bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Seismic analysis of Multi storey Building on Sloping Ground and Flat Ground by using ETABS
Authors: Veera Babu K , Siva Rama Krishna S , Malagavelli Venu
Published: January 2023

Due to urbanization and industrialization, which paved the door for the development of tall, multi-story structures on mountainous terrain, land is scarce in emerging nations like India. Buildings built on hilly terrain differ from those built on flat terrain due of their uneven and asymmetrical vertical and horizontal structures. These buildings are also significantly more vulnerable to earthquake pressures when located in mountainous terrain. The primary goal of the current endeavor is to investigate how structures behave on level and sloping terrain. Hilly places require different construction configurations than level areas. Hill structures vary from those on lowlands in that they are torsionally linked, highly irregular, and asymmetrical in both the horizontal and vertical planes. As a result, they are vulnerable to severe damage when an earthquake strikes. The behavior of a multi-story structure with two distinct slope angles was attempted to be studied in this paper, and a comparison with flat ground was made. by taking Earthquake Zone II into account. Buildings on level ground and buildings on slanted ground are compared. The models are created with the aid of the structural analysis program ETABS. Response spectrum analysis is used for analysis. The analysis’s findings, including storey shear, storey drifts, moments, and displacement, are tabulated and examined.
Experimental Investigation on Waste Paper-pulp Infused Cement Mortar
Authors: Bochare Rewa , Dagliya Monika , Sharma Bindiya , Shaikh Faique
Published: January 2023

A huge amount of newspaper waste is generated in an average Indian household on a daily basis. The ideology behind this study is to amalgamate this paper waste into construction materials. This manuscript is a preliminary initiative for the same motive and explores the feasibility of mixing waste paper pulp into cement mortar for further adopting the practice on construction sites. Different ratios of cement, standard sand and crushed paper pulp (soaked for 72 hours) were administered to cast cement mortar cubes and the same were tested for compressive strength in a compression testing machine. The several trial mixes, partially replacing sand in mortar making were attempted to study the behavior of cement mortar while infused with waste paper pulp. The strength of these cubes were compared to standard cement mortar cubes cast using one part cement and 3 parts of standard sand. The trial ratios of cement, sand and paper pulp were 1:0.5:0.5; 1:0.75:0.25 and 1:0.25:0.75 respectively. Both 7 days as well as 28 days strength was determined. It was found that one part cement, half part standard sand and half a part of waste paper pulp was the most optimum combination yielding satisfactory strength of cement mortar cubes. The compressive strength of standard cube was 7.2 MPa and the same for 1:0.5:0.5 was 6.6 MPa. Thus waste paper pulp infused cement mortar may be used for brickwork and other trivial lean cement members in construction. The purpose of the study is to address two major underlying challenges in modern day construction projects, first being the dearth of river sand availability and secondly the disposal of waste paper which ultimately ends up in landfills subsequently polluting the environment.
The Role of Granite Waste Powder on Mechanical and Durability performance of GGBS and Metakaoline based concrete
Authors: Ravi G , Prasanna P.K. , Satish S.
Published: January 2023

Industrial wastes such as granite waste powder (GWP), GGBS, and Metakaoline (MK) are widely available in numerous Indian states. Due to their pozzolanic abilities, GGBS and Metakaoline were used as a partial alternative to cement in the manufacture of concrete, with constant levels of 40% GGBS and 10% Metakaoline. In addition, to minimize the use of natural resources, granite waste was used as a fine aggregate substitute in various percentages (0, 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40%) on a weight basis, and a PC-300 Maximo-Plats super plasticizer with a dose of 0.3 percent was used to retain the essential workability. For this project, M45 grade concrete with a w/c ratio of 0.36 was used to assess the mechanical properties of blended concrete at the ages of 7 and 28 days. At 28 days of age, durability studies such as water absorption and RCPT tests were conducted. According to the experimental data, the optimum compressive strength of blended concrete was found to be at a 20% replacement of GWP.
A Review on the Utilisation of Silica Fume and Metakaolin as Novel Grout Materials
Authors: Sai Kolluru Venkata , Prabhakara Rao V V N , Mallikarjuna V
Published: January 2023

One of the approaches for solving challenges related to foundations, open cut excavations, landslides, rock slopes, fractured rocks and tunnelling is enhancement of soil via grouting. Two main components of soil enhancement are reduced permeability and increase in strength. To overcome reduced strength and permeability in soils and rock fissures, it has always depended on cement and lime treatment. To replace cement and lime, chemical and ultra-fine cementitious grouts are often employed to break through highly fissured rocks or fine sands. This document gives a censorious evaluation of chosen studies that used unconventional cementitious grouts in order to assist practicing engineers and promote best practice. In sand and cohesive soils, sodium silicate, colloidal silica, metakaolin, silica fume, fly ash, resins, polymers, and microfine substitutes were evaluated as grouting material. The intent of the article is to procure effective data for consultants and contractors who will be building injection works that use non-cementitious fluids in the future.
Greener and sustainable self-compaction concrete: A review on performance at elevated temperatures
Authors: Narayana Rao U.V. , Venkata Sairam Kumar N.
Published: January 2023

