollution in the bay contributes to the global problem of plastic soup. Research was conducted based on question; which recommendations can be given to collect the floating plastics in the rivers around Ambon Market by using the litter traps. To answer the main question, sub-questions are drafted covering the sources of pollution, possible locations, and the possibilities for a trap. The research is conducted using different methods that is interview to local experts, observation, literature research and talks to residents. Most of the plastic found are single-use plastics, like water and food packaging materials. The most feasible location for a litter trap is the end of Batu Merah River due to the abundance of plastic, the depth, and the nearby presence of Speed Sampah. The concept litter trap showed that this device could be effective at Batu Merah River. Further research is needed to create a more definitive solution for plastic pollution. Several aspects must be taken into account, such as the circumstances like the rainy season, sedimentation, current, and tide can impact the working of the litter trap and should be considered during the designing process.
Water Quality of Haruku Strait Central Maluku Indonesia
Authors: Tubalawony Simon , Tuahatu Juliana W. , Kalay Degen E.
Published: July 2023

The waters of the Haruku Strait are one of the waters in Maluku Province highly used, both on the coast and in the sea. This allows waste ingress into the waters, this results in pollution which causes declining water quality. An indicator of declining aquatic environment quality is the presence of dissolved oxygen. Oxygen solubility in the waters is also influenced by the character of the water mass. The purpose of this study was to examine the water quality of the Haruku Strait, especially the DO, BOD and pH, turbidity and brightness. The research was carried out in July-September 2021. The method used was in situ measurement of parameter values by taking water samples using Niskin bottles. Furthermore, the concentrations of pH, DO and BOD were measured using a DO and BOD meter Instrument (Hanna Instrument) and a pH meter. The data were then analyzed with the help of Surfer 12 software and Microsoft Excel, the results were displayed in the form of a horizontal distribution map and a vertical distribution graph. The results showed that the concentration of dissolved oxygen (DO) in the waters of the Haruku Strait ranged from 5.76-8.82 mg/L, while the BOD ranged from 5.22-10.43 mg/L and the pH value was 7.0-8.5, brightness 5.5-13.5 m, and turbidity 0.35-1.75 FTU. The waters quality is classified as good and the health of the waters of the Haruku Strait based on the parameters of pH, DO and BOD can be categorized as clean when referred to the quality standards for ports, marine tourism and marine life.
Bioconcentration of Plumbum (Lead) and Cadmium on mangrove crab Scylla spp. in mangrove ecosystem Passo Ambon Indonesia
Authors: Selanno Debby A J , Siahainenia Laura
Published: July 2023

Mangrove crab (Scylla spp.) is one of the potential fishery commodities of Maluku Province, which is in high demand because of delicious and nutritious and has selling and export value. This research conducted on the Passo mangrove ecosystems, in May-July 2021. The aims were to analyze the concentration of heavy metals Pb (lead) and Cd (cadmium) in water, sediment and mangrove crabs; and to analyze bioconcentrations and its pollutant categories. Samples of water, sediment and mangrove crabs were taken and captured in the mangrove ecosystems of Passo (Station 1) and at three substations using the purposive sampling method. The treatment of water samples, sediment and mangrove crabs from nature follows the standards of handling samples for analysis of heavy metal concentrations in each medium. The concentration of heavy metals in each medium was analyzed using an Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The results showed that the value of the concentration of Pb in Passo was still at the detection limit; concentrations in sediments have exceeded the detection limit; and the concentration of mangrove crabmeat has exceeded the detection limit. The value of Cd concentrations in water of Passo was still at the limit detection value; concentrations in sediments have exceeded the detection limit; while concentration on mangrove crabmeat was still relatively low but indicated accumulation. Bioconcentration Factor indicates the accumulation of PB and Cd metals was relatively low (<100).
Proximate and amino acid profile of humpback grouper (Cromileptes altivelis) from Tomini Bay Gorontalo Indonesia
Authors: Mile L , Nursyam H , Setijawati D , Sulistiyati T D
Published: July 2023

