bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Immunocompetent hamsters as a model for orthobunyavirus-induced neuroinvasion and neuropathology
Authors: Groseth Allison , Gardner Don , Meade-White Kimberly , Amler Susanne , Ebihara Hideki
Published: May 2023

Background

Bunyavirus infections, including those caused by Bunyamwera serogroup orthobunyaviruses, represent a significant and yet likely still vastly underappreciated cause of mild to moderate human febrile infections. In severe cases, these infections can also cause neurological disease, particularly meningitis and encephalitis, and infection can even be fatal. However, with a few exceptions, information regarding the mechanisms underlying the neuroinvasion and neuropathogenesis of such infections is limited. This is due in part to a lack of animal models to facilitate such studies.

Methodology/Principal findings

In an effort to develop an immunocompetent model of infection with Bunyamwera serogroup orthobunyaviruses, we infected 4-6-week-old female hamsters via either the intraperitoneal or subcutaneous route with 106 pfu/animal of Bunyamwera virus (BUNV), Batai virus or Ngari virus. Only BUNV infection resulted in clinical disease, which was characterized by weight loss, lethargy and neurological signs (i.e. tremor of the head or limbs, loss of righting reflex, “waltzing”). While symptoms were of similar severity for both routes, they occurred more frequently following subcutaneous inoculation. Consistent with these clinical signs, both antigen staining and histopathological abnormalities were found extensively throughout the brain.

Conclusions/Significance

The reported hamster model of BUNV infection provides a new tool for studying orthobunyavirus infection, and particularly neuroinvasion and the development of neuropathology. This model is particularly significant because it makes use of immunologically competent animals and relies on a subcutaneous inoculation route that more closely mimics the natural infection route for arboviruses, thereby providing a more authentic cellular and immunological context at the initial site of infection.
Power-duration relationship comparison in competition sprint cyclists from 1-s to 20-min. Sprint performance is more than just peak power
Authors: Ferguson Hamish , Harnish Chris , Klich Sebastian , Michalik Kamil , Dunst Anna Katharina , Zhou Tony , Chase J. Geoffrey
Published: May 2023

Current convention place peak power as the main determinant of sprint cycling performance. This study challenges that notion and compares two common durations of sprint cycling performance with not only peak power, but power out to 20-min. There is also a belief where maximal efforts of longer durations will be detrimental to sprint cycling performance. 56 data sets from 27 cyclists (21 male, 6 female) provided maximal power for durations from 1-s to 20-min. Peak power values are compared to assess the strength of correlation (R2), and any relationship (slope) across every level. R2between 15-s– 30-s power and durations from 1-s to 20-min remained high (R2≥ 0.83). Despite current assumptions around 1-s power, our data shows this relationship is stronger around competition durations, and 1-s power also still shared strong relationships with longer durations out to 20-min. Slopes for relationships at shorter durations were closer to a 1:1 relationship than longer durations, but closer to long-duration slopes than to a 1:1 line. The present analyses contradicts both well-accepted hypotheses that peak power is the main driver of sprint cycling performance and that maximal efforts of longer durations out to 20-min will hinder sprint cycling. This study shows the importance and potential of training durations from 1-s to 20-min over a preparation period to improve competition sprint cycling performance.
Liquid biopsy-based monitoring of residual disease in multiple myeloma by analysis of the rearranged immunoglobulin genes–A feasibility study
Authors: Marx Anita , Osváth Magdolna , Szikora Bence , Pipek Orsolya , Csabai István , Nagy Ákos , Bödör Csaba , Matula Zsolt , Nagy Ginette , Bors András , Uher Ferenc , Mikala Gábor , Vályi-Nagy István , Kacskovics Imre
Published: May 2023

The need for sensitive monitoring of minimal/measurable residual disease (MRD) in multiple myeloma emerged as novel therapies led to deeper responses. Moreover, the potential benefits of blood-based analyses, the so-called liquid biopsy is prompting more and more studies to assess its feasibility. Considering these recent demands, we aimed to optimize a highly sensitive molecular system based on the rearranged immunoglobulin (Ig) genes to monitor MRD from peripheral blood. We analyzed a small group of myeloma patients with the high-risk t(4;14) translocation, using next-generation sequencing of Ig genes and droplet digital PCR of patient-specific Ig heavy chain (IgH) sequences. Moreover, well established monitoring methods such as multiparametric flow cytometry and RT-qPCR of the fusion transcript IgH::MMSET (IgH and multiple myeloma SET domain-containing protein) were utilized to evaluate the feasibility of these novel molecular tools. Serum measurements of M-protein and free light chains together with the clinical assessment by the treating physician served as routine clinical data. We found significant correlation between our molecular data and clinical parameters, using Spearman correlations. While the comparisons of the Ig-based methods and the other monitoring methods (flow cytometry, qPCR) were not statistically evaluable, we found common trends in their target detection. Regarding longitudinal disease monitoring, the applied methods yielded complementary information thus increasing the reliability of MRD evaluation. We also detected indications of early relapse before clinical signs, although this implication needs further verification in a larger patient cohort.
Assessing the potential of polygenic scores to strengthen medical risk prediction models of COVID-19
Authors: Córdova-Palomera Aldo , Siffel Csaba , DeBoever Chris , Wong Emily , Diogo Dorothée , Szalma Sandor
Published: May 2023