Self-compacting concrete (SCC), highly flow-able engineer-friendly concrete that have moderate viscosity, low yield stress, good segregation resistance, and high deformability. SCC is a composition of high amounts of cement, mineral admixtures, fine aggregate, water, super-plasticizer, and coarse aggregate. Mineral admixtures obtained from agricultural and industrial by-products and or waste materials are primarily used as filler materials and or pozzolanic materials for increasing the slurry or cementitious paste in SCC. Many high-rise concrete structures or plain concrete structures and or reinforced concrete structures are nowadays constructed by using SCC. Hence, considering its fresh and hardened properties, materials used, and importance in the construction industry, understanding the behaviour of SCC after exposure to elevated or high temperatures is of utmost importance and gaining attention. In SCC, explosive spalling was mainly caused by the stress developed, water to binder ratio and cement binder ratio. Higher amounts of powder content in SCC reduced the porosity and made SCC more vulnerable and susceptible to spalling. The strain values of SCC are enhanced by the increase in temperature. Higher reduction in strength values are observed with non-destructive testing than destructive tests. The scanning electron microscope of SCC revealed that the stiffness ratio between aggregates and cement matrix reduced with elevated temperature, which results in reducing the interaction transition zone. Finally, from the literature review, it may be concluded that the degradation mechanism of SCC when subjected to elevated temperatures is similar to the conventional concrete.
An Experimental Study on Recycled Aggregate Concrete With Partial Replacement of Cement With Flyash and Alccofine
Authors: Karthik CH , Nagaraju A
Published: January 2023

Recycled aggregates are the aggregates which are collected from the construction and demolition waste. Now a day the demolition waste production is more, due to this the environment gets polluted. So the use of recycled aggregates in the place of natural aggregates will decrease the waste accumulation. The scope of using recycled aggregates increasing day by day because of that the cost will decrease effectively. The main focus of this paper is to find the strength qualities of recycled aggregates so as to use it as an alternative for the natural aggregates and fly ash and alccofine are used for the partial replacement of the binding material for an M40 grade concrete. Here concrete is made with replacement of natural aggregates with recycled aggregates (25%, 50%, 75% and 100%), partial replacement of cement with a fly ash (25%) and alccofine (0%, 5%, 10% and 15%). Mix design of binary blended recycled aggregate concrete is done by using IS: 10262-2019. Workability is measured and mechanical properties like compressive strength, flexure and split tensile strength were determined for 7days and 28 days. Alkaline attack is evaluated after 28 days of NaOH solution curing. It is observed from the test results mechanical properties of the concrete is decreased if recycled aggregate & alccofine content.
Artificial Neural Networks, A Tool for Predicting Compressive strength of Recycled Aggregate Concrete
Authors: Mallikarjuna Rao G. , Sandhya M. , Raja Rajeshwari B. , Oggu Praveen
Published: January 2023

Now a days designing of mix proportions is more costly and time taking process. The final mix proportions are arrived from several trail mixes. Due to this there is a lot of wastage of material and also it requires at least 7 days to finalizing the mix proportions. Present study deals with the prediction of compressive strength of Recycled Coarse Aggregate Concrete (RCA) utilizing Artificial Neural Networks (ANN). Finding the compressive strength using conventional methods involves usage of various mixes, materials, and most importantly time. Based on this problem, there is a need to develop a software based strength design rather than going for experimental based design. The compressive strength as modeled is a function of five inputs and one output variable. The input variables are Coarse Aggregate, Recycled Coarse Aggregate (RCA), Fine Aggregate, Cement, Water, and output variable is Compressive Strength. The required data is collected from the previous research works carried on Recycled Coarse Aggregate Concrete by several researchers from detailed literature review, about 60 mix proportions are selected and considered to predict the compressive strength of RCA by using VISUAL GENE DEVELOPER software. The selected values are trained, validated and predicted for analytical based mix proportions. To validate the predicted strength values, regression values are checked. The analytical predicted values are compared with the experimental values. From results it is concluded that the artificial neural network based results shown high prediction accuracy and the outcomes exhibited that the utilization of ANN in evaluating compressive strength of concrete is valuable in fostering the blend extents for various evaluations of cements.
Fragility Comparison for Soft Storey Infill Reduced Structures by Incremental Dynamic Analysis
Authors: Vamsi Krishna B. , Veera Reddy M. , Naresh Vasari , Tanuja D. V. , Sai Bharat T.
Published: January 2023

