bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Thermal imaging drift monitoring of Doppler asymmetric spatial heterodyne spectroscopy for wind measurement based on segmented edge fitting
Authors: Zhang Ya-Fei , Feng Yu-Tao , Fu Di , Chang Chen-Guang , Li Juan , Bai Qing-Lan , Hu Bing-Liang ,   Key Laboratory of Spectral Imaging Technology, Xi’an Institute of Optics and Precision Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xi’an 710119, China,   University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
Published: January 2022

Doppler asymmetric spatial heterodyne spectroscopy is recently developed for spaceborne measurement of middle and upper atmospheric wind field, which relies on the accurate inverse of interferogram phase to calculate the Doppler shift of airglow emission lines. The change of temperature leads the optical and mechanical components to thermally deformed, causing the imaging plane to thermally drift relative to the detector, changing the distribution of interferogram phase on pixels, and directly introducing phase errors to affect the wind speed inversion. In order to reduce the influence of imaging thermal drift on phase inversion, the segmented fitting method is used in this paper to detect the sub-pixel edges of notch patterns and monitor imaging thermal drift accordingly. In the thermal stability test of a near-infrared Doppler asymmetric spatial heterodyne interferometer prototype, the thermal imaging drifts and ambient temperature show a high consistency in the trend of high-frequency oscillation, and the correlation coefficient can reach 0.86 after removing the baseline. After phase correct by using the thermal imaging shift, the high-frequency oscillation of interferogram phase shift is also greatly suppressed. In order to further verify the accuracy of the algorithm, the influence of the data signal-to-noise ratio and the data distribution characteristic parameter errors used in the fitting on the edge detection are simulated. The results show that the edge detection accuracy is restricted mainly by the data signal-to-noise ratio and the accuracy of the fringe frequency parameters. When the error of the fringe frequency parameter used for fitting is less than 0.5%, the error of other data distribution characteristic parameters is less than 5%, and the data signal-to-noise ratio is enhanced more than 35 times, the algorithm in this paper can achieve a detection accuracy higher than 0.05 pixels.
Dynamics of C+ + H2 reaction based on a new potential energy surface
Authors: Li Wen-Tao , Yuan Mei-Ling , Wang Jie-Min ,   College of Physics and Electronic Information, Luoyang Normal University, Luoyang 471934, China,   College of General Education, Weifang University of Science and Technology, Shouguang 262700, China,   School of Artificial Intelligence, Zaozhuang University, Zaozhuang 277160, China
Published: January 2022

The multi-reference interaction method is explicitly dependent on the electron-electron distance, and ACVQZ basis set is used in the ab initio calculation. The potential energy surface (PES) is fitted by using the permutation invariant polynomial neural network method based on 18222 ab initio points. In addition, the topographical features of the PES are compared with available theoretical and experimental data. The results indicate that the present PES is more accurate and can be applied to any type of dynamic study. In order to validate the PES, the dynamic study of the C+ + H2 → H + CH+ reaction is carried out by using the quasi-classical trajectory method in a collision energy range of 0.4–1.0 eV. The integral cross sections and differential cross sections are calculated and compared with previous theoretical studies. For the integral cross section, the present results are, in general, in good agreement with previous theoretical studies, both of which increase with collision energy increasing. The forward and backward symmetric differential cross sections indicate that the “complex-forming” mechanism plays a dominant role in the reaction.
Legionella pneumophila modulates host energy metabolism by ADP-ribosylation of ADP/ATP translocases
Authors: Fu Jiaqi , Zhou Mowei , Gritsenko Marina A , Nakayasu Ernesto S , Song Lei , Luo Zhao-Qing
Published: January 2022

The intracellular pathogen Legionella pneumophila delivers more than 330 effectors into host cells by its Dot/Icm secretion system. Those effectors direct the biogenesis of the Legionella-containing vacuole (LCV) that permits its intracellular survival and replication. It has long been documented that the LCV is associated with mitochondria and a number of Dot/Icm effectors have been shown to target to this organelle. Yet, the biochemical function and host cell target of most of these effectors remain unknown. Here, we found that the Dot/Icm substrate Ceg3 (Lpg0080) is a mono-ADP-ribosyltransferase that localizes to the mitochondria in host cells where it attacks ADP/ATP translocases by ADP-ribosylation, and blunts their ADP/ATP exchange activity. The modification occurs on the second arginine residue in the -RRRMMM- element, which is conserved among all known ADP/ATP carriers from different organisms. Our results reveal modulation of host energy metabolism as a virulence mechanism for L. pneumophila.
Hybrid state analysis with improved firefly optimized linear congestion models of WSNs for DDOS & CRA attacks
Authors: Basith K Abdul , Shankar T.N.
Published: January 2022

