bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Application of the Method of Coprecipitation of Salts to Obtain Zinc Orthostannate
Authors: Antonov Dmitry A. , Anisimov Valery V. , Tarasenko Mikhail A.
Published: October 2021

The effect of the temperature treatment of compounds obtained by the method of co-precipitation of zinc and tin (IV) salts on the synthesis of highly dispersed zinc orthostannate in the temperature range 800 – 1300 °C was studied. The effect of the nonstoichiometric ratio of the components in the initial composition on the phase composition of the resulting zinc orthostannate was considered. The phase composition of the obtained powders is presented according to the data of X-ray phase analysis. Demonstrated chemical reactions occurring during the experiment.
An Application of Antifriction Coatings to Increase the Lifetime of Friction Units
Authors: Antsupov Aleksandr V. , Fedulov Artem A. , Antsupov Alexey V. , Antsupov Victor P.
Published: October 2021

This article presents a generalization of the results of theoretical and experimental studies on increasing the reliability of friction units by making antifriction coatings on the working surfaces with a flexible tool. The principle scheme and the essence of the method of cladding with a flexible tool (CFT) - shock-frictional forming of thin films from various materials on the surface of the workpiece with flexible elements of rotating metal brushes are described. Versions of cladding machinery and many parts of movable joints with various forms of friction surfaces, on which various metal, polymer, single and two-layer antifriction coatings are applied, are presented. The modification of the frictional application of polymer coatings is shown. The following is a brief description of the most significant effective results for increasing the durability of the industrial sliding friction and rolling friction units.
Predicting the Intensity of Abrasive Wear Based on the Fatigue Hypothesis
Authors: Bulychev Vsevolod , Golubina Svetlana , Semenov Maxim , Korzhikov Alexey
Published: October 2021

The mechanism of surface fatigue failure during abrasive wear is considered. Mathematical dependences connecting the wear conditions with its intensity are obtained. The obtained dependencies make it possible to quantify the wear rate.
Results of Simulation of Faults of Starter Batteries
Authors: Puzakov Andrey
Published: October 2021

During the operation of the battery, its parameters change, declining with the rate affected by the natural aging processes or faults. To obtain information about changes in the parameters of the battery when the faults occur and develop, methods of their simulation have been developed. The change in the battery voltage under the influence of the reference load is determined to reduce the charging rate, oxidation of the pole terminals, and plates sulfatation. It is established that the health of state of old and faulty batteries at the same voltage differs significantly, which can be used to identify the technical condition of starter batteries.
Application of the Modern Stationary Workholding Systems for Increase Capacity and Quality of Non-Rigid Aircraft Parts
Authors: Khramov Alexander , Semdyankin Ilya , Kiselev Eugene
Published: October 2021

Review of results experimental, production tests and features of machining forging workpiece of part type «chassis beam» from aluminum alloy V93pchT3 with significant deformations during milling process on SCHUNK VERO-S AVIATION system. Increase of production capacity on 2.9 times and significant better quality, geometrical properties if compare with conventional fixation by clamps.
Research Results on Influence of Hydraulic Hammer Design Parameters
Authors: Teterin Irina , Ugrumov Igor , Teterin Ivan , Korneev Andrey
Published: October 2021

The article presents the results of the theoretical research on the influence of the design parameters on the output characterictics of a hydraulic hammer. The hydraulic hammer under the study has a hydraulic percussive mechanism of a permanent pressure-type structure with a spool free control unit. A design model of a hydraulic percussive mechanism with a spool free control unit has been developed. The mathematical model of the hydraulic percussive mechanism of a permanent pressure-type structure with a spool free control unit is presented. The oscillogram resulting from the theoretical studies, which defines the operation of the hydraulic percussive mechanism, is presented. A range of the rational zones for selecting the main design parameters of the hydraulic percussive mechnism is obtained.
Automation of Maintaining a Smart Reference Book of Tool Setups for the Development of Control Programs for CNC Machine
Authors: Polyanskov Yuri V. , Zheleznov Oleg V. , Blyumenshteyn Aleksey A. , Sergeev Ilya A.
Published: October 2021

The article is devoted to the problems of increasing the efficiency of technological preparation production through the development and implementation of an electronic database of tool setups. In the paper describes the advantages and disadvantages of the existing process for the development of NC-programs, and a methodology for automating the process of conducting tool setups, allowing to reduce the laboriousness of designing manufacturing processes for machining of parts on CNC machines. And also, the calculation results are given the economic efficiency of the project and the prospects for its development.
Estimation of the Error in Measuring the Coordinates of Vibrating Objects Using Laser Coordinate Measuring Systems. General Provisions
Authors: Fedyaev Vladimir , Lyudogovsky Peter , Komkova Maria
Published: October 2021