A keen understanding of how a structure behaves when it is exposed to earthquake scenarios is required in order to foresee and avert the adverse effects and consequences when such a incident occurs, with the current rate of development in our country the construction of mid and high rise residential apartments are rapidly increasing but the data to understand such structures is insufficient, this data includes seismic vulnerability of structures, hazard maps of earthquake prone areas, seismic risks involved for a structure, this data provides the insight of what magnitude of risks are at hand when a earthquake scenario occurs and how to avert or minimize the losses with those risks [1]. In the present study, an effort is made to determine the behavior of soft Storey structures for various parameters when it is exposed to an earthquake ground motion; this includes the development of models analytically with the existence of soft Storey in them with different infill reductions and analyzing them, two models with varying heights and plot areas are considered for this study, this four models are modeled in such a way that different variations of soft Storey existence depending on the location of walls, percentage of infill reductions among different walls are done, a total of eight variety of models are been analyzed in both the X and Y directions. It is concluded that in all the models the fragility is higher in the models with lower lateral dimensions, as the length of the side decreases the fragility of that side is increasing. The Model without reduction performed efficiently showing less probability to collapse and that height and plan dimensions of the model are dependent on each other for the increase or decrease of fragility in a structure. If the height increases with the same model plan dimensions, the fragility of the structure also increases, if the plan dimension increases the fragility of the structure decreases.
Study On Behaviour Of Aluminium Metal Matrix Composite Reinforced With Silicon Carbide And Titanium Diboride.
Authors: Shalini Kora P. L. S. , Gorantla Nipun
Published: January 2023

Advanced designed materials like metal matrix composites (MMC) consists of at least two constituent parts, a matrix and reinforcement of different materials such as metals, fibers, glass, organic compounds, or ceramics. An MMC can exhibit various enhanced properties like lightweight, high-specific strength and better ductility when compared with a single material. They have an advantage of the increasing mechanical and physical characteristics of the composite by varying the reinforcement percentages by volume fractions or orientation of fibers or laminates. The most popular materials such as aluminum, titanium, magnesium, and silicon carbide are possible reinforcement materials with aluminum as matrix. This work is mainly focused on study on behaviour of Aluminum Metal Matrix Composite, reinforced with Silicon Carbide and Titanium diboride for various kinds of loads and optimization for tensile strength and ductility. In this work two composite models of size 60µm * 60µm * 60µm with a reinforcement volume proportion of 20% of SiC and TiB2 were compared with the use of FEM tool (ABAQUS CAE). The tool is basically used for assigning different material properties such as young’s modulus, Poisson’s ratio, yield stress & different loads and to extract the results in the form of various stresses and strains on the modeled aluminum metal matrix composite (AMMC). The test results showed that the AMMC with SiC as reinforcement has better young’s modulus and tensile strength than AMMC with TiB2.
An investigational study on Pre and post-stabilization behaviour of Lime stabilized Expansive soil admixed with palm kernel ash
Authors: vijayan Dhanasingh sivalinga , Devarajan Parthiban , Sanjay Kumar R , Ajith Kumar V , Raj kumar S , Rahman Shaik Habibur
Published: January 2023

In geotechnical engineering, soils that can shrink and swell quickly are always thought to be more sensitive than other types of soil. Most of the research on how to improve the engineering behaviour of expansive soil and make it more stable has already been done. The main goal of the project is to find a better way to treat large amounts of expansive soil with low-cost material and to analyse the modification of engineering properties of soil such as compressive strength and Atterberg limit. In this study, lab results on soils with a lot of space that were treated with cheap ingredients like lime and palm kernel ash are used. This study looks at the results of the unconfined compression test (UCC), liquid limit, plastic limit, shrinkage limit, and plasticity index for expansive clays mixed with different amounts of lime and palm kernel ash. Based on the result, it was found that the addition of 5% lime with 0.25% of PKA increased the UC strength of soil from 1418.17 kN/m2 to 1537.97 kN/m2 at 28 days of curing. Similarly, due to increase in the percentage of palm kernel ash with lime treatment has decreased the rate of atterberg limit except for the plastic limit. In the case of plastic limit, the addition of 0.25% of palm kernel ash was recommended. Finally, it was concluded that the addition of palm kernel ash with lime was advisable for minor soil stabilization work.
A study on the effect of aging on pmb40 and crmb55 in bituminous concrete layers
Authors: Rajput R P S , Goliya S.S. , Mehar R
Published: January 2023

Aging occurs in bituminous materials throughout the construction and service lifespan of asphalt pavement, and it has a substantial impact on their performance. Bitumen aging is one of the primary causes of asphalt pavement degradation. As bitumen ages, asphalt surfaces lose their capacity to alleviate tension during the cooling process, increasing the danger of cracking. The thin film oven test (TFOT) and the rolling thin film oven test (RTFOT) are two extensively used short-term aging tests (RTFOT). The rotating cylinder-aging test (RCAT) and pressure aging vessel are two extensively used tests in the long-term aging of bitumen (PAV). The suggested research includes the comparison of un-modified bitumen and modified bitumen of waste crumb rubber and plastic rubber. This research was conducted on the aging of different grades of bitumen, that are two modified bitumen, which are PMB40 & CRMB55. After the aging of the bitumen, we conducted some physical property tests on the normal bitumen and RTFOT-modified bitumen. The outcome of the testing of the physical properties was that the RTFOT modified bitumen gained more strength as compared to the normal bitumen after the testing of physical properties of bitumen (Normal Bitumen & RTFOT Modified Bitumen) prepared samples for testing the Marshall Properties. After testing, Marshall Properties’ research can conclude that the RTFOT Modified Bitumen provides more strength compared to the normal bitumen. The RTOFT modified bitumen can be used in rural areas to provide a better pavement surface and longevity of the pavement. Through the aging of bitumen, the adhesion property between bitumen and aggregate becomes strong, so that in a high traffic area, cracks do not develop easily
Stabilization of black cotton soil with waste plastic and admixtures
Authors: Ahalya A , Prasad K S R
Published: January 2023

