bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gene-specific nonsense-mediated mRNA decay targeting for cystic fibrosis therapy
Authors: Kim Young Jin , Nomakuchi Tomoki , Papaleonidopoulou Foteini , Yang Lucia , Zhang Qian , Krainer Adrian R.
Published: May 2022

Low CFTR mRNA expression due to nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) is a major hurdle in developing a therapy for cystic fibrosis (CF) caused by the W1282X mutation in the CFTR gene. CFTR-W1282X truncated protein retains partial function, so increasing its levels by inhibiting NMD of its mRNA will likely be beneficial. Because NMD regulates the normal expression of many genes, gene-specific stabilization of CFTR-W1282X mRNA expression is more desirable than general NMD inhibition. Synthetic antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) designed to prevent binding of exon junction complexes (EJC) downstream of premature termination codons (PTCs) attenuate NMD in a gene-specific manner. We describe cocktails of three ASOs that specifically increase the expression of CFTR-W1282X mRNA and CFTR protein upon delivery into human bronchial epithelial cells. This treatment increases the CFTR-mediated chloride current. These results set the stage for clinical development of an allele-specific therapy for CF caused by the W1282X mutation.
Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from humans to animals and potential host adaptation
Authors: Tan Cedric C. S. , Lam Su Datt , Richard Damien , Owen Christopher J. , Berchtold Dorothea , Orengo Christine , Nair Meera Surendran , Kuchipudi Suresh V. , Kapur Vivek , van Dorp Lucy , Balloux François
Published: May 2022

SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of the COVID-19 pandemic, can infect a wide range of mammals. Since its spread in humans, secondary host jumps of SARS-CoV-2 from humans to multiple domestic and wild populations of mammals have been documented. Understanding the extent of adaptation to these animal hosts is critical for assessing the threat that the spillback of animal-adapted SARS-CoV-2 into humans poses. We compare the genomic landscapes of SARS-CoV-2 isolated from animal species to that in humans, profiling the mutational biases indicative of potentially different selective pressures in animals. We focus on viral genomes isolated from mink (Neovison vison) and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) for which multiple independent outbreaks driven by onward animal-to-animal transmission have been reported. We identify five candidate mutations for animal-specific adaptation in mink (NSP9_G37E, Spike_F486L, Spike_N501T, Spike_Y453F, ORF3a_L219V), and one in deer (NSP3a_L1035F), though they appear to confer a minimal advantage for human-to-human transmission. No considerable changes to the mutation rate or evolutionary trajectory of SARS-CoV-2 has resulted from circulation in mink and deer thus far. Our findings suggest that minimal adaptation was required for onward transmission in mink and deer following human-to-animal spillover, highlighting the ‘generalist’ nature of SARS-CoV-2 as a mammalian pathogen.
Visualizing discrete Fermi surfaces and possible nodal-line to Weyl state evolution in ZrSiTe
Authors: Bian Qi , Li Shaojian , Luo Aiyun , Zhang Zongyuan , Hu Jin , Zhu Yanglin , Shao Zhibin , Sun Haigen , Cheng Zhengwang , Mao Zhiqiang , Xu Gang , Pan Minghu
Published: May 2022

Topological nodal line semimetals (TNLSMs) represent a quantum state of topological matter. When the crystal/time-reversal symmetry is broken, a nodal line state is expected to evolve into a Dirac semimetal, a Weyl semimetal, or other topological phases according to theoretical studies. Here, we report scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) based quasiparticle interference (QPI) measurements performed on the surface of TNLSM ZrSiTe single crystal. A discrete Fermi surface with multiple electron/hole pockets and the impurity-induced inter-/intra- pockets scatterings are directly visualized from QPI patterns. Moreover, the degenerated Dirac points at X point evolve into the pairs of Weyl nodes when Fe atoms are deposited, suggesting a possible phase transition from the nodal line to the Weyl state. The calculated band structures and the Weyl points by applying Zeeman splitting energies along x-direction, further confirm the existence of Weyl points in the Fe-doped ZrSiTe induced by the broken of time-reversal symmetry.
Immunosuppression broadens evolutionary pathways to drug resistance and treatment failure during Acinetobacter baumannii pneumonia in mice
Authors: Huo Wenwen , Busch Lindsay M. , Hernandez-Bird Juan , Hamami Efrat , Marshall Christopher W. , Geisinger Edward , Cooper Vaughn S. , van Opijnen Tim , Rosch Jason W. , Isberg Ralph R.
Published: May 2022

Acinetobacter baumannii is increasingly refractory to antibiotic treatment in healthcare settings. As is true of most human pathogens, the genetic path to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and the role that the immune system plays in modulating AMR during disease are poorly understood. Here we reproduced several routes to fluoroquinolone resistance, performing evolution experiments using sequential lung infections in mice that are replete with or depleted of neutrophils, providing two key insights into the evolution of drug resistance. First, neutropenic hosts acted as reservoirs for the accumulation of drug resistance during drug treatment. Selection for variants with altered drug sensitivity profiles arose readily in the absence of neutrophils, while immunocompetent animals restricted the appearance of these variants. Secondly, antibiotic treatment failure in the immunocompromised host was shown to occur without clinically defined resistance, an unexpected result that provides a model for how antibiotic failure occurs clinically in the absence of AMR. The genetic mechanism underlying both these results is initiated by mutations activating the drug egress pump regulator AdeL, which drives persistence in the presence of antibiotic. Therefore, antibiotic persistence mutations present a two-pronged risk during disease, causing drug treatment failure in the immunocompromised host while simultaneously increasing the emergence of high-level AMR.
Identification of metabolite extraction method for targeted exploration of antimicrobial resistance associated metabolites of Klebsiella pneumoniae
Authors: Kumar Ashok , Singh Sevaram , Gupta Sonu Kumar , Kumar Shailesh , Kumar Shrikant , Singh Rita , Thakur Lovnish , Kumar Manoj , Kapil Arti , Kumar Yashwant , Kumar Niraj
Published: May 2022