The issues of assessing the measurement error using laser coordinate measuring systems (LCMS) of the geometric parameters of vibrating, and also vibrating objects are considered. At the same time, attention is focused on their time-average values. In a number of special cases, calculated relations are given to estimate the average errors in measuring the amplitude and frequency of vibrations of the objects under consideration, their geometric parameters, such as the distance to the laser tracker, coordinates of points on the surface, and other indicators. It is noted that these ratios were obtained for the first time, therefore, in order to increase their reliability, it is possible to introduce them into the corresponding dependences of correcting coefficients and functions.
Sensing the ionosphere with the Spire radio occultation constellation
Authors: Angling Matthew J. , Nogués-Correig Oleguer , Nguyen Vu , Vetra-Carvalho Sanita , Bocquet Francois-Xavier , Nordstrom Karl , Melville Stacey E. , Savastano Giorgio , Mohanty Shradha , Masters Dallas
Published: October 2021

Radio occultation (RO) provides a cost-effective component of the overall sensor mix required to characterise the ionosphere over wide areas and in areas where it is not possible to deploy ground sensors. The paper describes the RO constellation that has been developed and deployed by Spire Global. This constellation and its associated ground infrastructure are now producing data that can be used to characterise the bulk ionosphere, lower ionosphere perturbations, and ionospheric scintillation.
État des lieux de l’organisation de l’éducation thérapeutique du patient (ETP) à l’hôpital : enquête qualitative auprès d’UTEP de CHU et CHR de France
Authors: Germain Lucie , Voyen Madeline , Miro Christine , Böhme Philip , Nguyen-Thi Phi-Linh
Published: October 2021

Introduction :La loi Hôpital Patient Santé Territoire de 2009 a inscrit l’éducation thérapeutique du patient (ETP) dans le parcours de soins des patients et posé un cadre réglementaire. Néanmoins, les organisations et financements de l’ETP à l’hôpital semblent varier d’une région voire d’un établissement à l’autre.Objectif :Réaliser un état des lieux national sur l’organisation de l’ETP à l’hôpital et identifier les difficultés et leviers possibles.Méthodes :Cette enquête qualitative par entretiens semi-directifs a été réalisée par téléphone à partir d’un guide d’entretien auprès des 29 UTEP identifiées dans les CHU/R.Résultats :Vingt-quatre UTEP (83 %) ont répondu. Le nombre de programmes autorisés varie de 6 à 307 avec peu de programmes transversaux et sur les maladies rares. L’ETP est financée à l’activité en externe, mais le mode de calcul est variable selon l’ARS. Sept hôpitaux ont intégré le dossier éducatif dans le dossier partagé informatisé. Les freins au développement de l’ETP sont le manque de temps, le financement et faire revenir les patients. Les leviers sont la coordination de l’ETP au sein de l’établissement (place de l’UTEP et collaboration avec les instances), la motivation et l’implication des équipes, la communication.Discussion et conclusion :Diverses pistes de travail peuvent être proposées, telles que le développement de la e-ETP et le développement du partenariat de soins.
Effect of hydrostatic pressure on the magnetic susceptibility of MnF2 single crystal
Authors: Panfilov A. S. , Grechnev G. E.
Published: October 2021

For the classical antiferromagnet MnF2 with TN≃67K, the pressure dependence of static magnetic susceptibility χ at T > TN was studied for the first time. The measurements of χ(P) were carried out at fixed temperatures 78, 140, and 300 K using a pendulum-type magnetometer and helium gas pressure P up to 2 kbar. The experimental data on the pressure derivative of magnetic susceptibility, d lnχ/dP, were analyzed within the Curie–Weiss law for χ(T) behavior, yielding estimate of the pressure derivative of paramagnetic Curie temperature dΘ/dP = – (0.31 ± 0.05) K/kbar and value (1/Θ)dΘ/dP = (3.5 ± 0.5) Mbar–1. The obtained experimental result is explained by the volume dependence of superexchange interaction between the magnetic moments of Mn2+ ions.
Measurement on the electrical conductivity of copper along the binodal curve in warm dense regime
Authors: Park Sungbin , Lee Hakmin , Ryu Jonghyeon , Chung Kyoung-Jae , Hwang Y. S. , Lee Kern , Kim Deok-Kyu
Published: October 2021

This paper presents the electrical conductivity data of copper along the gas branch of the binodal curve in the warm dense matter (WDM) regime as a function of mass density and temperature. All data are obtained using the underwater wire explosion technique, in which vaporized copper cools along the gas branch of the binodal curve during the period of current dwell after the wire explodes. Mass density and temperature are measured by fast imaging and optical spectroscopy, respectively. Combining these data with electrical measurements of the wire resistance, we obtain the conductivities of copper along the binodal curve in the WDM regime. The electrical conductivity data measured here are expected to be helpful for developing a more accurate and reliable theory of transport properties in the WDM regime.
Excellent ferroelectric Hf0.5Zr0.5O2 thin films with ultra-thin Al2O3 serving as capping layer
Authors: Liu Bingwen , Cao Yating , Zhang Wei , Li Yubao
Published: October 2021

