bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nitrate transporter NRT1.1 and anion channel SLAH3 form a functional unit to regulate nitrate‐dependent alleviation of ammonium toxicity
Authors: Xiao Chengbin , Sun Doudou , Liu Beibei , Fang Xianming , Li Pengcheng , Jiang Yao , He Mingming , Li Jia , Luan Sheng , He Kai
Published: March 2022

Ammonium (NH4+) and nitrate (NO3−) are major inorganic nitrogen (N) sources for plants. When serving as the sole or dominant N supply, NH4+ often causes root inhibition and shoot chlorosis in plants, known as ammonium toxicity. NO3− usually causes no toxicity and can mitigate ammonium toxicity even at low concentrations, referred to as nitrate‐dependent alleviation of ammonium toxicity. Our previous studies indicated a NO3− efflux channel SLAH3 is involved in this process. However, whether additional components contribute to NO3−‐mediated NH4+ detoxification is unknown. Previously, mutations in NO3− transporter NRT1.1 were shown to cause enhanced resistance to high concentrations of NH4+. Whereas, in this study, we found when the high‐NH4+ medium was supplemented with low concentrations of NO3−, nrt1.1 mutant plants showed hyper‐sensitive phenotype instead. Furthermore, mutation in NRT1.1 caused enhanced medium acidification under high‐NH4+/low‐NO3− condition, suggesting NRT1.1 regulates ammonium toxicity by facilitating H+ uptake. Moreover, NRT1.1 was shown to interact with SLAH3 to form a transporter‐channel complex. Interestingly, SLAH3 appeared to affect NO3− influx while NRT1.1 influenced NO3− efflux, suggesting NRT1.1 and SLAH3 regulate each other at protein and/or gene expression levels. Our study thus revealed NRT1.1 and SLAH3 form a functional unit to regulate nitrate‐dependent alleviation of ammonium toxicity through regulating NO3− transport and balancing rhizosphere acidification.
Factors associated with fear of COVID‐19 among people living with HIV/AIDS in Suphanburi province, Thailand
Authors: Khumsaen Natawan , Peawnalaw Supannee
Published: March 2022

Aim

To investigate fear of COVID‐19 and related factors among Thai people living with HIV (PLHIV).

Methods

This cross‐sectional survey was conducted among 204 participants using an online convenience sampling method. Data were collected using a demographic characteristics form, the knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward COVID‐19 questionnaire, and the Fear of COVID‐19 scale (FCV‐19S). Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.

Results

The sample consisted of 204 Thai PLHIV (47.1% female and 52.9% male). Knowledge level about COVID‐19 in 94.83% of the participants was acceptable, and 85.3% of them had confidence about successful control of COVID‐19 in Thailand; and 99.5% wore a mask when leaving home in recent days. Fear of COVID‐19 was at a mild level. COVID‐19 fear scores were significantly higher in those 60 years old and over, and those who had a family member or close friend who was sick due to COVID‐19. Knowledge and preventive practice were significantly related to FCV‐19S scores. Age, knowledge, and preventive practice regarding COVID‐19 were the influencing factors in fear of COVID‐19 (adjusted R2 = 0.281, F = 6.221, p < .05).

Conclusions

COVID‐19 pandemic has significantly influenced fear among PLHIV. Our findings might be useful for healthcare professions to develop effective campaigns to minimize the fear of COVID‐19 in potential future pandemics.
Cultivating learning in vitro: A meta‐ethnography of learning experiences of nursing students regarding high‐fidelity simulation
Authors: Fernández‐Basanta Sara , Picallo‐García Laura , Movilla‐Fernández María‐Jesús
Published: March 2022

Objectives

To synthesise the experience of nursing students in their final years regarding high‐fidelity simulation in acute and critical care.

Background

For the complex and changing healthcare environment, new tools are required to help health students, educational staff and managers to design and present rewarding educational simulations. Due to the complexity and limited learning opportunities in real settings, high‐fidelity simulation enables students to acquire skills for the provision of acute and critical care in a controlled environment that closely imitates reality; however, the literature on students’ learning experiences with this education methodology is still limited.

Design

This study followed Noblit and Hare's interpretive meta‐ethnography, which was written and reviewed for reporting clarity against the EQUATOR checklist using the eMERGe.

Data sources

A comprehensive systematic search strategy was carried out in five databases: PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, Web of Science and PsycINFO.

Review methods

Ten studies met the research objective and inclusion criteria.

Results

The metaphor ‘Cultivating learning in vitro’ and four themes were developed to describe the learning experiences of nursing students regarding high‐fidelity simulation in acute and critical care. The themes were as follows: Learning roots—Ways to learn during high‐fidelity simulation; Learning stimulants—Elements that favour learning; Learning impairments—Elements that hinder learning; and Learning flourishing—Results after high‐fidelity simulation.

Conclusions

Seeing, doing and reflecting constituted the main sources of learning. Students identified the stimulating and debilitating aspects of learning which could help in the design of simulation sessions and promote their incorporation into nursing curricula. Finally, ‘the flowering of the plant’ represents the learning outcomes developed in a controlled and safe environment.

