bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Robust control-based power quality optimization strategy for inverters
Authors: Hu Changbin , Cheng Linshu , Luo Shanna , Yan Heming
Published: March 2022

A dynamic compensation control strategy based on a residual observer combined with a gradient descent optimization algorithm is proposed to address the power quality problem of distributed AC networks. The robust control structure based on the residual observer is designed according to the theory of Plug and Play control framework. The proposed structure is effective in improving the dynamic performance of the system without changing the structure and parameters. A gradient descent optimization algorithm is used to optimize the parameters of the rectified control structure online. Based on the need for fast response capability and stable performance of distributed grid systems, the gradient descent algorithm is optimized using the model matching principle, which provides a theoretical basis for the selection of initial points in the optimization algorithm. A low-order derivation form of the robust control structure is given through a step-down process to further enhance the speed of optimization under this strategy. The analysis shows that the strategy effectively enhances the robustness of the distributed grid system in comparison with the conventional double closed-loop control. Modelling simulation results verify the effectiveness of the proposed control strategy.
Study on High-precision Grid Outage Region Based on Distribution Network Topology Analysis
Authors: Yan Weikang , He Bing , Xie Tianxiang
Published: March 2022

Based on the recursion method and the Java language, this paper develops a program for analyzing the distribution network topology diagram and explores various scenarios of power outages. The power line topology analysis can pinpoint the power outage range, providing a solid foundation for power outage information release and distribution network reliability calculation.
Research on Time Delay Feedback Control of Lateral Vibration Axially Moving Viscoelastic Beam
Authors: Wang Bo , Tang Youqi
Published: March 2022

The nonlinear dynamic behavior of a viscoelastic beam in axially variable motion under time delay is studied. Considering that the axial velocity pulsation and radial tension change periodically with time under the action of time delay, the viscous damping and finite support stiffness are taken into account, and the viscoelastic constitutive relationship adopts Kelvin model. A mathematical model of lateral vibration of an axially moving viscoelastic beam with changes in axial velocity and tension under time delay is established, and a partial differential-integral control equation describing the lateral nonlinear vibration of an axially moving beam is given. Based on the Galerkin truncation method, the control equations established based on the mechanical model are discretized, so that the direct multi-scale method obtains the numerical solution of the lateral nonlinear vibration of the axially moving beam under the action of time delay, and determines the nonlinear dynamic behavior of the system under the action of time delay. By analyzing the numerical solution of the vibration displacement and velocity at the midpoint of the beam, the whole process of the average velocity of the axially moving structure along the axis, the amplitude of the disturbance tension and the change of the viscoelastic coefficient is simulated. It provides a numerical theoretical basis for the study of the nonlinear dynamic behavior of axially moving beams under time delay.

Through the research in this article, the introduction of time delay is studied, and the time delay is used to analyze the axial force that changes along the radial direction of the beam caused by the speed pulsation, and the theoretical framework for nonlinear vibration analysis of the axially moving viscoelastic beam is constructed to expand the time delay. The application scope of the nonlinear vibration theory and nonlinear dynamics theory, the development and improvement of the approximate analysis and numerical solution of the nonlinear continuum (especially the gyro body) under the action of time delay, to provide a theoretical basis for the analysis and design of the corresponding engineering system and technical reserves.
Numerical Simulation of RC Beams Subjected to Continuous Explosive Loading
Authors: Cao Guanjun , Yu Jinhuo
Published: March 2022

In order to study the performance of reinforced concrete (RC) beams Subjected to continuous explosive load, the numerical model of RC beam is established by LS-DYNA finite element program. And the numerical model experiences two explosive cases continuously. The reliability of the numerical model is verified by comparing with the field test results of a RC beam under the same explosive cases. It provides a reference for the future numerical simulation and experimental research of Building components under continuous explosive load.
Research on power system risk assessment considering large-scale wind and solar access
Authors: Pan Wei
Published: March 2022

The grid connection of new energy will bring some risks to the safe operation of power system. In this paper, the wind-output power model is established according to the wind-output characteristics, and the generator set, line and load probability models are established considering the uncertainty of other components of the system. From the perspective of power grid operation and new energy consumption, the traditional operation risk indexes such as voltage overrun and voltage collapse and the new wind and light abandoning indexes are selected, and the non-sequential Monte Carlo method is used to sample the operation state of the power system after wind and wind connecting to the grid, and the index is calculated. Finally, the influence of wind grid connection on system operation risk is analyzed to provide guidance for large-scale new energy grid operation risk assessment.
ZynqMP-based board-management mezzanines for Serenity ATCA-blades
Authors: Mehner T. , Ardila-Perez L.E. , Balzer M.N. , Sander O. , Tcherniakhovski D. , Schleicher M. , Fuchs M. , Fedi G. , Gimas G. , Iles G.M. , Pesaresi M. , Rose A.W. , Schuh T.
Published: March 2022