Hf0.5Zr0.5O2 (HZO) has become one of the most popular HfO2 based ferroelectric thin films due to its huge potential to integrate low-cost high-density nonvolatile ferroelectric memory. Most researchers sandwiched the HZO between metals, such as TiN, and then adopted post-deposition high temperature anneal to improve the ferroelectricity and reliability of the film. In this work, the effect of a thin dielectric Al2O3 layer with different thicknesses to replace a metallic capping layer on the ferroelectric properties of a HZO (10 nm) thin film is evaluated, and we also compared the effects of TiN and W bottom electrodes on the properties of a capacitor. The results showed that the TiN/Al2O3 (1 nm)/HZO/W capacitor performed the best with a maximum 2Pr as high as 31.4 μC/cm2 at an electric field of ±3 MV/cm and very low leakage currents. In addition, the fatigue studies demonstrated the capacitor's excellent endurance properties with continuous cycling up to 1010 cycles. The use of an ultra-thin Al2O3 layer with excellent capping effects would significantly simplify the integration process of HfO2-based ferroelectric memory.
Physical reservoir computing with FORCE learning in a living neuronal culture
Authors: Yada Yuichiro , Yasuda Shusaku , Takahashi Hirokazu
Published: October 2021

Rich dynamics in a living neuronal system can be considered as a computational resource for physical reservoir computing (PRC). However, PRC that generates a coherent signal output from a spontaneously active neuronal system is still challenging. To overcome this difficulty, we here constructed a closed-loop experimental setup for PRC of a living neuronal culture, where neural activities were recorded with a microelectrode array and stimulated optically using caged compounds. The system was equipped with first-order reduced and controlled error learning to generate a coherent signal output from a living neuronal culture. Our embodiment experiments with a vehicle robot demonstrated that the coherent output served as a homeostasis-like property of the embodied system from which a maze-solving ability could be generated. Such a homeostatic property generated from the internal feedback loop in a system can play an important role in task solving in biological systems and enable the use of computational resources without any additional learning.
Tornado-strength winds interacting with a highway overpass
Authors: Meyer D. M. L. , Ensign Alex
Published: October 2021

Analysis of tornado strength winds interacting with a highway overpass structure is presented with emphasis on air flow patterns above and under the bridge. Experiments were performed in a wind tunnel with the scaled geometry of an overpass. Velocity and dynamic pressure measurements were obtained independently at four locations as the overpass was rotated about its vertical axis between air flow angles of approach between 0° and 90°, at 10° increments. Lift and drag forces on the overpass geometry were also measured. To compare various highway overpass locations with the surroundings, the measured dynamic pressure and velocity, drag and lift forces, and drag coefficients at each of the locations and approach angles were examined. It was found that at all locations, the measured velocities never exceeded the freestream velocity of 190.2 ft/s (58 m/s; 130 mph), with the maximum Re occurring above the overpass and between the I-beams. A theoretical maximum pressure drop for the tornado center was calculated to be 0.5 psi for an Enhanced Fujita 2 scale tornado and compared with the highest pressure drop of 0.278 psi, determined from the experiments. Calculated pressure coefficients Cp were mostly <0 and some close to one dynamic head less than ambient. The drag coefficients Cd remain primarily in the laminar region with later transition to turbulence. Using experimental data from the literature, drag forces on an average size man in crouching and laying positions between the overpass I-beams section were determined to be a maximum of 31 lbf.
Aptamer biosensing based on metal enhanced fluorescence platform: A promising diagnostic tool
Authors: Sundaresan Savita M. , Fothergill S. M. , Tabish Tanveer A. , Ryan Mary , Xie Fang
Published: October 2021

Diagnosis of disease at an early, curable, and reversible stage allows more conservative treatment and better patient outcomes. Fluorescence biosensing is a widely used method to detect biomarkers, which are early indicators of disease. Importantly, biosensing requires a high level of sensitivity. Traditionally, these sensors use antibodies or enzymes as biorecognition molecules; however, these can lack the specificity required in a clinical setting, limiting their overall applicability. Aptamers are short, single stranded nucleotides that are receiving increasing attention over traditional recognition molecules. These exhibit many advantages, such as high specificity, making them promising for ultrasensitive biosensors. Metal enhanced fluorescence (MEF) utilizes plasmonic materials, which can increase the sensitivity of label-based fluorescent biosensors. The fluorescence enhancement achieved by placing metallic nanostructures in close proximity to fluorophores allows for detection of ultra-low biomarker concentrations. Plasmonic biosensors have been successfully implemented as diagnostic tools for a number of diseases, such as cancer, yet reproducible systems exhibiting high specificity and the ability to multiplex remain challenging. Similarly, while aptasensors have been extensively reported, few systems currently incorporate MEF, which could drastically improve biosensor sensitivity. Here, we review the latest advancements in the field of aptamer biosensing based on MEF that have been explored for the detection of a wide variety of biological molecules. While this emerging biosensing technology is still in its infant stage, we highlight the potential challenges and its clinical potential in early diagnosis of diseases.
A review of tidal energy—Resource, feedbacks, and environmental interactions
Authors: Neill Simon P. , Haas Kevin A. , Thiébot Jérôme , Yang Zhaoqing
Published: October 2021