A decentralized form represents a wireless network that facilitates the computers to direct communication without any router. The mobility of individual nodes is necessary within the restricted radio spectrum where contact is often possible on an Adhoc basis. The routing protocol must face the critical situation in these networks forwarding exploration between communicating nodes may create the latency problem in the future. The assault is one of the issues has direct impact network efficiency by disseminating false messages or altering routing detail. Hence, an enhanced routing approach proposes to defend against such challenges. The efficiency of the designated model of wireless devices relies on various output parameters to ensure the requirements. The high energy efficient algorithms: LEACH with FUZZY LOGIC, GENETIC, and FIREFLY are the most effective in optimizing scenarios. The firefly algorithm applies in a model of hybrid state logic with energy parameters: data percentage, transmission rate, and real-time application where the architecture methodology needs to incorporate the design requirements for the attacks within the specified network environment, which can affect energy and packet distribution under various system parametric circumstances. These representations can determine with the statistical linear congestion model in a wireless sensor network mixed state environment.
Metabarcoding of the phytotelmata ofPseudalcantarea grandis(Bromeliaceae) from an arid zone
Authors: Herrera-García José Alan , Martinez Mahinda , Zamora-Tavares Pilar , Vargas-Ponce Ofelia , Hernández-Sandoval Luis , Rodríguez-Zaragoza Fabián Alejandro
Published: January 2022

Background

Pseudalcantarea grandis(Schltdl.) Pinzón & Barfuss is a tank bromeliad that grows on cliffs in the southernmost portion of the Chihuahuan desert. Phytotelmata are water bodies formed by plants that function as micro-ecosystems where bacteria, algae, protists, insects, fungi, and some vertebrates can develop. We hypothesized that the bacterial diversity contained in the phytotelma formed in a bromeliad from an arid zone would differ in sites with and without surrounding vegetation. Our study aimed to characterize the bacterial composition and putative metabolic functions inP. grandisphytotelmata collected in vegetated and non-vegetated sites.

Methods

Water from 10 individuals was sampled. Five individuals had abundant surrounding vegetation, and five had little or no vegetation. We extracted DNA and amplified seven hypervariable regions of the 16S gene (V2, V4, V8, V3–6, 7–9). Metabarcoding sequencing was performed on the Ion Torrent PGM platform. Taxonomic identity was assigned by the binning reads and coverage between hit and query from the reference database of at least 90%. Putative metabolic functions of the bacterial families were assigned mainly using the FAPROTAX database. The dominance patterns in each site were visualized with rank/abundance curves using the number of Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs) per family. A percentage similarity analysis (SIMPER) was used to estimate dissimilarity between the sites. Relationships among bacterial families (identified by the dominance analysis and SIMPER), sites, and their respective putative functions were analyzed with shade plots.

Results

A total of 1.5 million useful bacterial sequences were obtained. Sequences were clustered into OTUs, and taxonomic assignment was conducted using BLAST in the Greengenes databases. Bacterial diversity was 23 phyla, 52 classes, 98 orders, 218 families, and 297 genera. Proteobacteria (37%), Actinobacteria (19%), and Firmicutes (15%) comprised the highest percentage (71%). There was a 68.3% similarity between the two sites at family level, with 149 families shared. Aerobic chemoheterotrophy and fermentation were the main metabolic functions in both sites, followed by ureolysis, nitrate reduction, aromatic compound degradation, and nitrogen fixation. The dominant bacteria shared most of the metabolic functions between sites. Some functions were recorded for one site only and were related to families with the lowest OTUs richness. Bacterial diversity in theP. grandistanks included dominant phyla and families present at low percentage that could be considered part of a rare biosphere. A rare biosphere can form genetic reservoirs, the local abundance of which depends on external abiotic and biotic factors, while their interactions could favor micro-ecosystem resilience and resistance.
VALIDATION OF SCREENING MODELS OF PEPTIC ULCER: A REVIEW
Authors: Tripathi Ankita , Srivastava Shubham , Gupta Minakshi , Raj Shristi , Shareef Farheen
Published: January 2022

The stomach plays an important role in the digestion of the things we consume. This part of the body can withstand a wide range of harmful substances, such as hydrochloric acid, alcohol, refluxed bile salts, and other irritants. Upper abdominal pain may be a symptom of a gastrointestinal disorder known as Peptic Ulcer if you eat an unhealthy diet, smoke, drink too much alcohol, or take NSAIDs on a regular basis. You may also have a sedentary lifestyle. Today, gastric hyperacidity and gastroduodenal ulcers are very common problems all over the world. In this article, the author tries to give an overview of the in vivo and in vitro screening models that have been used in different laboratories and their validation during the past few decades to carry out such investigations, along with the underlying mechanisms of ulcer induction in each approach. The goal is to educate of the various experimental models available for conducting novel investigations to gain further knowledge in context to peptic ulcers.
IT in the Public Sector: A Road for Development Services, A Bibliographical Study
Authors: Dewi Atria , . Sudrajat , Suhendro Saring
Published: January 2022

Aims: This research was conducted to find out the development of IT research articles in the public sector published in international journals from 2011 to 2020, to find out the collaboration map between researchers, to be input and direction for further researchers in determining the research study topic.

Study Design:  This research is a literature study using the bibliometrics analysis method.

Place and Duration of Study: The Google Schoolar Database, period 2011 to 2020.

Methodology: In the initial search, 976 journals were found. The following selection searched for journal articles that specifically discuss IT in the public sector; as many as 140 journals were found.

Results: In the initial search, 976 journals were found. The following selection searched for journal articles that specifically discuss IT in the public sector; as many as 140 journals were found. Based on research on the growth of IT research articles in the public sector in 2011-2020, an average of 14% or a total of 14 articles per year. The trend of research tends to decrease, and the authors of these articles come from developed countries, while from developing countries such as Indonesia, there are still few. 