In the context of the CMS Phase-2 tracker back-end processing system, two mezzanines based on the Zynq Ultrascale+ Multi-Processor System-on-Chip (MPSoC) device have been developed to serve as centralized slow control and board management solution for the Serenity-family Advanced Telecommunications Computing Architecture (ATCA) blades. This paper presents the developments of the MPSoC mezzanines to execute the Intelligent Platform Management Controller (IPMC) software in the real-time capable processors of the MPSoC. In coordination with the Shelf Manager, once full-power is enabled, a CentOS-based Linux distribution is executed in the application processors of the MPSoC, on which EMPButler and the Serenity Management Shell (SMASH) are running.
Gait switching with phase reversal of locomotory waves in the centipede Scolopocryptops rubiginosus
Authors: Kuroda Shigeru , Uchida Nariya , Nakagaki Toshiyuki
Published: March 2022

Crawling using locomotory waves is a common method of locomotion for limbless and many-legged invertebrates and stimulates the biomimetic engineering of flexible locomotion. It is generally believed that the direction of locomotory waves is fixed for a given species. However, we found that a centipede, Scolopocryptops rubiginosus, flexibly generated its gait to allow for locomotory waves that varied in direction, depending on (i) locomotion speed and (ii) the physical conditions of terrain. We also found a new type of centipede’s swimming gait unlike eel-like way known so far which is using posteriorly traveling waves of horizontal body undulation. The gait patterns of the centipede were examined in various conditions and analyzed how the waves switched in detailed. We showed that gait patterns were associated with control of stride length rather than stride frequency. Discussion was made on a possible scenario of the gait transition in the centipede compatible with our observations. This finding may give a hint at bio-inspired control of flexible gait switching in response to irregular terrain.
Contrasting responses of forest growth and carbon sequestration to heat and drought in the Alps
Authors: Oddi Ludovica , Migliavacca Mirco , Cremonese Edoardo , Filippa Gianluca , Vacchiano Giorgio , Siniscalco Consolata , Morra di Cella Umberto , Galvagno Marta
Published: March 2022

Climate change is expected to increase both the frequency and the intensity of climate extremes, consequently increasing the risk of forest role transition from carbon sequestration to carbon emission. These changes are occurring more rapidly in the Alps, with important consequences for tree species adapted to strong climate seasonality and short growing season. In this study, we aimed at investigating the responses of a high-altitude Larix decidua Mill. forest to heat and drought, by coupling ecosystem- and tree-level measurements. From 2012 to 2018, ecosystem carbon and water fluxes (i.e. gross primary production, net ecosystem exchange, and evapotranspiration) were measured by means of the eddy covariance technique, together with the monitoring of canopy development (i.e. larch phenology and normalized difference vegetation index). From 2015 to 2017 we carried out additional observations at the tree level, including stem growth and its duration, direct phenological observations, sap flow, and tree water deficit. Results showed that the warm spells in 2015 and 2017 caused an advance of the phenological development and, thus, of the seasonal trajectories of many processes, at both tree and ecosystem level. However, we did not observe any significant quantitative changes regarding ecosystem gas exchanges during extreme years. In contrast, in 2017 we found a reduction of 17% in larch stem growth and a contraction of 45% of the stem growth period. The growing season in 2017 was indeed characterized by different drought events and by the highest water deficit during the study years. Due to its multi-level approach, our study provided evidence of the independence between C-source (i.e. photosynthesis) and C-sink (i.e. tree stem growth) processes in a subalpine larch forest.
Surface film deformation by melt moving in an alternating magnetic field and the integral criterion of such film stability
Authors: Nikulin I L , Demin V A , Perminov A V
Published: March 2022

The paper concerns some aspects of the induction melting technology improvement. The generalized mathematical model is presented which contains governing equations for the alternating magnetic field (AMF) diffusion into the liquid metal, heat and mass transfer in the melt and elastic deformation of the dielectric film covering partially the melt surface. The integral strain criterion is suggested which describes the total stress excited in the film by the melt motion. The model validation results are described. The influence of the film size on its stress–strain state is studied numerically for different values of external AMF frequency and strength. We calculate and classify realizable surface flow regimes depending on the AMF frequency and model, how this near-surface flow deforms the film of different sizes. An integral strain criterion is introduced, which lets to estimate the film break condition. The map of regimes is drawn which demonstrates the possible film radii at which the film does not break and does not deform depending on the AMF frequency and strength. It is shown, that integral strain criterion predicts well the film stress–strain state and conforms to the map of regimes. The results of numerical modeling, technique of the integral strain criterion calculation and examples of its application are given.
Arc-remodified long period fiber grating for monitoring absolute bending condition
Authors: Lu Chupeng , Wang Jiabin , Xu Xian , Rui Zeju , Xiang Zihang , Yan Qi , Geng Tao , Yuan Libo
Published: March 2022

