bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improving the statistical power of economic experiments using adaptive designs
Authors: Jobjörnsson Sebastian , Schaak Henning , Musshoff Oliver , Friede Tim
Published: September 2022

An important issue for many economic experiments is how the experimenter can ensure sufficient power in order to reject one or more hypotheses. The paper illustrates how methods for testing multiple hypotheses simultaneously in adaptive, two-stage designs can be used to improve the power of economic experiments. We provide a concise overview of the relevant theory and illustrate the method in three different applications. These include a simulation study of a hypothetical experimental design, as well as illustrations using two data sets from previous experiments. The simulation results highlight the potential for sample size reductions, maintaining the power to reject at least one hypothesis while ensuring strong control of the overall Type I error probability.
Shape optimization for composite materials in linear elasticity
Authors: Fallahpour Merlin , Harbrecht Helmut
Published: September 2022

This article is devoted to the optimal design of the microstructure in composite materials, which are governed by the equations of linear elasticity. To this end, we combine homogenization with shape optimization. In particular, we determine the sensitivity of the homogenized coefficients of the elasticity tensor with respect to the shape of the periodic microstructure also in case of spatially varying material coefficients. We compute the respective Hadamard shape gradient and demonstrate the applicability and feasibility of our approach by numerical experiments for different problem settings.
Methods of calculating 123I-β-methyl-P-iodophenyl-pentadecanoic acid washout rates in triglyceride deposit cardiomyovasculopathy
Authors: Chen Zhuoqing , Nakajima Kenichi , Hirano Ken-ichi , Kamiya Takashi , Yoshida Shohei , Saito Shintaro , Kinuya Seigo
Published: September 2022

Objective

This study aimed to optimize various methods of calculating washout rates (WRs) of 123I-β-methyl-p-iodophenyl-pentadecanoic (BMIPP), as they are essential to diagnose triglyceride deposit cardiomyovasculopathy (TGCV) which is a rare disease entity identified in Japan and has been encoded in Orphanet (ORPHA code 565612).

Methods

We calculated WRs of 123I-BMIPP from early (20 min) and delayed (200 min) images. We evaluated six methods of calculating WRs to discriminate TGVC patients (age, 56.8 ± 14.6 y; male, n = 13; female, n = 4) and 21 123I-BMIPP studies were involved including 4 follow-up studies. Washout rates were calculated by two planar methods using anterior images with cardiac and background regions of interest (ROIs) and by four SPECT methods using either array and polar plots or summed short-axis images. The final diagnoses of TGCV were confirmed according to the 2020 diagnostic criteria, and the diagnostic accuracy of WRs calculated using the six methods was analyzed using the area under receiver-operating characteristics curves (ROC-AUC). Multiple scatter-plot matrix methods were evaluated with correlations for comparison.

Results

All six methods were useful for diagnosis and did not significantly differ. The four SPECT methods showed excellent diagnostic accuracy (AUC 1.0), whereas the planar methods with and without background correction could be acceptable (AUC 0.857 and 0.964, respectively). The WRs were relatively lower for patients with CAD and remarkable metabolic defects than for patients with TGCV but without defects.

Conclusions

For the diagnosis of TGCV, the WR cutoff of 10% of 123I-BMIPP functioned well in planar and SPECT discrimination based on computational methods as a classifier. However, calculation optimization should improve TGCV diagnoses.
Translanguaging as a social justice strategy: the case of teaching Chinese to ethnic minority students in Hong Kong
Authors: Wang Danping
Published: September 2022

For the past two decades, a significant number of ethnic minority students from diverse racial, cultural, linguistic, and religious backgrounds have entered Chinese language classrooms in Hong Kong for the first time. Simultaneously, Chinese language teachers have come under criticism for their lack of understanding of diversity and their failure to integrate ethnic minority students academically and socially. However, there is little research on how these teachers can transform their educational beliefs, teaching techniques, and attitudes toward diversity and inclusion to respond effectively to the drastic changes taking place in their professional work. This study examines how a group of Chinese language teachers employed translanguaging as a social justice strategy to address the challenges of teaching minority students in a monolingual and assimilative educational setting in Hong Kong. Classroom observations show that teachers enacted a translanguaging stance, using students’ familiar semiotic resources to make their teaching more inclusive and equitable for ethnic minority students from low socioeconomic and religious backgrounds. Teachers reported becoming more aware of diversity in the classroom as well as of the social inequalities and racial discrimination outside of school. The study shows that criticism has been unfairly levied on Chinese language teachers in Hong Kong, who should not be held responsible for the social problems hindering ethnic minorities’ social mobility. Research should include a decolonial perspective to legitimize translanguaging as a social justice strategy for more transformative praxis in the education sector in postcolonial Hong Kong.
A simple combined projection method for conservative decision-making
Authors: Cui Honglei , Xu Libo , Pang Chaoyi
Published: September 2022

