Search

Compounding hazards are becoming more common due to global environmental change. To build societal resilience, there is a need to focus on how people are made vulnerable by our social, political, and economic systems that turn hazards into disasters. Incremental adaptation, often piecemeal and hazard-specific actions, will be insufficient for keeping pace with the rapid global environmental changes already underway. Instead, transformative adaptation is necessary for meeting this need, although the pathways for how to create transformative as opposed to incremental change through individual action and social systems are challenging. These challenges for climate adaptation are on display in rural American Indian Tribal Nations, including the Tule River Indian Reservation, the site of this co-produced research. The Reservation is rural and isolated, and many of the 2000 members manage chronic health conditions like diabetes alongside increasing wildfire and wildfire smoke, extreme heat, drought, and flooding hazards. We ask: how do emergency managers and health practitioners on the Reservation characterize hazards and the vulnerabilities of the people they serve, and how do these understandings determine viable pathways for adaptation to support community health? We interviewed 16 practitioners with expertise in emergency management and health care services on the Tule River Indian Reservation. Using a grounded theory approach to analyze practitioner interviews, our article makes two major contributions. First, we identify a conceptual framework by which practitioners connect people to each other and to place, from place to compounding hazards, and from vulnerabilities to hazard management strategies. Second, our conceptual framework illustrates the incremental-transformative adaptation tension. Most adaptation strategies under consideration or implemented are incremental in nature and hazard-specific. Yet, we demonstrate how action at earlier points in the framework could promise transformative adaptation, addressing the disconnection between people, place, and infrastructure in ways that incremental adaptation actions cannot.

In this study, we have developed an amplifier waveguide module suitable for broadband communication in the sub-THz band. To achieve a waveguide module with excellent gain flatness characteristics, the effects of errors during the packaging procedures of the waveguide module and the space occupied by the bondwire were analyzed through an electromagnetic simulation. Furthermore, a photonics-based sub-THz wireless link with a carrier frequency of 288 GHz was established using a packaged amplifier module. The amplifier module was placed at the output of the sub-THz transmitter based on a uni-traveling-carrier photodiode and at the input of the sub-THz receiver. The maximum gain and 3 dB bandwidth of the amplifier module are 17.3 dB and 39 GHz, respectively. With this setup, we successfully transmitted a 100-Gbps 16-QAM modulated signal, employing a carrier frequency of 288 GHz, across a wireless distance of 100 m.

We demonstrate the transmission of uncompressed 4K videos over the photonics-based terahertz (THz) wireless link using a directly modulated distributed feedback laser diode (DFB-LD). For optical heterodyne mixing and data modulation, a DFB-LD was employed and directly modulated with a 5.94-Gb/s non-return-to-zero signal, which is related to a 6G-serial digital interface standard to support ultra-high-definition video resolution. We derived the optimal frequency of the THz carrier by varying the wavelength difference between DFB-LD output and Tunable LD output in the THz signal transmitter to obtain the best transmission performances of the uncompressed 4K video signals. Furthermore, we exploited the negative laser-to-filter detuning for the adiabatic chirp management of the DFB-LD by the intentional discrepancy between the center wavelength of the optical band-pass filter and the output wavelength of the DFB-LD. With the help of the abovementioned methods, we successfully transmitted uncompressed 4K video signals over the 2.3-m wireless transmission distance without black frames induced by time synchronization error.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of midsole hardness on gait mechanisms by wearing a backpack. Methods Ten healthy adult males(age:23.20±1.33yrs, heights: 1.72±0.03cm, weights: 67.60±5.95kg) participated in this study. Subjects walked at a speed of 1.5m/s in an 8m section wearing randomly selected midsole hardness (Soft, Medium, Hard) shoes and backpack (30% of body weight). For measurement of body movement, 10 infrared cameras (Vicon motion capture system, UK) and force plate (AMTI, ORG-6, US) were used. Results First, in the shock phenomenon change, the ground contact time was longer when wearing a backpack. Second, in the shock absorption strategy, the pack plantarflexion velocity at the ankle joint was faster in Hard than Soft, and the pack dorsiflexion moment decreased when wearing a backpack (p