In this paper, we propose an arc-remodified long period fiber grating (AR-LPFG) and introduce the ratios of shift-distance of two resonant dips (RSRDs) as a novel distinguishing index to monitor bending absolute condition which refers to detect the curvature and directions of fiber under a stationary status. The AR-LPFG is configured by arc-remodifying the LPFG that prepared from CO2 laser. The refractive index of the fiber is modulated again by the arc-remodification method which results in new resonant dips. Two orthogonal bending directions are distinguished by comparing the RSRDs, which are calculated to be 0.51 and 1.42 for 0° and 90°, respectively. Two opposite bending directions are distinguished by the opposite shift directions of two resonant dips. The stability and reliability of the novel distinguishing method are verified by a series of comparative experiments. The AR-LPFG still contains a conspicuous performance for bending variation sensing with a maximum sensitivity of 17.02 nm m−1. The AR-LPFG, together with the orientation distinguishing index, can be widely applied at the fields that the bending relative variation or absolute condition need to be monitored.
Mechanical performance evaluation of bamboo fibre reinforced polymer composites and its applications: a review
Authors: Nurazzi N M , Norrrahim M N F , Sabaruddin F A , Shazleen S S , Ilyas R A , Lee S H , Padzil F N M , Aizat G , Aisyah H A , Mohidem N A , Asyraf M R M , Abdullah N , Sapuan S M , Abdan K , Nor N M
Published: March 2022

This paper reviews the mechanical performance of bamboo fibre reinforced polymer composites (BFRPs) for structural applications. Bamboo fibres are very promising reinforcements for polymer composites production due to their high aspect ratio, renewability, environmentally friendly, non-toxicity, cheap cost, non-abrasives, full biodegradability, and strong mechanical performances. Besides, bamboo has its own prospects and good potential to be used in biopolymer composites as an alternative for petroleum-based materials to be used in several advanced applications in the building and construction industry. For bamboo fibre to be reinforced with polymer, they must have good interfacial bond between the polymer, as better fibre and matrix interaction results in good interfacial adhesion between fibre/matrix and fewer voids in the composite. Several important factors to improve matrix-fibre bonding and enhance the mechanical properties of BFRP are by fibre treatment, hybridisation, lamination, and using coupling agent. Moreover, mechanical properties of BFRP are greatly influenced by few factors, such as type of fibre and matrix used, fibre-matrix adhesion, fibre dispersion, fibre orientation, composite manufacturing technique used, void content in composites, and porosity of composite. In order to better understand their reinforcing potential, the mechanical properties of this material is critically discussed in this review paper. In addition, the advantages of bamboo fibres as the reinforcing phase in polymer composites is highlighted in this review paper. Besides that, the bamboo-based products such as laminated bamboo lumber, glued-laminated bamboo, hybrid bamboo polymer composites, parallel bamboo strand lumber, parallel strand bamboo, bamboo-oriented strand board, and bamboo-scrimber have lately been developed and used in structural applications.
Effect of cycling on ultra-thin HfZrO4, ferroelectric synaptic weights
Authors: Bégon-Lours Laura , Halter Mattia , Sousa Marilyne , Popoff Youri , Dávila Pineda Diana , Falcone Donato Francesco , Yu Zhenming , Reidt Steffen , Benatti Lorenzo , Puglisi Francesco Maria , Offrein Bert Jan
Published: March 2022

Two-terminal ferroelectric synaptic weights are fabricated on silicon. The active layers consist of a 2 nm thick WO
x
film and a 2.7 nm thick HfZrO4 (HZO) film grown by atomic layer deposition. The ultra-thin HZO layer is crystallized in the ferroelectric phase using a millisecond flash at a temperature of only 500 °C, evidenced by x-rays diffraction and electron microscopy. The current density is increased by four orders of magnitude compared to weights based on a 5 nm thick HZO film. Potentiation and depression (analog resistive switching) is demonstrated using either pulses of constant duration (as short as 20 nanoseconds) and increasing amplitude, or pulses of constant amplitude (+/−1 V) and increasing duration. The cycle-to-cycle variation is below 1%. Temperature dependent electrical characterisation is performed on a series of device cycled up to 108 times: they reveal that HZO possess semiconducting properties. The fatigue leads to a decrease, in the high resistive state only, of the conductivity and of the activation energy.
Retinal photograph-based deep learning predicts biological age, and stratifies morbidity and mortality risk
Authors: Nusinovici Simon , Rim Tyler Hyungtaek , Yu Marco , Lee Geunyoung , Tham Yih-Chung , Cheung Ning , Chong Crystal Chun Yuen , Da Soh Zhi , Thakur Sahil , Lee Chan Joo , Sabanayagam Charumathi , Lee Byoung Kwon , Park Sungha , Kim Sung Soo , Kim Hyeon Chang , Wong Tien-Yin , Cheng Ching-Yu
Published: March 2022

Background

ageing is an important risk factor for a variety of human pathologies. Biological age (BA) may better capture ageing-related physiological changes compared with chronological age (CA).

Objective

we developed a deep learning (DL) algorithm to predict BA based on retinal photographs and evaluated the performance of our new ageing marker in the risk stratification of mortality and major morbidity in general populations.

Methods

we first trained a DL algorithm using 129,236 retinal photographs from 40,480 participants in the Korean Health Screening study to predict the probability of age being ≥65 years (‘RetiAGE’) and then evaluated the ability of RetiAGE to stratify the risk of mortality and major morbidity among 56,301 participants in the UK Biobank. Cox proportional hazards model was used to estimate the hazard ratios (HRs).

