bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Seasonality of host immunity in a tropical disease system
Authors: Rosa Gonçalo M. , Perez Rachel , Richards Lora A. , Richards‐Zawacki Corinne L. , Smilanich Angela M. , Reinert Laura K. , Rollins‐Smith Louise A. , Wetzel Daniel P. , Voyles Jamie
Published: July 2022

Infectious disease systems frequently exhibit strong seasonal patterns, yet the mechanisms that underpin intra‐annual cycles are unclear, particularly in tropical regions. We hypothesized that host immune function fluctuates seasonally, contributing to oscillations in infection patterns in a tropical disease system. To test this hypothesis, we investigated a key host defense of amphibians against a lethal fungal pathogen, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd). We integrated two field experiments in which we perturbed amphibian skin secretions, a critical host immune mechanism, in Panamanian rocket frogs (Colostethus panamansis). We found that this immunosuppressive technique of reducing skin secretions in wild frog populations increased Bd prevalence and infection intensity, indicating that this immune defense contributes to resistance to Bd in wild frog populations. We also found that the chemical composition and anti‐Bd effectiveness of frog skin secretions varied across seasons, with greater pathogen inhibition during the dry season relative to the wet season. These results suggest that the effectiveness of this host defense mechanism shifts across seasons, likely contributing to seasonal infection patterns in a lethal disease system. More broadly, our findings indicate that host immune defenses can fluctuate across seasons, even in tropical regions where temperatures are relatively stable, which advances our understanding of intra‐annual cycles of infectious disease dynamics.
Seasonal carryover of water and effects on carbon dynamics in a dryland ecosystem
Authors: Pérez‐Ruiz Eli R. , Vivoni Enrique R. , Sala Osvaldo E.
Published: July 2022

Net primary productivity in arid and semiarid regions is controlled by water availability for which rainfall has been a commonly used proxy at annual scales. However, the hydrological partitioning occurring through the water balance can also shape both seasonal and annual net ecosystem productivity. In this study, we used 10 years of water and carbon flux measurements in a mixed shrubland watershed of the Chihuahuan Desert to investigate the seasonal variability and controls on net ecosystem production. Over this period, the site exhibited a bimodal rainfall regime with an average of 211 and 67 mm for the wet (July–December) and dry (January–June) periods of the year, respectively. During the wet season, soil infiltration and channel transmission losses led to an average of 35.8 mm of water stored in the subsurface for subsequent dry periods. By contrast, dry seasons consumed 30.3 mm of stored subsurface water to fulfill the ecosystem water demand, particularly during the springtime. In response, gross primary productivity occurred in equal amounts for both seasons, while ecosystem respiration was substantially higher during the wet season. This resulted in the mixed shrubland acting as an annual net sink of carbon (average of 153.2 g C m−2 year−1) of which 65% occurred during the dry season. We determined that the wet season provided water in excess of vegetation demands in that season, a portion of which was stored in the watershed subsurface for subsequent use, leading to a legacy effect. Gross primary productivity during the dry season was dependent on carryover soil moisture accessed by deep‐rooted shrubs. Our coordinated observations of water–carbon dynamics revealed that water availability during the wet season can sustain the annual ecosystem productivity by impacting the subsequent dry season carbon uptake.
Estimates of species‐level tolerance of urban habitat in North American birds
Authors: Fanelli Rachel E. , Martin Paul R. , Robinson Orin J. , Bonier Frances
Published: July 2022

Species vary in their responses to urban habitat; most species avoid these environments, whereas others tolerate or even thrive in them. To better characterize the extent to which species vary in their responses to urban habitat (from this point forwards “urban tolerance”), we used several methods to quantify these responses at a continental scale across all birds. Using open access community science‐derived data from the eBird Status and Trends Products and two different types of high‐resolution geospatial data that quantify urbanization of landscapes, we calculated urban tolerance for 432 species with breeding ranges that overlap large cities in Canada or the USA. We developed six different calculations to characterize species‐level urban tolerance, allowing us to assess how each species' relative abundance across their breeding range varied with estimates of urban habitat use and intensity. We assessed correlations among these six indices, then compressed the two best‐performing indices into a single principal component (multivariate urban tolerance index) that captured variation in urban tolerance among species. We assessed the accuracy of our single and multivariate urban tolerance indices using 24 test species that have been well characterized for their tolerance or avoidance of the urban habitat, as well as with previously published, independent urban tolerance estimates. Here, we provide this new dataset of species‐level urban tolerance estimates that improves upon previous metrics by incorporating continental‐scale, continuous estimates that better differentiate species' tolerance of urban habitat compared with existing, categorical methods. These refined metrics can be used to test hypotheses that link ecological, life history, and behavioral traits to avian urban tolerance. The dataset is licensed as CC‐By Attribution 4.0 International. Users must appropriately cite the data paper and dataset if used in publications and scientific presentations.
Fitness homeostasis across an experimental water gradient predicts species' geographic range and climatic breadth
Authors: Pearse Ian S. , McIntyre Patrick , Cacho N. Ivalú , Strauss Sharon Y.
Published: July 2022

