bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Safeguarding Information in Service Science with Service Integration
Authors: Padovan Diego , Taheri Javid , d’Amore Fabrizio
Published: May 2021

Service Science can be described through information, that underpins knowledge as enabler of service value chain. Therefore data, as a part of information, is a basic asset of the service market where undertakings constantly face high competition and try to protect such assets from malicious attackers. Information as to be preserved also for regulatory constraints, and traditional organizational models can have limits in doing so. In this paper it is discussed the possibility to manage both data protection and cyber security through an information security integrated management service (ISIMS). In fact, as per other cross-functional knowledge, information security and data privacy compliance can be managed via an integrated approach, as a possible evolution of the common organizational separation between their respective domains, namely Legal and IT. Moreover, this paper identifies major areas of benefits as well as current lack of integrated systems for information safeguard in Service Science.
Responsible Service Logic
Authors: Léonard Michel , Drăgoicea Monica
Published: May 2021

This paper introduces the Responsible Service logic to clarify the responsibilities of managers in the establishment of services inside society. Nowadays, managers have to foster the discovery of new Exploration and Innovation activities (E&I). Indeed, they have to address business and societal challenges with much more consistency and responsibility, as information technologies (IT) are being infused into the development of products and services. It is a question of exploring how to rendezvous responsible management and IT potential for value co-creation. This paper considers Service Science and its two disciplinary pillars – marketing (Service-Dominant logic), and information technology (Service-IT logic). Then it introduces a third pillar, the Responsible Service logic, to fill the gap between them and, in such a way, to reinforce a cognitive continuum between all these pillars. Thus, the Responsible Service logic will concern all the co-creators of the service, although they have different skills, activities, competencies, and even belong to different entities. This is how it clarifies the real responsibilities of the managers in such a progression.
Big Data im Profifußball
Authors: Schulze Emiel
Published: May 2021

Um Spieler im Profifußball optimal vorzubereiten und deren Leistungsfähigkeit zu steigern, reichen subjektive Entscheidungen heute nicht mehr aus. Zuverlässige Daten sind erforderlich, um die Qualität der Wahrnehmung zu stützen und dauerhaft Spitzenleistungen zu ermöglichen. Allerdings ist die dabei anfallende Datenmenge sehr groß, weshalb ohne Digitalisierung nichts mehr geht.
Atlantoaxial Dislocation: Surgical Outcome following Anterior Retropharyngeal Approach to Odontoid with or without Fixation
Authors: Banga Manpreet Singh , Sandeep B.V. , Saha Suniti Kumar , Roy Kaushik , Dixit Sourabh , Ghosh Partha
Published: May 2021

Introduction Atlantoaxial dislocation (AAD) refers to a loss of stability between the atlas and axis vertebra. The conventional transoral approach and the anterior retropharyngeal approach (ARPA) are adequate for the upper cervical vertebral segments. This study was undertaken to evaluate the usefulness of the ARPA to the odontoid in patients of AAD.

Materials and Methods The study was undertaken on 20 patients admitted in Nil Ratan Sircar Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata, India, with functional disability secondary to AAD. These patients underwent surgery through ARPA to odontoid with or without fixation. Patients were analyzed between October 2014 and September 2016.

Results Maximum number of patients belonged to third decade of life. The male to female ratio was 1.5. The mean duration of symptoms was 10.86 months. Weakness of the upper and lower limbs predominated. About 65% patients had axial neck pain. Nine patients (45%) in total had difficulty in either bowel or bladder. Five patients presented with fracture odontoid and pannus formation of the odontoid process, while six had basilar invagination. One patient underwent anterior odontoid screw fixation and the other 19 patients underwent anterior retropharyngeal odontoidectomy with posterior fixation. Two patients expired in the present study. Most of the patients had improvement in Nurick grade during follow-up. Five patients had transient throat pain and dysphagia. Three patients had superficial surgical site infection. One patient had postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leak.

Conclusion The ARPA to odontoid is a feasible approach for decompression and fixation of the odontoid in AAD cases.
Venous Thromboembolism among Noncritically Ill Hospitalized Children: Key Considerations for the Pediatric Hospital Medicine Specialist
Authors: Morrison John M. , Betensky Marisol , Kiskaddon Amy L. , Goldenberg Neil A.
Published: May 2021

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a leading cause of morbidity and preventable harm among noncritically ill hospitalized children. Several clinical factors relevant to the noncritically ill hospitalized child significantly increase the risk of VTE including the presence of central venous catheters, systemic inflammation, and prolonged immobilization. Although risk mitigation strategies have been described, the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of VTE require standardization of institutional practices combined with multidisciplinary collaboration among pediatric hospitalists, hematologists, and other care providers. In this narrative review, we summarize the epidemiology of VTE, risk models identifying high-risk conditions associated with VTE, and prevention and treatment strategies. We further describe successful quality improvement efforts implementing institutional VTE risk stratification and thromboprophylaxis procedures. Finally, we highlight unique challenges facing pediatric hospital medicine specialists in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic, including caring for adults admitted to pediatric hospital units, and describe future research opportunities for VTE in the noncritically ill hospitalized child.
Intraoperative Computed Tomography Scanner-Guided Craniovertebral Junction Surgery in a Patient with an Occipitalized C1
Authors: Ashraf Mohammad , Kamboh Usman Ahmad , Ashraf Naveed
Published: May 2021

