bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Understanding Australia’s unique hopping species: a comparative review of the musculoskeletal system and locomotor biomechanics in Macropodoidea
Authors: Thornton Lauren H. , Dick Taylor J. M. , Bennett Mike B. , Clemente Christofer J.
Published: May 2022

Kangaroos and other macropodoids stand out among mammals for their unusual hopping locomotion and body shape. This review examines the scaling of hind- and forelimb bones, and the primary ankle extensor muscles and tendons. We find that the scaling of the musculoskeletal system is sensitive to the phylogenetic context. Tibia length increases with positive allometry among most macropodoids, but negative allometry in eastern grey kangaroos and isometry in red kangaroos. Femur length decreases with stronger negative allometry in eastern grey and red kangaroos than among other macropodoids. Muscle masses scale with negative allometry in western grey kangaroos and with isometry in red kangaroos, compared to positive allometry in other macropodoids. We further summarise the work on the hopping gait, energetics in macropodoids, and stresses in the musculoskeletal system in an evolutionary context, to determine what trade-offs may limit locomotor performance in macropodoids. When large kangaroos hop, they do not increase oxygen consumption with speed, unlike most mammals, including small hopping species. We conclude that there is not enough information to isolate the biomechanical factors that make large kangaroos so energy efficient. We identify key areas for further research to fill these gaps.
Structural basis of peptidomimetic agonism revealed by small-molecule GLP-1R agonists Boc5 and WB4-24
Authors: Cong Zhaotong , Zhou Qingtong , Li Yang , Chen Li-Nan , Zhang Zi-Chen , Liang Anyi , Liu Qing , Wu Xiaoyan , Dai Antao , Xia Tian , Wu Wei , Zhang Yan , Yang Dehua , Wang Ming-Wei
Published: May 2022

Significance

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonists are efficacious in the treatment of type 2 diabetes and obesity. While most clinically used agents require subcutaneous injection, Boc5, as the first orthosteric nonpeptidic agonist of GLP-1R, suffers from poor oral bioavailability that hinders its therapeutic development. The cryoelectron microscopy structures of Boc5 and its closely related analog WB4-24 presented here reveal a binding pocket located deeper in the transmembrane domain for nonpeptidic GLP-1R agonists. Molecular interaction with this site may facilitate a broad spectrum of in vivo agonistic activities, in addition to that with the upper helical bundles presumably responsible for biased signaling. These findings deepen our understanding of peptidomimetic agonism at GLP-1R and may help design better drug leads against this important target.
Macrostructure in narratives produced by Lebanese Arabic-French bilingual children
Authors: Fiani Rachel , Henry Guillemette , Prévost Philippe
Published: May 2022

Studies of macrostructure in bilingual children investigated potential age and language effects, without systematically taking into account bilingualism factors such as language dominance, exposure to narratives, and general language abilities. These issues were addressed in a study of macrostructure production by 69 bilingual Lebanese Arabic-French children aged 4–9. The children were administered the Multilingual Assessment Instrument for Narratives in the tell mode and a standardized conceptual vocabulary test. Parental questionnaires were also used to gather information on language exposure and use. Age effects and limited effects of language were found for all measures of macrostructure production (story structure, structural complexity and use of internal state terms). Significant correlations arose between these measures, vocabulary scores, and age, and between structural complexity scores and language dominance. Regression analyses revealed the predictive role of vocabulary in the development of macrostructure. These results are compatible with the idea that macrostructure is not language dependent. They also suggest that minimal language skills are needed for expressing macrostructure. The limited impact of bilingualism factors could stem from the fact that French and Lebanese Arabic are majority languages in Lebanon, meaning that the children had received continuous exposure to both languages, including within the school system.
Analysis of conditional colocalization relationships and hierarchies in three-color microscopy images
Authors: Vega-Lugo Jesus , da Rocha-Azevedo Bruno , Dasgupta Aparajita , Jaqaman Khuloud
Published: May 2022

Colocalization analysis of multicolor microscopy images is a cornerstone approach in cell biology. It provides information on the localization of molecules within subcellular compartments and allows the interrogation of known molecular interactions in their cellular context. However, almost all colocalization analyses are designed for two-color images, limiting the type of information that they reveal. Here, we describe an approach, termed “conditional colocalization analysis,” for analyzing the colocalization relationships between three molecular entities in three-color microscopy images. Going beyond the question of whether colocalization is present or not, it addresses the question of whether the colocalization between two entities is influenced, positively or negatively, by their colocalization with a third entity. We benchmark the approach and showcase its application to investigate receptor-downstream adaptor colocalization relationships in the context of functionally relevant plasma membrane locations. The software for conditional colocalization analysis is available at https://github.com/kjaqaman/conditionalColoc.
Design of real time magnetic field compensation system based on fuzzy PI control algorithm for comagnetometer
Authors: Tang Chencheng , Liu Chang , Prado Caio A G , Zhao Tian , Han Bangcheng , Zhai Yueyang
Published: May 2022

