bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Design and Implementation of Adjustable Voltage Source Module for Ion Chromatography
Authors: Wang Biao , Ming Zhongping , Chen Jing , Zhou Bin
Published: May 2022

Undeniably, adjustable power supply has many applications in ion chromatography. One example would be that a safe and stable adjustable power supply is indispensable for the driving part of the suppressor in ion chromatography. However, the traditional design of adjustable power supply suffers from high complexity, leading to its incompetence for practical engineering under the background of the continuous shortage of chips. Therefore, a method for an adjustable power supply module for ion chromatography is proposed and studied. Firstly, the microprocessor is used to output the MCPWM wave to control the output voltage of the flyback transformer. Secondly, the OCADC is used to collect the feedback voltage. Thirdly, the duty cycle of the MCPWM is adjusted using the PID algorithm to achieve constant voltage output. Further, hardware overcurrent protection is realized through MCPWM fast interrupt function. By this method, an adjustable power supply with a wide voltage output range, high current, and low voltage ripple can be output with less chip resources. Both the theoretical design scheme and the specific hardware circuit of this design is presented. Moreover, a simulation verification analysis is made. Finally comes the verification of the feasibility of this method.
Implementation of White Rabbit Time Synchronization System in State Acquisition System of High-energy Physics Experimental Device
Authors: Yang Zhanfei , Ma Yichao , Yang Wenhui , Zhang Yiyuan
Published: May 2022

The state acquisition system of high energy physics experimental device has very high requirements for the clock synchronization accuracy of each node. The White Rabbit (WR) distributed synchronous timing technology can realize multi node sub nanosecond clock distribution within several kilometers, and meet the requirements of clock synchronization accuracy of the system. This paper presents an implementation of WR timing system with ZYNQ 7045 as the core in the state acquisition system. This paper introduces the hardware design and implementation scheme of collector node, the implementation scheme of WR node, and the statistical data of WR-PTP time synchronization experiment results. The test results show that this method can realize the time synchronization between the nodes of the state collector, and the accuracy is better than 1 nanosecond. It can provide high-precision time synchronization function for the multi node signal acquisition system of high-energy physics experiment.
Research on speed control of permanent magnet synchronous motor based on RBF neural network tuning PID
Authors: Wang Wanli , Pang Han , Li Xincheng , Wu Yipeng , Song Xiufu
Published: May 2022

In order to solve the problem of insufficient speed regulation performance of conventional PID controller in multi gear switching of electric drive fracturing PMSM, RBF neural network parameter identification is used to set the PID parameters and improve the control effect of conventional PID controller. By analyzing the application characteristics of PMSM in electric drive fracturing truck, the RBF-PID controller and the speed control system model of PMSM are established based on s-function in MATLAB/SIMLINK, and the simulation research is carried out in combination with the application requirements. The results show that compared with the conventional PID controller, the RBF-PID controller has better real-time performance and robustness. The real-time response characteristics of the PMSM speed regulation control system are improved by 84% and the robustness is improved by 62%. The RBF-PID controller can effectively improve the working stability of PMSM.
A method of estimation for the area and direction of pipe crack
Authors: Wu Haichao , Lv Yingchun , Chen Yan
Published: May 2022

Crack direction will affect the ultrasonic wave reflected from it. Firstly, the correlation between crack direction and the reflected energy of ultrasonic is analyzed. Then, a mathematical model of crack direction and its reflected energy is developed due to the theory and methods of function approximation. Finally, aiming at the problem that the crack area must be known when using the model to estimate the crack direction, By observing the probability distribution of reflected wave energy of cracks with different areas and directions at different measurement distances, Using its law and mathematical model, an algorithm for estimating crack area and crack direction is designed. According to the related experiments, the study confirmed that both the estimation errors of the crack area and direction by the method are 5.25% and 8.21%, respectively.
Research and application of large size measurement calibration technology
Authors: Hu Chang’an , Li Gang , Jiang Tao , He Guosong
Published: May 2022

Indoor large-length standard device is an integrated large-size measurement and calibration device, which plays an important role in large-size measurement and calibration technology. In this paper, an indoor standard device for large length based on linear guide is introduced. The uncertainty of the measurement result is 0.14 μm+1×10-7L. The device can be used to calibrate the laser interferometer and laser tracker located inside the triangle, the standard steel tape measure, special length scale and ground scanner located outside the triangle. Taking the calibration of ground scanner as an example, the application of large size measurement calibration technology is described in detail.
Research on Magnetron Fault Reasoning Based on Fault Tree Reasoning Model
Authors: Wu Weiyi , Xie Lianjun , Gao Bingpeng
Published: May 2022

Aiming at the characteristics of magnetron of airport surveillance radar, such as short operation time, complexity and nonlinear vibration signal, a fault reasoning method based on T-S fuzzy fault tree model was proposed to realize fault reasoning analysis of magnetron of radar receiving and receiving system. A T-S fuzzy fault tree fault inference model is constructed by using the field expert’s opinion expressed by fuzzy number language set. The experimental results show that compared with the traditional manual fault detection method, this method can make more comprehensive and efficient inference analysis for the magnetron fault events. This method provides a new idea for the application of magnetron fault reasoning analysis in engineering.
Research on the detection method of wheel defects of electromagnetic ultrasonic phased array trains
Authors: Zhang Xiao-yu , Wang Zhi-chun
Published: May 2022

