Search Results (11)

Ongoing interest in the intersection of spirituality and health has prompted a need for integrated research. This report proposes a distinct approach in a model that allows for successful and harmonious cross-fertilization within these latter two areas of interest. Our work is especially pertinent to inquiries around the role of spirituality in mental health, with special attention to chronic pain conditions. The latter have become an open channel for novel avenues to explore the field of spirituality-based interventions within the arena of psychological inquiry. To address this, the authors developed and implemented the Church and Academia Model, a prototype for an innovative collaborative research project, with the aim of exploring the role of devotional practices, and their potential to be used as therapeutic co-adjuvants or tools to enhance the coping skills of patients with chronic pain. Keeping in mind that the church presents a rich landscape for clinical inquiry with broad relevance for clinicians and society at large, we created a unique hybrid research model. This is a new paradigm that focuses on distinct and well-defined studies where the funding, protocol writing, study design, and implementation are shared by experts from both the pastoral and clinical spaces. A team of theologians, researchers, and healthcare providers, including clinical pain psychologists, built a coalition leveraging their respective skill sets. Each expert is housed in their own environs, creating a functional network that has proven academically productive and pastorally effective. Key outputs include the creation and validation of a new psychometric measure, the Pain-related PRAYER Scale (PPRAYERS), an associated bedside prayer tool and a full-scale dissemination strategy through journal publications and specialty society conferences. This collaborative prototype is also an ideal fit for integrated knowledge translation platforms, and it is a promising paradigm for future collaborative projects focused on spirituality and mental health. Full article

Density and viscosity are fundamental properties necessary for processing of red palm oil (RPO). The main fatty acid constituents of RPO were determined to be palmitic acid (C_16:0), oleic acid (C_18:1), and linoleic acid (C_18:2). Rheology measurements confirmed that RPO behaved as a Newtonian fluid. Viscosities and atmospheric densities of RPO were measured at 0.1 MPa and (293 K to 413) K and correlated with the Rodenbush model (0.05% deviation). Dynamic viscosities of RPO were correlated with the Vogel–Fulcher–Tammann model (0.06% deviation) and Doolittle free volume model (0.04% deviation). High-pressure densities of RPO were measured at (10 to 150) MPa and (312 to 352) K. The Tait equation could correlate the high-pressure densities of RPO to within 0.021% deviation and was used to estimate the thermal expansion as 5.1 × 10⁻⁴ K⁻¹ (at 312 K, 150 MPa) to 4.8 × 10⁻⁴ K⁻¹ (at 352 K, 150 MPa) and isothermal compressibility as 7.3 × 10⁻⁴ MPa⁻¹ (at 352 K, 0.1 MPa) to 3.5 × 10⁻⁴ MPa⁻¹ (at 352 K, 150 MPa). Parameters for the perturbed-chain statistical associating fluid theory equation of state were determined and gave an average of 0.143% deviation in density. The data and equations developed should be useful in high-pressure food processing as well as in applications considering vegetable oils as heat transfer fluids or as lubricants. Full article

Population-based sampling has improved pathogen monitoring in the US swine industry by increasing sensitivity while reducing costs. Postmortem tongue fluids (TF) have emerged as a practical option for monitoring porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) in breeding herds, but limited data exist on optimal storage conditions. This study evaluated PRRSV RNA detection via RT-qPCR in TF samples under various storage times, temperatures, and viral loads. Additionally, the porcine endogenous reference gene (internal sample control, ISC) was assessed for monitoring sample quality. Three studies were conducted: Study 1 compared fresh TF samples to freeze–thaw TF samples, with significantly lower cycle threshold (Ct) values in fresh samples. Studies 2 and 3 evaluated PRRSV RNA stability across six time points (0 to 336 h) and four temperatures (−20 °C, 4 °C, 22 °C, and 34 °C). At 4 °C, Ct value variation was minimal (≤1.1) over 14 days (336 h), with no significant changes within 48 h. In contrast, storage at 22 °C and 34 °C resulted in increased Ct values. The ISC RNA showed similar stability patterns, maintaining quality at 4 °C but degrading at higher temperatures. In conclusion, storing TF at ≤4 °C for up to 14 days for PRRSV and ISC RNA detection is the best scenario, ensuring optimal diagnostic quality. Full article