Relevance to clinical practice

The results of this meta‐ethnography provide keys to promote change in teaching planning in relation to acute and critical care.
In situ purification experiment of a mangrove–aquaculture coupling system: A case study of a crab pond in Wanning, Hainan Province
Authors: Zheng Hao , Ni Sui , Tan Xuemin , Wang Chunlin
Published: March 2022

Aquaculture development and expansion can destroy and reduce tropical mangrove systems, while discharging sewage into the ocean. This study introduced a new mangrove system into an aquaculture pond to establish a mangrove–aquaculture coupling system. This study aims to reduce pond water eutrophication and decrease nutrient discharge into the ocean without affecting aquaculture. Results show that mangrove planting does not affect Scylla serrata growth (mud crabs), but does stabilize pond environments. While mangrove‐planting inhibits nitrogen and reactive P (PO43−) accumulation in ponds, it is a poor inhibitor of total phosphorus accumulation. The average nitrite (NO2−), reactive P (PO43−), and total nitrogen (TN) contents decreased by 80.46, 35.47, and 31.01%, respectively. This mangrove–aquaculture coupling system provides a method to balance economic development needs with the ecological needs of mangrove wetlands. This study offers suggestions for establishing this system and its associated waste aquaculture pond transformation.
Probiotic characterization of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum HOM3204 and its restoration effect on antibiotic-induced dysbiosis in mice
Authors: Zhang S. , Wang T. , Zhang D. , Wang X. , Zhang Z. , Lim C. , Lee S.
Published: March 2022

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the probiotic characteristics of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum HOM3204 isolated from homemade pickled cabbage and to examine its restoration effect on antibiotic-induced dysbiosis in mice. Lact. plantarum HOM3204 tolerated simulated gastric and intestinal juices with a 99·38% survival rate. It also showed strong adhesion ability (3·45%) to Caco-2 cells and excellent antimicrobial activity against foodborne pathogens in vitro. For safety (antibiotic susceptibility) of this strain, it was susceptible to all the tested seven antibiotics. Lact. plantarum HOM3204 had good stability during storage, especially in cold and frozen conditions. Furthermore, Lact. plantarum HOM3204 significantly restored the gut microbiota composition by increasing the abundance of Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria and decreasing Enterococci, and improved antioxidative function by raising the concentrations of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in serum of antibiotic-induced dysbiosis in mice. These results suggest that Lact. plantarum HOM3204 could be a potential probiotic as a functional food ingredient.
Antibacterial activity and mechanism of chloroform fraction from aqueous extract of mugwort leaves (Artemisia argyi L.) against Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Zhang J.-J. , Qu L.-B. , Bi Y.-F. , Pan C.-X. , Yang R. , Zeng H.-J.
Published: March 2022

In this work, the antibacterial activity and mechanism of chloroform fraction obtained from aqueous extract of mugwort leaves against Staphylococcus aureus were investigated. The extract showed obvious antibacterial activity against S. aureus which the minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration were determined to be 3·0 and 6·0 mg ml−1 respectively. The mechanism study suggested that the extract could destroy the integrity of the S. aureus cell walls and increase the permeability of cell membrane in a certain concentration, but it could not kill S. aureus in a short time. Instead, the extract could make bacteria in a state of apoptosis for a long time, interfere with the normal physiological metabolism of bacteria, and eventually make bacteria die, which was confirm by scanning electronic microscope.
LncCDCA3L inhibits cell proliferation via a novel RNA structure‐based crosstalk with CDCA3 in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Wang Yongfeng , Liu Yongzhen , Zhang Ting , Guan Guiwen , Mao Tianhao , Liu Hui , Zhang Jing , Lu Fengmin , Chen Xiangmei
Published: March 2022

Background & Aims

The molecular mechanisms underlying hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain poorly understood. In this study, we investigated cell division cycle‐associated 3 (CDCA3) expression status and characterized a CDCA3‐related long non‐coding RNA (lncRNA) in HCC.

Methods

RT‐qPCR and western blot were used to determine CDCA3 expression level in HCC clinical specimens. 5′ and 3′‐RACE, RNAscope, RNA pull‐down, CRISPR/Cas9‐based RNA immunoprecipitation (CRIP) and site‐directed mutation experiments were used to characterize lncCDCA3L and investigate its function target. Chi‐square test and Kaplan–Meier analysis were used to assess lncCDCA3L clinical significance. The effects of lncCDCA3L on HCC development were assessed by overexpression in vitro and in vivo.

Results

In this study, we found CDCA3 was a potential oncogenic factor in HCC and characterized the lncCDCA3L, which could inhibit CDCA3. LncCDCA3L is significantly downregulated in HCC and its expression level is associated with tumour size and can act as an independent risk factor affecting postoperative survival time in HCC patients. Mechanistically, lncCDCA3L can repress CDCA3 protein level and inhibit hepatocarcinogenesis by directly binding to CDCA3 mRNA at 1423–1455 region via a novel manner based on a hairpin structure motif.

Conclusions

Our study collectively unveiled the molecular mechanisms of how lncCDCA3L repressed the tumourigenic properties of HCC cells and exhibited a tumour suppressor character in HCC in a CDCA3‐dependent manner. The findings here support lncCDCA3L can be used as a candidate prognostic biomarker for HCC patients.
Does urinary urgency drive urinary frequency in overactive bladder?
Authors: Versi Eboo , Rovner Eric S. , Dmochowski Roger R. , Tu Le Mai , De Wachter Stefan
Published: March 2022

Objectives

To determine if reduction in urgency in patients with refractory overactive bladder syndrome (rOAB) is correlated with a reduction in voiding frequency and symptom bother.