Black cotton soil is inorganic clay formed mainly in regions with poor drainage conditions. However, it is considered a problematic soil in the field of geotechnical engineering because it has high swelling and shrinking nature depending upon the weather conditions. So, one of the most common methods to improve the characteristics of the soil is the stabilizing procedure, which lessens soil settlement and can increase shear strength. The addition of lime is a common technique. It has been shown that adding lime to soil enhances its technical qualities. In the current study, an effort has been made to stabilize the soil by using PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate), Bagasse ash, and Rice husk ash in the percentages of 2 to 8 is used because it has a tendency to enhance the black cotton soil’s current qualities and also utilization of polymeric materials improves the eco-system and decrease the environmental pollution. As It is increasing day by day leading to various environmental concerns.
Predictive Biodegradation of Multiple Toxic Pollutants in Bioreactors Treating Real Wastewater using ANN and GP
Authors: Padhma Priya P , Jenit Angelin , Pearlin D Derina J , Sharma Naresh Kumar
Published: January 2023

Industrial wastewater contains eco-toxic organic pollutants such as phenol, cyanide and xylenol, which are usually the most common toxic compounds from steel industries and their high concentrations negatively affects biological treatments through substrate inhibition. Optimizing the biodegradation of multiple substrates found in wastewater such as phenol, xylenol and cyanide under Aerobic (in presence of oxygen), Anaerobic (in absence of oxygen) and Anoxic (in presence of nitrates) biotreatment systems has been done in this study. To predict the performance and design control systems to meet the environmental regulatory standards, the complex non-linear behavior presented in the biological treatment requires an accurate model. Herein, by using Artificial intelligence (ANN, GA and GP), the mathematical modelling of biological reactors operating under batch and continuous systems treating phenol, xylenol and cyanide were attempted. Mathematical modelling of biological systems is complex due to lack of process knowledge and multiple governing factors thereby significantly increasing the research trends using data based driven models. To correlate the biological non-linear relationship and to achieve the minimum error goal for pollutant removal with an acceptable R2 value of 0.847, 0.892, 0.937 in the anoxic system for phenol, cyanide and xylenol removal, the ANN and GA were designed. These models represent, analyse and reliably make predictions of complex biological systems helping in controlling and enhancing the performance of the wastewater treatment plant. From these results, the better pollutant removal was done by the anoxic system when compared to aerobic and anaerobic systems especially for phenol and cyanide removal.
Economical and environment friendly self-compacting concrete
Authors: Badgujar Smita , Dwivedi Arun Kumar
Published: January 2023

A rapid industrialization and urbanization resulted in the increased demand for usage of electricity at an alarming rate. At the same time, coal ashes are produced in coal based thermal power plant in large quantity. Fly ash is being used as an alternative material in construction industries while pond ash is disposed-off on huge land areas resulting in environmental pollution through soil, water and air. This research emphases on the study of performance of pond ash as a fine aggregate in self-compacting concrete (SCC). Fine aggregate is substituted by pond ash in percentages of 10, 15, 20, 25, 30. The fresh state properties of SCC like flowability, passing ability of all mixes have been checked by conducting inverted slump cone and L-box according to IS code of practice. The cost analysis of SCC has been conducted to establish the relative cost savings. From the experimental investigation, cost analysis and life cycle assessment, it is concluded that SCC with 20% fine aggregate replaced by pond ash can be economical and environment friendly self-compacting concrete.
Analysis of Water Quality Around the Patancheruvu, Sangareddy, Telangana, India.
Authors: Gudivada Bhogayya Naidu , Murali krishna I.V. , Manjula Vani K.
Published: January 2023

In nature, water quality affects the condition of ecosystems and altering the existence of living beings. In this paper the study of water quality is done for Patancheruvu block, Telangana, India. The main objective of this research is to find out the effect of different land use on water and protect it from contamination without hampering the environmental balance. The method used in this research to evaluated groundwater quality includes single factor evaluation method called Water Quality Index (WQI). The study area is divided in to 3 zones and collected bore water data from 16 sites around the study area. WQI analysis is done for two periods i.e., monsoon season and non-monsoon season. The results explained that, among the 16 sites,3 sites which are falling in the 3rd zone are not suitable for domestic purposes. Out of remaining 14 sites, 11 sites are satisfactory, and 2 sites are slightly modified. It is concluded that water quality of the Patancheruvu is degraded, fundamentally, by three factors: agricultural sewage discharges, industrial wastewater and urban wastage.
Investigation of Mechanical Properties of M-sand concrete with Polypropylene and Steel fibers
Authors: Tadiboina Naga Venkata Vamsi Krishna , Narayana Rao U V
Published: January 2023