Train wheels are important moving parts of railway locomotives, with the development of China’s railways, the reliability of its quality is of great significance to ensure the safe operation of trains and reduce the danger of train driving. However, the traditional electromagnetic ultrasonic transduction efficiency is low, and the detection is difficult. Based on the principle of electromagnetic ultrasonic phased array detection, this paper uses the finite element method to establish a two-dimensional simulation model of Comsol Multiphysics 16-channel electromagnetic ultrasonic phased array, and adopts the detection method based on B-scan imaging to process the electromagnetic ultrasonic phased array echo signal and identify the internal defects of train wheels.
A Simultaneous Localization And Mapping Technology Based On Fusion of Radar And Camera
Authors: Xiao Junyao , Ying Dejun , Wu Zijian , Fang Zezheng
Published: May 2022

In order to solve the problem of incomplete and inaccurate environment perception in the process of simultaneous localization and mapping for autonomous vehicle, this paper proposes a SLAM system for autonomous vehicle by fusing LiDAR and depth camera, installing a relatively cheap single-line LiDAR, depth camera and odometer on the robot, designing a SLAM framework, and using the localization data of LiDAR to assist visual map building for a loosely coupled fusion. It is demonstrated that the method makes the environmental information for building the map richer and more accurate compared with the single sensor mapping. It also improves the perception ability of the driverless trolley for the environment, and provides a better basis for the path planning.
Considerations for a TeV collider based on dielectric laser accelerators
Authors: England R.J. , Niedermayer U. , Schächter L. , Hughes T. , Musumeci P. , Li R.K. , Kimura W.D.
Published: May 2022

Particle acceleration in dielectric microstructures powered
by infrared lasers, or “dielectric laser acceleration” (DLA), is a
promising area of advanced accelerator research with the potential
to enable more affordable and higher-gradient accelerators for
energy frontier science and a variety of other applications. DLA
leverages well-established industrial fabrication capabilities and
the commercial availability of tabletop lasers to reduce cost, with
axial accelerating fields in the GV/m range. Desirable luminosities
would be obtained by operating with very low charge per bunch but at
extremely high repetition rates. And as a consequence of its unique
operating parameter regime, coupling of the laser to the accelerator
can potentially be in the 50% range and with low beamstrahlung
energy loss due at the interaction point, making DLA a promising
approach for a future multi-TeV linear collider.
Arbitrary spatially variant polarization by unitary transformations in a common path interferometer
Authors: Olvera Santamaría M Á , Tlapale Aguilar A , Ostrovsky A S
Published: May 2022

We introduce a novel, common path interferometric technique, for generating hybrid spatially variant polarized fields and Poincaré beams. The technique is based on unitary polarization transformations employing a single spatial light modulator in a Sagnac-like common path interferometer. This technique allows generating arbitrary fields as a superposition of orthogonal elliptically polarized vortex basis with opposite handedness. We demonstrate the generation of such fields theoretically and verify it experimentally for azimuthal and spiral polarization. As an example of application, we generated a radially polarized ring-shaped field and characterize it by Stokes polarimetry.
The order of growth of an exponential series near the boundary of the convergence domain
Authors: Gaisina G.
Published: May 2022

For a class of analytic functions in a bounded convex domain

G
G

that admit an exponential series expansion in

D
D

, the behavior of the coefficients of this expansion is studied in terms of the growth order near the boundary

∂
G

\partial G

. In the case where

G
G

has a smooth boundary, unimprovable two-sided estimates are established for the order via characteristics depending only on the exponents of the exponential series and the support function of

G
G

. As a consequence, a formula is obtained for the growth of the exponential series via the coefficients and the support function of the convergence domain 

G
G

.
Elliptic solitons and “freak waves”
Authors: Matveev V. , Smirnov A.
Published: May 2022

It is shown that elliptic solutions to the AKNS hierarchy equations can be obtained by exploring spectral curves that correspond to elliptic solutions of the KdV hierarchy. This also allows one to get the quasirational and trigonometric solutions for AKNS hierarchy equations as a limit case of the elliptic solutions mentioned above.
How I Diagnose Acute Leukemia of Ambiguous Lineage
Authors: Weinberg Olga K , Arber Daniel A
Published: May 2022

Objectives

Classification of acute leukemia involves assigning lineage by resemblance to normal progenitor cells. This approach provides descriptive information about the blast cells that is useful for disease monitoring, provides clues to pathogenesis, and can help clinicians select effective chemotherapeutic regimens. Acute leukemias of ambiguous lineage (ALALs) are those leukemias that either fail to show evidence of myeloid, B-, or T-lymphoid lineage commitment or show evidence of commitment to more than 1 lineage. The different treatment regimens for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) make ALAL a challenge both diagnostically and therapeutically.

Methods

Current classification criteria have reduced the reported incidence of mixed-lineage leukemias by emphasizing fewer markers and categorizing some biphenotypic leukemias with recurrent cytogenetic abnormalities as other entities. Several recent studies have explored the genomic and epigenetic landscape of mixed-phenotype acute leukemia (MPAL) and have suggested a further refinement of the World Health Organization classification to emphasize the genomic heterogeneity of MPAL.