Background To evaluate the demographics, clinical and radiographic features of calcific tendinitis of the shoulder in the Korean population, specifically focusing on the incidence of coexisting rotator cuff tear. Methods Between October 2014 and January 2015, we performed a prospective multicenter study with 506 patients from 11 training hospitals in Korea. We collected data of demographics and radiographic analysis based on simple radiographs, clinical assessments based on visual analog scale (VAS) and the American Shoulder Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, and treatment modalities that are used currently. We also evaluated coexisting rotator cuff tear by ultrasonography (US) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images. Results There were 402 female patients (79%) with mean age of 55 years (range, 31–87 years). Mean duration of symptoms was 16 months. Mean size of calcific materials was 11.4 mm (range, 0–35 mm). Mean value of VAS and ASES scores were 6.5 (range, 1–10) and 47 (range, 8–95), respectively. Of 383 patients (76%), 59 (15%) had rotator cuff tear including 15 full-thickness tears on US or MRI. Patients with rotator cuff tears were significantly associated with older age, recurrent symptoms, menstrual disorders in females, and having undergone calcification removal surgery and rotator cuff repair (all p

Exposure to climate hazards is increasing, and the experiences of frontline communities warrant meaningful and urgent attention towards how to mitigate, manage, and adapt to hazards. We report results from a community-engaged pilot (November 2021–June 2022) of N = 30 participants in four frontline communities of the San Francisco Bay Area, California, USA. The study region is an area where low-income, non-English-speaking residents are inequitably exposed and vulnerable to wildfire smoke, extreme heat, and other climate hazards. Building from a yearslong partnership of researchers, community organizations, and community members, we report the feasibility of a project piloting (1) instruments to monitor indoor air quality, temperature, and participant sleep health, and (2) interventions to improve indoor air quality and support protective behaviors. Data collection included experience-based survey data (via in-person administered surveys and a smartphone application) and interviews about heat and air quality, as well as data from an air monitoring protocol. Results cover the prevalence of hazard exposure and protective actions among participants. We discuss throughout methods for conducting and evaluating a community-engaged pilot, particularly by using a community ambassador program. Implications include the feasibility of community-engaged research projects, including discussion of resources required to accomplish this work.

We propose and demonstrate a cascaded distributed antenna system (DAS) for efficiently extending the coverage of the mmWave-based 5G indoor network. For this, we exploit the radio-over-fiber (RoF) system based on the intermediate-frequency-over-fiber (IFoF) transmission technique that is enabled to add/drop the specific wavelength to the designated remote antenna unit (RAU) with using optical splitters and coarse wavelength division multiplexing (CWDM) filters. Moreover, the IFoF transceivers (TRx) perform the subcarrier multiplexing (SCM) in order to transmit 2 × 8 frequency allocation (FA) 5G signals per a single optical carrier, where each FA has 100 MHz bandwidth, leading each RAU to support 2 × 2 MIMO operation. Consequently, the cascaded structure allows for the adaptive and flexible configuration of the order of MIMO in accordance of the required data throughput at the specific indoor area. We introduce the cascaded IFoF link structure that can support up-to 13.5 dB optical power budget with following errorvector-magnitude (EVM) performance characterizations. And then we experimentally demonstrate the RoFbased cascaded DAS network, showing that more than 1 Gb/s total throughput can be achieved per a single antenna. Furthermore, we examine the use of avalanche photodiode (APD) to further increase the optical power budget (i.e., the coverage) based on experiment as well as simulation.

OmpA, a protein commonly found in the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria, has served as a paradigm for the study of β-barrel proteins for several decades. In Escherichia coli, OmpA was previously reported to form complexes with RcsF, a surface-exposed lipoprotein that triggers the Rcs stress response when damage occurs in the outer membrane and the peptidoglycan. How OmpA interacts with RcsF and whether this interaction allows RcsF to reach the surface has remained unclear. Here, we integrated in vivo and in vitro approaches to establish that RcsF interacts with the C-terminal, periplasmic domain of OmpA, not with the N-terminal β-barrel, thus implying that RcsF does not reach the bacterial surface via OmpA. Our results suggest a novel function for OmpA in the cell envelope: OmpA competes with the inner membrane protein IgaA, the downstream Rcs component, for RcsF binding across the periplasm, thereby regulating the Rcs response.

This inter-lab study aimed to evaluate the comparability of heavy metal concentrations in the same samples using three X-ray fluorescence spectrometers (XRFs) in three different global re-search institutions, namely a collaboration lab between Soonchunhyang University (Asan, Korea). and PAN (a branch of Malvern PANalytical, Seoul, Korea), RTI (Research Triangle Institute, NC, U.S.A), and Aerosol laboratory in Harvard University, Boston, U.S.A. Indoor air filter samples were collected from 8 homes using 3 filters in each household (n = 24) of individuals with asthma, and the same filter samples were sequentially analyzed separately in the collaboration lab Soonchunhyang-PAN, Harvard University, and RTI. Results showed the detection rates of most heavy metals (n = 25 metals) across the three institutions to be approximately 90%. Of the 25 metals, 16 showed coefficient of determination (R²) 0.7 or higher (10 components had 0.9 or higher) implying high correlation among institutions. Therefore, this study demonstrated XRF as a useful device, ensuring reproducibility and compatibility in the measurement of heavy metals in PM2.5, collected from indoor air filters of asthmatics’ residents.