Alkali-metal-noble-gas comagnetometers operating in the spin exchange relaxation free regime have been widely used in frontier science research and navigation technology. Under normal circumstances, the comagnetometer operates at the compensation point so that any interfering external magnetic field is tracked and suppressed by the nuclear spin. This in turn can greatly diminish the comagnetometer’s sensitivity to the magnetic field; however, its sensitivity to rotations and to anomalous fields is still maintained. The compensation point is typically adjusted manually, which leads to low accuracy and compensation speed, in addition to only allowing short-term magnetic field stability. In order to account for these problems, we designed a three-axis magnetic field compensation system in real time based on LabVIEW, and employed it to a K−Rb

−

21

Ne comagnetometer. Our study shows that by using a fuzzy proportional-integral (PI) controller, the compensation point can be tracked in real time and with higher precision when compared with manually adjusted methods, therefore improving the magnetic field stability and sensitivity of the comagnetometer.
Application of pre-positioning method in compressor cascade measurement with pressure-sensitive paint
Authors: Yang Guanhua , Gao Limin , Gao Tianyu , Guo Yanchao
Published: May 2022

The pressure-sensitive paint (PSP) technique has shown superiorities in its large coverage area capability and high spatial resolution. The process of the PSP technique usually requires sufficient illumination that covers the entire test object, and a camera that acquires the particular excited fluorescence. Applications in internal flow study, like the compressor cascade, may fail as the optical access is heavily limited due to the closely adjacent components, which creates a high demand for spatial positioning arrangement of optical devices in the visualization system. In this work, a pre-positioning method was proposed to help determine the arrangement of optical devices of an internal flow PSP measurement system in advance. It was applied to the measurement of a linear compressor cascade with large solidity. The results showed that with the optical layout arrangement determined using this pre-positioning method, a full-field pressure distribution of the cascade blade can be acquired successfully.
DRCDCT-net: a steel surface defect diagnosis method based on a dual-route cross-domain convolution-transformer network
Authors: Wang Jianqi , Zhang Quan , Liu Guohua
Published: May 2022

With the development of industrialization, steel has been widely used in various fields. Current artificial intelligence (AI) methods based on steel surface images can automatically classify defect types on steel surfaces, but they still face challenges when embedded in actual industrial production. For example, the performance of convolutional networks is limited, and some categories of industrial fault data are scarce. In order to alleviate the above problems, this paper proposes a novel network structure, DRCDCT-Net. It is designed as a dual-route structure: a feature attention defect diagnosis module (FAD) and a cross-domain joint learning defect diagnosis module (CJLD). With the Feature Transformer designed as the core, the FAD is mainly responsible for handling defect classification tasks with sufficient samples. It can alleviate the problem of interdependence between features that are difficult for convolutional networks to learn. With the cross-domain joint learning network designed as the core, the CJLD is used to deal with the task of defect classification with extremely scarce samples. It can decouple the domain features of the image, so that the model can use data from different domains to learn the target data. When using the full data of both datasets, the model achieved 99.7 ± 0.2% and 90.0 ± 0.6% precision in Northeastern University (NEU)-CLS and SEVERSTAL, respectively. When using 20 images per class, it achieved 99.5 ± 0.2% and 71.3 ± 0.9% precision in NEU-CLS and SEVERSTAL, respectively. This paper proposes a novel deep learning structure. When faced with sufficient data, the model can take into account both performance and computing resource requirements. When faced with a small amount of sample data, the model can decouple data domain features and use unrelated features to learn the target data. The model proposed is more implementable and builds a bridge for the integration of AI technology and industrial defect real-time monitoring technology.
Machine learning-based detection of aberrant deep learning segmentations of target and organs at risk for prostate radiotherapy using a secondary segmentation algorithm
Authors: Claessens Michaël , Vanreusel Verdi , De Kerf Geert , Mollaert Isabelle , Löfman Fredrik , Gooding Mark J , Brouwer Charlotte , Dirix Piet , Verellen Dirk
Published: May 2022

Objective.The output of a deep learning (DL) auto-segmentation application should be reviewed, corrected if needed and approved before being used clinically. This verification procedure is labour-intensive, time-consuming and user-dependent, which potentially leads to significant errors with impact on the overall treatment quality. Additionally, when the time needed to correct auto-segmentations approaches the time to delineate target and organs at risk from scratch, the usability of the DL model can be questioned. Therefore, an automated quality assurance framework was developed with the aim to detect in advance aberrant auto-segmentations.Approach. Five organs (prostate, bladder, anorectum, femoral head left and right) were auto-delineated on CT acquisitions for 48 prostate patients by an in-house trained primary DL model. An experienced radiation oncologist assessed the correctness of the model output and categorised the auto-segmentations into two classes whether minor or major adaptations were needed. Subsequently, an independent, secondary DL model was implemented to delineate the same structures as the primary model. Quantitative comparison metrics were calculated using both models’ segmentations and used as input features for a machine learning classification model to predict the output quality of the primary model.Main results. For every organ, the approach of independent validation by the secondary model was able to detect primary auto-segmentations that needed major adaptation with high sensitivity (recall = 1) based on the calculated quantitative metrics. The surface DSC and APL were found to be the most indicated parameters in comparison to standard quantitative metrics for the time needed to adapt auto-segmentations.Significance. This proposed method includes a proof of concept for the use of an independent DL segmentation model in combination with a ML classifier to improve time saving during QA of auto-segmentations. The integration of such system into current automatic segmentation pipelines can increase the efficiency of the radiotherapy contouring workflow.
Characterization of charge sharing induced by high LET heavy ions using inverter chains in a commercial bulk FinFET process
Authors: Huang Pengcheng , Yue Daheng , Chi Yaqing , Sun Qian , Liang Bin
Published: May 2022