Antimicrobial resistant Klebsiellapneumoniae (K. pneumoniae), as being a pathogen of critical clinical concern, urgently demands effective therapeutic options. However, the discovery of novel antibiotics over the last three decades has declined drastically and necessitates exploring novel strategies. Metabolomic modulation has been the promising approach for the development of effective therapeutics to deal with AMR; however, only limited efforts have been made to-date, possibly due to the unavailability of suitable metabolites extraction protocols. Therefore, in order to establish a detailed metabolome of K. pneumoniae and identify a method for targeted exploration of metabolites that are involved in the regulation of AMR associated processes, metabolites were extracted using multiple methods of metabolites extraction (freeze–thaw cycle (FTC) and sonication cycle (SC) method alone or in combination (FTC followed by SC; FTC + SC)) from K. pneumoniae cells and then identified using an orbitrap mass analyzer (ESI-LC–MS/MS). A total of 151 metabolites were identified by using FTC, 132 metabolites by using FTC+SC, 103 metabolites by using SC and 69 metabolites common among all the methods used which altogether enabled the identification of 199 unique metabolites. Of these 199, 70 metabolites were known to have an association with AMR phenotype and among these, the FTC + SC method yielded better (identified 55 metabolites), quantitatively and qualitatively compared to FTC and SC alone (identified 51 and 41 metabolites respectively). Each method of metabolite extraction showed a definite degree of biasness and specificity towards chemical classes of metabolites and jointly contributed to the development of a detailed metabolome of the pathogen. FTC method was observed to give higher metabolomic coverage as compared to SC alone and FTC + SC. However, FTC + SC resulted in the identification of a higher number of AMR associated metabolites of K. pneumoniae compared to FTC and SC alone.
Integration of thermal imaging and neural networks for mechanical strength analysis and fracture prediction in 3D-printed plastic parts
Authors: Boiko Daniil A. , Korabelnikova Victoria A. , Gordeev Evgeniy G. , Ananikov Valentine P.
Published: May 2022

Additive manufacturing demonstrates tremendous progress and is expected to play an important role in the creation of construction materials and final products. Contactless (remote) mechanical testing of the materials and 3D printed parts is a critical limitation since the amount of collected data and corresponding structure/strength correlations need to be acquired. In this work, an efficient approach for coupling mechanical tests with thermographic analysis is described. Experiments were performed to find relationships between mechanical and thermographic data. Mechanical tests of 3D-printed samples were carried out on a universal testing machine, and the fixation of thermal changes during testing was performed with a thermal imaging camera. As a proof of concept for the use of machine learning as a method for data analysis, a neural network for fracture prediction was constructed. Analysis of the measured data led to the development of thermographic markers to enhance the thermal properties of the materials. A combination of artificial intelligence with contactless nondestructive thermal analysis opens new opportunities for the remote supervision of materials and constructions.
Sorafenib and nitazoxanide disrupt mitochondrial function and inhibit regrowth capacity in three-dimensional models of hepatocellular and colorectal carcinoma
Authors: Ek Frida , Blom Kristin , Selvin Tove , Rudfeldt Jakob , Andersson Claes , Senkowski Wojciech , Brechot Christian , Nygren Peter , Larsson Rolf , Jarvius Malin , Fryknäs Mårten
Published: May 2022

Quiescent cancer cells in malignant tumors can withstand cell-cycle active treatment and cause cancer spread and recurrence. Three-dimensional (3D) cancer cell models have led to the identification of oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) as a context-dependent vulnerability. The limited treatment options for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and colorectal carcinoma (CRC) metastatic to the liver include the multikinase inhibitors sorafenib and regorafenib. Off-target effects of sorafenib and regorafenib are related to OXPHOS inhibition; however the importance of this feature to the effect on tumor cells has not been investigated in 3D models. We began by assessing global transcriptional responses in monolayer cell cultures, then moved on to multicellular tumor spheroids (MCTS) and tumoroids generated from a CRC patient. Cells were treated with chemotherapeutics, kinase inhibitors, and the OXPHOS inhibitors. Cells grown in 3D cultures were sensitive to the OXPHOS inhibitor nitazoxanide, sorafenib, and regorafenib and resistant to other multikinase inhibitors and chemotherapeutic drugs. Furthermore, nitazoxanide and sorafenib reduced viability, regrowth potential and inhibited mitochondrial membrane potential in an additive manner at clinically relevant concentrations. This study demonstrates that the OXPHOS inhibition caused by sorafenib and regorafenib parallels 3D activity and can be further investigated for new combination strategies.
Polyploid giant cancer cells are dependent on cholesterol for progeny formation through amitotic division
Authors: White-Gilbertson Shai , Lu Ping , Esobi Ikechukwu , Echesabal-Chen Jing , Mulholland Patrick J. , Gooz Monika , Ogretmen Besim , Stamatikos Alexis , Voelkel-Johnson Christina
Published: May 2022