Craniovertebral junction surgery is associated with unique difficulties. Type 2 odontoid fractures (Anderson and D Alonzo) have a great potential for nonunion and malunion. These fracture patients may require a circumferential decompression and fixation. The addition of intraoperative CT with neuronavigation greatly aids in craniovertebral junction surgery. We operated on a 59-year-old-male with a type 2 fracture with posterior subluxation of C1 anterior arch and a cranially displaced odontoid peg. First, a transoral odontoidectomy was performed followed by a craniocervical fixation. Occipital plates and C3–C4 lateral mass screws were used as C1 was discovered to be occipitalized intraoperatively and atlantoaxial facet joints could not be reduced as discovered by intraoperative CT resconstruction. Intraoperative CT scan was crucial to this circumferential decompression and fixation, allowed us to resect the odontoid peg safely and completely and to confirm adequate screw trajectory making this complex surgery easier for us and safer for the patient. The patient was discharged 4 months after admission with stable neurology. Intraoperative CT was fundamental to correct decision making.
Balancing power in co-production: introducing a reflection model
Authors: Ärleskog Caroline , Vackerberg Nicoline , Andersson Ann-Christine
Published: May 2021

The role and position of users in health and welfare has recently changed to become more active in co-production of care. When more co-production is preferred, challenges related to power need to be considered. In this paper, power is seen as the possibility to influence. The paper focuses on power in co-produced improvement work by introducing a reflection model based on Franzén’s power triangle, further developed from improvement coaches’ perceptions. First, empirical data from interviews with improvement coaches were analyzed and then the theoretical model was created. Twelve coaches were included in the interviews, all of them with experience of co-production and improvement work within a region in southeast Sweden. By combining the empirical results with the power triangle, a reflection model concerning power dimensions was developed. The results showed the necessity of reflection regarding several power-related factors. Resources were found to be important and depending on contextual settings. Attitudes and perceptions among personnel and users were also vital. To accomplish co-production, the power dimension must be considered, and the power triangle acknowledges different power dimensions and how they affect each other. The model has a systematic character and allows adjustments to the power dimensions within any other context. It can inspire and be used by improvers working with co-production to promote deeper professional and organizational reflection and thereby contribute to new insights on how to balance power in co-producing health and welfare services.
The common-is-moral association is stronger among less religious people
Authors: Eriksson Kimmo , Vartanova Irina , Ornstein Petra , Strimling Pontus
Published: May 2021

Questionable behaviours that are perceived as more common also tend to be judged as more morally justified. Here we explore this phenomenon in survey data from 31 countries in the European Values Study, allowing us to examine the universality of the common-is-moral association. More than 35,000 participants rated eight questionable behaviours (e.g., cheating on taxes, having casual sex) on how frequent they are and how justified they are. We estimated common-is-moral associations both across individuals for each behaviour and across behaviours within each individual; in both cases, the association tended to be positive. We further examined the hypothesis that the common-is-moral association would be stronger among less religious people, who are less likely to adopt their moral judgements from religious authorities and therefore should be more susceptible to the heuristic of using the perceived commonness of a behaviour as a guide to how it should be morally judged. Indeed, we found the common-is-moral association to be somewhat stronger among less religious people, whether the association was estimated across individuals or within individuals. We discuss alternative explanations, implications and directions for future research.
Exact solutions of Klein–Gordon equations in external electromagnetic fields on 3D de Sitter background
Authors: Boldyreva Maria N. , Magazev Alexey A.
Published: May 2021

We study symmetry properties and the possibility of exact integration of Klein–Gordon equations in external electromagnetic fields on 3D de Sitter background dS3. We present an algorithm for constructing the first-order symmetry algebra and describe its structure in terms of Lie algebra extensions. Based on the well-known classification of the subalgebras of the algebra so(1,3), we classify all electromagnetic fields on dS3 for which the corresponding Klein–Gordon equations admit first-order symmetry algebras. Then, we select the integrable cases, and for each of them, we construct exact solutions using the noncommutative integration method developed by Shapovalov and Shirokov [Theor. Math. Phys. 104, 921–934 (1995)]. We also propose an original algebraic method for constructing the special local coordinates on de Sitter space dS3, in which basis vector fields for subalgebras of the Lie algebra so(1,3) have the simplest form.
Energy analysis on rebound dynamics of two droplets impacting a superhydrophobic surface simultaneously
Authors: Wang Xin , Wang Yi-Bo , Jiao Li-Li , Yang Yan-Ru , Wang Xiao-Dong
Published: May 2021