The inverter is one of the most important cell types in any standard cell library at each technology node, and it is also very important for single-event research. The distributions and cross-sections of single-event transients (SETs) and single-event multiple transients (SEMTs) were characterized using 14/16 nm bulk fin field-effect transistor (FinFET) inverters under heavy ion radiation. An inverter with double driving strength (INVX2) was used as an instantiate object to observe the SET and SEMT response. 181Ta with energies of 1891 GeV and 2000.5 MeV were used respectively in the experiments, of which the linear energy transfer (LET) values were 87.4 MeV cm2 mg−1 and 75.4 MeV cm2 mg−1. The test results indicated that: (a) the mean pulse widths of the SET and SEMT were less than 100 ps, and decreased with LET decreasing; (b) there was charge sharing between abutted INVX2 inverters placed horizontally, and the generation probability of SEMT induced by charge sharing was less than 1% even if the LET of heavy ion reached 87.4 MeV cm2 mg−1. The results were beneficial for a better understanding of SET and SEMT tolerance for inverters in FinFET technology.
Gravitational wave background from non-Abelian reheating after axion-like inflation
Authors: Klose P. , Laine M. , Procacci S.
Published: May 2022

A pseudoscalar inflaton φ, coupled to the topological charge
density FF̃ of a non-Abelian sector, can decay to gauge
bosons (φ ⟶ gg), which may thermalize rapidly.
The friction felt by φ is then increased by
non-Abelian “strong sphalerons”, leading to a self-amplifying
process that can efficiently heat up the medium. We determine a lower
bound for the gravitational wave production rate from such a process,
originating via hydrodynamic fluctuations and particle collisions,
in terms of a minimal number of parameters. Only a moderate fraction
of energy density is converted to gravitational waves, suggesting
that non-Abelian models may avoid the overproduction observed in
some Abelian cases.
Theoretical study of coherent optical phenomena in a three lasers driven four-level ladder-type system involving a Rydberg state
Authors: Hazra R , Hossain M M
Published: May 2022

A comparative theoretical study of two-photon electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT), absorption (EIA) and three-photon electromagnetically induced transparency (TPEIT), absorption (TPEIA) and their associated dispersion and group index profiles are presented by using a four-level ladder-type system of both stationary and moving 85Rb Rydberg atoms. We have observed EIT, EIA and their respective positive and negative dispersive slopes under two-photon conditions, while the TPEIT, TPEIA signals and the respective multiple positive and negative dispersive slopes at around zero detuning of the probe field are observed under the three-photon conditions. It is found that the control and manipulation of the coherent optical responses under three-photon conditions are much richer than the two-photon conditions. The group index profiles related to the dispersion of the medium have been studied under both two- and three-photon conditions to compare and explain the optical switching between the subluminal and superluminal modes of propagation for both stationary and moving atomic medium. The influence of the ‘pump’ Rabi frequency on the group index has also been investigated to illustrate the action of optical switching. Finally, the existence of the four-wave mixing (FWM) process due to the action of three optical fields in the EIT medium is also discussed.
Interference of areas of subcycle light pulses
Authors: Arkhipov Rostislav , Arkhipov Mikhail , Pakhomov Anton , Rosanov Nikolay
Published: May 2022

Progress in reducing the duration of light pulses (down to one cycle of field oscillations or less), achieved in the last decades, has made it possible to experimentally observe and study a number of atomic-scale phenomena that occur at ultrafast times. Their study and observation are unavailable with conventional sources of monochromatic laser radiation. When using few- or subcycle pulses, a number of well-known phenomena in optics, which are well studied when using long monochromatic radiation sources, either lose their meaning, or their underlying physical mechanisms require revision. For example, the direct interference of subcycle pulses with their direct overlap is not possible due to their short duration. This note addresses the interference phenomenon, when a pair of subcycle pulses act on a medium, while do not simultaneously overlap inside it. In this case, it is not the pulses themselves that interfere in the medium, but the probability amplitudes of the bound states of the medium. Therefore the result of their impact on the medium can be interpreted as the interference of the areas of pulses—electric pulse areas (integral of the electric field strength over time) and envelope areas (integral of the slowly varying envelope of the electric field strength over time).
Constraining the relativistic mean-field models from PREX-2 data: effective forces revisited *
Authors: Pattnaik Jeet Amrit , Panda R. N. , Bhuyan M. , Patra S. K.
Published: May 2022