The ocean contains a variety of renewable energy resources, little of which has been exploited. Here, we review both tidal range and tidal stream energy, with a focus on the resource, feedbacks, and environmental interactions. The review covers a wide range of timescales of relevance to tidal energy, from fortnightly (spring-neap) and semi-diurnal variability, down to array, and device-scale turbulence. When simulating the regional tidal energy resource, and to assess environmental impacts, it is necessary to account for feedbacks between the tidal array and the resource itself. We critically review various methods for simulating energy extraction, from insights gained through theoretical studies of “tidal fences” in idealized channels, to realistic three-dimensional model studies with complex geometry and arrays of turbines represented by momentum sinks and additional turbulence due to the presence of rotors and support structures. We discuss how variability can be reduced by developing multiple (aggregated) sites with a consideration of the enhanced phase diversity offered by exploiting less energetic tidal currents. This leads to future research questions that have not yet been explored in depth at first-generation tidal sites in relatively sheltered channels (e.g., the interaction of waves with currents). Such enhanced understanding of real sea conditions, including the effects of wind and waves, leads to our other identified primary future research direction—reduced uncertainties in turbulence predictions, including the development of realistic models that simulate the interaction between ambient turbulence and the turbulence resulting from multiple wakes, and changes to system-wide hydrodynamics, water quality, and sedimentation.
Antiferromagnetic ferroelastic multiferroics in single-layer VOX (X = Cl, Br) predicted from first-principles
Authors: Feng Yangyang , Peng Rui , Dai Ying , Huang Baibiao , Duan Lili , Ma Yandong
Published: October 2021

The realization of antiferromagnetic multiferroics is of great significance both for fundamental perspective and for potential use in nanoscale devices. Although almost all the known multiferroics in three-dimensional systems are antiferromagnetic, antiferromagnetic multiferroics is rarely explored in 2D lattice. Here, using first-principles calculations, we report the identification of 2D antiferromagnetic ferroelastic multiferroics in single-layer transition-metal oxyhalides VOX (X = Cl, Br). Both systems are robust antiferromagnetic semiconductors with a wide bandgap and exhibit an in-plane magnetization orientation. Also they possess extraordinary ferroelasticity with high ferroelastic transition signal and moderate switching barrier. Moreover, the antiferromagnetic and ferroelastic orders in them can be coupled together, leading to the exotic ferroelastic control of in-plane magnetic anisotropy. These phenomena and insights are useful for the fundamental research in antiferromagnetic multiferroics and would enable a wide range of applications in nanodevices.
Understanding cytoskeletal avalanches using mechanical stability analysis
Authors: Floyd Carlos , Levine Herbert , Jarzynski Christopher , Papoian Garegin A.
Published: October 2021

Significance

The cytoskeleton plays a central role in mechanobiology, serving both as a scaffold to support the cell’s shape and as an engine that allows the cell to exert large-scale mechanical forces. A key feature of the cytoskeleton is that it is dynamic, continually remodeling itself to respond to changing cellular needs. We use computer simulations to study this remodeling process, primarily focusing on fluctuations in the system’s mechanical energy. We observe an avalanche-like tendency for energy to accumulate slowly in the network and then dissipate in large amounts during occasional events that involve large collective network motions. This observation is consistent with recent experiments and suggests that the cytoskeleton is highly responsive to time-varying cellular cues.
A designer rice NLR immune receptor confers resistance to the rice blast fungus carrying noncorresponding avirulence effectors
Authors: Liu Yang , Zhang Xin , Yuan Guixin , Wang Dongli , Zheng Yangyang , Ma Mengqi , Guo Liwei , Bhadauria Vijai , Peng You-Liang , Liu Junfeng
Published: October 2021

Significance

In this study, we generated a mutant of the rice nucleotide-binding and leucine-rich repeat (NLR) immunity receptor RGA5 by engineering its heavy metal–associated domain that recognizes the noncorresponding
Magnaporthe oryzae
Avrs- and ToxB-like effector AvrPib and confers resistance in transgenic rice to the blast fungus isolates with AvrPib, which is known to trigger blast resistance in rice cultivars carrying the R gene
Pib
, albeit by unknown mechanisms. Thus, this work demonstrates that integrated domain-containing plant NLR receptors can be engineered to confer resistance to pathogens carrying avirulence effectors that trigger plant immunity by unknown mechanisms, thereby providing a practical approach for developing multilines and cultivars with broad race spectrum resistance.
Machine Learning for Improving Stellar Image-based Alignment in Wide-field Telescopes
Authors: Wu Zhixu , Zhang Yiming , Tang Rongxin , Li Zhengyang , Yuan Xiangyan , Xia Yong , Bai Hua , Li Bo , Chen Zhou , Cui Xiangqun , Deng Xiaohua
Published: October 2021

Stellar images will deteriorate dramatically when the sensitive elements of wide-field survey telescopes are misaligned during an observation, and active alignment is the key technology to maintain the high resolution of wide-field sky survey telescopes. Instead of traditional active alignment based on field-dependent wave front errors, this work proposes a machine learning alignment metrology based on stellar images of the scientific camera, which is more convenient and higher speed. We first theoretically confirm that the pattern of the point-spread function over the field is closely related to the misalignment status, and then the relationships are learned by two-step neural networks. After two-step active alignment, the position errors of misalignment parameters are less than 5 μm for decenter and less than 5″ for tip-tilt in more than 90% of the cases. The precise alignment results indicate that this metrology provides a low-cost and high-speed solution to maintain the image quality of wide-field sky survey telescopes during observation, thus implying important significance and broad application prospects.
h-adic quantum vertex algebras in types B, C, D and their ϕ-coordinated modules
Authors: Kožić Slaven
Published: October 2021

