bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CFD-Based Optimization of the Kinematic Cycle of an Oscillating Foil Energy Harvesting Device
Authors: Rovito Nick , Walters D. Keith
Published: February 2024

This paper investigates the effects of kinematic operational parameters on oscillating foil energy harvester (OFEH) performance and presents a method for determining operating points corresponding to optimum performance. The optimization is carried out for an initial proof-of-concept OFEH design, and two different operating conditions are investigated with three and five degrees of freedom (DOF), respectively, represented by non-dimensional kinematic operating parameters. To determine OFEH efficiency at each operating condition, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations were conducted using Ansys Fluent v. 22.1. Resulting optimum performance operating points and efficiencies are compared to numerical and experimental investigations previously documented in the open literature. Results from both the 3- and 5-DOF cases demonstrate that the optimization method is able to determine efficiency maxima iteratively with limited data. The efficiency optima and operating points obtained agree with the ranges reported in the open literature. Overall, the results suggest that implementation of an iterative optimization search using least-squares based localized response surface modeling may reduce computational resource and time requirements when using computational fluid dynamics in engineering design.
Foil Gas Bearing Damping Measurements and Analysis With Varied Configurations
Authors: Knechel Jared , Agrawal Giri , Sahay Chittaranjan , Ghosh Suhash
Published: February 2024

Predictions of bearing damping in turbomachinery are essential to developing reliable, efficient, and safe products. Analytic solutions are practically non-existent. Numerical solutions and simulations are very limited and experimental data is usually specific to a particular configuration. The present work intends to serve the turbomachinery designer in their selection and configuration of Foil Gas Bearings (FGBs), as it makes a connection between some common bearing configuration parameters, the applied load level and frequency, and the level of bearing damping they can expect.

To obtain the data required to build a model that captures these relationships, several configurations of foil gas journal bearings are subjected to oscillating loads through the use of an electro-mechanical shaker. The bearing displacement and load signals are recorded and analyzed to obtain a coefficient of equivalent viscous damping at frequencies between 20 and 400 Hz and at loads between 2 and 11 lbf. The bearing configuration variations include bump foil thickness, pitch, and height. The data is analyzed and a model developed using a non-linear regression method. The model captures the relationship between an equivalent viscous damping coefficient and a forcing frequency, load, and a non-dimensional geometry configuration parameter G. The findings may serve as a practical tool for designers of turbomachinery supported by FGBs.
Degradation of
Listeria monocytogenes
biofilm by phages belonging to the genus
Pecentumvirus
Authors: Cucić Stevan , Ells Tim , Guri Anilda , Kropinski Andrew M. , Khursigara Cezar M. , Anany Hany
Published: February 2024

Listeria monocytogenes
is a pathogenic foodborne bacterium that is a significant cause of mortality associated with foodborne illness and causes many food recalls attributed to a bacteriological cause. Their ability to form biofilms contributes to the persistence of
Listeria
spp. in food processing environments. When growing as biofilms,
L. monocytogenes
are more resistant to sanitizers used in the food industry, such as benzalkonium chloride (BAC), as well as to physical stresses like desiccation and starvation. Lytic phages of
Listeria
are antagonistic to a broad range of
Listeria
spp. and may, therefore, have utility in reducing the occurrence of
Listeria
-associated food recalls by preventing food contamination. We screened nine closely related
Listeria
phages, including the commercially available Listex P100, for host range and ability to degrade microtiter plate biofilms of
L. monocytogenes
ATCC 19111 (serovar 1/2a). One phage, CKA15, was selected and shown to rapidly adsorb to its host under conditions relevant to applying the phage in dairy processing environments. Under simulated dairy processing conditions (SDPC), CKA15 caused a 2-log reduction in
Lm
19111 biofilm bacteria. This work supports the biosanitation potential of phage CKA15 and provides a basis for further investigation of phage-bacteria interactions in biofilms grown under SDPC.

IMPORTANCE

Listeria monocytogenes
is a pathogenic bacterium that is especially dangerous for children, the elderly, pregnant women, and immune-compromised people. Because of this, the food industry takes its presence in their plants seriously. Food recalls due to
L. monocytogenes
are common with a high associated economic cost. In food-processing plants,
Listeria
spp. typically reside in biofilms, which are structures produced by bacteria that shield them from environmental stressors and are often attached to surfaces. The significance of our work is that we show a bacteriophage—a virus-infecting bacteria—can reduce
Listeria
counts by two orders of magnitude when the bacterial biofilms were grown under simulated dairy processing conditions. This work provides insights into how phages may be tested and used to develop biosanitizers that are effective but are not harmful to the environment or human health.
Culture-independent identification of bloodstream infections from whole blood: prospective evaluation in specimens of known infection status
Authors: Iyer Vidya , Castro Daniel , Malla Bipin , Panda Britta , Rabson Arthur R. , Horowitz Gary , Heger Nicholas , Gupta Kamlesh , Singer Alon , Norwitz Errol R.
Published: February 2024

Sepsis caused by bloodstream infection (BSI) is a major healthcare burden and a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Timely diagnosis is critical to optimize clinical outcome, as mortality rates rise every hour treatment is delayed. Blood culture remains the “gold standard” for diagnosis but is limited by its long turnaround time (1–7 days depending on the organism) and its potential to provide false-negative results due to interference by antimicrobial therapy or the presence of mixed (i.e., polymicrobial) infections. In this paper, we evaluated the performance of resistance and pathogen ID/BSI, a direct-from-specimen molecular assay. To reduce the false-positivity rate common with molecular methods, this assay isolates and detects genomic material only from viable microorganisms in the blood by incorporating a novel precursor step to selectively lyse host and non-viable microbial cells and remove cell-free genomic material prior to lysis and analysis of microbial cells. Here, we demonstrate that the assay is free of interference from host immune cells and common antimicrobial agents at elevated concentrations. We also demonstrate the accuracy of this technology in a prospective cohort pilot study of individuals with known sepsis/BSI status, including samples from both positive and negative individuals.