Polyploid Giant Cancer Cells (PGCC) are increasingly being recognized as drivers of cancer recurrence. Therapy stress promotes the formation of these cells, which upon stress cessation often successfully generate more aggressive progeny that repopulate the tumor. Therefore, identification of potential PGCC vulnerabilities is key to preventing therapy failure. We have previously demonstrated that PGCC progeny formation depends on the lysosomal enzyme acid ceramidase (ASAH1). In this study, we compared transcriptomes of parental cancer cells and PGCC in the absence or presence of the ASAH1 inhibitor LCL521. Results show that PGCC express less INSIG1, which downregulates cholesterol metabolism and that inhibition of ASAH1 increased HMGCR which is the rate limiting enzyme in cholesterol synthesis. Confocal microscopy revealed that ceramide and cholesterol do not colocalize. Treatment with LCL521 or simvastatin to inhibit ASAH1 or HMGCR, respectively, resulted in accumulation of ceramide at the cell surface of PGCC and prevented PGCC progeny formation. Our results suggest that similarly to inhibition of ASAH1, disruption of cholesterol signaling is a potential strategy to interfere with PGCC progeny formation.
Economic and social deprivation predicts impulsive choice in children
Authors: Tunney Richard J.
Published: May 2022

Impulsivity is an individual difference in decision-making that is a risk factor for a number of health concerns including addiction and obesity. Although impulsivity has a large heritable component, the health concerns associated with impulsivity are not uniformly distributed across society. For example, people from poorer backgrounds are more likely to be overweight, and be dependent on tobacco or alcohol. This suggests that the environmental component of impulsivity might be related to economic circumstances and the availability of resources. This paper provides evidence that children aged 4 to 12 from the most deprived areas in England show greater impulsivity in the form of delay discounting than do children from the least deprived areas. The data are discussed with reference to scarcity-based models of decision-making and to public health inequalities.
Energy and thermal modelling of an office building to develop an artificial neural networks model
Authors: Santos-Herrero Jose Maria , Lopez-Guede Jose Manuel , Flores Abascal Ivan , Zulueta Ekaitz
Published: May 2022

Nowadays everyone should be aware of the importance of reducing CO2 emissions which produce the greenhouse effect. In the field of construction, several options are proposed to reach nearly-Zero Energy Building (nZEB) standards. Obviously, before undertaking a modification in any part of a building focused on improving the energy performance, it is generally better to carry out simulations to evaluate its effectiveness. Using Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) allows a digital twin of the building to be obtained for specific characteristics without using very expensive software. This can simulate the effect of a single or combined intervention on a particular floor or an event on the remaining floors. In this paper, an example has been developed based on ANN. The results show a reasonable correlation between the real data of the Operative Temperature with the Energy Consumption and their estimates obtained through an ANN model, trained using an hourly basis, on each of the floors of an office building. This model confirms it is possible to obtain simulations in existing public buildings with an acceptable degree of precision and without laborious modelling, which would make it easier to achieve the nZEB target, especially in existing public office buildings.
Biogenic silver/silver chloride nanoparticles inhibit human cancer cells proliferation in vitro and Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells growth in vivo
Authors: Kabir Syed Rashel , Islam Farhadul , Asaduzzaman A. K. M.
Published: May 2022

Silver/silver chloride nanoparticles (Ag/AgCl-NPs) were synthesized for the first time from the herbal Geodorum densiflorum rhizome extracts and characterized by different techniques. The surface plasmon resonance peak at 455 nm was observed in the UV–Visible spectrum, the average particle size of 25 nm was determined by SEM, XRD reflection peaks (28.00°, 32.42°, 38.28°, 46.38°, 54.94°, 57.60°, 64.64°, and 67.48°) indicated the presence of Ag-NPs and AgCl-NPs, heat stability was confirmed by TGA and FTIR analysis indicated the presence of alcohol/phenol, alkanes, primary amines, nitro compounds, alkyl chloride functional groups. The synthesized Ag/AgCl-NPs, previously synthesized Kaempferia rotunda and Zizyphus mauritiana mediated Ag/AgCl-NPs separately inhibited the proliferation of BxPC-3 cells with the IC50 values of 7.8, 17.1, and 20.1 µg/ml, respectively. In the case of MCF-7 cells, the IC50 values of G. densiflorum- Ag/AgCl-NPs and K. rotunda-Ag/AgCl-NPs were 21.5 and 23.5 µg/ml, respectively. Whereas the IC50 of G. densiflorum-Ag/AgCl-NPs was 28.0 µg/ml against glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs). Induction of apoptosis in GSCs, BxPC-3 and MCF-7 cells was noted followed by NPs treatment. In GSCs, the expression level of NFκB, TNFα, p21, and TLR9 genes were upregulated after treatment with G. densiflorum-Ag/AgCl-NPs while in the MCF-7 cells, the expression of p53, FAS, Caspase-8 and -9, NFκB, MAPK, JNK and p21 genes were increased. G. densiflorum-Ag/AgCl-NPs inhibited 60% and 95% of EAC cells growth at the doses of 2 and 4 mg/Kg/day after intraperitoneal treatment with five consequent days, respectively. A remarkable improvement of hematological parameters with the decreased average tumor weight and increase of 75% life span of G. densiflorum-Ag/AgCl-NPs treated mice were observed. Altogether, this study reported for the first time in vitro anticancer activity of biogenic G. densiflorum-Ag/AgCl-NPs against GSC cells along with MCF-7 and BxPC-3 cells and in vivo anticancer properties against EAC cells.
LCA and negative emission potential of retrofitted cement plants under oxyfuel conditions at high biogenic fuel shares
Authors: Cavalett Otavio , Watanabe Marcos D. B. , Fleiger Kristina , Hoenig Volker , Cherubini Francesco
Published: May 2022

