bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Degree of blood safety of voluntary non‐remunerated versus replacement blood donations: A multi‐centre study of the large cohort of blood donors from two provinces of Pakistan
Authors: Jamal Saba , Mansoor Neelum , Ali Amir , Nadeem Ali , Aijaz Javeria , Meraj Fatima 
Published: October 2023

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesVoluntary non‐remunerated blood donors (VNRBDs) are recognized as being crucial for the safety and sustainability of national blood supplies. Systems based on replacement donors (RDs) pose high risks of transfusion transmissible infections (TTIs). Currently, only 10%–13% of blood donations are voluntary in Pakistan. No large‐scale studies have been conducted to objectively evaluate the impact of the mode of donation on the frequency of TTIs, a gap this study aimed to fill.Materials and MethodsThe study was conducted at the Indus Hospital, Karachi. Data from a total of 591,820 blood donations were included from 1 October 2017 to 30 May 2021 and evaluated for type of donations and results of TTI testing, primarily performed on Architect i2000SR (Abbott). The TTIs tested include hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, human immunodeficiency virus, syphilis and malaria.ResultsA total of 477,938 (80.7%) RDs and 113,882 (19.3%) VNRBDs were screened. Among these, 53,590 (9.06%) were positive for TTIs. There were 10.2% positive RDs (10.08–10.25 95% confidence interval [CI]) while 4.4% in VNRBDs (4.29–4.53 95% CI). Co‐infections were observed in 2367 (0.4%) RDs, while 159 (0.02%) in VNRBDs. Geographically, the highest frequency of TTIs was observed in semi‐urban areas of Sindh (11.2%) and Punjab (9.6%). A site‐wise comparison of TTIs in RD versus VNRBD showed significant differences (p‐value 0.00).ConclusionRDs are associated with higher frequencies of TTIs, compared with VNRBD. However, the study was unable to assess whether the significant difference was related to individual risk or repeat/first time status of the donors. Other important variables affecting frequency are the catchment area of the blood donors in Pakistan. Urban areas have less prevalence than semi‐urban areas.
Magnetic resonance imaging features of presumed intracerebral hemorrhages in dogs show a significant association between apparent diffusion coefficient peripheral layer and estimated bleeding age and commonly exhibit a T2 blackout effect
Authors: Marazzi Roberto , Carloni Andrea , Moioli Melania , Pollard Danica , Bernardini Marco , Specchi Swan 
Published: October 2023

AbstractIn humans, intracranial hematomas commonly exhibit a T2 blackout effect (BOE) with diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps. Published descriptions of comparable findings in dogs with intracerebral hemorrhages are lacking. Aims of this retrospective observational study were to describe the appearance of presumed intracerebral hemorrhages (PICHs) in DWI regardless of the underlying etiology and presence of T2 blackout effect (T2 BOE) in dogs and to test potential associations with DWI and ADC findings versus the estimated age of the hemorrhage. Magnetic resonance imaging studies of dogs with presumed PICHs based on the combined evaluation of T2*W gradient echo and/or susceptibility‐weighted imaging, T1W and T2W images were enrolled. The age of the hemorrhage was estimated according to published criteria based on T1W and T2W sequences. The association between the age of the hemorrhage and the appearance of each finding (stratified or mixed), their signal intensities in DWI/ADC and the presence of the T2 BOE, was evaluated. A total of 35 PICHs were included: 13 of them were stratified and 22 had a mixed aspect. Only the ADC appearance of the peripheral layer in stratified PICHs was significantly associated with estimated age of the hemorrhage (p = .033), being hypointense in all hyperacute cases and hypo‐/isointense in acute cases. The T2 BOE was present in 29/35 PICHs. The DWI sequences showed limited utility to date PICHs in this study population. As in humans, the T2 BOE was commonly seen in DWI and ADC maps of dogs with PICHs.
G‐crossed braided zesting
Authors: Delaney Colleen , Galindo César , Plavnik Julia , Rowell Eric C. , Zhang Qing 
Published: October 2023