Methods

Data from a prospective series of women with rOAB undergoing radiofrequency ablation of the subtrigonal tissue, termed selective bladder denervation (SBD), was analyzed. Main outcome measures included urgency voids, nonurgency voids, and urgency urinary incontinence (UUI) epidsodes from a 3‐day voiding diary and quality of life (QoL) measures (Overactive Bladder Questionnaire Short Form [OAB‐q SF]).

Results

The dataset comprised 62 completer subjects at 6 months. Compared to baseline, UUI and urgency voids were lower (P < .001), but nonurgency voids were increased (P < .001) and QoL measures were improved (P < .001), but functional bladder capacity did not increase. At baseline and 6 months post treatment, symptom bother was correlated with urgency voids (P < .05) but inversely correlated with nonurgency voids (P < .001). Urgency and nonurgency voids were inversely related at baseline and at 6 months (P < .0001). Following treatment, urgency voids decreased by 41% and nonurgency voids increased by 33%.

Conclusions

As with other interventions for OAB, SBD resulted in a reduction in OAB symptoms and an improvement in QoL measures. However, the decrease in urgency voids was offset by an increase in nonurgency voids, suggesting that habit or defensive voiding is a significant driver of urinary frequency. It is not certain if this is a unique finding of the SBD effect, but these data do suggest that analyses of outcomes of other OAB interventions are warranted to gain a better understanding of the genesis of OAB symptoms.
Improving nutrition budgeting in health sector plans: Evidence from India's anaemia control strategy
Authors: Saini Avi , Shukla Ritwik , Joe William , Kapur Avani
Published: March 2022

In India, 15 nutrition interventions are delivered and financed through the National Health Mission (NHM). Programmatic know‐how, however, on tracking nutrition budgets in health sector plans is limited. Following the four phases of the budget cycle—planning, allocations, disbursements and expenditure, this paper presents a new method developed by the authors to track nutrition budgets within health sector plans. Using the example of the Anemia Mukt Bharat (AMB) or Anemia Free India strategy, it reports preliminary findings on the application of the first two phases of the method, that is, to track and act for improved planning and allocations, covering 12 states. The paper lists out the budget heads, cost norms and developed tools to plan adequately. Supportive action was undertaken through sharing trends and trainings for AMB's budgeting to create opportunities for improvements. It was observed that the AMB budget increased over 3 years despite the COVID situation. It increased from INR 6184 million in FY 2019–2020 to INR 6293 million, a 2% increase in FY 2020–2021, and to INR 7433 million, an 18% increase in FY 2021–2022. The difference in allocations and planned budgets were low (16%, 4% and 11%, respectively) while the difference in required budgets and planned budgets were significant but reduced consistently (41%, 31% and 22%, respectively). The paper concludes that the methods adopted for tracking and acting for improved nutrition budgets helped in informing national and state governments regarding yearly trends. Such methods can be effective and be developed for other nutrition interventions.
Faster‐haplodiploid evolution under divergence‐with‐gene‐flow: Simulations and empirical data from pine‐feeding hymenopterans
Authors: Bendall Emily E. , Bagley Robin K. , Sousa Vitor C. , Linnen Catherine R.
Published: March 2022

Although haplodiploidy is widespread in nature, the evolutionary consequences of this mode of reproduction are not well characterized. Here, we examine how genome‐wide hemizygosity and a lack of recombination in haploid males affects genomic differentiation in populations that diverge via natural selection while experiencing gene flow. First, we simulated diploid and haplodiploid “genomes” (500‐kb loci) evolving under an isolation‐with‐migration model with mutation, drift, selection, migration and recombination; and examined differentiation at neutral sites both tightly and loosely linked to a divergently selected site. As long as there is divergent selection and migration, sex‐limited hemizygosity and recombination cause elevated differentiation (i.e., produce a “faster‐haplodiploid effect”) in haplodiploid populations relative to otherwise equivalent diploid populations, for both recessive and codominant mutations. Second, we used genome‐wide single nucleotide polymorphism data to model divergence history and describe patterns of genomic differentiation between sympatric populations of Neodiprion lecontei and N. pinetum, a pair of pine sawfly species (order: Hymenoptera; family: Diprionidae) that are specialized on different pine hosts. These analyses support a history of continuous gene exchange throughout divergence and reveal a pattern of heterogeneous genomic differentiation that is consistent with divergent selection on many unlinked loci. Third, using simulations of haplodiploid and diploid populations evolving according to the estimated divergence history of N. lecontei and N. pinetum, we found that divergent selection would lead to higher differentiation in haplodiploids. Based on these results, we hypothesize that haplodiploids undergo divergence‐with‐gene‐flow and sympatric speciation more readily than diploids.
‘The last thing you feel is the self‐disgust’. The role of self‐directed disgust in men who have attempted suicide: A grounded theory study
Authors: Mason David , James Darren , Andrew Liz , Fox John R. E.
Published: March 2022

Objective

Globally, suicide affects more men than women. Emotional pain underpins many theoretical accounts of suicidality, yet little is known about the role of disgust in suicide. Self‐directed disgust, whereby aspects of the self‐serve as an object of disgust, has been hypothesised to factor in suicide. This research aimed to explore the processes which link self‐disgust to attempted suicide in males.