Results

in the UK Biobank, over a 10-year follow up, 2,236 (4.0%) died; of them, 636 (28.4%) were due to cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and 1,276 (57.1%) due to cancers. Compared with the participants in the RetiAGE first quartile, those in the RetiAGE fourth quartile had a 67% higher risk of 10-year all-cause mortality (HR = 1.67 [1.42–1.95]), a 142% higher risk of CVD mortality (HR = 2.42 [1.69–3.48]) and a 60% higher risk of cancer mortality (HR = 1.60 [1.31–1.96]), independent of CA and established ageing phenotypic biomarkers. Likewise, compared with the first quartile group, the risk of CVD and cancer events in the fourth quartile group increased by 39% (HR = 1.39 [1.14–1.69]) and 18% (HR = 1.18 [1.10–1.26]), respectively. The best discrimination ability for RetiAGE alone was found for CVD mortality (c-index = 0.70, sensitivity = 0.76, specificity = 0.55). Furthermore, adding RetiAGE increased the discrimination ability of the model beyond CA and phenotypic biomarkers (increment in c-index between 1 and 2%).

Conclusions

the DL-derived RetiAGE provides a novel, alternative approach to measure ageing.
Probing RNA structures and functions by solvent accessibility: an overview from experimental and computational perspectives
Authors: Solayman Md , Litfin Thomas , Singh Jaswinder , Paliwal Kuldip , Zhou Yaoqi , Zhan Jian
Published: March 2022

Characterizing RNA structures and functions have mostly been focused on 2D, secondary and 3D, tertiary structures. Recent advances in experimental and computational techniques for probing or predicting RNA solvent accessibility make this 1D representation of tertiary structures an increasingly attractive feature to explore. Here, we provide a survey of these recent developments, which indicate the emergence of solvent accessibility as a simple 1D property, adding to secondary and tertiary structures for investigating complex structure–function relations of RNAs.
spatialGE: quantification and visualization of the tumor microenvironment heterogeneity using spatial transcriptomics
Authors: Ospina Oscar E , Wilson Christopher M , Soupir Alex C , Berglund Anders , Smalley Inna , Tsai Kenneth Y , Fridley Brooke L
Published: March 2022

Spatially resolved transcriptomics promises to increase our understanding of the tumor microenvironment and improve cancer prognosis and therapies. Nonetheless, analytical methods to explore associations between the spatial heterogeneity of the tumor and clinical data are not available. Hence, we have developed spatialGE, a software that provides visualizations and quantification of the tumor microenvironment heterogeneity through gene expression surfaces, spatial heterogeneity statistics that can be compared against clinical information, spot-level cell deconvolution and spatially informed clustering, all using a new data object to store data and resulting analyses simultaneously.

Availability and implementation

The R package and tutorial/vignette are available at https://github.com/FridleyLab/spatialGE. A script to reproduce the analyses in this manuscript is available in Supplementary information. The Thrane study data included in spatialGE was made available from the public available from the website https://www.spatialresearch.org/resources-published-datasets/doi-10-1158-0008-5472-can-18-0747/.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Tau and the fractionated default mode network in atypical Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Putcha Deepti , Eckbo Ryan , Katsumi Yuta , Dickerson Bradford C. , Touroutoglou Alexandra , Collins Jessica A.
Published: March 2022

Alzheimer’s disease-related atrophy in the posterior cingulate cortex, a key node of the default mode network, is present in the early stages of disease progression across clinical phenotypic variants of the disease. In the typical amnestic variant, posterior cingulate cortex neuropathology has been linked with disrupted connectivity of the posterior default mode network, but it remains unclear if this relationship is observed across atypical variants of Alzheimer’s disease. In the present study, we first sought to determine if tau pathology is consistently present in the posterior cingulate cortex and other posterior nodes of the default mode network across the atypical Alzheimer’s disease syndromic spectrum. Second, we examined functional connectivity disruptions within the default mode network and sought to determine if tau pathology is related to functional disconnection within this network. We studied a sample of 25 amyloid-positive atypical Alzheimer’s disease participants examined with high-resolution MRI, tau (18F-AV-1451) PET, and resting-state functional MRI. In these patients, high levels of tau pathology in the posteromedial cortex and hypoconnectivity between temporal and parietal nodes of the default mode network were observed relative to healthy older controls. Furthermore, higher tau signal and reduced grey matter density in the posterior cingulate cortex and angular gyrus were associated with reduced parietal functional connectivity across individual patients, related to poorer cognitive scores. Our findings converge with what has been reported in amnestic Alzheimer’s disease, and together these observations offer a unifying mechanistic feature that relates posterior cingulate cortex tau deposition to aberrant default mode network connectivity across heterogeneous clinical phenotypes of Alzheimer’s disease.
Abnormal development of transient fetal zones in mild isolated fetal ventriculomegaly
Authors: Vasung Lana , Rollins Caitlin K , Zhang Jennings , Velasco-Annis Clemente , Yang Edward , Lin Pei-Yi , Sutin Jason , Warfield Simon Keith , Soul Janet , Estroff Judy , Connolly Susan , Barnewolt Carol , Gholipour Ali , Feldman Henry A , Grant Patricia Ellen
Published: March 2022

Mild isolated fetal ventriculomegaly (iFVM) is the most common abnormality of the fetal central nervous system. It is characterized by enlargement of one or both of the lateral ventricles (defined as ventricular width greater than 10 mm, but less than 12 mm). Despite its high prevalence, the pathophysiology of iFVM during fetal brain development and the neurobiological substrate beyond ventricular enlargement remain unexplored.

