bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Correlating Skeletal Muscle Output Force and Intramuscular Pressure Via a Three-Dimensional Finite Element Muscle Model
Authors: El Bojairami Ibrahim , Driscoll Mark
Published: November 2021

The inclusion of muscle pressure in muscle models may have important implications in biomechanics. This notion builds from the known correlation between muscle contractile force and internal pressure. However, this relation is often omitted in numerical models leveraged to study biomechanics. Thus, the purpose of this study was to develop and validate a method of modeling muscles, via finite elements, inclusive of the correlation between muscle contractile force and intramuscular pressure. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-scanned tibialis anterior muscle was modeled via a simple, yet easily scalable, mixed shell and pressure finite element model. Then a validation study was conducted on intramuscular pressure, resulting from applied muscle contractile force, through leveraging special fluid elements type. The fluid–structure-based model and adopted methods exhibited muscle forces and intramuscular pressure that were highly linearly correlated. Indirect validation was achieved with a maximum discrepancy of 7.25%. Furthermore, force-length curves followed a trend similar to documented conventional muscle data, which added to the model's validity. Mesh, material properties, and tendon stiffness sensitivity studies supported the model's robustness. This study has introduced a novel three-dimensional finite element modeling method that respects the physiological force and intramuscular pressure relationship. Although similar models have been previously explored, their complex physiological representation and time-consuming solvers make their scalability and real-time implementation questionable. Thus, the developed model may address such limitations while improving the realism of volumetric finite element models inclusive of muscle contribution.
Multiscale Computational Model Predicts Mouse Skin Kinematics Under Tensile Loading
Authors: Witt Nathan J. , Woessner Alan E. , Quinn Kyle P. , Sander Edward A.
Published: November 2021

Skin is a complex tissue whose biomechanical properties are generally understood in terms of an incompressible material whose microstructure undergoes affine deformations. A growing number of experiments, however, have demonstrated that skin has a high Poisson's ratio, substantially decreases in volume during uniaxial tensile loading, and demonstrates collagen fiber kinematics that are not affine with local deformation. In order to better understand the mechanical basis for these properties, we constructed multiscale mechanical models (MSM) of mouse skin based on microstructural multiphoton microscopy imaging of the dermal microstructure acquired during mechanical testing. Three models that spanned the cases of highly aligned, moderately aligned, and nearly random fiber networks were examined and compared to the data acquired from uniaxially stretched skin. Our results demonstrate that MSMs consisting of networks of matched fiber organization can predict the biomechanical behavior of mouse skin, including the large decrease in tissue volume and nonaffine fiber kinematics observed under uniaxial tension.
Analytical Multi-Parametric Design Optimization for the Miniaturization of Flip-Chip Package
Authors: Ng Fei Chong , Abas Mohamad Aizat
Published: November 2021

Recent advances in the micro-electronics industry have increased the demand for smaller and more compact package devices with higher performance. This paper presents an analytical multiparametric design optimization approach for the miniaturization of flip-chip package, while considering the filling time of the subsequent underfill encapsulation process. The design optimization approach was based on the latest regional segregation-based analytical filling time model. Numerical simulation was conducted to verify the governed analytical model. The discrepancies in the filling times are less than 9.9%, and the predicted critical bump pitch has a low deviation of 4.1%, affirming that both the analytical and numerical models were in great consensus. The variation effects of bump pitch, gap height, and contact angle on the filling time were analyzed and discussed thoroughly. Both the critical bump pitch and the critical gap height were computed and fitted into respective empirical equations. Subsequently, a new multiparametric design optimization approach based on the thresholding and criticality of underfill parameters was proposed to determine the optimum parameters that yield to the most compact flip-chip package with acceptable low filling time during the encapsulation process. Lastly, this proposed optimization technique was tested on the four flip-chips used in a previously published underfill experiment.
Using Simulation-Based Active Learning Strategies for Teaching Biofluids Concepts
Authors: Mukherjee Debanjan , Barker Alex J.
Published: November 2021

Biofluids comprises a core topical domain for modern biomedical engineering education. Like other biomedical topic areas, biofluids education must address highly interdisciplinary and applied topics. Concept/problem-based active learning approaches can provide effective avenues to teach such diverse and applied topics. However, with the heterogeneity within biofluids topics across cellular, physiological, and/or extra-organismal scales, it is important to develop active learning content that enables students to explore concepts with appropriate context. This challenge is further complicated by the need to administer such content remotely (due to the Covid-19 pandemic). Here, we outline our design process and implementation experience for simulation-based active learning modules for a newly developed physiological biofluids course. We share the overall design approach, with two example cases of simulation-based concept exploration: (a) arterial Windkessel effects and lumped parameter hemodynamic analysis; and (b) curvature-induced helical flow in human aorta illustrated using four-dimensional (4D) flow magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Evidence from student survey ratings, student comments and feedback, and monitoring student performance for course deliverables indicate positive student response toward these modules, and efficacy of the modules in enabling student learning. Based on our design and implementation experience, we argue that simulation-based approaches can enable active learning of biofluids through remote and online learning modalities.
Deletion of
Abi3
gene locus exacerbates neuropathological features of Alzheimer’s disease in a mouse model of Aβ amyloidosis
Authors: Karahan Hande , Smith Daniel C. , Kim Byungwook , Dabin Luke C. , Al-Amin Md Mamun , Wijeratne H. R. Sagara , Pennington Taylor , Viana di Prisco Gonzalo , McCord Brianne , Lin Peter Bor-chian , Li Yuxin , Peng Junmin , Oblak Adrian L. , Chu Shaoyou , Atwood Brady K. , Kim Jungsu
Published: November 2021