Species range sizes and realized niche breadths vary tremendously. Understanding the source of this variation has been a long‐term aim in evolutionary ecology and is a major tool in efforts to ameliorate the impacts of changing climates on species distributions. Species ranges that span a large climatic envelope can be achieved by a collection of specialized genotypes locally adapted to a small range of conditions, by genotypes with stable fitness across variable environments, or a combination of these factors. We asked whether fitness expressed along a key niche axis, water availability, could explain a species' realized niche breadth, its geographic range and climate breadth, in 11 species from a clade of jewelflowers whose range sizes vary by two orders of magnitude. Specifically, we explored whether the range size of a species was related to the ability of genotypes (maternal families) to maintain fitness across a range of experimental water availabilities based on 30‐year historical field precipitation regimes. We operationally characterized fitness homeostasis through the coefficient of variation in fitness of a genotype (family) across the experimental water gradient. We found that species with genotypes that had high fitness homeostasis, low variation in fitness over our treatments, had larger climatic niche breadth and geographic range in their field distributions. The result was robust to alternate measures of fitness homeostasis. Our results show that the fitness homeostasis of genotypes can be a major factor contributing to niche breadth and range size in this clade. Fitness homeostasis can buffer species from loss of genetic diversity and under changing climates, provides time for adaptation to future conditions.
Conditioned pain modulation and offset analgesia: Influence of sex, sex hormone levels and menstrual cycle on the magnitude and retest reliability in healthy participants
Authors: Vollert Jan , Trewartha Nils , Kemkowski Deborah , Cremer Alexander Felix , Zahn Peter K. , Segelcke Daniel , Pogatzki‐Zahn Esther M.
Published: July 2022

Background

Conditioned pain modulation (CPM) and offset analgesia quantify impairment of endogenous pain modulation, but magnitude and reliability vary broadly between studies, indicating influencing factors that are not currently controlled for. The aim of this study was to quantify magnitude and retest reliability of CPM and offset analgesia in healthy participants, while investigating the influence of sex and sex hormone levels.

Methods

Sixty‐two participants (30 female) completed the study. We tested CPM (heat–cold paradigm) and offset analgesia on 6 days within two menstrual cycles (tests were performed in each phase of two subsequent menstrual cycles, with similar time points for men).

Results

Median offset effect was −29.4% in female and − 22.5% in male participants (as change from initial stimulus). Median early CPM effects were − 16.7% for women versus −13.3% for men. Reliability (intra‐class correlation coefficient [ICC]) was similar between the main measures, offset effect (female: 0.48, male: 0.47) and early CPM effect (female: 0.49, male: 0.43). There was significant variance between individual experimental parameters within protocols but not between sexes or menstrual phases. While oestradiol and progesterone did not correlate with the magnitude of effect within sexes, we found that testosterone levels explained an estimated 5%–10% of variance within individual responses in all sexes.

Conclusions

Our results show that the reliability of both CPM effect and offset analgesia was independent of sex and menstrual cycle phase. The magnitude of CPM and offset effects was weakly influenced by sex and testosterone levels, indicating an area for future research, rather than clinical significance.

Significance

This study investigated CPM and offset analgesia in parallel, across sexes and during two menstrual cycles while assessing the impact of sex hormones. Reliability seems to depend on experimental parameters rather than participant characteristics, while the magnitude of effect could be weakly linked to sex hormones and sex.
A Ti3C2TX/Pt–Pd based amperometric biosensor for sensitive cancer biomarker detection
Authors: Ran Bin , Chen Chaozhan , Liu Bo , Lan Minbo , Chen Huaying , Zhu Yonggang
Published: July 2022

The detection of cancer biomarkers is of great significance for the early screening of cancer. Detecting the content of sarcosine in blood or urine has been considered to provide a basis for the diagnosis of prostate cancer. However, it still lacks simple, high‐precision and wide‐ranging sarcosine detection methods. In this work, a Ti3C2TX/Pt–Pd nanocomposite with high stability and excellent electrochemical performance has been synthesized by a facile one‐step alcohol reduction and then used on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) with sarcosine oxidase (SOx) to form a sarcosine biosensor (GCE/Ti3C2TX/Pt–Pd/SOx). The prominent electrocatalytic activity and biocompatibility of Ti3C2TX/Pt–Pd enable the SOx to be highly active and sensitive to sarcosine. Under the optimized conditions, the prepared biosensor has a wide linear detection range to sarcosine from 1 to 1000 µM with a low limit of detection of 0.16 µM (S/N = 3) and a sensitivity of 84.1 µA/mM cm2. Besides, the reliable response in serum samples shows its potential in the early diagnosis of prostate cancer. More importantly, the successful construction and application of the amperometric biosensor based on Ti3C2TX/Pt–Pd will provide a meaningful reference for detecting other cancer biomarkers.
Investigation of the formation behaviors of CO2 hydrate in porous media below the freezing point
Authors: Zhang Xuemin , Yang Huijie , Li Jinping , Zhang Mengjun , Wang Yingmei , Yao Ze
Published: July 2022