When multiple droplets impact a superhydrophobic surface, coalescence between the droplets may lead to an increased viscous dissipation rate and thus an increased contact time. In this study, the impact of double droplets on a superhydrophobic surface is studied via a lattice Boltzmann model. The morphology and contact time of the rebounding droplet are obtained for various droplet distances and Weber numbers. The simulations show that there are three kinds of rebound patterns, complete-coalescence rebound (CCR), partial-coalescence rebound (PCR), and no-coalescence rebound (NCR); and the contact time is the shortest in the PCR regime. An energy analysis is implemented to reveal the energy conversion mechanism. It is found that viscous dissipation strongly depends on the coalescence strength, and it increases monotonously from the CCR regime to the NCR regime. This result implies that the shortest contact time in the PCR regime does not arise from the reduced viscous dissipation but is attributed to the morphology of the rebounding droplet. Moreover, the simulations also show that the total kinetic energy at the rebound moment is the highest in the PCR regime; however, the restitution coefficient or the rebound velocity is lowest in this regime because a larger proportion of the total kinetic energy occurs in the transverse direction. Therefore, a shorter contact time does not imply a higher rebound velocity.
Enzyme-mimic activity study of superstable and ultrasmall graphene encapsuled CoRu nanocrystal
Authors: Keoingthong Phouphien , Li Shengkai , Zhu Zhaotian , Zhang Liang , Xu Jieqiong , Chen Long , Tan Weihong , Chen Zhuo
Published: May 2021

Nanozymes hold huge potential in various fields, but their much lower catalytic activities than natural enzymes greatly limit their extensive applications. Recent studies indicated that an enhanced enzyme-like activity could be obtained by decreasing the particle size through rational design because smaller nanoparticles (NPs) have larger surface-area-to-volume ratios and more unsaturated sites, which are beneficial to the adsorption of reactant species. However, ultrasmall NPs have low adsorption energy and poor stability, which makes the synthesis of superstable and ultrasmall nanozymes extremely difficult. Several interesting works reported that the encapsulation of ultrasmall NPs with few-layer carbon shells could effectively protect them from dissolution and agglomeration, and meanwhile, their catalytic activities were not greatly affected. Herein, we report a superstable and ultrasmall graphene encapsuled CoRu nanocrystal (CoRu@G) with the CoRu alloy confined in the nanospace of few-layer graphene via the chemical vapor deposition method. It shows excellent corrosion resistance in aqua regia due to the protection of the chemically inert graphitic shell. The intrinsic peroxidase-, oxidase-, and catalase-like activities of the CoRu@G are systematically explored, including the influence of the concentration, pH, and temperature on the enzyme-like activity, steady-state kinetic analysis, and catalytic oxidation mechanism study. Significantly, the CoRu@G shows an excellent and ultrastable enzyme-like activity with the treatment of high temperatures, buffered solutions, or NaCl solutions probably because the graphene layer protects it from dissolution and agglomeration efficiently. We believe that the proposed graphene confinement strategy could highlight the direction of highly active, superstable, and ultrasmall-sized nanozyme preparation.
Two-dimensional simulation of an Ar/H2 direct-current discharge plasma
Authors: Che Yong , Zang Qing , Han Xiaofeng , Xiao Shumei , Huang Kai , Hu Jiahui , Ren Mengfang , Liu Jianwen , Zhou Jian
Published: May 2021

We created a two-dimensional, mathematical fluid model of a plasma in a spherical direct-current (DC) glow-discharge chamber based on the finite-element method (FEM) using the commercial FEM solver COMSOL Multiphysics. The model is based on the Boltzmann transport equation, and we solved it to simulate the transient physical characteristics of an Ar/H2 glow-discharge plasma, including the distributions of electron density, electrical potential, electron temperature, and other physical characteristics in the reaction chamber. We simulated a 5%H2/95%Ar DC glow discharge at 500 V and 2 Torr, and the results show that the electron density is distributed between the anode and the cathode, with a maximum electron density of 2.76 × 1015 m−3 and a maximum electron temperature of 5.37 eV. We also studied the effects of the discharge voltage and pressure on the electron density. The mathematical model simulates well the variation of the electron density in the chamber, and it shows that the electron density increases with increasing pressure or driving voltage.
Halide perovskite two-terminal analog memristor capable of photo-activated synaptic weight modulation for neuromorphic computing
Authors: Das Ujjal , Sarkar Pranab , Paul Bappi , Roy Asim
Published: May 2021

Emulation of biological signal processing, learning and memory functions is essential for the development of artificial learning circuitry. Two terminal artificial synapses are supposed to be more feasible with biological system in terms of energy efficiency and processing. Here, we report on the fabrication of organic–inorganic hybrid perovskite based two-terminal artificial synapse in which the synaptic plasticity is modified by both voltage pulses and light illumination. The device emulates important synaptic characteristics, including analog memory switching, short-term plasticity, and long-term plasticity, analogous to the biological system. The change in conductance is attributed to the ion migration under external electric field. In addition, the improved post-synaptic current in optical exposer could be related to the generation of excitons and lowered Schottky barrier at perovskite/electrode interface under external electric field.
Tuning electronic properties of conductive 2D layered metal–organic frameworks via host–guest interactions: Dioxygen as an electroactive chemical stimuli
Authors: Momeni Mohammad R. , Zhang Zeyu , Dell’Angelo David , Shakib Farnaz A.
Published: May 2021