IMPORTANCE

Blood culture remains the “gold standard” for the diagnosis of sepsis/bloodstream infection (BSI) but has many limitations which may lead to a delay in appropriate and accurate treatment in patients. Molecular diagnostic methods have the potential for markedly improving the management of such patients through faster turnaround times and increased accuracy. But molecular diagnostic methods have not been widely adopted for the identification of BSIs. By incorporating a precursor step of selective lysis of host and non-viable microorganisms, our resistance and pathogen ID (RaPID)/BSI molecular assay addresses many limitations of blood culture and other molecular assay. The RaPID/BSI assay has an approximate turnaround time of 4 hours, thereby significantly reducing the time to appropriate and accurate diagnosis of causative microorganisms in such patients. The short turnaround time also allows for close to real-time tracking of pathogenic clearance of microorganisms from the blood of these patients or if a change of antimicrobial regimen is required. Thus, the RaPID/BSI molecular assay helps with optimization of antimicrobial stewardship; prompt and accurate diagnosis of sepsis/BSI could help target timely treatment and reduce mortality and morbidity in such patients.
Draft genome sequence of
Limosilactobacillus fermentum
isolated from subgingival biofilm
Authors: Jang Eun-Young , Yang Seok Bin , Chun Jeewan , Kim Cheul , Moon Ji-Hoi , Lee Jae-Hyung
Published: February 2024

Limosilactobacillus fermentum
is generally considered beneficial for vaginal and digestive health. However, strains isolated from the oral cavity, especially from periodontitis lesions, have not been thoroughly studied. Here, we report the draft genome sequence of strain KHUD_007 isolated from the subgingival biofilm of a Korean patient with periodontitis.
Draft genome sequence of the yeast
Schwanniomyces capriottii
strain UCD805, isolated from soil in Ireland
Authors: Heneghan Padraic G. , Ryan Adam P. , Ó Cinnéide Eoin , Davies Jordan , Bracken Cathal , Ogundipe Victoria , Doheny Maria , Lenihan Liam , Passalaris Anastasia , Walker Rosalind , Wolfe Kenneth H. , Butler Geraldine , Byrne Kevin P.
Published: February 2024

Schwanniomyces capriottii
is a member of the Debaryomycetaceae family in the order Saccharomycetales. Here, we present the genome sequence of
S. capriottii
UCD805, which was isolated from soil in Dublin, Ireland. This genome is 12.2 Mb and was assembled into 14 scaffolds plus a mitochondrial genome scaffold.
Hepatitis B virus-targeting sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide mediates HBV infection and damage in human renal podocytes
Authors: Wang Lifen , Wang Cheng , Wang Xu , Cao Yantao , Guo Xiaohua , Ye Zhiming
Published: February 2024

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) may directly infect human podocytes (HPCs). However, the mechanism of direct infection is unclear. We found that HPCs express sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP), a specific receptor for HBV entry into hepatocytes. Thus, we investigated whether NTCP mediates HBV infection and damage in HPCs and further clarified the specific mechanism. We constructed shRNA-NTCP1,2, shRNA-NC, WT-NTCP, and MUT-NTCP and transfected them into HPCs. HPCs were infected with HBV, and HBV infection markers were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). The functional changes in HPCs were detected by Transwell migration and scratch assays, apoptosis was evaluated by flow cytometry (FCM), and podocytoskeletal proteins (nephrin, CD2AP, and synaptopodin) were determined by western blotting (WB). Compared with the control HPCs, HPCs infected with HBV showed increased levels of HBV infection markers and apoptosis along with decreased podocytoskeletal protein expressions, cell vitality, proliferation, and migration. Compared with the HPCs infected with HBV, the HPCs transfected with HBV + shRNA-NTCP, and HBV + MUT-NTCP showed decreased levels of HBV infection markers and apoptosis along with increased podocytoskeletal protein expressions, cell vitality, proliferation, and migration; the opposite effects were observed in the HPCs transfected with HBV + WT-NTCP. Overall, the changes to NTCP affected the susceptibility of HPCs to HBV and modulated HPC damage and repair. NTCP can mediate direct HBV infection and damage human podocytes, and the NTCP 157–165 locus is the main site of HBV entry. The findings provide a new target and theoretical basis for HBV-associated glomerulonephritis.