The implementation of oxyfuel carbon capture and storage technologies in combination with use of alternative fuels comprising high biogenic shares is promoted as an attractive climate change mitigation option for the cement sector to achieve low or even negative carbon emissions. Here, we perform a prospective life cycle assessment of two state-of-the art cement plants, one in Sweden and one in Germany, under conventional and retrofitted oxyfuel conditions considering alternative fuel mixes with increasing bio-based fractions of forest residues or dedicated bioenergy crops. The analysis also considers effects of the projected changes in the electricity systems up to 2050. Retrofitting the cement plants to oxyfuel reduces climate change impacts between 74 and 91%, while with additional use of biomass as alternative fuel the cement plants reach negative emission between − 24 and − 169 gCO2eq. kgclinker−1, depending on operational condition, location, and biomass type. Additional emission reduction of − 10 (Sweden) and − 128 gCO2eq. kgclinker−1 (Germany) are expected from the decarbonization of the future electricity systems. Retrofitting the cement plants to oxyfuel conditions shows trade-offs with other environmental impacts (e.g., human toxicity, water and energy depletion), which are partially offset with projected changes in electricity systems. Our results illustrate the large climate change mitigation potential in the cement sector that can be achieved by the implementation of oxyfuel carbon capture and storage and biomass use as alternative fuel.
Chromatin accessibility analysis reveals regulatory dynamics and therapeutic relevance of Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease
Authors: Shi Wen , Ye Jinguo , Shi Zhuoxing , Pan Caineng , Zhang Qikai , Lin Yuheng , Luo Yuanting , Su Wenru , Zheng Yingfeng , Liu Yizhi
Published: May 2022

The barrier to curing Vogt–Koyanagi–Harada disease (VKH) is thought to reside in a lack of understanding in the roles and regulations of peripheral inflammatory immune cells. Here we perform a single-cell multi-omic study of 166,149 cells in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with VKH, profile the chromatin accessibility and gene expression in the same blood samples, and uncover prominent cellular heterogeneity. Immune cells in VKH blood are highly activated and pro-inflammatory. Notably, we describe an enrichment of transcription targets for nuclear factor kappa B in conventional dendritic cells (cDCs) that governed inflammation. Integrative analysis of transcriptomic and chromatin maps shows that the RELA in cDCs is related to disease complications and poor prognosis. Ligand-receptor interaction pairs also identify cDC as an important predictor that regulated multiple immune subsets. Our results reveal epigenetic and transcriptional dynamics in auto-inflammation, especially the cDC subtype that might lead to therapeutic strategies in VKH.
PepNN: a deep attention model for the identification of peptide binding sites
Authors: Abdin Osama , Nim Satra , Wen Han , Kim Philip M.
Published: May 2022

Protein-peptide interactions play a fundamental role in many cellular processes, but remain underexplored experimentally and difficult to model computationally. Here, we present PepNN-Struct and PepNN-Seq, structure and sequence-based approaches for the prediction of peptide binding sites on a protein. A main difficulty for the prediction of peptide-protein interactions is the flexibility of peptides and their tendency to undergo conformational changes upon binding. Motivated by this, we developed reciprocal attention to simultaneously update the encodings of peptide and protein residues while enforcing symmetry, allowing for information flow between the two inputs. PepNN integrates this module with modern graph neural network layers and a series of transfer learning steps are used during training to compensate for the scarcity of peptide-protein complex information. We show that PepNN-Struct achieves consistently high performance across different benchmark datasets. We also show that PepNN makes reasonable peptide-agnostic predictions, allowing for the identification of novel peptide binding proteins.
The Streptomyces viridochromogenes product template domain represents an evolutionary intermediate between dehydratase and aldol cyclase of type I polyketide synthases
Authors: Feng Yuanyuan , Yang Xu , Ji Huining , Deng Zixin , Lin Shuangjun , Zheng Jianting
Published: May 2022

The product template (PT) domains act as an aldol cyclase to control the regiospecific aldol cyclization of the extremely reactive poly-β-ketone intermediate assembled by an iterative type I polyketide synthases (PKSs). Up to now, only the structure of fungal PksA PT that mediates the first-ring cyclization via C4–C9 aldol cyclization is available. We describe here the structural and computational characterization of a bacteria PT domain that controls C2–C7 cyclization in orsellinic acid (OSA) synthesis. Mutating the catalytic H949 of the PT abolishes production of OSA and results in a tetraacetic acid lactone (TTL) generated by spontaneous O-C cyclization of the acyl carrier protein (ACP)-bound tetraketide intermediate. Crystal structure of the bacterial PT domain closely resembles dehydrase (DH) domains of modular type I PKSs in the overall fold, dimerization interface and His-Asp catalytic dyad organization, but is significantly different from PTs of fungal iterative type I PKSs. QM/MM calculation suggests that the catalytic H949 abstracts a proton from C2 and transfers it to C7 carbonyl to mediate the cyclization reaction. According to structural similarity to DHs and functional similarity to fungal PTs, we propose that the bacterial PT represents an evolutionary intermediate between the two tailoring domains of type I PKSs.
Humanoid robots to mechanically stress human cells grown in soft bioreactors
Authors: Mouthuy Pierre-Alexis , Snelling Sarah , Hostettler Rafael , Kharchenko Alona , Salmon Sarah , Wainman Alan , Mimpen Jolet , Paul Claudia , Carr Andrew
Published: May 2022