A cytoskeleton-associated protein regulates microglial function and affects Alzheimer’s disease phenotypes.
Spiral self-assembly of lamellar micelles into multi-shelled hollow nanospheres with unique chiral architecture
Authors: Peng Liang , Peng Huarong , Liu Yu , Wang Xiao , Hung Chin-Te , Zhao Zaiwang , Chen Gang , Li Wei , Mai Liqiang , Zhao Dongyuan
Published: November 2021

Shearing flow induced spiral self-assembly of multi-shelled nanospheres with unusual chirality in block copolymer micelle system.
Efficient nonreciprocal mode transitions in spatiotemporally modulated acoustic metamaterials
Authors: Chen Zhaoxian , Peng Yugui , Li Haoxiang , Liu Jingjing , Ding Yujiang , Liang Bin , Zhu Xue-Feng , Lu Yanqing , Cheng Jianchun , Alù Andrea
Published: November 2021

Dynamically modulated metasurface breaks Lorentz symmetry and realizes nonreciprocal sound manipulation.
In Vitro
Virulence Potential, Surface Attachment, and Transcriptional Response of Sublethally Injured Listeria monocytogenes following Exposure to Peracetic Acid
Authors: Siderakou Danae , Zilelidou Evangelia , Poimenidou Sofia , Paramithiotis Spiros , Mavrogonatou Eleni , Zoumpopoulou Georgia , Tsipra Ioanna , Kletsas Dimitris , Tsakalidou Effie , Skandamis Panagiotis N.
Published: November 2021

L. monocytogenes
is the causative agent of listeriosis, a serious foodborne illness. Antimicrobial practices such as disinfectants used for the elimination of this pathogen in the food industry can produce a sublethally injured population fraction.
Imported One-Day-Old Chicks as Trojan Horses for Multidrug-Resistant Priority Pathogens Harboring
mcr-9
,
rmtG
, and Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase Genes
Authors: Coppola Nadia , Cordeiro Nicolás F. , Trenchi Gustavo , Esposito Fernanda , Fuga Bruna , Fuentes-Castillo Danny , Lincopan Nilton , Iriarte Andrés , Bado Inés , Vignoli Rafael
Published: November 2021

Antimicrobial resistance is considered a significant problem for global health, including within the concept of One Health; therefore, the food chain connects human and animal health directly. In this work, we searched for microorganisms resistant to antibiotics considered critical for human health in intestinal microbiota of 1-day-old baby chicks imported to Uruguay from Brazil.
Uncovering Bleomycin-Induced Genomic Alterations and Underlying Mechanisms in the Yeast
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Zheng Dao-Qiong , Wang Yu-Ting , Zhu Ying-Xuan , Sheng Huan , Li Ke-Jing , Sui Yang , Zhang Ke
Published: November 2021

Bleomycin is an antitumor antibiotic that can mutate genomic DNA. Using yeast models in combination with genome sequencing, the mutational signatures of Zeocin (a member of the bleomycin family) are disclosed.
Diagnostic Tests for Detecting Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae in Rectal and Pharyngeal Specimens
Authors: Adamson Paul C. , Klausner Jeffrey D.
Published: November 2021

Chlamydia trachomatis
and
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
are two of the most often reported bacterial infections in the United States. The rectum and oropharynx are important anatomic sites of infection and can contribute to ongoing transmission.
Structure-Function Analysis of Two Interacting Vaccinia Proteins That Are Critical for Viral Morphogenesis: L2 and A30.5
Authors: Carten Juliana Debrito , Greseth Matthew , Traktman Paula
Published: November 2021

Vaccinia virus is a large, enveloped DNA virus that was successfully used as the vaccine against smallpox. Vaccinia continues to be an invaluable biomedical research tool in basic research and in gene therapy vector and vaccine development.
BST2 Suppresses LINE-1 Retrotransposition by Reducing the Promoter Activity of LINE-1 5′ UTR
Authors: Zhao Yifei , Du Juan , Wang Yu , Wang Qing , Wang Shaohua , Zhao Ke
Published: November 2021

BST2 is a potent antiviral protein that suppresses the release of several enveloped viruses, mainly by tethering the envelope of newly synthesized virions and restraining them on the surface of producer cells. In mammalian cells, there are numerous DNA elements replicating through reverse transcription, among which LINE-1 is the only retroelement that can replicate autonomously.
Selection of HIV Envelope Strains for Standardized Assessments of Vaccine-Elicited Antibody-Dependent Cellular Cytotoxicity-Mediating Antibodies
Authors: Mielke Dieter , Stanfield-Oakley Sherry , Borate Bhavesh , Fisher Leigh H. , Faircloth Katelyn , Tuyishime Marina , Greene Kelli , Gao Hongmei , Williamson Carolyn , Morris Lynn , Ochsenbauer Christina , Tomaras Georgia , Haynes Barton F. , Montefiori David , Pollara Justin , deCamp Allan C. , Ferrari Guido
Published: November 2021

Antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) responses were found to correlate with reduced risk of infection in the RV144 trial of the only human HIV-1 vaccine to show any efficacy to date. However, reagents to understand the breadth and magnitude of these responses across preclinical and clinical vaccine trials remain underdeveloped.
Factors Influencing Distribution of Coccidioides immitis in Soil, Washington State, 2016
Authors: Chow Nancy A. , Kangiser David , Gade Lalitha , McCotter Orion Z. , Hurst Steven , Salamone Amy , Wohrle Ron , Clifford Wayne , Kim Sunkyung , Salah Zainab , Oltean Hanna N. , Plumlee Geoffrey S. , Litvintseva Anastasia P.
Published: November 2021

Coccidioidomycosis is considered a highly endemic disease for which geographic range is likely to expand from climate change. A better understanding of the ecological niche of
Coccidioides
spp. is essential for generating accurate distribution maps and predicting future changes in response to the changing environment.
Durable Immunity to Ricin Toxin Elicited by a Thermostable, Lyophilized Subunit Vaccine
Authors: Novak Hayley , Doering Jennifer , Ehrbar Dylan , Donini Oreola , Mantis Nicholas J.
Published: November 2021

Ricin toxin (RT) is a notorious biothreat, as exposure to even trace amounts via injection or inhalation can induce organ failure and death within a matter of hours. In this study, we advance the preclinical testing of a candidate RT vaccine known as RiVax.
Molecular Analysis of
bla
KPC-2
-Harboring Plasmids: Tn
4401a
Interplasmid Transposition and Tn
4401a
-Carrying ColRNAI Plasmid Mobilization from Klebsiella pneumoniae to Citrobacter europaeus and Morganella morganii in a Single Patient
Authors: Sugita Kayoko , Aoki Kotaro , Komori Kohji , Nagasawa Tatsuya , Ishii Yoshikazu , Iwata Satoshi , Tateda Kazuhiro
Published: November 2021

Plasmid transfer plays an important role in the interspecies spread of carbapenemase genes, including the
Klebsiella pneumoniae
carbapenemase (KPC)-coding gene,
bla
KPC
. We conducted whole-genome sequencing (WGS) analysis and transmission experiments to analyze
bla
KPC-2
-carrying mobile genetic elements (MGEs) between the
bla
KPC-2
-harboring
K. pneumoniae
,
Citrobacter europaeus
, and
Morganella morganii
strains isolated from a single patient.
bla
KPC-2
was contained within an MGE, Tn
4401a
.
Surface Water Intrusion, Land Use Impacts, and Bacterial Community Composition in Shallow Groundwater Wells Supplying Potable Water in Sparsely Populated Areas of a Boreal Region
Authors: Lyons Kevin J. , Hokajärvi Anna-Maria , Ikonen Jenni , Kauppinen Ari , Miettinen Ilkka T. , Pitkänen Tarja , Rossi Pekka M. , Kujala Katharina
Published: November 2021

Standard physicochemical water quality analyses and microbial indicator analyses leave much of the (largely uncultured) complexity of groundwater microbial communities unexplored. This study combined these standard methods with additional analyses of stable water isotopes, bacterial community data, and environmental data about the surrounding areas to investigate the associations between physicochemical and microbial properties of 28 shallow groundwater wells in Finland.
Staphylococcus aureus Genomes Harbor Only MpsAB-Like Bicarbonate Transporter but Not Carbonic Anhydrase as Dissolved Inorganic Carbon Supply System
Authors: Fan Sook-Ha , Liberini Elisa , Götz Friedrich
Published: November 2021

The discrepancies in the current literature and even in NCBI database, which listed some protein sequences annotated as
Staphylococcus aureus
carbonic anhydrase (CA), are misleading. One of the existing problems in publicly available sequence databases is the presence of incorrectly annotated genes, especially if they originated from unfinished genomes.
Evaluating
de Novo
Assembly and Binning Strategies for Time Series Drinking Water Metagenomes
Authors: Vosloo Solize , Huo Linxuan , Anderson Christopher L. , Dai Zihan , Sevillano Maria , Pinto Ameet
Published: November 2021

Drinking water contains phylogenetic diverse groups of bacteria, archaea, and eukarya that affect the esthetic quality of water, water infrastructure, and public health. Taxonomic, metabolic, and ecological inferences of the drinking water microbiome depend on the accuracy, quality, and completeness of genomes that are reconstructed through the application of genome-resolved metagenomics.
Erratum to: 3D Numerical Modeling of the Summit Lake Lava Flow, Yellowstone, USA
Authors: Tsepelev I. A. , Ismail-Zadeh A. T. , Melnik O. E.
Published: November 2021

An Erratum to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1134/S1069351321120016
Should children be vaccinated against COVID-19?
Authors: Zimmermann Petra , Pittet Laure F , Finn Adam , Pollard Andrew J , Curtis Nigel
Published: November 2021