IMPORTANCE

This study identified for the first time that sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP) can mediate HBV direct infection and damage to human podocytes, and the NTCP157–165 locus is the main HBV entry site. The findings provide theoretical support for the pathogenesis of direct infection of HBV with kidney tissue. The findings provide a new target and theoretical basis for the treatment of HBV-related glomerulonephritis (HBV-GN). Blocking NTCP is a new target for the treatment of HBV-GN. We found that tacrolimus, a calcineurin inhibitor that blocks NTCP, can effectively treat HBV-GN. This study also provides a theoretical basis for the effective and safe treatment of immunosuppressant tacrolimus for HBV-GN.
Hydroxyhexylitaconic acids as potent IMP-type metallo-β-lactamase inhibitors for controlling carbapenem resistance in
Enterobacterales
Authors: Wachino Jun-ichi , Jin Wanchun , Norizuki Chihiro , Kimura Kouji , Tsuji Motonori , Kurosaki Hiromasa , Arakawa Yoshichika
Published: February 2024

Metallo-β-lactamases (MBLs) represent one of the main causes of carbapenem resistance in the order
Enterobacterales
. To combat MBL-producing carbapenem-resistant
Enterobacterales
, the development of MBL inhibitors can restore carbapenem efficacy for such resistant bacteria. Microbial natural products are a promising source of attractive seed compounds for the development of antimicrobial agents. Here, we report that hydroxyhexylitaconic acids (HHIAs) produced by a member of the genus
Aspergillus
can suppress carbapenem resistance conferred by MBLs, particularly IMP (imipenemase)-type MBLs. HHIAs were found to be competitive inhibitors with micromolar orders of magnitude against IMP-1 and showed weak inhibitory activity toward VIM-2, while no inhibitory activity against NDM-1 was observed despite the high dosage. The elongated methylene chains of HHIAs seem to play a crucial role in exerting inhibitory activity because itaconic acid, a structural analog without long methylene chains, did not show inhibitory activity against IMP-1. The addition of HHIAs restored meropenem and imipenem efficacy to satisfactory clinical levels against IMP-type MBL-producing
Escherichia coli
and
Klebsiella pneumoniae
clinical isolates. Unlike EDTA and Aspergillomarasmine A, HHIAs did not cause the loss of zinc ions from the active site, resulting in the structural instability of MBLs. X-ray crystallography and
in silico
docking simulation analyses revealed that two neighboring carboxylates of HHIAs coordinated with two zinc ions in the active sites of VIM-2 and IMP-1, which formed a key interaction observed in MBL inhibitors. Our results indicated that HHIAs are promising for initiating the design of potent inhibitors of IMP-type MBLs.

IMPORTANCE

The number and type of metallo-β-lactamase (MΒL) are increasing over time. Carbapenem resistance conferred by MΒL is a significant threat to our antibiotic regimen, and the development of MΒL inhibitors is urgently required to restore carbapenem efficacy. Microbial natural products have served as important sources for developing antimicrobial agents targeting pathogenic bacteria since the discovery of antibiotics in the mid-20th century. MΒL inhibitors derived from microbial natural products are still rare compared to those derived from chemical compound libraries. Hydroxyhexylitaconic acids (HHIAs) produced by members of the genus
Aspergillus
have potent inhibitory activity against clinically relevant IMP-type MBL. HHIAs may be good lead compounds for the development of MBL inhibitors applicable for controlling carbapenem resistance in IMP-type MBL-producing
Enterobacterales
.
Detecting horizontal gene transfer with metagenomics co-barcoding sequencing
Authors: Han Kai , Li Jiarui , Yang Duo , Zhuang Qinghui , Zeng Hui , Rong Chengbo , Yue Jinglin , Li Na , Gu Chaoyang , Chen Liang , Chen Chen
Published: February 2024

Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is the process through which genetic information is transferred between different genomes and that played a crucial role in bacterial evolution. HGT can enable bacteria to rapidly acquire antibiotic resistance and bacteria that have acquired resistance is spreading within the microbiome. Conventional methods of characterizing HGT patterns include short-read metagenomic sequencing (short-reads mNGS), long-read sequencing, and single-cell sequencing. These approaches present several limitations, such as short-read fragments, high amounts of input DNA, and sequencing costs, respectively. Here, we attempt to circumvent present limitations to detect HGT by developing a metagenomics co-barcode sequencing workflow (MECOS) and applying it to the human and mouse gut microbiomes. In addition to that, we have over 10-fold increased contig length compared to short-reads mNGS; we also obtained exceeding 30 million paired reads with co-barcode information. Applying the novel bioinformatic pipeline, we integrated this co-barcoding information and the context information from long reads, and observed over 50-fold HGT events after we corrected the potential wrong HGT events. Specifically, we detected approximately 3,000 HGT blocks in individual samples, encompassing ~6,000 genes and ~100 taxonomic groups, including loci conferring tetracycline resistance through ribosomal protection. MECOS provides a valuable tool for investigating HGT and advance our understanding on the evolution of natural microbial communities within hosts.