As findings on the epidemiological and genetic risk factors for coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) continue to accrue, their joint power and significance for prospective clinical applications remains virtually unexplored. Severity of symptoms in individuals affected by COVID-19 spans a broad spectrum, reflective of heterogeneous host susceptibilities across the population. Here, we assessed the utility of epidemiological risk factors to predict disease severity prospectively, and interrogated genetic information (polygenic scores) to evaluate whether they can provide further insights into symptom heterogeneity. A standard model was trained to predict severe COVID-19 based on principal component analysis and logistic regression based on information from eight known medical risk factors for COVID-19 measured before 2018. In UK Biobank participants of European ancestry, the model achieved a relatively high performance (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve ~90%). Polygenic scores for COVID-19 computed from summary statistics of the Covid19 Host Genetics Initiative displayed significant associations with COVID-19 in the UK Biobank (p-values as low as 3.96e-9, all with R2 under 1%), but were unable to robustly improve predictive performance of the non-genetic factors. However, error analysis of the non-genetic models suggested that affected individuals misclassified by the medical risk factors (predicted low risk but actual high risk) display a small but consistent increase in polygenic scores. Overall, the results indicate that simple models based on health-related epidemiological factors measured years before COVID-19 onset can achieve high predictive power. Associations between COVID-19 and genetic factors were statistically robust, but currently they have limited predictive power for translational settings. Despite that, the outcomes also suggest that severely affected cases with a medical history profile of low risk might be partly explained by polygenic factors, prompting development of boosted COVID-19 polygenic models based on new data and tools to aid risk-prediction.
Improvement of predictive accuracies of functional outcomes after subacute stroke inpatient rehabilitation by machine learning models
Authors: Miyazaki Yuta , Kawakami Michiyuki , Kondo Kunitsugu , Tsujikawa Masahiro , Honaga Kaoru , Suzuki Kanjiro , Tsuji Tetsuya
Published: May 2023

Objectives

Stepwise linear regression (SLR) is the most common approach to predicting activities of daily living at discharge with the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) in stroke patients, but noisy nonlinear clinical data decrease the predictive accuracies of SLR. Machine learning is gaining attention in the medical field for such nonlinear data. Previous studies reported that machine learning models, regression tree (RT), ensemble learning (EL), artificial neural networks (ANNs), support vector regression (SVR), and Gaussian process regression (GPR), are robust to such data and increase predictive accuracies. This study aimed to compare the predictive accuracies of SLR and these machine learning models for FIM scores in stroke patients.

Methods

Subacute stroke patients (N = 1,046) who underwent inpatient rehabilitation participated in this study. Only patients’ background characteristics and FIM scores at admission were used to build each predictive model of SLR, RT, EL, ANN, SVR, and GPR with 10-fold cross-validation. The coefficient of determination (R2) and root mean square error (RMSE) values were compared between the actual and predicted discharge FIM scores and FIM gain.

Results

Machine learning models (R2 of RT = 0.75, EL = 0.78, ANN = 0.81, SVR = 0.80, GPR = 0.81) outperformed SLR (0.70) to predict discharge FIM motor scores. The predictive accuracies of machine learning methods for FIM total gain (R2 of RT = 0.48, EL = 0.51, ANN = 0.50, SVR = 0.51, GPR = 0.54) were also better than of SLR (0.22).

Conclusions

This study suggested that the machine learning models outperformed SLR for predicting FIM prognosis. The machine learning models used only patients’ background characteristics and FIM scores at admission and more accurately predicted FIM gain than previous studies. ANN, SVR, and GPR outperformed RT and EL. GPR could have the best predictive accuracy for FIM prognosis.
Organic matter sources and flows in tundra wetland food webs
Authors: Plesh Steven P. , Lovvorn James R. , Miller Micah W. C.
Published: May 2023

Arctic lowland tundra is often dominated by wetlands. As numbers and types of these wetlands change with climate warming, their invertebrate biomass and assemblages may also be affected. Increased influx of nutrients and dissolved organic matter (DOM) from thawing peat may alter the relative availability of organic matter (OM) sources, differentially affecting taxa with disparate dependence on those sources. In five shallow wetland types (<40 to 110 cm deep) and in littoral zones of deeper lakes (>150 cm), we used stable isotopes (δ13C, δ15N) to compare contributions of four OM sources (periphytic microalgae, cyanobacteria, macrophytes, peat) to the diets of nine macroinvertebrate taxa. Living macrophytes were not distinguishable isotopically from peat that likely contributed most DOM. Within invertebrate taxa, relative OM contributions were similar among all wetland types except deeper lakes. Physidae snails consumed substantial amounts of OM from cyanobacteria. However, for all other taxa examined, microalgae were the dominant or a major OM source (39–82%, mean 59%) in all wetland types except deeper lakes (20‒62%, mean 31%). Macrophytes and macrophyte-derived peat, likely consumed mostly indirectly as DOM-supported bacteria, ranged from 18‒61% (mean 41%) of ultimate OM sources in all wetland types except deeper lakes (38–80%, mean 69%). Invertebrate consumption of microalgal C may often have involved bacterial intermediates, or a mix of algae with bacteria consuming peat-derived OM. High production of periphyton with very low δ13C values were favored by continuous daylight illuminating shallow depths, high N and P levels, and high CO2concentrations from bacterial respiration of peat-derived DOM. Although relative OM sources were similar across wetland types except deeper lakes, total invertebrate biomass was much higher in shallow wetlands with emergent vegetation. Impacts of warming on the availability of invertebrate prey to waterbirds will likely depend not on shifts in OM sources, but more on changes in overall number or area of shallow emergent wetlands.
Effect of speed and leading or trailing limbs on surface muscle activities during canter in Thoroughbred horses
Authors: Takahashi Yuji , Takahashi Toshiyuki , Mukai Kazutaka , Ebisuda Yusaku , Ohmura Hajime
Published: May 2023

