bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A FMEA Based Method for Analyzing and Prioritizing Performance Risk at the Conceptual Stage of Performance PSS Design
Authors: Sakwe John Bake , Pereira Pessoa Marcus , Hoekstra Sipke
Published: August 2021

With the quest for enhancing competitive position, fulfilling customer and sustainability demands, increasing profitability, asset manufacturing companies are now adapting assets towards product service systems (PSS) offered through performance contracts. Despite several benefits, the shift to performance PSS exposes industrial asset manufacturers' to performance challenges and risks. Currently, PSS designers face a challenge to exhaustively identify potential failures during PSS development. Knowledge of Product failures is critical prior to the engineering of PSS. This paper proposes a failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA) method to support designers' prioritise critical failures in performance PSS development. A case study of an optical sorting machine is used to demonstrate the method's application.
DEMYSTIFYING DIGITAL X
Authors: Cox Chris , Gopsill James , Hicks Ben
Published: August 2021

The rapid pace of development in Digital Engineering has led to an explosion of ideas and new practice in how it can support Engineering Design and Manufacture. You may have heard of the terms Digital Transformation, Digital Twin, Digital Thread, Digital Tapestry and Digital Footprint amongst many other forms of “Digital X” but how have these come about and how do they come together to provide the landscape of what Digitalisation has to offer?

In this paper, we analyse the emergence, definition, use and co-occurrence of “Digital X” terminology from an academic dataset of 19,627 papers curated from Scopus. The results reveal that these terms are being used without being fully contextualised in terms of a hierarchy or equivalent to effectively articulate the Digital landscape.

Through this analysis, an emerging “Digital X” framework is proposed, with evidence given to support suggested links, and knowledge gaps highlighted for further investigation. Once this framework is complete, a rich lexicon describing the Digital Landscape will pave the way for the future in Digital Engineering.
DESCRIPTION OF A WEARABLE ELECTROENCEPHALOGRAPHY + FUNCTIONAL NEAR-INFRARED SPECTROSCOPY (EEG+FNIRS) FOR IN-SITU EXPERIMENTS ON DESIGN COGNITION
Authors: Dybvik Henrikke , Kuster Erichsen Christian , Steinert Martin
Published: August 2021

We developed a wearable experimental sensor setup featuring multimodal EEG+fNIRS neuroimaging data capture applicable for in situ experiments at a lower financial threshold. Consistent application of a good protocol and procedure for sensor application and signal quality control is crucial for researchers to obtain valid data. This paper provides an exhaustive description of the sensor setup, the data synchronization process, procedure for sensor application, and signal quality control. Potential design cognition experiments with the proposed EEG+fNIRS are also described. In summary, the setup is mobile and provides multimodal neuroimaging data of high quality. We encourage the design community to take advantage of the setup and adapt it to new experimental setups in situ.
DESIGN BY MATERIAL: FROM MATERIAL TO FORM THROUGH CAD MODELLING
Authors: Ostrosi Egon , Bluntzer Jean-Bernard , Baume Hugues , Stjepandić Josip
Published: August 2021

For Aristotelian scholars, matter is identified as the subject of change, while form is the boundary of matter. Design is a process of bringing about change. From a design perspective, material is what an entity is made from; form is what makes a thing what it is. Based on the principle, “form is the boundary of matter”, this paper proposes a Design by Material method, thereby addressing the knowledge gap of a systematic method for designing according to material. This method is predicated on the material specification as the first input in the design process. A formal model is built in which the material acts as a trigger and driver for the design process. The method is implemented by integrating computer-aided design (CAD) modelling and its design form. A design application is explained to demonstrate the relevance of the Design by Material method.
Evaluation of sugarcane genotypes with respect to sucrose yield across three crop cycles using GGE biplot analysis
Authors: Momotaz Aliya , McCord Per H. , Davidson R. Wayne , Zhao Duli , Baltazar Miguel , Coto Arbelo Orlando , Sandhu Hardev S.
Published: August 2021

The experiment was carried out in three crop cycles as plant cane, first ratoon, and second ratoon at five locations on Florida muck soils (histosols) to evaluate the genotypes, test locations, and identify the superior and stable sugarcane genotypes. There were 13 sugarcane genotypes along with three commercial cultivars as checks included in this study. Five locations were considered as environments to analyze genotype-by-environment interaction (GEI) in 13 genotypes in three crop cycles. The sugarcane genotypes were planted in a randomized complete block design with six replications at each location. Performance was measured by the traits of sucrose yield tons per hectare (SY) and commercial recoverable sugar (CRS) in kilograms of sugar per ton of cane. The data were subjected to genotype main effects and genotype × environment interaction (GGE) analyses. The results showed significant effects for genotype (G), locations (E), and G × E (genotype × environment interaction) with respect to both traits. The GGE biplot analysis showed that the sugarcane genotype CP 12-1417 was high yielding and stable in terms of sucrose yield. The most discriminating and non-representative locations were Knight Farm (KN) for both SY and CRS. For sucrose yield only, the most discriminating and non-representative locations were Knight Farm (KN), Duda and Sons, Inc. USSC, Area 5 (A5), and Okeelanta (OK).
Effects of sexual condition and ractopamine supplementation on the proteomic profile of pork meat
Authors: de Oliveira S. R. , Moncau C. T. , Silva-Vignato B. , Poleti M. D. , Duarte K. M. R. , Harder M. N. C. , Balieiro J. C. C.
Published: August 2021