IMPORTANCE

In this study, to better identify horizontal gene transfer (HGT) in individual samples, we introduce a new co-barcoding sequencing system called metagenomics co-barcoding sequencing (MECOS), which has three significant improvements: (i) long DNA fragment extraction, (ii) a special transposome insertion, (iii) hybridization of DNA to barcode beads, and (4) an integrated bioinformatic pipeline. Using our approach, we have over 10-fold increased contig length compared to short-reads mNGS, and observed over 50-fold HGT events after we corrected the potential wrong HGT events. Our results indicate the presence of approximately 3,000 HGT blocks, involving roughly 6,000 genes and 100 taxonomic groups in individual samples. Notably, these HGT events are predominantly enriched in genes that confer tetracycline resistance via ribosomal protection. MECOS is a useful tool for investigating HGT and the evolution of natural microbial communities within hosts, thereby advancing our understanding of microbial ecology and evolution.
Spatiotemporal dynamics and epidemiological impact of SARS-CoV-2 XBB lineage dissemination in Brazil in 2023
Authors: Arantes Ighor , Gomes Marcelo , Ito Kimihito , Sarafim Sharbilla , Gräf Tiago , Miyajima Fabio , Khouri Ricardo , de Carvalho Felipe Cotrim , de Almeida Walquiria Aparecida Ferreira , Siqueira Marilda Mendonça , Resende Paola Cristina , Naveca Felipe Gomes , Bello Gonzalo ,   COVID-19 Fiocruz Genomic Surveillance Network
Published: February 2024

The SARS-CoV-2 XBB is a group of highly immune-evasive lineages of the Omicron variant of concern that emerged by recombining BA.2-descendent lineages and spread worldwide during 2023. In this study, we combine SARS-CoV-2 genomic data (
n =
11,065 sequences) with epidemiological data of severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) cases collected in Brazil between October 2022 and July 2023 to reconstruct the space-time dynamics and epidemiologic impact of XBB dissemination in the country. Our analyses revealed that the introduction and local emergence of lineages carrying convergent mutations within the Spike protein, especially F486P, F456L, and L455F, propelled the spread of XBB* lineages in Brazil. The average relative instantaneous reproduction numbers of XBB* + F486P, XBB* + F486P + F456L, and XBB* + F486P + F456L + L455F lineages in Brazil were estimated to be 1.24, 1.33, and 1.48 higher than that of other co-circulating lineages (mainly BQ.1*/BE*), respectively. Despite such a growth advantage, the dissemination of these XBB* lineages had a reduced impact on Brazil’s epidemiological scenario concerning previous Omicron subvariants. The peak number of SARI cases from SARS-CoV-2 during the XBB wave was approximately 90%, 80%, and 70% lower than that observed during the previous BA.1*, BA.5*, and BQ.1* waves, respectively. These findings revealed the emergence of multiple XBB lineages with progressively increasing growth advantage, yet with relatively limited epidemiological impact in Brazil throughout 2023. The XBB* + F486P + F456L + L455F lineages stand out for their heightened transmissibility, warranting close monitoring in the months ahead.

IMPORTANCE

Brazil was one the most affected countries by the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, with more than 700,000 deaths by mid-2023. This study reconstructs the dissemination of the virus in the country in the first half of 2023, a period characterized by the dissemination of descendants of XBB.1, a recombinant of Omicron BA.2 lineages evolved in late 2022. The analysis supports that XBB dissemination was marked by the continuous emergence of indigenous lineages bearing similar mutations in key sites of their Spike protein, a process followed by continuous increments in transmissibility, and without repercussions in the incidence of severe cases. Thus, the results suggest that the epidemiological impact of the spread of a SARS-CoV-2 variant is influenced by an intricate interplay of factors that extend beyond the virus's transmissibility alone. The study also underlines the need for SARS-CoV-2 genomic surveillance that allows the monitoring of its ever-shifting composition.
Iron fertilization–induced deoxygenation of eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean intermediate waters during the Paleocene–Eocene thermal maximum
Authors: Jiang Xiaodong , Zhao Xiangyu , Sun Xiaoming , Roberts Andrew P. , Sluijs Appy , Chou Yu-Min , Yao Weiqi , Xing Jieqi , Zhang Weijie , Liu Qingsong
Published: February 2024

The Paleocene–Eocene thermal maximum (PETM), a transient period of global warming, is considered to be an important analog for future greenhouse conditions. It was accompanied by a significant carbon cycle perturbation. Although ocean deoxygenation across the PETM is reported widely, its mechanism in the open ocean remains uncertain. Here, we present magnetic and geochemical analyses of sediments from the eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean. We found that iron fertilization during the PETM by eolian dust and volcanic eruptions fueled eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean productivity. This process led to increased organic matter degradation and oxygen consumption in intermediate waters, leading to deoxygenation. Our findings suggest that iron fertilization could be an important driver of open-ocean oxygen loss, as a side effect of global warming.
Post-appendicectomy small bowel obstruction due to internal hernia involving Meckel’s diverticulum
Authors: Lee Chanyang , Antoun Iman
Published: February 2024

Meckel’s diverticulum is the most common congenital abnormality of the small bowel, present in about 2% of the population. A man in his 20s underwent a laparoscopic appendicectomy for acute appendicitis and recovered uneventfully. He presented to the emergency department 1 month later with features of acute small bowel obstruction. Emergency diagnostic laparoscopy revealed a band adhesion between the apex of a Meckel’s diverticulum to the appendicectomy stump. Internal herniation of ileum under this band adhesion resulted in small bowel obstruction and ischaemic necrosis of the Meckel’s diverticulum. The band adhesion was divided, and the Meckel’s diverticulum was resected at the base with a linear cutting stapler. This complication has not been reported previously. A Meckel’s diverticulum is an important differential diagnosis of acute appendicitis and should routinely be searched for among other pathologies. It can rarely cause a postoperative complication of internal hernia.
Cross-sectional survey to explore knowledge, attitude, practices and impact of an intervention programme related to antibiotic misuse and self-medication among general population of Pakistan
Authors: Saif Arifa , Khan Tahir Mehmood , Bukhsh Allah , Yaseen Muhammad Osama , Saif Alia
Published: February 2024

Objective

The objective of this study is to observe the knowledge, attitude and practices related to antibiotic use, the prevalence of self-medication and non-adherence to the prescribed course of antibiotics across Pakistan.