Results

Genomic and expression profile data for MPAL reveal mutations commonly seen in both AML and ALL, with T-/myeloid MPAL showing overlapping features with early T-cell precursor lymphoblastic leukemia.

Conclusions

Our review aimed to discuss the diagnostic challenges, recent genomic studies, and therapeutic strategies in this poorly understood disease.
Plasticity of snowy plover incubation behaviors in response to risks of nest predation
Authors: Ellis Kristen S , Larsen Randy T , Ghalambor Cameron K , Koons David N
Published: May 2022

Nest predation influences population dynamics and is thought to exert strong selection on the evolution of avian life history. Because parental behaviors can attract the attention of nest predators, incubating birds are predicted to decrease conspicuous behaviors at the nest-site and increase incubation constancy when risks of nest predation are high. We examined whether snowy plovers Charadrius nivosus responded to predator-specific risks of nest predation, using the number of off bouts and daily nest attendance (proportion of time spent incubating) as responses. We quantified risks using predator-specific hazard rates of nest mortality, which varied daily and were based on habitat characteristics at each nest. We assessed the influence of predator-specific risks of nest mortality on incubation behaviors using an individual-centering approach, allowing us to explain variation in incubation behaviors within- and among-breeding pairs. We found increased number of off bouts and nest attendance within-breeding pairs in response to increasing risks of nest predation by foxes (Vulpes spp.) and gulls (Larus spp.), but not coyotes (Canis latrans) and common ravens (Corvus corax). Among breeding pairs across habitats, we found increased nest attendance in response to higher risks of nest predation by foxes, but not coyotes, gulls, or ravens. Breeding pairs differed in the amount of behavioral plasticity they exhibited in response to risks of nest predation. Our results suggest that risks of nest predation differentially influence behavioral responses of snowy plovers depending on the predator species, and the amount of behavioral plasticity may depend on the characteristics of breeding adults.
Multisensory integration facilitates perceptual restoration of an interrupted call in a species of frog
Authors: Zhu Bicheng , Yang Yue , Zhou Ya , Deng Ke , Wang Tongliang , Wang Jichao , Tang Yezhong , Ryan Michael J , Cui Jianguo
Published: May 2022

Communication signals by both human and non-human animals are often interrupted in nature. One advantage of multimodal cues is to maintain the salience of interrupted signals. We studied a frog that naturally can have silent gaps within its call. Using video/audio-playbacks, we presented females with interrupted mating calls with or without a simultaneous dynamic (i.e., inflating and deflating) vocal sac and tested whether multisensory cues (noise and/or dynamic vocal sac) inserted into the gap can compensate an interrupted call. We found that neither inserting white noise into the silent gap of an interrupted call nor displaying the dynamic vocal sac in that same gap restored the attraction of the call equivalent to that of a complete call. Simultaneously presenting a dynamic vocal sac along with noise in the gap, however, compensated the interrupted call, making it as attractive as a complete call. Our results demonstrate that the dynamic visual sac compensates for noise interference. Such novel multisensory integration suggests that multimodal cues can provide insurance against imperfect sender coding in a noisy environment, and the communication benefits to the receiver from multisensory integration may be an important selective force favoring multimodal signal evolution.
STNN-DDI: a Substructure-aware Tensor Neural Network to predict Drug–Drug Interactions
Authors: Yu Hui , Zhao ShiYu , Shi JianYu
Published: May 2022

Computational prediction of multiple-type drug–drug interaction (DDI) helps reduce unexpected side effects in poly-drug treatments. Although existing computational approaches achieve inspiring results, they ignore to study which local structures of drugs cause DDIs, and their interpretability is still weak. In this paper, by supposing that the interactions between two given drugs are caused by their local chemical structures (substructures) and their DDI types are determined by the linkages between different substructure sets, we design a novel Substructure-aware Tensor Neural Network model for DDI prediction (STNN-DDI). The proposed model learns a 3-D tensor of $\langle $  substructure, substructure, interaction type  $\rangle $ triplets, which characterizes a substructure–substructure interaction (SSI) space. According to a list of predefined substructures with specific chemical meanings, the mapping of drugs into this SSI space enables STNN-DDI to perform the multiple-type DDI prediction in both transductive and inductive scenarios in a unified form with an explicable manner. The comparison with deep learning-based state-of-the-art baselines demonstrates the superiority of STNN-DDI with the significant improvement of AUC, AUPR, Accuracy and Precision. More importantly, case studies illustrate its interpretability by both revealing an important substructure pair across drugs regarding a DDI type of interest and uncovering interaction type-specific substructure pairs in a given DDI. In summary, STNN-DDI provides an effective approach to predicting DDIs as well as explaining the interaction mechanisms among drugs. Source code is freely available at https://github.com/zsy-9/STNN-DDI.
Pediatric Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Vaccines: Perceptions and Attitudes From the Food and Drug Administration Public Commentary
Authors: Weitzman Elissa R , Sherman Amy C , Levy Ofer
Published: May 2022