Pork is one of the most consumed meats worldwide, yet, pork quality remains an issue for the industry, mainly because of flavour, colour and water holding capacity instabilities. Castration techniques combined with dietary supplementation with ractopamine hydrochloride (RAC) seem to be a tangible solution to deal with these issues. There is a lack of knowledge of how these techniques will impact the proteomic profile and, consequently, the meat quality. The main goal of this work was to study the proteomic profile of non-aged pork meat under different sexual conditions and RAC dietary supplementation, and how the combination of these two factors impacts meat quality attributes. Forty-eight animals were distributed in six treatments, three sexual conditions (females; surgically castrated males; immune castrated males) and two diets (with RAC inclusion or without). For proteomic analysis, a sample of the Longissimus dorsi muscle was collected 24 h after slaughter and analysed using one-dimensional SDS/PAGE. The ultimate pH and colour (L*, a*, b*) were measured in the carcasses after 24 h, then meat samples were collected to measure drip, cooking and thawing losses, as well as the shear force. The interaction between gender and diet affected the ultimate pH and the L* parameter. Meat tenderness was only influenced by diet. Twenty-seven protein bands were revealed by SDS/PAGE, six of them with the protein abundance affected by diet. In conclusion, the inclusion of dietary RAC caused differences in the pork meat proteome, and more studies are necessary to fully explore the proteins involved in these changes.
Caste as Performance: Ayyankali and the Caste Scripts of Colonial Kerala
Authors: Narayan Vivek V.
Published: August 2021

The crowded marketplace in Thiruvananthapuram (aka Trivandrum) thronged with people in the late nineteenth century. Men and women clad in white mundu teemed about the busy street buying oil and salt, horseshoes and iron farm implements, coarse cloth, coir rope, jaggery, and palm toddy. The men were mostly bare-chested, though some, unmindful of the sweltering heat, wore white long shirts or an upper-body cloth. While a few young women wore printed blouses, many, particularly the older women, wore no upper-body clothes except for large, beaded necklaces made of red-colored stones. Most people, with the exception of the men who clothed their upper body, walked along the sides of the road, leaving the path clear for the occasional bullock cart. These bullock carts, also known as villuvandi, carried young men-about-town, almost exclusively landowning, upper-caste Nairs. Dressed in a spotless white shirt, white mundu, and matching white turban, the Nair riding his villuvandi assumed the haughty air of a master surveying his subjects; out to observe his inferiors as much as be seen as a superior. These Nairs, and other upper-caste men and women, had the exclusive right of way, on bullock cart or on foot, the right to wear clean white clothes, and, of course, the right to ride a villuvandi. These rights were codified through caste-based rules or norms known as jati maryada, which governed all aspects of social behavior.
Reassessing the CASP-19 adapted for Brazilian Portuguese: insights from a population-based study
Authors: Marques Larissa Pruner , Bastos João Luiz , d'Orsi Eleonora
Published: August 2021

The study reassessed the configural and metric structures of the Brazilian version of the Control, Autonomy, Self-realization and Pleasure (CASP-19) quality-of-life scale. Data came from the EpiFloripa Ageing Study, which included 1,131 respondents from Southern Brazil. The original and two recently factorial solutions for the Brazilian CASP-19 were initially examined. Exploratory Factor Analyses and Exploratory Structural Equation Models were estimated in the first half of the sample, selected at random. In the second half, Confirmatory Factor Analyses determined the most tenable configural and metric model for the instrument. Neither the original nor the two Brazilian solutions were supported by our data. Instead, we suggest that two factors underlie CASP-19's configural structure: while the first one groups the control and autonomy dimensions, the second combines self-realization and pleasure. Except for four items, all others presented moderate to strong loadings, and only two showed a theoretically meaningful and sufficiently large residual correlation, which was worthy of inclusion in the final model. Cross-loadings were not detected. When assessed in a population-based sample of older respondents, this Brazilian version of the CASP-19 appeared to have two factors, moderate to strong loadings and a pair of redundant items. Future studies should evaluate the consistency of these findings, examine the scalar structure of the instrument, and assess configural, metric and scalar invariance across social groups.
Endocrine, Stemness, Proliferative, and Proteolytic Properties of Alarm Cells in Ruby-Red-Fin Shark (Rainbow Shark), Epalzeorhynchos frenatum (Teleostei: Cyprinidae)
Authors: Abd-Elhafeez Hanan H. , Soliman Soha A. , Attaai Abdelraheim H. , Abdel-Hakeem Sara S. , El-Sayed Abeera M. , Abou-Elhamd Alaa S.
Published: August 2021