Conclusion: Based on research on the growth of IT research articles in the public sector in 2011-2020, an average of 14% or a total of 14 articles per year. The trend of research tends to decrease, and the authors of these articles come from developed countries, while from developing countries such as Indonesia, there are still few. The topic of further research development can be focused on improving public services for developing countries, such as agriculture, e-health, e-democracy, government initiatives and etcetra.
Comparative Study of the Incidence of Co-infection of Soil-transmitted Helminths and Helicobacter pylori among Children and Women of Reproductive Age Living in Slum Settlements in Rivers State, Nigeria
Authors: Onosakponome Evelyn Orevaeghene , Ambali Adedokun Amudatu , Nyenke Clement Ugochukwu
Published: January 2022

Background: Soil-transmitted parasites, bacterial and other biological contaminants constitute the major causes of food-borne diseases often transmitted through food and water borne routes contaminated with faeces in developing countries. Children and Women of reproductive age (WRA) have high of getting infected and being potential sources of pathogenic micro-organisms.

Objective: This study was aimed to assess and compare the prevalence and risk factors of soil-transmitted helminths and Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) among school-aged children and women of reproductive age at selected area in Eleme Local Government Area, Rivers State.

Methods: Cross-sectional study was conducted 580 participants were enrolled in May-August 2019. The gastrointestinal parasites were examined with wet mount and formol-ether concentration techniques. Chi-square (χ2) test was used to evaluate the association between categorical variables and infection prevalence using SPSS version 21, values were considered significant when the p-value was less than 0.05.

Results: The overall prevalence of soil-transmitted helminths among children was 12.3% (37/300) whereas WRA had 12.5% (35/280). Trichuris trichura was found to be prominent among the children with 18 (6.0%) while Ascaris lumbricoides 10 (3.6%) was most prevalent among WRA. Gender based Prevalence was 56.8% (21/37) and 43.2% (16/37%) for males and females respectively. The age-related prevalence is most common among age group 11-15 years. This prevalence was not statistically significant (p>0.05). H. pylori infection prevalence among the children and WRA were 11.7% (35/300) and 26.8% (75/280). The gender-related prevalence among the males had 18 (51.4%) and females 17 (48.6%) of the children group. The age group 1-5 years showed high prevalence of H. pylori than other groups. Among WRA, age group 23-27 and 33-37 years had equal prevalence of 20 (26.7%). In consideration of co-infection between children and WRA, A. lumbricoides coinfection H. pylori 15 (53.5%) was most prevalent among children while among women of reproductive age, hookworm co-infection H. pylori 8 (50.0%) was most prevalent. Risk factors that were statistically significant (p<0.05) were among those who wash hands with soap after playing/touching soil and those dewormed in the last three months.

Conclusion: The distribution of soil-transmitted helminth infections co-infection H. pylori among children and WRA is low, however strategic planning of treatment regimen of community based should be encouraged.
Numerical Investigation of Ti6Al4V Gradient Lattice Structures with Tailored Mechanical Response
Authors: Mora Sierra Daniel Camilo , Heydari Astaraee Asghar , Guagliano Mario , Bagherifard Sara
Published: January 2022

Open porous lattice structures have found a wide range of applications as lightweight load‐bearing and energy absorbent structures in various fields. A common requirement for any application is the preliminary assessment of the mechanical response of the proposed architecture. Herein, uniform and continuous functionally graded lattice structures (FGLSs) made of titanium alloy, Ti–6Al–4V, are designed using cubic and pillar octahedron unit cells at overall porosities of 60%, 75%, and 85%. The lattice morphology is modulated using axial, dense‐in, and dense‐out gradient strategies. The mechanical performance of the structures is studied using numerical simulations implementing damage initiation and evolution under quasi‐static compression. The proposed models could properly simulate the mechanical properties and failure behavior of the lattice structures. The designed FGLSs displays a crushing behavior starting from the lower relative density layers toward the higher relative density ones. Cubic and pillar octahedron‐based structures exhibit stretch‐ and bending‐dominated deformation behaviors, respectively. The power‐law analysis verified by the Gibson–Ashby model is used to assess the mechanical response of the FGLSs. The effect of the gradient strategies on the mechanical properties as well as their adaptability for orthopedic implants is discussed in detail.
Tailoring the Energy Manifold of Quasi‐Two‐Dimensional Perovskites for Efficient Carrier Extraction
Authors: Ramesh Sankaran , Giovanni David , Righetto Marcello , Ye Senyun , Fresch Elisa , Wang Yue , Collini Elisabetta , Mathews Nripan , Sum Tze Chien
Published: January 2022

Harvesting the excess energy from absorbed above bandgap photons is a promising approach to overcome the detailed balance limit for higher solar cell efficiencies. However, this remains very challenging for 2D layered halide perovskites as the fast excess energy loss competes effectively with charge extraction. Herein, the authors engineer the energy cascade manifold of quantum well (QW) states in quasi‐2D Ruddlesden–Popper perovskites by facile tuning of the organic spacer to decelerate the energy loss. The resulting excess energy loss rate is up to two orders slower compared to 3D perovskites, thus enabling efficient carrier extraction. 2D electronic spectroscopy reveals further insights into the structural and energetic disorder of these layered systems. Importantly, a judicious choice of the organic spacer holds the key to tailoring the coherent coupling between QWs that strongly influences the competition between the energy cascade and charge extraction.
Fulfilling and desperately needed: Australian media representations of responses to homelessness
Authors: Simpson Reeves Laura , Clarke Andrew , Kuskoff Ella , Parsell Cameron
Published: January 2022