Method

A cross-sectional quantitative study on knowledge, practices, attitude and adherence to antibiotic therapy was conducted from January 2021 to March 2022 among the adult population living in different areas across Pakistan. Individuals with poor knowledge were selected for video-based intervention programme. Video template produced by WHO to create antibiotic awareness was used for this purpose. A postintervention study was conducted to assess the improvement in their knowledge and practices regarding the use of antibiotics. Paired samples t-test was applied to assess the improvement in postintervention survey scores.

Results

68.9% (n=340/493) of the participants were female and the majority of the sample population was from urban areas. Our study revealed that 39.2% (n=196) of individuals have undergone self-medication with antibiotics in the last 6 months and 42% (n=207) of the total participants were non-adherent to antibiotic treatment plan. Lack of proper information from healthcare professionals was observed to be the most important barrier to antibiotic treatment adherence. The interventional video was shown to 31.64% (n=156/493) of participants who lack proper knowledge about antibiotic use and its associated problems. There appeared to be a significant improvement in the postintervention mean scores of knowledge, practices, attitude and adherence related to antibiotics.

Conclusion

This study highlights the alarming situation of self-medication and non-adherence to antibiotic therapy. To cope with the situation, certain pertinent measures are direly needed before the precious lifesaving antibiotics become useless in eradicating various controllable microbial diseases.
Developing a core outcome set for the health outcomes for children and adults with congenital oesophageal atresia and/or tracheo-oesophageal fistula: OCELOT task group study protocol
Authors: Ducey Jonathan , Lansdale Nick , Gorst Sarah , Bray Lucy , Teunissen Nadine , Cullis Paul , Faulkner Julia , Gray Victoria , Gutierrez Gammino Lucia , Slater Graham , Baird Laura , Adams Alex , Brendel Julia , Donne Adam , Folaranmi Eniola , Hopwood Laura , Long Anna-May , Losty Paul D , Benscoter Dan , de Vos Corné , King Sebastian , Kovesi Tom , Krishnan Usha , Nah Shireen A , Ong Lin Yin , Rutter Mike , Teague Warwick J , Zorn Aaron M , Hall Nigel J , Thursfield Rebecca
Published: February 2024

Introduction

Heterogeneity in reported outcomes of infants with oesophageal atresia (OA) with or without tracheo-oesophageal fistula (TOF) prevents effective data pooling. Core outcome sets (COS) have been developed for many conditions to standardise outcome reporting, facilitate meta-analysis and improve the relevance of research for patients and families. Our aim is to develop an internationally-agreed, comprehensive COS for OA-TOF, relevant from birth through to transition and adulthood.

Methods and analysis

A long list of outcomes will be generated using (1) a systematic review of existing studies on OA-TOF and (2) qualitative research with children (patients), adults (patients) and families involving focus groups, semistructured interviews and self-reported outcome activity packs. A two-phase Delphi survey will then be completed by four key stakeholder groups: (1) patients (paediatric and adult); (2) families; (3) healthcare professionals; and (4) researchers. Phase I will include stakeholders individually rating the importance and relevance of each long-listed outcome using a 9-point Likert scale, with the option to suggest additional outcomes not already included. During phase II, stakeholders will review summarised results from phase I relative to their own initial score and then will be asked to rescore the outcome based on this information. Responses from phase II will be summarised using descriptive statistics and a predefined definition of consensus for inclusion or exclusion of outcomes. Following the Delphi process, stakeholder experts will be invited to review data at a consensus meeting and agree on a COS for OA-TOF.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval was sought through the Health Research Authority via the Integrated Research Application System, registration no. 297026. However, approval was deemed not to be required, so study sponsorship and oversight were provided by Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust. The study has been prospectively registered with the COMET Initiative. The study will be published in an open access forum.
How to optimise the fidelity of exercises in an unsupervised golf injury prevention programme? A pilot study
Authors: Gladdines Saskia , Eygendaal Denise , van Boekel Leonieke , Verhagen Evert , Beumer Annechien
Published: February 2024

Background

Golf is an individual sport that is usually done without the supervision of a trainer or coach. Therefore, an injury prevention programme in golf will primarily be performed without supervision and feedback. However, the effectiveness of any preventive exercise programme is determined by exercise fidelity.

Objective

To investigate the different instruction options of an injury prevention programme on exercise fidelity in individual golfers.

Methods

We randomly assigned golfers to one of three groups receiving different exercise instructions. One group received only instructional cards (A), one received only instructional videos (B) and a third group (C) received both instructional cards and videos. The golfers were allowed to familiarise themselves with the exercises based on the provided instruction option, after which we recorded their exercise execution on video. Two authors independently scored each exercise’s fidelity from these recordings.

Results

In total, 18 golfers (12 women and 6 men, average age of 61.94 years) were equally divided across the 3 study groups completed 108 exercises. In group A 73.7% of exercises were executed as intended, in group B 88.6% and in group C 86.3%. Significantly more exercises were conducted correctly in groups B and C compared with group A (p<0.05).

