bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Known groups validity of the SPARK36: To guide nurse‐led consultations for the early detection of child developmental and parenting problems
Authors: Keymeulen Ann , Staal Ingrid I. E. , de Kroon Marlou L. A. , van Achterberg Theo
Published: May 2023

Aim

Early detection of child developmental and parenting problems is important for timely prevention. The SPARK36 (Structured Problem Analysis of Raising Kids aged 36 months) is a novel broad‐scope structured interview guide aimed at assessing parenting concerns and needs for support for child developmental and parenting problems, using the parental and professional's (Youth Health Care nurses) perspective. The applicability of the SPARK36 in practice was already demonstrated. Our aim was to evaluate its known groups validity.

Desing/Methods

SPARK36 data were collected in a cross‐sectional study in 2020–2021. The known groups validity was assessed by testing two hypotheses: the SPARK36 risk assessment shows a higher risk of parenting and child developmental problems in children (1) from parents with a lower socioeconomic status and (2) from families with ≥4 risk factors for child maltreatment. To test the hypotheses, Fisher's exact tests were applied.

Results

In total, 29 Youth Health Care nurses from four School Health Services performed SPARK36‐led consultations with 599 parent–child pairs to assess the risk for child developmental and parenting problems. Both hypotheses were accepted at a significant p level.

Conclusion

The results of the known groups validity support the hypothesis that the SPARK36 risk assessment for child developmental and parenting problems is carried out in a valid way. Future research is needed to assess other aspects of the validity and reliability of the SPARK36.

Impact

This is a first step in validating the instrument for use during a nurse‐led consultation with parents of 3‐year‐olds in Flemish School Health Services. Thereby, SPARK36 supports the nurses in accomplishing their assignment, making a risk assessment, and contributes to quality of care.

Patient or Public Contribution

This study aimed to evaluate the known groups validity of the SPARK36. Therefore, it was not conducted using input from the public or the patient population.
Global biome patterns of the Middle and Late Pleistocene
Authors: Huntley Brian , Allen Judy R. M. , Forrest Matthew , Hickler Thomas , Ohlemüller Ralf , Singarayer Joy S. , Valdes Paul J.
Published: May 2023

Our primary aim was to assess the hypothesis that distinctive features of the patterns of vegetation change during successive Quaternary glacial–interglacial cycles reflect climatic differences arising from forcing differences. We addressed this hypothesis using 207 half‐degree resolution global biome pattern simulations, for time slices between 800 and 2 ka, made using the LPJ‐GUESS dynamic global vegetation model. Simulations were driven using ice‐core atmospheric CO2 concentrations, Earth's obliquity, and outputs from a pre‐industrial and 206 palaeoclimate experiments; four additional simulations were driven using projected future CO2 concentrations. Climate experiments were run using HadCM3. Using a rule‐based approach, above‐ground biomass and leaf area index of LPJ‐GUESS plant functional types were used to infer each grid cell's biome. The hypothesis is supported by the palaeobiome simulations. To enable comparisons with the climatic forcing, multivariate analyses were performed of global vegetation pattern dissimilarities between simulations. Results showed generally similar responses to glacial–interglacial climatic variations during each cycle, although no two interglacials or glacials had identical biome patterns. Atmospheric CO2 concentration was the strongest driver of the dissimilarity patterns. Dissimilarities relative to the time slice with the lowest atmospheric CO2 concentration show the log‐linear relationship to atmospheric CO2 concentration expected of an index of ecocarbon sensitivity. For each simulation, extent and total above‐ground biomass of each biome were calculated globally and for three longitudinal segments corresponding to the major continental regions. Mean and minimum past extents of forest biomes, notably Temperate Summergreen Forest, in the three major continental regions strongly parallel relative tree diversities, hence supporting the hypothesis that past biome extents played an important role in determining present diversity. Albeit that they reflect the climatic consequences only of the faster Earth system components, simulated potential future biome patterns are unlike any during the past 800 ky, and likely will continue to change markedly for millennia if projected CO2 concentrations are realised.
Bactericidal efficacy and mechanism of alkaline electrolyzed water co‐action with acidic electrolyzed water on Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm
Authors: Liu Xueqiang , Zhao Pei , Qi Xiaoya , Zhao Dandan , Rao Huan , Chen Qijia , Hao Jianxiong
Published: May 2023

Here, the bactericidal efficacy and mechanism of action of the combination of alkaline electrolyzed water (AlEW) and acidic electrolyzed water (AcEW) on Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm were investigated, in comparison with single AcEW or AlEW treatment. The mature P. aeruginosa biofilm was formed at 120 h of cultivation. The number of bacteria in the P. aeruginosa biofilm decreased by 7.87 and 2.51 Lg CFU/mL after single AcEW and single AlEW treatment for 8 min, while the sterilization rate reached 92.2% and 33.1%, respectively. The group of AcEW (7 min) co‐action with AlEW (1 min) had a P. aeruginosa sterilization rate of 85%. The AlEW (3 min) co‐action with AcEW (5 min) treatment showed the best bactericidal efficacy. With this treatment, the sterilization rate achieved 94.4%, and the extracellular protein, polysaccharide, and DNA were degraded with the ratios of 70.8%, 77.7%, and 70.5%, respectively. Thus, AlEW exhibited a major washing effect, which can destroy the biofilm structure of extracellular polymers to a certain extent, while AcEW displayed a significant bactericidal effect. These results suggest that the AlEW co‐action with AcEW treatment may be a promising candidate suitable for bacterial biofilm sterilization.
Is it time to repurpose geroprotective diabetes medications for prevention of dementia?
Authors: He Diana , Aleksic Sandra
Published: May 2023