Machine learning and artificial intelligence based techniques have brought great convenience to human life but along with a series of algorithmic “black box”, discrimination and ethical issues. One of the solutions is to integrate human and machine like the expert evaluation based research of multi-attribute decision-making where “human brain intelligence” is used for the support of “artificial intelligence”. In this article, we proposed a new and effective method to evaluate and rank alternatives in multi-attribute decision-making. Different from many existing approaches, this proposed method employs both the projection lengths and the projection angles of alternatives to make decisions. It supports psychological desirableness of decision makers and uses a Relu function to further enhance the output qualities. This proposed method is very simple to construct and applicable for much wider situations than the existing similar methods.
Robotic vs laparoscopic approach for single anastomosis duodenal-ileal bypass with sleeve gastrectomy: a propensity score matching analysis
Authors: Pennestrì Francesco , Sessa Luca , Prioli Francesca , Gallucci Pierpaolo , Ciccoritti Luigi , Greco Francesco , De Crea Carmela , Raffaelli Marco
Published: September 2022

Biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch and single anastomosis duodenal-ileal bypass with sleeve gastrectomy (SADI-S) are technically demanding hypo-absorptive bariatric procedures. They are often indicated in superobese patients (BMI ≥ 50 kg/m2), as robotic platform could improve ergonomics against a thick abdominal wall, preventing bending of instruments and simplifying hand-sewn anastomoses. We aimed to report our experience with robotic SADI-S (R-group) and to compare outcomes with the laparoscopic (L-group) approach. Among 2143 patients who underwent bariatric procedures at our institution between July 2016 and June 2021, 116 (5.4%) consenting patients were scheduled for SADI-S as primary or revisional procedure: 94 L-group, 22 R-group. R-group and L-group patients were matched using PSM analysis to overcome patients selection bias. Postoperative complications, operative time (OT), post-operative stay (POS) and follow-up data were compared. After PSM, 44 patients (22 patients for each group) were compared (Chi-square 0.317, p = 0.985). Median age, gender, median BMI, preoperative rates of comorbidities, previous abdominal bariatric and non-bariatric surgeries and type of surgical procedures (SADI-S/SADI) were comparable. Median OT was shorter in the L-group (130 Vs 191 min, p < 0.001). 30-days’ re-operative complications and late complications rates were comparable. At 25-months’ mean follow-up, the median Percentage Excess Weight Loss (72%) was comparable between the groups (p = 0.989). L-group and R-group were comparable in terms of re-operative complication rate and short-term outcomes. The robotic platform may increase the rate of single step procedure in challenging cases. Larger studies with longer follow-up and cost-analysis are necessary to draw definitive conclusions.
Maximal subgroups of small index of finite almost simple groups
Authors: Ballester-Bolinches Adolfo , Esteban-Romero Ramón , Jiménez-Seral Paz
Published: September 2022

We prove in this paper that every almost simple group R with socle isomorphic to a simple group S possesses a conjugacy class of core-free maximal subgroups whose index coincides with the smallest index $${{\,\mathrm{l}\,}}(S)$$

l

(
S
)

of a maximal subgroup of S or a conjugacy class of core-free maximal subgroups with a fixed index $$v_S\le {{\,\mathrm{l}\,}}(S)^2$$

v
S

≤

l

(
S
)

2

, depending only on S. We also prove that the number of subgroups of the outer automorphism group of S is bounded by $$\log ^3{{{\,\mathrm{l}\,}}(S)}$$

log
3

l

(
S
)

and $${{\,\mathrm{l}\,}}(S)^2< |S|$$

l

(
S
)

2

<

|
S
|

.
Five cases of skin desquamation due to bevacizumab combined with docetaxel-carboplatin in ovarian cancer
Authors: Tokunaga Megumi , Nawata Shuichi , Komoto Takayuki , Mathuura Rei , Ichikura Daisuke , Watanabe Toru , Sasaki Tadanori
Published: September 2022

The standard of care for ovarian cancer chemotherapy is paclitaxel-carboplatin. In Stage III and Stage IV patients, the addition of bevacizumab has been reported to be effective, and bevacizumab combined with paclitaxel-carboplatin and bevacizumab combined with docetaxel-carboplatin are used. Patients who received bevacizumab combined with docetaxel-carboplatin experienced a high incidence of skin hardening followed by peeling. In patients treated with bevacizumab combined with docetaxel-carboplatin, we experienced a high incidence of post-sclerotic peeling of the skin, a symptom that is rarely seen with paclitaxel-carboplatin (TC), docetaxel-carboplatin (DC), or bevacizumab combined with paclitaxel-carboplatin, and has been reported in a few cases. Therefore, we investigated the actual situation of skin desquamation caused by bevacizumab combined with docetaxel-carboplatin. Thirty-one patients were included in the study, and their age (mean ± SD) was 62.9 ± 9.0. The breakdown of treatment was as follows: TC in nine patients, bevacizumab combined with paclitaxel-carboplatin in ten patients, DC in six patients, and bevacizumab combined with docetaxel-carboplatin in six patients. No number of patients with TC or bevacizumab combined with paclitaxel-carboplatin showed skin desquamation. One for DC, and five for bevacizumab combined with docetaxel-carboplatin. The five patients treated with bevacizumab combined with docetaxel-carboplatin improved with topical steroids and moisturizers, but symptoms repeatedly appeared after each course. Skin desquamation was more frequent in bevacizumab combined with docetaxel-carboplatin.
Too much of a good thing? Russia-EU international trade relations at times of war
Authors: Tajoli Lucia
Published: September 2022