Authorization of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccines for children has ushered in a new phase of the immunization campaign to address the pandemic but has been received with mixed responses from parents, children, and opinion leaders. Herein we consider perceptions and attitudes towards pediatric SARS-CoV-2 vaccines from a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) public commentary reflecting more than 63 000 comments.
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Infection Versus Vaccination in Pregnancy: Implications for Maternal and Infant Immunity
Authors: Conti Maria Giulia , Terreri Sara , Terrin Gianluca , Natale Fabio , Pietrasanta Carlo , Salvatori Guglielmo , Brunelli Roberto , Midulla Fabio , Papaevangelou Vassiliki , Carsetti Rita , Angelidou Asimenia
Published: May 2022

Background

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection has been associated with adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes, yet uptake of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines during pregnancy and lactation has been slow. As a result, millions of pregnant and lactating women and their infants remain susceptible to the virus.

Methods

We measured spike-specific immunoglobulin G (anti-S IgG) and immunoglobulin A (anti-S IgA) in serum and breastmilk (BM) samples from 3 prospective mother-infant cohorts recruited in 2 academic medical centers. The primary aim was to determine the impact of maternal SARS-CoV-2 immunization vs infection and their timing on systemic and mucosal immunity.

Results

The study included 28 mothers infected with SARS-CoV-2 in late pregnancy (INF), 11 uninfected mothers who received 2 doses of the BNT162b2 vaccine in the latter half of pregnancy (VAX-P), and 12 uninfected mothers who received 2 doses of BNT162b2 during lactation. VAX dyads had significantly higher serum anti-S IgG compared to INF dyads (P < .0001), whereas INF mothers had higher BM:serum anti-S IgA ratios compared to VAX mothers (P = .0001). Median IgG placental transfer ratios were significantly higher in VAX-P compared to INF mothers (P < .0001). There was a significant positive correlation between maternal and neonatal serum anti-S IgG after vaccination (r = 0.68, P = .013), but not infection.

Conclusions

BNT161b2 vaccination in late pregnancy or lactation enhances systemic immunity through serum anti-S immunoglobulin, while SARS-CoV-2 infection induces mucosal over systemic immunity more efficiently through BM immunoglobulin production. Next-generation vaccines boosting mucosal immunity could provide additional protection to the mother-infant dyad. Future studies should focus on identifying the optimal timing of primary and/or booster maternal vaccination for maximal benefit.
Kynurenine pathway metabolites predict subclinical atherosclerotic disease and new cardiovascular events in chronic kidney disease
Authors: Benitez Trista , VanDerWoude Elizabeth , Han Yun , Byun Jaeman , Konje Vetalise Cheofor , Gillespie Brenda W , Saran Rajiv , Mathew Anna V
Published: May 2022

Introduction

Inflammation and oxidative stress contribute to the disproportionate burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in chronic kidney disease (CKD). Disordered catabolism of tryptophan via the kynurenine and indole pathways is linked to CVD in both CKD and dialysis patients. However, the association between specific kynurenine and indole metabolites with subclinical CVD and time to new cardiovascular (CV) events in CKD has not been studied.

Methods

We measured kynurenine and indole pathway metabolites using targeted mass spectrometry in a cohort of 325 patients with moderate to severe CKD and a median follow-up of 2 years. Multiple linear regression and Cox regression analyses were used to assess the relationship between these tryptophan metabolites and subclinical CVD, including calcium scores, carotid intima-media thickness and time to new cardiovascular (CV) events.

Results

Elevated quinolinic and anthranilic acids were independently associated with reduced time to new CVD [hazard ratio (HR) 1.28, P = .01 and HR 1.02, P = .02, respectively). Low tryptophan levels were associated with reduced time to new CV events when adjusting for demographics and CVD history (HR 0.30, P = .03). Low tryptophan levels were also associated with aortic calcification in a fully adjusted linear regression model (β = −1983, P = .006). Similarly, high levels of several kynurenine pathway metabolites predicted increased coronary, aortic and composite calcification scores.

Conclusions

We demonstrate the association of kynurenine pathway metabolites, and not indole derivatives, with subclinical and new CV events in an advanced CKD cohort. Our findings support a possible role for altered tryptophan immune metabolism in the pathogenesis of CKD-associated atherosclerosis.
Decoding the radiomic and proteomic phenotype of epicardial adipose tissue associated with adverse left atrial remodelling and post-operative atrial fibrillation in aortic stenosis
Authors: Mancio Jennifer , Sousa-Nunes Fabio , Martins Rafael , Fragao-Marques Mariana , Conceicao Gloria , Pessoa-Amorim Guilherme , Barros Antonio S , Santa Catia , Ferreira Wilson , Carvalho Monica , Miranda Isabel M , Vitorino Rui , Falcao-Pires Ines , Manadas Bruno , Ribeiro Vasco Gama , Leite-Moreira Adelino , Bettencourt Nuno , Fontes-Carvalho Ricardo
Published: May 2022

Aims

Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) volume and attenuation on computed tomography (CT) have been associated with atrial fibrillation. Beyond these conventional CT measures, radiomics allows extraction of high-dimensional data and deep quantitative adipose tissue phenotyping, which may capture its underlying biology. We aimed to explore the EAT proteomic and CT-radiomic signatures associated with impaired left atrial (LA) remodelling and post-operative atrial fibrillation (POAF).