See related Editorial by Tang et al. in this issue.
Effect of melatonin on ATG2B‐mediated autophagy regulation in sheep granulosa cells with different FecB genotypes
Authors: Liu Yu‐Fang , Liu Zi‐Yi , Li Wen‐Tao , Wang Peng , Wang Xiang‐Yu , Di Ran , He Xiao‐Yun , Chu Ming‐Xing
Published: May 2023

Melatonin (MLT) protects cells by reducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, which are key for inducing cellular autophagy. The aim of this study was to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying MLT regulation of autophagy in granulosa cells (GCs) with BMPR‐1B homozygous (FecB BB) and wild type (FecB ++) mutations. GCs collected from small‐tailed Han sheep with different FecB genotypes were typed using a TaqMan probe assay, and autophagy levels were found to be significantly higher in GCs with FecB BB than the levels in those with FecB ++. Autophagy‐related 2 homolog B (ATG2B) was associated with cell autophagy and was highly expressed in GCs with the FecB BB genotype in small‐tailed Han sheep. Overexpression of ATG2B in the GCs of sheep with both FecB genotypes promoted GC autophagy, and the contrary was observed after the inhibition of ATG2B expression. Subsequently, treatment of GCs with different genotypes of FecB and MLT revealed a significant decrease in cellular autophagy and an increase in ATG2B expression. Addition of MLT to GCs with inhibited ATG2B expression revealed that MLT could protect GCs by decreasing ROS levels, especially in GCs with FecB ++ genotype. In conclusion, this study determined that autophagy levels were significantly higher in sheep GCs with FecB BB genotype than the levels in those with FecB ++ genotype, which may have contributed to the difference in lambing numbers between the two FecB genotypes. Autophagy was regulated by ATG2B and was able to protect GCs by reducing the high levels of ROS produced following inhibition of ATG2B through the addition of MLT in vitro.
Continuous fluid infusion per rectum compared with intravenous fluid infusion in pigs
Authors: Chigerwe Munashe , Blasczynski Sarah J. , Abi‐Nader Bailey A. , Condy Paige M. , Kretsch Cileah M. , Depenbrock Sarah M.
Published: May 2023

Background

Peripheral blood vessels in pigs are not easily accessible, making placement of intravenous catheters difficult. Alternative methods to intravenous administration of fluids, such as administering fluids via the rectum (proctoclysis), are warranted in pigs.

Hypothesis

Administration of polyionic crystalloid fluids via proctoclysis results in hemodilution changes similar to intravenous administration. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the tolerance for proctoclysis in pigs and compare analytes before and after intravenous or proctoclysis therapy.

Animals

Six healthy, growing, academic institution‐owned pigs.

Methods

Randomized, cross‐over design clinical trial, with 3 treatments (control, intravenous, and proctoclysis) with a 3‐day washout period. The pigs were anesthetized and jugular catheters were placed. A polyionic fluid (Plasma‐Lyte A 148) was administered at 4.4 mL/kg/h during the intravenous and proctoclysis treatments. Laboratory analytes, including PCV, plasma, and serum total solids, albumin, and electrolytes were measured over 12 h at T0, T3, T6, T9, and T12. Effects of treatment and time on analytes were determined by analysis of variance.

Results

Proctoclysis was tolerated by pigs. Albumin concentrations decreased during the IV treatment between T0 and T6 (least square mean of 4.2 vs 3.9 g/dL; 95% CI of mean difference = −0.42, −0.06; P = .03). Proctoclysis did not significantly affect any laboratory analytes at any time points (P > .05).

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Proctoclysis did not demonstrate hemodilution similar to intravenous administration of polyionic fluids. Proctoclysis might not be an effective alternative to the intravenous administration of polyionic fluids in healthy euvolemic pigs.
Vocal count responses of narwhals to bulk carrier noise in Milne Inlet, Nunavut, Canada
Authors: Radtke Crystal L. , Terhune John M. , Frouin‐Mouy Héloïse , Rouget Philippe A.
Published: May 2023

Concerns were raised about possible behavioral disturbance to narwhals (Monodon monoceros) when exposed to shipping noise in Milne Inlet, Baffin Island, Canada. We deployed passive acoustic recorders in August and September 2018 and 2019, along and adjacent to the nominal shipping corridor. We measured broadband (0.01–25 kHz) sound pressure levels (SPL) after correcting for the auditory weighting function of high frequency cetaceans. Received SPLs and counts of Whistles, Buzzes, and Knocks were compared in a before‐during‐after study of individual bulk carrier transits, relative to periods with no ships. Narwhal call counts were generally lower once bulk carriers were within line‐of‐sight, including when ship noise levels were just above ambient noise levels. Call counts varied both “before” and “after” individual bulk carriers passed by the recorders. There was no evidence of a behavioral threshold SPL below which a response did not occur. We did not observe call count reductions to the same extent in 2019 compared to 2018 as higher ambient noise levels in 2019 likely masked some individual ship noise. There was no evidence of habituation or sensitization to the bulk carrier noise within or between years. Continued acoustic monitoring is recommended, especially if bulk carrier transits increase.
A meta‐analysis of how parasites affect host consumption rates
Authors: Mrugała Agata , Wolinska Justyna , Jeschke Jonathan M.
Published: May 2023