In this paper, we investigate the evolution of Russia’s position in the world trade system, especially in relation to the European Union (EU). Data show that after entering into the WTO, Russia did not use this accession to develop and diversify trade flows (like China did, for example) but it augmented its specialization in fuels and raw materials, increasing its dependency on the rest of the world, and especially on European demand. Russia did not exploit its trade potential and its favorable geographic position to foster its economic development and to improve the welfare of its population. At the same time, the integration within the European Single Market and with the rest of the world both for older and new EU member formerly linked to the Soviet Union, has helped the EU to maintain high standards of living, and a relative stability, even if increasing its dependency on Russian fuels. We argue that it is also because of these differences and the related economic problems that tensions between Russia and the EU grew over time.
Stress-adapted fiber orientation along the principal stress directions for continuous fiber-reinforced material extrusion
Authors: Heitkamp Tim , Kuschmitz Sebastian , Girnth Simon , Marx Justin-Dean , Klawitter Günter , Waldt Nils , Vietor Thomas
Published: September 2022

A proven method to enhance the mechanical properties of additively manufactured plastic parts is the embedding of continuous fibers. Due to its great flexibility, continuous fiber-reinforced material extrusion allows fiber strands to be deposited along optimized paths. Nevertheless, the fibers have so far been embedded in the parts contour-based or on the basis of regular patterns. The outstanding strength and stiffness properties of the fibers in the longitudinal direction cannot be optimally utilized. Therefore, a method is proposed which allows to embed fibers along the principal stresses into the parts in a load-oriented manner. A G-code is generated from the calculated principal stress trajectories and the part geometry, which also takes into account the specific restrictions of the manufacturing technology used. A distinction is made between fiber paths and the matrix so that the average fiber volume content can be set in a defined way. To determine the mechanical properties, tensile and flexural tests are carried out on specimens consisting of carbon fiber-reinforced polyamide. In order to increase the influence of the principal stress-based fiber orientation, open-hole plates are used for the tensile tests, as this leads to variable stresses across the cross section. In addition, a digital image correlation system is used to determine the deformations during the mechanical tests. It was found that the peak load of the optimized open-hole plates was greater by a factor of 3 and the optimized flexural specimens by a factor of 1.9 than the comparison specimens with unidirectional fiber alignment.
Valence skipping phenomena, charge Kondo effect, and superconductivity
Authors: Matsuura Hiroyasu , Mukuda Hidekazu , Miyake Kazumasa
Published: September 2022

We review a recent progress of a superconductivity and a charge Kondo effect mediated by valence skippers which are elements skipping the valence state. To understand the valence skipping phenomenon, we introduce a negative-U effect phenomenologically, and we show an origin of the negative-U effect, a superconductivity and charge Kondo effect based on the negative-U effect. We also show a new mechanism in which the valence skipping phenomenon and charge Kondo effect are understood unifiedly by the pair hopping interaction. As an experimental progress, we review a charge Kondo effect and a superconductivity discovered in Tl-doped PbTe. Especially, we focus on a drastic increase of the inverse of the relaxation time (1/T1) observed around the Kondo temperature by the nuclear magnetic resonance experiment, and we suggest a possible theoretical scenario on the basis of the effective model with the pair hopping interaction. Finally, we discuss the related materials, and describe the perspective of valence skipping phenomenon.
Improved Approximation Scales for Unreplicated Factorial Experiments
Authors: Aboukalam F. , Alharbi M. , Bhatti M. Ishaq
Published: September 2022

Assessing the sizes of active contrasts in un-replicated factorial and fractional factorial experiments by quick and powerful methods are required in analyzing the big data in various research areas of Human endeavors. One of the old methods based on Lenth (1989) is being used in some statistical and data analytical applications which is fast and less efficient. We propose a new class of tests which are simpler, faster, and more powerful using the location median-function ($${\psi }_{med}\left({\varvec{x}}\right)$$

ψ

med

x

) after being skipped one and/or two times. An empirical study of simulation experiments to compute the critical values, sizes and powers using various sample sizes demonstrate the superiority of our methods. The proposed methods are illustrated in examples which can be employed in various fields of research in conducting data analytics using high computing power and machine learning.
Sexually Induced Orgasm to Improve Postpartum Pelvic Floor Muscle Strength and Sexual Function in Primiparous Women After Vaginal Delivery: A Prospective Randomized Two-Arm Study
Authors: Bhat Gajanan S. , Shastry Anuradha
Published: September 2022

Background

Postpartum pelvic floor dysfunction is known to affect the quality of life of women and the methods to treat it are more complex with majority requiring training under supervision.

Aim

To compare the efficacy of sexually induced orgasm along with Kegels exercises versus Kegels exercises alone as a treatment method to enhance postpartum pelvic floor muscle strength and sexual function in primiparous women undergoing uncomplicated vaginal deliveries.