Homelessness is a significant social issue that continues to confront Australian society, despite burgeoning public and policy responses to the issue. Existing scholarship demonstrates the important role the media can play in shaping such responses by framing homelessness – and the people who experience it – in particular ways. However, to date there has been limited focus on how the media represents social responses to homelessness, or how such representations might influence public perceptions of the appropriateness of current responses. Drawing on analysis of four years of media articles (2016–2019), this article examines how the print media frames responses to homelessness in Brisbane, Australia. Our findings demonstrate that the media largely frames current responses as fulfilling and enjoyable for volunteers, and as desperately needed by people who experience homelessness. In representing the issue in this way, the media highlights the unequal power dynamics between those experiencing homelessness and those responding to homelessness. Rather than challenging this problematic power hierarchy, however, the media reifies it through its celebration of temporary and inadequate homelessness responses. We argue that such framing has the potential to promote public and policy support for responses that do little to address the underlying causes of the issue.
Nanofibrous dressing: Potential alternative for fighting against antibiotic‐resistance wound infections
Authors: Zhang Yingjie , Yu Juan , Zhang Huiru , Li Yan , Wang Lu
Published: January 2022

The progression of antibiotic‐resistant bacteria (ARB) as well as impaired immunity due to chronic diseases and complications, aging, and so forth pose opportunities in parallel with challenges to the wound dressing products. In a bid to address the remedies, electrospun nanofibrous membranes (ENMs) with high permeability and good biocompatibility have made an entry as wound dressings. With high specific surface area, such ENMs can pave the way for the loading and release of antimicrobial agents and further promote wound healing by mimicking the extracellular matrix structure. In this review, we have compiled a series of novel antimicrobial agents that can be substituted for antibiotics against ARB and outlined their antimicrobial mechanisms, providing an overview of the latest research to illustrate how ENMs can achieve the loading and efficient release of antimicrobial agents against ARB. Last but not least, on the basis of the demands for timely and accurate wound diagnosis, ENMs capable of colorimetric detection are featured as test‐strips for the diagnosis of wound pathogenic bacteria, in the hope of inspiring researchers to design smart wound dressings capable of diagnosis and treatment integration.
A dentate‐stamped Lapita dish from the central south coast of Papua
Authors: Sand Christophe , Miamba Kenneth , Kuaso Alois , Araho Nick , Allen Jim
Published: January 2022

The chance recovery of a large pottery sherd from a flat‐bottomed dish with dentate‐stamped decoration in Galley Reach, about 50 km northwest of Port Moresby, raises interesting questions concerning interactions between Lapita arrivals and the established Melanesian communities of mainland Papua New Guinea. While the geographical proximity of the find to the Caution Bay Lapita sites would suggest some connection, an analysis of the sherd indicates that it may be older than Lapita at Caution Bay. Comparisons with Island Melanesian Lapita sites indicate that the sherd is mid‐ to late Lapita in age, both in its form and decoration. As such, it joins the corpus of chance PNG mainland and near mainland Lapita finds of similar age. This developing pattern may have a different genesis to the Lapita dispersal into Remote Oceania and instead reflect trade‐based connections between island and mainland communities in the first millennium BC. The data remain ambiguous on this point.
The cardioprotective effects of nano‐curcumin against doxorubicin‐induced cardiotoxicity: A systematic review
Authors: Moutabian Hossein , Ghahramani‐Asl Ruhollah , Mortezazadeh Tohid , Laripour Reza , Narmani Asghar , Zamani Hamed , Ataei Gholamreza , Bagheri Hamed , Farhood Bagher , Sathyapalan Thozhukat , Sahebkar Amirhossein
Published: January 2022

Although the chemotherapeutic drug, doxorubicin, is commonly used to treat various malignant tumors, its clinical use is restricted because of its toxicity especially cardiotoxicity. The use of curcumin may alleviate some of the doxorubicin‐induced cardiotoxic effects. Especially, using the nano‐formulation of curcumin can overcome the poor bioavailability of curcumin and enhance its physicochemical properties regarding its efficacy. In this study, we systematically reviewed the potential cardioprotective effects of nano‐curcumin against the doxorubicin‐induced cardiotoxicity. A systematic search was accomplished based on Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses guidelines for the identification of all relevant articles on “the role of nano‐curcumin on doxorubicin‐induced cardiotoxicity” in the electronic databases of Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science up to July 2021. One hundred and sixty‐nine articles were screened following a predefined set of inclusion and exclusion criteria. Ten eligible scientific papers were finally included in the present systematic review. The administration of doxorubicin reduced the body and heart weights of mice/rats compared to the control groups. In contrast, the combined treatment of doxorubicin and nano‐curcumin increased the body and heart weights of animals compared with the doxorubicin‐treated groups alone. Furthermore, doxorubicin could significantly induce the biochemical and histological changes in the cardiac tissue; however, coadministration of nano‐curcumin formulation demonstrated a pattern opposite to the doxorubicin‐induced changes. The coadministration of nano‐curcumin alleviates the doxorubicin‐induced cardiotoxicity through various mechanisms including antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, and antiapoptotic effects. Also, the cardioprotective effect of nano‐curcumin formulation against doxorubicin‐induced cardiotoxicity was higher than free curcumin.
Real‐time amino acid and glucose monitoring system for the automatic control of nutrient feeding in CHO cell culture using Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Domján Júlia , Pantea Eszter , Gyürkés Martin , Madarász Lajos , Kozák Dóra , Farkas Attila , Horváth Balázs , Benkő Zsuzsa , Nagy Zsombor Kristóf , Marosi György , Hirsch Edit
Published: January 2022