Thermodynamics and kinetics of O2 adsorption and its impacts on structural features and conductive behavior of 2D π-stacked layered metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are studied using periodic PBE-D3 quantum mechanical calculations. Our computed O2 adsorption energies of Co3(HTTP)2 (HTTP = hexathiotriphenylene), as a representative of the 2D MOFs family, show that not only open-Co(II) sites but also redox-active HTTP linkers take part in chemisorption of O2 by forming strong S=O bonds. This is in contrast to conventional 3D Co2(OH)2(BBTA) and Fe2(dobdc) MOFs with similar hexagonal 1D channels where O2 adsorption occurs solely via coordination to the open-metal sites. Due to the adsorptive capability of its redox-active linkers, Co3(HTTP)2 is superior to the analogues 3D MOFs where the change in the oxidation state of the transition metal centers is suggested to result in hindering both the kinetics and thermodynamics of the adsorption process. Our calculated band structures and density of states show that the conductive behavior of the studied Co3(HTTP)2 2D MOF changes dramatically from metallic in the parent system to semiconducting under oxygen rich conditions, with direct bandgap openings that range from 123 to 251 meV. The results presented in this work are helpful in understanding the effects of different electroactive guest molecules on the structure and conductive behavior of 2D layered MOFs and related nonporous materials.
Validation of Synthetic Solar Irradiance Data
Authors: Frimane Âzeddine , Bright Jamie M.
Published: May 2021

Solar irradiance data synthesis aims to generate realistic data for many engineering applications when obtaining real-world data can be costly and often entirely impractical. Once synthetic irradiance data is generated, its validity needs to be established before use. Many validation approaches in the literature examine the statistical equivalence between the generated synthetic data and real ground observation data, but there is no official standard with which to validate. This raises questions about which methods are the most suitable and should be adopted for synthetic solar irradiance methodologies. A critical finding is that a varied approach to validation is necessary, as each intended application of synthetic solar irradiance will prioritize certain aspects over others. In this chapter, a review of the main existing approaches for robust validation of synthetic solar irradiance data is presented, as well as some insights into the metrics.
Onshore Wind Farms
Authors: Okedu Kenneth
Published: May 2021

Onshore Wind Farms: Dynamic Stability and Applications in Hydrogen Production offers an up-to-date discussion of new technologies and methods for building wind farms and upgrading existing wind turbines. The effective operation of grid-connected wind farms is quite a challenge for grid operators, largely due to the transient nature of wind energy. This book covers improvements in dynamic performance of a grid in combination with other sources including nuclear power, hydropower, and thermal turbines. It investigates the effects of devices and control strategies that potentially improve wind energy capture and stabilize existing fixed-speed wind turbines in grid-connected wind farms.

This timely book:Includes new technology for improved wind turbinesFeatures developments for improving the stability of grids that rely on wind powerCovers applications such as hydrogen fuel production and DC fuel cells

Relevant for researchers and engineers working in wind energy, this book is also suitable for students interested in grid development or other forms of renewable energy. It is also of interest to wind energy policy planners and analysts.
Improving the dynamic performance of grid connected wind farms using new SMES switching techniques
Authors: Okedu Kenneth
Published: May 2021

Due to the uncertain nature of wind energy, the effective operation of grid connected wind farms is quite a challenge for grid operators. The stipulated grid requirements for frequency and voltage control must be satisfied to avoid shutdown of grid networks during periods of dynamic grid disturbance. This chapter examines possible improvements to the dynamic performance of a grid network consisting of nuclear and thermal turbines that are tied to a wind farm made up of fixed-speed squirrel cage induction generator wind turbines. A superconducting magnetic energy storage (SMES) system is connected to the terminal of the wind farm in order to achieve smoothing of the distorted wind turbine variables, so that steady power supply can be maintained during periods of grid disturbance. A new control strategy to improve the performance of the traditional SMES is proposed by integrating a parallel DC–DC chopper in the circuitry of the voltage source converter. The responses of the proposed control strategy for the SMES were compared with those of the traditional SMES scheme during grid disturbance under the same wind speed conditions. The simulation results from the Power System Computer Aided Design and Electromagnetic Transient Including DC platform show an improved performance of the grid variables for the proposed scheme for SMES.
A variable-speed wind turbine flywheel-based coordinated control system for enhancing grid frequency dynamics
Authors: Okedu Kenneth
Published: May 2021

The uncertain nature of wind energy is an issue for the smooth operation of grid connected wind farms. Grid operations have to satisfy the stipulated grid codes for frequency control. In this chapter, grid networks made up of steam and hydro turbines are connected to three wind farms, using different control topologies. The first wind farm consists of only fixed-speed induction generator wind turbines. The second wind farm is composed of only variable-speed doubly fed induction generator (DFIG) wind turbines. A flywheel-based DFIG system is used in the third wind farm. The reference power of the DFIG in the third wind farm is controlled in such a way as to smooth its output during dynamics periods, while at the same time generate excess kinetic energy in the flywheel that is injected into the system to improve its performance. A comparative study was carried out on the dynamic performance of the grid networks, considering the same wind speed conditions for the three schemes used in the wind farms. The coordinated control scheme in the third wind farm enhances the frequency response and other variables of the power system. Simulations were carried out using Power System Computer Design and Electromagnetic Transient Including DC.
GIMAP5 maintains liver endothelial cell homeostasis and prevents portal hypertension
Authors: Drzewiecki Kaela , Choi Jungmin , Brancale Joseph , Leney-Greene Michael A. , Sari Sinan , Dalgiç Buket , Ünlüsoy Aksu Aysel , Evirgen Şahin Gülseren , Ozen Ahmet , Baris Safa , Karakoc-Aydiner Elif , Jain Dhanpat , Kleiner David , Schmalz Michael , Radhakrishnan Kadakkal , Zhang Junhui , Hoebe Kasper , Su Helen C. , Pereira João P. , Lenardo Michael J. , Lifton Richard P. , Vilarinho Sílvia
Published: May 2021

