bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Myopic reallocation of extraction improves collective outcomes in networked common-pool resource games
Authors: Schauf Andrew , Oh Poong
Published: January 2021

When individuals extract benefits from multiple resources, the decision they face is twofold: besides choosing how much total effort to exert for extraction, they must also decide how to allocate this effort. We focus on the allocation aspect of this choice in an iterated game played on bipartite networks of agents and common-pool resources (CPRs) that degrade linearly in quality as extraction increases. When CPR users attempt to reallocate their extraction efforts among resources to maximize their own payoffs in the very next round (that is, myopically), collective wealth is increased. Using a heterogeneous mean-field approach, we estimate how these reallocations affect the payoffs of CPR users of different degrees within networks having different levels of degree heterogeneity. Focusing specifically on Nash equilibrium initial conditions, which represent the patterns of over-exploitation that result from rational extraction, we find that networks with greater heterogeneity among CPR degrees show greater improvements over equilibrium due to reallocation. When the marginal utility of extraction diminishes, these reallocations also reduce wealth inequality. These findings emphasize that CPR users’ adaptive reallocations of effort—a behavior that previously-studied network evolutionary game models typically disallow by construction—can serve to direct individuals’ self-interest toward the collective good.
Inhibitory effect of thymol on pheromone-mediated attraction in two pest moth species
Authors: López Sergio , Domínguez Aroa , Guerrero Ángel , Quero Carmen
Published: January 2021

Plant essential oils are considered as important bio-sources for the development of natural and environmentally safe pest control tools due to their multiple modes of action on insects. In this paper we have evaluated the activity of commercially available thyme oil and its constituents thymol, carvacrol, andp-cymene, as potential disruptants of the pheromone-mediated communication in the major pest mothsSpodoptera littoralisBoisduval (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), andGrapholita molesta(Busck) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae). In electroantennographic assays, the antennal response of males to thyme oil, thymol, and carvacrol was altered at high doses (103–104 µg), shifting the signal waveform into a biphasic negative–positive potential that caused a decay in the response. In wind tunnel assays, pheromone-mediated attraction of males of both species was interrupted in presence of thyme oil. Further trials demonstrated that thymol alone reduced the number ofG. molestaandS. littoralismales landing on the pheromone source. This effect did not differ from that of thyme oil, although the latter provoked a significant reduction on downwind behavior steps inS. littoralis. Overall, our findings provide a preliminary basis for delving into the effect of thyme oil, and especially of its major constituent thymol, as potential mating disruptants of both species.
Establishing primary surface rupture evidence and magnitude of the 1697 CE Sadiya earthquake at the Eastern Himalayan Frontal thrust, India
Authors: Pandey Arjun , Jayangondaperumal R. , Hetényi György , Priyanka Rao Singh , Singh Ishwar , Srivastava Pradeep , Srivastava Hari B.
Published: January 2021

Historical archives refer to often recurring earthquakes along the Eastern Himalaya for which geological evidence is lacking, raising the question of whether these events ruptured the surface or remained blind, and how do they contribute to the seismic budget of the region, which is home to millions of inhabitants. We report a first mega trench excavation at Himebasti village, Arunachal Pradesh, India, and analyze it with modern geological techniques. The study includes twenty-one radiocarbon dates to limit the timing of displacement after 1445 CE, suggesting that the area was devastated in the 1697 CE event, known as Sadiya Earthquake, with a dip-slip displacement of 15.3 ± 4.6 m. Intensity prediction equations and scaling laws for earthquake rupture size allow us to constraints a magnitude of Mw 7.7–8.1 and a minimum rupture length of ~ 100 km for the 1697 CE earthquake.
The effects of walking speed and mobile phone use on the walking dynamics of young adults
Authors: Crowley Patrick , Vuillerme Nicolas , Samani Afshin , Madeleine Pascal
Published: January 2021

Walking while using a mobile phone has been shown to affect the walking dynamics of young adults. However, this has only been investigated using treadmill walking at a fixed walking speed. In this study, the dynamics of over ground walking were investigated using lower trunk acceleration measured over 12 consecutive trials, following differing walking speed and mobile phone use instructions. Higher walking speed significantly increased the proportion of acceleration along the vertical measurement axis, while decreasing the proportion of acceleration along the anteroposterior axis (p < 0.001). Moreover, higher walking speed also resulted in increased sample entropy along all measurement axes (p < 0.05). When walking while texting, the maximum Lyapunov exponent increased along the anteroposterior and vertical measurement axes (p < 0.05), while sample entropy decreased significantly along the vertical axis (p < 0.001). Walking speed and mobile phone use both affect the walking dynamics of young adults. Walking while texting appears to produce a reduction in local dynamic stability and an increase in regularity, however, caution is required when interpreting the extent of this task effect, since walking speed also affected walking dynamics.
Reactive oxygen species rescue regeneration after silencing the MAPK–ERK signaling pathway in Schmidtea mediterranea
Authors: Jaenen V. , Fraguas S. , Bijnens K. , Heleven M. , Artois T. , Romero R. , Smeets K. , Cebrià F.
Published: January 2021

