bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Two asymmetric cylindrical dielectric resonator loaded dual port multiple‐input multiple‐output antenna for wide band application with circular polarization attributes
Authors: Dwivedi Ajay Kumar , K.N. Nagesh , Kumar H. Venkatesh , Singh Suyash Kumar , Mungara Jitendranath , Sharma Anand , Singh Vivek 
Published: March 2022

SummaryA novel multiple‐input multiple‐output double asymmetrical cylindrical dielectric resonator antenna (MIMO‐DCDRA) with modified stub line feed is discussed and proposed in this work. Two unequal CDRA are placed diagonally to each other and are electromagnetically coupled with feeding arrangement via two asymmetrical circular apertures. By performing the optimization of the dimensional parameters, a significant impedance bandwidth of 70.84% ranging from 2.87 to 5.76 GHz and axial ratio bandwidth (ARBW) of 34.89% is obtained. Antenna gain is about 5.0 dBi within the operating frequency. The proposed MIMO‐DCDRA exhibits a low mutual coupling of (|S21| & |S12| < −20 dB) with the incorporation of a neutralization line. There are various diversity parameters that are also discussed in terms of mutual coupling, envelop correlation coefficient (ECC < 0.002), diversity gain (DG > 9.995), and channel capacity loss (CCL < 0.3 bits/s/Hz) over the entire impedance bandwidth.
Indigenous‐led conservation: Pathways to recovery for the nearly extirpatedKlinse‐Zamountain caribou
Authors: Lamb Clayton T. , Willson Roland , Richter Carmen , Owens‐Beek Naomi , Napoleon Julian , Muir Bruce , McNay R. Scott , Lavis Estelle , Hebblewhite Mark , Giguere Line , Dokkie Tamara , Boutin Stan , Ford Adam T. 
Published: March 2022

AbstractIndigenous Peoples around the northern hemisphere have long relied on caribou for subsistence and for ceremonial and community purposes. Unfortunately, despite recovery efforts by federal and provincial agencies, caribou are currently in decline in many areas across Canada. In response to recent and dramatic declines of mountain caribou populations within their traditional territory, West Moberly First Nations and Saulteau First Nations (collectively, the “Nations”) came together to create a new vision for caribou recovery on the lands they have long stewarded and shared. The Nations focused on the Klinse‐Za subpopulation, which had once encompassed so many caribou that West Moberly Elders remarked that they were “like bugs on the landscape.” The Klinse‐Za caribou declined from ~250 in the 1990s to only 38 in 2013, rendering Indigenous harvest of caribou nonviable and infringing on treaty rights to a subsistence livelihood. In collaboration with many groups and governments, this Indigenous‐led conservation initiative paired short‐term population recovery actions, predator reduction and maternal penning, with long‐term habitat protection in an effort to create a self‐sustaining caribou population. Here, we review these recovery actions and the promising evidence that the abundance of Klinse‐Za caribou has more than doubled from 38 animals in 2013 to 101 in 2021, representing rapid population growth in response to recovery actions. With looming extirpation averted, the Nations focused efforts on securing a landmark conservation agreement in 2020 that protects caribou habitat over a 7986‐km2area. The Agreement provides habitat protection for >85% of the Klinse‐Za subpopulation (up from only 1.8% protected pre‐conservation agreement) and affords moderate protection for neighboring caribou subpopulations (29%–47% of subpopulation areas, up from 0%–20%). This Indigenous‐led conservation initiative has set both the Indigenous and Canadian governments on the path to recover the Klinse‐Za subpopulation and reinstate a culturally meaningful caribou hunt. This effort highlights how Indigenous governance and leadership can be the catalyst needed to establish meaningful conservation actions, enhance endangered species recovery, and honor cultural connections to now imperiled wildlife.
Climatic refugia and reduced extinction correlate with underdispersion in mammals and birds in Africa
Authors: Cooper Jacob C. , Crouch Nicholas M. A. , Ferguson Adam W. , Bates John M. 
Published: March 2022