Methods

The prospective randomized two-arm study was conducted on sexually active primiparous women who had undergone uncomplicated vaginal deliveries. Those with risk factors for female sexual dysfunction and pelvic floor muscle dysfunction were excluded. Participants in Group 1 were advised daily Kegel's exercises, whereas, those in Group 2 were advised to initiate self-initiated/partnered sexual activity-induced orgasms along with daily Kegel's exercises. Their pelvic floor muscle strength on voluntary contraction, ability to relax pelvic floor voluntarily, and sexual function (using FSFI-6) were assessed monthly for 6 months and the analysis was done using G* Power software (© 2021 Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Germany).

Main Outcome Measure

Postpartum pelvic floor strength and sexual function in 2 groups of women under study.

Results

The study period was from January 2020 to December 2020. The Group 1 had 26 participants (mean age 29.69 ± 2.2 years) and Group 2 had 29 participants (mean age 30.07 ± 2.57 years). The sexual function as well as ability to relax pelvic floor were significantly better in Group 2 compared to Group 1 at each monthly intervals whereas strength of pelvic floor muscles during voluntary contraction was significantly higher in Group 2 compared to Group 1 at the end of 6 months and it was statistically significant at a P value of .05.

Clinical Implications

Novel method of using naturally occurring sexually induced orgasms for postpartum pelvic floor rehabilitation can revolutionize postpartum pelvic floor training in women, as it can be practiced at home with ease, along with easily performable Kegel's exercises.

Strengths and Limitations

Use of prospective randomization and minimization of confounding factors is the strength of the study. The small sample size is the limitation of the study.

Conclusions

Postpartum pelvic floor muscle strength and sexual function in primiparous women who have undergone uncomplicated vaginal deliveries can be significantly improved with the addition of sexually induced orgasm as a therapeutic tool along with physical exercises such as Kegels exercises in these women.
GeoBERTSegmenter: Word Segmentation of Chinese Texts in the Geoscience Domain Using the Improved BERT Model
Authors: Wei Dongqi , Liu Zhihao , Xu Dexin , Ma Kai , Tao Liufeng , Xie Zhong , Qiu Qinjun , Pan Shengyong
Published: September 2022

Unlike English, there is no natural separator‐like gap between words in Chinese, which makes Chinese word segmentation (CWS) a difficult information processing problem. At present, geological texts contain a large number of unregistered geological terms, and the existing rule‐based methods and machine‐learning and deep learning algorithms still cannot be used to solve the problem of word segmentation in geosciences, especially for the large number of unregistered words. In this study, we propose GeoBERTSegmenter, which is a GeoBERT‐based (Geoscience‐Bidirectional Encoder Representation from Transformers) CWS model that is specifically designed with various linguistic irregularities in mind. In this method, a general model is extended to a BERT bidirectional recurrent neural network (BiLSTM) and conditional random field (GeoBERT + BiLSTM + CRF) model with a number of features designed to address the CWS task in geological text. We also train a pretrained language model named GeoBERT on a geological domain that is based on a large amount of Chinese geological text. In open testing, a precision of 94.77%, recall of 96.31% and F1 of 95.44%, are obtained, indicating that the proposed strategy performs much better than alternative methods in our study. In this study, unregistered geological terms can be effectively identified, and the recognition rate of common words is ensured, which lays the foundation for natural language processing in the domain of geoscience through Chinese text word segmentation.
Textures Induced by the Coesite‐Stishovite Transition and Implications for the Visibility of the X‐Discontinuity
Authors: Krug Matthias , Saki Morvarid , Ledoux Estelle , Gay Jeffrey P. , Chantel Julien , Pakhomova Anna , Husband Rachel , Rohrbach Arno , Klemme Stephan , Thomas Christine , Merkel Sébastien , Sanchez‐Valle Carmen
Published: September 2022

The coesite‐stishovite phase transition is considered the most plausible candidate to explain the X‐discontinuity observed at around 300 km depth in a variety of tectonic settings. Here, we investigate the microstructure in SiO2 across the coesite‐stishovite transition in uniaxial compression experiments. We apply the multigrain crystallography technique (MGC) in a laser‐heated diamond‐anvil cell (LH‐DAC) to identify the seismic signature of the transition and the amount of SiO2 in the mantle. While coesite displays weak lattice‐preferred orientations (LPO) before the transition, stishovite develops strong LPO characterized by the alignment of [112] axes parallel to the compression direction. However, LPO has little effect on the impedance contrast across the transition, which is up to 8.8% for S‐waves in a mid‐ocean ridge basalt (MORB) composition at 300 km depth along a normal mantle geotherm, 10 GPa‐1700 K. Therefore, 10–50 vol.% of a MORB component, corresponding to 0.6–3.2 vol.% SiO2, mechanically mixed with the pyrolytic mantle would be required to explain the range of impedance (and velocity) contrasts observed for the X‐discontinuity. Based on the reflection coefficients computed for the coesite‐stishovite transition, we show that the incidence angle or epicentral distance is critical for the detection of silica‐containing lithologies in the upper mantle, with highest detection probabilities for small incidence angles. The intermittent visibility of the X‐discontinuity may thus be explained by the seismic detectability of the coesite‐stishovite transition rather than by absence of the transition or chemical heterogeneities in some specific tectonic settings.
A Survey of Electron Conics at Jupiter Utilizing the JADE‐E Data During Science Orbits 01, 03‐30
Authors: Muñoz J. R. , Allegrini F. , Ebert R. W. , Wilson R. J. , Szalay J. R. , Menietti J. D. , Louarn P. , Bolton S. J. , Connerney J. E. P.
Published: September 2022