Methods and results

We prospectively included 132 patients with severe aortic stenosis with no prior atrial fibrillation referred for aortic valve replacement. Pre-operative non-contrast CT images were obtained for extraction of EAT volume and other radiomic features describing EAT texture. The LA function was assessed by 2D-speckle-tracking echocardiography peak atrial longitudinal strain and peak atrial contraction strain. The EAT biopsies were performed during surgery for proteomic analysis by sequential windowed acquisition of all theoretical fragment ion mass spectra (SWATH-MS). The POAF incidence was monitored from surgery until discharge. Impaired LA function and incident POAF were associated with EAT up-regulation of inflammatory and thrombotic proteins, and down-regulation of cardioprotective proteins with anti-inflammatory and anti-lipotoxic properties. The EAT volume was independently associated with LA enlargement, impaired function, and POAF risk. On CT images, EAT texture of patients with POAF was heterogeneous and exhibited higher maximum grey-level values than sinus rhythm patients, which correlated with up-regulation of inflammatory and down-regulation of lipid droplet-formation EAT proteins. The CT radiomics of EAT provided an area under the curve of 0.80 (95% confidence interval: 0.68–0.92) for discrimination between patients with POAF and sinus rhythm.

Conclusion

Pre-operative CT-radiomic profile of EAT detected adverse EAT proteomics and identified patients at risk of developing POAF.
Inequality, Law and Distribution in Transnational Financial Markets
Authors: Horst Johan
Published: May 2022

Since the financial crisis of 2007–2008, the legal infrastructure of transnational financial markets has attracted much attention in international legal scholarship. Yet, few legal researchers have looked at these markets from a specifically distributional perspective. Drawing on insights from political economy and transnational legal theory, this article addresses the question of how to politicize the distributional choices inherent in the legal infrastructure of transnational financial markets.
0–5 Hz deterministic 3-D ground motion simulations for the 2014 La Habra, California, Earthquake
Authors: Hu Zhifeng , Olsen Kim B , Day Steven M
Published: May 2022

We have simulated 0–5 Hz deterministic wave propagation for a suite of 17 models of the 2014 Mw 5.1 La Habra, CA, earthquake with the Southern California Earthquake Center Community Velocity Model Version S4.26-M01 using a finite-fault source. Strong motion data at 259 sites within a 148 km × 140 km area are used to validate our simulations. Our simulations quantify the effects of statistical distributions of small-scale crustal heterogeneities (SSHs), frequency-dependent attenuation Q(f), surface topography and near-surface low-velocity material (via a 1-D approximation) on the resulting ground motion synthetics. The shear wave quality factor QS(f) is parametrized as QS, 0 and QS, 0fγ for frequencies less than and higher than 1 Hz, respectively. We find the most favourable fit to data for models using ratios of QS, 0 to shear wave velocity VS of 0.075–1.0 and γ values less than 0.6, with the best-fitting amplitude drop-off for the higher frequencies obtained for γ values of 0.2–0.4. Models including topography and a realistic near-surface weathering layer tend to increase peak velocities at mountain peaks and ridges, with a corresponding decrease behind the peaks and ridges in the direction of wave propagation. We find a clear negative correlation between the effects on peak ground velocity amplification and duration lengthening, suggesting that topography redistributes seismic energy from the large-amplitude first arrivals to the adjacent coda waves. A weathering layer with realistic near-surface low velocities is found to enhance the amplification at mountain peaks and ridges, and may partly explain the underprediction of the effects of topography on ground motions found in models. Our models including topography tend to improve the fit to data, as compared to models with a flat free surface, while our distributions of SSHs with constraints from borehole data fail to significantly improve the fit. Accuracy of the velocity model, particularly the near-surface low velocities, as well as the source description, controls the resolution with which the anelastic attenuation can be determined. Our results demonstrate that it is feasible to use fully deterministic physics-based simulations to estimate ground motions for seismic hazard analysis up to 5 Hz. Here, the effects of, and trade-offs with, near-surface low-velocity material, topography, SSHs and Q(f) become increasingly important as frequencies increase towards 5 Hz, and should be included in the calculations. Future improvement in community velocity models, wider access to computational resources, more efficient numerical codes and guidance from this study are bound to further constrain the ground motion models, leading to more accurate seismic hazard analysis.
Polygenic embryo screening: four clinical considerations warrant further attention
Authors: Pereira S , Carmi S , Altarescu G , Austin J , Barlevy D , Hershlag A , Juengst E , Kostick-Quenet K , Kovanci E , Lathi R B , Mukherjee M , Van den Veyver I , Zuk O , Lázaro-Muñoz G , Lencz T
Published: May 2022

Recent advances in developing polygenic scores have made it possible to screen embryos for common, complex conditions and traits. Polygenic embryo screening (PES) is currently offered commercially, and though there has been much recent media and academic coverage, reproductive specialists’ points of view have not yet been prominent in these discussions. We convened a roundtable of multidisciplinary experts, including reproductive specialists to discuss PES and its implications. In this Opinion, we describe four clinically relevant issues associated with the use of PES that have not yet been discussed in the literature and warrant consideration.
Gut Microbiome as a Mediator of Stress Resilience: A Reactive Scope Model Framework
Authors: Houtz Jennifer L , Taff Conor C , Vitousek Maren N
Published: May 2022