Humpback grouper (Cromileptes altivelis) commonly known as rat grouper is one type of marine fish that has high nutritional value but is rarely used as a fishery product. In this study, we investigated the proximate content and types of amino acids found in the flesh of the humpback grouper (Cromileptes altivelis). The method used in this study was the content of proximate and amino acids in humpback grouper (Cromileptes altivelis). The results showed that the flesh contained 27.59% protein, 0.87% ash, 59.67% water, 7.25% fat, and 4.63% carbohydrates. Meat in humpback grouper (Cromileptes altivelis) contains 86.157,72 mg/kg (50.59%) essential amino acids, 84.158,72 mg/kg (49.41%) non-essential amino acids.
Total suspended solid distribution as impact tin mining at surrounded Pangkalpinang seawater Bangka Island
Authors: Akhrianti Irma , Nugraha Moh. Agung , Pamungkas Aditya , Gustomi Andi
Published: July 2023

Bangka Belitung Archipelago is well known as tin mining production in Indonesia. The mining activity was performed on land and offshore area which affect the shoreline and total suspended solid distribution especially at Pangkalpinang sea water. The aim of this study is to evaluate total suspended solid (TSS) distribution and compare with oceanography parameters (current and wave). The concentration of TSS was analysed in the laboratory by gravimetric total suspended solids. This study was conducted in June- July 2022 by using survey method and IDW Interpolation. The result showed that total suspended solid have various value, ranging from 56.3 mg/l – 93.3 mg/l. Based on PP No.22 in 2021, several stations on Pangkalpinang sea waters have passed the sea water quality standard. Prolonged exposure of sedimentation will lead to shoreline changes.
Rational design of nanoarray structures for lithium–sulfur batteries: recent advances and future prospects
Authors: Ren Longtao , Liu Jun , Pato Abdul Hameed , Wang Yan , Lu Xiwen , Chandio Imran Ali , Zhou Mingyue , Liu Wen , Xu Haijun , Sun Xiaoming
Published: July 2023

Lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries are considered as promising candidates for future-generation energy storage systems due to their prominent theoretical energy density. However, their application is still hindered by several critical issues, e.g., the low conductivity of sulfur species, the shuttling effects of soluble lithium polysulfides, volumetric expansion, sluggish redox kinetics, and uncontrollable Li dendritic formation. Considerable research efforts have been devoted to breaking through the obstacles that are preventing Li–S batteries from realizing practical application. Recently, benefiting from the no additives/binders, buffer of volume change, high sulfur loading and suppression of lithium dendrites, nanoarray (NA) structures have have emerged as efficient and durable electrodes in Li–S batteries. In this work, recent advances in the design, synthesis and application of NA structures in Li–S batteries are reviewed. First, the multifunctional merits and typical synthetic strategies of employing NA structure electrodes for Li–S batteries are outlined. Second, the applications of NA structures in Li–S batteries are discussed comprehensively. Finally, the challenge and rational design of NA structure for Li–S batteries are analyzed in depth, with the aim of providing promising orientations for the commercialization of high-energy-density Li–S batteries.
Prediction of metabolite–protein interactions based on integration of machine learning and constraint-based modeling
Authors: Soleymani Babadi Fayaz , Razaghi-Moghadam Zahra , Zare-Mirakabad Fatemeh , Nikoloski Zoran
Published: July 2023

Motivation

Metabolite–protein interactions play an important role in regulating protein functions and metabolism. Yet, predictions of metabolite–protein interactions using genome-scale metabolic networks are lacking. Here, we fill this gap by presenting a computational framework, termed SARTRE, that employs features corresponding to shadow prices determined in the context of flux variability analysis to predict metabolite–protein interactions using supervised machine learning.

Results

By using gold standards for metabolite–protein interactomes and well-curated genome-scale metabolic models of Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae, we found that the implementation of SARTRE with random forest classifiers accurately predicts metabolite–protein interactions, supported by an average area under the receiver operating curve of 0.86 and 0.85, respectively. Ranking of features based on their importance for classification demonstrated the key role of shadow prices in predicting metabolite–protein interactions. The quality of predictions is further supported by the excellent agreement of the organism-specific classifiers on unseen interactions shared between the two model organisms. Further, predictions from SARTRE are highly competitive against those obtained from a recent deep-learning approach relying on a variety of protein and metabolite features. Together, these findings show that features extracted from constraint-based analyses of metabolic networks pave the way for understanding the functional roles of the interactions between proteins and small molecules.