Despite extensive research on molecular pathways controlling the process of regeneration in model organisms, little is known about the actual initiation signals necessary to induce regeneration. Recently, the activation of ERK signaling has been shown to be required to initiate regeneration in planarians. However, how ERK signaling is activated remains unknown. Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) are well-known early signals necessary for regeneration in several models, including planarians. Still, the probable interplay between ROS and MAPK/ERK has not yet been described. Here, by interfering with major mediators (ROS, EGFR and MAPK/ERK), we were able to identify wound-induced ROS, and specifically H2O2, as upstream cues in the activation of regeneration. Our data demonstrate new relationships between regeneration-related ROS production and MAPK/ERK activation at the earliest regeneration stages, as well as the involvement of the EGFR-signaling pathway. Our results suggest that (1) ROS and/or H2O2 have the potential to rescue regeneration after MEK-inhibition, either by H2O2-treatment or light therapy, (2) ROS and/or H2O2 are required for the activation of MAPK/ERK signaling pathway, (3) the EGFR pathway can mediate ROS production and the activation of MAPK/ERK during planarian regeneration.
Prognostic value of blood-based fibrosis biomarkers in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer receiving chemotherapy and bevacizumab
Authors: Nissen Neel I. , Kehlet Stephanie , Boisen Mogens K. , Liljefors Maria , Jensen Christina , Johansen Astrid Z. , Johansen Julia S. , Erler Janine T. , Karsdal Morten , Mortensen Joachim H. , Høye Anette , Willumsen Nicholas
Published: January 2021

A desmoplastic colorectal cancer stroma, characterized by excess turnover of the cancer-associated fibroblast derived collagens type III and VI, can lead to reduced drug-uptake and poor treatment response. We investigated the association between biomarkers of collagen type III and VI and overall survival (OS) in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Serum samples were collected from 252 patients with mCRC prior to treatment with bevacizumab and chemotherapy. Serum concentrations of biomarkers reflecting formation of collagen type III (PRO-C3) and VI (PRO-C6) and degradation of collagen type VI (C6M and C6Mα3) were determined by ELISA. The biomarkers were evaluated for associations with OS, individually, combined, and after adjusting for carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and performance status (PS). High baseline levels (> median) of each collagen biomarker were significantly associated with shorter OS (PRO-C3: HR = 2.0, 95%CI = 1.54–2.63; PRO-C6: HR = 1.6, 95%CI = 1.24–2.11; C6M: HR = 1.4, 95%CI = 1.05–1.78; C6Mα3: HR = 1.6, 95%CI = 1.16–2.07). PRO-C3 and PRO-C6 remained significant after adjustment for CEA, LDH and PS. Weak correlations were seen between the collagen biomarkers (r = 0.03–0.59) and combining all improved prognostic capacity (HR = 3.6, 95%CI = 2.30–5.76). Collagen biomarkers were predictive of shorter OS in patients with mCRC. This supports that collagen- and CAF biology is important in CRC.
Image reconstruction through a multimode fiber with a simple neural network architecture
Authors: Zhu Changyan , Chan Eng Aik , Wang You , Peng Weina , Guo Ruixiang , Zhang Baile , Soci Cesare , Chong Yidong
Published: January 2021

Multimode fibers (MMFs) have the potential to carry complex images for endoscopy and related applications, but decoding the complex speckle patterns produced by mode-mixing and modal dispersion in MMFs is a serious challenge. Several groups have recently shown that convolutional neural networks (CNNs) can be trained to perform high-fidelity MMF image reconstruction. We find that a considerably simpler neural network architecture, the single hidden layer dense neural network, performs at least as well as previously-used CNNs in terms of image reconstruction fidelity, and is superior in terms of training time and computing resources required. The trained networks can accurately reconstruct MMF images collected over a week after the cessation of the training set, with the dense network performing as well as the CNN over the entire period.
High expression of hypoxia inducible factor 1α related with acquired resistant to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors in NSCLC
Authors: Jin Qian , Huang Feihua , Xu Xianrong , He Haidong , Zhang Yingqing
Published: January 2021

The acquired resistance of the first generation epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) is a main factor leading to poor prognosis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), so we researched whether the high expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) in EGFR-TKIs sensitive NSCLC tissue tends to induce the acquired resistance. We detected the HIF-1α in normal lung tissue, EGFR-TKIs sensitive NSCLC tissue, the first generation EGFR-TKIs acquired resistant NSCLC tissue and acquired EGFR T790M mutation NSCLC tissue with the method of immunohistochemistry. Then, we compared the expression of HIF-1α in these tissues, and evaluate the effect of HIF-1α expression to the occurrence of acquired resistance. The expression of HIF-1α was much higher in the EGFR-TKIs sensitive NSCLC tissue than that in normal lung tissue. HIF-1α level became higher after the occurrence acquired resistance. There was negative correlation between HIF-1α level before receiving treatment and the time of acquired resistance occurring as well as the acquired EGFR T790M mutation occurring. As the treatment going on, EGFR-TKIs sensitivity rate of low HIF-1α level group was much higher than that of high level group. The high expression of HIF-1α related with the acquired resistance of the first generation EGFR-TKIs, and HIF-1α can be a biomarker to predict the early occurrence of acquired resistance.
Nematode epibionts on skin of the Florida manatee, Trichechus manatus latirostris
Authors: Gonzalez Rafael , Kanzaki Natsumi , Beck Cathy , Kern William H. , Giblin-Davis Robin M.
Published: January 2021