Portal hypertension is a major contributor to decompensation and death from liver disease, a global health problem. Here, we demonstrate homozygous damaging mutations in GIMAP5, a small organellar GTPase, in four families with unexplained portal hypertension. We show that GIMAP5 is expressed in hepatic endothelial cells and that its loss in both humans and mice results in capillarization of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs); this effect is also seen when GIMAP5 is selectively deleted in endothelial cells. Single-cell RNA-sequencing analysis in a GIMAP5-deficient mouse model reveals replacement of LSECs with capillarized endothelial cells, a reduction of macrovascular hepatic endothelial cells, and places GIMAP5 upstream of GATA4, a transcription factor required for LSEC specification. Thus, GIMAP5 is a critical regulator of liver endothelial cell homeostasis and, when absent, produces portal hypertension. These findings provide new insight into the pathogenesis of portal hypertension, a major contributor to morbidity and mortality from liver disease.
Optical limiting applications of resonating plasmonic Au nanoparticles in a dielectric glass medium
Authors: Kumar Promod , Chandra Mathpal Mohan , Jagannath Gangareddy , Prakash Jai , Maze Jero-R , Roos W D , Swart H C
Published: May 2021

Plasmonic nanostructures exhibiting high optical nonlinearities are widely used in the rapidly growing modern nanotechnology of nonlinear optics including biomedical applications due to their tunable plasmonic behavior. In this work, we investigate the nonlinear optical properties of uniformly distributed Au nanoparticles (NPs) embedded in pre-synthesized sodium−zinc borate glass by the well-known ion-exchange technique for optical limiting (OL) applications. Various techniques such as optical absorption spectroscopy, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM), Photoluminescence, Time of Flight secondary mass spectroscopy and the Z scan technique were used for the characterization of these NPs. TEM confirmed spherically shaped Au NPs with varying sizes of up to 16 nm, in agreement with optical absorption spectroscopy. Nonlinear optical (NLO) properties of these Au NPs were investigated by using an open as well as close aperture Z scan technique which exhibited enhanced optical nonlinearities. The two-photon absorption (2PA) coefficients demonstrated an increasing trend while the OL threshold values demonstrated a decreasing trend as a function of heat treatment. The improved 2PA coefficients and decreased OL threshold values endorsed the Au NPs containing glasses as contending materials for the fabrication of promising optical limiters for the protection of eyes and other sensitive instruments from laser induced damages.
Carbon nanotube-mediated high intensity focused ultrasound
Authors: Sadeghi-Goughari Moslem , Jeon Soo , Kwon Hyock-Ju
Published: May 2021

High intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is emerging as a novel therapeutic technique for cancer treatment through a hyperthermal mechanism using ultrasound. However, collateral thermal damages to healthy tissue and skin burns due to the use of high levels of ultrasonic energy during HIFU treatment remain major challenges to clinical application. The main objective of the current study is to evaluate the potential of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as effective absorption-enhancing agents for HIFU to mediate the heating process at low ultrasonic power levels, and consequently upgrade hyperthermal therapeutic effects of HIFU. An experimental study using in vitro tissue phantoms was conducted to assess the effects of CNTs on HIFU’s heating mechanism. Detailed information was extracted from the experiments for thermal analysis, including rate of absorbed energy density and temperature rise profile at the focal region. Parametric studies were carried out, revealing the effects of ultrasound parameters (ultrasonic power and driving frequency) on the performance of CNTs in various concentrations. The results indicated that CNTs significantly enhanced the thermal effect of HIFU by elevating energy absorption rate and consequential temperature rise. Moreover, it was demonstrated that an increase in ultrasonic power and driving frequency could lead to a better performance of CNTs during HIFU ablation procedures; the effects of CNTs could be further enhanced by increasing their volume concentration inside the medium.
Terahertz scattering microscopy for dermatology diagnostics
Authors: Tanga Alfonso Alessandro , Giliberti Valeria , Vitucci Francesco , Vitulano Domenico , Bruni Vittoria , Rossetti Andrea , Messina Gabriele Carmine , Daniele Maddalena , Ruocco Giancarlo , Ortolani Michele
Published: May 2021

We explore the possibility of detecting anomalous structures buried under the skin surface by studying the deviations from the ideal Airy pattern of the point-spread function (PSF) of a terahertz microscope that includes the skin as one of the reflecting surfaces of the optical system. Using a custom terahertz microscope with a monochromatic point source emitting at 0.611 THz, we record the PSF images with a microbolometer camera. Skin simulants based on collagen gel, with and without artificial buried structures, have been analyzed. The geometrical features characterizing the PSF deformations have been extracted automatically from the PSF images. A machine learning algorithm applied to these geometrical features produces a reliable classification of targets with or without buried structures with error below 5%. It can even classify targets with anisotropic buried structures according to their different orientation.
Hyperbolic surface wave propagation in mid-infrared metasurfaces with extreme anisotropy
Authors: Mekawy Ahmed , Alù Andrea
Published: May 2021