Method

Nine men who had attempted suicide completed semi‐structured interviews. The interview data were analysed using a constructivist grounded theory methodology.

Results

Three concepts emerged out of the analysis: (1) self‐disgust; (2) worthlessness; and (3) the endured emotional distress of ‘the abyss’” – these concepts interweaved, leading the men to experience hopelessness, disconnection and an inability to cope, leading ultimately to their suicide attempt. Throughout this journey, various disgust‐related processes worsened men's distress and increased their suicidal risk. Historic adversities prevailed across the data, as did the men's difficulties in understanding their emotions.

Conclusion

Self‐disgust was an important emotion in the men's experiences of suicide and shaped their views of themselves and their lives. The distancing and repellent properties of self‐disgust, in addition to the fear of having their ‘disgustingness’ exposed, increased suicidal risk. Self‐disgust appeared more pervasive in the suicidality of men with a history of multiple childhood adversities. The limitations of this research are discussed as implications for clinical practice and directions for future research.
Set up from the beginning: The origin and early development of cassava storage roots
Authors: Carluccio Anna Vittoria , David Laure C. , Claußen Joelle , Sulley Marco , Adeoti Seun Raheemat , Abdulsalam Toyin , Gerth Stefan , Zeeman Samuel C. , Gisel Andreas , Stavolone Livia
Published: March 2022

Despite the importance of storage root (SR) organs for cassava and the other root crops yield, their developmental origin is poorly understood. Here we use multiple approaches to shed light on the initial stages of root development demonstrating that SR and fibrous roots (FR) follow different rhizogenic processes. Transcriptome analysis carried out on roots collected before, during and after root bulking highlighted early and specific activation of a number of functions essential for root swelling and identified root‐specific genes able to effectively discriminate emerging FR and SR. Starch and sugars start to accumulate at a higher rate in SR before they swell but only after parenchyma tissue has been produced. Finally, using non‐destructive computed tomography measurements, we show that SR (but not FR) contain, since their emergence from the stem, an inner channel structure in continuity with the stem secondary xylem, indicating that SR derive from a distinct rhizogenic process compared with FR.
Effects of a multimodal approach to food art therapy on people with mild cognitive impairment and mild dementia
Authors: Lee Hyojin , Kim Eunjoo , Yoon Ju Young
Published: March 2022

Background

Food art therapy (FAT) has multiple modalities in which cognition, emotion, and social changes are stimulated. The purpose of this study was to design a multimodal approach to a food art therapy (MM‐FAT) program and identify its effects on cognitive ability, daily living functioning, depression, self‐esteem, self‐efficacy, self‐expression, and social functioning in individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and mild dementia by employing a mixed methods research design.

Methods

The participants included 39 patients from a public dementia care centre in Seoul, Korea. The intervention group, which comprised 20 participants, received 12 MM‐FAT sessions 3 times a week for 4 weeks, and the control group, which included 19 participants, received usual care. The MM‐FAT program was evaluated based on its effectiveness on cognitive, daily living, emotional, and social functioning outcome measures at three time points using repeated measures analysis of variance. Semi‐structured interviews (n = 9) were conducted to evaluate the overall experience of the MM‐FAT program and its outcomes.

Results

The findings reveal that MM‐FAT has a positive effect on the cognitive, emotional, and social functioning of individuals with MCI and mild dementia. However, there were no enhancements in individuals' daily living functioning, and the lasting effects of the intervention could not be assessed. Cognition and depression increased significantly at the end of the MM‐FAT program. Self‐expression and self‐efficacy were significantly higher in the MM‐FAT group than in the control group. The semi‐structured interviews revealed improvements in participants' behaviour, communication, and interaction.

Conclusion

This mixed methods study focused on individuals with MCI or mild dementia contributes to an understanding of the effectiveness of a FAT program employing a multimodal approach. Despite the COVID‐19 pandemic, the study was able to enrich the effects of MM‐FAT on cognitive, emotional, and social functioning through qualitative findings.
COVID‐19 vaccine‐induced immunity: Head‐to‐head comparison of mRNA (BNT162b2) versus inactivated (CoronaVac) vaccines
Authors: M Kagina Benjamin , Dochez Carine
Published: March 2022

See related article
Bonding Social Capital of Rural Women in Southwest Iran: Application of Social Network Analysis*
Authors: Ghorbani Mehdi , Javadi Seyed Akbar , Rasekhi Sare , Yazdanparast Maryam , Azadi Hossein
Published: March 2022

The establishment of local communal organizations is a unique strategy of rural communities to build resilience against economic challenges. Shirvareh is traditionally recognized as an important communal organization of women in Southwestern Iran for managing dairy production and securing their livelihood. Preserving this vital social institution and its associated indigenous knowledge was the main motivation of this study to examine factors influencing Shirvareh’s performance. Given that relevant studies on the performance of this social organization in Iran are rare, the current study was an attempt to fill this gap through an empirical study using a social network analysis (SNA) approach. The general goal of this study was to investigate the networks of trusting relationships of rural women involved in the Shirvareh organization in Ghasr‐e‐Yaghoub village located in Fars province, Southwestern Iran. The results revealed that possible in‐group trust ties were maximum whereas out‐group trust ties were moderate to high, meaning that bonding social capital at individual, sub‐group, and network level are generally high. High in‐group and out‐group ties enable community members to cope with disturbances, initiate social innovation, and act collectively, which in this case, assures the sustainability of their efficient traditional organization and protects them against poverty.
Responsible digital agri‐food innovation in Australian and New Zealand public research organisations
Authors: Espig Martin , Fielke Simon , Finlay‐Smits Susanna C. , Jakku Emma , Turner James A. , Robinson Cathy J. , Hunter Cass , Lacey Justine
Published: March 2022