Availability and implementation

https://github.com/fayazsoleymani/SARTRE.
Mitochondrial dysfunction and mitophagy: crucial players in burn trauma and wound healing
Authors: Prabhakaran Harshini Sheeja , Hu Dongxue , He Weifeng , Luo Gaoxing , Liou Yih-Cherng
Published: July 2023

Burn injuries are a significant cause of death worldwide, leading to systemic inflammation, multiple organ failure and sepsis. The progression of burn injury is explicitly correlated with mitochondrial homeostasis, which is disrupted by the hyperinflammation induced by burn injury, leading to mitochondrial dysfunction and cell death. Mitophagy plays a crucial role in maintaining cellular homeostasis by selectively removing damaged mitochondria. A growing body of evidence from various disease models suggest that pharmacological interventions targeting mitophagy could be a promising therapeutic strategy. Recent studies have shown that mitophagy plays a crucial role in wound healing and burn injury. Furthermore, chemicals targeting mitophagy have also been shown to improve wound recovery, highlighting the potential for novel therapeutic strategies based on an in-depth exploration of the molecular mechanisms regulating mitophagy and its association with skin wound healing.
Combination treatment of a novel CXCR3 antagonist ACT-777991 with an anti-CD3 antibody synergistically increases persistent remission in experimental models of type 1 diabetes
Authors: Christen Urs , Pouzol Laetitia , Tunis Mélanie , Sassi Anna , Tondello Camilla , Bayer Monika , Hintermann Edith , Strasser Daniel S , Schuldes Sabrina , Mentzel Ulrich , Martinic Marianne M
Published: July 2023

Treatment of patients with recent-onset type 1 diabetes with an anti-CD3 antibody leads to the transient stabilization of C-peptide levels in responder patients. Partial efficacy may be explained by the entry of islet-reactive T-cells spared by and/or regenerated after the anti-CD3 therapy. The CXCR3/CXCL10 axis has been proposed as a key player in the infiltration of autoreactive T cells into the pancreatic islets followed by the destruction of β cells. Combining the blockade of this axis using ACT-777991, a novel small-molecule CXCR3 antagonist, with anti-CD3 treatment may prevent further infiltration and β-cell damage and thus, preserve insulin production.

The effect of anti-CD3 treatment on circulating T-cell subsets, including CXCR3 expression, in mice was evaluated by flow cytometry. Anti-CD3/ACT-777991 combination treatment was assessed in the virally induced RIP-LCMV-GP and NOD diabetes mouse models. Treatments started at disease onset. The effects on remission rate, blood glucose concentrations, insulitis, and plasma C-peptide were evaluated for the combination treatment and the respective monotherapies.

Anti-CD3 treatment induced transient lymphopenia but spared circulating CXCR3+ T cells. Combination therapy in both mouse models synergistically and persistently reduced blood glucose concentrations, resulting in increased disease remission rates compared to each monotherapy. At the study end, mice in disease remission demonstrated reduced insulitis and detectable plasma C-peptide levels. When treatments were initiated in non-severely hyperglycemic NOD mice at diabetes onset, the combination treatment led to persistent disease remission in all mice.

These results provide preclinical validation and rationale to investigate the combination of ACT-777991 with anti-CD3 for the treatment of patients with recent-onset diabetes.
The prognostic impact of tumor length on pathological stage IA-IC esophageal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Yan Sen , Liu Xianben , Xing Wenqun , Jiang Duo , Feng Shao-Kang , Chang Andrew C , Sun Hai-Bo
Published: July 2023

This study was completed to evaluate the relationship between tumor length and the prognosis of patients with pathological stage IA-IC esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). Patients were identified from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program database (United States, 2006–2015). X-tile software and ROC analysis were mainly used to explore the best threshold of tumor length for dividing patients into different groups, and then propensity score matching (PSM) was used to balance other variables between groups. The primary outcome assessed was overall survival (OS). A total of 762 patients were identified, and 500 patients were left after PSM. Twenty millimeters were used as the threshold of tumor length. Patients with longer tumor lengths showed worse OS (median: 93 vs. 128 months; P = 0.006). Multivariable Cox regression analysis showed that longer tumor length was an independent risk factor (hazard ratio 1.512, 95% confidence interval, 1.158–1.974, P = 0.002). Tumor length has an impact on patients with pathological stage IA-IC EAC who undergo surgery alone. The prognostic value of the pathological stage group may be improved after combining it with tumor length and age.
The molding of intraspecific trait variation by selection under ecological inheritance
Authors: Prigent Iris , Mullon Charles
Published: July 2023