Given that Thoroughbred horses’ canter is an asymmetric gait, not only speed but also leading or trailing limbs could affect muscle activities. However, the muscle activity during a canter remains poorly understood. Hence, we aimed to investigate speed and lead-side (leading or trailing) effects on surface electromyography (sEMG) during a canter. The sEMG data were recorded from leftMusculus brachiocephalicus(Br),M.infraspinatus(Inf), long head ofM.triceps brachii(TB),M.gluteus medius(GM),M.semitendinosus(ST), andM.flexor digitorum longusof seven Thoroughbreds with hoof-strain gauges at the left hooves. Horses cantered on a flat treadmill at 7, 10, and 13 m/s for 25 s each without lead change. Subsequently, the horses trotted for 3 min and cantered at the same speed and duration in the opposite lead side (“leading” at the left lead and “trailing” at the right lead). The order of the lead side and speed was randomized. The mean of 10 consecutive stride durations, duty factors, integrated-EMG values (iEMG) for a stride, and muscle onset and offset timing were compared using a generalized mixed model (P< 0.05). Stride durations and duty factors significantly decreased with speed regardless of the lead side. In all muscles, iEMG at 13 m/s significantly increased compared with 7 m/s (ranging from +15% to +134%). The lead-side effect was noted in the iEMG of Br (leading > trailing, +47%), Inf (leading > trailing, +19%), GM (leading < trailing, +20%), and ST (leading < trailing, +19%). In TB, GM, and ST, muscle onset in trailing was earlier than the leading, while offset in the leading was earlier in Br. In conclusion, different muscles have different responses to speed and lead side; thus, both the lead side and running speed should be considered during training and/or rehabilitation including canter or gallop.
Copper ions inhibit pentose phosphate pathway function in Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Norambuena Javiera , Al-Tameemi Hassan , Bovermann Hannah , Kim Jisun , Beavers William N. , Skaar Eric P. , Parker Dane , Boyd Jeffrey M.
Published: May 2023

To gain a better insight of how Copper (Cu) ions toxify cells, metabolomic analyses were performed in S. aureus strains that lacks the described Cu ion detoxification systems (ΔcopBL ΔcopAZ; cop-). Exposure of the cop- strain to Cu(II) resulted in an increase in the concentrations of metabolites utilized to synthesize phosphoribosyl diphosphate (PRPP). PRPP is created using the enzyme phosphoribosylpyrophosphate synthetase (Prs) which catalyzes the interconversion of ATP and ribose 5-phosphate to PRPP and AMP. Supplementing growth medium with metabolites requiring PRPP for synthesis improved growth in the presence of Cu(II). A suppressor screen revealed that a strain with a lesion in the gene coding adenine phosphoribosyltransferase (apt) was more resistant to Cu. Apt catalyzes the conversion of adenine with PRPP to AMP. The apt mutant had an increased pool of adenine suggesting that the PRPP pool was being redirected. Over-production of apt, or alternate enzymes that utilize PRPP, increased sensitivity to Cu(II). Increasing or decreasing expression of prs resulted in decreased and increased sensitivity to growth in the presence of Cu(II), respectively. We demonstrate that Prs is inhibited by Cu ions in vivo and in vitro and that treatment of cells with Cu(II) results in decreased PRPP levels. Lastly, we establish that S. aureus that lacks the ability to remove Cu ions from the cytosol is defective in colonizing the airway in a murine model of acute pneumonia, as well as the skin. The data presented are consistent with a model wherein Cu ions inhibits pentose phosphate pathway function and are used by the immune system to prevent S. aureus infections.
Berberine in Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health
Authors: Sutherland Liz
Published: May 2023

Berberine is a highly versatile botanical with extensive physiological activity resulting from its ability to interact with numerous enzyme systems, receptor sites, and cell signaling pathways. Both pre-clinical and clinical studies continue to shed light on berberine's therapeutic potential, corroborating many of its traditional uses. Berberine has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects and can help regulate certain metabolic processes. For example, studies show that berberine may improve insulin resistance, support insulin secretion, inhibit lipogenesis, and rebalance the gut microbiome. The roster of novel molecular targets that berberine influences continues to be discovered, with its ability to regulate adenosine monophosphate (AMP) levels and induce AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) being chief among them. AMPK activity, which declines with age, is crucial for the proper functioning of cellular metabolism.
Varying the Infill Parameters of an Electroplated 3D Print to Improve Electrical Performance
Authors: Sreeram Siddarth
Published: May 2023