This study looks into the impact of the adding of polypropylene(pp) and Hooked-end steel (HES) fibre on the mechanical characteristics of M-sand concrete (MSC). HES fibres with a 30-mm length were used at 1% to the weight of the cement for every mix and Polypropylene(pp) fibers with length 12-mm were used at the content of 0.25%, 0.50%, and 0.75% and 1%. All the mixes were produced with the mixing of HES and pp fibers. All the mixes with fiber-reinforced concretes (FRC) contained 60% M-sand as fine aggregate (FA) replacement. For increment of workability, the super plasticizer is also added. The compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, flexural strength of the concrete mixes was examined for M30 Concrete. Results of this work indicated that the adding of the M-sand improves compression characteristics of plain concrete mix. The outcomes also show that the mechanical characteristics of MSC were amplified by the addition of steel (HES) and polypropylene (pp) fibers at each weight fraction taken into account in this investigation. Additionally, it was found that adding 1% steel fiber considerably increased the concrete’s split tensile test values and also flexural test values. The blend with the highest performance out of all the varied steel and polypropylene(pp) fibre combinations tested had 1% HES and 0.5% pp fiber. Finally, the findings demonstrated that adding fibres to concrete led to reduction in compressive strength and increase in the value of split tensile strength and also flexural strength.
Advancements in modelling human blood brain-barrier on a chip
Authors: Guarino Vita , Zizzari Alessandra , Bianco Monica , Gigli Giuseppe , Moroni Lorenzo , Arima Valentina
Published: January 2023

The human Blood Brain Barrier (hBBB) is a complex cellular architecture separating the blood from the brain parenchyma. Its integrity and perfect functionality are essential for preventing neurotoxic plasma components and pathogens enter the brain. Although vital for preserving the correct brain activity, the low permeability of hBBB represents a huge impediment to treat mental and neurological disorders or to address brain tumors. Indeed, the vast majority of potential drug treatments are unable to reach the brain crossing the hBBB. On the other hand, hBBB integrity can be damaged or its permeability increase as a result of infections or in presence of neurodegenerative diseases. Current in vitro systems and in vivo animal models used to study the molecular/drug transport mechanism through the hBBB have several intrinsic limitations that are difficult to overcome. In this scenario, Organ-on-Chip (OoC) models based on microfluidic technologies are considered promising innovative platforms that combine the handiness of an in vitro model with the complexity of a living organ, while reducing time and costs. In this review, we focus on recent advances in OoCs for developing hBBB models, with the aim of providing the reader with a critical overview of the main guidelines to design and manufacture a hBBB-on-chip, whose compartments need to mimic the ‘blood side’ and ‘brain side’ of the barrier, to choose the cells types that are both representative and convenient, and to adequately evaluate the barrier integrity, stability, and functionality.
Laser ablation mediated ZnO nanoparticles inhibit growth and biofilm forming potential of urinary tract bacterium Proteus mirabilis
Authors: Jawad Kareem H
Published: January 2023

Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) were formed via the laser ablation technique of a zinc (Zn) target immersed in deionised water (DIW). The optical, structural, and morphological features of these ZnO NPs were investigated using UV/Vis spectrophotometry, x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy. XRD results of zinc oxide nanoparticles showed diffraction peaks at 32°, 34.5°, 36.5°, 57°, and 67° corresponding to the (100), (002), (101), (110) and (103). The average nanoparticle size was 21 nm. The TEM images of zinc oxide nanoparticles show that they are spherical in shape and have a size distribution of 20–70 nm. The antibacterial activity of the ZnO NPs was determined and compared with Ciprofloxacin against Proteus mirabilis isolates. The ZnO NPs have significant antibacterial activity against P. mirabilis isolates compared with the control (P ≤ 0.05), and the antibiofilm activity of ZnO NPs was sturdier than that of Ciprofloxacin (P ≤ 0.05). In addition, zinc oxide NPs were more effective than Ciprofloxacin in terms of preventing biofilm formation in the urinary catheter. This finding was confirmed by using atomic force microscopy to investigate the effect of ZnO NPs on bacterial biofilm formation in Foleys catheter (AFM). Therefore, ZnO NPs could be used as a preservative for Foleys catheter by preventing the formation of microbial biofilms. DPPH assay was used to investigate the radical scavenging potential of ZnO NPs.
The size of a smell: assessment of rival’s relative size from femoral secretions in the common wall lizards,Podarcis muralis(Laurenti, 1768)
Authors: Scali Stefano , Sacchi Roberto , Gozzo Elisabetta , Chiesa Stefano , Coladonato Alan J , Zuffi Marco A L , Mangiacotti Marco
Published: January 2023

Animal communication depends on signals conveying information to a receiver who must perceive and decode them. Signals involved in territoriality are usually complex stimuli that should be correctly interpreted to avoid unnecessary conflicts. Lacertids use both visual and chemical stimuli in modulating their aggressive response against conspecifics and the rival’s size is one of the most important information, affecting the success probability in combat. To assess the actual ability of decoding information about a rival’s size based on its chemical stimulus alone, 60 males of Podarcis muralis were tested for three consecutive days in an arena bearing a mirror (to simulate an equal-sized intruder), and the chemical cues (femoral secretions) from an unknown individual of different size. Significant differences were observed in tongue-flicks number, which grew as the size difference between the focal lizard and the secretion donor decreased. This can be interpreted as the need for the lizard to better evaluate the potential competitor’s characteristics. The size difference also affected the number of bites against the mirror. They increased when the size of the focal lizard was larger than the donor triggering the aggressive response with a higher probability of winning the contest. This confirms that the focal lizard had correctly decoded the information about the opponent’s size by chemical stimulus. Although previous studies have shown that some components of the chemical signals are potentially informative about the signaler’s size, this is the first demonstration that male P. muralis is actually able to decode and use such information.
Gos: a declarative library for interactive genomics visualization in Python
Authors: Manz Trevor , L’Yi Sehi , Gehlenborg Nils
Published: January 2023