A survey for the presence of nematodes on the skin of the native Florida manatee,Trichechus manatus latirostrisfrom Crystal River, Florida was conducted during annual manatee health assessments. A putative isolate ofCutidiplogaster manati(Diplogastridae) and two other nematodes belonging to the same family were recovered from mid-dorsal tail skin-scrapings from all sampled winter-collected healthy wild adult manatees during two successive years (2018–2019). Qualitative abundance estimates of these three species of diplogastrid nematodes suggest that an average wild Florida manatee adult might possess between 30,000 and 120,000 nematodes on its tail dorsum and that the entire body dorsum including the tail might possess 160,000–640,000 nematodes in roughly equal ratios. Attempts to culture these nematodes on a variety of different culture media were unsuccessful but examination of the mouth (stomatal) morphology suggests specialized feeding on microbes such as diatoms or predation on other nematodes. No skin lesions were observed during the 2018–2019 samplings suggesting that under normal conditions these nematodes are highly specialized free-living epibionts of the skin that are tightly bound to this niche and horizontally transferred between individual manatees in an analogous fashion to human skin mites (Demodex folliculorumandD. brevis). Molecular phylogenetic inferences using sequences of near full length SSU and D2–D3 expansion segments of LSU rRNA genes revealed a putative new morphospecies inCutidiplogastersister toC. manatithat was monophyletic with several namedMononchoidesspecies, and another putative new morphospecies that formed a clade with several undescribed species similar in appearance toMononchoidesas well asTylopharyx,Eudiplogasterium,ParoigolaimellaandSachsia.
Simultaneous lesion and brain segmentation in multiple sclerosis using deep neural networks
Authors: McKinley Richard , Wepfer Rik , Aschwanden Fabian , Grunder Lorenz , Muri Raphaela , Rummel Christian , Verma Rajeev , Weisstanner Christian , Reyes Mauricio , Salmen Anke , Chan Andrew , Wagner Franca , Wiest Roland
Published: January 2021

Segmentation of white matter lesions and deep grey matter structures is an important task in the quantification of magnetic resonance imaging in multiple sclerosis. In this paper we explore segmentation solutions based on convolutional neural networks (CNNs) for providing fast, reliable segmentations of lesions and grey-matter structures in multi-modal MR imaging, and the performance of these methods when applied to out-of-centre data. We trained two state-of-the-art fully convolutional CNN architectures on the 2016 MSSEG training dataset, which was annotated by seven independent human raters: a reference implementation of a 3D Unet, and a more recently proposed 3D-to-2D architecture (DeepSCAN). We then retrained those methods on a larger dataset from a single centre, with and without labels for other brain structures. We quantified changes in performance owing to dataset shift, and changes in performance by adding the additional brain-structure labels. We also compared performance with freely available reference methods. Both fully-convolutional CNN methods substantially outperform other approaches in the literature when trained and evaluated in cross-validation on the MSSEG dataset, showing agreement with human raters in the range of human inter-rater variability. Both architectures showed drops in performance when trained on single-centre data and tested on the MSSEG dataset. When trained with the addition of weak anatomical labels derived from Freesurfer, the performance of the 3D Unet degraded, while the performance of the DeepSCAN net improved. Overall, the DeepSCAN network predicting both lesion and anatomical labels was the best-performing network examined.
Evaluation of the TRMM product for monitoring drought over Paraíba State, northeastern Brazil: a trend analysis
Authors: Brasil Neto Reginaldo Moura , Santos Celso Augusto Guimarães , Silva Jorge Flávio Casé Braga da Costa , da Silva Richarde Marques , dos Santos Carlos Antonio Costa , Mishra Manoranjan
Published: January 2021

Droughts are complex natural phenomena that influence society's development in different aspects; therefore, monitoring their behavior and future trends is a useful task to assist the management of natural resources. In addition, the use of satellite-estimated rainfall data emerges as a promising tool to monitor these phenomena in large spatial domains. The Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) products have been validated in several studies and stand out among the available products. Therefore, this work seeks to evaluate TRMM-estimated rainfall data's performance for monitoring the behavior and spatiotemporal trends of meteorological droughts over Paraíba State, based on the standardized precipitation index (SPI) from 1998 to 2017. Then, 78 rain gauge-measured and 187 TRMM-estimated rainfall time series were used, and trends of drought behavior, duration, and severity at eight time scales were evaluated using the Mann–Kendall and Sen tests. The results show that the TRMM-estimated rainfall data accurately captured the pattern of recent extreme rainfall events that occurred over Paraíba State. Drought events tend to be drier, longer-lasting, and more severe in most of the state. The greatest inconsistencies between the results obtained from rain gauge-measured and TRMM-estimated rainfall data are concentrated in the area closest to the coast. Furthermore, long-term drought trends are more pronounced than short-term drought, and the TRMM-estimated rainfall data correctly identified this pattern. Thus, TRMM-estimated rainfall data are a valuable source of data for identifying drought behavior and trends over much of the region.
Difluoroboron β-diketonate polylactic acid oxygen nanosensors for intracellular neuronal imaging
Authors: Zhuang Meng , Joshi Suchitra , Sun Huayu , Batabyal Tamal , Fraser Cassandra L. , Kapur Jaideep
Published: January 2021

