bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dynamic Behavior of Bistable Shallow Arches: From Intrawell to Chaotic Motion
Authors: Bonthron Michael , Tubaldi Eleonora
Published: December 2023

Bistable shallow arches are ubiquitous in many engineering systems ranging from compliant mechanisms and biomedical stents to energy harvesters and passive fluidic controllers. In all these scenarios, the bistable states of the arch and the sudden transitions between them via snap-through instability are harnessed. However, bistable arches have been traditionally studied and characterized by triggering snap-through instability using quasi-static forces. Here, we analytically examine the effect of oscillatory loads on bistable arches and investigate the dynamic behaviors ranging from intrawell motion to periodic and chaotic interwell motion. The linear and nonlinear dynamic responses of both elastically and plastically deformed shallow arches are presented. Introducing an energy potential criterion, we classify the structure’s behavior within the parameter space. This energy-based approach allows us to explore the parameter space for high-dimensional models of the arch by varying the force amplitude and excitation frequency. Bifurcation diagrams, Lyapunov exponents, and maximum critical energy plots are presented to characterize the dynamic response of the system. Our results reveal that unstable solutions admitted through higher modes govern the critical energy required for interwell motion. This study investigates the rich nonlinear dynamic behavior of the arch element and it introduces an energy potential criterion that can scale easily to classify motion of arrays of bistable arches for future developments of multistable mechanical metamaterials.
Deep Learning in Computational Design Synthesis: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Kumar Singh Shubhendu , Rai Rahul , Pradip Khawale Raj , Patel Darshil , Bielecki Dustin , Nguyen Ryan , Wang Jun , Zhang Zhibo
Published: December 2023

A paradigm shift in the computational design synthesis (CDS) domain is being witnessed by the onset of the innovative usage of machine learning techniques. The rapidly evolving paradigmatic shift calls for systematic and comprehensive assimilation of extant knowledge at the intersection of machine learning and computational design synthesis. Understanding nuances, identifying research gaps, and outlining the future direction for cutting-edge research is imperative. This article outlines a hybrid literature review consisting of a thematic and framework synthesis survey to enable conceptual synthesis of information at the convergence of computational design, machine learning, and big data models. The thematic literature survey aims at conducting an in-depth descriptive survey along the lines of a broader theme of machine learning in computational design. The framework synthesis-based survey tries to encapsulate the research findings in a conceptual framework to understand the domain better. The framework is based on the CDS process, which consists of four submodules: representation, generation, evaluation, and guidance. Each submodule has undergone an analysis to identify potential research gaps and formulate research questions. In addition, we consider the limitations of our study and pinpoint the realms where the research can be extended in the future.
Applying In Situ Ionic Crosslinking in Bioprinting Using Algae Cells
Authors: Rahman Taieba Tuba , Wood Nathan , Rahman Al Mazedur , Pei Zhijian , Qin Hongmin
Published: December 2023

Bioprinting using algae cells has many potential applications including tissue engineering, environmental engineering, contaminant removal from water, and establishing space habitats. In extrusion-based bioprinting, bioink needs to be crosslinked after being extruded from the nozzle for printed constructs to first achieve and then maintain adequate shape fidelity. Crosslinking methods used in reported studies on algae-contained bioinks include both photo-crosslinking and ionic crosslinking. This paper reports a preliminary study where the coaxial nozzle-based in situ ionic crosslinking method was used in bioprinting of algae cells without additional crosslinking of printed samples for the first time. In comparison with photo-crosslinking, in situ ionic crosslinking can minimize bioink preparation time and complexity, eliminate cells’ exposure to ultraviolet radiation, and reduce the number of post-printing steps. In this preliminary study, the bioink was an alginate solution containing algae (Chlorella vulgaris) cells, and the crosslinking solution was a calcium chloride solution. The coaxial nozzle had two nozzles: inner and outer nozzles. In printing, the bioink was delivered through the outer nozzle while the crosslinking solution was delivered through the inner nozzle. The shape of the printed samples was a square block with dimensions of 30 × 30 × 10 mm. It was observed that, 9 days after printing, the algae cells grew within the printed samples, and the samples could keep their shapes relatively well. Many knowledge gaps exist regarding the effects of input variables in bioprinting of algae cells using this method. This paper discusses future research directions to fill these knowledge gaps.
Numerical Investigation of Nanofluid as a Coolant in a Prismatic Battery for Thermal Management Systems
Authors: Venkateswarlu B. , Kim Sung Chul , Joo Sang Woo , Chavan Santosh
Published: December 2023

This study delves into the realm of numerical investigation of the heat transfer performance of nanofluids as coolants for prismatic batteries. Nanofluids are being employed in battery cooling systems to enhance overall thermal management and ensure the safe operation of batteries, particularly in situations involving high heat generation. In this study, different types of nanofluids were used along with a base fluid of ethylene glycol–water (EG–water 50%). The energy equations consider the effects of viscous dissipation and heat generation. The model generates a set of nonlinear partial differential equations, which can be transformed into ordinary differential equations (ODEs) using appropriate similarity variables. These ODEs are then solved numerically by employing the Runge–Kutta–Fehlberg method along with the shooting method to obtain solutions. The simulations in both 2D and 3D showcase the results for various parameters pertaining to thermal and velocity fields, heat transfer rate, and drag force. The findings reveal that heat generation leads to a staggering increase in temperature of 78.22%. However, using aluminum nanoparticles (NPs) as opposed to copper nanoparticles quickly reduced the battery’s maximum temperature by 9.31%. The exceptional heat generation strengths of CuO–EG and Al2O3–EG nanofluids also resulted in a significant increase in their heat transfer rates of around 40.42% and 42.13%, respectively. Additionally, the aluminum NPs exhibited a more rapid heat transfer rate of 4.06% when compared to the copper nanoparticles. This research contributes to the development of improved cooling strategies for prismatic battery applications, ultimately paving the way for enhanced battery performance, an extended lifespan, and improved safety in a wide range of industries and electric vehicles.
If You Build It, Will They Understand? Considerations for Creating Shared Understanding Through Design Artifacts
Authors: Krishkakumar Sandeep , Letting Cynthia , Soria Zurita Nicolas F. , Menold Jessica
Published: December 2023