AbstractFor a finite group , a ‐crossed braided fusion category is a ‐graded fusion category with additional structures, namely, a ‐action and a ‐braiding. We develop the notion of ‐crossed braided zesting: an explicit method for constructing new ‐crossed braided fusion categories from a given one by means of cohomological data associated with the invertible objects in the category and grading group . This is achieved by adapting a similar construction for (braided) fusion categories recently described by the authors. All ‐crossed braided zestings of a given category are ‐extensions of their trivial component and can be interpreted in terms of the homotopy‐based description of Etingof, Nikshych, and Ostrik. In particular, we explicitly describe which ‐extensions correspond to ‐crossed braided zestings.
Quantitative Systems Modeling for Critical Infrastructure Predictions in Climate Change: A National Defense Framework
Authors: Badiru Adedeji , Wagenknecht Nils , Mertens Andreas , Omitaomu Olufemi 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Any national defense is dependent on the efficacy of the available physical infrastructure. Whatever degrades infrastructure, structurally, physically, architecturally, or esthetically, is of interest to the nation. Climate change is now a major significant factor of interest impinging on national critical infrastructure. The devastating effects of climate change have increasing pervasiveness throughout the world. The impact on critical infrastructure is of particular interest to researchers. In consonance with ASCE-ASME's special issue on critical infrastructure protection and resilience, this paper presents a systems-modeling approach for critical infrastructure and predictions in relation to climate change agreements in COP26. The paper addresses high-level critical systems-based assessment of the social, legal, economic, and technical nuances impinging on the viability of COP26 agreements. The paper was written using a multinational collaboration approach. The specific focus of national defense is used as the backdrop for the methodology of the paper.
Effects of Blockage Ratio on the Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Turbulent Flow Separation Around a Square Cylinder at Moderate Reynolds Numbers
Authors: Abdul-Salam Fati Bio , Tachie Mark Francis 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
The effects of blockage ratio (BR) on turbulent flows around square cylinders at moderate Reynolds numbers are investigated using a time-resolved particle image velocimetry (TR-PIV). The blockage ratios range from 2.5% to 15%, and the Reynolds numbers based on the freestream velocity and cylinder thickness are 3000, 7500, and 15,000. The flow dynamics are examined in terms of the mean flow, Reynolds stresses, frequency spectra, reverse flow area, and proper orthogonal decomposition (POD). The results show that the wake characteristics are nearly independent of the Reynolds number and blockage ratio. Spectral analyses of the velocity fluctuations demonstrate that the von Kármán (VK) shedding frequency is independent of the Reynolds number and blockage ratio, however, the Kelvin–Helmholtz (KH) frequencies increase with increasing Reynolds number and blockage ratio. The probability density function of the reverse flow area shows unimodal and bimodal distributions for the lower (BR ≤ 5%) and higher (BR ≥ 10%) blockage ratios, respectively, and the mean reverse flow area and its standard deviation decrease with increasing blockage ratio. The results also show that the contributions from the first POD mode pair to the total energy increase with blockage ratio but independent of the Reynolds number. The POD mode coefficients show significant cycle-to-cycle variation at lower blockage ratios, suggesting that the energetic structures are comparatively less organized at lower blockage ratios. The spectra of the velocity fluctuations, reverse flow area, and POD mode coefficients all show dominant peaks at the fundamental shedding frequency.
How Important is Position in Adaptive Treadmill Control?
Authors: Downer Kaitlyn E. , Pariser Kayla M. , Donlin Margo C. , Higginson Jill S. 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
To more closely mimic overground walking, researchers are developing adaptive treadmills (ATMs) that update belt speed in real-time based on user gait mechanics. Many existing ATM control schemes are solely based on position on the belt and do not respond to changes in gait mechanics, like propulsive forces, that result in increased overground walking speed. To target natural causal mechanisms to alter speed, we developed an ATM controller that adjusts speed via changes in position, step length, and propulsion. Gains on each input dictate the impact of the corresponding parameter on belt speed. The study objective was to determine the effect of modifying the position gain on self-selected walking speed, measures of propulsion, and step length. Twenty-two participants walked at their self-selected speed with four ATM controllers, each with a unique position gain. Walking speed, anterior and posterior ground reaction force peaks and impulses, net impulse, and step length were compared between conditions. Smaller position gains promoted more equivalent anterior and posterior impulses, resulting in a net impulse closer to zero (p = 0.0043), a characteristic of healthy gait. Walking speed, anterior and posterior ground reaction force peaks and impulses, and step length did not change between conditions (all p &gt; 0.05). These results suggest that reducing the importance of position in the ATM controller may promote more balanced anterior and posterior impulses, possibly improving the efficacy of the ATM for gait rehabilitation by emphasizing changes in gait mechanics instead of position to naturally adjust speed.
Rework and Repair Options for Steam Turbine Components Subject to Flexible Operation
Authors: Biesinger Frank , Lorini Huascar , Shah Ritesh 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
The increase in renewable energy penetration on the grid has accelerated the need to transition conventional fossil-based energy sources from their traditional base load operation to more flexible operational regimes. The mode of operation changed dramatically in terms of number of starts, operating hours per annum, and variation in load level. This results in greater thermal transients on operational equipment leading to an increase in Low Cycle Fatigue damage. To ensure the continued integrity of the steam turbine components, it is essential to assess the lifetime status by applying residual lifetime analysis methods. Depending on the amount of lifetime consumption and the extend of potential crack findings, different component repair options are possible. The rework or repair options can be divided into two main groups, namely, cold- and hot-rework. These two options can also be carried out consecutively. All rework or repair options provide the opportunity to improve the application of a component by applying profiling with improved stress fields and even superior materials, in the case of hot rework. The aim of the rework/reconditioning is to ensure that the steam turbine component is suitable for future operation. This ensures that plants are well placed to deliver more flexible operation in the energy industry through carefully tailored refurbishments and reworks.
Enhancing anatomy education through cooperative learning: harnessing virtual reality for effective gross anatomy learning
Authors: Wang Chao-Ying , Yin Ti , Ma Kuo-Hsing , Shyu Jia-Fwu , Cheng Chia-Pi , Wang Yu-Chiao , Huang Yun-Ling , Chiang Ming-Hsien 
Published: October 2023