Whether all children under 12 years of age should be vaccinated against COVID-19 remains an ongoing debate. The relatively low risk posed by acute COVID-19 in children, and uncertainty about the relative harms from vaccination and disease mean that the balance of risk and benefit of vaccination in this age group is more complex. One of the key arguments for vaccinating healthy children is to protect them from long-term consequences. Other considerations include population-level factors, such as reducing community transmission, vaccine supply, cost, and the avoidance of quarantine, school closures and other lockdown measures. The emergence of new variants of concern necessitates continual re-evaluation of the risks and benefits. In this review, we do not argue for or against vaccinating children against COVID-19 but rather outline the points to consider and highlight the complexity of policy decisions on COVID-19 vaccination in this age group.
Cre/CysC ratio may predict muscle composition and is associated with glucose disposal ability and macrovascular disease in patients with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Yang Qing , Zhang Mei , Sun Peng , Li Yanying , Xu Huichao , Wang Kejun , Shen Hongshan , Ban Bo , Liu Fupeng
Published: November 2021

Introduction

Since the ratio of creatinine to cystatin C (Cre/CysC) can reflect muscle volume, it has been proven to be a predictor of sarcopenia in patients with or without diabetes. Here, we investigated the predictive value of Cre/CysC for the skeletal muscle composition and its correlations with glucose disposal ability and diabetic complications in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Research design and methods

The skeletal muscle index (SMI) and mean skeletal muscle attenuation (MMA) values of 193 patients with type 2 diabetes were obtained through analyses of CT images at the lumbar 3 level.

Results

Serum Cre/CysC was significantly correlated with both the SMI (r=0.375, p<0.001) and MMA (r=0.378, p<0.001). Multiple stepwise linear regression analysis demonstrated that Cre/CysC was the only biochemical predictor of the SMI (β=0.48 (95% CI 0.02 to 0.94)) and MMA (β=0.57 (95% CI 0.14 to 1.01)). Furthermore, the fat mass index (FMI) was significantly associated with the MMA (r=−0.481, p<0.001) but not the SMI (r=0.101, p=0.164). In the diabetic complications analysis, Cre/CysC was significantly lower in patients with cardiovascular disease (95% CI (−1.47 to –0.22), p=0.008) and lower extremity arterial disease (95% CI (−1.44 to –0.29), p=0.004). Moreover, in the 100 g steamed bun test, Cre/CysC was significantly correlated with glucose levels at 60 min (r=−0.162, p=0.045), 120 min (r=−0.287, p<0.001) and 180 min (r=−0.313, p<0.001).

Conclusions

Cre/CysC may be a valuable predictor of skeletal muscle composition in type 2 diabetes. Patients with a higher Cre/CysC may have a better ability to dispose of postprandial glucose and are at a lower risk of macrovascular disease.
Ask the people: developing guidelines for genomic research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
Authors: Kaladharan Sid , Vidgen Miranda E , Pearson John V , Donoghue Victoria K , Whiteman David C , Waddell Nicola , Pratt Gregory
Published: November 2021

In health and medical research, guidelines are a set of statements and recommendations, whereby experts or stakeholders assess published literature to generate practical advice for a specific audience. This emphasis on guidelines development with expert consultation and published literature is not practical or inclusive when working in disciplines with minimal data and addressing issues that concern under-represented communities. Here we describe the process used for developing guidelines for the conduct of genomic research projects in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. A new technology with individual and community level ethical and social implications, and First Nations peoples with cultural and community expectations for research. We developed the guidelines through a consultation process that used participatory action research to engage with various stakeholders during multiple rounds of tailored activities. The end product, ‘Genomic Partnerships: Guidelines for Genomics Research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of Queensland’ reflects the needs of the end-users and perspectives of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, communities and organisations that participated. Through this process, we have identified recommendations for developing guidelines with other under-represented communities.
Effect of milk supplementation on the status of micronutrients among rural school children aged 5–19 years in a tribal predominating district of India
Authors: Kumar Chandramani , Rana Rishabh Kumar , Kumar Mithilesh , Kujur Anit , Kashyap Vivek , Singh Shashi Bhushan , Sagar Vidya , Kumari Neelanjali , Kumar Dewesh
Published: November 2021

Background

In the tribal state of Jharkhand, there have been very few studies on micronutrient deficiency and how it is addressed among school children. This study was conceived and undertaken to assess the effect of milk supplementation on the micronutrient status of school children.

Design

A comparative observational study was conducted among school children of a tribal district in India during 2017–2018. Two groups of schools/clusters were randomly selected, one with milk supplementation and the other without supplementation. A total of 318 children from the two groups of schools were recruited for biochemical analysis of certain micronutrients, such as calcium, vitamin D, vitamin B12and iron (haemoglobin level), using cluster random sampling. Data were analysed using SPSS V.20.0 software, and multiple logistic regression analysis was done to determine the predictors of serum calcium and vitamin B12level among school children.

Results

Almost all children from both groups had vitamin D deficiency. A higher risk of lower serum vitamin B12level (OR 2.59, 95% CI 1.61 to 4.16) and calcium level (OR 3.36, 95% CI 1.74 to 6.49) was observed in children of the control group. The difference in the proportion of anaemia in the two study groups was found to be statistically insignificant. Milk consumption was found to be the only significant predictor of normal vitamin B12and calcium level in the present study.