This article analyses digital agricultural technologies (agtech) innovation in two public research organisations in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand through the lens of responsible innovation (RI), and how corresponding activities were realised in practice. Four virtual workshops explored the operationalisation of RI and its efficacy in digital agtech development. Thematic analysis of workshop materials provided scope to assess the recognised and realised value of RI in both digital agtech programmes, which we found lagging behind RI's full, perhaps idealised, potential. The value proposition of RI can, therefore, not be taken for granted without support for its operationalisation and institutionalisation. Given growing demands on public research organisations to responsibly develop transformational research and innovation, the article outlines recommendations for turning RI aspirations into situated research practices. We conclude that the next phase of agtech innovation should align with the co‐evolution of rural social research and its contribution to more responsible digital agtech innovation.
Do nonhuman animals reason about prestige‐based status?
Authors: Mandalaywala Tara M.
Published: March 2022

Status is a complex, but crucially important, aspect of life across species. In recent decades, researchers have made significant contributions to our understanding of both the pathways by which status can be attained, as well as our underlying capacities for reasoning about these pathways. In 2001, Henrich & Gil‐White proposed a prestige‐based pathway to status where low status actors willingly defer to competent or knowledgeable high status actors, as a means of facilitating social learning and cultural transmission. Although this type of status hierarchy, and the capacity to reason about it, was hypothesized to be unique to humans, here I argue that there are several reasons why we might observe prestige‐based status, and the capacity for reasoning about this pathway to status, in some nonhuman species as well. These reasons focus on the prevalence, importance, and sophistication of social learning in certain taxa, as well as the marked variation in hierarchy characteristics and structure across species. I point out places where our current methodologies encounter difficulties distinguishing whether a hierarchy in the wild is based on dominance or prestige, where our experimental methods leave us unable to assess whether an individual is reasoning about a high status actor as being prestigious or formidable, and provide suggestions for addressing these limitations. Adopting a comparative approach will clarify whether prestige‐based status truly is unique to humans, and—if not—precisely what selective pressures facilitate the emergence of prestige‐based status and the capacity for reasoning about it.
Paraphrasability and the Causal Status of Types
Authors: Aliyev Alexey
Published: March 2022

Some are attracted to the view that repeatable artworks, such as films, novels, plays, symphonies, photographs, and the like, are a particular kind of abstracta – namely, types. This view, however, is not unproblematic. One of the most serious problems it faces is the so‐called "creation problem." The core idea behind this problem is that, on the one hand, it seems reasonable to accept the claims that (1) repeatable artworks are types, (2) types cannot be created, and (3) repeatable artworks are created, but, on the other hand, these claims form an inconsistent triad. A popular solution to the creation problem is that (2) can be rejected because the justification for (2) is based on a false assumption – that no type can stand in causal relations. Although this solution looks promising, it can be accepted only if its proponent can refute what might be called the "paraphrasability argument." On this argument, types are not to be regarded as capable of standing in causal relations because any discourse implying the causality of types should be paraphrased into discourse that does not imply this. My aim in this essay is to show that there is good reason to consider the paraphrasability argument sound and, hence, that the foregoing solution to the creation problem fails.
COVID‐19 vaccine acceptability among healthcare workers in Ethiopia: Do we practice what we preach?
Authors: Yilma Daniel , Mohammed Rezika , Abdela Seid Getahun , Enbiale Wendemagegn , Seifu Fasil , Pareyn Myrthe , Liesenborghs Laurens , van Griensven Johan , van Henten Saskia
Published: March 2022

Objective

We assessed healthcare workers (HCWs) COVID‐19 vaccine acceptability in Ethiopia.

Methods

We carried out a cross‐sectional survey from February to April 2021 in HCWs from five teaching hospitals. HCWs were selected using convenient sampling, and data were collected through a survey link. Descriptive analysis and mixed‐effect logistic regression were performed. A total of 1,314 HCWs participated in the study.

Results

We found that 25.5% (n = 332) of the HCWs would not accept a COVID‐19 vaccine and 20.2% (n = 264) were not willing to recommend COVID‐19 vaccination to others. Factors associated with vaccine non‐acceptance were female sex (AOR = 1.8; 95% CI: 1.3–2.5), the perception that vaccines are unsafe (AOR = 15.0; 95% CI: 8.7–25.9), not considering COVID‐19 as health risk (AOR = 4.4; 95% CI: 2.0–9.5) and being unconcerned about contracting COVID‐19 at work (AOR = 3.5; 95% CI: 1.5–8.4). Physicians were more willing to accept vaccination than other HCWs. Higher vaccine acceptability was also noted with increasing age. Participants most often indicated safety concerns as the determining factor on their decision to get vaccinated or not.

