bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Research on Mine OFDM Intelligent Receiver Based on Deep Learning
Authors: Li Xuhong , Pan Yong , Wang Anyi , Feng Zhiyuan
Published: May 2022

coal is an important energy. Coal mining needs a series of equipment, among which communication equipment can ensure the safety of underground workers in the mining process and improve production efficiency. Aiming at the problems of multipath fading and anti-interference of signal transmission in coal mine, researchers propose to optimize the quality of signal transmission in coal mine with OFDM technology. Compared with traditional OFDM technology, this paper proposes a method of mine OFDM intelligent receiver based on deep learning, which aims to use deep learning technology to replace the signal recovery process of the receiver of traditional OFDM technology. The simulation results show that in terms of bit error rate, the signal recovery of the receiver based on deep learning technology is obviously better than that of the traditional OFDM receiver. This will improve the economic benefits of coal mining in the future.
Research on Influence of Milling Process Parameters on Residual Stress of 7055 Aluminum Alloy
Authors: Li Mingyang , Wang Jianwei , Yang Hui , Shi Jingmin
Published: May 2022

The residual stress induced by the process of high-speed milling is an essential factor affecting the machining deformation of structural materials. The two-dimensional modeling and numerical simulation of high-speed milling of 7055 aluminum alloy were carried out to investigate the influence of key milling process parameters on the surface residual stress of aluminum alloy, using finite element approach. Through single factor simulation experiment and multi-factor orthogonal simulation experiment, the effects of milling speed, feed rate, milling depth, milling width, rake angle and relief angle on the surface residual stress of aluminum alloy were discussed. The optimized parameter scheme was obtained by range analysis method. The results demonstrate that the surface residual stress of 7055 aluminum alloy increases with the increase of milling speed, feed per tooth and milling depth, and decreases with the increase of milling width; Using the optimized milling scheme (milling speed 2000 m / min, feed per tooth 0.1 mm / z, tool relief angle 4 °, tool rake angle 16 °, milling depth 10 mm, milling width 10 mm) could reduce the surface tensile residual stress; while using the optimized scheme (milling depth 10 mm, tool rake angle 16 °, milling width 4 mm, feed per tooth 0.5 mm / z, milling speed 4000 m / min) could reduce the surface compressive residual stress.
Primary precipitates with four-layer structure in Mg-Ca treating gear steel
Authors: Xie You , Meng Xiaoling , Deng Xiangyang , Li Shichao
Published: May 2022

The behavior of primary phases precipitating during solidification in Ti-S containing gear steel was studied, when Mg-Ca treatment was applied to control the sulfide shape. Primary phases with four-layer structure were found in billet, and the characteristics and generating mechanism were studied by calculation of software FactSage and Thermo-Calc. The results showed that the core in the four-layer-structure phase was MgO wrapped by pure CaS both of which were generated in liquid steel before solidification. The outer phase in order was TiN and MnS which precipitated during solidification process succesively. The improvement effect of sulfide by Mg-Ca treatment would be significantly effected by the primary nitride.
Effects of Strain Rate on Shear Bands and Texture Evolution in Grain-oriented Silicon Steel
Authors: Gao Chang , Chen Sihao , Zhang Fang , Sha Yuhui , chen Junyan , Zuo Liang
Published: May 2022

The effects of strain rate on shear bands and texture evolution of grain-oriented silicon steel were investigated by adjusting the strain rate of warm rolling. The rolling experiment was carried out at different strain rates of 30s-1, 50s-1 and 70s-1. XRD, EBSD and TEM were used to investigating the effect of the strain rate on the formation of shear bands and texture evolution. The results show that when strain rate increases during warm rolling, the texture strength of {111 }<112> deformation matrix increases at 70% and 85% reduction. The number of Goss shear bands increases, which is beneficial to obtain the ideal recrystallization orientation. With the increase of the reduction (70-85%), the recrystallized Goss texture strength decreases. This phenomenon diminishes with increasing strain rate, because the increase of dislocation density slows down the death process of shear bands.
Research on aerodynamic characteristics and energy consumption of elevator deflectors under different speed conditions
Authors: Chen Xiren , Ye Wenhua , Lu Xuan , Cheng Fangfang , Tang Zhirong
Published: May 2022

In order to improve the aerodynamic performance of high-speed elevators, it is necessary to design a reasonable deflector for the elevator car. In this paper, five types of typical deflectors are designed, and the elevator system model including the car, the counterweight and the hoistway is established. Using Fluent computational fluid software, the dynamic grid analysis method is used to carry out transient numerical simulation of the aerodynamic characteristics of the elevator. The variation law of performance parameters such as aerodynamic drag, energy consumption. The research shows that the influence of different deflectors on the aerodynamic performance of the elevator varies greatly under different speed conditions, and different types of deflectors have their own optimal applications. The research work provides a useful reference for the design and selection of the elevator deflector.
A Measuring Device for Residual Thickness of Brake Shoe of Railcar Based on Deep Learning
Authors: Wang Huajun , Wang Jing
Published: May 2022