ABSTRACT
The advent of virtual reality (VR) in education offers unique possibilities for facilitating cooperative learning strategies, particularly in fields demanding intricate spatial understanding, such as gross anatomy. This study investigates the impact of integrating cooperative learning strategies within a VR-based gross anatomy curriculum, focusing on enhancing students’ anatomy knowledge and skills. We analyzed the performance of two cohorts of first-year nursing students across five semesters (2016–2020), where traditional learning methods were used in the first three semesters (2016–2018), and a VR-based cooperative learning approach was adopted in the last two semesters (2019–2020). Our findings suggest that the VR-based cooperative learning group achieved significantly higher scores in their gross anatomy laboratory courses compared to their counterparts learning through traditional methods. This research provides valuable insights into how the integration of VR technology and cooperative learning strategies can not only enhance learning outcomes but also improve the VR learning experience by reducing motion sickness. It accentuates the potential of VR-based cooperative learning as an impactful educational tool in anatomy education. Future research should further explore the optimal integration of VR and cooperative learning strategies in diverse course types and their potential to enhance educational outcomes and the learning experience.
The amount of Nck rather than N-WASP correlates with the rate of actin-based motility of Vaccinia virus
Authors: Basant Angika , Way Michael 
Published: October 2023

ABSTRACT
Vaccinia virus exiting from host cells activates Src/Abl kinases to phosphorylate A36, an integral membrane viral protein. Phosphorylated A36 binds the adaptors Nck and Grb2, which recruit N-WASP to activate Arp2/3-driven actin polymerization to promote viral spread. A36 also recruits intersectin, which enhances actin polymerization via AP-2/clathrin and Cdc42. How many viral and host molecules does such a virus-hijacked signaling network engage? To advance our quantitative understanding of this model signaling network, we determined the absolute numbers of the key molecules using fluorescent molecule-counting approaches in live cells. There are 1,156 ± 120 A36 molecules on virus particles inducing actin polymerization in HeLa cells. This number, however, is over 2,000 in mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs), suggesting that A36 levels on the virion are not fixed. In MEFs, viruses recruit 1,032 ± 200 Nck and 434 ± 10 N-WASP molecules, suggesting a ratio of 4:2:1 for the A36:Nck:N-WASP signaling network. Loss of A36 binding to either secondary factor Grb2 or intersectin results in a 1.3- and 2.5-fold reduction in Nck, respectively. Curiously, despite recruiting comparable numbers of the Arp2/3 activator, N-WASP (245 ± 26 and 276 ± 66), these mutant viruses move at different speeds that inversely correlate with the number of Nck molecules. Our analysis has uncovered two unexpected new aspects of Vaccinia virus egress, numbers of the viral protein A36 can vary in the virion membrane and the rate of virus movement depends on the adaptor protein Nck.

IMPORTANCE
Vaccinia virus is a large double-stranded DNA virus and a close relative of Mpox and Variola virus, the causative agent of smallpox. During infection, Vaccinia hijacks its host’s transport systems and promotes its spread into neighboring cells by recruiting a signaling network that stimulates actin polymerization. Over the years, Vaccinia has provided a powerful model to understand how signaling networks regulate actin polymerization. Nevertheless, we still lack important quantitative information about the system, including the precise number of viral and host molecules required to induce actin polymerization. Using quantitative fluorescence microscopy techniques, we have determined the number of viral and host signaling proteins accumulating on virions during their egress. Our analysis has uncovered two unexpected new aspects of this process: the number of viral proteins in the virion is not fixed and the velocity of virus movement depends on the level of a single adaptor within the signaling network.
Clinical significance of
Nosocomiicoccus ampullae
isolated from blood cultures
Authors: Campodónico Victoria L. , Tekle Tsigereda , Bergman Yehudit , Lu Jennifer , Gisriel Emily , Romagnoli Mark , Bourdas Dimitrios , Hanlon Ann , Manuel Carmila , Humphries Romney , Simner Patricia J. , Carroll Karen C. 
Published: October 2023