Parasites are known to mediate trophic interactions and can, for example, modify how consumers acquire resources. These modifications of host feeding behaviour can be imposed through three interconnected mechanisms affecting: 1) host food acquisition, 2) host food digestion or 3) host energy budgets. As a result, infected hosts may consume more, less or the same amount of food compared to their uninfected conspecifics. It is commonly assumed that infected hosts have lower consumption rates than uninfected hosts, but a comprehensive quantitative synthesis investigating the effects of parasites on host consumption rate has been lacking thus far. To fill this knowledge gap, we systematically searched for experimental studies that evaluated changes in consumption rate of infected vs uninfected hosts. In total, we extracted 158 effect sizes from 68 studies. We then performed meta‐analyses of mean differences in host consumption rates and their variation. The analyses were carried out for all taxonomic groups as well as separately for vertebrate and invertebrate hosts. The main‐effects meta‐analyses confirmed a generally negative effect of parasites on host consumption rates; infected hosts consumed on average 25% less food than their uninfected conspecifics. In addition, there was a significant increase in the variability in host consumption rate, on average by 25%, indicating that parasites can have variable effects on the foraging behaviour of their hosts. The meta‐regression models revealed that several moderator variables related to host and parasite characteristics influence host consumption rate. Experimental infection had a stronger influence on variance effects than natural infection. Parasitic infections reduced consumption rate of vertebrate hosts by 28% and thus more strongly than those of invertebrates, which were reduced by 22%. We conclude with recommendations to facilitate future ecological research syntheses on host–parasite interactions and beyond.
How sharp is the knife? Herbivore and carnivore sensitivity to resource stoichiometric quality
Authors: Meunier Cédric L. , Boersma Maarten , Declerck Steven A. J. , Laspoumaderes Cecilia
Published: May 2023

While understanding feeding preferences of herbivores and carnivores is of major importance in ecology, we still know very little on the sensitivity of different functional groups to suboptimal stoichiometric resource quality. Here, we apply concepts of ecological stoichiometry to shed light on differences in the nutritional requirements of herbivores and carnivores, and to make predictions on the influence of suboptimal resource stoichiometric quality on the fitness of these different consumers to. Herbivores generally experience more variation in the quality of their resource than carnivores do, and these differences have likely shaped the extent to which coping mechanisms have evolved. Consequently, we expect 1) herbivores to maintain their stoichiometric homeostasis over a broader range of resource stoichiometry than carnivores, 2) the threshold elemental ratio (TER), i.e. the dietary carbon to nutrient ratio which maximizes fitness, of herbivores to be higher than that of carnivores, 3) a narrower and sharper knife‐edge response in carnivores than herbivores and 4) asymmetric knife‐edge responses indicating a higher sensitivity to the diet quality that consumers are not used to dealing with, namely nutrient limitation in carnivores and nutrient excess in herbivores. Our study poses that documenting the ranges of resource quality where consumer fitness declines in diverse organisms is a very promising avenue to increase our understanding of community composition and food web functioning.
Progress and prospect of developing salt and alkali tolerant rice using hybrid rice technology in China
Authors: Liu Jiayin , Wan Jili , Yin Xiaojia , Gu Xiaozhen , Yin Huide , Yu Meng , Luan Yifang , Li Rujian , Mi Tiezhu , Li Jiming
Published: May 2023

Soil salinization and alkalization are important abiotic stresses that affect crop growth and yield. Development of salt and alkali tolerant varieties is still dominated by the following conventional breeding method: The salt and alkali tolerant traits from screened germplasm are introduced into elite varieties by means of hybridization and backcrossing. In recent years, the breeding of salt and alkali tolerant rice has also made great progress. For example, the yield of Chao‐You 1000, a two‐line rice hybrid, has reached 12.04 t/ha growing in fields with salinity between 0.2% and 0.6%. This review is an update on the progress of salt and alkali tolerant rice germplasm screening and new salt and alkali tolerant varieties in development. By reviewing the performance of current rice hybrids in China's National Regional Variety Trials of Saline‐Alkali Tolerant Rice, we proposed the technical approach of developing saline–alkali tolerant rice hybrids using the third‐generation hybrid rice technology and furthermore the trend of developing salt and alkali tolerant rice hybrids.
Successful global anti‐B‐cell strategy with daratumumab in a patient with post‐transplant nephrotic syndrome recurrence unresponsive to immunoadsorption and obinutuzumab
Authors: Delbet Jean‐Daniel , Hogan Julien , Parmentier Cyrielle , Ulinski Tim , Dossier Claire
Published: May 2023

Background

Steroid‐resistant nephrotic syndrome recurrence post‐transplant unresponsive to immunoadsorption is a dilemma, and no reliable treatment strategy has been identified to induce remission so far.