Hyperbolic metasurfaces are characterized by an extreme anisotropy of their effective conductivity tensor, which may be induced at visible frequencies by sculpting metals at the subwavelength scale. In this work, we explore practical implementations of hyperbolic metasurfaces at mid-infrared wavelengths, exploiting devices composed of metals and high-index semiconductor materials, which can support the required field confinement and extreme anisotropy required to realize low loss hyperbolic surface waves. In particular, we discuss the role of broken symmetries in these hybrid metasurfaces to enable large and broadband hyperbolic responses spanning the entire mid-infrared wavelength range (3–30 μm). Our findings pave the way to the development of large scale nanophotonic devices to manipulate mid-infrared light, with applications in nonlinear optics due to the high field confinement, light routing at the nanoscale, thermal control and management, and sub diffraction imaging.
Angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy study of rare-earth tritelluride charge density wave compounds: RTe3 (R
= Pr, Er)
Authors: Seong Seungho , Lee Eunsook , Kwon Y S , Min B I , Denlinger J D , Park Byeong-Gyu , Kang J-S
Published: May 2021

The electronic structures of layered rare-earth tritelluride RTe3 (R = Pr, Er) charge density wave (CDW) compounds have been investigated by performing R 4d → 4f resonant photoemission spectroscopy (RPES) and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) measurements for high-quality single crystals. R 4d → 4f RPES measurements reveal that the R 4f states do not contribute directly to the CDW formation in RTe3 but that the R 4f-Te 5p hybridization in PrTe3 is significantly larger than that in ErTe3. In the photon-energy maps for the Fermi-edge (E
F)-crossing states in RTe3, straight vertical dispersions are observed along k

c
, demonstrating the 2D character for the near-E
F states in both R = Pr and Er. This finding implies the weak interlayer interaction between R-Te(1) and Te(2)–Te(3) layers, which is supported by the similar linear dichroism in ARPES for PrTe3 and ErTe3. The CDW-induced Fermi surface of PrTe3 exhibits two-fold symmetric features while that of ErTe3 exhibits four-fold symmetric features. This finding reveals different CDW distortions in PrTe3 and ErTe3, the origin of which is likely to be different ionic sizes of R ions and different R 4f-Te 5p hybridization.
Procode: A Machine-Learning Tool to Support (Re-)coding of Free-Texts of Occupations and Industries
Authors: Savic Nenad , Bovio Nicolas , Gilbert Fabien , Paz José , Guseva Canu Irina
Published: May 2021

Procode is a free of charge web-tool that allows automatic coding of occupational data (free-texts) by implementing Complement Naïve Bayes (CNB) as a machine-learning technique. The paper describes the algorithm, performance evaluation, and future goals regarding the tool’s development. Almost 30 000 free-texts with manually assigned classification codes of French classification of occupations (PCS) and French classification of activities (NAF) were used to train CNB. A 5-fold cross-validation found that Procode predicts correct classification codes in 57–81 and 63–83% cases for PCS and NAF, respectively. Procode also integrates recoding between two classifications. In the first version of Procode, this operation, however, is only a simple search function of recoding links in existing crosswalks. Future focus of the project will be collection of the data to support automatic coding to other classification and to establish a more advanced method for recoding.
KwARG: parsimonious reconstruction of ancestral recombination graphs with recurrent mutation
Authors: Ignatieva Anastasia , Lyngsø Rune B , Jenkins Paul A , Hein Jotun
Published: May 2021

Motivation

The reconstruction of possible histories given a sample of genetic data in the presence of recombination and recurrent mutation is a challenging problem, but can provide key insights into the evolution of a population. We present KwARG, which implements a parsimony-based greedy heuristic algorithm for finding plausible genealogical histories (ancestral recombination graphs) that are minimal or near-minimal in the number of posited recombination and mutation events.

Results

Given an input dataset of aligned sequences, KwARG outputs a list of possible candidate solutions, each comprising a list of mutation and recombination events that could have generated the dataset; the relative proportion of recombinations and recurrent mutations in a solution can be controlled via specifying a set of ‘cost’ parameters. We demonstrate that the algorithm performs well when compared against existing methods.

Availability and implementation

The software is available at https://github.com/a-ignatieva/kwarg.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
ChemHub: a knowledgebase of functional chemicals for synthetic biology studies
Authors: Han Mengying , Zhang Dachuan , Ding Shaozhen , Tian Yu , Cheng Xingxiang , Yuan Le , Sun Dandan , Liu Dongliang , Gong Linlin , Jia Cancan , Cai Pengli , Tu Weizhong , Chen Junni , Hu Qian-Nan
Published: May 2021

The field of synthetic biology lacks a comprehensive knowledgebase for selecting synthetic target molecules according to their functions, economic applications and known biosynthetic pathways. We implemented ChemHub, a knowledgebase containing >90 000 chemicals and their functions, along with related biosynthesis information for these chemicals that was manually extracted from >600 000 published studies by more than 100 people over the past 10 years.