The current study investigated the morphological, histochemical, and immunohistochemical characteristics of alarm cells and their precursors in ruby-red-fin shark (rainbow shark), Epalzeorhynchos frenatum (Teleostei: Cyprinidae). Precursor alarm cells were shown to be small, cuboidal, pyramidal, or round in shape, with eosinophilic cytoplasm, resting on the basement membrane of the epidermis. The cells later elongated to become columnar in shape. Subsequently, they enlarged and became large oval-shaped cells. They then underwent shrinkage and vacuolation. The superficial alarm cells were collapsed. Alarm cells were found to have an affinity for different histochemical stains, including bromophenol blue, iron hematoxylin, Sudan black, Mallory triple trichrome, Crossman's trichrome, Safranin O, and Weigert's stains, as well as lipase and alkaline phosphatase. Endocrine properties of the alarm cells were identified by silver staining and synaptophysin immunostaining. Alarm cells exhibited stemness activities and had a strong immunoaffinity for CD117. They had a proteolytic function, as identified by lysosome-specific staining with acridine orange and strong immunoaffinity for matrix metalloproteinase (MMP-9). They also exhibited proliferatively, reflected by immunological staining by proliferating cell nuclear antigen. In conclusion, alarm cells are unique epidermal cells with multiple functions. They play immunological, and endocrine, roles. They also retain stemness and proliferative properties.
An overview of organic, grassfed dairy farm management and factors related to higher milk production
Authors: Snider Miriam A. , Ziegler Sara E. , Darby Heather M. , Soder Kathy J. , Brito André F. , Beidler Brent , Flack Sarah , Greenwood Sabrina L. , Niles Meredith T.
Published: August 2021

Organic, grassfed (OGF) dairy, which requires higher pasture and forage dry matter intake compared with standard organic dairy practices, is unique both in its management needs and in production challenges. The OGF dairy sector is rapidly growing, with the expansion of this industry outpacing other dairy sectors. There is a lack of research outlining OGF dairy production practices, producer-identified research needs or social factors that affect OGF systems. The objectives of this study were to, with a group of OGF dairy producers, (1) assess information regarding current production practices and producer knowledge, and (2) identify agronomic and social factors that may influence milk production on OGF farms across the United States. A mail survey, focused on demographics, forage and animal management, knowledge, and satisfaction of their farm, was developed and distributed in 2019, with 167 responses (47% response rate). The majority of producers indicated they belonged to the plain, or Amish-Mennonite, community. Milk production was greater on farms that had Holstein cattle, as compared to farms with Jerseys and mixed breeds, and employed intensive pasture rotation. Furthermore, most producers reported the use of supplements such as molasses and kelp meal, which can improve milk production, but also increase feed costs. Producers who indicated that they were at least satisfied with their milk production also reported high levels of knowledge of grazing management and cow reproductive performance. Comparison of response data from plain/non-plain respondents revealed that those that did not identify as plain were more likely to utilize certain government programs, had different priorities and utilized technology more frequently. Based on these results, more research exploring financial and production benchmarks, effective communication strategies to reach OGF producers and methods to improve cattle production through improved forage quality is needed.
Fractionalization, polarization and banking stability in Africa
Authors: Dwumfour Richard Adjei
Published: August 2021

I examine the impact of diversity (ethnic and religious fractionalization and polarization) on banking stability in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Using data from 1996 to 2014, I employ the system Generalized Method of Moments (sys-GMM) approach to examine this relationship. I find that countries in SSA are more polarized religiously than they are ethnically. The region is, however, more ethnically fractionalized than they are religiously. Further, I conjecture that banks in more heterogeneous societies will experience poor asset quality and lower stability. I however postulate that banks offset the risks from diversity at certain levels of net interest margin (NIM). I provide empirical evidence to support these conjectures. I find varying threshold NIM values for each diversity indicator depending on the stability measure used. Opening up the banking system to foreign entry can help offset the negative impact of diversity on banking stability. Policy implications are discussed.
The negative relationship of dietary inflammatory index and sleeping quality in obese and overweight women
Authors: Setayesh Leila , Yarizadeh Habib , Majidi Nazanin , Mehranfar Sanaz , Amini Abbas , Himmerich Hubertus , Casazza Krista , Mirzaei Khadijeh
Published: August 2021

Abstract: Background and aims: Substantial evidence have linked low grade inflammation with the pathophysiology of chronic diseases and psychological impairment. An integral component underlying the link is pro-inflammatory diet. While sleeping is another significant contributor, few studies have addressed the relationship between the sleep quality and inflammatory cascade with the dietary quality as a moderator. The current study assesses the relation between inflammatory potential of the diet and sleep quality in Iranian obese and overweight women. Method: A total of 219 obese and overweight adult women were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. A standard 147-item food‐frequency‐questionnaire was used to record the dietary intakes; then, the dietary inflammatosry index (DII) was derived from the result-consolidated questionnaires. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was utilized to withdraw the sleep quality and quantity. Results: The mean (±standard deviation) age, body mass index, and PSQI of individuals were 36.49 (8.38) years, 31.04 (4.31) kg/m2, and 5.78(3.55), respectively. Patients in the highest DII quartile were the ones with the higher consumption of pro-inflammatory food, and, ~58% of participants who were in the higher quartile had a sleep disturbance status. Results revealed an inverse relationship between sleep quality and DII in the crude model (β=−0.17, p=0.01) as well as full‐adjusted model (β=0.24, p<0.001), such that women with higher DII had the poorest sleep quality. Conclusion: Based on the present observational study, obese and overweight females with higher adherence of the anti-inflammatory diet may have better sleeping status.
Hautläsionen mit letalem Verlauf
Authors: Kumati Aisha , Fischer Hans , Chmiel Corinne
Published: August 2021

Zusammenfassung. Dermatologische Probleme stellen einen häufigen Konsultationsgrund in der Hausarztpraxis dar. Besonders bei älteren Personen muss bei gewissen Effloreszenzen an eine zugrundeliegende Neoplasie gedacht werden. Dieser Fallbericht eines Erythema gyratum repens als Erstmanifestation eines sonst asymptomatischen metastasierten Tubenkarzinoms verlief drei Monate nach Diagnosestellung letal.
Schattenseiten der Optimierung
Authors: Seitz Simone , Hamacher Catalina
Published: August 2021