Design representations play a pivotal role in the design process. In particular, design representations enable the formation of a shared understanding between team members, enhancing team performance. This paper explores the relationship between design representation modality (low-fidelity prototypes and sketches) and shared understanding among designers during communicative acts between design dyads. A mixed-methods study with 44 participants was conducted to investigate if representation modality affects shared understanding and identifies the factors that shape shared understanding during communication. Quantitative results suggest that low-fidelity prototypes and sketches did not significantly differ in terms of the shared understanding they facilitated within dyads. Qualitative analysis identified four factors at the representation- and actor-level that influence how shared understanding is built between individuals during design communication. This research extends our understanding of the utility of design representations given the needs of communicative contexts; specifically, this work demonstrates that designers must understand the perspectives of listeners during communication to create representations that accurately represent the information that a listener seeks to gain.
An Improved Fractional Moment Maximum Entropy Method With Polynomial Fitting
Authors: Li Gang , Wang Yixuan , Zeng Yan , He Wanxin
Published: December 2023

The moment method is commonly used in reliability analysis, in which the maximum entropy method (MEM) and polynomial fitting (PF) have been widely used due to their advantages in accuracy and efficiency, respectively. In this paper, we propose a novel reliability analysis method by combining MEM and PF. The probability density function is preliminarily estimated using the fractional moment maximum entropy method (FM-MEM), based on which PF is then used to further improve the accuracy. The proposed method can avoid the phenomenon of the negative probability density and function oscillations in PF effectively. Moreover, the order of the exponential polynomial in the FM-MEM is adaptively selected in the preliminary solution calculation process. An iterative process for the number of exponential polynomial terms is also proposed, using the integral of the moment error function and the integrals of the local and global negative probability density as the convergence criteria. Four numerical examples and one engineering example are tested, and the results are compared with those of the Monte Carlo simulation and the classical FM-MEM results, respectively, demonstrating the good performance of the proposed method.
University-Based Coach Education: The E-Portfolio as a Formative Assessment Tool of Student-Coaches’ Learning
Authors: dos Santos Yura Yuka Sato , Palma Bartira Pereira , McCarthy Liam , Casline Larissa Stevanato , Cardoso Camila , Galatti Larissa Rafaela
Published: December 2023

Current research highlights the need for more studies focused on how high-quality assessment strategies can contribute to coach learning in coach education. The use of e-portfolios, as formative assessment tools, has shown to contribute to student-coaches’ learning in university-based programs, but studies on this topic are still scarce. The aim of this action research project is to investigate the potentialities and challenges of the e-portfolio as a formative learning-oriented assessment tool in an undergraduate sport coach course in Brazil. By sharing this, from the perspective of student-coaches and the assistant-professors of the course, we reflect on the evidence with the intention to both inform colleagues doing similar work and contribute to an emerging body of assessment in coach education literature.
Time-reversal symmetry breaking superconductivity between twisted cuprate superconductors
Authors: Zhao S. Y. Frank , Cui Xiaomeng , Volkov Pavel A. , Yoo Hyobin , Lee Sangmin , Gardener Jules A. , Akey Austin J. , Engelke Rebecca , Ronen Yuval , Zhong Ruidan , Gu Genda , Plugge Stephan , Tummuru Tarun , Kim Miyoung , Franz Marcel , Pixley Jedediah H. , Poccia Nicola , Kim Philip
Published: December 2023

Twisted interfaces between stacked van der Waals (vdW) cuprate crystals present a platform for engineering superconducting order parameters by adjusting stacking angles. Using a cryogenic assembly technique, we construct twisted vdW Josephson junctions (JJs) at atomically sharp interfaces between Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+xcrystals, with quality approaching the limit set by intrinsic JJs. Near 45° twist angle, we observe fractional Shapiro steps and Fraunhofer patterns, consistent with the existence of two degenerate Josephson ground states related by time-reversal symmetry (TRS). By programming the JJ current bias sequence, we controllably break TRS to place the JJ into either of the two ground states, realizing reversible Josephson diodes without external magnetic fields. Our results open a path to engineering topological devices at higher temperatures.
Philip N. Benfey (1953–2023)
Authors: Coruzzi Gloria M. , Birnbaum Kenneth D.
Published: December 2023

A “ring” master of plant development and cellular genomics
The respiratory enzyme complex Rnf is vital for metabolic adaptation and virulence in
Fusobacterium nucleatum
Authors: Britton Timmie A. , Wu Chenggang , Chen Yi-Wei , Franklin Dana , Chen Yimin , Camacho Martha I. , Luong Truc T. , Das Asis , Ton-That Hung
Published: December 2023

The Gram-negative oral pathobiont
Fusobacterium nucleatum
can traverse to extra-oral sites such as placenta and colon, promoting adverse pregnancy outcomes and colorectal cancer, respectively. How this anaerobe sustains many metabolically changing environments enabling its virulence potential remains unclear. Informed by our genome-wide transposon mutagenesis, we report here that the highly conserved