Case presentation

A 2‐year‐old girl presented first with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome. She did not reach remission after 30 days of oral steroids and remained resistant to steroid pulses, oral tacrolimus, IV cyclosporine, and to 30 sessions of plasma exchange. Bilateral nephrectomy was performed because of extrarenal complications. Two years later, she received an allograft from a deceased donor and idiopathic nephrotic syndrome relapsed immediately post‐transplantation. She did not reach remission after immunosuppressive therapy including tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil, methylprednisolone pulses, daily immunoadsorption, and B‐cell depletion. She received obinutuzumab 1 g/1.73 m2 injections weekly for 3 weeks and then daratumumab 1 g/1.73 m2 weekly for 4 weeks. One week after the last daratumumab infusion, urine protein/creatinine ratio began to decrease. Proteinuria was negative for the first time at Day 99. Immunoadsorption was stopped 147 days after, and she remained relapse‐free at last follow‐up (18 months post‐transplantation). The treatment was complicated by a pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia with a favorable outcome and persistent hypogammaglobulinemia.

Conclusion

A obinutuzumab and daratumumab combination seems to be a promising strategy in post‐transplantation SRNS recurrence without response to standard treatment options.
A 3‐year population‐based study of exercise‐related sudden cardiac arrest among 12‐ to 50‐year‐old Norwegians
Authors: Isern Cecilie Benedicte , Kramer‐Johansen Jo , Tjelmeland Ingvild , Bahr Roald , Berge Hilde Moseby
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Regular exercise is associated with reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. Paradoxically, an increased risk of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is documented during or immediately after exercise and in athletes compared to the nonathletic population. Our objective was to identify, through multiple sources, the total number of exercise‐related versus non‐exercise‐related SCA in the young population in Norway.

Methods

We collected primary data from the prospective Norwegian Cardiac Arrest Registry (NorCAR) for all patients aged 12–50 suffering SCA of presumed cardiac cause from 2015 to 2017. We collected secondary data about prior physical activity and the SCA, through questionnaires. We searched media reports for SCA incidents in sports. Exercise‐related SCA is defined as SCA during or <1 h after exercise.

Results

Overall, 624 patients, median age 43 years, were included from NorCAR. Two thirds (393) replied to the study invitation, of whom 236 answered the questionnaires: 95 survivors and 141 next of kin. The media search resulted in 18 relevant hits. With a multiple source approach, we identified 63 cases of exercise‐related SCA, equivalent to an incidence of 0.8/100 000 person‐years, versus 7.8/100 000 person‐years of non‐exercise‐related SCA. Among those who answered (n = 236), almost two thirds (59%) exercised regularly, most commonly (45%) 1–4 h/week. Endurance exercise (38%) was the most prevalent type of regular exercise and the most common activity during exercise‐related SCA (53%).

Conclusion

The burden of exercise‐related SCA was low (0.8 per 100 000 person‐years) and ten times lower than non‐exercise‐related SCA in the young population in Norway.
Detection of skin wrinkles and quantification of roughness using a novel image processing technique from a dermatoscope device
Authors: Carlos da Silva Gustavo , Barbosa Miguel B. , Júnior Flávio B. Camargo , Moreira Patrícia L. , Werka Rejane , Martin Airton A.
Published: May 2023

Objective

Cutaneous relief analysis is crucial in the development of new skincare products, as well as in the evaluation of dermatological treatments. The analysis can be performed by qualitative or quantitative methods. We propose a new algorithm to detect wrinkles and quantify skin roughness by image processing from a dermatoscope.

Methods

A clinical study was carried out with 33 research participants, and images were collected with the dermatoscope and PRIMOS equipment for wrinkle evaluation at two different times: Day 0 (D0) and 45 days (D45) after the use of a dermocosmetic product. Later, a new algorithm was developed to detect wrinkles in the acquired images by applying filters and image transformations that generate a segmented image highlighting the wrinkles. A roughness calculation method is proposed from the pixels belonging to wrinkles.

Results

Correlation between the values obtained by the PRIMOS equipment and the proposed system was verified. No correlation was found for data obtained at D0; however, there was correlation at time D45 by Spearman's similarity coefficient. By comparing roughness between times D0 and D45, the treatment was statistically significant for both PRIMOS and the proposed methodology data.

Conclusion

The wrinkle detection algorithm, in addition to the roughness calculation, demonstrated a sensitivity comparable to the PRIMOS system in evaluating the effectiveness of the dermocosmetic treatment.

Significance

Considering the simplicity of the dermatoscope design compared to other established devices such as PRIMOS, the proposed system is promising as an alternative for dermatological evaluations.
Reaching for the off switch in nucleolar dominance
Authors: Pikaard Craig S. , Chandrasekhara Chinmayi , McKinlay Anastasia , Enganti Ramya , Fultz Dalen
Published: May 2023

Nucleolus organizer regions (NORs) are eukaryotic chromosomal loci where ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes are clustered, typically in hundreds to thousands of copies. Transcription of these rRNA genes by RNA polymerase I and processing of their transcripts results in the formation of the nucleolus, the sub‐nuclear domain in which ribosomes are assembled. Approximately 90 years ago, cytogenetic observations revealed that NORs inherited from the different parents of an interspecific hybrid sometimes differ in morphology at metaphase. Fifty years ago, those chromosomal differences were found to correlate with differences in rRNA gene transcription and the phenomenon became known as nucleolar dominance. Studies of the past 30 years have revealed that nucleolar dominance results from selective rRNA gene silencing, involving repressive chromatin modifications, and occurs in pure species as well as hybrids. Recent evidence also indicates that silencing depends on the NOR in which an rRNA gene is located, and not on the gene's sequence. In this perspective, we discuss how our thinking about nucleolar dominance has shifted over time from the kilobase scale of individual genes to the megabase scale of NORs and chromosomes and questions that remain unanswered in the search for a genetic and biochemical understanding of the off switch.
Screening, identification, and observation of infection process of a herbicidal fungal strain HY‐02
Authors: Li Xiang , Zhu Haixia
Published: May 2023