For more than 20 years, robotic bioreactor systems have facilitated the growth of tissue-engineered constructs using mechanical stimulation. However, we are still unable to produce functional grafts that can translate into clinical use. Humanoid robots offer the prospect of providing physiologically-relevant mechanical stimulation to grafts and implants which may expedite their clinical deployment. To investigate the feasibility of a humanoid bioreactor, we have designed a flexible bioreactor chamber that can be attached to a modified musculoskeletal (MSK) humanoid robot shoulder joint. We demonstrate that fibroblast cells can be grown in this chamber while undergoing physiological adduction-abduction on the robotic arm. A preliminary evaluation of the transcriptome of the cells after 14 days indicated a clear influence of the loading regime on the gene expression profile. These early results will facilitate the exploration of MSK humanoid robots as a biomechanically more realistic platform for tissue engineering and biomaterial testing applications.
Nano-curcumin supplementation in critically ill patients with sepsis: a randomized clinical trial investigating the inflammatory biomarkers, oxidative stress indices, endothelial function, clinical outcomes and nutritional status
Authors: Karimi Arash , Naeini Fatemeh , Niazkar Hamid Reza , Tutunchi Helda , Musazadeh Vali , Mahmoodpoor Ata , Asghariazar Vahid , Mobasseri Majid , Tarighat-Esfanjani Ali
Published: May 2022

Sepsis is a severe reaction and an excessive immune response to infection, which can lead to organ dysfunction and death.
Structural characterization, acute toxicity assessment and protective effects of selenylated apple pectin on dextran sulfate sodium-induced ulcerative colitis
Authors: Tao Wen , An Xiaoyu , Guo Ziqi , Yang Ning , Wu Muci , Oliveira Hélder , Zhang Rui , He Jingren
Published: May 2022

This study was aimed at investigating the structural characterization, acute toxicity and protective effect of selenylated apple pectin on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis (UC) in mice.
Indoor light harvesting lead-free 2-aminothiazolium bismuth iodide solar cells
Authors: Arivazhagan V. , Gun Fraser , Reddy R. Kiran Kumar , Li Tianyue , Adelt Milan , Robertson Neil , Chen Yu , Ivaturi Aruna
Published: May 2022

2-Aminothiazolium bismuth iodide planar n–i–p solar cells have been explored for the first time to harvest energy from indoor white LED and near-UV LED (395–400 nm) in addition to 1 sun.
Dual effects of cardamonin/alpinetin and their acrolein adducts on scavenging acrolein and the anti-bacterial activity from Alpinia katsumadai Hayata as a spice in roasted meat
Authors: Lu Yang , Liu Juan , Tong Jiaqi , Zhang Chenxiao , Duan Yi , Song Xiaoli , Lu Yongling , Lv Lishuang
Published: May 2022

CAR and ALP can inhibit ACR in roasted pork by forming ACR adducts. Three adducts were synthesized, and CAR-ACR-1 and ALP-ACR showed antibacterial activity. In roasted pork containing 2% AKH, CAR-ACR-1 reached the MIC of E. coli and S. aureus.
Pegylated-polycaprolactone nano-sized drug delivery platforms loaded with biocompatible silver(i) complexes for anticancer therapeutics
Authors: Varna Despoina , Christodoulou Evi , Gounari Eleni , Apostolidou Chrysanthi Pinelopi , Landrou Georgios , Papi Rigini , Koliakos George , Coutsolelos Athanassios G. , Bikiaris Dimitrios N. , Angaridis Panagiotis A.
Published: May 2022

A pegylated-polycaprolactone nano-sized drug delivery system loaded with cytotoxically active and biocompatible silver(i) complexes was developed and evaluated showing effective and prolonged in vitro cytotoxicity against cancer cells.
A sequential process to synthesize Fe3O4@MnO2 hollow nanospheres for high performance supercapacitors
Authors: Tu Chengyu , Li Xuan , Lu Congcong , Luo Qiao , Li Tie , Zhu Maiyong
Published: May 2022

A hybrid consisting of Fe3O4 and MnO2 with hollow structures was synthesized, and was demonstrated to be an efficient electrode for supercapacitors.
DFT study of alkali and alkaline earth metal-doped benzocryptand with remarkable NLO properties
Authors: Maqsood Nimra , Asif Areeba , Ayub Khurshid , Iqbal Javed , Elnaggar Ashraf Y. , Mersal Gaber A. M. , Ibrahim Mohamed M. , El-Bahy Salah M.
Published: May 2022