The formation process of gas hydrate is a stochastic phenomenon considered to be significant for its application in the areas such as hydrate‐based technology and natural gas hydrate exploitation. The formation behaviors of CO2 hydrate were studied in porous media below the freezing point. In addition, the formation experiments were conducted in the high‐pressure vessel under different temperature and pressure conditions. The formation process of CO2 hydrate showed different formation behaviors in the porous media under different experimental conditions. The results showed that the formation rate was higher in earlier stage and the largest formation rate attained 7.18 × 10−4 mol h−1. The influence of initial pressure on the formation rate was indistinctive in porous media below the freezing point. Particle size of the porous media played an important role in affecting the formation characteristic of CO2 hydrate below the freezing point. The results indicated that, the smaller the particle size of porous media was, the larger the formation rate and the conversion rate of CO2 hydrate. The maximum conversion rate was attained 90.61%. The results also indicated that CO2 hydrate had a good gas storage capacity in porous media below the freezing point. The gas storage capacity was close to 160 L/L in frozen quartz sand with the particle size of 250 μm in the experiments. The relative results will provide some insight for sequestration and storage process of CO2 gas in the form of hydrates into sediments.
Transoral robotic excision of thyroglossal duct cyst using vestibular and sublingual incisions
Authors: Tae Kyung , Kim Hee Ryung
Published: July 2022

With the extension of remote‐access head and neck surgery to improve postoperative cosmetic outcomes, a robotic or endoscopic procedure was developed to excise thyroglossal duct cysts (TGDCs). Here, we present the operative procedure of a novel transoral robot‐assisted Sistrunk operation using oral vestibular and sublingual incisions in a 21‐year‐old woman with TGDC. A 1.5‐cm central vestibular incision and two lateral vestibular incisions were made. In addition, a midline vertical sublingual incision was made to cut the hyoid bone via the sublingual route. The surgery was successfully completed without conversion to the conventional transcervical approach. Our technique using three vestibular incisions and a sublingual incision was more efficient in performing the Sistrunk operation than frenulotomy or endoscopic vestibular approaches. In conclusion, the transoral robotic Sistrunk operation using three vestibular incisions and a sublingual incision is feasible and safe and yields excellent postoperative cosmesis.
Quantifying the uncertainty in future groundwater recharge simulations from regional climate models
Authors: Ajjur Salah Basem , Al‐Ghamdi Sami G.
Published: July 2022

This study aims to show how future groundwater recharge (GR) simulations in arid areas respond to uncertainty in climatic parameters—a question, if explored, that bridges a gap in water resources management plans. To this aim, eight regional climate models (RCMs) under two representative concentration pathways (RCP4.5 and RCP8.5) projected four climatic parameters [surface air temperature, precipitation, wind speed, and potential evapotranspiration (PET)] over Qatar during the period of 2071–2100. Using topographic and groundwater data, a physically based water balance model was built to simulate future GR under these 16 scenarios. Results show high uncertainty in climatic parameters. Relative to the reference period (1976–2005), values varied under RCP4.5 (RCP8.5) from +1.8 to +3.4 (+3.8 to +5.6)°C for average temperature, −48% to +15% (−60% to +6%) for annual precipitation, −0.23 to +0.1 (−0.27 to +0.04) m/hour for wind speed, and from −5.7 to +12.8 (+4.3 to +17) mm for annual PET. Uncertainty in climatic parameters caused great uncertainty in future GR estimations. During the late 21st century, GR simulations varied from −67% to +64% with an average value of −20% under RCP4.5, and from −81% to +8% with an average value of −36% under RCP8.5. The greatest uncertainty resulted from the driving model, whereas the choice of emission scenario had a secondary impact. Since GR is a critical component of feeding arid aquifers, the study's findings emphasize the importance of both considering the uncertainty associated with climatic parameters and the regional climatic information chosen.
The impact of Islamic events on herding behaviour in Saudi Arabian equities market
Authors: Gabbori Dina , Virk Nader , Aftab Nadeem , Awartani Basel
Published: July 2022

Using data from Saudi Arabia, a strictly religious society, we examine how Islamic events (i.e., Ramadan, Eid‐ul‐Fitr, Eid‐ul‐Adha and Ashoura) moderate the impact of social mood (positive and negative) on herding in the stock market. We use the cross‐sectional absolute deviation (CSAD) of returns and find that investors' mood during Islamic events of Eid‐ul‐Fitr, Eid‐ul‐Adha and Ashoura significantly affects herding behaviour in the market. Our results, however, contrast with existing evidence of herding in the month of Ramadan. Overall, results are robust after controlling for market conditions (i.e., domestic and US market returns, liquidity, sentiments, and oil price volatility) and crisis events (i.e., global financial crisis and Arab Spring). Though most prior research investigates the impact of individual Islamic events on stocks as seasonal anomalies, our study contributes by jointly exploring how four key Islamic events, associated with contrasting moods, induce diverse herding patterns in the Saudi stock market.
The effect of BNT162b2 SARS‐CoV‐2 mRNA vaccine on menstrual cycle symptoms in healthy women
Authors: Lessans Naama , Rottenstreich Amihai , Stern Shira , Gilan Adi , Saar Tal D. , Porat Shay , Dior Uri P.
Published: July 2022

Objective

To investigate the impact of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) mRNA BNT162b2 vaccine on women's menstrual cycle.

Methods

In this questionnaire‐based cross‐sectional study, we assessed menstrual pattern and changes in women who completed the SARS‐CoV‐2 mRNA BNT162b2 vaccine 3 months before and after receiving the vaccine. Included were women aged 18–50 years without known gynecologic comorbidities who regularly monitor their menstruation through electronic calendars. All participants competed a detailed questionnaire on their menstrual symptoms including information on any irregular bleeding. To minimize bias, each woman served as a self‐control before and after vaccination. Primary outcome was rate of irregular bleeding following vaccination and secondary outcome was presence of any menstrual change, including irregular bleeding, mood changes, or dysmenorrhea following the vaccine.