Leaf litter is an important input to freshwater systems. Leaves provide carbon, nutrients, and secondary compounds. We examined the effects of tree leaf species on chlorophyll a concentration—a proxy for phytoplankton biomass. We found that an input of Chinese tallow (Triadica sebiferum, invasive in the southeastern USA) and red maple (Acer rubrum) leaves resulted in lower chlorophyll concentrations than controls and other native species. These leaf species also leached tannins, resulting in a darker water color, and either may have caused the patterns observed. To separate these potential mechanisms (darker water leading to light limitation and tannin toxicity), we conducted a second experiment with a fully factorial design manipulating tannins and water color. We found that darker water resulted in the lowest chlorophyll concentration, suggesting light limitation. In the clear-water treatment, the addition of tannic acid lowered chlorophyll concentrations but also resulted in moderately darker water by the end of the experiment. The tannic acid may have been toxic to the algae, or there may have been some light limitation. Our results suggest that tannins that darken water color may substantially suppress phytoplankton and that tree species composition may influence both phytoplankton and the brownification of freshwater. Full article

This study compares the film thickness, lubricant temperature, and traction curves of two groups of commonly used constitutive models for lubricants in thermo-elastohydrodynamic lubrication (TEHL) modelling. The first group consists of the Tait equation of state, the Doolittle Newtonian viscosity model, and the Carreau shear thinning model. The second group includes the Dowson equation of state, the Roelands–Houpert Newtonian viscosity model, and the Eyring shear thinning model. The simulations were conducted using a Computational Fluid Dynamic and Fluid-Structure Interaction (CFD-FSI) approach, which employs a homogeneous equilibrium model for the flow simulation along with a linear elastic solver to describe the deformation of the solid materials. The simulations were conducted under a load range of 100 kN/m to 200 kN/m and a slide-to-roll-ratio (SRR) range between 0 and 2 using Squalane lubricant. The results show up to a 10% deviation in central film thickness, a 31% deviation in coefficient of friction (CoF), and a 38% deviation in maximum lubricant temperature when using the different constitutive models. This study highlights the sensitivity of TEHL simulation results to the choice of constitutive models for lubricants and the importance of carefully selecting the appropriate models for specific applications. Full article

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has risen over the past 20 years as a safe and effective alternative to surgical aortic valve replacement for treatment of severe aortic stenosis, and is now a well-established and recommended treatment option in suitable patients irrespective of predicted risk of mortality after surgery. Studies of numerous devices, either newly developed or reiterations of previous prostheses, have been accruing. We hereby review TAVI devices, with a focus on commercially available options, and aim to present a guide for prosthesis tailoring according to patient-related anatomical and clinical factors that may favor particular designs. Full article

African swine fever virus causes hemorrhagic disease in swine. Attenuated strains are reported in Africa, Europe, and Asia. Few studies on the diagnostic detection of attenuated ASF viruses are available. Two groups of pigs were inoculated with an attenuated ASFV. Group 2 was also vaccinated with an attenuated porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus vaccine. Commercially available ELISA, as well as extraction and qPCR assays, were used to detect antibodies in serum and oral fluids (OF) and nucleic acid in buccal swabs, tonsillar scrapings, OF, and blood samples collected over 93 days, respectively. After 12 dpi, serum (88.9% to 90.9%) in Group 1 was significantly better for antibody detection than OF (0.7% to 68.4%). Group 1′s overall qPCR detection was highest in blood (48.7%) and OF (44.2%), with the highest detection in blood (85.2%) from 8 to 21 days post inoculation (dpi) and in OF (83.3%) from 1 to 7 dpi. Group 2′s results were not significantly different from Group 1, but detection rates were lower overall. Early detection of attenuated ASFV variants requires active surveillance in apparently healthy animals and is only reliable at the herd level. Likewise, antibody testing will be needed to prove freedom from disease. Full article