Fused filament fabrication (FFF) 3D printing is widely used within both hobbyist and industrial applications for its superior printing speed and cost-effectiveness in comparison to other conventional technologies, such as fused deposition modeling (FDM). One of the primary drawbacks of FFF technology, however, is the limited electrical conductivity of its parts and thus their minimal industrial usage. The purpose of this research, therefore, is to improve the electrical conductivity of FFF parts by varying the infill parameters used in the printing process in conjunction with copper electroplating of the parts. Initially, 3D prints were fabricated using a Prusa MINI+ 3D printer at 20, 30, and 40 percent infill density with a linear infill pattern. Following the printing, all prints were coated with a conductive, nickel-based paint, and half of the prints were electroplated in a CuSO4/H2SO4 solution at 4V for 20s with a pure copper metal anode. Following electrolysis, both the electroplated and non-electroplated prints were tested for electrical conductivity by measuring resistance using a multimeter. It was found that the difference between the measured resistances for the electroplated parts between infill densities was significant, along with the change in resistance for a given infill density before and after electrolysis. Previous studies and related data suggest that additional modifications to the 3D prints’ fabrication, such as the variance of print speed or bed temperature, can be modified to further improve electrical performance and industrial applicability.
Replacing Notorious: Barret, Ginsburg, and Postfeminist Positioning
Authors: Coker Calvin R.
Published: May 2023

This essay offers a rhetorical reading of Amy Coney Barrett's confirmation hearings to make sense of how widespread outrage over replacing the late Ruth Bader Ginsburg with a conservative idealogue was resolved through the invocation of postfeminist motherhood. I argue that GOP Senators and Barrett herself positioned her nomination as the achievement of feminist goals, justified through rhetorics of choice and the idealization of (white) motherhood. These strategies cement Barrett as the logical and defensible successor to both Ginsburg's seat and her legacy of feminist work. I conclude with the implications of this circulation of postfeminist motherhood, with focus on political movements for equality and treatment of women.
The Paradigm of Islamic Legal Sociology Towards Counterfeit Books Transactions in The Yogyakarta
Authors: Maulana Diky Faqih , Rozak Abdul , Mursyid Achmad Yafik
Published: May 2023

AbstractThe more rapid development of civilization is directly proportional to the rapid pace of economic activity, including the buying and selling activity of counterfeit goods.  In An-Nisa verse 29, it is explained that it is prohibited to eat property in vanity, so according to the Copyright Law the transaction is clearly against the law.  Departing from this background, what is the mechanism for the practice of buying and selling Counterfeit goods?  Why is this practice still being done?  What is the perspective of the sociology of Islamic law on this case?  This type of research is field research, deductive analytic with a sociology of law approach.  The conclusion of this study is, this practice is carried out when a book supplier offers pirated books to sellers at an agreed price or booksellers order from suppliers according to consumer demand.  This practice still occurs due to the demands of the seller's economy, buyers' high interest in reading and weak sanctions.  This practice is included in the category of complaint offense, where if no party feels aggrieved and reports there will be no legal process.  This state in Islam is called 'urf fasid.AbstrakSemakin pesatnya perkembangan peradaban, berbanding lurus dengan pesatnya aktivitas ekonomi tidak terkecuali aktivitas jual beli barang counterfeit. Dalam An-Nisa ayat 29 dijelaskan dilarang memakan harta secara batil, begitupula menurut UU Hak Cipta transaksi tersebut jelas melanggar hukum. Berangkat dari latar belakang tersebut, Bagaimana mekanisme praktik jual beli barang Counterfeit ? Mengapa praktik ini masih dilakukan ? Bagaimana perspektif sosiologi hukum Islam terhadap kasus tersebut ? Jenis penelitian ini adalah field research, bersifat deduktif analitik dengan pendekatan sosiologi hukum. Kesimpulan dari penelitian ini adalah, praktik ini dilakukan ketika supplier buku menawarkan buku bajakan kepada para penjual dengan harga yang disepakati atau penjual buku memesan kepada supplier sesuai permintaan konsumen. Praktik ini masih terjadi karena tuntutan ekonomi penjual, minat baca yang tinggi pembeli dan lemahnya sanksi. Praktik tersebut termasuk kategori delik aduan, dimana apabila tidak ada pihak yang merasa dirugikan dan melaporkan maka tidak akan ada proses hukum. Keadaan ini dalam Islam disebut ‘urf fasid.
FATWA HARAM MEROKOK MAJLIS TARJIH MUHAMMADIYAH
Authors: Auton Alfian Risfil
Published: May 2023

Hasil Penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa, latar belakang Majlis Tarjih dan Tajdid Muhammadiyah dalam merumuskan hukum merokok adalah bahwa merokok bertentangan dengan unsur-unsur tujuan syarῑ‘ah (maqᾱṣid asy-syari‘ah), merokok merupakan perbuatan yang sangat berbahaya bagi keselamatan umat manusia, baik bagi siperokok (perokok aktif) maupun bagi mereka yang terkena asap rokok (perokok pasif). Metode Ijtihad Majlis Tarjih dan Tajdid dalam menetapkan hukum merokok adalah haram, dengan menggunakan metode ijtihad jama’i, metode ijtihad bayᾱni dan qiyᾱsi. Dilihat dari segi sosiologisnya, Majlis Tarjih dan Tajdid beranggapan bahwa rokoklebih banyak mengandung muarat dibanding manfaat (maṣlaḥah mursalah).
HUKUMAN MATI TERHADAP PELAKU TINDAK PIDANA TERORISME PERSPEKTIF FIKIH JINAYAH
Authors: Tauhid Ahmad Zainut
Published: May 2023