At present, the residual thickness of brake shoe of metro vehicles is mainly measured manually by naked eyes or simple ruler, which has some problems such as low detection efficiency, large subjective randomness and poor engineering applicability. Therefore, this paper proposes a device for measuring the residual thickness of brake shoes of railcar based on deep learning method. Firstly, a residual thickness measuring device includes parts of image acquisition module, image positioning and segmentation module, and image correction module. Then for each module, the article conducted the related experiments for verifying the accuracy of the system. The results show that the brake shoe residual thickness measurement device proposed in this paper has higher accuracy and better robustness than manual detection, and has obvious advantages in detection time consumption.
Radiation measurements and simulations at the PHELIX laser facility, GSI
Authors: Behrens R. , Hufschmidt P. , Roth J. , Akstaller B. , Haag D. , Hupe O. , Schmidt S. , Schreiner S. , Michel T.
Published: May 2022

The absolute spectral electron and photon emission from a
Tungsten target irradiated by the Petawatt High-Energy Laser for
Heavy Ion EXperiments (PHELIX) facility was measured inside the
PHELIX target chamber. For this, a thermo-lumi-nescence detector
(TLD)-based few-channel spectrometer (FCS) was used in combination
with a Bayesian data analysis. The results of the FCS measurement
served as input for a Monte-Carlo particle transport simulation to
determine the spectra and dose out of the PHELIX target chamber. Two
different simulation methods proved to be consistent and, therefore,
reliable. The simulation results were compared to the dose measured
with a dosemeter that consists of three Dosepix detectors in
combination with a neural network analysis. The two dose results
show a satisfactory agreement.
Performance study of a new epoxy resin IR-3 in HTS-based high-field magnet application
Authors: Yao Huanli , Zhang Zhen , Wang Chengtao , Wang Yingzhe , Feng Ze , Shi Jinrui , Zhao Yalin , Zhang Hua , Li Chunyan , Kang Rui , Liu Fang , Liu Huajun , Huang Rongjin , Xu Qingjin
Published: May 2022

REBCO (Rare-earth-based barium copper oxide) conductors are appropriate materials for high-field magnet applications. Vacuum impregnation using epoxy resin is a technique widely used for stable operation of superconducting coils. However, epoxy-impregnated REBCO coils often experience critical current degradation problems. Finding a suitable impregnating material for REBCO coils is important for their application in high-field superconducting magnets. A new toughness epoxy, IR-3, was developed recently. An in-depth understanding of IR-3 on the performance of REBCO coils is critically necessary for its application. Thus, this paper explores the effects of IR-3 impregnation on the performance of REBCO coils at 77 K and 4.2 K. The test results are compared to similar coils impregnated with CTD-101 K and MY750. Meanwhile, the radial stresses at 77 K in self-field and 4.2 K under 10 T were simulated. All epoxy impregnated REBCO coils showed no decay in critical current after thermal cycles at 77 K. When charged at 4.2 K in external fields of 5 T and 10 T, the IR-3 impregnated REBCO coils avoided performance degradation problems and had superior electrical stabilities. Combing the excellent performance at low temperatures, IR-3 is a promising candidate material for impregnating high-field REBCO coils.
Influence mechanism of growth temperature and pressure on surface morphology and defects of InGaN materials
Authors: Li Guanghui , Wang Pengbo , He Xinran , Meng Yulong , Liang Feng , Zhou Mei , Zhao Degang
Published: May 2022

We studied the influence of temperature and pressure on the surface morphology and V-defects of the InGaN films. It was found that an appropriate increase in the growth temperature enhanced the mobility of Ga and In atoms, smoothened the surface of the InGaN thin film samples, and improved the growth quality. Simultaneously, increasing the temperature appropriately reduced the surface roughness of the sample and the defect density of the V-defects. It is also found that under the same temperature conditions, a lower pressure weakens the incorporation barrier of atoms, enhances the incorporation efficiency of In atoms, and improves the growth quality of InGaN.
Soliton self-compression and resonant dispersive wave emission in higher-order modes of a hollow capillary fibre
Authors: Brahms Christian , Travers John C
Published: May 2022

We investigate soliton self-compression and ultraviolet resonant dispersive wave emission in the higher-order modes of a gas-filled hollow capillary fibre (HCF). Our simple analytical scaling rules predict shorter required waveguides and different energy scales when moving from the fundamental to higher-order modes. Experimentally, we demonstrate soliton self-compression and ultraviolet dispersive wave emission in the double-lobe LP11 mode of an argon-filled HCF, which we excite by coupling into the fibre at oblique incidence. We observe the generation of ultraviolet dispersive waves which are frequency-shifted and more narrowband as compared to fundamental-mode generation due to the stronger modal dispersion, and a suppression of the supercontinuum between the dispersive wave and the pump pulse. With numerical simulations, we confirm the predictions of our scaling rules and find that the use of higher-order modes can suppress photoionisation and plasma effects even while allowing for much higher pulse energy to be used in the self-compression process. Our results add another degree of freedom for the design of hollow-waveguide systems to generate sub-cycle field transients and tuneable ultrashort laser pulses.
Evolutionary behaviour of ‘inflating’ random real matrices for economy or biology: stasis statistics of vector iterations upon growth
Authors: Benisty Henri
Published: May 2022