Conclusion

Overall, a quarter of HCWs would not accept a COVID‐19 vaccine. Communications and training should address vaccine safety concerns. Additionally, emphasis should be given to showing current and future impact of COVID‐19 on the personal, public and country level unless control efforts are improved. Interventions aimed to increase vaccine uptake should focus their efforts on younger and non‐physician HCWs.
Prediction of Multivariate Air Quality Time Series Data using Long Short-Term Memory Network
Authors: Bakar Mohd Aftar Abu , Ariff Noratiqah Mohd , Mohd Nadzir Mohd Shahrul , Wen Ong Li , Suris Fatin Nur Afiqah
Published: March 2022

Malaysia often suffers from haze problems almost every year. Therefore, there is a need for good air quality forecasting model for monitoring and management purposes. In this study, the air quality model based on the Long Short-Term Memory Network (LSTM) and Auto-Regressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) was developed. The prediction of the particulate matter 10 micrometres or less in diameter (PM10) in Malaysia could be made from both models, and their performance was compared. The purpose of comparison between the two models was to determine the most suitable model to use in predicting PM10 since it is the dominant pollutant in Malaysia most of the time, especially during the haze period. This study used air quality data obtained from the Department of Environment Malaysia from July 2017 to June 2019. The results showed that forecasting for PM10 using multivariate LSTM model was better than the univariate LSTM model and univariate ARIMA model with the lowest root mean square error (RMSE) for those selected stations. The model with a lower RMSE value means better models and provide higher accuracy in forecasting for PM10.
Phosphorescent Vapochromic Responses of Copper(I) Complex Bearing Pyrazole Ligands for Detection of Alcohol Derivatives
Authors: Ghazalli Nur Fatiha Nur , Sabran Nurul Husna , Matmin Juan , Jalani Mohamad Azani , Lintang Hendrik Oktendy
Published: March 2022

The methodical study of trinuclear copper(I) metal complexes phosphorescent vapochromic chemosensor via metal-metal interactions for sensing various volatile organic compounds has piqued the interest of many researchers. Herein, we highlighted the performance of chemosensors trinuclear copper(I) pyrazolate complexes (2Pz1‒2Pz5) with different molecular design short alkyl side chains from the respective pyrazole ligands. The synthesized complexes had demonstrated a high phosphorescent sensing capacity of various alcohol derivatives. Due to weak metal-metal interactions, the complexes give emission bands centered around 553-644 nm at an excitation of 280 nm. We found that the only 2Pz3 chemosensors showed quenching phenomena with a significant decrease in its emission intensity of 100% for exposure in 5 minutes with irreversible performance. Interestingly, we also found that the shifting of the emission center due to the disruption of metal-metal interaction performed by chemosensor 2Pz5 resulting in the best detection performance of methanol and ethanol (∆λ= 60 nm) and propanol (∆λ = 22 nm) showing autonomous recovery within 15 minutes. Based on the findings, the specific balance, such as rigidity and amphiphilicity in the molecular design of chemosensors, is important for the detection of vapors via supramolecular interactions.
Experimental Investigations Into the Effect of Surface Roughness and Contact Force on Leakage Between Two Rigid Metallic Surfaces
Authors: Bricaud Cyrille , Schulz Oliver , Zierer Thomas , Peltier Vincent , Schwitzke Corina , Bauer Hans-Jörg
Published: March 2022

Current research and development efforts in the field of heavy-duty gas turbines focus on increasing engine efficiencies, lowering combustor emissions, and extending inspection intervals. To achieve further improvements in these development fields, it is crucial for gas turbine manufacturers to continuously build up knowledge on leakage air inside different components of gas turbines. Leakage air can by nature be hardly predicted and is usually only estimated indirectly in real engines. Therefore, investigations on representative test rigs remain a fundamental method for quantifying air leakages more accurately. This article deals with a specific air leakage, which can occur between two firmly pressed rigid surfaces. One challenge for the engineers is to predict the leakage for new surfaces but also used surfaces with fretting corrosion and wear marks as a function of the contact force. In this perspective, air mass flow measurements were performed in a leakage test rig for different contact geometries, pressure ratios, and compression levels between the surfaces. The purpose of the analysis is to determine the potential effect of the roughness, length, curvature, and contact forces of the pressed surfaces on the leakage amount. The presented measurement procedure and results contribute to the extension of the leakage characteristic database for generic gas turbine components.
Experimental Study of Eutectic Molten Salts NaCl/KCl/ZnCl2 Heat Transfer Inside a Smooth Tube for High-Temperature Application
Authors: Zhang Ye , Wang Xiaoxin , Hu Qichao , Li Peiwen , Liu Qibin , Xu Ben
Published: March 2022

Eutectic salts NaCl-KCl-ZnCl2 and NaCl-KCl-MgCl2 are two of the chloride salt systems that are promising for being used as high-temperature heat transfer fluid (HTF) and thermal energy storage (TES) materials in a wide range of temperatures from 230 °C to 750 °C in concentrated solar thermal power systems. To conduct measurement of the heat transfer coefficient of the molten salt at high temperatures, a circulation system and instrumentation of flow and heat transfer was constructed. Experimental measurement of the convective heat transfer coefficients of NaCl-KCl-ZnCl2 (molar fraction: 13.8–41.9–44.3%) inside tubes has been accomplished to find the most suitable heat transfer correlations. Experience of salt processing and operation of the high-temperature heat transfer test system was obtained. Two correlations, Dittus-Boelter equation and Gnielinski’s correlation for Nusselt number against Reynolds number and Prandtl number, are evaluated using the test results, and the latter correlation is recommended due to its better agreement of prediction against tested data.
Synthetic methods of lipid-coated mesoporous silica nanoparticles as drug carriers
Authors: Sun Yanping , Xu Youqiang , Sun Yongjun , Hu Beibei , Wang Long , Du Zhidian , Gao Zibin
Published: March 2022