Results

A total of 219 women met the inclusion critieria. Of them, 51 (23.3%) experienced irregular bleeding following the vaccine. Almost 40% (n = 83) of study participants reported any menstrual change following vaccination. Parity was positively asssociated with irregular bleeding with 26 (50%) of those suffering from irregular bleeding being multiparous compared with only 53 (31.5%) of women with no irregular bleeding (nulliparous 46% vs 60%, multiparous 50% vs 31%, rest 4% vs 8%, P = 0.049). The presence of medical comorbidities was also significantly higher among patients who experienced irregular bleeding (20.0% vs 6.0%, P = 0.003).

Conclusion

Our study shows relatively high rates of irregular bleeding and menstrual changes after receiving the SARS‐CoV‐2 mRNA BNT162b2 vaccine. Further research is needed to confirm our findings and to better characterize the magnitude of change and any possible long‐term implications.
Would central government's direct supervisions enhance local environmental qualities? Evidence from China
Authors: Hu Zhilin
Published: July 2022

With the construction of ecological civilization, central government's direct inspections have become the new norm of environmental protection supervision. Since 2016, the central government has been dispatching supervision teams, one batch after another, to conduct environmental protection supervision in the provinces. In this paper, the regression discontinuity designs were used to study the impact of central environmental protection supervision on the quality of air and water. Our results indicate that air quality was improved significantly during the supervision, while water quality was improved significantly during the rectification period after the supervision. A heterogeneity analysis shows that supervision had a significant impact on highly polluted areas. The results further suggest that for the continuous improvement of environmental quality, it is necessary to build a long‐term governance mechanism.
The Belt and Road Initiative, political involvement, and China's OFDI
Authors: Ding Haoyuan , Li Yi , Wang Liang , Xue Chang
Published: July 2022

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is an important strategy for China. This study examines the effect of political involvement on firms' outward foreign direct investment (OFDI) in belt‐road countries after the BRI. Using merged Chinese nonfinancial listed firm data, the fDi Markets database, and the Thomson One database (formerly known as SDC Platinum) for the period 2008–2018, we find that political involvement has positive effect on firms' OFDI in belt‐road countries after the BRI. Furthermore, we find that the positive effect is heterogeneous across state‐owned enterprises (SOEs) and non‐SOEs. Political involvement has a positive effect on M&A for SOEs and Greenfield investment for non‐SOEs in belt‐road countries after the BRI. Our findings suggest that political involvement promotes firms' OFDI in belt‐road countries after the BRI and is helpful to the macro‐policy implementation.
Public speaking disfluencies: A review of habit reversal training and research
Authors: Luiselli James K.
Published: July 2022

From 2016 to 2022, the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis published 7 studies that evaluated the effects of habit reversal training on speech disfluencies (filled pauses) during public speaking. This review summarizes the participants, dependent variables, procedures, experimental design, and outcomes from this research including practice implications and suggested areas of inquiry.
Protective effects of salvianolic acid A on clozapine‐induced cardiotoxicity in zebrafish
Authors: Lin Shenghua , Mo Cailian , Yan Luyi , Zhang Feng , Liu Xin , Ma Honglin , Shen Chuanlin , Fan Wei , Liu Kechun , Zhu Qing , He Qiuxia
Published: July 2022

The clinical use of clozapine (CLZ), an atypical antipsychotic drug, was affected by side effects, such as cardiotoxicity. We selected normally developing zebrafish embryos to explore the antagonism of salvianolic acid A (SAA) against clozapine‐induced cardiotoxicity. Embryos were treated with CLZ and SAA, and zebrafish phenotypes were observed at 24 h, 48 h, 72 h, and 96 h after treatment. The observed phenotypes included heart shape, heart rate, and venous sinus‐arterial bulb (SV‐BA) interval. Real‐time quantitative PCR was used to detect changes in the expression of genes involved in heart inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. The results showed that SAA relieved pericardial edema, increased heart rate, and reduced the SV‐BA interval. The PCR results also showed that when the zebrafish embryos were incubated with SAA and CLZ for 96 h, the expression of il‐1b and nfkb2 were significantly downregulated, the expression of sod1 and cat were significantly upregulated, and the expressions of mcl1a and mcl1b were significantly downregulated. In summary, SAA can antagonize clozapine‐induced cardiotoxicity.
Decline in human T‐cell lymphotropic virus seroprevalence in blood donors from Minas Gerais, Brazil over a 12‐year period (2006–2017)
Authors: da Silva Malta Maria Clara Fernandes , Silva Sônia Mara Nunes , de Oliveira Milena Batista , Ribeiro Maisa Aparecida , Martins Marina Lobato
Published: July 2022