Hukuman mati dalam hukum positif diberikan bagi kejahatan-kejahatan yang sifatnya memberatkan karena mengganggu stabilitas negara dan ketertiban dalam masyarakat. Selain itu hukuman mati masih diterapkan dalam undangundang tentang tindak pidana khusus dan dianggap sangat berbahaya, seperti tindak pidana terorisme, narkoba, korupsi dan sebagainya. Terorisme telah menjelma “Prahara Nasional dan Global” yang mengoyak tragedi kemanusiaan, penghinaaan martabat bangsa dan pelucutan Hak Asasi Manusia (HAM). Hak Asasi Manusia (HAM) kehilangan eksistensinya dan tercerabut kesucian atau kefitrahan di tangan pembuat teror yang telah menciptakan kebiadaban berupa aksi animalisasi (kebinatangan) sosial, politik, budaya, dan ekonomi. Untuk menghentikan kejahatan ini (terorisme) maka diperlukan suatu hukum yang benar-benar dapat membuat jera para pelakunya. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkanbahwa hukuman mati bagi pelaku tindak pidana terorisme sebagaimana diatur dalam hukum positif, yakni UU N0. 15 tahun 2003 tentang pemberantasan terorisme sesuai dengan spirit hukum pidana Islam yang melindungi harta, jiwa, keturunan, akal dan agama. Tindakan terorisme dalam islam dikategorikan sebagai jarimah hudud “hirabah” dikarenakan dampaknya sangat merugikan umat manusia. Oleh karenanya, hukum pidana mati bagi mereka layak diterapkan dengan syarat tertentu.
Editorial
Authors: Peñaranda Newman Valeria Isabel
Published: May 2023

El mundo atraviesa por nuevos eventos que nos obligan a adaptar las maneras en las que vivimos y con las que recibimos los distintos cambios. América Latina y el Caribe son, por su naturaleza, particularmente interesantes e imprescindibles en el ámbito de la investigación, y el conocimiento de las principales situaciones con las que se enfrenta en la actualidad es de vital importancia y valioso interés, en la medida que esto abre paso a cavidades antes desconocidas de soluciones e ideas innovadoras que contribuyan al bienestar social y económico de cada región. Es por ello por lo que en esta versión número 30 de la Revista Económica del Caribe, los artículos están enfocados en brindar amplitud acerca de las soluciones y problemáticas que enfrentamos como territorio y como personas. Con temáticas globales contemporáneas que van desde el impacto de la pandemia del COVID-19, el aislamiento, la virtualidad y sus alcances en el ámbito empresarial y gubernamental, hasta el análisis de factores de la neuroeconomía que influyen en la percepción de los consumidores.
1D neural network design to detect cardiac arrhythmias
Authors: Sandoval-Cabrera Juan Camilo , Sarmiento-Palma Nohora Camila , Hernández-Beleño Rubén Dario
Published: May 2023

This article shows a neuronal network for deep learning focused on recognizing and classification five types of cardiac signals (Sinus, Ventricular Tachycardia, Ventricular Fibrillation, Atrial Flutter, and Atrial Fibrillation). The final objective is to obtain an architecture that can be implemented in an embedded system as a pre-diagnostic device linked to a Holter monitoring system. The network was designed using the Keras API programmed in Python, where it is possible to obtain a comparison of different types of networks that vary the presence of a residual block, with the result that the network with said block obtains the best response (100% success rate) and a model loss of approximately 0.15%. On the other hand, a validation by means of confusion matrices was carried out to verify the existence of false positives in the network results and evidence what type of arrhythmia can be presented according to the network output against an input signal through the console.
Parametric study of retrofitted reinforced concrete columns with steel cages and predicting load distribution and compressive stress in columns using machine learning algorithms
Authors: Abdulwahed Larah R.
Published: May 2023

Recently, the use of reinforced concrete (RC) structures is becoming very common worldwide. Because of earthquakes or poor design, some of these structures need to be retrofitted. Among different methods of retrofitting a structure, we have utilized a steel cage to support a column under axial load. The numerical modeling of a retrofitted column with a steel cage is carried out by the finite-element method in ABAQUS, and the effectiveness of the number of strips, size of strips, size of angles, RC head, the strips’ thickness, and the steel cage’s mechanical properties are studied on 15 different case studies by the single factorial method. These parameters proved to be very effective on the load distribution of the column because by choosing the optimum case, lower amounts of force are born by the column. By increasing the number of strips, the steel cage would reach 52% of the total load. This value for the size of strips and angles’ size is 48 and 50%, respectively. However, the thickness of the strips does not have a significant effect on the load bearing of the column. In order to fully predict the load distribution of the retrofitted columns, the data of the present study are utilized to propose a predictive model for N
c/P
FEM and N
c/P
FEM using artificial neural networks. The model had an error of 1.56 (MAE), and the coefficient of determination was 0.97. This model proved to be so accurate that it could replace time-consuming numerical modeling and tedious experiments.
Research on dynamical properties of a three-wheeled electric vehicle from the point of view of driving safety
Authors: Blatnický Miroslav , Dižo Ján , Suchánek Andrej , Šťastniak Pavol
Published: May 2023