The lipid-coated mesoporous silica nanoparticles (LMSNs) that can synergistically harness the advantages and mitigate the disadvantages of the liposomes and MSNs are considered potential drug carriers. So far, several methods have been developed to prepare LMSNs, including vesicle fusion, thin-film hydration, and solvent exchange. Despite their wide application in LMSN preparation, these methods are short of detailed elaboration and comparison, which hinders their further development. In this review, for the first time, the three methods are systematically summarized, including their mechanisms, influence factors, advantages, and limitations. Although these methods are all based on lipid self-assembly, there is still a difference between them. In order to efficiently prepare LMSNs, we proposed that a suitable method should be selected based on the actual situation. It is conceivable that the elaboration and comparison in this review will make these methods easy to be understood and provide guidance for the design of LMSNs as drug carriers.
A model of speech recognition for hearing-impaired listeners based on deep learning
Authors: Roßbach Jana , Kollmeier Birger , Meyer Bernd T.
Published: March 2022

Automatic speech recognition (ASR) has made major progress based on deep machine learning, which motivated the use of deep neural networks (DNNs) as perception models and specifically to predict human speech recognition (HSR). This study investigates if a modeling approach based on a DNN that serves as phoneme classifier [Spille, Ewert, Kollmeier, and Meyer (2018). Comput. Speech Lang. 48, 51–66] can predict HSR for subjects with different degrees of hearing loss when listening to speech embedded in different complex noises. The eight noise signals range from simple stationary noise to a single competing talker and are added to matrix sentences, which are presented to 20 hearing-impaired (HI) listeners (categorized into three groups with different types of age-related hearing loss) to measure their speech recognition threshold (SRT), i.e., the signal-to-noise ratio with 50% word recognition rate. These are compared to responses obtained from the ASR-based model using degraded feature representations that take into account the individual hearing loss of the participants captured by a pure-tone audiogram. Additionally, SRTs obtained from eight normal-hearing (NH) listeners are analyzed. For NH subjects and three groups of HI listeners, the average SRT prediction error is below 2 dB, which is lower than the errors of the baseline models.
A League to Call Their Own—Premier Rugby 7s: Developing a Digital Strategy to Engage New Fans
Authors: Jacobs Brittany L. , Wendry Brian , Nocivelli Megan
Published: March 2022

The Premier Rugby 7s case challenges students to consider a digital marketing strategy for a start-up professional sport league. Unlike many major sports in the American marketplace, the case presents Rugby 7s—a relative newcomer to the sporting marketplace—as the newest professional sport. In this case, marketing consultants are faced with the challenge of designing a digital marketing strategy for a “new generation” of sport fans. Drawing upon the tenets of traditional marketing, readers will explore the development of target markets, the challenges in introducing a new sport to fans, how to capitalize on new media trends, and how to differentiate their product in a crowded marketplace.
Anxiety from the gut
Authors: Ferrarelli Leslie K.
Published: March 2022

A gut-bacterial metabolite promotes anxiety and related behaviors by reducing myelination in the brain.
Vaccination with SARS-CoV-2 spike protein lacking glycan shields elicits enhanced protective responses in animal models
Authors: Huang Han-Yi , Liao Hsin-Yu , Chen Xiaorui , Wang Szu-Wen , Cheng Cheng-Wei , Shahed-Al-Mahmud Md. , Liu Yo-Min , Mohapatra Arpita , Chen Ting-Hua , Lo Jennifer M. , Wu Yi-Min , Ma Hsiu-Hua , Chang Yi-Hsuan , Tsai Ho-Yang , Chou Yu-Chi , Hsueh Yi-Ping , Tsai Ching-Yen , Huang Pau-Yi , Chang Sui-Yuan , Chao Tai-Ling , Kao Han-Chieh , Tsai Ya-Min , Chen Yen-Hui , Wu Chung-Yi , Jan Jia-Tsrong , Cheng Ting-Jen Rachel , Lin Kuo-I , Ma Che , Wong Chi-Huey
Published: March 2022

A major challenge to end the pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is to develop a broadly protective vaccine that elicits long-term immunity. As the key immunogen, the viral surface spike (S) protein is frequently mutated, and conserved epitopes are shielded by glycans. Here, we revealed that S protein glycosylation has site-differential effects on viral infectivity. We found that S protein generated by lung epithelial cells has glycoforms associated with increased infectivity. Compared to the fully glycosylated S protein, immunization of S protein with N-glycans trimmed to the mono-GlcNAc–decorated state (S
MG
) elicited stronger immune responses and better protection for human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (hACE2) transgenic mice against variants of concern (VOCs). In addition, a broadly neutralizing monoclonal antibody was identified from S
MG
-immunized mice that could neutralize wild-type SARS-CoV-2 and VOCs with subpicomolar potency. Together, these results demonstrate that removal of glycan shields to better expose the conserved sequences has the potential to be an effective and simple approach for developing a broadly protective SARS-CoV-2 vaccine.
The FDA-Approved Drug Cobicistat Synergizes with Remdesivir To Inhibit SARS-CoV-2 Replication
In Vitro
and Decreases Viral Titers and Disease Progression in Syrian Hamsters
Authors: Shytaj Iart Luca , Fares Mohamed , Gallucci Lara , Lucic Bojana , Tolba Mahmoud M. , Zimmermann Liv , Adler Julia M. , Xing Na , Bushe Judith , Gruber Achim D. , Ambiel Ina , Taha Ayoub Ahmed , Cortese Mirko , Neufeldt Christopher J. , Stolp Bettina , Sobhy Mohamed Hossam , Fathy Moustafa , Zhao Min , Laketa Vibor , Diaz Ricardo Sobhie , Sutton Richard E. , Chlanda Petr , Boulant Steeve , Bartenschlager Ralf , Stanifer Megan L. , Fackler Oliver T. , Trimpert Jakob , Savarino Andrea , Lusic Marina
Published: March 2022