Based on the current measurement of the neutron distribution radius (

) of 208Pb from the PREX-2 data, we revisited the recently developed G3 and IOPB-I force parameters by fine-tuning some specific couplings within the relativistic mean-field (RMF) model. The ω–
ρ-mesons coupling

and the ρ-meson coupling

are constrained to the experimental neutron radius of 208Pb without compromising the bulk properties of finite nuclei and infinite nuclear matter observables. The modified parameter sets are applied to calculate the gross properties of finite nuclei such as binding energies, charge distributions, nuclear radii, pairing gaps, and single-particle energies. The root-mean-square deviations in binding energy and charge radius are estimated with respect to the available experimental data for 195 even–even nuclei, and the results compare favourably with the well-calibrated effective interactions of Skyrme, Gogny and other relativistic mean-field parametrizations. The pairing gap estimations for modified G3 and IOPB-I for Sn isotopes are also compared with the Hartree–Fock–Bogoliubov calculation with the Gogny (D1S) interaction. The isotopic shift and single-particle energy spacing are also calculated and compared with the experimental data for both original and modified versions of the G3 and IOPB-I parameter sets. Subsequently, both the modified parameter sets are used to obtain the various infinite nuclear matter observables at saturation. In addition to these, the force parameters are adopted to calculate the properties of a high isospin asymmetry dense system such as neutron star matter and tested for validation using the constraint from GW170817 binary neutron star merger events. The tuned forces predict relatively good results for finite and infinite nuclear matter systems and the current limitation on the neutron radius from PREX-2. A systematic analysis using these two refitted parameter sets over the nuclear chart will be communicated shortly.
Light controlled signaling initiated by subretinal semiconducting-polymer layer in developing-blind-retina mimics the response of the neonatal retina
Authors: Deepak Chakram S , Krishnan Abhijith , Narayan K S
Published: May 2022

Optoelectronic semiconducting polymer material interfaced with a blind-developing chick-retina (E13–E18) in subretinal configuration reveals a response to full-field flash stimulus that resembles an elicited response from natural photoreceptors in a neonatal chick retina. The response manifests as evoked-firing of action potentials and was recorded using a multi-electrode array in contact with the retinal ganglion layer. Characteristics of increasing features in the signal unfold during different retina-development stages and highlight the emerging network mediated pathways typically present in the vision process of the artificial photoreceptor interfaced retina.
Radiation study of Lead Fluoride crystals
Authors: Cemmi A. , Colangeli A. , D'orsi B. , Di Sarcina I. , Diociaiuti E. , Fiore S. , Paesani D. , Pillon M. , Saputi A. , Sarra I. , Tagnani D.
Published: May 2022

Lead fluoride (PbF2) crystals represent an excellent and
relatively innovative choice for high resolution electromagnetic
calorimeters with high granularity and fast timing for high
intensity environments. For this reason two PbF2 crystals, sized
5× 5 × 40 mm3, were irradiated with 60Co
photons up to ∼ 4 Mrad and with 14 MeV neutrons up to a
1013 n/cm2 total fluence. Their loss in transmittance was
evaluated at different steps of the photon and neutron irradiation
campaign, resulting in a total of 30% loss above 350 nm. With
crystals always kept in dark conditions, natural and thermal
annealing, as well as optical bleaching with 400 nm light, were
performed on the irradiated specimens, resulting in a partial
recovery of their original optical characteristics.
Lessons learned in developing reference data sets with the contribution of citizens: the Geo-Wiki experience
Authors: See Linda , Bayas Juan Carlos Laso , Lesiv Myroslava , Schepaschenko Dmitry , Danylo Olga , McCallum Ian , Dürauer Martina , Georgieva Ivelina , Domian Dahlia , Fraisl Dilek , Hager Gerid , Karanam Santosh , Moorthy Inian , Sturn Tobias , Subash Anto , Fritz Steffen
Published: May 2022

The development of remotely sensed products such as land cover requires large amounts of high-quality reference data, needed to train remote sensing classification algorithms and for validation. However, due to the lack of sharing and the high costs associated with data collection, particularly ground-based information, the amount of reference data available has not kept up with the vast increase in the availability of satellite imagery, e.g. from Landsat, Sentinel and Planet satellites. To fill this gap, the Geo-Wiki platform for the crowdsourcing of reference data was developed, involving visual interpretation of satellite and aerial imagery. Here we provide an overview of the crowdsourcing campaigns that have been run using Geo-Wiki over the last decade, including the amount of data collected, the research questions driving the campaigns and the outputs produced such as new data layers (e.g. a global map of forest management), new global estimates of areas or percentages of land cover/land use (e.g. the amount of extra land available for biofuels) and reference data sets, all openly shared. We demonstrate that the amount of data collected and the scientific advances in the field of land cover and land use would not have been possible without the participation of citizens. A relatively conservative estimate reveals that citizens have contributed more than 5.3 years of the data collection efforts of one person over short, intensive campaigns run over the last decade. We also provide key observations and lessons learned from these campaigns including the need for quality assurance mechanisms linked to incentives to participate, good communication, training and feedback, and appreciating the ingenuity of the participants.
Socio-metabolic risk and tipping points on islands
Authors: Singh Simron J , Huang Tailin , Nagabhatla Nidhi , Schweizer Pia-Johanna , Eckelman Matthew , Verschuur Jasper , Soman Reshma
Published: May 2022