We present a survey of electron conics over Jupiter's high latitude regions utilizing 22.6 hr of data from the Jovian Auroral Distribution Experiment electron instrument aboard NASA's Juno spacecraft during science orbits 01 and 03‐30. We observed electron conics for about 2.5% of this time and characterized them into three types based on their direction of motion along Jupiter's magnetic field lines: upward, downward, and bidirectional. We observed the upward electron conics most often and at energies of 0.057–80.1 keV, while we observed the downward electron conics least often and at energies of 0.073–1.2 keV. We observed bidirectional electron conics mostly around the same times and places as the upward electron conics having energies of 0.081–49.6 keV. We observed all electron conic types to occur mostly at altitudes 0.3–0.4 RJ and local times 15–16 hr. Furthermore, we observed all electron conic types to have energies greater than 0.7 keV below an altitude of 0.5 RJ and over the main auroral region.
FARWEST: Efficient Computation of Wave‐Particle Interactions for a Dynamic Description of the Electron Radiation Belt Diffusion
Authors: Dahmen Nour , Sicard Angélica , Brunet Antoine , Santolik Ondrej , Pierrard Viviane , Botek Edith , Darrouzet Fabien , Katsavrias Christos
Published: September 2022

In this paper, we present a new method to compute rapidly, wave particle interaction induced pitch angle and momentum diffusion coefficients. Those terms are normally obtained by the numerical solving of equations based on the quasi‐linear theory. However, this bulk resolution leads to a high computational cost, preventing the integration of plasma density and VLF waves nowcasts and forecasts. Therefore, and in the context of the SAFESPACE project (H2020), we implemented a new wave particle interaction code called FARWEST (FAst Radiation diffusion with Waves ESTimator), with an efficient interpolation based method. The proposed implementation was validated against reference results obtained by WAPI, ONERA's wave particle interaction legacy code, with a substantial reduction of the computing time while conserving the physical accuracy of the generated coefficients. The FARWEST code is later used to measure the impact of a time‐dependent plasma density distribution (numerically computed by BIRA's plasmaspheric model SPM) on the coefficients and on the representation of the electron flux map by Salammbô, ONERA's radiation belt code.
Energy Spectra Variations of Energetic Ions Associated With a Stream Interaction Region
Authors: Wei Wenwen , Zhuang Bin , Huang Jia , Shen Fang , Zhao Lulu , Liu Mingzhe , Zhang Xiaoxin , Feng Xueshang
Published: September 2022

Understanding the evolution of energetic particles in the heliosphere is one of the most outstanding topics in heliophysics studies. The spectra of energetic particles are pivotal to investigate their origin, acceleration and transport processes. Using STEREO A data, we investigate an intensity enhancement of energetic ions associated with a stream interaction region (SIR) during the decay phase of a gradual solar energetic particle (SEP) event. We find the SIR has fine structures include the stream interface (SI) and a forward‐reverse shock pair, and the energy spectra of energetic ion intensities show complex variations around them. Furthermore, we compare the ions' energy spectra in different regions of the SIR. The results show that this SIR is capable of accelerating protons to about 35 MeV nuc−1, which is about two times of the upper limit of the energy as identified by previous observations, but they are still of the same order. We suggest this may be explained by the fact that the SIR could further accelerate the remnant lower energy ions from the gradual SEP event to higher energies. Moreover, the energetic ions in the SIR event have two populations that are accelerated by shock‐associated and non‐shock‐associated mechanisms, respectively. In addition, the ion intensity exhibits significant directional anisotropies during this SIR event, which may be a result of the combined influence of the transport effect, shock, and the intervening small flux rope.
Determining the Origin of Tidal Oscillations in the Ionospheric Transition Region With EISCAT Radar and Global Simulation Data
Authors: Günzkofer F. , Pokhotelov D. , Stober G. , Liu H. , Liu H.‐L. , Mitchell N. J. , Tjulin A. , Borries C.
Published: September 2022

At high‐latitudes, diurnal and semidiurnal variations of temperature and neutral wind velocity can originate both in the lower atmosphere (UV or infrared absorption) and in the thermosphere‐ionosphere (ion convection, EUV absorption). Determining the relative impact of different forcing mechanisms gives insight to the vertical coupling in the ionosphere. We analyze measurements from the incoherent scatter radar (ISR) facility operated by the EISCAT Scientific Association. They are complemented by meteor radar data and compared to global circulation models. The amplitudes and phases of tidal oscillations are determined by an adaptive spectral filter (ASF). Measurements indicate the existence of strong semidiurnal oscillations in a two‐band structure at altitudes ≲110 and ≳130 km, respectively. Analysis of several model runs with different input settings suggest the upper band to be forced in situ while the lower band corresponds to upward‐propagating tides from the lower atmosphere. This indicates the existence of an unexpectedly strong, in situ forcing mechanism for semidiurnal oscillations in the high‐latitude thermosphere. It is shown that the actual transition of tides in the altitude region between 90 and 150 km is more complex than described so far.
An explicit time-domain method for non-stationary random analysis of nonlinear frame structures with plastic hinges
Authors: Huang Huan , Li Yuyu , Li Wenxiong , Tang Guihe , Lv Yanmei
Published: September 2022