A scheme is proposed for describing stasis and transitions in evolutionary contexts defined by a growing number of interrelated items. These items could be genes/species in biology, or tools/products in economy. The target is a frame to describe the advent of stasis marked by dominant species or dominant objects (car, smartphone) between sharp transitions (quakes). The tool of random matrices is adapted to add an explicit varietal growth, through an ‘inflation’ of a real random matrix (Ginibre set), by regularly adding a line and a column, such a matrix operating at each unit time step on the evolving vector, U(t + 1) = M(t)U(t). In this view, U(t) ∝ log(C(t)) with C(t) the vector of abundances of genes in a gene pool, or of abundance of tools in a multi-sector production economy (as in Leontieff matrices of sector-wise productions). U(t) is trending toward the eigenvector with the largest-modulus eigenvalue (ev) U
(N) for the current N(t). Most times, the next such eigenvector U
(N+1) of the inflated matrix is close and mostly colinear to U
(N). But, as time goes and N also grows, a wholly unrelated eigenvector may acquire a larger modulus ev and become the new attractor. Thus, there are slowly-moving stases punctuated by quakes. The leading-ev-modulus competition is elucidated, as well as the main features of the stasis duration distribution it entails, akin to a q-exponential law. This is done by means of a two-particles model of Brownian motion taking place with an N-dependent drift and diffusion. To minimally flesh the issue, a set of bibliographic data (yearly number of papers among all journals of a domain) is used, lending support to the vector-colinearity-based methods used for the detection of stases vs quakes. Hints are given for various developments tackling the appropriateness of the model to various growth contexts, e.g. with sparse network or with death and not only novelty/birth.
Energy–water nexus of formal and informal water systems in Beirut, Lebanon
Authors: Choueiri Yasmina , Lund Jay , London Jonathan , Spang Edward S
Published: May 2022

Many areas in the world with chronic and intermittent water shortages rely on informal water systems for much of their daily water needs with water from tanker trucks, purchased bottled water, rainwater cisterns, or pumped well water. These alternative sources all require varying amounts of energy. Water–energy nexus studies have not yet considered environmental impacts of informal water sources, specifically from an energy intensity and carbon emissions perspective. This study compares energy use and carbon emissions per cubic meter and per capita for both formal and informal water sources for a neighborhood in Beirut Lebanon. Energy use and carbon emissions are calculated for three delivery stages per source including pumping, treatment and distribution. The results show that informal sources have the highest energy use and carbon emissions. From the total water delivered to households, they account for 83% of energy use and 72% of carbon emissions per capita, even though they only provide 23% of total delivered volume per capita. Bottled water and distribution of water by tanker trucks have the highest energy intensity values per cubic meter of all water sources. Moreover, internal building water pumping, which is not typically accounted for, takes up to 14% of total energy use and 23% of total carbon emissions per capita compared to other water sources. To address model uncertainty, we conduct a sensitivity analysis, showing that the base model presented reasonably stable results and identifying the most sensitive parameters for further research. While informal sources help communities overcome water shortages they result with negative impacts. Strategies are proposed to improve the environmental performance of the Lebanese electrical grid, reduce water losses, replace inefficient truck engines and incentivize household to invest in low carbon technologies.
Ensemble classification based signature discovery for cancer diagnosis in RNA expression profiles across different platforms
Authors: Zhao Xudong , Liu Tong , Wang Guohua
Published: May 2022

Molecular signatures have been excessively reported for diagnosis of many cancers during the last 20 years. However, false-positive signatures are always found using statistical methods or machine learning approaches, and that makes subsequent biological experiments fail. Therefore, signature discovery has gradually become a non-mainstream work in bioinformatics. Actually, there are three critical weaknesses that make the identified signature unreliable. First of all, a signature is wrongly thought to be a gene set, each component of which keeps differential expressions between or among sample groups. Second, there may be many false-positive genes expressed differentially found, even if samples derived from cancer or normal group can be separated in one-dimensional space. Third, cross-platform validation results of a discovered signature are always poor. In order to solve these problems, we propose a new feature selection framework based on ensemble classification to discover signatures for cancer diagnosis. Meanwhile, a procedure for data transform among different expression profiles across different platforms is also designed. Signatures are found on simulation and real data representing different carcinomas across different platforms. Besides, false positives are suppressed. The experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of our method.
webSCST: an interactive web application for single-cell RNA-sequencing data and spatial transcriptomic data integration
Authors: Zhang Zilong , Cui Feifei , Su Wei , Dou Lijun , Xu Anqi , Cao Chen , Zou Quan
Published: May 2022

Integrative analysis of single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) data with spatial data for the same species and organ would provide each cell sample with a predictive spatial location, which would facilitate biological study. However, publicly available spatial sequencing datasets for specific species and organs are rare and are often displayed in different formats. In this study, we introduce a new web-based scRNA-seq analysis tool, webSCST, that integrates well-organized spatial transcriptome sequencing datasets categorized by species and organs, provides a user-friendly interface for raw single-cell processing with popular integration methods and allows users to submit their raw scRNA-seq data once to obtain predicted spatial locations for each cell type.