Conclusions

In this study, it was concluded that milk consumption may help in improving the calcium and vitamin B12status of school children of a tribal state, whereas it does not have any significant effect on vitamin D level.
Evaluating the impact of a national strategic leader development programme for UK doctors: myth-busting, mind-changing, mood-enhancing
Authors: McKimm Judy , Lees Peter , Armit Kirsten , Mills Chloe
Published: November 2021

Background

The drive towards engaging UK doctors in clinical leadership and management has involved many initiatives at various levels.

Methods

This paper reports on the findings of an in-depth evaluation of a national medical leadership programme for doctors in the late stages of specialty or general practitioner (GP) training or have just become consultants or GPs.

Results

The evaluation clearly demonstrates the impact of this programme and the benefits for the individuals and organisations involved, particularly around stimulating a shift in mood and a major mindset shift in what medical leadership is (and is not) and what they can achieve as medical leaders. The programme structure and activities allowed participants to learn from a range of senior decision-makers about policy and strategic developments and processes. However, the evaluation also highlighted that some pervasive myths still exist around medical leadership and management which, if not addressed, will hamper efforts to fully engage doctors in taking on strategic leadership roles.

Conclusion

Clinical leadership programmes are valuable, but must be carefully managed to extract the full value from them.
Endovascular biopsy of a sigmoid sinus lesion using a stent retriever and aspiration catheter
Authors: Khatibi Kasra , Saber Hamidreza , Javahery Ramin , Kaneko Naoki , Ponce Mejia Lucido Luciano , Tateshima Satoshi
Published: November 2021

A teenager with a history of acute myeloid leukemia presented with headache, nausea and blurry vision over a 2 week period. The MRI of the brain was concerning for the presence of a myeloid sarcoma within the right sigmoid sinus. For evaluation of venous obstruction and the underlying lesion the patient underwent a cerebral angiogram and transvenous biopsy of the sigmoid sinus lesion using a stent retriever and aspiration catheter. The tissue extracted was consistent with myeloid sarcoma. This pathologic finding was consistent with the recurrence of leukemia and guided the targeted oncologic treatment.
Nonlinear soil–structure behavior of a deployable and compliant anchor system
Authors: Sychterz Ann C. , Bernardi Isabella , Tom Joe G. , Beemer Ryan D.
Published: November 2021

This paper presents a novel compliant geo-structural systems bio-inspired by awns on grass seeds for increasing anchor capacity while minimizing material usage. A compliant deployable structure is here defined as a system that reacts to global displacements by continued elastic shape change and awns are slender flexible structures rigidly connected to the exterior of an anchor. When the anchor is loaded in tension, the awns react off the soil mass and deploy outwards from the pile shaft, enabling space-saving measures for transportation. This paper creates a structural pushover model to establish awn deformations and stress values, a scale model of the compliant system fabricated using additive manufacturing, geo-plasticity numerical models of soil awn interaction, and a finite element model of an example application. This research elucidates the soil displacement mechanisms around the awns, the structural deformation of individual awns, and the enhancement of overall anchor capacity due to awn deployment.
Assessing the ability of the growing degree-day metric to explain variation in size-at-age and duration-to-moult of lobsters and crabs
Authors: Steele Reid W. , Neuheimer Anna B.
Published: November 2021

Environmental temperature directly controls the rate at which ectotherms grow and develop. The growing degree-day metric (GDD, °C·day) scales time by temperature to create a thermal time scale relevant to ectothermic organisms. Here we assess the ability of GDD to model size-at-age and duration-to-moult in 15 datasets (9 size-at-age, 6 duration-to-moult) comprising 7 species of lobsters and crabs. We applied generalized linear models to assess the ability of GDD vs. “calendar” time to explain growth and development observations within and across trials. Best-fit models included GDD with fewer parameters in 6 of 9 size-at-age and 5 of 6 duration-to-moult datasets and a better fit to the data in 6 of 9 size-at-age datasets. Our results show that the individual growth of lobster and crab species can be modelled using thermal time models. Such models can be used to identify thermal tolerance limits, predict growth under varying temperature conditions and disentangle temperature effects from those of other factors affecting individual growth and development, resulting in improved growth models for field conditions including fisheries management.
Retrospective analysis of marine growth and relationships to return rates of Penobscot River Atlantic salmon
Authors: Barajas Miguel F. , Sheehan Timothy F. , Haas-Castro Ruth E. , Ellingson Brandon , Mills Katherine E.
Published: November 2021

Beginning in the 1980s, return rates of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) to the Penobscot River, Maine, USA, declined and have persisted at low levels. This downturn coincided with similar declines in North American and European Atlantic salmon stocks and with changes in the Northwest Atlantic ecosystem. Previous studies investigated whether early marine growth explained the declines, but results varied, with decreased growth associated with declines in European stocks but not North American stocks. In this study, we evaluate whether growth over the entire marine stage is related to Atlantic salmon marine survival. We constructed a growth time series from scales of returned Penobscot River Atlantic salmon spanning periods of varying marine survival. We used analysis of variance (ANOVA) and post hoc tests to quantify seasonal growth increment differences and principal component analysis to characterize variability among the suite of growth increments. We observed reduced growth during the second winter and second marine year starting in the 1990s, with compensatory seasonal growth relationships. These results indicate that diminished growth during late marine stages is associated with low return rates in this population.
Model compression and simplification pipelines for fast deep neural network inference in FPGAs in HEP
Authors: Francescato Simone , Giagu Stefano , Riti Federica , Russo Graziella , Sabetta Luigi , Tortonesi Federico
Published: November 2021