An innovative, Raman spectroscopy‐based monitoring and control system is introduced in this paper for designing dynamic feeding strategies that allow the maintenance of key cellular nutrients at an ideal level in Chinese hamster ovary cell culture. The Partial Least Squares calibration models built for glucose, lactate and 16 (out of 20) individual amino acids had very good predictive power with low root mean square errors values and high square correlation coefficients. The developed models used for real‐time measurement of nutrient and by‐product concentrations allowed us to gain better insight into the metabolic behavior and nutritional consumption of cells. To establish a more beneficial nutritional environment for the cells, two types of dynamic feeding strategies were used to control the delivery of two‐part multi‐component feed media according to the prediction of Raman models (glucose or arginine). As a result, instead of high fluctuations, the nutrients (glucose together with amino acids) were maintained at the desired level providing a more balanced environment for the cells. Moreover, the use of amino acid‐based feeding control enabled to prevent the excessive nutrient replenishment and was economically beneficial by significantly reducing the amount of supplied feed medium compared to the glucose‐based dynamic fed culture.
Fibril Structure Demonstrates the Role of Iodine Labelling on a Pentapeptide Self‐Assembly
Authors: Marchetti Alessandro , Pizzi Andrea , Bergamaschi Greta , Demitri Nicola , Stollberg Ulrike , Diederichsen Ulf , Pigliacelli Claudia , Metrangolo Pierangelo
Published: January 2022

Iodination has long been employed as a successful labelling strategy to gain structural insights into proteins and other biomolecules via several techniques, including Small Angle X‐ray Scattering, Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (ICP‐MS), and single‐crystal crystallography. However, when dealing with smaller biomolecular systems, interactions driven by iodine may significantly alter their self‐assembly behaviour. The engineering of amyloidogenic peptides for the development of ordered nanomaterials has greatly benefitted from this possibility. Still, to date, iodination has exclusively been applied to aromatic residues. In this work, an aliphatic bis‐iodinated amino acid was synthesized and included into a custom pentapeptide, which showed enhanced fibrillogenic behaviour. Peptide single crystal X‐ray structure and powder X‐ray diffraction on its dried water solution demonstrated the key role of iodine atoms in promoting intermolecular interactions that drive the peptide self‐assembly into amyloid fibrils. These findings enlarge the library of halogenated moieties available for directing and engineering the self‐assembly of amyloidogenic peptides.
A Universal DNA Aptamer that Recognizes Spike Proteins of Diverse SARS‐CoV‐2 Variants of Concern
Authors: Zhang Zijie , Li Jiuxing , Gu Jimmy , Amini Ryan , Stacey Hannah D. , Ang Jann C. , White Dawn , Filipe Carlos D. M. , Mossman Karen , Miller Matthew S. , Salena Bruno J. , Yamamura Deborah , Sen Payel , Soleymani Leyla , Brennan John D. , Li Yingfu
Published: January 2022

We report on a unique DNA aptamer, denoted MSA52, that displays universally high affinity for the spike proteins of wildtype SARS‐CoV‐2 as well as the Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Epsilon, Kappa, Delta and Omicron variants. Using an aptamer pool produced from round 13 of selection against the S1 domain of the wildtype spike protein, we carried out one‐round SELEX experiments using five different trimeric spike proteins from variants, followed by high‐throughput sequencing and sequence alignment analysis of aptamers that formed complexes with all proteins. A previously unidentified aptamer, MSA52, showed Kd values ranging from 2 to 10 nM for all variant spike proteins, and also bound similarly to variants not present in the reselection experiments. This aptamer also recognized pseudotyped lentiviruses (PL) expressing eight different spike proteins of SARS‐CoV‐2 with Kd values between 20 and 50 pM, and was integrated into a simple colorimetric assay for detection of multiple PL variants. This discovery provides evidence that aptamers can be generated with high affinity to multiple variants of a single protein, including emerging variants, making it well‐suited for molecular recognition of rapidly evolving targets such as those found in SARS‐CoV‐2.
A computational framework for estimation of mean in presence of observational error
Authors: Vishwakarma Gajendra K. , Singh Neha , Kumar Neelesh
Published: January 2022