Availability and implementation

webSCST implemented in shiny with all major browsers supported is available at http://www.webscst.com. webSCST is also freely available as an R package at https://github.com/swsoyee/webSCST.
Plasma Acylcarnitines as Metabolic Signatures of Declining Health-Related Quality of Life Measure in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Combined Cross-sectional and Longitudinal Pilot Study
Authors: Ng Ted Kheng Siang , Wee Hai Ning , Ching Jianhong , Kovalik Jean-Paul , Chan Angelique W , Matchar David Bruce
Published: May 2022

Background

Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) measures are predictors of adverse health outcomes in older adults. Studies have demonstrated cross-sectional associations between HRQoL measures and blood-based biochemical markers. Acylcarnitines (ACs) are a class of metabolites generated in the mitochondria and are predictive of multiple geriatric syndromes. Changes in ACs reflect alterations in central carbon metabolic pathways. However, the prospective relationship between plasma ACs and declining HRQoL has not been examined. This study aimed to investigate both cross-sectional and longitudinal associations of baseline ACs with baseline and declining EuroQol-5 Dimension/EuroQol Visual Analogue Scale (EQ-5D/EQ-VAS) in community-dwelling older adults.

Methods

One hundred and twenty community-dwelling older adults with EQ-5D/EQ-VAS measurements at baseline and follow-up were included. We quantified ACs at baseline using targeted plasma metabolomics profiling. Multivariate regressions were performed to examine cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between the measures.

Results

Cross-sectionally, ACs showed no significant associations with either EQ-5D index or EQ-VAS scores. Longitudinally, multiple baseline short-chain ACs were significantly and inversely associated with declining EQ-5D index score, explaining up to 8.5% of variance in the decline.

Conclusions

Within a cohort of community-dwelling older adults who had high HRQoL at baseline, we showed that higher levels of short-chain ACs are longitudinally associated with declining HRQoL. These findings reveal a novel association between central carbon metabolic pathways and declining HRQoL. Notably, dysregulation in mitochondrial central carbon metabolism could be detected prior to clinically important decline in HRQoL, providing the first evidence of objective biomarkers as novel predictors to monitor HRQoL in nonpharmacological interventions and epidemiology.
Evidence to Inform Policy and Practice: Mechanisms to Address Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Nursing Home Quality of Life
Authors: Shippee Tetyana P , Davila Heather , Ng Weiwen , Bowblis John R , Akosionu Odichinma , Skarphol Tricia , See Thao Mai , Woodhouse Mark , Thorpe Roland J
Published: May 2022

Background and Objectives

Abundant evidence documents racial/ethnic disparities in access, quality of care, and quality of life (QoL) among nursing home (NH) residents who are Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) compared with White residents. BIPOC residents are more likely to be admitted to lower quality NHs and to experience worse outcomes. Yet, little is known about processes for differences in QoL among residents receiving care in high-proportion BIPOC NHs. This study presents an examination of the processes for racial/ethnic disparities in QoL in high-proportion BIPOC facilities while highlighting variability in QoL between these facilities.

Research Design and Methods

Guided by the Minority Health and Health Disparities Research Framework and the Zubritsky framework for QoL in NHs, we employ a concurrent mixed-methods approach involving in-depth case studies of 6 high-proportion BIPOC NHs in Minnesota (96 resident interviews; 61 staff interviews; 614 hours of observation), coupled with statewide survey data on residents’ QoL linked to resident clinical Minimum Data Set assessments.

Results

Quantitative findings show that BIPOC residents experience lower QoL than White residents across various domains. Qualitative findings reveal variability in BIPOC residents’ QoL between high-proportion BIPOC facilities. In some facilities, BIPOC residents experienced worse QoL based on their race/ethnicity, whereas in others BIPOC residents QoL was not directly affected by their race/ethnicity or they had mixed experiences.

Discussion and Implications

The findings highlight variability in racial/ethnic disparities in QoL across NHs with a high proportion of BIPOC residents. We identify health equity initiatives, including engaging with community BIPOC organizations and volunteers, and providing more resources to high-proportion BIPOC facilities to support staff training, additional staffing, and culturally specific programming. Given the increasing racial/ethnic diversity of NHs, ensuring equity in QoL for BIPOC residents is an urgent priority for NHs to remain relevant in the future.
Functional diversification and exaptation: the emergence of new drug uses in the pharma industry
Authors: Andriani Pierpaolo , Cattani Gino
Published: May 2022

The process by which new uses or functions for an existing artifact (e.g. technology) emerge is an important yet understudied source of innovation. We call this process functional diversification (FD). We measure and characterize FD by focusing on the emergent uses of a class of technological resources: pharmaceutical drugs. We show that FD contains both an adaptive and an exaptive part and that it exhibits several empirical regularities regarding the number of new uses embedded in existing technological resources, the distant/proximate distribution of uses relative to their original use, and the role played by what in the life sciences are known as “mechanisms of action” and in the technology realm “functionalities” in the generation of new uses. We argue (or suggest) that FD is at the core of several theoretical perspectives—exaptation, Penrose’s firm growth, and shadow option theories—whose complementarities could be integrated into a general framework to understand and manage the emergence of new uses from existing resources.
Evaluation of Selective Deltamethrin Application with Household and Community Awareness for the Control of Chagas Disease in Southern Ecuador
Authors: Grijalva Mario J , Moncayo Ana L , Yumiseva Cesar A , Ocaña-Mayorga Sofia , Baus Esteban G , Villacís Anita G
Published: May 2022