Resource utilization plays a crucial role for successful implementation of fast real-time inference for deep neural networks (DNNs) and convolutional neural networks (CNNs) on latest generation of hardware accelerators (FPGAs, SoCs, ACAPs, GPUs). To fulfil the needs of the triggers that are in development for the upgraded LHC detectors, we have developed a multi-stage compression approach based on conventional compression strategies (pruning and quantization) to reduce the memory footprint of the model and knowledge transfer techniques, crucial to streamline the DNNs simplifying the synthesis phase in the FPGA firmware and improving explainability. We present the developed methodologies and the results of the implementation in a working engineering pipeline used as pre-processing stage to high level synthesis tools (HLS4ML, Xilinx Vivado HLS, etc.). We show how it is possible to build ultra-light deep neural networks in practice, by applying the method to a realistic HEP use-case: a toy simulation of one of the triggers planned for the HL-LHC.
A new theoretical study of the deformed unequal scalar and vector Hellmann plus modified Kratzer potentials within the deformed Klein–Gordon equation in RNCQM symmetries
Authors: Maireche Abdelmadjid
Published: November 2021

In this paper, within the framework of relativistic quantum mechanics and using the improved approximation scheme to the centrifugal term for any [Formula: see text]states via Bopp’s shift method and standard perturbation theory, we have obtained the modified energy eigenvalues of a newly proposed modified unequal vector and scalar Hellmann plus modified Kratzer potentials (DUVSHMK-Ps) for some diatomic N2, I2, CO, NO, O2 and HCl molecules. This study includes corrections of the first-order in noncommutativity parameters [Formula: see text]. This potential is a superposition of the attractive Coulomb Yukawa potential plus the Kratzer potential and new central terms appear as a result of the effects of noncommutativity properties of space–space. The obtained energy eigenvalues appear as a function of noncommutativity parameters, the strength parameters [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] of the (scalar vector) Hellmann potential, the screening range parameter [Formula: see text], the dissociation energy of the vector, and scalar potential [Formula: see text], the equilibrium inter-nuclear distance [Formula: see text] in addition to the atomic quantum numbers [Formula: see text]. Furthermore, we obtained the corresponding modified energy of DUVSHMK-Ps in the symmetries of non-relativistic noncommutative quantum mechanics (NRNCQM). In both relativistic and non-relativistic problems, we show that the corrections on the spectrum energy are smaller than the main energy in the ordinary cases of RQM and NRQM.
Controlled cyclic remote state preparation of single-qutrit equatorial states
Authors: Shi Jin
Published: November 2021

The scheme for controlled unidirectional cyclic remote state preparation of single-qutrit equatorial states is put forward. Alice, Bob, Charlie, and David share a seven-qutrit entangled state as the quantum channel. Under the control of David, Alice can remotely prepare a single-qutrit equatorial state at Bob’s site, Bob can remotely prepare a single-qutrit equatorial state at Charlie’s site, Charlie can remotely prepare a single-qutrit equatorial state at Alice’s site simultaneously. The direction of controlled unidirectional cyclic remote state preparation can be reversed by changing measured qutrits of the quantum channel. The scheme for controlled bidirectional cyclic remote state preparation of single-qutrit equatorial states is also proposed. The schemes can be generalized to controlled unidirectional and bidirectional multi-party cyclic remote state preparation of single-qudit equatorial states.
Improved Word Sense Determination in Malayalam using Latent Dirichlet Allocation and Semantic Features
Authors: S. Sruthi , Kannan B. , Paul Binu
Published: November 2021

Recent years have witnessed phenomenal developments worldwide in the field of
NLP
. But developments in Indian regional languages are very few compared to them. This work is a step towards the construction of a target word sense disambiguation system in Malayalam, which is the regional language of the state of Kerala, India. Word Sense Disambiguation/Determination refers to the task of correctly identifying the sense of an ambiguous word from its context. This is considered an AI-Complete problem in the field of
Natural Language Processing
. For this purpose, an exclusive corpus of 1,147 contexts of target ambiguous words has been created, which to the best of our knowledge is the first attempt in Malayalam. This work describes how the performance of an unsupervised LDA-based approach towards WSD could be improved using semantic features like synonyms and co-occurrence information.
A Dual Role for Behavior in Evolution and Shaping Organismal Selective Environments
Authors: Wcislo William T.
Published: November 2021