Organisms continuously modify their environment, often impacting the fitness of future conspecifics due to ecological inheritance. When this inheritance is biased toward kin, selection favors modifications that increase the fitness of downstream individuals. How such selection shapes trait variation within populations remains poorly understood. Using mathematical modelling, we investigate the coevolution of multiple traits in a group-structured population when these traits affect the group environment, which is then bequeathed to future generations. We examine when such coevolution favors polymorphism as well as the resulting associations among traits. We find in particular that two traits become associated when one trait affects the environment while the other influences the likelihood that future kin experience this environment. To illustrate this, we model the coevolution of (a) the attack rate on a local renewable resource, which deteriorates environmental conditions, with (b) dispersal between groups, which reduces the likelihood that kin suffers from such deterioration. We show this often leads to the emergence of two highly differentiated morphs: one that readily disperses and depletes local resources, and another that maintains these resources and tends to remain philopatric. More broadly, we suggest that ecological inheritance can contribute to phenotypic diversity and lead to complex polymorphism.
In search of the Goldilocks zone for hybrid speciation II: hard times for hybrid speciation?
Authors: Blanckaert Alexandre , Sriram Vedanth , Bank Claudia
Published: July 2023

Hybridization opens a unique window for observing speciation mechanisms and is a potential engine of speciation. One controversially discussed outcome of hybridization is homoploid hybrid speciation by reciprocal sorting, where a hybrid population maintains a mixed combination of the parental genetic incompatibilities, preventing further gene exchange between the newly formed population and the two parental sources. Previous work showed that, for specific linkage architectures (i.e., the genomic location and order of hybrid incompatibilities), reciprocal sorting could reliably result in hybrid speciation. Yet, the sorting of incompatibilities creates a risk of population extinction. To understand how the demographic consequences of the purging of incompatibilities interact with the formation of a hybrid species, we model an isolated hybrid population resulting from a single admixture event. We study how population size, linkage architecture, and the strength of the incompatibility affect survival of the hybrid population, resolution/purging of the genetic incompatibilities and the probability of observing hybrid speciation. We demonstrate that the extinction risk is highest for intermediately strong hybrid incompatibilities. In addition, the linkage architecture displaying the highest hybrid speciation probabilities changes drastically with population size. Overall, this indicates that population dynamics can strongly affect the outcome of hybridization and the hybrid speciation probability.
CRISPR-Cas9 engineering in the hybrid yeast Zygosaccharomyces parabailii can lead to loss of heterozygosity in target chromosomes
Authors: Jayaprakash Pooja , Barroso Liliane , Vajente Matteo , Maestroni Letizia , Louis Edward J , Morrissey John P , Branduardi Paola
Published: July 2023

The hybrid yeast Zygosaccharomyces parabailii holds potential as a cell factory mainly because of its robustness in withstanding stressors that often characterize bio-based processes. However, a complex genome and a lack of gene editing tools hinder the capacity to engineer this yeast. In this work, we developed a CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing system for Z. parabailii that allows simultaneous disruption or deletion of both alleles of a gene. We evaluated four different gRNA expression systems consisting of combinations of tRNAs, tRNA and ribozyme or ribozymes as self-cleaving flanking elements and established that the most efficient systems used an RNA Pol II promoter followed by a 5’tRNA flanking the gRNA. This gRNA system was then used to construct a strain of Z. parabailii in which both alleles of DNL4 were inactivated and so relied on homologous recombination to repair double-stranded breaks. Our system can be used for gene inactivation in a wild-type strain and precise deletion with marker insertion in a dnl4 mutant. In some cases, we observed inter-chromosomal recombination around the site of the DSB that could cause loss of heterozygosity through gene conversion or deletion. Although an additional aspect that needs to be monitored during strain engineering, this phenomenon also offers opportunities to explore genome plasticity in hybrid yeasts.
Joint Gramian inversion of gravity, magnetic and gravity gradient tensor data for the modelling of Mesoproterozoic iron oxide deposits, southeast Missouri, USA
Authors: Vatankhah Saeed , Huang Xingguo , Renaut Rosemary A , Mickus Kevin , Lin Jun
Published: July 2023