Chagas disease is endemic in ~70% of Ecuador. Rhodnius ecuadoriensis and Triatoma carrioni (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) are the primary vectors of Chagas disease in Southern Ecuador. This study tested the effectiveness of selective deltamethrin application of Domiciliary Units (DUs) infested with triatomines, coupled with community education activities and a community-based surveillance system. Ten communities were selected in Loja Province, 466 DUs were examined, of these, 5.6% were infested with R. ecuadoriensis (Density [D] = 4 triatomines/DUs searched, Crowding [CR] = 71 triatomines/infested house, Colonization Index [CI] = 77% infested DUs with nymphs) and 8% with T. carrioni (D = 0.6, CR = 7, CI = 64%). Infested DUs were sprayed with deltamethrin. Subsequent visits were conducted at 6 and 12 mo after spraying. At each time point, new entomological searches were carried out in all DUs. All entomological indexes dropped significantly for the primary vector species one year after the initial intervention (R. ecuadoriensis: I = 2%, D = 0.1, CR = 7, CI = 100%; T. carrioni: I = 1.6%, D = 0.1, CR = 5.5, CI = 50%). Fifteen min educational talks were conducted in every DUs and workshops for schoolchildren were organized. Community-based surveillance system was established. However, there is a high risk of DUs reinfestation, possibly from sylvatic habitats (especially of R. ecuadoriensis) and reinforcing educational and surveillance activities are necessary.
Evolutionary Conservation Genomics Reveals Recent Speciation and Local Adaptation in Threatened Takins
Authors: Yang Lin , Wei Fuwen , Zhan Xiangjiang , Fan Huizhong , Zhao Pengpeng , Huang Guangping , Chang Jiang , Lei Yinghu , Hu Yibo
Published: May 2022

Incorrect species delimitation will lead to inappropriate conservation decisions, especially for threatened species. The takin (Budorcas taxicolor) is a large artiodactyl endemic to the Himalayan–Hengduan–Qinling Mountains and is well known for its threatened status and peculiar appearance. However, the speciation, intraspecies taxonomy, evolutionary history, and adaptive evolution of this species still remain unclear, which greatly hampers its scientific conservation. Here, we de novo assembled a high-quality chromosome-level genome of takin and resequenced the genomes of 75 wild takins. Phylogenomics revealed that takin was positioned at the root of Caprinae. Population genomics based on the autosome, X chromosome, and Y chromosome SNPs and mitochondrial genomes consistently revealed the existence of two phylogenetic species and recent speciation in takins: the Himalayan takin (B. taxicolor) and the Chinese takin (B. tibetana), with the support of morphological evidence. Two genetically divergent subspecies were identified in both takin species, rejecting three previously proposed taxonomical viewpoints. Furthermore, their distribution boundaries were determined, suggesting that large rivers play important roles in shaping the genetic partition. Compared with the other subspecies, the Qinling subspecies presented the lowest genomic diversity, higher linkage disequilibrium, inbreeding, and genetic load, thus is in urgent need of genetic management and protection. Moreover, coat color gene (PMEL) variation may be responsible for the adaptive coat color difference between the two species following Gloger’s rule. Our findings provide novel insights into the recent speciation, local adaptation, scientific conservation of takins, and biogeography of the Himalaya–Hengduan biodiversity hotspot.
Therapeutic targeting of prenatal pontine ID1 signaling in diffuse midline glioma
Authors: Messinger Dana , Harris Micah K , Cummings Jessica R , Thomas Chase , Yang Tao , Sweha Stefan R , Woo Rinette , Siddaway Robert , Burkert Martin , Stallard Stefanie , Qin Tingting , Mullan Brendan , Siada Ruby , Ravindran Ramya , Niculcea Michael , Dowling Abigail R , Bradin Joshua , Ginn Kevin F , Gener Melissa A H , Dorris Kathleen , Vitanza Nicholas A , Schmidt Susanne V , Spitzer Jasper , Li Jiang , Filbin Mariella G , Cao Xuhong , Castro Maria G , Lowenstein Pedro R , Mody Rajen , Chinnaiyan Arul , Desprez Pierre-Yves , McAllister Sean , Dun Matthew D , Hawkins Cynthia , Waszak Sebastian M , Venneti Sriram , Koschmann Carl , Yadav Viveka Nand
Published: May 2022

Background

Diffuse midline gliomas (DMG) are highly invasive brain tumors with rare survival beyond two years past diagnosis and limited understanding of the mechanism behind tumor invasion. Previous reports demonstrate upregulation of the protein ID1 with H3K27M and ACVR1 mutations in DMG, but this has not been confirmed in human tumors or therapeutically targeted.

Methods

Whole exome, RNA, and ChIP-sequencing was performed on the ID1 locus in DMG tissue. Scratch-assay migration and transwell invasion assays of cultured cells were performed following shRNA-mediated ID1-knockdown. In vitro and in vivo genetic and pharmacologic [cannabidiol (CBD)] inhibition of ID1 on DMG tumor growth was assessed. Patient-reported CBD dosing information was collected.