In this study, a novel approach for random vibration analysis of nonlinear frame structures under seismic random excitations is developed. The explicit time-domain method is improved in this approach by integrating the plastic hinge model, which can simulate the nonlinear behaviors caused by material property changes. Specifically, the hysteretic system’s equation of motion is constructed using auxiliary differential equations that govern the plastic rotational displacements and their corresponding hysteretic displacements. Additionally, by introducing the concept of equivalent excitations, an explicit iteration scheme for solving the equation of the hysteretic system is developed, in which the auxiliary differential equations are solved under the assumption that the plastic rotational velocity changes linearly with time between two adjacent time instants. Finally, by combining the Monte Carlo simulation method and the proposed explicit time-domain method, the non-stationary random responses of nonlinear frame structures can be obtained. As illustrated by numerical examples, the proposed method achieves satisfactory solution accuracy and efficiency when applied to nonlinear frame structures with plastic hinges. Moreover, the proposed iterative method resolves equations involving displacements describing the frame’s global state, plastic rotational displacements, and corresponding hysteretic parameters, introducing a novel concept for solving problems with nonlinear coupled variables of multiple types.
Substitute parameters of exercise-induced pulmonary hypertension and usefulness of low workload exercise stress echocardiography in mitral regurgitation
Authors: Amano Masashi , Nakagawa Shoko , Moriuchi Kenji , Nishimura Hitomi , Tamai Yurie , Mizumoto Ayaka , Yanagi Yoshiki , Yonezawa Rika , Demura Yutaka , Jo Yoshito , Irie Yuki , Okada Atsushi , Kitai Takeshi , Amaki Makoto , Kanzaki Hideaki , Kusano Kengo , Noguchi Teruo , Nishimura Kunihiro , Izumi Chisato
Published: September 2022

In asymptomatic patients with mitral regurgitation (MR), data of exercise-induced pulmonary hypertension (EIPH) are limited, and feasibility of evaluating EIPH is not high. We aimed to investigate prognostic impact of EIPH and its substitute parameters. Exercise stress echocardiography (ESE) were performed in 123 consecutive patients with moderate to severe degenerative MR. The endpoint was a composite of death, hospitalization for heart failure, and worsening of symptoms. EIPH [tricuspid regurgitation peak gradient (TRPG) at peak workload ≥ 50 mmHg] was shown in 57 patients (46%). TRPG at low workload was independently associated with TRPG at peak workload (β = 0.67, p < 0.001). Early surgical intervention (within 6 months after ESE) was performed in 65 patients. Of the remaining 58 patients with the watchful waiting strategy, the event free survival was lower in patients with EIPH than in patients without EIPH (48.1 vs. 97.0% at 1-year, p < 0.001). TRPG at low workload ≥ 35.0 mmHg as well as EIPH were associated with poor prognosis in patients with the watchful waiting strategy. In conclusion, the importance of ESE and evaluating EIPH in patients with MR was re-acknowledged. TRPG at peak workload can be predicted by TRPG at low workload, and TRPG at low workload may be useful in real-world clinical settings.
The interacting effects of irrigation, sowing date and nitrogen on water status, protein and yield in pea (Pisum sativum L.)
Authors: Ghodsi Abolfazl , Honar Tooraj , Heidari Bahram , Salarpour Mahdiyeh , Etemadi Mohammad
Published: September 2022

Management for agronomic practices might improves growth and grain yield in pea. The main objective of this experiment was to assess the interacting effects of different irrigation regimes, sowing date and nitrogen fertilizer treatments on pea traits. We evaluated three irrigation regimes (50, 75, and 100% of the plant irrigation requirement), two sowing dates (February and March), and nitrogen [application of nitroregn (N1) and without nitrogen as control (N0)] in 2019 and 2020 under field conditions. Chlorphyll content, leaf area index, leaf water potential, grain yield and water productivity were higher in the late sowing (March) than in early sowing (February) treatment. Percentage of vegetation cover in late sowing (60%) was significantly higher than in early sowing (52.7%) treatment. Grain yield in 75% water requirement treatment was not significantly different from yield in full irrigation treatment. Application of nitrogen fertilizer significantly reduced grain yield, grain protein and seeds per pod whilst increased chlorophyll content only. The 100% irrigation requirement treatment showed higher evaporation form the soil in N0 than in 50% and 75% irrigation treatments in late sown pea. Leaf evapotranspiration (ET) was lower in 50% water requirement irrigation regime than in the other irrigation treatments. Water use efficiency (WUE) which was higher in the late than early sowing treatment did not differ between 50% and full irrigation treatments in N0. In conclusion, the results of the current study suggested that application of nitrogen fertilizer did not benefit pea growth and that management of irrigation regime in late sowing might improve grain yield in pea and save irrigation water in regions with limited water availability.
Malate synthase contributes to the survival of Salmonella Typhimurium against nutrient and oxidative stress conditions
Authors: Sarkhel Ratanti , Apoorva Shekhar , Priyadarsini Swagatika , Sridhar Hari Balaji , Bhure Sanjeev Kumar , Mahawar Manish
Published: September 2022