We introduce the h-adic quantum vertex algebras associated with the trigonometric R-matrices in types B, C and D, thus generalizing the well-known Etingof–Kazhdan construction in type A. We show that restricted modules for quantum affine algebras in types B, C and D are naturally equipped with the structure of ϕ-coordinated module for the aforementioned h-adic quantum vertex algebras.
Characteristics of plasma in a novel laser-assisted pulsed plasma thruster
Authors: ZHAO Yuanzheng , ZHANG Yu , WU Jianjun , OU Yang , ZHENG Peng
Published: October 2021

A novel laser-assisted pulsed plasma thruster (LA-PPT) is proposed as an electric propulsion thruster, which separates laser ablation and electromagnetic acceleration. It aims for a higher specific impulse than that achieved with conventional LA-PPTs. Owing to the short-time discharge and the novel configuration, the physical mechanism of the discharge is unclear. Time and spatial-resolved optical emission spectroscopy was applied to investigate the variation in the plasma properties in the thruster discharge channel. The plasma species, electron temperature, and electron density were obtained and discussed. Our investigation revealed that there were H
α
, H
β
, H
γ
, H
ε
atoms, C I, C II, C III, C IV, Cl I, Cl II particles, and a small amount of CH, C3, C2, H2 neutral molecular groups in the plasma. The electron temperature of the discharge channel of the thruster was within 0.6–4.9 eV, and the electron density was within (1.1–3.0)

×

1018 cm−3, which shows that the optical emission spectroscopy method is to measure the electron excitation temperature and electron density in heavy particles. But the Langmuir probe method is to measure the temperature and density of free electrons. The use of laser instead of spark plug as the ignition mode significantly changed the plasma distribution in the discharge channel. Unlike the conventional PPT, which has high electron density near the thruster surface, LA-PPT showed relatively large electron density at the thruster outlet, which increased the thruster specific impulse. In addition, the change in the ignition mode enabled the electron density in the LA-PPT discharge channel to be higher than that in the conventional PPT. This proves that the ignition mode with laser replacing the spark plug effectively optimised the PPT performance.
Global Dam Watch: curated data and tools for management and decision making
Authors: Mulligan Mark , Lehner Bernhard , Zarfl Christiane , Thieme Michele , Beames Penny , van Soesbergen Arnout , Higgins Jonathan , Januchowski-Hartley Stephanie R , Brauman Kate A , De Felice Luca , Wen Qingke , Garcia de Leaniz Carlos , Belletti Barbara , Mandle Lisa , Yang Xiao , Wang Jida , Mazany-Wright Nick
Published: October 2021

Dams, reservoirs, and other water management infrastructure provide benefits, but can also have negative impacts. Dam construction and removal affects progress toward the UN sustainable development goals at local to global scales. Yet, globally-consistent information on the location and characteristics of these structures are lacking, with information often highly localised, fragmented, or inaccessible. A freely available, curated, consistent, and regularly updated global database of existing dams and other instream infrastructure is needed along with open access tools to support research, decision-making and management needs. Here we introduce the Global Dam Watch (GDW) initiative (www.globaldamwatch.org
) whose objectives are: (a) advancing recent efforts to develop a single, globally consistent dam and instream barrier data product for global-scale analyses (the GDW database); (b) bringing together the increasingly numerous global, regional and local dam and instream barrier datasets in a directory of databases (the GDW directory); (c) building tools for the visualisation of dam and instream barrier data and for analyses in support of policy and decision making (the GDW knowledge-base) and (d) advancing earth observation and geographical information system techniques to map a wider range of instream structures and their properties.

Our focus is on all types of anthropogenic instream barriers, though we have started by prioritizing major reservoir dams and run-of-river barriers, for which more information is available. Our goal is to facilitate national-scale, basin-scale and global-scale mapping, analyses and understanding of all instream barriers, their impacts and their role in sustainable development through the provision of publicly accessible information and tools. We invite input and partnerships across sectors to strengthen GDW’s utility and relevance for all, help define database content and knowledge-base tools, and generally expand the reach of GDW as a global hub of impartial academic expertise and policy information regarding dams and other instream barriers.
Study of transcription factor druggabilty for prostate cancer using structure information, gene regulatory networks and protein moonlighting
Authors: Dey Ashmita , Sen Sagnik , Maulik Ujjwal
Published: October 2021

Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related death in men. Metastasis shows poor survival even though the recovery rate is high. In spite of numerous studies regarding prostate carcinoma, multiple questions are still unanswered. In this regards, gene regulatory network can uncover the mechanisms behind cancer progression, and metastasis. Under a feed forward loop, transcription factors (TFs) can be a good druggable candidate. We have proposed a computational model to study the uncertainty of TFs and suggest the appropriate cellular conditions for drug targeting. We have selected feed-forward loops depending on the shared list of the functional annotations among TFs, genes and miRNAs. From the potential feed forward loop cores, six TFs were identified as druggable targets, which include AR, CEBPB, CREB1, ETS1, NFKB1 and RELA. However, TFs are known for their Protein Moonlighting properties, which provide unrelated multi-functionalities within the same or different subcellular localizations. Following that, we have identified such functions that are suitable for drug targeting. On the other hand, we have tried to identify membraneless organelles for providing more specificity to the proposed time and space theory. The study has provided certain possibilities on TF-based therapeutics. The controlled dynamic nature of the TF may have enhanced the chances where TFs can be considered as one of the prime drug targets. Finally, the combination of membranless phase separation and protein moonlighting has provided possible druggable period within the biological clock.
Diagnostic accuracy of a high-sensitivity troponin I assay and external validation of 0/3 h rule out strategies
Authors: van den Berg Patricia , Collinson Paul , Morris Niall , Body Richard
Published: October 2021