Results

Increased ID1 expression in human DMG and in utero electroporation (IUE) murine tumors is associated with H3K27M mutation and brainstem location. ChIP-sequencing indicates ID1 regulatory regions are epigenetically active in human H3K27M-DMG tumors and prenatal pontine cells. Higher ID1-expressing astrocyte-like DMG cells share a transcriptional program with oligo/astrocyte-precursor cells (OAPCs) from the developing human brain and demonstrate upregulation of the migration regulatory protein SPARCL1. Genetic and pharmacologic (CBD) suppression of ID1 decreases tumor cell invasion/migration and tumor growth in H3.3/H3.1K27M PPK-IUE and human DIPGXIIIP* in vivo models of pHGG. The effect of CBD on cell proliferation appears to be non-ID1 mediated. Finally, we collected patient-reported CBD treatment data, finding that a clinical trial to standardize dosing may be beneficial.

Conclusions

H3K27M-mediated re-activation of ID1 in DMG results in a SPARCL1+ migratory transcriptional program that is therapeutically targetable with CBD.
Mycorrhizal symbiosis reprograms ion fluxes and fatty acid metabolism in wild jujube during salt stress
Authors: Ma Zhibo , Zhao Xinchi , He Aobing , Cao Yan , Han Qisheng , Lu Yanjun , Yong Jean Wan Hong , Huang Jian
Published: May 2022

Chinese jujube (Ziziphus jujuba) is an important fruit tree in China, and soil salinity is the main constraint affecting jujube production. It is unclear how arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbiosis supports jujube adaptation to salt stress. Herein, we performed comparative physiological, ion flux, fatty acid (FA) metabolomic, and transcriptomic analyses to examine the mechanism of AM jujube responding to salt stress. AM seedlings showed better performance during salt stress. AM symbiosis altered phytohormonal levels: indole-3-acetic acid and abscisic acid contents were significantly increased in AM roots and reduced by salt stress. Mycorrhizal colonization enhanced root H+ efflux and K+ influx, while inducing expression of plasma membrane-type ATPase 7 (ZjAHA7) and high-affinity K+ transporter 2 (ZjHAK2) in roots. High K+/Na+ homeostasis was maintained throughout salt exposure. FA content was elevated in AM leaves as well as roots, especially for palmitic acid, oleic acid, trans oleic acid, and linoleic acid, and similar effects were also observed in AM poplar (Populus. alba × Populus. glandulosa cv. 84K) and Medicago truncatula, indicating AM symbiosis elevating FA levels could be a conserved physiological effect. Gene co-expression network analyses uncovered a core gene set including 267 genes in roots associated with AM symbiosis and conserved transcriptional responses, for example, FA metabolism, phytohormone signal transduction, SNARE interaction in vesicular transport, and biotin metabolism. In contrast to widely up-regulated genes related to FA metabolism in AM roots, limited genes were affected in leaves. We propose a model of AM symbiosis-linked reprogramming of FA metabolism and provide a comprehensive insight into AM symbiosis with a woody species adaptation to salt stress.
First Spanish study on the effectiveness of ultrasound-guided sacroiliac joint injection in patients with spondyloarthritis
Authors: Ramírez Huaranga Marco A , Castro Corredor David , Plasencia Ezaine Angel E , Paulino Huertas Marco , Arenal Lopez Rocío , Fernández Joaquín Anino , Ramos Rodríguez Claudia C
Published: May 2022

Objective

The aim was to assess clinical improvement after US-guided injection of CSs into the SI joint of patients with SpA.

Methods

This was an observational, descriptive, retrospective study of patients with SpA and sacroiliitis who received an US-guided injection into the SI joint between 1 June 2020 and 31 May 2021. Means were compared using Student’s paired t-test for the variables visual analog scale (VAS), BASDAI, ASDAS, CRP and ESR before and after the procedure. We evaluated the association between these variables and the clinical response using the odds ratio.

Results

We analysed 32 patients with SpA [age 42.69 (8.19) years; female sex, 56.25%], with a VAS score of 7.88 (0.79), BASDAI of 5.43 (1.48) and ASDAS of 3.27 (0.86) before the procedure. At 2–3 months, 75% of patients had improved: VAS 3.81 (2.33) (−4.07, P < 0.0001) and BASDAI 3.24 (1.6) (−2.19, P < 0.0001). At 5–6 months, 59.37% had improved: VAS 4.63 (2.31) (−3.25, P < 0.0001), BASDAI 3.57 (1.67) (−1.86, P < 0.0001) and ASDAS 2.27 (0.71) (−1.0, P < 0.0001). Bone marrow oedema resolved in 87.5% of cases compared with the previous MRI scan. No significant association was identified with the clinical response to the injection.

Conclusion

US-guided injection of CSs into the SI joint of patients with SpA and active sacroiliitis leads to an improvement in symptoms that is maintained at 5–6 months. The procedure is effective, safe, inexpensive and easy to apply.
Anatomical and biochemical evolutionary ancient traits ofAraucaria araucana(Molina) K. Koch and their effects on carbon assimilation
Authors: Rivera Betsy K , Sáez Patricia L , Cavieres Lohengrin A , Capó-Bauçà Sebastià , Iñiguez Concepción , Sanfuentes von Stowasser Eugenio , Fuentes Francisca , Ramírez Constanza F , Vallejos Valentina , Galmés Jeroni
Published: May 2022