Gos is a declarative Python library designed to create interactive multiscale visualizations of genomics and epigenomics data. It provides a consistent and simple interface to the flexible Gosling visualization grammar. Gos hides technical complexities involved with configuring web-based genome browsers and integrates seamlessly within computational notebooks environments to enable new interactive analysis workflows.

Availability and implementation

Gos is released under the MIT License and available on the Python Package Index (PyPI). The source code is publicly available on GitHub (https://github.com/gosling-lang/gos), and documentation with examples can be found at https://gosling-lang.github.io/gos.
Effects of a ketogenic diet on reproductive and metabolic phenotypes in mice with polycystic ovary syndrome
Authors: Liu Shihe , Yao Qiyang , Li Xiaolian , Wu Haowen , Sun Changwei , Bai Wenpei , Kang Jihong
Published: January 2023

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common female reproductive and metabolic disorders. The ketogenic diet (KD) is a diet high in fat and low in carbohydrate. The beneficial effects of KD intervention have been demonstrated in obese women with PCOS. The underlying mechanisms, however, remain unknown. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of a KD on both reproductive and metabolic phenotypes of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)-induced PCOS mice. Female C57BL/6 mice were divided into three groups, designated Control, DHEA, and DHEA+KD groups. Mice of both Control and DHEA groups were fed the control diet, whereas DHEA+KD mice were fed a KD with 89%(kcal) fat for 1 or 3 weeks after PCOS mouse model was completed. At the end of the experiment, both reproductive and metabolic characteristics were assessed. Our data show that KD treatment significantly increased blood ketone levels, reduced body weight and random and fasting blood glucose levels in DHEA+KD mice compared with DHEA mice. Glucose tolerance, however, was impaired in DHEA+KD mice. Ovarian functions were improved in some DHEAmice after KD feeding, especially in mice treated with KD for 3 weeks. In addition, inflammation and cell apoptosis were inhibited in the ovaries of DHEA+KD mice. Results from in vitro experiments showed that the main ketone body β-hydroxybutyrate reduced inflammation and cell apoptosis in DHEA-treated KGN cells. These findings support the therapeutic effects of KD and reveal a possible mechanism by which KD improves ovarian functions in PCOS mice.
Polyploid hybrid speciation in theCalcarataspecies complex ofViolasectionMelanium(Violaceae): relating hybrid species to parent species distribution and ecology
Authors: Hühn Philipp , Dillenberger Markus S , Krause Sandra , Kadereit Joachim W
Published: January 2023

Two species of the Calcarata species complex of Viola section Melanium have been hypothesized to be of polyploid hybrid origin. To test this hypothesis, we used a modified restriction site associated (RAD) DNA-sequencing approach along with ITS and plastid DNA sequence data for reconstructing and dating the phylogeny of the group. For the detection of polyploid hybrid speciation and the parental lineages involved we used the four-taxon D-statistic metric (ABBA-BABA). Viola corsica (Elba, Corsica, Sardinia; calcifuge) and V. tineorum (Sicily; calcicole) were confirmed as polyploid hybrid species. They share V. cassinensis subsp. cassinensis (central Apennine; calcicole) as a parental lineage with V. bertolonii (Maritime Alps; serpentine) as the second parent of V. corsica and with V. nebrodensis (Sicily; calcicole) as the second parent of V. tineorum. The geographical distribution of the two hybrid species reflects the geographical distribution of the differential parent lineages. Substrate requirements of V. corsica are different, and those of V. tineorum are identical to those of their respective parents. We conclude that the differential distribution and ecology of V. corsica and V. tineorum can be traced back to properties of their respective parents.
Vagal cross-sectional area correlates with parasympathetic dysfunction in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Huckemann Sophie , Mueller Katharina , Averdunk Paulina , Kühn Eva , Hilker Lovis , Kools Saskia , Scholz Leonard , Bulut Yesim , Brünger Jil , Fiegert Sean , Grüter Thomas , Fisse Anna Lena , Motte Jeremias , Yoon Min-Suk , Gold Ralf , Schneider-Gold Christiane , Tönges Lars , Pitarokoili Kalliopi
Published: January 2023