This article presents a computational framework for estimation of the mean in two‐phase sampling mechanism using multi‐auxiliary variables when observational errors are observed in sample data. A competent class of estimators is proposed which encompasses several existing estimation techniques under observational error. The properties of the proposed class of estimators have been explored under large sample approximation using the Taylor series expansions method. A strive is done to obtain the optimum sample sizes for a certain cost of the survey. The impact of observational errors is assessed over the mean square error of the estimators. The simulation study is demonstrated to reflect the dominant nature of the proposed class of estimators over the existing one.
Proportional‐integral‐derivative controller‐based self‐healing of distribution system using wireless sensor networks in smart grid
Authors: Cheena Korra , Amgoth Tarachand , Shankar Gauri
Published: January 2022

The grid is a platform of distributing the power to the consumers; if an automatic controlling and monitoring are connected with the grid, it referred to as smart grid (SG). Self‐healing is the approach of restoring the unaffected areas without affecting the system performance. The term restoration is if a fault occurs on a distribution system, it must be isolated; after that, it can be reconfigured to restore the unaffected areas. The distribution system cannot work as efficient without the self‐healing approach because it will affect the unaffected areas without any proper reason. This paper proposed a multiagent system with controlled voltage (MAS‐CV) along with self‐healing of wireless sensor network (WSN) with proportional integral derivative (PID) controller in smart grid. At initial, the magnetic flux sensors are placed in the pole transformer for detection of flux leakage. The sensed data are transferred to the distribution grid, where the multiagent system (MAS) is established to carrying out the load restoration process (i.e., self‐healing). Connection agents (CA), monitor agent (MA), main feeder agent (MFA), backup feeder agent (BFA), supporting feeder agent (SFA), and local agent (LA) are the agents presented in the paper. Each agent is communicating via agent communication language (ACL) for the restoration process; after all the loads are restored, the voltage drop of the system is controlled by the proportional integral derivative controller. The simulation results of the proposed method show that the restoration of loads is improved and number of switching is reduced with improved data transmission. Thus, the cost of the proposed method is reduced by the reduced switches. At last, the controlled power from the distribution grid is send to the consumer.
Evolution of flowering time in a selfing annual plant: Roles of adaptation and genetic drift
Authors: Gay Laurène , Dhinaut Julien , Jullien Margaux , Vitalis Renaud , Navascués Miguel , Ranwez Vincent , Ronfort Joëlle
Published: January 2022

Resurrection studies are a useful tool to measure how phenotypic traits have changed in populations through time. If these trait modifications correlate with the environmental changes that occurred during the time period, it suggests that the phenotypic changes could be a response to selection. Selfing, through its reduction of effective size, could challenge the ability of a population to adapt to environmental changes. Here, we used a resurrection study to test for adaptation in a selfing population ofMedicago truncatula, by comparing the genetic composition and flowering times across 22 generations. We found evidence for evolution toward earlier flowering times by about two days and a peculiar genetic structure, typical of highly selfing populations, where some multilocus genotypes (MLGs) are persistent through time. We used the change in frequency of the MLGs through time as a multilocus fitness measure and built a selection gradient that suggests evolution toward earlier flowering times. Yet, a simulation model revealed that the observed change in flowering time could be explained by drift alone, provided the effective size of the population is small enough (<150). These analyses suffer from the difficulty to estimate the effective size in a highly selfing population, where effective recombination is severely reduced.
Intentional mentoring should increase inclusivity in ecology
Authors: Stuchiner Emily R. , Lin Hunter Danielle E. , Neuwald Jennifer L. , Webb Colleen T. , Balgopal Meena M.
Published: January 2022

High‐quality mentoring relationships can be pivotal to recruitment, retention, and long‐term persistence in ecology majors and careers. The graduate–undergraduate student mentoring relationship can become uniquely important during activities like ecological fieldwork. However, graduate students often have little experience as research mentors, which can lead to negative research experiences for undergraduate mentees. Given the potential for mentoring relationships to impact people's decisions on pursuing ecological studies and/or careers, we created and piloted a mentoring professional development program designed around intentional mentoring. Intentional mentoring requires that mentors preemptively identify what skills and knowledge their mentee should develop as well as the practices to help mentees develop these competencies. Our rationale for using intentional mentoring was that it has the potential to increase mentors' and mentees' awareness of issues around diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice in research experiences, in addition to developing professional competencies. To evaluate our program, we conducted focus group interviews with graduate and undergraduate student participants following a multi‐week mentoring training workshop, the primary aspect of the program. Participants described an increased valuation of intentional mentoring and a desire to be more intentional in their mentoring relationships. Graduate student mentors described an increased desire to be more intentional mentors, whereas undergraduate mentees described an increased desire to seek mentors with whom they could develop intentional relationships. Undergraduates also better recognized the importance of academic mentors. Based on our evaluation, we posit that intentional mentoring can increase the retention and persistence of students with diverse identities in ecology by fostering a sense of belonging. We advocate the implementation of mentoring training workshops as a part of academic ecological programs to increase inclusion in our discipline.
K+ efflux through postsynaptic NMDA receptors suppresses local astrocytic glutamate uptake
Authors: Tyurikova Olga , Shih Pei‐Yu , Dembitskaya Yulia , Savtchenko Leonid P. , McHugh Thomas J. , Rusakov Dmitri A. , Semyanov Alexey
Published: January 2022