Stress resilience is defined as the ability to rebound to a homeostatic state after exposure to a perturbation. Organisms modulate various physiological mediators to respond to unpredictable changes in their environment. The gut microbiome is a key example of a physiological mediator that coordinates a myriad of host functions including counteracting stressors. Here, we highlight the gut microbiome as a mediator of host stress resilience in the framework of the reactive scope model. The reactive scope model integrates physiological mediators with unpredictable environmental changes to predict how animals respond to stressors. We provide examples of how the gut microbiome responds to stressors within the four ranges of the reactive scope model (i.e., predictive homeostasis, reactive homeostasis, homeostatic overload, and homeostatic failure). We identify measurable metrics of the gut microbiome that could be used to infer the degree to which the host is experiencing chronic stress, including microbial diversity, flexibility, and gene richness. The goal of this perspective piece is to highlight the underutilized potential of measuring the gut microbiome as a mediator of stress resilience in wild animal hosts.
Optimal controls for nonlocal Cauchy problems of multi-term fractional evolution equations
Authors: Chen Siqi , Chang Yong-Kui
Published: May 2022

This paper is mainly concerned with a controlled multi-term fractional evolution equation in Banach spaces. Firstly, we give formula of its mild solutions and show the existence result for the problem via $\omega $-sectorial operator technique. Secondly, we establish the Lagrange optimal control and time optimal control for the system invoked by the nonlocal Cauchy problems of multi-term fractional evolution equation by properties of resolvent operators.
Fit-Tested N95 Masks Combined With Portable High-Efficiency Particulate Air Filtration Can Protect Against High Aerosolized Viral Loads Over Prolonged Periods at Close Range
Authors: Landry Shane A , Subedi Dinesh , Barr Jeremy J , MacDonald Martin I , Dix Samantha , Kutey Donna M , Mansfield Darren , Hamilton Garun S , Edwards Bradley A , Joosten Simon A
Published: May 2022

Background

Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at risk from aerosol transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. The aims of this study were to (1) quantify the protection provided by masks (surgical, fit-testFAILED N95, fit-testPASSED N95) and personal protective equipment (PPE), and (2) determine if a portable high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter can enhance the benefit of PPE.

Methods

Virus aerosol exposure experiments using bacteriophage PhiX174 were performed. An HCW wearing PPE (mask, gloves, gown, face shield) was exposed to nebulized viruses (108 copies/mL) for 40 minutes in a sealed clinical room. Virus exposure was quantified via skin swabs applied to the face, nostrils, forearms, neck, and forehead. Experiments were repeated with a HEPA filter (13.4 volume-filtrations/hour).

Results

Significant virus counts were detected on the face while the participants were wearing either surgical or N95 masks. Only the fit-testPASSED N95 resulted in lower virus counts compared to control (P = .007). Nasal swabs demonstrated high virus exposure, which was not mitigated by the surgical/fit-testFAILED N95 masks, although there was a trend for the fit-testPASSED N95 mask to reduce virus counts (P = .058). HEPA filtration reduced virus to near-zero levels when combined with fit-testPASSED N95 mask, gloves, gown, and face shield.

Conclusions

N95 masks that have passed a quantitative fit-test combined with HEPA filtration protects against high virus aerosol loads at close range and for prolonged periods of time.
Why we prescribe antibiotics for too long in the hospital setting: a systematic scoping review
Authors: Janssen Robin M E , Oerlemans Anke J M , Van Der Hoeven Johannes G , Ten Oever Jaap , Schouten Jeroen A , Hulscher Marlies E J L
Published: May 2022

Background

In daily hospital practice, antibiotic therapy is commonly prescribed for longer than recommended in guidelines. Understanding the key drivers of prescribing behaviour is crucial to generate meaningful interventions to bridge this evidence-to-practice gap.

Objectives

To identify behavioural determinants that might prevent or enable improvements in duration of antibiotic therapy in daily practice.

Methods

We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO and Web of Science for relevant studies that were published between January 2000 and August 2021. All qualitative, quantitative and mixed-method studies in adults in a hospital setting that reported determinants of antibiotic therapy duration were included.

Results

Twenty-two papers were included in this review. A first set of studies provided 82 behavioural determinants that shape how health professionals make decisions about duration; most of these were related to individual health professionals’ knowledge, skills and cognitions, and to professionals’ interactions. A second set of studies provided 17 determinants that point to differences in duration regarding various pathogens, diseases, or patient, professional or hospital department characteristics, but do not explain why or how these differences occur.