The hypothesis that evolved behaviors play a determining role in facilitating and impeding the evolution of other traits has been discussed for more than 100 years with little consensus beyond an agreement that the ideas are theoretically plausible in accord with the Modern Synthesis. Many recent reviews of the genomic, epigenetic, and developmental mechanisms underpinning major behavioral transitions show how facultative expression of novel behaviors can lead to the evolution of obligate behaviors and structures that enhance behavioral function. Phylogenetic and genomic studies indicate that behavioral traits are generally evolutionarily more labile than other traits and that they help shape selective environments on the latter traits. Adaptive decision-making to encounter resources and avoid stress sources requires specific sensory inputs, which behaviorally shape selective environments by determining those features of the external world that are biologically relevant. These recent findings support the hypothesis of a dual role for behavior in evolution and are consistent with current evolutionary theory.
The Role of Benzotriazole in Electrodeposition of Cu1−xNix Alloys (0.05 < x < 0.15) on Cu and Ni Substrates
Authors: Haesevoets Karel P. S. , Philipsen Harold G.G. , Vereecken Philippe M.
Published: November 2021

We investigated the benzotriazole enabled growth of low Ni content (5–15 at.%) CuNi alloy deposits by characterisation of its morphology and elemental composition as a function of substrate metal (Cu and Ni), charge density, current density, and potential-time response measured during electrodeposition. Alloy deposition starts in favor of Cu, forming a Cu-rich layer on a Ni substrate and Cu-rich islands on a Cu substrate after which aggregates only form on a Cu substrate, due to the ability of benzotriazole (BTAH) to chemically bond to Cu but not to a Ni surface. Furthermore, Ni deposits preferably on grain boundaries, BTAH gets incorporated in the deposit and forms a thin layer between the Cu substrate and the alloy deposit. Based on our findings a growth model for BTAH enabled CuNi growth is proposed which describes that the BTAH working mechanism is twofold. First, the additive shifts the onset potential of Cu2+ reduction closer to the Ni2+ reduction potential by forming a chemisorbed BTAH layer, thereby enabling Cu and Ni co-deposition and, secondly, during deposition it specifically interacts with Cu, thus inhibiting Cu dendrite formation.
Modeling Electrokinetics of Oxygen Electrodes in Solid Oxide Electrolyzer Cells
Authors: Cook Korey , Wrubel Jacob , Ma Zhiwen , Huang Kevin , Jin Xinfang
Published: November 2021

A microscale model is presented in this study to simulate electrode kinetics of the oxygen electrode in a solid oxide electrolyzer cell (SOEC). Two mixed ionic/electronic conducting structures are examined for the oxygen producing electrode in this work: single layer porous lanthanum strontium cobalt ferrite (LSCF), and bilayer LSCF/SCT (strontium cobalt tantalum oxide) structures. A yttrium-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) electrolyte separates the hydrogen and oxygen electrodes, as well as a gadolinium doped-ceria (GDC) buffer layer on the oxygen electrode side. Electrochemical reactions occurring at the two-phase boundaries (2PBs) and three-phase boundaries (3PBs) of single-layer LSCF and bilayer LSCF/SCT oxygen electrodes are modeled under various SOEC voltages with lattice oxygen stoichiometry as the key output. The results reveal that there exists a competition in electrode kinetics between 2PBs and 3PBs, but 3PBs are the primary reactive sites for single-layer LSCF oxygen electrode under high voltages. These locations experience the greatest oxygen stoichiometry variations and are therefore the most likely locations for dimensional changes. By applying an active SCT layer over LSCF, the 2PBs become activated to compete with the 3PBs, thus alleviating oxygen stoichiometry variations and reducing the likelihood of dimensional change. This strategy could reduce lattice structural expansion, proving to be valuable for electrode-electrolyte delamination prevention and will be the focus of future work.
Activation of autophagy during normothermic machine perfusion of discarded livers is associated with improved hepatocellular function
Authors: Ohman Anders , Raigani Siavash , Santiago John C. , Heaney Megan G. , Boylan Joan M. , Parry Nicola , Carroll Cailah , Baptista Sofia G. , Uygun Korkut , Gruppuso Philip A. , Sanders Jennifer A. , Yeh Heidi
Published: November 2021

We demonstrate that ischemia-reperfusion injury occurs in all livers during NMP, though there are notable differences in gene expression between functional and nonfunctional livers. We further demonstrate that activation of the liver’s repair and homeostasis mechanisms through autophagy plays a vital role in the graft’s response to injury and may impact liver function. These findings indicate that liver autophagy might be a key therapeutic target for rehabilitating the function of severely injured or untransplantable livers.
Downstream projection of Barrington’s nucleus to the spinal cord in mice
Authors: Kawatani Masahiro , de Groat William C. , Itoi Keiichi , Uchida Katsuya , Sakimura Kenji , Yamanaka Akihiro , Yamashita Takayuki , Kawatani Masahito
Published: November 2021

Photostimulation of BarCRH or BarESR1 axons in the adult mouse spinal cord elicits excitatory or inhibitory postsynaptic responses in multiple cell types related to the autonomic nervous system including preganglionic neurons (PGNs) in the lumbosacral intermediolateral nucleus and interneurons in the lumbosacral dorsal commissure nucleus. Integration of excitatory inputs from Bar and from visceral primary afferents in PGNs may be important in the regulation of micturition behavior.
Neuronal activity reorganization in motor cortex for successful locomotion after a lesion in the ventrolateral thalamus
Authors: Beloozerova Irina N.
Published: November 2021