Many vehicles in urban and suburban environment are occupied just by one passenger, i.e. by a driver. Therefore, it is worth to think about vehicles, which would be smaller and lighter and which would include environmental-friendly power source. One such vehicle is the presented three-wheeled electric vehicle. This vehicle is designed for one passenger and it is powered by an ecologic electric powertrain. Therefore, it is necessary to research its driving properties. There are two types of vehicle designs, an original design and a modified design with a reworked body. Both are characterised by the symmetrical distribution of the mass to the longitudinal axis. In terms of driving properties of the vehicle, overturning stability during cornering and vertical dynamics in terms of safety are assessed for both original and modified designs. The article presents the main description of the original and modified designs of the three-wheeled vehicle and results from simulation computations focused on analysis of the over-turning stability. It has been revealed that the original vehicle, which is lighter, has better dynamical properties in curves with regards to driving and the higher total weight of the modified vehicle is safer in terms of vertical dynamics.
SAR reduction techniques for WBAN and mobile applications
Authors: Rajan Vijay Gokul Selva , Kaliappan Kavitha , Natarajan Suresh Kumar
Published: May 2023

In recent years there has been a substantial growth in the usage of wireless gadgets in various fields like mobile communication, health monitoring, warfare communications, etc. However, the performance of the antenna is evaluated by the parameters like gain, directivity and bandwidth, VSWR and is enhanced as a continuous process. But on the other side, Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) is a parameter that is likely to be watched out for the safety concern which should be as low as possible for any antenna to ensure the minimum risk to human health. Many researchers have contributed an enormous amount of work to the SAR reduction. From this perspective, this work proposes a brief survey on low SAR antennas. An optimal low SAR antenna needs a perfect lossless impedance matching over a lossy medium (human body) for the eradication of spurious surface waves. The deployment of SAR reduction strategies, outcomes of the design, and open-end research challenges with the relative results are addressed as a part of the survey. The core impulse of this work is to induct the antenna designers to get indulged in designing low SAR antenna with enhanced performance for several WBAN applications like health monitoring and many more.
Corrosion and wear resistance of the Al/steel dissimilar weld metals by using multi-principal filler materials
Authors: Han Shanguo , Li Bin , Yang Yongqiang , Xu Maobao , Liu Dejia
Published: May 2023

Multi-principal filler materials via a high-entropy design have been reported to successfully finish the dissimilar metal joining of Al alloy to steel and to reduce the amount of Fe-Al IMCs in weld metals. However, few studies have concentrated on the corrosion and wear resistance of the Al/steel dissimilar weld metals by using multi-principal filler materials. In this study, the joining of Al 6061 alloy to 304 stainless steel served as the research object. Three types of filler materials including CoZnCuMn0.8Si0.2, FeCoCrNiMn, and AlSi12 powders were used. The effects of multi-principal filler materials on the corrosion behavior and wear resistance of the weld metals were evaluated. It was found that the weld metals by using multi-principal filler materials presented the contents of chemical elements in the range of 5–35 at%. The thermodynamic environment with a low ΔG

mix
was formed in the weld metals. Compared to the AlSi12 sample, the FeCoCrNiMn sample had excellent corrosion resistance in NaCl solution, whereas the CoZnCuMn0.8Si0.2 sample had excellent corrosion resistance in HCl solution. Moreover, the weld metals by using multi-principal filler materials had a better wear resistance compared to that of the AlSi12 sample. The wear loss of the CoZnCuMn0.8Si0.2 and FeCoCrNiMn samples was 4.5% and 11.4% of that of the Al 6061 alloy, respectively. Abrasive wear was the main wear mode for the weld metals by using multi-principal filler materials.
Deep auto-encoder network for mechanical fault diagnosis of high-voltage circuit breaker operating mechanism
Authors: Yang Qiuping , Hao Fang
Published: May 2023

To improve the accuracy of the mechanical fault diagnosis of the operating mechanism and fully exploit the characteristic information in the vibration signal of the high-voltage circuit breaker, a mechanical fault diagnosis method of the operating mechanism of the high-voltage circuit breaker based on the deep self-encoding network is proposed. First, the vibration signal of the switch operating mechanism is extracted, the wavelet packet conversion is performed, and the vibration signal of each frequency band is divided into equal times. The energy of the time–frequency subplane of the vibration signal is then calculated, and the time–frequency energy distribution is used as a switch. Finally, a breaker failure diagnostic model based on the deep self-coding network is established. Pretraining and tuning and a 126 kV high-voltage switch are used to simulate different types of faults and validate the method. Experimental results show that this method can acquire sample failure data and perform failure diagnosis, and the diagnosis accuracy rate reaches 97.5%. The deep self-coding network can fully pierce deep information on the switch vibration signal.
Research on a high-precision real-time improvement method for aero-engine component-level model
Authors: Zheng Qiangang , Li Liangliang , Zhang Haibo , Chen Jiajie
Published: May 2023