Conclusions

Limited literature is available describing a wide range of determinants that influence duration of antibiotic therapy in daily practice. This review provides a stepping stone for the development of stewardship interventions to optimize antibiotic therapy duration, but more research is warranted. Stewardship teams must develop complex improvement interventions to address the wide variety of behavioural determinants, adapted to the specific pathogen, disease, patient, professional and/or hospital department involved.
Application of Chemometry and Design of Experiments to Green HPTLC Method for Synchronous Estimation of Multiple FDCs of Cilnidipine
Authors: Prajapati Pintu , Tailor Pratik , Shahi Abhinandan , Acharya Aneri , Shah Shailesh
Published: May 2022

Background

Numerous fixed-dose combinations (FDCs) of cilnidipine (CIL) with chlorthalidone (CLT) and azilsartan medoxomil (AZL) are used for the treatment of hypertension. Numerous reverse-phase high-pressure liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) and high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) methods have been reported in the literature for the estimation of FDCs of CIL. But no HPTLC method has been reported yet for synchronous estimation of multiple FDCs of CIL to save time, organic solvent, and cost of analysis. In the recent scenario of green chemistry, the minimum usage of organic solvent in the development of the chromatographic method is highly desirable for the safety of the environment and analysts.

Objective

Hence, a robust and green HPTLC method has been developed for the synchronous estimation of multiple FDCs of CIL using the analytical quality by design (AQbD) approach.

Methods

The chemometric tool was applied for the identification of the critical method variables (CMVs) and critical analytical attributes (CAAs) for the HPTLC method development. The design of experiments (DoE) was applied for the response surface analysis of identified CMVs and CAAs using the Box-Behnken design. The analytical design space and control strategy was framed for the lifecycle management of the HPTLC method.

Results

The chromatographic separation was performed using silica gel G60 F254 as the stationary phase and toluene–ethyl acetate–methanol (6.5 + 2 + 1.5, v/v) as the mobile phase. The method was validated as per the International Council for Harmonization Q2 (R1) guideline. The developed method was applied for the synchronous estimation of multiple FDCs of CIL, and results were found in compliance with labeled claims.

Conclusions

The developed HPTLC method can be used as a green, economical, and rapid analytical tool for routine analysis and quality control of multiple FDCs of CIL in the pharmaceutical industry.

Highlights

Development of a HPTLC method for synchronous estimation of multiple FDCs of CIL using the AQbD approach based on principles of chemometry and DoE. Application of the developed method for synchronous assay of multiple FDCs of CIL to save time, cost, and solvent for analysis.
Malaria Box Compounds against Anopheles gambiae (Diptera: Culicidae) Carboxypeptidase B Activity to Block Malaria Transmission
Authors: Pomun Tippawan , Wonginta Phattaradanai , Kubera Anchanee
Published: May 2022

Carboxypeptidase B (CPB) plays an important role in blood digestion in mosquitos, aiding the release of free amino acids. Anopheles CPB is a target to block malaria transmission because it facilitates Plasmodium invasion of the mosquito midgut. Our study aimed to discover inhibitors of Anopheles CPB to prevent Plasmodium development in the mosquito. The Anopheles gambiae cpb (Agcpb) gene without a signal sequence was cloned into the pET28b expression vector. The recombinant AgCPB protein was expressed in E. coli BL21(DE3) within inclusion bodies after induction with 0.5 mM isopropyl β-D-1-thiogalactopyranoside at 37°C for 4 h. The protein pellet was dissolved in 6 M urea, purified by affinity chromatography, and dialyzed in reaction buffer. The refolded recombinant AgCPB could digest the hippuryl-arginine substrate similarly to that of the commercial porcine pancreas CPB. The 20 top-scoring malaria box compounds from the virtual-screening results were then chosen for an in vitro inhibition assay against AgCPB. Four of the 20 malaria box compounds could inhibit AgCPB activity. The compound MMV007591 was the most potent inhibitor with an IC50 at 0.066 µM. The results indicate that these candidate compounds may be utilized in drug development against mosquito CPB activity to curb malaria transmission.
Benign pituitary adenoma with multiple intracranial metastases—a case report and review of the literature
Authors: Hani Ummey , Tariq Quratulain , Bari Amman , Anis Saad Bin , Diwan Asad
Published: May 2022

Metastatic benign pituitary adenomas (PAs), also known as pituitary carcinomas (PCs), represent 0.1–0.2% of all intracranial lesions. They are rare and challenging pathologies. We present the case of a 34-year-old female, who presented to the clinic with headache and visual loss. She was diagnosed with PA with multiple extra-axial metastases. Debulking and biopsy of the lesions was done. Postoperatively, there was gross residual disease, and the patient’s visual disturbances did not improve. Only 165 cases of PCs have been reported in the current literature. Existing consensus on management of these uncommon lesions is based on trial and previously published case reports and surgery appears to be the only definitive treatment. Further research regarding any non-surgical expectant management is warranted.
Traumatic inferior lumbar hernia
Authors: Baig Niyaz , Elberm Hassan , Warren Patrick
Published: May 2022

Traumatic lumbar hernias are rare, with little surgical literature describing their management. In this we report about a 41-year-old patient admitted to University Hospital Southampton following a high velocity road traffic collision, of estimated speed 140 mph. He suffered multiple bony injuries, and a traumatic right inferior lumbar hernia containing the ascending colon. The hernia was surgically repaired extra-peritoneally with mesh and abdominal wall muscles approximated and sutured.
Popolo and Sindacato in the City of Siena: Rethinking Popular Agency in Medieval Italy
Authors: Martín Romera María Ángeles
Published: May 2022