In this work, we aimed to establish the relationships between the structural development of transient fetal brain zones/compartments and increased cerebrospinal fluid volume.

For this purpose, we used in vivo structural T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging of 89 fetuses (48 controls and 41 cases with iFVM). Our results indicate abnormal development of transient zones/compartments belonging to both hemispheres (i.e. on the side with and also on the contralateral side without a dilated ventricle) in fetuses with iFVM. Specifically, compared to controls, we observed enlargement of proliferative zones and overgrowth of the cortical plate in iFVM with associated reduction of volumes of central structures, subplate, and fetal white matter. These results indicate that enlarged lateral ventricles might be linked to the development of transient fetal zones and that global brain development should be taken into consideration when evaluating iFVM.
Host Finding Behavior of the ParasitoidHadronotus pennsylvanicus(Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) for Egg Masses of the Squash BugsAnasa tristisandAnasa armigera(Hemiptera: Coreidae) in Squash and Cucumber Fields
Authors: Cornelius Mary L , Haber Ariela I , Weber Donald C
Published: March 2022

Parasitoid foraging behavior is affected by habitat and host plant differences. Egg parasitoids also use a combination of oviposition-induced and host-derived cues to find host eggs. This study compared parasitism by Hadronotus pennsylvanicus (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) on two squash bug species, Anasa tristis (DeGeer) and Anasa armigera Say (Hemiptera: Coreidae), by placing sentinel squash and cucumber plants with egg masses of either of the two squash bug species in squash and cucumber fields in a 3-way factorial design. Host density of wild A. tristis egg masses in squash fields may have influenced parasitoid foraging behavior on sentinel plants. In the 3-way factorial design, parasitism was higher on sentinel squash plants and in squash fields overall. However, parasitism on A. armigera egg masses was highest on sentinel cucumber plants in squash fields and parasitism on A. tristis egg masses was higher on sentinel squash plants in either squash or cucumber fields and lowest on sentinel cucumber plants in cucumber fields. Results suggest that parasitoids were able to specifically orient to the combination of host plant and host cues associated with A. tristis egg masses on sentinel squash plants, but that they were more responsive to plant-induced cues associated with cucumber when searching for A. armigera egg masses. Parasitoids appear to utilize different combinations of host plant and host cues when searching for eggs of the two squash bug species.
Socioeconomic variations determine the clinical presentation, aetiology, and outcome of infective endocarditis: a prospective cohort study from the ESC-EORP EURO-ENDO (European Infective Endocarditis) registry
Authors: Sengupta Shantanu P , Prendergast Bernard , Laroche Cécile , Furnaz Shumaila , Ronderos Ricardo , Almaghraby Abdallah , Asch Federico M , Blechova Kamila , Zaky Hosam , Strahilevitz Jacob , Dworakowski Rafal , Miyasaka Yoko , Sebag Igal , Izumi Chisato , Axler Olivier , Jamiel Abdulrahman , Philip Mary , Campos Vieira Marcelo Luiz , Lancellotti Patrizio , Habib Gilbert
Published: March 2022

Aims

Infective endocarditis (IE) is a life-threatening disease associated with high mortality and morbidity worldwide. We sought to determine how socioeconomic factors might influence its epidemiology, clinical presentation, investigation and management, and outcome, in a large international multicentre registry.

Methods and results

The EurObservational Programme (EORP) of the European Society of Cardiology EURO-ENDO (European Infective Endocarditis) registry comprises a prospective cohort of 3113 adult patients admitted for IE in 156 hospitals in 40 countries between January 2016 and March 2018. Patients were separated in three groups, according to World Bank economic stratification [group 1: high income (75.6%); group 2: upper-middle income (15.4%); group 3: lower-middle income (9.1%)]. Group 3 patients were younger [median age (interquartile range, IQR): group 1, 66 (53–75) years; group 2, 57 (41–68) years; group 3, 33 (26–43) years; P < 0.001] with a higher frequency of smokers, intravenous drug use, and human immunodeficiency virus infection (all P < 0.001) and presented later [median (IQR) days since symptom onset: group 1, 12 (3–35); group 2, 19 (6–54); group 3, 31 (12–62); P < 0.001] with a higher likelihood of developing congestive heart failure (13.6%, 11.1%, and 22.6%, respectively; P < 0.001) and persistent fever (9.8%, 14.2%, and 27.9%, respectively; P < 0.001). Among 2157 (69.3%) patients with theoretical indication for cardiac surgery, surgery was performed less frequently in group 3 patients (75.5%, 76.8%, and 51.3%, respectively; P < 0.001), who also demonstrated the highest mortality (15.0%, 23.0%, and 23.7%, respectively; P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Socioeconomic factors influence the clinical profile of patients presenting with IE across the world. Despite younger age, patients from the poorest countries presented with more frequent complications and higher mortality associated with delayed diagnosis and lower use of surgery.
The Conundrum of Clinical Trials for the Uveitides: Appropriate Outcome Measures for One Treatment Used in Several Diseases
Authors: Jabs Douglas A , Berkenstock Meghan K , Altaweel Michael M , Holbrook Janet T , Sugar Elizabeth A ,   for the ADVISE Research Group
Published: March 2022