Zusammenfassung. Der Beitrag beleuchtet den zunehmenden Trend der Entwicklungsoptimierung anhand kooperativer Praktiken von Kindertageseinrichtungen und Frühförderangeboten auf kritische Weise. Hierfür werden Befunde und Analysen aus dem qualitativen Teil einer abgeschlossenen Untersuchung herangezogen. Im Ergebnis lassen sich ungeachtet divergenter Beauftragungen der beiden Systeme homologe Orientierungen rekonstruieren, die normalitätsgeleitete Unterscheidungen in der Kooperation als dominant und damit das Handlungsfeld als äußerst widerspruchsreich zeigen. Darüber hinaus deutet sich an, was geschieht, wenn Entwicklungsoptimierungserwartungen verdeckt in den Rahmen inklusionsbezogener Agenden gestellt werden.
Hoch- und niedrig-inferente Erfassung von Feedback in der Erzieher_in-Kind-Interaktion
Authors: Leber Anja , Kammermeyer Gisela
Published: August 2021

Zusammenfassung. Feedback zählt zu den stärksten Einflussfaktoren auf den Lernerfolg ( Hattie & Timperley, 2007 ). In den Meta-Analysen fällt allerdings auf, dass die Effektstärken eine hohe Variabilität aufweisen ( Hattie, Beywl & Zierer, 2013 ). Dies liegt vermutlich daran, dass sowohl die Feedbackart als auch die Adaptivität des Feedbackeinsatzes entscheidend dafür sind, wie wirksam es ist. Feedbackqualität ist eine zentrale Komponente des hoch-inferenten Classroom Assessment Scoring Systems (CLASS Pre-K; Pianta, La Paro & Hamre, 2008 ), das in Deutschland zur Erfassung von Interaktionsqualität in Kitas vermehrt eingesetzt wird. Hoch-inferente Verfahren stehen allerdings in der Kritik, nur einen globalen Gesamteindruck zu verschaffen. Im vorliegenden Beitrag wird daher das neu entwickelte niedrig-inferente Verfahren zur Erfassung von Feedback (VEFe) vorgestellt. Bei der wechselseitigen Validierung von VEFe und der Dimension Feedbackqualität des hoch-inferenten CLASS Pre-K zeigen sich mittlere bis hohe Zusammenhänge und damit Hinweise für die Validität beider Verfahren.
Women Leaders During a Global Crisis
Authors: Soares Sadé E. , Sidun Nancy M.
Published: August 2021

Abstract. Women make up almost 50% of our global population ( World Bank, 2019 ); however, they comprise only 6% of elected nation leaders ( UN Women, 2020a ). Though small in number, when coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) global pandemic impacted our societies in 2019, women leaders were featured for their skillful navigation of an unknown and invisible threat. An understanding of the history of work toward gender equity, the current state of female leadership, and the continued barriers facing female leadership are reviewed to gain increased appreciation for why this emphasis was placed on female leadership. Researches analyzing women leaders during COVID-19 during the early months of the pandemic are presented, showcasing the promising and significant findings. Global women leaders consistently demonstrated a trend of enacting prompt public health measures, resulting in low death rates.
Affective-Semiotic Dynamics of the Transition to Motherhood in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Volkmer Pontes Vívian , Santos Juliana Almeida , Dazzani Maria Virginia
Published: August 2021

Abstract. The transition to motherhood is an important moment in the life course, in which symbolic interactive dynamics are established between self, other, and world to overcome developmental challenges. However, these challenges are intensified with the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused a radical and unexpected rupture in daily life. This article aims to analyze the affective-semiotic dynamics of Brazilian women who experienced the transition to motherhood during the COVID-19 pandemic from a qualitative multiple case study. Eight women participated in the study in the city of Salvador. Data were collected from two narrative interviews with each participant conducted through videoconference, with a 2-month interval between interviews. The main finding reveals that the emergence of the pandemic was described by the participants as an unexpected and significant rupture in the transition to motherhood that raised feelings of fear and anxiety. In addition, I–other relations were marked by intense ambivalence between the need for social support and the risk of contagion, and the perspective and experience of childbirth were marked by a feeling of insecurity in the relations with the health personnel and settings. In light of Semiotic Cultural Psychology, three interdependent affective-semiotic fields were highlighted from the narratives: the perception of oneself regulated by the sign of vulnerability, the other regulated by the sign of a potential threat, and healthcare provision regulated by the sign of risk. These findings highlight the importance of quality healthcare that helps women to reduce the disruptive impact of the pandemic on the ontogenetic structure of psychological organization.
Depth of Martian Magnetization From Localized Power Spectrum Analysis
Authors: Gong Shengxia , Wieczorek Mark
Published: August 2021