Small Island Developing States (SIDS) face enormous sustainability challenges such as heavy reliance on imports to meet basic needs, tenuous resource availability, coastal squeeze, and reduced waste absorption capacity. At the same time, the adverse effects of global environmental change such as global warming, extreme events, and outbreaks of pandemics significantly hinder SIDS’ progress towards sustainable development. This paper makes a conceptual contribution by framing the vulnerability of small islands from the perspective of socio-metabolic risk (SMR). SMR is defined as systemic risk associated with the availability of critical resources, the integrity of material circulation, and the (in)equitable distribution of derived products and societal services in a socio-ecological system. We argue that specific configurations and combinations of material stocks and flows on islands and their ‘resistance to change’ contribute to the system’s proliferation of SMR. For better or for worse, these influence the system’s ability to consistently and effectively deliver societal services necessary for survival. By positioning SMR as a subset of systemic risk, the paper illustrates SMRs and tipping points on small islands using insights from three sectors: water, waste, and infrastructure. We also identify effective leverage points and adaptation strategies for building system resilience on small islands. In conclusion, our synthesis suggests that governing SMR on SIDS would mean governing socio-metabolic flows to avoid potential disruptions in the circulation of critical resources and the maintenance of vital infrastructures and services while inducing interventions towards positive social tipping dynamics. Such interventions will need strategies to reconfigure resource-use patterns and associated services that are sustainable and socially equitable.
Peatland restoration as an affordable nature-based climate solution with fire reduction and conservation co-benefits in Indonesia
Authors: Tan Z D , Carrasco L R , Sutikno S , Taylor D
Published: May 2022

Ecosystem restoration is increasingly employed as a nature-based solution to a range of crises. Decisions over restoration must balance limited resources, land constraints, and competing demands. Peatlands in Southeast Asia have been heavily impacted by agricultural expansion over the past three decades, with Indonesia now accounting for a substantial proportion of degraded tropical peatlands globally. Using spatial linear programming, we focus on prioritizing peatland restoration sites in Indonesia for fire risk reduction, climate change mitigation, species conservation, and cost-effectiveness. The study finds that restoring peatlands at 1 km2 planning units can generate multiple co-benefits such as reduced fire risks by 6%–37%, attenuated extinction risks of peatland specialist bird species and mitigated climate change potential of 0.002–0.36 Pg CO2e yr−1. These benefits were reduced but still of comparable magnitude when larger areas of planning (defined by village and catchment boundaries) were used. The results, although indicative, support tropical peatland restoration as a cost-efficient strategy for mitigating climate change, reducing fire, conserving biodiversity, and supporting sustainable development that can be offset by carbon prices of USD 2–37/Mg CO2e.
Incompatibility of effects in general probabilistic models*
Authors: Beneduci Roberto , Loveridge Leon
Published: May 2022

We give a necessary and sufficient condition for the incompatibility of a pair of effects in a general probabilistic model in which the state space is a total convex space, which can be obtained by minimising a real parameter. This has an interpretation in terms of the least noise that must be included to make the given pair compatible.
The effect of periodontal prophylaxis procedures on the surface properties of tooth-colored restorative materials
Authors: Açıkgöz-Alparslan Ece , Büyükgöze-Dindar Mediha , Tekbaş-Atay Meltem
Published: May 2022

This study aimed to investigate the effect of various periodontal hygiene procedures on the surface properties of direct and indirect restorative materials. Disc-shaped specimens (10 × 2 mm) of FC: Flowable Composite, UC: Universal Composite, IC: Indirect Composite, CC: CAD/CAM Composite were fabricated (n = 70) and divided randomly into subgroups: 1-Control, 2-US: Ultrasonic scaling, 3-RP: Rubber-cup polishing, 4-AP: Air-polishing, 5-US+RP, 6-US+AP, 7-US+AP+RP. The color, surface roughness, and gloss measurements were performed. Data were analyzed with variance analysis and the correlation coefficient was used to evaluate the relationship between surface properties (p < 0.05). The highest and lowest roughness values were obtained in FC after US and CC’s control group, respectively. The surface roughness of FC, IC, and CC was significantly affected by the application of various prophylaxis procedures (p < 0.05). AP and US+AP+RP presented the least and most affected surface roughness, respectively. The lowest surface gloss value was in the US and RP subgroups of FC. The process that the least reduced the surface gloss was AP. Material and procedure affected the color stability (p < 0.05) except for CC. The highest ΔE values were obtained in US+AP+RP subgroups. Indirect restorative materials showed less roughness and color change as well as higher gloss values after all periodontal prophylaxis procedures. The use of air-polishing has proven to be a reliable periodontal hygiene approach for direct and indirect restorations due to the less deterioration in the surface properties.
Facile construction of antibiotics-loaded glucose-capped gold nanoparticles for in vitro antimicrobial and treatment and care of severe Pneumonia
Authors: Shi Lili , Liu Yantao , Li Tingting
Published: May 2022