Glutamatergic transmission prompts K+ efflux through postsynaptic NMDA receptors. The ensuing hotspot of extracellular K+ elevation depolarizes presynaptic terminal, boosting glutamate release, but whether this also affects glutamate uptake in local astroglia has remained an intriguing question. Here, we find that the pharmacological blockade, or conditional knockout, of postsynaptic NMDA receptors suppresses use‐dependent increase in the amplitude and duration of the astrocytic glutamate transporter current (IGluT), whereas blocking astrocytic K+ channels prevents the duration increase only. Glutamate spot‐uncaging reveals that astrocyte depolarization, rather than extracellular K+ rises per se, is required to reduce the amplitude and duration of IGluT. Biophysical simulations confirm that local transient elevations of extracellular K+ can inhibit local glutamate uptake in fine astrocytic processes. Optical glutamate sensor imaging and a two‐pathway test relate postsynaptic K+ efflux to enhanced extrasynaptic glutamate signaling. Thus, repetitive glutamatergic transmission triggers a feedback loop in which postsynaptic K+ efflux can transiently facilitate presynaptic release while reducing local glutamate uptake.
Prospective longitudinal study on fear of cancer recurrence in patients newly diagnosed with head and neck cancer: Course, trajectories, and associated factors
Authors: Deuning‐Smit Esther , Custers José A. E. , Miroševič Špela , Takes Robert P. , Jansen Femke , Langendijk Johannes A. , Terhaard Chris H. J. , Baatenburg de Jong Robert J. , Leemans C. René , Smit Johannes H. , Kwakkenbos Linda , Verdonck‐de Leeuw Irma M. , Prins Judith B.
Published: January 2022

Background

This study assessed the course of fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) in patients newly diagnosed with head and neck cancer (HNC), identified FCR trajectories and factors associated with FCR trajectories.

Methods

Six hundred and seventeen HNC patients from the NET‐QUBIC cohort study completed the Cancer Worry Scale‐6 at diagnosis, 3 and 6 months post‐treatment. FCR trajectories were identified using Latent Class Growth Analysis. Associations were explored between FCR trajectories and baseline demographic and medical variables, coping and self‐efficacy.

Results

Overall, FCR decreased slightly between baseline and 3 months post‐treatment and remained stable up to 6 months. Two FCR trajectories were identified: “high stable” (n = 125) and “low declining” (n = 492). Patients with high stable FCR were younger, reported more negative adjustment, passive coping, and reassuring thoughts, and less avoidance.

Conclusions

The majority of HNC patients have low declining FCR after diagnosis, but one in five patients experience persistent high FCR up to 6 months post‐treatment.
Male‐Specific Activation of Lysine Demethylases 5B and 5C Mediates Alcohol‐Induced Liver Injury and Hepatocyte Dedifferentiation
Authors: Schonfeld Michael , Averilla Janice , Gunewardena Sumedha , Weinman Steven A. , Tikhanovich Irina
Published: January 2022

Alcohol‐associated liver disease (ALD) is a major cause of alcohol‐related mortality. Sex differences in sensitivity to ALD are well described, but these are often disregarded in studies of ALD development. We aimed to define sex‐specific pathways in liver exposed to alcohol. Mice were fed the Lieber‐DeCarli alcohol liquid diet or a combination of a high‐fat diet with alcohol in water. Single‐cell RNA sequencing (scRNA‐Seq) was performed on liver cells from male and female mice. Mice were treated with adeno‐associated virus (AAV)‐short hairpin (sh)Control or AAV‐sh lysine demethylase 5b (shKdm5b) and/or AAV‐shKdm5c vectors. Changes after Kdm5b/5c knockdown were assessed by RNA‐Seq and histone H3 lysine K4 (H3K4)me3 chromatin immunoprecipitation‐Seq analysis. Using scRNA‐Seq analysis, we found several sex‐specific pathways induced by alcohol, including pathways related to lipid metabolism and hepatocyte differentiation. Bioinformatic analysis suggested that two epigenetic regulators, H3K4‐specific lysine demethylases KDM5B and KDM5C, contribute to sex differences in alcohol effects. We found that in alcohol‐fed male mice, KDM5B and KDM5C are involved in hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 alpha (Hnf4a) down‐regulation, hepatocyte dedifferentiation, and an increase in fatty acid synthesis. This effect is mediated by alcohol‐induced KDM5B and KDM5C recruitment to Hnf4a and other gene promoters in male but not in female mice. Kdm5b and Kdm5c knockdown or KDM5‐inhibitor treatment prevented alcohol‐induced lipid accumulation and restored levels of Hnf4a and other hepatocyte differentiation genes in male mice. In addition, Kdm5b knockdown prevented hepatocellular carcinoma development in male mice by up‐regulating Hnf4a and decreasing tumor cell proliferation. Conclusion: Alcohol specifically activates KDM5 demethylases in male mice to promote alcohol‐induced hepatocyte dedifferentiation and tumor development.
Characteristics of MHD three‐dimensional flow of nanofluid over a permeable stretching porous sheet
Authors: Meruva Parvathi , Reddy Poli Chandra , Roja Parakapali , Leela Ratnam Appikatla
Published: January 2022