To survive and replicate in the host, S. Typhimurium have evolved several metabolic pathways. The glyoxylate shunt is one such pathway that can utilize acetate for the synthesis of glucose and other biomolecules. This pathway is a bypass of the TCA cycle in which CO2 generating steps are omitted. Two enzymes involved in the glyoxylate cycle are isocitrate lyase (ICL) and malate synthase (MS). We determined the contribution of MS in the survival of S. Typhimurium under carbon limiting and oxidative stress conditions. The ms gene deletion strain (∆ms strain) grew normally in LB media but failed to grow in M9 minimal media supplemented with acetate as a sole carbon source. However, the ∆ms strain showed hypersensitivity (p < 0.05) to hypochlorite. Further, ∆ms strain has been significantly more susceptible to neutrophils. Interestingly, several folds induction of ms gene was observed following incubation of S. Typhimurium with neutrophils. Further, ∆ms strain showed defective colonization in poultry spleen and liver. In short, our data demonstrate that the MS contributes to the virulence of S. Typhimurium by aiding its survival under carbon starvation and oxidative stress conditions.
Lateral shoots removal has little effect on berry growth of grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) ‘Riesling’ in cool climate
Authors: Ye Qiuhong , Wang Hua , Li Hua
Published: September 2022

Bunch compactness is an important trait that affects the sanitary status and quality of wine grapes. Many studies have demonstrated that canopy managements, such as leaf removal, shoot trimming, and postponed first shoot topping, can effectively reduce compactness. However, few studies have determined the effects of canopy management measures on bunch compactness. Shoot wrapping has been previously shown to elongate the rachis length and reduce bunch compactness. Here, we tested whether the presence of laterals affects cluster growth inVitis viniferaL. ‘Riesling’ through a field experiment with four treatments over two consecutive seasons: shoot wrapping with laterals, shoot wrapping without laterals, hedging with laterals, and hedging without laterals. Laterals were removed weekly. Lateral removal had little effect on cluster compactness; the effect was shown temporarily and not consistent the growing seasons. The effect of laterals on cluster compactness and rachis length slightly varied with years. The short-term and variable effect of laterals may be explained by the fact that they experienced little competition with clusters.
Confrontation of AlphaFold models with experimental structures enlightens conformational dynamics supporting CYP102A1 functions
Authors: Urban Philippe , Pompon Denis
Published: September 2022

Conformational dynamics plays a critical role for the function of multidomain electron transfer complexes. While crystallographic or NMR approaches allow detailed insight into structures, lower resolution methods like cryo-electron microscopy can provide more information on dynamics. In silico structure modelling using AlphaFold was recently successfully extended to the prediction of protein complexes but its capability to address large conformational changes involved in catalysis remained obscure. We used bacterial CYP102A1 monooxygenase homodimer as a test case to design a competitive modelling approach (CMA) for assessing alternate conformations of multi-domain complexes. Predictions were confronted with published crystallographic and cryo-EM data, evidencing consistencies but also permitting some reinterpretation of experimental data. Structural determinants stabilising the new type of domain connectivity evidenced in this bacterial self-sufficient monooxygenase were analysed by CMA and used for in silico retro-engineering applied to its eukaryotic bi-component counterparts.
Hydrophobicity is a key determinant in the activity of arginine-rich cell penetrating peptides
Authors: Allen Jason , Pellois Jean-Philippe
Published: September 2022

To deliver useful biological payloads into the cytosolic space of cells, cell-penetrating peptides have to cross biological membranes. The molecular features that control or enhance this activity remain unclear. Herein, a dimeric template of the arginine-rich HIV TAT CPP was used to establish the effect of incorporating groups and residues of various chemical structures and properties. A positive correlation is established between the relative hydrophobicity of these additional moieties and the ability of the CPP conjugates to deliver a peptidic probe into live cells. CPP conjugates with low hydrophobicity lead to no detectable delivery activity, while CPPs containing groups of increasing hydrophobicity achieve intracellular delivery at low micromolar concentrations. Notably, the chemical structures of the hydrophobic groups do not appear to play a role in overall cell penetration activity. The cell penetration activity detected is consistent with endosomal escape. Leakage assays with lipid bilayer of endosomal membrane composition also establish a positive correlation between hydrophobicity and membrane permeation. Overall, these results indicate that the presence of a relatively hydrophobic moiety, regardless of structure, is required in a CPP structure to enhance its cell penetration. It also indicates that simple modifications, including fluorophores used for cell imaging or small payloads, modulate the activity of CPPs and that a given CPP-conjugate may be unique in its membrane permeation properties.
A polarization-sensitive photothermoelectric photodetector based on mixed-dimensional SWCNT–MoS2 heterostructures
Authors: Huang Pei-Yu , Chen Hong-Ji , Qin Jing-Kai , Zhen Liang , Xu Cheng-Yan
Published: September 2022

Mixed-dimensional SWCNT–MoS2 films demonstrate a strong photothermoelectric (PTE) effect for constructing a high-performance PET photodetector with polarization sensitivity.
Epidemiologic Changes of Facial Bone Fracture before and after Coronavirus Disease 2019: A Level 1 Trauma Center in Korea
Authors: Kim Jeong Ho , Yang Chae Eun , Kim Sug Won , Kim Jiye
Published: September 2022

Background The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak has had a major impact worldwide. Several countries have implemented restrictions on social interaction (“social distancing”). Several studies have reported that the epidemiology of trauma patients, such as those with facial bone fractures, has changed after COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to further explore these specific changes.