AbstractMacroevolutionary patterns, often inferred from metrics of community relatedness, are often used to ascertain major evolutionary processes shaping communities. These patterns have been shown to be informative of biogeographic barriers, of habitat suitability and invasibility (especially with regard to environmental filtering), and of regions that function as evolutionary cradles (i.e., sources of diversification) or museums (i.e., regions of reduced extinction). Here, we analyzed continental datasets of mammal and bird distributions to identify primary drivers of community evolution on the African continent for mostly endothermic vertebrates. We find that underdispersion (i.e., relatively low phylogenetic diversity compared to species richness) closely correlates with specific ecoregions that have been identified as climatic refugia in the literature, regardless of whether these specific regions have been touted as cradles or museums. Using theoretical models of identical communities that differ only with respect to extinction rates, we find that even small suppressions of extinction rates can result in underdispersed communities, supporting the hypothesis that climatic stability can lead to underdispersion. We posit that large‐scale patterns of under‐ and overdispersion between regions of similar species richness are more reflective of a particular region’s extinction potential, and that the very nature of refugia can lead to underdispersion via the steady accumulation of species richness through diversification within the same ecoregion during climatic cycles. Thus, patterns of environmental filtering can be obfuscated by environments that coincide with biogeographic refugia, and considerations of regional biogeographic history are paramount for inferring macroevolutionary processes.
Multiplex size marker (YEAST PLEX) for rapid and accurate identification of pathogenic yeasts
Authors: Aboutalebian Shima , Mahmoudi Shahram , Charsizadeh Arezoo , Nikmanesh Bahram , Hosseini Mahnaz , Mirhendi Hossein 
Published: March 2022

AbstractBackgroundMultiple yeast species can cause human disease, involving superficial to deep‐seated infections. Treatment of these infections depends on the accurate identification of causative agents; however, reliable methods are not available in many laboratories, especially not in resource‐limited settings. Here, a new multiplex assay for rapid and low‐cost identification of pathogenic yeasts is described.MethodsA two‐step multiplex assay named YEAST PLEX that comprises of four tubes and identifies 17 clinically important common to rare yeasts was designed and evaluated. The set also provides PCR amplicon of unidentified species for direct sequencing. The specificity of YEAST PLEX was tested using 28 reference strains belonging to 17 species and 101 DNA samples of clinically important non‐target bacteria, parasites, and fungi as well as human genomic DNA. The method was further analyzed using 203 previously identified and 89 unknown clinical yeast isolates. Moreover, the method was tested for its ability to identify mixed yeast colonies by using 18 mixed suspensions of two or three species.ResultsYEAST PLEX was able to identify all the target species without any non‐specific PCR products. When compared to PCR‐sequencing/MALDI‐TOF, the results of YEAST PLEX were in 100% agreement. Regarding the 89 unknown clinical isolates, random isolates were selected and subjected to PCR‐sequencing. The results of sequencing were in agreement with those of YEAST PLEX. Furthermore, this method was able to correctly identify all yeasts in mixed suspensions.ConclusionYEAST PLEX is an accurate, low‐cost, and rapid method for identification of yeasts, with applicability, especially in developing countries.
Magnetic molecularly imprinted polymers for selectively adsorbing flavins and their effects on bioremoval of Acid Red 18 and Cr(VI)
Authors: Liu Xinxin , Lu Hong , Li Qiansheng , Fu Ze , Tan Feng , Wang Xiaolei , Zhou Jiti 
Published: March 2022

AbstractBACKGROUNDFlavins can be used as redox mediators to accelerate anaerobic biotransformation of refractory pollutants. For better application of flavins, suitable immobilization methods need to be developed. As most microorganisms can synthesize flavins, it is a good strategy to develop selective solid sorbents for immobilizing the flavins released by waste biomass including waste activated sludge (WAS).RESULTSNovel core–shell magnetic molecularly imprinted polymers (MMIPs) for flavins were successfully prepared. The adsorption amount of 10 mg of MMIPs for flavin mononucleotide (FMN) could reach 29.19 μmol g−1, which was around 24.9‐fold higher than that of magnetic non‐molecularly imprinted polymers (1.17 μmol g−1). Their isothermal adsorption process followed the Langmuir model. Similar adsorption behaviors of MMIPs were also observed for flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) and riboflavin. The three flavins adsorbed on MMIPs enhanced the removal rates of azo dye Acid Red 18 (AR 18) and Cr(VI) by Shewanella oneidensis MR‐1. Moreover, the catalytic performance of MMIPs–FMN could remain at 97.6% of the original value after five repeated usages. Further studies found that MMIPs could efficiently adsorb FAD from the lysate of WAS, and MMIPs–FAD enhanced the decolorization of AR 18.CONCLUSIONSThe novel MMIPs could selectively adsorb flavins. MMIPs–flavins exhibited good catalytic and repeated usage performances, indicating that they could be used for accelerating anaerobic biotransformation of refractory pollutants. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
Recent sex work and associations with psychosocial outcomes among women living with HIV: findings from a longitudinal Canadian cohort study
Authors: Logie Carmen H. , Sokolovic Nina , Kazemi Mina , Smith Stephanie , Islam Shaz , Lee Melanie , Gormley Rebecca , Kaida Angela , de Pokomandy Alexandra , Loutfy Mona ,   the CHIWOS Research Team
Published: March 2022