Strategies for designing remarkable nonlinear optical materials using excess electron compounds are well recognized in literature to enhance the applications of these compounds in nonlinear optics.
Liquid-phase catalytic hydrodechlorination of chlorinated organic compounds in a continuous flow micro-packed bed reactor over a Pd/AC catalyst
Authors: Peng Zipin , Wang Xuepeng , Li Zheng , Chen Xingkun , Ding Yunjie , Zhang Jisong
Published: May 2022

A continuous flow system based on a micro-packed bed reactor was developed for hydrodechlorination, and the hydrogenation of chlorobenzene was selected as the model reaction. With the optimal reaction conditions, a conversion and selectivity of 100% were obtained.
Direct ink writing of high-performance Bi2Te3-based thermoelectric materials using quasi-inorganic inks and interface engineering
Authors: Wang Zhengshang , Cui Wen , Yuan Hao , Kang Xiaoli , Zheng Zhou , Chen Longqin , Hu Qiujun , Qiu Wenbin , Tang Jun , Cui Xudong
Published: May 2022

We report that quasi-inorganic inks and interface engineering trigger a large enhancement of thermoelectric performance in 3D-printed Bi2Te3-based materials.
Perceptions of Preceptors and Audiology Students on Practicum During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Brand Devora , Zachai Noa , Vider Gitit , Adelman Cahtia
Published: May 2022

Purpose:

The aim of this study was to assess the perceptions of audiology students and preceptors regarding changes in the practicum as a result of COVID-19.

Method:

This study was conducted during two different periods, with Internet questionnaires posted on social media forums. Preceptors and newly graduated clinicians were recruited in 2019 for a study prior to COVID-19, and students and preceptors were recruited for comparison during COVID-19. Four groups participated in this study: (a) 101 students who were enrolled in the second, third, or fourth year of an Israeli communication disorders Bachelor of Arts (BA) program during the pandemic; (b) 94 newly graduated audiologists with a BA degree from an Israeli communication disorders program granted in the last 3 years (before COVID-19); (c) 18 audiologist preceptors who supervised audiology practicum in an Israeli communication disorders BA programs (before COVID-19); and (d) 20 audiologist preceptors who, during COVID-19, were supervising an audiology practicum in Israel. Perceptions of the various groups were compared.

Results:

Although perceptions of preceptors and students regarding the practicum were revealed to be similar, perceptions of the practicum before COVID-19 underwent changes in the course of the pandemic. In evaluating the COVID-19 experience, both preceptors and students agreed that more hours of practicum were needed, as well as more variety in types of cases and exposure to varied placements.

Conclusion:

Academic programs and employers should consider implications of changes implemented in the practicum due to COVID-19, which can be addressed either in continuing education and/or by additional supervision in the future workplace.

Supplemental Material:

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.19855639
Rhythm Perception, Speaking Rate Entrainment, and Conversational Quality: A Mediated Model
Authors: Wynn Camille J. , Barrett Tyson S. , Borrie Stephanie A.
Published: May 2022

Purpose:

Acoustic–prosodic entrainment, defined as the tendency for individuals to modify their speech behaviors to more closely align with the behaviors of their conversation partner, plays an important role in successful interaction. From a mechanistic perspective, acoustic–prosodic entrainment is, by its very nature, a rhythmic activity. Accordingly, it is highly plausible that an individual's rhythm perception abilities play a role in their ability to successfully entrain. Here, we examine the impact of rhythm perception in speaking rate entrainment and subsequent conversational quality.

Method:

A round-robin paradigm was used to collect 90 dialogues from neurotypical adults. Additional assessments determined participants' rhythm perception abilities, social competence, and partner familiarity (i.e., whether the conversation partners knew each other prior to the interaction. Mediation analysis was used to examine the relationships between rhythm perception scores, speaking rate entrainment (using a measure of static local synchrony), and a measure of conversational success (i.e., conversational quality) based on third-party listener observations. Findings were compared to the same analysis with three additional predictive factors: participant gender, partner familiarity, and social competence.

Results:

Results revealed a relationship between rhythm perception and speaking rate entrainment. In unfamiliar conversation partners, there was a relationship between speaking rate entrainment and conversational quality. The relationships between entrainment and each of the three additional factors (i.e., gender, partner familiarity, and social competence) were nonsignificant.

Conclusions:

In unfamiliar conversation partners, better rhythm perception abilities were indicative of increased conversational quality mediated by higher levels of speaking rate entrainment. These results support theoretical postulations specifying rhythm perception abilities as a component of acoustic–prosodic entrainment, which, in turn, facilitates conversational success. Knowledge of this relationship contributes to the development of a causal framework for considering a mechanism by which rhythm perception deficits in clinical populations may impact conversational success.
Outage minimisation for two‐way piece‐wise and forward (PF) relaying with SWIPT based energy harvesting
Authors: Khodakhah Farnaz , Keshavarz‐Haddad Alireza , Jamshidi Ali
Published: May 2022