From the perspective of gold nanoparticles (GNPs)′ potential antibacterial applications, we demonstrate the fabrication, characterization, and effective antimicrobial activity of gentamicin (GM) and kanamycin (KAN) dynamically loaded to glucose-capped gold nanoparticles (g-GNPs). Infra-red (FT-IR) spectroscopy analyzed the synthesized GNPs and g-GNPs with encapsulated antibiotic drugs. Various spectroscopical methods characterized g-GNPs and drug-loaded nanoparticles. A minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and active curves in the Klebsiella pneumonia strain were used to evaluate the antibacterial activity of aminoglycoside-loaded g-GNPs, and the results showed that the nanoparticles had an appropriate antimicrobial effect on the clinical strain of the bacteria. There were bacteriostatic effects and an inhibiting effect on the growth of bacteria at doses of 33 to 65 μg ml−1 for each GM@g-GNPs and KAN@g-GNPs. With zones of Inhibition (ZOI) of 27 and 29 mm, g-GNPs-loaded antimicrobial medications demonstrated more antibacterial activity in well diffusion experiments than free nanomaterials and antimicrobial drugs, with ZOI of 21.00 and 10.00 mm, respectively. GM and KAN-loaded g-GNPs were examined using crystal violet assay for their antibiofilm activity. Findings suggested that the concentration of nanoparticles and anti-biofilm activity were directly linked. The cell membrane integrity was assessed in g-GNPs loaded with GM and KAN, and the results showed that nucleic acids and proteins released into the environment were significant. The inhibitory effects of GM@g-GNPs and KAN@g-GNPs on bacterial efflux pump (EP) was assessed, and the result displayed that all strains were sensitive to moderate concentration of NPs and highly sensitive to concentrations of 0.6 and 0.9 μg ml−1 of ethidium bromide (EtBr) and 64 to 128 μg ml−1 of GM@g-GNPs and KAN@g-GNPs. The findings demonstrate that all strains were responsive to moderate nanoparticle concentrations. The results inhibited the efflux pump performance of the drug-loaded g-GNPs. Therefore, the unique design of these nanoparticles (GM@g-GNPs and KAN@g-GNPs) improved the antimicrobial properties, which has great potential for the treatment and care of severe pneumonia.
Landowner decisions regarding utility-scale solar energy on working lands: a qualitative case study in California
Authors: Buckley Biggs Nicole , Shivaram Ranjitha , Acuña Lacarieri Estefanía , Varkey Kavya , Hagan Devin , Young Hannah , Lambin Eric F
Published: May 2022

Mitigating the predicted impacts of climate change requires rapid expansion of renewable energy production, including Utility-Scale Solar Energy (USSE) on an unprecedented scale. In the US, a significant share of planned USSE targets working lands—particularly farms and ranches—yet the decision factors informing private landowners’ decisions to host USSE on their lands are little understood. Our research addresses this gap through a qualitative case study of working lands in California’s San Joaquin Valley and San Francisco Bay Area, based on 60 interviews with farmers and ranchers, solar developers, and community and government organizations. Applying land system science and agricultural decision-making theory, we find that landowner decisions to host USSE are based on profit-maximization, water availability, visual and ecological landscape values, and agricultural land preservation ethic. Solar interest varies across landowner types, with farmers typically maximizing operational income while maintaining agricultural production, and ranchers often prioritizing lifestyle-related landscape benefits. The current feasibility of integrating solar with agriculture appears to be low beyond sheep grazing, with benefits and drawbacks discussed in detail. Optimal areas for future USSE development include farmlands with declining water availability, lands without permanent crops or high amenity value, and regions with energy-intensive agricultural operations. Study findings can inform state land use planning and community engagement by solar developers.
Irradiation damage concurrent challenges with RAFM and ODS steels for fusion reactor first-wall/blanket: a review
Authors: Bhattacharya Arunodaya , Zinkle Steven J , Henry Jean , Levine Samara M , Edmondson Philip D , Gilbert Mark R , Tanigawa Hiroyasu , Kessel Charles E
Published: May 2022

Reduced activation ferritic martensitic (RAFM) and oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) steels are the most promising candidates for fusion first-wall/blanket (FW/B) structures. The performance of these steels will deteriorate during service due to neutron damage and transmutation-induced gases, such as helium/hydrogen, at elevated operating temperatures. Here, after highlighting the operating conditions of fusion reactor concepts and a brief overview, the main irradiation-induced degradation challenges associated with RAFM/ODS steels are discussed. Their long-term degradation scenarios such as (a) low-temperature hardening embrittlement (LTHE)—including dose-temperature dependent yield stress, tensile elongations, necking ductility, test temperature effect on hardening, Charpy impact ductile-to-brittle transition temperature and fracture toughness, (b) intermediate temperature cavity swelling, (c) the effect of helium on LTHE and cavity swelling, (d) irradiation creep and (e) tritium management issues are reviewed. The potential causes of LTHE are discussed, which highlights the need for advanced characterisation techniques. The mechanical properties, including the tensile/Charpy impact of RAFM and ODS steels, are compared to show that the current generation of ODS steels also suffers from LTHE, and shows irradiation hardening up to high temperatures of ∼400 °C–500 °C. To minimise this, future ODS steel development for FW/B-specific application should target materials with a lower Cr concentration (to minimise α′), and minimise other elements that could form embrittling phases under irradiation. RAFM steel-designing activities targeting improvements in creep and LTHE are reviewed. The need to better understand the synergistic effects of helium on the thermo-mechanical properties in the entire temperature range of FW/B is highlighted. Because fusion operating conditions will be complex, including stresses due to the magnetic field, primary loads like coolant pressure, secondary loads from thermal gradients, and due to spatial variation in damage levels and gas production rates, an experimentally validated multiscale modelling approach is suggested as a pathway to future reactor component designing such as for the fusion neutron science facility.
A resonator-based dual-frequency driven atmospheric pressure plasma jet
Authors: Bansemer Robert , Weltmann Klaus-Dieter
Published: May 2022