AbstractIntroductionSex workers are disproportionately impacted by the HIV pandemic across global contexts, in part due to social and structural contexts of stigma and criminalization. Among women living with HIV, there is a dearth of longitudinal information regarding dynamics of sex work engagement and associated social and health outcomes. In order to better understand the social contexts and health needs of sex working women living with HIV, this study aimed to understand recent sex work prevalence and its longitudinal associations with stigma, psychosocial and clinical HIV outcomes among women living with HIV in Canada.MethodsWe conducted a three‐wave prospective cohort survey at 18‐month intervals with women living with HIV aged 16 and older in three Canadian provinces between 2013 and 2018. We used generalized estimating equations to examine longitudinal associations between recent (past 6‐month) sex work with three types of outcomes: psychosocial (recent violence, recent injection drug use, hazardous alcohol use, clinical depression and post‐traumatic stress disorder), clinical HIV (CD4 count and viral load) and stigma (HIV‐related stigma, racial discrimination and gender discrimination). Equations were adjusted for socio‐demographic factors associated with sex work across all three waves: province, age, income, gender identity, sexual orientation, education level, ethnicity and housing security.Results and DiscussionOf 1422 participants, 129 (9.1%) reported recent sex work during at least one wave (82 at baseline, 73 at first follow‐up and 32 at second follow‐up). In adjusted analyses, recent sex work was associated with psychosocial outcomes, including: past 3‐month violence (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.47, 95% CI = 1.70, 3.60), past 6‐month injection drug use (AOR = 3.49, 95% CI = 2.21–5.52), hazardous alcohol use (AOR = 2.00, 95% CI = 1.04–3.89) and depression (AOR = 1.51, 95% CI = 1.06–2.15). In unadjusted analyses, sex work was also associated with clinical HIV outcomes and gender discrimination, but not racial discrimination/HIV‐related stigma.ConclusionsAmong women living with HIV in Canada, sex work engagement is dynamic, and sex workers are more likely to report recent violence, recent injection drug use, problematic alcohol use and clinical depression. Violence prevention and support, harm reduction, mental health promotion and sex work‐affirming programs could be employed to optimize health and rights for sex working women living with HIV.
SARS‐CoV‐2, SARS‐CoV, and MERS‐CoV encode circular RNAs of spliceosome‐independent origin
Authors: Yang Shaomin , Zhou Hong , Liu Mingde , Jaijyan Dabbu , Cruz‐Cosme Ruth , Ramasamy Santhamani , Subbian Selvakumar , Liu Dongxiao , Xu Jiayu , Niu Xiaoyu , Li Yaolan , Xiao Lizu , Tyagi Sanjay , Wang Qiuhong , Zhu Hua , Tang Qiyi 
Published: March 2022