R
hodobacter

n
itrogen-
f
ixation (Rnf) complex, encoded by the
rnfCDGEAB
gene cluster, is key to fusobacterial metabolic adaptation and virulence. Genetic disruption of the Rnf complex via non-polar, in-frame deletion of
rnfC
(Δ
rnfC
) abrogates polymicrobial interaction (or coaggregation) associated with adhesin RadD and biofilm formation. The defect in coaggregation is not due to reduced cell surface of RadD, but rather an increased level of extracellular lysine, which binds RadD and inhibits coaggregation. Indeed, removal of extracellular lysine via washing Δ
rnfC
cells restores coaggregation, while addition of lysine inhibits this process. These phenotypes mirror that of a mutant (Δ
kamA
) that fails to metabolize extracellular lysine. Strikingly, the Δ
rnfC
mutant is defective in ATP production, cell growth, cell morphology, and expression of the enzyme MegL that produces hydrogen sulfide (H
2
S) from cysteine. Targeted metabolic profiling demonstrated that catabolism of many amino acids, including histidine and lysine, is altered in Δ
rnfC
cells, thereby reducing production of ATP and metabolites including H
2
S and butyrate. Most importantly, we show that the Δ
rnfC
mutant is severely attenuated in a mouse model of preterm birth. The indispensable function of Rnf complex in fusobacterial pathogenesis via modulation of bacterial metabolism makes it an attractive target for developing therapeutic intervention.

IMPORTANCE

This paper illuminates the significant question of how the oral commensal
Fusobacterium nucleatum
adapts to the metabolically changing environments of several extra-oral sites such as placenta and colon to promote various diseases as an opportunistic pathogen. We demonstrate here that the highly conserved

R
hodobacter

n
itrogen-
f
ixation complex, commonly known as Rnf complex, is key to fusobacterial metabolic adaptation and virulence. Genetic disruption of this Rnf complex causes global defects in polymicrobial interaction, biofilm formation, cell growth and morphology, hydrogen sulfide production, and ATP synthesis. Targeted metabolomic profiling demonstrates that the loss of this respiratory enzyme significantly diminishes catabolism of numerous amino acids, which negatively impacts fusobacterial virulence as tested in a preterm birth model in mice.
Epstein-Barr virus induces germinal center light zone chromatin architecture and promotes survival through enhancer looping at the
BCL2A1
locus
Authors: Dai Joanne , SoRelle Elliott D. , Heckenberg Emma , Song Lingyun , Cable Jana M. , Crawford Gregory E. , Luftig Micah A.
Published: December 2023

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a ubiquitous human virus that promotes B-cell activation and maturation through expression of latency proteins and non-coding RNAs. In this study, we provide evidence that EBV mimics the molecular phenotype of germinal center (GC) B cells. EBV infection of primary human B cells promotes their rapid proliferation and GC dark zone (DZ)-like gene expression profile. Following this transient hyperproliferative period, the activation of NF-κB target genes, including
Bcl2a1
(BFL-1), simulates the transition from the DZ to the T-cell supported light zone (LZ). We previously characterized the regulatory landscape of EBV
+
B cells at the
Bcl2a1
locus defining a key role for the viral EBV nuclear antigen (EBNA) 3A protein in promoting three-dimensional chromatin architecture correlated with BFL-1 expression. Here, we define the global chromatin accessibility of tonsillar B cells and find that naïve and memory B cells have highly similar accessibility profiles that differ substantially from those of DZ and LZ B cells. Notably, multiple regions within the
Bcl2a1
locus are significantly more accessible in DZ and LZ versus naïve and memory subsets. However, we found that BFL-1 upregulation from DZ to LZ correlates with a significant increase in three-dimensional (3-D) chromatin association between accessible upstream enhancer regions and the BFL-1 transcriptional start site. These elements were critical for BFL-1 expression in lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs). Moreover, increased BFL-1 expression in LCLs protected against extrinsic apoptosis. Collectively, these results suggest a conserved mechanism underlying BFL-1 upregulation that promotes survival of both LZ and EBV
+
immortalized B cells.

IMPORTANCE

Epstein-Barr virus has evolved with its human host leading to an intimate relationship where infection of antibody-producing B cells mimics the process by which these cells normally recognize foreign antigens and become activated. Virtually everyone in the world is infected by adulthood and controls this virus pushing it into life-long latency. However, immune-suppressed individuals are at high risk for EBV+ cancers. Here, we isolated B cells from tonsils and compare the underlying molecular genetic differences between these cells and those infected with EBV. We find similar regulatory mechanism for expression of an important cellular protein that enables B cells to survive in lymphoid tissue. These findings link an underlying relationship at the molecular level between EBV-infected B cells in vitro with normally activated B cells
in vivo
. Our studies also characterize the role of a key viral control mechanism for B cell survival involved in long-term infection.
Strategies for high cell density cultivation of
Akkermansia muciniphila
and its potential metabolism
Authors: Wu Haiting , Qi Shuhua , Yang Ruixiong , Pan Qihua , Lu Yinghua , Yao Chuanyi , He Ning , Huang Song , Ling Xueping
Published: December 2023