The study of ancient species provides valuable information concerning the evolution of specific adaptations to past and current environmental conditions. Araucaria araucana (Molina) K. Koch belongs to one of the oldest families of conifers in the world, but despite this, there are few studies focused on its physiology and responses to changes in environmental conditions. We used an integrated approach aimed at comprehensively characterizing the ecophysiology of this poorly known species, focusing in its stomatal, mesophyll and biochemical traits, hypothesizing that these traits govern the carbon assimilation of A. araucana under past and present levels of atmospheric CO2. Results indicated that A. araucana presents the typical traits of an ancient species, such as large stomata and low stomatal density, which trigger low stomatal conductance and slow stomatal responsiveness to changing environmental conditions. Interestingly, the quantitative analysis showed that photosynthetic rates were equally limited by both diffusive and biochemical components. The Rubisco catalytic properties proved to have a low Rubisco affinity for CO2 and O2, similar to other ancient species. This affinity for CO2, together with the low carboxylation turnover rate, are responsible for the low Rubisco catalytic efficiency of carboxylation. These traits could be the result of the diverse environmental selective pressures that A. araucana was exposed during its diversification. The increase in measured temperatures induced an increase in stomatal and biochemical limitations, which together with a lower Rubisco affinity for CO2 could explain the low photosynthetic capacity of A. araucana in warmer conditions.
Mortality Prediction in Hip Fracture Patients: Physician Assessment Versus Prognostic Models
Authors: Karres Julian , Zwiers Ruben , Eerenberg Jan-Peter , Vrouenraets Bart C. , Kerkhoffs Gino M. M. J.
Published: May 2022

Objectives:

To evaluate 2 prognostic models for mortality after a fracture of the hip, the Nottingham Hip Fracture Score and Hip Fracture Estimator of Mortality Amsterdam and to compare their predictive performance to physician assessment of mortality risk in hip fracture patients.

Design:

Prospective cohort study.

Setting:

Two level-2 trauma centers located in the Netherlands.

Patients:

Two hundred forty-four patients admitted to the Emergency Departments of both hospitals with a fractured hip.

Intervention:

Data used in both prediction models were collected at the time of admission for each individual patient, as well as predictions of mortality by treating physicians.

Main Outcome Measures:

Predictive performances were evaluated for 30-day, 1-year, and 5-year mortality. Discrimination was assessed with the area under the curve (AUC); calibration with the Hosmer–Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test and calibration plots; clinical usefulness in terms of accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity.

Results:

Mortality was 7.4% after 30 days, 22.1% after 1 year, and 59.4% after 5 years. There were no statistically significant differences in discrimination between the prediction methods (AUC 0.73–0.80). The Nottingham Hip Fracture Score demonstrated underfitting for 30-day mortality and failed to identify the majority of high-risk patients (sensitivity 33%). The Hip fracture Estimator of Mortality Amsterdam showed systematic overestimation and overfitting. Physicians were able to identify most high-risk patients for 30-day mortality (sensitivity 78%) but with some overestimation. Both risk models demonstrated a lack of fit when used for 1-year and 5-year mortality predictions.

Conclusions:

In this study, prognostic models and physicians demonstrated similar discriminating abilities when predicting mortality in hip fracture patients. Although physicians overestimated mortality, they were better at identifying high-risk patients and at predicting long-term mortality.

Level of Evidence:

Prognostic Level II. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Risk Factors for Deep Infection and Conversion Total Hip Arthroplasty After Operative Combined Pelvic Ring and Acetabular Fractures
Authors: Strom Shane , Mihas Alexander K. , Bonner Henry V. , Cichos Kyle H. , McGwin Gerald , Patch David A. , Agarwal Abhinav , Spitler Clay A.
Published: May 2022

Objectives:

To determine risk factors for deep infection and conversion total hip arthroplasty (THA) after operative management of combined pelvic ring and acetabular injuries.

Design:

Retrospective case control study.

Setting:

Level 1 trauma center.

Patients and Intervention:

We reviewed 150 operative combined pelvic ring and acetabular injuries at our institution from 2010 to 2019, with an average follow-up of 690 (90–3282) days.

Main Outcome Measurements:

Deep infection and conversion THA.

Results:

Patients who developed deep infection (N = 17, 11.3%) had higher rates of hip dislocation (P = 0.030), intraoperative transfusion (P = 0.030), higher body mass index (BMI) (P = 0.046), increased estimated blood loss (P < 0.001), more intraoperative units transfused (P = 0.004), and longer operative times (P = 0.035). Of the 84 patients with 1-year follow-up, 24 (28.6%) required conversion to THA. Patients requiring conversion THA were older (P = 0.022) and had higher rates of transverse posterior wall fracture pattern (P = 0.034), posterior wall involvement (P < 0.001), hip dislocation (P = 0.031), wall comminution (P = 0.002), and increased estimated blood loss (P = 0.024). The order of the pelvic ring versus acetabular fixation did not affect rates of conversion to THA (P = 0.109). Multiple logistic regression showed that an increased number of intraoperative units transfused [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.56, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.16–2.09, P = 0.003] and higher BMI (aOR = 1.10, 95% CI = 1.01–1.16, P = 0.024) were independently associated with an increased odds of deep infection. Posterior wall involvement was independently associated with an increased odds of conversion THA (aOR = 5.73, 95% CI = 1.17–27.04, P = 0.031).