This study clarified the herbicidal activity, crop safety, classification status, and infection process of herbicidal strain HY‐02, and laid a foundation for its development and utilization. Strain HY‐02 was isolated from the leaves of Rumex patientia L. by the tissue isolation method. The pathogenicity of the strain to six broadleaf weeds and the safety for four common crops were determined by spray inoculation. The taxonomic status of HY‐02 was determined by morphology and molecular biology, and the infection process was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy. In vitro leaf experiments showed that strain HY‐02 was pathogenic to six broadleaf weeds, Polygonum aviculare L., Elsholtzia densa Benth., Chenopodium album L., Polygonum lapathifolium L., Amaranthus retroflexus L., and Malva verticillata L. The pot experiment of weeds found that the pathogenicity rates for P. aviculare, E. densa, C. album, P. lapathifolium, A. retroflexus, and M. verticillata were 100.00%, 94.44%, 95.24%, 83.33%, 73.02%, and 40.00%, respectively. Strain HY‐02 seemed safe for four crops (Hordeum vulgare L., Triticum aestivum L., Vicia faba L., and Pisum sativum L.), but not for Brassica napus L. The strain was identified as Alternaria alternata (Fries) Keissler. Scanning electron microscope observations showed that hyphae invaded leaf tissues from the stomata by destroying epidermal cells. Hyphae rapidly grew and invaded living tissues by obtaining nutrients from the tissues, destroying the whole leaf tissues, and finally forming reticular lesions. Therefore, the HY‐02 strain has the potential to be developed into microbial biocontrol agents for weed control.
Physicochemical origins of prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms
Authors: Spitzer Jan
Published: May 2023

Origins research currently rests on a vitalistic foundation and requires reconceptualization. From a cellular perspective, prokaryotic cells grow and divide in stable, colloidal processes, throughout which the cytoplasm remains crowded (concentrated) with closely interacting proteins and nucleic acids. Their functional stability is ensured by repulsive and attractive non‐covalent forces, especially van der Waals forces, screened electrostatic forces, and hydrogen bonding (hydration and the hydrophobic effect). On average, biomacromolecules are crowded at above 15% volume fraction, surrounded by up to 3 nm layer of aqueous electrolyte at ionic strength above 0.01 molar; they are energized by biochemical reactions coupled to nutrient environments. During cellular growth, non‐covalent molecular forces and biochemical reactions stabilize the cytoplasm as a two‐phase, colloidal system comprising vectorially structured cytogel and dilute cytosol. From a geochemical perspective, Earth's rotation kept prebiotic molecules in continuous cyclic disequilibria in Usiglio‐type intertidal pools, rich in potassium and magnesium ions, the last cations to precipitate from evaporatig seawater. These ions impart biochemical functionality to extant proteins and RNAs. The prebiotic molecules were repeatedly purified by phase separation in response to tidal drying and rewetting; they were chemically evolving as briny, carbonaceous inclusions in tidal sediments until the crowding transition allowed chemical evolution to proceeed toward Woesian progenotes, the Last Universal Common Ancestors (LUCAs) and the first prokaryotes. These cellular and geochemical processes are summarized as a jigsaw puzzle of the emerging and evolving prokaryotes. Their unavoidable cyclic fusions and rehydrations along Archaean coastlines initiated the emergence of complex Precambrian eukaryotes.

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Comparative Spray Atomization and Evaporation Characteristics of Dimethyl Ether and Mineral Diesel
Authors: Sonawane Utkarsha , Agarwal Avinash Kumar
Published: May 2023

Dimethyl ether is a new-generation alternative fuel to mitigate cold-start issues in compression ignition engines. It has a higher cetane number and offers superior spray atomization and fuel evaporation characteristics. This simulation study compares dimethyl ether and baseline diesel sprays and their evaporation characteristics in a constant volume spray chamber. Fuel properties greatly influence spray atomization and evaporation characteristics. This study is based on the Eulerian–Lagrangian approach adopted in the Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes framework. The liquid spray penetration obtained by simulation matched well with the experimental results of dimethyl ether and baseline diesel. Spray model constants were tuned for diesel and dimethyl ether separately, as the fuel properties of both test fuels are completely different. These tuned models were used to simulate dimethyl ether and diesel sprays at fixed fuel injection timings and ambient conditions. Results showed a lower spray penetration length for dimethyl ether than baseline diesel because of the flash boiling of dimethyl ether. Smaller diameter droplets formed due to dimethyl ether’s lower viscosity, density, surface tension, and higher evaporation rate. The reduction in Sauter mean diameter was quite sharp after the start of injection for the dimethyl ether. Diesel spray showed retarded spray atomization and evaporation characteristics compared to dimethyl ether. The vapor penetration length of both fuels was almost the same; however, the vapor mass fraction was higher for dimethyl ether than baseline diesel. Dimethyl ether spray exhibited superior spray atomization and improved evaporation of fuel droplets.
Defect formation in InGaAs/AlSb/InAs memory devices
Authors: Trevisan Aurelia , Hodgson Peter D. , Lane Dominic , Hayne Manus , Koenraad Paul M.
Published: May 2023