AbstractCircular RNAs (circRNAs) are a newly recognized component of the transcriptome with critical roles in autoimmune diseases and viral pathogenesis. To address the importance of circRNA in RNA viral transcriptome, we systematically identified and characterized circRNAs encoded by the RNA genomes of betacoronaviruses using both bioinformatical and experimental approaches. We predicted 351, 224, and 2764 circRNAs derived from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2), SARS‐CoV, and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus, respectively. We experimentally identified 75 potential SARS‐CoV‐2 circRNAs from RNA samples extracted from SARS‐CoV‐2‐infected Vero E6 cells. A systematic comparison of viral and host circRNA features, including abundance, strand preference, length distribution, circular exon numbers, and breakpoint sequences, demonstrated that coronavirus‐derived circRNAs had a spliceosome‐independent origin. We further showed that back‐splice junctions (BSJs) captured by inverse reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction have different level of resistance to RNase R. Through northern blotting with a BSJ‐spanning probe targeting N gene, we identified three RNase R‐resistant bands that represent SARS‐CoV‐2 circRNAs that are detected cytoplasmic by single‐molecule and amplified fluorescence in situ hybridization assays. Lastly, analyses of 169 sequenced BSJs showed that both back‐splice and forward‐splice junctions were flanked by homologous and reverse complementary sequences, including but not limited to the canonical transcriptional regulatory sequences. Our findings highlight circRNAs as an important component of the coronavirus transcriptome, offer important evaluation of bioinformatic tools in the analysis of circRNAs from an RNA genome, and shed light on the mechanism of discontinuous RNA synthesis.
Direct measurement of reaction rate for decomposition of diisopropyl methylphosphonate at high temperature using shock tube and laser absorption
Authors: Rahman Ramees K. , Higgs Jacklyn , Ninnemann Erik , Baker Jessica , Masunov Artëm E. , Vasu Subith S. 
Published: March 2022

AbstractDiisopropyl methylphosphonate (DIMP) is an organophosphorus compound used as a simulant for the chemical weapon Sarin. One of the means of destruction of Sarin is incineration at high temperature, which requires a clear understanding of the high‐temperature reaction kinetics of Sarin. In this work, we study the reaction rate for thermal decomposition of DIMP in the temperature range of 762–1059 K at a pressure near 1 atm. Test conditions are carefully chosen to minimize interferences from other reactions and intermediates formed during the decomposition process. The experimental rates obtained have been fitted for the Arrhenius rate expression to get the rate parameters of the reaction r1, DIMP (C7H17O3P) = IMP (C4H11O3P) + propene (C3H6) as
The rate obtained in this work extended the temperature range of previous measurements (up to 800 K) and can be used in reaction kinetic models for combustion of DIMP.
Microbial iron reduction does not release microplastics from organo‐metallic aggregates
Authors: Leiser Rico , Wendt‐Potthoff Katrin 
Published: March 2022

AbstractIron flocculants play a major role in the remediation of water bodies, removing particulate pollutants such as microplastics through floc formation. Such flocs are prone to microbial iron reduction while lying on top of anoxic sediments, which possibly leads the release of bound microplastics. In this study, Shewanella oneidensis was employed to simulate the impact of microbial iron reduction on the release of polyethylene spheres from sunken flocs in 120 d batch experiments. Most of the flocs iron (oxyhydr)oxides were reduced (70–90%), but this did not affect their integrity. Only a negligible proportion (0.2–2.7%) of polyethylene spheres was released, while the majority remained bound inside the floc matrix. This study exemplifies that flocs are quite stable, even when experiencing microbial iron reduction under anoxic conditions. Thereby incorporation into such aggregates may display a potential mode of long‐term microplastics storage in freshwater sediments.
Analysis and numerical simulation of a supercell tornado at the Hong Kong adjacent waters
Authors: Chan P. W. , Hon K. K. , Robinson P. , Kosiba K. , Wurman J. , Li Q. S. 
Published: March 2022

AbstractA tornado/waterspout associated with a supercell thunderstorm was observed in the adjacent waters of southern China on the evening of 18 April 2019. The case was documented using surface weather observations and Doppler radar data. A weather station near the tornado/waterspout, recorded wind gusts corresponding to hurricane intensity for a few seconds, never observed before in the region. The Doppler velocity associated with the tornado/waterspout was analysed and the vertical profile of the velocity could be very useful for wind engineering applications in the region. Dual‐polarization observations also were analysed and exhibited some similar signatures documented in supercell tornadoes in other parts of the world. Predictability of the tornado/waterspout was studied using a numerical weather prediction model. It showed that the location and timing of the waterspout/tornado could be roughly reproduced, and the model might be used to give earlier alerting to the vessels operating in the south China coastal waters.
The powder X‐band electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy of septet pyridyl‐2,4,6‐trinitrene
Authors: Chapyshev Sergei V. , Korchagin Denis V. , Costa Paulo , Sander Wolfram 
Published: March 2022