To investigate a 12‐year historical series (2006–2017) of human T‐cell lymphotropic virus (HTLV)‐positive blood donations from Fundação Hemominas, Minas Gerais, Brazil, an observational retrospective study was performed to evaluate data of blood donor candidates who were screened for HTLV‐1/2 by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay or chemiluminescence assays and confirmed by Western blot. We analyzed 3 309 716 blood donations covering 2006–2017 that were extracted from the institutional database. In a total of 3 308 738 donations that have complete algorithm tests, the global frequency of HTLV‐positive donations was 0.012%. The seroprevalence in first‐time blood donors was 28.82/100 000 donors; 0.95/100 000 donations were HTLV‐positive in repeat blood donors. The frequency of HTLV‐seropositive females was significantly higher than males (odds ratio = 1.85, p < 0.001) in first‐time donors. The median age of HTLV‐positive first‐time and repeat donors was similar (36 and 32 years, respectively). First‐time donors ≥41 years had higher odds to be infected. There was a clear tendency of decline in the HTLV‐positive donations in the period analyzed, going from 19.26/100 000 donations to 8.50/100 000 donations. The increase in the proportion of repeat donors over the period analyzed (from 23% in 2006 to 67% in 2017) must be the principal factor that contributed to this drop. Our results showed a continuous decline in the frequency of HTLV‐positive donations from Minas Gerais, Brazil throughout 12 years and emphasize the importance of having a high rate of repeat donors in blood centers to reduce the residual risk of transfusion‐transmitted infections.
Abrogation of LBX1 in skeletal muscle results in hypoplastic limbs and progressive kyphosis in mice
Authors: Matsuhashi Yusuke , Horiuchi Keisuke , Nakagawa Takahiro , Takahashi Yohei , Imabayashi Hideaki , Hosogane Naobumi , Watanabe Kota , Matsumoto Morio , Chiba Kazuhiro
Published: July 2022

LBX1 is a gene located near a single‐nucleotide polymorphism, rs11190870, which is highly associated with susceptibility to adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. However, the potential involvement of LBX1 in the etiology of this spinal deformity has not been elucidated. In this study, we aimed to determine whether the lack of LBX1 in skeletal muscle results in spinal deformities in mice. We generated mutant mice in which the Lbx1 allele was conditionally excised under the control of a human muscle actin promoter. Mice lacking LBX1 from the skeletal muscle were fertile and available. The mutant mice had hypoplastic forelimbs and weighed less than control animals, but otherwise, there were no overt anomalies. The mice did not exhibit a scoliosis‐like spinal deformity; however, they developed moderate kyphosis as they grew old. These observations indicated that LBX1 is involved in limb development and potentially in the maintenance of spinal curvature/alignment in mice.
An AB2‐Type Hyperbranched Supramolecular Polymer Based on Calix[4]Pyrrole Anion Recognition: Construction, Stimuli‐Responsiveness, and Morphology Tuning
Authors: Yelda Ünlü Fatma , Aydogan Abdullah
Published: July 2022

An AB2‐type monomer comprised of a calix[4]pyrrole skeleton and alternating bis‐carboxylate units is reported and used for the construction of a novel supramolecular hyperbranched polymer based on anion recognition ability of calix[4]pyrrole. 1H‐, DOSY‐NMR spectroscopy, viscosity measurements, and dynamic light scattering techniques are used for the characterization of the supramolecular hyperbranched polymer exhibiting thermo‐, pH‐, and chemical responsiveness, as well as concentration dependent morphology tune as inferred from electron microscopy analyses. The present study enriches the field of supramolecular polymers with a new construction motif, building block, and provides a simple approach for the fabrication of smart polymer material with multi‐responsiveness and ‐morphologies.
3D numerical prediction of thermal weakening effects on granite
Authors: Saksala Timo
Published: July 2022

This paper presents a numerical method to predict the temperature weakening effects on tensile and compressive strength and stiffness of granitic rock. Thermally induced cracking, leading to degradation of the material stiffness and strength, is modelled in the continuum sense by using a damage‐viscoplasticity model based on the Drucker‐Prager criterion with a rounded tensile cut‐off surface. The governing thermo‐mechanical initial/boundary value problem is solved with an explicit (in time) staggered method while using extreme mass scaling to increase the critical time step. Rock heterogeneity is described as random clusters of finite elements assigned with the constituent mineral, here Quartz, Feldspar, and Biotite, material properties further randomized by Weibull distribution. In the present approach, only Quartz thermal expansion coefficient is assumed temperature dependent due to its strong and anomalous temperature dependence upon approaching the α‐β transition. In the numerical testing, the sample is first volumetrically heated to a target temperature. Then, the uniaxial tension and compression tests are performed on the cooled down numerical samples. The simulations demonstrate the validity of the proposed approach as the experimental weakening effects on the rock strength and stiffness as well as the macroscopic failure modes, both in tension and compression, are realistically predicted in a non‐circular way, that is, not using the temperature dependence of any material parameter, save Quartz thermal expansion, as an input data.
Evaluating a brief intervention for mealtime difficulty on older adults with dementia
Authors: Rehman Salma , Likupe Gloria , McFarland Agi , Watson Roger
Published: July 2022

Aims and objective

To test a spaced retrieval intervention using spaced retrieval to alleviate mealtime difficulties in older people with dementia.

Design

A single‐case study design.

Setting

Nursing Homes in North Central England, United Kingdom.

Participants

Older people with Alzheimer’s disease.

Methods

A single‐case study using an ABA design was used. Data were collected using the Edinburgh Feeding Evaluation in Dementia scale, Mini Nutritional Assessment, and Body Mass Index before intervention, postintervention and following 3 months of postintervention. Realist evaluation was used to identify for which participants the intervention was effective, and an economic evaluation was also carried out.