In order to improve the real-time performance of the aero-engine Component-Level Model (CLM) while ensuring accuracy, a method for the Calculation of Thermodynamic Parameters of Working Fluids (CTPWF) based on a Neural Network and Newton Raphson (NN-NR) is proposed. In this method, the enthalpy or entropy under different fuel-air ratio and humidity conditions is mapped to temperature by a neural network, and the mapping output is used as the initial solution of Newton Raphson (NR) iteration. Then, a high-precision solution can be obtained through a few iterations, which avoids the shortcoming that the traditional method uses a fixed initial solution that leads to too many iterative steps. This effectively reduces the number of iterative steps and improves the calculation efficiency. This method is applied to the aero-thermodynamic calculation of each component of an engine CLM, which improves the accuracy and real-time performance of the CLM. The simulation results show that, compared to the traditional method, the proposed method improves the accuracy of the CTPWF and can reduces the single aero-thermodynamic calculation time by 25 % when humidity is not considered and by 47 % when humidity is considered. This effectively improves the real-time performance of the CLM.
A custom-made weight-drop impactor to produce consistent spinal cord injury outcomes in a rat model
Authors: Jarragh Ali , Shuaib Ali , Al-Khaledi Ghanim , Alotaibi Fatima , Al-Sabah Sulaiman , Masocha Willias
Published: May 2023

Objective

The main objective of this study is to design a custom-made weight-drop impactor device to produce a consistent spinal cord contusion model in rats in order to examine the efficacy of potential therapies for post-traumatic spinal cord injuries (SCIs).

Methods

Adult female Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 24, 11 weeks old) were randomly divided equally into two groups: sham and injured. The consistent injury pattern was produced by a 10 g stainless steel rod dropped from a height of 30 mm to cause (0.75 mm) intended displacement to the dorsal surface of spinal cord. The neurological functional outcomes were assessed at different time intervals using the following standardized neurobehavioral tests: Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan (BBB) scores, BBB open-field locomotion test, Louisville Swim Scale (LSS), and CatWalk gait analysis system.

Results

Hind limb functional parameters between the two groups using BBB scores and LSS were significantly different (p < 0.05). There were significant differences (p < 0.05) between the SCI group and the sham group for the hind limb functional parameters using the CatWalk gait analysis.

Conclusion

We developed an inexpensive custom-made SCI device that yields a precise adjustment of the height and displacement of the impact relative to the spinal cord surface.
Don't Shoot Me: Potential Consequences of Force-on-Force Training Modulate the Human Stress Response
Authors: Jensen Andrew E. , Bernards Jake R. , Hamilton Joseph A. , Markwald Rachel R. , Kelly Karen R. , Biggs Adam T.
Published: May 2023

Jensen, AE, Bernards, JR, Hamilton, JA, Markwald, RR, Kelly, KR, and Biggs, AT. Do not shoot me: potential consequences of force-on-force training modulate the human stress response. J Strength Cond Res 37(9): 1761–1769, 2023—Close-quarters combat (CQC) engagements trigger the “fight-or-flight” response, activating the sympathetic nervous system and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in response to perceived threats. However, it has yet to be shown if a force-on-force (FoF) CQC training environment will lead to adaptations in the physiological stress response or performance. United States Marines and Army infantry personnel participated in a 15-day CQC training program. The CQC program focused heavily on FoF training with the use of nonlethal training ammunition (NLTA). Data collections occurred on training days 1 and 15, during a simulated FoF-hostage rescue (HR) scenario and photorealistic target drill. For the FoF-HR, subjects were instructed to clear the shoot house, rescue the hostage, and only shoot hostile threat(s) with NLTA. The photorealistic target drills were similar, but replaced the role players in the FoF-HR with paper targets. Salivary alpha-amylase (sAA) and salivary cortisol were obtained immediately before entering and exiting the shoot house. Time to completion significantly decreased, between days 1 and 15, for both the FoF-HR and the photorealistic drills by 67.7 and 54.4%, respectively (p < 0.05). Analyses revealed that the change in sAA, nonsignificantly, doubled from day 1 to 15 during FoF-HR (p > 0.05), whereas the change in sAA decreased during the photorealistic drills across days (p < 0.05). Cortisol was significantly higher during the FoF-HR in comparison to the photorealistic drills (p < 0.05). These data suggest that potential consequences of FoF training heighten the stress response in conjunction with enhanced performance.
Match-Play Demands and Anthropometric Characteristics of National and International Women's Fifteen-a-side Rugby Union: A Systematic Scoping Review
Authors: Curtis Christopher , Mitchell Scott , Russell Mark
Published: May 2023

Curtis, C, Mitchell, S, and Russell, M. Match-play demands and anthropometric characteristics of national and international women’s, fifteen-a-side rugby union: a systematic scoping review. J Strength Cond Res 37(10): e569–e580, 2023—An increased professionalization within women's 15-a-side rugby union (R15s) has prompted greater sports science support and a need to better understand demands of the sport. Online database (PubMed, MEDLINE, and SPORTDiscus) searches were performed according to the PRISMA Scoping Review protocol. Studies were eligible if match-play demands or anthropometric characteristics of women's R15s players were investigated. After calibration exercises, the lead and senior authors independently quality assessed each study. A total of 1,068 studies were identified; 15 of which met the study criteria. The mean total match-play distance covered was 5,378 ± 626 m (forwards: 5,188 ± 667 m and backs: 5,604 ± 609 m), with first half values exceeding second half (2,922 ± 87 m vs. 2,876 ± 115 m). The mean relative distance (RD) (72.0 m·min−1) was greater than their male counterparts (64.2 m·min−1–68.2 m·min−1). Backs were exposed to more severe collisions compared with forwards (6 ± 1 vs. 5 ± 4). Work:rest ratios ranged between 1.0:0.7–1.0:0.9. Regarding anthropometric characteristics, the mean lean and fat mass was reported as 51.9 ± 5.2 kg and 18.6 ± 4.6 kg, respectively. The mean body fat percentage was 24.7 ± 5.4%. The mean bone mineral density and bone mineral content was 1.27 ± 0.04 g·cm−2 and 3.07 ± 0.2 kg, respectively. This scoping review summarizes the current evidence base and key findings relating to the match-play demands and anthropometric characteristics that can be used in practice to inform player welfare and sport science support to women's R15s players at a national and international standard. Numerous gaps in our understanding of how best to develop and optimize performance, physical demands, and anthropometric characteristics of women's R15s players remain.
Single Leg Lateral and Horizontal Loaded Jump Testing: Reliability and Correlation With Long Track Sprint Speed Skating Performance
Authors: Zukowski Matthew , Herzog Walter , Jordan Matthew J.
Published: May 2023