Magnetic field measurements show that Mars possesses strong crustal magnetic anomalies that formed when the planet had an active dynamo. To investigate the origin of this magnetization, we used localized power spectrum analyses to constrain the equivalent depths of thin magnetic layers in the crust. Using a new martian magnetic field model that incorporates data from both the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN and Mars Global Surveyor missions, we found that the equivalent magnetization depths on Mars vary from the surface to 72 km. In the northern hemisphere the magnetization depths are found to be on average 9 km, whereas in the southern hemisphere the depths are on average 32 km. If these depths are interpreted in terms of a thick magnetic layer, magnetization in the northern lowlands could extend from the surface to about 18 km depth, whereas for the southern highlands the magnetic layer could extend from about 20 km depth to the base of the crust. The strongest magnetic anomalies are, in general, associated with deep source depths. Our results are consistent with the hypothesis where strong primordial magnetic materials of the northern hemisphere were excavated from the Borealis impact basin, leaving only strong deep remanent magnetization in the southern hemisphere.
Evaluation of the CAM6 Climate Model Using Cloud Observations at McMurdo Station, Antarctica
Authors: Yip Jackson , Diao Minghui , Barone Tyler , Silber Israel , Gettelman Andrew
Published: August 2021

A comparative analysis between observational data from McMurdo Station, Antarctica and the Community Atmosphere Model version 6 (CAM6) simulation is performed focusing on cloud characteristics and their thermodynamic conditions. Ka‐band Zenith Radar (KAZR) and High Spectral Resolution Lidar (HSRL) retrievals are used as the basis of cloud fraction and cloud phase identifications. Radiosondes released at 12‐h increments provide atmospheric profiles for evaluating the simulated thermodynamic conditions. Our findings show that the CAM6 simulation consistently overestimates (underestimates) cloud fraction above (below) 3 km in four seasons of a year. Normalized by total in‐cloud samples, ice and mixed phase occurrence frequencies are underestimated and liquid phase frequency is overestimated by the model at cloud fractions above 0.6, while at cloud fractions below 0.6 ice phase frequency is overestimated and liquid‐containing phase frequency is underestimated by the model. The cloud fraction biases are closely associated with concurrent biases in relative humidity (RH), that is, high (low) RH biases above (below) 2 km. Frequencies of correctly simulating ice and liquid‐containing phase increase when the absolute biases of RH decrease. Cloud fraction biases also show a positive correlation with RH biases. Water vapor mixing ratio biases are the primary contributor to RH biases, and hence, likely a key factor controlling the cloud biases. This diagnosis of the evident shortfalls of representations of cloud characteristics in CAM6 simulation at McMurdo Station brings new insight in improving the governing model physics therein.
Crucial Roles of Eastward Propagating Environments in the Summer MCS Initiation Over the U.S. Great Plains
Authors: Song Fengfei , Feng Zhe , Leung L. Ruby , Pokharel Binod , Wang S.‐Y. Simon , Chen Xingchao , Sakaguchi Koichi , Wang Chi‐chia
Published: August 2021

This study aims to further understand the environments supporting summer mesoscale convective system (MCS) initiation in the U.S. Great Plains. A self‐organizing map analysis is conducted to identify four types of summer MCS initiation environments during 2004–2017: Type‐1 and Type‐2 feature favorable large‐scale environments, Type‐3 has favorable lower‐level and surface conditions but unfavorable upper‐level circulation, while Type‐4 features the most unfavorable large‐scale environments. Despite the unfavorable large‐scale environment, convection‐centered composites reveal the presence of favorable sub‐synoptic scale environments for MCS initiation in Type‐3 and Type‐4. All four types of MCS initiation environments delineate clear eastward propagating features in many meteorological fields, such as potential vorticity, surface pressure, and equivalent potential temperature, upstream up to 25° west of and ∼36 h before MCS initiation. While the propagating environments and local, non‐propagating low‐level moisture are important to MCS initiation at the foothill of the Rocky Mountains, MCS initiation in the Great Plains is supported by the coupled dynamical and moisture anomalies, both associated with eastward propagating waves. Hence, MCSs initiated in the plains can produce more rainfall than those initiated at the foothill due to a more abundant moisture supply. By tracking MCSs and mid‐tropospheric perturbations (MPs), a unique type of sub‐synoptic disturbances with Rocky Mountains origin, it is shown that ∼30% of MPs are associated with MCS initiation, mostly in Type‐4. Although MPs are related to a small fraction of MCS initiation, MCSs that are associated with MPs tend to produce more rainfall in a larger area with a stronger convective intensity.
Spontaneous preterm delivery is reflected in both early neonatal and maternal gut microbiota
Authors: Hiltunen Henni , Collado Maria Carmen , Ollila Helena , Kolari Terhi , Tölkkö Satu , Isolauri Erika , Salminen Seppo , Rautava Samuli
Published: August 2021

Background

Aberrant gut microbiota composition in preterm neonates is linked to adverse health consequences. Little is known about the impact of perinatal factors or maternal gut microbiota on initial preterm gut colonization.

Methods

Fecal samples were collected from 55 preterm neonates (<35 gestational weeks), 51 mothers, and 25 full-term neonates during the first 3–4 postpartum days. Gut microbiota composition was assessed using 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing.

Results

Preterm neonates exhibited significantly lower gut microbiota alpha diversity and distinct beta diversity clustering compared to term neonates. Spontaneous preterm birth was associated with distinct initial gut microbiota beta diversity as compared to iatrogenic delivery. Gestational age or delivery mode had no impact on the preterm gut microbiota composition. The cause of preterm delivery was also reflected in the maternal gut microbiota composition. The contribution of maternal gut microbiota to initial preterm gut colonization was more pronounced after spontaneous delivery than iatrogenic delivery and not dependent on delivery mode.

Conclusions

The initial preterm gut microbiota is distinct from term microbiota. Spontaneous preterm birth is reflected in the early neonatal and maternal gut microbiota. Transmission of gut microbes from mother to neonate is determined by spontaneous preterm delivery, but not by mode of birth.