Availability and implementation

Multiple algorithms were implemented to enable biosynthetic pathway design and precursor discovery, which can support investigation of the biosynthetic potential of these functional chemicals. ChemHub is freely available at: http://www.rxnfinder.org/chemhub/.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
No evidence of the unfolded protein response in the placenta of two rodent models of preeclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction
Authors: Denkl Barbara , Cordasic Nada , Huebner Hanna , Menendez-Castro Carlos , Schmidt Marius , Mocker Alexander , Woelfle Joachim , Hartner Andrea , Fahlbusch Fabian B
Published: May 2021

In humans, intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and preeclampsia (PE) are associated with induction of the unfolded protein response (UPR) and increased placental endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Especially in PE, oxidative stress occurs relative to the severity of maternal vascular underperfusion (MVU) of the placental bed. On the premise that understanding the mechanisms of placental dysfunction could lead to targeted therapeutic options for human IUGR and PE, we investigated the roles of the placental UPR and oxidative stress in two rodent models of these human gestational pathologies. We employed a rat IUGR model of gestational maternal protein restriction, as well as an endothelial nitric oxide synthase knockout mouse model (eNOS−/−) of PE/IUGR. Placental expression of UPR members was analyzed via qRT-PCR (Grp78, Calnexin, Perk, Chop, Atf6, and Ern1), immunohistochemistry, and Western blotting (Calnexin, ATF6, GRP78, CHOP, phospho-eIF2α, and phospho-IRE1). Oxidative stress was determined via Western blotting (3-nitrotyrosine and 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal). Both animal models showed a significant reduction of fetal and placental weight. These effects did not induce placental UPR. In contrast to human data, results from our rodent models suggest retention of placental plasticity in the setting of ER stress under an adverse gestational environment. Oxidative stress was significantly increased only in female IUGR rat placentas, suggesting a sexually dimorphic response to maternal malnutrition. Our study advances understanding of the involvement of the placental UPR in IUGR and PE. Moreover, it emphasizes the appropriate choice of animal models researching various aspects of these pregnancy complications.
Statistical modeling of longitudinal medical cost trajectory: renal cell cancer care cost analyses
Authors: Wang Shikun , Shen Yu , Shih Ya-Chen Tina , Xu Ying , Li Liang
Published: May 2021

Estimating the current cost of cancer care is important to health policy makers. An indispensable step in cost projection is to estimate cost trajectories from an incident cohort of cancer patients using longitudinal medical cost data, accounting for terminal events such as death, and right censoring due to loss of follow-up. Since the cost of cancer care and survival are correlated, a scientifically meaningful quantity for inference in this context is the mean cost trajectory conditional on survival. We propose a two-stage semiparametric approach to estimate the longitudinal cost trajectories from a joint model of longitudinal medical costs and survival. The longitudinal cost trajectories corresponding to various survival times form a bivariate surface in a triangular area. The cost trajectories are estimated using the tensor products of discretized measurement time and survival, as well as effective ridge penalties for data in 2D arrays. The proposed approach balances the practical considerations of model flexibility, statistical efficiency, and computational tractability. We used the proposed method to estimate the cost trajectories of renal cell cancer patients using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare linked database.
Associations between subregional thalamic volume and brain pathology in autosomal dominant Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Pardilla-Delgado Enmanuelle , Torrico-Teave Heirangi , Sanchez Justin S , Ramirez-Gomez Liliana A , Baena Ana , Bocanegra Yamile , Vila-Castelar Clara , Fox-Fuller Joshua T , Guzmán-Vélez Edmarie , Martínez Jairo , Alvarez Sergio , Ochoa-Escudero Martin , Lopera Francisco , Quiroz Yakeel T
Published: May 2021

Histopathological reports suggest that subregions of the thalamus, which regulates multiple physiological and cognitive processes, are not uniformly affected by Alzheimer’s disease. Despite this, structural neuroimaging studies often consider the thalamus as a single region. Identification of in vivo Alzheimer’s-dependent volumetric changes in thalamic subregions may aid the characterization of early nuclei-specific neurodegeneration in Alzheimer’s disease. Here, we leveraged access to the largest single-mutation cohort of autosomal-dominant Alzheimer’s disease to test whether cross-sectional abnormalities in subregional thalamic volumes are evident in non-demented mutation carriers (n = 31), compared to non-carriers (n = 36), and whether subregional thalamic volume is associated with age, markers of brain pathology and cognitive performance. Using automatic parcellation we examined the thalamus in six subregions (anterior, lateral, ventral, intralaminar, medial, and posterior) and their relation to age and brain pathology (amyloid and tau), as measured by PET imaging. No between-group differences were observed in the volume of the thalamic subregions. In carriers, lower volume in the medial subregion was related to increased cortical amyloid and entorhinal tau burden. These findings suggest that thalamic Alzheimer’s-related volumetric reductions are not uniform even in preclinical and prodromal stages of autosomal-dominant Alzheimer’s disease and therefore, this structure should not be considered as a single, unitary structure in Alzheimer’s disease research.
Regional, seasonal and age class blubber fatty acid signature analysis of harbour seals in Alaska from 1997 to 2010
Authors: Neises Victoria M , Karpovich Shawna A , Keogh Mandy J , King Ryan S , Trumble Stephen J
Published: May 2021