Conclusion

Golfers who received instructions that included a video explanation had a higher exercise fidelity when compared to only written instructions.
Epidemiology and clinical characteristics of biopsy-confirmed adult-onset IgA vasculitis in southern Sweden
Authors: Thalen Michaela , Gisslander Karl , Segelmark Mårten , Sode Jacob , Jayne David , Mohammad Aladdin J
Published: February 2024

Objective

Immunoglobulin A vasculitis (IgAV) is the most prevalent primary childhood vasculitis in Sweden, but is considerably rarer in adults. This study aims to describe the epidemiology, clinical characteristics and renal outcome of adult-onset IgAV in Skåne, Sweden.

Methods

The study area consisted of Skåne, the southernmost region of Sweden, with a population ≥18 years of 990 464 on 31 December 2010. Adult patients assigned the International Classification of Diseases-10 code for IgAV (D69.0) from 2000 through 2019 were retrospectively identified in a population-based database. Medical records were reviewed to validate the diagnosis of IgAV and extract data. Only patients with clinical manifestations of IgAV and biopsy-confirmed disease were included. The annual incidence and point prevalence of biopsy-confirmed IgAV were estimated.

Results

Fifty-nine patients (19 women) were classified as having adult-onset IgAV. The incidence was 3 per 1 000 000 and was higher among men than women (4 vs 2/1 000 000, p=0.004). Ninety-seven per cent of patients presented with non-thrombocytopenic purpura, 78% with renal involvement, 59% with arthritis/arthralgia and 39% with gastrointestinal symptoms. Fifteen per cent developed chronic kidney disease stage ≥G3 a and one patient progressed to end-stage kidney disease during follow-up.

Conclusion

Adult-onset IgAV is rare in southern Sweden with the incidence higher in men than in women. IgAV frequently affects the kidneys and leads to chronic kidney disease in adults, although the long-term renal outcome appears favourable compared with other small-vessel vasculitides affecting the kidneys.
How COVID-19 impacted the temporal and spatial distribution of collision hotspots
Authors: Momeni Rad Faeze , El-Basyouny Karim
Published: February 2024

This research examines the spatial and temporal shift in collision hotspots caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, considering different collision severities. The Getis-Ord statistic was utilized to create spatial models and generate map outputs for 2019 and 2020. Two distinct approaches were employed: using a census tract shapefile (provided) and creating fishnet polygons measuring 500 m by 500 m. Results showed fewer hotspots outside Edmonton's central core, while fatal collisions were concentrated close to the core. This intriguing finding suggests that COVID-19 restrictions led to more aggressive driving behaviour near the centre, contributing to a rise in fatal collision numbers. The study found a significant reduction in traffic collisions in April 2020, with a 58% decrease compared to the previous year. The research highlights the pandemic's impact on road safety, emphasizing the importance of reducing traffic volume and advocating for traffic restrictions and control strategies, multi-modal planning, and efficient pricing strategies within Vision Zero for improved road safety.
PEANUTS: a software for the automatic computation of solar neutrino flux and its propagation within Earth
Authors: Gonzalo Tomás E. , Lucente Michele
Published: February 2024

We present (Propagation and Evolution of Active NeUTrinoS), an open-source Python package for the automatic computation of solar neutrino spectra and active neutrino propagation through Earth. is designed to be fast, by employing analytic formulae for the neutrino propagation through varying matter density, and flexible, by allowing the user to input arbitrary solar models, custom Earth density profiles and general detector locations. It provides functionalities for a fully automated simulation of solar neutrino fluxes at a detector, as well as access to individual routines to perform more specialised computations. The software has been extensively tested against the results of the SNO experiment, providing excellent agreement with their results. In addition, the present text contains a pedagogical derivation of the relations needed to compute the oscillated solar neutrino spectra, neutrino propagation through Earth and nadir exposure of an experiment.
Impact of social networking sites (SNSs) on stock market: Review, synthesis and direction for future research
Authors: Haque Md. Ziaul , Hossain Md. Shamim , Akter Lucky Suraiea
Published: February 2024

Social networking sites (SNSs) provide a platform for disseminating different types of information, including stock market information. Many studies in the literature discuss the influence of social media on the stock market. However, little effort has been made in the past to present a literature review. This exploratory study aims to review the literature on social media and the stock market published from 2004 to 2018 and present insights and directions for future research. The study collects data from Scopus and ISI Web of Science databases and subjectively selects 126 papers, and conducts metadata analysis. In addition, the selected papers were analyzed to present the insights and classifications of the literature based on content analysis. This review classified the selected papers into different domains: reaction (e.g., investor behavior, market behavior, corporate governance and financial performance), data analysis techniques (mathematical, econometric models, data and text mining), and application of pre-established models. It identifies influential authors, top journals, top contributing nations, top contributing institutions, top citations, most used words, top publishers and contributions by fields. It develops a framework showing how the information of SNSs is disseminated, processed and responded to. It also finds that most of the paper outcomes support online social media as important information dissemination platforms for investment decisions in the stock market. The study will offer a novel opportunity for future assessment and contribution to the behavioral finance literature.
Combining Cyber Security Intelligence to Refine Automotive Cyber Threats
Authors: Sommer Florian , Gierl Mona , Kriesten Reiner , Kargl Frank , Sax Eric
Published: February 2024