Akkermansia muciniphila
(
A. muciniphila
) has sparked widespread interest as a potential probiotic bacterium with many physiological functions that colonizes the human intestinal tract. The development of its
in vitro
culture is a promising and urgent research direction. Therefore, culture conditions were first optimized, and a significant improvement of cell density of
A. muciniphila
was achieved in a shake flask with 15.0 g/L of glucose, 37.0 g/L of tryptone, and an initial pH of 7.8. A high OD
600
(optical density at 600 nm) value of 13.03 (1.03 × 10
10
CFU/mL) was reached in a 5-L bioreactor by stage pH controlling, which is the highest reported value by use of a sole carbon source (glucose). Analysis of cell characteristics and protein expression showed that the optimized culture did not affect cellular morphology and the expression of the special outer membrane functional protein (Amuc_1100), while remarkably improving cell hydrophobicity, which is beneficial for bacterial colonization of the gut. The pattern of supernatant metabolites indicated that the optimized medium may promote cell reproduction by inducing cells to produce dethiobiotin and strengthen the metabolic pathway of glycerol 3-phosphate by shifting more glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase toward secretion at the cell surface, thereby improving cell surface hydrophobicity and adhesion to mucin. This study accomplished the high cell density culture of
A. muciniphila
without affecting its biological function, which also provides a more conducive fermentation strategy to enhance cell adhesion and facilitates its colonization in the gut.

IMPORTANCE

Currently, there is significant interest in
Akkermansia muciniphila
as a promising next-generation probiotic, making it a hot topic in scientific research. However, to achieve efficient industrial production, there is an urgent need to develop an
in vitro
culture method to achieve high biomass using low-cost carbon sources such as glucose. This study aims to explore the high-density fermentation strategy of
A. muciniphila
by optimizing the culture process. This study also employs techniques such as LC-MS and RNA-Seq to explain the possible regulatory mechanism of high-density cell growth and increased cell surface hydrophobicity facilitating cell colonization of the gut
in vitro
culture. Overall, this research sheds light on the potential of
A. muciniphila
as a probiotic and provides valuable insights for future industrial production.
Development and application of a nomogram model for the prediction of carbapenem-resistant
Klebsiella pneumoniae
infection in neuro-ICU patients
Authors: Lu Guangyu , Zhang Jingyue , Shi Tian , Liu Yuting , Gao Xianru , Zeng Qingping , Ding Jiali , Chen Juan , Yang Kai , Ma Qiang , Liu Xiaoguang , Ren Chuanli , Yu Hailong , Li Yuping
Published: December 2023

This study aimed to develop and validate a simple-to-use nomogram model to assess the risk of infection caused by carbapenem-resistant
Klebsiella pneumoniae
(CRKP) in neurocritically ill patients. The clinical data of 544 patients with CRKP infection admitted to a neurointensive care unit (neuro-ICU) were retrospectively analyzed. The demographic data, laboratory test results, and clinical characteristics of patients in the neuro-ICU were collected. Subsequently, multivariate regression analysis was used to construct a nomogram to predict the risk of CRKP infection in these patients. The calibration ability, clinical effectiveness, and discriminative ability of the nomogram were evaluated. The incidence of CRKP infection was estimated to be 6.43%, and a majority of bacterial isolates causing the infection were found in sputum (74.3%). Multivariate regression analysis showed that the number of antibiotics of ≥2 [odds ratio (OR): 9.08, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.78–29.71], undergoing surgery (OR: 3.84, 95% CI: 1.09–13.54), and long neuro-ICU stay (OR: 1.08, 95% CI: 1.01–1.14) were associated with CRKP infection in neurocritically ill patients. The nomogram model demonstrated good calibration and discrimination in both the training and validation sets, with area under the curve values of 0.860 and 0.907, respectively. This study developed and validated a nomogram that combines three easily accessed variables during clinical practice to predict the risk of nosocomial CRKP infection in neuro-ICU patients. The tool demonstrated a good predictive performance and discrimination, which might serve as a useful tool to facilitate early detection and reduction of the CRKP infection risk in neurocritically ill patients.

IMPORTANCE

Patients in neuro-ICU are at a high risk of developing nosocomial CRKP infection owing to complex conditions, critical illness, and frequent invasive procedures. However, studies focused on constructing prediction models for assessing the risk of CRKP infection in neurocritically ill patients are lacking at present. Therefore, this study aims to establish a simple-to-use nomogram for predicting the risk of CRKP infection in patients admitted to the neuro-ICU. Three easily accessed variables were included in the model, including the number of antibiotics used, surgery, and the length of neuro-ICU stay. This nomogram might serve as a useful tool to facilitate early detection and reduction of the CRKP infection risk of neurocritically ill patients.
Evaluation of mycobacteria infection prevalence and optimization of the identification process in North Sardinia, Italy
Authors: Chen Xiang , Sechi Leonardo Antonio , Molicotti Paola
Published: December 2023

Mycobacterium tuberculosis
(MTB) and non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are the most common pathogens of mycobacterial infection, and their prevalence varies around the world. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of mycobacterial infection and drug resistance in North Sardinia, Italy and to optimize the process of mycobacteria identification. From January 2020 to April 2023, samples from 1,836 suspected individuals in North Sardinia were analyzed. Conventional methods (microscopy smear and culture) and molecular methods (polymerase chain reaction, DNA probe, and mass spectrum) were used in MTB and NTM identification. Among 1,836 suspected individuals, 89 were MTB-positive and 44 were NTM-positive. Bronchial aspiration and bronchoalveolar lavage performed well as substitute specimens for sputum in MTB detection. For drug resistance, 71.91% of MTB and 83.33% of NTM were resistant to at least one antibiotic. The average turn-around time of MTB, slowly growing mycobacteria, and rapidly growing mycobacteria was 7.12, 48.87, and 11.27 days, respectively. Overall, our results show that the prevalence of mycobacterial infection in North Sardinia is relatively optimistic. However, the high proportion of drug resistance detected in the isolates is alarming. The implementation of advanced techniques could help optimize the process of mycobacteria identification.