Simultaneous wireless information power transfer with power splitting is a new technology for energy harvesting that splits the received signal into two streams with adjustable power levels for information decoding and energy saving. Traditionally, decode and forward (DF) and amplify and forward (AF) schemes are used for energy harvesting in three‐step two‐way relay networks (TWRNs). In this paper, piece‐wise and forward (PF) scheme are applied with power splitting for energy harvesting in TWRNs. In PF, the received signal from each source at relay is compared to an adaptive threshold, if the signal strength is above the threshold, the relay functions similar to DF scheme, otherwise, the relay transmits a particular combination of its received signals from the sources. Next, the outage performance of PF protocol in a three‐step TWRN is studied and optimal lossless energy saving (OLES) method are presented to minimise the outage probability by computing the optimum power splitting ratio. The simulation and analytical results indicate that the outage probability of PF can be significantly improved using OLES technique in comparison with other related relaying schemes. The results show that the outage probability of PF‐OLES is 13, 3, and lower than AF‐OLES, DF‐OLES, and DAPS [1], respectively.
An integrated approach of a field‐circuit coupling model and multi‐physics finite‐element simulation for analysing transient electromagnetic vibration of pump motors
Authors: Zhao Jin , Zhang Qing , Wei Xiaohan
Published: May 2022

We propose a method to investigate the generation mechanism of the transient vibration of a pump motor induced by electromagnetic (electromagnetic (EM)) forces. Compared with the steady vibration of a pump motor, the transient vibration characterised by a wider excitation frequency spectrum and larger instantaneous amplitude makes the vulnerable structure more easily exposed to potential damage. However, transient vibration of pump motor has not been analysed and verified before. Based on the fact that EM vibration dominates the vibration of pump motors, in this study, an approach which integrates the field‐circuit coupling method and multi‐physics finite‐element (finite‐element (FE)) simulation is proposed to estimate the structural response of pump motors under transient operating conditions. To determine the factors that determine the EM forces, an analytical model describing the transient interaction between the EM and the fluid torque is first created. It was revealed that the input voltage and slip rate are two key factors that affect the transient EM forces. Then, to quantitatively describe the transient EM forces governed by a specific control scheme during the start‐up process, a field–circuit coupling model embedding in the control scheme, electrical circuit model, motor FE model, and rotor dynamic model is established. This model allows the circuit equations, rotor dynamics equations, and magnetic field equations to be solved simultaneously. The transient EM forces obtained by the field–circuit coupling model provide excitation for the structural response calculation. Subsequently, a multi‐physics FE simulation, which takes a weak coupling strategy between the EM and structural dynamics fields, is utilised to link the different physical domains. Thus, the EM forces are transferred to a structural domain to compute the structural response by adopting a direct integration method. The integration approach developed in this study was verified on the pump motors in the main cooling units of ultra‐high voltage (UHV) converter stations. The trends of dominant components of simulated signals agree with the measured signals from the pump motors. This indicates that the proposed method can be widely applied for the transient vibration analysis and mitigation for pump motors.
Tungsten disulfide coated side‐polished fibre as polarisation state modulator in all‐optical system
Authors: Tiu Zian Cheak , Tan Sin Jin , Samion Muhamad Zharif , Ahmad Harith , Harun Sulaiman Wadi , Tan Chee Leong
Published: May 2022

In this work, all‐optical polarisation state modulation using a tungsten disulfide (WS2) coated side‐polished fibre (SPF) as modulator is experimentally demonstrated. A bulk layer WS2 is exfoliated into a few‐layer WS2 thin film using liquid phase exfoliation technique. The few‐layer WS2 film is then coated onto a SPF to serve as an optical polarisation state modulator based on the thermo‐optic effect. The rotation of the polarised signal light is controlled using a pump laser. Throughout the pump power range of 514.5 mW, the polarisation state of the polarised signal light has rotated ∼70°, with a minor ellipticity fluctuation of <6°. The proposed experiment is carried out on the basis of the photon‐modulate‐photon principle and achieved all‐optical modulation in a fibre laser system.
An integrated modelling and parameter design method for the RC snubber in novel cascode GaN‐based bridge convertors
Authors: Luo Bin , Luo Guangzhao , Li Sihai
Published: May 2022

The utilization of novel cascode GaN devices can significantly increase the power density and the efficiency of convertors. However, owing to high switching speed (high dv/dt or di/dt) and inevitable parasitic inductance in device packages and external circuits, cascode GaN devices are more prone to oscillate, resulting in voltage overshoot, electromagnetic interference (EMI), and even device breakdown, which reduces the reliability of the drive system. Therefore, effective suppression of the switching oscillation becomes highly critical. This paper presents an integrated modelling and a parameter design method for cascode GaN‐based bridge convertors. Firstly, a high‐frequency equivalent circuit model is derived for the switching oscillation of cascode GaN‐based bridge convertors. Secondly, a quantitative RC snubber parameter design method is established based on root locus analysis, which makes up for defects of the previous trial‐and‐error empirical method. Then impacts of the RC snubber on power loss and EMI are also studied, with the optimal snubber resistance and capacitance obtained by minimizing power loss. Finally, the effect of oscillation suppression is verified by simulation and experiment, and results show good agreement with the theoretical analysis.
EirGrid's met mast and alternatives study
Authors: Möhrlen Corinna , Ó Foghlú Diarmuid , Power Séamus , Nolan Gill , Conway Kenneth , Lambert Eric , Ging John
Published: May 2022

The current grid code in Ireland requires wind farms to deliver meteorological data to the two transmission system operators. The importance of accurate on‐site measured wind speed signals increases as a function of the installed wind capacity. Since wind farms have been installed with varying technologies over the past 20 years, the system does not have a single point of failure. The lack of uniformity has been found to be both a handling challenge and reliability strength. In order to investigate the future compatibility of the current quality of MET data and to verify, whether and which types of new technology may be an acceptable source of meteorological data to be delivered to the TSOs, a study has been carried out. The study verified whether the quality of meteorological data is sufficient and reliable enough for the 2030 penetration targets set by the Irish government. This paper will describe the methods used to verify the quality of meteorological data signals, along with the various types of meteorological measurements that were found to be acceptable under varying conditions. The authors will also present several recommendations based on the findings of the study, and discuss how these recommendations are being implemented by EirGrid.
A fast second-order discretization scheme for the linearized Green-Naghdi system with absorbing boundary conditions
Authors: Pang Gang , Ji Songsong , Antoine Xavier
Published: May 2022