The lack of effective antiviral treatments against SARS-CoV-2 is a significant limitation in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Single-drug regimens have so far yielded limited results, indicating that combinations of antivirals might be required, as previously seen for other RNA viruses.
Transcription Dependent Loss of an Ectopically Expressed Variant Surface Glycoprotein during Antigenic Variation in Trypanosoma brucei
Authors: McLaughlin Emilia Jane , Rubio-Pena Karinna , Dujeancourt-Henry Annick , Glover Lucy
Published: March 2022

The single-cell parasite
Trypanosoma brucei
causes the fatal disease human African trypanosomiasis and is able to colonize the blood, fat, skin, and central nervous system. Trypanosomes survive in the mammalian host owing to a dense protective protein coat that consists of a single-variant surface glycoprotein species.
Supplemental Material: Lithium in garnet as a tracer of subduction zone metamorphic reactions: The record in ultrahigh-pressure metapelites at Lago di Cignana, Italy
Authors: Bebout G.E. , al. et
Published: March 2022

Includes the geographic coordinates for the Lago di Cignana locality, images and geochemical data for the garnets that were studied, and a description of the analytical methods.
Faster algorithms to measure visual field using the variational Bayes linear regression model in glaucoma: comparison with SITA-Fast
Authors: Hirasawa Kazunori , Murata Hiroshi , Shimada Satoshi , Matsuno Mei , Shoji Nobuyuki , Asaoka Ryo
Published: March 2022

Aims

To compare the visual field (VF) test results measured with the Swedish Interactive Threshold Algorithm Fast (SITA-Fast) and newly developed variational Bayes linear regression visual field (VBLR-VF) Fast or VBLR-VF Fast+.

Method

Of 65 patients with glaucoma, 31 eyes of 31 patients performed VBLR-VF Fast and SITA-Fast, and 34 eyes of 34 patients performed VBLR-VF Fast+ and SITA-Fast on the same day and iterated the same procedures within 6 months using the 24–2 test grid in the current prospective study. Global index (mean deviation and pattern SD), pointwise retinal sensitivity, test duration and reliability index (fixation loss, false positive and false negative) were compared between SITA-Fast and VBLR-VF Fast or VBLR-VF Fast+.

Results

Global indices were not significantly different between SITA-Fast and VBLR-VF Fast or VBLR-VF Fast+. There was no significant difference in the pointwise retinal sensitivity between the SITA-Fast and VBLR-VF Fast algorithms at the first visit, while the VBLR-VF Fast algorithm was approximately 1 dB higher compared to the SITA-Fast algorithm at the second visit. Test duration was reduced by approximately 30 s (10%) with VBLR-VF Fast and by approximately 80 s (30%) with VBLR-VF Fast+ compared with to SITA-Fast (p<0.05). Most cases showed good reliability index values; however, a marginal but significant difference was observed between the VBLR-VF and SITA-Fast algorithms.

Conclusion

Both VBLR-VF Fast and VBLR-VF Fast+ considerably reduced the test durations. Although there was a marginal difference in the pointwise retinal sensitivities, global indices were almost interchangeable between the VBLR-VF Fast and SITA-Fast.
Uncharged and charged anisotropic like-Durgapal stellar models with vanishing complexity
Authors: Contreras E. , Fuenmayor E. , Abellán G.
Published: March 2022

In this work we use the vanishing complexity factor as a supplementary condition to construct uncharged and charged like-Durgapal models. We provide the $$g_{tt}$$

g

tt

component of the metric of the well-known Durgapal IV and V solutions and a particular form for the anisotropy, related to the electric charge, to close the system of differential equations. The physical acceptance of the models is discussed.
Scalarization and Optimality Conditions of E-Globally Proper Efficient Solution for Set-Valued Equilibrium Problems
Authors: Zhou Zhi-Ang , Kuang Min
Published: March 2022

In this paper, our purpose is to use the improvement set to investigate the scalarization and optimality conditions of E-globally proper efficient solution for the set-valued equilibrium problems with constraints. First, the notion of E-globally proper efficient solution for set-valued equilibrium problems with constraints is introduced in locally convex Hausdorff topological spaces. Second, the linear scalarization theorems of E-globally proper efficient solution are derived. Finally, under the assumption of nearly E-subconvexlikeness, the Kuhn–Tucker and Lagrange optimality conditions for set-valued equilibrium problems with constraints are obtained in the sense of E-globally proper efficiency. Meanwhile, we give some examples to illustrate our results. The results obtained in this paper improve and generalize some known results in the literature.