IMPORTANCE

Mycobacterial infection is a major threat to public health worldwide. Accurate identification of infected species and drug resistance detection are critical factors in treatment. We focused on shortening the turn-around time of identifying mycobacteria species and antibiotic resistance tests.
Supplemental Material: Linking beryllium enrichment to crystal-melt separation in granitic magmatic systems: Insights from high-silica granites in the southern Great Xing’an Range, NE China
Authors: Ji Zheng , Ge Wen-chun , al. et
Published: December 2023

Supplemental Text: Analytical methods. Table S1: LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb dating data for the Dongshanwan high-silica granite porphyries in the southern Great Xing’an Range. Table S2: Zircon Hf-O isotopic data for the Dongshanwan high-silica granite porphyries in the southern Great Xing’an Range. Table S3: Monazite major element data (wt.%) for Be-rich quartz veins in the Dongshanwan deposit of the southern Great Xing’an Range. Table S4: Monazite U-Pb dating data for Be-rich quartz veins in the Dongshanwan deposit of the southern Great Xing’an Range. Table S5: Monazite Nd isotopic data for Be-rich quartz veins in the Dongshanwan deposit of the southern Great Xing’an Range. Table S6: Whole-rock major and trace element data for the Dongshanwan high-silica granite porphyries in the southern Great Xing’an Range. Table S7: Whole-rock Nd isotopic data for the Dongshanwan high-silica granite porphyries and Permian tuffs in the southern Great Xing’an Range. Table S8: Apatite Nd isotopic data for Permian tuffs in the Dongshanwan deposit of the southern Great Xing’an Range. Table S9: Mineral/melt partition coefficients and assumed compositions for modeling and the calculated results.
Identification of Melittin-Like Proteins with a Molecular Weight of 67 kDa that Interact with Na+/K+-ATPase
Authors: Varfolomeeva L. A. , Klimanova E. A. , Sidorenko S. V. , Fedorov D. A. , Lopina O. D.
Published: December 2023

Melittin, a peptide from bee venom, was found to be able to interact with many proteins, including calmodulin target proteins and ion-transporting P-type ATPases. It is assumed that melittin mimics a protein module involved in protein-protein interactions within cells. Previously, a Na+/K+-ATPase containing the α1 isoform of the catalytic subunit was found to co-precipitate with a protein with a molecular weight of about 70 kDa that interacts with antibodies against melittin by cross immunoprecipitation. In the presence of a specific Na+/K+-ATPase inhibitor (ouabain), the amount of protein with a molecular weight of 70 kDa interacting with Na+/K+-ATPase increases. In order to identify melittin-like protein from murine kidney homogenate, a fraction of melittin-like proteins with a molecular weight of approximately 70 kDa was obtained using affinity chromatography with immobilized antibodies specific to melittin. By mass spectrometry analysis, the obtained protein fraction was found to contain three molecular chaperones of Hsp70 superfamily: mitochondrial mtHsp70 (mortalin), Hsp73, Grp78 (BiP) of endoplasmic reticulum. These data suggest that chaperones from the HSP-70 superfamily contain a melittin-like module.
Hydrogenation of Acetylene over Pd–Ag/Sibunit Catalysts: Effect of the Deposition Sequence of Active Component Precursors
Authors: Yurpalova D. V. , Afonasenko T. N. , Trenikhin M. V. , Leont’eva N. N. , Arbuzov A. B. , Temerev V. L. , Shlyapin D. A.
Published: December 2023

The study investigates interactions between palladium and silver in Pd–Ag bimetallic catalysts supported on a mesoporous carbon material Sibunit and, in particular, the dependence of these interactions on the deposition sequence of the metal precursors. Using XRD and TEM results, it was shown that impregnating the support with an aqueous solution that contained nitrate salts of both metals, followed by hydrogen treatment at 500°C, generates uniformly sized Pd0.6Ag0.4 particles (dav = 5.6 nm). These particles exhibit high selectivity (79%) in the reaction of acetylene hydrogenation to ethylene. The catalysts synthesized by sequential impregnation of the support with solutions of Pd and Ag nitrates interleaved with heat treatment in H2 exhibited a lower selectivity (68–73%) due to the formation of particles non-uniform both in composition and size (about 4 to 60 nm). The IR spectroscopy data suggest this effect is presumably associated with the removal of O-containing functional groups from the carbon surface during the reduction of the supported precursor. Given that O-groups act as anchoring sites for the precursors of active components and suppress the ability of Sibunit to reduce metals from their salt solutions, the subsequent deposition of the second metal salt causes a non-uniform distribution of this metal on the surface and the generation of larger particles.
Socio-demographic profile of medical students in Aotearoa, New Zealand (2016–2020): a nationwide cross-sectional study
Authors: Bagg Warwick , Curtis Elana , Eggleton Kyle S , Nixon Garry , Bristowe Zoë , Brunton Paul , Hendry Chris , Kool Bridget , Scarf Damian , Shaw Susan , Tukuitonga Collin , Williman Jonathan , Wilson Denise , Crampton Peter
Published: December 2023

Objective

To determine the socio-demographic profile of all students enrolled to study medicine in Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ).