Finding

Of 15 participants who entered the study, eight completed all phases of the study. A mean 104.4 h were needed to deliver the intervention. The number of sessions required ranged from 90–222. The length of time each participant retained information (for all sessions) ranged from 13–28 min. Participants had most difficulty with: “putting food into mouth and chewing it”; “realizing it was mealtime”; and “eating a whole meal continuously.” A reduction in the difficulty with mealtimes occurred between phase A1–A2 for most participants. Six participants maintained this in phase A3. Similar patterns were evident for nutritional scores. For most participants, the effect size of the intervention was moderate or large.

Conclusions

Spaced retrieval is useful in reducing mealtime difficulties in older participants with dementia. While the results of this study are promising, further large and multicentre trials are needed to explore the effectiveness of the intervention in diverse populations.
An elite hybrid strategy for solar photovoltaic system based optimized cascade controller under uniform and partial shading conditions
Authors: Kuppusamy Mohan , Balaraman Sujatha
Published: July 2022

A hybrid technique for maximum power point tracking (MPPT) for a photovoltaic (PV) system is proposed in this paper. The proposed hybrid system is combination of Wing suit Flying Search (WFS) and modified Transient search optimization (MTSO), therefore it is called WFS‐MTSO method. The proposed controller has three processes: (i) to identify the operating level of photovoltaic (uniform or in PSC), (ii) to estimate the maximal power point using WFS technique, and (iii) to ensure the photovoltaic system runs on the estimated maximum power point (MPP) by MTSO optimized cascade controller. This method begins with a sense of irradiance and temperature. The proposed photovoltaic system has two components. The first one is WFS maximal power point tracking algorithm attain maximal power point. The second one is MTSO optimized cascade controller to force the photovoltaic system to activate at maximal power point. Here, the proposed hybrid technique is utilized at MPPT to diminish tracking error and oscillation across MPP for optimizing power output. The proposed optimized cascade control improves the system efficiency by averting interruptions previously they propagate to the system. Finally, the performance of proposed hybrid system is executed on MATLAB/Simulink working platform and the performances are compared with various existing approaches. The statistical matrices, like mean, median, and standard deviation is analyzed the tracking efficiency of the proposed WFS‐MTSO approach.
Health‐related quality of life of patients with sickle cell disease aged 8–17 years at Kamuzu Central Hospital, Malawi
Authors: Wachepa Stella , Bvalani Ruth , Namubiru Teddy , Namugerwa Shamim , Kaudha Gloria , Mpasa Atupele , Munube Deogratias , Rujumba Joseph , Ozuah Nmazuo , Kiguli Sarah
Published: July 2022

Background: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is characterized by both acute and chronic complications that affect the daily lives of patients and lower their quality of life.

Objective: To describe the health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) and the associated factors in children aged 8–17 years with SCD attending the pediatric hematology clinic at Kamuzu Central Hospital (KCH) in Lilongwe, Malawi.

Methods: A mixed‐methods cross‐sectional study was conducted at KCH. Patient data were collected with the aid of a standardized case report form. HRQoL was assessed using PedsQL™ Sickle Cell Disease Module by the child's report. Associations between HRQoL scores and independent variables were evaluated by a linear regression model. In‐depth interviews were then carried out and the qualitative data were analyzed using content thematic analysis.

Results: A hundred and sixty‐three children with SCD were enrolled and 52.1% were females. Their median age was 11.2 ± 2.7 years. The mean global HRQoL score of the children was 62 ± 17.3. The highest scores were in the treatment domain (72.5 ± 15.1) while the lowest scores were in the emotions domain (55.2 ± 28.7). The mean pain score was 58.8 ± 16.3. The factors associated with low HRQoL scores were pain (β‐coefficient −6.97 CI (−3.07,−15.58); p value .034) and low hemoglobin levels (β‐coefficient 2.29 CI (.65–3.91); p value .006).

Conclusion: The HRQoL of this population is low. Pain and low hemoglobin were significantly associated with low HRQoL scores. Adequate treatment to control pain and increase the steady‐state hemoglobin may improve the HRQoL of children with SCD. Interventions to address low emotional scores are recommended.
The two‐hit hypothesis in practice: Monozygotic twins with simultaneous hyperdiploid acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Davidow Kimberly , Mumanachit Sarah , Mangum David Spencer
Published: July 2022

Approximately 25% of B‐cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B‐ALL) cases are defined by hyperdiploidy, with RAS mutations occurring in 30% of hyperdiploid B‐ALL patients. It is believed that hyperdiploidy is an in utero event with RAS mutations occurring postnatally, but clinical evidence of this is based on relatively few patients. We present a case of monozygotic, monochorionic twins who developed concordant hyperdiploid B‐ALL with identical chromosomal gains but different RAS mutations, adding further evidence that hyperdiploidy is occurring prenatally, with RAS mutations developing postnatally. Environmental exposures were reviewed with the family without identification of a clear association.
Maternal MTHFR 677C>T, 1298A>C gene polymorphisms and risk of offspring aneuploidy
Authors: Miljanović Olivera , Teofilov Slađana , Anđelić Miljana , Magić Zvonko , Cikota‐Aleksić Bojana
Published: July 2022

Objective

The objective was to investigate the association between maternal methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene polymorphisms, crucial for DNA methylation, and risk of offspring aneuploidy.

Methods

MTHFR gene polymorphisms 677C>T and 1298A>C were determined by polymerase chain reaction based method, in 163 women with offspring aneuploidy and 155 women with healthy children. Five genetic models were used to assess risk, according to the type of aneuploidy and the age of women at conception.