Critical for metabolism, oxygen plays an essential role in maintaining the structure and function of neurons. Oxygen sensing is important in common neurological disorders such as strokes, seizures, or neonatal hypoxic–ischemic injuries, which result from an imbalance between metabolic demand and oxygen supply. Phosphorescence quenching by oxygen provides a non-invasive optical method to measure oxygen levels within cells and tissues. Difluoroboron β-diketonates are a family of luminophores with high quantum yields and tunable fluorescence and phosphorescence when embedded in certain rigid matrices such as poly (lactic acid) (PLA). Boron nanoparticles (BNPs) can be fabricated from dye-PLA materials for oxygen mapping in a variety of biological milieu. These dual-emissive nanoparticles have oxygen-insensitive fluorescence, oxygen-sensitive phosphorescence, and rigid matrix all in one, enabling real-time ratiometric oxygen sensing at micron-level spatial and millisecond-level temporal resolution. In this study, BNPs are applied in mouse brain slices to investigate oxygen distributions and neuronal activity. The optical properties and physical stability of BNPs in a biologically relevant buffer were stable. Primary neuronal cultures were labeled by BNPs and the mitochondria membrane probe MitoTracker Red FM. BNPs were taken up by neuronal cell bodies, at dendrites, and at synapses, and the localization of BNPs was consistent with that of MitoTracker Red FM. The brain slices were stained with the BNPs, and the BNPs did not significantly affect the electrophysiological properties of neurons. Oxygen maps were generated in living brain slices where oxygen is found to be mostly consumed by mitochondria near synapses. Finally, the BNPs exhibited excellent response when the conditions varied from normoxic to hypoxic and when the neuronal activity was increased by increasing K+ concentration. This work demonstrates the capability of BNPs as a non-invasive tool in oxygen sensing and could provide fundamental insight into neuronal mechanisms and excitability research.
Most deaths in low-risk cardiac surgery could be avoidable
Authors: Mejia Omar Asdrúbal Vilca , Borgomoni Gabrielle Barbosa , Lima Eduardo Gomes , Guerreiro Gustavo Pampolha , Dallan Luís Roberto , de Barros e Silva Pedro , Nakazone Marcelo Arruda , Junior Orlando Petrucci , Gomes Walter José , de Oliveira Marco Antonio Praça , Sousa Alexandre , Campagnucci Valquíria Pelisser , Tiveron Marcos Gradim , Rodrigues Alfredo José , Tineli Rafael Ângelo , Rocha e Silva Roberto , Lisboa Luiz Augusto Ferreira , Jatene Fabio Biscegli
Published: January 2021

It is observed that death rates in cardiac surgery has decreased, however, root causes that behave like triggers of potentially avoidable deaths (AD), especially in low-risk patients (less bias) are often unknown and underexplored, Phase of Care Mortality Analysis (POCMA) can be a valuable tool to identify seminal events (SE), providing valuable information where it is possible to make improvements in the quality and safety of future procedures. Our results show that in São Paul State, only one third of AD in low-risk cardiac surgery was related to specific surgical problems. After a revisited analysis, 75% of deaths could have been avoided, which in the pre-operative phase, the SE was related judgment, patient evaluation and preparation. In the intra-operative phase, most occurrences could have been avoided if other surgical technique had been used. Sepsis was responsible for 75% of AD in the intensive care unit. In the ward phase, the recognition/management of clinical decompensations and sepsis were the contributing factors. Logistic regression model identified age, previous coronary stent implantation, coronary artery bypass grafting + heart valve surgery, ≥ 2 combined heart valve surgery and hospital-acquired infection as independent predictors of AD.
Assessment of implementation of antibiotic stewardship program in surgical prophylaxis at a secondary care hospital in Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates
Authors: Alshehhi Hessa Saleh , Ali Areeg Anwer , Jawhar Duaa Salem , Aly Essam Mahran , Swamy Srinivas , Fattah Manal Abdel , Drweesh Khawla Abdullah , Alsaadi Azzan
Published: January 2021

Antibiotic overuse is a major factor for causing antibiotic resistance globally. However, only few studies reported the implementation and evaluation of antimicrobial stewardship programs in Gulf Cooperation Council. This study was conducted within 8-months periods to evaluate the effect of the newly implemented antibiotic stewardship program on improving the prescribing practice of surgical antibiotic prophylaxis in a secondary care hospital in the United Arab Emirates by releasing local hospital guidelines. The data of 493 in patients were documented in the predesigned patient profile form and the prescribing practice of surgical antibiotic prophylaxis for clean and clean-contaminant surgical procedures was compared and analyzed two months’ prior (period A) and post (period B) the implementation of antibiotic stewardship program. The 347 patient’s data (PD) were analyzed during period A and 146 PD during period B. The prescription of piperacillin/tazobactam was decreased from 2.4% from all surgical prophylaxis antibiotic orders in period A to 0% in period B. The appropriateness of the antibiotic therapy was found to differ non significantly for the selection of prophylactic antibiotic (p = 0.552) and for the timing of first dose administration (p = 0.061) between A and B periods. The total compliance was decreased non significantly (P = 0.08) from 45.3 to 40.2%. Overall, the guidelines have improved the prescribing practice of antibiotics prior to surgery. However, further improvement can be achieved by initiating educational intervention via cyclic auditing strategy.
Power controllable gain switched fiber laser at ~ 3 μm and ~ 2.1 μm
Authors: Shi Yiwen , Li Jianfeng , Lai Chendong , Peng Hanlin , Zhu Chen , Liu Yong
Published: January 2021