Design and setting

Observational, cross-sectional study. Data were sought from the Universities of Auckland and Otago, the two NZ tertiary education institutions providing medical education, for the period 2016–2020 inclusive. These data are a subset of the larger project ‘Mirror on Society’ examining all regulated health professional enrolled students in NZ. Variables of interest: gender, citizenship, ethnicity, rural classification, socioeconomic deprivation, school type and school socioeconomic scores. NZ denominator population data (18–29 years) were sourced from the 2018 census.

Participants

2858 students were enrolled to study medicine between 2016 and 2020 inclusive.

Results

There were more women (59.1%) enrolled to study medicine than men (40.9%) and the majority (96.5%) were in the 18–29 years age range. Māori students (rate ratio 0.92; 95% CI 0.84 to 1.0) and Pacific students (rate ratio 0.85; 95% CI 0.73 to 0.98) had lower overall rates of enrolment. For all ethnic groups, irrespective of rural or urban origin, enrolment rates had a nearly log-linear negative relationship with increasing socioeconomic deprivation. Enrolments were lower for students from rural areas compared with those from urban areas (rate ratio 0.53; 95% CI 0.46–0.61). Overall NZ’s medical students do not reflect the diverse communities they will serve, with under-representation of Māori and Pacific students and students who come from low socioeconomic and rural backgrounds.

Conclusions

To meaningfully address these issues, we suggest the following policy changes: universities commit and act to Indigenise institutional ways of knowing and being; selection policies are reviewed to ensure that communities in greatest need of doctors are prioritised for enrolment into medicine (specifically, the impact of low socioeconomic status should be factored into selection decisions); and the government fund more New Zealanders to study medicine.
Cognitive improvement following endovascular embolization in patients with intracranial dural arteriovenous fistula: The Neuropsychology in dural ArterIal Fistula (NAIF) Study
Authors: Gramegna Laura Ludovica , Ortega Gemma , Dinia Lavinia , Aixut Sonia , Rosati Santiago , Vega Pedro , Lüttich Alex , Remollo Sebastian , González Alejandro , Murias Eduardo , Chirife Chaparro Oscar , Moreu Manuel , Requena Manuel , de Dios Lascuevas Marta , Hernandez David , Quintana Manuel , Puig Josep , Rovira Alex , Tomasello Alejandro
Published: December 2023

Background

Cognitive improvement after endovascular embolization of an intracranial dural arteriovenous fistula (dAVF) remains unexplored. We aim to investigate cognitive changes following endovascular embolization of dAVFs.

Methods

Neuropsychology in dural ArterIal Fistula (NAIF) was a prospective multicentric study including patients with an angiographic diagnosis of dAVF who underwent endovascular embolization over the course of 4 years. A complete neuropsychological evaluation comprising five cognitive domains (attention and executive functions, memory, language, praxis, gnosis) was performed at baseline and 3 months follow-up. Mean Z scores for cognitive tests were compared pre- and post-treatment using paired sample t-tests, where higher Z scores indicate better cognition. Effect sizes were computed as Cohen’s d.

Results

A total of 32 patients (mean age 61.1±15.4 years, 10 (31.3%) females) were included. Patients exhibited improved performance in attention and executive functions: executive functions–attention (+0.282, P=0.009, d=0.29), executive functions–fluencies (+0.283, P=0.029, d=0.4), and executive functions–processing speed (+0.471, P=0.039, d=0.41). There was an increase in memory: verbal learning and verbal delayed recall scores (+0.513, P<0.001, d=0.55, and +0.385, P=0.001, d=0.41, respectively), while verbal recognition parameters (+0.839, P=0.086, d=0.37) and visual memory (delayed recall) (+0.430, P=0.060, d=0.35) displayed trends toward improved performance. Regarding language, there was significant overall improvement (+0.300, P=0.014, d=0.24), but neither praxis nor gnosis changed significantly. These cognitive outcomes were independent of the severity (measured as Cognard classification), and no patient experienced cognitive worsening.

Conclusion

This study suggests that endovascular embolization confers cognitive benefits on dAVF patients undergoing endovascular embolization and may be beneficial even for patients with a low risk of hemorrhage.
Prospects for extra Higgs boson search via $$pp\rightarrow H,A\rightarrow \tau \mu , \tau \tau $$ at the high luminosity Large Hadron Collider
Authors: Hou Wei-Shu , Jain Rishabh , Kao Chung
Published: December 2023

We extend heavy Higgs searches at the Large Hadron Collider for $$H \rightarrow \tau \mu $$

H
→
τ
μ

by CMS, and $$H \rightarrow \tau \tau $$

H
→
τ
τ

by ATLAS and CMS, to study discovery prospects of extra Higgs states in $$pp \rightarrow H,A \rightarrow \tau \mu , \tau \tau $$

p
p
→
H
,
A
→
τ
μ
,
τ
τ

with "Equation missing" and "Equation missing" final states, where $$j_{\tau } = \pi \,, \rho \,, a_1$$

j
τ

=
π

,
ρ

,

a
1

and "Equation missing" is missing transverse energy. In a general two Higgs doublet model without $$Z_2$$

Z
2

symmetry, extra Yukawa couplings $$\rho _{\tau \tau }$$

ρ

τ
τ

and $$\rho _{\tau \mu }$$

ρ

τ
μ

can drive $$H,A \rightarrow \tau \tau $$

H
,
A
→
τ
τ

and $$\tau \mu $$

τ
μ

channels at hadron colliders, following gluon–gluon fusion production with extra $$\rho _{tt}$$