Aims 

The timely diagnosis and exclusion of acute coronary syndromes in the Emergency Department (ED) remains a challenge. This study aims to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of a high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I assay (Siemens TNIH) on serial sampling for ED patients as standalone test and in rule-out algorithms as recommendations remain assay specific.

Methods and results 

This secondary analysis from a prospective diagnostic accuracy study at 14 centres included ED patients presenting with chest pain of suspected cardiac nature. Serum drawn on arrival and 3 h later was batchtested for TNIH. The target condition was an adjudicated diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). We evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of absolute and relative delta criteria and four rule-out strategies. Of 802 included patients, 13.8% had AMI. Absolute delta criteria had superior accuracy to relative criteria (C-statistic 0.94 vs. 0.76, P < 0.001). However, no delta criteria achieved >95.5% sensitivity for AMI when used alone. Ruling out AMI with TNIH below the 99th percentile at 0 and 3 h had 88.3% (95% confidence interval 80.8–93.6%) sensitivity. The adapted European Society of Cardiology (ESC) 0/2 h algorithm had higher sensitivity (98.2%) than both High-STEACS (93.7%, P = 0.03) and the ESC 0/3 h algorithm (79.3%, P < 0.001). These pathways ruled out 63%, 74%, and 88% patients, respectively.

Conclusion 

With serial sampling over 3 h, the Siemens TNIH assay should be used with a validated algorithm incorporating bespoke cut-offs and absolute delta criteria. In our analysis, the adapted ESC 0/2 h algorithm had greatest sensitivity. ‘Ruling out’ AMI using the 99th percentile of the assay cannot be recommended.
The Marks of Civilisation: The Special Stigma of Torture
Authors: Farrell Michelle
Published: October 2021

The European Court of Human Rights attached a special stigma to torture in Ireland v United Kingdom, in its interpretation of the distinction between torture and other forms of ill-treatment. The concept is now central to the European Court’s description of torture under article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights. It is, I argue, significant that the Court reached for this particular phrase. I consider the special stigma as a parapraxis facilitating a reading of the Court’s ‘unconscious text’. I connect the power to stigmatise with torture to explore the special stigma’s figurative, material and theological implications. Stigma, with its multi-layered meaning and its deep connections to torture, is useful in working out how Western powers generated their self-images as civilised whilst persisting with practices of torture. With the special stigma, the European Court rehabilitated the civilising standard and resurrected the historic association between torture and stigma.
Bycatch data from ichthyoplankton surveys reveal long-term trends in gelatinous zooplankton in the Norwegian and Barents Seas
Authors: Yaragina Natalia A , Stige Leif Chr , Langangen Øystein
Published: October 2021

Gelatinous zooplankton play important roles as consumers in marine food webs, but the spatial and temporal dynamics of them are difficult to quantify because their fragility makes accurate sampling by traditional gears challenging. As a result, accurately quantified long-term data series targeting this group are scarce. To shed light on the dynamics of three groups of gelatinous zooplankton (medusae, ctenophores, and chaetognaths), we present and analyse time-series on frequency of occurrence and a relative index of abundance for each group recorded as bycatch in ichthyoplankton surveys. The time-series represent two areas (southwestern Barents Sea and northeastern Norwegian Sea), two seasons (spring and summer), and a 35-years period (1959–1993). Results suggest that occurrences of medusae and ctenophores increased from spring to summer in ocean shelf areas, whereas chaetognaths were ubiquitous in both seasons with highest abundance in oceanic areas. Spring occurrences correlated positively with summer occurrences for medusae and chaetognaths but not ctenophores, implying longest prediction horizon for the two first groups. The occurrence of medusae, but not ctenophores and chaetognaths, was consistently higher in warm than cold years. These results suggest that the occurrence and potentially the role of medusae in this arcto-boreal environment is most profound in warm periods.
The Abelian–Nonabelian Correspondence for I-Functions
Authors: Webb Rachel
Published: October 2021

We prove the abelian–nonabelian correspondence for quasimap $I$-functions. That is, if $Z$ is an affine l.c.i. variety with an action by a complex reductive group $G$, we prove an explicit formula relating the quasimap $I$-functions of the geometric invariant theory quotients $Z\mathord{/\mkern -6mu/}_{\theta } G$ and $Z\mathord{/\mkern -6mu/}_{\theta } T$ where $T$ is a maximal torus of $G$. We apply the formula to compute the $J$-functions of some Grassmannian bundles on Grassmannian varieties and Calabi–Yau hypersurfaces in them.
Systematic Review and Meta-analysis on the Incidence, Prevalence and Determinants of Discomfort in Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Nistor Oana-Irina , Godfrey Christina , Ross-White Amanda , Wilson Rosemary
Published: October 2021

Background

The symptom burden in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has a significant negative impact on the health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Patients with IBD report physical, psychological and social discomfort even during remission.