Based on a hybrid pumping method consisting of a 1150 nm continuous-wave pump source and a 1950 nm pulsed pump source, we demonstrate a power controllable gain-switched fiber laser in dual wavebands at ~ 3 μm and ~ 2.1 μm. Different pumping schemes for pumping a Ho3+-doped ZBLAN fiber are studied. Using only the 1950 nm pulsed pump source, ~ 2.1 μm gain-switched pulses with single and double pulses are obtained separately at different pump powers. This phenomenon indicates that the 1950 nm pulsed pump source acts as a modulator to trigger different states of the ~ 2.1 μm pulses. Moreover, by fixing the 1150 nm pump power at 3.259 W and adjusting the 1950 nm pump power, the output power of the ~ 2.1 μm gain-switched pulsed laser is flexibly controlled while the ~ 3 μm laser power is almost unchanged, inducing the maximum output powers of 167.96 mW and 260.27 mW at 2910.16 nm and 2061.65 nm, respectively. These results suggest that the comparatively low power of the ~ 2.1 μm gain-switched pulsed laser in dual-waveband laser can be efficiently overcome by reasonably controlling the 1950 nm pump power.
Computational fluid dynamic models as tools to predict aerosol distribution in tracheobronchial airways
Authors: Atzeni Claudia , Lesma Gianluca , Dubini Gabriele , Masi Maurizio , Rossi Filippo , Bianchi Elena
Published: January 2021

Aerosol and pollutants, in form of particulates 5–8 μm in main size face every day our respiratory system as natural suspension in air or forced to be inhaled as a coadjutant in a medical therapy for respiratory diseases. This inhalation happens in children to elderly, women and men, healthy or sick and disable people. In this paper we analyzed the inhalation of aerosol in conditions assimilable to the thermal therapy. We use a computational fluid dynamic 3D model to compute and visualize the trajectories of aerosol (3–7–10–25 µm) down to the sixth generation of bronchi, in a steady and dynamic condition (7 µm) set as breath cycle at rest. Results, compared to a set of milestone experimental studies published in literature, allow the comprehension of particles behavior during the inhalation from mouth to bronchi sixth generation, the visualization of jet at larynx constriction and vortices, in an averaged characteristic rigorous geometrical model including tracheal rings. Results on trajectories and deposition show the importance of the including transient physiological breath cycle on aerosol deposition analyses. Numerical and graphical results, may enable the design of medical devices and protocols to make the inhalations more effective in all the users’ population.
A pilot study for intraocular pressure measurements based on vibroacoustic parameters
Authors: Kim Deukha , Chung Youngbeen , Yeon Yeji , Cho Hyunsoo , Lim Han Woong , Park Junhong , Lee Won June
Published: January 2021

The present study aimed to identify vibroacoustic properties associated with intraocular pressure (IOP) changes and to suggest a new way to measure the IOP based on these properties. Ten ex vivo porcine eyeballs were used in this study. Each eyeball was fixated in a central hole of a Styrofoam block, and vibration applied to the Styrofoam block was transmitted to the eyeball. An accelerometer directly attached to the eyeball measured the vibration response. Excitations and measurements were performed for 1 s, and the excitation magnitude was varied for the same signal in repeat measurements. A 30-gauge needle was inserted into the anterior chamber of the eyeball to inject a balanced salt solution, and the height of the bottle was adjusted to adjust the IOP. A tonometer was used under identical conditions to measure the IOP five times, and the mean value was determined for further analyses. The measurements showed that the parameters resonance frequency and change in the magnitude of the vibration response (CMVR) increased with rising IOP values. The CMVR was highly correlated with the IOP (p-value < 0.0001). A linear mixed effects model (LMM) was used as a statistical analysis method. We confirmed that vibroacoustic properties of the eyeball are correlated with IOP changes. It is expected that the CMVR will serve as a new parameter for IOP measurements. Thus, in the future, continuous IOP measurements would be easily performed using the CMVR.
Biomechanical insights into the dentition of megatooth sharks (Lamniformes: Otodontidae)
Authors: Ballell Antonio , Ferrón Humberto G.
Published: January 2021

The evolution of gigantism in extinct otodontid sharks was paralleled by a series of drastic modifications in their dentition including widening of the crowns, loss of lateral cusplets, and acquisition of serrated cutting edges. These traits have generally been interpreted as key functional features that enabled the transition from piscivory to more energetic diets based on marine mammals, ultimately leading to the evolution of titanic body sizes in the most recent forms (including the emblematicOtodus megalodon). To investigate this hypothesis, we evaluate the biomechanics of the anterior, lateral, and posterior teeth of five otodontid species under different loading conditions by using two-dimensional finite element analysis. Stress distribution patterns are remarkably similar among all models under puncture and draw (i.e., when subjected to vertical and lateral forces, respectively). Contrary to expectation, higher average stress values are detected under both loading scenarios in more recent species. Altogether, this suggests little correlation between tooth morphology and key aspects of biomechanical behaviour in otodontids, making it difficult to frame the morphological trend of their dentitions within an adaptive scenario. We propose that this pattern most likely emerged as a non-functional by-product of heterochronic processes driven by selection towards larger body sizes.
Classification and specific primer design for accurate detection of SARS-CoV-2 using deep learning
Authors: Lopez-Rincon Alejandro , Tonda Alberto , Mendoza-Maldonado Lucero , Mulders Daphne G. J. C. , Molenkamp Richard , Perez-Romero Carmina A. , Claassen Eric , Garssen Johan , Kraneveld Aletta D.
Published: January 2021