ABSTRACT

Nosocomiicoccus
species are infrequently isolated from clinical specimens and their clinical significance has not been evaluated. We retrospectively reviewed five cases in which
Nosocomiicoccus ampullae
was identified in a single blood culture set during routine culture. All patients were admitted for altered mental status and had several comorbidities. Patients improved without antibiotic therapy directed to
N. ampullae
or their condition declined due to underlying conditions, and
N. ampullae
isolation was not considered clinically significant in any case. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry and/or 16S rRNA gene Sanger sequencing allowed genus identification, but whole genome sequencing was required for accurate species identification. All strains were susceptible to penicillin, oxacillin, cefoxitin, tetracycline, doxycycline, daptomycin, minocycline, clindamycin, nitrofurantoin, vancomycin, and linezolid; they showed high-level resistance to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and erythromycin, and inducible resistance to clindamycin, applying Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute
Staphylococcus
spp. guidelines with an extended incubation. They frequently carry genes associated with macrolide resistance. In conclusion,
N. ampullae
appears to have low pathogenicity and most probably represents a contaminant when isolated from a single blood culture set.

IMPORTANCE

Nosocomiicoccus
species are recently described as members of the
Staphylococcaceae
family. With their inclusion in commercial matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry databases,
Nosocomiicoccus
species can now be identified when Gram-positive cocci in clusters are detected in positive blood cultures. However, their clinical significance is not known, making it difficult for the clinical microbiology laboratory to decide the extent of work-up. Based on our study,
Nosocomiicoccus
species demonstrate low pathogenicity and opportunistic potential. If isolated from a single blood culture set, limited work-up should be performed to an extent similar to other possible blood culture contaminants.
Plant structural and storage glucans trigger distinct transcriptional responses that modulate the motility of
Xanthomonas
pathogens
Authors: Bonfim Isabela Mendes , Paixão Douglas Alvarez , Andrade Maxuel de Oliveira , Junior Joaquim Martins , Persinoti Gabriela Felix , Giuseppe Priscila Oliveira de , Murakami Mário Tyago 
Published: October 2023

ABSTRACT

Some phytopathogens are outfitted with a broad and diverse repertoire of enzymatic systems that enable the breakdown and utilization of host polysaccharides as a source of carbon, energy, and stimuli. However, the functional assignment of these enzymatic systems and the influence of their products on modulating pathogen behavior during host colonization are yet poorly comprehended. In this study, we performed RNA-seq analyses to provide a comprehensive, genome-wide view of the transcriptional response of the model phytopathogen
Xanthomonas citri
pv.
citri
306 (known as
X. citri
306) to cellobiose, a component of structural β-1,4-glucans (majorly cellulose), and storage α-glucans, seeking to better understand how they are assimilated and the impacts of their sensing on bacterial behavior and physiology. Structural β-1,4-glucans and storage α-glucans (starch) are spatially discretized in the plant cell, therefore representing spatiotemporal references for the bacterium during host colonization. Combining transcriptional and genome mining analyses with gene knockout and cell motility assays, we show that
X. citri
306 harbors molecular systems for the breakdown and assimilation of these carbohydrates, revealing that cellobiose upregulates genes related to flagellum assembly and type IV pili, inducing a higher motility state. In contrast, starch suppresses genes related to chemotaxis, flagellum assembly, and biofilm dispersion, decreasing motility. Taken together, these results unravel that, besides using structural β-glucans and storage α-glucans as sources of carbon and energy,
Xanthomonas
bacteria also sense them, adapting their metabolism and controlling transitions between higher and lower motility states for successful host colonization.

IMPORTANCE

Pathogenic
Xanthomonas
bacteria can affect a variety of economically relevant crops causing losses in productivity, limiting commercialization and requiring phytosanitary measures. These plant pathogens exhibit high level of host and tissue specificity through multiple molecular strategies including several secretion systems, effector proteins, and a broad repertoire of carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes). Many of these CAZymes act on the plant cell wall and storage carbohydrates, such as cellulose and starch, releasing products used as nutrients and modulators of transcriptional responses to support host colonization by mechanisms yet poorly understood. Here, we reveal that structural and storage β-glucans from the plant cell function as spatial markers, providing distinct chemical stimuli that modulate the transition between higher and lower motility states in
Xanthomonas citri
, a key virulence trait for many bacterial pathogens.