Aim

To synthesize the best available evidence to determine the worldwide incidence, prevalence and determinants of discomfort in adults with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Methods

Following PRISMA recommendations, we searched the Medline, CINAHL, PsycInfo, Embase, Cochrane, Campbell and JBI Evidence Synthesis databases for studies on either incidence or prevalence of discomfort in English until January 2021. Data were extracted using the Joanna Briggs Institute’s standardized extraction tools. Data that directly reported or could be used to calculate the incidence and prevalence of discomfort were extracted. Ten studies were eligible for inclusion in this review. Overall, the methodological quality of the included studies was considered moderate. Data measuring the incidence of discomfort in 6 out of 10 identified studies using the same measurement tool (EQ-5D) were pooled in a meta-analysis. Additional results have been presented in a narrative form, including tables.

Results

There is no standardized definition or tool utilized to describe or measure discomfort in IBD. Synthesized findings demonstrate that discomfort is prevalent among adults living with IBD. Determinants of discomfort included health literacy, disease activity, hospitalization/surgery, age and gender, delayed diagnosis, local practice standards and quality of IBD care.

Conclusions

More research is needed to identify the impact of discomfort on health-related outcomes for people with IBD and consequently appraise discomfort interventions for their efficacy.
Whole genome sequencing confirms Candida albicans and Candida parapsilosis microsatellite sporadic and persistent clones causing outbreaks of candidemia in neonates
Authors: Guinea Jesús , Mezquita Sergio , Gómez Ana , Padilla Belén , Zamora Elena , Sánchez-Luna Manuel , Sánchez-Carrillo Carlos , Muñoz Patricia , Escribano Pilar
Published: October 2021

Whole genome sequencing has been extensively used to describe infection outbreaks, although with limited application on Candida albicans and Candida parapsilosis.

We retrospectively studied all patients admitted to the neonatal care unit diagnosed with candidemia caused by C. albicans (n = 46) or C. parapsilosis (n = 31) between 2007 and 2010 (Period 1) and 2011 and 2014 (Period 2). All isolates were genotyped by microsatellite markers. A cluster was defined as a group of ≥ 2 patients infected by strains with identical genotypes. For the validation of microsatellite markers and outbreak investigation, phylogenetic analyses and whole genome pairwise strain comparisons were performed.

The number of episodes was significantly higher in Period 1 than in Period 2 (51 vs 32; P = 0.003); the reduction in the number of cases coincided with the educational campaign for catheter care implementation in 2011. Overall, eight genotypes were clusters involving 29 patients. All C. albicans (n = 5) and C. parapsilosis (n = 3) clusters were found during Period 1 before the educational campaign. No statistically significant differences were found between the percentage of C. albicans and C. parapsilosis clusters, but the percentage of patients associated to the clusters was significantly higher for C. parapsilosis clusters in comparison to C. albicans clusters (52% vs 28.2%; P = 0.03). Whole genome sequencing confirmed microsatellite-defined clusters with high bootstrap values.

Whole genome sequences confirmed microsatellite-defined clusters, corroborating the presence of outbreaks. Persistent or sporadic Candida clusters causing candidemia in neonates disappeared after the implementation of catheter care educational campaigns.

Lay Abstract

We retrospectively studied all patients admitted to the neonatal care unit diagnosed with candidemia caused by C. albicans or C. parapsilosis. Reliable whole genome sequences confirmed microsatellite-defined clusters, corroborating the presence of outbreaks before educational campaigns for catheter care.
Non-standard mechanism of recombination in the early Universe
Authors: Kereselidze Tamaz , Noselidze Irakli , Ogilvie John F
Published: October 2021

In our recent papers, a non-standard quasi-molecular mechanism was suggested and applied to treat the cosmological recombination. It was assumed that, in the pre-recombination stage of evolution of the Universe, an electron combined with two neighbouring protons and created a hydrogen molecular ion, $\mathrm{ H}_2^+$ in a highly excited state, which then descended into the lower lying state or dissociated. In this work, we implement a quantitative analysis of this quasi-molecular mechanism of recombination; namely, we elaborate the scheme of calculation for a free–bound radiative transition. We show that the quasi-molecular mechanism played a significant role in the pre-recombination and recombination stages of evolution of the early Universe, and hence must be included into the consideration of the description of a thermal history of the Universe. Together with the earlier developed treatment of bound–bound radiative transitions in $\mathrm{ H}_2^+$, the elaborated scheme of calculation can be used for the design of a rapid and complete cosmological recombination code.
Zodiacal exoplanets in time – XIII. Planet orbits and atmospheres in the V1298 Tau system, a keystone in studies of early planetary evolution
Authors: Gaidos E , Hirano T , Beichman C , Livingston J , Harakawa H , Hodapp K W , Ishizuka M , Jacobson S , Konishi M , Kotani T , Kudo T , Kurokawa T , Kuzuhara M , Nishikawa J , Omiya M , Serizawa T , Tamura M , Ueda A , Vievard S
Published: October 2021