In this paper, deep learning is coupled with explainable artificial intelligence techniques for the discovery of representative genomic sequences in SARS-CoV-2. A convolutional neural network classifier is first trained on 553 sequences from the National Genomics Data Center repository, separating the genome of different virus strains from the Coronavirus family with 98.73% accuracy. The network’s behavior is then analyzed, to discover sequences used by the model to identify SARS-CoV-2, ultimately uncovering sequences exclusive to it. The discovered sequences are validated on samples from the National Center for Biotechnology Information and Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data repositories, and are proven to be able to separate SARS-CoV-2 from different virus strains with near-perfect accuracy. Next, one of the sequences is selected to generate a primer set, and tested against other state-of-the-art primer sets, obtaining competitive results. Finally, the primer is synthesized and tested on patient samples (n = 6 previously tested positive), delivering a sensitivity similar to routine diagnostic methods, and 100% specificity. The proposed methodology has a substantial added value over existing methods, as it is able to both automatically identify promising primer sets for a virus from a limited amount of data, and deliver effective results in a minimal amount of time. Considering the possibility of future pandemics, these characteristics are invaluable to promptly create specific detection methods for diagnostics.
Physiological responses of Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baerii) juveniles fed on full-fat insect-based diet in an aquaponic system
Authors: Zarantoniello Matteo , Randazzo Basilio , Nozzi Valentina , Truzzi Cristina , Giorgini Elisabetta , Cardinaletti Gloriana , Freddi Lorenzo , Ratti Stefano , Girolametti Federico , Osimani Andrea , Notarstefano Valentina , Milanović Vesna , Riolo Paola , Isidoro Nunzio , Tulli Francesca , Gioacchini Giorgia , Olivotto Ike
Published: January 2021

Over the last years, the potential use of Black Soldier Fly meal (BSF) as a new and sustainable aquafeed ingredient has been largely explored in several fish species. However, only fragmentary information is available about the use of BSF meal-based diets in sturgeon nutrition. In consideration of a circular economy concept and a more sustainable aquaculture development, the present research represents the first comprehensive multidisciplinary study on the physiological effects of a BSF diet during sturgeon culture in an aquaponic system. Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baerii) juveniles were fed over a 60-days feeding trial on a control diet (Hi0) and a diet containing 50% of full-fat BSF meal respect to fish meal (Hi50). Physiological responses of fish were investigated using several analytical approaches, such as gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, histology, Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), microbiome sequencing and Real-time PCR. While aquaponic systems performed optimally during the trial, Hi50 group fish showed lower diet acceptance that resulted in growth and survival reduction, a decrease in hepatic lipids and glycogen content (FTIR), a higher hepatic hsp70.1 gene expression and a worsening in gut histological morphometric parameters. The low feed acceptance showed by Hi50 group sturgeon highlighted the necessity to improve the palatability of BSF-based diet designed for sturgeon culture.
Identification of ancestry proportions in admixed groups across the Americas using clinical pharmacogenomic SNP panels
Authors: Debortoli Guilherme , de Araujo Gilderlanio Santana , Fortes-Lima Cesar , Parra Esteban J. , Suarez-Kurtz Guilherme
Published: January 2021

We evaluated the performance of three PGx panels to estimate biogeographical ancestry: the DMET panel, and the VIP and Preemptive PGx panels described in the literature. Our analysis indicate that the three panels capture quite well the individual variation in admixture proportions observed in recently admixed populations throughout the Americas, with the Preemptive PGx and DMET panels performing better than the VIP panel. We show that these panels provide reliable information about biogeographic ancestry and can be used to guide the implementation of PGx clinical decision-support (CDS) tools. We also report that using these panels it is possible to control for the effects of population stratification in association studies in recently admixed populations, as exemplified with a warfarin dosing GWA study in a sample from Brazil.
Use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in postpartum patients with refractory shock or respiratory failure
Authors: Ko Ryoung-Eun , Chung Chi Ryang , Yang Jeong Hoon , Jeon Kyeongman , Suh Gee Young , Oh Soo-young , Choi Suk-Joo , Yang Ji-Hyuk , Sung Kiick , Cho Yang Hyun
Published: January 2021

Although extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is increasingly utilized, only a limited level of experience has been reported in postpartum cardiopulmonary failure. Ten critically ill postpartum patients who received ECMO were included between January 2010 and December 2018 in this retrospective observational study. The main indication for ECMO support was peripartum cardiomyopathy (n = 5), followed by postpartum hemorrhage (n = 2). Nine patients initially received veno-arterial ECMO, and one patient received veno-venous ECMO. Major bleeding occurred in six patients. The median number of units of red blood cells (RBC) transfused during ECMO was 14.5 units (interquartile range 6.8–37.8 units), and most RBC transfusions occurred on the first day of ECMO. The survival-to-discharge rate was 80%. Compared to the survival outcomes in female patients of similar age who received ECMO, the survival outcomes were significantly better in the study population (56% versus 80%, P = 0.0004). Despite the high risk of major bleeding, ECMO for patients with postpartum cardiac or respiratory failure showed excellent survival outcomes. ECMO is feasible in these patients and can be carried out with good outcomes in an experienced centre.
Evaluation of nutritional and elemental compositions of green and red cultivars of roselle: Hibiscus sabdariffa L.
Authors: Salami Serifat Olatundun , Afolayan Anthony Jide
Published: January 2021