The Italian sindacato was a procedure that from the end of the twelfth century held major officials accountable and exposed them to public control. While the sindacato presented citizens with the opportunity of bringing forward their claims against officials, the evidence of these claims and their outcomes are sketchy. Recent historiography often portrays this procedure as a rhetorical device of civic order and legitimation that only produced real consequences when used as a tool for the political purposes of the elite. The article focuses on Siena, often singled out for the popular character of its governments, as a unique case to test the actual popular participation and oligarchical involvement in sindacati and their significance in relation to the sindacati in other communal cities. First, it analyzes the wide spectrum of participants in the procedure and, in particular, the interests at play for common actors. Second, it explores the direct relationship between sindacati and other institutions and systems of accountability within the city, as well as their interdependent transformations over time. The result is a revision of sindacati that reintegrates the agency and participation of popular actors. The sindacato appears then as neither a zenith of communal democracy nor a crooked tool in the hands of oligarchical interests, but rather as a central act of civic life articulating a wide range of interests among all sorts of citizens, which allowed for its symbolic relevance to perdure until the Renaissance and beyond.
Zinc Finger-Homeodomain and Mini Zinc Finger proteins are key players in plant growth and responses to environmental stresses
Authors: Bollier Norbert , Gonzalez Nathalie , Chevalier Christian , Hernould Michel
Published: May 2022

The ZINC FINGER-HOMEODOMAIN (ZHD) protein family is a plant-specific family of transcription factors containing two conserved motifs: a non-canonical C5H3 zinc finger domain (ZF) and a DNA-binding homeodomain (HD). The MINI ZINC FINGER (MIF) proteins belong to this family, but were possibly derived from the ZHDs by losing the HD. Information regarding the function of ZHD and MIF proteins is scarce. However, different studies have shown that ZHD/MIF proteins play important roles not only in plant growth and development, but also in response to environmental stresses, including drought and pathogen attack. Here we review recent advances relative to ZHD/MIF functions in multiple species, to provide new insights into the diverse roles of these transcription factors in plants. Their mechanism of action in relation to their ability to interact with other proteins and DNA is also discussed. We then propose directions for future studies to understand better their important roles and pinpoint strategies for potential applications in crop improvement.
Identification of stellar-mass black hole binaries and the validity of linear orbital motion approximation in microlensing
Authors: Ma Xiaoyi , Zhu Wei , Yang Hongjing
Published: May 2022

Gravitational microlensing is unique in detecting binary black (BH) holes with wide (a few au) separations. Models predict that about 1 per cent of microlensing binaries should be due to binary BHs, and yet zero has been robustly identified. Using simulated events with binary BH lenses, we show that the microlensing parallax effect in a typical binary BH event cannot be reliably detected. Given the crucial role of the parallax parameter in determining the mass of dark microlenses, this may explain the non-detection of binary BHs. Additionally, we show that in only a small fraction ($\lesssim 7\ \rm{per\ cent}$) of the simulated events the full orbital motion of the binary lens cannot be modelled with the linear orbital motion approximation. This approximation has been frequently used in modellings of binary microlensing events.
A survey of high-z galaxies: SERRA simulations
Authors: Pallottini A , Ferrara A , Gallerani S , Behrens C , Kohandel M , Carniani S , Vallini L , Salvadori S , Gelli V , Sommovigo L , D’Odorico V , Di Mascia F , Pizzati E
Published: May 2022

We introduce SERRA, a suite of zoom-in high-resolution (1.2 × 104 M⊙, ≃ 25 pc at z = 7.7) cosmological simulations including non-equilibrium chemistry and on-the-fly radiative transfer. The outputs are post-processed to derive galaxy UV+FIR continuum and emission line properties. Results are compared with available multi-wavelength data to constrain the physical properties (e.g. star formation rates, stellar/gas/dust mass, metallicity) of high-redshift 6 ≲ z ≲ 15 galaxies. This flagship paper focuses on the z = 7.7 sub-sample, including 202 galaxies with stellar mass 107 M⊙ ≲ M⋆ ≲ 5 × 1010 M⊙, and specific star formation ranging from sSFR ∼ 100 Gyr−1 in young, low-mass galaxies to ∼10 Gyr−1 for older, massive ones. At this redshift, serra galaxies are typically bursty, i.e. they are located above the Schmidt-Kennicutt relation by a factor $\kappa _s = 3.03^{+4.9}_{-1.8}$, consistent with recent findings for [O iii] and [C ii] emitters at high-z. They also show relatively large IRX =LFIR/LUV values as a result of their compact/clumpy morphology effectively blocking the stellar UV luminosity. Note that this conclusion might be affected by insufficient spatial resolution at the molecular cloud level. We confirm that early galaxies lie on the standard [C ii]$-\rm SFR$ relation; their observed L[OIII]/L[CII] ≃ 1 − 10 ratios can be reproduced by a part of the SERRA galaxies without the need of a top-heavy IMF and/or anomalous C/O abundances. [O i] line intensities are similar to local ones, making ALMA high-z detections challenging but feasible ($\sim 6\, \rm hr$ for an SFR of 50  M⊙ yr−1).