This is the first study to analyze reorganization of the activity of single neurons and subpopulations of neurons related to the shoulder, elbow, or wrist, as well as fast- and slow-conducting pyramidal tract neurons, in the motor cortex of animals walking before and after inactivation or lesion in the thalamus. The results offer unique insights into the mechanisms of spontaneous recovery after thalamic stroke, potentially providing guidance for new strategies to alleviate locomotor deficits after stroke.
Electrophysiological and pharmacological characterization of spreading depolarization in the adult zebrafish tectum
Authors: Terai Haruhi , Gwedela Mayeso Naomi Victoria , Kawakami Koichi , Aizawa Hidenori
Published: November 2021

Previous studies have implicated spreading depolarization (SD) in stroke and migraine. Here, we demonstrate SD, for the first time, in the adult zebrafish tectum showing waveform kinetics, c-fos expression, and attenuation by N-methyl-d-aspartate glutamate receptor blocker as observed in the rodent cortex. Since the zebrafish is an animal model amenable to genetic manipulation and chemical screening, this result could pave the way to novel diagnostic and therapeutic methods applicable to SD-associated neurological disorders.
Analysis of the Diagnostic Effect of EUS-RTE on Giant Cystic Tumours of the Oesophagus Based on Cluster Analysis
Authors: Yang Huizhen , Zhang Zhenghang , He Yingbi , Tian Bin , Zhang Xiaozhen , Hao Yingying , Lu Shuang , Tian Yanhua
Published: November 2021

This paper presents an in-depth analysis and study of the diagnostic effectiveness of EUS-RTE in giant cystic tumours of the oesophagus utilizing cluster analysis. A new form of interval data expression was designed based on the cluster analysis algorithm, as well as a new way of updating the cluster radius and cluster centre. Feature triads are defined, eliminating the need to access all historical data at the time of update. It also prevents the case of overfusion of clusters and outputting only one cluster. If there exist a very low number of clusters, the newly merged clusters are reclustered according to the density clustering method for the internal data objects based on the cluster segmentation so that the data objects in the same cluster have a high similarity as possible. All accumulated electronic files of oesophageal cancer cases were collected and comprehensively organized, and all clinical data of 129 eligible cases with a total of 356 consultations were screened in strict accordance with inclusion and exclusion criteria. A database of oesophageal cancer cases was established using Visual FoxPro software, and frequency distribution, cluster analysis, association rule, and chi-square test were used to focus on mining the association between symptoms, disease mechanisms, prescriptions, and medications. The results were analysed and summarized. Overall, the therapeutic efficacy and safety of the three groups of treatment modalities for gastric mesenchymal tumours were positive, and the preoperative endoscopic treatment modalities should be selected based on the EUS-RTE characteristics of the tumour, the site, and the operator’s skill level in a comprehensive manner.
The Psychological Benefits of COVID-19 Vaccination
Authors: Nguyen My
Published: November 2021

This study evaluates the extent to which COVID-19 vaccination affects population mental health. Exploiting the within-state and within-survey week variation in the number fully vaccinated per 10 million people, I uncover the favorable effects of vaccination on individuals’ psychological well-being. Particularly, a 100% increase in the number fully vaccinated per 10 million people makes individuals 0.24, 0.23, 0.12, and 0.14 percentage points less likely to experience anxiety, worry, displeasure, and depression on a daily basis, respectively. The probability of having at least one of the four symptoms (anxiety, worry, displeasure, and depression) every day also reduces by 0.27 percentage points. The study calls for the expansion of vaccine coverage, especially for disproportionately affected communities.
Occlusal Indicators Used in Dental Practice: A Survey Study
Authors: Bozhkova Tanya , Musurlieva Nina , Slavchev Diyan , Dimitrova Mariana , Rimalovska Sevda
Published: November 2021

Introduction. The function of the masticatory apparatus is complete when the dentition is intact with contact between the individual teeth and proper occlusion with the antagonists. For years, occlusal contacts have been studied to determine their exact location and describing various materials and methods for their registration such as paper foil, silk, and Shimstock foil. For years, occlusal contacts have been studied to determine their exact location and describe various materials and methods for their registration such as paper foil, silk, shim stock foil, the T‐Scan system, and more recently the OccluSense system. The primary aim of the study was at evaluating which of the occlusal indicators is the most commonly used in practice, and the secondary aim was whether dentists are willing to use digital methods to examine occlusion. Materials and Methods. The main primary information of the survey was collected by sending electronically anonymous questionnaires to 2014 dentists, randomly selected from all regions of the country. 228 questionnaires were filled in and returned. To achieve the goal of the study, the self‐developed questionnaire was created and tested to survey the opinion about the use of occlusal indicators in dental practice. Each questionnaire contains questions about the sociodemographic and professional status of the people in the group and their opinion about the positives and negatives and the effectiveness of occlusal indicators. Results. The obtained results confirm the statement that the most frequently used occlusal indicator in dental practice is the articulation paper. Articulation foil and silk are used less frequently than articulation paper. Of the listed quality indicators, Shimstock foil is rarely used in practice. Of the indicated quantitative indicators, the T‐Scan system is more used than the OccluSense system. In the era of rapid technology development, the opinion and desire of dentists to increasingly want to introduce in their clinical practice quantitative methods are the digital diagnosis of occlusion. Conclusion. In any dental practice, if technically possible, digital methods would be used, giving more accurate and reliable data on the registered occlusal contacts.