Roselle—Hibiscus sabdariffa L. leaves at different stages of growth, calyces and seeds were analyzed for nutritional and anti-nutritional factors. All the treatments contained a good but varied proportion of carbohydrate in a range of 26.93–54.13%, crude protein from 5.7 to 27.06%, crude fat 1.16–13.09%, crude fibre 15.75–36.10%, energy 631.36–1065 kJ, ash 6.08–13.74% and moisture content 6.00–9.7%. The vitamins A, C and E were also found to be present in all the treatments in a different but substantial amount. The calcium, magnesium and iron contents in all the treatments were higher than the recommended daily allowance of 1250, 350, and 15 mg for adults, while the phosphorus and sodium values in all the treatments were below 1000 and 1500 mg RDA for adults. However, the Na + /K + for all the treatments were lower than 1. The values of anti-nutrients in the samples were small except post-flowering red which had high phytate content of 21.02%, although this can be easily reduced during processes like boiling and cooking. Thus, both cultivars of roselle contain high nutritional, elemental, and vitamins compositions and small content of anti-nutrients.
Reconstructing GRACE-type time-variable gravity from the Swarm satellites
Authors: Richter H. Maja P. , Lück Christina , Klos Anna , Sideris Michael G. , Rangelova Elena , Kusche Jürgen
Published: January 2021

The Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) mission has enabled mass changes and transports in the hydrosphere, cryosphere and oceans to be quantified with unprecedented resolution. However, while this legacy is currently being continued with the GRACE Follow-On (GRACE-FO) mission there is a gap of 11 months between the end of GRACE and the start of GRACE-FO which must be addressed. Here we bridge the gap by combining time-variable, low-resolution gravity models derived from European Space Agency’s Swarm satellites with the dominating spatial modes of mass variability obtained from GRACE. We show that the noise inherent in unconstrained Swarm gravity solutions is greatly reduced, that basin averages can have root mean square errors reduced to the order of $$\text {cm}$$
cm
of equivalent water height, and that useful information can be retrieved for basins as small as $$1000 \times 1000\,\hbox {km}$$

1000
×
1000

km

. It is found that Swarm data contains sufficient information to inform the leading three global mass modes found in GRACE at the least. By comparing monthly reconstructed maps to GRACE data from December 2013 to June 2017, we suggest the uncertainty of these maps to be $$2{-}3\,\text {cm}$$

2
-
3

cm

of equivalent water height.
Stable coherent mode-locking based on $$\pi$$ pulse formation in single-section lasers
Authors: Arkhipov Rostislav , Pakhomov Anton , Arkhipov Mikhail , Babushkin Ihar , Rosanov Nikolay
Published: January 2021

Here we consider coherent mode-locking (CML) regimes in single-section cavity lasers, taking place for pulse durations less than atomic population and phase relaxation times, which arise due to coherent Rabi oscillations of the atomic inversion. Typically, CML is introduced for lasers with two sections, the gain and absorber ones. Here we show that, for certain combination of the cavity length and relaxation parameters, a very stable CML in a laser, containing only gain section, may arise. The mode-locking is unconditionally self-starting and appears due to balance of intra-pulse de-excitation and slow interpulse-scale pump-induced relaxation processes. We also discuss the scaling of the system to shorter pulse durations, showing a possibility of mode-locking for few-cycle pulses.
Cross-sectional anatomy, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging of the banded houndshark (Triakis scyllium)
Authors: Kim Sang Wha , Yuen Adams Hei Long , Poon Cherry Tsz Ching , Hwang Joon Oh , Lee Chang Jun , Oh Moon-Kwan , Kim Ki Tae , Kim Hyoun Joong , Giri Sib Sankar , Kim Sang Guen , Kwon Jun , Lee Sung Bin , Choi Min Cheol , Park Se Chang
Published: January 2021

Due to their important phylogenetic position among extant vertebrates, sharks are an invaluable group in evolutionary developmental biology studies. A thorough understanding of shark anatomy is essential to facilitate these studies and documentation of this iconic taxon. With the increasing availability of cross-sectional imaging techniques, the complicated anatomy of both cartilaginous and soft tissues can be analyzed non-invasively, quickly, and accurately. The aim of this study is to provide a detailed anatomical description of the normal banded houndshark (Triakis scyllium) using computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) along with cryosection images. Three banded houndsharks were scanned using a 64-detector row spiral CT scanner and a 3 T MRI scanner. All images were digitally stored and assessed using open-source Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine viewer software in the transverse, sagittal, and dorsal dimensions. The banded houndshark cadavers were then cryosectioned at approximately 1-cm intervals. Corresponding transverse cryosection images were chosen to identify the best anatomical correlations for transverse CT and MRI images. The resulting images provided excellent detail of the major anatomical structures of the banded houndshark. The illustrations in the present study could be considered as a useful reference for interpretation of normal and pathological imaging studies of sharks.
Measurement and evaluation of specific absorption rate and temperature elevation caused by an artificial hip joint during MRI scanning
Authors: Seo Youngseob , Wang Zhiyue J.
Published: January 2021