The aim of the present work is to focus on heat and mass transfer characteristics of the magnetohydrodynamic three‐dimensional flow of nanofluid over a permeable stretching porous sheet. The significance of this study is the consideration of copper‐based and aluminum oxide‐based nanofluids. The physical parameters like a chemical reaction, Soret effect, radiation, and heat generation, and radiation absorption being involved in this examination are novel. The nonlinear partial differential equations are transformed into ordinary differential equations by adopting suitable similarity transformations. The numerical solutions are obtained by applying the Runge–Kutta method of fourth‐order with the Shooting technique using MATLAB. The results obtained are presented through graphs and tables for various parameters. A comparison with published results has been done to validate the methodology and found good coincidence. It is claimed that the increase in heat generation parameters results in increasing the temperature. With an increase in the Soret effect, the skin friction coefficient along x‐axis increases and skin friction coefficient along the y‐axis, Nusselt number and Sherwood number decrease.
Between financial and algorithmic dynamics of cryptocurrencies: An exploratory study
Authors: Schinckus Christophe , Nguyen Canh Phuc , Chong Felicia Hui Ling
Published: January 2022

This article aims at investigating the extent to which the algorithmic nature (i.e., mining process) of cryptocurrencies might influence their dynamics and interaction with some major economic indicators. Our study observes that proof‐of‐stake based cryptocurrencies are less correlated with other crypto‐assets offering more opportunities for diversifying portfolio strategy. We also observe a positive correlation between the proof‐of‐work based cryptocurrencies and the oil price. This article discusses these matters and suggests that the differences in cryptocurrencies' dynamics are more related to their service or purpose rather than their mining protocol. This claim contributes to the current debates on the intrinsic value of cryptocurrencies and it is illustrated with a discussion of the Stellar (XLM) and Ether (ETH) cases. Beyond our empirical results, our article suggests that, the liquidity and the returns dynamics of cryptocurrencies might be affected by two different aspects. Precisely, the former appears to be influenced by the economic service for which these cryptocurrencies are used, while cryptocurrencies' returns are more reactive to the way their cryptographic validation is operated. Our findings also suggest that an analysis through the economic service/purpose of cryptocurrencies is actually appropriate to understand their dynamics in relation to economic indicators. This perspective implicitly questions the monetary aspect often associated with cryptocurrencies and it calls for a more categorized research (by economic purpose) of cryptocurrencies whose potential intrinsic value would then be related to their economic purpose.
Fetal deaths in Brazil: What changed in the last decade and what can we learn from the current situation?
Authors: Brasileiro Mariana , Souza Renato T. , Griggio Thayna B , Vieira Matias C. , Oliveira Paulo F. , Silva Cleide M. , Dias Marcos A. B. , Pasupathy Dharmintra , Cecatti José G.
Published: January 2022

Objective

To determine fetal death rates (FDRs) according to maternal characteristics in Brazil.

Methods

A serial cross‐sectional analysis was conducted based on vital statistics of the Brazilian population from 2007 to 2019. FDRs were estimated according to maternal and pregnancy characteristics. Annual percent change (APC) of FDR was assessed by joinpoint regression model. Causes of death were compared between the ante−/intrapartum periods.

Results

A significant reduction in FDR occurred in Brazil during 2007–2019 (11.1 and 10.43 in 2007 and 2019, respectively; APC –0.44). Only the northern region showed an increase in FDR. In 2019, the northeast and southeast had the highest and lowest FDRs, respectively (11.4 and 7.8/1000 live births). In adolescents, FDR increased from 2007 to 2016 (APC 1.75). In 2019, missing information was significantly high for maternal skin color (99.7%), schooling (17.0%), and age (7.0%) in fetal death registries. The most common causes of fetal death in the ante−/intrapartum periods were fetus and newborn affected by maternal conditions.

Conclusion

A reduction in FDR has been achieved in Brazil over the last decade. However, there is an unmet need for decreasing social and regional disparities. A better system to attribute causes of death is needed to identifying priorities in maternal‐fetal health care.
Therapeutic strategies against potential antibiofilm targets of multidrug‐resistant Acinetobacter baumannii
Authors: Kaushik Vaishali , Tiwari Monalisa , Joshi Richa , Tiwari Vishvanath
Published: January 2022

Acinetobacter baumannii is the causative agent of various hospital‐acquired infections. Biofilm formation is one of the various antimicrobial resistance (AMR) strategies and is associated with high mortality and morbidity. Hence, it is essential to review the potential antibiofilm targets in A. baumannii and come up with different strategies to combat these potential targets. This review covers different pathways involved in the regulation of biofilm formation in A. baumannii like quorum sensing (QS), cyclic‐di‐GMP signaling, two‐component system (TCS), outer‐membrane protein (ompA), and biofilm‐associated protein (BAP). A newly discovered mechanism of electrical signaling‐mediated biofilm formation and contact‐dependent biofilm modulation has also been discussed. As biofilm formation and its maintenance in A. baumannii is facilitated by these potential targets, the detailed study of these targets and pathways can bring light to different therapeutic strategies such as anti‐biofilm peptides, natural and synthetic molecule inhibitors, QS molecule degrading enzymes, and other strategies. These strategies may help in suppressing the lethality of biofilm‐mediated infections. Targeting essential proteins/targets which are crucial for biofilm formation and regulation may render new therapeutic strategies that can aid in combating biofilm, thus reducing the recalcitrant infections and morbidity associated with the biofilm of A. baumannii.