Modern vehicles increasingly rely on electronics, software, and communication technologies (cyber space) to perform their driving task. Over-The-Air (OTA) connectivity further extends the cyber space by creating remote access entry points. Accordingly, the vehicle is exposed to security attacks that are able to impact road safety. A profound understanding of security attacks, vulnerabilities, and mitigations is necessary to protect vehicles against cyber threats. While automotive threat descriptions, such as in UN R155, are still abstract, this creates a risk that potential vulnerabilities are overlooked and the vehicle is not secured against them. So far, there is no common understanding of the relationship of automotive attacks, the concrete vulnerabilities they exploit, and security mechanisms that would protect the system against these attacks. In this article, we aim at closing this gap by creating a mapping between UN R155, Microsoft STRIDE classification, Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification (CAPEC), and Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE). In this way, already existing detailed knowledge of attacks, vulnerabilities, and mitigations is combined and linked to the automotive domain. In practice, this refines the list of UN R155 threats and therefore supports vehicle manufacturers, suppliers, and approval authorities to meet and assess the requirements for vehicle development in terms of cybersecurity. Overall, 204 mappings between UN threats, STRIDE, CAPEC attack patterns, and CWE weaknesses were created. We validated these mappings by applying our Automotive Attack Database (AAD) that consists of 361 real-world attacks on vehicles. Furthermore, 25 additional attack patterns were defined based on automotive-related attacks.
Advancing Point-of-Care Applications with Droplet Microfluidics: From Single-Cell to Multicellular Analysis
Authors: Sharkey Christina , White Rachel , Finocchiaro Michael , Thomas Judene , Estevam Jose , Konry Tania
Published: February 2024

Recent advances in single-cell and multicellular microfluidics technology have provided powerful tools for studying cancer biology and immunology. The ability to create controlled microenvironments, perform high-throughput screenings, and monitor cellular interactions at the single-cell level has significantly advanced our understanding of tumor biology and immune responses. We discuss cutting-edge multicellular and single-cell microfluidic technologies and methodologies utilized to investigate cancer–immune cell interactions and assess the effectiveness of immunotherapies. We explore the advantages and limitations of the wide range of 3D spheroid and single-cell microfluidic models recently developed, highlighting the various approaches in device generation and applications in immunotherapy screening for potential opportunities for point-of-care approaches.
Life Is About Change: A Professional Memoir
Authors: Goldfried Marvin R.
Published: February 2024

Receiving my doctorate in 1961 just as John F. Kennedy was inaugurated president of the United States, I was inspired by his sentiment that any person can make a difference, and every person should try. In this memoir I review my professional journey of trying to make a difference in researching, teaching, supervising, and practicing clinical psychology and psychotherapy. I began my career by working on an evidence base for projective techniques. Upon joining the Stony Brook faculty, I shifted my efforts to research on and practice of behavior therapy, and then to the incorporation of cognition in developing cognitive behavioral therapy. Further work on integration consisted of closing the gap between research and practice, lowering the barriers that existed across schools of therapy, and incorporating lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender issues into mainstream psychology.
Ultrasonic Nondestructive Diagnosis of Cylindrical Batteries Under Various Charging Rates
Authors: Nguyen Thien D. , Sun Hongbin , Amin Ruhul , Ramuhalli Pradeep , Kweon Chol-Bum M. , Belharouak Ilias
Published: February 2024

Lithium-ion batteries have been used increasingly as electrochemical energy storage systems for electronic devices and vehicles. It is important to accurately estimate the state of charge (SoC) of a battery management system to control the battery operation to optimize performance, lifetime, and safety. The current work experimentally leverages ultrasonic diagnostic technology to investigate the SoC of lithium-ion batteries during the charge/discharge processes. A cylindrical-type nickel-cobalt-aluminum (NCA)–based 2500mAh 20A (INR18650-25R) battery was used for ultrasonic measurements with various charge/discharge rates of C/10.4, C/5.2, and C/1.3 at constant currents. The ultrasonic signals were analyzed for extracting wave velocity and wave attenuation. For all the testing rates, wave velocity increased in the charge process and decreased in the discharge process. Velocity profiles corresponding to lower rates of C/10.4 and C/5.2 exhibited primary peaks at the maximum SoCs, whereas the absolute wave velocity of C/1.3 rate showed primary peaks that occurred slightly after the SoC peak, indicating a delayed maximum Young's modulus. The wave attenuation computed for the C/10.4 rate had local maxima in the charge and discharge processes and depicted negative correlations with SoC, ranging from 0% to 18%, and positive correlations with SoC from 18% to 85%. On the other hand, the wave attenuation curves of the C/1.3 rate showed no local peaks and had negative correlations with SoC, ranging from 0% to 28%, and positive correlations with SoC ranging from 28% to 53%.
Review—Electrostatic Spinning for Manufacturing Sensitive Layers of Flexible Sensors and Their Structural Design
Authors: Yin Qianjun , Wang Weiyi , Hu Yaqi , Zhu Kongyi , Liu Xinyi , Wan Tong , Wang Biao , Wang Shaoyu , Xu Bowen
Published: February 2024