The aim of this prospective study was to investigate autonomic function in Parkinson’s disease with a multidimensional approach including clinical evaluation tools, head-up tilt test and morphological studies of the vagus nerve. Head-up tilt test parameters including high frequency power of the heart frequency interval, the ratio of low frequency power of the distance between two consecutive R waves in electrocardiogram (RR interval) to the high frequency and low frequency power of systolic blood pressure were used to evaluate parasympathetic, cardiac sympathetic and vasomotor sympathetic functions, respectively, in 80 patients with Parkinson's disease. We examined the cross-sectional area of the vagus nerves bilaterally using nerve ultrasound and compared mean values with a control group of healthy subjects (n = 40) as well as patients with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (n = 76). The cross-sectional area of right/left vagus nerve of Parkinson's patients was significantly lower compared to the right/left vagus nerve of the control group and of chronic demyelinating polyneuropathy patients. Furthermore, the cross-sectional area of the right vagus nerve was significantly larger from the one of the left vagus nerve for all groups. Based on tilt test, 43 patients (disease duration 7 ± 5, age at evaluation 71 ± 9, Hoehn and Yahr score 2.8 ± 8) were diagnosed with autonomic dysfunction (orthostatic hypertension n = 11, chronotropic incompetence n = 31, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome n = 1). Patients with orthostatic hypotension showed significantly higher Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale-III values than those with chronotropic incompetence. The cross-sectional area of the vagus nerve correlated inversely with heart rate in rest and supine position and positively with tilt test parameters representing parasympathetic modulation through vagal activity [high frequency power of the distance between two consecutive R waves in electrocardiogram (RR interval)] at rest. We demonstrate for the first time that morphological characteristics of the vagus nerve correlate with parameters of parasympathetic function from the spectral analysis of cardiovascular parameters in tilt test for Parkinson's patients. This correlation reveals the impact of the atrophy of vagal atrophy for autonomic function in Parkinson's disease. Nerve ultrasound of the vagus nerve could potentially be used as an adjunct to tilt table examination to diagnose autonomic dysfunction.
Inefficient speech-motor control affects predictive speech comprehension: atypical electrophysiological correlates in stuttering
Authors: Gastaldon Simone , Busan Pierpaolo , Arcara Giorgio , Peressotti Francesca
Published: January 2023

Listeners predict upcoming information during language comprehension. However, how this ability is implemented is still largely unknown. Here, we tested the hypothesis proposing that language production mechanisms have a role in prediction. We studied 2 electroencephalographic correlates of predictability during speech comprehension—pre-target alpha–beta (8–30 Hz) power decrease and the post-target N400 event-related potential effect—in a population with impaired speech-motor control, i.e. adults who stutter (AWS), compared to typically fluent adults (TFA). Participants listened to sentences that could either constrain towards a target word or not, modulating its predictability. As a complementary task, participants also performed context-driven word production. Compared to TFA, AWS not only displayed atypical neural responses in production, but, critically, they showed a different pattern also in comprehension. Specifically, while TFA showed the expected pre-target power decrease, AWS showed a power increase in frontal regions, associated with speech-motor control. In addition, the post-target N400 effect was reduced for AWS with respect to TFA. Finally, we found that production and comprehension power changes were positively correlated in TFA, but not in AWS. Overall, the results support the idea that processes and neural structures prominently devoted to speech planning also support prediction during speech comprehension.
Elevated energy costs of biomass production in mitochondrial respiration-deficientSaccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Grigaitis Pranas , van den Bogaard Samira L , Teusink Bas
Published: January 2023

Microbial growth requires energy for maintaining the existing cells and producing components for the new ones. Microbes therefore invest a considerable amount of their resources into proteins needed for energy harvesting. Growth in different environments is associated with different energy demands for growth of yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, although the cross-condition differences remain poorly characterized. Furthermore, a direct comparison of the energy costs for the biosynthesis of the new biomass across conditions is not feasible experimentally; computational models, on the contrary, allow comparing the optimal metabolic strategies and quantify the respective costs of energy and nutrients. Thus in this study, we used a resource allocation model of S. cerevisiae to compare the optimal metabolic strategies between different conditions. We found that S. cerevisiae with respiratory-impaired mitochondria required additional energetic investments for growth, while growth on amino acid-rich media was not affected. Amino acid supplementation in anaerobic conditions also was predicted to rescue the growth reduction in mitochondrial respiratory shuttle-deficient mutants of S. cerevisiae. Collectively, these results point to elevated costs of resolving the redox imbalance caused by de novo biosynthesis of amino acids in mitochondria. To sum up, our study provides an example of how resource allocation modeling can be used to address and suggest explanations to open questions in microbial physiology.
Transgender Adults From Minoritized Ethnoracial Groups in the U.S. Report Greater Subjective Cognitive Decline
Authors: Cicero Ethan C , Lett Elle , Flatt Jason D , Benson G Perusi , Epps Fayron
Published: January 2023

Objectives

Investigate subjective cognitive decline (SCD) among 4 study groups consisting of cisgender and transgender adults who are from minoritized ethnoracial groups (i.e., minoritized ethnoracial transgender, minoritized ethnoracial cisgender) and White cisgender and transgender adults aged 45+ (i.e., White transgender, White cisgender) to determine the odds of SCD by group and to test for group differences.