ULTRARAMTM is a novel floating-gate nonvolatile memory in which the oxide barrier of flash is replaced by a triple-barrier resonant tunneling structure comprising of multiple InAs/AlSb heterojunctions. The quality of the triple barrier resonant tunneling heterostructure of an ULTRARAMTM device in terms of interface sharpness and the presence of defects was analyzed by cross-sectional scanning tunneling microscopy. We observed two different types of defects: stacking faults originating in the layers below the triple barrier resonant tunneling structure and AlSb accumulations at the interface between the lower AlSb layer of the triple barrier resonant tunneling structure and the InGaAs channel. The InGaAs surface of a second sample was measured by atomic force microscopy in order to investigate whether its unevenness is caused by deposition of the AlSb layer or it is already present before the AlSb deposition process.
The effects of estimation accuracy, estimation approach, and number
of selected channels using formant-priority channel selection for an
“n-of-m” sound processing strategy for
cochlear implants
Authors: Saba Juliana N. , Ali Hussnain , Hansen John H. L.
Published: May 2023

Previously, selection of l channels was prioritized according to formant frequency locations in an l-of-n-of-m–based signal processing strategy to provide important voicing information independent of listening environments for cochlear implant (CI) users. In this study, ideal, or ground truth, formants were incorporated into the selection stage to determine the effect of accuracy on (1) subjective speech intelligibility, (2) objective channel selection patterns, and (3) objective stimulation patterns (current). An average +11% improvement (p < 0.05) was observed across six CI users in quiet, but not for noise or reverberation conditions. Analogous increases in channel selection and current for the upper range of F1 and a decrease across mid-frequencies with higher corresponding current, were both observed at the expense of noise-dominant channels. Objective channel selection patterns were analyzed a second time to determine the effects of estimation approach and number of selected channels (n). A significant effect of estimation approach was only observed in the noise and reverberation condition with minor differences in channel selection and significantly decreased stimulated current. Results suggest that estimation method, accuracy, and number of channels in the proposed strategy using ideal formants may improve intelligibility when corresponding stimulated current of formant channels are not masked by noise-dominant channels.
Proximate deconfined quantum critical point in SrCu
2
(
BO
3
)
2
Authors: Cui Yi , Liu Lu , Lin Huihang , Wu Kai-Hsin , Hong Wenshan , Liu Xuefei , Li Cong , Hu Ze , Xi Ning , Li Shiliang , Yu Rong , Sandvik Anders W. , Yu Weiqiang
Published: May 2023

The deconfined quantum critical point (DQCP) represents a paradigm shift in quantum matter studies, presenting a “beyond Landau” scenario for order-order transitions. Its experimental realization, however, has remained elusive. Using high-pressure
11
B nuclear magnetic resonance measurements on the quantum magnet SrCu
2
(BO
3
)
2
, we here demonstrate a magnetic field–induced plaquette singlet to antiferromagnetic transition above 1.8 gigapascals at a notably low temperature,
T
c
≃ 0.07 kelvin. First-order signatures of the transition weaken with increasing pressure, and we observe quantum critical scaling at the highest pressure, 2.4 gigapascals. Supported by model calculations, we suggest that these observations can be explained by a proximate DQCP inducing critical quantum fluctuations and emergent O(3) symmetry of the order parameters. Our findings offer a concrete experimental platform for investigation of the DQCP.
Solvated dielectrons from optical excitation: An effective source of low-energy electrons
Authors: Hartweg Sebastian , Barnes Jonathan , Yoder Bruce L. , Garcia Gustavo A. , Nahon Laurent , Miliordos Evangelos , Signorell Ruth
Published: May 2023

Low-energy electrons dissolved in liquid ammonia or aqueous media are powerful reducing agents that promote challenging reduction reactions but can also cause radiation damage to biological tissue. Knowledge of the underlying mechanistic processes remains incomplete, particularly with respect to the details and energetics of the electron transfer steps. In this work, we show how ultraviolet (UV) photoexcitation of metal-ammonia clusters could be used to generate tunable low-energy electrons in situ. Specifically, we identified UV light–induced generation of spin-paired solvated dielectrons and their subsequent relaxation by an unconventional electron transfer–mediated decay as an efficient, low-energy electron source. The process is robust and straightforward to induce with the prospect of improving our understanding of radiation damage and fostering mechanistic studies of solvated electron reduction reactions.
Lauer opens up
Authors: Thorp H. Holden
Published: May 2023

In March,
Science
published a news story by Jeffrey Mervis that chronicled five cases of individuals, mostly Chinese or of Chinese descent, whose research careers were disrupted or ended by personnel actions taken by the US National Institutes of Health (NIH). As I wrote in an accompanying editorial, these moves have eroded trust in the NIH and chilled important collaborations with China. The failure of the NIH to adequately explain and document publicly the reasons behind these actions has allowed the scientific community to assume the worst.
AAAS bestows new award
Authors: Phelan Meagan
Published: May 2023