Electrostatic spinning technology is widely used in the manufacturing of flexible sensors. It is a mature and reliable method to fabricate nanofibers with tailorable fiber diameter surface microstructure like porosities and specific surface areas. Based on these properties, the electrically conductive composite nanofiber mats achieved by functionalizing nanofibers with active conductive nanomaterials are used as a sensitive layer for flexible sensors with tunable sensing performance. However, it is crucial to select suitable materials and optimal electrospinning technology, as well as design of the sensitive layer structure, for tuning the mechano-electrical performance of flexible sensors. This paper first reviews the current methods for the fabrication of flexible sensors with a focus on preparation method based electrospinning technology. Then, we introduce in detail the types and properties of common substrate materials and conductive fillers used to make sensor sensitive layers, with emphasis on the design of sensitive layer structures for the properties of the materials themselves. Finally, there is a summary of improvements and derivations based on the traditional electrospinning technologies that have been reported in recent years. It is hoped that this review will provide both references and inspiration for researchers in the field of flexible sensors.
Ca-MOF-Polymer Modified Thin-Film Electrode for Detection of Toxic Cadmium (Cd2+) in Biofluid and Environmental Fluid
Authors: Richard Yesurajan Allwin , Lincy Sebastinbaskar Aniu , Piraman Shakkthivel , Dharuman Venkataraman
Published: February 2024

Competitive adsorption of Cd2+ on the cell leads different diseases like kidney damage and osteoporosis. It is crucial for Cd2+ intake that ambient and biofluid supplies of Cd2+ be contained. For this, Calcium based Metal Organic Framework (Ca-MOF) was developed by hydrothermal methods using bidendate 1,4-benzene dicarboxylic acid (BDC) and Calcium derived from biowaste chicken egg shells. Lower binding efficiency of Cd2+ with the undoped MOF is improved by complexing it with polyaniline (PANI) to generate Ca-MOF-PANI which provide amine functional groups. These are characterized by Cyclic Voltammetry (CV), Ultra-violet Visible (UV–vis) spectroscopy, Scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) spectroscopy. Electrochemical sensing showed an irreversible oxidation peak for Cd2+ at −0.75 V. The Ca-MOF-PANI showed higher Cd2+ sensing than the CaCO3, Ca-MOF and PANI modified electrodes and confirmed by UV–vis studies. The sensor showed lowest detection limit (LOD) of 138 nM (25.3 ppb) with linearity range 0.1–2000 μM, respectively, high selectivity in presence of potential interferences, good reproducibility, stability, and repeatability features. Real sample analysis using urine and water samples indicates good signal recoveries ranged from 93.0% to 112.0%.
Synergetic Effect of β-Cyclodextrin and CuO Nanocomposite for Ultrasensitive Determination of Chloramphenicol in Food
Authors: Zhang Xinqin , Cao Rui , Chen Zehua , Zhou Liling , Li Peipei , Zhang Hui , Wu Ju
Published: February 2024

Chloramphenicol (CAP), a broad-spectrum antibiotic, has severely impacted human health and the ecological environment, which brings an increasing demand for an efficient monitoring technology for rapid and sensitive antibiotic residue detection. Herein, a highly sensitive and selective electrochemical sensor was developed for detecting CAP, based on the synergistic effect of β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) and CuO-nanomaterials modifying glassy carbon electrode (GCE). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) spectrometry were used for morphological characterization. β-CD/CuO/GCE sensor with high-specific surface area and cavity structure was prepared by modifying GCE for further electrochemical testing. Experimental parameters were optimized using square wave stripping voltammetry. The developed sensor obtains an ultra-wide linear range from 1.0 × 10−7 mol l−1 to 5.0 × 10−4 mol l−1and the limit of detection is 0.5 × 10−7 mol l−1. The sensor displays high sensitivity, remarkable stability, and reproducibility; particularly more convenient than the Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) verification method. Furthermore, the applicability of the developed β-CD/CuO/GCE sensor was demonstrated by detecting CAP in food samples.
Eco-Friendly Electrodeposition of Al-Zn Alloy from AlCl3-Urea Deep Eutectic Solvent
Authors: Chen Wenkang , Xu Cunying , Li Jianru , Xiang Guilin , Gu Daiyun , Zhang Qibo , Hua Yixin
Published: February 2024

The electrodeposition of Al-Zn alloy from an aluminium chloride-urea (AlCl3-urea) deep eutectic solvent (DES) containing 0.1 M ZnCl2 near room temperature was investigated. Cyclic voltammetry demonstrates that Al and Zn can be co-deposited, but the presence of Zn(II) restrains the reduction of Al(III). Linear sweep voltammetry reveals that increasing temperature facilitates the reduction of Zn(II) and Al(III), but the promotion effect on the Zn(II) reduction is greater than that on Al(III) reduction. Chronoamperometry analysis indicates that the electrocrystallization of Al-Zn alloy on a glassy carbon electrode follows instantaneous nucleation, which is similar to that of pure Al. SEM shows that the obtained alloy coating is smooth but not compact. With the increase of temperature, the content of Zn in deposits increases, the grain grows up and the microstructure transforms from granular to cluster structure. EDS and XRD analyzes prove that the deposits are pure Al-Zn alloy and composed of α phase and η phase. Tafel polarization test confirms the as-prepared alloy coating with higher Zn content (45 wt%) possesses excellent corrosion resistance. All these findings promise an eco-friendly and simple route to produce the Al-Zn alloy coating with excellent corrosion resistance near room temperature.