Alaskan harbour seal populations are currently listed as a species of special concern. Although there is evidence of recent stabilization or even partial recovery of harbour seal numbers in areas of historic decline, most populations have not made substantial recoveries. To date, few data exist regarding spatial and seasonal changes in blubber fatty acids (FAs) for Alaskan harbour seal populations. The purpose of this study was to qualitatively investigate harbour seal blubber FA profiles for regional, seasonal and age class differences. Blubber FA concentrations were analysed using MANOVA and linear discriminant analysis (LDA) from 760 individual harbour seals across Bristol Bay, Kodiak, Prince William Sound and Southeast Alaska from 1997 to 2010. Our results suggest spatial and seasonal differences are largely driven by monounsaturated FAs, most notably 14:1n-5, 16:1n-7 and 18:1n-7. In addition, our data revealed a progression in blubber FAs from pups to adults, with a shift from saturated FAs and short-chained monounsaturated FAs in the pup blubber to more long-chain monounsaturated FAs and polyunsaturated FAs in adults. Lastly, harbour seals pups had elevated saturated FA 16:0 concentrations when compared to other age classes, regardless of location or period. With this vast spatial and seasonal FA information, we believe future sampling of blubber FAs from Alaskan harbour seal populations could be a useful tool in assessing the response of this species and its ecosystem to changes associated with natural and anthropogenic pressures.
Revisiting Attribution Theory: Toward a Critical Feminist Approach for Understanding Attributions of Blame
Authors: DelGreco Maria , Denes Amanda , Davis Shardé , Webber Katrina T
Published: May 2021

Heeding the necessary call for interpersonal communication research to be theorized and conducted from a more critical perspective, we employ feminist standpoint theory as a critical tool for reading attribution theory. Specifically, we examine social positionality as an essential aspect of the attribution process and identify how oppressive power structures (macro-level) and a critical consciousness of one’s social positionality (micro-level) impact interpersonal interactions (meso-level). Key components of our approach are visualized and applied to the context of sexual violence, and suggestions for additional interpersonal contexts to consider and ways to further the discussion are addressed. Overall, we maintain that taking a non-neutral, critical feminist approach to attribution theory enables us to consider how perspectives of marginalized groups are valuable sources of knowledge, interrogate how social positionality for those in power may impact attributions of blame, and recognize how groups in the margins have the agency to enact social change.
Cardiac magnetic resonance to predict recurrences after ventricular tachycardia ablation: septal involvement, transmural channels, and left ventricular mass
Authors: Quinto Levio , Sanchez Paula , Alarcón Francisco , Garre Paz , Zaraket Fatima , Prat-Gonzalez Susana , Ortiz-Perez Jose T , JesúsPerea Rosario , Guasch Eduard , Tolosana José Maria , San Antonio Rodolfo , Arbelo Elena , Sitges Marta , Brugada Josep , Berruezo Antonio , Mont Lluís , Roca-Luque Ivo
Published: May 2021

Aims

Ventricular tachycardia (VT) substrate-based ablation has an increasing role in patients with structural heart disease-related VT. VT is linked to re-entry in relation to myocardial scarring with areas of conduction block (core scar) and areas of slow conduction [border zone (BZ)]. VT substrate can be analysed by late gadolinium enhancement cardiac magnetic resonance (LGE-CMR). Our study aims to analyse the role of LGE-CMR in identifying predictors of VT recurrence after ablation.

Methods and results

We analysed 110 consecutive patients who underwent VT ablation from 2013 to 2018. All patients underwent a preprocedural LGE-CMR, and in 94 patients (85.5%), the CMR was used to aid the ablation. All LGE-CMR images were semi-automatically processed using dedicated software to detect scarring and conducting channels. After a median follow-up of 2.7 ± 1.6 years, the overall VT recurrence was 41.8% with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator shock reduction from 43.6% to 28.2% before and after ablation, respectively. The amount of BZ (26.6 ± 13.9 vs. 19.6 ± 9.7 g, P = 0.012), the total amount of scarring (37.1 ± 18.2 vs. 29 ± 16.3 g, P = 0,033), and left ventricular (LV) mass (168.3 ± 53.3 vs. 152.3 ± 46.4 g, P < 0.001) were associated with VT recurrence. LGE septal distribution [62.5% vs. 37.8%; hazard ratio (HR) 1.67 (1.02–3.93), P = 0.044], channels with transmural path [66.7% vs. 31.4%, HR 3.25 (1.70–6.23), P < 0.001], and midmural channels [54.3% vs. 27.6%, HR 2.49 (1.21–5.13), P = 0.013] were related with VT recurrence. Multivariate analysis showed that the presence of septal LGE [HR 3.67 (1.60–8.38), P = 0.002], transmural channels [HR 2.32 (1.15–4.72), P = 0.019], and LV mass [HR 1.01 (1.005–1.019), P = 0.002] were independent predictors of VT recurrence.

Conclusion

Pre-procedural LGE-CMR is a helpful and feasible technique to identify patients with high risk of VT recurrence after ablation. LV mass, septal LGE distribution, and transmural channels were predictive factors of post-ablation VT recurrence.