Inaugural Mani L. Bhaumik Breakthrough of the Year Award honors NASA contributors
Tales of the tongue
Authors: Pennisi Elizabeth
Published: May 2023

Since first evolving 350 million years ago, the tongue has taken myriad forms, unlocking new niches and boosting the diversity of life
Legal challenge could weaken science’s role in U.S. regulation
Authors: Mervis Jeffrey
Published: May 2023

Supreme Court takes up industry case against fisheries rule
Decision nears for fall coronavirus vaccine
Authors: Couzin-Frankel Jennifer
Published: May 2023

Consensus grows for abandoning the ancestral strain to improve immune responses
NFAT5 Restricts Bovine Herpesvirus 1 Productive Infection in MDBK Cell Cultures
Authors: Liu Chang , Lin Jiayu , Yang Hao , Li Ningxi , Tang Linke , Neumann Donna , Ding Xiuyan , Zhu Liqian
Published: May 2023

Accumulating studies have revealed that NFAT5 regulates disease development due to infection of numerous viruses, underlying the importance of the host factor in virus pathogenesis. Here, we report that NFAT5 has capacity to restrict BoHV-1 productive infection
in vitro
.
Scavengers as Prospective Sentinels of Viral Diversity: the Snowy Sheathbill Virome as a Potential Tool for Monitoring Virus Circulation, Lessons from Two Antarctic Expeditions
Authors: Zamora Gabriel , Aguilar Pierlé Sebastian , Loncopan Johana , Araos Loreto , Verdugo Francisco , Rojas-Fuentes Cecilia , Krüger Lucas , Gaggero Aldo , Barriga Gonzalo P.
Published: May 2023

This article describes whole-virome and targeted viral surveillance for coronaviruses, paramyxoviruses, and influenza viruses in snowy sheathbills from the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland. Our results suggest an important role of this species as a sentinel for this region.
A Dynamic Genome-Scale Model Identifies Metabolic Pathways Associated with Cold Tolerance in Saccharomyces kudriavzevii
Authors: Henriques David , Minebois Romain , dos Santos David , Barrio Eladio , Querol Amparo , Balsa-Canto Eva
Published: May 2023

Nonconventional yeasts promise to provide new metabolic pathways for producing industrially relevant compounds and tolerating specific stressors such as cold temperatures. The mechanisms behind the cold tolerance of
S. kudriavzevii
or its sympatric relationship with
S. cerevisiae
in Mediterranean oaks are not well understood.
Blood Supplementation Enhances Bartonella henselae Growth and Molecular Detection of Bacterial DNA in Liquid Culture
Authors: Liedig Chance , Neupane Pradeep , Lashnits Erin , Breitschwerdt Edward B. , Maggi Ricardo G.
Published: May 2023

This study aims to improve diagnostic detection of
Bartonella henselae
. Patient samples are combined with enriched bacterial cultures aimed at growing
Bartonella henselae
for the best possible chance at detection. However, current
Bartonella
growth methods could be improved. The DNA extraction method used by most laboratories should also be optimized. Sheep blood was added to increase the growth of
Bartonella henselae
and multiple DNA extraction methods were to be compared to each other.
Epidemiological Investigation, Risk Factors, Spatial-Temporal Cluster, and Epidemic Trend Analysis of Pseudorabies Virus Seroprevalence in China (2017 to 2021)
Authors: Zhao Pengfei , Wang Yu , Zhang Pengfei , Du Fen , Li Jianhai , Wang Chaofei , Fang Rui , Zhao Junlong
Published: May 2023

PRV is a critical pathogen threatening the global swine industry. Our research fills knowledge gaps regarding PRV prevalence, infection risk factors, spatial-temporal clustering of high PRV gE seroprevalence, and the epidemic trend of PRV gE seroprevalence in China in recent years. These findings are valuable for the clinical prevention and control of PRV infection and suggest that PRV infection is likely to be successfully controlled in China.
Ultrasonic Spin Echo Caused by Irreversible Phase Relaxation
Authors: Sazonov S. V.
Published: May 2023

The possibility of the generation of a primary ultrasonic echo in the system of equidistant Zeeman triplets owing to irreversible phase relaxation has been predicted. The disappearance of phase relaxation results in the disappearance of an echo signal. This effect is due to the destructive interference of two allowed quantum transitions emitting in antiphase. The difference between the phase relaxation times at these transitions leads to an incomplete quenching of resulting coherence, leading to generation of the echo signal.
Form Factor in Transition Radiation from Hollow Beams
Authors: Sergeeva D. Yu. , Tishchenko A. A.
Published: May 2023

The form factor of a hollow electron beam for transition radiation has been calculated. It has been shown that the characteristics of coherent radiation are significantly different for conventional solid and hollow beams. Numerical estimates have been obtained for terahertz radiation frequencies and relativistic energies of el-ectrons.
Axial spondylarthritis following COVID-19 infection
Authors: Gopalarathinam Rajesh , Nawimana Shainy , Nune Arvind
Published: May 2023