An atmospheric-pressure argon plasma jet featuring a novel integrated resonator-based multi-frequency impedance matching is presented and briefly characterized. Two narrow RF frequency bands can be chosen for operation or used simultaneously. This includes a mode with the higher frequency value being exactly five times the lower one. Phase-resolved optical emission spectroscopy measurements show a distinct influence of the input frequency combination on the discharge dynamics. Measurements of the dissipated electrical power and the emission spectrum for each operating mode complete the basic characterization of the device. Although it is constructively much simpler and more compact than dual-frequency discharges using a conventional impedance matching system, the presented device shows an excellent performance in dual-frequency operation.
Successive approximation type resistance to digital converter
Authors: Jagadeesh Kumar Nimal , Jagadeesh Kumar
Published: May 2022

Successive approximation type direct resistance to digital converter (SAR RDC) topology is presented here. The conventional SAR type ADC is augmented with an additional opamp inverting summer and a standard resistance such that the digital output of the SAR directly indicates the value of an unknown resistance connected between the output of the digital to analog converter of the SAR RDC and the inverting input of the added inverting summer. Analysis of the proposed technique presented here helps select proper components at the design stage itself to obtain minimal errors in the measurement of the unknown resistor. The major advantage of the proposed scheme is that it retains the basic architecture of an SAR ADC and hence can be implemented with all available SAR ADC architectures, including the ability to install ‘auto-ranging’. An added advantage is that the value of the unknown resistor is determined in terms of a standard resistor and hence good accuracy is easily obtained. Simulation studies and results obtained from a prototype SAR RDC built and tested, establish the efficacy of the proffered technique. The results indicate a worst-case error of < ±0.2% and no missing codes.
PAPR and BER analysis of coded FBMC-OQAM system with non-linear companding techniques
Authors: Mobin Anam , Ahmad Anwar
Published: May 2022

Filter Bank Multicarrier with offset QAM (OQAM) is a suitable multicarrier waveform technique for 5 G and future wireless networks and standards. Being a multicarrier technique, it suffers from high peak-to-average-power ratio (PAPR) problem. In this paper we have used some non-linear companding transforms such as μ-law, A-law, rooting, tangent rooting, and logarithmic rooting to overcome the PAPR problem. Since non-linear companding techniques degrade bit-error-rate (BER) performance of a system. Hence, some channel coding techniques such as convolutional codes and turbo codes are employed to enhance the BER performance of non-linearly companded FBMC-OQAM system. It was observed that the combination of convolutional coding with logarithmic rooting companding provides PAPR reduction gain of about 4.896 dB and coding gain of about 2 dB as compared to conventional FBMC-OQAM system and is an appropriate choice for applications requiring reduced system complexity. It was observed that the combination of turbo coding with logarithmic rooting companding provides PAPR reduction gain of about 4.922 dB and a sufficiently high coding gain of about 7 dB as compared to conventional FBMC-OQAM system and is suitable for applications requiring improved data reliability at the expense of increased system complexity and latency.
Successful heart transplantation in a patient with adolescent-onset dilated cardiomyopathy secondary to propionic acidaemia: a case report
Authors: Seguchi Osamu , Toda Koichi , Hamada Yusuke , Fujita Tomoyuki , Fukushima Norihide
Published: May 2022

Background

Propionic acidaemia (PA) is an autosomal recessive disorder resulting from deficiency of propionyl-CoA carboxylase, a mitochondrial enzyme that metabolizes propionyl-CoA. Generally, patients with PA develop symptoms in the neonatal period due to protein intake through breastfeeding; however, late-onset PA with atypical symptoms, including cardiomyopathy, has been recently reported.

Case summary

We present the case of a 25-year-old male with late-onset PA complicated by advanced heart failure (HF) due to isolated secondary dilated cardiomyopathy, who required left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation and finally underwent heart transplantation (HTx). Initially, the patient developed HF at the age of 16 and was diagnosed with mitochondrial cardiomyopathy. Due to refractory HF, he underwent an LVAD implantation and was scheduled for HTx. During the preoperative period for HTx, the patient suffered from sepsis due to the worsening of LVAD driveline exit-site infection complicated by overt metabolic acidosis, finally leading to the diagnosis of late-onset PA. After this diagnosis, adequate nutritional interventions were introduced, and the cardiac function was partially restored enough for him to be weaned-off LVAD; however, the patient became inotrope dependent and underwent HTx. The post-HTx course was uneventful with special nutritional management, and he has experienced no adverse metabolic events in the past 3 years.