ρ

tt

couplings. The light Higgs boson h(125) is found to resemble closely the Standard Model Higgs boson; in the alignment limit of $$\cos \gamma \rightarrow 0$$

cos
γ
→
0

for h–H mixing, flavor changing neutral Higgs couplings such as $$h \rightarrow \tau \mu $$

h
→
τ
μ

are naturally suppressed, but the couplings of the heavier H is optimized by $$\sin \gamma \rightarrow 1$$

sin
γ
→
1

. We define various signal regions for $$H,A \rightarrow \tau \mu $$

H
,
A
→
τ
μ

and $$\tau \tau $$

τ
τ

and evaluate physics backgrounds from dominant processes with realistic acceptance cuts and tagging efficiencies. Two different studies are presented. We first perform a parton level study without any hadronization and with minimal detector smearing. We then include hadronization using PYTHIA 8.2 and fast detector simulation using DELPHES to give event level simulation. Results for $$\sqrt{s}= 13$$

s

=
13

TeV appear promising, which we extend further to $$\sqrt{s} = 14$$

s

=
14

TeV for the High Luminosity LHC.
Observations and Reflections on the Gaming Landscape in South East Asia
Authors: Tiwari Siddhartha Paul , Grace Lindsay D.
Published: December 2023

Discussion of the Asian video game market, particularly when focused on digital gamer production, often focuses on China, Japan, and South Korea. However, communities of South East Asia based game makers are emerging. Drawing from firsthand discussion and interviews with more than 400 game developers, 50 post-secondary academic faculty, and 15 academic organizations and universities, the authors offer perspectives, insights, and expected challenges for the region. The findings indicate that a combination of intellectual and creative energy as well as regional political and economic support have helped develop fertile ground for global attention. Most notably, the researchers observed a regional interest in shifting toward exploring innovative, original content and increasing educational capacities to explore creative practice in game design. These findings coincide with other reflections of the region's digital economy's development.
High-Speed Atomic Force Microscopy for Filming Protein Molecules in Dynamic Action
Authors: Ando Toshio , Fukuda Shingo , Ngo Kien X. , Flechsig Holger
Published: December 2023

Structural biology is currently undergoing a transformation into dynamic structural biology, which reveals the dynamic structure of proteins during their functional activity to better elucidate how they function. Among the various approaches in dynamic structural biology, high-speed atomic force microscopy (HS-AFM) is unique in the ability to film individual molecules in dynamic action, although only topographical information is acquirable. This review provides a guide to the use of HS-AFM for biomolecular imaging and showcases several examples, as well as providing information on up-to-date progress in HS-AFM technology. Finally, we discuss the future prospects of HS-AFM in the context of dynamic structural biology in the upcoming era.
Signal Feature Extraction Method of Three-Band Infrared Flame Sensor
Authors: Li Zhifeng , Yuan Rui , Xu Zhangliang
Published: December 2023

A three-band infrared flame sensor is designed and experimentally investigated for the analysis of infrared signals from three radiation sources (Flame, man and ambient). The Fourier transform and empirical mode decomposition (EMD) is applied to the analysis of the spectral characteristics, intrinsic modes and energy spectra. The results show that the received flame infrared signal exhibits significant low-frequency and energy characteristics. Near the zero frequency, the received infrared signal energy of the flame, man and ambient is 3.4 × 104 J, 2.8 × 104 J and 2.1 × 104 J, respectively. In this way the flame signal features can be accurately identified from different radiation sources. It can be believed that the results of the three-band infrared sensor presented here are useful guiding significance and practical application value for fire detection.
Quadriceps fatigue during hypoxic and ischemic knee-extension exercise is similar in males and females
Authors: Dominelli Paolo B. , Senefeld Jonathon W. , Wiggins Chad C. , Baker Sarah E. , Clayburn Andrew J. , Joyner Michael J.
Published: December 2023

Hypoxia exacerbates fatigue via central mechanisms after ischemic single-leg exercise. The greater fatigue observed during ischemic dynamic fatiguing exercise with hypoxia inspirate did not differ between the sexes. Hypoxia-induced central limitations are present in acute ischemic exercise and do not appear different in males and females.
Cyclooxygenase inhibition does not blunt thermal hyperemia in skeletal muscle of humans
Authors: Richey Rauchelle E. , Ruiz Ysabella I. , Cope Heidi L. , Moore Amy M. , Walsh Mackenzie A. , Garfield Tyson C. , Olivencia-Yurvati Albert H. , Romero Steven A.
Published: December 2023

Acute heat exposure increases skeletal muscle blood flow in humans. However, the mechanisms mediating this hyperemic response remain unknown. Using a pharmacological approach combined with microdialysis, we found that thermal hyperemia in the vastus lateralis muscle was well maintained despite the successful inhibition of cyclooxygenase. Our results suggest that cyclooxygenase-derived vasodilator prostanoids do not contribute to thermal hyperemia in skeletal muscle of young healthy humans.
Molecular Characterization and Phylogenetic Analysis of Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) Strains from Pigs Farmed in Eight European Countries between 2020 and 2022
Authors: De Sabato Luca , Ianiro Giovanni , Alborali Giovanni L. , Kroneman Annelies , Grierson Sylvia S. , Krumova-Valcheva Gergana Lyubomirova , Hakze-van der Honing Renate W. , Johne Reimar , Kolackova Ivana , Kozyra Iwona , Gyurova Eva , Pavoni Enrico , Reisp Katharina , Sassu Elena Lucia , Schilling-Loeffler Katja , Smith Richard Piers , Vasickova Petra , Żmudzki Jacek , Rzeżutka Artur , Di Bartolo Ilaria
Published: December 2023