AbstractThe first X‐band EPR spectrum containing only non‐overlapping signals of septet pyridyl‐2,4,6‐trinitrene and triplet pyridylnitrenes is reported. This spectrum was recorded after photolysis of 2,4,6‐triazidopyridine in solid argon at 5 K. The zero‐field splitting (ZFS) parameters of this trinitrene as well as of intermediate triplet mononitrenes and quintet dinitrenes formed at early stages of the photolysis were determined using the combination of modern computer line‐shape spectral simulations and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. It was found that septet pyridyl‐2,4,6‐trinitrene has the record negative parameter DS = −0.1031 cm−1 among all known to date septet pyridyl‐2,4,6‐trinitrenes and may be of interest as a model multi‐qubit spin system for investigations of quantum computation processing.
Needs of older persons undergoing cardiac surgery: Exploring the perceptions of nurses, patients waiting for and patients having had surgery
Authors: Rodrigues Soraia Filipa Nicola Martins , Henriques Helga Marília da Silva Rafael , Henriques Maria Adriana Pereira 
Published: March 2022

AbstractAimsThe purpose of this research was to identify the needs of older persons waiting for elective open‐heart surgery.DesignA qualitative exploratory design methodology, using Focus Groups.MethodsA purposive sampling technique was used. Three interviews were conducted with experienced nurses, individuals waiting for open‐heart surgery (≥65years) and individuals having had open‐heart surgery (≥65years); enrolling up to 17 participants from October 2019 to January 2020. Qualitative data analysis was conducted using the iteractive model and MaxQDA® software, and EQUATOR COREQ guidelines were followed.ResultsThree themes were identified from the analysis of all three Focus Groups: (i) Needing health information; (ii) Needing emotional support; and (iii) Needing access to care.
Molecular dynamics simulation for chlorinated butyl rubber composite reinforced by dendritic amino‐terminated aromatic polyamide
Authors: Lan Yunrui , Song Weijin , Wang Jincheng 
Published: March 2022

AbstractIn this study, we explore the application of dendrimers in damping modification of chlorinated butyl rubber (CIIR) through molecular dynamics simulation. The dendrimer is dendritic polyamide G2 with polar end groups. The results showed that the composite with 9‐equivalent of G2 exhibited significant damping characteristics. The small difference of solubility indicates that G2 had good compatibility with CIIR. The cohesive energy density and bonding energy are improved. Under the same external force, the hydrogen bond consumes more energy. Besides, the maximum free volume fraction also decreased. The molecular chains of G2/CIIR (9/91) were closer. Thus, the internal friction increased and damping performance was enhanced. In terms of the mechanical properties, the elastic stiffness tensors of the material were almost constant. The glass transition temperature moved to the low‐temperature region. This may indicate a better damping performance in the low‐temperature environment. This study provides a basis for improving CIIR damping performance by using dendrimer.
Investigation of excited‐state deactivation processes in benzofluorenones using time‐resolved transient absorption spectroscopy
Authors: Dickson‐Karn Nicole M. , Celius Tevye C. , Williams Brian Wesley , Napoli Joseph , Black Rhys , Colley Kiser Z. , Dunn Timothy F. , Shi Yutong 
Published: March 2022

AbstractThree benzofluorenone derivatives, benzo[a]fluorenone (BFA), benzo[b]fluorenone (BFB), and benzo[c]fluorenone (BFC), were studied spectroscopically in comparison with 9‐fluorenone (9‐FL) in solvents of various polarities to better understand the solvatochromism and excited‐state deactivation processes in these molecules. Time‐resolved transient absorption, steady‐state absorption, emission, and fluorescence lifetimes were utilized in this endeavor. Differences in the excited‐state deactivation processes are observed which can be attributed to the varied characters of the singlet and triplet excited states in these molecules which arise from structural differences and solvatochromism. The main deactivation pathway in all of the studied molecules was internal conversion (IC). Ignoring IC, the competition between intersystem crossing (ISC) and fluorescence is highly dependent on the molecule‐solvent system. BFA was found to decay mainly via a triplet state in cyclohexane but via fluorescence in ethyl acetate and acetonitrile. BFB was found to decay via both ISC to a triplet state and emission from the singlet state in cyclohexane but only via ISC in ethyl acetate and acetonitrile. Only emission from the singlet state was observed in BFC in all solvents.