Impact

The initial gut microbiota in preterm neonates is distinct from those born full term. Spontaneous preterm birth is associated with changes in the gut microbiota composition of both preterm neonates and their mothers. The contribution of the maternal gut microbiota to initial neonatal gut colonization was more pronounced after spontaneous preterm delivery as compared to iatrogenic preterm delivery and not dependent on delivery mode.

Our study provides new evidence regarding the early gut colonization patterns in preterm infants.

Altered preterm gut microbiota has been linked to adverse health consequences and may provide a target for early intervention.
The application of CRISPR/Cas9 system in cervical carcinogenesis
Authors: Gao Chun , Wu Ping , Yu Lan , Liu Liting , Liu Hong , Tan Xiangyu , Wang Liming , Huang Xiaoyuan , Wang Hui
Published: August 2021

Integration of high-risk HPV genomes into cellular chromatin has been confirmed to promote cervical carcinogenesis, with HPV16 being the most prevalent high-risk type. Herein, we evaluated the therapeutic effect of the CRISPR/Cas9 system in cervical carcinogenesis, especially for cervical precancerous lesions. In cervical cancer/pre-cancer cell lines, we transfected the HPV16 E7 targeted CRISPR/Cas9, TALEN, ZFN plasmids, respectively. Compared to previous established ZFN and TALEN systems, CRISPR/Cas9 has shown comparable efficiency and specificity in inhibiting cell growth and colony formation and inducing apoptosis in cervical cancer/pre-cancer cell lines, which seemed to be more pronounced in the S12 cell line derived from the low-grade cervical lesion. Furthermore, in xenograft formation assays, CRISPR/Cas9 inhibited tumor formation of the S12 cell line in vivo and affected the corresponding protein expression. In the K14-HPV16 transgenic mice model of HPV-driven spontaneous cervical carcinogenesis, cervical application of CRISPR/Cas9 treatment caused mutations of the E7 gene and restored the expression of RB, E2F1, and CDK2, thereby reversing the cervical carcinogenesis phenotype. In this study, we have demonstrated that CRISPR/Cas9 targeting HPV16 E7 could effectively revert the HPV-related cervical carcinogenesis in vitro, as well as in K14-HPV16 transgenic mice, which has shown great potential in clinical treatment for cervical precancerous lesions.
Puf6 primes 60S pre-ribosome nuclear export at low temperature
Authors: Gerhardy Stefan , Oborská-Oplová Michaela , Gillet Ludovic , Börner Richard , van Nues Rob , Leitner Alexander , Michel Erich , Petkowski Janusz J. , Granneman Sander , Sigel Roland K. O. , Aebersold Ruedi , Panse Vikram Govind
Published: August 2021

Productive ribosomal RNA (rRNA) compaction during ribosome assembly necessitates establishing correct tertiary contacts between distant secondary structure elements. Here, we quantify the response of the yeast proteome to low temperature (LT), a condition where aberrant mis-paired RNA folding intermediates accumulate. We show that, at LT, yeast cells globally boost production of their ribosome assembly machinery. We find that the LT-induced assembly factor, Puf6, binds to the nascent catalytic RNA-rich subunit interface within the 60S pre-ribosome, at a site that eventually loads the nuclear export apparatus. Ensemble Förster resonance energy transfer studies show that Puf6 mimics the role of Mg2+ to usher a unique long-range tertiary contact to compact rRNA. At LT, puf6 mutants accumulate 60S pre-ribosomes in the nucleus, thus unveiling Puf6-mediated rRNA compaction as a critical temperature-regulated rescue mechanism that counters rRNA misfolding to prime export competence.
Salmonella effector SopD promotes plasma membrane scission by inhibiting Rab10
Authors: Boddy Kirsten C. , Zhu Hongxian , D’Costa Vanessa M. , Xu Caishuang , Beyrakhova Ksenia , Cygler Miroslaw , Grinstein Sergio , Coyaud Etienne , Laurent Estelle M. N. , St-Germain Jonathan , Raught Brian , Brumell John H.
Published: August 2021

Salmonellautilizes translocated virulence proteins (termed effectors) to promote host cell invasion. The effector SopD contributes to invasion by promoting scission of the plasma membrane, generatingSalmonella-containing vacuoles. SopD is expressed in allSalmonellalineages and plays important roles in animal models of infection, but its host cell targets are unknown. Here we show that SopD can bind to and inhibit the small GTPase Rab10, through a C-terminal GTPase activating protein (GAP) domain. During infection, Rab10 and its effectors MICAL-L1 and EHBP1 are recruited to invasion sites. By inhibiting Rab10, SopD promotes removal of Rab10 and recruitment of Dynamin-2 to drive scission of the plasma membrane. Together, our study uncovers an important role for Rab10 in regulating plasma membrane scission and identifies the mechanism used by a bacterial pathogen to manipulate this function during infection.
Sessile drops in weightlessness: an ideal playground for challenging Young’s equation
Authors: Medale Marc , Brutin David
Published: August 2021