In this paper, we present a fully discrete second-order finite-difference scheme with fast evaluation of the convolution involved in the absorbing boundary conditions to solve the one-dimensional linearized Green-Naghdi system. The Padé expansion of the square-root function in the complex plane is used to implement the fast convolution. By introducing a constant damping parameter into the governing equations, the convergence analysis is developed when the damping term fulfills some conditions. In addition, the scheme is stable and leads to a highly reduced computational cost and low memory storage. A numerical example is provided to support the theoretical analysis and to illustrate the performance of the fast numerical scheme.
Bindehautdegenerationen und -neoplasien
Authors: Auw-Hädrich Claudia , Gasser Laura , Reinhard Thomas
Published: May 2022

Erhabenheiten der Bindehaut entstehen durch Gewebevermehrung, die entweder degenerativ oder neoplastisch, aber auch entzündlich sein können. In diesem Artikel werden degenerative (Pterygium
und Pinguecula) sowie benigne und maligne neoplastische Bindehautveränderungen (epitheliale, melanozytäre und vaskuläre Tumoren, Choristome sowie Metastasen) bezüglich der Pathogenese,
Symptome, Diagnostik und aktuellem Stand der Behandlung dargestellt.
Von Klassischer Harnschau bis Urinstix
Authors: Wurster Angelika
Published: May 2022

Der Urin wird bei der Diagnostik seit Jahrtausenden einbezogen: seit der Antike als Harnschau, heute zudem mit Urinteststreifen und weiteren Labormethoden. Bei der Klassischen Harnschau liegt die Vier-Säfte-Lehre zugrunde; betrachtet werden auch unter anderem Farbe und Konsistenz des Harns. Beim modernen Harnstatus werden meist die physikalische und chemische Untersuchung des Harns sowie die mikroskopische Untersuchung des Harnsediments einbezogen.
Der Ringen um Pflegefachkräfte
Authors: Lukuc Sarah
Published: May 2022

Durch die Generalistik können die Kliniken sich einer neuen Branche öffnen, der Altenpflege. Hier kommt es auf ein gutes Onboarding an, um die Kollegen auf Station zu integrieren.
PPR 2.0: Sinnvoll oder sinnfrei?
Authors: Witt Thorsten
Published: May 2022

Kaum ein anderes Thema wird seit Jahren so heiß diskutiert wie die Einführung der PPR 2.0. Diese liegt seit zweieinhalb Jahren vor, mittlerweile auf dem Schreibtisch des zweiten Gesundheitsministers. Offensichtlich hat die PPR 2.0 nicht nur Vorteile, sondern auch Schwächen. CNE sprach dazu mit Thorsten Witt, Pflegedirektor am Hamburger Agaplesion Diakonieklinikum.
The Maturation of the Acoustic Change Complex in Response to Iterated Ripple Noise in ‘Normal’-Hearing Infants, Toddlers, and Adults
Authors: Strahm S. , Small S. A. , Chan S. , Tian D. Y. , Sharma M.
Published: May 2022

Abstract Background Infants and toddlers are still being evaluated for their hearing sensitivity but not their auditory-processing skills. Iterated rippled noise (IRN) stimuli require the auditory system to utilize the temporal periodicity and autocorrelate the
iterations to perceive pitch. Purpose This study investigated the acoustic change complex (ACC) elicited by IRN in “normal”-hearing infants, toddlers, and adults to determine the maturation of cortical processing of IRN stimuli. Design Cortical responses
to filtered white noise (onset) concatenated with IRN stimuli (d = 10 milliseconds, gain = 0.7 dB: 4‐32 iterations) were recorded in quiet, alert participants. Study Sample Participants included 25 infants (2.5‐15 months), 27
toddlers (22‐59 months), and 8 adults (19‐25 years) with “normal” hearing sensitivity. Data Collection and Analysis Cortical auditory-evoked responses were recorded for each participant, including the onset response to the noise and an ACC to the transition
from noise to IRN. Group differences were assessed using repeated-measures analyses of variance. Results Most infants had a replicable onset (P) response, while only about half had a measurable ACC (PACC) response to the high-saliency IRN condition. Most toddlers
had onset responses and showed a P-NACC response to the IRN16 and IRN32 conditions. Most of the toddler group had responses present to the onset and showed a P-NACC response to all IRN conditions. Toddlers and adults showed similar P-NACC amplitudes; however,
adults showed an increase in N1ACC amplitude with increase in IRN iterations (i.e., increased salience). Conclusion While cortical responses to the percept of sound as determined by the onset response (P) to a stimulus are present in most infants, ACC responses to
IRN stimuli are not mature in infancy. Most toddlers as young as 22 months, however, exhibited ACC responses to the IRN stimuli even when the pitch saliency was low (e.g., IRN4). The findings of the current study have implications for future research when investigating maturational effects
on ACC and the optimal choice of stimuli.