The uveitides consist of >30 diseases characterized by intraocular inflammation. Noninfectious intermediate, posterior, and panuveitides typically are treated with oral corticosteroids and immunosuppression, with a similar treatment approach for most diseases. Because these uveitides collectively are considered a rare disease, single-disease trials are difficult to impractical to recruit for, and most trials have included several different diseases for a given protocol treatment. However, measures of uveitis activity are disease specific, resulting in challenges for trial outcome measures. Several trials of investigational immunosuppressive drugs or biologic drugs have not demonstrated efficacy, but design problems with the outcome measures have limited the ability to interpret the results. Successful trials have included diseases for which a single uveitis activity measure suffices or a composite measure of uveitis activity is used. One potential solution to this problem is the use of a single, clinically relevant outcome, successful corticosteroid sparing, defined as inactive uveitis with a prednisone dose ≤7.5 mg/day coupled with disease-specific guidelines for determining inactive disease. The clinical relevance of this outcome is that active uveitis is associated with increased risks of visual impairment and blindness, and that prednisone doses ≤7.5 mg/day have a minimal risk of corticosteroid side effects. The consequence of this approach is that trial visits require a core set of measures for all participants and a disease-specific set of measures, both clinical and imaging, to assess uveitis activity. This approach is being used in the Adalimumab Versus Conventional Immunosuppression (ADVISE) Trial.
Replication stress induced by the ribonucleotide reductase inhibitor guanazole, triapine and gemcitabine in fission yeast
Authors: Alyahya Mashael Y , Khan Saman , Bhadra Sankhadip , Samuel Rittu E , Xu Yong-jie
Published: March 2022

Schizosaccharomyces pombe is an established yeast model for studying the cellular mechanisms conserved in humans, such as the DNA replication checkpoint. The replication checkpoint deals with replication stress caused by numerous endogenous and exogenous factors that perturb fork movement. If undealt with, perturbed forks collapse, causing chromosomal DNA damage or cell death. Hydroxyurea (HU) is an inhibitor of ribonucleotide reductase (RNR) commonly used in checkpoint studies. It produces replication stress by depleting dNTPs, which slows the movement of ongoing forks and thus activates the replication checkpoint. However, HU also causes side effects such as oxidative stress, particularly under chronic exposure conditions, which complicates the studies. To find a drug that generates replication stress more specifically, we tested three other RNR inhibitors gemcitabine, guanazole and triapine in S. pombe under various experimental conditions. Our results show that guanazole and triapine can produce replication stress more specifically than HU under chronic, not acute drug treatment conditions. Therefore, using the two drugs in spot assay, the method commonly used for testing drug sensitivity in yeasts, should benefit the checkpoint studies in S. pombe and likely the research in other model systems.
Art-based reflections from 12 years of adolescent health and development-related research in South Africa
Authors: Gittings Lesley , Medley Sally , Logie Carmen H , Ralayo Nokubonga , Cluver Lucie , Petersen Nabeel , Chen-Charles Jenny , Toska Elona
Published: March 2022

This paper presents empirical and methodological findings from an art-based, participatory process with a group (n = 16) of adolescent and young advisors in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. In a weekend workshop, participants reflected on their participation in 12 years of health and development-related research through theatre, song, visual methodologies and semi-structured interviews. Empirical findings suggest that participants interpreted the group research encounter as a site of empowerment, social support and as a socio-political endeavour. Through song, theatre and a mural illustration, they demonstrated that they value ‘unity’ in research, with the aim of ameliorating the conditions of adolescents and young people in other parts of South Africa and the continent. Methodological findings document how participants deployed art-based approaches from South Africa’s powerful history of activism, including the struggle against apartheid, the fight for anti-retroviral therapy and more recent social movements towards decolonization.
Exploring the causes of semen quality changes post-bariatric surgery: a focus on endocrine-disrupting chemicals
Authors: Magalhaes Danielly P , Mahalingaiah Shruthi , Perry Melissa J
Published: March 2022

Rapid weight loss promoted by bariatric surgery (BS) can release accumulated lipophilic endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), making these chemicals systemically available. Men typically have a higher EDC body burden and lose more weight post-BS than women, which may put male BS patients at high risk for testicular toxicity. In this review, we analyze the impacts of BS on semen parameters with a particular focus on the potential effects of EDCs. After BS, serum EDC concentrations progressively increase; and there is evidence that semen parameters deteriorate after BS. Although elevated serum EDC concentrations are associated with inferior sperm parameters, links between semen parameters and EDCs post-BS have not been studied. Understanding these potential associations requires adequately powered studies, particularly within prospective longitudinal cohorts with long-term follow-up for sperm parameters, nutritional status, sex-hormones levels and serum EDC concentrations. Studying BS patients prospectively provides the important opportunity to evaluate dose–response effects of EDC serum concentrations on sperm quality and function. Research is also needed to identify critical chemical exposure periods post-BS to inform reproductive decisions, including consideration of sperm preservation before surgery.
The vitality of trusting relations in multilateral diplomacy: an account of the European Union
Authors: Versloot Larissa
Published: March 2022