In enterobacteria, the Rcs system (Regulator of capsule synthesis) monitors envelope integrity and induces a stress response when damages occur in the outer membrane or in the peptidoglycan layer. Built around a two-component system, Rcs controls gene expression via a cascade of phosphoryl transfer reactions. Being particularly complex, Rcs also involves the outer membrane lipoprotein RcsF and the inner membrane essential protein IgaA (Intracellular growth attenuator). RcsF and IgaA, which are located upstream of the phosphorelay, are required for normal Rcs functioning. Here, we establish the stress-dependent formation of a complex between RcsF and the periplasmic domain of IgaA as the molecular signal triggering Rcs. Moreover, molecular dissection of IgaA reveals that its negative regulatory role on Rcs is mostly carried by its first N-terminal cytoplasmic domain. Altogether, our results support a model in which IgaA regulates Rcs activation by playing a direct role in the transfer of signals from the cell envelope to the cytoplasm. This remarkable feature further distinguishes Rcs from other envelope stress response systems.

The cell envelope of gram-negative bacteria, a structure comprising an outer (OM) and an inner (IM) membrane, is essential for life. The OM and the IM are separated by the periplasm, a compartment that contains the peptidoglycan. The OM is tethered to the peptidoglycan via the lipoprotein, Lpp. However, the importance of the envelope's multilayered architecture remains unknown. Here, when we removed physical coupling between the OM and the peptidoglycan, cells lost the ability to sense defects in envelope integrity. Further experiments revealed that the critical parameter for the transmission of stress signals from the envelope to the cytoplasm, where cellular behaviour is controlled, is the IM-to-OM distance. Augmenting this distance by increasing the length of the lipoprotein Lpp destroyed signalling, whereas simultaneously increasing the length of the stress-sensing lipoprotein RcsF restored signalling. Our results demonstrate the physiological importance of the size of the periplasm. They also reveal that strict control over the IM-to-OM distance is required for effective envelope surveillance and protection, suggesting that cellular architecture and the structure of transenvelope protein complexes have been evolutionarily co-optimised for correct function. Similar strategies are likely at play in cellular compartments surrounded by 2 concentric membranes, such as chloroplasts and mitochondria.

ABSTRACT The Escherichia coli membrane protein DsbD functions as an electron hub that dispatches electrons received from the cytoplasmic thioredoxin system to periplasmic oxidoreductases involved in protein disulfide isomerization, cytochrome c biogenesis, and sulfenic acid reduction. Here, we describe a new class of DsbD proteins, named ScsB, whose members are found in proteobacteria and Chlamydia. ScsB has a domain organization similar to that of DsbD, but its amino-terminal domain differs significantly. In DsbD, this domain directly interacts with substrates to reduce them, which suggests that ScsB acts on a different array of substrates. Using Caulobacter crescentus as a model organism, we searched for the substrates of ScsB. We discovered that ScsB provides electrons to the first peroxide reduction pathway identified in the bacterial cell envelope. The reduction pathway comprises a thioredoxin-like protein, TlpA, and a peroxiredoxin, PprX. We show that PprX is a thiol-dependent peroxidase that efficiently reduces both hydrogen peroxide and organic peroxides. Moreover, we identified two additional proteins that depend on ScsB for reduction, a peroxiredoxin-like protein, PrxL, and a novel protein disulfide isomerase, ScsC. Altogether, our results reveal that the array of proteins involved in reductive pathways in the oxidative cell envelope is significantly broader than was previously thought. Moreover, the identification of a new periplasmic peroxiredoxin indicates that in some bacteria, it is important to directly scavenge peroxides in the cell envelope even before they reach the cytoplasm. IMPORTANCE Peroxides are reactive oxygen species (ROS) that damage cellular components such as lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. The presence of protection mechanisms against ROS is essential for cell survival. Bacteria express cytoplasmic catalases and thiol-dependent peroxidases to directly scavenge harmful peroxides. We report the identification of a peroxide reduction pathway active in the periplasm of Caulobacter crescentus, which reveals that, in some bacteria, it is important to directly scavenge peroxides in the cell envelope even before they reach the cytoplasm. The electrons required for peroxide reduction are delivered to this pathway by ScsB, a new type of membrane electron transporter. We also identified two additional likely ScsB substrates, including a novel protein disulfide isomerase. Our results reveal that the array of proteins involved in reductive pathways in the oxidative environment of the cell envelope is significantly broader than was previously thought.