Methods

Data from the 2015–2020 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System were used in a modified case–control approach to perform an intercategorical intersectional study. Each transgender participant was matched to 2 cisgender men and 2 cisgender women, on state, ethnoracial identity, and age. Multivariable logistic regressions modeled SCD odds by group and post hoc contrasts estimated pairwise odds ratios comparing the SCD odds for each combination of groups.

Results

SCD prevalence was highest among minoritized ethnoracial transgender (21.6%), followed by White transgender (15.0%), minoritized ethnoracial cisgender (12.0%), and White cisgender (9.0%). After accounting for age, education, and survey year, the odds of SCD were higher in minoritized ethnoracial transgender when compared to White cisgender (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 2.51, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.59–3.96) and minoritized ethnoracial cisgender (aOR = 1.89, 95% CI: 1.16–3.09). The odds of SCD were higher in White transgender compared to White cisgender (aOR = 1.66, 95% CI: 1.20–2.30).

Discussion

When considering the intersection of transgender and ethnoracial identities, we found that transgender adults from minoritized ethnoracial groups reported higher odds of SCD when compared to cisgender adults from minoritized ethnoracial groups. Additional studies are needed to understand the relationship between racialized and gendered inequities in cognitive impairment and how specific mechanisms of systemic transphobia and racism may contribute to this inequity.
Preoperative Simulation of Ileal Pouch–Anal Anastomosis in Patients With Ulcerative Colitis Using a 3-Dimensional Printed Model
Authors: Yokose Shota , Murono Koji , Nozawa Hiroaki , Sasaki Kazuhito , Emoto Shigenobu , Matsuzaki Hiroyuki , Yokoyama Yuichiro , Abe Shinya , Nagai Yuzo , Yoshioka Yuichiro , Shinagawa Takahide , Sonoda Hirofumi , Murai Shin , Komatsu Koichi , Ishihara Soichiro
Published: January 2023

Background

During restorative proctocolectomy with ileal pouch–anal anastomosis for ulcerative colitis–associated colorectal cancer or dysplasia, ileal pouch–anal handsewn anastomosis (IAA) is preferred to avoid the risk of cancer development in the remaining rectal mucosa. However, there is a risk of the ileal pouch not reaching the anus with this procedure. Here, we created deformable 3-dimensional (3D) models for simulation.

Method

Six patients who underwent IAA without vessel ligation and 5 patients who underwent ileal pouch–anal canal double-stapled anastomosis (IACA) because the ileal pouch did not reach the anus were studied. A 3D printer was used to create deformable 3D models from the data obtained from computed tomography scans. The positional relationship among the mesenteric arteries, pubis, and coccyx were evaluated.

Result

The distance between the superior mesenteric artery root and the tip of the ileal artery was longer in the IAA group than that in the IACA group (IAA vs IACA: 26.2 ± 2.1 cm vs 20.9 ± 1.6cm). The distance from the tip of the ileal artery to the coccyx (IAA vs IACA: 6.7 ± 1.7 cm vs 12.1 ± 2.1 cm) and the distance from the tip of the ileal artery to the lower edge of the pubis (IAA vs IACA; 8.1 ± 1.3 cm vs 12.7 ± 2.4 cm) were longer in the IACA group than those in the IAA group.

Conclusions

We established a method for creating 3D deformable models of patients with ileal pouch–anal anastomosis. These 3D models may be useful for preoperative simulation.
Inhibition of Soluble Stem Cell Factor Promotes Intestinal Mucosal Repair
Authors: Garcia-Hernandez Vicky , Raya-Sandino Arturo , Azcutia Veronica , Miranda Jael , Kelm Matthias , Flemming Sven , Birkl Dorothee , Quiros Miguel , Brazil Jennifer C , Parkos Charles A , Nusrat Asma
Published: January 2023

Background

Incidences of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, are escalating worldwide and can be considered a global public health problem. Given that the gold standard approach to IBD therapeutics focuses on reducing the severity of symptoms, there is an urgent unmet need to develop alternative therapies that halt not only inflammatory processes but also promote mucosal repair. Previous studies have identified increased stem cell factor (SCF) expression in inflamed intestinal mucosal tissues. However, the role that SCF plays in mediating intestinal inflammation and repair has not been explored.

Methods

Changes in the expression of SCF were evaluated in the colonic tissue of healthy mice and during dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis. Furthermore, mucosal wound healing and colitis severity were analyzed in mice subjected to either mechanical biopsy or DSS treatment, respectively, following intestinal epithelial cell–specific deletion of SCF or anti-SCF antibody administration.

Results

We report robust expression of SCF by intestinal epithelial cells during intestinal homeostasis with a switch to immune cell-produced SCF during colitis. Data from mice with intestinal epithelial cell–specific deletion of SCF highlight the importance of immune cell–produced SCF in driving the pathogenesis of colitis. Importantly, antibody-mediated neutralization of total SCF or the specific SCF248 isoform decreased immune cell infiltration and enhanced mucosal wound repair following biopsy-induced colonic injury or DSS-induced colitis.

Conclusions

These data demonstrate that SCF functions as a pro-inflammatory mediator in mucosal tissues and that specific neutralization of SCF248 could be a viable therapeutic option to reduce intestinal inflammation and promote mucosal wound repair in individuals with IBD.