A primary safety concern in a magnetic resonance imaging environment is heating of metallic implants by absorbing radiofrequency (RF) energy during MRI scanning. Experimental measurement in conjunction with computational modeling was used to evaluate the risk of biological tissue injury from the RF heating of artificial hip joints by obtaining both specific absorption rate (SAR) and temperature elevation at 1.5 T and 3 T MRI systems. Simulation result showed that high SAR and high temperature appeared near both head and tail sections of the artificial hip joints. For five different 1.5 T and 3 T MRI systems, measured temperature location showed that high temperature rises occurred near both head and tail regions of the metallic hip joints. Measured SAR value of 24.6 W/kg and the high temperature rise (= 4.22 °C) occurred in the tail region of the hip joint at 1.5 T, which was higher than the limits for temperature required by the international electrotechnical commission 60601-2-33. We have demonstrated the feasibility of evaluating RF heating of metallic hip joints during MRI scans.
Group size and aquatic vegetation modulates male preferences for female shoals in wild zebrafish, Danio rerio
Authors: Ghoshal Aditya , Bhat Anuradha
Published: January 2021

Shoaling decisions in the wild are determined by a combination of innate preferences of the individual along with the interplay of multiple ecological factors. In their natural habitat as well as in the laboratory, zebrafish is a shoaling fish. Here, we investigate the role of group size and associated vegetation in shaping shoaling preferences of wild male zebrafish. We studied the association preference of males to groups of female shoals in a multi-choice test design. We found that males made greater proportion of visits to an 8-female group compared to 2 and 4-female groups. However, males spent similar proportions of time across the three female-containing groups. When artificial vegetation was incorporated along with female number as an additional factor, we found that males prefer high and moderately vegetated patches compared to low or no-vegetation groups, irrespective of the number of females in these patches. Based on experiments using a novel multi-choice design, our results show that preference for group size can change due to interaction of two separate factors. This work is a first attempt to understand the role of aquatic flora in determining shoaling preferences in zebrafish, using an experimental paradigm consisting of a gradation in female and vegetation densities.
Contact residue contributions to interaction energies between SARS-CoV-1 spike proteins and human ACE2 receptors
Authors: Rodriguez Jorge H. , Gupta Akshita
Published: January 2021

Several viruses of the corona family interact, via their spike (S) proteins, with human cellular receptors. Spike proteins of SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2 virions, being structurally related but not identical, mediate attachment to the human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (hACE2) receptor in similar but non-identical ways. Molecular-level understanding of interactions between spike proteins and hACE2 can aid strategies for blocking attachment of SARS-CoV-1, a potentially reemerging health threat, to human cells. We have identified dominant molecular-level interactions, some attractive and some repulsive, between the receptor binding domain of SARS-CoV-1 spike proteins (S-RBD) and hACE2. We performed fragment-based quantum-biochemical calculations which directly relate biomolecular structure to the hACE2...S-RBD interaction energy. Consistent with X-ray crystallography and cryo-EM, the interaction energy between hACE2 and S-RBD ($$\approx -$$

≈
-

26 kcal/mol) corresponds to a net intermolecular attraction which is significantly enhanced by inclusion of dispersion van der Waals forces. Protein fragments at the hACE2...S-RBD interface, that dominate host-virus attraction, have been identified together with their constituent amino acid residues. Two hACE2 fragments which include residues (GLU37, ASP38, TYR41, GLN42) and (GLU329, LYS353, GLY354), respectively, as well as three S-RBD fragments which include residues (TYR436), (ARG426) and (THR487, GLY488, TYR491), respectively, have been identified as primary attractors at the hACE2...S-RBD interface.
The association between olfactory dysfunction and cardiovascular disease and its risk factors in middle-aged and older adults
Authors: Roh Daeyoung , Lee Dong-Hee , Kim Soo Whan , Kim Sung Won , Kim Byung-Guk , Kim Do Hyun , Shin Ji-Hyeon
Published: January 2021

While previous studies have reported olfactory dysfunction (OD) in relation to cardiovascular disease (CVD), few population-based studies have investigated whether such associations differ by sex. The purpose of this study was to identify the association between CVD and its risk factors with OD, and the sex-associated differences within the general population. We examined 20,016 adults aged 40 and older from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. All subjects reported on their history of OD. CVD and its risk factors included coronary artery disease (CAD), stroke, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, abdominal obesity, and hypertriglyceridemia; logistic regression was used to analyse their associations with OD, and additive interaction was used to analyse the interaction between risk factors and sex. In males, CAD was more likely to be associated with OD (odds ratio [OR] 1.81, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.05–3.14), whereas abdominal obesity was associated with OD in females (OR 1.39, 95% CI 1.06–1.84).Additive interaction were observed between abdominal obesity and female sex with a relative excess risk of interaction of 0.45 (95% CI 0.26–0.63). Our findings suggest the relationship between OD and CVD and its risk factors and sex-associated differences among middle-aged and older adults.