Methods This was a retrospective study of patients who presented to a single institution with facial bone fractures between January 1, 2016, and December 31, 2020. Baseline patient demographics, clinical information, type of fracture, etiology, and operative management were compared before and after COVID-19.

Results Of all cases, 3,409 occurred before COVID-19, and 602 occurred after COVID-19. Since the outbreak of COVID-19, the number of patients with facial fractures has not decreased significantly. A significant increase was noted in fractures that occurred outdoors (p < 0.001). However, a decrease was observed in operative management between the groups (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in the proportion of assault, fall-down, industrial accident, or roll-down. In contrast, the proportion of traffic accidents and slip-down categories increased significantly (p < 0.05). Moreover, a significant decrease was found in the proportion of the sports category (p = 0.001)

Conclusions It was confirmed through this study that COVID-19 pandemic also affected epidemiology of facial fractures. Focusing on these changes, it is necessary to develop safety measures to reduce facial fractures.
Selective Neurectomy for Treatment of Post-Facial Paralysis Synkinesis: A Systematic Review
Authors: Shikara Meryam , Bridgham Kelly , Ludeman Emilie , Vakharia Kalpesh , Justicz Natalie
Published: September 2022

Background Synkinesis is commonly encountered after flaccid facial paralysis and can have a detrimental impact on a patient's life. First-line treatment of synkinesis is chemodenervation with botulinum toxin (Botox) and neuromuscular retraining. Surgical options include selective myectomy, selective neurectomy (SN), cross-facial nerve grafting, nerve substitution, and free gracilis muscle transfer. Data on surgical management of synkinesis using SN is limited.

Evidence Review PubMed, Embase, Cochrane CENTRAL, Cochrane Neuromuscular Register, Clinicaltrials.gov, and World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform were searched using a comprehensive keyword strategy in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. All English-only texts published in the past 20 years were included. Two independent investigators reviewed 906 abstracts and 7 studies met inclusion criteria. Demographics, etiology of paralysis, time to surgery, and primary outcomes studied were collected.

Findings A total of 250 patients were included across 7 studies. In 6 out of 7 studies, Botox was used prior to surgical intervention. Two studies showed significant reduction in Botox dosage postoperatively, while one study showed no difference. Other primary outcomes included the House–Brackmann Score, palpebral fissure width, electronic clinician-graded facial function scale (eFACE) score, Facial Clinimetric Evaluation (FaCE) scale, and Synkinesis Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ). Three studies showed significant improvement in the eFACE score, two studies showed significant improvement in the FaCE scale, while one study showed improvement in quality of life measured by the SAQ.

Conclusion SN can be considered as an adjunct to other management options including neuromuscular retraining, Botox, selective myectomy, and reanimation procedures. While there is great heterogeneity of study design in the studies included, many cohorts showed improvement in facial symmetry, facial function, and quality of life. There remains a great gap in knowledge in this subject matter and a need for large well-designed prospective studies comparing this technique to other management options.
Pedicle First Anterior Approach to Harvest Anterolateral Thigh Flap—Review of 304 Cases
Authors: Kalra G.S. , Gupta Samarth , Kalra Sushrut
Published: September 2022

Background Although considered as a workhorse flap, the anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap has a steep learning curve that makes it difficult for microsurgeons to perform it early in their practice. In over 85% of patients, the perforator takes an intramuscular course making it difficult for beginners to safely secure the perforator dissection. In this technique, the pedicle is dissected first, utilizing the proximal incision by palpating the groove in between vastus lateralis and rectus femoris on the anterior aspect and extending the incision from 2 to 3 cm distal to the inguinal ligament to the flap markings caudally. Exposing the pedicle first makes it easier to proceed toward the skin perforator due to its easy identification and larger size at its origin.

Patients and Methods This retrospective study was conducted from 2005 to 2020 in which 304 ALT flaps were performed by the pedicle first technique. Flap harvest time, incidence of injury to the skin perforator during harvest, flap re-exploration rates, and postoperative complications including incidence of flap necrosis, infection, and bleeding were the parameters that were measured.

Results This study included a total of 304 patients of which 220 were male (72.3%). The average flap harvest time was 26 ± 3.2 minutes. Adverse events included perforator injury (n = 1), flap re-exploration (n = 15), and complete flap loss (n = 8). The last eight patients were reconstructed secondarily with ALT flap from the opposite side and free latissimus dorsi flap (n = 2).

Conclusion The pedicle first technique makes ALT flap harvest easy, safe, and faster for plastic surgeons. The chances of injury to the skin perforator are markedly less thereby reducing postoperative complications.