Conclusions:

Rates of deep infection and conversion THA after operative fixation of combined injuries were 11.3% and 28.6%, respectively. Higher average BMI and number of intraoperative units of blood transfused were independently associated with deep infection, whereas posterior wall involvement was independently associated with conversion to THA in these patients.

Level of Evidence:

Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
The Nuclear Medicine Patient as a Line Source: The Source Length Is Certainly Not the Patient Height, But It Is a Reasonable Approximation
Authors: Broggio David
Published: May 2022

Nuclear medicine patients are a source of exposure and should receive instructions to restrict contact time with different categories of people. The calculation of the restriction time requires that the dose rate at a given distance, known from an initial measurement and a whole-body retention function, can be extrapolated at other distances. As a basis for this extrapolation, it has been suggested to consider the patient as a line source. However, the validity of this suggestion is based on a few studies and limited measurement distances. We collected from the literature dose rates of nuclear medicine patients measured at different distances and investigated the robustness of the line source model. The cases of 18F-FDG exams, 99mTc bone scan exams, and 131I for hyperthyroidism treatment and remnants ablation were considered. The data were pooled, different cases of measurement time after administration were considered, and the data were fitted according to the line source model in which the half patient thickness was introduced. It was found that the line source model fits well the data put with a source length that is radionuclide-specific and significantly different from the standard adult height. However, considering a standard source length of 176 cm and neglecting the patient thickness induced at maximum an overestimation by a factor of 2.5 when extrapolating from 1 m to 10 cm. Such an overestimation is not of considerable importance in the calculation of contact restriction times.
Corneal Complications Secondary to Involutional Entropion at Presentation
Authors: Parsons Shaun R. , O’Rourke Micheal A , Satchi Khami , McNab Alan A.
Published: May 2022

Purpose:

To determine the frequency and significance of corneal complications at presentation of involutional entropion in an Australian population. Patient demographics and duration of symptoms were collated to assess how these factors related to presentations.

Methods:

Case records were retrospectively interrogated at an Oculoplastic Ophthalmology practice over a 15-year period to identify patients with lower eyelid involutional entropion. All patients had ophthalmic examination by an ophthalmologist. Patients meeting inclusion criteria had data collected including detailed assessment of corneal examination findings.

Results:

The final cohort included 203 patients of which 50.7% were male. The mean age was 75.1 years. Cornea findings at presentation included superficial punctate keratopathy (69%), no change (25.6%), corneal ulcer (4%), and other (1%). One percent of patients had vision loss attributable to complications of entropion. Range of duration of symptoms was 2 weeks to 6 years with a mean of 11.5 months.

Conclusions:

At presentation, involutional entropion has mild corneal findings with 95.1% of patients demonstrating superficial punctate keratopathy or normal corneal epithelium. Vision loss is a rare complication and was observed in 1% of patients in this study, all with preexisting corneal pathology.
Religious Involvement and DSM-IV Anxiety Disorders Among African-Americans
Authors: Hodge David R. , Taylor Robert Joseph , Chatters Linda M. , Boddie Stephanie C.
Published: May 2022

This study examined the relationship between eight measures of religious involvement and five anxiety disorders among a nationally representative sample of African-Americans (N = 3403). The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition, World Mental Health Composite International Diagnostic Interview was used to assess 12-month and lifetime prevalence for each disorder. Logistic regression indicated weekly service attendance was inversely associated with 12-month and lifetime panic disorder, lifetime agoraphobia, and 12-month and lifetime posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Prayer was inversely associated with 12-month agoraphobia, 12-month social phobia, and lifetime PTSD. Listening to religious radio and looking to God for strength were also inversely related to, respectively, 12-month and lifetime panic disorder. Conversely, reading religious materials was positively associated with 12-month panic disorder, 12-month agoraphobia, lifetime PTSD, and lifetime generalized anxiety disorder. The results are discussed in light of conceptual models that specify multiple and sometimes divergent pathways through which religion impacts health, and suggestions for clinicians addressing anxiety disorders are delineated.
Emergence and algorithmic information dynamics of systems and observers
Authors: Abrahão Felipe S. , Zenil Hector
Published: May 2022

One of the challenges of defining emergence is that one observer’s prior knowledge may cause a phenomenon to present itself as emergent that to another observer appears reducible. By formalizing the act of observing as mutual perturbations between dynamical systems, we demonstrate that the emergence of algorithmic information does depend on the observer’s formal knowledge, while being robust vis-a-vis other subjective factors, particularly: the choice of programming language and method of measurement; errors or distortions during the observation; and the informational cost of processing. This is called observer-dependent emergence (ODE). In addition, we demonstrate that the unbounded and rapid increase of emergent algorithmic information implies asymptotically observer-independent emergence (AOIE). Unlike ODE, AOIE is a type of emergence for which emergent phenomena will be considered emergent no matter what formal theory an observer might bring to bear. We demonstrate the existence of an evolutionary model that displays the diachronic variant of AOIE and a network model that displays the holistic variant of AOIE. Our results show that, restricted to the context of finite discrete deterministic dynamical systems, computable systems and irreducible information content measures, AOIE is the strongest form of emergence that formal theories can attain.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Emergent phenomena in complex physical and socio-technical systems: from cells to societies’.