Zukowski, MH, Jordan, MJ, and Herzog, W. Single leg lateral and horizontal loaded jump testing: reliability and correlation with long track sprint speed skating performance. J Strength Cond Res 37(11): 2251–2259, 2023—This study examined the intraday reliability of 2 novel unilateral loaded jump protocols designed for long track speed skaters. Highly trained (n = 26), national level athletes performed single leg jumps with a horizontal robotic resistance across 3 external load conditions (10 N, 7.5% of body mass and 15% of body mass) using their dominant limb. Jumps were performed in both the horizontal (JumpHorz) and lateral (JumpLat) direction to replicate the body position and line of force application observed during the running and gliding phases of on-ice acceleration. Subjects completed 2 consecutive trials of the same jump protocol to examine the intraday reliability of the peak velocity achieved for each loading condition. Peak velocity across each jump type and loading condition had good reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient >0.8, coefficient of variation <5%). Significant positive relationships (r = 0.5–0.8, p < 0.05; n = 22) were observed between all jump conditions and on-ice sprint race split times obtained including 100, 400, and 500 m. Our results indicate that unilateral loaded jump tests are reliable in speed skating athletes and may help practitioners diagnose and monitor lower-limb maximal muscle power capacity in a sport-specific manner.
Ocular following Eye Movements in Marmosets Follow Complex Motion Trajectories
Authors: Pattadkal Jagruti J. , Barr Carrie , Priebe Nicholas J.
Published: May 2023

Ocular following eye movements help stabilize images on the retina and offer a window to study motion interpretation by visual circuits. We use these ocular following eye movements to study motion integration behavior in the marmosets. We characterize ocular following responses in the marmosets using different moving stimuli such as dot patterns, gratings, and plaids. Marmosets track motion along different directions and exhibit spatial frequency and speed sensitivity, which closely matches the sensitivity reported in neurons from their motion-selective area MT. Marmosets are also able to track the integrated motion of plaids, with tracking direction consistent with an intersection of constraints model of motion integration. Marmoset ocular following responses are similar to responses in macaques and humans with certain species-specific differences in peak sensitivities. Such motion-sensitive eye movement behavior in combination with direct access to cortical circuitry makes the marmoset model well suited to study the neural basis of motion integration.
Insights into isoform-specific mineralocorticoid receptor action in the hippocampus
Authors: Gaudenzi Carolina , Mifsud Karen R , Reul Johannes M H M
Published: May 2023

The mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) plays a critical role in the mammalian brain as a mediator of appropriate cellular and behavioural responses under both baseline and stressful conditions. In the hippocampus, the MR has been implicated in several processes, such as neuronal maintenance, adult neurogenesis, inhibitory control of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis, and learning and memory. Because of its high affinity for endogenous glucocorticoid hormones, the MR has long been postulated to mediate tonic actions in the brain, but more recent data have expanded on this view, indicating that the MR elicits dynamic responses as well. The complexity of the diverse molecular, cellular, and physiological functions fulfilled by the human, rat and mouse MR could at least partially be explained by the existence of different isoforms of the receptor. The structural and functional characteristics of these isoforms, however, have remained largely unexplored. The present article will review the current knowledge concerning human, rat, and mouse MR isoforms and evaluate seminal studies concerning the roles of the brain MR, with the intent to shed light on the function of its specific isoforms.
Simultaneous saccharification and fermentation for biobutanol production from corn starch via ABE fermentation
Authors: Wang Meng , Zhang Quan , Gao Hui-peng , Cao Chang-hai
Published: May 2023

The preparation of bio-butanol from corn starch requires saccharification and fermentation processes. In view of the fact that the pH value at the later stage of fermentation is applicable to the enzymatic hydrolysis of glucoamylase, the effects of simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) and separate hydrolysis and fermentation (SHF) were compared in this paper. 11.2 g/L butanol and 21.5 g/L total solvent could be obtained by the SSF process, while the yield was 9.74 g/L butanol and 17.2 g/L total solvent in the SHF process. The SSF process required a shorter overall process time (120 h) than the SHF process (144 h) and resulted in a large increase of 38.9% in butanol productivity (2.25 g/Ld for SSF compared to 1.62 g/Ld for SHF). These results show that the application of SSF can reduce the fermentation overall time, simplify the fermentation process, and reduce equipment investment and operating costs.