In high-income countries, the hepatitis E virus (HEV) is considered an emerging threat causing autochthonous acute hepatitis in humans, with an increased number of reported cases over the last 10 years and related increased burden of chronic hepatitis in immunocompromised and transplant patients. Pigs are the main reservoir of the HEV-3 genotype, which is the most common in Europe, and can be transmitted to humans through the consumption of raw and undercooked pork products. Extensive sequencing revealed the existence of several HEV-3 subtypes in both humans and pigs, confirming a broad heterogeneity of the virus, with some subtypes, such as 3e, 3f, and 3c, which are predominant in Europe. In this study, 291 HEV sequences were obtained from pig feces sampled in more than 74 farms located in Austria, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, Poland, the United Kingdom, as well as an unknown number of farms in Netherlands. Of the 99 nonidentical sequences (99/291), 90 were assigned to seven established HEV-3 subtypes: 3a, 3c, 3e, 3f, 3g (here named 3g-like), 3i, and 3l (named 3l-like), already described in Europe, while nine sequences of HEV-3 could not be assigned to any existing subtype (here named 3

 
∗

). The 3e subtype was the most common, detected in six out of eight countries, followed by 3f and 3c, which were also present in several countries; 3g-like, 3i, and 3l-like subtypes showed only a limited circulation. The distribution of frequently (3e, 3f, and 3c) and rarely (3g-like, 3i, and 3l-like) detected HEV-3 subtypes in pigs was correlated with their detection rates in human patients in Europe. The results from this study confirm the wide circulation of several HEV-3 strains in European pigs and confirm that sequencing is needed to monitor the different strains and to identify possible zoonotic transmission paths.
Parrotia persica as a Potential Source of Bioactive Phenolic Compounds: Optimization of Extraction Parameters and Biological Activity Assay
Authors: Farhadpour Mohsen , Yavari Niksa , Mahdavi Vahideh , Esmaeili Fazileh , Zadali Reza
Published: December 2023

Parrotia persica is one of the endemic plants in Iran and belongs to the Hamamelidaceae family. A wide range of biological activities of this plant have been attributed to several phenolic compounds. In this study, the phenolic bioactive compounds extraction from P. persica leaves was performed using conventional and ultrasonic‐assisted extraction (UAE) techniques through the response surface methodology (RSM) to optimize the best extraction conditions and reach the maximum amount of phenolic compounds. The central composite design (CCD) was conducted for the optimization of four extraction parameters, including extraction time, alcohol concentration, solvent‐to‐solid ratio, and temperature. The coding of parameters was performed as an independent variable at five levels. Quantitative and qualitative assessments were achieved by using HPLC, LC‐MS, and UV‐Vis spectrophotometry. According to the results, UAE was chosen as the best method with the optimal extraction values: 15 min as an extraction time, 40% alcohol portion in solvent, solvent‐to‐solid ratio equal to 30 : 1, and 25°C for temperature. In this regard, it was found that the similarity of experimental to predicted findings was 98.7% for the phenolic content and 94.9% for the mass extract in the UAE method. The findings showed a good similarity between the experimental and predicted values, and no significant changes were observed between the real and theoretical results. In addition, our finding revealed that the optimum extraction yield was 28.5% for the mass extract in the UAE optimization process. Furthermore, the antioxidant activity by DPPH assay indicates that the extract which was obtained using UAE in optimum condition, proposed remarkable antioxidant activity (IC50 29.86 μg·ml−1). Moreover, the cytotoxic assay was performed against PC‐3 cancer cells, and it was found that the optimized extract using UAE has a promising cytotoxic activity (IC50 10.4 μg·ml−1) without toxicity toward normal cells. Since there is a possibility to use P. persica as one of the commercial herbal sources, the optimized extraction models could be utilized for scaling up the phenolic compound extraction from P. persica leaf.
Supplementary Table 1 from Infusion Product TNFα, Th2, and STAT3 Activities Are Associated with Clinical Responses to Transgenic T-cell Receptor Cell Therapy
Authors: Nowicki Theodore S. , Peters Cole W. , Quiros Crystal , Kidd Conner K. , Kawakami Moe , Klomhaus Alexandra M. , Baselga-Carretero Ignacio , Kaplan-Lefko Paula , Macabali Mignonette H. , Perez Garcilazo Ivan , Berent-Maoz Beata , Comin-Anduix Begoña , Ribas Antoni
Published: December 2023

Supplemental Table 1. Significance measures for correlation matrix between intracellular cytokine FSIs and phosphoprotein FSIs with the CD8 compartment, tonic conditions. p values for each Pearson’s correlation shown in Supplemental Figure 10A are shown, with statistically significant values highlighted in red.
Supplemental Figure 7 from Infusion Product TNFα, Th2, and STAT3 Activities Are Associated with Clinical Responses to Transgenic T-cell Receptor Cell Therapy
Authors: Nowicki Theodore S. , Peters Cole W. , Quiros Crystal , Kidd Conner K. , Kawakami Moe , Klomhaus Alexandra M. , Baselga-Carretero Ignacio , Kaplan-Lefko Paula , Macabali Mignonette H. , Perez Garcilazo Ivan , Berent-Maoz Beata , Comin-Anduix Begoña , Ribas Antoni
Published: December 2023

Aggregate data of single-cell phosphoprotein functional strength indices (FSI). Groups are divided by T cell subtype, clinical response, and tonic vs stimulated culture conditions. Error bars represent +/- standard error of the mean (SEM).