Discussion

Late-onset PA can cause isolated adult-onset cardiomyopathy, and LVAD or HTx should be considered when PA is complicated by advanced HF and is unresponsive to conventional medical therapies.
Coronary artery aneurysm in Loeys-Dietz syndrome: a case report
Authors: Jost Zachary T. , Sang Charlie J. , Lertwilaiwittaya Pongtawat , Chapman Gregory D.
Published: May 2022

Background

Loeys-Dietz syndrome (LDS) is a connective tissue disorder that commonly presents with vascular abnormalities. Owing to the rarity and severity of the condition, consensus guidelines for aortic surgery thresholds vary. In addition, evaluation of coronary arteries in patients with LDS (either routinely or before aortic root surgery) remain undefined. In this case report, we discuss a patient with LDS who found to have an ectatic aortic root and a coronary artery aneurysm and discuss guidelines for evaluation and management in this patient population.

Case summary

A 48-year-old woman was incidentally found to have a 45 mm ectatic aortic root during evaluation for a neck mass. As part of pre-operative evaluation for aortic root replacement, left heart catheterization revealed a left main coronary artery aneurysm. Family history revealed aortic aneurysms, sudden cardiac death, and tall height. Physical examination was notable for pectus excavatum and elongated limbs. Workup for inflammatory aetiologies of aortic root dilation was negative. Genetic testing revealed a heterozygous pathogenic TGBF3 variant, consistent with LDS Type 5. She subsequently underwent two-vessel coronary artery bypass, excision of her left main coronary artery aneurysm, and ascending aortic replacement.

Discussion

In this case, we describe a patient with LDS who was noted to have a coronary artery aneurysm, a rare finding in the initial presentation of disease. In addition, we examine guidelines regarding evaluation of management of aortic root disease and coronary aneurysms.
Applications of artificial intelligence and machine learning in heart failure
Authors: Averbuch Tauben , Sullivan Kristen , Sauer Andrew , Mamas Mamas A , Voors Adriaan A , Gale Chris P , Metra Marco , Ravindra Neal , Van Spall Harriette G C
Published: May 2022

Machine learning (ML) is a sub-field of artificial intelligence that uses computer algorithms to extract patterns from raw data, acquire knowledge without human input, and apply this knowledge for various tasks. Traditional statistical methods that classify or regress data have limited capacity to handle large datasets that have a low signal-to-noise ratio. In contrast to traditional models, ML relies on fewer assumptions, can handle larger and more complex datasets, and does not require predictors or interactions to be pre-specified, allowing for novel relationships to be detected. In this review, we discuss the rationale for the use and applications of ML in heart failure, including disease classification, early diagnosis, early detection of decompensation, risk stratification, optimal titration of medical therapy, effective patient selection for devices, and clinical trial recruitment. We discuss how ML can be used to expedite implementation and close healthcare gaps in learning healthcare systems. We review the limitations of ML, including opaque logic and unreliable model performance in the setting of data errors or data shift. Whilst ML has great potential to improve clinical care and research in HF, the applications must be externally validated in prospective studies for broad uptake to occur.
Gram-negative bacteria act as a reservoir for aminoglycoside antibiotics that interact with host factors to enhance bacterial killing in a mouse model of pneumonia
Authors: Wijers Christiaan D M , Pham Ly , Douglass Martin V , Skaar Eric P , Palmer Lauren D , Noto Michael J
Published: May 2022

In vitro exposure of multiple Gram-negative bacteria to an aminoglycoside (AG) antibiotic has previously been demonstrated to result in bacterial alterations that interact with host factors to suppress Gram-negative pneumonia. However, the mechanisms resulting in suppression are not known. Here, the hypothesis that Gram-negative bacteria bind and retain AGs, which are introduced into the lung and interact with host defenses to affect bacterial killing, was tested. Following in vitro exposure of one of several, pathogenic Gram-negative bacteria to the AG antibiotics kanamycin or gentamicin, AGs were detected in bacterial cell pellets (up to 208 μg/mL). Using inhibitors of AG binding and internalization, the bacterial outer membrane was implicated as the predominant kanamycin and gentamicin reservoir. Following intranasal administration of gentamicin-bound bacteria or gentamicin solution at the time of infection with live, AG-naïve bacteria, gentamicin was detected in the lungs of infected mice (up to 8 μg/g). Co-inoculation with gentamicin-bound bacteria resulted in killing of AG-naïve bacteria by up to 3-log10, mirroring the effects of intranasal gentamicin treatment. In vitro killing of AG-naïve bacteria mediated by kanamycin-bound bacteria required the presence of detergents or pulmonary surfactant, suggesting that increased bacterial killing inside the murine lung is facilitated by the detergent component of pulmonary surfactant. These findings demonstrate that Gram-negative bacteria bind and retain AGs that can interact with host-derived pulmonary surfactant to enhance bacterial killing in the lung. This may help explain why AGs appear to have unique efficacy in the lung and might expand their clinical utility.