Studies of planetary systems of stars in star-forming regions and young clusters open a window on the formative stages of planetary evolution. We obtained high-cadence high-resolution infrared spectroscopy of the solar-mass Taurus association-member V1298 Tau during a transit of its 10R⊕-size ‘b’ planet. We measured the systemic radial velocity (RV) and find that the kinematics of V1298 Tau suggest an affiliation with a ≳6 Myr-old subgroup. A comparison of V1298 Tau and the nearby, co-moving star 2M0405 with stellar evolution models suggests an age of ∼10–25 Myr. We measured the projected spin-orbit angle of ‘b’ as $\lambda =15_{-16}^{+15}$ and $\lambda = 2_{-4}^{+12}$ degrees using the apparent RV shift and change in line profile, respectively, induced by the transient occultation of the rotating star by the planet. These values indicate a prograde orbit like that of the interior ‘c’ planet of V1298 Tau and point to a co-planar multiplanet system that formed within a disc. We also measured variation in the strength of the 1083 nm triplet of neutral orthohelium as a probe of any extended/escaping atmosphere around ‘b’. We detect a steady decrease in absorption over the transit that appears to arise from the star or its planetary system. While this variation could be ascribed to ‘b’ or possibly to the immediately preceding transit of ‘d’, we cannot rule out that this is due to rapid variation in the stellar disc-integrated flux in the triplet. The amplitude of variation (∼0.04 nm) is consistent with moderate estimates of atmospheric escape driven by XUV radiation from the central star.
5 yr of BRITE-Constellation photometry of the luminous blue variable P Cygni: properties of the stochastic low-frequency variability
Authors: Elliott Ashley , Richardson Noel D , Pablo Herbert , Moffat Anthony F J , Bowman Dominic M , Ibrahim Nour , Handler Gerald , Lovekin Catherine , Popowicz Adam , St-Louis Nicole , Wade Gregg A , Zwintz Konstanze
Published: October 2021

Luminous Blue Variables (LBVs) are massive stars that are likely to be a transitionary phase between O stars and hydrogen-free classical Wolf–Rayet stars. The variability of these stars has been an area of study for both professional and amateur astronomers for more than a century. In this paper, we present 5 yr of precision photometry of the classical LBV P Cygni taken with the BRITE-Constellation nanosatellites. We have analyzed these data with Fourier analysis to search for periodicities that could elucidate the drivers of variability for these stars. These data show some long-time-scale variability over the course of all six calendar years of observations, but the frequencies needed to reproduce the individual light curves are not consistent from 1 yr to the next. These results likely show that there is no periodic phenomenon present for P Cygni, meaning that the variability is largely stochastic. We interpret the data as being caused by internal gravity waves similar to those seen in other massive stars, with P Cygni exhibiting a larger amplitude and lower characteristic frequency than the main-sequence or blue supergiant stars previously studied. These results show evidence that LBVs may be an extrapolation of the blue supergiants, which have previously been shown to be an extension of main-sequence stars in the context of the stochastic low-frequency photometric variability.
Automatic quantification and grading of hip bone marrow oedema in ankylosing spondylitis based on deep learning
Authors: Han Qing , Lu Yunfei , Han Jie , Luo AnLin , Huang LuGuang , Ding Jin , Zhang Kui , Zheng Zhaohui , Jia JunFeng , Liang Qiang , Gou Shuiping , Zhu Ping
Published: October 2021

Objective

This study has developed a new automatic algorithm for the quantificationy and grading of ankylosing spondylitis (AS)-hip arthritis with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Methods

(1) This study designs a new segmentation network based on deep learning, and a classification network based on deep learning. (2) We train the segmentation model and classification model with the training data and validate the performance of the model. (3) The segmentation results of inflammation in MRI images were obtained and the hip joint was quantified using the segmentation results.

Results

A retrospective analysis was performed on 141 cases; 101 patients were included in the derived cohort and 40 in the validation cohort. In the derivation group, median percentage of bone marrow oedema (BME) for each grade was as follows: 36% for grade 1 (<15%), 42% for grade 2 (15–30%),and 22% for grade 3 (≥30%). The accuracy of 44 cases on 835 AS images was 85.7%. Our model made 31 correct decisions out of 40 AS test cases. This study showed that THE accuracy rate 85.7%.

Conclusions

An automatic computer-based analysis of MRI has the potential of being a useful method for the diagnosis and grading of AS hip BME.
Groups and Social Boundaries
Authors: Fuhse Jan
Published: October 2021

Social groups were a key concept in early sociology (German formal sociology, symbolic interactionism). Since the 1960s, they have been replaced by “social network” as the prime concept for informal social structures. We rarely find the bounded and internally homogeneous social units suggested by the group concept in the real world. Instead, individuals are embedded in a complex mesh of social relationships. Building on relational sociology, we can reconceptualize groups as a particular case of densely connected network patterns of social relationships. These exist only by degree, to the extent that they are reinforced by a social boundary separating the group members symbolically from the outside world and by foci of activity for the group to meet. Densely connected groups develop a particular group culture, and they frequently use symbols to signal group membership and the cultural difference to other groups and to the wider cultural context (group style).