Within the iron metallogenic province of southeast Missouri, USA, there are several mines that contain not only economic iron resources, magnetite and/or hematite, but also contain rare earth elements, copper and gold. An area including three major deposits, Pea Ridge, Bourbon and Kratz Spring, was selected for detailed modelling for the upper crustal magnetic susceptibility and density structures. For the study area, ground gravity and high-resolution airborne magnetic and gravity gradiometry data sets are available. An efficient and novel joint inversion algorithm for the simultaneous inversion of these multiple data sets is presented. The Gramian coupling constraint is used to correlate the reconstructed density and magnetic susceptibility models. The implementation relies on the structures of the sensitivity matrices and an efficient minimization algorithm to achieve significant reductions in the memory requirements and computational costs. Consequently, it is feasible to use a laptop computer for the inversion of multiple data sets, each containing thousands of data points, for the recovery of models on the study area, each including approximately one million model parameters. This is the first time that these multiple data sets have been simultaneously inverted for this area. The L1-norm stabilizer is used to provide compact and focused images of the ore deposits. For contrast, independent inversions of each data set are also discussed. In general, our results provide new insights about the concealed ore deposits in the Mesoproterozoic basement rocks of southeast Missouri. Both short- and long-wavelength anomalies exist in the recovered models; these provide a high-resolution image of the subsurface. The geometry and physical properties of the known deposits are determined very well. Additionally, some unknown concealed deposits are revealed; these could be economically valuable and should be considered in future geophysical and geological investigations.
Assessing the impact of antimicrobial stewardship implementation at a district hospital in Ghana using a health partnership model
Authors: Amponsah Obed Kwabena Offe , Courtenay Aaron , Ayisi-Boateng Nana Kwame , Abuelhana Ahmed , Opoku Douglas Aninng , Blay Lawrence Kobina , Abruquah Nana Akua , Osafo Annabella Bensusan , Danquah Charlotte Boachie , Tawiah Phyllis , Opare-Addo Mercy Naa Aduele , Owusu-Ofori Alex , Buabeng Kwame Ohene
Published: July 2023

Background

Antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) is imperative in addressing the menace of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in health systems. Commonwealth Partnerships for Antimicrobial Stewardship uses a health partnership model to establish AMS in Commonwealth countries. The Hospital of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in partnership with Ulster University, Northern Ireland, undertook an AMS project from November 2021 to May 2022. We report on implementation of the AMS, its impact on antibiotic use and infections management at the University Hospital; Kumasi, Ghana.

Methods

The Global-Point Prevalence Survey (PPS) protocol was used to assess antibiotics use at the hospital at baseline, midpoint and end of the project. Feedback on each PPS was given to the hospital to inform practice, behavioural change and improve antibiotic use.

Results

Antibiotic use reduced from 65% at baseline to 59.7% at the end of the project. The rate of healthcare-associated infections also reduced from 17.5% at baseline to 6.5%. Use of antibiotics from the WHO Access group was 40% at baseline but increased to 50% at the endpoint. Watch antibiotics reduced from 60% to 50% from baseline. Culture and susceptibility requests increased from baseline of 111 total requests to 330 requests in the intervention period to inform antimicrobial therapy

Conclusion

The model AMS instituted improved antibiotic use and quality of antimicrobial therapy within the study period. Continuous staff education and training in AMS, and use of standard tools for assessment and application of local data to inform infections management will ensure sustenance and improvement in the gains made.
Description of a new Pavlovskyella species (Acari: Argasidae) from Chile
Authors: Muñoz-Leal Sebastián , Venzal José M , Kneubehl Alexander R , Lopez Job E , Martins Thiago F , Labruna Marcelo B
Published: July 2023