Results

MTHFR 677TT genotype and T allele were significantly more prevalent among women with offspring aneuploidy, with an increased risk of aneuploidy demonstrated under a recessive (OR 3.499), homozygote (OR 3.456) and allele contrast model (OR 1.574). The more prominent association was found with sex chromosome aneuploidies and trisomy 13/18, and also in women ≤35 years at conception. No association was observed between 1298A>C polymorphism and risk of offspring aneuploidy, although synergistic effect of two polymorphisms increase the risk of aneuploidy, primarily amplifying the 677T allele effects (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Maternal MTHFR 677C>T gene polymorphism, alone or in combination with another 1298A>C polymorphism, appears to be a substantial risk factor for offspring aneuploidy in Montenegro population, especially for sex chromosome aneuploidies and trisomy 13/18, and among younger women.
Population pharmacokinetics of linezolid and its major metabolites PNU‐142300 and PNU‐142586 in adult patients
Authors: Sakurai Norihiro , Kawaguchi Hiroshi , Abe Junko , Kuwabara Gaku , Imoto Waki , Shibata Wataru , Yamada Koichi , Yasui Hiroyuki , Nakamura Yasutaka , Kakeya Hiroshi
Published: July 2022

Introduction

Only a few reports are available on the population pharmacokinetic (PK) analysis of linezolid and its main metabolites. Therefore, we investigated the population PK of linezolid and its metabolites in adult patients treated with intravenous linezolid to identify the causative factors affecting pharmacokinetics, and evaluated the relationship between the parent compound and major metabolites PNU‐142300 and PNU‐142586.

Methods

Population PK analysis was performed using medical data collected from patients who were treated with intravenous linezolid (600 mg twice daily). We examined the impact of covariate candidates such as demographic characteristics and laboratory parameters. Simulations using the final model were investigated and used to estimate the plasma concentrations, trough concentrations (Cmin), and area under the curve (AUC) of linezolid and its metabolites, and the metabolite‐to‐parent ratios for Cmin and AUC were used to assess the accumulation of metabolites over linezolid.

Results

A total of 82 plasma concentrations from 23 patients were analyzed. The volume of distribution was estimated to be 47.1 L, assuming that linezolid and its metabolites were the same. The total clearance (CL) of linezolid, and CLs of PNU‐142300 and PNU‐142586 were influenced by creatinine clearance (CLcr), with population mean CLs of 3.86, 7.27, and 13.54 L/h, respectively. The Cmin and AUCs of linezolid and its metabolites and the ratios of metabolites per linezolid were predicted to increase exponentially with decreasing renal function.

Conclusion

We developed the first population PK model in which CLcr was incorporated as a covariate in the CL of linezolid and its metabolites. Using the final model, it was possible to predict the plasma concentration, Cmin, and AUC appropriately. The model was found to be a potentially useful tool for future studies on optimal dosing and toxicity analysis.
A spoonful of salt helps the medicine go down…
Authors: Thompson Angus
Published: July 2022

… but not in a delightful way. Some patients prefer to take their medicines as soluble tablets, but these products sometimes contain clinically significant amounts of sodium, which if taken regularly at high doses can add up to the equivalent of an alarming amount of salt, cautions Angus Thompson.
Reduced error and uncertainty in analysis and forecasting in the Southern Hemisphere through assimilation of PANSY radar observations from Syowa Station: A midlatitude extreme cyclone case
Authors: Sato Kazutoshi , Inoue Jun , Yamazaki Akira , Tomikawa Yoshihiro , Sato Kaoru
Published: July 2022

The sparse distribution of the observing network over the high latitudes of the Southern Hemisphere reduces the accuracy of regional atmospheric circulation (re)analysis and weather forecasting. Using operational medium‐range ensemble forecasts, we compared the forecast skill among forecast centres regarding a midlatitude cyclone close to western Australia on 17 December 2017. At forecast day 4.5, a large ensemble spread in an upper‐level trough over western Australia, which had travelled from coastal Antarctica, caused large uncertainty and error in the predicted position of the midlatitude cyclone. Using an ensemble data assimilation system and the Atmospheric General Circulation Model for the Earth Simulator and the Local Ensemble Transform Kalman Filter Experimental Ensemble Reanalysis version 2 (ALERA2), we conducted an operational forecast experiment to investigate the impact on ALERA2 and its forecast result of assimilation of 1‐hourly horizontal wind speed observational data from the PANSY radar located at the Japanese Syowa Station in Antarctica. An observing system experiment revealed that incorporation of PANSY radar data improved the reproducibility of atmospheric parameters in the troposphere and lower stratosphere as initial conditions for forecasting. To investigate the impact of PANSY radar data on forecast skill regarding the midlatitude cyclone, 63‐member ensemble forecast experiments were conducted using analysis data both with and without PANSY data as initial conditions. Comparison of the forecast results from the ensemble forecast experiments confirmed that incorporation of PANSY radar data reduced the ensemble spread and error in the upper troposphere over the Antarctic region as initial conditions, which enhanced the accuracy of the prediction of the positions of the upper‐level trough and surface cyclone over western Australia at forecast day 4.5. These experiments suggest that the PANSY radar represents an observing system suitable for continuous improvement in forecast skill of the atmospheric circulation in the Southern Hemisphere.
Superconcentration in surface growth
Authors: Chatterjee Sourav
Published: July 2022