Sessile drop creation in weightlessness is critical for designing scientific instruments for space applications and for manipulating organic or biological liquids, such as whole human blood or DNA drops. It requires perfect control of injection, spreading, and wetting; however, the simple act of creating a drop on a substrate is more complex than it appears. A new macroscopic model is derived to better understand this related behavior. We find that, for a given set of substrate, liquid, and surrounding gas properties, when the ratio of surface free energies to contact line free energy is on the macroscopic scale, the macroscopic contact angle can vary at static equilibrium over a broad volume range. It can increase or decrease against volume depending on the sign of this ratio up to an asymptotic value. Consequently, our model aims to explore configurations that challenge the faithful representativity of the classical Young’s equation and extends the present understanding of wetting.
Unique chemical parameters and microbial activity lead to increased archaeological preservation at the Roman frontier site of Vindolanda, UK
Authors: Orr C. H. , Williams R. , Halldórsdóttir H. H. , Birley A. , Greene E. , Nelson A. , Ralebitso-Senior T. K. , Taylor G.
Published: August 2021

Waterlogged burial conditions impact upon artefact preservation. One major determinant of preservation is presence and behaviour of microorganisms, however, unravelling the mechanisms, especially in waterlogged conditions is challenging. In this study, we analysed elemental composition, bacterial diversity and community structure from excavation trenches at the Roman Site of Vindolanda, Northumberland, UK, using pXRF and 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. Excavation trenches provide information of different occupation periods. The results indicated that microbial communities were dominated by Firmicutes, BacteroidetesandProteobacteriaat a phylum level. Samples which also had visible vivianite presence showed that there were marked increases inMethylophilus.Methylophilusmight be associated with favourable preservation in these anaerobic conditions. More research is needed to clearly link the presence ofMethylophiluswith vivianite production. The study emphasises the need for further integration of chemical and microbiome approaches, especially in good preservation areas, to explore microbial and chemical degradation mechanisms.
Changes in surface water drive the movements of Shoebills
Authors: Acácio Marta , Mullers Ralf H. E. , Franco Aldina M. A. , Willems Frank J. , Amar Arjun
Published: August 2021

Animal movement is mainly determined by spatial and temporal changes in resource availability. For wetland specialists, the seasonal availability of surface water may be a major determinant of their movement patterns. This study is the first to examine the movements of Shoebills (Balaeniceps rex), an iconic and vulnerable bird species. Using GPS transmitters deployed on six immature and one adult Shoebills over a 5-year period, during which four immatures matured into adults, we analyse their home ranges and distances moved in the Bangweulu Wetlands, Zambia. We relate their movements at the start of the rainy season (October to December) to changes in Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI), a proxy for surface water. We show that Shoebills stay in the Bangweulu Wetlands all year round, moving less than 3 km per day on 81% of days. However, average annual home ranges were large, with high individual variability, but were similar between age classes. Immature and adult Shoebills responded differently to changes in surface water; sites that adults abandoned became drier, while sites abandoned by immatures became wetter. However, there were no differences in NDWI of areas used by Shoebills before abandonment and newly selected sites, suggesting that Shoebills select areas with similar surface water. We hypothesise that the different responses to changes in surface water by immature and adult Shoebills are related to age-specific optimal foraging conditions and fishing techniques. Our study highlights the need to understand the movements of Shoebills throughout their life cycle to design successful conservation actions for this emblematic, yet poorly known, species.
Deciphering the biology of KIR2DL3+ T lymphocytes that are associated to relapse in haploidentical HSCT
Authors: David Gaëlle , Willem Catherine , Legrand Nolwenn , Djaoud Zakia , Mérieau Pierre , Walencik Alexandre , Guillaume Thierry , Gagne Katia , Chevallier Patrice , Retière Christelle
Published: August 2021

KIR are mainly expressed on NK cells and to a lesser extent on T lymphocytes. Although the KIR NK cell repertoire was well explored in haploidentical Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSCT), KIR T cell compartment remains to be investigated in this context. In this study, the investigation of NK receptors on T lymphocytes during immune reconstitution after T-cell-replete haploidentical HSCT with Post-Transplant Cyclophosphamide (PTCy) has shown a significant increase of KIR2DL2/3+T cell frequency at day 25. This was especially observed at day 30 in recipients who relapsed. IL-15 but not IL-12 increased in vitro KIR+T cell expansion suggesting that the raised IL-15 serum concentration observed after PTCy in haploidentical HSCT might increase KIR+T cell frequency. Moreover, investigations from healthy blood donors showed a higher inhibiting effect of KIR2DL3 on CMV specific T cell response against allogeneic than autologous C1+target cells. The association of KIR+T cell subset with relapse may suggest that inhibitory KIR2DL2/3 limit anti-leukemic effect of specific T lymphocytes at this early step of immune reconstitution. Further phenotypic and mechanistic investigations on this cell subset from a broader cohort of HSCT recipients should clarify its potential implication in relapse occurrence. Our results demonstrate that KIR-HLA interactions known to modulate NK cell functions also modulate T cell immune responses in the context of allogeneic HSCT.
Deep learning for pulmonary embolism detection on computed tomography pulmonary angiogram: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Soffer Shelly , Klang Eyal , Shimon Orit , Barash Yiftach , Cahan Noa , Greenspana Hayit , Konen Eli
Published: August 2021