Soft ticks (Argasidae) of the Pavlovskyella Pospelova-Shtrom subgenus are important vectors of relapsing fever spirochetes, which are agents of disease globally. South American representatives of the Pavlovskyella subgenus include 3 species: Ornithodoros (Pavlovskyella) brasiliensis Aragão, Ornithodoros (Pavlovskyella) furcosus Neumann, and Ornithodoros (Pavlovskyella) rostratus Aragão. Here, we describe a fourth species based on morphological and mitogenomic evidence of ticks collected in burrows of unknown hosts in central Chile. The larva of the new species separates from other South American soft ticks by the following combination of characters: 13 pairs of dorsolateral setae, dorsal plate hexagonal, hypostome blunt with denticles from apex almost to the base. Adults of this new species lack cheeks, possess a dorsoventral groove, and have humps, similar to O. (P.) brasiliensis; however, they lack bulging structures on the flanks of idiosoma. Moreover, females and males differ from O. (P.) rostratus by having 3 humps instead of spurs in tarsi I and from O. (P.) furcosus because of their smaller size and thinner anterior lip of the genital aperture in females. The phylogenetic analysis performed with mitogenomes of the Argasidae family depicts the new Pavlovskyella species from Chile in a monophyletic clade with other South American species in the subgenus, confirming a regional group.
The role of miRNA-144-3p/Oprk1/KOR in nicotine dependence and nicotine withdrawal in male rats
Authors: Shao Jiali , Fei Yanxia , Xiao Ji , Wang Lijuan , Zou Shuangfa , Yang Jinfeng
Published: July 2023

Introduction

The kappa-opioid receptor (KOR) has been implicated in mediating the behavioral and biochemical effects associated with nicotine reward and withdrawal; however, its underlying mechanisms remain to be further explored.

Methods

Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were used to establish a nicotine dependence and withdrawal model by injecting nicotine (3 mg/kg/day, s.c.) or vehicle for 14 days, followed by the termination of nicotine for 7 days. Body weight gain, pain behaviors, and withdrawal scores were assessed in succession. MicroRNA (miRNA) sequencing was performed, and quantitative real-time PCR was used to detect the expression of candidate miRNAs and Oprk1. Western blotting was performed to examine KOR protein expression of KOR. Luciferase assay was conducted to validate the relationship of certain miRNAs/Oprk1.

Results

The behavioral results showed that nicotine dependence and withdrawal induced behavioral changes. Biochemical analyses demonstrated that miR-144-3p expression decreased and Oprk1/KOR expression increased in the prefrontal cortex, nucleus accumben, and hippocampus. Further investigation suggested that miR-144-3p exerted an inhibitory effect on Oprk1 expression in PC12 cells.

Conclusions

This study revealed that miR-144-3p/Oprk1/KOR might be a potential pathway underlying the adverse effects induced by nicotine dependence and withdrawal, and might provide a novel therapeutic target for smoking cessation.

Implications

This study demonstrates an impact of nicotine dependence and nicotine withdrawal on behavioral outcomes and the expressions of miR-144-3p/Oprk1/KOR in male rats. These findings have important translational implications given the continued use of nicotine and the difficulty in smoking cessation worldwide, which can be applied to alleviated the adverse effects induced by nicotine dependence and withdrawal, thus assist smokers to quit smoking.
Espalier: Efficient Tree Reconciliation and Ancestral Recombination Graphs Reconstruction Using Maximum Agreement Forests
Authors: Rasmussen David A , Guo Fangfang
Published: July 2023

In the presence of recombination individuals may inherit different regions of their genome from different ancestors, resulting in a mosaic of phylogenetic histories across their genome. Ancestral recombination graphs (ARGs) can capture how phylogenetic relationships vary across the genome due to recombination, but reconstructing ARGs from genomic sequence data is notoriously difficult. Here, we present a method for reconciling discordant phylogenetic trees and reconstructing ARGs using maximum agreement forests (MAFs). Given two discordant trees, a MAF identifies the smallest possible set of topologically concordant subtrees present in both trees. We show how discordant trees can be reconciled through their MAF in a way that retains discordances strongly supported by sequence data while eliminating conflicts likely attributable to phylogenetic noise. We further show how MAFs and our reconciliation approach can be combined to select a path of local trees across the genome that maximizes the likelihood of the genomic sequence data, minimizes discordance between neighboring local trees, and identifies the recombination events necessary to explain remaining discordances to obtain a fully connected ARG. While heuristic, our ARG reconstruction approach is often as accurate as more exact methods while being much more computationally efficient. Moreover, important demographic parameters such as recombination rates can be accurately estimated from reconstructed ARGs. Finally, we apply our approach to plant infecting RNA viruses in the genus Potyvirus to demonstrate how true recombination events can be disentangled from phylogenetic noise using our ARG reconstruction methods.