Although SARS-CoV-2 syndrome primarily affects the lungs, systemic manifestations have been reported. New rheumatic immune-mediated inflammatory diseases have been reported following SARS-CoV-2 infection. We present a case of a woman in her mid-30s who developed inflammatory back pain due to bilateral sacroiliitis with erosions after contracting SARS-CoV-2 infection. Her inflammatory markers on presentation were normal. MRI of the sacroiliac joints demonstrated bone marrow oedema and erosive changes in both sacroiliac joints. As the patient was intolerant to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, adalimumab 40 mg subcutaneous (SC) injection was administered, which improved her symptoms in 8 weeks. However, due to the drug’s side effects, SC adalimumab was switched to intravenous infliximab. The patient is currently tolerating her intravenous infliximab well and has experienced significant improvement in her symptoms. We reviewed the current literature on the prevalence of axial spondyloarthropathy after SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Estimating potential silent transfer using baseline viral load measures among people presenting as new to HIV care in Lusaka, Zambia: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Pry Jake M , Mwila Chilambwe , Kapesa Herbert , Mulabe Musunge , Frimpong Christiana , Moono Misinzo , Savory Theodora , Bolton-Moore Carolyn , Herce Michael E , Iyer Shilpa
Published: May 2023

Objectives

To estimate potential silent transfer using baseline viral load measures among individuals presenting as new to HIV care in routine HIV clinical settings in Lusaka, Zambia.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

Two large, urban government-operated health facilities supported by the Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia.

Participants

A total of 248 participants with an incident positive HIV rapid test.

Outcome measures

The primary outcome measure was HIV viral suppression at baseline (i.e., potential silent transfer), defined as having a viral load ≤1000 RNA copies(c)/mL at the time of initiating HIV care. We also examined viral suppression at ≤60 c/mL.

Methods

We surveyed and measured baseline HIV viral load as part of the national recent infection testing algorithm among people living with HIV (PLWH) presenting as new to care. Using mixed effects Poisson regression, we identified characteristics among PLWH associated with potential silent transfer.

Results

Among the 248 PLWH included, 63% were women with median age of 30, and 66 (27% (66/248)) had viral suppression at ≤1000 c/mL and 53 (21% (53/248)) at ≤60 c/mL thresholds, respectively. Participants aged 40+ years had a significantly higher adjusted prevalence of potential silent transfer (adjusted prevalence ratio (aPR): 2.10; 95% CI: 2.08, 2.13) compared with participants aged 18–24 years. Participants reporting no formal education had a significantly higher adjusted prevalence of potential silent transfer (aPR: 1.63; 95% CI: 1.52, 1.75) compared with those completing primary education. Among 57 potential silent transfers who completed a survey, 44 (77%) indicated having tested positive previously at ≥1 of 38 clinics in Zambia.

Conclusions

The high proportion of PLWH with potential silent transfer points to clinic shopping and/or co-enrolment at multiple care sites simultaneously, suggesting an opportunity to improve care continuity at the time of HIV care entry.
Serum KL-6 levels predict clinical outcomes and are associated withMUC1polymorphism in Japanese patients with COVID-19
Authors: Azekawa Shuhei , Chubachi Shotaro , Asakura Takanori , Namkoong Ho , Sato Yasunori , Edahiro Ryuya , Lee Ho , Tanaka Hiromu , Otake Shiro , Nakagawara Kensuke , Fukushima Takahiro , Watase Mayuko , Sakurai Kaori , Kusumoto Tatsuya , Masaki Katsunori , Kamata Hirofumi , Ishii Makoto , Hasegawa Naoki , Okada Yukinori , Koike Ryuji , Kitagawa Yuko , Kimura Akinori , Imoto Seiya , Miyano Satoru , Ogawa Seishi , Kanai Takanori , Fukunaga Koichi
Published: May 2023

Background

Krebs von den Lungen-6 (KL-6) is a known biomarker for diagnosis and monitoring of interstitial lung diseases. However, the role of serum KL-6 and the mucin 1 (MUC1) variant (rs4072037) in COVID-19 outcomes remains to be elucidated. We aimed to evaluate the relationships among serum KL-6 levels, critical outcomes and theMUC1variant in Japanese patients with COVID-19.

Methods

This is a secondary analysis of a multicentre retrospective study using data from the Japan COVID-19 Task Force collected from February 2020 to November 2021, including 2226 patients with COVID-19 whose serum KL-6 levels were measured. An optimal serum KL-6 level cut-off to predict critical outcomes was determined and used for multivariable logistic regression analysis. Furthermore, the relationship among the allele dosage of theMUC1variant, calculated from single nucleotide polymorphism typing data of genome-wide association studies using the imputation method, serum KL-6 levels and COVID-19 critical outcomes was evaluated.

Results

Serum KL-6 levels were significantly higher in patients with COVID-19 with critical outcomes (511±442 U/mL) than those without (279±204 U/mL) (p<0.001). Serum KL-6 levels ≥304 U/mL independently predicted critical outcomes (adjusted OR (aOR) 3.47, 95% CI 2.44 to 4.95). Moreover, multivariable logistic regression analysis with age and sex indicated that theMUC1variant was independently associated with increased serum KL-6 levels (aOR 0.24, 95% CI 0.28 to 0.32) but not significantly associated with critical outcomes (aOR 1.11, 95% CI 0.80 to 1.54).

Conclusion

Serum KL-6 levels predicted critical outcomes in Japanese patients with COVID-19 and were associated with theMUC1variant. Therefore, serum KL-6 level is a potentially useful biomarker of critical COVID-19 outcomes.