Trust is commonly considered a foundation of multilateral diplomacy. Amidst concerns about eroding trust in this realm, due to a ‘crisis’ of multilateralism and ‘hollowing out’ of diplomacy in a socially distanced world, it is surprising that our knowledge of the role trust plays in everyday multilateral diplomacy remains limited at best. In this article, I explore how trusting relations affect multilateral diplomatic practice. I construct a novel theoretical framework that centres on the notion of ‘vitality’—a useful metaphor to capture the lively character of trusting relations and how they differ in what I call intensity, shape and age. I use this framework to analyse the workings of trust in diplomatic practice, based on empirical material gathered over three years (2018–2021) at the Council of the European Union. Contrary to what is often assumed, I find that trusting relations as such do not unequivocally enable smooth decision-making and can also hinder cooperation. We can understand this, I argue, by grasping the social opportunities and constraints that arise from trust ‘climates’ as constituted by configuring trusting relations. Overall, the analysis unpacks complexities in the connection between trust and cooperation in multilateralism. The analytical vocabulary offered in this article allows both scholars and practitioners to comprehend the manifold ways in which trust matters in multilateral diplomacy.
Urban insurgency in the twenty-first century: smaller militaries and increased conflict in cities
Authors: King Anthony
Published: March 2022

In the last two decades, urban insurgencies have become a major concern for scholars and practitioners. It is widely assumed that because half the human population now live in cities in often appalling conditions, it is inevitable that conflict has migrated to cities, not least because urban areas offer would-be insurgents the best opportunity to evade state security forces and their advanced technologies. Demography and asymmetry have been all but universally accepted in the literature as the sole causes of urban insurgency. They are certainly important. Yet, scholars have overlooked a third vital factor: the size of state forces. In the twentieth century, urban insurgencies were common. However, because states commanded very large military forces at that time, insurgents found it very difficult to operate in urban areas. By contrast, as their forces have contracted in the twenty-first century, states have been unable to dominate urban areas, as they typically did in the twentieth century. Consequently, urban enclaves have appeared inside cities from which insurgents have mounted their attacks and contested with state forces.
Lipschitz Functions on Submanifolds of Heisenberg Groups
Authors: Julia Antoine , Nicolussi Golo Sebastiano , Vittone Davide
Published: March 2022

We study the behavior of Lipschitz functions on intrinsic $C^1$ submanifolds of Heisenberg groups: our main result is their almost everywhere tangential Pansu differentiability. We also provide two applications: a Lusin-type approximation of Lipschitz functions on ${\mathbb {H}}$-rectifiable sets and a coarea formula on ${\mathbb {H}}$-rectifiable sets that completes the program started in [18].
NGOs and States: Exploring National Diversity and Global Liberalism
Authors: Stroup Sarah S
Published: March 2022

Recent assessments of relations between states and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) claim a global wave of state crackdowns, raising questions about the continued authority and influence of NGOs. The works reviewed here challenge the idea of a pattern of global conflict, demonstrating a range of ways in which states work with, through, and alongside NGOs. They also demonstrate that the diversity of NGO–state relations can make it difficult to generalize about these interactions across national contexts. One way to reconceptualize these relationships may be to focus on the normative commitments that states and NGOs do or do not share. Conflictual and cooperative NGO–state dynamics emerge from the many and sometimes contradictory liberal values that enabled the rise of NGOs. NGOs can embody three liberal values: visions of civil society can emphasize political freedoms, market-based visions of private action, or universalism. States may embrace some of these values while rejecting others. Thus, while the era of the unimpeded rise of NGOs may have come to an end, the shifting political spaces for NGOs do not spell an end to their influence.
Resistance mechanisms and molecular epidemiology of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains from patients with bronchiectasis
Authors: Cabrera Roberto , Fernández-Barat Laia , Vázquez Nil , Alcaraz-Serrano Victoria , Bueno-Freire Leticia , Amaro Rosanel , López-Aladid Rubén , Oscanoa Patricia , Muñoz Laura , Vila Jordi , Torres Antoni
Published: March 2022

Background

Non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (BE) is a chronic structural lung condition that facilitates chronic colonization by different microorganisms and courses with recurrent respiratory infections and frequent exacerbations. One of the main pathogens involved in BE is Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Objectives

To determine the molecular mechanisms of resistance and the molecular epidemiology of P. aeruginosa strains isolated from patients with BE.

Methods

A total of 43 strains of P. aeruginosa were isolated from the sputum of BE patients. Susceptibility to the following antimicrobials was analysed: ciprofloxacin, meropenem, imipenem, amikacin, tobramycin, aztreonam, piperacillin/tazobactam, ceftazidime, ceftazidime/avibactam, ceftolozane/tazobactam, cefepime and colistin. The resistance mechanisms present in each strain were assessed by PCR, sequencing and quantitative RT–PCR. Molecular epidemiology was determined by MLST. Phylogenetic analysis was carried out using the eBURST algorithm.