Height functions of growing random surfaces are often conjectured to be superconcentrated, meaning that their variances grow sublinearly in time. This article introduces a new concept—called subroughness—meaning that there exist two distinct points such that the expected squared difference between the heights at these points grows sublinearly in time. The main result of the paper is that superconcentration is equivalent to subroughness in a class of growing random surfaces. The result is applied to establish superconcentration in a variant of the restricted solid‐on‐solid (RSOS) model and in a variant of the ballistic deposition model, and give new proofs of superconcentration in directed last‐passage percolation and directed polymers.
Magnetic Nanosorbents for Adsorption of Blood Mercury
Authors: Li Minghai , Tang Shuwan , Chu Meilin , Xue Yunxin , Mao Jiazhou , Guo Wenyan , Mao Chun , Zhou Min
Published: July 2022

Mercury enters the human body through the food chain and various ways and exists in blood, kidney and other organs, which will cause great harm. Therefore, it is important to design a safe and effective mercury remover for the removal of blood mercury. In this work, we modified a layer of amino‐rich hyperbranched polyamide nanomaterials (HPN) on the surface of Fe3O4 nanoparticles (Fe/HPN‐NH2 NPs). Among them, tetraethylenepentamine was crosslinked with hyperbranched polyamide by methyl acrylate, which effectively increased the number of amino functional groups in the material. The morphology, structural characteristics and composition of Fe/HPN‐NH2 NPs were characterized. The results of adsorption experiments showed that Fe/HPN‐NH2 NPs had good adsorption ability for inorganic mercury and methylmercury in water. Series of in vitro biocompatibility evaluation tests such as coagulation time tests, erythrocyte morphology observation, blood routine test, complement activation and immune factor test at the molecular level showed that the synthesized Fe/HPN‐NH2 NPs had good biocompatibility. When the initial concentration of lead was 1 ppm and the concentration of adsorbent was 10 mg/mL, the removal efficiency of blood mercury can reach up to 65 % without changing the amount of other commonly existing ions. This blood mercury removal strategy provides the possibility for blood purification.
Insights into the Plasticization Mechanism in Different 18Cr–8Ni Austenitic Stainless Steel: Study of the Phase Reverted Structure Versus Cold‐Deformed Structure
Authors: Wu Lei , Hu Chengyang , Ke Rui , Misra Raja Devesh Kumar , Zhong Ming , Li Guangqiang , Xu Deming , Wan Xiangliang , Wu Kaiming
Published: July 2022

It is aimed to explain different tensile elongations in 18Cr–8Ni austenitic stainless steel (ASS) with various microstructures having the same yield strength by comparing the deformation mechanisms. The as‐received ASS is cold‐rolled (CR) at room temperature with thickness reductions of 10% and 90% (achieved following 14 passes). The ultra‐fine grain/fine grain (UFG/FG, average grain size (diameter): 0.5–2 μm) structure is developed by annealing the 90% CR structure at 850 °C over 300 s. The optical, scanning and transmission electron microscope, electron backscatter diffraction, and X‐ray diffraction techniques are applied to the microstructural features. The as‐received specimen contained equiaxed austenite and equiaxed dislocation cells, stacking faults, deformation twins (DTs), and strain‐induced martensite (SIM) coexist in the 10% CR and UFG/FG samples. Tensile tests are conducted, and the results reveal that 10% CR and UFG/FG structures exhibited similar yield strengths (550 MPa) under conditions of varying elongation properties, which is attributed to differences in the microstructure‐dependent deformation mechanisms. Dislocation slip (≈10 area%; newly formed), DTs, and SIM (≈44 vol%; newly formed) are observed in the 10% CR structure. The presence of numerous dislocation slips (≈50 area%; newly formed) and a small amount of DTs and SIMs are observed in UFG/FG structure.
Progress in COVID research and developments during pandemic
Authors: Shukla Sudheesh K. , Patra Santanu , Das Trupti R. , Kumar Dharmesh , Mishra Anshuman , Tiwari Ashutosh
Published: July 2022

The pandemic respiratory disease COVID‐19 has spread over the globe within a small span of time. Generally, there are two important points are being highlighted and considered towards the successful diagnosis and treatment process. The first point includes the reduction of the rate of infections and the next one is the decrease of the death rate. The major threat to public health globally progresses due to the absence of effective medication and widely accepted immunization for the COVID‐19. Whereas, understanding of host susceptibility, clinical features, adaptation of COVID‐19 to new environments, asymptomatic infection is difficult and challenging. Therefore, a rapid and an exact determination of pathogenic viruses play an important role in deciding treatments and preventing pandemic to save the people's lives. It is urgent to fix a standardized diagnostic approach for detecting the COVID‐19. Here, this systematic review describes all the current approaches using for screening and diagnosing the COVID‐19 infectious patient. The renaissance in pathogen due to host adaptability and new region, facing creates several obstacles in diagnosis, drug, and vaccine development process. The study shows that adaptation of accurate and affordable diagnostic tools based on candidate biomarkers using sensor and digital medicine technology can deliver effective diagnosis services at the mass level. Better prospects of public health management rely on diagnosis with high specificity and cost‐effective manner along with multidisciplinary research, specific policy, and technology adaptation. The proposed healthcare model with defined road map represents effective prognosis system.