High-quality epitaxial growth of thin film lithium niobate (LiNbO₃) is highly desirable for optical and acoustic device applications. Despite decades of research, current state-of-the-art epitaxial techniques are limited by either the material quality or growth rates needed for practical devices. In this paper, we provide a short summary of the primary challenges of lithium niobate epitaxy followed by a brief historical review of lithium niobate epitaxy for prevalent epitaxial techniques. Available figures of merit for crystalline quality and optical transmission losses are given for each growth method. The highest crystalline quality lithium niobate thin film was recently grown by halide-based molecular beam epitaxy and is comparable to bulk lithium niobate crystals. However, these high-quality crystals are grown at slow rates that limit many practical applications. Given the many challenges that lithium niobate epitaxy imposes and the wide variety of methods that have unsuccessfully attempted to surmount these barriers, new approaches to lithium niobate epitaxy are required to meet the need for simultaneously high crystalline quality and sufficient thickness for devices not currently practical by existing techniques. Full article

The landscape of Mallorca, Spain is characterized by a number of features constructed of rock. Windmills and walls are ubiquitous and visually striking. Equally widespread, but not as conspicuous, are other features associated with canal irrigation. One such feature that is understudied and therefore underappreciated is that of folk aqueduct bridges. This study investigates these features because they were critical in sustaining agriculture on the island for centuries, because they deserve recognition in order to be preserved as part of the island’s cultural and historical heritage, and because of their being antecedents or prototypes of similar structures built in Spanish colonial California. Two field seasons were devoted to locating and studying folk aqueduct bridges. Systematic windshield surveys were undertaken to identify such features. Once located, each folk aqueduct bridge was subjected to detailed description and analysis of size, shape, function, materials, and method of construction. Folk aqueduct bridges of Mallorca were built of shaped and unshaped stone, with channels made of ceramic tiles or ashlar tablets. Many of the rock walls once served as folk aqueduct bridges. Several California missionaries in the 18th century came from Mallorca, and the folk aqueduct bridges they built are based on those of their homeland. Full article

Background: Codon directional asymmetry (CDA) classifies the 64 codons into palindromes (XYX, CDA = 0), and 5′- and 3′-dominant (YXX and XXY, CDA < 0 and CDA > 0, respectively). Previously, CDA was defined by the purine/pyrimidine divide (A,G/C,T), where X is either a purine or a pyrimidine. For the remaining codons with undefined CDA, CDA was defined by the 5′ or 3′ nucleotide complementary to Y. This CDA correlates with cognate amino acid tRNA synthetase classes, antiparallel beta sheet conformation index and the evolutionary order defined by the self-referential genetic code evolution model (CDA < 0: class I, high beta sheet index, late genetic code inclusion). Methods: We explore associations of CDAs defined by nucleotide classifications according to complementarity strengths (A:T, weak; C:G, strong) and keto-enol/amino-imino groupings (G,T/A,C), also after swapping 1st and 2nd codon positions with amino acid physicochemical and structural properties. Results: Here, analyses show that for the eight codons whose purine/pyrimidine-based CDA requires using the rule of complementarity with the midposition, using weak interactions to define CDA instead of complementarity increases associations with tRNA synthetase classes, antiparallel beta sheet index and genetic code evolutionary order. CDA defined by keto-enol/amino-imino groups, 1st and 2nd codon positions swapped, correlates with amino acid parallel beta sheet formation indices and Doolittle’s hydropathicities. Conclusions: Results suggest (a) prebiotic swaps from N2N1N3 to N1N2N3 codon structures, (b) that tRNA-mediated translation replaced direct codon-amino acid interactions, and (c) links between codon structures and cognate amino acid properties. Full article

Oncoviruses cause tremendous global cancer burden. For several DNA tumor viruses, human genome integration is consistently associated with cancer development. However, genomic features associated with tumor viral integration are poorly understood. We sought to define genomic determinants for 1897 loci prone to hosting human papillomavirus (HPV), hepatitis B virus (HBV) or Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV). These were compared to HIV, whose enzyme-mediated integration is well understood. A comprehensive catalog of integration sites was constructed from the literature and experimentally-determined HPV integration sites. Features were scored in eight categories (genes, expression, open chromatin, histone modifications, methylation, protein binding, chromatin segmentation and repeats) and compared to random loci. Random forest models determined loci classification and feature selection. HPV and HBV integrants were not fragile site associated. MCPyV preferred integration near sensory perception genes. Unique signatures of integration-associated predictive genomic features were detected. Importantly, repeats, actively-transcribed regions and histone modifications were common tumor viral integration signatures. Full article