Results

High levels of resistance to ciprofloxacin (44.19%) were found. Mutations in the gyrA, gyrB, parC and parE genes were detected in ciprofloxacin-resistant P. aeruginosa strains. The number of mutated QRDR genes was related to increased MIC. Different β-lactamases were detected: blaOXA50, blaGES-2, blaIMI-2 and blaGIM-1. The aac(3)-Ia, aac(3)-Ic, aac(6″)-Ib and ant(2″)-Ia genes were associated with aminoglycoside-resistant strains. The gene expression analysis showed overproduction of the MexAB-OprM efflux system (46.5%) over the other efflux system. The most frequently detected clones were ST619, ST676, ST532 and ST109.

Conclusions

Resistance to first-line antimicrobials recommended in BE guidelines could threaten the treatment of BE and the eradication of P. aeruginosa, contributing to chronic infection.
Influence of infection with Brachyspira hyodysenteriae on clinical expression, growth performance, and digestibility in growing pigs fed diets varying in type and level of fiber
Authors: Lee Geon Il , Skou Hedemann Mette , Borg Jensen Bent , Bach Knudsen Knud Erik
Published: March 2022

Research on the effects of different fiber types and levels on infection with Brachyspira hyodysenteriae on growth performance and nutrients digestibility in pigs is scarce. The objective of the current study was to investigate the effects of infection with B. hyodysenteriae when feeding diets varying in soluble and insoluble dietary fiber (DF) on the expression of swine dysentery, growth performance, and digestibility of organic matter (OM) nutrients. A total of 96 growing pigs (26.9 ± 2.5 kg) were used for the experiment and divided into six blocks. The growing pigs were fed one of four diets for 12 wk: low fiber (LF), high fiber (HF), high soluble fiber (HS), and high insoluble fiber (HI). After 2 wk, half of the pigs were inoculated with B. hyodysenteriae. Half of the pigs in each group were euthanized at week 6 for the measurement of the apparent digestibility at the ileum, cecum, colon, and total tract. The remaining pigs were maintained to observe and analyze the clinical expression of fecal score and excretion of B. hyodysenteriae, growth performance, and total tract digestibility up to 12 wk. In the current study, the experimental diets did not influence the expression of infection in the pigs. The body weight and average daily gain (ADG) were in line with the results of clinical expression from week 4 to 6. However, the ADG of the infected pigs started to recover from week 6 (P < 0.05) and then recovered from week 8 to 12 (P < 0.05). The infection with B. hyodysenteriae did not impair apparent ileal digestibility (AID; P > 0.05), whereas the apparent digestibility of OM, total non-starch polysaccharide, non-cellulosic polysaccharide, and cellulose in the cecum of the infected pigs was higher than non-infected pigs (P < 0.05). The apparent colonic digestibility of ash and nitrogen was higher in non-infected pigs than in infected pigs (P < 0.05). The pigs fed the LF diet had a higher digestibility in all segments of the intestinal tract, whereas the HS diet had the lowest AID but higher or similar to the LF diet in the cecum, colon, and the total tract (P < 0.05). The pigs fed the HF and HI diets, with a high proportion of insoluble fiber, had a lower digestibility in the hindgut than the other two diets (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the infection with B. hyodysenteriae negatively influenced clinical signs of swine dysentery and growth performance but did not impair AID, and neither soluble nor insoluble DF influenced the expression of the infection.
Comparative Transcriptome Analysis of Superficial and Deep Partial-Thickness Burn Wounds in Yorkshire vs Red Duroc Pigs
Authors: Nguyen Jesse Q , Sanjar Fatemeh , Rajasekhar Karna S L , Fourcaudot Andrea B , Wang Li-Ju , Silliman David T , Lai Zhao , Chen Yidong , Leung Kai P
Published: March 2022

Hypertrophic scars are a common negative outcome of deep partial-thickness (DPT) burn wounds resulting in increased dermal thickness, wound area contracture, and inflammation of the affected area. The red Duroc and Yorkshire porcine breeds are common large animal models for studying dermal wounds due to their structural similarities to human skin; however, the porcine transcriptomic profiles of dermal burn wounds and healing process are not well known. In response, a longitudinal transcriptomic comparative study was conducted comparing red Duroc and Yorkshire superficial and DPT burn wounds to their respective control uninjured tissue. Using next-generation RNA sequencing, total RNAs were isolated from burn wound tissue harvested on 0, 3, 7, 15, 30, and 60 days postburn, and mRNA-seq and gene expression read counts were generated. Significant differentially expressed genes relative to uninjured tissue were defined, and active biological processes were determined using gene set enrichment analyses. Additionally, collagen deposition, α-smooth muscle actin (SMA) protein concentration, epidermal and dermal thickness measurements, and wound area changes in response to burn injury were characterized. Overall, the red Duroc pigs, in response to both burn wound types, elicited a more robust and prolonged inflammatory immune response, fibroblast migration, and proliferation, as well as heightened levels of extracellular matrix modulation relative to respective burn types in the Yorkshire pigs. Collectively, the red Duroc DPT burn wounds produce a greater degree of hypertrophic scar-like response compared with Yorkshire DPT burn wounds. These findings will facilitate future porcine burn studies down-selecting treatment targets and determining the effects of novel therapeutic strategies.