Computed tomographic pulmonary angiography (CTPA) is the gold standard for pulmonary embolism (PE) diagnosis. However, this diagnosis is susceptible to misdiagnosis. In this study, we aimed to perform a systematic review of current literature applying deep learning for the diagnosis of PE on CTPA. MEDLINE/PUBMED were searched for studies that reported on the accuracy of deep learning algorithms for PE on CTPA. The risk of bias was evaluated using the QUADAS-2 tool. Pooled sensitivity and specificity were calculated. Summary receiver operating characteristic curves were plotted. Seven studies met our inclusion criteria. A total of 36,847 CTPA studies were analyzed. All studies were retrospective. Five studies provided enough data to calculate summary estimates. The pooled sensitivity and specificity for PE detection were 0.88 (95% CI 0.803–0.927) and 0.86 (95% CI 0.756–0.924), respectively. Most studies had a high risk of bias. Our study suggests that deep learning models can detect PE on CTPA with satisfactory sensitivity and an acceptable number of false positive cases. Yet, these are only preliminary retrospective works, indicating the need for future research to determine the clinical impact of automated PE detection on patient care. Deep learning models are gradually being implemented in hospital systems, and it is important to understand the strengths and limitations of these algorithms.
Genome-wide association studies for production, respiratory disease, and immune-related traits in Landrace pigs
Authors: Uemoto Yoshinobu , Ichinoseki Kasumi , Matsumoto Toshimi , Oka Nozomi , Takamori Hironori , Kadowaki Hiroshi , Kojima-Shibata Chihiro , Suzuki Eisaku , Okamura Toshihiro , Aso Hisashi , Kitazawa Haruki , Satoh Masahiro , Uenishi Hirohide , Suzuki Keiichi
Published: August 2021

Identification of a quantitative trait locus (QTL) related to a chronic respiratory disease such as Mycoplasmal pneumonia of swine (MPS) and immune-related traits is important for the genetic improvement of disease resistance in pigs. The objective of this study was to detect a novel QTL for a total of 22 production, respiratory disease, and immune-related traits in Landrace pigs. A total of 874 Landrace purebred pigs, which were selected based on MPS resistance, were genotyped using the Illumina PorcineSNP60 BeadChip. We performed single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-based and haplotype-based genome-wide association studies (GWAS) to detect a novel QTL and to evaluate the possibility of a pleiotropic QTL for these traits. SNP-based GWAS detected a total of six significant regions in backfat thickness, ratio of granular leucocytes to lymphatic cells, plasma concentration of cortisol at different ages, and complement alternative pathway activity in serum. The significant region detected by haplotype-based GWAS was overlapped across the region detected by SNP-based GWAS. Most of these detected QTL regions were novel regions with some candidate genes located in them. With regard to a pleiotropic QTL among traits, only three of these detected QTL regions overlapped among traits, and many detected regions independently affected the traits.
Comparison of corneal irregular astigmatism by the type of corneal regular astigmatism
Authors: Ueno Yuta , Nomura Risa , Hiraoka Takahiro , Kinoshita Katsuhito , Ohara Mutsuko , Oshika Tetsuro
Published: August 2021

We investigated the relation between corneal regular and irregular astigmatism in normal human eyes. In 951 eyes of 951 patients, corneal irregular astigmatism, such as asymmetry and higher-order irregularity components, was calculated using the Fourier harmonic analysis of corneal topography data within the central 3-mm zone of the anterior corneal surface. The eyes were classified by the type of corneal regular astigmatism into four groups; minimum (< 0.75 diopters), with-the-rule (WTR), against-the-rule (ATR), and oblique astigmatism. The mean age was significantly different among the four groups (P < 0.001); patients with WTR astigmatism were the youngest, followed by those with minimum, oblique, and ATR astigmatism. Significant inter-group differences were found among the four groups in asymmetry (P = 0.005) and higher-order irregularity components (P < 0.001); the largest was in eyes with oblique astigmatism, followed by ATR, WTR, and minimum astigmatism. The stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed that corneal regular astigmatism pattern significantly influenced the amount of corneal irregular astigmatism after controlling for confounding factors (P < 0.001). Corneal irregular astigmatism, such as asymmetry and higher order irregularity components, was the largest in eyes with oblique astigmatism, followed by those with ATR, WTR, and minimum astigmatism, even after adjustment for age of subjects.
Magnetic single atom catalyst in C2N to induce adsorption selectivity toward oxidizing gases
Authors: Mushtaq Muhammad , Tit Nacir
Published: August 2021

Density functional theory (DFT) method is used to study the effect of single-atom catalyst (SAC) of Mn embedded in C2N nanoribbon (C2N-NR) on the adsorption properties as an attempt to achieve selectivity. Many gases (e.g., CO, CO2, H2, H2O, H2S, N2 and O2) of interest to energy and environmental applications were tested. The results show that SAC-Mn alters chemisorption processes with all gas molecules except N2. Clear adsorption selectivity is obtained towards oxidizing CO, CO2 and O2 molecules as evidenced by the enhancements in binding energy and charge transfer and the reduction in magnetization. While the SAC-Mn contributes predominantly to Fermi-energy region with spin-down states, the strong binding to oxidizing molecules introduces there more spin-up states to compromise and reduce the magnetization. Hence, C2N-NR:Mn is proposed to be used as platform for gas sensor (if combined with magnetic sensor) to yield high selectivity toward these latter gases.
Publisher Correction: Bone marrow stromal cell therapy improves survival after radiation injury but does not restore endogenous hematopoiesis
Authors: Diaz Miguel F. , Horton Paulina D. , Dumbali Sandeep P. , Kumar Akshita , Livingston Megan , Skibber Max A. , Mohammadalipour Amina , Gill Brijesh S. , Zhang Songlin , Cox Charles S. , Wenzel Pamela L.
Published: August 2021

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.